2013 · GS Paper 4 · Q2(a)(iii) · 3 marks
What do you understand by the following terms in the context of public service? Spirit of service
In short
Spirit of service is the motivation to use public office for citizens' welfare, especially the weakest, rather than for status or gain, holding power as a trust. S.R. Sankaran's career freeing bonded labourers and the Nolan principle of selflessness show it in practice.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 303 words
Selfless Motive
Success is measured by the citizen's relief, not personal credit, in the spirit of Ramakrishna's maxim Shiva-jnane jiva-seva, serving people as serving God.
Empathy and Compassion
It means seeing the problem from the citizen's side and closing the empathy gap between the file and the face.
Beyond the Call of Duty
Kozhikode Collector Prashant Nair's Operation Sulaimani (2015) gave meal coupons to the hungry through local restaurants, going past what any rule required.
Lifelong Exemplar
S.R. Sankaran, the "people's IAS officer", devoted his career to freeing bonded labourers and to Dalit and Adivasi welfare while living simply.
Institutional Push
Mission Karmayogi (2020) seeks to shift the civil service from rule-based to role-based, citizen-centric working, building this spirit into training.
Cost of Its Absence
Without it, red tape, rent-seeking and apathy take over, which is why the 2nd ARC's twelfth report, Citizen Centric Administration (2009), put the citizen at the heart of governance.
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This chapter in the exam
Dedication to public service10 questions
Asked in 5 of 14 sittings since 2013
- 2025"One who is devoted to one's duty attains highest perfection in life." Analyse this statement with reference to sense of responsibility and personal fulfilment as a civil servant.
- 2022Write short notes on the following in 30 words each: Devotion to duty
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2013 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.