Why should impartiality and non-partisanship be considered as foundational values in public services, especially in the present day socio-political context ? Illustrate your answer with examples.

Constitutional promise

Articles 14, 15 and 16 guarantee equal treatment, which only an impartial officer turns into equal access to services and justice.

Continuity and legitimacy

A permanent service must implement any elected government's policies, and T.N. Seshan's even-handed enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (1990-96) showed how neutrality restores public faith.

Not indifference

Uniformly applying reservations under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) is itself impartial, because impartiality means equal application of the law, not blindness to disadvantage.

Polarised society

Caste and religious tensions test officers during riots and protests, and the Supreme Court in Prakash Singh (2006) ordered police reforms against political interference.

Politicised transfers

Ashok Khemka's more than 50 transfers, including after cancelling a controversial land mutation in 2012, show the pressure on neutral officers.

Codified neutrality

As pressure on officers grows, the 2014 amendment to the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 made political neutrality an explicit duty.

Technology as an ally

Aadhaar-linked Direct Benefit Transfer removes discretionary middlemen, building impartiality into delivery.