Identify ten essential values that are needed to be an effective public servant. Describe the ways and…

Question

Identify ten essential values that are needed to be an effective public servant. Describe the ways and means to prevent non-ethical behaviour in the public servants.

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

An effective public servant needs ten values in four clusters: integrity, honesty and courage; objectivity, impartiality and non-partisanship; empathy and dedication; accountability and transparency. Unethical behaviour is prevented by value-based recruitment, codes, the secure tenure urged in TSR Subramanian (2013), less discretion and credible deterrence.

**Introduction**

A public servant holds power as a trustee of citizens, so effectiveness depends on character as much as competence; the Second ARC's report on Ethics in Governance (2007) treats values as the first defence against misconduct.

**Ten Essential Values of an Effective Public Servant**

SKETCH: tree | Ten Values of a Public Servant
- Character
  - Integrity
  - Honesty
  - Courage of conviction
- Neutrality
  - Objectivity
  - Impartiality
  - Non-partisanship
- Citizen focus
  - Empathy
  - Dedication to service
- Answerability
  - Accountability
  - Transparency

1. **Character gives spine**: Ashok Khemka cancelled a questionable Haryana land mutation in 2012 despite repeated transfers.
2. **Neutrality gives fairness**: Objectivity and non-partisanship mean files are decided on merit, whichever party governs.
3. **Citizen focus gives purpose**: Armstrong Pame built Manipur's 100-km "People's Road" in 2012 through crowdfunding.
4. **Answerability gives trust**: Accountability and transparency let citizens question decisions, which keeps the other values honest.

**Ways and Means to Prevent Non-Ethical Behaviour**

1. **Recruit and train for values**: The ethics paper in the Civil Services Mains since 2013 and Mission Karmayogi (2020) build ethical aptitude.
2. **Codify and declare**: A statutory Code of Ethics, backed by annual property returns under the AIS (Conduct) Rules, 1968, draws clear lines.
3. **Insulate from pressure**: TSR Subramanian v Union of India (2013) sought fixed tenures, civil services boards and written instructions.
4. **Shrink discretion**: GeM e-procurement and Direct Benefit Transfer remove the contact points where bribes are negotiated.
5. **Detect and deter**: The Lokpal, the CVC and the Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014 make misconduct risky and dissent safe.

**Conclusion**

Values make a public servant effective; systems keep them alive under pressure. Recruiting for character, protecting the honest and punishing misconduct together build a trustworthy civil service.

Identify ten essential values that are needed to be an effective public servant. Describe the ways and means to prevent non-ethical behaviour in the public servants.

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