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This is one of the finest pieces one has read in living memory about the IAS. It is easy for armchair critics and carping critics alike to criticize all the time but it takes a lot of courage for someone to bring out the other side of the story that too a view held by the minority. Hats off to Mint for commissiong such a piece which is succint, hardhitting and balanced.

Posted On 10/12/2009 2:17:36 AM

Hard hitting thought-provoking post- this triggered a separate thought in my mind on the aspects of this system! The success percentage is also hitting at the right spot. With a lot of IIM grads venturing in to social service, this area is also viable option where they can collaborate with existing IAS officers to revamp a territory or a village at a grass roots level.

Posted On 10/19/2009 3:24:21 PM

I don't know where lies the truth about the IAS. The lower sections of govt. employees can't be blamed for corruption as corruption is possible when supported by the top. The fish rots first from the head.If all the IAS officers unite and decide not to succumb to politicians then politicians will come to heel very soon. It is due to the spineless IAS officers that criminal MPs' do the things that they do. These days when I hand over my passport I count the pages before I hand over the passport at the immigration counter and very carefully recheck on getting it back right in front of the counter official as several instances of willful damage to passports have been carried out and reported in the newspapers so as to collect massive amounts of bribe in order to get the problem resolved. One has to bribe a long list of govt. depts. startingfrom the Police, to the local IAS and IFS (as the problem gets upwards to the top). The few IAS/IFS officers I have come across are very bright, very aware of the world and very pleasent speaking, but the average is a crass character.

Posted On 11/2/2009 10:10:05 AM

I totally agree with the author. I also feel that while it is important to ensure the quality of the 80 IAS candidates, there should also be an opportunity for people from other walks of life and achievers thereof should have a meta-IAS service profile available for lateral entry. Wouldn't India benefit from good young corporate/social achievers who have the drive to work for the country and are allowed to be part of the IAS role?

Posted On 11/11/2009 12:12:22 PM