Civil services reforms must go beyond recruitment and standardised training to cope with the present day challenges. Analyse. (Answer in 150 words)

2nd ARC suggested reforms to tackle problems of civil services such as overcentralisation, focus on rules instead of roles etc. These included reforms at recruitment (Public Administration graduate level) and standardized training levels (eg induction joint course etc.). However, present day challenges require us to go beyond these → Global Polysises → COVID Present day challenges → Financial innovations, IR 4.0, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Decentralized Financing, Globalisation

Reforms required: (1) Mid Career Stage 1i) Role of civil servants evolve from policy implementation to policy enabling. 1ii) Sensitization at mid career is required to emerging issues such as Gig Economy, Cyber, Bullying etc. (2) Domain Expertise 2i) Mission Karmayogi FRAC approach is right step. (3) Integrated Ecosystem of Civil Services 3i) AI/IoT platform can be utilised for far reaching issues iv Lateral entry need to be encouraged Civil Services reforms thus need to be multi-pronged and domain specified. With changing times, Civil Services must also change and be enablers of positive social change

— Suvan Sharma · AIR 148