Civil services reform (Mission Karmayogi)

Background and evolution

India's civil services descend from the colonial Indian Civil Service, reorganised after independence into the All India Services and central services. Sardar Patel called them the "steel frame" that held the country together. Over time, however, observers criticised them for rigidity, generalist training, frequent transfers, slow decision-making, risk-aversion and limited specialised skills in areas like technology, finance and health.

Many commissions proposed reforms. The First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966) and the Second ARC (2005–2009) made hundreds of recommendations on recruitment, training, performance appraisal, accountability and ethics. The Hota Committee (2004) and the Surinder Nath Committee (2003) addressed performance and appraisal. Key ideas included mid-career training, domain specialisation, fixed tenures, performance-linked careers and lateral entry of specialists. In September 2020 the Union Cabinet approved Mission Karmayogi to build competencies continuously through digital learning and a competency framework for every role.

Key features and provisions

• Role-based approach: each post is mapped to the competencies (behavioural, functional and domain) it requires.
• iGOT Karmayogi platform: online courses accessible to central government employees anytime.
• Prime Minister's Human Resource Council: apex body for strategic direction.
• Capacity Building Commission: sets standards, audits training institutions and prepares annual capacity building plans.
• Special Purpose Vehicle (Karmayogi Bharat): a not-for-profit company owning and running the digital platform.
• Lateral entry: recruitment of specialists at joint secretary and director levels through the UPSC since 2018.
• Annual capacity building plans: for each ministry and department.