Principles Of Ethical Governance From Mahatma Gandhi To Deen Dayal Upadhyaya

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Governance; GS IV: Ethics

Why in the News?

An article in Indian Express highlights the ethical responsibilities of public officials and the need to strengthen institutional integrity, accountability and public trust in governance.

News in Brief

• An article by Nanditesh Nilay examines the ethical responsibilities of public officials through the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya.
• Ethical governance requires public officials to prioritize public welfare over personal interests.
• The article stresses that public trust depends on impartial decision-making, accountability, adherence to the rule of law and citizen-centric administration.
• Citizen-centric governance must protect vulnerable sections and strengthen public trust in institutions.

Mahatma Gandhi: Public Office as a Trust

• Mahatma Gandhi viewed public office as a form of trusteeship, with power and public funds held in trust for the people.
• Officials should assess decisions by considering the welfare of the poorest and most vulnerable as the guiding principle.
• Public servants must protect citizens’ dignity and ensure that administrative processes do not exclude disadvantaged groups.
• Governance should prioritize public welfare over personal interests.

Shastri: Merit Over Privilege

• Lal Bahadur Shastri emphasized public administration requires initiative, innovation and practical judgement in public administration rather than the mechanical application of rules.
• Access to government services should depend on eligibility, not personal recommendations or proximity to influential people.
• Merit and fairness must take precedence over seniority, authority and privilege.

Patel: Integrity and Moral Courage

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Civil servants must express honest professional opinions, even when these differ from the views of political leaders.
• Ethical administration requires independence, impartiality and the courage to resist undie pressure.
• Civil Servants must uphold the rule of law, maintain  public order and protect minorities.
• Integrity requires moral courage and commitment to constitutional principles, beyond mere compliance with official procedures.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya: Antyodaya

• Antyodaya emphasis the upliftment of the last person and places the most disadvantaged sections at the centre of policymaking.
• Public officials should evaluate decisions based on their impact on vulnerable communities.
• Public service should be treated as a dharma (duty) rather than merely a career.
• Strengthening local institutions and maintaining independence from political and bureaucratic pressures are essential for ethical governance.

Restoring Institutional Integrity

• Ethical governance requires honesty, impartiality, accountability and sensitivity towards citizens.
• Rules must be implemented with fairness and an understanding of ground realities.
• Public officials should resist corruption, favoritism and political interference.
• Citizen-centric administration is essential for rebuilding public confidence institutions.

Other Dimensions of Ethical Governance in Public Administration

Transparency and Accountability

• Transparency in decision-making enables citizens to understand how public resources are used and how administrative decisions are made.
• Accountability ensures that officials take responsibility for their actions.
• Measures such as the Right to Information Act, 2005, and social audits help reduce corruption and strengthen public trust.

Citizen Participation

• Public Participation makes governance more responsive to people’s needs.
• Gram Sabhas, public consultations and grievance-redressal mechanisms provide citizens with opportunities to influence decisions and question administrative shortcomings.
• This strengthens democratic accountability and improves service delivery.

Ethical Use of Discretion

• Civil servants often exercise discretion while implementing policies and delivering public services.
• Such powers must be used objectively, fairly and within the framework of law.
• Personal bias, favoritism and political pressure should not influence administrative decisions.

Conflict of Interest

• A conflict of interest arises when an official’s private interests interfere, or appear to interfere, with official responsibilites.
• Disclosure of personal interests, transparent procedures and appropriate recusal from  decisions help maintain impartiality and prevent misuse of public office.

Compassionate and Inclusive administration

• Ethical governance requires sensitivity towards the difficulties faced by disadvantaged groups, including persons with disabilities, women, children and economically weaker sections.
• Policies must be accessible and inclusive so that administrative processes do not deepen existing inequalities.

Ethical Challenges in Digital Governance

• Digital platforms can improve efficiency, transparency and access to public services.
• However, data privacy, algorithmic bias, cybersecurity risks and the digital divide require careful attention.
• Public officials must ensure that technology serves citizens fairly and does not exclude those with limited digital access.

Institutional Mechanisms for Integrity

• Vigilance bodies, independent oversight, whistleblower protection and effective grievance-redressal systems help detect misconduct and promote ethical behavior.
• Strong institutions are essential because integrity should not depend solely on the personal values of individual officials.

Ethical Leadership

• Senior officials influence the ethical culture of an organization through their conduct and decisions.
• Leadership based on honesty, fairness and accountability encourages similar behavior among subordinates.
• Ethical leaders should protect professional independence and ensure that misconduct is addressed fairly.

Outcome-Oriented Governance

• Following procedures is important, but administrative success must also be measured by actual improvements in people’s lives.
• Public services should be assessed in terms of accessibility, quality, fairness and effectiveness.
• This approach connects administrative efficiency with social justice.

Constitutional Morality

• Constitutional morality requires public officials to uphold constitutional principles, including justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, even under political or social pressure.
• It ensures that administrative decisions remain consistent with democratic values, fundamental rights and the rule of law.

Constitutional Values Supporting Ethical Governance

• Preamble: Promotes justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
• Article 14: Guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws.
• Article 16: Ensures equality of opportunity in public employment.
• Article 38: Directs the State to promote the welfare of the people through a just social order.
• Article 39A: Provides for equal justice and free legal aid.
• Article 311: Provides safeguards against arbitrary dismissal, removal or reduction in rank of civil servants, subject to constitutional conditions.

Important Ethical Values for Civil Servants

• Integrity: Adhering to moral principles and resisting corruption.
• Impartiality: Treating citizens fairly without favouritism or discrimination.
• Objectivity: Making decisions based on facts, evidence and established criteria.
• Non-partisanship: Serving the elected government while maintaining political neutrality.
• Accountability: Accepting responsibility for administrative decisions and actions.
• Empathy: Understanding the difficulties faced by vulnerable citizens.
• Commitment to public service: Prioritising public welfare over personal gain.

UPSC Relevance

• GS  Paper- II: Governance, Transparency, Accountability, citizen-centric administration and Role of Civil Services in Democracy
• GS Paper- IV: Ethics and human interface, Attitude and foundational values for civil service, Emotional Intelligence and its application in administration, Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India, Ethics in Public Administration, Integrity, Aptitude and Probity in Governance.

UPSC  Mains Practice Question

Q) Public office is a position of trust, not a source of privilege. Discuss this statement in the context of ethical governance, constitutional values and the responsibilities of civil servants.

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