Introduction
Ethical governance is a cornerstone of democracy and good administration. In India, where public servants wield significant discretionary power, upholding values like integrity, accountability, and compassion ensures that governance operates not just legally but morally. Without ethical conduct, decisions can veer toward corruption, bias, and inefficiency—eroding public trust and compromising the social contract between the state and its citizens.
What Is Ethical Governance?
Ethical governance means decisions and actions in public administration are anchored in values such as:
-
Probity and Integrity (serving the public interest without corruption)
-
Responsibility and Internal Accountability (guided by conscience, not mere formal rules)
-
Rule of Law and Transparency (ensuring fairness and minimizing arbitrariness)
-
Compassion and Empathy toward citizens, especially the vulnerable IIPA+1Insights IAS+1Drishti IAS+1AspireIAS+1
This approach goes beyond procedural compliance—it demands moral commitment rooted in public duty.
Core Ethical Issues in Indian Governance
1. Abuse of Authority and Nepotism
Officials sometimes misuse rank or power, favor friends or relatives (patronization), and violate merit-based norms—eroding institutional integrity Drishti IASAspireIAS.
2. Administrative Secrecy and Lack of Transparency
Opaque decision-making, withheld information, and minimal disclosure prevent accountability and breed mistrust ClearIAS+1ClearIAS+1.
3. Complacency and Negligence
Lack of conscientious execution of duties affects performance and public welfare—sometimes causing systemic failure .
4. Conflicts of Interest
Civil servants sometimes face dilemmas between public duty and personal or political loyalties—a gap only partially addressed by conduct rules .
Institutional Measures and Legal Mechanisms
1. Codes of Conduct and Proposed Codes of Ethics
-
Civil service Conduct Rules define what actions to avoid, but India lacks a statutory Code of Ethics that outlines aspirational values more broadly .
-
The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) recommended creating a code of ethics rooted in public interest, integrity, impartiality, and stewardship .
2. RTI and Whistleblower Frameworks
-
The Right to Information Act (2005) empowers citizens to demand transparency—but application remains clogged by bureaucratic hurdles .
-
The Whistleblowers Protection Act (2014) offers recourse to officials exposing wrongdoing, though its efficacy depends on safe implementation .
3. Lokpal and Lokayukta Bodies
-
The Lokpal Act (2013) established an ombudsman at the union level; many states also appoint independent Lokayuktas to investigate corruption allegations against public servants—though uneven application across states limits impact .
4. Institutional Audits and Citizen Oversight
-
Social audits (e.g., in Andhra Pradesh under NREGA) and performance audits by bodies like the CAG enhance accountability—and expose misuse of public funds .
Ethical Capacity Building and Leadership
-
Training in ethics, decision-making, and public values is now standard in premier institutes like LBSNAA and IIPA, focusing on real-world dilemmas, case studies, and value-based leadership .
-
According to the OECD model and ARC recommendations, governments must develop a robust ethical infrastructure—including ethics committees, public education, and institutional coordination .
Challenges Limiting Ethical Governance
1. Enforcement Gaps
Many civil servants escape punishment for ethical lapses due to weak enforcement, procedural delays, and political interference .
2. Lack of Uniform Adoption
Some states are yet to empower Lokayuktas fully; whistleblower and RTI misuse can lead to harassment; and ethics codes remain advisory rather than mandatory .
3. Cultural and Organizational Resistance
Complacency, patronage norms, or resistance to reform hinder the nurturing of an ethical administrative culture .
Strategies for Strengthening Ethics in Governance
1. Institutionalize a Code of Ethics
Draft and legally embed a clear, value-based code for civil servants that complements conduct rules, encompassing commitments like neutrality, impartiality, public interest, and conflict disclosure .
2. Enforce Transparency Tools Effectively
Ensure RTI application processes are simplified and appeals systems are functional. Use RTI as a tool to fight corruption initiatives across states .
3. Expand and Empower Watchdog Institutions
Ensure Lokayuktas, CAG, Lokpal, and ethics committees are adequately resourced, independent, and empowered to act swiftly on complaints .
4. Promote Ethics Audits and Social Accountability
Implement ethics audits at institutional levels and encourage social audits to uncover malpractice while boosting communal oversight, as in Andhra’s NREGA model .
5. Strengthen Ethics Training and Civic Culture
Integrate ethics modules into curriculums: programs like Delhi’s Rashtraneeti can cultivate civic-mindedness and ethical reasoning from a young age .
6. Recognize Ethical Exemplars
Reward and publicly recognize civil servants demonstrating integrity and empathy to build positive incentives and reinforce moral conduct .
Conclusion
Ethics in governance is far more than optional—it is essential for public confidence, democratic legitimacy, and sustainable statecraft. Indian public administration must transition from mere legal compliance to a culture of moral responsibility—anchored in transparency, compassion, integrity, and accountability.
Effective ethics frameworks, supported by legal enforcement, transparent institutions, civic education, and leadership by example, are vital to transform public administration into a guardian of the public good. By institutionalizing ethical values and enabling citizens to hold officials accountable, India can build an administration that serves not only efficiently, but also honorably.
When public service is guided by ethical conviction, governance becomes sustainable, equitable, and deserving of citizen trust. And this is how integrity becomes the foundation of nation-building.