Chapter 7 · Topic 7.1 · Prelims + Mains1 of 3
Public Service: Values and codes
Key points
- Public servant, public interest, enabler.
- Codes; 2nd ARC values and Public Service Code.
- Public funds.
4 PYQs 2011–2025
Prelims box: facts and traps
| Regulator mindset | Enabler mindset |
|---|---|
| permission first | service first |
| many inspections | risk-based checks |
| file moves slowly | time-bound, online |
| citizen as applicant | citizen as client. |
- Service Code Mains 2018 asked to Distinguish between “Code of ethics” and “Code of conduct” with suitable examples.
- A model can start from the 2nd ARC's list of values in a draft Public Service Bill: Allegiance to the various ideals enshrined in the preamble to the Constitution; Apolitical functioning.
Public servant, public interest and public service
values Mains 2019 asked: What do you understand by the term public servant? Reflect on the expected role of public servant. Simply put, a public servant is anyone paid from public funds to perform a public duty: a clerk, a teacher in a government school, a police constable or a Secretary. The expected role: serve citizens impartially, implement laws and schemes faithfully, give honest advice to the political executive and use public money carefully.
What do you understand by the term ‘public servant’? Reflect on the expected role of public servant.
Mains 2018 asked: What is meant by public interest? Public interest is the welfare of the community as a whole, not of a person, group or the officer. Principles to follow: the law and the Constitution first, fairness and non-discrimination, transparency, reasons recorded in writing, avoiding conflicts of interest and consulting affected people.
What is meant by public interest ? What are the principles and procedures to be followed by the civil servants in public interest ?
Mains 2025 said that To achieve holistic development goal, a civil servant acts as an enabler and active facilitator of growth rather than a regulator. Measures: single-window, time-bound
approvals; self-certification for low-risk activities; clear published standards; handholding for small entrepreneurs and farmers; and inspection based on risk, not routine.
To achieve holistic development goal, a civil servant acts as an enabler and active facilitator of growth rather than a regulator. What specific measures will you suggest to achieve this goal?
| Regulator mindset | Enabler mindset |
|---|---|
| permission first | service first |
| many inspections | risk-based checks |
| file moves slowly | time-bound, online |
| citizen as applicant | citizen as client |
Teaching table.
Code of ethics, code of conduct and the Public
Service Code Mains 2018 asked to Distinguish between “Code of ethics” and “Code of conduct” with suitable examples. A code of ethics states broad values (integrity, impartiality, compassion) that guide judgement; a code of conduct lists specific do’s and don’ts with penalties (for example, rules on accepting gifts or buying property). Ethics is aspirational; conduct is enforceable.
Distinguish between “Code of ethics” and “Code of conduct” with suitable examples.
The 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission’s Fourth Report, Ethics in Governance (January 2007), notes that the current enforceable norms are Conduct Rules, typified by the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules – 1964, and that the Santhanam Committee (1964) recommended enlarging them. It observes: There is no Code of Ethics for civil servants in the sense of broad values (2nd ARC, Fourth Report).
Mains 2024 noted: There is code of conduct already in operation, whereas code of ethics is not yet put in place, and asked for a model. A model can start from the 2nd ARC’s list of values in a draft Public Service Bill: Allegiance to the various ideals enshrined in the preamble to the Constitution; Apolitical functioning; Good governance for betterment of the people; Duty to act objectively and impartially; Accountability and transparency in decision-making; Maintenance of highest ethical
standards; merit in selection; economy in expenditure; a healthy work environment; and participation of all levels of personnel (2nd ARC, Fourth Report).
The ‘Code of Conduct’ and ‘Code of Ethics’ are the sources of guidance in public administration. There is code of conduct already in operation, whereas code of ethics is not yet put in place. Suggest a suitable model for code of ethics to maintain integrity, probity and transparency in governance.
Mains 2016 asked to Discuss the Public Services Code as recommended by the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission. The Report records that the draft Bill also envisages a Public Service Code and a Public Service Management Code laying down more specific duties, with violations inviting penalties, and a Public Service Authority to oversee implementation. Its recommendation: Public Service Values should be defined and made applicable to all tiers of Government and parastatal organizations, and any transgression of these values should be treated as misconduct, inviting punishment; conflict of interest should be covered in both codes (2nd ARC, Fourth Report, para 2.7.6 and 2.7.12).
Discuss the Public Services Code as recommended by the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission.
| Code of ethics | Code of conduct |
|---|---|
| broad values | specific rules |
| guides judgement | prescribes behaviour |
| aspirational | enforceable, penalties |
| India: not yet in place (2nd ARC) | CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 |
Source: 2nd ARC, Fourth Report, Ethics in Governance (January 2007), para 2.7.
Mains box: analysis and answer points
- Public interest is the welfare of the community as a whole, not of a person, group or the officer.
- Principles to follow: the law and the Constitution first, fairness and non-discrimination, transparency, reasons recorded in writing, avoiding conflicts of interest and consulting affected people.
- Simply put, a public servant is anyone paid from public funds to perform a public duty: a clerk, a teacher in a government school, a police constable or a Secretary.
- Likely next angle: Enabler, not gatekeeper
- Asked: Mains 2019 (GS Paper IV, 10 marks): What do you understand by the term ‘public servant’? Reflect on the expected role of public servant.
Practice
Prelims PYQs on this topic (3)
Consider the following pairs :
| Provision in the Constitution of India | Stated under
| I. Separation of Judiciary from the Executive in the public services of the State | The Directive Principles of State Policy
| II. Valuing and preserving of the rich heritage of our composite culture | The Fundamental Duties
| III. Prohibition of employment of children below the age of 14 years in factories | The Fundamental Rights
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Answer (c) & explanation
All three pairs are correctly matched (c). Pair I is right: separation of the judiciary from the executive is Article 50, a Directive Principle. Pair II is right: valuing and preserving our composite culture is Article 51A(f), a Fundamental Duty. Pair III is right: no child below 14 may work in factories, mines or hazardous work under Article 24, a Fundamental Right. So options (a), (b) and (d) fail.
Notice related provisions: Article 21A gives free education for ages 6–14 (86th Amendment, 2002), and Article 51A(k) asks parents to educate their children. The Child Labour Amendment Act, 2016 banned all child labour below 14. Article 39(e) and (f) protect children too.
Article 45 (early childhood care, a DPSP) and Article 24 (a Fundamental Right) both talk about children. Keep them apart.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Consider the following statements :
- 1. 'Right to the City' is an agreed human right and the UN-Habitat monitors the commitments made by each country in this regard.
- 2. 'Right to the City' gives every occupant of the city the right to reclaim public spaces and public participation in the city.
- 3. 'Right to the City' means that the State cannot deny any public service or facility to the unauthorized colonies in the city.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer (d) & explanation
Statements 2 and 3 are correct (d). The "Right to the City" is an idea from the French thinker Henri Lefebvre (1968). Statement 1 is wrong: it was taken up in the UN's New Urban Agenda (Habitat III, Quito, 2016), but it is not a binding, agreed human right that UN-Habitat monitors country by country. Statement 2 is right: it covers every resident's claim to reclaim public spaces and take part in city decisions. Statement 3 is right: it means the State cannot deny basic services to people in unauthorised colonies.
Notice India's urban schemes: PMAY-Urban, AMRUT and the Smart Cities Mission. The 74th Amendment (1992) gave constitutional status to urban local bodies.
"agreed human right" and "monitors" turn a policy idea into a treaty. Words like these usually signal a wrong statement.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Consider the following :
- 1. Right to education.
- 2. Right to equal access to public service.
- 3. Right to food.
Which of the above is/are Human Right/Human Rights under “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” ?
Answer (d) & explanation
All three are human rights under the UDHR (d). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948, lists the right of equal access to public service (Article 21), the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being, including food (Article 25), and the right to education (Article 26). So options (a), (b) and (c) leave out real rights.
Notice the wider frame: 10 December is Human Rights Day. The UDHR is not a treaty, but its rights were made binding through the two 1966 Covenants (ICCPR and ICESCR). India's own Right to Education (Article 21A, 2002) and the National Food Security Act, 2013 echo these rights.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Mains PYQs on this topic (1)
Write an answer
In 150 words, explain the significance of Public Service with one recent example.
Flashcards (10)
Who is a public servant?
Anyone paid from public funds to perform a public duty.
Public interest means?
Welfare of the community as a whole.
Enabler vs regulator?
Facilitate growth vs control by permissions.
Code of ethics vs code of conduct?
Broad values vs enforceable rules.
Main conduct rules for central civil
servants? CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964.
Which committee led to the 1964 rules?
Santhanam Committee.
2nd ARC report on ethics?
Fourth Report, Ethics in Governance, January 2007.
2nd ARC: transgression of Public Service
Values is? Misconduct, inviting punishment.
Body to oversee the Public Service Code
(draft Bill)? Public Service Authority.
Name two values in the 2nd ARC list.
Apolitical functioning; duty to act objectively and impartially.
Read more: related explainers
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