Question

"The Indian Administrative Services take in bright and idealistic young people but within ten years they are left with nothing but cynicism and conformity."

Hint:

Regular engagement, continuous learning, and emotional support can help retain passion and idealism in high-pressure careers.

Answer 1

Step 1: Acknowledge the problem.
The issue at hand is that the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) initially attracts young and idealistic individuals, but over time, they lose their enthusiasm due to the pressures of the job and institutional norms. The work environment becomes draining, leading to burnout, disillusionment, and conformity. This results in a loss of passion for public service.
Step 2: Suggest solutions.
- Mentorship Programs: Introduce regular mentorship and career counseling sessions for civil servants. Senior officials who still retain their passion for public service can guide the younger officers, ensuring they don’t lose their idealism and commitment. - Job Rotation: Allow young officers to rotate across different sectors and departments. A variety of tasks and responsibilities will not only enhance their skill sets but also help them maintain their passion by reducing monotony. - Support Systems: Providing emotional and psychological support through workshops, peer group discussions, and stress management programs would help maintain morale. - Incentivizing Innovation: Encouraging officers to work on innovative projects that align with their values and passions would help sustain their initial drive for public service.
Step 3: Conclusion.
By implementing mentorship, job rotations, and stress management programs, we can help maintain the idealistic values of young IAS officers, ensuring they remain motivated and innovative in their careers.