Foundational Values of Public Service Ethics

Public servants in India develop and implement public policy within a framework of public service values. These values influence public servants’ attitudes and actions. They define what the public service stands for. These values are the guide to them in all their actions towards safeguarding fundamental human rights, the dignity and worth of the human being, social justice, and respect for rich and poor and for the equal rights of men and women.

Impartiality

This means that, regardless of a public servants personal beliefs and preferences, and personal relationships with other servants or with members of the community, he or she must impartially serve the government of the day and treat members of the public and other public servants fairly and impartially. Impartiality implies tolerance and restraint, particularly in dealing with political or religious convictions.

Efficiency and Effectiveness

The community pays for the resources that Public servants use. The community expects Public servants to make best use of these resources. This means that Public servants must work efficiendy and effectively, avoid waste, extravagance and improper use of the community’s resources, and maintain high standards of professionalism, probity, and performance.

Procedural Fairness

Procedural fairness denotes that decisions of Public servants must be reasonable, fair, just, and transparent. This means that the reasons for the decisions must be explained. It also means that decisions must be made without bias or the apprehension of bias, that they must be based on the evidence available, and that anyone who is adversely affected by the decision has the opportunity to provide their views.

Avoidance of Conflict of Interest

To ensure that the community perceives the Public servants as impartial, effective, and fair, it is necessary that the personal and financial interests of the Public servants do not come into conflict, or appear to come into conflict with their official duties and responsibilities.

Accountability

A Public servant is accountable to the minister for the responsibility and authority he or she exercises on the minister’s behalf. The Public servant is accountable for upholding the law and adhering to the policies and guidelines of the government. The Public servant is accountable for ensuring that the programmes, schemes, and projects of the government are delivered effectively, impartially, and courteously. Finally, Public servants are accountable for maintaining clear records of the reasons explaining the decisions that they take and implement.

Responsiveness

While Public servants must be impartial and fair in serving the government and delivering services to the public, they must also do their best to familiarize themselves with the policies and aspirations of the government of the day and ensure that it receives frank, professional, timely, and comprehensive advice that is relevant to these policies. Responsiveness also means that service delivery is professional and sensitive to the diversity of the community.

Avoidance of Discrimination

Impartiality, fairness, efficiency, and effectiveness in the Public service depend on objectivity in personnel decisions. This means that Public servants must avoid discrimination on the basis of gender, caste, race, linguistic or cultural background, or disability in personnel decisions and in their relationship with colleagues. It also means that Public servants must treat all their colleagues, and members of the public, with courtesy.