To secure the national interest the decisions taken civil servants should be impartial and non-partisan. Explain.

Impartiality is a principle which holds that decisions should be taken objectively with well defined criteria rather than on the basis of bias and prejudice while being non partisan as a civil servant implies keeping politics and administration apart.
Political impartiality ensures that a civil servant works in the national and public interest to the best of his ability irrespective of his personal political beliefs. It allows the civil servant to concern himself with process, policy and result rather than person occupying the political position. He can implement minister’s policies objectively without any bias.
Impartiality in public dealing by civil servants reduces the complexity in their relationships and prevents any action which unduly favours one person.
Non-partisanship ensures that government machinery works smoothly through harmonious relationship between political executive and civil servant.
Impartiality and non-partisanship enhances public confidence in civil servants. Ministers have confidence in impartial civil servants as they are aware that officer is committed to service.
Major scams like Commonwealth Scam, Coal gate have shown politician-bureaucracy nexus which is not in national interest. Nepotism, corruption stem from partial approach in public dealing where personal interest or interest of few are placed over merit and general welfare.
Thus impartiality and non-partisanship are essential for transparent, clean, efficient and accountable governance.

Topics: GS-IV: Public Service Values Ethics in Public Admin