The notions of inefficiency and corruption dominate the critique of the Indian bureaucracy. While all critiques of too much red tape, power, and corruption carry undeniable merit, they miss a different layer of failure of this structure of Indian governance. Independent India inherited one of the most capable machines built by a colonial power and repurposed it in so many ways that the original capability is impossible to express. The real issue is that we use our most traine

The Indian Administrative Service (IAS), has long been viewed as the steel frame for governance in India. The once-highly-held ideals of...

“There have been numerous CECs [Chief Election Commissioners] and T N Seshan happens once in a while.” ~ Supreme Court of India The...