Making the grade

The civil services have always been seen as a test of the governments representativeness. The early nationalists sought the Indianisation of the Indian Civil Services,and a changed demographic was won by incremental reform in the age limit,location of the entrance examination and its content. In fact,by the time independence came,by which time the freedom movement had a more ambivalent attitude to the ICS,a substantial portion of the officers were Indian.

Recruitment to the successor services of the ICS have been just as keenly tracked in the hope that it would reflect the democratic and plural nature of the Republic. The examination has been reformatted to give candidates a more level playing field. Change,up or down,in age limits is for ever being contemplated,and often effected get them into service early so that they can be trained well,give them more shots at qualification to make recruitment more open,etc. Affirmative action has been deepened to remove what are perceived to be structural inequalities. And just on Friday,the Supreme Court upheld a UPSC provision for reserved category candidates to get the quota benefit while being allotted posts.

Therefore,even amidst the myriad job opportunities today,the civil list continues to be closely followed. The toppers each year are profiled,to track the changing face of the Indian civil servant. This year,in Shah Faisal we have a very personable and grounded hero. Hes given up the temptations of a career in medicine,and sought a chance to be change agent,a calling he says hes already heeding as an RTI activist. Hes overcome the trauma of losing his father to militancy in Kashmir. And being the first candidate from Jammu and Kashmir to top the examination,he has shown how inclusive can be the celebration of individual achievement.