Subject: Miscellaneous

Customs represent the “inherited wisdom” of a society, providing a sense of identity and continuity. However, when they become rigid and immune to questioning, they can lead to obscurantism i.e. deliberate suppression of facts, logic, and scientific inquiry.

Customs and traditions suppressing reason and leading to obscurantism

Blind Ritualism – Mechanical adherence discourages questioning and rational inquiry. Eg- Astrology determining marriage, education, and career decisions.

Moral Absolutism – Customs treated as eternal truths beyond questioning. Eg- practice of Nikah Halala or rigid Purdah systems

Superstitions – Fear-based practices override scientific thinking. Eg- Witch-hunting in some tribal belts.

Caste-Based Discrimination – Tradition legitimises hierarchy and inequality. Eg- Persistence of untouchability practices.

Patriarchal Customs restrict autonomy and rational reform. Eg- Child marriage and son meta preference.

Religious Orthodoxy – Dogmatic interpretations suppress dissent. Eg- honor killings.

Resistance to Social Reform – Tradition used to justify the status quo. Eg- Opposition sabrimala temple entry for women.

Fear of social boycott silences rational voices. Eg- Khap panchayat diktats.

Obstruction to Scientific Temper – Eg- Faith healing replacing medical treatment or vaccine hesitancy among tribals

Educational Constraints – Eg- Restrictions on girls’ education in conservative communities.

Legal Stagnation – Laws based on “customary practice” often protect outdated behaviors that modern reason would deem criminal. Eg- legal immunity for Marital Rape

Counter-Argument- The Rationality of Tradition

Cultural Identity and Stability – Traditions ensure social cohesion. Eg- Family and kinship systems.

Scientific nature of traditions and customs. Eg- use of Turmeric (Haldi) for its antiseptic properties

Traditions act as ethical frameworks and provide moral guidance. Eg- Values of ahimsa, dharma, tolerance.

Reform from Within Tradition – Many reform movements emerged internally. Eg- Buddhism, Bhakti movement.

Adaptive Nature of Traditions – Customs evolve with social change. Eg- greater acceptance of widow remarriage

Ecological Conservation – customs establish a symbiotic relationship with nature. Eg- Sacred Groves (Devrai)

Social Safety Nets – Traditions of collectivism provide psychological and material support. Eg- Langar tradition in Sikhism

The need of the hour is to harmonise tradition with reason, scientific temper, and constitutional morality, ensuring cultural continuity without compromising rational progress.

The Indian civil service, rooted in the Weberian model of bureaucracy, has evolved to combine professional competence with a deep commitment to national development and constitutional values.

Professionalism in Civil Service

Merit-based recruitment through the Union Public Service Commission ensures competence and impartiality. Eg- Competitive examination system for IAS, IPS, IFS.

Training institutions like Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (Mussoorie) instill administrative skills, ethics, and leadership. Eg- ‘Bharat Darshan’ exposure tours.

Adherence to rules, procedures, and the principle of political neutrality.

Expertise in policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation across diverse sectors.

Commitment to Rule of Law – civil servants uphold constitutional provisions and legal frameworks.

Nationalistic Consciousness

The civil service was ‘Indianised’ after independence, transforming from a colonial instrument of control to a vehicle of national development. Eg- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s vision of IAS as the ‘steel frame’ of India.

District administration model – DMs serve as the face of governance in remotest areas, ensuring national integration.

Role in nation-building – Eg- land reforms, Green Revolution, poverty alleviation, literacy missions, Aadhaar, Digital India.

Crisis management during national emergencies – natural disasters, pandemics (COVID-19 management by district administration).

Constitutional values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity guide civil service conduct. Eg- Upholding secularism and protecting minority rights.

Commitment to social justice – implementation of reservation policies, tribal welfare, women’s empowerment schemes.

Challenges

Political interference and transfers undermine neutrality.

Red tape and resistance to reform.

Ethical dilemmas in balancing political directives with public interest.

The Indian civil service, at its best, embodies what Jawaharlal Nehru envisioned: “a service that is devoted to the nation, that understands the problems of the country, and that has the courage and integrity to serve the people.”