Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy has suggested reshaping the civil services system. He proposed that the government should select Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers from business schools, instead of only using the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams.
At the CNBC-TV18 Global Leadership Summit, Murthy proposed that this shift would introduce a more dynamic, management-focused approach to governance. He pointed out that a “management mindset” could drive economic growth and support the goal of reaching a $50 trillion economy by 2047.
“It’s time for India to move from an administrative mindset to a management mindset. Administration is about keeping things the same, while management is about having big ideas and goals. It’s about achieving what may seem impossible,” said the Infosys founder.
Murthy stated that the current UPSC examination system only produces civil servants trained in general administration. To meet the evolving needs of governance, he proposed a management-based approach that emphasizes vision, cost control, innovation, and quick execution.
‘Hire individuals from private sector’
Under the traditional model, candidates for the IAS and IPS must clear the UPSC exam, which tests their knowledge across a range of subjects, and then undergo training in administrative functions.
While this has produced generations of civil servants with a deep understanding of governance, Murthy believes it is no longer sufficient for meeting the needs of a fast-evolving country. He said that a more specialised approach, where civil service candidates are trained in specific fields like management, would lead to more effective governance.
He also stressed on choosing individuals with experience in the private sector and business world for prominent roles in government. Murthy said such people should be appointed as heads of key committees, reporting to cabinet ministers and shaping policy decisions.