Opinion: Why Anonymity And Political Neutrality Are Non-Negotiable In Civil Service

Prof. Ram Kumar Kakani & Dana Najeeb 

“I've always said that fame is fleeting, but anonymity can last a lifetime.” - Joe Johnston 

In 2024, the Government of Kerala suspended two IAS officers. One of them had created a religion-based WhatsApp group, while the other was accused of making derogatory statements about the then additional chief secretary on social media. The suspension was done on the grounds of breaking of the All-India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, which prohibit officers from criticising government policies in public media and require them to maintain high standards of ethics, integrity and political neutrality. 

Careerist civil servants are the backbone of a nation’s administration, who play a pivotal role in the effective functioning of a government. The value they add to the smooth functioning of the government is tremendous. Their contributions are indispensable in protecting public interest, institutional consistency and upholding governance. However, in today’s world dominated by the internet and social media, a concerning trend has emerged: an increasing number of civil servants are drifting away from the essential principle of anonymity. 

Anonymity refers to the act of having one’s identity hidden and in the context of civil servants, choosing to remain out of the spotlight, not having personally identifiable information shared with others is how they can maintain anonymity. It acts as a foundational and core value of a civil servant that upholds the moral framework and neutrality of a civil servant. 

While social media can enhance these officers’ familiarity with the public, transparency, and accessibility, it also carries significant risk. It can lead to the blurring of the boundaries between personal expression and professional integrity, as well as their personal and professional life. With a job that comes with a lot of power to influence policies and make critical decisions, comes a lot of responsibility. In such a role, it is imperative that civil servants maintain a posture of restraint, discretion, and political non-alignment. 

Political Neutrality Is Codified In Law For Civil Servants 

Serving the ruling government regardless of their political views, a sense of political neutrality is expected of them to ensure impartiality. Their conduct must exhibit this rather than their personal beliefs and political leanings. This expectation of political neutrality is not simply based on ethical ideal but is codified in law in the All-India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, as mentioned earlier. By upholding political neutrality, it ensures that governance is driven by public interest, not political agendas, and that every citizen receives fair and equal treatment under the law. 

The All-India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 explicitly outline the standards of conduct expected from officers. These rules prohibit civil servants from engaging in any activity that could be interpreted as politically motivated or biased. They are forbidden from publicly expressing political opinions, participating in political demonstrations, or using their official capacity to support or criticize any political party. 

While the use of social media is not all that bad, it must be ensured that it is done judiciously. Today a number of civil servants can be found on multiple social media platforms promoting themselves, making claims, and sharing unnecessary information about their personal lives. Social media gives these individuals fame and followers, a kind of exposure that puts them on a pedestal. However, recognition of this kind should not be sought by these individuals as work is meant to be guided by objectivity, impartiality, and institutional integrity — not by applause or external validation. In this process of personal branding, a scenario where one’s decisions would get influenced based on what is best for generating the most online engagement or positive coverage and not what is best for the public or the institution can come up. With time, it can lead to the loss of credibility of both — the official and the institution they represent. 

Hence, a judicious, balanced approach is essential. Civil servants must be mindful of the distinctiveness of their role and must use social media, if used at all, reasonably and with intent — chiefly as a tool for sharing critical public information, explaining policies, or combating disinformation. The overarching premise must always be to serve the people humbly, and in serving, maintain the quiet dignity and impartiality that represent the essence of public service. 

Prof. Ram Kumar Kakani is Director, IIM Raipur; and Dana Najeeb is a research scholar at IIM Raipur.

[Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs, and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, and views of ABP Network Pvt. Ltd.]

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