Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy has made a bold proposal to overhaul India’s civil services system, recommending that the government look beyond the traditional Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams and hire Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers from top business schools and the private sector. Murthy’s pitch, made during his address at the CNBC-TV18 Global Leadership Summit, aims to create a more dynamic, management-oriented approach to governance and contribute to the nation’s ambitious goal of reaching a $50 trillion economy by 2047.
A Shift from Administration to Management
Murthy emphasized that India’s civil services need a fundamental shift in mindset—from a focus on administration to one driven by management principles. He argued that while administration is about maintaining the status quo, management is about vision, high aspirations, and achieving the “plausibly impossible.” He added, “It is time for India to move from an administrative mindset to a management mindset. The administration is all about the status quo. On the other hand, management is all about vision and high aspiration. It’s about achieving the plausibly impossible.”
For Murthy, this shift is essential for India to achieve its long-term economic goals. By adopting a management-focused approach to governance, he believes India can better navigate the complexities of modern economic challenges, manage costs more effectively, and implement policies with greater speed and innovation.
Reimagining the IAS and IPS Selection Process
Under the current system, candidates for the IAS and IPS are selected through the rigorous UPSC examination process, which tests general knowledge across a wide range of subjects. While this system has produced a large cadre of civil servants well-versed in governance, Murthy suggests that it no longer meets the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.
Instead of relying solely on UPSC, Murthy proposes that IAS and IPS candidates be selected from top-tier business schools. He argues that business schools, where students are trained in management principles, entrepreneurship, and strategic thinking, would better equip civil servants to drive India’s economic growth. The goal, according to Murthy, would be to attract individuals who are adept in areas such as vision setting, cost control, innovation, and rapid execution—all crucial for modern governance.
The Role of Private Sector Experience
In addition to sourcing candidates from business schools, Murthy advocates for the inclusion of individuals with substantial experience in the private sector to take on key leadership roles within the government. These individuals, according to Murthy, should be appointed to head important committees, with a mandate to shape policy decisions that affect the economy and governance.
“Individuals with experience in the private sector should be appointed as heads of key committees, reporting to cabinet ministers and helping shape policy decisions,” Murthy said. “This would infuse the government with a more results-oriented, execution-driven approach.”
Murthy’s call for a greater integration of private sector expertise into public administration underscores his belief that successful governance should borrow the best practices from the business world, where quick decision-making, innovation, and accountability are central to success.
Can India Achieve a $50 Trillion Economy?
Murthy’s vision for the future of India’s civil services is rooted in the belief that these changes are crucial for achieving India’s goal of becoming a $50 trillion economy by 2047. With a rapidly growing population, a shifting global economic landscape, and the demands of a digital-first world, Murthy argues that India’s governance system needs to be nimble, visionary, and deeply committed to efficiency and innovation.
The proposal to reshape the IAS and IPS selection process reflects Murthy’s long-standing advocacy for India to adopt a more forward-thinking, results-driven approach to governance and policy formulation. By tapping into the expertise of the private sector and fostering a management-oriented civil service, Murthy believes India can unlock new levels of economic potential and accelerate its progress toward becoming a global economic powerhouse.
A Call for Bold Reforms
Murthy’s comments have ignited a broader debate on the future of India’s civil services and how the country can overcome challenges in governance to meet its economic aspirations. His call for a new generation of leaders equipped with management skills, strategic thinking, and private sector experience reflects the growing recognition that India’s governance model must evolve to keep pace with the complexities of the modern economy.
As India charts its path toward a $50 trillion economy, the government may need to consider bold reforms that not only strengthen the civil services but also foster greater collaboration between the public and private sectors. Whether these ideas gain traction within the policymaking circles remains to be seen, but Murthy’s vision of a more dynamic, management-driven governance system offers a compelling roadmap for India’s future growth.
