Answer: Accountability, integrity, and transparency are essential for the efficient and effective functioning of civil service. Without these qualities, it is difficult for citizens to trust their government and for public institutions to be successful. To ensure these qualities are upheld, ethical frameworks must be implemented and followed.

Ethical frameworks to achieve accountability, integrity, and transparency are:

•       Codes of Ethics: A code of ethics should be established and enforced to hold civil servants accountable to a set of principles that ensure integrity, accountability, and transparency.
•       Policies and Procedures: Policies and procedures should be adopted that help ensure that civil servants are held accountable and that decisions are made with integrity and transparency.

o   For example: The Public Services Delivery Guarantee Act, of the respective state government, outlines the rights of citizens to receive timely and quality public services.

•       Training and Education: Civil servants should be provided with ample training and education via seminars, workshops, and other learning opportunities that emphasize the importance of ethical behavior in the workplace.

o   For example: Training Institutes of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)

•       Monitoring and Review: Regular monitoring and review of civil service activities should be conducted to ensure that all policies and procedures are being followed and that civil servants are held accountable for their actions. Reviews should include both internal and external perspectives in order to ensure fairness and accuracy.

o   For example: An online performance monitoring system can be introduced in India.

•       Transparency and Accessibility: All activities and decisions of the civil service should be made as transparent and accessible as possible. This should include clear and accessible documents, the availability of public records, and the provision of timely and accurate information.

o   For example: Right to Information Act.

•       Whistleblower Protection: India should ensure that whistleblowers are protected from any form of retaliation for reporting wrongdoings or unethical behavior by civil servants. This will ensure that individuals are not afraid to come forward and report any wrongdoings or unethical behavior.

o   For example: The Whistleblower Protection Act provides legal protection to whistleblowers

Ensuring accountability, integrity, and transparency in the civil service can help to bring good governance and citizen centric administration. This can also build trust for the administration among the people.