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A public servant is a person employed in the public sector on behalf of a government department or agency. In other words, public servant is person who works for the government (Centre, State, and Local), such as a teacher, IAS officer, police officers, Judge, etc. to serve the interests of citizens. A public servant is someone who values public good over his/her personal interests in his official capacity. They have to deal with the management of resources that are publicly owned in a way that enhances public interest. Further, the individuals carrying out the task are publicly accountable for their actions.  Public interest means allocation of resources in a way that further collective well-being and is consistent with ethical and constitutional norms, thereby helping individuals develop fully into citizens. A public servant while performing his role should exercise certain values like accountability, integrity, honesty, commitment to public service, effective implementation of p...

The Representation of the People Act, 1951 is an act of Parliament of India to provide for the conduct of election to the Houses of Parliament and to the House or Houses of the Legislature of each State, the qualifications and disqualifications for membership of those Houses, the corrupt practices and other offences at or in connection with such elections and the decision of doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with such elections.  Grounds for Disqualification  • On conviction for certain election offences and corrupt practices in the election.  • Conviction for an offence punishable under certain acts of Indian Penal Code, Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967, Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, Prevention of Terrorism Act 2002 etc.  • Conviction for any offence resulting in imprisonment for not less than two years such legislator shall be disqualified from the date of such conviction and shall continue t...

Secularism is the constitutional principle of separation of the state from religious institutions. Secularism forms the core element of the basic structure of the Indian constitution. And even France is an indivisible, secular democratic social Republic guaranteeing that all their citizens regardless of their origin, race or religion are treated as equals before the law and respecting all religious beliefs.  The ideal of secularism envisaged in India is different from that of France:  • The paradigms of republicanism , as practiced in France, or multiculturalism as implemented in a number of Western democracies, such as the UK and the US, or indeed employment-based integration models of Sweden or Germany, are all in crisis.  • This can be seen in the banning of Islamic clothing, kosher or halal meals and “burkinis” in France .  • France was a largely homogeneous Catholic country, where the clergy had an unduly high degree of influence over the state’s apparatus....

Secularism in India is different from western concept. It stands for mutual respect, understanding and tolerance for all the religions, major or minor and accepting difference of opinion. Cultural practices are the living ways of life of people, individual or collective, in the political, economic, social spheres.  Various challenges faced by the cultural practices in the name of secularism:  • Intolerance and Violence: This leads to lack of tolerance and respect for each other. Deaths and violence in the name of cow protection are examples of this.  • Majoritarianism: This reflects upon use of religion for political mobilization of the people and spreading hatred against the minorities may be it Muslims, like case of Muzaffarnagar, Sikhs as in 1984, Christians as in Kandhamal.  • Radicalization: The people are taken into believing ideologies which are extreme and may harm unity and integrity of the country. Security situations can be faced by the expansion of terr...

Empowerment refers to measures designed to increase the degree of autonomy and self-determination in people and in communities in order to enable them to represent their interests in a responsible and self-determined way, acting on their own authority. It is the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights.  Women empowerment will help in tackling population growth:  • Political Empowerment: This would result in increase in women’s participation in the political processes, structures, institutions. This would enhance the voice of women at different platforms. Hence, women will be able to raise awareness about need of small families and birth control and the associated benefits.  • Economic Empowerment: This will lead to the participation of women in the economic activities. It will increase the family income and also improve the situation of women in making financial decisions. Thus, there will be fewer ...

Culture is a way of life of people. It includes architecture, literature, art, science, etc. Although Indian society is multi-cultural, plural, diverse having different religions, traditions, philosophies and lifestyles, yet it is able to sustain its diverse culture.  Features of Indian Society which led to is sustainability  • Principles of Tolerance and Respect: Indian society has been founded upon these principles which result in mutual respect and understanding for each other. The religions like Buddhism and Jainism have been founded upon these.  • Assimilation Process: Migrants from the times of Aryans to the Mughals have come and lived in India peacefully assimilating into the Indian way of life, thereby sustaining the culture of the nation.  • Spiritualism: Indians have been always curious to find a unique way of life giving rise to spiritualistic elements in the way of life. The various philosophies have given way to a spiritual dimension in the way of livin...

It shall be the duty of every citizen of India— (a) to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem; (b) to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom; (c) to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India; (d) to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so; (e) to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women; (f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture; (g) to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures; (h) to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform; (i) to safeguard public property and to abjure violence; (j) to s...

In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires, “the State” includes the Government and Parliament of India and the Government and the Legislature of each of the States and all local or other authorities within the territory of India or under the control of the Government of India.  All laws in force in the territory of India immediately before the commencement of this Constitution, in so far as they are inconsistent with the provisions of this Part, shall, to the extent of such inconsistency, be void. The State shall not make any law which takes away or abridges the rights conferred by this Part and any law made in contravention of this clause shall, to the extent of the contravention, be void. Nothing in this article shall apply to any amendment of this Constitution made under article 368. Right to Equality 14. Equality before law. 15. Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. 16. Equality of opportunity in matters of public em...

36. Definition. —In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires, “the State” has the same meaning as in Part III.  37. Application of the principles contained in this Part .—The provisions contained in this Part shall not be enforceable by any court, but the principles therein laid down are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the country and it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws. 38. State to secure a social order for the promotion of welfare of the people. (1) The State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting as effectively as it may a social order in which justice, social, economic and political, shall inform all the institutions of the national life. (2) The State shall, in particular, strive to minimise the inequalities in income, and endeavour to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities, not only amongst individuals but also amongst groups of people residing in differ...

Values are the individual principle or beliefs that guide judgement and behavior of a person or a group. Values are like an anchor in a ship. Values flow from the highest of our own self which are in inbuilt mechanism which distinguish the right from the wrong, the Do’s and Don’ts of any action even when no one is looking.  The word ethics has been derived from the Greek word ‘ethos’ meaning ‘character’. Ethics is a branch of philosophy that refers to a study of rightness or wrongness of human action in the context of a good human life. Professional competence is always evaluated within the boundary of ethics and norms associated with the profession.  A person can be professionally competent and expert but if the practices certain immoral acts, it will be refereed as unethical which will in turn hamper the transparency, efficiency, effectiveness, public trust etc. And thus these unethical conducts will erode the roots of the profession itself, harming the stakeholders.