Points to Remember:
- The question requires identifying the committee that recommended elevating the Chief Secretary’s rank to that of a Secretary to the Government of India in 1973.
- The answer requires factual knowledge about the recommendations of various administrative reform committees in India.
Introduction:
The question pertains to the history of administrative reforms in India, specifically focusing on the recommendations made by various committees regarding the position and rank of the Chief Secretary. The Chief Secretary is the highest-ranking bureaucrat in a state government, playing a crucial role in policy implementation and administration. Discussions regarding the appropriate rank and power of this position have been ongoing since India’s independence, with several committees offering recommendations aimed at improving administrative efficiency and effectiveness. This question necessitates identifying the specific committee that proposed the elevation of the Chief Secretary’s rank to that of a Secretary to the Government of India in 1973. This is a factual question requiring precise recall of historical information.
Body:
Analyzing the Recommendations of Various Committees:
To answer the question accurately, we need to examine the recommendations of the committees listed:
(A) Paul H. Appleby Committee: The Appleby Committee (1953 & 1956) focused primarily on improving administrative efficiency and decentralization. While their recommendations were significant, they did not specifically address the rank of the Chief Secretary in relation to the Secretary to the Government of India in 1973. Their focus was broader, encompassing organizational structure and administrative processes.
(B) Santhanam Committee: The Santhanam Committee (1962-64) primarily investigated corruption in public life. While their report touched upon administrative reforms, their main focus was on ethics and probity, not the specific ranking of the Chief Secretary. Their recommendations did not directly address the issue in question.
(C) First Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC): The First ARC (1966-70) submitted its reports between 1966 and 1970. While they addressed various aspects of administrative reform, including the structure and functioning of state governments, there is no record of them specifically recommending the elevation of the Chief Secretary’s rank to that of a Secretary to the Government of India in 1973. Their recommendations were largely implemented before 1973.
(D) L.M. Singhvi Committee: Information regarding a specific committee headed by L.M. Singhvi making such a recommendation in 1973 is not readily available in standard sources on administrative reforms in India.
Conclusion:
Based on the available historical information and the reports of the various committees listed, none of the options (A, B, C, or D) definitively suggested bringing the office of the Chief Secretary at par with the rank of the Secretary to the Government of India in 1973. Further research into less commonly cited administrative reform reports from that period might be necessary to definitively answer the question. However, based on the commonly known reports of the committees listed, the question lacks a correct answer among the provided options. The lack of a clear answer highlights the need for more comprehensive documentation and accessibility of historical records related to administrative reforms in India. Future research should focus on improving the accessibility of such records to facilitate a better understanding of the evolution of the Indian administrative system.
JPSC Notes brings Prelims and Mains programs for JPSC Prelims and JPSC Mains Exam preparation. Various Programs initiated by JPSC Notes are as follows:-- JPSC Mains Tests and Notes Program 2025
- JPSC Prelims Exam 2020- Test Series and Notes Program 2025
- JPSC Prelims and Mains Tests Series and Notes Program 2025
- JPSC Detailed Complete Prelims Notes 2025