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Public Adminstration QUESTION #9549
Question 1
The Atchison Commission (1886-87) made a critical recommendation regarding the structure of British India's civil service. What was the practical governance problem it sought to solve, and what institutional solution did it propose?
  • It sought to correct the dominance of generalists over specialists by recommending that technical civil servants be eligible for senior administrative positions
  • It sought to eliminate the distinction between covenanted and un-covenanted servants — which created unequal treatment — by recommending establishment of a unified Imperial Civil Service✔️
  • It sought to reduce corruption in tax collection by recommending that revenue administration be separated from general district administration
  • It sought to address regional underrepresentation by recommending that entry to the Indian Civil Service be opened to candidates from the sub-continent regardless of religion or race
Correct Answer Explanation
The Atchison Commission identified the inequitable and arbitrary distinction between higher-grade covenanted servants (who signed agreements) and lower-grade un-covenanted servants (who had no protection). It recommended abolishing this distinction and establishing a unified 'Imperial Civil Service' (later 'Indian Civil Service') with standardized terms of service.