Why should impartiality and non-partisanship be considered as foundational values in public services, especially in the present day socio-political context ? Illustrate your answer with examples.

Impartiality

Impartiality means acting solely on the basis of merit, ability, and other objective criteria. It implies that a civil servant should not be biased, prejudiced, or discriminatory in their decision-making process.

• Core principle: Fairness and objectivity.
• Example: Distributing government welfare benefits based on eligibility criteria rather than political affiliation, caste, or religion.
• Focus: It ensures justice and equality for all citizens, upholding the constitutional mandate of equal protection of the laws.

Neutrality

Neutrality implies political neutrality or non-partisanship. A civil servant must remain detached from the political ideology of the ruling party and serve the government of the day with equal dedication.

• Core principle: Loyalty to the constitution and the state rather than a specific political entity.
• Example: Implementing policies of a government, regardless of whether the civil servant personally agrees with the ruling party's political agenda.
• Focus: It ensures the continuity of governance and prevents the politicization of the bureaucracy.

Key Differences

In essence, while neutrality ensures the civil service remains a professional and apolitical institution, impartiality ensures that the service is delivered in a just and non-discriminatory manner.