Why Narayana Murthy’s Proposal to Directly Select Civil Servants from Business Schools is Flawed? - K. Jaishankar

Introduction

Narayana Murthy, a highly respected business leader and co-founder of Infosys, has sparked controversy with his suggestion to directly select Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers from prestigious business schools rather than through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams. While Murthy’s proposal is presumably aimed at modernizing governance by incorporating a management-oriented approach, it is deeply flawed in its implications for equality, social justice, and the inclusivity of India’s civil services.

This article explores why Murthy’s idea is not only elitist and exclusionary but also risks undermining the foundational principles of the Indian democratic system, which prioritizes representation and diversity.

1. The UPSC: A Meritocratic Gateway to Diversity

The UPSC examination is considered one of the most rigorous and equitable selection processes in India. It offers candidates from all socio-economic backgrounds a fair chance to enter the country’s civil services. This meritocratic approach ensures that individuals from rural and underprivileged communities can rise to positions of authority, bringing grassroots perspectives to governance.

Murthy’s proposal, however, threatens to dismantle this system by narrowing the recruitment pool to graduates of elite business schools. This shift would disproportionately favor candidates from urban, affluent, and well-connected backgrounds, who are more likely to attend such institutions. It dismisses the potential and capability of candidates from non-elite educational backgrounds who often excel in the UPSC examination through determination, hard work, and a commitment to public service.

2. Elitism at Its Core

Murthy’s suggestion rests on an assumption that graduates of business schools are inherently better equipped for governance due to their training in management and leadership. This perspective is not only elitist but also reductive. It overlooks the broad range of skills, cultural awareness, and ethical grounding that candidates develop through the UPSC system, which tests not just academic knowledge but also analytical abilities, decision-making, and social consciousness.

The inspiring story of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma, as depicted in the 2023 Bollywood film 12th Fail, underscores the critical role the UPSC examination plays in providing opportunities for individuals from underprivileged backgrounds. Despite facing poverty, failing his 12th standard, and working as a tempo driver and librarian to make ends meet, Sharma’s perseverance and dedication led him to crack the UPSC exam on his fourth attempt, achieving an All India Rank of 121.

This journey exemplifies how the UPSC’s meritocratic system allows individuals from humble beginnings to overcome societal barriers and rise to positions of authority in public service. Manoj Kumar Sharma’s success stands in stark contrast to Narayana Murthy’s proposal to recruit IAS and IPS officers from elite business schools, which could exclude many deserving candidates from disadvantaged communities. By providing a level playing field, the UPSC enables grassroots representation and ensures that the civil services remain a true reflection of India’s diversity.

Business schools, while excellent at producing corporate leaders, are not designed to prepare individuals for the complex and multifaceted challenges of governance. Governance demands an understanding of constitutional principles, public administration, social welfare, and law, areas where UPSC candidates are rigorously tested. Business school graduates may bring corporate efficiency, but this is not synonymous with the empathy, cultural sensitivity, and grassroots engagement required in public administration.

3. Undermining Social Justice

One of the most troubling aspects of Murthy’s proposal is its potential to undermine the representation of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the civil services. The UPSC examination system incorporates constitutionally mandated reservations to ensure fair representation of historically marginalized communities.

In contrast, India’s elite business schools often have significantly lower representation of SC/ST and OBC students. For instance, despite government-mandated reservations, the actual enrollment of these groups in top institutions like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) remains disproportionately low due to systemic barriers, such as access to quality education and financial constraints. Selecting IAS and IPS officers from such a pool would therefore skew representation heavily in favor of upper-caste, urban, and affluent candidates, further entrenching existing social hierarchies.

4. Lessons from the Lateral Entry System

The controversy surrounding India’s lateral entry system provides a cautionary tale. This system allows private-sector professionals to join the civil services in mid-level roles without going through the UPSC examination. Critics have highlighted that lateral entry bypasses reservation policies, effectively excluding SC/ST and OBC candidates from these positions.

If Murthy’s proposal were implemented, it would likely replicate the issues seen in lateral entry (which is now abandoned due to heavy pressure from civil society). Without explicit mechanisms to ensure representation, candidates from marginalized groups would face systemic exclusion. This outcome would violate the principles of social justice enshrined in India’s constitution and undermine public trust in the fairness of the civil services.

5. The Disconnect Between Corporate Efficiency and Governance

Murthy’s corporate background appears to inform his belief in the superiority of business school graduates. While management skills are undoubtedly valuable, governance is not merely about efficiency. It requires navigating the complexities of policy-making, upholding constitutional values, and addressing the needs of diverse populations.

For instance, an IAS officer working in a rural district must address issues like agricultural distress, public health crises, and infrastructure development—all within the constraints of local political dynamics and budgetary limitations. These challenges demand not just technical expertise but also a deep understanding of the socio-economic realities on the ground, which business school curricula are unlikely to address.

The civil services are fundamentally different from corporate enterprises in their purpose and function. While businesses aim to maximize profits and shareholder value, governance aims to serve the public good, often prioritizing equity and social welfare over efficiency. A management-oriented approach alone cannot substitute for the nuanced, people-centric decision-making that civil servants are expected to perform.

6. The Ethical Implications of Exclusion

Murthy’s proposal also raises ethical concerns. By privileging candidates from elite institutions, it risks creating an exclusive cadre of civil servants who are disconnected from the realities faced by the majority of India’s population. Such a system would exacerbate the existing urban-rural divide and weaken the democratic principle of representation.

Moreover, the move could lead to a perception that public administration is reserved for a privileged few, discouraging talented individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds from aspiring to civil service roles. This perception would be a setback for India’s efforts to build an inclusive society where every citizen has equal opportunities to contribute to governance.

7. A Better Path Forward

Rather than replacing the UPSC system to select IAS and IPS, India should focus on strengthening it and addressing its existing shortcomings. For instance:

1. Enhancing Training Programs: Incorporate management-oriented modules into the training programs for civil servants to equip them with additional skills for handling complex administrative challenges.
2. Encouraging Diversity in Business Schools: Address the underrepresentation of marginalized groups in elite educational institutions through better implementation of reservation policies and financial support for disadvantaged students.
3. Creating Specialized Roles: Instead of replacing the UPSC system, business school graduates with management expertise can be recruited into specialized advisory roles within the government, complementing the work of IAS and IPS officers.

Conclusion: Upholding the Spirit of Democracy

Narayana Murthy’s proposal to select IAS and IPS officers from business schools may stem from a genuine desire to improve governance, but it is fundamentally flawed in its implications. By prioritizing elitism over inclusivity, it risks undermining the principles of meritocracy, social justice, and representation that form the cornerstone of India’s democracy.

The UPSC system, despite its imperfections, remains the most equitable and effective mechanism for recruiting civil servants who represent the diversity and aspirations of India’s population. Reforming and strengthening this system—not sidelining it—is the true path to building a more dynamic and responsive civil service.

Governance is not about corporate efficiency; it is about public service, empathy, and a commitment to equality. These are values that cannot be confined to the halls of elite business schools but must be nurtured through a system that welcomes talent from all walks of life.