Question

The initial idea of recruitment on merit principle can be traced to the:

• A. Lee Commission
• B. Macaulay Committee
• C. Islington Commission
• D. Maxwell Committee

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Macaulay Committee

The Macaulay Committee, also known as the Committee on the Indian Civil Service, was appointed in 1854 to establish India's first civil service. The committee's recommendations led to the following changes: 

• Open competition: Appointments to the civil service were based on merit and open to all. 

• Removal of patronage: The Court of Directors no longer had the right to appoint civil servants. 

• Extension of company rule: The company's rule was extended, allowing it to keep Indian territory under the British Crown.