Question

Which of the following statements are correct regarding the recommendations of the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC)?
(i) It recommended the establishment of an Inter-State Council under Article 263 of the Constitution.
(ii) It suggested that governors should be appointed from among persons with long experience in public life and administration.
(iii) It proposed that the All-India Services (IAS, IPS, and IFoS) should be abolished.

• A. Only (i) and (ii)
• B. Only (ii) and (iii)
• C. Only (i) and (iii)
• D. All of the above (i, ii, and iii)

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Only (i) and (ii)

Recommendations of the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC)

• The First Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was established in 1966, initially headed by Morarji Desai, and later by K. Hanumanthaiya. Its primary mandate was to examine the public administration system in India and make recommendations for reform, particularly focusing on Centre-State relations.

Inter-State Council Recommendation (Statement i):

• The ARC strongly recommended the establishment of an Inter-State Council under Article 263 of the Constitution. This council was envisioned as a permanent body to foster better coordination and resolution of disputes between the Union and the States.

• Article 263 of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to establish such a council if it appears to him that the public interest would be served by its establishment.

• Competitive Exam Fact: The Sarkaria Commission (1983-87), another significant commission on Centre-State relations, also reiterated the recommendation for the establishment of a permanent Inter-State Council. The Inter-State Council was finally established in 1990 by a Presidential Order based on the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission.

Governor Appointment Recommendation (Statement ii):

• The ARC suggested that governors should be appointed from among persons who have had long experience in public life and administration. The recommendation aimed at ensuring that individuals with proven expertise and impartiality would occupy this crucial constitutional position.

• Competitive Exam Fact: Several other commissions and committees, including the Sarkaria Commission and the Punchhi Commission (2007), have also made significant recommendations regarding the appointment, tenure, and role of the Governor, emphasizing the need for non-partisan appointments and adherence to constitutional propriety.

All-India Services (AIS) Recommendation (Statement iii):

• The Administrative Reforms Commission did not recommend the abolition of the All-India Services (IAS, IPS, and IFoS).

• On the contrary, the ARC emphasized the importance of All-India Services for maintaining the unity, integrity, efficiency, and common standards of administration across the country.

• The ARC focused on measures to strengthen and improve the All-India Services, including better recruitment, training, and career progression, rather than abolishing them.

• Competitive Exam Fact: The concept of All-India Services is vital for maintaining a uniform administrative framework, promoting national integration, and ensuring the efficient delivery of services across different states, as officers are recruited by the Union but serve under both the Union and the State governments