‘Lower upper-age limit for civil service’

NEWDELHI: The upper age limit for entry into civil service should be lowered, says Union home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi.

Mehrishi also dispelled the notion about bureaucrats having to toe the politicians’ line, saying that most of the politicians are reasonable people and they have to be answerable to people every five years.

Mehrishi, whose book ‘India2017’ for civil service aspirants was released by Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Monday, told HT that when he joined the service, candidates used to be of 22-23-year-olds.

“But now we see civil servants joining the service at the age of 28 or 29. In our times, the age used to be around 22 or 23. That gave you a better chance for the top post and thus higher stake in doing well. Also the mind is still young and mouldable…” said Mehrishi before the release of the book.

Asked about concerns in several quarters that IITians and medical students on whose education the government spends so much prefer to join civil services, the home secretary said they have a better shot at cracking the exam as they have due to their knowledge of subject matters.

The home secretary said the UPSC which conducts the civil service exam, should stress less on subjects and more on logical and on-the-feet thinking, which was the case earlier.

When asked to compare the younger lot of bureaucrats with civil servants of his generation, Mehrishi said, “They are much smarter than us. In many ways, much more worldly wise.”

Asked about his experience of working with politicians, he said: “As far as my experience of working in Rajasthan or at the Centre is concerned, politicians are actually very reasonable people….as they have to face public every five years, They respect people who deliver…95% of the political executive is very reasonable, very respectful of honesty and independence of mind (in a bureaucrat),” he said.