The Need for an Indian Scientific Services (ISS)

India's post-independence service rules were crafted to ensure stability through generalist administrators, crucial for nation-building at the time. However, the increasing role of science, technology, and environmental challenges in governance necessitates a rethink of these structures.

Current Challenges

• The integration of scientists into the government is hampered by rules meant for general administration, not scientific governance.
• India lacks a specialised framework for scientific governance, unlike many advanced countries with dedicated scientific cadres.
• Scientists in government roles lack structured training and career progression aligned with their expertise.

Impact on Policymaking

Scientific inputs are often reactive, addressing immediate needs rather than supporting continuous, long-term research. This approach limits the potential for evidence-based policymaking, often sidelining scientific expertise unless in crisis situations.

International Comparisons

• Countries like France, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the USA have distinct scientific cadres within government.
• These frameworks provide tailored service rules, career paths, and professional protections to strengthen governance with credible scientific inputs.

The Proposal for ISS

The creation of an Indian Scientific Services (ISS) offers a potential solution. The ISS would function as a permanent, all-India scientific cadre working alongside existing civil services. Key features include:

• Recruitment through rigorous national-level selection and peer evaluation.
• Scientists placed within ministries and regulatory institutions as integral decision-making participants.
• Separate scientific service rules to protect professional integrity and clarify the distinction between scientific advice and policy decisions.

Benefits of the ISS

• Enables transparent recording of scientific assessments.
• Supports evidence-based policymaking and resilient governance structures.
• Aligns scientific contributions with India's national aspirations and global ambitions.

Potential Cadres within ISS

• Indian Environmental and Ecological Service
• Indian Climate and Atmospheric Service
• Indian Water and Hydrological Service
• Indian Marine and Ocean Services
• Indian Public Health and Biomedical Service
• Indian Disaster Risk and Resilience Service
• Indian Energy and Resources Service
• Indian Science and Technology Policy Service
• Indian Agricultural and Food Systems Service
• Indian Regulatory Science Service

Conclusion

Establishing the ISS would be a forward-looking reform akin to the transformation of the Indian Civil Service post-Independence, aligning the administrative system with India's evolving needs for science-driven governance.