The Service of the State: The IAS Reconsidered

Bhaskar Ghose

Penguin Books India,

320 pages, R499

Is the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) still the most appropriate institution with which to govern 21st century India? Should a cadre of generalists head organisations as complex and diverse as industrial units, museums and rural development boards? Ghose argues forcefully that the IAS is still the best option; moreover one that substantially fulfils its functions—and fulfils them well.