https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

No One Can Pressurise An IAS Officer, If He Sticks To These Five Principles

The 1974-batch IAS of Haryana Cadre, Mr. Vivek Mehrotra spent over 20 years of his career serving in the Finance Ministry either in the state or the centre. In this interview churns out some basic rules for an IAS officer to remain upright and efficient.
Indian Masterminds Stories

An IAS officer is supposed to a wanderer – of places and subjects. They are good managers, especially man-managers. That’s why they aren’t needed to be specialists of any subject. It therefore comes as a surprise that Mr Vivek Mehrotra spent better part of his administrative life in the finance ministry, either in Haryana or at the Centre. Out of 36 years of his career, he worked over 20 years in the finance ministry. He spoke to Indian Masterminds recently.

Please watch the full interview by clicking here…

But, he does have his share of dos and don’ts for IAS officers, if they wish to remain honest and hardworking. Those who often complain about political interference in bureaucracy, should definitely listen to Mr Mehrotra. What are the five skill-sets he recommends for each IAS officer to possess – and these certainly don’t include flattery or blind obedience.

What they should do when they are posted in the state government and what they should expect when going to the Centre on deputation. Mr Mehrotra has a recipe for almost every situation. And it is a great learning for young officers. Why should one burn own fingers when he can learn from somebody else’s mistakes.

How important is field posting for an IAS officer? “Linkage with the masses is very important. The rotation from state to centre and vice versa, bring knowledge of the problems and aspirations, solutions and workable solutions besides helping in formulations of workable policies”, says Mr Mehrotra.

Second important skillset isinter-departmental coordination. As SDM and DC one is coordinating with field officers of various departments in a harmonious manner. They also manage scarce resources and yet coordinate with various departments in the field, to achieve common outcomes or a common administration.  This is desirable outcome of an administration. The fact that you have members of same cohort managing various departments, helps in networking and coordination.

How can one face pressure from seniors or political class? Pat comes the answer – You need to draw red lines around yourself – I will not ask for any favour, particular post, transfer, particular house to be allotted, a discretionary quota plot etc. The person shall not ask anything from the political executive and also administrative superiors. You should not be seduced by the allurement of this post or that post. All posts are equal.

Second thing is to draw a template for yourself.One needs to take care of few things while taking an administrative decision — make sure that your decision on allocation of resources, contracts, appointment of people and any advice on a policy, is strictly in accordance with law. Ensure that your decision is based entirely on the merit of the case and nothing else.

Third thing is to ensure that the decision is in public interest, not in private interest of either your own or relative or friend’s, politicians’ orany individual entity. Fourth thing is to ensure that in the past you have not decided differently. Your decisions and approach has to be consistent. And, most importantly, you have to ensure that you don’t change your decision midway through the process.  If you do that that will be your funeral.

Politician thinks that he has many options to deal with bureaucrats. They can suspend an officer or take action against him. But, no politician will mess with someone who has been consistent in his approach. There is no such weakness he can exploit.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI)
Result: MIDHANI Reports Highest-Ever Quarterly Turnover in Q4FY25 at ₹410.56 Cr; PAT Rises 21% YoY, Order Book Touches ₹1,832 Cr
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
NPCIL Gets Green Light to Build Four 700 MWe Nuclear Reactors at Mahi Banswara, Rajasthan
Reserve-Bank-of-India_RBI_resized
Good News: India to Remain Fastest-Growing Major Economy in FY26, Says RBI Annual Report
IREDAandGensol
NCLT Clears Attachment of Gensol Engineering’s Assets in Fraud Case; NLCIL Wins Strategic Mineral Blocks in Auction
Delhi ridge forest
Forest Officials, LG Absolved By SC In Delhi Ridge Tree Felling Case - Know the Whole Case & Judgement Here
UP Police
Uttar Pradesh: 5 IPS Officers Transferred, DIGs From Gorakhpur & Basti Moved - Check Order Here
Anandiben patel UP Governor
UP Governor Anandiben Patel Calls for Policy Reforms to Boost Research Ecosystem at NITI Aayog Meet
DoPT-resized
11 IAS, 2 IPS, and More Face Action for Allegedly Misusing Reservation Benefits
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
Madhav Agarwal UPSC
From Gwalior to the Top 20: What Drove Finance Pro Madhav Agarwal to Crack UPSC CSE 2024 with AIR 16? | Exclusive
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-28 at 18.56
Didn’t Clear UPSC But Found Something Greater: A Story That Will Change How You See Success
She left a top finance job for UPSC, did not clear but built a thriving wellness brand instead. Veda's...
Mayank Malviya IFS mENTOR
The Amazing Journey of a Failed IFS Aspirant-cum-Mentor Who Has Given More Than 130 Selections in Just 4 Years
From multiple UPSC failures to mentoring 130+ successful aspirants, Mayank Malviya’s Planet Geo empowers...
Anjali Sondhiya UPSC IFS (1)
Engaged in 10th, 8 Years of Preparation, How This IFS Topper Cracked the UPSC: Anjali Sondhiya’s Journey - A Lesson For Every Girl
Anjali Sondhiya defied early engagement and societal pressure to crack UPSC’s IFS exam-2024 with AIR...
Social Media
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
UPSC Latest IAS IPS IFS
UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Tomorrow: ICLS Officer Altap Shaikh Shares Last-Minute Motivation for Aspirants
His five-post thread offers encouragement, practical advice, and emotional support - not just for those...
Anupam Sharma IFS
#BoycottTurkey: IFS Officer Anupam Sharma Sparks Nationalist Call to Action
IFS Sharma urged citizens to avoid Turkish agricultural imports
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI)
Result: MIDHANI Reports Highest-Ever Quarterly Turnover in Q4FY25 at ₹410.56 Cr; PAT Rises 21% YoY, Order Book Touches ₹1,832 Cr
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
NPCIL Gets Green Light to Build Four 700 MWe Nuclear Reactors at Mahi Banswara, Rajasthan
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Madhav Agarwal UPSC
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT