Speaking at an important summit, Mr. NR Narayana Murthy, the founder of the tech behemoth ‘Infosys,’ suggested that India should transition from an administrative mindset to a management-oriented approach in governance. This shift, he emphasized, would foster a dynamic, forward-thinking approach that aligns with the nation’s goal of becoming a USD 50 trillion economy by 2047.
“It is time for India to move from an administrative mindset to a management mindset. Administration is about maintaining the status quo, while management is about vision and high aspirations. It’s about achieving the plausibly impossible,” the Infosys founder stated.
Mr. Murthy highlighted that the current competitive UPSC examination system primarily produces civil servants trained in general administration. To address the evolving demands of governance, he proposed a management-focused approach that emphasizes vision, cost efficiency, innovation, and rapid execution.
Under the traditional system, IAS and IPS candidates are required to clear the UPSC exam, which tests their knowledge across diverse subjects, followed by training in administrative functions. While this system has developed civil servants with a strong understanding of governance, Mr. Murthy argued it no longer suffices for the needs of a fast-changing nation. Instead, he advocated for a more specialized framework where civil service candidates receive targeted training in areas like management to enhance governance effectiveness.
Additionally, Mr. Murthy called for the inclusion of individuals with private sector and business expertise in key government roles. He proposed appointing such professionals as heads of critical committees reporting to cabinet ministers to influence policy decisions and drive innovative governance practices.
