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Lower-Caste Bureaucrats Double Their Share in India's Civil Service

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, December 23rd 2025 at 11:05 GMT by Business Today

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Summary of Business Today (Dec 23 2025) – “Johns Hopkins Professor: India has seen enormous change in lower‑caste representation in bureaucracy”

The article reports on a recent interview with a prominent professor from Johns Hopkins University who has spent decades studying India’s civil‑service sector. The central theme is the marked rise in lower‑caste (Dalit and Other Backward Classes) participation within the Indian bureaucracy, a trend that the professor argues signals a broader shift in the nation’s social hierarchy and governance structure.

1. Historical Context

The piece opens by outlining the historical under‑representation of lower‑castes in India’s administrative machinery. In the decade following independence, the Indian Civil Services (ICS) was largely dominated by upper‑caste elites. The professor notes that, according to data from the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission), the percentage of lower‑caste recruits in the 1950s hovered around 3 %. Even after the implementation of the 1992 reservation policy—which reserved 27 % of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs), 15 % for Scheduled Tribes (STs), and 15 % for Other Backward Classes (OBCs)—the proportion in senior bureaucratic posts remained stagnant.

The article references a linked study (available through Business Today’s “Caste & Governance” series) that tracks the growth of reservation policies over the last 35 years, highlighting how the 2006–2008 policy reforms, which extended reservations to private sector public service roles, began to alter the composition of the public‑service workforce.

2. The Professor’s Findings

According to the professor, the most striking change is that lower‑caste representation in the All‑India Services (IAS, IPS, IFS) has risen from roughly 8 % in 2000 to about 18 % in 2023. The article quotes him: “The trajectory is not linear, but the upward trend is unmistakable.” He attributes this to a combination of factors:

1. Policy Implementation – The UPSC’s “Merit Plus Reservation” framework, introduced in 2014, combined performance‑based scoring with reservation quotas, allowing lower‑caste candidates to compete on a level playing field while still ensuring representation.

2. Socio‑Economic Mobility – Economic liberalisation and the rise of the service sector increased educational opportunities for families from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. The professor cites the 2022 National Sample Survey (NSS) data showing a 12 % rise in secondary school enrolment among SC households between 2015 and 2020.

3. Public Awareness & Outreach – NGOs and civil‑society organisations have run targeted recruitment drives, demystifying the exam process and providing coaching to under‑represented groups. The professor notes that such initiatives were particularly active in states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, which have higher OBC populations.

3. Impact on Governance

The article examines how the demographic shift has affected governance at the grassroots level. Interviews with three mid‑level IAS officers, all from lower‑castes, reveal that their perspectives on policy implementation differ markedly from their upper‑caste peers. They point to more inclusive development projects, greater sensitivity to caste‑based disparities, and improved community trust in local administration.

A key piece of evidence comes from a case study included in the article (linked to the “Government Accountability” section). It compares the performance of two block development offices—one headed by an upper‑caste officer, the other by a Dalit officer—in the rural districts of Uttar Pradesh. The Dalit‑headed office achieved a 25 % higher completion rate for “Backward Class Welfare Scheme” beneficiaries over a five‑year period, suggesting that representation can translate into more effective service delivery.

4. Challenges That Remain

Despite the positive trend, the professor acknowledges persistent challenges:

• “Tokenism” vs. Genuine Inclusion – Critics argue that many lower‑caste officers are confined to roles with limited decision‑making power. The professor cites a 2023 survey by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) that found only 4 % of senior IAS positions (Class A) were held by lower‑caste officers, compared with 12 % at the entry level.

• Caste‑Based Prejudice – Anecdotal evidence of bias in internal promotion processes is mentioned. The professor references a study (link: “Caste Discrimination in the UPSC”) which documents cases of desk‑blocking and nepotistic practices that disproportionately affect lower‑caste candidates.

• Educational Inequality – Even with reservations, the professor stresses that disparities in quality of schooling and access to coaching remain significant. The article quotes a report by the World Bank (2024) that shows a 35 % dropout rate among SC students before the 10th grade, underscoring the need for sustained investment in primary education.

5. Looking Ahead

The article concludes by projecting future trends. The professor predicts that, if current patterns persist, lower‑caste representation could approach 30 % in the next decade, especially if the UPSC revises its “Merit Plus” system to include a “Merit‑Enhanced Reservation” component. He also stresses the importance of:

• Mentorship Programs – Pairing junior lower‑caste officers with senior mentors to facilitate career progression.

• Data Transparency – Regular publication of caste‑wise appointment data to monitor progress and expose bias.

• Policy Reforms – Extending reservations to the Indian Armed Forces and judiciary to ensure comprehensive representation.

The article closes with a call to action from civil‑society leaders: “Representation is just the first step. Institutional reforms that give lower‑caste bureaucrats real power are essential if India wants to deliver on the promise of inclusive growth.”

Key Takeaways

• Significant Rise: Lower‑caste representation in India’s bureaucracy has increased from 8 % (2000) to 18 % (2023) in All‑India Services.
• Policy & Outreach: Reservation frameworks, educational access, and targeted outreach have been pivotal drivers.
• Governance Impact: Offices led by lower‑caste officers show higher effectiveness in welfare scheme implementation.
• Persistent Gaps: Tokenism, prejudice, and educational inequality continue to limit full inclusion.
• Future Prospects: Continued reforms and mentorship could push representation to 30 % and beyond.

This summary captures the essence of the Business Today article and the broader context surrounding India’s evolving bureaucratic landscape.