Ethical Governance in India

Ethical governance, at its core, is about how power is exercised in public life. It means conducting governance with fairness, transparency, integrity, and accountability, while always keeping the public interest at the centre. In simple terms, it answers a fundamental question: For whom is governance meant?
The answer, in an ethical system, is clear — for the people, not for power itself.

In a diverse and democratic country like India, ethical governance is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It strengthens democracy, builds public trust, promotes inclusive economic development, and ensures social justice. Without ethics, even the most efficient administrative systems risk becoming oppressive or corrupt.

Philosophical Basis of Ethical Governance

Ethical governance in India is not a borrowed idea. It is deeply rooted in both Indian civilisational thought and global political philosophy.

Kautilya’s Arthashastra

One of the earliest systematic works on governance, the Arthashastra, offers remarkably modern insights.

• Citizen-Centricity:
  Kautilya clearly states that the ruler’s happiness lies in the happiness of the subjects. Governance, therefore, is not about personal glory or accumulation of power, but about public welfare. This idea aligns closely with today’s concept of people-centric governance.
• Combating Corruption:
  Kautilya was acutely aware of the corrupting tendencies of power. His idea of “Kantakshodhana” (removal of thorns) advocated strict vigilance, audits, and punishments to eliminate corruption. This reflects early thinking on transparency and accountability, pillars of ethical governance even today.

Gandhi’s Vision of Ramrajya

Mahatma Gandhi gave ethical governance a moral and spiritual dimension.

• Ramrajya:
  Gandhi’s Ramrajya was not a religious state, but a moral state, where governance was guided by truth (Satya), non-violence (Ahimsa), justice, and compassion. Power, in his view, had legitimacy only when it was morally exercised.
• Swaraj:
  Swaraj went beyond political independence. It emphasised self-rule and self-discipline, where citizens actively participate in governance. Ethical governance, therefore, is not only the duty of rulers but also of responsible citizens.

Aristotle’s Distinction

Aristotle classified governments into two broad types:

• Legitimate governments, which work for the public good
• Perverted governments, which serve the self-interest of rulers

This distinction highlights a timeless ethical principle: the purpose of governance defines its morality. Even efficient governance becomes unethical if it benefits only a select few.

Other Philosophical Traditions

• Confucianism:
  Emphasises ethical leadership, moral example, social harmony, and merit-based selection of officials. It stresses that good governance begins with the personal virtue of leaders.
• Social Contract Theory (John Locke):
  John Locke argued that governments derive legitimacy from the consent of the governed and must protect individual rights. Violation of this trust makes governance unethical.
• Utilitarianism:
  Advocates policies that maximise happiness and well-being for the greatest number, reinforcing welfare-oriented governance.

Role of Ethical Leadership in Ensuring Good Governance

Institutions matter, but leaders give life to institutions. Ethical leadership acts as the bridge between constitutional values and everyday administration.

1. Setting Moral Standards

Ethical leaders set the tone for the entire organisation. Their conduct becomes a moral benchmark for subordinates, shaping institutional culture.

• Example: E. Sreedharan, popularly known as the “Metro Man of India,” demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and commitment to public interest. His leadership ensured timely, transparent, and corruption-free execution of the Delhi Metro project.

2. Promoting Accountability

Ethical leaders strengthen systems of internal and external accountability through transparency, audits, grievance redressal, and citizen feedback.

• Example: Kiran Bedi, as Inspector General of Tihar Jail, introduced reforms that enhanced transparency, accountability, and humane treatment of inmates, proving that ethical leadership can humanise even rigid institutions.

3. Championing Equity and Social Justice

Ethical governance ensures that policies are not captured by vested interests but are guided by fairness and concern for the vulnerable.

• Gandhi’s idea of “Sarvodaya” (welfare of all) reflects how moral leadership can guide inclusive and compassionate governance, especially for the weakest sections of society.

4. Institution Building

Ethical leaders focus not just on short-term achievements but on building institutions that outlast their tenure. By embedding values into rules, procedures, and organisational culture, they ensure continuity of ethical governance.

Concluding Insight

Ethical governance is not merely about rules and laws; it is about values in action. From Kautilya to Gandhi, from Aristotle to modern reformers, one message remains constant:

Power becomes legitimate only when it serves the public good with moral responsibility.

Major Ethical Issues in Indian Governance

1. Abuse of Authority

Abuse of authority occurs when public officials exceed their lawful powers, take biased decisions, or misuse public resources for personal or political ends. Such actions directly erode public trust.

Recent instances of unauthorised land acquisitions by government officials, bypassing legal procedures, highlight how power, when unchecked, becomes unethical. In governance ethics, power without accountability is a recipe for injustice.

2. Negligence and Dereliction of Duty

Negligence refers to failure to perform assigned duties with due care and responsibility. When public servants neglect their duties, the consequences are often irreversible, especially in critical sectors like health and safety.

Incidents involving healthcare workers neglecting professional responsibilities, leading to avoidable deaths and substandard care, underline how ethical failure translates into human suffering. Ethical governance demands duty consciousness, not just rule compliance.

3. Bribery and Corruption

Corruption is the most visible ethical failure in governance. It diverts public resources meant for welfare into private hands and distorts policy priorities.

High-profile cases of officials accepting bribes for awarding contracts undermine fair competition, weaken public welfare outcomes, and damage institutional credibility. Corruption is not merely a legal offence; it is a moral betrayal of public trust.

4. Complacency and Lack of Motivation

Ethical governance requires commitment to public service. However, when officials prioritise personal comfort over public duty, governance becomes routine and insensitive.

Surveys indicating widespread dissatisfaction among officials, citing lack of recognition and incentives, show how low motivation can silently weaken governance outcomes. Ethical failure here is not active wrongdoing, but passive indifference.

5. Patronage and Favouritism

Patronage involves granting positions, benefits, or contracts based on loyalty rather than merit. It undermines transparency and fairness, core pillars of ethical governance.

Recent controversies where political leaders appointed unqualified individuals due to personal relationships reflect how favouritism corrodes institutional integrity and discourages deserving talent.

6. Excessive Secrecy and Lack of Transparency

Opacity in decision-making obstructs accountability. When crucial information related to public projects is withheld, it raises concerns of conflict of interest and misuse of power.

Ethical governance demands transparency not as a formality, but as a democratic obligation.

7. Nepotism and Cronyism

Nepotism and cronyism refer to preferential treatment given to relatives or close associates. This directly violates the principle of meritocracy.

Cases where influential figures secure contracts or positions for close associates demonstrate how ethical decline leads to institutional decay and public cynicism.

8. Lack of Empathy and Compassion

Governance is ultimately about people. When officials display insensitivity, especially during crises, governance loses its moral legitimacy.

Reports of callous behaviour towards vulnerable communities during emergencies reveal a serious ethical deficit. Compassion is not optional in public service; it is foundational.

Steps Taken in India to Promote Ethical Governance

India has developed a multi-layered ethical framework, combining constitutional accountability, legal safeguards, and institutional mechanisms.

1. Accountability to Parliament

Administrators are accountable to political executives, who in turn are accountable to Parliament of India.

• Example: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) recently tabled audit findings regarding irregularities in the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) — a major skill development programme.

2. Code of Conduct for Ministers

A Code of Conduct applies to Ministers at both Union and State levels. Parliamentary committees have repeatedly recommended a formal Code of Ethics, reflecting the need to institutionalise ethical standards at the political executive level.

3. Committees on Ethics

Both Houses of Parliament have Committees on Ethics to oversee the moral conduct of legislators.

• The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee’s review of alleged misconduct by an MP in late 2023 demonstrated how internal parliamentary mechanisms uphold ethical behaviour among lawmakers.

4. Disclosure of Interest

Mandatory disclosure of pecuniary and personal interests by Members of Parliament ensures transparency and prevents conflicts of interest in legislative decision-making.

5. Code of Conduct for Civil Servants

Civil servants follow prescribed conduct rules to ensure that private interests do not influence public decisions, reinforcing administrative neutrality and integrity.

6. Legal Mechanisms to Check Corruption

India has enacted several laws to combat corruption, including:

• Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
• Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988
• Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002

These laws provide the legal backbone of ethical governance.

7. Right to Information Act, 2005

The RTI Act empowers citizens to seek information from public authorities, strengthening participatory governance.

• Example: In January 2024, an RTI query exposed delays in PM-KISAN fund disbursal in certain districts, highlighting how transparency improves accountability.

8. Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013

The Lokpal serves as a national anti-corruption ombudsman.

• In 2024, the Lokpal received over 500 complaints, reflecting growing public awareness, though civil society criticised delays in appointments to its bench.

9. Whistle-blowers Protection Act, 2014

Whistleblowers play a crucial role in exposing corruption.

Example: As reflected in the Central Vigilance Commission Annual Report 2024, several cases of procurement irregularities in Public Sector Undertakings were examined and acted upon following complaints and internal disclosures. These cases demonstrate how whistle-blower inputs can lead to vigilance inquiries and corrective action.

However, the absence of detailed public disclosure and continued concerns regarding inadequate protection mechanisms highlight the weak implementation of the Whistle-blowers Protection Act, discouraging potential whistle-blowers from coming forward.

10. Vigilance and Investigative Framework

• Central Vigilance Commission: Supervises vigilance administration and conducts preliminary inquiries.
• Central Bureau of Investigation: Investigates corruption and economic offences.
• National Investigation Agency: Handles offences affecting national security.

11. Right to Public Service Delivery Legislations

States have enacted Public Services Guarantee Acts to ensure time-bound service delivery.

• Example: Madhya Pradesh’s Lok Sewa Guarantee Act processed over 2 crore applications in 2023–24 with a 90% timely resolution rate, demonstrating accountability-driven governance.

Way Forward

India’s ethical governance framework is robust in design, but effectiveness depends on implementation. The way forward lies in strengthening systems, not merely creating new laws.

1. Strengthening Legal Frameworks and Accountability

• Ensure clarity and accessibility of laws
• Define clear consequences for unethical conduct

2. Enhancing Management Practices and Whistleblower Protection

• Anti-corruption training for officials
• Robust internal compliance systems
• Anonymous and secure reporting channels

3. Robust Integrity Audits and Follow-up

• Regular integrity audits
• Preventive action based on audit findings
• Implement key recommendations such as partial state funding of elections

4. Stronger Anti-Corruption Measures

• Expanded confiscation of illicit assets
• Speedy trials through judicial reforms
• Financial liability for corrupt officials

Concluding Perspective

Ethical governance is not achieved by laws alone, but by values translated into daily administrative behaviour. Institutions may exist on paper, but ethics must live in practice. For India, the journey towards ethical governance is continuous — demanding vigilance, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to public interest.