Evolution of the Indian Civil Service (ICS) During the British Era

The Indian Civil Service (ICS) was the elite administrative cadre introduced by the British to govern their expanding territories in India, evolving from the East India Company’s ad hoc system into a professional bureaucracy that became a pillar of the British administration.

Pre-1858: Early Origins and Cornwallis’ Reforms

  • Early Company Rule: Initially, the East India Company’s administration relied on “civil servants” handling revenue and judicial functions, but with minimal structure and heavy patronage.
  • Lord Cornwallis (1786–1793): Credited as the “Father of Civil Service in India,” Cornwallis introduced a merit-based, professional service to curb corruption, replacing the earlier patronage-based appointments with British ....
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Indian History