23rd Annual Student Research Conference
The Role of Competitive Examinations In The Indian Civil Service
Charles T. Retherford
Dr. Julie Flowerday, Faculty Mentor
The role of the Indian Civil Service was central to the British administration of India. This study looks at the evolution of the education and selection of civil servants for the ICS, paying particular attention to the changing role of the ICS, the effect of the introduction of competitive examinations, and the effectiveness of the ICS at addressing problems in India. The university system of the time, the role of the ICS, and the changing situation in India are all considered. The study concludes that the introduction of competitive examinations, which was intended to turn the ICS into an elite administrative division and a highly desirable post for top-tier university graduates, accomplished neither of these goals, but rather produced an ineffective organization in terms of buttressing British rule of India.
Keywords: India, Education, Colonialism
Topic(s):Anthropology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 55-2
Location: MG 1000
Time: 3:00