One who is devoted to one’s duty attains highest perfection in life.” Analyse this statement with reference to sense of responsibility and personal fulfilment as a civil servant.

Q.5(a) One who is devoted to one’s duty attains highest perfection in life.” Analyse this statement with reference to sense of responsibility and personal fulfilment as a civil servant. (10 Marks, 150 Words)

The quote “One who is devoted to one’s duty attains highest perfection in life” resonates deeply with the ethical philosophy of duty-based ethics (Deontological ethics) and echoes the Bhagavad Gita’s principle of Nishkama Karma, i.e. performing one’s duty without attachment to results. For a civil servant, who is entrusted with safeguarding the public interest, devotion to duty is not just a professional requirement but also a moral obligation that shapes both responsibility towards society and personal fulfilment.2

Devotion to duty as a sense of responsibility for a civil servant

• Moral uprightness: A civil servant’s primary responsibility is to uphold constitutional morality, rule of law, and values of justice, equality, and liberty. Devotion to duty, even under pressure, ensures moral uprightness and enhances public trust.
  • Eg: E. Sreedharan (Metro man) demonstrated devotion to duty by completing massive infrastructure projects like Delhi metro within deadlines. His sense of duty created both public good and personal recognition
• Ensuring responsiveness and objectivity: In public administration, accountability is a cardinal principle. When a civil servant is devoted to duty, they ensure transparency, responsiveness, and efficiency in governance.
  • Eg: Vinod Rai, as the CAG upheld his constitutional duty by bringing to light the 2G spectrum scam. His devotion to accountability strengthened democratic institutions.
• Institutional integrity: A civil servant’s duty is not only to individual cases but to the institutional integrity of governance. By being devoted, they contribute to good governance, rule-based order, and long-term sustainability of democracy.
  • Eg: T.N. Seshan, as Chief Election Commissioner, revolutionised India’s electoral system by enforcing the Model Code of Conduct strictly. 
• Empathy during crisis: In testing times, devoted officers take ownership of outcomes rather than shifting blame.
  • Eg: During the COVID-19 pandemic, district collectors like Divya Devarajan (IAS) worked tirelessly for relief, showing empathy and compassion in governance.

Devotion to duty as a sense of personal fulfilment for a civil servant

• To attain Self-actualisation: According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the highest stage is self-actualisation – realising one’s fullest potential. A civil servant finds fulfilment not through material rewards but through service to society and leaving a lasting impact.
  • Eg: Kiran Bedi, India’s first woman IPS officer, derived fulfilment by reforming Tihar Jail into a correctional institution. 
• Selfless service: Indian philosophy emphasizes Karma Yoga: performing duty without expectation of reward. A civil servant devoted to duty develops equanimity, staying unaffected by praise or criticism.
  • Eg: Ashok Khemka, an IAS officer known for his uncompromising stand against corruption, faced frequent transfers (over 50 times). Yet his devotion to ethical duty represents spiritual fulfilment of Nishkama Karma.
• Courage of conviction: Devotion to duty often places civil servants in ethical dilemmas – loyalty to superiors vs. loyalty to law, short-term benefits vs. long-term justice. Those devoted to ethical responsibility choose the higher path of constitutional duty.
  • Eg:  The Whistleblower cases (such as Satyendra Dubey, NHAI engineer, who exposed corruption in the Golden Quadrilateral project) highlight how devotion to duty may even demand personal sacrifice.
• Fulfilment via legacy: Beyond social service, civil servants achieve immortality through legacy. Devotion to duty immortalises them in the memory of citizens. Recognition is not just awards but also lasting respect.
  • Eg: Lal Bahadur Shastri, though not a career bureaucrat, exemplified civil service values in politics. His slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” reflected his devotion to the duty of nation-building and gave him a legacy of simplicity and responsibility.

As the saying goes, “Satyameva Jayate –  Truth Alone Triumphs.” For a civil servant, devotion to duty reflects truth, integrity, and responsibility. By aligning personal conduct with constitutional morality, they not only ensure good governance but also inspire citizens, proving that true fulfilment lies in being a servant leader of society.

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