Recommendations of the Lee Commission
- The Commission intended to establish a “Public Service Commission” as one of the cardinal features of its proposals.
- Three main categories were proposed
– All India Services
– Central services which dealt with Indian states and foreign affairs
– Provincial Services - The Existing members of ‘The All India Services’ were to retain all rights of officers in the All India Services, and the provincial governments were to be given appointment powers only on new vacancies.
- The Central services dealt with Indian states and foreign affairs, as well as the administration of state railways, posts and telegraphs, customs, audit and accounts, and scientific and technological departments.
- The Commission recommended that the Secretary of State retain the right of appointment and control of All India Services; primarily the Indian Civil Service, the Indian Police Service, the Indian Medical Service, the Indian Forest Service, and the Indian Service of Engineers.
- However, the power of appointment for Central services was kept with the Government of India. It restricted the power of the Secretary of State to the political department, Imperial Customs Department, and Ecclesiastical Department from taking any recruitment or appointment.
- The Public Service Commission proposed the meritorious recruitment of people for All India, Central, and Provincial services. For efficiency in work, they also maintain discipline, facilities, pension, housing, and pay life.
- It was planned that for the next 15 years till 1939, direct recruitment to ICS Indian Civil Service will be on the basis of 50:50 parity between Europeans and Indians.
- Therefore, the Lee Commission proposal for the next 15 years planned
40% of future entrants will be British
40% be Indians who will be directly recruited
20% will be promoted from the provincial service.
On the recommendations of this commission, Indian participation in civil services had increased. At the time of independence in 1947, there were almost 1,000 Indians, many of them were in high positions and had a good public service experience.
Background of Civil Services in India Before 1923
The Lee Commission was established to analyze the structure of India’s Higher Public Service in the year 1923. Lord Lee of Fareham, conducted this commission as the Chairman and submitted its observations in 1924. It was based on the Islington Commission report (1912) and it reviewed
- The All-India Services
- The Central Services