Day 37 – Q 1.Do you think aptitude for technology assimilation is a much needed attribute for a civil servant? Substantiate your views.

1. Do you think aptitude for technology assimilation is a much needed attribute for a civil servant? Substantiate your views. 

क्या आपको लगता है कि तकनीकी अस्मिता के लिए योग्यता एक सिविल सेवक के लिए बहुत आवश्यक विशेषता है? अपने विचारों की पुष्टि करें।

Introduction:

For transforming the civil service, it is imperative to move to a strategic technological assimilation system, which would look at the individual as a vital resource to be valued, motivated, developed and enabled to achieve the government’s mission and objectives. Within this transformational process, it is essential to match civil servant’s’ aptitude with the job they have to do and bridge competency gaps for current and future roles.  

Body

• The world is on the brink of a new, all-encompassing revolution moving at exponential speed. We are witnessing the emergence of innovative technological trends with applications as diverse as the technologies themselves. But the impact of the technological revolution on economies and society is not preordained and can be shaped by policies at the local, national and global levels.
• In this regard, technological assimilation aspect of civil servants becomes important due to their important role as executive in modern democracies and also due to the fact that technological evolution exists in a social context and not just as a business case.
• In the evolving technological context, artificial intelligence (AI) can be used effectively to reduce poverty, improve the lives of farmers and make the lives of the differently abled simpler. Civil servants aptitude towards AI assimilation in executive structures can help in greater efficiency of work.
• Similarly, blockchain has potential applications to a wide range of issues – from cross-border data flows to the future provision of government services and natural resource management. This can help civil servants reduce property and other disputes, increase transparency and fight corruption, among other things.
• Further, technological outreach can help the civil servant in implementing structural reforms and promoting an entrepreneurial ecosystem through initiatives such as Startup India and the Atal Innovation Mission.  
• Technology is  a vehicle and not an end in itself which helps in providing a fast route to getting civil servants jobs done fast and cost-effectively. Fewer hours are lost on menial tasks or prolonged duties. Civil servants can save time and work more productively and cohesively, even across cities, countries, and continents.
• At the same time, it is important to get the right complementary technological systems to align with one’s needs. In this regard, the introduction of cloud computing is arguably the most beneficial technological addition to the civil service. It gives employees the ability to work from anywhere. This means there is more flexibility in civil servants’ lives which goes a long way towards increasing job satisfaction.
• Technology assimilation can further be of use like helping to reduce the gender wage gap. Women can have children without sacrificing their career, allowing them to progress further in their lives both professionally and personally. In fact, both men and women can spend time with their families while working.
• Technology has also been a significant player in improving communication within the civil service. Training in the use of technology is essential in enforcing many small improvements that have substantial impacts. 
• With increased training in technology, outdated practices are fading into the background. This allows civil servants to make the most of communication tools like email, video conferencing, instant messaging, and the sharing of information via the cloud.  There’s also an element of waste reduction with technology. It streamlines many processes that would have previously needed the excessive use of paper and ink.
• By improving the technology in the civil service, it becomes more appealing to younger workers. Graduates are expecting a technologically-advanced workplace. They have grown up in the digital age, often being completely unfamiliar with the way things used to be. This means they do their best work when given the technology they are proficient at using.

Conclusion

The Civil Service of the future will need people with a broader set of skills so that we can navigate this complex environment more effectively as we serve modern India. In line with the vision of ‘New India’– we must seek to embrace technological change, grasping the opportunities it presents and fulfill the goals of civil services in India where technological assimilation would form an important component.