Q. “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.

Model Answer:

The statement echoes the Bhagavad Gita’s ‘Nishkama Karma’ – selfless action without attachment to outcomes. For civil servants, this devotion to duty represents the path to professional excellence and personal fulfillment through responsible public service.

Sense of Responsibility in Civil Service:

A civil servant’s devotion to duty manifests as constitutional and moral responsibility through:

• Accountability and Transparency: Ensuring public trust by maintaining openness in governance (RTI implementation, social audits)

• Integrity Despite Pressure: Standing firm against corruption and political interference, exemplified by Durga Shakti Nagpal’s stand against illegal sand mining

• Objectivity in Decision-making: Merit-based actions free from bias, serving all citizens equally regardless of social standing

Personal Fulfillment through Service:

This responsible discharge of duties creates profound personal satisfaction by providing:

• Sense of Purpose: Contributing to nation-building brings meaning beyond material gains (E. Sreedharan’s Metro legacy)

• Self-Actualization: Achieving highest potential through impactful work aligns with Maslow’s peak of human needs

• Public Trust and Respect: Community-driven initiatives like Armstrong Pame’s “People’s Road” earn lasting societal recognition

The synergy between responsibility and fulfillment creates a virtuous cycle – devoted officers perform better, achieve greater impact, experience deeper satisfaction, and become more committed to duty.

Conclusion: For civil servants, perfection lies in harmonizing constitutional duty with personal purpose, creating transformative governance through selfless service.