By Devendra Kumar Budakoti
I have been wondering for many years—why do the transfers of government officers make regular news in the local vernacular newspapers?
Do these transfers tell us about any fundamental change in the system? Or is it merely a symbolic exercise to remind us that the state—what we also call the “Mai-Baap Sarkar”—is present in every phase of our lives, from birth to death?
Is the publication of transfer news a kind of cultural-social mechanism through which the public is reminded that a “civil servant” is not just an employee, but a “government representative”—a person who is to be seen as an embodiment of power, respect, and responsibility?
The selection process for civil services itself reinforces the social prestige associated with this position. Every year, around 12 to 15 lakhs candidates apply for the preliminary civil services exam. Of these, only about 10 to 11 lakhs actually sit for the preliminary exam, as 4 to 5 lakhs who had applied hold back, thinking their preparation is incomplete.
Out of these, only about 10,000 candidates make it to the main examination. After the mains, only 3,000 are called for interviews, and ultimately only around 900 to 1,000 are selected for the services. Even among these, only about 250–300 secure a place in top services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), or Indian Police Service (IPS).
The difficulty of this selection process, combined with the salary, privileges, and social status that follow, elevate this profession into the category of the “elite class”. It creates a situation where the bureaucracy is not just seen as an administrative structure but as a social symbol—the ultimate marker of “success” and “power” for the average citizen.
In this context, transfer news is not merely about a change of post; it reaffirms the “social visibility” of both the position and the person. This is a reflection of our colonial legacy, where a “government officer” is often viewed as a “government master.”
This mindset will not change easily. As long as this structure remains, transfer news will not merely be information for society—they will continue to function as displays of pay, perks, privilege and hold power to say NO to Permit, Quota and licence, as part of our collective social memory.
