📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Indian Navy
Politics
Former Telecom Secretary JS Deepak Says IAS Failed to Guide India onto China’s Development Path
✍️ ThePrint
🗓 22 Oct 2026, 07:18 AM
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Former telecom secretary JS Deepak told ThePrint that the Indian Administrative Service has not succeeded in steering India towards the growth model pursued by China.
Former telecom secretary JS Deepak, a retired Indian Administrative Service officer, criticised the IAS for not being able to chart a development trajectory for India that mirrors China’s rapid growth. In an interview with ThePrint, Deepak argued that the bureaucracy’s inability to implement forward‑looking policies has left India lagging behind its Asian neighbour.
He highlighted that while China has consistently aligned its administrative machinery with long‑term economic goals, the IAS has struggled to provide comparable strategic direction for India. Deepak’s comments reflect a broader debate on the effectiveness of India’s civil service in driving large‑scale reforms.
The former secretary did not name specific officials or ministries, but his remarks underscore growing concerns among policy experts about the capacity of the administrative cadre to keep pace with global economic shifts.
ThePrint did not seek a response from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions regarding the allegations.
Deepak’s critique adds to ongoing discussions about bureaucratic reforms and the need for a more proactive governance model in India.
He highlighted that while China has consistently aligned its administrative machinery with long‑term economic goals, the IAS has struggled to provide comparable strategic direction for India. Deepak’s comments reflect a broader debate on the effectiveness of India’s civil service in driving large‑scale reforms.
The former secretary did not name specific officials or ministries, but his remarks underscore growing concerns among policy experts about the capacity of the administrative cadre to keep pace with global economic shifts.
ThePrint did not seek a response from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions regarding the allegations.
Deepak’s critique adds to ongoing discussions about bureaucratic reforms and the need for a more proactive governance model in India.