India's Administrative System — Comparative Perspective

India's administrative system draws from multiple comparative models:

• UK Westminster Model: Parliamentary democracy, Cabinet responsibility, permanent civil service (IAS evolved from ICS).
• USA Federal Model: Federalism (though India's is more centralised — cooperative/asymmetric federalism), written constitution, judicial review.
• French Prefect System: District Collector as the representative of the Centre in districts (though India is federal, not unitary).
• Rejected Chinese Model: Multi-party democracy; civil service politically neutral (unlike CPC loyalty requirement).

Key differences from all four:

• India's IAS is an All India Service (shared between Centre and states) — unique in comparative administration.
• India has a constitutional Lokayukta provision (Article 315) and State Vigilance Commissions — stronger than most.
• India's Right to Information Act (2005) is among the most progressive information access laws globally.

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