Civil Services Day: Remembering the unsung JKAS, IAS officers of J&K

By: Ambreen Khan (Ziraat Times)

Srinagar, April 21: Is a civil services career in Jammu & Kashmir only about prestige, authority and stability?

On the surface, it may appear so. But for those who see day-to-day public administration changing people’s lives for the better beyond news headlines, the reality is far deeper, more meaningful and complex – defined not just by status, but by responsibility, sacrifice and the weight of decisions civil servants take almost every day that shape everyday lives.

Civil services in India are usually seen as a symbol of authority; but those who see the rigour, the accountabilities and responsibilities of this role, it is also about meaning to one’s life, about taking critical, day-to-day decisions that directly impact millions.

In Jammu & Kashmir, this responsibility is magnified by distinguished officers from IAS, IFS, JKAS and other equally important allied services whose list is long.

“Most people often see the position, not the process,” said a retired IAS officer.

“Years of preparation go into clearing these examinations, often with no guarantee of success. And once you enter service, the real challenge begins.”

At the district level, officers such as Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), Tehsildars in the Revenue stream function as the backbone of governance. Their work spans resolving land disputes, overseeing property transfers, managing welfare delivery and maintaining law and order – decisions that can profoundly affect families and communities.

Officers from forest, finance, rural development, agriculture, police and from allied streams are expected to take decisions that create new roads, new jobs, bring peace and conserve the natural endowment.The role extends far beyond field administration.

Civil servants are central to planning and financial governance – analysing data, prioritising development needs and deciding how public funds are allocated and spent efficiently within limitations.

Rohit Kansal, a senior IAS officer of the 1995 batch and currently Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Rural Development, reflected on the deeper purpose of governance while recalling his time in J&K.

“I share an emotional connection with J&K. I often recall the fond memories of working with my peers here,” said while speaking to Ziraat Times.

Mr Kansal, who played a key role in initiatives like “Back to Village” and “My Town My Pride,” emphasised the importance of taking governance closer to the people.

“This is a small part of what we can do for people’s welfare, and I feel proud of such achievements.”These programmes, which saw thousands of officers engage directly with communities, are known to illustrate how administrative systems can be designed not just for efficiency, but for inclusion and participation.

Farooq Ahmad Lone, former Chairman of the Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission, underscored this balance.

“Civil Services Day is not a celebration of position. It is a reminder of responsibility,” he said. “True public service is measured not by authority, but by integrity under pressure, fairness in adversity and courage in difficult decisions.”

Speaking to Ziraat Times, he added that the moral burden of service remains constant, regardless of changing systems or circumstances.

“The strength of governance lies in the character of its civil servants.”Despite the scale of responsibility, officers say public perception often focuses disproportionately on failures, while consistent, behind-the-scenes work goes unnoticed.

“Mistakes are amplified, sometimes without context, but the silent work that keeps the system running rarely gets acknowledged,” said a senior official of the Revenue Department, requesting not to be named.

Haris Ahmad Handoo (JKAS), currently serving as Special Secretary in Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Director SKICC and Secretary Royal Spring Golf Course, says “Civil Service officers are the face of Government, helping it to function effectively. They work at the cutting-edge level to deliver public services. The onus lies on them to earn revenue for the government, make expenditure on development works, ensuring that all vital services of bijli, sadak, paani and all utility services are made available to people.”

“During exigencies, civil service officers are at the forefront to provide basic amenities to the general public at times in trying circumstances. They are supposed to work outside their comfort zone, away from home and at times beyond official working hours to perform their duties. Their success lies in having a positive attitude to resolve the issues faced by the common people. Being people friendly, decisive, selfless, having empathy and working honestly with full dedication help immensely in discharge of their duties, thereby making it possible to work for the welfare of common people”, he emphasised.

For Irfan Ali Shah, Conservator of Forests, North Circle, the essence of civil service lies in what he calls “silent stability.”

“In Jammu & Kashmir, a civil servant’s greatest contribution is often bridging the gap between policy and the person in the remotest corner,” he said. “We aren’t just administrators; we are often the primary hope for ecological and social preservation in a fragile landscape.”

He described the profession as a constant balancing act. “The struggle is a tightrope walk – balancing immediate public needs with long-term institutional integrity, often in difficult terrain. The reward is seeing communities thrive or forests stand tall long after we are gone.”

The administrative system in India is deliberately structured to combine authority with accountability. While civil servants are vested with significant power, they are equally bound by rules, public scrutiny and ethical responsibility.

For younger officers like Ursila Tabassum of the 2020 JKAS batch, the experience is defined by quiet diligence rather than visibility.

“Being part of the J&K Accounts Services is less about designation and more about holding systems together where they matter most,” she said.

Recalling her work with the J&K Cable Car Corporation and the Gulmarg Development Authority, she highlighted the operational pressures behind routine governance.

“I remember days during peak tourist seasons in Gulmarg when financial clearances had to be processed quickly to avoid disruption for thousands of visitors. From the outside, these may seem routine decisions, but they carry a quiet responsibility.”

She added that limited resources, constant pressure, and the need for timely, fair decision-making define the profession.

“For me, civil service is about staying committed to that responsibility, even when the work is behind the scenes.”

A former IAS officer, reflecting on his times with J&K administration said that in regions like J&K, even a routine file can carry deep social consequences.

“You are dealing with land, livelihoods, jobs, and what not, which are close to people’s hearts”.

Yet, the everyday reality of service is far from straightforward. Officers must navigate competing pressures – from the executive, political representatives, the public and even the media – while ensuring fairness and adherence to rules.

“We operate under constant pressure,” said a serving officer in Rural Development Department, preferring anonymity. “There are expectations from all sides and decisions often have to be taken quickly with limited information and resources.”

Personal sacrifices, seldom talked about, are an intrinsic part of the profession. Frequent transfers, postings in remote or sensitive areas and long working hours often mean extended periods away from family.

“It is not unusual to spend years away from home,” a retired officer said. “You accept it as part of the service, but it does take a toll on personal life.”

As Civil Services Day is observed, seniors feel that there is a greater need to recognise not just the visible authority of IAS and JKAS officers, but also the unseen effort that sustains governance.In Jammu & Kashmir, where administrative decisions often intersect with complex social realities, civil servants continue to work under demanding conditions – balancing power with accountability, and authority with service.

Today is a moment not just to acknowledge their status, but to recognise the perseverance and quiet dedication that define their role in shaping lives and communities.