Explain the significance and working of 'Split System' in Indian Administrative System.

'Split System' in Indian Administrative System — Significance and Working:

The Split System (inherited from the British colonial administration and formalized post-independence) separates policymaking from executive field implementation at the Union and State levels:

• Two Distinct Tiers of the Split System:
  • 1. The Secretariat (Policy Formulation): Composed of the Minister, Secretary (senior IAS officer), and staff who formulate public policy, draft legislation, allocate budgets, and maintain parliamentary accountability.
  • 2. The Directorate / Executive Agencies (Policy Implementation): Headed by functional/technical Directors (e.g., Director of Health, Director of Agriculture) responsible for ground-level execution of schemes.
• Significance & Advantages:
  • Division of Labour: Shields policy advisors from daily administrative trivia, enabling strategic long-term planning.
  • Objective Scrutiny: The Secretariat provides neutral, detached political evaluation of field proposals submitted by technical Directorates.
• Working Friction: Can create bureaucratic red tape, delay in clearances, and conflict between generalist Secretariat officers and specialist technical Directors.