India’s civil services, once dominated by humanities graduates, are now largely filled by engineers. A parliamentary report highlights that engineers’ share rose from 46% in 2011 to 65% in 2020, while medical professionals dropped from 14% to 4%, and humanities from 27% to 23%. Between 2017 and 2021, nearly 76% of recommended candidates came from technical fields.

The 2011 introduction of the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) accelerated this trend, as its format favored candidates with technical and English-language skills. Critics argue this disadvantaged humanities aspirants, many from non-English backgrounds.

Experts warn that a bureaucracy dominated by technocrats risks losing empathy, cultural awareness, and interdisciplinary thinking—qualities crucial for inclusive governance. Moreover, India may also be losing talented doctors and engineers to administration.

Scholars suggest reforms such as restructuring CSAT, introducing specialized service tracks, and ensuring balanced intake across disciplines. Global practices show that civil servants with social sciences and liberal arts backgrounds enrich policymaking with context, equity, and vision. For India, restoring diversity in recruitment could ensure governance is not only efficient but also empathetic.