Nolan principles
Also called: Seven principles of public life · Topic: Civil Services: Role, Accountability and Reforms · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Nolan principles are seven standards for people in public life. They were set out by the UK's Nolan Committee in 1995. The seven are selflessness, integrity, objectivity (deciding fairly, on merit), accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. They matter because they are widely quoted as a model for civil service ethics, including in India.
Example
In a UPSC GS-IV answer on conflict of interest, a candidate can cite the Nolan principle of selflessness. It means an officer must act only in the public interest, never for personal or family gain.
Don't confuse with
- Code of conduct: the Nolan principles are broad values. A code of conduct, such as the CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, lists specific rules that can be enforced.