Red tapism
Also called: Red tape · Topic: Civil Services: Role, Accountability and Reforms · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Red tapism means too many rules, rigid procedures and too much paperwork in government offices. A simple decision has to pass through many desks and forms, so work gets delayed. It is a common criticism of bureaucracy, where following the rules becomes more important than serving people. It matters because it slows down services that citizens need and makes officials seem distant.
Example
The Class 11 NCERT textbook notes that "people are always afraid of these officers". This shows how red tape and rigid procedure can put ordinary citizens off. The remedies include simpler processes, e-office (moving files online) and time-bound delivery of services.
Don't confuse with
- Weberian bureaucracy: Weber's model is the ideal of hierarchy, written rules and merit. Red tapism is what goes wrong when those rules become too rigid and slow everything down.
Related concepts
- Annual Performance Appraisal Report
- 360-degree appraisal
- Results Framework Document
- Premature retirement
- Sanction for prosecution of public servants