---
title: "Non-Partisanship in Public Service: Meaning | Model Diplomat"
description: "Non-partisanship in public service ensures civil servants serve impartially, vital for maintaining trust in governance and crucial for UPSC exam candidates."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/non-partisanship"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Non-partisanship is the obligation of public servants to serve the government of the day impartially, without favouring any political party, faction, or ideology.
- How does non-partisanship differ from impartiality in public service?
- Can a non-partisan civil servant refuse a minister's instruction?
- What rules enforce non-partisanship for Indian civil servants?
- What was the 'committed bureaucracy' debate?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Non-partisanship is the obligation of public servants to serve the government of the day impartially, without favouring any political party, faction, or ideology.

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When India's central government changed in May 2014, the permanent secretariat in New Delhi continued implementing policy without disruption, illustrating non-partisanship as career officials served the incoming administration with the same diligence as the outgoing one.

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