Seven Principles of Public Life

The Seven Principles of Public Life, popularly called the Nolan Principles, were formulated by the Committee on Standards in Public Life in its First Report (May 1995), chaired by Lord Nolan. The committee was established by Prime Minister John Major in October 1994 against the backdrop of the "cash-for-questions" parliamentary scandal, to examine concerns about standards of conduct among holders of public office and to recommend changes to ensure the highest probity. The seven principles—Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership (mnemonically "SIOAOHL")—now form the ethical bedrock of the UK Civil Service Code and the Ministerial Code, and are referenced internationally in public-administration ethics curricula.

Each principle carries a distinct operational meaning. Selflessness requires holders of public office to act solely in the public interest, not for personal material gain. Integrity forbids placing oneself under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence official duties. Objectivity demands that decisions—on appointments, contracts, recommendations—be made on merit. Accountability makes office-holders answerable to the public and submit to appropriate scrutiny. Openness requires that decisions and actions be taken transparently, with information restricted only when the wider public interest clearly demands. Honesty obliges truthfulness and the declaration of private interests that conflict with public duties. Leadership requires that holders of public office promote and support these principles by example. The Committee insisted these were not legally enforceable in themselves but should be promoted through codes of conduct and independent scrutiny.

These principles apply to ministers, civil servants, MPs, members of the judiciary, local government officers, the police, and those in public bodies and the NHS. The Committee on Standards in Public Life remains a standing advisory body, and its recommendations have shaped institutions such as the Independent Adviser on Ministers' Interests and the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. For India's UPSC aspirants, the Nolan Principles are frequently juxtaposed with the Second Administrative Reforms Commission's Fourth Report, "Ethics in Governance" (2007), and with the broader debate over a statutory code of ethics for Indian civil servants. As of 2026 the principles continue to anchor comparative discussions of probity, conflict of interest and the values of public service across Commonwealth administrations.

For the exam, the Seven Principles are tested chiefly in UPSC General Studies Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude), under the syllabus heads "values in civil services," "probity in governance," and "codes of ethics versus codes of conduct." The typical question angle asks candidates to enumerate the principles, distinguish a code of ethics (aspirational values) from a code of conduct (specific enforceable rules), or apply the principles to a case study involving conflict of interest, gifts, or post-retirement appointments. A common comparative prompt requires contrasting the Nolan Principles with the values articulated in India's draft Public Service Bill or the ARC's recommendations. Memorising the seven by name and being able to define each in one crisp sentence is essential for the enumeration-style marks.