Bureaucrazy Gets Crazier: IAS Unmasked

by M.K. Kaw

This is an intimate, inside look at the state of the Indian Administrative Service, with nothing held back. It lays bare the activities of the modern mandarins behind bolted portals, describing how they crawl up the greasepole of success, manipulating in-laws and outlaws with equal felicity.The way they bootlick superiors is only matched by the fervour of their pontification at juniors. The tussles at the top get really gory, as the commitment is to individuals rather than principles. Himself a senior IAS officer, the author tears off the mask and exposes the authentic face of his own clan.Bureaucrazy was first published in 1993. Its first edition was sold out in 30 days. It was translated into Hindi and Punjabi under the title ?Afsarshahi Benaqab?. Over the years there has been a clamour for Bureaucrazy 2. This is a revised and updated edition of the original with 15 new chapters in addition to the 31 of the first edition.About the AuthorMaharaj Krishen Kaw was born on 10 November 1941 in Srinagar, Kashmir. He joined the IAS in 1964 and was allotted to the Himachal Pradesh cadre. He held important posts in the state, including Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Finance Secretary, Education Secretary and Personnel Secretary. He also spent fifteen years at the centre and held the posts of Member Secretary, Fifth Central Pay Commission, Secretary Civil Aviation and Secretary Human Resource Development. After his retirement in 2001, Kaw has been active in social causes and was the Dean for Shri Sathya Sai International Centre for Human Values, New Delhi which ran training programmes for school principals, college and scholl teachers and students. Currently, he is a member of the Core group of the Centre for Governance and edits the magazine Ethical Governance.Kaw writes poetry in English and Hindi and has also dabbled in other forms of literature. He writes a column ?Kaw caw? for the monthly Naad.

Genres: India, Nonfiction, Indian Literature

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Anil Swarup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many IAS officers could get away with non-performance because they had command over the English language. M K Kaw mentions this in one of the narratives in this brilliant sequel to "Bureaucrazy". He also has that command over the English language but he could distinguish himself in his career . There are other not-so-glorious aspects of the IAS that have been mentioned in the book that any bureaucrat can relate to. However, there are certain serious dimensions that catch your attention though even these are laced with sense of humour.
A must read for all bureaucrats, specially those that can laugh at themselves and yet carry on with the serious business of governance.

[Barry Gilder · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good hearty satirical look at Indian bureaucracy and perhaps bureaucracy everywhere. I suggest South African public servants read it to recognise the pitfalls ahead of us and some already behind.

[Yogesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light hearted satirical take on the IAS babus and their working, makes a very good read to know how bureaucracy is twisted in its own ways and still functioning for the betterment.

[Riju · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been in the government set up for a few years and I wish i had read this book earlier. It clearly shows the experience and one can relate to it. I am also fairly sure that none of the bureaucrat can match the writing prowess of the author....Overall, a humorous ride requiring a dictionary-esque stepney

[SANDEEP DALAL · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book. IAS Unmasked has ruthlessly UNMASKED and UNDRESSED the so called COVETED IAS, with lot of humour. Some of the things are even applicable on private organisation run with a lot of bureaucracy.
Old world english with a lot of complexities suck some of the fun from reading this book.

[Dhyey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing book to get an insiders view of the workings of IAS. Deducted one star for difficult language.

From the news it seems things should have changed under the Modi regime. A recommended read for anyone who wants a sneak peek at the workings of the world of bureaucrats.

[Amit · Rating 4 out of 5]

A crazy, funny and humourous take on the lives of bureaucrats. Although Author mainly deprecates the lives of IAS (I Am Sorry) in a hilarious take. Book is reminder for all of us to take ourselves bit lightly. The book feels like non stop episode of "Yes Minister" comedy. Loved the read.

[Imran · Rating 5 out of 5]

its a good experience

[Harsimran Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author gives a wholesome view of the service from his experiences in a humorous way and also discusses issues like changing role of the service, commitment, games played.

[Abhijit Gupta · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it is a satirical take on the Indian bureaucracy, it fails to tickle much bones and seems to have been written for a select set of audience.

All in all, a quick light read.

[INDERPAL SINGH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book

[shishir singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will for sure help one master the art of “presence of mind and absence of body” to “Invisible After Sunset”

[Khushi Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

[Hakim Mani · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Bureaucrazy gets Crazier” as the name suggests brings out the lifestyle of these IAS Babus in the most amusing and limpid way. The book tries to explain each and every aspect of life of an IAS officer with efficacy. The temerity of Mr Kaw has to be appreciated for his light hearted opinions on such eminent policy planners of our nation.

The book consists of 47 chapters with fascinating titles giving an Indian feel to the contents of the chapter. The use of Urdu lexicon also familiarizes the reader with the actual language used by the Bureaucrats.
The author has stated various examples of how the bureaucrats have mastered manipulating the laws and outlaws with equal felicity, thus yielding a deeper look at how things work at the upper level.
It is an easy and must read for those who have a gusto towards Indian Administrative Services.

Best Quote from the book
“Selfishness is the best insurance towards disloyalty”

[Chandrashekar · Rating 3 out of 5]

M K Kaw is an archetypal ICS (though in fact he is an IAS). Suave, scholarly, Oxford/Cambridge educated, part of the upper class elite and witty with a rather special focus on the complexities of words used. This book made me scurry for the English dictionary more than once. For all the reasons mentioned above, this book was bound to be readable. It is fast paced, witty throughout and at some levels improves your understanding of the workings of the long maligned bureaucracy. What it lacks in content, it makes up through its presentation. Just like how bureaucrats work. But it is not a book to read for everyone. The target audience being retired, working and aspiring bureaucrats. For others, it might be a bore with little specks of humor strewn across which might bring a smile on your face.

[Parth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It makes for an interesting read sprinkled with witty anecdotes, incisive insights and mature advices. Though it gets repetitive in certain portions yet it is an essential read to gain perspective into the working of the glorified babus! It covers all stages of the career of a Bureaucrat from the entry in to service to rising in the ranks to dealing with the unavoidable, unpleasant reality of retirement. It also touches upon the steady personal and non-existent social life of the officials. Easy and funny to read.

[Rajesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author a veteran of the civil services presents a generic view of the services in his own distinctive writing style. It is not a book which analyzes the merits/demerits of the services nor tries to rationally understand the problems and try to propose solutions. A satirical comment of the services at best.

[Shahid Ansari · Rating 5 out of 5]

practical reality explained in the best possible way..witty..

[Sagnik Nag · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satirical stump on Indian Bureaucrats ! Though times have changed , still it's good to know how it originated .

[Vikas Soni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaw’s delicate humor makes the book an excellent read.

[Sandhya Chandramohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is one hell of a book. A must-read. But after you crack the Civil Services not before, lest you might get discouraged of the endeavour. :P

[Jayesh Deore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A humorous book, throughout the essays kaw speaks his heart with sceptical humour.
I particularly liked the last half, which is later added.

[Bhaskar kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

There aren't more than 5 pages where you don't laugh, giggle, smirk, or smile.
Laced with humor all around.