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Rethinking Bureaucratic Leadership: Focusing on Skills Beyond Academics India's recruitment of just above 1000 top bureaucrats annually through the UPSC examinations plays a pivotal role in shaping the country's governance. However, the leadership quality within the bureaucracy, as reflected by institutions like the ED, CBI, and IB, raises significant concerns about the selection process. The state of these institutions underscores the absence of leadership skills among bureaucrats. The current selection criteria prioritize aptitude over qualities like adaptability, resilience, and ethical integrity - essential for effective leadership in challenging situations. Leadership in bureaucracy goes beyond administrative competence; it requires individuals who are willing to challenge the status quo, navigate complex socio-political landscapes, and make difficult decisions in the face of adversity. It demands a commitment to upholding principles of justice, fairness, and integrity, even at personal cost. The dominance of engineers, constituting over 60% of qualifying candidates, further highlights the narrow focus on academic excellence. While engineers excel in aptitude and subject knowledge, leadership demands a broader skill set beyond academic achievements. It's evident that the selection process needs reevaluation to emphasize leadership potential, the ability to navigate adversity, challenge norms, and uphold principles. By nurturing leaders with diverse backgrounds and strong leadership skills, India can build a bureaucracy that is not just efficient, but visionary and principled.