What is NOT a function of the civil service?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which option is NOT a function of the civil service. We need to find the activity that civil servants do not perform.

Step 2: Concept The civil service is the permanent, non-partisan body of career officials who carry out government policies. Its key features are neutrality, anonymity, and permanence. Its main functions include:

• Advising ministers (commissioners) on policy
• Implementing government policies and programmes
• Keeping records and handling official correspondence
• Preparing the budget estimates for ministries
• Serving as a link between the government and the public

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Advising ministers: This is a core function. Civil servants give technical and professional advice to political office holders.
• B. Keeping records and correspondence: This is a core administrative function.
• C. Preparing the annual budget: Civil servants prepare the budget estimates and drafts for their ministries, so this is a function.
• D. Intermediary between public and government: Civil servants carry government policies to the people and communicate public needs to the government.
• E. Writing manifestoes for political parties: A manifesto is a partisan document. Civil servants must stay politically neutral, so they cannot write manifestoes for political parties. This is NOT a function of the civil service.

Step 4: Answer

Tip: Remember that the civil service is neutral. If an option involves party politics (manifestoes, campaigns, party membership), it is almost never a civil service function.