Which of the following is NOT a characteristic principle of the civil service?

Step 1: Analyze the question We are asked to find the option that is NOT a characteristic principle of the civil service. Four options are features of a civil service, and one is the opposite of a real feature.

Step 2: Recall the key principles of the civil service A civil service is the permanent administrative arm of government. Its main characteristics are:

• Anonymity: Civil servants work behind the scenes. Ministers take public credit or blame for their decisions, not the civil servants.
• Bureaucracy: Work is organised by formal rules, procedures, and division of labour.
• Hierarchy: There is a chain of command from the Permanent Secretary down to junior staff.
• Political neutrality: Civil servants serve any government in power impartially and do not take part in partisan politics.
• Permanence / security of tenure: Civil servants hold their jobs until retirement, regardless of which party wins an election. They can only be removed through due process for misconduct.

Step 3: Test each option

• A. Anonymity: a real principle.
• B. Bureaucracy: a real principle.
• C. Hierarchy: a real principle.
• D. Insecurity of tenure: the opposite of the real principle. Civil servants enjoy security of tenure, so this is NOT a characteristic.
• E. Political neutrality: a real principle.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. Insecurity of tenure.

Exam tip: Remember the civil service acronym "PANH": Permanence (security of tenure), Anonymity, Neutrality, Hierarchy (plus bureaucracy). If an option states the opposite of one of these, such as "insecurity of tenure" or "partisanship," it is usually the odd one out.