Which of the following is a feature of the civil service?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which option is a feature (characteristic) of the civil service, the permanent body of government workers who carry out policies and run ministries.

Step 2: Explain the concept The civil service is built on these main features:

• Permanence of tenure: civil servants keep their jobs even when governments change.
• Neutrality/impartiality: they serve any government in power without taking sides politically.
• Anonymity: ministers take credit or blame, not civil servants.
• Loyalty: they are loyal to the government of the day.
• Hierarchy/bureaucracy: they work through ranks and follow set rules.
• Merit-based recruitment and promotion.

Step 3: Evaluate each option

• A. Disloyalty: Wrong. Civil servants are expected to be loyal, not disloyal.
• B. Impartiality: Correct. Civil servants must be politically neutral and treat all citizens and governments fairly.
• C. Political activism: Wrong. Civil servants are barred from partisan politics, which is the opposite of neutrality.
• D. Temporary tenure: Wrong. Civil service jobs are permanent and pensionable, up to retirement age, not temporary.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is B. Impartiality.

Exam tip: Remember the civil service as P-N-A: Permanent, Neutral (impartial), Anonymous. Any option that suggests "temporary," "partisan," or "disloyal" is almost always a wrong answer.