Examines some assumptions and issues regarding role and functions of civil services. It critically examines district bureaucracy-its performance, internal structure, organization, culture. The paper emphasizes that district bureaucracy does not function in isolation but constantly interacts with the local political system. It points out that the way district bureaucracy and local political institutions operate they will not be able to ameliorate the conditions of the weaker sections of population. Various methods processes by which this objective could be achieved are suggested.