The civil services is the holy grail of lakhs of aspirants seeking high-level government jobs. Every year, there’s the odd story or two of candidates from remote parts making it to the IAS, IFS, IPS or other premier civil service branches against great odds. But such stories are rare. No wonder the Centre’s recent move to introduce quotas in promotions in government jobs through a constitutional amendment—essentially to blunt a Supreme Court decision against such quotas—has its share of supporters and opponents. For, it touches on a whole gamut of issues, from the human to the political to the humdrum realm of administration.