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The concept of Indian bureaucracy as the Steel Frame has been prominent in India since the Colonial times. India's bureaucracy has been instrumental in framing the nation's socio-economic structure since independence. The framers of the Constitution of India recognised the importance of permanent executive body that can provide stability to administration. It is a professional body organized in hierarchical structure to serve the nation impartially. Starting with a brief historical overview, this article critically examines its relevance, strength and challenges to analyse whether the notion of India's bureaucracy as 'The Steel Frame of India' is indeed a fact or merely a fiction. Furthermore, along with strength, weakness and threats associated with bureaucracy this article tries to give a nuanced understanding about Indian civil service, possible bureaucratic reforms and its aspiration towards governance, socio-economic development and democracy.