What is "civil service"?

Civil service refers to the body of government employees who are hired based on their qualifications and merit rather than political affiliation or patronage. This system is designed to ensure that government jobs are filled by individuals who possess the necessary skills and most importantly, have passed appropriate examinations relevant to their positions. This merit-based approach promotes professionalism and efficiency within the government sector, as it aims to eliminate favoritism and ensure that the best candidates are selected for public service roles.

The other options describe different concepts. A system of elected officials pertains to the political aspect of governance, where individuals are chosen through elections rather than being appointed based on merit. A government-funded project typically refers to initiatives and programs supported by government funding, not directly related to the employment system. A program for military recruitment focuses on enlisting individuals into the military, which operates independently from the civil service framework that governs civilian employment in the government.