The article examines the main problems of such a social institution`s functioning in the Russian state as a public service. The particular attention is paid to the ethical principles of the state and municipal employees in the context of the administrative ethics. It is noted that one of the problems of the civil service as a social institution in the country is the lack of citizens` awareness of the civil servants` activities results as well as the excessive bureaucratization of the internal activities of public authorities in the country.