UPSC Mains 2021 · GS IV · Q8 · 20 marks · 250 words · Case study

You are Vice Principal of a degree college in one of the middle-class towns. Principal has recently retired and management is looking for his replacement. There are also feelers that the management may promote you as Principal. In the meantime, during annual examination the flying squad which came from the university caught two students red-handed involving in unfair means. A senior lecturer of the college was personally helping these students in this act. This senior lecturer also happens to be close to the management. One of the students was son of a local politician who was responsible in getting college affiliated to the present reputed university. The second student was son of a local businessman who has donated maximum funds for running of the college. You immediately informed the management regarding this unfortunate incident. The management told you to resolve the issue with flying squad at any cost. They further said that such incident will not only tarnish the image of the college but also the politician and businessman are very important personalities for the functioning of the college. You were also given hint that your further promotion to Principal depends on your capability in resolving this issue with flying squad. In the meantime, you were intimated by your administrative officer that certain members of the student union are protesting outside the college gate against the senior lecturer and the students involved in this incident and demanding strict action against defaulters.

(a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.
(b) Critically examine the options available with you as Vice Principal. What option will you adopt and why?

हिन्दी में

आप एक मध्यवर्गीय शहर में डिग्री कॉलेज के उप-प्रधानाचार्य हैं। प्रधानाचार्य हाल ही में सेवानिवृत्त हुए हैं और प्रबंधन उनके प्रतिस्थापन की तलाश कर रहा है। यह भी माना जाता है कि प्रबंधन आपको प्रधानाचार्य के रूप में पदोन्नत कर सकता है। इस बीच वार्षिक परीक्षा के दौरान विश्वविद्यालय से आए उड़नदस्ते ने दो छात्रों को अनुचित तरीकों का उपयोग करते हुए रंगे हाथों पकड़ लिया। कॉलेज का एक वरिष्ठ व्याख्याता व्यक्तिगत रूप से इन छात्रों को इस कार्य में मदद कर रहा था। यह वरिष्ठ व्याख्याता प्रबंधन का करीबी भी माना जाता है। उनमें से एक छात्र स्थानीय राजनेता का बेटा था, जो कॉलेज को वर्तमान प्रतिष्ठित विश्वविद्यालय से संबंधन कराने में मददगार रहा था। दूसरा छात्र एक स्थानीय व्यवसायी का बेटा था, जिसने कॉलेज चलाने के लिए अधिकतम धन दान दिया था। आपने इस दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण घटना के बारे में तुरंत प्रबंधन को सूचित किया। प्रबंधन ने आपको किसी भी कीमत पर उड़नदस्ते के साथ इस मुद्दे को हल करने के लिए कहा। उन्होंने आगे कहा कि इस घटना से न केवल कॉलेज की छवि खराब होगी बल्कि राजनेता और व्यवसायी भी कॉलेज के कामकाज के लिए बहुत महत्त्वपूर्ण व्यक्ति हैं। आपको यह भी संकेत दिया गया था कि प्रधानाचार्य के रूप में आपकी आगे की पदोन्नति उड़नदस्ते के साथ मुद्दे को हल करने की आपकी क्षमता पर निर्भर करती है। इस दौरान आपके प्रशासन अधिकारी ने सूचित किया कि छात्र संघ के कुछ सदस्य इस घटना में शामिल वरिष्ठ व्याख्याता और छात्रों के खिलाफ कॉलेज के गेट के बाहर विरोध प्रदर्शन कर रहे हैं और दोषियों के खिलाफ सख्त कार्रवाई की माँग कर रहे हैं।

(a) इस मामले से संबंधित नैतिक मुद्दों पर चर्चा कीजिए।
(b) उप-प्रधानाचार्य के रूप में आपके पास उपलब्ध विकल्पों का आलोचनात्मक रूप से परीक्षण कीजिए। आप कौन-सा विकल्प अपनाएँगे और क्यों?

Pressure and Loyalty Integrity Conflict of Interest

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “You are a teacher in the Science department of a reputed college. Your HoD (Head of Department) has been a good mentor to you and has guided your career progress. You get to know from one of your students that the HoD gives private tuitions at his residence, which is disliked by many others in the department. There are also rumours that he might be giving extra marks to the students taking his tuitions. When enguired, his reply is that he is not alone and a few other teachers are giving private tuitions as well. He assures you that it is beneficial for the students as some of them need extra attention. He advises you not to make a fuss about it and indirectly reminds you about the assessment rating, which is due this week. You are aware that a good rating will definitely get you the due promotion. The HoD is due to retire in 4 months. (a) What are the dilemmas that you face in this situation? (b) Highlight the course of action that you would adopt and give reasons for the same.”

Trupti Ankush DhodmiseAIR 16 · CSE 2018 · 358 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

The excessive privatization of education has led to make the sphere of knowledge mere commercial.

Body · points and prose

(a) Dilemmas -

Personal Interests (due promotion) Vs Institutional ethics (favouritism)
Education ethics (equality) Vs Benefits of student at higher cost
Commercial Interests of teacher Vs Justice towards untutored students
Excellence of few Vs Egalitarianism in society.

The case represents the value corruption in today's educational system. Legally, the teachers of educational institutions are not allowed to take extra tuitions. It harms the quality of educational institution and marginalizes the untutored children from excellence.

(b) Course of Action - (1) Persuasion Suggesting the HoD and other teachers to take extra classes in the institution without any commercial motive. → It will benefit the institution to reach the excelled point. → It is according to organization ethics and equally beneficial to all students.

If all students could do well, rather few, it will be in the interest of all in long term.
Society will be benefitted due to large pool of talent.

(2) Taking the issue to Director - If persuasion would get fail, this will be the next course of action:

It will give top-down pressure on the wrongdoers.
It will benefit the institutions in long run due to excellence of students and quality of teaching.
It will pave way for review of remuneration of teachers, if they are doing things due to less salaries.
It may avoid the bad impact of bad rating on my performance.
By requesting to director, I would suggest to give another opportunity to all indulged in tuitions so that their career would not impact (especially HoD- 4 months due to retire).

(3) If this also gets fail - I would be having 2 options: Go to Media Resign from the job

It will bring long impact - My career would be on society hindered.
By going to media, my career may or may not be impacted.
Considering the mutual possibilities of end of career in institutions, I will go to media for the better interest of society as a last resort.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2021, General Studies Paper IV, Q8. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.