UPSC Mains 2022 · GS IV · Q8 · 20 marks · 250 words · Case study

Ramesh is State Civil Services Officer who got the opportunity of getting posted to the capital of a border State after rendering 20 years of service. Ramesh’s mother has recently been detected cancer and has been admitted in the leading cancer hospital of the city. His two adolescent children have also got admission in one of the best public schools of the town. After settling down in his appointment as Director in the Home Department of the State, Ramesh got confidential report through intelligence sources that illegal migrants are infiltrating in the State from the neighbouring country. He decided to personally carry out surprise check of the border posts along with his Home Department team. To his surprise, he caught red-handed two families of 12 members infiltrated with the connivance of the security personnel at the border posts. On further inquiry and investigation, it was found that after the migrants from neighbouring country infiltrate, their documentation like Aadhaar Card, Ration Card and Voter Card are also forged and they are made to settle down in a particular area of the State. Ramesh prepared the detailed and comprehensive report and submitted to the Additional Secretary of the State. However, he has summoned by the Additional Home Secretary after a week and was instructed to withdraw the report. The Additional Home Secretary informed Ramesh that the report submitted by him has not been appreciated by the higher authorities. He further cautioned him that if he fails to withdraw the confidential report, he will not only be posted out from the prestigious appointment from the State capital but his further promotion which is due in near future will also get in jeopardy.

(a) What are the options available to Ramesh as the Director of the Home Department of the bordering State?
(b) What option should Ramesh adopt and why?
(c) Critically evaluate each of the options.
(d) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Ramesh?
(e) What policy measures would you suggest to combat the menace of infiltration of illegal migrants from the neighbouring country?

हिन्दी में

रमेश राज्य सिविल सेवा में अधिकारी हैं, जिन्हें 20 साल की सेवा के बाद सीमावर्ती राज्य की राजधानी में तैनात होने का अवसर मिला है। रमेश की माँ को हाल ही में कैंसर का पता चला है और उन्हें शहर के प्रमुख कैंसर अस्पताल में भर्ती कराया गया है। उनके किशोरवयः दो बच्चों को भी शहर के सबसे अच्छे पब्लिक स्कूलों में से एक में प्रवेश मिला है। राज्य के गृह विभाग में निदेशक के रूप में अपनी नियुक्ति में व्यवस्थित हो जाने के बाद, रमेश को खुफ़िया सूत्रों के माध्यम से गोपनीय रिपोर्ट मिली कि अवैध प्रवासी पड़ोसी देश से राज्य में घुसपैठ कर रहे हैं। उन्होंने तय किया कि वे व्यक्तिगत रूप में अपने गृह विभाग की टीम के साथ सीमावर्ती चौकियों की आकस्मिक जाँच करेंगे। उनके लिए आश्चर्य था कि उन्होंने सीमा चौकियों पर सुरक्षा कर्मियों की मिलीभगत से घुसपैठ करने वाले दो परिवारों के 12 सदस्यों को रंगे हाथों पकड़ा। आगे की पूछताछ और जाँच में यह पाया गया कि पड़ोसी देश के प्रवासियों की घुसपैठ के बाद, उनके आधार कार्ड, राशन कार्ड और वोटर कार्ड जैसे जाली दस्तावेज बनाकर उन्हें राज्य के एक विशेष क्षेत्र में बसाया जाता है। रमेश ने विस्तृत और व्यापक रिपोर्ट तैयार कर राज्य के अतिरिक्त सचिव को सौंप दी। हालाँकि, एक सप्ताह के बाद अतिरिक्त गृह सचिव ने उन्हें तलब किया और रिपोर्ट वापस लेने का निर्देश दिया। अतिरिक्त गृह सचिव ने रमेश को बताया कि उच्च अधिकारियों ने उनकी सौंपी गई रिपोर्ट की सराहना नहीं की है। उन्होंने पुनः उन्हें सावधान किया कि यदि वह गोपनीय रिपोर्ट वापस नहीं लेते हैं, तो उन्हें न केवल राज्य की राजधानी की प्रतिष्ठित नियुक्ति से बाहर तैनात कर दिया जाएगा, बल्कि उनकी निकट भविष्य में होनेवाली अगली पदोन्नति खतरे में पड़ जाएगी।

(a) सीमावर्ती राज्य के गृह विभाग के निदेशक के रूप में रमेश के पास कौन-से विकल्प उपलब्ध हैं?
(b) रमेश को कौन-सा विकल्प अपनाना चाहिए और क्यों?
(c) प्रत्येक विकल्प का आलोचनात्मक मूल्यांकन कीजिए।
(d) रमेश के सामने कौन-सी नैतिक दुविधाएँ हैं?
(e) पड़ोसी देश से अवैध प्रवासियों की घुसपैठ के खतरे से निपटने के लिए आप किन नीतिगत उपायों का सुझाव देंगे?

Pressure and Loyalty Integrity Corruption

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “You are an employee of an MNC. Your finances are in precarious condition with your mother admitted in a hospital and two school going children. One day, you read media reports that your friend Ramesh, cleared the Civil services and was allotted IAS service. You remembered that many years back when you were at work, Ramesh called in distress to meet you. Upon meeting he told you that his attempts at UPSC Civil services preparation were over and he was tense because of that. Being amazed by the news, you tried to figure out how Ramesh was able to clear the exam despite exhausting his attempts. For this, you investigated at your own level. After some research you came to know that he forged his identity papers, address proofs and other documents to take OBC reservation and made a false PwBD certificate from a doctor known to him. You, being close to Ramesh, also know that he is neither an OBC nor a disabled person. You called Ramesh and asked him to be truthful and declare his wrongdoings. On this Ramesh offered you a well furnished flat in one of the reputed colonies of Pune along with the hospital bills of your mother being covered, if you do not disclose the case to any one. a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. b) Evaluate the options available to you in the above situation. c) Which of the above will be most appropriate for you to take and why?”

Shakti DubeyAIR 1 · CSE 2024 · 469 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

This case study presents the issue of cheating & forgery by Ramesh who has manipulated his details like- caste certificate & Disability certificate in order to get leverage in one of the most prestigious exams in the country ie, UPSC.

Ethical Issues involved: This case study present following ethical issues

Body · points and prose

(a) Lack of integrity on part of Ramesh (b) Against the Deontological theory of ethics - as it uses corrupt means (c) Based on principle of Hedonism as decision is guided by pleasure and pain (d) This is an example of cheating and forging of document (e) This is against the cardinal virtues of plato! - i.e justice (f) May lead to inclusion-exclusion error (g) Disregard for hardworking & honest student (h) raise concerns over credibility of UPSC (a constitutional body) (i) Moral myopia - as Ramesh overlooks his deeds and offers flat to me

Options available to me in such condition (A) I will not confront Ramesh for his wrongdoings and accept the financial help & flat that he is offering me.

Diagram

Implications - Positive - It may help me pay my hospital bills for my mother - help me afford a good flat in a prestigious colony - help me afford better school for my children - Negative - This will exhibit moral muteness on my part - I will be equally responsible for such corrupt act - This may encourage him to carry on more such corrupt act

(B) I will threaten him with dire consequences and request him to disclose the information to UPSC pro bono, even if he doesn't agrees I will do my part and not take any favours from him. But will not report him either.

Implications

Positive	Negative
↳ I will not face cognitive dissonance	↳ He may not disclose it to UPSC on his own
↳ I will show responsibility on my part	↳ I will lose the favours like flat & medical bill

(C) I will directly discuss with Ramesh and try to find out the truth, if he makes such offer - I will directly report it to the police authorities and will also notify UPSC about the same with some valid proof.

Implication

Close · a way forward

Positive	Negative
↳ Shows integrity on my part	↳ I may lose favours of flat & medical bills from Ramesh
↳ I will be contributing to nation building by avoiding such corrupt people by getting into service
↳ Justice to hardworking student

In any case I will definitely choose the third option - because └ It will reflect moral integrity └ Avoid law breakers to be a part of law makers └ Based on "Purity of means" as given by Gandhi └ This maybe one way of tackling corruption in such prestigious exam └ Will have deterrence effect on others who plan to do so └ Will ensure Rule of law └ lead to a transparent recruitment mechanism

To avoid such intolerable act there is a need to ensure value education in children to avoid them from becoming corrupt in future.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2022, General Studies Paper IV, Q8. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.