UPSC Mains 2023 · GS IV · Q1(a) · 10 marks · 150 words

What do you understand by ‘moral integrity’ and ‘professional efficiency’ in the context of corporate governance in India ? Illustrate with suitable examples.

हिन्दी में

भारत में कॉर्पोरेट शासन के संदर्भ में ‘नैतिक ईमानदारी’ और ‘पेशेवर दक्षता’ से आप क्या समझते हैं ? उपयुक्त उदाहरण देकर स्पष्ट कीजिए ।

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Has excessive profit seeking by corporates undermined the trust of public in the private sector? Giving examples, examine the reasons for failure of corporate governance in India.”

Pratham KaushikAIR 5 · CSE 2017 · 172 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Corporate Governance based on profit maximisation has eroded public trust in corporates to some extent. They are viewed in purely business terms whose objective is merely profit with little regard to society. This is in contrast to govt which is viewed as vehicle for public welfare.

The erosion of trust has led to failure of corporate governance in India.

Body · points

Reasons for failure

(1) Poor business ethics of private sector (2) Declining role of morals & moral standards in private sphere (3) Increasing competition and economic insecurities.

(4) Incidents where few individuals, for vested interests, undermine ethical action. e.g. Satyam - artificially inflated share prices for personal gain of few.

(5) Profit as the only motive in essential services such as health by private sector e.g. denying entry to critically ill or delaying operations till hospital bill is submitted, even in extreme cases.

Close · a way forward

Although, with adequate awareness and education on business ethics coupled with moral values, private sector's image can be changed. Corporate Social Responsibility is also an effective tool in this context.

6 more toppers’ answers to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2023, General Studies Paper IV, Q1(a). The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.