UPSC Mains 2024 · GS IV · Q5(a) · 10 marks · 150 words

‘The *‘Code of Conduct’* and *‘Code of Ethics’* are the sources of guidance in public administration. There is code of conduct already in operation, whereas code of ethics is not yet put in place. Suggest a suitable model for code of ethics to maintain integrity, probity and transparency in governance.

हिन्दी में

*‘आचार संहिता’* और *‘नैतिक संहिता’* लोक प्रशासन में मार्गदर्शन के स्रोत हैं। आचार संहिता पहले से ही क्रियान्वित है जबकि नैतिक संहिता अभी तक लागू होना बाकी है। शासन में सत्यनिष्ठा, ईमानदारी और पारदर्शिता बनाए रखने के लिए एक उपयुक्त आदर्श नैतिक संहिता का सुझाव दीजिए।

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “In spite of the existence of a Code of Conduct for public servants, its implementation has been tardy and of limited success. Discuss. Further, suggest steps which could be taken to improve the efficacy of the Code of Conduct. What role can Code of Ethics play in reinforcing the Code of Conduct in public life.”

Karnati Varun ReddyAIR 7 · CSE 2018 · 267 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a definition

Code of conduct is the standards of behaviour expected from public servants for ethical governance in administration.

Body · points

e.g. Central Civil Services (conduct) rules 1961.

Inspite of code of conduct, however still public service is blighted as corrupt, slow, delay, low public service orientation, redtape etc.

Reasons for tardy implementation is (a) List of don'ts rather than do's (b) Lack of strong penal provisions if violated (c) Lack effective monitoring and regulation for enforcing code of conduct (d) delay in judicial process, to get conviction in case of gross misuse/abuse of power. (e) Low awareness about code of conduct among officials, citizens

steps to Improve efficacy

(a) make it comprehensive

  • add values, code of ethical values ; more of do's than don'ts which public servants should abide by

e.g: compassion, integrity, objectivity, transparency etc

(b) effective penal provisions if violated

(c) strong monitoring and regulation of code of conduct

e.g: Ethics commission in parliament for MPs as suggested by 2nd ARC.

(d) Improving transparency, accountability → RTI, citizen charter and grievance redressal mechanism to report

  • awareness about code of conduct.

(e) Judicial reforms to get quick conviction

code of ethics

Public servant life is very complex and challenging. All the situations like disaster management, riots etc and expected behaviour cannot be codified in the code of

Conduct.

In such situations code of ethics reinforces code of conduct for ethical governance.

→ acting on the ethical values of compassion, responsiveness, integrity, perseverance etc will achieve great results in dealing with situations like disasters.

Close

Therefore code of ethics act as guide to public servants during unpredictable, challenging situations.

2 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 2024, General Studies Paper IV, Q5(a). The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.