UPSC Mains 2025 · GS IV · Q7 · 20 marks · 250 words · Case study

Vijay was Deputy Commissioner of remote district of Hilly Northern State of the country for the last two years. In the month of August heavy rains lashed the complete state followed by cloud burst in the upper reaches of the said district. The damage was very heavy in the complete state especially in the affected district. The complete road network and telecommunication were disrupted and the buildings were damaged extensively. People’s houses have been destroyed and they were forced to stay in open. More than 200 people have been killed and about 5000 were badly injured. The Civil Administration under Vijay got activated and started conducting rescue and relief operations. Temporary shelter camps and hospitals were established to provide shelter and medical facilities to the homeless and injured people. Helicopter services were pressed in, for evacuating sick and old people from remote areas. Vijay got a message from his hometown in Kerala that his mother was seriously sick. After two days Vijay received the unfortunate message that his mother has expired. Vijay has no close relative except one elder sister who was US citizen and staying there for last several years. In the meantime, the situation in the affected district deteriorated further due to resumption of heavy rains after a gap of five days. At the same time, continuous messages were coming on his mobile from his hometown to reach at the earliest for performing last rites of his mother.

(a) What are the options available with Vijay ?
(b) What are the ethical dilemma being faced by Vijay ?
(c) Critically evaluate and examine each of these options identified by Vijay.
(d) Which of the options, do you think, would be most appropriate for Vijay to adopt and why ?

हिन्दी में

विजय पिछले दो वर्षों से देश के पहाड़ी उत्तरी राज्य के सुदूर जिले के डिप्टी कमिशनर थे । अगस्त महीने में पूरे राज्य में भारी बारिश हुई और इसके बाद उक्त जिले के ऊपरी इलाकों में बादल फट गए । पूरे राज्य में विशेष कर प्रभावित जिले में बहुत भारी क्षति हुई । पूरा सडक नेटवर्क और दूरसंचार बाधित हो गया । इमारतें बड़े पैमाने पर क्षतिग्रस्त हो गईं । लोगों के घर नष्ट हो गए और वे खुले में रहने को मजबूर हुए । 200 से अधिक लोग मारे गये और लगभग 5000 लोग बुरी तरह घायल हो गये । विजय के नेतृत्व में नागरिक प्रशासन सक्रिय हो गया और बचाव तथा राहत अभियान शुरू हो गया । बेघर और घायल लोगों को आश्रय एवं चिकित्सा सुविधाएँ प्रदान करने के लिए अस्थायी आश्रय शिविर तथा अस्पताल स्थापित किए गए । दूरदराज के इलाकों से बीमार और बूढ़े लोगों को निकालने के लिए हेलीकॉप्टर सेवाएँ शुरू की गईं । विजय को अपने गृहनगर केरल से संदेश मिला कि उनकी माँ गंभीर रूप से बीमार हैं । दो दिन बाद विजय को दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण संदेश मिला कि उनकी माँ की मृत्यु हो गई है । विजय का एक बड़ी बहन के अलावा कोई करीबी रिश्तेदार न था । उनकी बड़ी बहन अमेरिकी नागरिक थीं और पिछले कई बर्षों से वहीं रह रही थीं । इस बीच पाँच दिनों के अंतराल के बाद फिर से शुरू हुई भारी बारिश के कारण प्रभावित जिले में स्थिति और खराब हो गई । वहीं, उनके मोबाइल पर अपने गृहनगर से माँ का अंतिम संस्कार करने के लिए जल्द से जल्द पहुँचने के लगातार संदेश आ रहे थे ।

(a) विजय के पास कौन से विकल्प उपलब्ध हैं ?
(b) विजय को किन नैतिक दुविधाओं का सामना करना पड़ रहा है ?
(c) विजय द्वारा पहचाने गए प्रत्येक विकल्प का आलोचनात्मक मूल्यांकन और परीक्षण कीजिए ।
(d) आपके अनुसार विजय के लिए कौन सा विकल्प अपनाना सबसे उपयुक्त होगा और क्यों ?

Ethical Dilemmas in Government Dedication to Public Service Crisis Decision Making

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “As the District Commissioner of Wayanad, Kerala, you are responsible for a district renowned for its lush, pristine forests and vibrant tourism sector. This year, however, the region faced unprecedented challenges due to exceptionally heavy rainfall, which far exceeded meteorological predictions. On one night in July, while residents of the Vellarimala hill ranges slept, the stability of the land beneath them began to deteriorate. The situation culminated in a catastrophic landslide, which has been recorded as the most severe landslide disaster in Kerala's history. The twin landslides engulfed the two villages, resulting in the tragic loss of over 360 lives and leaving many missing. The once picturesque hilly landscape was transformed into a scene of utter devastation, with rivers swelling and boulders crashing down. Immediately following the disaster, a contentious blame game ensued between center and state governments regarding adequate warnings. As you arrive at the scene, the sheer scale of destruction is overwhelming, with river waters too strong to allow access to the affected areas and the possibility that survivors might still be trapped within the landslide debris. This disaster highlights a critical issue of our era: the challenge of balancing environmental conservation with economic development. As the district grapples with rising populations, increased consumerism, and the pressures of development, the event underscores the pressing need for responsible stewardship of both natural resources and development practices. In the given circumstance answer the following: a) Identify the ethical issues in the given case. b) Give philosophical perspectives on the environment versus development debate. c) What will be your course of action in the given situation? d) What long-term strategies would you recommend to improve disaster preparedness in the region? [20M]”

Raj Krishna JhaAIR 8 · CSE 2024 · 445 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Roman Concept of Gaianism seeks to protect the pristine nature of our environment; however, the environment is increasingly under stress due to rising developmental activities.

Above circumstance is a livid example of impact of development.

@ Ethical Issues in the case

Body · points

Concept of Environmental Ethics → need for protection of environment.
Growth V/s Sustainability → need for intergenerational equity.
Urgency to save lives → of the people trapped in debris.
Need for Coordination & mutualism (federalism) → among various government organisation.
Idealism V/s Pragmatism → Idealism to save environment; Pragmatism to promote growth.

(b) PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ENVIRONMENT VERSUS DEVELOPMENT DEBATE

Concept of 'Mother Earth'. → propounded in western philosophies. → Her limits are not to be exploited or exceeded
Gandhi's view "There is enough in Earth for everyone's need but not for everyone's greed"
Concept of 'Shallow Ecology' → View promotes environmental conservation on the premise that it benefits humans.
Anthropocentrism → Perspective focuses on need for human centred approach for utilisation of resources.
Concept of shared benefit → humans and all other biodiversity have equal rights on environment; human development should not hamper biodiversity habitat.
Concept of Sustainable development → Need for balance.

Diagram

[People, Planet, Profit] with overlapping area = Sustainable Development

Call for immediate rescue of survivors → gather resources from government & mobilize community.
Focus on relief efforts → through strengthening of medical facilities & allowing maximum first aid access. → coordinating with local private hospitals if resources of govt. hospitals are insufficient.
Provide assurance to the community → by visiting the site & assuring of government support.
Discuss with community to identify any missing person & form a task force.
Provide Emergency helpline → and publish it through local media.
Aid in terms of food packages, water & minimum needs → shall be the first concern.
Managing temporary shelter homes → for rehabilitation of victims.

(d) Long term strategy

Early warning Detection Systems → across the district installations → IMD forecast monitoring.
Hazard Zonation → identifying vulnerable areas & providing critical support & resources. Eg: Cyclone Fani → Odisha govt effectively used planning of hazard areas to reduce risks.
Community volunteers → formation local "Apada Mitra" to counter such disaster impacts.
Capability building initiatives → of community to develop capacity like school based education on disaster preparedness.
Alerting mechanisms to be strengthened. → using mobile messaging, speaker phones. → to enable people are rehabilitated before disaster occurs.

Close · a summary

India is considered as one of the most vulnerable nations to disasters, initiatives of administration should be aimed at "People-first" approach.

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 2025, General Studies Paper IV, Q7. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.