UPSC Mains 2026 · GS IV · Q11 · 20 marks · 250 words · Case study

Rajapuram is a border district. Jhara and Biru, its two major communities are in continual conflict with each other. The social fabric is fractured and demands mending. Ethnic tensions between the two communities have erupted into violence resulting in a large number of deaths. The stated causes are conflicting land claims, uneven resource allocation and inadequate political representation in government bodies. Separate relief camps had to be created for the two communities. The situation is volatile and appears to be getting out of control. Rajan has been appointed the District Magistrate (DM) of Rajapuram and tasked to quickly get the situation under control. His immediate tasks include restoring administrative authority, reopening the highway and initiating peace talks. On taking over his appointment, Rajan realized that the inter-community rivalry had even seeped into the local administration and police. With functional neutrality being the immediate casualty, it had made both communities distrustful of the government. The neighbouring country could utilize the opportunity to spur insurgent activity and further aggravate the situation. Rajan favoured a controlled approach starting with opening the highway to restore food and medical supplies. He toyed with the idea of requisitioning CRPF units to help restore administrative control.

(a) Discuss the ethical issues that need to be addressed in this case.
(b) What are the options open to Rajan? Which option would ensure protection of his non-partisan image without compromising ethics?

हिन्दी में

राजापुरम एक सीमावर्ती ज़िला है। झारा और बीरू वहाँ के दो प्रमुख समुदाय हैं, जो प्रायः एक-दूसरे के साथ टकराव की स्थिति में रहते हैं। इसके कारण वहाँ का सामाजिक ताना-बाना बिगड़ गया है और उसे ठीक करने की आवश्यकता है। इन दोनों के बीच जो जातीय संघर्ष है, वह प्रायः हिंसा को जन्म देता है, जिसके कारण बहुत लोगों की मृत्यु हो गई है। इस तनाव के जो कारण बताए जाते हैं, वे हैं—ज़मीन पर दोनों गुटों के दावे, स्रोतों का असंतुलित बँटवारा और सरकारी संस्थाओं में उनका अपर्याप्त राजनीतिक प्रतिनिधित्व। दोनों समुदायों के लिए अलग-अलग राहत शिविर बनाना पड़ा। स्थिति इतनी विषम हो गई है कि लगता है जल्द ही वह नियंत्रण से बाहर हो जाएगी। राजन को राजापुरम का ज़िलाधिकारी (डी० एम०) नियुक्त किया गया है। उसकी ज़िम्मेदारी है कि वह अतिशीघ्र स्थिति को नियंत्रण में ले। उसके प्राथमिक कार्य हैं—प्रशासनिक व्यवस्था की बहाली, राजमार्ग को खुलवाना एवं शांतिवार्ता को शुरू करना। पदभार ग्रहण करते ही राजन को ज्ञात हुआ कि समुदायों के बीच जो द्वंद्व है, वह स्थानीय प्रशासन एवं पुलिस तक पहुँच गया है। चूँकि स्थानीय प्रशासन वहाँ निष्पक्ष नहीं रह गया था, इसलिए दोनों समुदायों का उस पर से विश्वास उठ गया था। पड़ोसी देश इस अवसर का लाभ उठाकर एवं आंतरिक विद्रोह को बढ़ावा देकर स्थिति को और खराब कर सकता था। एक संतुलित रवैये के साथ राजन ने राजमार्ग को खुलवाया ताकि खाद्यान्न और चिकित्सकीय वस्तुएँ लोगों तक पहुँचाई जा सकें। प्रशासनिक नियंत्रण की बहाली के लिए उसने सी० आर० पी० एफ० की मदद लेने पर भी विचार किया।

(a) इस प्रसंग में उन नैतिक मुद्दों पर विचार कीजिए, जिन पर ध्यान देना आवश्यक है।
(b) राजन के सामने क्या विकल्प हैं? नैतिकता को आहत किए बिना कौन-सा विकल्प उसकी निष्पक्षता की रक्षा सुनिश्चित करेगा?

Impartiality and Objectivity Crisis Decision Making

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “As the Superintendent of Police in your state, you are renowned for your impartiality and dedication to upholding the rule of law. Recently, Raju, a compassionate young man from the local tribal community, attended a fair in the local bazaar. During the event, he witnessed a group of non-tribal students assaulting a mentally ill woman, accusing her of theft. Raju intervened to defend the woman, which led to a heated confrontation with the group. The situation was temporarily defused by local shopkeepers. Later that night, as Raju was returning home, the same group of intoxicated individuals attacked him, causing severe injuries. The following day, Raju was found critically injured in an agricultural field, having been electrocuted. Upon learning of the incident, the tribal community retaliated by attacking properties belonging to the non-tribal group. That night, the violent mob set fire to 37 shops and six houses owned by non-tribals, escalating communal tensions. Non-tribal families, including school, college, and hospital staff, fled to nearby jungles seeking safety due to the perceived lack of immediate police intervention. You have been informed of the situation by your subordinates, and government officials have tasked you with restoring order and enforcing the rule of law in the region. In the given situation answer the following: a) Identify the ethical issues in the case. b) As the Superintendent of Police, what steps will you take to restore the rule of law and address the escalating violence in the region? c) What strategies would you recommend to promote social cohesion and address the communal divisions in the affected area? [20M]”

Raj Krishna JhaAIR 8 · CSE 2024 · 372 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Public officials have to often deal with such complex situations which require them to have emotional intelligence, integrity and leadership skills for managing such situations.

Body · points

Ethical Issues in the case:

Inequality against the tribals → that exists even today; as could be seen with Raju's case.
Gender violence → that perpetuates throughout our society.
Rights of the mentally ill/disabled people → who are often neglected by society.
Means vs ends approach → whether to follow law as means; which would mean arresting tribals or ends to ensure justice.
Short term v/s Long term approach → whether using force to suppren violence for short term gain or going for long term solutions is required.
Ensuring of justice → to perpetrator of violence against Raju.

As SP, my steps would be:

Meet the Tribal leaders first: → Understand the grievances they have against the other communities & against administration
Assure them of impartial enquiry and justice
Request them to withdraw from violence → requesting empathy from tribal leaders & urging them to follow the lawful procedure.
Being transparent in communicating the findings of the place case to the community.
Meet the non-tribal communities & request them to not retaliate.
Arrange for compensation to the victims of violence by requesting state government.
Deploy local police for the 24x7 vigilant patrolling.
Have a joint community dialogue with tribal & non-tribals to ensure coordination & cooperation.

Strategies to promote social cohesion & address communal divisions

Promote inter-community sports tournaments → to enhance interactions among all communities.
Intercommunity common public halls → for joint celebration of festivals among communities.
local media campaigns → emphasizing need for better cohesion → local ad films for bringing attitudinal changes.
Cross-community dialogue forum. → to remove prejudices & biases.
Education to be promoted → to quell ignorance which leads to violence more often.
Addressing the divisions in school level → by sensitizing children for social cohesion.
Transformational leadership → like "Lunch with Collector initiative" initiated at Dantewada, Chhatisgarh
Social cohesion is an asset for

any society to prosper "Hate breeds Hate, love breeds love". should be motto

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 2026, General Studies Paper IV, Q11. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.