GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

Corruption has multifaceted implications. Some consider it an undeniable vice, while others contend it to be an unavoidable necessity for navigating the bureaucratic complexities. In your opinion, does corruption oil or corrode the gears of development? Substantiate your arguments.

Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022–2024

CorruptionProbity in GovernanceAccountability and Ethical GovernanceUtilisation of Public Funds

Syllabus: Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.

How toppers approached it

From all 3 answers · about 150 words · 33% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A definition2 of 3
  • A quotation1 of 3

Body

  • Points2 of 3
  • Points and prose1 of 3

Close

  • A way forward2 of 3
  • A summary1 of 3

The toppers’ answers

Aayushi BansalAIR 7 · CSE 2024 · 149 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a definition

Corruption refers to using public office for private gain. eg → bribery, embezzlement etc.

For some:

Undeniable vice

Body · points

  1. Abuse of public position
  2. Against virtues of integrity & honesty
  3. Against common good of society

Unavoidable necessity

  1. Collusive corruption done by many to get faster work done
  2. Scarcity & competition for resources
  3. Avoid red tapeism

In my opinion, corruption can only corrode the gears of development :-

(1) Misutilization of public fund → from welfare goal (health, education) to private pockets. eg → corruption in MNREGA funds.

(2) Increases inequality & poverty → against goal of social justice. → poor can't avail welfare schemes like PDS.

(3) Marginalises vulnerable & erodes trust in public service → decreases citizen engagement.

(4) Displacement of organisational goals → by decreasing morale of honest.

Close · a way forward

Corruption must be strongly weeded out of system by strong penal provision & faster adjudication/prosecution.

More on Corruption

The challenge of corruption: its causes, forms and control, whistleblowing, and the ethics of tolerating it.

All GS4 questions on Corruption