GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

"The growing layers of oversight, media scrutiny, and public expectations have made accountability a double-edged sword for public servants." Do you agree that excessive accountability pressure can sometimes hinder ethical judgment and innovation in the bureaucracy? Explain your perspective with examples.

Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Accountability and Ethical GovernanceEthical Dilemmas in GovernmentCivil Service ValuesWork Culture

Syllabus: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.

How toppers approached it

From all 6 answers · about 160 words · 17% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A definition67%
  • No separate opening17%
  • A quotation17%

Body

  • Points83%
  • Points and prose17%

Close

  • A way forward67%
  • A quotation17%
  • A summary17%

The toppers’ answers

Pakshal SecretryAIR 8 · CSE 2025 · 143 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Excessive accountability pressure has been rising due to social media scrutiny, whistle blowing risk and access to information with the public.

Body · points

Excessive Accountability

  1. Leads to dilution of discretion
  2. Even right choices are criticised due to excessive scrutiny
  3. Fear of Backlash → Against any innovation Eg: Backlash against Rajat Bansal's idea of Startup promotion in Bastar.
  4. Leads to status-quoist mindset to prevent any scrutiny Eg: Rules orientation in Indian civil servant (5) Not able to see larger content and leads to Red Tapism Eg: Non-Approval to Developmental project near border area

Need of Accountability

(1) To ensure responsibility among bureaucracy → prosecution for crimes (2) To keep a check on corruption Eg: Pooja Singhal case (3) Ensure Transparency → RTI (4) Develop a sense of responsiveness

Close · a way forward

Eg: Social audit process

Thus, golden mean between need and excess should be followed.

More on Accountability and Ethical Governance

Answerability for a decision, strengthening ethical and moral values in governance, and institutional mechanisms for it.

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