GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

"Never do anything against the conscience even if the state demands it." In this context, discuss the role of conscience in taking ethical decisions in administration.

Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2021

Sources of Ethical GuidanceCivil Service ValuesEthical Dilemmas in GovernmentLaw and MoralityIntegrityPressure and Loyalty

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 5 of the 6 answers · about 170 words.

Opening

  • A definition100%

Body

  • Points100%

Close

  • A summary60%
  • No separate close20%
  • A way forward20%

The toppers’ answers

Aishwarya VermaAIR 4 · CSE 2021 · 169 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a definition

Conscience is the inner voice that enables us to take a decision that is morally correct.

eg) It was conscience of Ashoka that brought him to the path of Dhamma after Kalinga war.

Body · points

→ When our actions are not in consonance with conscience, it leads to crisis of conscience, leading to guilt and cognitive dissonance.

Role of conscience in administration:

  1. It enables a person to follow the procedural uprightness in administration.

  2. It helps a person to take a decision involving an ethical dilemma where 2 actions are equally favourable or unfavourable.

  3. It helps a person in administration to use his discretion affectively in an ethical manner.

  4. It guides the organisational culture based on ethical grounds.

  5. It enables a person to perform his job with integrity and do not bow to external pressure.

  6. It can help in maintaining transparency. eg: giving respect to RTI.

Close · a way forward

It is needed that the voice of conscience should not be suppressed and should be allowed to guide us.

More on Sources of Ethical Guidance

Laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of guidance, and which governs when they disagree.

All GS4 questions on Sources of Ethical Guidance