GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

"Procurement decisions are a litmus test of public sector probity, where integrity must resist both institutional pressures and private influence." Discuss how the principles of transparency, fairness, and accountability can strengthen ethical conduct in public procurement.

Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Probity in GovernanceTransparency and InformationUtilisation 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 6 answers · about 130 words · 50% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • No separate opening67%
  • A quotation17%
  • A restatement17%

Body

  • Points and prose67%
  • Points33%

Close

  • A summary50%
  • No separate close33%
  • A way forward17%

The toppers’ answers

Pakshal SecretryAIR 8 · CSE 2025 · 90 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

"Public procurement must be ethical because there is public trust involved in procurement"

Body · points and prose

  • SC in FCI case
Diagram
Current Issues (central box) - Corruption - Leakages (40% in FCI) - Secrecy in procurement - Procurement at above market price

Strengthening Ethical conduct

(1) Transparency in procurement (i) Reduces corruption (ii) Improves public scrutiny of procurement process

  • RTI application to FCI operation (iii) Improves public trust in procurement process

(B) Fairness (iv) Ensures meritocracy and no crony capitalism. (v) Prioritises vulnerable section in public procurement from MSME sector

(C) Accountability (vi) Instills positive fear against wrong doing. (vii) Ensures responsibility

Diagram
Steps Taken → Online procurement by government → e-NAM portal → Clear pricing policy

Close · a way forward

Thus, we need to complete shift toward online merit based procurement.

More on Probity in Governance

The concept of public service and the philosophical basis of governance and probity, taken as the syllabus states it.

All GS4 questions on Probity in Governance