GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

As professionals, civil servants are career focused and are also self-interested. At the same time, their service ethos imposes an obligation to serve the public interest selflessly. Is it possible for a civil servant to reconcile career and service obligation? Explain your position.

Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Civil Service ValuesDedication to Public ServiceConflict of InterestEthical Dilemmas in GovernmentIntegrity

Syllabus: Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.

How toppers approached it

From all 6 answers · about 170 words · 50% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • No separate opening67%
  • A definition17%
  • A direct answer17%

Body

  • Points and prose50%
  • Points50%

Close

  • A way forward50%
  • A summary33%
  • No separate close17%

The toppers’ answers

NausheenAIR 9 · CSE 2023 · 138 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

civil servants want career growth and prestige in their field of work, as the most ambitious of the people of the country choose the field. However, people who want to serve the public at any cost, are the only people that reach the levels of authority.

Body · points

Reconciling career and service obligation :-

Close · a summary

↳ 1) Following the ethical values of integrity and objectivity while in service and after.

eg.) Ashok Khemka fighting corruption even after many transfers

↳ 2) Not seeking monetary benefits or social recognition but serving the public. eg) Sanjukta Parashar dealing with Bodo militancy.

↳ 3) maintaining corruption-free career would be duly recognised one way or another. eg) People read biographies of honest civil servants.

In fact, an honest civil servant would always keep public interest over and above the needs of recognition and monetary benefits.

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