GS4 · Topic
Accountability and Ethical Governance
Answerability for a decision, strengthening ethical and moral values in governance, and institutional mechanisms for it.
328 UPSC Mains GS4 questions on Accountability and Ethical Governance that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2013–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
3 institutional practices that can improve transparency and responsiveness in disaster prone districts :
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Transparency and InformationQuality of Service Delivery
Discuss strategies that a civil servant can employ to ensure the inclusion and well-being of the weaker sections of society. How can policies be designed to bridge the gaps and promote social equity?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Empathy and CompassionDedication to Public Service
In late November, as a thick layer of smog settled on the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, patients began to experience extended wait times. Long lines snaked along the vast building and backed up for several yards. Computers at the hospital had stopped working, so medical reports could not be generated. Though patients were still being treated, paper bills were being handed out. After a few days, people who feared that traveling back home would be too expensive began to sleep under a nearby overpass to wait it out. A massive cyberattack had compromised the health data of millions of patients, from those who live in extreme poverty to high-profile politicians, bureaucrats and judges. The Delhi Police had a bigger problem at hand. They were in possession of an email that read, "What happened? Your files are encrypted? What is the price to repair? The price depends on how fast you can pay to us," reported news sources. The police soon confirmed that the servers at AIIMS were attacked and data was being held for ransom. Police sources were quoted as saying the attack originated oustide the country. Cybersecurity experts express larger concerns. Since India does not have robust cybersecurity systems or strong data protection laws, the breach has made observers uneasy about plans to digitize the health records of all Indians. Cybersecurity experts are doubtful about getting informed consent as that concept is relatively new in the country. With plans for ubiquitous sharing of health records across hospitals, doctors, insurance agencies and health tech firms, Indians' health data is expected to be more prone to leaks, data breaches and exploitation. Currently, the safety of a patient's data will depend on how safe the hospital servers are. Under the present regulatory regime, all hospitals will be responsible for storing and protecting the patient data they collect. a) Identify the ethical issues associated with ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure. b) What measures would you suggest to pursue digitization while balancing the risks of scaling up? Justify.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Technology and EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government
The Right to Information transforms the veil of government secrecy into a window of transparency. Examine.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Transparency and InformationProbity in Governance
"When the credibility of an organization is compromised, it has a cascading effect on the trust of the society and the integrity of the system." Discuss how this can be addressed at the individual and organizational level.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceIntegrity
The right to protest is an integral part of democracy. But protests often take a violent turn and lead to destruction of life and property. In such situations, it is the duty of the police force to deal with the violent protests and restore normalcy. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What challenges does the police force face in such situations? (b) As the SP in the capital city of a state where such protests often take place, how would you deal with such a situation when faced with it?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Crisis Decision MakingCivil Service Values
How does whistleblowing influence trust and accountability in governance? Analyse the ethical dilemmas involved in whistleblowing.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
CorruptionEthical Dilemmas in Government
You are the District Magistrate of a district that is known for making combustible substances such as match boxes and fire crackers. As per the The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016, employment of children in such hazardous activities is prohibited. In this regard, government has also released a notification that owners of these manufacturing units need to report on the profiles of their employees annually as child labour has been prevalent in these industries. These manufacturing units, abiding by the directives of the government, publish such reports annually and claim to have successfully put an end to employment of child labour. However, it has been brought to your notice that these companies are taking advantage of loopholes in the law. They have been outsourcing their hiring to independent contractors who engage families in the business. The families have been continuing to use child labour to supplement their income and also keep the cost of labour competitive so as to bag more such contracts and since they are not officially on the payroll of the companies, they are absolved of the legal liabilities. (a) Identify the ethical issues in this case. (b) How would you approach the problem and what would be the main elements of your action?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019
Empathy and CompassionCorruption
An efficient service delivery is the key to winning the public trusts in government. What are the challenges being faced in efficient delivery of public services? Suggest some measures to improve the delivery of public services.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2015
Quality of Service DeliveryCorruption
Ways to build stronger corporate governance mechanism to prevent this?
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Corporate GovernanceAccountability and Ethical Governance
In recent times, the country witnessed protests based on opposition to some steps taken by the government. Whereas, mostly these were peaceful protests, at a few places these activities turned violent leading to destruction of public property. In some places government arrested few of the protesters and imposed heavy fines on them for the destruction of the property. In case they could not pay, their private property was confiscated by the government to pay for the damage done to the public property. In addition to this, some governments published the photographs, names and addresses of those accused of vandalism during protests at various locations. (a) What are the issues of public importance at stake in this case? (b) Are their any ethical or legal principles at play here which may be conflicting? (c) What should be the principles guiding a democratic state in such circumstances?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentLaw and Morality
Write short notes on the following in 30 words each: / Profit verses Employee welfare / Accountability and Ethical Governance
10 marks · 30 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Citizens ChartersCivil Service Values
What do you understand by the term 'conflict of interest'? How can conflict of interest in public service be resolved?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Conflict of InterestAccountability and Ethical Governance
Citizen charter can be both a stimulus and a means for government to raise the standards of public service delivery. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019
Citizens ChartersQuality of Service Delivery
Corruption is an unethical practice which leads to corrosion of public administration system.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
CorruptionAccountability and Ethical Governance
"The growing reach and influence of social media present both opportunities and challenges for ethical governance." Examine the statement with suitable examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Transparency and InformationAccountability and Ethical Governance
1(i) Intellectual integrity and its role in good governance. (ii) Citizen's charter and its role in good governance.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
IntegrityCitizens Charters
What institutional safeguards and policy measures would you recommend ensuring fairness, inclusivity, and accountability in such AI-driven processes?
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Technology and EthicsAccountability and Ethical Governance
Role of Intellectual Integrity in administrative decision making. (ii) Role of Citizen Charter in good governance.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
IntegrityCitizens Charters
Man is a product of his environment 1. (b) Explain the relationship between accountability and efficiency. Why is accountability essential for good governance?
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceFamily, Society and Education
What ethical principles should govern the utilization of public funds? Discuss the moral implications of using taxpayer money to bail out large corporations.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Utilisation of Public FundsCorporate Governance
Probity means more than just the avoidance of corrupt or dishonest conduct. Discuss with suitable examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Probity in GovernanceIntegrity
What is social accountability? How can it act as a more effective mechanism than the conventional methods of extracting accountability? What steps can a civil servant take to improve the effectiveness of social accountability in India?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2015
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceProbity in Governance
What do you understand by the term "participatory governance"? Based on your understanding of the term, discuss why is it important for ensuring ethical governance.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceTransparency and Information
Criminalisation of politics & nexus between politician-Civil servant has further reduced accountability.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceCorruption
Probity in governance is an essential and vital requirement for an efficient and effective system of governance and for socio-economic development. Discuss. Also, state ways to enhance probity in governance.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Probity in GovernanceAccountability and Ethical Governance
In a critical meeting, the state Chief Secretary, Mr. Vikram Patel, emphasized the urgency of advancing the project and held Ms. Rao accountable for the delays, lack of progress, and overall non-performance. Ms. Rao left the meeting disappointed and felt holding her accountable for delay was unfair as there were others also involved in the project. (a) What are the ethical issues and dilemmas involved in the above case? (b) What are the options available to Ms. Rao? (c) What course of action would you suggest for Ms. Rao? Why? (d) Do you think holding Ms. Rao accountable for the delays was justified? Why/Why not?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentAccountability and Ethical Governance
Though it may seem that accountability and efficiency are antithetical to each other, accountability is a sine qua non for good governance.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceCivil Service Values
Transparency is more than mere information sharing. Elaborating on the statement, assess the success of the RTI Act, 2005, in promoting transparency in administration.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Transparency and InformationProbity in Governance
Punitive vigilance deters corruption, preventive vigilance reduces opportunities for corruption while participative vigilance fosters a culture of transparency and accountability, eliminating the root cause of corruption. Critically examine this statement with relevant examples
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
CorruptionTransparency and Information