GS4 · Topic
Attitude
Content, structure and function of attitude, its influence on thought and behaviour, how attitudes form and change, and moral and political attitudes.
153 UPSC Mains GS4 questions on Attitude that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2013–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
You are working as a District Magistrate in an aspirational district where women literacy and sex ratio is one of the lowest in the country. It is brought to your notice that a woman who has been elected as 'Sarpanch' on a seat reserved for women candidates in a panchayat in your district is head 'only on the paper'. All the work related to the panchayat is actually carried out by her husband. Even the flag hoisting ceremony on Independence Day is carried out by her husband. However, her husband happens to be a good administrator as indicated by that panchayat's performance on various developmental parameters as compared to other panchayats in the district. Also, her husband enjoys the support of the local people. Given the situation, answer the following: (a) Identify the stakeholders and issues involved in this case? (b) What options are available to you as the District Magistrate in such a scenario? Also, evaluate each option and indicate what option will you choose.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 15 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Civil Service ValuesEthical Dilemmas in Government
For achieving success, attitude is equally, if not more important than ability. Discuss with the help of examples from your daily life.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 12 toppers · CSE 2019–2022
AttitudeAptitude for Civil Service
As the administrator in-charge of your area, you are witness to the widespread food wastage in lavish parties as well as in restaurants and eateries, on one hand and people starving due to inability to ensure one square-meal a day, on the other. Realizing that it is not the scarcity of resources, but the habit of people that is causing paucity in availability of food, you decide that certain measures are needed to be taken in order to deal with the issue of starvation at the grassroot level. 20 Given the situation, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the ethical issues involved in this case. (b) What measures would you take to deal with wastage of food in your area? (c) What explains this co-existence of affluence and hunger in developing countries like India?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 12 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Empathy and CompassionEthical Dilemmas in Government
You are posted as a District Education Officer (DEO) in a Maoist affected district. You have been specifically given the responsibility to work on the literacy mission. After reading the education reports and doing field visits, you find that the number of out of school children has increased drastically and the motivation among students and teachers is also low. While certain basic infrastructure is already in place, the major hurdle in attracting students to these schools include the attitude of inhabitants towards education and the security risks involved in sending children to schools. Given the situation, answer the following questions: (a) Analyse the reasons behind such an attitude. (b) As a DEO, what are the steps that you would take in order to increase the school attendance and change the prevalent attitude of inhabitants towards education?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Crisis Decision MakingAttitude
Social transformation programs such as "beti bachao and beti padhao" believes in using advice, counseling, and persuasion but sometimes a little force is also necessary for getting the desired response. Do you think it is a good idea to mix little force with persuasion by public administrators while implementing social schemes of transformation? Explain with relevant examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2021–2025
Social Influence and PersuasionCivil Service Values
The recent decision by the government to ban use of red beacons is only a symbolic gesture and a lot more needs to be done to end the VIP culture in India. Critically discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Civil Service ValuesWork Culture
Intolerance can be linked both to prejudices and value judgments. Elaborate with relevant examples. Also discuss how intolerance can be countered in a multicultural society like India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Human ValuesAttitude
To what extent can financial incentives help shape attitude towards social issues? Discuss with relevant examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion
Social attitude towards corruption has become more forgiving with time leading to a view of illegal gains and misappropriation of public assets as a "rightful" individual prerogative. Analyse in the context of India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
AttitudeCorruption
Issues around economic inclusion are not just about income gaps, there are many dimensions of moral and ethical choices as well. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Dimensions of EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government
Instances of atrocities against dalits despite stringent legal measures point to the fact that the problem is not one of legality only but a matter of entrenched social prejudices and attitude. In this context suggest some effective measures to address the issue holistically.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion
Every superstition cannot be removed by the force of law. For that, a mental change is necessary. Comment. Also, explain how educators and public figures can help in eradicating superstition and instilling scientific temper among people.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Family, Society and EducationHuman Values
There is a view that corrupt practices have been socially accepted in India. How can this 'acceptance' be shifted to 'rejection' towards corruption?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
CorruptionSocial Influence and Persuasion
Literacy levels have been increasing in India over the past few decades, and the literacy rate was found to be 74.04 per cent after the 2011 census. Though this increase in literacy rate seems like a very great accomplishment, it is a matter of concern that still so many people in India cannot even read and write. Children are going to school but not learning much beyond "floor level tasks". Moreover, the higher literacy level has not resulted in better human values and this is manifested in the troubled atmosphere in the society at large. This failure of the education system to reform human behavior is troubling for a young democracy, like India. Given this situation, answer the following: (a) What role is education expected to play in reforming human behaviour and inculcating human values? (b) Do you think only the government is responsible for this state of the education system? If not, identify the stakeholders who should press for a change in the education system in this regard.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
Family, Society and EducationHuman Values
What are the factors that have influenced the contemporary attitude of the state and the society towards homosexuality in India? Also, comment on the changing attitude and the factors driving this change.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion
“People's indifference is the best breeding ground for corruption to grow”. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2021
CorruptionAccountability and Ethical Governance
The Covid-19 pandemic is far from over but governments across the world appear to have either relaxed lockdown parameters or will do so soon. Containing Covid and restoring our economies requires not just good policy decisions and medical advice; it also needs continued compliance with the recommended behavioural changes. Daunting as they may seem, the drastic changes in behaviour being called for, can indeed be brought about. Answer the following in this regard: (a) Why is behavioural change seen to be desirable in a country like India, when it is faced with a pandemic of the kind of Covid-19? (b) What role have different stakeholders in India been playing in helping communities adhere to the desired behaviour? (c) Discuss the challenges in bringing about behavioural change, particularly in such an environment of anxiety and uncertainties.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude
Explaining the concept of moral attitude, discuss how social media is shaping moral attitudes of people.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2019–2021
AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion
Problems surrounding air pollution present an urgent challenge for many countries, including India. Among other reasons, this challenge has been exacerbated by the indifferent attitude of people towards it. Various studies have pointed out the harmful effects of air pollution. Despite the government bringing various regulations on activities like stubble burning and bursting fire crackers, people violate them. (a) Discuss the reasons behind such behaviour on part of society towards air pollution. (b) Suggest measures that are required to be undertaken to nudge people towards pro-environment behaviour.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2020
AttitudeEnvironmental Ethics
What does each of the following quotations convey to you in present context? a) "'Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions, and can never pretend to any other office than to serve and obey them."- David Hume
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2024
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
Discuss with relevant examples how civil servants' political and moral attitudes impact their work ethics and daily administrative decision-making.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
AttitudeCivil Service Values
Analyse the importance of both influence and persuasion for effective leadership.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2019–2021
Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude
Write short notes on the following in 30 words each :
2 marks · 30 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Impartiality and ObjectivityDedication to Public Service
With proliferation of social media, people have got the opportunity to express their views anonymously and more freely. (a) What according to you, is its effect on the social and political culture of the country? (b) Discuss the role of social media in changing one's attitude, particularly the youth.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2017–2018
AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion
A. In the context of public service, what does public service attitude mean? Discuss the attitude biases that affects a public servants on field decision making? Explain how a public servant can overcome such attitude biases?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
AttitudeAptitude for Civil Service
You are the District Magistrate in a district where a significant number of transgenders reside. While discrimination against the community is well known, commuters increasingly complain of harassment at their hands, especially at traffic junctions where transgenders are mostly involved in begging. This, at times, also leads to traffic management issues. You have received a number of complaints in this regard and have to act quickly to resolve it. However, a group of transgender associations argue that begging is their only source of livelihood. Given the situation, answer the following questions: (a) Describe the ethical issues involved in this case. Discuss the attitude of people towards transgenders in general and reasons for the same. (b) What possible courses of action can be undertaken in such situations? Discuss their merits and demerits.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Empathy and CompassionEthical Dilemmas in Government
Social media has played a key role in influencing political opinions and social attitudes in India. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude
If not faith leaders, what are your other options for breaking the behavioral barriers? (d) Do you think it is ethically right for a civil servant to involve faith leaders in promoting government schemes?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Social Influence and PersuasionEthical Dilemmas in Government
What do you understand by cognitive dissonance? Giving examples, discuss how it influences one's behavior and attitude.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion
As India's vaccination drive against the COVID-19 pandemic breaches the 100 crore inoculation mark, some of the most backward tribal districts of the country still remain unvaccinated. You are the new District Magistrate (DM) in one such tribal district. The vaccination drive has been unsuccessful in the district so far despite imminent threats of the virus. It is believed that the tribals of the district refuse to get vaccinated due to their personal beliefs regarding immunization. Further, the community doctor who works in geriatrics and has almost daily contact with members of the district, too has refused to be vaccinated based on his personal beliefs. This has made the people more adamant about their decision to remain unvaccinated. Additionally, rumours of a few deaths post-vaccination have spread in the district. There is also a high risk of rising cases in the nearby districts spilling over to your district. There is a dire need for assuaging the fear of people and extreme pressure on the administration to take action and conduct the vaccination drive smoothly. (a) What are the ethical issues in the given case? (b) As the DM in charge, what steps will you take to tackle the issues? (c) Discuss how persuasion can be used to convince people to voluntarily get vaccinated.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2021
Social Influence and PersuasionCrisis Decision Making