GS4 · Topic
Emotional Intelligence
Its concepts and utilities, self-awareness and regulation, and its application in administration and governance.
130 UPSC Mains GS4 questions on Emotional Intelligence that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2013–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
Apart from functional knowledge and expertise, the efficacy of a civil servant also depends upon his emotional intelligence. How does emotional intelligence contribute to efficacy? How can civil servants enhance their emotional intelligence?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 19 toppers · CSE 2017–2020
Emotional IntelligenceAptitude for Civil Service
Differentiate between administration and leadership. Highlighting the traits which characterize an effective leader, discuss the importance of leadership in ensuring effective public service delivery in a bureaucratic setup.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 18 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Civil Service ValuesQuality of Service Delivery
The core of high Emotional Intelligence is self-awareness. If you don't understand your own motivations and behaviours, it is nearly impossible to develop an understanding of others. Discuss with the help of appropriate examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2019–2022
Emotional IntelligenceHuman Values
Recent research has shown that emotions significantly impact personal and professional lives. What are the primary emotions that negatively and positively impact workplace productivity? Explain with relevant examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Emotional IntelligenceWork Culture
Emotions, earlier considered as an irrational factor in decision-making, are now recognised as a critical factor of judgment. In this regard, answer the following questions: (a) How can Emotional Intelligence help in coping with the intense pressure and occupational stress faced by police officers and armed forces in discharge of their duties? (b) What are the some of the concerns in incorporating and assessment of emotional intelligence skills in public service?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Emotional IntelligenceCivil Service Values
In the context of COVID-19 pandemic, discuss the importance of Emotional Intelligence among healthcare workers.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2021
Emotional IntelligenceEmpathy and Compassion
“Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another.” How can emotionally intelligent civil servants utilize empathy to improve governance and service delivery?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Emotional IntelligenceEmpathy and Compassion
Do you agree with the view that it is nature and not nurture which determines the emotional intelligence of a person?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Emotional IntelligenceFamily, Society and Education
What do you understand by Social Intelligence? Discuss its relation with the Emotional intelligence of an individual.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
Emotional IntelligenceSocial Influence and Persuasion
Emotional intelligence may not be singularly associated with emotions or intelligence. It can also include a broad range of personality characteristics that might predict success in professional and everyday life. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Emotional IntelligenceEthics in Private and Public Life
Is Emotional Intelligence influenced by cultural moorings? How would you differentiate the applicability of Emotional Intelligence in Indian society from that of Western society?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Emotional IntelligenceHuman Values
"Tolerance is not just about accepting differences; it is about appreciating and celebrating diversity." Discuss the importance of tolerance for governance. How can civil servants foster a culture of tolerance and inclusivity in a diverse country like India?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Empathy and CompassionCivil Service Values
According to Aristotle, for persuasion, not only Ethos (credibility of the speaker) and Logos (logical argument) but Pathos (emotional connection to the audience) is equally important. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Social Influence and PersuasionWorld Thinkers
Recent researchers have argued that the government's health and social-based interventions are significantly less effective without the emotional skills of self-awareness and empathy. Do you agree? Justify your answer with relevant examples..
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Emotional IntelligenceEmpathy and Compassion
What do you understand by cultural sensitivity? Identify the ways in which individuals and organisations can benefit from cultural sensitivity in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2019–2021
Human ValuesDimensions of 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
You have just been appointed as Additional Director General of Central Public Works Department. The Chief Architect of your division, who is to retire in six months, is passionately working on a very important project, the successful completion of which would earn him a lasting reputation for the rest of his life. A new lady architect, Seema, trained at Manchester School of Architecture, UK joined as Senior Architect in your division. During the briefing about the project, Seema made some suggestions which would not only add value to the project, but would also reduce completion time. This has made the Chief Architect insecure and he is constantly worried that all the credit will go to her. Subsequently, he adopted a passive and aggressive behaviour towards her and has become disrespectful to her. Seema felt it embarrassing as the Chief Architect left no chance of humiliating her. He would very often correct her in front of other colleagues and raise his voice while speaking to her. This continuous harassment has resulted in her losing confidence and self-esteem. She felt perpetually tensed, anxious and stressed. She appeared to be in awe of him since he has had a long tenure in the office and has vast experience in the area of her work. You are aware of her outstanding academic credentials and career record in her previous organisations. However, you fear that this harassment may result in compromising her much needed contribution in this important project and may adversely impact her emotional well-being. You have also come to know from her peers that she is contemplating tendering her resignation. a) What are the ethical issues involved in the above case? b) What are the options available to you in order to complete the project as well as to retain Seema in the organization? c) What would be your response to Seema's predicament? What measures would you institute to prevent such occurrences from happening in your organization?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2024
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentWork Culture
What are the main components of emotional intelligence and how does it help an individual in taking ethical decisions?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2025
Emotional IntelligenceDimensions of Ethics
With behavioural issues and suicides among children on the rise, teachers and parents need to play an active part in ensuring mental well-being. Discuss. Also, explain the importance of emotional intelligence in this regard.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Emotional IntelligenceFamily, Society and Education
According to the WHO suicide is the second leading cause of death in the age group of 15-29 years globally. In India also, instances of young people committing suicide have been reported widely in recent times. It is all the more disturbing that such a phenomenon is increasingly visible in urban and prosperous areas. (a) What are the reasons that render people vulnerable to taking such drastic steps as suicide? (b) Also, discuss the role that you as an individual, the society and the government can play in addressing this issue.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Family, Society and EducationDimensions of Ethics
You have been appointed by Election Commission as a booth level officer to oversee the conduct of elections in a remote and under-developed area. For the preparations of elections, you have been instructed to ensure maximum voter turnout. For this, you conduct a series of meetings with the people in villages encouraging them to vote in large numbers. However, they confront you with the fact that despite so many previous elections, the promises made by representatives remain unfulfilled and even the basic necessities of livelihood are not available. As such, they are ignorant of your appeals and are subsequently not forthcoming even to listen to you, let alone giving assurances to vote. Based on this information, answer the following questions: 20 (a) Identify the stakeholders in the situation along with their interests. (b) What are the factors that you will take into account to convince the people and ensure maximum voter turnout?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Social Influence and PersuasionCrisis Decision Making
Explain with examples how emotional intelligence increases the effectiveness of leadership skills in a civil servant.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Emotional IntelligenceCivil Service Values
Emotional Intelligence is part nature and part nurture. Explaining the statement, discuss how emotional intelligence of civil servants can be enhanced.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Emotional Intelligence
You are officer-in-charge of a very important railway junction, which is an artery of trade and commerce. A peasant disturbance has been brewing in your district for the past few weeks. Their discussions with the political and district leadership has borne no fruit and it has come to the stage that now they are protesting by organizing a sit-in on the railway tracks near the station. They have thereby succeeded in blocking movement of all trains. This disruption is causing significant harassment for the passengers waiting at the platform as well. (a) What will be your course of immediate action? (b) How can emotional intelligence act as a tool in handling this issue? (c) What steps will you take so that such incidents are not repeated in the future?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2017
Crisis Decision MakingEmotional Intelligence
In situations of moral ambiguity, where formal rules fall short, emotional intelligence and conscience become crucial tools. Explain how these internal faculties help public servants navigate ethical grey zones. Support with a suitable example.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Emotional IntelligenceEthical Dilemmas in Government
A. "It is wrong to assume that ethical decisions are, can or should be purely rational and principled. Human feelings are an inseparable part of our ethical life." In what way do feelings impact our ethical decisions? Illustrate with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values
Civil servants who embody emotional intelligence exhibit a profound understanding of the human aspect of governance, enabling them to cultivate meaningful relationships, foster cooperation, and drive positive change. Examine ways in which Emotional Intelligence can be inculcated in civil servants.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2020–2024
Emotional IntelligenceCivil Service Values
Mr. A is a senior most member of a highly reputed company with considerable customer interface. In recent months, the business of the company has been going down. On detailed analysis, it was found that some of the functionaries of the company have impulsive nature, which has many a times led to altercations with the customers and even among themselves. This has adversely affected the work culture and sullied the image of the company in the market. He seeks your advice, as you are his friend as well as a person who understands management. 20 (a) What are the factors that you would consider in making your advice? (b) What steps will you suggest to deal with the situation that the company faces?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Corporate GovernanceWork Culture
Emotional Intelligence is an essential ingredient for successful implementation of pandemic induced emergency response. Comment in the light of COVID-19 pandemic.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2021
Emotional IntelligenceCivil Service Values
In the ever-evolving landscape of academic institutions, administrators must not only manage academic issues but also emotional and interpersonal dynamics. In this context, discuss the significance of emotionally intelligent administrators in higher education.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2025
Emotional IntelligenceWork Culture