Ethical Dilemmas in Government

Abha is currently working as the DM of a district. One day, she went to a village for inspecting the progress of a certain village development project. Abha was not satisfied with the pace of the work and wanted to talk with the Sarpanch of the village about the same. Abha went to the panchayat office where she found the Sarpanch standing just outside the office. The Sarpanch greeted Abha and offered her a seat. Abha sat down and started discussing the matter with the Sarpanch. She noticed that Sarpanch was still standing. She thought that Sarpanch was not sitting because of hesitation or out of respect for the officer. She requested him to take a seat but he reluctantly sat on a wooden stool. Abha jokingly asked him if he liked the stool so much that he chose it instead of a chair, to which the Sarpanch replied that he was not allowed to sit on a chair as he belonged to a Dalit community. Abha was taken aback by this response. Abha enquired further about the issue. The sarpanch explained that since the Sarpanch position was reserved for SC community, he won the election. But despite being the official head of the panchayat, he did not have any power. He was neither allowed to enter the panchayat office nor was given access to official documents. A separate water pot was kept for him outside the office and he was not allowed to use the common water pot. He worked as a rubber stamp who merely signed the given document. He went on to tell Abha that last year he was not even allowed to hoist the national flag during the Independence Day celebration. Abha was shocked about hearing the kind of discrimination that the Sarpanch faced. On the basis of this case study answer the following questions: 1) Why do caste-based discriminations still persist even after 75 years of independence? 2) Examine the various ethical issues involved in this case. 3) Identify various stakeholders and their responsibilities for creating an egalitarian society.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentEmpathy and Compassion

The onslaught of the Covid-19 Pandemic resulted in loss of many lives. Many families were left without anyone to take care of children and many parents lost their beloved children. This situation left an environment of misery. Taking this situation into consideration, the Chief minister of a state declared a scheme under which Rs 5 Lac will be provided to a family who had suffered a loss of life during the Covid-19 onslaught. Vikram Singh is a responsible district level officer, who enjoys the trust of his higher officials. Knowing his honesty, the government entrusted him with the responsibility of identifying the beneficiaries under the declared scheme. The criteria to be a beneficiary are the following: (a) Aadhar card of the deceased. (b) Belonging to a reserved community. (c) Family income of less than 1 lakh per annum. (d) Valid death certificate which mentions Covid as Primary cause of Death. One day, an old couple visited Vikram's office with their application. They have been the residents of a village in his district since their birth. The old man informed Vikram that his Son has died due to the Covid. His son was the sole breadwinner and after his demise they have been left helpless as there is no income and now he has to provide for the future of his three grandchildren. Whatever money has been left with them, they are using it to fund children's education and other expenses and are hopeful that the recently declared scheme would benefit them greatly. The Old couple fulfills all the criteria except criterion 'a' and 'd'. However, any financial aid would certainly make a significant difference in their quality of life. How should Vikram Singh respond to the situation?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022

Rules versus CompassionEmpathy and Compassion

Various international humanitarian organizations provide emergency aid in conflict zones around the world. Highlight the ethical challenges faced by such organizations. What are the principles that guide international humanitarian work?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025

Ethics in International RelationsEthical Dilemmas in Government

A reputed Indian beauty & personal care company developed a herbal skin cream for the international market, claiming anti-ageing and skin-repair properties based on traditional Ayurvedic formulations. After obtaining the necessary approvals and export certifications, the company began exporting the product. The product received widespread positive feedback for its quality and natural formulation, and soon became a huge hit in international markets. Riding on this success, the company announced that the product would soon be made available to domestic consumers, with almost the same quality and health benefits. Subsequently, it secured approval from the domestic regulatory authority and launched the product in the Indian market. Over time, the brand gained a significant share of the domestic market and earned substantial revenues both nationally and internationally. However, during a random sample check, officials discovered that the cream sold in India differed from the version approved by the competent authority. The product failed to meet the claimed herbal composition and purity standards. Further investigation revealed that the company had often been distributing batches that had failed export quality checks. The incident triggered widespread public criticism and regulatory scrutiny, leading to a sharp decline in the company's reputation and financial performance. a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. b) What actions should the competent regulatory authority take against the personal care company for violating domestic quality standards and distributing rejected export batches in the Indian market? c) What course of action is available to the company to manage the crisis and restore public trust and brand credibility?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2017

Corporate GovernanceCorruption

You are a single mother and work as a school counsellor for the psychological well-being of primary and secondary school children at a reputed school. Recently, you have found through your interactions that several students have been facing emotional trauma and mental health issues. Realising the gravity of the situation you want to discuss this with the school authorities and the board of trustees and come up with an advanced plan that can help parents get better involved. However, during the meeting, concerns are raised regarding your findings and the lack of supporting evidence is also cited by some. Moreover, senior members who are present express a sense of displeasure at what this might mean for the reputation of the school. You are thoroughly appalled with this approach of the school authorities, yet you are mired down in your own financial circumstances. On the basis of the above situation, answer the following: (a) Identify the most relevant stakeholders in the case. (b) What are the dilemmas in the case? (c) Discuss how stigmatisation of mental health issues can be addressed in schools.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2021

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentEmpathy and Compassion

In one of the government primary schools located in a rural block of a district, the newly appointed headmistress observed an unusual practice. The school had been preparing and serving mid-day meals separately to students belonging to different communities. Although the meals were cooked using a common gas connection, separate utensils, cooking areas, and serving arrangements had been in place for more than two decades. Students from the two communities had their food cooked and served by different cooks and ate in separate classrooms, despite attending classes together. After taking charge, the headmistress decided to discontinue this practice. She directed that food be prepared and served together for all students, using a common kitchen and utensils. However, the decision triggered backlash. A considerable number of parents across communities vehemently opposed the move and stopped sending their children to school. Consequently, attendance fell by almost 60 percent. This also raised concerns regarding the possible discontinuation of the mid-day meal scheme, withdrawal of teaching staff, and even closure of the school due to falling enrolment. The issue has attracted attention from various political and social groups attempting to further polarise the situation and serve their vested interests. Marpi Apang, the District Education Officer (DEO), has been tasked by the Deputy Commissioner's office to amicably resolve the matter at the earliest. She has also been directed to submit a detailed report along with the Action Taken Report within a fortnight. a) Identify the ethical issues involved in this case. b) What course of action should Marpi adopt and why? c) What should be the responsibilities of different social segments and agencies to create positive social ambiance for accepting such changes?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers

Social Influence and PersuasionRules versus Compassion

What are the core ethical dilemmas in this situation? How should you apply the principle of public interest vs procedural integrity in infrastructure work? Suggest a transparent framework that allows speedy infrastructure delivery without compromising compliance.

Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentIntegrity

Lack of cleanliness in urban areas despite schemes such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan point to difficulties faced in bringing about attitudinal and behavioural changes. Discuss. 10 (b) What are the various sources through which humans can judge the correctness of their actions? In the context of public life discuss how these sources are important in offering a clear and practical guidance. 10 (b) Competition, it is argued, spurs the best of performance, however, can it also instigate cheating and unethical behaviour? Discuss with adequate examples. 10 (b) “A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” What does this quotation mean to you? Explain with an example.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2016

Sources of Ethical GuidanceDimensions of Ethics

Identify the key stakeholders involved in the case and analyze their respective interests. (b) Discuss the ethical dilemmas faced by the officer in balancing economic development, environmental sustainability, and tribal rights.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers

Environmental EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government

As a dedicated Block Development Officer (BDO), you are highly respected by your staff and appreciated by your superiors for your constructive work. The state government has selected several villages within your jurisdiction to pilot a women's self-employment scheme utilising Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The project is to be implemented by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), and you have been instructed to provide logistical and other necessary support. The NGO staff commenced their work by meeting and identifying young women who appeared to be suitable candidates for training and skill development. Following identification, these young women were provided with a starter kit, which included a broadband dongle, a 10-inch tablet, and some reading material. The training began in earnest, and the selected young women exhibited great enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. Initially, the project showed promising signs of success. However, one day, village elders approached you with a request to halt the pilot scheme. They expressed concerns that the devices and online learning were corrupting the young women. They believed that the girls were merely watching videos on the tablets instead of learning. The elders suggested that vocational skills training, such as stitching or cooking, would be more beneficial than digital skills. After listening to their concerns, you assured them that you would investigate the matter. Upon inquiring with the NGO staff, they clarified that the videos being viewed were educational, and they were monitoring the trainees' browsing behaviour through backend systems to ensure appropriate usage. The NGO staff also pointed out that some village men felt excluded from the process and were attempting to dissuade the women from participating in the training sessions. As a BDO, you recognize the scheme's importance and potential benefits for the women in the villages. However, you are also aware that if the men's underlying mindset issues are not addressed promptly, the entire skill development effort could be undermined. As a committed public servant, you were determined to take some preventive action as you noticed tensions brewing among the men. (a) What the issues that you notice in the above case? (b) What are actionable options available to you? (c) Considering the feedback from the NGO staff about village men feeling left out and attempting to dissuade women from attending training sessions, what strategies would you implement to ensure their inclusion and support for the program?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentSocial Influence and Persuasion

You are the Director of the National Bioethics Commission who is responsible for assessing the ethical feasibility and oversight of a nationwide gene sequencing program. The project named GeneFuture, aims to sequence the DNA of every newborn child and store it in a centralized national database. The objective is to identify genetic predispositions to serious diseases early in life, allowing for preventive treatment and personalized medicine. Over 100,000 babies have already been enrolled in the pilot phase of the program. The government claims that this move is a landmark step in public health advancement. However, collection of newborn genetic data raises significant ethical concerns, particularly around informed consent, which may not fully capture parents' understanding of the long-term risks involved. Once gathered, this sensitive data could be misused by third parties. Uncertainty over data ownership—whether it lies with the state, parents, or the individual as they mature—further complicates the issue. The involvement of private tech and pharmaceutical companies heightens fears of commercial exploitation, especially in the absence of clear mechanisms for individuals to withdraw consent or delete their genetic information upon reaching adulthood. (a) What are the ethical issues you perceive in the implementation of the GeneFuture program? (b) Identify the conflicting interests of different stakeholders in this case. (c) What guiding ethical principles would you recommend for implementation of this project?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025

Technology and EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government

You are an undergraduate student in a leading Law University. You go with your college friend Surender to his village to attend his sister's marriage. Surender's parents are farmers and are financially very poor. They have somehow managed to send him to the university by selling their land. After interaction with the family relatives attending the marriage, you find out that the bride is not of marriagable age, which makes it a case of child marriage. The family wants early marriage of the daughter to avoid huge demands of dowry in the future. You are well aware that child marriage is illegal in India. So, you discuss the issue with your friend who says that he is helpless and can't do anything. Your friend feels that his family is already doing too much for him and he cannot argue and change his parents' decision. In this situation, what are the possible actions you can take? Evaluate the merits and demerits of each of them.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2017–2018

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentRules versus Compassion

Prateek Kumar, the Project Manager, is in charge of the construction of a highly anticipated highway that is expected to drive regional development. The project aims to enhance connectivity, boost trade, and create substantial employment opportunities. Given its importance, it has become a focal point for the ruling party, which is actively promoting it as a symbol of progress ahead of the upcoming state elections next year. The timely completion of the highway is crucial, as the Chief Minister is scheduled to inaugurate it upon completion. This has led to added pressure on Prateek and his team to meet the approaching deadline, which is set for next month. During a routine inspection, Prateek discovers that a particular stretch of the highway has been built with substandard materials. This section fails to meet the required safety and durability standards, posing a serious threat to public safety and lives. If left unresolved, the compromised quality could lead to accidents, undermining both the project's credibility and the government's promises for safe and reliable infrastructure. Concerned, Prateek raises the issue with the contractor, but the contractor downplays the severity, claiming that minor adjustments will fix the problem without causing major delays. In a subsequent team meeting, some senior members suggest that Prateek overlook the quality concerns to ensure the project remains on schedule. They argue that the majority of the highway meets standards and emphasize the severe economic and political consequences of delays. With elections approaching, they stress the importance of the Chief Minister's inauguration as a key political event. They warn that any delay could damage the ruling party's image, harm its electoral prospects, and potentially have repercussions for the team and the organization. Later, the contractor privately approaches Prateek with a substantial bribe, urging him to ignore the issue and allow the project to proceed. The contractor justifies his actions by citing financial pressures and the need to complete the project on time. Prateek is an honest and upright officer, but he understands that addressing the problem would delay the project, making it impossible to meet the deadline. (a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. (b) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to Prateek as the Project Manager? Critically evaluate each of the options. (c) What option should Prateek adopt and why?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025

Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government

You have recently been appointed as the District Collector of an impoverished district, which has been witnessing drought for the last couple of years. Corruption at lower levels of bureaucracy has further aggravated the situation. The district also faces the problem of diminishing resources of drinking water. Despite, the gravity of the problem, the response from the central and the state government is lackadaisical. Moreover, the media coverage of the problem is also dismal. To make matters worse, the younger members of the community are migrating in search of work to the urban areas without much success, leaving the elders, women, and children behind to fend for themselves. (a) As the District Collector what would be your priorities for solving the problem? (b) How would you tackle the situation? (c) What long term measures would you take to prevent the future recurrence of the problem?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2017–2018

Crisis Decision MakingCorruption

Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. (b) What can be done to resolve the problems faced by gig workers like Rahul?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025

Corporate GovernanceEthical Dilemmas in Government

Determination of ethics in state policies and actions is not easy because every policy and action has both positive and negative aspects viewed from different stakeholders' perspectives. Discuss with suitable examples.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2020

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentDimensions of Ethics

Propose a course of action that respects judicial authority while upholding the values of compassion, fairness, and responsible governance.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentRules versus Compassion

A forest fire has broken out in a hilly district and is rapidly spreading toward an eco-sensitive area that includes four villages (ESA villages). These villages lie along the forest fringe and are surrounded by difficult terrain. The region is known for its biodiversity and traditional forest-based livelihoods. The inhabitants of these villages are mostly poor tribal communities, dependent on forest resources for their sustenance. You, as the District Magistrate of the area, have rushed to the spot with a medical team, police personnel, NGOs, media, and support staff to oversee the rescue and containment operations. Your disaster response team on the ground is small and poorly equipped. Reinforcements from the district headquarter have been requested, but they may take several hours to arrive due to the remoteness and challenging terrain. In the meantime, a group of trained ex-forest guards and local youth from the villages offer to help. They are experienced and familiar with the area. However, existing government rules do not permit the engagement of unofficial personnel in fire control operations without formal clearance and insurance coverage. Your team members are divided on this issue. Some members argue that volunteers should be engaged immediately to prevent the fire from spreading. Others caution that involving them without proper approval and safety cover could be risky and against protocol. As the District Magistrate, you are also the Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). The fire is spreading at a very rapid rate, and immediate action is required to protect lives, property, and the environment. You are now in a dilemma. a) What are the options available to you? b) Critically evaluate each of the options identified by you. c) What option would you adopt and why? d) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by you?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2017

Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government

Conscience keeps ethics from fading when faced with a tough decision. Discuss in context of civil servants.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers

Sources of Ethical GuidanceEthical Dilemmas in Government

Discuss how emotional intelligence can influence ethical decision-making in the allocation of scarce public resources.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025

Emotional IntelligenceEthical Dilemmas in Government

You are serving as a District Magistrate in a district, which is prone to recurrent droughts. The issue of scarcity of water is aggravating year by year. Even during the years of high rainfall, the district has witnessed severe shortage of water for agriculture purposes, mainly due to cultivation of water guzzling crops. It is evident that water scarcity is one of the main reasons for backwardness of the district. Recognising this, the state government decided to withdraw some incentives given for cultivation of such crops and incentivise a cropping pattern more suitable to the agro-climatic conditions of this region. However, anticipating worsening of their economic condition in such times, the farmers have taken to protesting on the streets. Despite such a well-intentioned move by the government, the farmers feel that response of the state administration has been anti-farmer and cruel. Given the situation, answer the following questions: (a) Do you think there is a real divergence between interests of the farmers of this district and the state? (b) What immediate steps should you advocate in the interests of farmers of the district?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019–2022

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentEnvironmental Ethics

Industry professionals are increasingly being hired by the government for their private sector experience and their influence in industries that the government is attempting to regulate or do business with. Similarly, the industry is also looking to attract people from the public sector with high-paying employment offers to get access within the government departments, seek favourable legislations and regulations as well as government contracts. Such inside knowledge of the system, including any loopholes that might exist give private businesses a competitive advantage. Both industry professionals and government officials stand to gain from such associations. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What are the ethical issues involved in the direct recruitment of industry professionals in important government positions? (b) Do you think a longer mandatory cooling off period for government officials before they join private firms can help in addressing some of the issues?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2021

Conflict of InterestEthical Dilemmas in Government

Bhuvan-ultra is a famous real estate developer engaged mostly in housing projects. It has a very good track record of timely delivery of housing projects and enjoys a high level of trust among buyers. One of the ongoing projects of Bhuvan-ultra is a housing project with six residential towers. The construction has been in full swing for the last four years. Given the good record of the builder, all the flats have already been sold. Four out of six towers are complete and people have started living in these towers. Two other towers are near completion and it is expected that these would be ready in the next few months. Satish lives in a rented house and he daily crosses through this project on his commute to office. Satish always wanted to buy a flat in one of these towers. One day while reading the newspaper Satish came across a news article on the ongoing project of Bhuvan-ultra. Through the news article, he came to know that Bhuvan-ultra had permission to construct only four towers and it has illegally constructed two more towers in the project. The two illegal towers were standing on ground which was supposed to be a wetland. The entire conundrum points toward massive corruption and negligence by state development authorities. The matter went into the court and the court has ordered demolition of the two illegal towers. However, as the two illegal towers lie in close proximity with the other four legally constructed and inhabited towers, demolishing them is not only expensive but also a risky affair. Further, as all the six towers share a common basement, demolition of two towers can have implications for structural integrity of other four towers. Satish sits there thinking about the pain of the people who have invested their life's savings in the project and questioning whether he should ever invest in a residential property. He is also questioning himself whether demolition of a residential apartments in a country where lakhs of people are homeless, is justified or not. On the basis of above case study, answer the following: a) Identify various ethical dilemmas involved in this case study. b) What can be the other options to achieve justice in the given case, apart from demolition of the illegal towers? Evaluate each of these options and suggest the most suitable option.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentEnvironmental Ethics

You are a young athlete representing India at an international-level competition. During the competition, you witness a few senior athletes injecting something using a syringe, in private. When you approach them, they explain that it is a performance enhancing drug, which is very common in such competitions and you should take the same as well. You are in fear and decide to approach the coach to discuss the event you witnessed. However, you get to know that the athletes are taking the drug at the advice of the coach himself. 20 (a) What would you do in this scenario? Discuss the options available to you and chart your course of action. (b) Why do you think use of unfair means to enhance performance is common in competitive sporting event? How can this practice be minimized?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentIntegrity

What are the ethical issues related to population control of a compulsory nature that you would consider before approving or rejecting the recommendation? (b) What would be your course of action in the aforementioned case? Suggest reasons for the same.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2021

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCrisis Decision Making

You are the managing director of an upcoming advertising company which has made a name for itself in the market in a very short time. Varun is a star employee of your company who has consistently given good performance. Some of the most popular advertisements of the company, in recent times, have been an outcome of Varun's creative ideas. Since his joining, Varun has helped in almost doubling the revenues of the company, by bringing new clients and improving the brand equity of the company. You place high value in Varun's professional competence and are in the process of giving him a bigger responsibility in the company. However, you have been hearing rumours from various sections about the attitude of Varun towards his female colleagues. It has come to your notice that Varun is habitual of passing loose and lewd comments on the female employees of the company. Furthermore, Varun regularly sends indecent messages on phone to all the employees, including female workers. One day, Geetanjali, an employee working in Varun's team comes to you visibly disturbed. She complains to you about the repeated misbehaviour of Varun towards her. She informs you that Varun has on many occasions made undesirable physical advances towards her. She also tells that last evening before her shift was about to end, Varun called her in his cabin and tried to touch her inappropriately. She requests you to conduct an enquiry by the internal complaints committee (formed under POSH Act). She also tells you that in case appropriate action is not taken against Varun, she will be forced to resign from her position. You personally know Geetanjali as a dedicated and honest employee of the company. You are aware that she is the sole breadwinner of her family and has to support her teen-age brother and ailing mother. You also understand that unless the situation was really serious, Geetanjali would not have thought of resignation. On the other hand, an enquiry against Varun may affect the financial growth of the company. Also, you know that if Varun is fired for his actions, many big clients may leave the company. a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case study? b) Evaluate the different options available to you. In this situation, which option will you adopt and why? c) What steps will you take to ensure a safer workplace for women in your company?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2021–2024

Corporate GovernanceEthical Dilemmas in Government

You are a Secretary, in a government department. Your Minister has proposed an unemployment grant, which is expected to cost the public exchequer heavily. Having already taken the decision, he asks you to come up with research to support the scheme. Despite your best efforts, you fail to find socio-economic benefit in it. You approach the Minister with relevant facts and studies and ask him to reconsider his decision. Instead, he asks you to suppress the negative impacts and actively promote the scheme through mass media as the percieved social impacts are more important than economic impacts. Elections are due in a short time and the political party currently in power is expected to win. You are also due for promotion at the same time. You are expected to fully cooperate in the situation and make the scheme a success, however flawed its foundations may be. (a) List the different stakeholders in the above situation and mention their prospective interests. (b) Discuss the ethical dilemma which you face in this situation. (c) Some of the alternatives for you to handle the situation could be: • Do as asked by the Minister.. • Insist on publication of results and let the public decide whether it wants the scheme. • Call a press conference and brief the media about the results and the callous attitude of the Minister. Suggest any other possible option(s). Evaluate all of them and suggest the best course of action, giving reasons for it.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2017–2018

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentPressure and Loyalty

Dr. Mehra is a senior drug developer at a leading pharmaceutical company in India, renowned for producing various medications, including lifesaving drugs critical for treating chronic and rare diseases. Since its inception, the company has emphasized the quality and affordability of its drugs. Recently, under revised government guidelines, pharmaceutical companies are required to market a finished product only after obtaining "satisfactory results" from tests on the ingredients. Additionally, they must retain a sufficient quantity of samples of both intermediate and final products to allow repeated testing or verification of a batch. Dr. Mehra's team is in the final stages of developing a new medication for a rare but life-threatening disease. This drug has shown promising results in clinical trials. However, there have been unresolved concerns about the long-term side effects of the drug, observed in a small percentage of trial subjects. Despite this, the company has not released any major drug in the past decade, leading to significant pressure from the board members to expedite the drug's release. (a) Identify the stakeholders in the above case study. (b) Discuss the ethical issues faced by Dr. Mehra. (c) Analyse the options available to Dr. Mehra in the above case. Which of these would you choose and why?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025

Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government

You are a Superintendent of Police tasked with conducting an internal departmental inquiry into an alleged case of custodial torture and subsequent disappearance of three tribal persons. The case of the police force is that these persons were habitual offenders who had committed theft. The police had nabbed them for interrogation but they escaped from the police custody and are absconding. Family members of these persons, on the other hand, maintain that they were falsely framed in the case and were not in a condition to flee due to custodial torture. They are alleging foul play on the part of the police and suspects that the police is behind their disappearance. Prima facie, you find many lacunae in the police investigation. The policemen did not produce these persons before the Magistrate nor did they get them medically examined, as required by the law. One of your seniors, without referring to the case, informally talks to you about the adverse working conditions of the police force and insinuates that all police personnel should help each other. He also says that all serving officers need to be mindful of the fact that they are part of the police force and should not do anything which may tarnish the reputation of the police department. (a) Identify the stakeholders and various issues involved in the case. (b) How will you conduct a fair and impartial inquiry that ensures that public perception regarding cover-up in such cases does not gain ground? (c) Highlight the reasons for the continuing impunity of custodial deaths in India, and recommend steps that authorities should take to resolve it.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2021

Civil Service ValuesCrisis Decision Making

You come across a news report of a state 'X', which has a considerable number of school going children suffering from malnourishment. To overcome this, the state recently rolled out a policy to introduce eggs in mid-day meals in schools. However, some parents, teachers and a few religious groups have protested against the move. The report states that the Minister of Education of state 'X' has assured the public of a reversal in the policy. You are aware that this may be because elections are approaching in the state and the party in power may not want to antagonise a particular religious group, which is its key supporter. In light of this, answer the following: (a) Highlight the stakeholders in the given case study. (b) Examine the options available in the given situation. (c) According to you, what is the best course of action and why?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022–2025

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentRules versus Compassion