GS4 · Topic
Ethics in Private and Public Life
Whether the same standard binds a person in private and in office, and what changes when it does not.
180 UPSC Mains GS4 questions on Ethics in Private and Public Life that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2014–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
Having knowledge of an unethical act and allowing it to continue can spread a contagion that can affect multiple beings in society. Bertrand Russell
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
Gandhian ideals can be of immense help in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. Evaluate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
Given below are quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. Bring out what they mean to you in the present context: (a) Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value. Albert Einstein
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Human ValuesWorld Thinkers
Which corporate leader has inspired you the most and what moral lessons have you learnt from their life?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 15 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Human ValuesCorporate Governance
It is sometimes believed that moral scrupulousness in one's private life automatically guarantees high moral stature in professional life. Do you agree? Justify your stand with logical arguments.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 15 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Ethics in Private and Public LifeIntegrity
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
Undercover journalism exposes injustices, negligence, corruption and wrongdoing and yet going undercover to expose wrongdoing remains controversial. But, undercover journalists contend that they are fulfilling a fundamental duty of finding truth through their journalism. They argue that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy and the duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. So, there are some supporters of this kind of journalism, which sometimes infringe the privacy of individuals. However, some journalists also urge avoiding surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. In this context, answer the following questions: 20 (a) What are the ethical issues involved in the practice of undercover journalism? (b) Do you support the practice of undercover investigation by journalists? Give reasons in support of your answer.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 14 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Dimensions of EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government
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
What are the issues involved in the above case? (b) With a limited budget at your disposal, you decide to allocate funds to tackle witchcraft-related superstitions. How would you justify your decision to the community and stakeholders? (c) Given that witchcraft-related crimes were not initially reported by the BDOs, how would you address this lack of communication and ensure better reporting and transparency moving forward?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Utilisation of Public FundsEmpathy and Compassion
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
"Man cannot do right in one department of life whilst he is occupied in doing wrong in any other department." Gandhi. Do you think an individual's personal ethics impacts professional life or they both can be compartmentalized? Explain your position with relevant examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2021–2025
Ethics in Private and Public LifeIndian Thinkers
Celebrities are paid huge amounts by companies for endorsing products that at times turn out to be harmful for the consumers. Examine the ethical dimensions involved in such instances.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Corporate GovernanceDimensions of Ethics
While discussing the ethical issues that journalists face on a regular basis, examine the causes of increased sensationalism in news media in recent times.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Corporate GovernanceDimensions of Ethics
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
"It is our first duty to serve society, and after we have done that, we may attend wholly to the salvation of our souls."
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
Prescription of dresscode for women not only violates their liberty but also reflects outdated views on gender relations as well as proper conduct. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Dimensions of EthicsEthics in Private and Public Life
You have recently joined the Statistical Department of the State as Deputy Head of Records. Your duties involved supervising the timely inflow of data, scrutinising the data source and ensuring data entry and updating. You had a staff of 32 to manage, and it was a mixed bag; some were young recruits, some were in the department for some time, and some were on the verge of retirement. Overall, the Staff was not very efficient, but somehow they managed their jobs. In one of the meetings, the Head of the Department mentioned outsourcing of jobs of your staff as a cost-cutting measure. But there were no serious deliberations, so you didn't think much of it. But yesterday, you received an official order stating that your department tasks will be outsourced and your Staff will be downsized. You had no problems with outsourcing, but you did not favour downsizing, as it would lead to people losing their jobs. You sought a meeting with your Head to discuss the ramifications of the new order, specifically the downsizing part. Your Head was very emphatic about the whole process and seemed to be least concerned with people losing their livelihood. Disappointed, you got back to your office thinking of ways of saving your staff's jobs. In utter desperation, you wrote to the concerned Minister, marking a copy to your Head and the Chief Secretary. The Minister sympathetically received the note, and he assured some positive action. But your Head was not happy about you going above without his consent. He immediately orders your transfer and starts disciplinary proceedings for non-compliance with the office order. 1. Discuss the administrative and ethical issues involved in the above case. 2. Do you think it was morally right on your part to write to the minister? Justify 3. How will you respond to the action initiated against you? Discuss the available options and justify your selected course of action.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentEthics in Private and Public Life
Given below are quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. Bring out what they mean to you in the present context: (a) Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King Jr.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
World ThinkersHuman Values
"A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury". Explain the statement giving one example each from personal and public life.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Dimensions of EthicsEthics in Private and Public Life
Wealthy CEOs and founders of successful businesses around the world are increasingly pledging to give away their wealth in philanthropy. Do you think that such a move is sufficient enough to bring about a positive change in the society? Critically examine.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Corporate GovernanceDimensions of Ethics
As organizations across the globe begin their artificial intelligence (AI) transformation, the leap into the AI era is expected to be more challenging than any technology that businesses have grappled with yet. In this background, discuss the concerns around fairness, transparency, and job security that may arise.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Technology and EthicsCorporate Governance
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
Giving examples, examine the relationship between personal and professional ethics of civil servants.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2018–2020
Ethics in Private and Public LifeCivil Service Values
Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow. -- A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2021
Human ValuesEnvironmental Ethics
The policy of Dhamma advocated by Ashoka through his edicts remains relevant in the context of issues in public life even today. Elucidate with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
"A person's character is most accurately revealed in their private life, not their public persona." Critically examine this statement in the context of public servants and their ethical conduct.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Ethics in Private and Public LifeIntegrity
It is vain to talk of the interest of the community, without understanding what is the interest of the individual. Discuss the statement in the present context.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Dimensions of EthicsEthics in Private and Public Life
The logic of limitless wealth lies in the basic human instinct for furthering self-interest in the form of profit. In this context, do you think there is a possibility of pursuing ethical capitalism?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Corporate GovernanceDimensions of Ethics
Explain the ethical issues involved in spending government funds for advertisement campaigns and publicity.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2021
Utilisation of Public FundsProbity in Governance
"If ethics are poor at the top, that behavior is copied down through the organization." - Robert Noyce
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Civil Service ValuesCorporate Governance