GS4 · Topic
Human Values
Values as such and where they come from: lessons from the lives of leaders, reformers and administrators, and the values named in the syllabus.
490 UPSC Mains GS4 questions on Human Values that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2014–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
The seeds of patriarchy and gender inequality are sown at home, which manifest as a weed at the societal level. Elucidate. Suggest an ethical framework to systematically address the issue of patriarchy in the Indian society. (b) What are the factors which drive people to take law in their own hands rather than following the due process of law? Discuss the ways to address the problem of mob justice.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Family, Society and EducationHuman Values
Role of Education in Human development (b) Measures to nudge people towards pro-envt. behaviour (c) How to change present education system?
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Family, Society and EducationHuman Values
The agents like family and education institutions helps in doctrination of ethical guidelines and morals to shape civil servant at grassroot level
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Family, Society and EducationHuman Values
"The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." - Plato.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values
Socrates' quote: "The only thing I know is that I know nothing." Discuss.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
World ThinkersHuman Values
"No man should tolerate injustice, whether it be against himself or against another." - Jyotiba Phule
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
How does the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 seek to restore the ethical and holistic purpose of education beyond mere employability? Reflect on the ethical significance of this shift.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Family, Society and EducationHuman Values
What according to you are the major reasons for rising incidents of mob lynching in India? Suggest measures to re-strengthen tolerance and compassion in society, especially towards the weaker sections in this context.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Family, Society and EducationEmpathy and Compassion
Tolerance is not enough, it is the idea of acceptance that accomodates diversities and make a society inclusive. Elaborate.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Human ValuesFamily, Society and Education
Bring out meaning of below quotations:- (a) Courage is the most important of all virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics
Maintaining traditional bonds and familial relationships in an increasingly globalised world requires personal relationships to be governed by ethical principles. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Ethics in Private and Public LifeFamily, Society and Education
In this context, discuss the ethical issues associated with the practice and acceptance of racial discrimination in India.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values
In a southern Indian state, a globally renowned high end mobile manufacturing company advertised job vacancies, attracting many hopeful applicants. Among them were two sisters from a nearby village who applied after seeing advertisements on WhatsApp. Upon arrival at the factory's main gate, a security guard met them and asked a series of questions, including an inquiry about their marital status. After confirming that they were married, they were informed that they could not proceed further. No explanation was provided, leaving them confused and disappointed. Back in their village, the sisters reflected on their experience and felt dismayed at being denied an opportunity without a clear reason. Even the auto-rickshaw driver who took them to the facility had hinted that married women might not be hired, yet they still hoped for a fair chance. Subsequent investigations by a prominent international news agency revealed a pattern at the manufacturing facility where married women were systematically excluded from employment opportunities. This practice was not officially documented but was communicated verbally to recruitment agencies responsible for hiring. The revelations sparked significant media uproar, drawing public attention to the issue. The Union Labour Ministry also took cognizance of the situation and sought a report from the state government regarding these discriminatory hiring practices. Unfortunately, such discriminatory practices are not uncommon in various parts of the world, reflecting broader issues of gender attitudes that persist in many societies. a. Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case study. b. What can be the underlying reasons for discriminatory attitudes toward hiring married women by the company? c. How can organizations promote gender equity in their hiring practices?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCorporate Governance
Tolerance is not enough, it is the idea of acceptance that accommodates diversities and makes a society inclusive. Elaborate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics
Family and school are important agents of socialization in a child's life. Comment on the role of family and school as a source of values. Give an example of a situation where these acquired values guided you in a situation of dilemma.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017
Family, Society and EducationHuman Values
What does each of the following quotations mean to you in the present context? a) A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members- Mahatma Gandhi
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
What is the significance of ethics in day-to-day life? Give an example from your own life where you chose ethical action and elaborate the reasons for your choice of that action.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values
"I have learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not who does not feel afraid, but who conquers that fear." - Mandela.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
Differentiate between consciousness and conscience. Which of these do you believe is more important, and why? [10M]
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values
On a cold and foggy night in December, Arun and Seema, both unknown to each other, boarded a train for Lucknow at the Delhi junction. Both were going to their home town on the weekend. It was supposed to be a routine train journey of 7-8 hours. Arun, a first-year graduate from a reputed institute in Delhi, aspires to join DRDO and make a career in the R&D field. Seema, a national-level volleyball player, had dreams of joining the paramilitary forces. Both checked their tickets and got comfortable in their respective seats in the coach S7. The train gave the final horn and slowly started leaving the station. Amidst the chugging of the engine and the train wheels clacking on the tracks, both Arun and Seema fall asleep. But as fate would have it that night, a routine train journey turned cut to be a nightmare for the passengers of coach S7, including Arun and Seema. The train was on its scheduled two-minute halt at an outskirt station when suddenly 4-5 robbers entered the coach S7. They asked all the passengers to hand over their valuables without any fuss. None of the passengers could gather the courage to confront them, as they had country-made pistols and sharp-edged weapons. But somehow, Arun and Seema mustered the courage and resisted the robbers. The robbers threatened them with dire consequences and asked them to comply with their command. But both remained adamant and even refused to hand over their valuables to the robbers. To teach them a lesson and set an example for the other passengers, both Arun and Seema were thrown out of the moving train. At that very moment, another train was approaching on the parallel track, and both were hit by it; Arun lost his right arm, Seema lost her left leg, and she had multiple fractures in the spinal cord. Both met somewhat similar fates that night, but both faced the 'tragedy' that unfolded with then. in a completely different manner. In spite of full support from his family, Arun lost all hope and got disenchanted with life. He couldn't accept the new reality and went into depression. Also, the thoughts of committing suicide would often come into his mind. Seema, on the other hand, after completing her treatment, decided to pursue her dreams. She was also encouraged by his family and friends to start a new life. She started training with a prosthetic leg and resumed playing volleyball. Not only this, she decided to push boundaries and chose mountaineering. And around two years later, she became the world's first female amputee to scale Mount Everest. The stories of Arun and Seema highlight the importance of the adversity quotient. But it is also evident that different people possess different levels of adversity quotient. Based on your understanding of the above case study, answer the following: a) Examine the importance of the adversity quotient in life, citing examples. How can the adversity quotient be developed? b) As a friend of Arun, what suggestions would you give to him to overcome the aftermath of the tragedy?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper
Human ValuesEmotional Intelligence
Highlight the role of family and society in inculcating values in an individual?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Family, Society and EducationHuman Values
Every culture passes certain values such as empathy, compassion from generation to generation. Discuss some of the values of Indian culture which helps us to develop an ideal personality
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Human ValuesFamily, Society and Education
"There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest." Discuss the significance of this statement in present day India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017
Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values
"The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?" What do you understand by nationalism? What significance does it hold in your life?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017
Human ValuesEthics in Private and Public Life
As a concerned citizen you have been engaged with the issue of persons employed in manual scavenging. You notice that despite laws and strictures from the highest court of the land the practice of employing human labour to clean sewers continues. The death of few workers recently due to asphyxiation while cleaning a septic tank has caused much consternation in your locality. You would like to engage with the situation by writing to the administration, for which you need to find an answer to the following: (a) Identify the stakeholders involved and state their conflicting interests. (b) What challenges does the administration face in curbing this social evil? (c) Enumerate the steps to deal with the problem.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCivil Service Values
"Faith is of no evil in the absence of strength. Faith and strength, both are essential to accomplish any great work" - Vallabhbhai Patel
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
Explain in brief, what you understand by the following:
20 marks · 300 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values
Given below are two quotations. Bring out what they mean to you in the present context: (a) "We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far."
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017
Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics
Traditional Indian wisdom has been relevant for ages and the cardinal virtues espoused have an impact on public services.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
Mr X is travelling by road with his family to attend a marriage ceremony. His grandfather, who is the head of the family is also travelling with him. On the way to their destination, all of them stop at a road side restaurant for lunch. This is a well-known restaurant owned by one of the friends of Mr X. The place is known for its tasty and hygienic food. However, the grandfather notices a picture on the wall of the restaurant and enquires about the religion of the restaurant owner. Mr X's friend belongs to a religion different from the grandfather's religion. The grandfather has a negative attitude towards the religion of Mr X's friend and he insists that he will not eat in that restaurant. He demands that the entire family should leave the restaurant immediately as they are travelling for a happy occasion and eating at this particular restaurant will pollute them. Mr X tries to calm down his grandfather and explain to him that religion has nothing to do with purity or pollution. He also reasons that several travel magazines have rated the restaurant highly, especially for its superior hygiene standards. Also, he points out that there is no restaurant in the way for the next 100 Km and it will be difficult for all to make do without food for that long. However, his arguments fall on deaf ears, and what is more his grandfather admonishes him for bringing the family to the restaurant despite being aware about the religion of the owner. Mr X's friend feels insulted and discriminated against due to his religion. Mr X's father is upset but refuses to say anything out of respect for the grandfather. Entire family is embarrassed by the attitude of the grandfather and they are getting ready to leave the restaurant. Mr X is confused regarding how he should act in this situation. a) What are the various ethical issues in the above case study? b) Imagine yourself in the place of Mr X. Evaluate the different courses of actions available with you. What is the most suitable course of action?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentAttitude