GS4 · Topic
Probity in Governance
The concept of public service and the philosophical basis of governance and probity, taken as the syllabus states it.
235 UPSC Mains GS4 questions on Probity in Governance that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2013–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
Ensuring that government decisions are not influenced by public officials' private interests is a growing concern. Discuss in the context of India. Also enumerate the core principles reflected by OECD guidelines for managing conflict of interest in the public sector.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 19 toppers · CSE 2017–2020
Conflict of InterestProbity in Governance
Enumerate the mechanisms that promote accountability of public officials in discharging their functions and responsibilities in India. Also discuss why ensuring accountability for performance is not a simple task in government service.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 19 toppers · CSE 2017–2020
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceProbity in Governance
In a democracy, the purpose of the government should be to make it easy for people to do good and difficult to do wrong. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 18 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceCivil Service Values
Discuss, with examples, the significance of principles of public life as recommended by Nolan committee. Why are these principles considered as an essential set of expectations from public servants?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 18 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Civil Service ValuesAccountability and Ethical Governance
What are the factors which drive people to take law in their own hands rather than following the due process of law? Discuss ways to address the problem of mob justice.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 18 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Law and MoralityEthical Dilemmas in Government
A state that does not have the political will and the discipline to enforce probity in governance, can not get rid of the menace of prolonged corruption. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Probity in GovernanceCorruption
India cannot march successfully in to the 21st century with the administrative system having a colonial mindset. Discuss in context of the bureaucratic work culture in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Civil Service ValuesWork Culture
While civil servants have the legal right to undertake post-retirement jobs, it raises key ethical issues. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Conflict of InterestEthical Dilemmas in Government
Increasing participation of people in governance and easy access to information is what transforms governance to good governance. Elaborate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 15 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Transparency and InformationProbity in Governance
Though it may seem that accountability and efficiency are antithetical to each other, accountability is a sine qua non for good governance. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 15 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceCivil Service Values
You are posted as a District Magistrate in a district, where many large factories and commercial establishments are located. One such factory is owned by one of your close friends. You visit each other's home frequently and are often seen in public together. Recently, media reported about poor working conditions in your friend's factory. Upon enquiry with the labor office, you come to know that the factory has witnessed frequent labour unrests in the past as well. However, the labour officer told you that he was hesitating to take any action due to your proximity with the owner of the factory. With reference to the facts of the case, answer the following questions: (a) Identifying the stakeholders and public cause, discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. (b) As the District Magistrate, what appropriate course of action will you take? Give reasons for the same.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 13 toppers · CSE 2019–2022
Conflict of InterestImpartiality and Objectivity
Transparency in government organisations is an essential pre-condition for good governance. Elucidate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 12 toppers · CSE 2019–2022
Transparency and InformationAccountability and Ethical Governance
You are posted as the Superintendent of Police (SP) in a district of a state where alcohol prohibition has been imposed recently. The District Excise department has conducted many raids and seized liquor in large quantities, for which it has received state-wide public appreciation. A few months later reports surface in the media that in this district, hundreds of seized bottles of illicit liquor are missing from the government malkhanas or stores. As a result, the government is left red-faced. You are asked by the DM, who is the overall in-charge of the district excise setup, to investigate the matter. Upon investigation, you unearth a nexus of politicians and government officials who smuggled seized liquor and sold it through spurious means both inside and outside the state. In this context, evaluate these options: 1. Report your findings to the DM and seek instructions for further actions, stating clearly the criminal offences committed prima facie. 2. Charge all accused under legal provisions and let the law take its own course. 3. Being aware of the seriousness of the matter, discretely put the detailed investigation report in the public domain and expose the nexus. Also, suggest, without restricting yourself to the given options, the final course of action that you would prefer.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 12 toppers · CSE 2019–2022
CorruptionEthical 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
What do you understand by Integrity Pacts? Highlight the role they can play in bringing transparency in allotment of public contracts and ensuring proper utilization of public funds in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2019–2022
Probity in GovernanceCorruption
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
Examine the different ethical issues involved in the use of public shaming as a punitive measure. Do you think this is an appropriate measure to address the problem of rising crime rates.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentProbity in Governance
The more remotely power is exercised from the people, the greater is the distance between authority and accountability. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceProbity in Governance
Why did Gunnar Myrdal use the term 'soft state' in the context of South Asia? Do you think such a characterisation is still relevant in the case of India today?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Civil Service ValuesAccountability and Ethical Governance
What is red-tapism? Why is it considered a hurdle in the process of transitioning towards citizen centric governance?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
Quality of Service DeliveryCivil Service Values
Citizens' involvement in decision-making is critical to ethics in governance. Do you agree that effective civic engagement mechanisms can facilitate an ethics-driven administration? What do you think are the mechanisms that citizens can use for ensuring ethics in governance?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Probity in GovernanceAccountability and Ethical Governance
Quality of public service delivery is a major determinant of the quality of life of vulnerable sections in a highly unequal society divided along the lines of class, caste, religion, etc. In this background, do you think that public service delivery is efficient and sufficient enough to improve the lives of vulnerable groups in India? Critically examine.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Quality of Service DeliveryEmpathy and Compassion
Why do civil servants have a special obligation to uphold ethical standards? What are the main areas of concerns for implementation of an effective ethical standard in civil services? In this context, suggest measures to remedy these concerns.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2018–2020
Civil Service ValuesAccountability and Ethical Governance
Write short notes on the following in 75 words each: (i) Role of Intellectual Integrity in administrative decision making. (ii) Role of Citizen Charter in good governance.
10 marks · 75 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
IntegrityCitizens Charters
Economic growth has been the primary goal of economic policies, and the principal measure of an economy's success. In the last few decades, economic growth benefitted mankind in multiple ways. But alongside these benefits, it has also generated significant issues and a series of converging challenges. In light of this, answer the following: (a) What was the rationale behind GDP growth being considered the pillar of economic policies the world over in the past few decades? (b) Explain the need to go beyond GDP growth and reassess our measures of development. Identify some of the components that need to be complemented with GDP growth going forward.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceDimensions of Ethics
The decisive role that money plays in elections creates a vicious cycle of corruption. (a) Elaborate in the context of India. (b) Discuss whether state funding of elections can help in curbing the menace of political corruption in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
CorruptionProbity in Governance
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
Being the senior-most IAS officer, you are in line to be promoted as Chief Secretary after the incumbent retires in the next two months. Currently, you are heading the Public Works Department (PWD) and a road construction project worth crores has been opened for tender. A company X belonging to the son-in-law of the incumbent Chief Minister has also applied for the same. The director in charge of the screening process, a young IAS officer, has reported that company Y and the state PSU have submitted the best bids. Both you and the director are facing political pressure to favour the company X. The young IAS officer may be demoralised if you give in to the pressure. But if you don't give in then he may be transferred and your chances of promotion may also suffer. In light of the situation, answer the following: (a) Discuss the ethical issues faced by you in the given case. (b) What are the options available to you? Which of these options will you choose? Justify your stand with logical arguments.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2020
Conflict of InterestEthical Dilemmas in Government
An important requisite for ensuring probity in governance is absence of corruption. Analyse.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2021
Probity in GovernanceCorruption
There is a view that the institutional mechanisms to ensure accountability of civil servants have weakened over time. In this context, discuss the need of a social accountability law in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2021
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceProbity in Governance