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.
Various practices and policies are implemented to uphold transparency, fairness, and accountability within administrative systems, encompassing both advantageous and disadvantageous aspects for the stakeholders involved and the overall administrative framework. Explore the ethical considerations that arise from the design and implementation of these administrative practices aiming to foster effective governance.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2020–2024
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceProbity in Governance
"The challenge of power lies in its responsible application rather than its irresponsible and indulgent use - specifically, how to motivate those in power to serve the public rather than exploit it." Analyse the relationship between power and public service. Do you believe that the concept of power conflicts with the ideal of service, or do they complement each other? Substantiate your viewpoint.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Civil Service ValuesAccountability and Ethical Governance
With appropriate examples, discuss various ethical challenges associated with the utilization of public funds in India. Suggest strategies to effectively deal with these challenges.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2017–2018
Utilisation of Public FundsAccountability and Ethical Governance
Transparent governance promises an accountable state but a balance has to be achieved between disclosure requirements and administrative privileges for efficient governance. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2021
Transparency and InformationAccountability and Ethical Governance
Investigative reporting by media can be a significant source of information on corruption. What are ethical issues involved in investigative journalism? What safeguards can be introduced to prevent its misuse?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2016–2018
Transparency and InformationCorruption
Ensuring accountability in the administration just adds another layer in the bureaucratic process. Examine. Differentiate between accountability and responsibility. Suggest some measures through which administrative accountability can be made more effective in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2016–2018
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceCivil Service Values
The effective implementation of the Right to Information Act will create an environment of vigilance which will help in functioning of a more participatory democracy. Elaborate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Transparency and InformationAccountability and Ethical Governance
Open Government Data (OGD) can be seen as a step towards greater transparency and accountability in India. In this context, discuss the benefits of OGD and the challenges which lie therein.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2021
Transparency and InformationAccountability and Ethical Governance
Access to quality basic services plays a critical role in enhancing individual capabilities to participate fully in the growth of the nation. (a) Discuss the statement in the context of vulnerable sections of India. (b) Analyse the challenges with regard to quality service delivery in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Quality of Service DeliveryCorruption
You are posted in the Department of Mines, and one of your roles is to help your Department Head negotiate mining leases with private contractors. Recently, the state government demarcated a new mining zone and planned to invite bids for the mining blocs. You were instructed to oversee the bidding process and speed up the contract negotiations. As planned, the tenders were released, bids came in, and tenders were allocated as per the norms. All this happened at a breakneck speed. You wondered, why the hurry? But it was not your place to think and question; you quietly went about your work. As the contractors were about to start operations, you had to instruct them on environmental concerns to watch out for. And to do that, you read the environmental impact assessment report submitted by a consulting firm hired by the department. To your surprise, the report was shoddy and looked cooked up. You got suspicious and raised the issue with your Head, who politely instructed you to do what you were told, and he reminded you that the Department had revenue targets and was under pressure from the Ministry. After the meeting, you, on your own accord, did some digging and found out that the report was fraudulent and the mining activity that was about to start would lead to a massive environmental disaster which the State could not afford. (a) What are the issues and value violations you notice in the above case? (b) What are the options available to you? (c) Discuss the advantage and disadvantages of each option and identify your chosen course of action. (d) Do you think that environmental considerations are sometimes overrated at the cost of development?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Environmental EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government
While the corrupt and dishonest should be punished swiftly, honest public servants need to be protected against malicious and motivated complaints to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of an organisation. Discuss. How can the two objectives be reconciled?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Probity in GovernanceCivil Service Values
It is at the interface of public action and private interest that the need arises for establishing not just a code of ethics but a code of conduct. In this context, highlight the need for drafting a code of ethics as well as a code of conduct.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Codes of Ethics and ConductConflict of Interest
You have recently been promoted as a Branch Manager in a Public Sector Bank. The bank is battling high NPAs and mounting losses. You have been assigned a very high target of loans by the higher management for the current quarter. Your career prospects also depend on your performance in critical times. Few days back you rejected a loan application for a huge sum based on detailed analysis. Today you got a call from the Regional Manager to approve the loan quickly. On your reluctance to approve, he hints that the loan is sought by a person well connected in the finance ministry and that a refusal will have consequences for everyone in the approval chain. You are now in a tough spot. Based on the given information, answer the following questions: (a) Bring out the ethical issues in the case above. (b) What are the consequences of agreeing to the demands of the senior in the given case. Assess which of them are meritorious and which are not. (c) Suggest institutional reforms that can result in non-punishment of honest feedback.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCrisis Decision Making
While accountability often necessitates documentation, an overemphasis on bureaucratic procedures and excessive paperwork can inadvertently silence the very voices that public policy intends to empower, particularly at the grassroots. Examine the above statement with suitable illustrations.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2025
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceCivil Service Values
It is not only public servants, but also the common citizens who play a key role in institutionalising high standards of ethical conduct and good governance. Elaborate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2023
Probity in GovernanceAccountability and Ethical Governance
Records show that there have been numerous cases of custodial deaths in the last 20 years in India. Very few policeman have been convicted so far in such cases. Recently, you come across the case of custodial death of a youth in one of the backward districts of the country. It has been reported that the youth was detained on frivolous grounds of kidnapping a girl from another community. As a young graduate student, preparing for the civil services examination conducted by the UPSC, answer the following: (a) Why is there a frequent violation of the code of conduct and abuse of authority by law enforcement officers at various levels in India? (b) Is the use of violence and show of 'quick justice' by the policemen increasingly becoming acceptable by the society? Justify your stand with relevant arguments. (c) What can be done to comprehensively deal with the issue of torture and custodial deaths in India?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2021–2022
Civil Service ValuesProbity in Governance
The Code of Conduct for the civil services in India has merely remained a code; it has not helped promote ethical and moral values in governance. In this context, discuss the need for a National Commission on Integrity and Transparency in Governance.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Codes of Ethics and ConductTransparency and Information
RTI is termed as a master key to good governance. Highlight the role of RTI in making the administration and governance of our country more ethical and responsive.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2017–2018
Transparency and InformationAccountability and Ethical Governance
'Just-in-time' release of funds heralds a significant reform for the Indian government's payment architecture. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Utilisation of Public FundsAccountability and Ethical Governance
In the parlance of governance, probity is often used in conjunction with integrity. How do you differentiate between the two? What is their importance in public life? What measures can help promote these values in governance?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2017–2018
Probity in GovernanceIntegrity
Transparency is vital to cultivate public trust in government and to prevent, detect and deter corruption effectively. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Transparency and InformationCorruption
An essential element that distinguishes a career in public service from jobs elsewhere is its focus on public service ethos. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2019–2024
Civil Service ValuesDedication to Public Service
Mr. A is an honest senior bureaucrat who retired some time back. He has worked across many positions and wields immense influence in the corridors of power. His wife was working in a consulting firm. She has now quit her job and started her own consulting firm that will bid for government contracts also. Mr. A himself intends to contribute his experience and insider knowledge about the government operations to prepare for the bid. When prodded about any conflict of interest, Mrs. A argued that she always wanted to own her own consulting firm and bid for government projects so that she could improve the quality of government operations through her services. But earlier she could not since her husband was a bureaucrat in the same city and various government rules prevented her from doing so. As he has now retired she can take up this job. (a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case? (b) What are steps that can be taken by Mr. A to resolve these ethical issues? (c) What is the best option for Mr. A? Support your answer with appropriate reasons.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2017–2018
Conflict of InterestIntegrity
Highlight the important teachings of Kautilya that are relevant to public services in 21st century India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2023
Indian ThinkersCivil Service Values
What do you understand by social capital? Explain its relationship with good governance.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2019–2024
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceProbity in Governance
Crises, humanitarian or economic, often create the perfect storm for corruption to thrive. Discuss with examples. What measures can be taken to mitigate corruption during a crisis?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2021–2022
CorruptionCrisis Decision Making
Where as some argue that leaks constitute an affront to democracy, others are of the opinion that leaks are a part of democracy. Examine the merits of both the arguments in the context of information attributed to leaks from government offices and whistleblowers.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Transparency and InformationProbity in Governance
What do you understand by the term 'probity in governance'? Explain how probity acts as the foundation of ethical public administration.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2017
Probity in GovernanceAccountability and Ethical Governance
The fundamental principle in a democracy is that all public functionaries are trustees of the people and this trusteeship relationship requires that the authority entrusted to the functionaries be exercised in 'public interest'. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021
Probity in GovernanceCivil Service Values
"While corruption is never good, not all forms of corruption are equally bad for the economy, nor do they cause the same kind of harm." Critically analyse the statement in the context of India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021
CorruptionEthical Theories