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.
Is it justifiable to say that corruption is a social phenomenon? What are the various ways through which administrative corruption can be tackled?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
CorruptionProbity in Governance
The moral fiber and ethical conduct of public officials not only influence the standard of governance but also their own interests and performance. Elaborate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Civil Service ValuesProbity in Governance
Evaluate the success of RTI in bringing governance reforms in the country. Examine whether it has served the purpose it was meant for.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Transparency and InformationAccountability and Ethical Governance
Traditional forms of state-led accountability, also characterised as vertical and horizontal channels of accountability, are increasingly found to be inadequate, and a myriad of multi-stakeholder and bottom-up citizen directed approaches have come to the fore, to supplement or supplant them. Discuss with illustrations.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceProbity in Governance
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
“People's indifference is the best breeding ground for corruption to grow”. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2021
CorruptionAccountability and Ethical Governance
Ethics is the first line of defence against corruption while law enforcement is remedial and reactive. Examine the statement with suitable examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
CorruptionProbity in Governance
Governance is the vital link in our quest for prosperity and equity. What should be the key elements of ethical governance to eliminate corruption and bureaucratic delays? Examine.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Probity in GovernanceAccountability and Ethical Governance
One hallmark of good governance is government departments' adherence to strict ethical standards when procuring goods and services for public programmes. Identify and explain the ethical principles that must be respected to maintain the integrity of the procurement process.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Probity in GovernanceUtilisation of Public Funds
Explain the relationship between Public Service Values and Public Administration Ethics. Do you think public service values are only eloquent statements for glorifying the Department's mission, or do they have any utility for public servants? Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Civil Service ValuesAccountability and Ethical Governance
What are the key objectives of the Right to Information Act, 2005? Examine the ethical concerns associated with certain provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act in realizing the objectives of the RTI Act.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2025
Transparency and InformationLaw and Morality
What do you understand by 'civic virtue' in public life? What are the challenges in practising it in today's time? How can these challenges be overcome?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Human ValuesCivil Service Values
In pursuit of political power, means are often compromised that leads to competitive reliance on unethical practices resulting in erosion of public trust. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2019–2023
Civil Service ValuesEthical Dilemmas in Government
It is essential that people have access to information if they are to have the capacity to exercise other rights. Discuss the statement with focus on importance of RTI in governance.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2019–2021
Transparency and InformationAccountability and Ethical Governance
Bring out the significance of probity in public life. What are the requisites for ensuring probity in governance? Pointing out the key concerns in India in this context, suggest certain remedial measures.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Probity in GovernanceAccountability and Ethical Governance
Nolan Committee provides for one of the most comprehensive statements of what constitutes ethical standards for holders of public office. Elaborate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2019–2023
Civil Service ValuesProbity in Governance
For effective public service delivery, the need today is to move from traditional accountability mechanisms to social accountability through greater civic engagement. Discuss with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2016–2018
Transparency and InformationProbity in Governance
What does 'public service' means to you? Describe the various ways in which one can serve the public. Does one necessarily serve the public better by entering the civil services? Justify your stand.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Probity in GovernanceDedication to Public Service
The sharper the socio-economic disparities, the greater the incentive towards corruption. Analyse.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2019–2023
CorruptionProbity in Governance
You, the chairperson of a State Public Service Commission (SPSC), come to know that there were instances of rampant cheating in a competitive exam conducted recently by the SPSC. Your daughter, who also appeared in this exam and is confident of clearing it corroborates the same. However, she denies engaging in any such activity herself. Whatever decision the Commission takes is bound to affect the career of a large number of candidates who appeared in the exam, including your own daughter. (a) Identify the different stakeholders and their interests in the case above. (b) Enumerate the options you have to handle the current situation. What will be your choice and why? (c) Suggest measures that you would take to make sure that a similar situation does not arise in future.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Conflict of InterestEthical Dilemmas in Government
"Law should be so succinct that it can be carried in the pocket of the coat and it should be so simple that it can be understood by a peasant." Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2019–2023
Law and MoralityProbity in Governance
In acts of corruption, the focus is often only on the demand side of the equation, on public officials who abuse their office for private gain. Frequently, the supply side is given less attention. Those who pay bribes are sometimes depicted as innocent parties and victims of extortionary practices of wily public servants. Do you agree that 'collusive corruption', in which there is a willing bribe-giver, is a formidable challenge for institutions fighting corruption?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
CorruptionProbity in Governance
You are an IAS officer recently appointed as the Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development. Your responsibilities include overseeing the implementation of various rural development schemes and ensuring their efficient execution. During an audit of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) funds, you discover substantial irregularities. It appears that a significant portion of the funds allocated for rural employment projects has been siphoned off by senior officials within the ministry through fraudulent invoices and fake beneficiary lists. The funds meant for the rural poor have been diverted to personal accounts. You are faced with an ethical dilemma. Reporting this corruption could lead to severe repercussions for you as the implicated senior officials are politically influential and have strong connections. You have also received subtle threats implying that your career progression could be jeopardised if you proceed with the disclosure. On the other hand, ignoring the corruption would mean perpetuating a cycle of exploitation and depriving the rural poor of their rightful benefits. 1. What are the ethical issues involved in the above case? 2. What are the options available to you? 3. Identify and explain your chosen course of action after evaluating the merits and demerits of each option.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
CorruptionEthical Dilemmas in Government
"The State took taxes from the people only to ensure their prosperity in return like the sun takes moisture from the earth only to give it back in thousandfold measure." Kalidasa. Explain the Indian concept of "giving it back" and its relevance as a guiding value for civil servants.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Dedication to Public ServiceProbity in Governance
You are posted as Superintendent of Police (SP) in a district, which has a bustling market in the district headquarters with a high footfall. The area has traditionally been occupied by street vendors and hawkers. They form an intrinsic part of the market system in the area and derive their livelihood from it. Recently, you got reports that the policemen posted in the area harass the hawkers and also extort 'hafta' - a weekly bribe - from them despite complying with the laws. It has been brought to your notice that while those who comply with this arrangement are allowed to carry on with their daily operations, those who do not are being evicted from the market area. In the process of eviction, they are even physically assaulted and their saleable items are often confiscated and destroyed. As a result, some street vendors have been staging protests against the local administration in the market and have blocked the normal market passage. They have also threatened to intensify their protest over a period of time. The local police, however, has been in denial of any such wrong doings and argue that they are merely removing illegal encroachments, which were causing traffic jam in the area. In this situation, answer the following: (a) Mention the stakeholders and ethical issues involved in the case. (b) As the Superintendent of Police, what course of action would you adopt for diffusing the tensions in the area? Also, suggest some policy recommendations, which will help resolve the issues in the long-term.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2019–2021
CorruptionEthical Dilemmas in Government
What do you understand by Probity in Governance? Examine whether the recent amendments to Prevention of Corruption Act and the proposed ones in Whistleblower Protection Act undermine it.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Probity in GovernanceCorruption
"Procurement decisions are a litmus test of public sector probity, where integrity must resist both institutional pressures and private influence." Discuss how the principles of transparency, fairness, and accountability can strengthen ethical conduct in public procurement.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Probity in GovernanceTransparency and Information
"A politics of confession that encourages politicians and parties to confess and offer regret for their errors can surely be a cathartic experience." Examine the statement from the ethical point of view.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2025
Ethics in Private and Public LifeCivil Service Values
"The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Civil Service ValuesProbity in Governance
"When good individuals in any society become complacent and cease their vigilance and struggle, malevolent forces prevail." Discuss the role and significance of civil society in curbing corruption and official misconduct.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
CorruptionTransparency and Information