GS4 · Practice questions
Ethics, integrity and aptitude
2,285 questions, with how toppers answered each. Years are the CSE year of the toppers who answered.
All 36 themesFewer themes
What is meant by bureaucratic work culture and how it is different from professional work culture? Discuss the factors responsible for their distinctive characteristics. Do you think that a fully professionalised bureaucracy will not suit to Indian conditions? Give justification to your view.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016
Work CultureCivil Service Values
You are the Chief of District Transport department, who issues registrations for motor vehicles. The office is plagued with corruption, delays and arbitrariness. Some of the citizens complained that the absence of citizen charter in the office is the reason for all the other issues. You have decided to draw a citizen charter for the office. Your seniors and subordinates are also ready to support you in this regard with capacities, facilities etc. a. Draw out a citizen charter for your organization and list out its merits. b. What are the difficulties you think could occur in implementing the charter?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019
Citizens ChartersWork Culture
Given below are quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. Bring out what they mean to you in the present context: (a) Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
World ThinkersHuman Values
How does Ratan Tata's life and leadership exemplify ethical decision-making in corporate governance?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Corporate GovernanceHuman Values
“A public servant's attitude towards citizens often determines the quality of governance.” Examine how positive and negative attitudes impact public service delivery. Suggest strategies to inculcate citizen-centric attitudes among civil servants.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
AttitudeQuality of Service Delivery
Discuss the relationship between attitude and behaviour with examples. Q4b) How does emotional intelligence help in overcoming challenges and achieving success?
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
AttitudeEmotional Intelligence
You are posted as a District Magistrate of a primarily rural district. Excess agricultural production has led to a continuous fall in market prices of crops in the last three years. With elections approaching soon, the opposition has decided to make this a political issue and has mobilised farmers to protest against falling prices. The protests turned violent at some point and police had to fire in self-defence, killing two people. Violence has increased since then and you yourself were attacked when you tried to pacify the protestors. The protestors have also blocked the main roads and railways to prevent movement of goods and people. Given the situation, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the key concerns that need to be addressed on a priority basis. (b) What steps will you take to address them?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government
The call for a total ban on alcohol consumption has gained traction in various states, leading to legislative efforts aimed at restricting or prohibiting its sale and consumption. This contentious issue elicits a range of arguments both in favor of and against such stringent measures. (15 M) a) Present ethical and moral arguments both in favor of and against the prohibition of alcohol consumption. b) Assess the effectiveness of legislative measures in bringing about changes in people's behavior on a large scale. c) Provide recommendations as an advisor to a state government considering the implications of implementing or rejecting a prohibition on alcohol consumption.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentLaw and Morality
Integrity involves standing up for what you believe is right, even in the face of adversity. Illustrate with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
IntegrityCivil Service Values
What is meant by probity in governance? Discuss its importance in public procurement and service delivery
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Probity in GovernanceUtilisation of Public Funds
"One of the important functions of the civil services is to speak truth to power". Justify with a suitable illustration.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Civil Service ValuesIntegrity
The RTI Act, which became operational in 2005 empowers the Indian citizens to seek information from public authorities. This, in effect, makes the Government and its functionaries more accountable and responsible. However, it has faced resistance because of the entrenched bureaucratic culture and it is taking time to change the mindset of the people in the government to new realities in wake of the act. This has led to implementation issues and questions have also been raised against the effectiveness of the act in achieving its desired objectives. Apart from this, certain issues related to the information seeker have also been raised from time to time. In view of the innumerable challenges answer the following: (a) Explain the importance of a transparent government system in a democracy, like India. (b) Elaborate on the challenges that the implementation of RTI has faced, in the context of information seeker (demand-side) as well as those entrusted to give information (supply-side). (c) Discuss the role that such a legislation can be expected to play given the ground realities in our country. How can it be ensured that such legislations are effective in achieving their envisaged objectives?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Transparency and InformationAccountability and Ethical Governance
What measures can you propose to reduce the reliance on animal testing in the company's future research?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper
Corporate GovernanceEnvironmental Ethics
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: (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 1 topper · CSE 2018
Dimensions of EthicsLaw and Morality
Good corporate governance is about intellectual honesty and not just sticking to rules and regulations. Illustrate with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Corporate GovernanceIntegrity
“Ethics in decision-making is not about choosing right over wrong, but between two rights.” Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Explaining the meaning of media ethics, discuss why it is a prerequisite for democracy.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Dimensions of EthicsAccountability and Ethical Governance
Discuss the challenges a civil servant might face in maintaining objectivity and non-partisanship in a politically charged environment. How can these values be preserved while ensuring effective governance?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Impartiality and ObjectivityCivil Service Values
"Ethical principles are intrinsic in India's Foreign Policy". Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Ethics in International Relations
The proliferation of social media platforms have empowered the citizens and enabled them to freely share their views, including criticism of the government and its functionaries. However, it has also given rise to serious concerns such as spread of fake news, hate speech, revenge porn etc., which have grown manifold in recent years. Moreover, there are growing issues related to lack of transparency, accountability and rights of users of such social media platforms. In this context, what should be the underlying principles to regulate the social media platforms? Also, suggest a framework to address the associated issues and concerns and make such platforms a safe place for its diverse users.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Technology and EthicsAccountability and Ethical Governance
A wrestler who has participated at international and national events gets his berth to represent India in the upcoming Olympic through a court battle replacing the sportsperson who won a medal in the last Olympic. When few days are left in the event, there are reports of doping against him. He alleges for foul practices by some people in his foods. Initial investigation also happens from this angle. He is being portrayed as clean. The Indian anti-doping agency also clears his name which is challenged in the world anti-doping agency. This agency rule against the wrestler and consequently, he loses chance to participate in the Olympic. At this stage, India loses chance to participate in the category he could have participated. Most importantly, image of the country has suffered. Suppose you were the concerned authority to take a final decision on his participation and replacement at early stage when the controversy first surfaced then a) Discuss the courses of action that you could have followed and give reasons in justification. b) What steps should be taken by the sports authorities in the country to avoid such embarrassment at national and international level. c) To what extent adoption of a code of sports ethics at national level will help in this regard?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016
Codes of Ethics and ConductEthical Dilemmas in Government
Ashmita is a respected doctor who runs her own maternity clinic in a small town. She is a mother of two and her husband is also a doctor. Ashmita handles multiple cases of child delivery every day and is known for her compassionate treatment of patients. Her clinic enjoys a good reputation in town. Among other expecting mothers, Shikha, daughter-in-law of an MLA, was admitted to Ashmita's maternity clinic for child birth. The MLA met Ashmita and expressed his confidence in her skills. He requested her to personally take extra care of Shikha, to which Ashmita agreed happily. Shikha unexpectedly went into labour in the early hours the next day. During this time, Ashmita was performing an emergency surgery on another patient, so she could not attend to Shikha. Shikha was taken care of by other qualified doctors and hospital staff. The MLA was visibly unhappy that Ashmita did not attend Shikha herself. Once the emergency surgery was completed, Ashmita joined her staff and attended Shikha. However, Shikha passed away due to excess bleeding from Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) during childbirth. Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is unpredictable heavy bleeding and Ashmita did everything that she could have done to try to save Shikha's life. The MLA blamed Ashmita for Shikha's death. Ashmita was beaten by the MLA and his staff. When her husband tried to save Ashmita, he was dragged out of the hospital and thrashed. A police complaint was also lodged against Ashmita accusing her of murder due to negligence. For many days after the incident, she and her family faced constant harassment by police and supporters of the MLA. Ultimately, Ashmita could not take any more humiliation and committed suicide. The news of suicide by the doctor spread like wildfire. Indian Medical Association took cognizance of the case and warned of a nationwide strike of doctors if appropriate actions in this case were not taken. The state government has appointed a committee to investigate the matter and recommend suitable actions. You are the Chairperson of this committee. In this scenario, answer the following: a) Why do doctors face violence in the country? b) Identify various moral-ethical and administrative lapses in this case. c) What would you recommend in this case? Give rationale behind giving those recommendations.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentPressure and Loyalty
You are head of a big and reputed hospital in the national capital. The hospital is visited by thousands of patients every day and most of them belong to economically weaker sections. The hospital is also facing staff crunch. A man whose mother is admitted in your hospital comes to you. His mother is critically ill with highly contagious disease which makes hospitalization necessary. He tells you that he is an auto-rickshaw driver who cannot afford medical expenses of his mother. Also, he has three young daughters to marry and he is the only bread earner in family. He further adds that he loves his mother very much and he cannot not see her continuous sufferings. He request you to let her die with dignity. Given this situation, answer the following questions: (a) Explain the ethical dilemmas faced by you? (b) What are the options available to you? Discuss the merits and demerits of each. Also, mention what you would suggest to him.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentRules versus Compassion
With the increasing role of the corporate sector in wealth generation and employment, ethical governance has become essential. Identify and discuss the ethical principles that should guide the corporate sector to ensure the interests of stakeholders and societal well-being.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Corporate GovernanceIntegrity