GS4 · Practice questions
Ethics, integrity and aptitude
516 questions match. Years are the CSE year of the toppers who answered.
All 36 themesFewer themes
Explain the importance of foundational values and core principles for effective and doorstep public service delivery.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Aptitude for Civil ServiceQuality of Service Delivery
“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else: you are the one who gets burned.” – Buddha
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
You are the Superintendent of Police (SP) of a district. Recently an incident of rape and murder of a doctor occurred in your district leading to huge public outrage. There were protests organised by the doctors' fraternity in order to demand justice for the victim. You were trying to ensure the law and order remain intact in the district. In the meantime media reports mentioned the perpetrator of the crime to be a civil volunteer of your department. This led to social media allegations against your department accusing the Police of favouring the accused. Also, there were other rumours on social media like involvement of trainee doctors in the crime, renovation of the hospital to remove the evidence etc. To add fuel to the entire scenario, reports of circulation of the pictures of the victim also came. All this led to mob violence in the city. The mob disrupted the peaceful protest of doctors and also broke the hospital equipment and beds etc. You received a call from the Commissioner of Police to take necessary action as the progress in resolving the case is being reported to the Chief Minister directly. a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. b) What course of action would you take to maintain law and order? c) What steps have been taken by the government to ensure safety of women at the workplace? Suggest some additional steps that can be taken.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government
What were the major teachings of Adi Shankaracharya? Explain how they are relevant in tackling current social and ethical challenges.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
What do you understand by nationalism? What significance does it hold in your life?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Human ValuesCivil Service Values
What is intellectual integrity? Explain its role in administrative decision-making.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
IntegrityImpartiality and Objectivity
Case Study 2: You are the District Collector of a rural district where traditional social customs and religious practices strongly influence daily life. Recently, a case has emerged involving a local temple and its long-standing tradition of excluding women from certain religious rituals and spaces. A group of educated young women from the village, inspired by the increasing national dialogue on gender equality, has petitioned for the right to participate in these religious rituals. They argued that excluding women is discriminatory and violates their constitutional rights. However, the temple authorities and a significant portion of the local community vehemently oppose this change, citing religious texts and long-standing customs. As the District Collector, you face a complex ethical dilemma. Legally, you are obliged to uphold the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equality and prohibits gender-based discrimination. However, enforcing this law could lead to significant unrest in the community, where traditional customs and religious beliefs are deeply entrenched. And you are aware that the district has a history of unrest on religious matters, and local politicians did not mind stoking the unrest for political gains. The moral argument for gender equality clashes with the community's religious sentiments. The temple authorities believe that altering the rituals would desecrate their sacred traditions. Meanwhile, the women demanding entry see this as a moral and legal fight for their rights. You as a district collector was in a precarious dilemma, one on hand being a progressive officer you knew what is the right thing to do but on the other as an administrative professional you didn't want an unrest with religious tone at your hands. 1.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentLaw and Morality
Attitude is a crucial factor in building the social capital of an individual. Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion
Differentiate 'Consequentialism' from 'Deontological Ethics' with suitable examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Ethical Theories
Civil servants are committed to the improvement of the policy-making and service delivery abilities of the state. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Dedication to Public ServiceCivil Service Values
Effective utilisation of funds is the inevitable requirement for success in the governance process. Utilisation of funds is linked to different stages like sanctioning a specific amount, procurement and implementation. A weak and inefficient procurement process leads to poor utilisation of funds. In India, the procurement practices often differ from what is prescribed because of the hurdles such as inefficient monitoring process, limited accountability and governance, limited awareness and organisational culture. a. What are the challenges that are associated with public procurement policy? b. If you are posted as secretary in the finance department, what measures would you take to reform the public procurement system?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Utilisation of Public FundsCorruption
You are the principal of a school located in a tier 2 city. One day the parents of a child approached you complaining that their 4 year old girl has been sexually assaulted by one of the attendants in the school washroom. Considering it a very serious matter, you promptly raised the issue to the management. However they paid no heed to it considering it as a fabricated case to destroy the reputation of the school. Two days later, the parents of another girl along with a local politician came with a similar complaint. While you were trying to get details of the matter, the news of the assault spread throughout the city. This led to widespread protests by the locals. To add fire to the scenario, the political parties also declared a bandh throughout the state. You decided to raise the matter again to the management, but again they asked you to remain silent as the reputation of the school was at stake. You requested them to constitute a committee to carry out a detailed enquiry into the whole matter, but to your surprise they straightaway denied it and instead asked to cover up the whole issue. They also offered to promote you to the management board and raise your salary, provided you handle the matter effectively. a) What are the Ethical dilemmas faced by you in the above scenario? b) Evaluate the options available to you in the given scenario. c) What are the measures taken by the Government to prevent sexual offences against children? What additional steps can be taken to make the school environment safer for children?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCorporate Governance
Upon his recent appointment as DM of a district, Naveen finds that the local MP is involved in misappropriation of MPLADS funds. The local staff and the previous DCs have turned a blind eye to this practice for their own benefit. There is a strong nexus between the MP and the local administration. The villagers are deprived of the basic amenities for which the funds were meant. (a) Identify the ethical issues involved in the case. (b) Examine the options available to Naveen and suggest the best course of action. (c) What long-term measures would you suggest to improve the situation?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Utilisation of Public FundsCorruption
What is the impact of ethical behaviour on the modern workplace? Discuss if an ethical climate at the workplace can help in better retention of employees.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Work CultureCorporate Governance
Discuss the significance and applications of Emotional Intelligence in the administration and governance.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Emotional Intelligence
The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
Organ donation by living donors clearly saves lives but one person becomes a patient to benefit another person who is already a patient. Discuss the ethical questions involved in organ donation and transplantation.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Dimensions of EthicsEmpathy and Compassion
In 2017, a leading actress from the Malayalam film industry was abducted and sexually assaulted. This incident and the subsequent investigations have shed light on the systemic issues, gender-based discrimination, and exploitation prevalent in the industry. As the head of a special investigative committee tasked with addressing these issues, how would you approach this situation, considering the ethical dilemmas involved and the need for structural reform?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCivil Service Values
You are the District Magistrate (DM) of a district in the state of Uttarakhand. Ganga river flows through that district. Though the river is considered sacred by millions, it has started facing some ecological challenges. For example, in your district, the pollution of the river by dumping of untreated sewage, industrial and domestic waste etc. is rampant, leading to turning the river's colour black. The banks of the river are used by the people of districts for idol immersion and last rites of the departed, which add to the pollution load in the river. Many environmentalists have raised the concerns that its biodiversity has reduced considerably due to high pollution. Meanwhile, the banks have been encroached on by the poor people of the district as well as migrants. This has led to building of domestic establishments on the river floodplains. Migrant workers demand lower salaries, so the factories with high labour demand have also relocated near the floodplains of the river. Recently the High court of the state has declared the river as a living entity and given it legal rights. It has also ordered you to clear all the encroachments on the bank of the river in your district. Also, the environmental degradation taking place along the river is gaining national attention due to widespread coverage in the media. a) What are the Ethical dilemmas faced by you while following the court order? b) What course of action will you take to follow the order? c) What steps can be taken in the long run to maintain ecological sustainability of this river ecosystem by the district administration?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentEnvironmental Ethics
How does an ethical vision and an ethical quotient help in combating corruption in public services?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
CorruptionProbity in Governance
Tolerance in pluralistic societies Compassion in public service
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Empathy and CompassionCivil Service Values
Outline the core values of civil services and the standards of behaviour expected of all civil servants in upholding these values.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Civil Service ValuesCodes of Ethics and Conduct
Modern diplomacy is currently experiencing fundamental changes at an unprecedented rate that has brought new challenges to diplomats. What are these changes and what are the areas in which diplomats and governments need to be proactive today.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Ethics in International RelationsCivil Service Values
Reasons for continued discrimination against transgenders in India
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Empathy and CompassionFamily, Society and Education