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.
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Issue of sewage problem which if not resolved may lead to health issues in my workforce.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Probity in GovernanceEmpathy and Compassion
You are an undergraduate student in a leading Law University. You go with your college friend Surender to his village to attend his sister's marriage. Surender's parents are farmers and are financially very poor. They have somehow managed to send him to the university by selling their land. After interaction with the family relatives attending the marriage, you find out that the bride is not of marriagable age, which makes it a case of child marraige. The family wants early marriage of the daughter to avoid huge demands of dowry in the future. You are well aware that child marriage is illegal in India. So, you discuss the issue with your friend who says that he is helpless and can't do anything. Your friend feels that his family is already doing too much for him and he cannot argue and change his parents' decision. In this situation, what are the possible actions you can take? Evaluate the merits and demerits of each of them.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Law and MoralityRules versus Compassion
In spite of the existence of a Code of Conduct for public servants, its implementation has been tardy and of limited success. Discuss. Further, suggest steps which could be taken to improve the efficacy of the Code of Conduct. What role can Code of Ethics play in reinforcing the Code of Conduct.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Codes of Ethics and ConductProbity in Governance
Highlight the options available to you in this scenario and evaluate each of them. What course of action will you take and why? (b) Is there a need for having reasonable restrictions on social media for it to remain a platform of healthy and fruitful engagement. Analyse from the viewpoint of different stakeholders.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017
Corporate GovernanceTechnology and Ethics
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 of Mines 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 1 topper · CSE 2022
Environmental EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government
Ethics is a normative science guiding us what to do and what not to do. But the basis of this decision is not solely determined by reason, feelings also an important role.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values
Discuss the role of ethics and values in turning India into a 5 trillion-dollar economy.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Civil Service ValuesCorporate Governance
What are the core ethical dilemmas in this situation?
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCivil Service Values
You have recently started working at your dream company. You have been hired in the strategies department along with two other new joiners. All of you have just graduated out of college. You have very friendly relations with your co-joiners. The three of you have been helping each other at work. The experience of working together has built strong camaraderie between the three of you. Your boss has publicly appreciated the strong team-spirit displayed by you and your colleagues. At the annual review, you have been given a higher pay raise, and a more lucrative job profile. The promotion doesn't come as a surprise to you. You have worked beyond office hours more as a rule rather than as an exception. The project you worked on was adjudged 'the best project of the year in business impact' at the annual corporate awards. One of your co-joiners remarks, in presumably good humor, that you should suggest to your boss to allocate similar high impact projects to your friends as well. You also perceive suggestions towards the shared surname being the reason for special affinity of your boss towards you, indicating the fact that your boss and you have the same caste. You feel hurt but you also try to think about the remarks with an open mind. You assess that the three of you have indeed worked hard with sincerity. One of your friends, in fact, worked very efficiently despite a personal tragedy at home. There was already a salary differential between you and your colleagues based on the pedigree of your college. The higher pay raise to you has expanded the differential pay structure further. You always considered the initial pay differential to be against the principle of equal pay for equal work. But now you feel your friends may not have been given equal opportunities as well. a) You are inclined to the belief that the efforts and talent of your colleagues have been under-appreciated and you start feeling guilty about your promotion. b) Based on the given information, discuss the options that are available to you for addressing the guilt. What are the merits and demerits of those choices? Which option would you choose? Justify.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Corporate GovernanceIntegrity
Closure of schools due to the pandemic has not only hampered the academic development of the students but also impacted the moral development of the pupils. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Family, Society and EducationHuman Values
What is meant by 'Sports ethics'? Why is it important to study? Discuss any one issue from the viewpoint of Sports ethics.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Dimensions of EthicsCivil Service Values
Rajesh is a dedicated and upright IAS officer who has recently been posted as the Commissioner of a major city's Municipal Corporation after serving diligently in various assignments for over a decade. This is his fifth transfer in four years, mostly due to his refusal to bend rules for influential people. His colleagues admire his integrity, discipline, and commitment to public service. The mayor of the city, a senior leader of the ruling party, holds significant power over the corporation's functioning. Rajesh soon learns about several dubious tenders and large-scale irregularities in awarding contracts for the city's solid waste management project. He notices that payments have been hastily cleared to companies with questionable credentials, despite glaring deficiencies in their work. One day, a senior councillor belonging to a rival political party approaches Rajesh and shares a set of audio recordings and internal emails that purportedly show the mayor asking for kickbacks from contractors in exchange for lucrative garbage collection contracts. Rajesh also recalls the same contractors' payments being pushed through under the mayor's orders, bypassing due process. When Rajesh asks the Councillor why he doesn't bring this evidence to the media or the anti-corruption bureau himself, the Councillor shrugs it off, hinting that his hands are tied politically but Rajesh can "earn a hero's image" by blowing the whistle. He subtly promises that if his party comes to power in the upcoming municipal elections, Rajesh's loyalty will be rewarded with an important posting and career security. Meanwhile, local media has started sniffing around the irregularities, and Rajesh's silence could make him appear complicit. His own staff is divided; some urge him to maintain the status quo for personal safety, while a few junior officers privately want him to act boldly and clean up the system. Adding to his dilemma, Rajesh's elderly parents are dependent on him, and another sudden transfer could make their care difficult. (a) Identify the key ethical dilemmas faced by Rajesh in this situation. (b) What are the options available to Rajesh to deal with the situation? Evaluate each option with its merits and demerits. (c) In the context of this case, discuss the ethical challenges of whistleblowing for public servants in India. (d) What institutional reforms can strengthen ethical conduct and protect honest officers?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
CorruptionEthical Dilemmas in Government
What do you understand by environmental ethics? Examine the ethical concerns in 'phase-down versus phase out debate' in the use of coal by developing countries.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Environmental EthicsEthics in International Relations
You don't teach morals, ethics, empathy and kindness in the schools. You teach that at home, children learn by example. Discuss the statement with suitable examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Family, Society and EducationHuman Values
As the SP of Jaipur district, [scenario omitted] discuss the ethical implications of unrestricted access to digital content on the upbringing and moral development of children. Suggest measures to foster moral attitudes among them.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Family, Society and EducationTechnology and Ethics
Emotional intelligence is a critical component for healthcare professionals, especially during a crisis like COVID-19. Discuss. 2b. Public spiritedness acts as a moral compass for public servants in a democracy. Elaborate.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Emotional IntelligenceCivil Service Values
Kautilya’s teachings for running an effective administration and achieving welfare goals remain relevant even today. Justify with suitable illustration.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Indian ThinkersCivil Service Values
"While international funding aims to promote development, humanitarian aid, and global cooperation, it often comes embedded with political agendas, conditionalities, and asymmetric power dynamics." Critically examine the ethical challenges posed by international funding. How can global financial assistance be restructured to align with ethical principles of equity, dignity, and mutual respect?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Respect for human rights and humanitarian principles is a responsibillty for all members of the international community. Discuss in the context of roles and responsibilities of States for protection of refugees.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Ethics in International RelationsEmpathy and Compassion
You are the district officer responsible for implementing the government schemes in the district. One of the schemes is to provide financial assistance to poor students completing their Class XII so that they can join college comfortably. But, due to unexpectedly good results there arises a shortage of funds for the scheme. However, the funds are available in another scheme of housing which are unutilized, but need approval from senior officials and may take more than a month and by that time the admissions will be over. Given below are few options that you can take: 1. Send the request for funds diversion and pursue the case with the senior officials to get it done quickly. 2. Promise to deliver the rewards next month as you cannot do anything now. 3. Prepare some fictitious names that need a house & transfer the funds from housing scheme to this scheme considering the urgency of case and future of children. Suggest any other possible option(s). Evaluate all of them and suggest the best course of action, giving your reasons for it.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2015
Utilisation of Public FundsIntegrity
Swami Vivekanand brought religion to the centre-stage and gave a new meaning to it while stressing the need for harmony among faiths. In this context, discuss the relevance of his teachings in contemporary society. 10 5. (b) 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 1 topper · CSE 2017
Indian ThinkersQuality of Service Delivery
What do you understand by the empathy? Is it always in congruence with rationality and objectivity? Examine.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Empathy and CompassionImpartiality and Objectivity
What is corporate governance? How is it important in the Indian corporate sector? How will the mandatory provision of corporate social responsibility change the perception of private sector in the eyes of common man?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2014
Corporate Governance
A 'Good Samaritan' legal protection is vital to encourage people to offer assistance without the fear of any criminal or civil liability. Discuss the statement in the context of India's unacceptably high rate of road accident fatalities due to the inability of victims to get timely medical treatment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentLaw and Morality