Ethics, integrity and aptitude

Mr. X is a renowned Architect. He receives a contract of Rs. 500 crores to design and lead a building project that would not only be an architectural landmark but also involves engineering challenges the solutions for which would change the industry. The building would house the headquarters of a successful company Fictitious Corp. Its chairman, Mr. Y is renowned for his acumen as well as temper. After spending time on the drawing board, Mr. X comes up with an innovative design which in itself is a masterpiece. His office had to lay out the plan and then coordinate with the engineering firms to execute it to perfection. The building is constructed in record time and is praised for its ingenuity and the experts also look at it as an engineering milestone. After six months of its construction, Ms. Z, a doctoral student of mathematics, visits the building for her work on structural engineering calculations. She has immense respect for Mr. X's work. However, she finds that her calculations do not satisfy the requirements of structural integrity for which the building has been widely hailed. She realizes that the building's structure has a deficiency based on the bolted beams used for structural support; this was inadequate if the impact of vertical winds on the building is taken into account. It not only created a threat for the building and its occupants but also the buildings and people nearby. Mr. X is informed of these calculations by the student and her supervisor. However, Mr. X, meticulous as he is, has confidence on his work and detailed design. He looks at the issue seriously and spends time on the design. He indeed finds no flaw in his design and also notes that his design entails the use of welded rather than bolted beams. At the time he is negotiating the construction of another building where the issue of welded versus bolted metal beams is a sticking point. Mr. X prefers welded beams as they are twice as strong as the requirements are. However, the engineering firm responsible for actual construction job and procuring the steel beams points out that double bolted beams are strong enough to meet the requirement, are cost effective and also fulfill the building code requirements. After the meeting Mr. X visits the Fictitious Corp building, and to his horror he realizes that bolted rather than welded beams have been used in the construction of the building. He asks for the design that his office has used after final approval. He notices that indeed the final designs show the use of bolted beams. These beams are classified as trusses which do meet the regulatory requirements but not the structural capacity as envisaged by Mr. X initially. He further enquires and is told that the engineering firm responsible for construction work had also given similar arguments about the sufficiency, cost effectiveness and regulatory

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021

"It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of our dodging of responsibilities." - Josiah Stamp

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021

Dimensions of EthicsEthics in Private and Public Life

Emotional Intelligence is an essential characteristic of a civil servant who is often required to function under diverse circumstances. Do you agree? Explain in the context of Covid-19 management in India?.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021

Emotional IntelligenceCrisis Decision Making

What do you understand by 'Probity' in governance? Discuss its necessity in governance and socio-economic development.

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Probity in Governance

What do you mean by "Emotional Competency"? Discuss its role in civil services.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021

Emotional Intelligence

What do you understand by following terms, in the context of public service?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021

Civil Service ValuesIntegrity

You are a young officer posted as the Sub Divisional Magistrate in a district which houses factories for making match boxes and fire crackers. It is brought to your notice that a large number of children are working in these hazardous activities. The government had previously released a notification that owners of these manufacturing units need to report on the profiles of their employees annually to prevent child labour. These manufacturing units, abiding by the directives of the government, publish such reports and claim to have successfully put an end to employment of child labour. However, there are reports that these units are taking advantage of loopholes in the law. They are using contractors to continue to indirectly hire children without them officially being on the payroll of the units. Families of these child labourers are poor and see this as an essential source of income. An influential local politician also owns some of these manufacturing units and is known to put pressure on the officers involved for not taking any action against child labour. (a) Identify the stakeholders and ethical issues in this case (b) How would you approach the problem and what would be the main elements of your action? (c) What medium to long-term measures will you propose to tackle the problem of child labour in the district?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021

CorruptionCivil Service Values

Transparency in administration refers to the practice of openness followed in procedures and decision making.

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Transparency and InformationProbity in Governance

What do you understand by 'Nishkam Karma'? Discuss the importance of 'Nishkam Karma' in the life of a civil servant.

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Indian ThinkersCivil Service Values

The basis of any civilised state is the rule of law. Discuss the role of societal norms in shaping the laws of a civilisational state.

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Family, Society and EducationLaw and Morality

Answer questions 1A, 13, 2A, and 2B as presented.

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Family, Society and EducationHuman Values

CSR beyond immediate community? (Note: The provided text also contains parts (a), (b), (c), and (d) of a case study regarding Mr. Sharma and the pharmaceutical company.)

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021

Corporate GovernanceEthics in International Relations

Emotional Intelligence is an important trait to imbibe in a highly competitive and achievement-oriented environment. Elucidate.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021

Emotional Intelligence

Article 47 of Indian Constitution states that the "State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs injurious to health" (a) Socio-economic problems attributed to alcoholism

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Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentLaw and Morality

Mr. X is a renowned Architect. He receives a contract of Rs. 500 crores to design and lead a building project that would not only be an architectural landmark but also involves engineering challenges the solutions for which would change the industry. The building would house the headquarters of a successful company Fictitious Corp. Its chairman, Mr. Y is renowned for his acumen as well as temper. After spending time on the drawing board, Mr. X comes up with an innovative design which in itself is a masterpiece. His office had to lay out the plan and then coordinate with the engineering firms to execute it to perfection. The building is constructed in record time and is praised for its ingenuity and the experts also look at it as an engineering milestone. After six months of its construction, Ms. Z, a doctoral student of mathematics, visits the building for her work on structural engineering calculations. She has immense respect for Mr. X's work. However, she finds that her calculations do not satisfy the requirements of structural integrity for which the building has been widely hailed. She realizes that the building's structure has a deficiency based on the bolted beams used for structural support; this was inadequate if the impact of vertical winds on the building is taken into account. It not only created a threat for the building and its occupants but also the buildings and people nearby. Mr. X is informed of these calculations by the student and her supervisor. However, Mr. X, meticulous as he is, has confidence on his work and detailed design. He looks at the issue seriously and spends time on the design. He indeed finds no flaw in his design and also notes that his design entails the use of welded rather than bolted beams. At the time he is negotiating the construction of another building where the issue of welded versus bolted metal beams is a sticking point. Mr. X prefers welded beams as they are twice as strong as the requirements are. However, the engineering firm responsible for actual construction job and procuring the steel beams points out that double bolted beams are strong enough to meet the requirement, are cost effective and also fulfill the building code requirements. After the meeting Mr. X visits the Fictitious Corp building, and to his horror he realizes that bolted rather than welded beams have been used in the construction of the building. He asks for the design that his office has used after final approval. He notices that indeed the final designs show the use of bolted beams. These beams are classified as trusses which do not meet the regulatory requirements but not the structural capacity as envisaged by Mr. X initially. He further enquires and is told that the engineering firm responsible for construction work had also given similar arguments about the sufficiency, cost effectiveness and regulatory compliance of the bolted beams, which were accepted, and final design was passed by the buildings department. Mr. X goes into isolation and looks at the final building blueprint and compares it with the original. He quickly identifies the repercussions; the city faces a strong cyclone once in 16 years on an average. If such a cyclone was to hit, the building would sway and may collapse on the nearby buildings. He visits the building in the night again and realizes that a relatively small intervention on the 30th floor would resolve the issue. However, this would mean approaching the Fictitious Corp leadership and new construction approvals from the buildings department. It entails an almost certain risk of litigation and his license for practicing structural engineering being revoked. (a) Identify the most pressing issues? Which ones would you address on priority? (b) What would be your advice to Mr. X and Mr. Y? Also, sufficiently clarify the reasons for such an advice.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentIntegrity

Though discrimination on racial grounds is generally associated with Western countries, arguably similar notions of colour and racial discrimination are prevalent in India too. Many Indians are found to be obsessed for "White" skin tone as visible in matrimonial ads and popularity of whitening creams. They are also found to be more hospitable towards the white-skinned Europeans than the dark-skinned Africans. Even within the country, people can be found to be discriminating fellow countrymen on the basis of their skin tone. People from North-East India face frequent racial abuse and are referred to by various derogatory names. All these point towards racism being practised and accepted in India. Moreover, it is not considered a very serious issue as the anti-discrimination laws in India are not stringent enough to deal with hate crimes associated with racism. (a) In this context, discuss the ethical issues associated with the practice and acceptance of racial discrimination in India. (b) If you have been tasked to formulate a plan to combat hate crimes associated with racism in India and bring about an attitudinal change, what would be your suggestions?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021

Dimensions of EthicsAttitude

Discuss the issue with social Media Head and present ethical issues (iii) Report the plan to public through whistleblowing (with proof)

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CorruptionEthical Dilemmas in Government

Prashant is an IAS officer who was recently posted as the new health secretary of Nav Pradesh. Nav Pradesh is a backward state with a large population living below the poverty line. After assuming the charge as the health secretary, Prashant found that the state-run hospitals of Nav Pradesh are in poor condition and are unable to cater to the high incidence of diseases among people. Every year seasonal diseases like dengue, malaria etc., cause havoc in the state. In order to improve health indicators of people, especially in the backward areas, a multi-speciality hospital was being constructed in Nav Pradesh. The contract for the construction of the hospital was awarded to a private construction firm (Swati constructions Pvt. Ltd.) As the state's new health secretary, Prashant wanted to expedite the construction of the hospital. On a surprise inspection of the hospital site, Prashant found several on-ground irregularities. He saw that the construction material was of very poor quality. Further, the pace of construction was also very slow. On enquiring upon the slow pace of work, the site manager informed him that adequate number of people are not hired in order to save cost. Also, he found that many children were working on the construction site. Prashant was surprised by these facts, and he at once started a review of the project. Upon enquiring, Prashant found that project was approved two years earlier by Prashant's predecessor, who was later promoted to the post of chief secretary. Prashant found grave irregularities in the process by which the project was awarded to Swati constructions Pvt. Ltd. It also came to Prashant's notice that the land acquisition for the construction of multi-speciality hospital was done without proper due-diligence. Also, the price quoted by Swati constructions was relatively high than what was quoted by other bidders at the time of the bidding process. On further enquiry, Prashant came to know that the proprietor of Swati constructions was a close relative of the health minister of the state. Moreover, past records of Swati constructions had not been meticulous. Swati constructions was accused by many of its former clients with regard to poor construction quality and delayed completion of projects. Further, Swati constructions was also entangled in a legal suit related to a land fraud, wherein some farmers alleged that Swati constructions had forcibly acquired their agricultural lands. An honest and upright official, Prashant immediately appraised the chief secretary about these facts. However, the chief secretary told him that it is common for the construction companies to breach the stipulated time limit, and it is not a big issue. Also, he assured Prashant that the pending case against Swati constructions was a fabricated one and lacked any merit. He informally told Prashant that his act of approving the bid of Swati constructions was in a way responsible for his promotion. He also told him that his cooperation in this matter will be well appreciated with not only a promotion but also a posting of his choice. The chief secretary also hinted that it will be unwise for Prashant to upset the minister in charge of his ministry, as it might sabotage his professional growth. Moreover, the chief secretary explained to Prashant that if he hindered the process of the construction of the hospital, then it would not only be an economic loss for the exchequer but also be counter-productive for the poor health situation in the state, as the whole process would have to be started again. Prashant was in a state of dilemma with respect to his future course of action. a) What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Prashant? b) Examine the merits and demerits of various courses of actions available to Prashant. c) If you were in Prashant's shoes, which course of action will you choose and why?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentProbity in Governance

Responsive journalism has the power to set the agenda of the nation. In this context:

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Civil Service ValuesDimensions of Ethics