Ethics, integrity and aptitude

It is said, "power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely", highlighting on essence of responsible use of power.

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023

Probity in GovernanceCorruption

You are the District Magistrate of a district renowned as the hub for coaching centres specializing in engineering and medical entrance exams. Recently, the district has witnessed a tragic rise in student suicides, with five students in the age group of 15-18 years taking their own lives. These students, who came from various parts of the country, sought admission to prestigious institutions like IITs and AIIMS but were subjected to immense academic and social pressure. The coaching centres, which are largely managed by influential political figures from the ruling party, are reported to have prioritized rankings and revenue generation over the well-being of students. The institutes are said to categorize students into high-performing and low-performing batches, creating additional stress. Many of these students, living in paying guest accommodations or hostels, face isolation, emotional strain, and mental health challenges. Moreover, investigations have uncovered the emergence of a black market for performance-enhancing drugs among students who, under extreme pressure, resort to unethical means to improve their academic standing. (a) Highlight the stakeholders involved and discuss the associated ethical issues in the given case. (b) Given the situation, what will be your course of action as the District Magistrate? (c) Discuss the various reasons for the increasing number of suicides among students, suggest long-term measures to address this issue.

10 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentPressure and Loyalty

You are a Sub-Divisional magistrate of a large city, having the reputation of a very honest and upright officer. A huge hospital in your city is working day and night to ensure Emergency services are carried out because of the COVID-19 pandemic. One night, during monsoons, fire engulfed the Covid ward causing instant death of 20 patients including 10 minors. Many more were seriously injured requiring immediate medical attention. The mishap resulted in a big hue and cry, forcing the government to institute an inquiry. Your preliminary enquiry has revealed a series of anomalies. The material used for the cables was of poor quality. Despite the approved building plans permitting only one basement, an additional basement has been constructed which required more power demand causing stress on the system. This was overlooked during the periodic electrical inspections by the building inspector of the municipal corporation. In your enquiry, you noticed that the hospital has more demand of power than sanctioned by the electricity department. Apart from this you also noticed many irregularities in compliance to the fire safety guidelines. There were no proper exit routes indications and many other technical irregularities. The permission to have higher load demand and No Objection Certificate for fire safety was accorded by the previous Sub-Divisional Magistrate who is not only your senior and well known to you professionally, but also a good friend. Prima facie, the case appears to be of a widespread nexus between officials of the district administration and the hospitals. Your colleagues are putting pressure on you to go slow in the enquiry. The previous SDM happens to be a close relative of a powerful minister in the state cabinet. The previous SDM is persuading you to hush up the matter, promising you a fortune to do so. He also hinted that if this matter is not resolved at the earliest in his favour there is somebody in his office who is waiting to file a case against you under the POSH Act. (a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. (b) What are the options available to you in this situation? (c) Explain your selected course of action.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022

CorruptionPressure and Loyalty

What is the distinction between a “code of conduct” and a “code of ethics”? Provide examples to illustrate the importance and relevance of each.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023

Codes of Ethics and Conduct

Discuss the following questions based on role and responsibility of an ethical public administrator. i. He/she must pay attention to both, immoral means to attain moral ends; and moral means to attain moral ends. ii. He/she must prefer policy impartiality over ethical neutrality.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016

Megha is a first-year sociology student at a reputed college in the from Tadchiroli, a tribal village in a western Indian state. Megha's fam was seven years old and had not visited their village since. Though M childhood there, she never deeply understood the customs and tradi gha expresses her wish to visit Tadchiroli. Her father agrees and asks uncle, who still lives in the village with his family. Megha informs Rata a semester break. Upon arrival, she receives a warm welcome from R invites her to attend a local festival. During the event, Megha notices Curious, she asks Ratan's wife Rinki is not at the festival. R period, and as per tradition, menstruating girls must stay separately i the purpose. Locally known as 'kurma ghars', they are generally locate near a river or pond. She further adds that these girls are not allowed t ipate in any social or religious activities. Megha is taken aback. She as practice. Ratna nods and says it has been the custom for generation huts and miss classes during their periods. Ratna admits that many never questioned the practice. The explanation unsettles Megha. She ural biological function leads to such exclusion. Before returning to th educated family members seem to accept and follow these customs. The experience leaves a deep impact on her. She starts reading mo their impact on women's health, dignity, and education. As a sociolo such traditions are linked to patriarchy and social stigma. She begins her level to improve the current situation, without alienating the comi tions. a. Suggest a course of action Megha can take to sensitize her village co respectful or confrontational. b. What ethical principles and methods should guide her actions while c. How is menstruation related to human rights?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025

Ethics in Private and Public LifeSocial Influence and Persuasion

Biometric attendance, punctuality and cleanliness provide only a good start towards the improvement of work culture. A lot more is required to improve the work culture of the Indian bureaucracy and make it more responsive and citizen centric. Comment.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2015

Work CultureCivil Service Values

Compare and contrast Kant's notion of duty with Gandhi's idea of non-violence in the context of administrative responsibility.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025

World ThinkersIndian Thinkers

Transparency is not only a bulwark against corruption in administration but also strengthens moral standards in governance. Discuss.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022

Transparency and InformationProbity in Governance

Family values influence the decisions individuals make both within the family structure and outside of it. Do you agree with the statement? Justify with relevant examples.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025

Family, Society and EducationHuman Values

Lincoln said - any man can overcome adversity, if you want to test man's character give him power

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025

Civil Service ValuesIntegrity

Norms of social morality should not be applied to acts of civil servants while they are carrying out their professional roles and responsibilities to further the common good. Critically analyse.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Ethics in Private and Public LifeCivil Service Values

The RTI law was enacted with the laudable objectives of enhancing transparency in government operations and facilitating access to information for every citizen. However, the abuse of RTI has caused paralysis and fear among government officials. What policy measures would you propose to strengthen the RTI law? [10M]

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024

Transparency and InformationProbity in Governance

"Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise man, gathering it little by little, fills himself with good." Discuss.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025

Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics

Alok works in a multinational company in USA. He was visiting his family in India on a vacation. While reading the newspaper at home in India, Alok noticed a particular news article. As per the news article, a family of seven, travelling in an SUV, had died in a road mishap. The vehicle lost control and rammed into a roadside boulder. The police report said that none of the passengers had their seat belts on. It was also highlighted that the fatal injuries could have been avoided by the use of seat belts. A few days later, Alok and his family members who lived in Delhi, decided to travel to the hills of Himachal Pradesh, by road. While driving across Delhi, all the family members had their seat belts on. Alok mentally felt satisfied about the good sense of road safety in his family members. However, as their vehicle crossed the borders of Delhi, all the family members removed their seat belts almost immediately. Alok found this a little unusual. When he enquired about the same, his father told him that wearing a seat belt was necessary in Delhi and non-compliance attracted penal action. However, Alok exhorted all his family members that in USA people wore seat belts not to escape legal action, but to ensure their own safety as they understood the importance of seatbelts in reducing and mitigating the impacts of accidents. At this, his family members made fun of him and also chided him for having become an "angrez". After some time, their vehicle passed by a deep gorge. There they all witnessed a road accident, where a passenger vehicle had lost control and fell into the gorge. Alok immediately remembered the news report he read a few days back. Concerned about the safety of his family members, he again requested them to put on their seat belts. This time, all the family members got irritated and belittled Alok for being so scared. Alok could see that his family members had a very negative attitude with regard to wearing safety belts. Despite the effective role of seat belts in saving human lives, their usage by people in India remains abysmally low. As per a WHO report, wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of being killed or injured in an accident by 25% and 75% respectively. A study conducted by Maruti Suzuki revealed that approximately 75% of passenger vehicle users in India do not wear seat belts leading to an average 15 deaths every day. a) Why is there a negative attitude in people with regard to wearing seat belts? b) What measures can be taken to bring positive changes with regard to this attitude?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023

AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion

As the interaction and collaboration among the nations is continuously increasing, so is the number of ethical issues between them on the global arena? Justify with examples.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2014

Ethics in International Relations

Share the reports with chairperson (c) If EIA comes out against chairperson, leak the report anonymously

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCorruption

What is the present perception of public administration in the view of the general public? How can we reconcile "public" and "administration"?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019

Civil Service ValuesAccountability and Ethical Governance

Bring out the differences between the ethical issues faced by government and private institutions and the reasons therein.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCorporate Governance

What do you understand by Integrity Pact? Highlight their role in bringing transparency in allotment of public contracts and ensuring proper utilisation of public funds in India.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019

Probity in GovernanceTransparency and Information

"Starvation must not be used as a weapon of war." Yet, parties involved in conflicts often resort to the blockade of essential supplies to conflict zones, deepening the humanitarian crisis. Powerful nations, despite their capacity to intervene, tend to prioritise strategic interests over humanitarian concerns. What ethical considerations should guide powerful nations in preventing such actions and ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017

Ethics in International RelationsEmpathy and Compassion

Anonymity and impartiality are the fundamental characteristics of the Indian Civil Service. Discuss.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023

Impartiality and ObjectivityCivil Service Values

Though conscience generally serves as a crucial guide in ethical decision-making, it is sometimes fraught with limitations. Discuss.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper

Sources of Ethical GuidanceDimensions of Ethics

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