GS4 · Practice questions
Ethics, integrity and aptitude
205 questions match. Years are the CSE year of the toppers who answered.
All 36 themesFewer themes
Why did Gunnar Myrdal use the term 'soft state' in the context of South Asia? Do you think such a characterisation is still relevant in the case of India today?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Civil Service ValuesAccountability and Ethical Governance
, "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion". In what ways can a compassionate public official be more useful for realizing public service goals?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Empathy and CompassionCivil Service Values
Mr. Pradeep is a senior civil servant in the central government and is involved in the budgeting department. In the course of performing his duties, he comes to know about diversion of funds earmarked for SC/ST sub-plan for other purposes. While he is not directly responsible for this aspect of the budget, he raised his concerns to the department concerned. He also learns that the minister responsible as well as senior most civil servants are aware of the practice and have given tacit approval for it. Soon thereafter, Pradeep was summoned to talk on the issue and was told that since the matter is not within his jurisdiction, he should 'keep his nose out of it'. After much soul searching, Pradeep decided to obey his supervisors by leaving the matter alone. Based on the information given, answer the following questions: 20 (a) Elaborate on the internal dissonance that Pradeep faces in the given situation. (b) On what basis can the decision of Pradeep be justified? (c) Had you been in Pradeep's place, what would have been the course of action chosen by you? Recognise the merits and demerits, if any.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentUtilisation of Public Funds
Social attitude towards corruption has become more forgiving with time leading to a view of illegal gains and misappropriation of public assets as a "rightful" individual prerogative. Analyse in the context of India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
AttitudeCorruption
Celebrities are paid huge amounts by companies for endorsing products that at times turn out to be harmful for the consumers. Examine the ethical dimensions involved in such instances.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Corporate GovernanceDimensions of Ethics
What do you mean by 'anonymity in the civil services'? Explain why anonymity and neutrality are considered as important traits for civil servants.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Civil Service ValuesImpartiality and Objectivity
While discussing the ethical issues that journalists face on a regular basis, examine the causes of increased sensationalism in news media in recent times.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Corporate GovernanceDimensions of Ethics
Issues around economic inclusion are not just about income gaps, there are many dimensions of moral and ethical choices as well. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Dimensions of EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government
Prescription of dresscode for women not only violates their liberty but also reflects outdated views on gender relations as well as proper conduct. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Dimensions of EthicsEthics in Private and Public Life
Instances of atrocities against dalits despite stringent legal measures point to the fact that the problem is not one of legality only but a matter of entrenched social prejudices and attitude. In this context suggest some effective measures to address the issue holistically.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion
Emotions, earlier considered as an irrational factor in decision-making, are now recognised as a critical factor of judgment. In this regard, answer the following questions: (a) How can Emotional Intelligence help in coping with the intense pressure and occupational stress faced by police officers and armed forces in discharge of their duties? (b) What are the some of the concerns in incorporating and assessment of emotional intelligence skills in public service?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Emotional IntelligenceCivil Service Values
You are a civil servant posted in a state where elections were recently held. The newly elected Chief Minister had promised to ban alcohol in several of his election campaigns as well as his election manifesto, which was widely praised and supported by women of the state. Fulfilling his electoral promise, the Chief Minister has ordered a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol in the state. Following the ban, concerns have been raised about the feasibility of the ban and whether the government should interfere in what is considered by many to be a matter of personal choice. (a) Who are the stakeholders in this case and how are they affected by the ban? (b) Is blanket ban on alcohol a feasible action? (c) Identify the issues that may arise while enforcing the ban and the steps you will take to handle them, as a civil servant.
25 marks · 250 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentLaw and Morality
"A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury". Explain the statement giving one example each from personal and public life.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Dimensions of EthicsEthics in Private and Public Life
You are the chief executive of ABC Ltd., an automotive component manufacturing company. Until recently, all of your production plants were located in City X. However, the cost of production has risen, causing profits to decline. A number of factors have led to an increase in the production costs. First, the union representing the workers in your plant waged a successful strike resulting in increased salary and benefits. A second factor has been imposition of stringent environmental regulations. Shareholders are concerned about the declining fortunes of the company. Many of the competitors have moved their operations to less-developed cities, where the operating costs are less than in City X. ABC Ltd. is a major employer in the city where it is located, and you know that a plant closure will cause economic dislocation in the city. Given the situation, answer the following questions: (a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case? (b) How can the interests of different stakeholders be reconciled in this case?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Corporate GovernanceEthical Dilemmas in Government
The decisive role that money plays in elections creates a vicious cycle of corruption. (a) Elaborate in the context of India. (b) Discuss whether state funding of elections can help in curbing the menace of political corruption in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
CorruptionProbity in Governance
Is Emotional Intelligence influenced by cultural moorings? How would you differentiate the applicability of Emotional Intelligence in Indian society from that of Western society?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Emotional IntelligenceHuman Values
It is vain to talk of the interest of the community, without understanding what is the interest of the individual. Discuss the statement in the present context.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Dimensions of EthicsEthics in Private and Public Life
Examine how role models influence ethical behaviour. What actions can leaders take to integrate ethical conduct in their organisations?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Human ValuesWork Culture
You are the SP of a district where a large number of followers of a particular sect reside. The district also hosts a large Ashram where regular gathering of the followers take place. The leader of the sect has been under the scanner of the judiciary for his involvement in illegal activities. Now the court has ordered his immediate arrest and an order pronouncing the same has been sent to you. You have been asked to comply with the orders within two days. A large number of followers, which include women and children, have already thronged the Ashram in anticipation of arrest of the leader. Intelligence units have informed about the presence of not only large stock of food and water but also ammunition, inside the Ashram. Your request urging the followers to vacate the site has failed. 20 (a) What could be the reason for people's defiance? (b) List the issues involved in the case. (c) What will be your plan of action?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government
Evaluate the success of RTI in bringing governance reforms in the country. Examine whether it has served the purpose it was meant for.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Transparency and InformationAccountability and Ethical Governance
Should a person resort to leaking of information in case of wrongs done in the organization ? Does it cause a conflict of interest between the personal, organizational and societal spheres? Discuss with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Conflict of InterestCorruption
Mr. X is the head of an NGO working in the field of environment conservation and protection. He is in dire need of funds for the NGO's operations and payments to his staff. He is approached by an official of a large infrastructure company, who is ready to provide the required funding for the NGO. But, in a quid pro quo, he asks Mr. X to raise objections over the bypassing of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) norms in an ongoing PPP project through his NGO. This project is being implemented by a rival infrastructure company. Mr. X knows that there have been instances of high level corruption in the process of granting EIA to mega projects and the information provided by the official seems to be authentic. Hence, he accepts the money and agrees to raise the objection. (a) Considering the circumstances of the case, is Mr. X correct in accepting the money? Give appropriate reasons for your answer. (b) If you were in place of Mr. X, what would have been your course of action? Give reasons for it.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Conflict of InterestEthical Dilemmas in Government
According to Aristotle, for persuasion, not only Ethos (credibility of the speaker) and Logos (logical argument) but Pathos (emotional connection to the audience) is equally important. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Social Influence and PersuasionWorld Thinkers
Ethics is the first line of defence against corruption while law enforcement is remedial and reactive. Examine the statement with suitable examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
CorruptionProbity in Governance