GS4 · Practice questions
Ethics in Private and Public Life
37 questions match. Years are the CSE year of the toppers who answered.
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Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. (b) What can be done to resolve the problems faced by gig workers like Rahul?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Corporate GovernanceEthical Dilemmas in Government
Littering at popular tourist destinations has become a significant environmental and ethical concern in India. A recent incident highlighted this issue when tourists were observed throwing tissue papers and a cake box on the road after celebrating a birthday. When a local politely requested them to use a nearby dustbin just 5 feet away, the tourists dismissed the appeal, claiming no dustbin was available. The situation escalated when their driver threw a plastic bag into the adjacent valley. Public reactions to the incident were divided. Some individuals commended the intervention as an effort to promote civic responsibility, emphasizing the need to protect fragile ecosystems like hill stations. Many argued that tourists must adhere to basic environmental ethics and that public spaces are a shared responsibility. Critics also highlighted the broader implications of such irresponsible behavior on the environment and local livelihoods. On the other hand, the tourists involved accused those intervening of interfering in their personal affairs, claiming their privacy was being violated. The argument that the tourists were being publicly shamed through the viral video added another layer to the ethical debate. Many questioned whether posting such incidents online, even for a social cause, was appropriate or necessary. The debate continues, with one side emphasizing the collective responsibility to preserve public spaces and the environment, while the other raises concerns about individual privacy and autonomy. (a) What are the ethical concerns associated with tourists littering at public destinations? (b) How can ethical tourism practices be integrated into policies to address issues like littering at tourist destinations? (c) Suggest a course of action that balances environmental responsibility and individual rights. Justify your answer.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Environmental EthicsEthics in Private and Public Life
What do you understand by ethical pluralism? How can a civil servant reconcile personal ethical beliefs with the values of a pluralistic society?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Ethics in Private and Public LifeLaw and Morality
"Freedom for the wolves, has often meant death to the sheep." - Isaiah Berlin
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Dimensions of EthicsEmpathy and Compassion
"In a country grappling with resource constraints, the vast surplus funds held by religious institutions raise pressing ethical questions about social responsibility." Critically examine the ethical, constitutional, and socio-cultural implications of utilizing surplus funds from religious institutions for public welfare purposes such as education and healthcare?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Utilisation of Public FundsEthics in Private and Public Life
Nithin is the head of the Marketing Department at Pehnava Clothings Ltd., a reputed apparel manufacturing company with a strong global presence. Known for its professionalism and consistent performance, the company had earned a credible name in both domestic and international markets. However, the firm was going through difficult times. For three consecutive quarters, it had witnessed a steep decline in sales. This trend had raised serious concerns among the top management regarding the company's competitiveness, profitability, and long-term stability. To address the situation, the leadership decided to restructure the marketing division and bring in dynamic leadership. A senior marketing executive, Mr. A, was hired after a rigorous selection process. He had an impressive career record and was known for turning around sales performance in other firms and building strong brand identities. With high expectations placed upon him, Mr. A was seen as the key figure to steer the company out of crisis. Mr. A soon began delivering results. Within a year, the company's revenue had almost doubled, and its brand visibility had increased significantly. His bold marketing strategies, proactive outreach, and innovative campaigns received appreciation from various quarters within the company. His performance drew the attention of the top management. There were deliberations about assigning him a larger role within the company, with a focus on long-term business strategy. He was also being considered for an internal award for ‘Excellence in Leadership and Innovation’. However, alongside professional success of Mr. A, Nithin began receiving troubling feedback about his conduct in the workplace. Informal reports indicated that he frequently made inappropriate comments about women. In addition, he regularly sent indecent messages via social media apps to all team members, including his female colleagues. Although no formal complaint was lodged initially, Nithin could sense tension within the team, and signs of discomfort were becoming increasingly apparent. Some employees even started avoiding direct interaction with Mr. A. Team morale and interpersonal trust were gradually eroding, but employees remained hesitant to speak openly. The matter escalated one evening when Mrs. X, one of the A's team members approached Nithin. Visibly disturbed and emotionally shaken, she disclosed that Mr. A had repeatedly engaged in inappropriate behavior towards her. She added that Mr. A had been making undesirable advances towards her and had even tried to touch her inappropriately in his cabin. She urged Nithin to take appropriate action in the matter, or else she would have no option but to resign from her position. a. Bring out the ethical issues involved in this case. b. What are the options available to Nithin? c. Critically examine each of the options identified by Nithin. d. Which of the options, do you think, would be more appropriate for Nithin to adopt and why?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Corporate GovernanceEthics in Private and Public Life
"The separation of private and public ethics is not only difficult but may also be counterproductive." Do you agree with this view? Justify your stance with logical arguments and examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Ethics in Private and Public LifeDimensions of Ethics
Cancel culture has emerged as a powerful tool of social accountability in the digital age, often framed as a form of moral justice against wrongdoing. Critically examine the ethical issues involved in cancel culture. How can society address these ethical issues while balancing the need for accountability?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Ethics in Private and Public LifeSocial Influence and Persuasion
Reena is the Ethics and Compliance Officer at a government-owned IT firm with a strong reputation for delivering time-bound tech solutions. One morning, she receives a formal complaint from a female software engineer alleging repeated verbal harassment and intimidating behaviour by the Regional Operations Head, a senior officer widely regarded for saving two failing national e-governance projects. The complaint includes screenshots of inappropriate late-night messages and statements from two interns who were witnesses to an incident. During her initial inquiry, Reena finds that some team members view the senior officer as demanding but they deny seeing direct harassment. Others seem reluctant to speak openly. The HR Head, a long-time colleague of the accused, privately tells Reena, "Don't escalate this. We'll fix it quietly. He's too valuable to lose." The Managing Director also expresses concern: "Let's protect the company's image, we've had a clean record so far." There's also pressure to shift the complainant to another team as a "practical compromise." As the Ethics & Compliance Officer, Reena had to take an immediate call before the situation escalated. 1. Identify the ethical and administrative issues confronting Reena. 2. What are her possible options? Which is the most appropriate and why? 3. Suggest systemic safeguards to address workplace harassment in public institutions.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Ethics in Private and Public LifeEthical Dilemmas in Government
In a Tier-1 city, Aparna, a 28-year-old management consultant, works 14-hour days and most weekends. Her firm praises her "ownership mindset" and "hustler spirit." On the surface, she is successful and driven. In reality, she struggles with insomnia, anxiety, and a growing sense of emptiness. Her emotional burnout is dismissed by peers as "just part of the grind." In a small rented room in Delhi, Arjun, a 26-year-old civil services aspirant, has been preparing relentlessly for the past four years. He studies 10-12 hours daily, battling financial pressure, rising self-doubt, and the emotional weight of repeated failure. His family back home has pinned all their hopes on him. He finds it hard to sleep, avoids social interactions, and suffers in silence—fearing that any acknowledgment of stress would be perceived as weakness, or worse, defeat. Meanwhile, Meena, a 42-year-old government school teacher in a small town, has been silently battling depression for the past two years. After losing her husband during the pandemic, she returned to work to support her children, but overwhelming responsibilities, lack of support, and workplace indifference pushed her further into emotional isolation. Despite being a dedicated educator, her performance has declined, and colleagues whisper that she has "lost interest." These individuals—spread across professions and geographies—are united by an invisible crisis: deteriorating mental health, fuelled by social stigma, institutional neglect, and the glorification of hustle. (a) Identify the ethical issues surrounding mental health. (b) What attitudinal and behavioral strategies can be adopted to effect attitudinal change around mental health, especially in high-stress environments? (c) As a future civil servant, how would you act as a change agent in your sphere of influence to promote mental well-being while balancing administrative efficiency and empathy?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Empathy and CompassionEmotional Intelligence
Given below are three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context? "In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place." - Mahatma Gandhi
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Indian ThinkersLaw and Morality
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
Answer the following in about 150 words each: Explain how a public servant balances the inherent tension between their professional duties and private life. How do human values complement the transparent and accountable values of a public servant? Explain the role of civil society in curbing corruption. Examine the statement: 'Women are not born but made'. Do you think that emotional nature of women helps in better decision making? Justify your answer. 'Ethics and Law are complementary to each other'. Discuss. 'A mother, a father and a teacher can reduce corruption in the nation'. Elucidate the role of family and education in this context.
150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Ethics in Private and Public LifeCivil Service Values