Ethics, integrity and aptitude

A renowned and critically acclaimed producer-director has come up with a new movie based on retelling of the freedom movement. The trailer of this project depicts prominent freedom fighters and various aspects of their personalities. It is a project that involves substantial sums of money and has taken collaborative efforts of 3 years. However, certain political and social activists have objected to what they perceived as negative portrayal of some freedom fighters. As such, they have opposed the release of this movie and issued threats with serious consequences. This has come in the context of increase in the number of instances involving many groups issuing threats against one or the other movie. In such a context you have been designated as the head of a special committee with the broad responsibility of reviewing the film certification process in general as well as the checking the historical accuracy of the events depicted in this particular movie. 20 (a) Who are the key stakeholders you would involve as part of the consultation process? (b) What are the principles that you would consider while giving your recommendations to the government? Also, provide an outline of a solution that you deem appropriate in the prevailing context.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentImpartiality and Objectivity

How could social intelligence and attitudinal change contribute to the success of 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao'?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude

"Waning ethics in India's corporate sector is not just an economic problem". Discuss.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Corporate GovernanceCorruption

What are the ethical obligations of a civil servant? Discuss with suitable examples.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Civil Service ValuesDedication to Public Service

You are the Deputy Commissioner of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and are given the responsibility to formulate a Citizens' Charter of the department. How should you go about it?

20 marks · 300 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018–2021

Citizens ChartersQuality of Service Delivery

How can emotional intelligence contribute to the work culture of an organization?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Emotional IntelligenceWork Culture

You are the manager of a company X, in which you have worked since last 15 years. It is known for its unique values and the work culture which is very healthy and encouraging. You and your team work synergistically with each other and also enjoy harmony with personal and organizational values, a bond which has evolved over years. Recently, you got to know that your company has been acquired by another company Y and you along with your team would now be employees of company Y. After interacting with the top management of company Y, you realize that the core values followed by company Y are completely different and opposite to that of the value system of company X. For example, the core value of company X is 'customer satisfaction' but that of company Y is 'profit maximization'. (a) What conflicts do you think you will face in this situation? (b) Examine the merits and demerits of the options available to you, and which option would you choose and why.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018–2023

Corporate GovernanceWork Culture

What role does 'ethics' play in international relations? In your view, what is the relationship between ethics, politics and power?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Ethics in International RelationsDimensions of Ethics

It has been argued that traditional approaches to corporate social responsibility (CSR) are inadequate. Discuss. Also, examine the role of Social License to Operate (SLO) in this regard.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Corporate Governance

You are an honest and responsible civil servant. One evening when you reached home, you found that your wife was upset with you. On inquiring, you found the following: a) She asked that whom you actually are making happy with your morals and values- government or society? Because neither of the two is supportive and appreciative of the way you work. b) She questioned how even your juniors are better well-off than you, and the way she feels marginalized in the lavish parties of his seniors, given the ordinary lifestyle they live in. c) She also complained that how your work culture and value-filled lifestyle has disturbed the peace & harmony of the family, especially the children who have to change schools due to frequent transfers. After a small quarrel with her, at night you were thinking about the matter and were in a dilemma about it. You, yourself were convinced by her complaints to an extent. In this situation, explain how will you convince your wife and even yourself for the right? Also, discuss how will you keep your conscience intact with your founding values?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Ethics in Private and Public LifeEthical Dilemmas in Government

Social values are not merely the context in which the public agency operates; they form its essence. Analyse.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Civil Service ValuesFamily, Society and Education

Giving suitable examples, define and differentiate between 'Ethical Universalism' and 'Ethical Relativism'.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Dimensions of EthicsEthical Theories

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 marriage. 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 2 toppers · CSE 2017–2018

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentRules versus Compassion

Whereas some argue that leaks constitute an affront to democracy, others are of the opinion that leaks are a part of democracy. Examine the merits of both the arguments in the context of information attributed to leaks from government offices and whistleblowers.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Transparency and InformationCorruption

Explain the significance of the following in the context of civil service: (iii) Strength of character

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018–2019

Aptitude for Civil ServiceImpartiality and Objectivity

We live in a time when almost everything can be bought and sold. Over the past few years, markets and market values have come to govern our lives as never before. Today the logic of buying and selling no longer applies to material good alone but increasingly governs the whole of life. However, there is a wide spread realization that markets have become detached from morals and we need to somehow reconnect them. The use of markets to allocate social goods has also been a cause of concern. In this context, answer the following: (a) Is greed wholly a vice or a trait of character that has both positive and negative sides? Could you relate it to the utilitarian philosophy that emphasizes pursuit of self interest by individuals as the basis of economic well being? (b) Are there some things that money shouldn't buy? Illustrate with examples.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Dimensions of EthicsEthical Theories

You have recently been appointed as the District Collector of an impoverished district, which has been witnessing drought for the last couple of years. Corruption at lower levels of bureaucracy has further aggravated the situation. The district also faces the problem of diminishing resources of drinking water. Despite, the gravity of the problem, the response from the central and the state government is lackadaisical. Moreover, the media coverage of the problem is also dismal. To make matters worse, the younger members of the community are migrating in search of work to the urban areas without much success, leaving the elders, women, and children behind to fend for themselves. (a) As the District Collector what would be your priorities for solving the problem? (b) How would you tackle the situation? (c) What long term measures would you take to prevent the future recurrence of the problem?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2017–2018

Crisis Decision MakingCorruption

There have been reports of repeat instances of mob lynching in different states of India. It has been pointed out that these presumably faceless mobs gather impromptu on the basis of unverified information on issues that affect the collective conscience of the society such as child trafficking, sexual harassment, cow slaughter etc. Most of the people don't even regret their action of violating the law and even get away with committing such a heinous crime. 20 (a) What are the socio-psychological factors that motivate people to join the mob and kill fellow human beings? (b) Identify the implications of increasing crime of lynching on society. (c) Examine the role of social media in recent instances of mob lynching. As a law enforcement officer, how will you prevent such incidents from happening in your district?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude

You decide to take the metro to avoid traffic as you have an urgent business meeting in your office and you already are running late. In metro you find a man teasing a young woman. Before you could think of anything, the woman out of frustration gets down on next stoppage with eve-teaser still being in the metro. What would you do in such a situation? Justify your action.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Crisis Decision MakingEmpathy and Compassion

The crux of ethical behavior lies not only in standards, but in their adoption in action and issuing sanctions against their violation.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Dimensions of EthicsCivil Service Values

You are a young athlete representing India at an international-level competition. During the competition, you witness a few senior athletes injecting something using a syringe, in private. When you approach them, they explain that it is a performance enhancing drug, which is very common in such competitions and you should take the same as well. You are in fear and decide to approach the coach to discuss the event you witnessed. However, you get to know that the athletes are taking the drug at the advice of the coach himself. 20 (a) What would you do in this scenario? Discuss the options available to you and chart your course of action. (b) Why do you think use of unfair means to enhance performance is common in competitive sporting event? How can this practice be minimized?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentIntegrity

Discuss the significance of Mahatma Gandhi's Talisman for civil servants.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Human ValuesIndian Thinkers

You are a Secretary, in a government department. Your Minister has proposed an unemployment grant, which is expected to cost the public exchequer heavily. Having already taken the decision, he asks you to come up with research to support the scheme. Despite your best efforts, you fail to find socio-economic benefit in it. You approach the Minister with relevant facts and studies and ask him to reconsider his decision. Instead, he asks you to suppress the negative impacts and actively promote the scheme through mass media as the percieved social impacts are more important than economic impacts. Elections are due in a short time and the political party currently in power is expected to win. You are also due for promotion at the same time. You are expected to fully cooperate in the situation and make the scheme a success, however flawed its foundations may be. (a) List the different stakeholders in the above situation and mention their prospective interests. (b) Discuss the ethical dilemma which you face in this situation. (c) Some of the alternatives for you to handle the situation could be: • Do as asked by the Minister.. • Insist on publication of results and let the public decide whether it wants the scheme. • Call a press conference and brief the media about the results and the callous attitude of the Minister. Suggest any other possible option(s). Evaluate all of them and suggest the best course of action, giving reasons for it.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2017–2018

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentPressure and Loyalty

You have been appointed by Election Commission as a booth level officer to oversee the conduct of elections in a remote and under-developed area. For the preparations of elections, you have been instructed to ensure maximum voter turnout. For this, you conduct a series of meetings with the people in villages encouraging them to vote in large numbers. However, they confront you with the fact that despite so many previous elections, the promises made by representatives remain unfulfilled and even the basic necessities of livelihood are not available. As such, they are ignorant of your appeals and are subsequently not forthcoming even to listen to you, let alone giving assurances to vote. Based on this information, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the stakeholders in the situation along with their interests. (b) What are the factors that you will take into account to convince the people and ensure maximum voter turnout?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018

Civil Service ValuesCrisis Decision Making