Ethics, integrity and aptitude

You are DM of of a very poor district in the hinterland of India. It has come to your notice that manual scavenging is widely prevalent in the district even though the new law prohibits manual scavenging in any form. Upon enquiry, you have found that the number of manual scavengers has been reported to be very low, however, hundreds of dry latrines in the district depict a different picture. You have also noticed two more important trends: first, most of the manual scavengers are Dalits, and second, in many of the cases they themselves go to the houses and request the owners to clean their toilets manually, as it would provide monetary benefits. The entire district administration has been criticized by the media and there is political pressure on you to manipulate the data in a way that it shows less number of manual scavengers in the district. Based on the given information answer the following: 1. Identify the ethical issues associated with manual scavenging. 2. List the options available to you in the given case. Evaluate the merits and demerits of each. 3. Discuss some feasible steps that you can take to control this serious problem.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018–2019

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentIntegrity

"Man by nature is a political animal". Explain with reference to Aristotle's idea of the state in the life of the society.

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

World Thinkers

You are the officer-in-charge responsible for monitoring allotment of foodgrains under the Public Distribution System to BPL families in a given district. A group of BPL families in the district claim that they have been denied ration from fair price shops due to non-linking of Aadhar card with their BPL cards. They remark that the government and officers concerned are not empathising with their situation and stage a silent protest. Further, the incident is also being linked to similar instances in other areas of the country where people were denied access to PDS benefits due to similar reasons. The government receives a lot of criticism for this incident on social media networks. You are now in a conundrum, as you are aware that the BPL families need to get foodgrains on time. However, as a government officer, you also need to follow the prescribed rules. Media scrutiny has further aggravated the situation and you realize you need to tread carefully. Based on the information above, answer the following: (a) List the issues in the given situation that the parties involved are facing. (b) What step(s) will you take in the situation to ensure that the demands of the aggrieved persons are met without violating the rules? (c) In this context, briefly discuss how the poor in the country currently face digital exclusion and its consequence(s).

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018–2020

Rules versus CompassionEmpathy and Compassion

A building located in a clustered urban locality caught fire. The Fire subsequently got spread to a restaurant in the vicinity. A birthday party was going on in the restaurant. As a consequence, a number of people including women and children died. The government immediately announced cash relief to the aggrieved families and arrested the builder. Give reasons for such incidents taking place across the country. Suggest measures to prevent their occurrence.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Probity in GovernanceCivil Service Values

An extensive forest fire near the town has taken the following into its flames; 2. House of Collector – With collector inside 4. An Old Age Home You as the chief of fire control authority of the district notice that only one functional fire brigade is available which cannot attend fires of all the places at a time. What would be your decision in such a case and why? Give Justifications.

20 marks · 300 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Crisis Decision MakingEmpathy and Compassion

You are newly selected for an International cricket match against Pakistan. Just before the match captain of the team calls you aside and tells you to use sticking gum to alter the condition of the ball during the match. You know that this is a clear case of ball tampering which is illegal in international cricket. Subsequently, you come to know that several senior players are also involved in this. Also, this match is very important for the team for two reasons i.e. 1. To maintain 1st ODI ranking in ICC & 2. It is with Pakistan wherein sentiments of the country are grossly involved. Given this situation, answer the following questions 1. What are the ethical issues involved with Ball-tampering? 2. What are the options available to you? Discuss the merits and demerits of each. Also, what would be your response to the situation?

20 marks · 300 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentIntegrity

It does not take long for conflict to turn violent when deep seated prejudices and discriminatory attitudes are not addressed. Discuss in the context of communal and caste-based violence in India. What role should the state play in this context?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion

How far do you agree that probity is an essential and vital requirement for an efficient and effective system of governance and for socio-economic development? Justify.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Probity in GovernanceAccountability and Ethical Governance

Lack of cleanliness in urban areas despite schemes such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan point to difficulties faced in bringing about attitudinal and behavioural changes. Discuss. (10) (b) Socially and economically marginalized women are used to make a profit, often at the cost of their own health and reproductive autonomy, in the name of commercial surrogacy. Discuss the ethical issues associated with commercial surrogacy in India. Should commercial surrogacy be completely banned? (10) (b) What are the various sources through which humans can judge the correctness of their actions? In the context of public life discuss how these sources are important in offering a clear and practical guidance. (10) (b) Competition, it is argued, spurs the best of performance, however, can it also instigate cheating and unethical behaviour? Discuss with adequate examples.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude

Hatred is a harmful negative emotion. It is injurious to both personal life and work life. a) Discuss how it leads to negative emotions and undesirable behaviour. b) How can it be managed and controlled?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values

Discuss the role of family in inculcating values in your life. What modifications would you like to make in such values while passing it on to your children?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Family, Society and EducationHuman Values

Can an individual be ethical in his/her professional conduct, while not being ethical in his/her personal life? Discuss giving suitable examples.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Ethics in Private and Public LifeDimensions of Ethics

You have been recently posted as Superintendent of Police of a district which has a famous temple. Shortly thereafter you found that there is considerable tension in your district on the issue of allowing entry of women in the temple. The women were trying to break the allegedly 400-year-old tradition of the temple, which banned women from entering its inner sanctum. Recently a 350-strong group of women was stopped by the the temple administration from entering the temple. This led to a scuffle wherein few women participating in the protest were manhandled. There is a pressure on you from local politicians who want you to prevent any such forced entry as elections are approaching. (a) Do you think there is a dichotomy between progressive values guaranteed to women by the Constitution and regressive traditions which continue in the garb of religion? How can this dichotomy be resolved? (b) How would you manage the law and order situation created by the forced entry? (c) How would you manage and mould patriarchal attitude of the temple administrators and male elders to ensure harmony.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Crisis Decision MakingSocial Influence and Persuasion

Ensuring that civil service values are recognised during the recruitment process and ensured through a code of ethics after appointment is a necessary condition of making the civil services an effective instrument of citizen centric governance.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Civil Service ValuesCodes of Ethics and Conduct

You are a young recruit to the IAS. Upon the completion of your training you have been posted in a subdivision of a district where industrial development has been lagging. The area has large reserves of minerals and a significant tribal population. The government has identified the area for a large thermal power plant and also adequate expansion of mining. This announcement has seen a rise in land prices in the area as well as unrest among the local population about possible land acquisition. As part of routine examination of records you observe large land purchases in recent years that are linked with the family of the local politician, who is also a member of the state cabinet. You also recognise that much of this land is around the site of the proposed industrial area. Further, one of your staff members also informs you that the family has been buying in the name of drivers, cleaners as well as domestic helps. You feel that having been aware of the policy decision the politician has played a role in these purchases. Incidentally your relations with the politician have been cordial and he is a popular figure in the area. (a) As the official responsible for acquisition of land and payment of compensation for the land acquired, what are the ethical issues that you face in the given situation? (b) What will be your response to a suggestion that in view of these benami land transfers a freeze on land sale in the area should be enforced? (c) What is the course of action that you would take? Justify with reasons.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Conflict of InterestCorruption

What factors do you think are responsible for increasing involvement of juveniles in crimes? How can social influence and Persuasion help them to secure a better future?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Social Influence and PersuasionFamily, Society and Education

You are a teacher in the Science department of a reputed college. Your HoD (Head of Department) has been a good mentor to you and has guided your career progress. You get to know from one of your students that the HoD gives private tuitions at his residence, which is disliked by many others in the department. There are also rumours that he might be giving extra marks to the students taking his tuitions. When enguired, his reply is that he is not alone and a few other teachers are giving private tuitions as well. He assures you that it is beneficial for the students as some of them need extra attention. He advises you not to make a fuss about it and indirectly reminds you about the assessment rating, which is due this week. You are aware that a good rating will definitely get you the due promotion. The HoD is due to retire in 4 months. (a) What are the dilemmas that you face in this situation? (b) Highlight the course of action that you would adopt and give reasons for the same.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCorruption

There is a gradual revival in the number of clinical trials being done in India. What are the major ethical issues involved in it? Can compensation justify it? Discuss.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Dimensions of EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government

Courage is the first of human qualities because it the quality that guarantees the others.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics

Three years back, you and your father took a joint-loan from a bank to start a new business. Despite best attempts, the business failed miserably and now neither you nor your father has money to pay it back to the bank. Your father plans to flee the country with the entire family to avoid bank's harassment, legal procedures and societal pressure. What will you do in such a situation? Give reasons. Also suggest measures to stop people from fleeing the country, post getting indicted for serious criminal activities including economic offences?

20 marks · 300 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

IntegrityEthical Dilemmas in Government

'To take a life when a life has been lost is revenge, it is not justice.' Comment. Should India do away with capital punishment and instead focus upon other innovative methods? Analyse.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Law and MoralityEthical Dilemmas in Government

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 relatives attending the marriage, you find out that the bride is not of marriagable age, which makes it a case of child marraige. 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 1 topper · CSE 2018

Crisis Decision MakingRules versus Compassion

What is meant by 'international ethics'? Why is it important to study? Discuss any one international issue from the viewpoint of international ethics.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Ethics in International Relations

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony”.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018

Dimensions of EthicsIntegrity