Ethics, integrity and aptitude

Right to Information Act, 2005, aims to make the governance process transparent and accountable, however, the sunshine legislation is beset with several challenges. Analyse.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021–2024

Transparency and InformationAccountability and Ethical Governance

You are a District Magistrate posted in a backward district of the country. You are responsible for getting an Atal Residential School built on the village land in your district. The contract for the construction of the school has been assigned to a popular local leader's son. This land is presently occupied by tribal communities but they cannot produce any ownership records. They claim that they have resided on the land for generations. They also allege that the administration is pressurising them to vacate their land to build the school and have assured that they will be relocated elsewhere. However, they are hesitant to do so as it will uproot them from their homes and will affect their livelihood. One of the prominent tribal leaders has highlighted this issue and it has caught the attention of the mainstream media. In the light of the situation, answer the following: (a) Identify the stakeholders involved in the case and their respective interests. (b) Discuss the various ethical concerns in the given case. (c) What are the options available to you and which of these options you will choose? Justify.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021–2022

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentEmpathy and Compassion

Analyze the significance of appointing ethics officers in the light of strengthening corporate governance in India.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021

Corporate GovernanceAccountability and Ethical Governance

What do you understand by Integrity Pacts? In light of recent events, analyse their utility in ensuring transparency and efficiency in public procurement in India.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021–2022

CorruptionProbity in Governance

"Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves." - Henry David Thoreau

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021

World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics

You have recently been posted as a District Development Officer in a traditionally rural area that has seen rapid economic development in the past few years. You notice that there is a huge disparity between the number of male and female children in the area. When you go to the hospital and check the birth registry, you realise that registered new-born babies are mostly males. On further investigation, you notice a similar pattern in the village primary school, which has more male students than females. When you raise the issue with your colleagues, they ignore it and carry on with their work. You suspect that the practice of female foeticide may be entrenched in the area as you had read about the issue in the context of this state while studying for the Civil Services Examination. It seems to you that respected members of the community like doctors, politicians and government officials have chosen to ignore the issue, given the prevalence of patriarchy and mind-set of voters in the area. Thus, despite rapid economic development, preference for male child continues to persist. Based on the information above, answer the following: (a) Do you have any ethical duty in this scenario? Justify your views. (b) What would be your next steps and why?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021

Civil Service ValuesEmpathy and Compassion

You are an IPS officer on your first posting in a very poor and isolated rural area of one of the most backward states of the country. In your office complex, of which you are the incharge, there is a frequent sewage related problem, causing inconvenience to the employees in your office complex and severely affecting the efficiency of the workplace. It might also lead to health disorders and diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea etc. To resolve it, the cleaning workers are made to do manual scavenging work without due regards to their safety. Most of these workers are from marginalised castes and are discriminated against socially. You are aware of the laws banning manual scavenging and the loopholes around it. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What are the issues which you need to address in this situation? (b) Present your course of action to deal with the given situation.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021

Empathy and CompassionRules versus Compassion

"It may be expedient but it is not just that some should have less in order that others may prosper." — John Rawls

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021–2022

World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics

What is the ethical basis behind the idea of reparations for historical wrongs committed against certain groups?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021–2022

Dimensions of EthicsEthical Theories

With its highly coveted line of consumer electronics, a multinational company 'A' has a cult following among loyal consumers and makes profits of crores of rupees. Recently, a report by an international non-governmental organisation has highlighted that in some overseas production centres of the company, the working conditions are hazardous for the labour, which include children also. In some centres, the international environmental standards are also flouted. The company's global head has defended their position by saying that they have little control over monitoring and regulating the entire supply chain due to internationalization of the production process. Based on the above information, answer the following: (a) Do you think company 'A' should be held responsible for ethical lapses made by individuals further down its supply chain? (b) Should customers be expected to take into account the ethical track record of companies while making purchases? Give reasons.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021–2022

Corporate GovernanceAccountability and Ethical Governance

Where the roots of private virtue are diseased, the fruit of public probity cannot but be corrupt. What do you understand by probity? Discuss ways of inculcating probity in public life.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021–2024

Probity in GovernanceEthics in Private and Public Life

While successful managers make profit for their organizations, it is leaders who build successful organizations. In light of this statement, differentiate between a manager and a leader. Examine why leadership is considered a foundational value for a civil servant.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021–2024

Aptitude for Civil ServiceCivil Service Values

You are the Municipal Commissioner of a large city, which has witnessed unprecedented increase in biomedical waste. Recently, 15 sanitation workers lost their lives and close to 100 have been seriously infected owing to this increase in waste. Apart from biomedical waste, the city is also facing a major problem in management of household waste. There is a view that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problems of the waste management sector. Despite the fact that the government has notified rules regarding disposal, collection and treatment of waste and has initiated numerous awareness campaigns in the past, still, the problem does not seem to be getting under control. In view of this, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the stakeholders and the significance of their involvement in addressing the issue. (b) In your opinion, what are the reasons behind apathy of people towards issues like waste disposal that affect the larger interests of the society? (c) As the Municipal Commissioner, suggest some practical techniques to bring about an attitudinal change among residents of the city towards this issue.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021–2022

Crisis Decision MakingAttitude

Even though the state actors who make rules and implement them have an important role to play in the fight against corruption, the battle is not likely to succeed without the active efforts of various segments of society. Discuss.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021

CorruptionAccountability and Ethical Governance

Beggars are a common sight at traffic junctions and places of worship across cities in India. They are labelled as nuisance makers who often harass commuters and devotees by relentlessly pestering for money. Recently, an appeal was made in the Supreme Court to end this practice by putting a ban on begging in the national capital. However, human rights groups have advocated that banning begging is not the ideal way to end it, as the underlying socio-economic issues that lead to begging remain unresolved. In this context: (a) Bring out the moral and ethical concerns pertaining to begging in India. (b) Discuss the factors that pushes an individual to opt for begging. (c) If you pass by a beggar, what will you do - give your money to a beggar or ignore the beggar and give your spare money instead to charities that assist the most needy? Give logical reasons in support of your answer.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2021

Empathy and CompassionEthical Dilemmas in Government

What do you think are the factors hindering collective actions? (b) Provide a case for the moral obligation of the international community to come together and find solutions to the problems we face. (c) What should be the principles guiding such international cooperation?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2020–2021

Ethics in International RelationsDimensions of Ethics

The education sector in India is embedded in a restrictive regulatory environment and is considered a public good. Although private participation is allowed in the education sector, but at all levels, these institutions have to function on a not-for-profit basis. The Supreme Court had ruled that educational institutions are permitted a 'reasonable surplus to meet the cost of expansion and augmentation of facilities' but they are prohibited from charging a capitation fee or profiteering. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What are the ethical concerns in allowing the operation of educational institutions on a profit motivation? (b) Is the most important role of education preparing people for gainful employment or should education and knowledge be appreciated for their own sake? (c) Discuss various ways in which value-based education can be instilled.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2021

Family, Society and EducationDimensions of Ethics

You are working as the Head of Ethics and Compliance in a big mobile manufacturing company that is known for its innovation and quality products. Both the customers and the shareholders are pleased with the performance of the company as they get value for their money and high returns on their investments respectively. Tin is a major component in the products manufactured by your company. It was recently brought to your attention that workers - many of them children - are working in unsafe conditions, digging tin out by hand in mines prone to landslides that could bury them alive. About 70% of the tin used in smartphones manufactured by the company comes from these more dangerous, small-scale mines. The company defends its practices by saying it only has such much control over monitoring and regulating its component sources. The justification advanced of its sourcing practices is that it is a complex process, with tens of thousands of miners selling tin, many of them through middlemen or third-party contractors. Based on the above case, answer the following questions: (a) What are the ethical issues in the above case? (b) Can customers of the company be expected to take into account such practices before buying any product of the company? (c) If the management were to seek your opinion on the matter, what course of action will you suggest?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2021

Corporate GovernanceDimensions of Ethics

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

You are posted as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate in a backward district. Recently, a young couple belonging to different castes eloped from the village belonging to your sub-division. They wanted to marry but the caste conflict prevailing in the village was a big hurdle for them. So, they planned to get married secretly and then come back to the village. On account of their elopement, the girl's family, which belongs to the dominant landlord caste, filed a case of kidnapping against the boy and have riled up the villagers against him and his family. After their return to the village, the couple meet you before meeting their family members. On account of their official position, they request you to convince their family members and other members of the village to accept them. The village has witnessed many caste conflicts and honour killings in the past on account of such incidents and the present matter may aggravate caste-related tensions. Under these circumstances, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the stakeholders and associated issues in the given case. (b) What are the options that you have? Highlight your course of action and give suitable justification for the same.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2021

Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government

You are a single mother and work as a school counsellor for the psychological well-being of primary and secondary school children at a reputed school. Recently, you have found through your interactions that several students have been facing emotional trauma and mental health issues. Realising the gravity of the situation you want to discuss this with the school authorities and the board of trustees and come up with an advanced plan that can help parents get better involved. However, during the meeting, concerns are raised regarding your findings and the lack of supporting evidence is also cited by some. Moreover, senior members who are present express a sense of displeasure at what this might mean for the reputation of the school. You are thoroughly appalled with this approach of the school authorities, yet you are mired down in your own financial circumstances. On the basis of the above situation, answer the following: (a) Identify the most relevant stakeholders in the case. (b) What are the dilemmas in the case? (c) Discuss how stigmatisation of mental health issues can be addressed in schools.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2021

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentEmpathy and Compassion

Industry professionals are increasingly being hired by the government for their private sector experience and their influence in industries that the government is attempting to regulate or do business with. Similarly, the industry is also looking to attract people from the public sector with high-paying employment offers to get access within the government departments, seek favourable legislations and regulations as well as government contracts. Such inside knowledge of the system, including any loopholes that might exist give private businesses a competitive advantage. Both industry professionals and government officials stand to gain from such associations. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What are the ethical issues involved in the direct recruitment of industry professionals in important government positions? (b) Do you think a longer mandatory cooling off period for government officials before they join private firms can help in addressing some of the issues?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2021

Conflict of InterestEthical Dilemmas in Government

What are the ethical issues related to population control of a compulsory nature that you would consider before approving or rejecting the recommendation? (b) What would be your course of action in the aforementioned case? Suggest reasons for the same.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2021

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCrisis Decision Making

You are the managing director of an upcoming advertising company which has made a name for itself in the market in a very short time. Varun is a star employee of your company who has consistently given good performance. Some of the most popular advertisements of the company, in recent times, have been an outcome of Varun's creative ideas. Since his joining, Varun has helped in almost doubling the revenues of the company, by bringing new clients and improving the brand equity of the company. You place high value in Varun's professional competence and are in the process of giving him a bigger responsibility in the company. However, you have been hearing rumours from various sections about the attitude of Varun towards his female colleagues. It has come to your notice that Varun is habitual of passing loose and lewd comments on the female employees of the company. Furthermore, Varun regularly sends indecent messages on phone to all the employees, including female workers. One day, Geetanjali, an employee working in Varun's team comes to you visibly disturbed. She complains to you about the repeated misbehaviour of Varun towards her. She informs you that Varun has on many occasions made undesirable physical advances towards her. She also tells that last evening before her shift was about to end, Varun called her in his cabin and tried to touch her inappropriately. She requests you to conduct an enquiry by the internal complaints committee (formed under POSH Act). She also tells you that in case appropriate action is not taken against Varun, she will be forced to resign from her position. You personally know Geetanjali as a dedicated and honest employee of the company. You are aware that she is the sole breadwinner of her family and has to support her teen-age brother and ailing mother. You also understand that unless the situation was really serious, Geetanjali would not have thought of resignation. On the other hand, an enquiry against Varun may affect the financial growth of the company. Also, you know that if Varun is fired for his actions, many big clients may leave the company. a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case study? b) Evaluate the different options available to you. In this situation, which option will you adopt and why? c) What steps will you take to ensure a safer workplace for women in your company?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2021–2024

Corporate GovernanceEthical Dilemmas in Government