GS4 · Practice questions
Ethics, integrity and aptitude
281 questions match. Years are the CSE year of the toppers who answered.
All 36 themesFewer themes
Value of compassion towards the weak extends the limits of operations of a public servant by introducing flexibility but dilutes the principle of objectivity. Discuss. If a conflict arises between the value of compassion and principle of objectivity, how will you deal with it as a public servant?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2016–2018
Empathy and CompassionImpartiality and Objectivity
Investigative reporting by media can be a significant source of information on corruption. What are ethical issues involved in investigative journalism? What safeguards can be introduced to prevent its misuse?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2016–2018
Transparency and InformationCorruption
You are posted as a District Education Officer (DEO) in a Maoist affected district. You have been specifically given the responsibility to work on the literacy mission. After reading the education reports and doing field visits, you find that the number of out of school children has increased drastically and the motivation among students and teachers is also low. While certain basic infrastructure is already in place, the major hurdle in attracting students to these schools include the attitude of inhabitants towards education and the security risks involved in sending children to schools. Given the situation, answer the following questions: (a) Analyse the reasons behind such an attitude. 20 (b) As a DEO, what are the steps that you would take in order to increase the school attendance and change the prevalent attitude of inhabitants towards education?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2017–2018
Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude
Ensuring accountability in the administration just adds another layer in the bureaucratic process. Examine. Differentiate between accountability and responsibility. Suggest some measures through which administrative accountability can be made more effective in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2016–2018
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceCivil Service Values
Corporate Governance provides a framework that defines the rights, roles and responsibilities of various groups within an organization. (a) Elaborate the need to incorporate the principles of Corporate Governance to enhance the effectiveness of the public sector enterprises. (b) Identify the challenges specific to the public sector when it comes to the application of good practices of corporate governance.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2017–2018
Corporate GovernanceAccountability and Ethical Governance
The effective implementation of the Right to Information Act will create an environment of vigilance which will help in functioning of a more participatory democracy. Elaborate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Transparency and InformationAccountability and Ethical Governance
Access to quality basic services plays a critical role in enhancing individual capabilities to participate fully in the growth of the nation. (a) Discuss the statement in the context of vulnerable sections of India. (b) Analyse the challenges with regard to quality service delivery in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Quality of Service DeliveryCorruption
While the corrupt and dishonest should be punished swiftly, honest public servants need to be protected against malicious and motivated complaints to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of an organisation. Discuss. How can the two objectives be reconciled?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Probity in GovernanceCivil Service Values
"Man by nature is a political animal". Explain with reference to Aristotle's idea of the state in life of the society.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
Self doubt can both help and hinder leadership. Discuss with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Dimensions of EthicsAptitude for Civil Service
It is at the interface of public action and private interest that the need arises for establishing not just a code of ethics but a code of conduct. In this context, highlight the need for drafting a code of ethics as well as a code of conduct.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Codes of Ethics and ConductConflict of Interest
While stampedes and mishaps due to overcrowding have led to loss of lives on multiple occasions, it remains an issue discussed only when there is a tragedy. Recently you were assigned the responsibility of conducting a mela around a revered religious place, which attracts millions of devotees. Every year the numbers have been increasing and this year due to certain celestial alignments the crowd is expected to be unprecedented. In the previous year the officer in charge was criticised and transferred over allegations of hurting religious sensitivities by restricting access to the religious place. You have three months to prepare for the mela. (a) Identify the key areas you would focus on? (b) What are the challenges that you foresee? (c) How do you propose to overcome them?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government
Mr. A is a senior most member of a highly reputed company with considerable customer interface. In recent months, the business of the company has been going down. On detailed analysis, it was found that some of the functionaries of the company have impulsive nature, which has many a times led to altercations with the customers and even among themselves. This has adversely affected the work culture and sullied the image of the company in the market. He seeks your advice, as you are his friend as well as a person who understands management. 20 (a) What are the factors that you would consider in making your advice? (b) What steps will you suggest to deal with the situation that the company faces?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Corporate GovernanceWork Culture
You are the manager of a small hotel which maintains high standards of ethics in dealing with its customers. One day a person comes to your hotel and enquires about booking a room at your hotel. However, due to peak season, all rooms were already booked and hence the staff politely informed him about the unavailability. The person, however, was adamant and took this as a personal insult and started misbehaving with the staff present at the counter. Citing his political connection he also threatened the staff of severe consequences. Next day the person lodged a frivolous complaint with the police under the stringent SC/ST act. In his complaint he accused you and your staff of insulting him deliberately on the basis of his caste. He insisted further that he was denied a room at your hotel due to the caste he belongs to. 1. What are the options available to you? 2. Evaluate each of these options and choose the option which you would adopt, giving reasons.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government
A hilly state witnessed torrential rains leading to loss of life and property. Apart from the local inhabitants there were tourists stranded in large numbers. With the supply chains broken and increased demand, it was observed that local shopkeepers started selling essential goods at very high prices. With a very restricted possibility of being evacuated in the coming few days, the stranded people feel helpless. A crumbled governance infrastructure in remote areas has multiplied the extent of their agony. Given this situation, answer the following questions. 20 (a) Identify the various stakeholders in the case and give a reasoned account of their interests. Given the administrative, market and ethical perspective of viewing the situation, do you think there is a conflict in the priorities of these stakeholders? (b) Suggest ways to harmonize competing interests in order to resolve the issues, provide relief and prevent escalation of conflict.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government
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. (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 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude
You have recently been promoted as a Branch Manager in a Public Sector Bank. The bank is battling high NPAs and mounting losses. You have been assigned a very high target of loans by the higher management for the current quarter. Your career prospects also depend on your performance in critical times. Few days back you rejected a loan application for a huge sum based on detailed analysis. Today you got a call from the Regional Manager to approve the loan quickly. On your reluctance to approve, he hints that the loan is sought by a person well connected in the finance ministry and that a refusal will have consequences for everyone in the approval chain. You are now in a tough spot. Based on the given information, answer the following questions: (a) Bring out the ethical issues in the case above. (b) What are the consequences of agreeing to the demands of the senior in the given case. Assess which of them are meritorious and which are not. (c) Suggest institutional reforms that can result in non-punishment of honest feedback.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCrisis Decision Making
You are posted as a District Magistrate of a primarily rural district. Excess agricultural production has led to a continuous fall in market prices of crops in the last three years. With elections approaching soon, the opposition has decided to make this a political issue and has mobilised farmers to protest against falling prices. The protests turned violent at some point and police had to fire in self-defence, killing two people. Violence has increased since then and you yourself were attacked when you tried to pacify the protestors. The protestors have also blocked the main roads as well as railways to prevent movement of goods and people. Given the situation, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the key concerns that need to be addressed on a priority basis. (b) What steps will you take to address them?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government
There is an entrenched perception in our country that the police is biased against the minority community. Why does such a perception exist? Suggest steps to bridge the police community gap.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2017–2018
Impartiality and ObjectivityCivil Service Values
India's abysmal record in sex ratio and gender violence reflects the general attitude of the society towards women. Discuss. In this context, how could an attitudinal change be brought about?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2017–2018
AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion
Differentiate between persuasion and social influence. How can persuasion be made effective to bring about an attitudinal change? Give two examples where you brought about a positive attitudinal change through persuasion.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2017–2018
Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude
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 4 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Dimensions of EthicsWorld Thinkers
What are the objectives behind the creation of Citizens' Charter? How does a Citizens' Charter ensure transparency and accountability in governance? What are the impediments in its effective implementation?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2017–2018
Citizens ChartersAccountability and Ethical Governance
While on the one hand, some state governments have implemented alcohol consumption prohibition laws, it is permitted in other states. Debates around this issue often involves aspects such as individual rights, cultural attitudes and social welfare. As a teacher you need to explain the key issues involved to a young audience. What are these? How would you conclude the lecture?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2018
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentEthics in Private and Public Life