Civil Service Values

Recently, two national level sportspersons who are integral members of their team, made some comments in a talk show which were perceived as being grossly misogynistic and racist. This created a huge controversy and they were temporarily suspended from the team pending an enquiry. In light of these events, answer the following questions: (a) Do you think public figures have an additional responsibility in so far as expressing their views on matters of public importance is concerned? Give reasons. (b) According to you, what are the reasons that some prominent public figures make such misogynistic comments, and even get away without any consequences? (c) As the person in charge to enquire into the conduct, what factors would you consider to examine it and what punishment, if any, would you prescribe in this specific case?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2019–2023

Ethics in Private and Public LifeSocial Influence and Persuasion

There have been widespread agitations both in favour of and against extending reservation in educational institutions and government jobs to a certain section of the society. You have been appointed as the chairman of a high level committee, constituted by the government to examine the matter and make recommendations. So far, the committee has found no compelling reasons to extend reservation to this section. While the report of the committee is pending finalization, you get an impression through the media that the government is inclined to accept the demand for extending the reservation, regardless of the findings of your committee. Some members of the committee are also inclined to support the government stand. (a) Discuss the dilemma, if any, that you face in this situation. (b) What course of action would you take? Give reasons for the same. (c) Also discuss the ethical issues involved with the policy of affirmative action in India.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2019–2023

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentImpartiality and Objectivity

Pratap is a data engineer working in ABC Infocom. Pratap is a sincere employee who is liked equally by his superiors, colleagues, and subordinates. One day, during the lunch hour, a few colleagues were discussing a news item. There was a rally/parade in support of the LGBTQIA+ community which was to be held on the coming Sunday. While the news item was a matter of intrigue and fun for all, Pratap was sensitive about the issue. He explained to his colleagues the importance of understanding the demands of the LGBTQIA+ for equal civil rights as enjoyed by others. Kamal, a colleague of Pratap, believed such tendencies are not in the favour of the traditional values of the society. Another employee, Sushma, said that she has heard some experts on various news channel talking about how the demands being raised by the LGBTQIA+ community are against the laws of nature. Bhanu, the sales team manager, too agreed with the majority opinion; Bhanu said that his parents believe that the inclinations of LGBTQIA+ people are a manifestation of mental illness. Pratap's reasoning in favour of equal rights for all was of no consequence to his colleagues who seemed to have a rigid attitudinal build up against the community as a whole. On the designated day when the rally was to take place, Kamal was watching the coverage of the parade live from his home. To his astonishment, he saw Pratap in the LGBTQIA+ rally. Next day at the office, when Kamal told Pratap that he saw him participating in the parade, Pratap agreed, and told Kamal that he was gay. After this incident Pratap began to see visible changes in the behaviour of not only his colleagues and subordinates but also the management of the office. While earlier all pestered Pratap to be present for various official and personal occasions, now he increasingly felt unwanted. Even his colleagues started taking their lunch separately. Pratap was earlier respected and revered by all for his sincerity and dedication. But now his professional qualities were overlooked and he became an object of amusement for all. He noticed that people started calling him by different names which he realized were a slur on his personality. Matters came to head when Pratap was overlooked for promotion. Earlier, Pratap's superiors on various occasions had told him that his good work has benefitted the organization immensely and he was due for promotion after the next appraisal. Therefore, this supersession came as a rude and disappointing shock to Pratap, and he fell into a mire of self-doubt and loathing. The conditions came to such a pass that, Pratap, who was earlier a happy go lucky, caring, and a self-aware person, started remaining depressed. a) What are the qualities lacked by the colleagues and superiors of Pratap? b) What could be the possible reasons behind the negative attitude of office employees towards LGBTQIA+ community? c) As a friend of Pratap, what advice will you give him?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2020–2023

AttitudeEmpathy and Compassion

What are the administrative challenges that you face in such a situation to restore the credibility of the administration? (b) Given the resources and command of the government, what short-term and long-term measures can be taken to earn back the trust of the people and their willing cooperation?

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

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentProbity in Governance

In contemporary times, disruptions have become an endemic feature of the functioning of Indian Parliament. Though it is not a new phenomenon, disruptions, which were an exception earlier, seem to have become the new normal. The years gone by have seen MPs raise slogans, snatch papers from ministers and indulge in theatrics. Crucial time of the Parliament, which ought to have been spent in debating appropriateness of legislation or other important issues, is getting unnecessarily wasted. In this context, answer the following: (a) Identify the ethical issues involved from the point of view of different stakeholders? (b) What are the reasons behind such a scenario? (c) Is merely having a code of conduct or ethics sufficient to resolve this situation?

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

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCodes of Ethics and Conduct

For civil servants, both professional competence and commitment to ethics are equally important. Analyze.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2020

Aptitude for Civil ServiceCivil Service Values

You are a sportsman who has been recently included in the national team squad for an upcoming international tournament. Many others are fighting for the same position and you would like to cement your place in the team as soon as possible. While you are practicing at a training session for the tournament with your fellow team mates, one amongst them offers you a prohibited substance. He claims that it will help you in improving your performance in the tournament. He also informs you that a lot of other team mates also use performance enhancing drugs or PEDs to improve their performance in tournaments. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What are the options available to you in the above case? Which amongst these will you choose and why? (b) Discuss the ethical issues involved in doping by sportspersons.

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

Ethics in Private and Public LifeIntegrity

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

In a democracy, the purpose of the government should be to make it easy for the people to do good and difficult to do wrong. comment.

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Civil Service ValuesAccountability and Ethical Governance

The life of Dr. Kalam presents a broad range of lessons & virtues to be learnt by public servants in India. Discuss.

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Human ValuesCivil Service Values

You are posted as a DCP in the national capital of the country. In a locality which falls under your jurisdiction, protests have been going on for the last one month against a decision taken by the government. While these protests have been non-violent in nature and are being led by women, the protesters have blocked a major road which connects a number of satellite cities. This has led to traffic jams and congestion causing inconvenience to people who use this road for commuting to work, causing hardships and a loss to the economy. A number of people filed complaints in this regard and also approached the courts. The High Court has directed the police to keep larger public interest in mind and take appropriate action. In light of the information given above, answer the following questions: (a) While highlighting the significance of right to protest in a democratic setup, discuss the limitations on this right, even if the protests are non-violent, as in this case. (b) What are the options available to you? (c) Evaluate each of these options and choose the option you would adopt, giving reasons.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Crisis Decision MakingRules versus Compassion

The founding fathers of the Indian Constitution envisaged a neutral, apolitical civil service. The conduct rules governing the All-India Services explicitly prohibit participation of a member of service in politics. It also limits connection of officers with Press or Radio to matters of public interest. And it also prevents them from criticizing the Government in public. (a) Why is it important for civil servants to be politically neutral? (b) Highlight the challenges faced by politically neutral civil servants in different situations.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Impartiality and ObjectivityCivil Service Values

Discuss, with examples, the significance of principle of public life as recommended by Nolan committee. Why are these principles considered as an essential set of expectations from public servants?

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Civil Service ValuesAccountability and Ethical Governance

You are the District Development Officer posted in a backward region where open defecation is rampant and there is high child mortality due to diarrhoea. Under the Center's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan you spearheaded the construction of thousands of toilets in your area; still people relieve themselves in the open. The media and the opposition parties are already labelling the programme as a failure and waste of public money. You have been asked to report on the reasons for low usage and bring about a change. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What are the reasons behind people not using the constructed toilets? (b) How can people's attitude towards open defecation be changed? Give a reasoned account of the steps that you will take to bring about this change.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude

The right to protest is an integral part of democracy. But protests often take a violent turn and lead to destruction of life and property. In such situations, it is the duty of the police force to deal with the violent protests and restore normalcy. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What challenges does the police force face in such situations? (b) As the SP in the capital city of a state where such protests often take place, how would you deal with such a situation when faced with it?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Crisis Decision MakingCivil Service Values

Q-1(b) There is a view that corrupt practices have been socially accepted in India. How can this ‘acceptance’ be shifted to ‘rejection’ towards corruption?

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

CorruptionFamily, Society and Education

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 amongst students and teachers is also low. While the basic infrastructure is already in place, the main hurdle in attracting students to these schools include the attitude of inhabitants towards education and the security issues involved in sending children to schools. Given the situation, answer the following questions: (a) Analyse the reasons behind such an attitude. (b) As a DEO, what are the steps you would take in order to increase the school attendance and change the prevalent attitude of inhabitants towards education?

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Crisis Decision MakingSocial Influence and Persuasion

You are working as a District Magistrate in an aspirational district where women literacy and sex ratio is one of the lowest in the country. It is brought to your notice that a woman who has been elected as 'Sarpanch' on a seat reserved for women candidates in a panchayat in your district is head 'only on the paper'. All the work related to the panchayat is actually carried out by her husband. Even the flag hoisting ceremony on Independence Day is carried out by her husband. However, her husband happens to be a good administrator as indicated by that panchayat's performance on various developmental parameters as compared to other panchayats in the district. Also, her husband enjoys the support of the local people. Given the situation, answer the following: (a) Identify the stakeholders and issues involved in this case? (b) What options are available to you as the District Magistrate in such a scenario? Also, evaluate each option and indicate what option you choose.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCivil Service Values

Norms of social morality should not be applied to acts of civil servants while they are carrying out their professional roles and responsibilities to further the common Good. Critically Analyze.

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Ethics in Private and Public LifeLaw and Morality

Though it may seem that accountability and efficiency are antithetical to each other, accountability is a sine qua non for good governance.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Accountability and Ethical GovernanceCivil Service Values

An honest bureaucrat can be put to inconvenience but the dishonest one is more likely to suffer in the long run. Comment.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Civil Service ValuesIntegrity

Norms of social morality should not be applied to acts of civil servants while they are carrying out their professional roles and responsibilities to further the common good. Critically analyse.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Ethics in Private and Public LifeCivil Service Values

You are the District Magistrate of district, which has recently witnessed rapid transmission of the Covid-19 pandemic. The district has high population density and a sizeable chunk of migrant workers. There has been a shutdown of business activities and the workers are yearning to go back to their native places. The administration has announced a strict lockdown and divided the district into containment zones. There is a severe shortage of people, material and money in the administration and fear and panic is seen to be gripping them. (a) What are the qualities of a civil servant that are revealed in such testing times? (b) What measures would you suggest for: (i) Dealing with the current issue. (ii) Making the district administration more resilient to respond to such a critical situation in the future.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Crisis Decision MakingCivil Service Values

It is argued by some that nuclear weapons have acted more as a deterrent than leading to war and mass destruction. In this context, discuss whether it is ethically right to possess nuclear weapons to create nuclear deterrence. (b) Differentiate between administration and leadership. Highlighting the traits which characterise an effective leader, discuss the importance of leadership in ensuring effective public service delivery in a bureaucratic setup.

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Civil Service ValuesWork Culture