GS4 · Practice questions
Ethics, integrity and aptitude
205 questions match. Years are the CSE year of the toppers who answered.
All 36 themesFewer themes
What does inequality mean to you? What are the different kinds of inequality? Is inequality morally wrong?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2016–2018
Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values
You are officer-in-charge of a very important railway junction, which is an artery of trade and commerce. A peasant disturbance has been brewing in your district for the past few weeks. Their discussions with the political and district leadership has borne no fruit and it has come to the stage that now they are protesting by organizing a sit-in on the railway tracks near the station. They have thereby succeeded in blocking movement of all trains. This disruption is causing significant harassment for the passengers waiting at the platform as well. (a) What will be your course of immediate action? (b) How can emotional intelligence act as a tool in handling this issue? (c) What steps will you take so that such incidents are not repeated in the future?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2017
Crisis Decision MakingEmotional Intelligence
There can be honesty without integrity, but no integrity without honesty. Do you agree? Justify your stand with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2016–2018
IntegrityCivil Service Values
What do you mean by social justice? Explain with examples, why it is imperative for a society to promote social justice.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2016–2018
Dimensions of EthicsEmpathy and Compassion
"It is not always the same thing to be a good person and a good citizen." Explain the meaning of this statement and analyse its implications for a democratic society.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2016–2018
Ethics in Private and Public LifeLaw and Morality
You, a reporter currently working as an intern, accompanied a small group of reporters to a political event organized by the ruling party's state unit. The party was followed by dinner where you were also asked to join. Here, you noticed that alcohol was being served to some members of the ruling party. Consumption of alcohol had been declared illegal in the state a few months ago and the ban is being enforced strictly across the state. The other reporters in your group ignored the issue and asked you to ignore it as well. However, it was clear to you that the law was not being followed. (a) Identify the issues involved in this scenario. (b) What are your duties in such a scenario? (c) What course of action would you follow and why?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2017
IntegrityCorruption
You are the Managing Director of a multinational company that prides on hiring people from diverse backgrounds. The company also chooses multiple projects under Corporate Social Responsibility that are geared towards social inclusion and empowerment of vulnerable sections of the society. Miss 'X' who works in your office tells you that she has been diagnosed with HIV. It happened due to malpractice by a medical practitioner who re-used a contaminated syringe that led Miss 'X' to contract the disease. The company has strict policies about toleration and you ensure Miss 'X' that she can continue with her job in the company without facing any form of discrimination. A few days after the revelation, Miss 'X' angrily submits her resignation letter. She states that she has faced discrimination at the workplace everyday after the revelation. Her colleagues are hesitant to eat lunch with her, they make sure they do not drink water from the same source and the females in the office comment on her marital status. She is also asked to sit separately during departmental discussions. She intends to sue the company for mental harassment. If she takes the step, the public image of the company will be maligned and its non-discriminatory policies will be questioned. The following are some suggested options for you to deal with the situation as a Managing Director of the company. Evaluate the merits and demerits of each of the options: (a) You accept her resignation and suggest a compensation package so that she refrains from suing the company. (b) You persuade her not to submit her resignation and transfer her to another department. (c) You ask her to continue with her job and take strict action against the colleagues who discriminated against her Also, state (without necessarily restricting to the above options) your course of action, giving proper reasons.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Corporate GovernanceEmpathy and Compassion
"Morality is based neither on the principle of utility, nor on a law of nature, but on human reason. But human reason can be fallible." Comment., What does morality mean to you?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2016–2018
Dimensions of EthicsEthical Theories
Regulation and procedure of human clinical trials vary from nation to nation. Stem cell research, as an emerging biomedical field, requires approval for human trials and encounters multiple challenges. You are the head of a team of scientists who developed a new Tissue Engineering system, which appears to be a promising means of regenerating heart tissue. Trials of the system have already been conducted on animals and yielded good results. Millions of people suffering from critical heart diseases would benefit immensely if this medication is immediately made available to them. However, you need to conduct human clinical trials before it could be commercialised. It is also known that the stringent regulatory environment in the country will mean that human trials and final approval will take many years before it is made commercially available. On the other hand, regulation of clinical trials in many poor countries is weak and quick approval is possible. Many of your competitors also resort to human trials in these countries, often bribing the officials for getting quick approvals. Given this situation, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the ethical issues which arise during clinical trials. (b) Given the above situation, would you prefer to shift human trials to a third country where regulations are lax? Give reasons in support of your choice. (c) Suggest a framework of standard procedure to minimise ethical conflicts and speed-up the approval process of new medicines.
25 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentEthics in International Relations
With appropriate examples, discuss various ethical challenges associated with the utilization of public funds in India. Suggest strategies to effectively deal with these challenges.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2017–2018
Utilisation of Public FundsAccountability and Ethical Governance
What are the various components of an organization's work culture? What are key issues that need to be addressed in any organisation to create a more developmental and performance oriented culture?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2017–2018
Work CultureQuality of Service Delivery
You are the chief executive of ABC Ltd., an automotive component manufacturing company. Until recently, all of your production plants were located in City X. However, the cost of production has risen, causing profits to decline. A number of factors have led to an increase in the production costs. First, the union representing the workers in your plant waged a successful strike resulting in increased salary and benefits. A second factor has been imposition of stringent environmental regulations. Shareholders are concerned about the declining fortunes of the company. Many of the competitors have moved their operations to less-developed cities, where the operating costs are less than in City X. ABC Ltd. is a major employer in the city where it is located, and you know that a plant closure will cause economic dislocation in the city. 20 Given the situation, answer the following questions: (a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case? (b) How can the interests of different stakeholders be reconciled in this case?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2017–2018
Corporate GovernanceEthical Dilemmas in Government
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both." What does this quotation mean to you? Explain with an example.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values
Which administrator had a lasting impact on your decision to join the civil services and why? Should administrators have increased media presence so that the common man can know more about their efforts and achievements? Justify your stand.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2016–2018
Civil Service ValuesDedication to Public Service
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
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
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
Big firms often undertake sub-contracting to complete large infrastructure projects in a timely manner. You recently joined one such firm as a manager responsible for awarding these contracts. Looking at the past records, you find that all contracts for the past few years have been awarded to a particular firm, X. Your superior has asked you to award an upcoming contract to the same firm. Although, not binding, company procedure maintains that sub-contracting work should be offered after competitive bids. This is to ensure that the firm most suitable for the project in terms of operations and finance gets the contract. When you discuss this with your superior, he insists that hiring of the firm X has been done as per legal norms of the company and no official rule has been violated. You decide to contact the owner of the firm X. After doing so, you realize that he is the nephew of your superior, who is also a shareholder in the company. (a) State the ethical issues involved in the case. (b) Does this form of transaction between two private parties constitute a conflict of interest? Justify. (c) Evaluate the possible ways of awarding contracts in such a situation with their merits and demerits. Also state which method would be more suitable in each situation.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Conflict of InterestCorporate Governance
You and your friend are living together in a metropolitan city and preparing for civil service examinations. While you manage to meet your daily targets, you sense that your friend is unable to cope up with the pressure of the exam. Fear of not passing the exam and meeting the expectations of his family is stressing him further. You realise that with time your friend is losing interest in everything and often talks about committing suicide if he is unable to meet his goal. He is also missing out on meals and prefers to stay indoors when asked to venture out. When you sought professional help, the doctor diagnosed your friend with clinical depression. Being aware that your friend needs professional counselling and psychiatric care, you reach out to his parents who reside in a rural area. They rebuff you for suggesting counselling and instead reiterate that nothing is wrong with him. They sternly mention that your bringing up the matter will only make people engage in loose talk. They also ignore you when you politely inform them that it is not wise to ignore one's mental health. Your friend's parents see his state as a sign of failure and decide to call him home where he can continue with his preparation. You are aware of the gravity of the situation if your friend goes back to his house. You also know that there is very little awareness about mental health and that the solution is not to ignore it but to take necessary measures to tackle it. 20 (a) As a concerned friend and an aspiring civil servant who can frame policies for the public in the future and has a moral duty towards them, what are the options available to you in such a situation? (b) Evaluate each of these options and choose the option you would adopt, giving reasons
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Empathy and CompassionCrisis Decision Making
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