Civil Service Values

Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri's life exemplifies value-driven public service of the highest order. What are the values one can learn from his life to be a good citizen and a good administrator?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2021

Human ValuesCivil Service Values

“People's indifference is the best breeding ground for corruption to grow”. Comment.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2021

CorruptionAccountability and Ethical Governance

Ethos, ethics, equity and efficiency are key criteria on the basis of which the competency of civil servants should be judged. Analyse.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2019–2021

Civil Service ValuesAptitude for Civil Service

Analyse the importance of both influence and persuasion for effective leadership.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2019–2021

Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude

A private company has proposed a large-scale hydel power project to tap the potential of a fast-flowing river in a state predominantly occupied by indigenous tribal groups. The state is backward and badly needs funds for socio-economic development. The state government is deliberating on the issue and is yet to take a final decision on the matter. While the project is expected to generate substantial revenue and employment, it will submerge the surrounding areas eventually displacing the tribals. Another issue of concern is that the tribal community regards this land and the river as sacred and integral to their cultural heritage. Thus, the tribals are not in favour of going ahead with the project and are already protesting against it. Their leader has threatened to initiate a hunger strike if the government goes ahead with the project. This has caught the attention of the mainstream media and social activists. Based on the information given above, answer the following: (a) Identify the stakeholders involved in the case and their respective interests. (b) Keeping in mind the issues involved, how can differing interests be reconciled for ensuring sustainable development in the area?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2019–2021

Environmental EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government

You are a young officer posted as the Superintendent of Police (SP) in a district. You have received information that at a party some people were harassed by your subordinate police officer. On further inquiry, you came to know that two complaints have been filed - one by the police and the other by people who organised the party. According to the police, people had gathered without permission and were not following COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and social distancing norms. But on the other hand, the complaint filed by the party organisers says that police entered the private venue due to loud noise and harassed everyone at the party including women guests. According to them, your subordinate police officer even tore apart the document, which granted permission to organise the party. A video of this incident, showing your subordinate officer tearing off a document, is being widely circulated on social media platforms. Due to this, social activists want you to take strict action against your subordinate police officer. (a) Identify the ethical issues in the case. (b) What are the factors that can influence decision by competent authorities in such instances? Do you think mobilising public opinion through social media is a fair way to influence the decision in such cases? (c) As the SP, what will be your course of action in this situation?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2021

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCrisis Decision Making

"Never do anything against the conscience even if the state demands it." In this context, discuss the role of conscience in taking ethical decisions in administration.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2021

Sources of Ethical GuidanceCivil Service Values

You have been recently appointed as the head of tourism department of a state in India that has many places of great historical importance. In the past few years, the state has witnessed a decrease in tourist inflow. Upon enquiry, you come to know that this decrease is largely attributed to the influence of touts and harassment of tourists, including unwanted advances and grossly overcharging them for various services. You also did a quick search about your state on leading travel advisory websites and found that it has earned a dubious reputation for being particularly unsafe for women tourists. Given the situation, answer the following: (a) Do you think that such a state of affairs can be attributed to insensitivity prevailing in the society? How can the community be made more sensitive towards tourists? (b) Suggest some measures to make a quick turnaround in terms of reputation, employment generation and rebuild the reputation of the state as a safe haven for tourists.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2019–2021

Civil Service ValuesCrisis Decision Making

You are posted as Superintendent of Police (SP) in a district, which has a bustling market in the district headquarters with a high footfall. The area has traditionally been occupied by street vendors and hawkers. They form an intrinsic part of the market system in the area and derive their livelihood from it. Recently, you got reports that the policemen posted in the area harass the hawkers and also extort 'hafta' - a weekly bribe - from them despite complying with the laws. It has been brought to your notice that while those who comply with this arrangement are allowed to carry on with their daily operations, those who do not are being evicted from the market area. In the process of eviction, they are even physically assaulted and their saleable items are often confiscated and destroyed. As a result, some street vendors have been staging protests against the local administration in the market and have blocked the normal market passage. They have also threatened to intensify their protest over a period of time. The local police, however, has been in denial of any such wrong doings and argue that they are merely removing illegal encroachments, which were causing traffic jam in the area. In this situation, answer the following: (a) Mention the stakeholders and ethical issues involved in the case. (b) As the Superintendent of Police, what course of action would you adopt for diffusing the tensions in the area? Also, suggest some policy recommendations, which will help resolve the issues in the long-term.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2019–2021

CorruptionEthical Dilemmas in Government

Discretionary power by itself is not pure evil but gives much room for misuse. Discuss in the context of administration in India.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2021

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCorruption

"To tolerate is purely an act of the mind. That is the essence of virtue. To tolerate is a strength."

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2021–2024

Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics

Emotional Intelligence is an essential ingredient for successful implementation of pandemic induced emergency response. Comment in the light of COVID-19 pandemic.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2021

Emotional IntelligenceCivil Service Values

What are the important learnings from the life and teachings of Sri Adi Shankaracharya that can help public servants in their personal and professional lives.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2021–2022

Indian ThinkersHuman Values

An ethical work culture is a prerequisite for sustainable growth of an organization. Discuss and suggest some measures to build an ethical work culture in an organization.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2021–2022

Work CultureCorporate Governance

Citizen's Charters are tools that help conventional organizations develop socially sensitive and ethically oriented professional conduct. Elaborate.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2021–2022

Citizens ChartersAccountability and Ethical Governance

Records show that there have been numerous cases of custodial deaths in the last 20 years in India. Very few policeman have been convicted so far in such cases. Recently, you come across the case of custodial death of a youth in one of the backward districts of the country. It has been reported that the youth was detained on frivolous grounds of kidnapping a girl from another community. As a young graduate student, preparing for the civil services examination conducted by the UPSC, answer the following: (a) Why is there a frequent violation of the code of conduct and abuse of authority by law enforcement officers at various levels in India? (b) Is the use of violence and show of 'quick justice' by the policemen increasingly becoming acceptable by the society? Justify your stand with relevant arguments. (c) What can be done to comprehensively deal with the issue of torture and custodial deaths in India?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2021–2022

Civil Service ValuesProbity in Governance

A prominent stand-up comedian from your country has recently delivered a performance at an event in another country. Owing to the fame and hype associated with this event, the performance has been broadcast across the globe to millions of viewers. In the performance, the comedian brings up the dichotomy and paradoxes associated with the society and culture of your country. He brings up issues like status of women, violence against women, caste, politics etc. in his monologue. The performance touches upon such sensitive issues that it has polarised the audience. A vast section of people are affected by this and have organized huge demonstrations and have appealed the government to direct the broadcasting platform to remove this content from their platform. They are also pushing the government to take action against the comedian. An FIR too has been filed against him. On the other hand, there is also a significant outpour of support for the comedian. (a) What are the core ethical issues arising from this case? (b) The recent spate of FIRs against show creators, artists etc. highlight the need of regulation of content that is circulated online. Should such a step be taken by the government? Substantiate with reasons.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2021–2022

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentLaw and Morality

The role of emotional intelligence is crucial for public servants in overcoming adversity. Discuss.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2021–2022

Emotional IntelligenceCivil Service Values

The fundamental principle in a democracy is that all public functionaries are trustees of the people and this trusteeship relationship requires that the authority entrusted to the functionaries be exercised in 'public interest'. Discuss.

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

Probity in GovernanceCivil Service Values

For a public servant to fulfill his ethical obligations, it is important that there be no dichotomy between his personal ethics and public ethics. Analyze.

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

Ethics in Private and Public LifeCivil Service Values

Medical ethics is particularly relevant in decisions regarding involuntary treatment and involuntary commitment. In view of this, highlighting the importance of medical ethics, discuss the issues in its implementation.

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

Dimensions of EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government

Ethical behaviour is the best not merely in the context of morality, but it is also the best in the context of one's own career prospects. Discuss in the context of civil services in India.

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

Civil Service ValuesIntegrity

The press is an important agent in ensuring the citizen's right to receive and impart information as a measure of probity in governance. In this context, do you think that the press in India discharges its duty honestly?

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

Probity in GovernanceTransparency and Information

There is no 'invisible hand' channeling self-interest into some social optimum. In this context, the State has an integral role to play in making available essential public goods and services, despite the increasing pace of privatization. Do you agree? Justify with examples from India.

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

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCivil Service Values