GS4 · Practice questions
Ethics in Private and Public Life
42 questions match. Years are the CSE year of the toppers who answered.
All 36 themesFewer themes
Having knowledge of an unethical act and allowing it to continue can spread a contagion that can affect multiple beings in society. Bertrand Russell
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
Gandhian ideals can be of immense help in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. Evaluate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
Given below are quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. Bring out what they mean to you in the present context: (a) Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value. Albert Einstein
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Human ValuesWorld Thinkers
Which corporate leader has inspired you the most and what moral lessons have you learnt from their life?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 15 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Human ValuesCorporate Governance
It is sometimes believed that moral scrupulousness in one's private life automatically guarantees high moral stature in professional life. Do you agree? Justify your stand with logical arguments.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 15 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Ethics in Private and Public LifeIntegrity
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 will you choose.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 15 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Civil Service ValuesEthical Dilemmas in Government
Social transformation programs such as "beti bachao and beti padhao" believes in using advice, counseling, and persuasion but sometimes a little force is also necessary for getting the desired response. Do you think it is a good idea to mix little force with persuasion by public administrators while implementing social schemes of transformation? Explain with relevant examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2021–2025
Social Influence and PersuasionCivil Service Values
"Man cannot do right in one department of life whilst he is occupied in doing wrong in any other department." Gandhi. Do you think an individual's personal ethics impacts professional life or they both can be compartmentalized? Explain your position with relevant examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2021–2025
Ethics in Private and Public LifeIndian Thinkers
"It is our first duty to serve society, and after we have done that, we may attend wholly to the salvation of our souls."
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
Wealthy CEOs and founders of successful businesses around the world are increasingly pledging to give away their wealth in philanthropy. Do you think that such a move is sufficient enough to bring about a positive change in the society? Critically examine.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Corporate GovernanceDimensions of Ethics
As organizations across the globe begin their artificial intelligence (AI) transformation, the leap into the AI era is expected to be more challenging than any technology that businesses have grappled with yet. In this background, discuss the concerns around fairness, transparency, and job security that may arise.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Technology and EthicsCorporate Governance
Emotional intelligence may not be singularly associated with emotions or intelligence. It can also include a broad range of personality characteristics that might predict success in professional and everyday life. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Emotional IntelligenceEthics in Private and Public Life
The logic of limitless wealth lies in the basic human instinct for furthering self-interest in the form of profit. In this context, do you think there is a possibility of pursuing ethical capitalism?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Corporate GovernanceDimensions of Ethics
"If ethics are poor at the top, that behavior is copied down through the organization." - Robert Noyce
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Civil Service ValuesCorporate Governance
If not faith leaders, what are your other options for breaking the behavioral barriers? (d) Do you think it is ethically right for a civil servant to involve faith leaders in promoting government schemes?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Social Influence and PersuasionEthical Dilemmas in Government
"Gandhian ethics emphasize purity of means, truth, and moral courage even when outcomes are uncertain." Critically evaluate whether such absolutist ethics are compatible with the demands of modern public administration, where administrative realism and pragmatism are often necessary.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Indian ThinkersEthical Theories
"The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Civil Service ValuesProbity in Governance
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
Maintaining traditional bonds and familial relationships in an increasingly globalized world requires personal relationships to be governed by ethical principles. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2020–2024
Ethics in Private and Public LifeFamily, Society and Education
You have recently graduated from college and are now preparing for the civil services examination. While reading the newspaper, you come across a news report of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), working for child rights, challenging a provision of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, in the Supreme Court of India. The said provision provides for the option of Children in Conflict with Law (CCL) to be tried as adults under certain circumstances. The NGO's plea is that children are not able to understand the gravity of crimes. It has also contended that the criminal acts committed by children are a reflection of failure of the society to take care of its children. In the context of this situation, as a young aspirant, answer the following questions: (a) What are the possible factors that can drive a child towards committing heinous crimes? (b) Is it ethical to punish children as adults rather than giving them a chance for reformation?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2023
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentEthics in Private and Public Life
You are a young athlete representing India at an international-level competition. To your surprise, during the competition, you witness a few senior athletes injecting something using a syringe in private. When you approach them, they explain that it is a performance enhancing drug, which is very common in such competitions and you should take the same as well. You are aware that if these players get caught in a doping test, it may damage India's reputation. You are confused and afraid of the repercussions and decide to approach the coach to discuss the event you witnessed. However, you get to know that the athletes are taking the drug on the advice of the coach himself. (a) What would you do in this scenario? Discuss the options available to you and chart your course of action. (b) What are the reasons behind the use of performance enhancing drugs in competitive sporting events? How can this practice be minimized?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2023
IntegrityEthical Dilemmas in Government
'The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.'
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023
Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics
It is often said that politics and ethics belong to different worlds. What is your opinion in this regard? Justify your answer with illustration. Also, highlight the consequences of divergence between politics and ethics.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023
Civil Service ValuesEthics in Private and Public Life
Mr. Sharma was the All India Sales Head of a pharmaceutical company with a turnover of 400 crores. The company's main markets were small towns and tier 2 cities. Further, the company did a sizeable amount of business with state government hospitals and health centers. Mr. Sharma had given a lot of freedom to field sales agents to strike deals and negotiate prices with clients. This strategy worked well for the company. Recently Mr. Sharma received word that three company employees were selling products to government hospitals and health centers at a higher price than they were selling to other private hospitals and health centers. The employees were with the company for over five years and were good performers. A few sales staff informally raised the issue of the three getting relatively higher commissions because of their inflated deals. And this was creating a sense of unease among the sales staff. A cursory review of the account of the three showed that, in many instances, the government hospitals were paying more than other private institutions. Under procurement rules, the government is supposed to pay a fair price, one that other cost-conscious customers pay. In inquiry, Mr. Sharma found that the three were not alone; government purchases department officials were helping them scam the Department. Mr. Sharma realized that his sales staff and some corrupt government staff had been defrauding the state exchequer for quite some time. Mr. Sharma immediately reported it to his CEO, and the two discussed how to deal with the sales staff and whether to inform the government about the scam and the involvement of their staff. The issue was informing the government means that there was every possibility that they might be blacklisted, thereby losing a lot of business. Mr. Sharma and CEO were caught in a dilemma regarding how to proceed with the case. (a) What are the ethical and business issues involved in the case? (b) What are the options available to Mr. Sharma and the CEO? (c) Do you think the organizational culture of giving freedom to the sales force led to the issue or was the individual's corrupt nature that led to the problem? Discuss. (d) What ethics mechanisms and steps can the company create and implement to prevent unethical behavior, as mentioned in the case?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Corporate GovernanceCorruption