Integrity

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

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 18 toppers · CSE 2017–2019

Civil Service ValuesAccountability and Ethical Governance

Undercover journalism exposes injustices, negligence, corruption and wrongdoing and yet going undercover to expose wrongdoing remains controversial. But, undercover journalists contend that they are fulfilling a fundamental duty of finding truth through their journalism. They argue that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy and the duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. So, there are some supporters of this kind of journalism, which sometimes infringe the privacy of individuals. However, some journalists also urge avoiding surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. In this context, answer the following questions: 20 (a) What are the ethical issues involved in the practice of undercover journalism? (b) Do you support the practice of undercover investigation by journalists? Give reasons in support of your answer.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 14 toppers · CSE 2017–2019

Dimensions of EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government

You are posted as a District Magistrate in a district, where many large factories and commercial establishments are located. One such factory is owned by one of your close friends. You visit each other's home frequently and are often seen in public together. Recently, media reported about poor working conditions in your friend's factory. Upon enquiry with the labor office, you come to know that the factory has witnessed frequent labour unrests in the past as well. However, the labour officer told you that he was hesitating to take any action due to your proximity with the owner of the factory. With reference to the facts of the case, answer the following questions: (a) Identifying the stakeholders and public cause, discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. (b) As the District Magistrate, what appropriate course of action will you take? Give reasons for the same.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 13 toppers · CSE 2019–2022

Conflict of InterestImpartiality and Objectivity

You are posted as the Superintendent of Police (SP) in a district of a state where alcohol prohibition has been imposed recently. The District Excise department has conducted many raids and seized liquor in large quantities, for which it has received state-wide public appreciation. A few months later reports surface in the media that in this district, hundreds of seized bottles of illicit liquor are missing from the government malkhanas or stores. As a result, the government is left red-faced. You are asked by the DM, who is the overall in-charge of the district excise setup, to investigate the matter. Upon investigation, you unearth a nexus of politicians and government officials who smuggled seized liquor and sold it through spurious means both inside and outside the state. In this context, evaluate these options: 1. Report your findings to the DM and seek instructions for further actions, stating clearly the criminal offences committed prima facie. 2. Charge all accused under legal provisions and let the law take its own course. 3. Being aware of the seriousness of the matter, discretely put the detailed investigation report in the public domain and expose the nexus. Also, suggest, without restricting yourself to the given options, the final course of action that you would prefer.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 12 toppers · CSE 2019–2022

CorruptionEthical Dilemmas in Government

You have recently been posted as a District Labour Officer in a state, which derives a substantial revenue from tourism. You come to know that a big hotel in the area has not been paying wages as per the Minimum Wages Act. The hotel owner is a powerful local leader having contacts with many influential officials of the state. You have the power to take sou-moto cognizance of such violations and accordingly you initiate a preliminary enquiry into the matter. However, no worker is willing to come forward to lodge a formal complaint because they fear loss of employment. Meanwhile, your action has attracted notice of the higher authorities, and you are advised to drop the matter altogether. You are deeply concerned about the situation as it involves not only violation of the Minimum Wages Act but also denial of basic human rights of the worker. (a) Identify the issues involved in the given case. (b) Consider the options given below: 1. Follow the informal advise of the higher authorities. 2. Convince the owner of the hotel to take note of these violations and take appropriate remedial measures. 3. Submit a detailed report on the matter highlighting violations of workers’ rights and seek formal directions from the competent authority. 4. Serve a notice to the hotel owner and initiate action as per your powers under the Minimum Wages Act. Evaluate the merits and demerits of each of these options and suggest your preferred course of action, giving reasons.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2019–2022

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCrisis Decision Making

What do you understand by Integrity Pacts? Highlight the role they can play in bringing transparency in allotment of public contracts and ensuring proper utilization of public funds in India.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2019–2022

Probity in GovernanceCorruption

You, a manager in one of the top IT firms in the country, are tasked with hiring new recruits for an upcoming project. You find that the company has given tacit instructions of not hiring female candidates in view of the new maternity law passed by the Government. You find this highly objectionable and lodge a protest with people in the higher management but they are firm as they want to cut down all the unnecessary costs. Based on this information, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the stakeholders and their interests in the situation. (b) What are the dilemmas that a recruiting manager may face in such a scenario? (c) What are the different options available to you? Which one will you pursue and why?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2017–2019

Corporate GovernanceEthical Dilemmas in Government

Mr. Pradeep is a senior civil servant in the central government and is involved in the budgeting department. In the course of performing his duties, he comes to know about diversion of funds earmarked for SC/ST sub-plan for other purposes. While he is not directly responsible for this aspect of the budget, he raised his concerns to the department concerned. He also learns that the minister responsible as well as senior most civil servants are aware of the practice and have given tacit approval for it. Soon thereafter, Pradeep was summoned to talk on the issue and was told that since the matter is not within his jurisdiction, he should 'keep his nose out of it'. After much soul searching, Pradeep decided to obey his supervisors by leaving the matter alone. Based on the information given, answer the following questions: 20 (a) Elaborate on the internal dissonance that Pradeep faces in the given situation. (b) On what basis can the decision of Pradeep be justified? (c) Had you been in Pradeep's place, what would have been the course of action chosen by you? Recognise the merits and demerits, if any.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2017–2019

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentUtilisation of Public Funds

Celebrities are paid huge amounts by companies for endorsing products that at times turn out to be harmful for the consumers. Examine the ethical dimensions involved in such instances.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2016–2019

Corporate GovernanceDimensions of Ethics

While discussing the ethical issues that journalists face on a regular basis, examine the causes of increased sensationalism in news media in recent times.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2016–2019

Corporate GovernanceDimensions of Ethics

"A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury". Explain the statement giving one example each from personal and public life.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2016–2019

Dimensions of EthicsEthics in Private and Public Life

Giving examples, examine the relationship between personal and professional ethics of civil servants.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2018–2020

Ethics in Private and Public LifeCivil Service Values

Should a person resort to leaking of information in case of wrongs done in the organization ? Does it cause a conflict of interest between the personal, organizational and societal spheres? Discuss with examples.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2016–2019

Conflict of InterestCorruption

Mr. X is the head of an NGO working in the field of environment conservation and protection. He is in dire need of funds for the NGO's operations and payments to his staff. He is approached by an official of a large infrastructure company, who is ready to provide the required funding for the NGO. But, in a quid pro quo, he asks Mr. X to raise objections over the bypassing of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) norms in an ongoing PPP project through his NGO. This project is being implemented by a rival infrastructure company. Mr. X knows that there have been instances of high level corruption in the process of granting EIA to mega projects and the information provided by the official seems to be authentic. Hence, he accepts the money and agrees to raise the objection. (a) Considering the circumstances of the case, is Mr. X correct in accepting the money? Give appropriate reasons for your answer. (b) If you were in place of Mr. X, what would have been your course of action? Give reasons for it.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019

Conflict of InterestEthical Dilemmas in Government

Marketing has become a crucial link in the success of a business. With suitable examples, discuss the ethical issues involved in marketing of a product or service. How can these issues be resolved?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2017–2019

Corporate GovernanceDimensions of Ethics

Analyze the significance of adopting a code of ethics for creating a healthy work culture in an organization.

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

Codes of Ethics and ConductWork Culture

Has excessive profit seeking by corporates undermined the trust of public in the private sector? Giving examples, examine the reasons for failure of corporate governance in India.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2017–2019

Corporate GovernanceEthics in Private and Public Life

In pursuit of political power, means are often compromised that leads to competitive reliance on unethical practices resulting in erosion of public trust. Discuss.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2019–2023

Civil Service ValuesEthical Dilemmas in Government

Discuss the role and importance of independent directors for corporate governance.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2017–2019

Corporate GovernanceAccountability and Ethical Governance

What is the significance of morality in day-to-day life? Give an example from your own life where you chose moral action and elaborate the reasons for your choice of that action.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019

Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values

Given below are two quotations of moral thinkers/ philosophers. For each of these, bring out what it means to you in the present context. (a) "Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth and acting accordingly" - Mahatma Gandhi.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019

Indian ThinkersIntegrity

You, the chairperson of a State Public Service Commission (SPSC), come to know that there were instances of rampant cheating in a competitive exam conducted recently by the SPSC. Your daughter, who also appeared in this exam and is confident of clearing it corroborates the same. However, she denies engaging in any such activity herself. Whatever decision the Commission takes is bound to affect the career of a large number of candidates who appeared in the exam, including your own daughter. (a) Identify the different stakeholders and their interests in the case above. (b) Enumerate the options you have to handle the current situation. What will be your choice and why? (c) Suggest measures that you would take to make sure that a similar situation does not arise in future.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019

Conflict of InterestEthical Dilemmas in Government

The mind of the superior man is conversant with righteousness; the mind of the mean man is conversant with gain. Confucius.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2019–2023

World ThinkersHuman Values

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