Law and Morality

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

Public service requires not merely legal but also morally principled action. Public service requires the public servant to place loyalty to the constitution, laws, and ethical principles. Among the three, which do you think must acquire primacy while carrying out official functions? Why? Discuss.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2021–2025

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

"Moral actions belong to the jurisdiction of the outward and inward court, both civil and domestic governor; I mean both the magistrate and conscience." - Locke

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Dimensions of EthicsSources of Ethical Guidance

"The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom." - John Locke

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2023–2024

Law and MoralityWorld Thinkers

The ongoing debate on euthanasia poses several ethical questions. Discuss.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2022–2025

Dimensions of EthicsEthical Theories

If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so. Discuss.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2022–2025

Law and MoralitySources of Ethical Guidance

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

"Law should be so succinct that it can be carried in the pocket of the coat and it should be so simple that it can be understood by a peasant." Discuss.

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

Law and MoralityProbity in Governance

Uniform Civil Code (UCC) aims to create a common set of laws governing personal matters, such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption, irrespective of individuals' religious affiliations. In the context of the ongoing discourse on UCC in India, examine the challenges that arise when attempting to reconcile legal principles with diverse moral considerations. To what extent should the law be influenced by moral/religious principles?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2020–2024

Law and MoralityDimensions of Ethics

Social interactions where a person is addressed by their correct name and pronouns, consistent with their gender identity, are widely recognized as a basic and yet critical aspect of gender affirmation. A national university invited speakers for a discussion on rights of sexual minorities in India. The panel included speakers representing a wide variety of opinions and perspectives on the issue. The debates, though largely peaceful, witnessed a controversy. A college association representing sexual minorities took offence against a panellist who cautioned against self-identification by sexual minorities and the liberal use of pronouns. The association reached out to the media and the localised controversy soon turned into a national issue across news networks and social media. The association demanded that the panellist apologise for his views and issue a public statement in this context. The panellist, on the other hand, seemed unmoved by the issue. In the meantime, the University has come under huge pressure to resolve the issue. The Vice Chancellor set up a Committee to look into the matter and its peaceful resolution. You have been appointed as the Chairperson of the Committee. In this regard, answer the following questions: (a) Discuss the various moral issues involved in the case. (b) Keeping the right to freedom of speech and expression in mind, highlight the steps you would take to resolve the issue and list arguments in support.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2023

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentLaw and Morality

You are posted as a Superintendent of Police (SP) in a district where people of different religious communities are living together peacefully. The district is also famous for its architectural heritage and is regularly visited by tourists from all around the world. However, there has been an incident in the nearby state where people of two different communities have started fighting over religious issues. This incident has a spillover effect over the whole country. In your own area of jurisdiction, you have come to know from various sources about circulation of some hate speech videos, which have the potential to destabilise the law and order situation. You are also aware that some outsiders with dubious intentions have started pouring in your district. In one locality, a shopkeeper who had earlier filed a complaint regarding threats he received for posting something on the internet, is found murdered in cold blood. This incident has stunned the nation. You are being informed that hundreds of people of the community to which the shopkeeper belonged are planning to stage a massive protest in your district. (a) In the given situation, what are the options available to you to ensure that the law and order situation in the district remains stable. Provide a detailed account of your course of action. (b) Do you think the present legal and institutional mechanisms are sufficient to tackle the menace of hate speech in the society?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2023

Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government

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

Jiya is a first-year student studying political science in a metropolitan city. Jiya belongs to Viddhi, a village located in the state of Satya Pradesh. Even though Jiya is very fond of her ancestral home, she has limited knowledge about the socio-cultural aspects of the region. One day, while talking to her father, Jiya expresses her desire to visit her ancestral place. Her father readily agrees, and advises Jiya to inform her paternal uncle, Suresh, who lives in Viddhi, about her travel plans. On the destined day, Jiya arrives at her village to a grand welcome organised by her uncle. Later in the day, Suresh informs Jiya that in the evening they were all to attend a marriage function in the village. At the function, while having dinner, Jiya noticed that a separate seating arrangement was being made for some people. Unlike others, these people were waiting for their meals sitting on the floor, at a substantial distance from the main dining area. This made Jiya curious. On enquiring, Alakh, a 15-year-old boy, told Jiya that the members of his communities were not allowed to sit on chairs in any public occasion in the village. Alakh also told Jiya that even though he did not like the idea of sitting down in front of his friends, his mother and father, both advised him to follow the norm. Jiya asked him as to why different treatment was meted out to some people despite belonging to the same place. Alakh informed Jiya that even though they all belonged to Viddhi, members of his communities lived in separate habitations; had separate wells; and even worshiped in separate places. He also told her that various prohibitions were put on them like they were not supposed to ride a horse as part of their wedding procession, not allowed to wear turbans, which was a common head gear for others etc. Upon returning from the function, Jiya talked to her uncle about the matter. Suresh told Jiya that it is an accepted practice in the region and it is not wise to question the age-old traditions. Next day, while going to the market with her aunt, Jiya passes by the local government school. She at once recognized Alakh in the school uniform. To her surprise, instead of studying inside with other students, he, along with some other students, was sweeping the school corridor. While Jiya was perplexed, her aunt passed it off as a routine affair and told her that it was not out of ordinary for the likes of Alakh to do such jobs. Though Jiya left for her home in a few days, the incidents in Viddhi left an indelible mark on her psyche. As a political science student, Jiya realised that such practices and traditions were a blatant violation of an individual's rights. However, what she did not understand was the reasons behind overt acceptance of such practices by the society. The things witnessed by Jiya at Viddhi are not isolated incidents, but a part of larger systematic cycle of exclusion, and marginalisation. Such incidents are commonplace in many parts of the country even today. a) Discuss the role of various stakeholders in checking such biases and building an egalitarian order. b) Why do such discriminatory practices continue in the society?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2020–2024

Empathy and CompassionFamily, Society and Education

Propose a course of action that respects judicial authority while upholding the values of compassion, fairness, and responsible governance.

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

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentRules versus Compassion

MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO MINIMIZE THE NEGATIVE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH TECHNOLOGIES :-

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023

Technology and EthicsLaw and Morality

The terrorist attack at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California, on December 2, 2015 resulted into killing of 14 people and injuring 22 others. Both the perpetrators involved in the attack were killed in a shootout by law enforcement later that same day. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducting the investigation recovered an undamaged iPhone in the shootout from one of the shooters. The phone had a six-digit password and was set to eliminate all its data after five failed password attempts. FBI desired access to the data for which it appealed the Apple, a private company, to create a new software that would enable FBI to unlock the phone. They wanted to extract data like contacts, photos and calls from locked iPhones in order to assist in criminal investigations and prosecutions. Apple denied the request of the FBI to build a backdoor into the iPhone. Apple argued that building a backdoor would have far reaching consequence beyond the case and would jeopardize the data security of other Apple users as well. They further explained that while selling their devices, apple has entered into a legal contract promising to preserve the privacy of their users. Allowing government to access the iPhone will lead to breach in trust that exist between the customer and the company. The government suggested utilization of the tool only once for this particular phone. Opposing the suggestion, Apple explained that once created, the technique could be used over and over again, on any number of devices. The company concluded it would be wrong for the government to force them to build a backdoor into their products. The case was widely covered by the print and electronic media. There was a surge in 'for and against' debate on the social media platforms. Tech giants such as Microsoft and Facebook also supported Apple and displayed their opposition to the government's demand for creating a backdoor. The families of victims and survivors of the attack supported the FBI's demand. The National Sheriffs' Association remarked Apple's stance as "putting profit over safety" and "has nothing to do with privacy." Considering the whole situation, do you agree that Apple's action was justified? Why or why not? Make an argument by weighing the competing values in this case.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023

Technology and EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government

The call for a total ban on alcohol consumption has gained traction in various states, leading to legislative efforts aimed at restricting or prohibiting its sale and consumption. This contentious issue elicits a range of arguments both in favor of and against such stringent measures. (15 M) a) Present ethical and moral arguments both in favor of and against the prohibition of alcohol consumption. b) Assess the effectiveness of legislative measures in bringing about changes in people's behavior on a large scale. c) Provide recommendations as an advisor to a state government considering the implications of implementing or rejecting a prohibition on alcohol consumption.

15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentLaw and Morality

You are the managing director of an upcoming advertising company which has made a name for itself in the market in a very short time. Varun is a star employee of your company, who has consistently given good performance. Some of the most popular advertisements of the company, in recent times, have been an outcome of Varun's creative ideas. Since his joining, Varun has helped in almost doubling the revenues of the company, by bringing new clients and improving the brand equity of the company. You place high value in Varun's professional competence and are in the process of giving him a bigger responsibility in the company. However, you have been hearing rumours from various sections about the attitude of Varun towards his female colleagues. It has come to your notice that Varun is habitual of passing loose and lewd comments on the female employees of the company. Furthermore, Varun regularly sends indecent messages on phone to all the employees, including female workers. One day, Geetanjali, an employee working in Varun's team comes to you visibly disturbed. She complains to you about the repeated misbehaviour of Varun towards her. She informs you that Varun has on many occasions made undesirable physical advances towards her. She also tells that last evening before her shift was about to end, Varun called her in his cabin and tried to touch her inappropriately. She requests you to conduct an enquiry by the internal complaints committee (formed under POSH Act). She also tells that in case appropriate action is not taken against Varun, she will be forced to resign from her position. You personally know Geetanjali as a dedicated and honest employee of the company. You are aware that she is the sole breadwinner of her family and has to support her teen-age brother and ailing mother. You also understand that unless the situation was really serious, Geetanjali would not have thought of resignation. On the other hand, an enquiry against Varun may affect the financial growth of the company. Also, you know that if Varun is fired for his actions, many big clients may leave the company. a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case study? b) Evaluate the different options available to you. In this situation, which option will you adopt and why? c) What steps will you take to ensure a safer workplace for women in your company?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023

Corporate GovernanceLaw and Morality

In the backdrop of prevailing practices like greenwashing, have highlighted cases of dichotomy between legal-ethical situation. The same case accounts here, calling for deeper course of action.

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023

Corporate GovernanceEnvironmental Ethics