GS4 · Practice questions
Probity in Governance
33 questions match. Years are the CSE year of the toppers who answered.
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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
Transparency in government organisations is an essential pre-condition for good governance. Elucidate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 12 toppers · CSE 2019–2022
Transparency and InformationAccountability and Ethical Governance
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
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
Citizens' involvement in decision-making is critical to ethics in governance. Do you agree that effective civic engagement mechanisms can facilitate an ethics-driven administration? What do you think are the mechanisms that citizens can use for ensuring ethics in governance?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Probity in GovernanceAccountability and Ethical Governance
Is it justifiable to say that corruption is a social phenomenon? What are the various ways through which administrative corruption can be tackled?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
CorruptionProbity in Governance
The moral fiber and ethical conduct of public officials not only influence the standard of governance but also their own interests and performance. Elaborate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Civil Service ValuesProbity in Governance
It is not only public servants, but also the common citizens who play a key role in institutionalising high standards of ethical conduct and good governance. Elaborate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2023
Probity in GovernanceAccountability 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
The Code of Conduct for the civil services in India has merely remained a code; it has not helped promote ethical and moral values in governance. In this context, discuss the need for a National Commission on Integrity and Transparency in Governance.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Codes of Ethics and ConductTransparency and Information
'Just-in-time' release of funds heralds a significant reform for the Indian government's payment architecture. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Utilisation of Public FundsAccountability and Ethical Governance
Transparency is vital to cultivate public trust in government and to prevent, detect and deter corruption effectively. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Transparency and InformationCorruption
Highlight the important teachings of Kautilya that are relevant to public services in 21st century India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2023
Indian ThinkersCivil Service Values
Crises, humanitarian or economic, often create the perfect storm for corruption to thrive. Discuss with examples. What measures can be taken to mitigate corruption during a crisis?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2021–2022
CorruptionCrisis Decision Making
/ What do you understand by ethics management? Can public officials manage ethics in the work place in a manner similar to managing budgets, policies and people? Do you think adopting codes of ethics and conduct is sufficient enough for managing ethics in the workplace or something more is needed? Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Codes of Ethics and ConductWork Culture
Corruption has multifaceted implications. Some consider it an undeniable vice, while others contend it to be an unavoidable necessity for navigating the bureaucratic complexities. In your opinion, does corruption oil or corrode the gears of development? Substantiate your arguments.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
CorruptionProbity in Governance
Anti-corruption measures need focus on both demand as well as supply side of corruption. Discuss in the light of prevalence of 'collusive corruption' in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2019–2022
CorruptionProbity in Governance
What do you understand by Integrity Pacts? In light of recent events, analyse their utility in ensuring transparency and efficiency in public procurement in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021–2022
CorruptionProbity in Governance
Case Study 6: You are an IAS officer recently appointed as the Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development. Your responsibilities include overseeing the implementation of various rural development schemes and ensuring their efficient execution. During an audit of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) funds, you discover substantial irregularities. It appears that a significant portion of the funds allocated for rural employment projects has been siphoned off by senior officials within the ministry through fraudulent invoices and fake beneficiary lists. The funds meant for the rural poor have been diverted to personal accounts. You are faced with an ethical dilemma. Reporting this corruption could lead to severe repercussions for you as the implicated senior officials are politically influential and have strong connections. You have also received subtle threats implying that your career progression could be jeopardised if you proceed with the disclosure. On the other hand, ignoring the corruption would mean perpetuating a cycle of exploitation and depriving the rural poor of their rightful benefits. 1. What are the ethical issues involved in the above case? 2. What are the options available to you? 3. Identify and explain your chosen course of action after evaluating the merits and demerits of each option.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
CorruptionEthical Dilemmas in Government
Ethics is the foundation upon which virtues are built. In this context, discuss how ethics act as an anti-corruption force.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
CorruptionIntegrity
A legally enforceable code of ethics for civil servants, which not only prescribes the ethical values they must display in their public life but also provides sanctions for violations of these values, is the need of the hour. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Codes of Ethics and ConductProbity in Governance
Identify the various traits of a healthy work culture for a bureaucracy in a modern society. Also, suggest ways in which a healthy work culture can be created in India to meet the objectives of good-governance.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019–2022
Work CultureAccountability and Ethical Governance
Civil servants, who are themselves honest, but do nothing to save the institution from corruption, do greater damage to the system. Elucidate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
CorruptionProbity in Governance
Although open and transparent governance has gained ground, do you agree with the view that there is merit in withholding some information from people? Justify your arguments with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Transparency and InformationProbity in Governance