Social Influence and Persuasion

You are posted as a District Magistrate in a Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected district. The district has witnessed many instances of violence by the naxalites in the past. It has been observed that instances of violence increase as the elections approach. You, as a Returning Officer, are responsible for the smooth conduct of elections. Soon after the announcement of elections, the naxalites gave a call for their boycott and have been threatening people to stay away from them. The people of the district are eager to exercise their voting rights but are scared of the impending acts of violence. Further, with threat to their lives and a low expected turnout, the other electoral officers are also reluctant to go to these areas. In this context, answer the following: (a) Identify the civil service values that are crucial for working in such adversities. (b) Suggest a plan of action to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections in such a situation.

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

Crisis Decision MakingCivil Service Values

As the head of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), you are tasked to complete the construction of a power plant. The project needs to be completed expeditiously to fulfil the promise made by the government to ensure access to power for all. The selected site is in a remote area and is ideal for plant construction. However, the project would require relocation of the people living in the vicinity. Initially, the local community objected to disruption in their lives but were convinced later about the economic benefits that would accrue to the region through this plant. The project had started gathering pace, but recently a local NGO working for environment protection got involved with the local community regarding the issue. And now the local community has started protesting against any developmental activity in the region. As the officer-in-charge for the speedy execution of the project, answer the following: (a) What are the issues involved in this case? (b) What course of action will you take and why?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 12 toppers · CSE 2020–2021

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentEnvironmental Ethics

You are a resident of a remote tribal district, where there is high incidence of malnutrition. As a remedial measure, the District Magistrate has initiated a programme to promote millet cultivation, especially on the lands currently lying fallow in the district. However, this well-intentioned move of the officer receives flak from the local tribals as this may not only change their age-old food habits, but also alter their traditional agricultural practices. They further cite lower remunerative prices of millets as another reason for continuing with their existing crop production pattern. As a civil servant aspirant, who has a keen interest in development of tribal areas, answer the following questions: (a) What according to you are the key issues and challenges involved in the above situation? (b) Identify the key stakeholders and their respective interests. (c) Suggest a course of action that the District Magistrate can take keeping in mind the larger tribal interests.

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

Empathy and CompassionEthical Dilemmas in Government

What do you understand by Social Intelligence? Discuss its relation with the Emotional intelligence of an individual.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2020–2021

Emotional IntelligenceSocial Influence and Persuasion

There is a view that corrupt practices have been socially accepted in India. How can this 'acceptance' be shifted to 'rejection' towards corruption?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2020–2021

CorruptionSocial Influence and Persuasion

The Covid-19 pandemic is far from over but governments across the world appear to have either relaxed lockdown parameters or will do so soon. Containing Covid and restoring our economies requires not just good policy decisions and medical advice; it also needs continued compliance with the recommended behavioural changes. Daunting as they may seem, the drastic changes in behaviour being called for, can indeed be brought about. Answer the following in this regard: (a) Why is behavioural change seen to be desirable in a country like India, when it is faced with a pandemic of the kind of Covid-19? (b) What role have different stakeholders in India been playing in helping communities adhere to the desired behaviour? (c) Discuss the challenges in bringing about behavioural change, particularly in such an environment of anxiety and uncertainties.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2020–2021

Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude

Explaining the concept of moral attitude, discuss how social media is shaping moral attitudes of people.

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

AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion

Problems surrounding air pollution present an urgent challenge for many countries, including India. Among other reasons, this challenge has been exacerbated by the indifferent attitude of people towards it. Various studies have pointed out the harmful effects of air pollution. Despite the government bringing various regulations on activities like stubble burning and bursting fire crackers, people violate them. (a) Discuss the reasons behind such behaviour on part of society towards air pollution. (b) Suggest measures that are required to be undertaken to nudge people towards pro-environment behaviour.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2020

AttitudeEnvironmental Ethics

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

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

"Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time." – Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

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

Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics

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

Public policy is being increasingly informed by insights from the behavioural sciences. One such behavioural approach is the Nudge theory. It is mainly concerned with the design of choices, which influences the decisions we make. Nudge theory proposes that the designing of choices should be based on how people actually think and decide, rather than how leaders and authorities traditionally believe people think and decide. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) Giving examples, illustrate the difference between enforced change and 'Nudge' techniques? (b) Identify the ethical concerns associated with the nudge technique. Also, suggest ways for using nudging theory ethically.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2020

Social Influence and PersuasionDimensions of Ethics

Bring out the role of social media in shaping one's moral and political attitude.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion

Discuss the importance of behavioural change and role of different stakeholders in addressing the challenges of a pandemic like COVID-19.

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude

You are the District Development Officer posted in a backward region where open defecation is rampant and there is high child mortality due to diarrhoea. Under the Center's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan you spearheaded the construction of thousands of toilets in your area; still people relieve themselves in the open. The media and the opposition parties are already labelling the programme as a failure and waste of public money. You have been asked to report on the reasons for low usage and bring about a change. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What are the reasons behind people not using the constructed toilets? (b) How can people's attitude towards open defecation be changed? Give a reasoned account of the steps that you will take to bring about this change.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude

Recently, the Motor Vehicles Act was amended to hike the fines for violations of various traffic rules. While the intention of the amendments was to deter people from violating the law and strictly follow traffic rules in the interest of road safety, these measures are being opposed as it is felt that the fines are too excessive and beyond the reach of common man. (a) In light of this, critically analyse the ethical aspects of the recent amendments. (b) Are legislative measures alone sufficient in bringing about behavioural change?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentLaw and Morality

You are posted as a District Education Officer (DEO) in a Maoist affected district. You have been specifically given the responsibility to work on the literacy mission. After reading the education reports and doing field visits, you find that the number of out of school children has increased drastically and the motivation amongst students and teachers is also low. While the basic infrastructure is already in place, the main hurdle in attracting students to these schools include the attitude of inhabitants towards education and the security issues involved in sending children to schools. Given the situation, answer the following questions: (a) Analyse the reasons behind such an attitude. (b) As a DEO, what are the steps you would take in order to increase the school attendance and change the prevalent attitude of inhabitants towards education?

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Crisis Decision MakingSocial Influence and Persuasion

Public policy is being increasingly informed by insights from the behavioural sciences. One such behavioural approach is the Nudge theory. It is mainly concerned with the design of choices, which influences the decisions we make. Nudge theory proposes that the designing of choices should be based on how people actually think and decide, rather than how leaders and authorities traditionally believe people think and decide. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) Giving examples, illustrate the difference between enforced change and 'Nudge' techniques?

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020

Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude