Social Influence and Persuasion

What are the issues involved in the above case? (b) With a limited budget at your disposal, you decide to allocate funds to tackle witchcraft-related superstitions. How would you justify your decision to the community and stakeholders? (c) Given that witchcraft-related crimes were not initially reported by the BDOs, how would you address this lack of communication and ensure better reporting and transparency moving forward?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2024–2025

Utilisation of Public FundsEmpathy and Compassion

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

"Tolerance is not just about accepting differences; it is about appreciating and celebrating diversity." Discuss the importance of tolerance for governance. How can civil servants foster a culture of tolerance and inclusivity in a diverse country like India?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2024–2025

Empathy and CompassionCivil Service Values

“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.” Martin Luther King Jr

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

Human ValuesWorld Thinkers

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

You are a senior bureaucrat in the Ministry of Rural Development. A flagship program aimed at empowering women in rural areas through self-help groups (SHGs) and micro-enterprise initiatives is being implemented. While the program has seen success in providing financial assistance and skill development, you observe that women's participation in decision-making bodies within these SHGs and village councils remains limited. Despite legal provisions for women's participation in local governance, traditional patriarchal norms often prevail, relegating women to secondary roles. This results in their voices being unheard and their concerns being overlooked in decision-making processes. Further, Years of social conditioning has led to internalization of gender bias, where women themselves underestimate their abilities and hesitate to participate in decision-making. Many rural women are unaware of their rights and the opportunities available to them. Lack of education and information has further hindered their participation in decision-making bodies. Moreover, Male members within the community and even within the SHGs resist women's participation in decision-making. Some men cite traditional gender roles and norms while some question their abilities. They also try to control access to resources and information, limiting women's ability to participate effectively in decision-making processes. Women who attempt to challenge traditional norms face social ostracism or pressure from their families and communities to conform. a) Identify the ethical issues in the given case study. b) How can you engage with male members of the community and SHGs to address their concerns and encourage them to support women's participation? c) What institutional and policy changes can be made to create a more enabling environment for women's participation in decision-making, ensuring that their voices are heard and valued?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2024

Social Influence and PersuasionEmpathy and Compassion

Write short notes on the following in 30 words each :

2 marks · 30 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2023–2024

Impartiality and ObjectivityDedication to Public Service

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

"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

Singh Garh is a primarily rural district with minimal relatively insignificant industrial activity, except for one consumer goods manufacturing plant, which was the primary source of employment. Development indicators such as health, literacy, etc., were much below the national average. Along with developmental issues, another grave concern was the slow rise in child marriages. Despite the legal sanctions, child marriage continued to rise unabated. Rashmi, a social work postgraduate who escaped an early marriage, started an NGO for rescuing and rehabilitating child marriage victims. In the last five years, she saved a lot of young girls from becoming victims of child marriage. Her modus Operandi was simple. She had developed a network of informants in villages who relayed information to her, and after verifying, Rashmi with help from local law enforcement personnel, prevented the marriage from happening. Rashmi did commendable work, but she made some enemies in the process. The local leaders resented her popularity with women and young girls in particular. To expand her activities, Rashmi contacted the management of the only industrial unit in the district. She successfully persuaded the company to contribute to her activities and the NGO. The company even gave her access to their facilities to conduct workshops for workers to raise awareness about the issue of child marriage. As she started her workshops and campaign on the company premises, the initial response was lukewarm and, at times, complete indifference. But she persevered. After a couple of months, one day, the company union members stopped her from entering the company and even threatened her with violence. Rashmi spoke with the management, who supported her and ensured her safety. The management issued a circular supporting Rashmi and her NGO. To management's surprise, after a week of the circular, the Union called for a flash strike and threatened to continue the work stoppage if the NGO activities continued. The workers believed that Rashmi's campaign was corrupting the women's minds and disrespecting their traditions. The company's management seeing the aggressive reaction sought to assuage the workers by stopping the NGO activities. Rashmi tried to persuade the management by highlighting their social responsibility to the community. But the management was curt in replying that every social problem is not their moral responsibility. Rashmi was disappointed with the management's decision and wondered how best to involve the company in her campaigns. (a) What are the issues involved in the above case? (b) What do you think Rashmi should do? Would it be a good idea for Rashmi to involve local administration? Suggest an implementable course of action. (c) Do you think companies should also accept responsibility for the social problems of the region where they operate? Why/why not? (d) What could be the reasons for such an aggressive reaction from the workers union? How do you think Rashmi should handle the workers union?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Corporate GovernanceEthical Dilemmas in Government

You are posted as a District Development officer in a district with a low literacy rate and poor health indicators. As you took charge, your Health Secretary had given express instructions that your priority is to improve health indicators by enhancing the delivery of healthcare services. After taking over, you traveled around the district to study and identify ways of improving healthcare services. During your field trip, you discovered that the issue was not the accessibility of services; it was something else. You found the problem was the myths, misconceptions, and malpractices that hindered the uptake of health care services. For instance, people believed that vaccines caused impotence, immunization was equivalent to birth control, using antenatal care was counterproductive to the health of the mother and baby, and so on. You realize that these beliefs were the behavioral barriers that stood in the way of health and nutrition services. And these behavioral barriers made it difficult for front-line workers to reach out. You discussed your observations with the Health Secretary, and he advised you to seek inputs from the neighboring district DDO who was doing some good work. When you met with the neighboring DDO, you learned he was experimenting with the faith leader's influence and reach to persuade people. You were unsure about roping in faith leaders to help you overcome the behavioral barriers. As a civil servant, you felt it would be a mistake to involve faith leaders in health service schemes. When you shared your apprehensions with the Secretary, he firmly instructed you to try and innovate. (a) What are the issues involved in the above case? (b) What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Faith leaders as influencers and persuaders? (c) If there are no faith leaders, what other options do you have to break 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 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Social Influence and PersuasionEthical Dilemmas in Government

The transgender community has been a part of India's social set up since the very beginning but never recognized as a reputable part of the society. 'Hijra' is a term traditionally used in India for transgender women who were born male. The role and value of this community in accordance with the sacred Hindu texts condenses to the performance of blessings at marriage and birth ceremonies for good fortune. With the advent of the British Raj in the 19th century, the acts of "cross-dressing" were registered as a criminal offence and if such offences were committed repeatedly, imprisonment followed. Thus, began the criminalization of hijras. Today, although legally supported and socially empowered as compared to earlier times, hijras are still subject to transphobic discrimination-associated violence, poverty, and segregation. In light of the above, answer the following: (a) Identify the challenges faced by transgenders during the different stages of their life. (b) Discuss the reasons for the continuing discrimination against trangenders in India despite several initiatives for their upliftment in recent times.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2024

Empathy and CompassionDimensions of Ethics

Examine the ethical challenges administrators face while employing persuasion and social influence techniques to promote social and health interventions in rural India. Illustrate with suitable examples.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024–2025

Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude

Celebrity endorsements raise pertinent ethical concerns about responsibility that delve into the realm of ethical considerations of social influence that run deeper than mere surface appeal. In this context, suggest measures to tackle the ethical challenges of celebrity brand endorsements.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022–2024

Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude

With the advent of 24x7 news and prevalence of an array of news sources across the board, the media is omnipresent in nature. In this competitive environment, many media professionals who are overcome by deadlines, bottom-line imperatives, and corporate interests are losing sight of the ethical implications of their work. Further, there have been several cases of irresponsible reporting where the reportage has interfered with court proceedings, compromised delicate security situations or led to the spread of fake or unverified news. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the ethical issues prevalent in the profession of media. (b) How does unethical reporting and sensationalization of news impact the society? (c) What can be done to strengthen the role of ethics in media?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022–2024

Civil Service ValuesCodes of Ethics and Conduct

Political attitude has as much to do with society as with politics. Discuss with suitable illustrations.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2024

AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion

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 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCivil Service Values

In the realm of governance, a crucial aspect is the art of persuasion. The qualities that make civil servants proficient persuaders empower them to fulfill their responsibilities in an effective manner. Discuss with illustrations.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022–2024

Social Influence and PersuasionCivil Service Values

Explore how persuasion impacts public opinion and fosters social change.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024

Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude

As a dedicated Block Development Officer (BDO), you are highly respected by your staff and appreciated by your superiors for your constructive work. The state government has selected several villages within your jurisdiction to pilot a women's self-employment scheme utilising Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The project is to be implemented by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), and you have been instructed to provide logistical and other necessary support. The NGO staff commenced their work by meeting and identifying young women who appeared to be suitable candidates for training and skill development. Following identification, these young women were provided with a starter kit, which included a broadband dongle, a 10-inch tablet, and some reading material. The training began in earnest, and the selected young women exhibited great enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. Initially, the project showed promising signs of success. However, one day, village elders approached you with a request to halt the pilot scheme. They expressed concerns that the devices and online learning were corrupting the young women. They believed that the girls were merely watching videos on the tablets instead of learning. The elders suggested that vocational skills training, such as stitching or cooking, would be more beneficial than digital skills. After listening to their concerns, you assured them that you would investigate the matter. Upon inquiring with the NGO staff, they clarified that the videos being viewed were educational, and they were monitoring the trainees' browsing behaviour through backend systems to ensure appropriate usage. The NGO staff also pointed out that some village men felt excluded from the process and were attempting to dissuade the women from participating in the training sessions. As a BDO, you recognize the scheme's importance and potential benefits for the women in the villages. However, you are also aware that if the men's underlying mindset issues are not addressed promptly, the entire skill development effort could be undermined. As a committed public servant, you were determined to take some preventive action as you noticed tensions brewing among the men. (a) What the issues that you notice in the above case? (b) What are actionable options available to you? (c) Considering the feedback from the NGO staff about village men feeling left out and attempting to dissuade women from attending training sessions, what strategies would you implement to ensure their inclusion and support for the program?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentSocial Influence and Persuasion

Why is there a negative attitude in people with regard to wearing seat belts? b) What measures can be taken to bring positive changes with regard to this attitude?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024

AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion

Why is persuasion regarded as an important skill for civil servants? What are the key considerations that should guide persuasion in governance?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025

Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude

Attitude is a crucial factor in building the social capital of an individual. Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024

AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion

As the District Magistrate (DM) in a flood-prone district, you are managing relief operations. A local leader, known for their influence, is actively spreading misinformation, inciting public anger against the administration, and obstructing rescue efforts, alleging that relief is biased. However, the local community is suffering significantly, and critical relief operations are being hindered. Given the situation, how would you respond?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024

Crisis Decision MakingSocial Influence and Persuasion