GS4 · Practice questions
Ethics, integrity and aptitude
235 questions match. Years are the CSE year of the toppers who answered.
All 36 themesFewer themes
A state that does not have the political will and the discipline to enforce probity in governance, can not get rid of the menace of prolonged corruption. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Probity in GovernanceCorruption
While a code of conduct merely establishes minimal standards of conduct, a better strategy to promote ethical work culture is through internalization of values. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Codes of Ethics and ConductWork Culture
Having knowledge of an unethical act and allowing it to continue can spread a contagion that can affect multiple beings in society. Bertrand Russell
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
India cannot march successfully in to the 21st century with the administrative system having a colonial mindset. Discuss in context of the bureaucratic work culture in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Civil Service ValuesWork Culture
Gandhian ideals can be of immense help in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. Evaluate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
Given below are quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. Bring out what they mean to you in the present context: (a) Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value. Albert Einstein
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Human ValuesWorld Thinkers
Man is not only a product of his environment but can also modify the environment. Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer with suitable examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Family, Society and EducationDimensions of Ethics
While civil servants have the legal right to undertake post-retirement jobs, it raises key ethical issues. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Conflict of InterestEthical Dilemmas in Government
Increasing participation of people in governance and easy access to information is what transforms governance to good governance. Elaborate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 15 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Transparency and InformationProbity in Governance
Which corporate leader has inspired you the most and what moral lessons have you learnt from their life?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 15 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Human ValuesCorporate Governance
It is sometimes believed that moral scrupulousness in one's private life automatically guarantees high moral stature in professional life. Do you agree? Justify your stand with logical arguments.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 15 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Ethics in Private and Public LifeIntegrity
Though it may seem that accountability and efficiency are antithetical to each other, accountability is a sine qua non for good governance. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 15 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Accountability and Ethical GovernanceCivil Service Values
You are posted as Superintendent of Police in a district. A case has come up in which more than 30 girls were allegedly raped and sexually exploited at the city shelter home run by an NGO. The scandal came to light when media flagged complaints of sexual abuse of inmates of the city shelter home. A nexus of police, politicians, administration and criminals have been allegedly responsible for the racket going on for the last few years. In light of this, a lot of protests have erupted across the city. While, on one hand, media glare has meant that people are demanding swift action, you have been asked to go slow in investigating the case by top officers in your department. Elections in the state are due in a few months, so it has become a politically sensitive issue. You are also under immense political pressure from the ruling party to not take strict action and make compromises to cover up the case. Given the situation, answer the following: (a) Identify the issues involved in the case. (b) What are the options available to you? Which of these options will you choose? Justify your stand with logical arguments.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 15 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Pressure and LoyaltyCrisis Decision Making
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
The issues confronting humanity are multifaceted - from political conflicts and human rights abuses to pandemics and climate change. They are not contained within national borders, nor do they fit into the silos of separate government agencies or academic specialties. What is required is greater international cooperation, mutual respect, abiding by international laws and participative global decision-making. However, over the last decade, it has been observed that international relations have overshadowed these basic tenets of global governance and now we are at the verge of serious global catastrophic risks. When it comes to the structures of global governance, business as usual, is no longer an option. Not only an improvement in our understanding of risks is required but also taking responsibility to lead collective action for a coordinated global response. (a) What do you think are the factors hindering collective actions? (b) Provide a case for the moral obligation of the international community to come together and find solutions to the problems we face. (c) What should be the principles guiding such international cooperation?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 13 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
Ethics in International RelationsAccountability and Ethical Governance
When people use a common resource without a coordinated plan the result is often a tragedy of the commons in which the resource is depleted. In this context, discuss the various ethical challenges arising out of utilization of Global Commons.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 13 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
Environmental EthicsEthics in International Relations
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
What do you understand by "integrity-based civil disobedience"? Do you think a challenge to personal integrity can be a justifiable cause for responsible disobedience in civil services? Explain.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2021–2025
IntegrityEthical 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
"Man cannot do right in one department of life whilst he is occupied in doing wrong in any other department." Gandhi. Do you think an individual's personal ethics impacts professional life or they both can be compartmentalized? Explain your position with relevant examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2021–2025
Ethics in Private and Public LifeIndian Thinkers
Law succeeds in encouraging ethical behaviour in a society only when it is backed by conscience of its individuals. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
Law and MoralitySources of Ethical Guidance
Promoting National interest and gaining influence and power in the International arena are the two basic mantras of every country's external policy. Since the last decade, country ABC has aggressively pursued power and expanded its business interests overseas. One of the businesses ABC was interested in developing was Defence equipment and Satellite technology. It was seeking markets for its space and defense products. The country encouraged its defense equipment manufacturing companies to find new markets and explore manufacturing collaborations with other countries. GAMA, one of the major defense equipment manufacturers, had recently struck a massive multi-billion dollar deal involving sensitive technology transfer and equipment with a country XYZ ruled by Military Junta. It was good business. As the business details became public, much criticism came GAMA's way because XYZ was an international pariah because of its poor human rights record. Further, the Junta indulged in a silent genocide of a minority ethnic community. There was a lot of uproar because the deal involved transferring sensitive technology that could be misused in the wrong hands. In short, it was good business but with questionable clients. Meanwhile, the government of ABC kept silent about the GAMA business deal, and other governments interpreted the silence as a subtle way of building relations with a nation that was an international pariah. (a) What are the ethical issues involved in the above case?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2021–2025
Corporate GovernanceEthics in International Relations
Genetic editing has several applications with its potential to edit the genomes of both somatic and germ cells. This allows for the ability to not only cure genetic diseases but to edit the characteristics of future offspring. The last few years have seen the development of several efficient, more precise genetic engineering techniques. However, with growing sophistication, various issues of bioethics have also have come to the forefront. (a) Discuss the ethical considerations associated with genome editing. (b) In the light of these ethical issues, provide an ethical framework on how this technology can be used for the betterment of humanity.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
Technology and EthicsDimensions of Ethics