AIR 7 · CSE 2025 · GS4 · 50 pages

A R Rajah: GS4 answer copy

16 answers by A R Rajah, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)'Unconscious biases in parenting continue to shape gendered experiences in India.' Do you agree with this view? Discuss.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Distinguish between empathy and compassion. Why are they considered as foundational values in public services?10 marks
  3. Q2(a)The current society is witnessing rising levels of intolerance. What are the consequences of this situation for personal well-being and for societal well-being? What can one do at the personal level to become tolerant?10 marks
  4. Q2(b)What are the main components of emotional intelligence and how does it help an individual in taking ethical decisions?10 marks
  5. Q3Given below are the three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context? a) "This life is short, the vanities of the world are transient, but they alone live who live for others, the rest are more dead than alive."-Swami Vivekanand10 marks
  6. Q3(b)"If you cry because the sun has gone out of your life, your tears will prevent you from seeing the stars."-Rabindranath Tagore10 marks
  7. Q3(c)"Two ways of building character - cultivating strength to challenge oppression, and tolerate the resultant hardships that give rise to courage and awareness." -Sardar Patel10 marks
  8. Q4(a)"With great power comes great responsibility." In the present context, 'Big Tech' headquartered in developed countries wield disproportionate influence over digital infrastructure, personal data, and global narratives—often prioritising profit over ethical considerations. What ethical principles should guide such corporations in building a fair, inclusive, and just global digital framework?10 marks
  9. Q4(b)What do you understand by the term 'crisis of conscience'? Describe an incident from your life where you experienced such a crisis. How did you deal with it?10 marks
  10. Q5(a)"A politics of confession that encourages politicians and parties to confess and offer regret for their errors can surely be a cathartic experience." Examine the statement from the ethical point of view.10 marks
  11. Q5(b)What are the key objectives of the Right to Information Act, 2005? Examine the ethical concerns associated with certain provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act in realizing the objectives of the RTI Act.10 marks
  12. Q6(a)Public spaces serve as arenas of democratic participation and civic expression. Yet in India, they remain deeply gendered, with many women largely confined to the private and domestic sphere. Examine the factors that restrict women's access to public spaces. How can ethical governance help address the issue of gendered spatial control and promote inclusivity in public spaces?10 marks
  13. Q6(b)Write short notes on the following in 30 words each: ii) Conflict of interest10 marks
  14. Q7A State Government in the northeastern part of the country has launched a series of anti-encroachment drives across forest areas, wetlands, and revenue lands. Under the directions of the Chief Minister, the administration has intensified efforts to reclaim public land, particularly in areas reserved for ecological protection and critical infrastructure development. Most of the time, these actions have been backed by court orders and have resulted in the recovery of thousands of hectares of land. However, in certain regions, the implementation of such drives is fraught with social and political complexities. In several districts, settlements have existed for decades and are inhabited by marginalized communities with limited access to legal rights or formal rehabilitation measures. These areas are often politically sensitive and influenced by local leaders and pressure groups. Simanta is posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) in one such district. Over the past year, the district administration has attempted to align eviction measures with welfare outreach, including the provision of temporary shelters, relocation assistance, and public consultations. Recently, a major operation was scheduled to clear encroachments from over 140 hectares of forest land within a Reserved Forest, primarily to curb rising instances of human-elephant conflict and to restore ecological balance. Anticipating eviction, some residents approached the High Court seeking a stay. However, the court refused to grant it and directed the administration to proceed with the eviction following due process. Notices were served, and a detailed roadmap was prepared to carry out the operation, which was expected to last 2–3 days due to the scale and remote location. On the first day, Simanta led a team comprising forest officials, municipal workers, and police personnel. Demolitions were conducted peacefully and without major resistance. However, on the second day, when the team returned to the site, a large group of agitated residents—primarily women and children—had gathered. They raised slogans and formed human chains to prevent further evictions. The atmosphere grew tense when some individuals began throwing stones, resulting in serious injury to a municipal worker. The crowd grew increasingly volatile and emotionally charged, demanding an immediate halt to the operation. The police contingent present on the ground was outnumbered by the crowd. Faced with this crisis, some team members pleaded with Simanta to call off the operation, fearing threats to their life and the possibility of a violent escalation. Simanta attempted to contact his superior officer (the Deputy Commissioner), but due to poor mobile connectivity in the forested area, communication could not be established. Meanwhile, several local journalists had arrived and begun reporting on the incident. Simanta is in a dilemma as to what to do. a. Evaluate the options available with Simanta to cope with the situation. b. Which of the above options would be the most appropriate for Simanta and why? c. What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Simanta? d. Examine the qualities of a public servant which will be required to manage such situations.20 marks
  15. Q8Megha is a first-year sociology student at a reputed college in the from Tadchiroli, a tribal village in a western Indian state. Megha's fam was seven years old and had not visited their village since. Though M childhood there, she never deeply understood the customs and tradi gha expresses her wish to visit Tadchiroli. Her father agrees and asks uncle, who still lives in the village with his family. Megha informs Rata a semester break. Upon arrival, she receives a warm welcome from R invites her to attend a local festival. During the event, Megha notices Curious, she asks Ratan's wife Rinki is not at the festival. R period, and as per tradition, menstruating girls must stay separately i the purpose. Locally known as 'kurma ghars', they are generally locate near a river or pond. She further adds that these girls are not allowed t ipate in any social or religious activities. Megha is taken aback. She as practice. Ratna nods and says it has been the custom for generation huts and miss classes during their periods. Ratna admits that many never questioned the practice. The explanation unsettles Megha. She ural biological function leads to such exclusion. Before returning to th educated family members seem to accept and follow these customs. The experience leaves a deep impact on her. She starts reading mo their impact on women's health, dignity, and education. As a sociolo such traditions are linked to patriarchy and social stigma. She begins her level to improve the current situation, without alienating the comi tions. a. Suggest a course of action Megha can take to sensitize her village co respectful or confrontational. b. What ethical principles and methods should guide her actions while c. How is menstruation related to human rights?20 marks
  16. Q12You are appointed as an officer heading the Air Quality Compliance Division of the Environment Pollution Control Board in Delhi-NCR. The region is witnessing alarming levels of air pollution, which typically worsen during the winter months due to various meteorological and anthropogenic factors. The situation has led to severe public health concerns, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and those with respiratory illnesses. The Supreme Court has also raised serious concern over the deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR and has directed the administration to take immediate and effective measures to control pollution, especially during the winter months. Your jurisdiction has a large number of small and medium-scale industries that were granted environmental clearance over the years. These industries form the backbone of the local economy and provide employment to a significant number of migrant workers. However, recent inspections and air quality monitoring reports indicate that a significant number of these units are operating in violation of prescribed air emission norms. As part of targeted measures to curb air pollution, you issued notices to all identified polluting units, directing them to apply for fresh environmental clearance certificates from the competent authority. However, your decision triggered strong opposition from a section of industrial units, labour unions, and local politicians. Industrial owners argued that such action would lead to production shutdowns, financial losses, and shortages of their products in the market. Labour unions and workers also protested, fearing mass unemployment and livelihood insecurity. Local politicians and vested interests accused you of jeopardising the socio-economic stability of the region. You received representations from various quarters urging you to withdraw the notices and not initiate harsh measures, citing the interests of multiple stakeholders. Additionally, you began receiving anonymous threats, aimed at coercing you into reversing your decision. On the other hand, several of your colleagues supported your stance, encouraging you to act in the larger public interest. Several local NGOs and environmental groups rallied behind your actions, demanding the immediate closure of polluting units. a. Under the given conditions, what are the options available to you? b. Critically evaluate each of the options listed by you. c. What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by you?20 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 117 words written

'Unconscious biases in parenting continue to shape gendered experiences in India.' Do you agree with this view? Discuss.

Opening

The mind of a child is a 'tabula rasa' or a 'blank slate' strongly influenced by parenting, shaping the various gender biases.

Body · points and prose

The mind of a child is a 'tabula rasa' or a 'blank slate' strongly influenced by parenting, shaping the various gender biases.

Diagram
Unconscious Biases (1) Involuntary thoughts (2) Translated to actions (3) Heavy influence on child behaviours (4) Unethical parenting

Bias shaping gendered experience

(1) Household chore - segregated based on gender. → Boys are involved in buying → Girls are involved in chores like cleaning.

(2) Even colour coding of gender differences.

Eg :- Pink → girls Blue → Boys (3) There are also variations in punishments given. Eg :- girls are not treated with corporal punishments. (4) The thought process of the child is moulded. Eg :- Abusing wives in front of children. (5) Emotional intelligence is stunted. Eg :- Boys scolded for crying.

Diagram
However other factors to shape gender experiences (1) Societal based gendered discrimination. (2) Influence of media Eg :- 'Animal' Movie (3) Entrenchment of Patriarchy in all sectors.

Thus, parenting style should include inculcating gender-neutral value systems.

Close · a way forward

Eg :- Boys scolded for crying. Thus, parenting style should include inculcating gender-neutral value systems.