AIR 73 · CSE 2025 · GS4 · 59 pages

Aakash Om Trivedi: GS4 answer copy

20 answers by Aakash Om Trivedi, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1What is meant by 'Sports ethics'? Why is it important to study? Discuss any one issue from the viewpoint of Sports ethics.10 marks
  2. Q2Differentiate between the following (10 marks, 150 words) (ii) Constitutional Morality and Social Morality (iii) Justice and Mercy (iv) Personal Ethics and Professional Ethics10 marks
  3. Q3"In contemporary societies witnessing erosion of moral values, legalistic and utilitarian ethical systems often fall short in addressing deeper questions of character and moral motivation." In this context, can virtue ethics offer a sustainable foundation for ethical revival? Critically examine with particular reference to the role of public leadership and responsibility of citizens.10 marks
  4. Q4Cancel culture has emerged as a powerful tool of social accountability in the digital age, often framed as a form of moral justice against wrongdoing. Critically examine the ethical issues involved in cancel culture. How can society address these ethical issues while balancing the need for accountability?10 marks
  5. Q5Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel embodied the ethical paradox of statecraft — combining moral firmness with administrative realism to unify a fragmented nation. Discuss the ethical values demonstrated by Sardar Patel in nation-building and public administration. How can his leadership principles inspire civil servants today in balancing pragmatism with moral responsibility?10 marks
  6. Q6“In the name of global peace and security, powerful nations often impose economic or political sanctions on weaker states. While such measures are claimed to uphold international norms, they frequently reflect geopolitical interests and result in humanitarian suffering.” In light of growing concerns over the failure of global governance institutions to ensure fairness and multilateral consensus, critically examine whether it is ethical for dominant nations to unilaterally impose sanctions? How can global governance be reformed to prevent coercive diplomacy and uphold the principles of justice, equity, and sovereign dignity?10 marks
  7. Q7"Traditional folklore, rituals, and community customs have long played a role in transmitting ethical values to younger generations." In the context of weakening family structures and growing digital influences, critically evaluate the effectiveness of these cultural practices in shaping moral behavior among children and youth. Can they be revitalized to address the ethical void in contemporary society?10 marks
  8. Q8(a)Given below are two quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context? a. "Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served."- M K Gandhi10 marks
  9. Q8(b)b. "If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." Martin Luther King Jr.10 marks
  10. Q9"The Companies Act, 2013, marked a paradigm shift in India's corporate regulatory landscape by institutionalizing ethical imperatives. While these reforms aimed to align business conduct with ethical governance, corporate scandals and symbolic compliance raise questions about their efficacy." Critically examine the extent to which the Companies Act, 2013, has been successful in transforming business ethics from a procedural obligation into a moral commitment. Support your analysis with relevant examples.10 marks
  11. Q10"While integrity ensures moral consistency in public service, flexibility is required in responding to complex ground realities." Discuss how rigid adherence to ethical codes can sometimes hinder public interest, and how contextual judgment can align with ethical governance.10 marks
  12. Q11"In disaster management, technical expertise saves lives, but it is emotional intelligence that deepens trust, enhances credibility and builds community resilience." Discuss the role of emotional intelligence in enhancing the effectiveness of disaster response and rehabilitation.10 marks
  13. Q12"While a Code of Conduct prescribes rules of behaviour, a Code of Ethics articulates the moral vision that guides such behaviour. Both are essential, yet insufficient on their own to ensure ethical public service." Critically analyze this statement in the context of civil services. How can the synergy between ethical intent and regulatory compliance be fostered within public institutions?10 marks
  14. Q13You are Rajesh, an honest IAS officer posted as the District Magistrate in a prominent district of a state. The State Public Service Commission exam was conducted last week. It is one of the biggest recruitment drives, with over 7 lakh candidates appearing, many from poor and rural backgrounds. Three days after the exam, a leaked question paper, matching the actual one, started circulating on social media. There is public outrage. Protests erupt outside your office. Several coaching institutes allege that a nexus involving a printing press official, a commission clerk, and a politician's aide facilitated the leak. The government is under pressure. You are asked to conduct a preliminary inquiry within 48 hours and submit a factual report. Meanwhile, you receive a phone call from a senior political leader, asking you to "go slow" as the accused is "a well-wisher" and "these things happen." The candidate who topped this exam is also the son of a senior bureaucrat. Moreover, your nephew has secured 8th rank in the exam in his last attempt, and this news has become viral on social media. There are rumors that the leak was targeted to help specific candidates. A strong inquiry may lead to cancellation of the exam, affecting lakhs of students. On the other hand, going soft may protect your career. (a) What are the options available to you? (b) What course of action would you choose to ensure that justice is done without causing unnecessary hardship to innocent candidates? (c) Are there any safeguards in the current setup to prevent harassment of innocent officers like Rajesh? What further measures need to be taken? (d) "Even the strongest regulatory mechanisms cannot prevent paper leaks completely". Do you agree?20 marks
  15. Q13(d)Even strongest regulatory mechanism can't prevent leak completely
  16. Q14You are posted as the Superintendent of Police (SP) in a district of Manipur that has been severely affected by ongoing ethnic violence between 2 tribal communities. Over the past several months, dozens of people have been killed, hundreds injured, and thousands displaced. Several incidents of mob lynchings, arson, sexual violence, and looting have taken place. Both communities accuse each other of betrayal and violence. The state police and paramilitary forces are deployed, but trust has broken down. Even civil servants and police officers are being viewed with suspicion, based on their ethnic identity. You are ethnically neutral and not from the state, but your district team is diverse and includes officers from both communities. The situation is tense. The Internet is shut down. There is media pressure, social media outrage and conflicting narratives. One night, a violent mob from one community surrounds a refugee camp where families from the other community are sheltered. They are demanding that some "culprits" be handed over to them, claiming those people were involved in a previous attack. You receive real-time information that if the mob is not dispersed peacefully, it could lead to a massacre, but if force is used, it could trigger a larger retaliation across districts. You have limited police presence and only one central force unit available on standby. Adding to the pressure, The Chief Minister's office has informally told you to "avoid escalation" at all costs. A senior local MLA, from the same community as the mob, is allegedly protecting instigators. A journalist from a national media house has arrived at the camp and is recording live videos, which could go viral. (a) In the context of the case study, discuss the role of declining social capital in disturbing community harmony. (b) What immediate actions would you take to prevent violence without violating law or escalating tensions? (c) Which principles of constitutional morality should guide your action in this situation? How would you ensure their application under intense public, media and political pressure?20 marks
  17. Q15You are the Head of Human Resources in a prestigious IT company known for its high-profile clients and "innovative" work culture. The company takes pride in productivity, strict discipline, and fast-paced delivery cycles. However, over the past few months, there has been a surge in anonymous complaints about Verbal humiliation during team meetings, Unreasonable working hours, Hostile treatment of women employees, especially interns and fresh recruits. The center of many complaints is Mr. Rohan Mehta — a brilliant but autocratic team lead. He has a history of delivering projects ahead of schedule and is celebrated by top management as a "visionary performer." His team, however, is showing signs of burnout, absenteeism, and silent resignations. One day, a junior employee, Ms. Arpita Sharma, approaches you in confidence. She alleges that Rohan often yells at team members publicly, calls them "incompetent," A former intern had a mental breakdown and quit the industry entirely after being constantly micromanaged and belittled. Most employees are afraid to speak up because they fear being marked as "non-performers" or losing recommendation letters. She does not want to file a formal complaint but wants assurance that someone in the system still cares. Meanwhile, senior leadership is preparing for an upcoming merger, and you are told: “We cannot afford disruptions right now. Don't investigate our best performer. These are just exaggerated startup-style growing pains.” The CEO also feels that Rohan’s style may be harsh, but this is a high-pressure industry. If people can't handle it, they're not meant for leadership. You are at a moral crossroads. (a) Identify the ethical issues involved in this case. (b) What are the potential long-term consequences of this work culture? (c) As the HR Manager, how would you protect Arpita’s identity, ensure justice, and also balance company goals? (d) If you were the CEO, how would you address a culture that normalizes fear and overwork without directly confronting top performers?20 marks
  18. Q16You are posted as the Deputy Commissioner (DC) in a district straddling Haryana and Rajasthan, which has been repeatedly flagged in recent years as a hotspot for cybercrime and online financial fraud. Several nationwide scams involving OTP frauds, fake KYC calls, and online loan apps have been traced to villages in this region. While investigative agencies across states have linked multiple frauds to clusters of young men from the region, the narrative in media and even among law enforcement is becoming increasingly communalized and stigmatizing. Terms like “Cyber Jihad”, “Scam Villages”, and “Digital Jamtara” are being used casually. On the ground, the situation is complex. The region has suffered from long standing neglect: poor schooling, lack of internet literacy, unemployment, low policing infrastructure, and weak digital awareness. Many innocent villagers, particularly from marginalized communities, are being indiscriminately raided or detained based on flimsy digital footprints or IP mismatches. Local youth feel demonized, even when seeking honest employment, and there's growing mistrust between communities and police. On the other hand, rising cybercrime incidents undermine public trust in digital services, hurt national financial security, and burden law enforcement across India. You are under pressure from state and central agencies to deliver swift arrests and “crackdown hard.” Yet, you are also mindful that indiscriminate action may further alienate local communities and deepen socio-religious fault lines. (a) Identify the ethical issues involved in this case. (b) What will be your action as Deputy Commissioner (DC)? (c) What will be your action as District Magistrate (DM)?20 marks
  19. Q17You are the Municipal Commissioner of a rapidly developing metropolitan city that is preparing to host an international summit and a large real estate expo. To beautify the city and create a "world-class" image, the state government has launched a fast-track infrastructure drive — flyovers, metro stations, and commercial zones are being developed, especially near airports and central business districts. However, one such development involves the demolition of a 40-year-old slum cluster, home to over 5,000 urban poor — daily-wage workers, waste-pickers, and domestic helps. Most of them do not possess formal land titles but are registered in various government welfare schemes. The land is being cleared to build a high-end luxury complex with a government-backed smart transit corridor. Despite court orders requiring proper rehabilitation, the demolition notices were served with just 72 hours' notice, citing "urgency for public purpose." Residents claim they were not consulted, and no alternative housing or transport arrangements have been made. Schools, ration shops, and health centers in the area are now inaccessible. A pregnant woman went into labor while her house was being bulldozed. The video went viral and drew heavy media attention. You are now being asked to oversee the eviction process peacefully and ensure media management. However, after visiting the site personally, you are shaken by the plight of the people. Meanwhile, influential builders, top bureaucrats, and political figures are pushing for "zero delay." Media reports and citizen sentiment have increasingly come to believe that development benefits the rich (investors, builders, foreign guests), while the poor bear the burden. (a) As Municipal Commissioner, what are your ethical and administrative responsibilities in such a situation? (b) How will you act as a bridge between development and justice, ensuring both the project proceeds and people's dignity is preserved? (c) What mechanisms can you propose for inclusive urban planning, in the long term, where even the poor have a voice and stake?20 marks
  20. Q18You are posted as the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in a rural district where caste-based untouchability still exists in subtle and overt forms. You visit a local school during inspection and notice that Dalit children are being made to sit separately during the mid-day meal. The cooks preparing meals are also selected on caste basis. The punishments to students for the same mistakes also differ in intensity based on the student's position in the social ladder. The headmaster justifies this by saying, "It's our custom. Mixing them will create problems of impurity in the village." Later, you meet a 10-year-old Dalit boy named Ravi, who quietly says, "Madam, why are my hands dirty even when I wash them?" This sentence stays with you. You look at numerous other segregated students who seem to have internalized the social customs of discrimination. You, being a morally upright officer, want to take strong action, but the village elders, some of whom are politically powerful, urge you to "go slow" and "not disturb harmony." Meanwhile, your own junior staff appear reluctant to intervene, reflecting deeply ingrained prejudice. Moreover, trying to change customs could mean your suspension from the job or fake charges of sexual assault on you. This would also potentially result in breaking your marriage which has been fixed only recently. (a) What ethical responsibilities do you hold as an officer in transforming social attitudes? (b) How do emotional experiences like Ravi's statement impact the moral reasoning of a civil servant? (c) Suggest short-term and long-term strategies to create attitudinal change in this case.20 marks

The answers

Question 1 · 10 marks · 193 words written

What is meant by 'Sports ethics'? Why is it important to study? Discuss any one issue from the viewpoint of Sports ethics.

Opening · a definition

Sport ethics refer to set of standards associated with sport events to decide rightness and wrongness ( 20A ).

Body · points

Sport ethics component

  1. Merit based : result of competition → olympics gold given to top performer
  2. Impartial : referee standards for due process
  3. Level playing field to ensure fairness (Rawlsian) in competition eg) weight criteria for wrestling
  4. Sportmanship : respect other team despite defeat → Handshake after match
  5. Objectivity : process and rules followed in match by all eg) sachin tendulkar left as caught despite not given out.

Why important to study of rules

  1. To ensure proper adherence by all stakeholders. eg FIFA Code of ethis
  2. To promote cooperation rather than conflict through sport eg Roger Federer Role modeling
  3. Ensure trust in sport of fans is present eg PSG Fine for breaching rules

Ethical Issue From Sport ethis Use of Doping by person before match

  1. Violation of rule of law by sportsman.
  2. lack of fairness as other person can't compete
  3. Ethical egoism (Ayn Rand) support this as personal benefit
  4. Against sportmanship spirit

Close

Thus, (Jamesfet) model of ethis in sport will promote cooperation.