AIR 12 · CSE 2022 · GS4 · 64 pages

Abhinav Siwach: GS4 answer copy

19 answers by Abhinav Siwach, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)The logic of limitless wealth lies in the basic human instinct for furthering self-interest in the form of profit. In this context, do you think there is a possibility of pursuing ethical capitalism?10 marks
  2. Q1(b)If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so. Discuss.10 marks
  3. Q2(a)The capacity of Citizens' Charter to initiate any transformative process is conditioned upon it being appropriately designed and effectively executed. Discuss.10 marks
  4. Q2(b)The moral fiber and ethical conduct of public officials not only influence the standard of governance but also their own interests and performance. Elaborate.10 marks
  5. Q3(a)The ongoing debate on euthanasia poses several ethical questions. Discuss.10 marks
  6. Q3(b)Foreign aid is a form of neo-colonialism, as the economically wealthier countries can exploit the developing countries under the cloak of aid. Examine.10 marks
  7. Q4(a)Throwing light on the idea of Universal Humanism propounded by Rabindranath Tagore, discuss its contemporary relevance.10 marks
  8. Q4(b)Do you agree with the view that it is nature and not nurture which determines the emotional intelligence of a person?10 marks
  9. Q5(a)Values that guide public administrators can often compete with each other, owing to their relative importance to the larger public interest. Discuss with examples.10 marks
  10. Q5(b)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
  11. Q6(a)What do each of the following quotations mean to you? "Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity; it is an act of justice." Nelson Mandela10 marks
  12. Q6(b)"I do believe that, where there is only a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence."- Mahatma Gandhi10 marks
  13. Q6(c)“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.” Martin Luther King Jr10 marks
  14. Q7You are posted as the Commissioner of Police in a metropolitan city where a visiting foreign dignitary, with President-level security cover, is scheduled to visit for an official function. As a part of the security preparedness, it has been decided that no vehicular traffic will be allowed on the route which will be taken by the foreign dignitary to reach the venue of the function in the city. However, just 15 minutes before the scheduled arrival of the dignitary, you are informed that a critically-ill patient is stuck on the way to the hospital in a private car along with his family. In this situation, answer the following: (a) Discuss the issues involved in halting traffic for VIP movement. (b) List the options available to you in this situation with their merits and demerits. (c) What will be your course of action? Justify with proper reasoning.20 marks
  15. Q8The 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 transgenders in India despite several initiatives for their upliftment in recent times.20 marks
  16. Q9You are an IPS officer posted as the Inspector General of Police in a state. The recent death of a father-son duo in one of the districts in the state, due to custodial violence allegedly in the presence of the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), has sparked anger across the state. This is not an isolated incident, as there have been allegations raised by human rights groups in the past regarding custodial deaths due to physical assault by the police. The High Court of the State, taking suo moto cognizance of the recent incident, has served a notice to the state government, seeking a detailed report on the rising instances of custodial deaths. The state government has constituted a Committee to probe the incident and submit a detailed report on the veracity of facts related to it. You have been asked to head the Committee. You know the Deputy Superintendent of Police of the district to be an honest, hardworking and upright officer. He has privately requested you to absolve him of any wrongdoing as he claims not to be present when the incident occurred. You know that any action against him will be detrimental to his reputation and career. On the other hand, the seniors in the department are pressuring you to put all the blame on the DSP and make him a sacrificial lamb in order to protect the overall image of the police in the state. In the given scenario, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the stakeholders and the ethical issues involved in the case. (b) What steps will you take to ensure that the enquiry is seen to be fair and impartial? (c) Given the challenges that the police forces in India operate under in their day-to-day functioning, suggest some initiatives to address them.20 marks
  17. Q10Mr. X is a billionaire businessman who heads a conglomerate engaged in insurance, energy generation and distribution, and manufacturing. Despite being globally known as a great philanthropist, he turned down a shareholder request seeking the disclosure of the conglomerate's actions on issues related to climate change as well as diversity and inclusion. Because of increased attention to climate and diversity issues, many leading firms have committed themselves to incorporate relevant considerations in their business strategies. Therefore, some industry-observers wonder if Mr. X is out of touch with the industry at large and have warned him that failing to address climate change issues puts his businesses under systemic risk. But, Mr. X maintained his vote against the disclosure proposal, while at the same time acknowledged the importance of both climate change and a diverse and inclusive work force. However, Mr. X believes that such ethical issues take secondary importance to maximising shareholder profit. (a) Discuss the importance of including climate change strategies and diversity and inclusion in a business organisation? (b) In your opinion, what matters more for a business organisation - socio-environmental concerns or shareholder profit? (c) How can the two above-mentioned issues be reconciled?20 marks
  18. Q11You are posted as a Superintendent of Police (SP) in a district where people of different religious communities are living together peacefully. The district is also famous for its architectural heritage and is regularly visited by tourists from all around the world. However, there has been an incident in the nearby state where people of two different communities have started fighting over religious issues. This incident has a spillover effect over the whole country. In your own area of jurisdiction, you have come to know from various sources about circulation of some hate speech videos, which have the potential to destabilise the law and order situation. You are also aware that some outsiders with dubious intentions have started pouring in your district. In one locality, a shopkeeper who had earlier filed a complaint regarding threats he received for posting something on the internet, is found murdered in cold blood. This incident has stunned the nation. You are being informed that hundreds of people of the community to which the shopkeeper belonged are planning to stage a massive protest in your district. (a) In the given situation, what are the options available to you to ensure that the law and order situation in the district remains stable. Provide a detailed account of your course of action. (b) Do you think the present legal and institutional mechanisms are sufficient to tackle the menace of hate speech in the society?20 marks
  19. Q12The Indian education system suffers from many ills. One of the major issues is the focus on 'rote learning', which has been the staple of the Indian education system for many years. While many Indians have attained success despite this system, simply being able to recall information is not enough in today's world when that information is instantly available to anyone on a mobile phone. A survey of 200 Indian and foreign companies found that only 14% of Indian graduates were prepared for the workforce, largely because most graduates were unable to apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What are the consequences of 'rote learning' on the educational development of young students in the country? (b) Suggest measures that can be taken to address this issue.20 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 615 words written

The logic of limitless wealth lies in the basic human instinct for furthering self-interest in the form of profit. In this context, do you think there is a possibility of pursuing ethical capitalism?

Opening

Thomas Hobbes had highlighted the concern that human beings are driven by self-interest. Self-interest refers to tendency of individual to undertake activities suited for himself/herself.

Body

Diagram
* self-interest * leads to wealth accumulation * wealth concentration in few * Narrow egoism leading to poverty, crime, inequality, etc.

Possibility of ethical capitalism :-

  1. Though capitalism is based on notion of limitless wealth, maximising profit.

  2. But individuals like Gandhiji called commerce without morality a sin.

  3. This lays focus on the need to nurture ethical capitalism for companies.

  4. Various advantages for corporations- (a) Builds brand image and acts as source of marketing for corporate. (eg) - Due to philanthropic capitalism of Tata, Tata's products are associated with nation. Tata Salt - Desh ka Namak (b) Ensures Utilitarian principles are followed - maximum good for greater people. (c) Develops loyalty among employees, consumers (eg) - Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has ensured employee loyalty. (d) Ensures that sustainability of business is there (eg) - Narayan Murthy undertakes ethical capitalism by Infosys Foundation

Hence, need for ethical capitalism to ensure that self-interest does not lead to greed, inequality.

(a) There are various issues involved in halting the traffic for VIP movement -

  1. Violates utilitarian ethics - as the time of individuals, their cost, efforts are at stake reducing maximum happiness.
  2. May lead to narrow ethical egoism - interest of VIP are considered morally superior over public interest.
  3. May deny right to life and liberty - to critically ill patients, or accident cases or patients with possible delivery and childbirth.
  4. Is also leading to not so efficient allocation of resources - so many officials engaged in VIP traffic management.
  5. Against ethics of equality of all and equality before law - presence of privileges to VIP individuals.

(b) Options available to Commissioners of Police :- A. Option A - To keep the traffic and patient waiting till VIP movement happens.

MeritDemerit
1. Would ensure safety, security of VIP1. May lead to death for patient
2. Would promote ethics of duty as police official2. Violates Deontological ethics as action to make them wait in not ethical
3. Would lead to following of oath as police officer3. Violates Virtue ethics as wisdom not used

B. Option B :- Keep arrangement for VIP traffic and make a dedicated corridor for movement of patient.

MeritDemerit
1. Would have Utilitarian ethics - maximum good1. May lead to some more efforts by staff.
2. Is consistent with Golden Mean of Aristotle
3. Ensures right to life is not taken for patient
4. Upholds virtue ethics of wisdom, justice for patient

(c) I would proceed with Option B :- I would maintain traffic arrangements with dedicated corridor for patient. Rationale :-

  1. Would ensure that patient reaches hospital on time.
  2. Ensure that there is justice done for patient.
  3. Similar to green corridor of Karnataka where heart was delivered.
Diagram
[Normal traffic] [patient corridor]

In this way (4) Would ensure that action is ethical and accountability to citizen is there (5) Uphold duty to VIP as well as the citizen as Official. Hence, this is the most apt action.

  1. It would also lead to communication to the citizens that the administration is just and transparent.
  2. It would promote Utilitarian ethics as maximum pleasure is ensured for the VIP as well as the citizen by the administration.

Close

Hence, there should be more prudence in blocking the traffic for VIP movement so that the rights of the citizen are not violated and at the same time, there is enough security for the VIP.