AIR 4 · CSE 2021 · GS4 · 60 pages

Aishwarya Verma: GS4 answer copy

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

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Open Government Data (OGD) can be seen as a step towards greater transparency and accountability in India. In this context, discuss the benefits of OGD and the challenges which lie therein.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)An important requisite for ensuring probity in governance is absence of corruption. Analyse.10 marks
  3. Q2(a)Enumerate the decisive factors behind moral attitude. Also, discuss any incident from your life wherein you brought about a change in someone's attitude around an important social issue.10 marks
  4. Q2(b)Highlighting the importance of whistle-blowing in an organisation, discuss the systemic factors that determine whether a person would become a whistle-blower.10 marks
  5. Q3(a)Transparent governance promises an accountable state but a balance has to be achieved between disclosure requirements and administrative privileges for efficient governance. Discuss.10 marks
  6. Q3(b)Citizen empowerment is a natural outcome of a Citizen’s Charter. Critically evaluate in the Indian context.10 marks
  7. Q4(a)Emotional Intelligence is an essential ingredient for successful implementation of pandemic induced emergency response. Comment in the light of COVID-19 pandemic.10 marks
  8. Q4(b)Discretionary power by itself is not pure evil but gives much room for misuse. Discuss in the context of administration in India.10 marks
  9. Q5(a)Explain the ethical issues involved in spending government funds for advertisement campaigns and publicity.10 marks
  10. Q5(b)Explaining the concept of political neutrality, discuss its significance in administration. Also, highlight how the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules seek to ensure political neutrality in the civil services.10 marks
  11. Q6(a)What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far." - Swami Vivekananda10 marks
  12. Q6(b)"Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." - Albert Einstein10 marks
  13. Q6(c)"Virtue lies in our power, and similarly so does vice; because where it is in our power to act, it is also in our power not to act." - Aristotle10 marks
  14. Q7Party X has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha. However, because of it falling short of majority in the Rajya Sabha, a large number of its bills are getting stalled in the Upper House. Elections of a key state are around the corner and the party desperately needs to win, for it to secure a majority in the Rajya Sabha. As part of its campaign strategy, the social media head of the party suggests an insidious strategy to make electoral gains. A part of the strategy involves sending out questionnaires online and promoting them using ads. The response filled by people to these online questionnaires will help reveal their key personality traits to the social media team of the party. These behavioral science insights would be important in helping candidates tailor their campaign messages according to the recipient's personality traits. However, because the content of the questionnaire is incendiary and polarizing, the social media team decides to use fake accounts to administer data collection on social media platforms to avoid getting penalised. In addition, the strategy also involves sending out provocative content through online ads and fake news reports. This goes against the spirit of free and fair elections and violates the Election Commission guidelines on multiple levels. As one of the key members of the social media team of the party, you have been entrusted with carrying out this campaign successfully. (a) What are the key ethical issues involved in this case. (b) What is the course of action you would take? Give reasons for your response in a situation like this?20 marks
  15. Q8What are the issues which you need to address in this situation? (b) Present your course of action to deal with the given situation.20 marks
  16. Q920 marks
  17. Q10According to some reports, gambling and betting together, while illegal, have evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry in India with one estimate pegging the market at $60 billion. Added to this is the wide reach of cricket as a sport and the periodic cases of betting in it making to news. It has been suggested by some that making gambling and betting legal would resolve many issues and also contribute to the exchequer. On the other hand, there remains a strong opinion against doing so. (a) What is your opinion on the matter? (b) Also, identify the merits of the arguments in opposition to the stand you have taken.20 marks
  18. Q11You work as a marketing consultant for a multinational company that specializes in various products including nutrient supplements, diet pills etc. The company pays its employees extremely well and provides satisfactory fringe benefits. Your manager has hinted that he will recommend you for overseas company transfer, which will improve your job profile. This has motivated you to work harder and perform better. The company has to advertise and sell a new weight loss pill 'X'. As per in-company research, it has minimal or no side effects and has no adverse impacts on health, which is its unique selling point (USP). You are given the responsibility of heading the marketing team for advertising pill 'X'. Due to a well-crafted marketing strategy including endorsement by a renowned celebrity, the product has generated considerable public attention. However, while working on an advertisement campaign for the pill, you find out that the in-company research findings of pill 'X' are fabricated. While it indeed has no side-effects, there are no proven benefits of taking the pill as well. It merely acts as a placebo. When you bring up the issue with your manager, he promptly tells you to keep the facts to yourself. He also indirectly brings up the fact that your performance review date is approaching and hints that you will get transferred overseas if you prove your loyalty to the company. Based on the given information, address the following: (a) Identify the stakeholders in this situation. (b) State the ethical issues that arise in this case. (c) Discuss your options in this scenario and mention your next step.20 marks
  19. Q12There was an incident at a company wherein a fire broke out and led to a number of casualties. During the preliminary inquiry, one of the employees and bystander witnesses, specified that the company had taken all the safety measures and the management was not at fault. During litigation, the same employee was identified as a witness and his deposition was to be taken. The issue is now in the court. You are a Senior Manager of the company and accompanying the said employee to the court for the deposition. On the way the employee tells you that he had lied during the inquiry; and that the truth was worse for the company than he had stated previously. (a) Identify the various ethical issues you would face in this situation. (b) What would you suggest the employee to do? Give reasons for your suggestions.20 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 132 words written

Open Government Data (OGD) can be seen as a step towards greater transparency and accountability in India. In this context, discuss the benefits of OGD and the challenges which lie therein.

Opening · a definition

Open government data (OGD) refers to the data of government open in the public domain which can help the society to access them.

Body · points

Benefits of OGD:

(i) Information sharing: Better information will improve the Right to information to public.

(ii) Empowered citizenry: It will empower the citizen by the power of data.

(iii) Increase transparency about functioning of government.

(iv) Increases accountability as how irregularities in govt. can be pointed out by anyone.

eg) Big data organisation, Economist, civil society.

Challenges:

(i) Data privacy - The infrastructure required to protect the information

(ii) Decision on what to disclose and what to protect

(iii) It may be exploited by foreign firm to affect decision.

Close · a way forward

eg) Election Manipulation by Cambridge analytica.

An optimum balance and infrastructural bottlenecks should be resolved while using OGD framework.