AIR 2 · CSE 2018 · GS4 · 64 pages

Akshat Jain: GS4 answer copy

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

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Explain the significance of the following in the context of civil service: 10 (iii) Strength of character10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Do you think nation states owe a responsibility towards asylum seekers? What are the considerations that should, in your opinion, go into the making of a refugee policy? Provide arguments with contemporary examples.10 marks
  3. Q2(a)Why do civil servants have a special obligation to uphold ethical standards? What are the main areas of concerns for implementation of an effective ethical standard in civil services? In this context, suggest measures to remedy these concerns.10 marks
  4. Q2(b)While families are the first socializing agents, which inculcate moral values in a child, the role played by schools in this regard is also indispensable. Discuss.10 marks
  5. Q3If parents are not ready, then even if one forces them to have the child, they won't be able to give him/her the future it deserves
  6. Q3(a)What is the significance of morality in day-to-day life? Give an example from your own life where you chose moral action and elaborate the reasons for your choice of that action.10 marks
  7. Q3(b)Analyse the ethical dimensions of using nuclear deterrence as a self-defense strategy.10 marks
  8. Q4(a)We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give. 10 (i) Highlight the importance of value of altruism for a society. (ii) Discuss the role of education in imparting such values.10 marks
  9. Q4(b)Giving examples, examine the relationship between personal and professional ethics of civil servants.10 marks
  10. Q5(a)Given below are two quotations of moral thinkers/ philosophers. For each of these, bring out what it means to you in the present context. (a) If people scrutinize their own faults as they do the faults of others, mankind will be freed of all evil.10 marks
  11. Q5(b)Courage is the first of human qualities because it's the quality that guarantees the others.10 marks
  12. Q6How do law and conscience act as source of ethical guidance? Explain with examples.10 marks
  13. Q7Differentiate between the following using examples: (ii) Ethics and Etiquette10 marks
  14. Q8Good corporate governance is not an end in itself. It is a means to support economic efficiency, sustainable growth and financial stability. Discuss.10 marks
  15. Q9A hilly state witnessed torrential rains leading to loss of life and property. Apart from the local inhabitants there were tourists stranded in large numbers. With the supply chains broken and increased demand, it was observed that local shopkeepers started selling essential goods at very high prices. With a very restricted possibility of being evacuated in the coming few days, the stranded people feel helpless. A crumbled governance infrastructure in remote areas has multiplied the extent of their agony. Given this situation, answer the following questions. 20 (a) Identify the various stakeholders in the case and give a reasoned account of their interests. Given the administrative, market and ethical perspective of viewing the situation, do you think there is a conflict in the priorities of these stakeholders? (b) Suggest ways to harmonize competing interests in order to resolve the issues, provide relief and prevent escalation of conflict.20 marks
  16. Q10The steady decline in sex ratio suggests that marked improvement in the economy and literacy rates do not seem to have had any impact on this index. In fact, the availability of new technology and its easy access for the urban, wealthy and educated have worsened the trend and harmed the status of women in Indian society. 20 (a) Explain why the phenomenon should not be simply viewed as a medical or legal issue and more attention should be given to the ethical issues involved. (b) Give some suggestions to tackle the problem of declining sex ratio. (c) Discuss the ethical dilemma involved in Right to abortion vs. Prevention of female foeticide. How can this be resolved?20 marks
  17. Q11You are the officer-in-charge responsible for monitoring allotment of foodgrains under the Public Distribution System to BPL families in a given district. A group of BPL families in the district claim that they have been denied ration from fair price shops due to non-linking of Aadhar card with their BPL cards. They remark that the government and officers concerned are not empathising with their situation and stage a silent protest. Further, the incident is also being linked to similar instances in other areas of the country where people were denied access to PDS benefits due to similar reasons. The government receives a lot of criticism for this incident on social media networks. You are now in a conundrum, as you are now aware that the BPL families need to get foodgrains on time. However, as a government officer, you also need to follow the prescribed rules. Media scrutiny has further aggravated the situation and you realize you need to tread carefully. 20 Based on the information above, answer the following: (a) List the issues in the given situation that the parties involved are facing. (b) What step(s) will you take in the situation to ensure that the demands of the aggrieved persons are met without violating the rules? (c) In this context, briefly discuss how the poor in the country currently face digital exclusion and its consequence(s).20 marks
  18. Q12You are working as a senior doctor in the oncology department of a super specialty hospital located in Delhi. While accessing the quotations from reputed pharmaceutical companies to hospitals, you unearth a nexus between pharma firms and the hospital administration. You get to know that they are hand-in glove with each other and trying to fleece cancer patients by selling drugs at exorbitant prices, even though low cost alternative drugs are available in the market. Being the head of Alliance of Doctors for Ethical Healthcare, who is working against the arbitrary price regime of life saving drugs, you get a chance to represent your case before the Health Minister of your state. However, certain other doctors of the Alliance have asked you to present a distorted reality in front of the Minister since they are obtaining pecuniary benefits from such a scheme of nexus, which would cease if the nexus gets exposed. 20 (a) Identify the main stakeholders and ethical issues involved. (b) Analyse the possible solutions for addressing the issues. (c) What would be your final course of action and why?20 marks
  19. Q13You are working as a Manager who handles critical projects in a private firm. You have recently been issued a notice by the Human Resource department that categorically highlights gender imbalance in your team and instructs you to recruit more females. Realizing the importance of this matter you decide to roll out vacancy requirements on an urgent basis and close it within a week. You receive several applications and start interviewing female candidates. However, you realize that the top four candidates are married and two of them are expecting their child. During the interviews the candidates commit on their priority for the project, till it finishes and show willingness to work from home, afterwards. What is the course of action that you will take? Explain the factors that you will take into account and justify the merits of the course of action.20 marks
  20. Q14Mr. A is a senior most member of a highly reputed company with considerable customer interface. In recent months, the business of the company has been going down. On detailed analysis, it was found that some of the functionaries of the company have impulsive nature, which has many a times led to altercations with the customers and even among themselves. This has adversely affected the work culture and sullied the image of the company in the market. He seeks your advice, as you are his friend as well as a person who understands management. 20 (a) What are the factors that you would consider in making your advice? (b) What steps will you suggest to deal with the situation that the company faces?20 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 203 words written

Explain the significance of the following in the context of civil service: 10 (iii) Strength of character

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Body · points

i) Public Trust - It refers to the faith shown by the public towards the administration. It is developed when the civil servants fulfil their duties in a time bound manner, show empathy and compassion and execute their duty honestly. e.g. T. Seshan's reforms within the Election Commission have generated public trust in the body, that it will conduct free and fair elections.

ii) Objectivity - It refers to making decisions on the basis of facts not feelings. It helps civil servants to serve with impartiality and non-partisanship.

iii) Strength of character - A civil servant with this attribute will maintain his integrity even in difficult times. It gives him/her the courage to stand by what is morally correct.

iv) Empathy - A civil servant must understand the feelings of the citizens from their frame of reference. In this way, he/she can understand their concerns, needs and aspirations, and thus serve more efficiently. e.g. If a officer can empathize with tribals, he can understand why proper FRA implementation is so necessary.

v) Selflessness - A civil servant must function to his full capability without having any selfish motive. Only a selfless officer can uphold the constitutional mandate of ensuring the dignity of individual.

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