A topper · GS4 · 64 pages

Akshay Pillay: GS4 answer copy

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

The questions

Q1(a)Explain the concept of Sarvodaya with the help of examples from the lives of prominent personalities.10 marks
Q1(b)The life and teachings of Guru Nanak presents a template for leading a life within the corridors of ethics and values. Discuss.10 marks
Q2Beggars are a common sight at traffic junctions and places of worship across cities in India. They are labelled as nuisance makers who often harass commuters and devotees by relentlessly pestering for money. Recently, an appeal was made in the Supreme Court to end this practice by putting a ban on begging in the national capital. However, human rights groups have advocated that banning begging is not the ideal way to end it, as the underlying socio-economic issues that lead to begging remain unresolved. In this context: (a) Bring out the moral and ethical concerns pertaining to begging in India. (b) Discuss the factors that pushes an individual to opt for begging. (c) If you pass by a beggar, what will you do - give your money to a beggar or ignore the beggar and give your spare money instead to charities that assist the most needy? Give logical reasons in support of your answer.20 marks
Q2(a)There is no 'invisible hand' channeling self-interest into some social optimum. In this context, the State has an integral role to play in making available essential public goods and services, despite the increasing pace of privatization. Do you agree? Justify with examples from India.10 marks
Q2(b)Even though the state actors who make rules and implement them have an important role to play in the fight against corruption, the battle is not likely to succeed without the active efforts of various segments of society. Discuss.10 marks
Q3(a)What do you understand by Social Intelligence? Discuss its various components and explain how it is different from Emotional Intelligence.10 marks
Q3(b)Ethical behaviour is the best not merely in the context of morality, but it is also the best in the context of one's own career prospects. Discuss in the context of civil services in India.10 marks
Q4(a)The press is an important agent in ensuring the citizen's right to receive and impart information as a measure of probity in governance. In this context, do you think that the press in India discharges its duty honestly?10 marks
Q4(b)The failure to deliver on its promises by Citizen's Charters in the last two decades has shown that there are some complex set of factors underlying this seemingly simple task. What are they? Identify and provide their resolution.10 marks
Q5(a)Medical ethics is particularly relevant in decisions regarding involuntary treatment and involuntary commitment. In view of this, highlighting the importance of medical ethics, discuss the issues in its implementation.10 marks
Q5(b)The fundamental principle in a democracy is that all public functionaries are trustees of the people and this trusteeship relationship requires that the authority entrusted to the functionaries be exercised in 'public interest'. Discuss.10 marks
Q6(a)What do each of the following quotations mean to you? "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." - Desmond Tutu10 marks
Q6(b)"Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves." - Henry David Thoreau10 marks
Q6(c)"That which isn't good for the hive, isn't good for the bee"- Marcus Aurelius10 marks
Q7You are a Superintendent of Police tasked with conducting an internal departmental inquiry into an alleged case of custodial torture and subsequent disappearance of three tribal persons. The case of the police force is that these persons were habitual offenders who had committed theft. The police had nabbed them for interrogation but they escaped from the police custody and are absconding. Family members of these persons, on the other hand, maintain that they were falsely framed in the case and were not in a condition to flee due to custodial torture. They are alleging foul play on the part of the police and suspects that the police is behind their disappearance. Prima facie, you find many lacunae in the police investigation. The policemen did not produce these persons before the Magistrate nor did they get them medically examined, as required by the law. One of your seniors, without referring to the case, informally talks to you about the adverse working conditions of the police force and insinuates that all police personnel should help each other. He also says that all serving officers need to be mindful of the fact that they are part of the police force and should not do anything which may tarnish the reputation of the police department. (a) Identify the stakeholders and various issues involved in the case. (b) How will you conduct a fair and impartial inquiry that ensures that public perception regarding cover-up in such cases does not gain ground? (c) Highlight the reasons for the continuing impunity of custodial deaths in India, and recommend steps that authorities should take to resolve it.20 marks
Q8Industry professionals are increasingly being hired by the government for their private sector experience and their influence in industries that the government is attempting to regulate or do business with. Similarly, the industry is also looking to attract people from the public sector with high-paying employment offers to get access within the government departments, seek favourable legislations and regulations as well as government contracts. Such inside knowledge of the system, including any loopholes that might exist give private businesses a competitive advantage. Both industry professionals and government officials stand to gain from such associations. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What are the ethical issues involved in the direct recruitment of industry professionals in important government positions? (b) Do you think a longer mandatory cooling off period for government officials before they join private firms can help in addressing some of the issues?20 marks
Q9You are working as the Head of Ethics and Compliance in a big mobile manufacturing company that is known for its innovation and quality products. Both the customers and the shareholders are pleased with the performance of the company as they get value for their money and high returns on their investments respectively. Tin is a major component in the products manufactured by your company. It was recently brought to your attention that workers - many of them children - are working in unsafe conditions, digging tin out by hand in mines prone to landslides that could bury them alive. About 70% of the tin used in smartphones manufactured by the company comes from these more dangerous, small-scale mines. The company defends its practices by saying it only has such much control over monitoring and regulating its component sources. The justification advanced of its sourcing practices is that it is a complex process, with tens of thousands of miners selling tin, many of them through middlemen or third-party contractors. Based on the above case, answer the following questions: (a) What are the ethical issues in the above case? (b) Can customers of the company be expected to take into account such practices before buying any product of the company? (c) If the management were to seek your opinion on the matter, what course of action will you suggest?20 marks
Q10You are posted as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate in a backward district. Recently, a young couple belonging to different castes eloped from the village belonging to your sub-division. They wanted to marry but the caste conflict prevailing in the village was a big hurdle for them. So, they planned to get married secretly and then come back to the village. On account of their elopement, the girl's family, which belongs to the dominant landlord caste, filed a case of kidnapping against the boy and have riled up the villagers against him and his family. After their return to the village, the couple meet you before meeting their family members. On account of their official position, they request you to convince their family members and other members of the village to accept them. The village has witnessed many caste conflicts and honour killings in the past on account of such incidents and the present matter may aggravate caste-related tensions. Under these circumstances, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the stakeholders and associated issues in the given case. (b) What are the options that you have? Highlight your course of action and give suitable justification for the same.20 marks
Q11The education sector in India is embedded in a restrictive regulatory environment and is considered a public good. Although private participation is allowed in the education sector, but at all levels, these institutions have to function on a not-for-profit basis. The Supreme Court had ruled that educational institutions are permitted a 'reasonable surplus to meet the cost of expansion and augmentation of facilities' but they are prohibited from charging a capitation fee or profiteering. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What are the ethical concerns in allowing the operation of educational institutions on a profit motivation? (b) Is the most important role of education preparing people for gainful employment or should education and knowledge be appreciated for their own sake? (c) Discuss various ways in which value-based education can be instilled.20 marks
Q11(b)Education and knowledge should be appreciated for own sake because:

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 159 words written

Explain the concept of Sarvodaya with the help of examples from the lives of prominent personalities.

Opening · a definition

Sarvodaya refers to the principle of common good of all. The utilization of wealth and resources should be oriented towards meeting this target.

Body · points

Gandhiji - He imbibed this ideal from the English philosopher John Ruskin.

He developed the theory of trusteeship wherein the rich would administer their wealth for the benefit of the poor.
He implemented Sarvodaya in his ashrams, where all inmates contributed to upkeep and output of Ashram.

Vinoba Bhave - He applied the ideal of Sarvodaya to land.

He encouraged the rich to donate excess land (Bhoodan).
This would be redistributed among the landless to increase agricultural production and ensure income equality.

Jayprakash Narayan - He thought Sarvodaya could be realized through small scale sector and cooperatives eg. dairy cooperatives where all castes, religions gained from milk production.

Close · a summary

These leaders were united in placing common interest above needs of an individual. Sarvodaya can be applied to contemporary welfare schemes.