Akshit Bhardwaj: GS4 answer copy

The questions

1. Q1The consequences of ethical actions are shaped by the intent behind them, but good intentions may lead to unintended harm. Examine this statement with suitable examples. Is it correct to decide rightness or wrongness of an act by looking at the intention of the person who carries it out? (Answer in 150 words) 10 The persistence of dowry in Indian society reflects deeper issues of lack of sensitivity as well as institutional apathy. Discuss how ethical transformation is more important than mere legal enforcement in such cases. (Answer in 150 words) Given below are three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context? "You may never know what results come of your actions. But if you do nothing, there will be no result." - Mahatma Gandhi (Answer in 150 words) "Man is the master weaver both of the inner garment of character and the outer garment of circumstance."- James Allen (Answer in 150 words) "The virtuous man is he who chooses the mean between excess and deficiency." - Aristotle (Answer in 150 words) In an age of hyper-digital activity and constant online presence, discuss the need for developing Digital Emotional Intelligence (DEI) among individuals, especially public servants. (Answer in 150 words) In the context of climate change, how can value-based persuasion be more effective than rule-based enforcement in changing public behaviour? (Answer in 150 words) A company is only as ethical as the decisions it makes when it's under pressure. In light of this statement, discuss the ethical dilemmas faced by organizations during economic downturns.10 marks
2. Q1(none)Probity in governance is not just about laws, but about ethical leadership. Discuss this statement in the context of challenges faced by public officials in high-stakes situations. (Answer in 150 words) Ethical governance is not merely about avoiding wrongdoing, it is about proactively fostering an environment where ethical conduct is the norm. Discuss.10 marks
3. Q6Discuss the ethical implications of war-induced displacement of refugees. How should countries balance national interest with their moral responsibility towards refugees? (Answer in 150 words) What teachings of Vardhaman Mahavira are most relevant today and why? Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) Dedication to public service forms one of the foundational values for a civil servant. Discuss how it goes beyond professional duty. (Answer in 150 words) 10 In the following questions, carefully study the cases presented and then answer the questions that follow (in around 250 words): Siddharth, a 13-year-old school student, has been arrested for the fatal stabbing of his classmate Saumya after a series of bullying incidents at school and on social media. Investigations reveal that Siddharth was the target of a sustained cyberbullying campaign, including derogatory remarks and the circulation of his private images without consent. Further inquiry reveals that Siddharth was under immense peer pressure and was handed a weapon by his classmates, who believed he would only use it to scare Saumya. Siddharth's emotional distress had gone unnoticed by both his parents and school authorities. The community is now sharply divided. While some blame the school's failure to intervene, others blame the role of digital platforms, and poor parenting. Siddharth's parents express regret for not noticing signs of emotional breakdown and possible online radicalization. The incident has triggered a wider debate on the ethical responsibilities of schools, parents, digital platforms, and the justice system when dealing with children and social media. (a) Discuss the key ethical issues involved in this case. (b) Analyze the role of peers in influencing adolescent decision-making. (c) Discuss the evolving nature of responsibilities of parents and schools in helping adolescents deal with situations of emotional distress.10 marks
4. Q8You are the District Collector of Malinar, a coastal district in Kerala. The Government of India has recently implemented a nationwide ban on bottom trawling under the Marine Fisheries (Regulation & Management) Rules, 2024, citing serious ecological damage caused by the practice. However, in Malinar district, a majority of the traditional fishing community has relied solely on bottom trawling for decades. Most fishermen possess only trawling boats and lack the training or resources to transition to alternative practices. The situation has intensified ahead of the upcoming United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) "Oceans for Tomorrow" Conference, to be hosted in Kochi. The central government wants to showcase strict enforcement and marine conservation achievements. You receive a formal directive from the State Secretariat to take strict legal action, including seizure of boats and arrests, against fishermen found violating the ban. Simultaneously, a confidential note warns you that any negative media attention or footage of illegal trawling from your district could "embarrass the state" and jeopardize national image at the global forum. Local tension has mounted as environment-related NGOs have started posting satellite-based evidence of illegal trawling. Simultaneously, fishermen's cooperatives are protesting, arguing that they have no alternative source of income and that seizing boats will render hundreds destitute. They are threatening to block access to the district port and dump fish waste outside government offices if the crackdown continues. (a) Who are the key stakeholders in this case? Analyze their perspectives and conflicting interests. (b) As the District Collector, what are the options available to you to handle this situation? Evaluate the merits and demerits of each option. (c) What steps will you take and why? Justify your decision. Local tensions rise as environmental NGOs begin posting satellite-based evidence of illegal trawling. Fishermen's cooperatives are protesting, arguing that they have no alternative source of income, and any seizure of boats will push hundreds into destitution. They threaten to block access to the district harbour and dump fish waste outside government offices if strict enforcement continues. (a) Who are the principal stakeholders in this case? Analyse their perspectives and conflicting interests. (b) As the District Collector, what are the various options available to you to address the situation? Evaluate the merits and demerits of each option. (c) What course of action would you take and why? Justify your decision. You are a senior researcher at a prominent cosmetic company, responsible for overseeing the testing phase of a new anti-aging product. The company proposes using mice to assess the safety and efficacy of the product. However, there is growing public concern over animal testing, particularly from animal rights groups, which argue that using animals for cosmetic testing is both cruel and unnecessary. Further, regulatory bodies have established strict procedures that cosmetic companies must follow to ensure safety for consumers. You, being a proponent of ethical practices, are conflicted between meeting the company's market deadlines and adhering to your personal beliefs regarding animal rights. You are also bound by the stringent procedures established by regulatory bodies. However, the company is facing year-on-year losses due to intense competition. An internal marketing study reveals increasing demand for anti-aging products and test on mice is the fastest method to achieve reliable results. Although the company has guidelines for humane treatment of animals, you feel uneasy about the ethical implications of using animals, especially given the availability of alternative testing methods like in-vitro testing and 3D human skin models. (a) What are the key ethical dilemmas you face in using animals for cosmetic research?20 marks
5. Q8(b)What are the options available to you in this scenario? Which option should you choose and why?
6. Q8(c)What measures can you propose to reduce the reliance on animal testing in the company's future research?20 marks
7. Q10Mohit is the Deputy Commissioner of a prominent industrial district in India. The largest industrial unit in this district is a steel making public sector undertaking which was established three decades ago. During the establishment of the PSU, large number of families were displaced and in return they were promised jobs in this unit. Subsequently, a large group of displaced youth was also trained under the PSU's apprenticeship programme. While the PSU had assured them jobs after completing apprenticeship training, most trained individuals remained unemployed, with many now over 45 years old and unable to find jobs elsewhere. For nine years, the unemployed individuals have been demanding permanent employment but to no avail. Finally, they resorted to protests outside the establishment. The protesters blocked the main gate, obstructing employee movement and disrupting operations. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd, resulting in the death of a 23-year-old protester. The protests escalated, with demonstrators damaging a canal supplying water to the plant. The steel plant is a thermo-sensitive facility with highly sensitive gas pipelines, and any leak could pose a serious threat to public safety. Further, with the blockade continuing for over 18 hours, nearly 5,000 employees remain trapped inside without access to food and water, significantly impacting plant operations. Mohit needs to placate the protestors as they are threatening to go on a prolonged protest. At the same time, the plant should be kept operational to prevent any critical industrial and public safety risk. (a) What are the ethical dilemmas that Mohit faces? (b) Discuss all the options available to Mohit as the Deputy Commissioner. (c) What course of action should Mohit take given the critical nature of the situation? (Answer in 250 words) You have recently been appointed as the Chief Secretary of a state. Soon after, you receive multiple reports highlighting instances of unprofessional conduct by several civil servants, including officers of the All India Services. These include publicly displaying political allegiance at government functions, engaging in culturally inappropriate gestures such as touching political leaders' feet, and posting controversial or sensitive opinions on social media platforms that could be interpreted as partisan and breach of civil service norms. These actions have triggered criticism from the public and media, raising concerns about the erosion of the neutrality, integrity, and discipline expected of public servants. You believe that these actions, if left unchecked, could damage the credibility of the administration and the trust reposed in it by the people. You now face the challenge of taking corrective measures to ensure that such incidents are not repeated, while also maintaining morale within the services and avoiding overly harsh or demotivating actions. (a) What are the ethical concerns in this case? (b) As the Chief Secretary, what steps should you take to address the situation? (c) How can a balance be maintained between respecting personal freedom and upholding professional standards of civil servants?20 marks
8. Q12for crowd management, you are faced with a new challenge: a senior cabinet minister's office sends a firm message requesting unrestricted VIP access for several high-profile guests, citing their contributions to temple development. The minister emphasizes that these guests must be given safe, fast-track access to the rituals—particularly during peak hours—for "security and protocol reasons." You are discreetly informed that failure to comply may reflect poorly on your "team spirit" and "coordination." However, in coordination meetings, your technical team strongly recommends a complete ban on VIP movement as well as restricted public access during peak hours. Your technical team reiterates that strict movement controls and complete exclusion of VIP corridors during peak hours are essential to prevent another tragedy. Even a group of local journalists and civil society activists approach you to acknowledge institutional lapses earlier and ban all elite access in solidarity with the victims' families, failing which, they threaten to make public compelling evidence that police personnel ignored crowd warnings during the stampede. Moreover, there is also discomfort among religious leaders of the area regarding heavy restrictions, fearing it may disturb centuries-old ritual sanctity. You must now take a final decision that could either uphold the principle of equity and public safety or preserve traditional hierarchies and personal rapport with the political leadership. (a) What are the ethical dilemmas that you face? (b) What are the options available to you to cope with this situation? (c) Which of the options, do you think, would be the most appropriate for you to adopt and why? (d) What systemic reforms would you suggest for the long-term resolution of such challenges in managing large religious gatherings, particularly concerning VIP access as well as public safety?20 marks

The answers