A topper · GS4 · 58 pages

Amol: GS4 answer copy

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

The questions

  1. Q1(a)The more remotely power is exercised from the people, the greater is the distance between authority and accountability. Discuss.10 marks
  2. Q1(b), "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion". In what ways can a compassionate public official be more useful for realizing public service goals?10 marks
  3. Q2(a)The recent decision by the government to ban use of red beacons is only a symbolic gesture and a lot more needs to be done to end the VIP culture in India. Critically discuss.10 marks
  4. Q2(b)To what extent can financial incentives help shape attitude towards social issues? Discuss with relevant examples.10 marks
  5. Q3(a)At times, moral behaviour can be constrained by the complexity of legal system. Explain. In this context, explain the purpose of legal protection for good samaritans in the case of road accidents.10 marks
  6. Q3(b)Examine the different ethical issues involved in the use of public shaming as a punitive measure. Do you think this is an appropriate measure to address the problem of rising crime rates.10 marks
  7. Q4(a)Why did Gunnar Myrdal use the term 'soft state' in the context of South Asia? Do you think such a characterisation is still relevant in the case of India today?10 marks
  8. Q4(b)Intolerance can be linked both to prejudices and value judgments. Elaborate with relevant examples. Also discuss how intolerance can be countered in a multicultural society like India.10 marks
  9. Q6What are the factors which draw people to public service? Suggest measures to keep public servants motivated.10 marks
  10. Q8Emotions, earlier considered as an irrational factor in decision-making, are now recognised as a critical factor of judgment. In this regard, answer the following questions: (a) How can Emotional Intelligence help in coping with the intense pressure and occupational stress faced by police officers and armed forces in discharge of their duties? (b) What are the some of the concerns in incorporating and assessment of emotional intelligence skills in public service?10 marks
  11. Q9You, a manager in one of the top IT firms in the country, are tasked with hiring new recruits for an upcoming project. You find that the company has given tacit instructions of not hiring female candidates in view of the new maternity law passed by the Government. You find this highly objectionable and lodge a protest with people in the higher management but they are firm as they want to cut down all the unnecessary costs. Based on this information, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the stakeholders and their interests in the situation. (b) What are the dilemmas that a recruiting manager may face in such a scenario? (c) What are the different options available to you? Which one will you pursue and why?20 marks
  12. Q10There has been a perceptible rise in the cost of healthcare services provided by private hospitals. In absence of adequate and quality government hospitals, people are forced to opt for private hospitals, especially for life threatening diseases and injuries. You recently visit one of your friends admitted in a famous private hospital. You found out that the hospital is charging a huge amount of money, which seems to be unreasonable. You confront the staff and ask them to explain the rationale behind such high charges. Their response is that the charges are fair for the kind of services they are providing. (a) What are the ethical issues involved in this situation? (b) Given how other professions price their services, discuss the feasibility of capping the amount of fees charged by doctors and private hospitals. (c) How can the provision of quality services and need for profit be reconciled with society's interests in this case?20 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 122 words written

The more remotely power is exercised from the people, the greater is the distance between authority and accountability. Discuss.

Opening

Principles of citizen centric governance as mentioned by 2nd Administrative reforms commission include

Body · points

(i) Increased public participation in decision making (ii) Effective grievance redressal mechanism with ease of access to public (e.g. e governance) (iii) Authorities should be held accountable by public eg social audit, Right to Information. Thus exercise of power should be done with proximity to people in decentralisation and grassroot implementation.

If this is not the case then (i) Authority will lose credibility (ii) People will lose faith in system (iii) Rise of protests.

This good governance involves that authority should be ready for open accountability directly by people. Methods to improve public access is → e-governance: G2P model of two way governance → citizens charter → grievance redressal

Close · no separate close

None written.