AIR 3 · CSE 2020 · GS4 · 60 pages

Ankita Jain: GS4 answer copy

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

The questions

Q1Norms of social morality should not be applied to acts of civil servants while they are carrying out their professional roles and responsibilities to further the common Good. Critically Analyze.
Q1(b)Determination of ethics in state policies and actions is not easy because every policy and action has both positive and negative aspects viewed from different stakeholders' perspectives. Discuss with suitable examples.
Q2(a)What do you understand by global ethics in today's world? Highlight the role that global ethics can play in achieving universally accepted goals.
Q2(b)Highlight the important teachings of Swami Vivekananda, relevant to the youth of today.
Q3(a)Bring out meaning of below quotations:- (a) Courage is the most important of all virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.
Q3(b)One has not only a legal but also a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.
Q4(a)Can a war ever be justified on moral grounds? Support your answer with suitable arguments.
Q4(b)Do you think that ethical principles are universal in nature? Justify your answer with relevant examples.
Q5(a)For civil servants, both professional competence and commitment to ethics are equally important. Analyze.
Q5(b)Despite changing family structure, it still plays an important role in nurturing core societal values. Discuss.
Q6(b)Impartiality as a core value of civil servants should not become a hurdle in showing compassion towards weaker section of the society - Examine.
Q7Tolerance is not enough, it is the idea of acceptance that accomodates diversities and make a society inclusive. Elaborate.
Q8Companies adhering to the norms of corporate governance emerge as winners in the long run. Evaluate with the help of suitable examples.
Q9You are posted as a DCP in the national capital of the country. In a locality which falls under your jurisdiction, protests have been going on for the last one month against a decision taken by the government. While these protests have been non-violent in nature and are being led by women, the protesters have blocked a major road which connects a number of satellite cities. This has led to traffic jams and congestion causing inconvenience to people who use this road for commuting to work, causing hardships and a loss to the economy. A number of people filed complaints in this regard and also approached the courts. The High Court has directed the police to keep larger public interest in mind and take appropriate action. In light of the information given above, answer the following questions: (a) While highlighting the significance of right to protest in a democratic setup, discuss the limitations on this right, even if the protests are non-violent, as in this case. (b) What are the options available to you? (c) Evaluate each of these options and choose the option you would adopt, giving reasons.20 marks
Q10You are a sportsman who has been recently included in the national team squad for an upcoming international tournament. Many others are fighting for the same position and you would like to cement your place in the team as soon as possible. While you are practicing at a training session for the tournament with your fellow team mates, one amongst them offers you a prohibited substance. He claims that it will help you in improving your performance in the tournament. He also informs you that a lot of other team mates also use performance enhancing drugs or PEDs to improve their performance in tournaments. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What are the options available to you in the above case? Which amongst these will you choose and why? (b) Discuss the ethical issues involved in doping by sportspersons.
Q11Why is it that people applaud these actions of the police? Do you share such sentiments? Justify with relevant arguments.20 marks
Q12(a)Public policy is being increasingly informed by insights from the behavioural sciences. One such behavioural approach is the Nudge theory. It is mainly concerned with the design of choices, which influences the decisions we make. Nudge theory proposes that the designing of choices should be based on how people actually think and decide, rather than how leaders and authorities traditionally believe people think and decide. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) Giving examples, illustrate the difference between enforced change and 'Nudge' techniques?
Q12(b)Identify the ethical concerns associated with the nudge technique. Also, suggest ways for using nudging theory ethically.20 marks
Q13Public policy is being increasingly informed by insights from the behavioural sciences. One such behavioural approach is the Nudge theory. It is mainly concerned with the design of choices, which influences the decisions we make. Nudge theory proposes that the designing of choices should be based on how people actually think and decide, rather than how leaders and authorities traditionally believe people think and decide. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) Giving examples, illustrate the difference between enforced change and 'Nudge' techniques? (b) Identify the ethical concerns associated with the nudge technique. Also, suggest ways for using nudging theory ethically.
Q13(a)What are the administrative challenges that you face in such a situation to restore the credibility of the administration? (b) Given the resources and command of the government, what short-term and long-term measures can be taken to earn back the trust of the people and their willing cooperation?
Q13(b)What are the administrative challenges that you face in such a situation to restore the credibility of the administration? (b) Given the resources and command of the government, what short-term and long-term measures can be taken to earn back the trust of the people and their willing cooperation?20 marks
Q14In contemporary times, disruptions have become an endemic feature of the functioning of Indian Parliament. Though it is not a new phenomenon, disruptions, which were an exception earlier, seem to have become the new normal. The years gone by have seen MPs raise slogans, snatch papers from ministers and indulge in theatrics. Crucial time of the Parliament, which ought to have been spent in debating appropriateness of legislation or other important issues, is getting unnecessarily wasted. In this context, answer the following: (a) Identify the ethical issues involved from the point of view of different stakeholders? (b) What are the reasons behind such a scenario? (c) Is merely having a code of conduct or ethics sufficient to resolve this situation?20 marks

The answers

Question 1 · 193 words written

Norms of social morality should not be applied to acts of civil servants while they are carrying out their professional roles and responsibilities to further the common Good. Critically Analyze.

Opening · a definition

Social morality refers to the norms that society has set and follow and perceive as moral.

Body · points

Expectations from civil servant

(1) Constitutional ideals to be followed (2) Rule of law to be followed (3) 6 roles as envisaged by ARC II such as anonymity, neutrality etc. (4) All India civil services rules and central civil services rules

Issues in following social morality

(1) popular belief mistaken as morality Eg. Head hunters of Nagaland think head hunting is moral. (2) Comprising objectivity as civil servant may choose social morality over objectivity. For eg. human sacrifice in Tantric cult. (3) conflicts in constitutional morality and social morality. For. g. sabimala issue (4) Hero-worship by society starts influencing opinion & decisions of civil servants.

What should civil servant do?

Close · a summary

Strike a fine balance between the two. Do not compromise with objectivity.

Season rationality with emotions (emotional intelligence).

Discretionary powers should always be exercised without violating rule of law and in public interest as per section 3 of All India Service rules.

Therefore, civil servant is expected to upheld public interest, and social morality can be uphold if it does not comprise on values.