AIR 20 · CSE 2022 · GS4 · 58 pages

Anoushka Sharma: GS4 answer copy

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

The questions

  1. Q1(a)It is often argued that there is a crisis of values in modern society. Do you agree with this view? Discuss with examples.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Explain the role of society in imparting values. In this context also, discuss a situation wherein acquired values learnt from home or school guided you in a situation of dilemma.10 marks
  3. Q2(a)For a public servant to fulfill his ethical obligations, it is important that there be no dichotomy between his personal ethics and public ethics. Analyze.10 marks
  4. Q2(b)Transparency is not only a bulwark against corruption in administration but also strengthens moral standards in governance. Discuss.10 marks
  5. Q3(a)Morality is neither divine commands nor universal principle of thought rather practices developed by groups of human beings striving to avoid mutually harmful conflict and promote mutually beneficial cooperation. Comment.10 marks
  6. Q3(b)Explain different aspects of the 'right conduct' taught by Mahavira to attain a life full of happiness and content.10 marks
  7. Q4(a)Discuss the standards of behavior expected from civil servants in carrying out their role of developing and implementing government policies and delivering public services.10 marks
  8. Q4(b)Bring out the differences between the ethical issues faced by government and private institutions and the reasons therein.10 marks
  9. Q5(a)What is the ethical basis behind the idea of reparations for historical wrongs committed against certain groups?10 marks
  10. Q5(b)What do you understand by Integrity Pacts? In light of recent events, analyse their utility in ensuring transparency and efficiency in public procurement in India.10 marks
  11. Q6(a)What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (30) (a) "We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far." - Swami Vivekananda30 marks
  12. Q6(b)"Virtue lies in our power, and similarly so does vice; because where it is in our power to act, it is also in our power not to act." - Aristotle
  13. Q6(c)"It may be expedient but it is not just that some should have less in order that others may prosper." — John Rawls
  14. Q7You are the District Magistrate (DM) of a remote district where literacy rate is very low and level of poverty quite high. The government has decided to go ahead with the first phase of mass vaccination against the COVID-19 pandemic and being the DM it is your responsibility to ensure its successful implementation in the district. However, some people with vested interests have raised concerns against the vaccine. They have not only questioned the efficacy of the vaccine but have also spread rumors of it being harmful for human health. They have also initiated a whisper campaign to the effect that vaccination will lead to impotency and that it is the hidden agenda of the government to control population. There have also been reports in local newspapers of the vaccine being approved for mass vaccination even before completion of the last phase of trials. This is further adding to the confusion and apprehension prevalent among people in the district. The situation was tense even before the initiation of the mass vaccination programe, and once it started you received reports that very few people are turning up to get themselves vaccinated. Given the situation: (a) Discuss various issues involved in the case. (b) What will be your course of action to ensure that the vaccination program becomes a success?20 marks
  15. Q7(b)(b) यह सुनिश्चित करने के लिए आपकी कार्रवाई क्या होगी जिससे टीकाकरण कार्यक्रम सफल हो जाए?
  16. Q8There was an incident at a company wherein a fire broke out and led to a number of casualties. During the preliminary inquiry, one of the employees and bystander witnesses, specified that the company had taken all the safety measures and the management was not at fault. During litigation, the same employee was identified as a witness and his deposition was to be taken. The issue is now in the court. You are a Senior Manager of the company and accompanying the said employee to the court for the deposition. On the way the employee tells you that he had lied during the inquiry; and that the truth was worse for the company than he had stated previously. (a) Identify the various ethical issues you would face in this situation. (b) What would you suggest the employee to do? Give reasons for your suggestions.20 marks
  17. Q9(a)In this context, discuss the ethical issues associated with the practice and acceptance of racial discrimination in India. (b) If you have been tasked to formulate a plan to combat hate crimes associated with racism in India and bring about an attitudinal change, what would be your suggestions?
  18. Q9(b)20 marks
  19. Q10With its highly coveted line of consumer electronics, a multinational company 'A' has a cult following among loyal consumers and makes profits of crores of rupees. Recently, a report by an international non-governmental organisation has highlighted that in some overseas production centres of the company, the working conditions are hazardous for the labour, which include children also. In some centres, the international environmental standards are also flouted. The company's global head has defended their position by saying that they have little control over monitoring and regulating the entire supply chain due to internationalization of the production process. Based on the above information, answer the following: (a) Do you think company 'A' should be held responsible for ethical lapses made by individuals further down its supply chain? (b) Should customers be expected to take into account the ethical track record of companies while making purchases? Give reasons.20 marks
  20. Q1120 marks
  21. Q12Recently, the government has enacted certain legislations, which have led to largescale protests from various farmer and trade union bodies in the country. This protest has witnessed various events such as blocking of public roads, destruction of public property and even mass wasting of crops by some farmers. On one hand, the farmers and traders have accused the government of crony capitalism and on the other hand, the government has pointed out that the protests have been orchestrated by those whose vested interests have been hit by the legislations. Various experts are divided on the issue and there is no one concrete view emerging on it. The negotiations that have taken place, have also not yielded any results so far. (a) Identify the different stakeholders and their interests in the case above. (b) Discuss the ethical concerns with such protests and how they should be tackled in your opinion.20 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 175 words written

It is often argued that there is a crisis of values in modern society. Do you agree with this view? Discuss with examples.

Opening · a definition

Values refer to individual and collective preferences of a society which helps deal with various situations.

Body · points

Diagram
- Values are based on - Impact on society - always right / wrong

Crisis of values in modern society

  1. Honesty vs Efficiency - Society awards success regardless of the cost paid, which can impact honesty. Example: An IAS officer to clear papers does not go through them properly.

  2. Transparency vs secrecy - transparency leads to honest interactions but some information needs to be hidden if our

superiors, etc deem so for public interest. Ex: Denial of RTI requests

  1. Flexibility vs following rules - obeying elders and following precedents to work properly but governance requires adaptability for public service. Ex: A recruitment stipulates min height as 165 cms but in a tribe, the tallest height is 162 cms, this demands flexibility.

  2. Empathy vs misuse of power - Understanding other's scenario is useful but misusing it to further interests of only few people leads to a crisis of values.

Close · a summary

Ex: Nepotism.

Crisis of values is a bane of our modern society which needs evolution and changed definition of certain values.