AIR 38 · CSE 2017 · GS4 · 62 pages

Aparna Gupta: GS4 answer copy

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

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Marketing has become a crucial link in the success of a business. With suitable examples, discuss the ethical issues involved in marketing of a product or service. How can these issues be resolved?10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Value education empowers a person to confront the myriad challenges of contemporary Indian society. Discuss.10 marks
  3. Q2(a)Ethics is the first line of defence against corruption while law enforcement is remedial and reactive. Examine the statement with suitable examples.10 marks
  4. Q2(b)Discuss the influence that parents have on values of their children and the role they can play in transmitting good values and resisting negative influences. Why is it that, at times, the values of children differ from that of their parents?10 marks
  5. Q3(a)What does 'public service' means to you? Describe the various ways in which one can serve the public. Does one necessarily serve the public better by entering the civil services? Justify your stand.10 marks
  6. Q3(b)What do you understand by 'civic virtue' in public life? What are the challenges in practising it in today's time? How can these challenges be overcome?10 marks
  7. Q4(a)The lives of great leaders inspire us in many ways. Which leader has had a lasting impact on you and in what way? Mention one outstanding value that you have imbibed from him/her and its importance to being a civil servant.10 marks
  8. Q4(b)Governance is the vital link in our quest for prosperity and equity. What should be the key elements of ethical governance to eliminate corruption and bureaucratic delays? Examine.10 marks
  9. Q5(a)Has excessive profit seeking by corporates undermined the trust of public in the private sector? Giving examples, examine the reasons for failure of corporate governance in India.10 marks
  10. Q5(b)Income inequality, resource mismanagement and health hazards are some of the negative consequences of globalization. In this context, what are some of the ethical dilemmas that civil servants face today? How has the approach to handling these undergone a change?10 marks
  11. Q6Discuss the role and importance of independent directors for corporate governance.10 marks
  12. Q7Is there a conflict between morality and freedom? Discuss with reference to Kant's views on categorical imperative.10 marks
  13. Q8"Since at the beginning and end of our lives we are so dependent on other's kindness, how can it be that in the middle we neglect the kindness towards others?" - The Dalai Lama. Bring out what you understand by this quote and discuss its relevance in the Indian society.10 marks
  14. Q9You, a reporter currently working as an intern, accompanied a small group of reporters to a political event organized by the ruling party's state unit. The party was followed by dinner where you were also asked to join. Here, you noticed that alcohol was being served to some members of the ruling party. Consumption of alcohol had been declared illegal in the state a few months ago and the ban is being enforced strictly across the state. The other reporters in your group ignored the issue and asked you to ignore it as well. However, it was clear to you that the law was not being followed. (a) Identify the issues involved in this scenario. (b) What are your duties in such a scenario? (c) What course of action would you follow and why?20 marks
  15. Q10You are posted as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in a district. As the SDM it is your responsibility to conduct interviews and select a candidate for the post of an ASHA worker in the district. On the day you are conducting the interviews, you are approached by the MLA of the local constituency who asks you to choose a particular lady for this position by overlooking the other candidates. On checking her documents you find that she is eligible in all respects. The MLA implores that she should be given the post on compassionate grounds as her husband was a soldier who was martyred in a war. Some of the options to handle the situation could be as follows: (a) Ignore the MLA and proceed with the process of selection. (b) Speak to your superior and seek his guidance on the matter. (c) Appoint the lady to the post as it is a compassionate appointment. Also suggest other possible options. Evaluate each of these options and suggest the best course of action, giving reasons for it.20 marks
  16. Q11You are officer-in-charge of a very important railway junction, which is an artery of trade and commerce. A peasant disturbance has been brewing in your district for the past few weeks. Their discussions with the political and district leadership has borne no fruit and it has come to the stage that now they are protesting by organizing a sit-in on the railway tracks near the station. They have thereby succeeded in blocking movement of all trains. This disruption is causing significant harassment for the passengers waiting at the platform as well. (a) What will be your course of immediate action? (b) How can emotional intelligence act as a tool in handling this issue? (c) What steps will you take so that such incidents are not repeated in the future?20 marks
  17. Q12You are representing India in an international bidding for oil exploration in a country. Other, richer countries are also bidding for the project. You are sure that your bid of exploration is better as well as cheaper than that of others, and that you will definitely win the bid. A day before the auction, you come to know that other countries are employing every means, including bribing the authorities for being successful. Some of the officials of the home country have also contacted you and made some demands in exchange for assurance of India winning the bid. You are aware of the criticality of this bid in terms of domestic economic and strategic implications. Based on above information, answer the following questions. (a) Specify the ethical dilemma(s) that you face in this situation. (b) Do ethical concerns really matter in international transactions or are they secondary to domestic interests? (c) What will be your course of action in the above situation? Justify with merits and demerits.20 marks
  18. Q13You are the CEO of a film production company, which has not been doing well financially for some time. Your company is now relying on its forthcoming movie, which is about to be released shortly. The movie has a cast of reliable actors and even before its release, trade pundits have predicted that the movie will be a hit. However, you face a conundrum as one of the actors in the movie is a citizen of a neighbouring country with which relations have been disturbed and a war like situation exists. While the political atmosphere was different when the movie was being filmed, now there is a widespread public demand, with a local political party at the forefront, for replacing the actor from the movie or a ban on the release of the movie itself, if the actor is not replaced. While you are aware of the mood of the nation and the public repercussions of releasing the movie in its present form, you also know that it is not feasible to replace him at this stage as he has a substantial role in the movie. There is also a section in the film fraternity that does not want you to compromise in the wake of threat by the local party as it compromises freedom of speech and expression as well as artistic creativity. (a) What are the options available to you? (b) Evaluate each of the options and state their merits and demerits. (c) What course of action would you take and why?20 marks
  19. Q14Big firms often undertake sub-contracting to complete large infrastructure projects in a timely manner. You recently joined one such firm as a manager responsible for awarding these contracts. Looking at the past records, you find that all contracts for the past few years have been awarded to a particular firm, X. Your superior has asked you to award an upcoming contract to the same firm. Although, not binding, company procedure maintains that sub-contracting work should be offered after competitive bids. This is to ensure that the firm most suitable for the project in terms of operations and finance gets the contract. When you discuss this with your superior, he insists that hiring of the firm X has been done as per legal norms of the company and no official rule has been violated. You decide to contact the owner of the firm X. After doing so, you realize that he is the nephew of your superior, who is also a shareholder in the company. (a) State the ethical issues involved in the case. (b) Does this form of transaction between two private parties constitute a conflict of interest? Justify. (c) Evaluate the possible ways of awarding contracts in such a situation with their merits and demerits. Also state which method would be more suitable in each situation.20 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 211 words written

Marketing has become a crucial link in the success of a business. With suitable examples, discuss the ethical issues involved in marketing of a product or service. How can these issues be resolved?

Opening

All businesses engage in marketing and advertising to increase their sales. But marketing raises certain ethical issues.

Body · points

  1. Advertisements sometimes give false information. If it is supported by some celebrities then it creates ethical concern regarding their responsibility to their followers. For example when toothpaste brands claim to be supported by dentists.

  2. The marketing campaigns at times support patriarchal values and inequality. For example fairness creams reflect the racist mentality of liking fair women.

  3. There can be misleading of customers and following predatory prices. This way initially companies give huge discounts and kill all competition. This is uncompetitive and unethical. For example when reliance launched Reliance Jio, other telecom operators were concerned.

These ethical issues need to be addressed through following:

  1. Strong regulatory mechanism such as Competition Commission of India, Consumer forums should ensure that firms do not engage in uncompetitive practices.

  2. The companies should follow corporate governance norms and understand their corporate responsibilities.

  3. Celebrities should take ethical stance on advertising for certain products. for example Kangana Ranaut has declared that she will not advertise for fairness creams.

  4. Independent directors in companies should take cognisance of unethical marketing practices.

Close · a way forward

Ultimately, the corporates should ensure that their action does not lead to maleficence and promotes beneficence.