AIR 12 · CSE 2024 · GS4 · 59 pages

Ashi Sharma: GS4 answer copy

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

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Explain the relationship between Public Service Values and Public Administration Ethics. Do you think public service values are only eloquent statements for glorifying the Department's mission, or do they have any utility for public servants? Discuss.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)How does the conscientious public servant sort through competing considerations and determine "the right thing to do?" When it comes to serving the public, how does one put one's values into practice? Illustrate with examples.10 marks
  3. Q2(a)What do you understand by good governance in public administration and corporations? How do they differ? Identify and explain three principles that can act as a foundation for good governance in a corporate setting.10 marks
  4. Q2(b)One hallmark of good governance is government departments' adherence to strict ethical standards when procuring goods and services for public programmes. Identify and explain the ethical principles that must be respected to maintain the integrity of the procurement process.10 marks
  5. Q3(a)How should public servants ethically balance stakeholder interests, official obligations, and regime values when making administrative decisions, and which of these should be given the most moral weight?10 marks
  6. Q3(b)Recent researchers have argued that the government's health and social-based interventions are significantly less effective without the emotional skills of self-awareness and empathy. Do you agree? Justify your answer with relevant examples..10 marks
  7. Q4(a)Discuss with relevant examples how civil servants' political and moral attitudes impact their work ethics and daily administrative decision-making.10 marks
  8. Q4(b)(morality of the action) "The motive has nothing to do with the morality of the action." In light of the above statement, do you think motive is irrelevant in determining the morality of an action? Explain your position with relevant examples.10 marks
  9. Q5(a)(vow based moral philosophy) Explain the contemporary relevance of Jain Tirthankaras' vow-based moral philosophy.10 marks
  10. Q5(b)What ethical dilemmas arise from the use of economic sanctions in international relations, and how can policymakers balance these concerns with the need to punish illegal behaviours and compel political change?10 marks
  11. Q6(a)Discuss the relevance of the following quotes to the present times. "Wars begin in the minds of men, and in those minds, love and compassion would have built the defences of peace."10 marks
  12. Q6(b)“May you live your life as if the maxim of your actions were to become universal law.”10 marks
  13. Q6(c)(the golden rule of conduct) The golden rule of conduct is mutual toleration seeing that we will never all think alike and we shall always see Truth in fragment and form different angles of vision.10 marks
  14. Q7You recently took over as CEO of Beta Technologies, a renowned IT services and consulting firm in India established in 1990. Over the past three decades, the company has grown into a global player with clients in North America, Europe, and Asia. Known for cutting-edge solutions and strong client relationships, Beta Technologies has been a market leader in the IT sector. It has been three weeks since you took over, and one day, the company's legal head came to you with a report that they had discovered discrepancies in the company's financial statement. For five years, the company's financial Officer (CFO), Mr. Rahul Mehta, has manipulated its earnings reports. By inflating revenues and understating expenses, he has created a false image of financial health to boost stock prices and secure more investment. Further, it was found that Mr. Mehta has significant personal investments in some of the company's vendors. These vendors were awarded lucrative contracts, often at inflated prices and with favourable terms detrimental to the company. Mr. Mehta's actions have compromised the procurement process and led to financial losses for the company. As CEO, you were confronted with a critical decision. You also had to contend with financial irregularities and a skewed procurement process. (a) What decision options are available to you? (b) What are the issues involved in the above case? (c) What will be your chosen course of action and Why?20 marks
  15. Q8As a District Development Officer (DDO) in a district known for its arid conditions the past year has been particularly challenging. With rains failing to arrive the region faced an acute water shortage, leading to a severe agricultural downturn and reported starvation deaths. One of my critical responsibilities includes supervising the mid-day meal scheme, ensuring that it runs smoothly and reaches the intended beneficiaries - schoolchildren. Amidst the ongoing crisis, I observed an anomaly in the mid-day meal scheme in three specific blocks. The consumption of food grains was significantly higher than the number of students enrolled. This discrepancy had been persistent for about a month, prompting me to initiate a thorough inquiry to uncover the reasons behind the unusual pattern. The investigation revealed a surprising yet heart-wrenching reality. The village schools in these blocks were using the extra food grains to feed starving families in the community. This unauthorised action, while driven by compassion was officially a punishable offence. The schools were diverting resources intended exclusively for students to provide relief to those suffering from acute hunger. As the situation unravelled, you found yourself in a moral quandary. On one hand, as the DDO, I was bound by regulations that required me to ensure the proper use of government resources. Despite its noble intent, the unauthorised diversion of food grains was a breach of protocol that necessitated disciplinary action, including the suspension of the school officials involved. On the other hand, these school officials' actions were driven by a deep sense of humanity and compassion. They chose to prioritise the immediate needs of their community, recognising the dire circumstances and the urgent need to prevent further starvation deaths. Punishing them for their humane response to the crisis seemed not only harsh but also contrary to the spirit of public service. (a) What are the ethical issues in the above case? (b) As a DDO, what are the options available to you? (c) Explain your chosen course of action, along with your reasons. (d) Given the above case, what would be the best ethical theory for handling human distress situations?20 marks
  16. Q9As the Superintendent of Police (SP) in a peaceful district, I was accustomed to handling minor crimes such as petty thefts, property encroachments, and small fights. The crime rate was low, and the people generally kept to their business, making it a relatively easy workplace. However, over the past month, my office began receiving a different kind of grievance that indicated a more complex issue brewing in the community. A significant number of complaints were received from villagers who reported losing money from their bank accounts without their knowledge. These grievances were alarming, especially since they came from a demographic that was largely illiterate and unfamiliar with modern banking practices. The villagers were confused and distraught, not understanding how their hard-earned money was disappearing. Upon conducting a preliminary enquiry, we discovered that the money was not exactly being stolen but was being deducted as insurance premiums for policies under the State Government's Bima Yojna. The villagers were unaware that they had even signed up for such policies, raising suspicions about the legitimacy of these transactions. A deeper investigation revealed that agents from government banks were aggressively pushing the Bima Yojna. These agents had been instructed to meet government targets for the scheme, leading them to add beneficiaries without proper consent. Most of the villagers were illiterate and had no understanding of the insurance policies they were enrolled in. The deductions were legal, but the methods used to obtain the villagers' consent were highly questionable. You were wondering about the course of action, as the deductions were legal, and the agents were technically following instructions. But, in the process, they were exploiting the poor villagers. (a) What are the ethical issues involved in the above case? (b) What are the options available to you as an SP? (c) Explain your chosen course of an action. (d) If you have to recommend a better way of promoting the bima yojna, what would that be?20 marks
  17. Q9(null)You were wondering about the course of action, as the deductions were legal, and the agents were technically following instructions. But, in the process, they were exploiting the poor villagers. (a) What are the ethical issues involved in the above case? (b) What are the options available to you as an SP? (c) Explain your chosen course of an action (d) If you have to recommend a better way of promoting the bima yojna, what would that be?20 marks
  18. Q10As a junior engineer in the Department of Water Supply for the past five years, my responsibilities included ensuring water quality and maintaining supply lines for regular distribution. The zone I was posted in had persistent water shortage issues, particularly exacerbated during the summer when the supply became erratic. Residents had to rely heavily on water tankers, which added to their financial burden and inconvenience. Over the years, I observed that the disruptions in water supply were not merely due to technical issues or natural scarcity. Through careful monitoring and data collection, I uncovered evidence suggesting that a cartel of tanker owners was deliberately creating an artificial shortage. This cartel would tamper with the water supply lines, causing disruptions, and then capitalise on the situation by selling water at inflated prices. The activities of this cartel were not only illegal but also highly unethical, exploiting the residents' basic need for water. With substantial evidence in hand, I decided to take action against the cartel. I met with the district Superintendent of Police (SP) and presented my findings. The SP appeared concerned and promised to initiate action against the culprits. However, two weeks passed without any noticeable action being taken. Frustrated and determined, I scheduled another meeting with the SP to understand the delay. During our meeting, the SP candidly explained the situation. He acknowledged the problem and the validity of my evidence but expressed his inability to act due to the cartel's strong political connections and influence. He feared for the safety of his men and the potential repercussions on his career if he went against such powerful interests. This revelation left me in a difficult position, as I understood the SP's predicament but also felt a deep responsibility to address the issue for the sake of the community. (a) What are the options available to you in the above situation? (b) What will be your chosen course of action? (c) Identify the ethical issues involved in the case (d) Suggest some measures for handling cartels who prey on people's needs.20 marks
  19. Q11(government defence contracting firm)20 marks
  20. Q12After being posted as the District Development Officer (DDO) in a district dominated by tribal villages, I met with all the Block Development Officers (BDOs) to understand the region's specific problems. The primary issues identified were water scarcity, poor educational infrastructure, irregularities in the midday meal scheme, and non-existent roads. With a limited budget, I began planning solutions for these pressing problems. A few weeks after the BDOs meeting, I made a courtesy visit to the Superintendent of Police's (SP) office. During our cordial conversation, the SP mentioned witchcraft-related crimes, which surprised me as none of the BDOs had brought it up. My concern grew knowing that most victims of these crimes were women. A week later, while visiting a block for a routine inspection, I met with school teachers, ASHA workers, and women elders from Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Through discussions, I learned that witchcraft had deep roots in the community. ASHA workers reported incidents almost every month, though none were officially recorded. Realising the gravity of the situation, I decided to allocate part of the development funds to tackle witchcraft-related superstitions. Local NGOs and SHGs welcomed the initiative, but two weeks later, you received an RTI wanting an explanation for allocating funds for witchcraft-related issues at the cost of critical areas like education, roads, and water supply. (a) What are the issues involved in the above case? (b) With a limited budget at your disposal, you decide to allocate funds to tackle witchcraft-related superstitions. How would you justify your decision to the community and stakeholders? (c) Given that witchcraft-related crimes were not initially reported by the BDOs, how would you address this lack of communication and ensure better reporting and transparency moving forward?20 marks
  21. Q12(a)What are the issues involved in the above case?
  22. Q12(b)What are the issues involved in the above case? (b) With a limited budget at your disposal, you decide to allocate funds to tackle witchcraft-related superstitions. How would you justify your decision to the community and stakeholders? (c) Given that witchcraft-related crimes were not initially reported by the BDOs, how would you address this lack of communication and ensure better reporting and transparency moving forward?
  23. Q12(c)What are the issues involved in the above case? (b) With a limited budget at your disposal, you decide to allocate funds to tackle witchcraft-related superstitions. How would you justify your decision to the community and stakeholders? (c) Given that witchcraft-related crimes were not initially reported by the BDOs, how would you address this lack of communication and ensure better reporting and transparency moving forward?20 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 191 words written

Explain the relationship between Public Service Values and Public Administration Ethics. Do you think public service values are only eloquent statements for glorifying the Department's mission, or do they have any utility for public servants? Discuss.

Opening

Public service values are the foundational blocks for guiding ethical behaviours in public servants.

Body · points

Relationship between values & ethics

  1. help us differentiate between right & wrong.
    • value of honesty → to be truthful & avoid dishonesty
  2. form the basis of work culture.
    • professionalism → efficiency at workplace.
  3. provide clarity regarding organisational goal and roles
    • CBI motto → industry, integrity, impartiality

Utilitarian Purpose

  1. encourage strong sense of commitment and devotion to duty

  2. Seema Dhaka (Delhi police) rescued 79 kids, got an out of order promotion as a reward.

  3. help inculcate selflessness and deter abuse of power by individuals.

  4. instill rationality & objectivity for better decision making

  5. strengthen integrity of character in public servants guiding them to effectively deal with ethical dilemmas of personal gain v/s organisational gain.

  6. help create a sense of leadership and ownership in the progress of organisation/department

  7. highlight the significance of accountability deterring abuse of discretionary powers and transparency in public service.

Close · a way forward

To successfully ensure that values are translated into the conduct of public servants, we need a code of ethics as suggested by 2nd ARC.