AIR 90 · CSE 2017 · GS4 · 64 pages

Benson: GS4 answer copy

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

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Cultural diversity has made emotional intelligence crucial for Indian administration. Comment.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Family and school are important agents of socialization in a child's life. Comment on the role of family and school as a source of values. Give an example of a situation where these acquired values guided you in a situation of dilemma.10 marks
  3. Q2(a)Given below are two quotations. Bring out what they mean to you in the present context: (a) "We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far."10 marks
  4. Q2(b)"A man's conscience and his judgement is the same thing and as the judgement, so also the conscience, may be erroneous."10 marks
  5. Q3(a)"The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?" What do you understand by nationalism? What significance does it hold in your life?10 marks
  6. Q3(b)A 'Good Samaritan' legal protection is vital to encourage people to offer assistance without the fear of any criminal or civil liability. Discuss the statement in the context of India's unacceptably high rate of road accident fatalities due to the inability of victims to get timely medical treatment.10 marks
  7. Q4(a)"There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest." Discuss the significance of this statement in present day India.10 marks
  8. Q4(b)Around the world, more than 125 million people need humanitarian aid. With special reference to financial assistance, discuss the various ethical issues involved in addressing the needs of those in dire circumstances. What measures can be undertaken to ensure that donations and aids for such purposes are thoroughly channelled to meet their targets.10 marks
  9. Q5(a)While discretion is necessary for effective discharge of duties, it is also a major factor responsible for corruption in administration at all levels. Comment. In this context, suggest some ways in which smooth execution of responsibilities can be ascertained while minimising corruption.10 marks
  10. Q5(b)What do you understand by corporate ethics? Giving examples, highlight the ethical issues faced by CEOs in the current competetive environment, with special reference to government owned enterprises.10 marks
  11. Q6Government employees are often considered by many as being unresponsive, insensitive and corrupt. What, according to you, are the factors that cultivate such a negative attitude towards civil servants? As a young civil servant, what would be your approach to change this attitude?10 marks
  12. Q7Many of the present social conflicts arise due to prejudices and discrimination. Illustrate. What can be done to curb discrimination and handle prejudices?10 marks
  13. Q8Adhering to high standards of transparency is often in conflict with the duty towards maintaining confidentiality. With examples, elaborate on the problems faced by public servants in effective discharge of duties during such situations. Also, discuss the ethical framework that should guide the decisions in these circumstances.10 marks
  14. Q9You get your first posting as a District Collector in a predominantly rural area. Recently, the office of Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages registered an inter-caste marriage of a young couple. On hearing the news, villagers and family members of the married couple attacked the Registrar's office and are holding their respective children in captivity. One group also enjoys immense political power in the state and have warned you against taking any action. 20 Based on the above information, answer the following questions. (a) What is/are the ethical dilemma(s) that an administrator faces in such situations? (b) Enumerate your priorities and steps that you will take to handle the situation. (c) What are the social and attitudinal factors at play? What will be your role in bringing about a change in these?20 marks
  15. Q10A group of educated young men is caught trying to leave the country to fight for a terrorist organization overseas. It was found that they were radicalized online through social media by the handlers of that terrorist organization. These boys have not committed any act of terror till now and have no criminal background. 20 (a) What could be the reasons for radicalization of educated youth? (b) As a senior intelligence official, what approach would you follow to deal with such cases? Give arguments in support of your stand. (c) Suggest a feasible strategy to prevent further radicalization of youth in the country.20 marks
  16. Q11You are the CEO of a pharmaceutical company that has monopolized the manufacture of an anti-allergen device, which is used by millions who suffer from different kinds of allergic reactions: life threatening as well as non-threatening. Your company that was initially facing significant losses has increased the price of the device and since then has been witnessing huge profit margins. While the stakeholders of the company are pleased with your decision, there is a public backlash against the price rise. Politicians too have begun criticizing the policies of the company. 20 (a) What are the ethical issues involved? (b) Enumerate the values that are under question in the mentioned scenario? (c) As the CEO of the company, would you retrospectively change your decision in light of the public backlash?20 marks
  17. Q12You are a Public Information Officer (PIO) in Public Works Department. An RTI is filed to know about the allotment of tender to a company for construction of a bridge. While collecting information about the allotment process you came to know that the tender was under-priced. However, you also came to know that it was unintentional and was due to a calculation error which could not be detected during the scrutiny. The under-secretary of the department who is an honest official with an impeccable record and is the final authority for passing the tender has requested you to iron out the deficiencies in your response. His argument is that elections are to be held soon and the company which has got the tender belongs to a relative of senior minister. He fears that his reputation and job as well as of others involved in the process of allotment is at risk. You sympathise with your colleagues and understand that such consequences are possible. 20 (a) What are the options available to you? (b) Evaluate each of these options and choose the option you would adopt, giving reasons.20 marks
  18. Q13You are a government official supervising the maintenance and upkeep of juvenile rehabilitation centres all over country. You are a strong advocate for preventive services such as counselling and parenting skill education as an alternative to the placement of neglected children in rehabilitation homes. You have convinced your minister about the stand and he has taken a public position on the same and declared that he will scrap the scheme of rehabilitation homes alltogether. Believing that a reputable study of the cost-effectiveness of preventive services would bolster your position, your department enters into a contract with a top university to conduct a series of evaluation studies. The first study involves a controlled experimental evaluation of government sponsored preventive services. To your dismay, the findings show no evidence that preventive service is a cost effective alternative to placing children in rehabilitation homes. You are worried that the results, if published, would not only compromise the position of the minister but also yours. What will you do in such a situation? Some of the options are given below. Evaluate the merits and demerits of each of these options and suggest what course of action you would take, giving reasons. 20 (a) Keep silent on the report and continue advocating your stand with the minister. (b) Cancel the contract with the university and conduct a fresh study with a new agency. (c) Report the results to the minister and follow his orders. (d) Conduct further research and be prepared to accept the results and declare them publicly.20 marks
  19. Q14You are a young IAS officer posted as SDM of a flood prone sub-division. There is an old dam in your area which protects about 2 dozen villages from floods. Though the dam is weak, it is expected to hold up as repair works are being carried upon by the villagers. One day you receive a call that the villagers in the area had abandoned repairs and were running away from the work site because the dam was about to collapse as the force of water was building up. You quickly reach the site and see the fear and panic induced villagers. Systematised evacuation will take 2 days and if the dam collapses now, there will be great loss of life and property. You noticed several geo-bags (synthetic bags which are used to protect hydraulic structures and river banks from severe erosion) lying at a construction site near the dam which could hold the dam for some time. You realized that all you needed now was manpower to place these bags on the dam in such a way as to prevent water from entering the village. But the people are fear stricken and are preparing to flee. 20 Based on above information, answer the following questions: (a) Elaborate on the qualities of a civil servant that are essential in such circumstances. (b) What options do you have to handle this situation? Evaluate each of them with their merits and demerits.20 marks
  20. Q14(a)(a) ऐसी परिस्थितियों में एक सिविल सेवक के लिए आवश्यक गुणों का विस्तार पूर्वक वर्णन कीजिए। (b) इस परिस्थिति को संभालने के लिए आपके पास क्या विकल्प हैं। उनमें से प्रत्येक विकल्प का उसके गुण एवं दोष सहित मूल्यांकन कीजिए।
  21. Q14(b)(a) ऐसी परिस्थितियों में एक सिविल सेवक के लिए आवश्यक गुणों का विस्तार पूर्वक वर्णन कीजिए। (b) इस परिस्थिति को संभालने के लिए आपके पास क्या विकल्प हैं। उनमें से प्रत्येक विकल्प का उसके गुण एवं दोष सहित मूल्यांकन कीजिए।

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 185 words written

Cultural diversity has made emotional intelligence crucial for Indian administration. Comment.

Opening · no separate opening

None written.

Body · points and prose

• India is a salad bowl of cultures (Shashi Tharoor). • Its components are caste, tribe, language, religion and region. • Indian constitution recognises this and hence it gives special provisions to protect linguistic and religious minorities. • This is to prevent tyranny of majority. • Even tribals under 5th and 6th schedules have special provisions.

An administrator has to deal with variety of people of various background. For this he must be politically neutral, put self interest below public interest, have compassion for downtrodden and marginalised.

Emotional intelligence is a state of being aware of one's own emotions and that of others and acting as duty demands.

Benefits of being emotionally intelligent

  • Can provide custom solutions to people not one size fits all
  • Being able to detach from own affiliations of caste, religion etc and doing one's Dharma.

Concerns of lack of it

  • Biasness and prejudice
  • Nexus and self interest over duty.

Close · a summary

esc: Upper caste DM neglecting lower caste issues or Minority religion officer showing favour to own kind.

Thus being emotionally intelligent is key to good delivery of services.