AIR 2 · CSE 2020 · GS4 · 58 pages

Jagrati Awasthi: GS4 answer copy

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

The questions

Q1(a)Man is not only a product of his environment but can also modify the environment. Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer with suitable examples.10 marks
Q1(b)Though it may seem that accountability and efficiency are antithetical to each other, accountability is a sine qua non for good governance. Discuss.10 marks
Q2(a)Gandhian ideals can be of immense help in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. Evaluate.10 marks
Q2(b)While civil servants have the legal right to undertake post-retirement jobs, it raises key ethical issues. Comment.10 marks
Q3(a)Given below are quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. Bring out what they mean to you in the present context: (a) Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value. Albert Einstein10 marks
Q3(b)Having knowledge of an unethical act and allowing it to continue can spread a contagion that can affect multiple beings in society. Bertrand Russell10 marks
Q4(a)When people use a common resource without a coordinated plan the result is often a tragedy of the commons in which the resource is depleted. In this context, discuss the various ethical challenges arising out of utilization of Global Commons.10 marks
Q4(b)While a code of conduct merely establishes minimal standards of conduct, a better strategy to promote ethical work culture is through internalization of values. Discuss.10 marks
Q5(a)A state that does not have the political will and the discipline to enforce probity in governance, can not get rid of the menace of prolonged corruption. Discuss.10 marks
Q5(b)India cannot march successfully in to the 21st century with the administrative system having a colonial mindset. Discuss in context of the bureaucratic work culture in India.10 marks
Q6Which corporate leader has inspired you the most and what moral lessons have you learnt from their life?10 marks
Q7Increasing participation of people in governance and easy access to information is what transforms governance to good governance. Elaborate.10 marks
Q8It is sometimes believed that moral scrupulousness in one's private life automatically guarantees high moral stature in professional life. Do you agree? Justify your stand with logical arguments.10 marks
Q9You are working as a District Magistrate in an aspirational district where women literacy and sex ratio is one of the lowest in the country. It is brought to your notice that a woman who has been elected as 'Sarpanch' on a seat reserved for women candidates in a panchayat in your district is head 'only on the paper'. All the work related to the panchayat is actually carried out by her husband. Even the flag hoisting ceremony on Independence Day is carried out by her husband. However, her husband happens to be a good administrator as indicated by that panchayat's performance on various developmental parameters as compared to other panchayats in the district. Also, her husband enjoys the support of the local people. Given the situation, answer the following: (a) Identify the stakeholders and issues involved in this case? (b) What options are available to you as the District Magistrate in such a scenario? Also, evaluate each option and indicate what option will you choose.20 marks
Q10The issues confronting humanity are multifaceted - from political conflicts and human rights abuses to pandemics and climate change. They are not contained within national borders, nor do they fit into the silos of separate government agencies or academic specialties. What is required is greater international cooperation, mutual respect, abiding by international laws and participative global decision-making. However, over the last decade, it has been observed that international relations have overshadowed these basic tenets of global governance and now we are at the verge of serious global catastrophic risks. When it comes to the structures of global governance, business as usual, is no longer an option. Not only an improvement in our understanding of risks is required but also taking responsibility to lead collective action for a coordinated global response. (a) What do you think are the factors hindering collective actions? (b) Provide a case for the moral obligation of the international community to come together and find solutions to the problems we face. (c) What should be the principles guiding such international cooperation?20 marks
Q11You are posted as Superintendent of Police in a district. A case has come up in which more than 30 girls were allegedly raped and sexually exploited at the city shelter home run by an NGO. The scandal came to light when media flagged complaints of sexual abuse of inmates of the city shelter home. A nexus of police, politicians, administration and criminals have been allegedly responsible for the racket going on for the last few years. In light of this, a lot of protests have erupted across the city. While, on one hand, media glare has meant that people are demanding swift action, you have been asked to go slow in investigating the case by top officers in your department. Elections in the state are due in a few months, so it has become a politically sensitive issue. You are also under immense political pressure from the ruling party to not take strict action and make compromises to cover up the case. Given the situation, answer the following: (a) Identify the issues involved in the case. (b) What are the options available to you? Which of these options will you choose? Justify your stand with logical arguments.20 marks
Q12Being the senior-most IAS officer, you are in line to be promoted as Chief Secretary after the incumbent retires in the next two months. Currently, you are heading the Public Works Department (PWD) and a road construction project worth crores has been opened for tender. A company X belonging to the son-in-law of the incumbent Chief Minister has also applied for the same. The director in charge of the screening process, a young IAS officer, has reported that company Y and the state PSU have submitted the best bids. Both you and the director are facing political pressure to favour the company X. The young IAS officer may be demoralised if you give in to the pressure. But if you don't give in then he may be transferred and your chances of promotion may also suffer. In light of the situation, answer the following: (a) Discuss the ethical issues faced by you in the given case. (b) What are the options available to you? Which of these options will you choose? Justify your stand with logical arguments.20 marks
Q13As the head of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), you are tasked to complete the construction of a power plant. The project needs to be completed expeditiously to fulfil the promise made by the government to ensure access to power for all. The selected site is in a remote area and is ideal for plant construction. However, the project would require relocation of the people living in the vicinity. Initially, the local community objected to disruption in their lives but were convinced later about the economic benefits that would accrue to the region through this plant. The project had started gathering pace, but recently a local NGO working for environment protection got involved with the local community regarding the issue. And now the local community has started protesting against any developmental activity in the region. As the officer-in-charge for the speedy execution of the project, answer the following: (a) What are the issues involved in this case? (b) What course of action will you take and why?20 marks
Q14Genetic editing has several applications with its potential to edit the genomes of both somatic and germ cells. This allows for the ability to not only cure genetic diseases but to edit the characteristics of future offspring. The last few years have seen the development of several efficient, more precise genetic engineering techniques. However, with growing sophistication, various issues of bioethics have also come to the forefront. (a) Discuss the ethical considerations associated with genome editing. (b) In the light of these ethical issues, provide an ethical framework on how this technology can be used for the betterment of humanity.20 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 198 words written

Man is not only a product of his environment but can also modify the environment. Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer with suitable examples.

Opening

Environment is the basic storehouse of all our resources - food, energy resources, flora & fauna, aesthetic value, etc.

Man as a product:

Man is born as a biological unit in the world and subject to various external influences which shape his personalities.

Body · points

Product of environment

(i) Socialisation provides the value system Eg democratic parenting produces tolerant individuals

(ii) Environmental factors • humidity, sunlight, season cycles shape lifestyle, food habits

(iii) Goal orientation in life Eg someone born in USA aims to be an entrepreneur; a warlord in Afghanistan and IAS in India as environment shapes ones aspirations

However individuals are not passive recipients but active participants, they can modify their own environment (i) Climate Change → induced by humans and now it is affecting them back (ii) Value system in society → morality of a few changes the system into an ethical one and immoral men make an unethical system Eg Rammohan Roy eradicated Sati and upheld women rights Hitler however modified Germany into a inhuman society. (iii) Technological progress have altered human relations and socialisation.

Close · a summary

Thus as deep ecology believes, nature and man are interrelated. Similarly man and society are twin born. They shape each other