AIR 11 · CSE 2019 · GS4 · 58 pages

Nupur Goel: GS4 answer copy

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

The questions

Q1(a)Do you think there has been a convergence of values between public and private sectors in the wake of increasing role of the private sector in public service delivery?10 marks
Q1(b)Giving examples of some social ills plaguing the society, discuss how social persuasion can be an effective technique to overcome them.10 marks
Q2(a)The grievance redressal mechanism is the gauge to measure efficiency and effectiveness as it provides important feedback on the working of the administration. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the issues which have created barriers for a responsive redressal mechanism.10 marks
Q2(b)What steps should be taken by the government for increasing the effectiveness of grievance redressal mechanism?10 marks
Q3(a)Given below are two statements. Bring out what you understand by them and discuss their relevance in the present context. (a) "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear"- Nelson Mandela10 marks
Q3(b)"Not everybody can be famous, but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service"- Martin Luther King.10 marks
Q4(a)Explain why superstitious beliefs and practices abound in India. In this context, discuss the importance of inculcating scientific temper to remove superstitions.10 marks
Q4(b)Simply labelling people as liberal or conservative is to miss the point that an individual can have divergent views on different issues. Explain with examples.10 marks
Q5(a)Anti-corruption measures need focus on both demand as well as supply side of corruption. Discuss in the light of prevalence of 'collusive corruption' in India.10 marks
Q5(b)Identify the various traits of a healthy work culture for a bureaucracy in a modern society. Also, suggest ways in which a healthy work culture can be created in India to meet the objectives of good-governance.10 marks
Q6Citizen's charters can be both a stimulus and a means for government to raise the standards of public service delivery. Discuss.10 marks
Q7Attitude and behaviour are so closely interwoven that a change in one inevitably influences the other. Explain the statement with examples.10 marks
Q8Emotional intelligence is an important parameter as one aspires to move up the ladder in a competitive environment. Discuss.10 marks
Q9Rapid growth of information and communication technology, with all its benefits, has associated risks and far-reaching consequences. The government has constituted a committee to frame guidelines for an inclusive and safe cyberspace in India. The committee has solicited public opinion in this regard. As a concerned citizen, you have to give your suggestions on the following themes: (a) Why do you think some people or a set of people are more vulnerable to cyber threats with special emphasis on cyber-bullying. (b) Do you think the experiences and exposure in cyberspace are an important influence in a person's attitude and behaviour? (c) What reasonable restrictions can be applied to make cyberspace more safe and friendly to all citizens?20 marks
Q10You are serving as the Public Health Officer in a district that is lagging behind in achieving the Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. Even after ensuring adequate access to water and sanitation services, their usage has not spread and the practice of open defecation continues in the district. Despite serious extension efforts by the government, safe hygienic practices have not been adopted by the people. As a result, various instances of bacteriological contamination and water-borne diseases have surfaced recently. In such a scenario: (a) Examine the reasons behind low usage and adoption rates of built toilets in India? (b) Highlighting the principles to be kept in mind while preparing an effective Information, Education and Communication (IEC) strategy, design an action plan to address the problem.20 marks
Q11You are the District Magistrate of a district that is known for making combustible substances such as match boxes and fire crackers. As per the The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016, employment of children in such hazardous activities is prohibited. In this regard, government has also released a notification that owners of these manufacturing units need to report on the profiles of their employees annually as child labour has been prevalent in these industries. These manufacturing units, abiding by the directives of the government, publish such reports annually and claim to have successfully put an end to employment of child labour. However, it has been brought to your notice that these companies are taking advantage of loopholes in the law. They have been outsourcing their hiring to independent contractors who engage families in the business. The families have been continuing to use child labour to supplement their income and also keep the cost of labour competitive so as to bag more such contracts and since they are not officially on the payroll of the companies, they are absolved of the legal liabilities. (a) Identify the ethical issues in this case. (b) How would you approach the problem and what would be the main elements of your action?20 marks
Q12You are working as a Block Development Officer (BDO) in a state and the Lok Sabha elections are around the corner. Two months prior to the elections, a mega rally of a leader from the political party ruling the state is being organized in the neighboring district. All BDOs have received an oral order from the Chief Development Officer directing them to make sure that five buses full of people from their block be sent to the rally. The only direction is to ensure maximum participation and make suitable arrangements in pursuit of the same. Given the situation, answer the following: (a) As a civil servant, what values should guide your response in such a situation? (b) Identify the various options that are available to you? (c) What course of action would you choose and why?20 marks
Q13You are serving as a District Magistrate in a district, which is prone to recurrent droughts. The issue of scarcity of water is aggravating year by year. Even during the years of high rainfall, the district has witnessed severe shortage of water for agriculture purposes, mainly due to cultivation of water guzzling crops. It is evident that water scarcity is one of the main reasons for backwardness of the district. Recognising this, the state government decided to withdraw some incentives given for cultivation of such crops and incentivise a cropping pattern more suitable to the agro-climatic conditions of this region. However, anticipating worsening of their economic condition in such times, the farmers have taken to protesting on the streets. Despite such a well-intentioned move by the government, the farmers feel that response of the state administration has been anti-farmer and cruel. Given the situation, answer the following questions: (a) Do you think there is a real divergence between interests of the farmers of this district and the state? (b) What immediate steps should you advocate in the interests of farmers of the district?20 marks
Q14Many Indian cities are facing a major problem of management of household waste. Huge volume of wastes has meant that landfill sites are facing the problem of overcapacity. On the other hand, the waste-to-energy plants constructed to solve the problem are also facing flak due to their inefficiency and release of poisonous pollutants. The manner of waste disposal by people is identified as one of the main reasons behind this problem. The government has notified rules regarding disposal, collection and treatment of waste and has initiated numerous awareness campaigns in the past. Still, the problem does not seem to be getting under control. Given such a situation, answer the following questions: (a) What do you think is the reason behind the apathy of people towards issues like waste disposal that affect the larger interests of society in general? (b) Identify the stakeholders and the significance of their involvement in addressing the issue.20 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 219 words written

Do you think there has been a convergence of values between public and private sectors in the wake of increasing role of the private sector in public service delivery?

Opening

In the 21st century, there is an increase in service delivery of education, health etc by private sector. Eg- TISS, BITS PILANI, PRATHAM etc.

The public sector is the one which is owned by public has public functions & whose actions affect a large number of people. The main motive of public sector is res publica while private sector usually is owned by private individuals, entities etc having aim of profit maximisation.

The values of public & private traditionally are :-

Public	Private
Uniformity	Differential principle
Social Good	Profit oriented
Accountable	No Accountability
Transparency	opaqueness
Monopoly	competition
Public Trust	Lack of public trust

But today, there is blurring of differences in these values as:

Body · points and prose

i) instead of resource concentration, we have moved to resource sharing.

ii) capitalism -> compassionate capitalism (Murthy)

iii) Increase in competition and multiple institutions in same area.

iv) inefficiency and corruption.

v) PPP model preferred model for service delivery today.

Close · a summary

Although there is a convergence of such values but overall the accountability & ultimate responsibility for public delivery rests with public sector. In case of disaster, emergency, serving the marginalised section of society is the domain of public sector.