AIR 3 · CSE 2019 · GS4 · 58 pages

Pratibha Verma: GS4 answer copy

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

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Self doubt can both help and hinder leadership. Discuss with examples.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Bring out the significance of probity in public life. What are the requisites for ensuring probity in governance? Pointing out the key concerns in India in this context, suggest certain remedial measures.10 marks
  3. Q2(a)10 marks
  4. Q2(b)The effective implementation of the Right to Information Act will create an environment of vigilance which will help in functioning of a more participatory democracy. Elaborate.10 marks
  5. Q3(a)The bureaucracy technically has been an efficient form of organisation but is seen to have exceeded its administrative powers due to its tendency towards self aggrandisement, permanence in employment, and nearness to the political executive. Discuss.10 marks
  6. Q3(b)Social media has played a key role in influencing political opinions and social attitudes in India. Comment.10 marks
  7. Q4(a)"Nonviolence is not servile passivity but a powerful moral force which makes for social transformation". Comment.10 marks
  8. Q4(b)It is at the interface of public action and private interest that the need arises for establishing not just a code of ethics but a code of conduct. In this context, highlight the need for drafting a code of ethics as well as a code of conduct.10 marks
  9. Q5(a)Income inequality is a matter of grave concern for the Indian society. In this context, examine the relevance of Gandhiji's concepts of 'Sarvodaya' and 'Trusteeship'.10 marks
  10. Q5(b)It does not take long for conflict to turn violent when deep seeded prejudices and discriminatory attitudes are not addressed. Discuss in the context of communal and caste-based violence in India. What role should the state play in this context?10 marks
  11. Q6Explain with examples how emotional intelligence increases the effectiveness of leadership skills in a civil servant.10 marks
  12. Q7A Citizens' Charter sees public services through the eyes of those who use them. In this context, analyze the importance of citizen charter in making public services citizen centric.10 marks
  13. Q8Given the effects that cultural attitudes about menstruation have on women, there is need to follow a strategic approach in combating these. Discuss.10 marks
  14. Q9As the District Magistrate you are posted in a district that had been infamous for girl-child marriages. The government introduced a contributory scheme two decades ago, where the government contributed the same amount as the parents, into an account, for their girl child of age 0 to 7 years. The total sum could be withdrawn only when the girl turns eighteen and is unmarried. Due to this scheme, a new pattern has emerged. All girls are married as soon as they turn eighteen and incidents of dowry have increased substantially - because the community customs require paying the sum commensurate to the age of the girl. Further, parents now tend to save money for the scheme instead of investing in girl's education. As the local administration tries to tackle the current situation it looks up to you for ideas and leadership: (a) Identify the factors which have led to such outcomes. (b) Devise a strategy, keeping in mind the multiple aspects of the situation.20 marks
  15. Q1020 marks
  16. Q11As a concerned citizen you have been engaged with the issue of persons employed in manual scavenging. You notice that despite laws and strictures from the highest court of the land the practice of employing human labour to clean sewers continues. While the administration has to ensure the cleanliness of the urban localities, those who are employed also have to earn to sustain themselves and their families. The death of few workers recently due to asphyxiation while cleaning a septic tank has caused much consternation in your locality. You would like to engage with the situation by writing to the administration, for which you need to find an answer to the following: (a) Identify the stakeholders involved and state their conflicting interests. (b) What challenges does the administration face in curbing this social evil? (c) Enumerate the steps to deal with the problem.20 marks
  17. Q1220 marks
  18. Q13While stampedes and mishaps due to overcrowding have led to loss of lives on multiple occasions, it remains an issue discussed only when there is a tragedy. Recently you were assigned the responsibility of conducting a mela around a revered religious place, which attracts millions of devotees. Every year the numbers have been increasing and this year due to certain celestial alignments the crowd is expected to be unprecedented. In the previous year the officer in charge was criticised and transferred over allegations of hurting religious sensitivities by restricting access to the religious place. You have three months to prepare for the mela. (a) Identify the key areas you would focus on? (b) What are the challenges that you foresee? (c) How do you propose to overcome them?20 marks
  19. Q1420 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 236 words written

Self doubt can both help and hinder leadership. Discuss with examples.

Opening · a definition

APJ Abdul Kalam defined leader as one with vision, passion and ability to face problems. One who stands and fights even in worst of the situations for fulfilment of their goals, objectives and cause they believe in.

Self doubt is defined as lack of conviction or faith in one's vision, aim or in methods to fulfil ones' goals.

Self doubt can both help & hinder leadership -

Body · points

How it helps - Leader need to inspire & motivate their followers & coworker to achieve a certain goal. Now this goal could be achieved through a no. of methods. Self doubt leads to openness towards ideas of others and self correcting measures are adopted when someone criticizes it. Extreme confidence & rigidity shown by leader in adopting one particular method & rejecting others often lies very close to dictatorship.

e.g. Entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk are wonderful examples of such flexibility & openness that has led them to become technology leaders.

How it hinders - leaders need to convey their ideas & cause to people. Lack of conviction in one's vision will not inspire people & motivate them to work with the leader to achieve the cause he/she believes in.

"No leader is an Island" - No leader can work alone. A self doubt in one's cause will lead to his failure.

e.g. various political leaders keep changing parties & hence their ideas & methods towards social welfare.

Close · no separate close

None written.