AIR 50 · CSE 2017 · GS4 · 58 pages

Pratishtha Mamgain: GS4 answer copy

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

The questions

  1. Q1(a)The more remotely power is exercised from the people, the greater is the distance between authority and accountability. Discuss.10 marks
  2. Q1(b), "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion". In what ways can a compassionate public official be more useful for realizing public service goals?10 marks
  3. Q2(a)The recent decision by the government to ban use of red beacons is only a symbolic gesture and a lot more needs to be done to end the VIP culture in India. Critically discuss.10 marks
  4. Q2(b)To what extent can financial incentives help shape attitude towards social issues? Discuss with relevant examples.10 marks
  5. Q3(a)At times, moral behaviour can be constrained by the complexity of legal system. Explain. In this context, explain the purpose of legal protection for good samaritans in the case of road accidents.10 marks
  6. Q3(b)Examine the different ethical issues involved in the use of public shaming as a punitive measure. Do you think this is an appropriate measure to address the problem of rising crime rates.10 marks
  7. Q4(a)Why did Gunnar Myrdal use the term 'soft state' in the context of South Asia? Do you think such a characterisation is still relevant in the case of India today?10 marks
  8. Q4(b)Intolerance can be linked both to prejudices and value judgments. Elaborate with relevant examples. Also discuss how intolerance can be countered in a multicultural society like India.10 marks
  9. Q5Social attitude towards corruption has become more forgiving with time leading to a view of illegal gains and misappropriation of public assets as a "rightful" individual prerogative. Analyse in the context of India.10 marks
  10. Q6What are the factors which draw people to public service? Suggest measures to keep public servants motivated.10 marks
  11. Q7Corporate Governance provides a framework that defines the rights, roles and responsibilities of various groups within an organization. (a) Elaborate the need to incorporate the principles of Corporate Governance to enhance the effectiveness of the public sector enterprises. (b) Identify the challenges specific to the public sector when it comes to the application of good practices of corporate governance.10 marks
  12. Q8Emotions, earlier considered as an irrational factor in decision-making, are now recognised as a critical factor of judgment. In this regard, answer the following questions: (a) How can Emotional Intelligence help in coping with the intense pressure and occupational stress faced by police officers and armed forces in discharge of their duties? (b) What are the some of the concerns in incorporating and assessment of emotional intelligence skills in public service?10 marks
  13. Q9You, a manager in one of the top IT firms in the country, are tasked with hiring new recruits for an upcoming project. You find that the company has given tacit instructions of not hiring female candidates in view of the new maternity law passed by the Government. You find this highly objectionable and lodge a protest with people in the higher management but they are firm as they want to cut down all the unnecessary costs. Based on this information, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the stakeholders and their interests in the situation. (b) What are the dilemmas that a recruiting manager may face in such a scenario? (c) What are the different options available to you? Which one will you pursue and why?20 marks
  14. Q10There has been a perceptible rise in the cost of healthcare services provided by private hospitals. In absence of adequate and quality government hospitals, people are forced to opt for private hospitals, especially for life threatening diseases and injuries. You recently visit one of your friends admitted in a famous private hospital. You found out that the hospital is charging a huge amount of money, which seems to be unreasonable. You confront the staff and ask them to explain the rationale behind such high charges. Their response is that the charges are fair for the kind of services they are providing. (a) What are the ethical issues involved in this situation? (b) Given how other professions price their services, discuss the feasibility of capping the amount of fees charged by doctors and private hospitals. (c) How can the provision of quality services and need for profit be reconciled with society's interests in this case?20 marks
  15. Q11You are the District Magistrate in a district where a significant number of transgenders reside. While discrimination against the community is well known, commuters increasingly complain of harassment at their hands, especially at traffic junctions where transgenders are mostly involved in begging. This, at times, also leads to traffic management issues. You have received a number of complaints in this regard and have to act quickly to resolve it. However, a group of transgender associations argue that begging is their only source of livelihood. Given the situation, answer the following questions: (a) Describe the ethical issues involved in this case. Discuss the attitude of people towards transgenders in general and reasons for the same. (b) What possible courses of action can be undertaken in such situations? Discuss their merits and demerits.20 marks
  16. Q12Mr. X is the head of an NGO working in the field of environment conservation and protection. He is in dire need of funds for the NGO's operations and payments to his staff. He is approached by an official of a large infrastructure company, who is ready to provide the required funding for the NGO. But, in a quid pro quo, he asks Mr. X to raise objections over the bypassing of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) norms in an ongoing PPP project through his NGO. This project is being implemented by a rival infrastructure company. Mr. X knows that there have been instances of high level corruption in the process of granting EIA to mega projects and the information provided by the official seems to be authentic. Hence, he accepts the money and agrees to raise the objection. (a) Considering the circumstances of the case, is Mr. X correct in accepting the money? Give appropriate reasons for your answer. (b) If you were in place of Mr. X, what would have been your course of action? Give reasons for it.20 marks
  17. Q13You are a civil servant posted in a state where elections were recently held. The newly elected Chief Minister had promised to ban alcohol in several of his election campaigns as well as his election manifesto, which was widely praised and supported by women of the state. Fulfilling his electoral promise, the Chief Minister has ordered a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol in the state. Following the ban, concerns have been raised about the feasibility of the ban and whether the government should interfere in what is considered by many to be a matter of personal choice. (a) Who are the stakeholders in this case and how are they affected by the ban? (b) Is blanket ban on alcohol a feasible action? (c) Identify the issues that may arise while enforcing the ban and the steps you will take to handle them, as a civil servant.25 marks
  18. Q13(b)Blanket ban is not a feasible option

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 163 words written

The more remotely power is exercised from the people, the greater is the distance between authority and accountability. Discuss.

Opening · a quotation

"With great power comes great responsibility"

The state exercises power on behalf of the people in order to secure their interests. Power is not an end in itself. It is a means to an end.

There is a trend of excessive centralisation of power i.e. most of the power is concentrated at the level of Union govt, while state & local govt's power are limited. This has several disadvantages:

Body · points and prose

  • excessive bureaucratisation. Bureaucrats are not accountable to the people.
  • difficulty for people in holding those in power accountable.

Decisions that affect people are taken by higher ups with whom there is no interaction.

• disempowerment of the people. They are not involved in decision making & can't easily get grievances redressed.

Close · a way forward

In India, the 73rd & 74th amendment have ushered in local self govt which has resulted in increased accountability.

Accountability is the hallmark of a good public servant. We need to imbibe the 4 Ds - decentralization, debureaucratisation, delegation & democratisation.