AIR 7 · CSE 2020 · GS4 · 30 pages

Praveen Kumar: GS4 answer copy

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

The questions

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. Q2(a)Gandhian ideals can be of immense help in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. Evaluate.10 marks
  4. Q2(b)While civil servants have the legal right to undertake post-retirement jobs, it raises key ethical issues. Comment.10 marks
  5. Q3Having knowledge of an unethical act and allowing it to continue can spread a contagion that can affect multiple beings in society. Bertrand Russell10 marks
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. Q6Which corporate leader has inspired you the most and what moral lessons have you learnt from their life?10 marks
  12. Q7Increasing participation of people in governance and easy access to information is what transforms governance to good governance. Elaborate.10 marks
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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 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 · 161 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 · a direct answer

None written.

Body · points

→ Yes, a man is a product of his environment also influences it.

(i) Social environment → A man learns and socialised everything from his childhood, but such person also influences & modify it. → E.g. Gandhiji changed the world by his message of peace & Satyagraha. → While, Hitler changed the society in negative direction and led the world to World War II.

(ii) Ecological environment → We are made from the environment by eating fruits,

drinking water, but we have modified it by green house gas emissions, deforestation, making plastics that threaten the very integrity of environment.

(iii) Political Environment

  • A man gets to know about polity from the society in which he is living.
  • But he also modifies it through his own idea.

Close · a summary

Eg. Ashoka was an ambitious king who was trying to conquer, but after Kalinga he abandoned conquest by war and started Dhamma path.

So, a man is both product & maker of environment.