AIR 15 · CSE 2020 · GS4 · 46 pages

Ria Dabi: GS4 answer copy

9 answers by Ria Dabi, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Man is a product of his environment 1. (b) Explain the relationship between accountability and efficiency. Why is accountability essential for good governance?
  2. Q2(a)Gandhian ideals are present in our constitution in the form of directive principles, fundamental Duties etc. They can today help us to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
  3. Q2(b)2.(b)
  4. Q3(a)"A man of value is worth more than a man of success." Discuss this statement with examples. (b) "Performing an unethical act is bad, but being aware of it and not stopping it is worse." Discuss with examples. 4. (a) What are 'Global Commons'? Discuss the ethical challenges involved in their utilisation. (b) Distinguish between 'Code of Conduct' and 'Code of Ethics'. Critically examine the efficacy of 'Code of Conduct' in ensuring ethical behaviour in an organization.
  5. Q5(a)5.(a)
  6. Q5(b)5.(b)
  7. Q66.
  8. Q77.
  9. Q8Moral scrupulousness in one's private life automatically guarantees high moral stature in professional life as well. This can be seen in the lives of Abraham Lincoln, Gandhiji, Nelson Mandela, APJ Abdul Kalam, Bill Gates etc.

The answers

Question 1(a) · 348 words written

Man is a product of his environment 1. (b) Explain the relationship between accountability and efficiency. Why is accountability essential for good governance?

Opening · no separate opening

None written.

Body · points

  1. (a) Man is a product of his environment

A person is influenced by the kind of environment in which s/he is brought up. The factors which influence are:

i) Parents: It is said that parents are the first teachers of a child.

ii) Household: whether it is a nuclear or joint family

iii) School where a child gets educated

iv) Peers or friends

v) Workplace

vi) Kind of government present in the country, whether democratic or authoritarian.

For example, a person whose parents did not give him/her much attention during childhood, may turn out to be an angry-isolated person. S/he may not respect the institution of family.

Man can also modify the environment. A person who is confident, strong-willed, has clear ideals and a good rapport with others, can change the environment.

For example, Gandhiji, after returning to India, changed the nature of freedom struggle, by promoting values like non-violence and satyagraha.

Therefore, man is both a product of his environment and influences the environment as well.

  1. (b) Accountability can be defined as justifying one's actions or being responsible to finish one's tasks successfully. Efficiency means doing a task with least time and effort.

It may seem that both ideas are antithetical to each other because if a person is accountable, s/he may not be efficient.

For example: A public servant while working on a government scheme to distribute ration cards, may take time, because some people may not have required documents. But he will have to look over all potential beneficiaries. This will make the work inefficient.

Accountability is essential for good governance because:

  1. It makes it necessary for public servants to fulfil their duties diligently.

  2. It reinforces the faith of the public in the administration.

  3. It reduces chances of corruption and nepotism.

  4. It makes governance based on rule of law, more inclusive and consensus based.

Close

For example: if the people have the right to recall then a politician will perform his best and look after public welfare, since he can be recalled, if not accountable. This results in good governance.