AIR 7 · CSE 2021 · GS4 · 60 pages

Samyak S Jain: GS4 answer copy

21 answers by Samyak S Jain, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Open Government Data (OGD) can be seen as a step towards greater transparency and accountability in India. In this context, discuss the benefits of OGD and the challenges which lie therein.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)"While corruption is never good, not all forms of corruption are equally bad for the economy, nor do they cause the same kind of harm." Critically analyse the statement in the context of India.10 marks
  3. Q2(a)Probity in governance is an essential and vital requirement for an efficient and effective system of governance and for socio-economic development. Discuss. Also, state ways to enhance probity in governance.10 marks
  4. Q2(b)Highlighting the importance of whistle-blowing in an organisation, discuss the systemic factors that determine whether a person would become a whistle-blower.10 marks
  5. Q3(a)What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) "Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." - Albert Einstein10 marks
  6. Q3(b)"Facts are many, but the truth is one." - Rabindranath Tagore10 marks
  7. Q4(a)Analyze the significance of appointing ethics officers in the light of strengthening corporate governance in India.10 marks
  8. Q4(b)Transparent governance promises an accountable state but a balance has to be achieved between disclosure requirements and administrative privileges for efficient governance. Discuss.10 marks
  9. Q5Issue of sewage problem which if not resolved may lead to health issues in my workforce.
  10. Q5(a)Citizen empowerment is a natural outcome of a Citizen Charter. Critically evaluate in the Indian context.10 marks
  11. Q5(b)Discretionary power by itself is not pure evil but gives much room for misuse. Discuss in the context of administration in India.10 marks
  12. Q6(a)Emotional Intelligence is an important trait to imbibe in a highly competitive and achievement-oriented environment. Elucidate.10 marks
  13. Q6(b)Emotional Intelligence is an essential ingredient for successful implementation of pandemic induced emergency response. Comment in the light of COVID-19 pandemic.10 marks
  14. Q6(c)Enumerate the decisive factors behind moral attitude. Also, discuss any incident from your life wherein you brought about a change in someone's attitude around an important social issue.10 marks
  15. Q720 marks
  16. Q8You are an IPS officer on your first posting in a very poor and isolated rural area of one of the most backward states of the country. In your office complex, of which you are the incharge, there is a frequent sewage related problem, causing inconvenience to the employees in your office complex and severely affecting the efficiency of the workplace. It might also lead to health disorders and diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea etc. To resolve it, the cleaning workers are made to do manual scavenging work without due regards to their safety. Most of these workers are from marginalised castes and are discriminated against socially. You are aware of the laws banning manual scavenging and the loopholes around it. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What are the issues which you need to address in this situation? (b) Present your course of action to deal with the given situation.20 marks
  17. Q9You have recently been posted as a District Development Officer in a traditionally rural area that has seen rapid economic development in the past few years. You notice that there is a huge disparity between the number of male and female children in the area. When you go to the hospital and check the birth registry, you realise that registered new-born babies are mostly males. On further investigation, you notice a similar pattern in the village primary school, which has more male students than females. When you raise the issue with your colleagues, they ignore it and carry on with their work. You suspect that the practice of female foeticide may be entrenched in the area as you had read about the issue in the context of this state while studying for the Civil Services Examination. It seems to you that respected members of the community like doctors, politicians and government officials have chosen to ignore the issue, given the prevalence of patriarchy and mind-set of voters in the area. Thus, despite rapid economic development, preference for male child continues to persist. Based on the information above, answer the following: (a) Do you have any ethical duty in this scenario? Justify your views. (b) What would be your next steps and why?20 marks
  18. Q10Party X has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha. However, because of it falling short of majority in the Rajya Sabha, a large number of its bills are getting stalled in the Upper House. Elections of a key state are around the corner and the party desperately needs to win, for it to secure a majority in the Rajya Sabha. As part of its campaign strategy, the social media head of the party suggests an insidious strategy to make electoral gains. A part of the strategy involves sending out questionnaires online and promoting them using ads. The response filled by people to these online questionnaires will help reveal their key personality traits to the social media team of the party. These behavioral science insights would be important in helping candidates tailor their campaign messages according to the recipient's personality traits. However, because the content of the questionnaire is incendiary and polarizing, the social media team decides to use fake accounts to administer data collection on social media platforms to avoid getting penalised. In addition, the strategy also involves sending out provocative content through online ads and fake news reports. This goes against the spirit of free and fair elections and violates the Election Commission guidelines on multiple levels. As one of the key members of the social media team of the party, you have been entrusted with carrying out this campaign successfully. (a) What are the key ethical issues involved in this case. (b) What is the course of action you would take? Give reasons for your response in a situation like this?20 marks
  19. Q12You are the Superintendent of Police of a city where a large slum has developed in recent decades on the property of Indian Railways. The Indian Railways has prepared a plan for expansion of the city railway station for which they want to get the slums demolished. They have requested the assistance of local police for the same, however, the people residing in those slums have responded angrily to this step and have occupied the railway tracks, resisting any action by the officials. Slum dwellers are asking for a suitable rehabilitation, citing that the city is under the grip of a cold wave as the month of December is in progress. This has not only halted the railway traffic on the route causing immense hardships to railway passengers but also posing risk of violence between slum-dwellers and the police. (a) Identify various issues involved in the case along with different stakeholders. (b) What course of action would you follow to end this situation of confrontation and resume normal functioning of the Railways?20 marks
  20. Q12(a)(a) इस प्रकरण में सम्मिलित प्रमुख नैतिक मुद्दे क्या हैं?
  21. Q12(b)(a) इस प्रकरण में सम्मिलित प्रमुख नैतिक मुद्दे क्या हैं? (b) आपके द्वारा की जाने वाली कार्रवाई क्या होगी? इस तरह की स्थिति में अपनी अनुक्रिया के कारण बताएं?

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 135 words written

Open Government Data (OGD) can be seen as a step towards greater transparency and accountability in India. In this context, discuss the benefits of OGD and the challenges which lie therein.

Opening · a definition

Open Government Data (OGD) is the policy of sharing government data related to schemes etc with public proactively which promotes transparency and a culture of openness. Its key pillar include availability, accessibility and accountability.

Benefits:

Body · points

  • Brings in transparency in the functioning of govt and its decision.
  • Promotes participatory governance.
  • Builds trust between govt officals and public.
  • increase efficiency and reduce time.
  • Promotes self-regulation and better vigilance.

Challenges:

  • Culture of secrecy prevalent due to laws like OSA.
  • Lack of political and bureaucratic willingness as secrecy makes corruption easier.
  • Unavailability of data in accessible formats.
  • Lack of general public awareness and literacy amongst public about their rights.

Close · a way forward

OGD in vernacular languages must be made an integral component of Digital India mission in order to promot a citizen-centric governance.