AIR 10 · CSE 2020 · GS4 · 58 pages

Satyam Gandhi: GS4 answer copy

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

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Norms of social morality should not be applied to acts of civil servants while they are carrying out their professional roles and responsibilities to further the common good. Critically analyse.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Determination of ethics in state policies and actions is not easy because every policy and action has both positive and negative aspects viewed from different stakeholders' perspectives. Discuss with suitable examples.10 marks
  3. Q2(a)What do you understand by global ethics in today's world? Highlight the role that global ethics can play in achieving universally accepted goals.10 marks
  4. Q2(b)Highlight the important teachings of Swami Vivekananda, relevant to the youth of today.10 marks
  5. Q3(a)Given below are quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. Bring out what they mean to you in the present context: (a) Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.10 marks
  6. Q3(b)One has not only a legal but also a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.10 marks
  7. Q4(a)Can a war ever be justified on moral grounds? Support your answer with suitable arguments.10 marks
  8. Q4(b)Do you think that ethical principles are universal in nature? Justify your answer with relevant examples.10 marks
  9. Q5(a)For civil servants, both professional competence and commitment to ethics are equally important. Analyze.10 marks
  10. Q5(b)Despite changing family structure, it still plays an important role in nurturing core societal values. Discuss.10 marks
  11. Q6Impartiality as a core value of civil services should not become a hurdle in showing compassion towards weaker sections of the society. Examine.10 marks
  12. Q7Tolerance is not enough, it is the idea of acceptance that accommodates diversities and makes a society inclusive. Elaborate.10 marks
  13. Q8Companies adhering to the norms of corporate governance emerge as winners in the long run. Evaluate with the help of suitable examples.10 marks
  14. Q9You are posted as a DCP in the national capital of the country. In a locality which falls under your jurisdiction, protests have been going on for the last one month against a decision taken by the government. While these protests have been non-violent in nature and are being led by women, the protesters have blocked a major road which connects a number of satellite cities. This has led to traffic jams and congestion causing inconvenience to people who use this road for commuting to work causing hardship and a loss to the economy. A number of people filed complaints in this regard and also approached the courts. The High Court has directed the police to keep larger public interest in mind and take appropriate action. In light of the information given above, answer the following questions: (a) While highlighting the significance of right to protest in a democratic setup, discuss the limitations on this right, even if the protests are non-violent, as in this case. (b) What are the options available to you? (c) Evaluate each of these options and choose the option you would adopt, giving reasons.20 marks
  15. Q10You are a sportsman who has been recently included in the national team squad for an upcoming international tournament. Many others are fighting for the same position and you would like to cement your place in the team as soon as possible. While you are practicing at a training session for the tournament with your fellow team mates, one amongst them offers you a prohibited substance. He claims that it will help you in improving your performance in the tournament. He also informs you that a lot of other team mates also use performance enhancing drugs or PEDs to improve their performance in tournaments. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What are the options available to you in the above case? Which amongst these will you choose and why? (b) Discuss the ethical issues involved in doping by sportspersons.20 marks
  16. Q11Recently, the four accused in the rape and murder of a veterinary doctor were shot down by the police while they were in police custody. The police claimed that the four accused were taken to the site of the rape in the early hours of the morning. They managed to snatch two pistols from the policemen, fired and injured two cops, and were shot in retaliation. Soon thereafter, a majority of the public welcomed the news of the police shooting the alleged rapists. Why is it that people applaud these actions of the police? Do you share such sentiments? Justify with relevant arguments.20 marks
  17. Q12Public policy is being increasingly informed by insights from the behavioural sciences. One such behavioural approach is the Nudge theory. It is mainly concerned with the design of choices, which influences the decisions we make. Nudge theory proposes that the designing of choices should be based on how people actually think and decide, rather than how leaders and authorities traditionally believe people think and decide. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) Giving examples, illustrate the difference between enforced change and 'Nudge' techniques? (b) Identify the ethical concerns associated with the nudge technique. Also, suggest ways for using nudging theory ethically.20 marks
  18. Q13You are posted as a District Magistrate in a remote district in India. The district is prone to frequent natural disasters which often lead to breakdown of the administrative machinery. The educational and health institutes in the district suffer the most as the supply of goods is disrupted during any such disaster. You have been given the task to enroll the people in your district for a government program which requires gathering information from people using door to door campaigns. However, people in the district are not forthcoming and are refusing to comply with the directions. Upon interaction with the local leaders, you realize that their trust on local administration has also eroded. (a) What are the administrative challenges that you face in such a situation to restore the credibility of the administration? (b) Given the resources and command of the government, what short-term and long-term measures can be taken to earn back the trust of the people and their willing cooperation?20 marks
  19. Q14In contemporary times, disruptions have become an endemic feature of the functioning of Indian Parliament. Though it is not a new phenomenon, disruptions, which were an exception earlier, seem to have become the new normal. The years gone by have seen MPs raise slogans, snatch papers from ministers and indulge in theatrics. Crucial time of the Parliament, which ought to have been spent in debating appropriateness of legislation or other important issues, is getting unnecessarily wasted. In this context, answer the following: (a) Identify the ethical issues involved from the point of view of different stakeholders? (b) What are the reasons behind such a scenario? (c) Is merely having a code of conduct or ethics sufficient to resolve this situation?20 marks

The answers

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

Norms of social morality should not be applied to acts of civil servants while they are carrying out their professional roles and responsibilities to further the common good. Critically analyse.

Opening · a definition

Norms of social morality are the public expectation with respect to conduct of an individual. There is often conflict between societal norms and professional interests of civil servants.

Body · points

Should be applied

  1. Norms are collectively held, so it would increase trust in civil servants.
  2. Would help to take context specific actions.
  3. Will make their actions and roles more acceptable to public.
  4. Some norms may bring additional benefits to civil servant actions.

Not be applied

  1. Norms and professional values may be in conflict with each other.
  2. Civil servants are ought to be guided by objective conduct rules not subjective norms.
  3. May weaken accountability mechanism.
  4. "Norms" like witchhunting may obstruct civil servant's functioning.
  5. Norms vary with societal apparatus, hence only universal rules should guide civil servants for bringing standard in service delivery.

Close · a summary

However, for a society to progress, civil servants must work according to a society's expectations relating to some fundamental values like transparency, etc.