A topper · GS4 · 64 pages

Shivendra Pandey: GS4 answer copy

20 answers by Shivendra Pandey, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Family plays a prominent role in the value development of an individual. Elucidate. Also, examine the impact of the changing nature of families on children's moral development.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Different individuals have different conceptions of patriotism. What does patriotism mean to you? Narrate in brief any two real-life incidents when you displayed patriotism.10 marks
  3. Q2(a)Moral behaviour is not only good for the community in which one is a part but also for the individuals who profess it. Comment.10 marks
  4. Q2(b)Discuss the important teachings of Swami Vivekananda. Bring out their relevance in the contemporary world.10 marks
  5. Q3(a)While laws, rules, and regulations tend to dictate from above, attitudinal change within communities can bring effective and lasting solutions to many problems. Explain with the help of examples.10 marks
  6. Q3(b)The crux of ethical conduct does not lie in bold words and expressions, but in their adoption into action, in sanctions against their violations, and in promoting a culture of integrity. In this context, evaluate the measures taken to promote ethical governance in the country.10 marks
  7. Q4(a)Transparency is more than mere information sharing. Elaborating on the statement, assess the success of the RTI Act, 2005, in promoting transparency in administration.10 marks
  8. Q4(b)Ethics stand as the cornerstone of corporate success in an ever-evolving landscape of business. In light of the above statement, discuss the role of ethics in corporate governance with suitable examples.10 marks
  9. Q5(a)Foreign aid, although championed as a vital tool for socio-economic development, often runs into stiff opposition from the intended beneficiaries. Elaborate on the various ethical concerns associated with foreign aid. Suggest measures to address the challenges related to foreign aid.10 marks
  10. Q5(b)Our probity is not less at the mercy of fortune than our property. What do you mean by probity in governance? Discuss ways of inculcating probity in public life.10 marks
  11. Q6(a)What does each of the following quotation mean to you? a) “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” -Mahatma Gandhi.10 marks
  12. Q6(b)"The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." - Plato.10 marks
  13. Q6(c)"Whatever is begun in anger, ends in shame" - Benjamin Franklin.10 marks
  14. Q7Mr. A is travelling by road with his family to attend a marriage ceremony. His grandfather, who is the head of the family, is also travelling with him. On the way to their destination, all of them stop at a roadside restaurant for lunch. This is a well-known restaurant owned by one of the friends of Mr. A. The place is known for its tasty and hygienic food. However, the grandfather notices a picture on the wall of the restaurant and enquires about the religion of the restaurant owner. Mr. A's friend belongs to a religion different from his grandfather's religion. The grandfather has a negative attitude towards the religion of Mr. A's friend, and he insists that he will not eat in that restaurant. He demands that the entire family leave the restaurant immediately, as they are travelling for a happy occasion and eating at this particular restaurant will pollute them. Mr. A tries to calm down his grandfather and explain to him that religion has nothing to do with purity or pollution. He also reasons that several travel magazines have rated the restaurant highly, especially for its superior hygiene standards. Also, he points out that there is no restaurant in the way for the next 100 km, and it will be difficult for all to make do without food for that long. However, his arguments fall on deaf ears, and more specifically, his grandfather admonishes him for bringing the family to the restaurant despite being aware of the religion of the owner. Mr. A's friend feels insulted and discriminated against due to his religion. Mr. A's father is upset but refuses to say anything out of respect for the grandfather. The entire family is embarrassed by the attitude of the grandfather, and they are getting ready to leave the restaurant. Mr. A is confused regarding how he should act in this situation. a) What are the various ethical issues in the above case study? b) Imagine yourself in the place of Mr. A. Evaluate the different courses of action available to you. What is the most suitable course of action?20 marks
  15. Q8On a cold and foggy night in December, Arun and Seema, both unknown to each other, boarded a train for Lucknow at the Delhi junction. Both were going to their home town on the weekend. It was supposed to be a routine train journey of 7-8 hours. Arun, a first-year graduate from a reputed institute in Delhi, aspires to join DRDO and make a career in the R&D field. Seema, a national-level volleyball player, had dreams of joining the paramilitary forces. Both checked their tickets and got comfortable in their respective seats in the coach S7. The train gave the final horn and slowly started leaving the station. Amidst the chugging of the engine and the train wheels clacking on the tracks, both Arun and Seema fall asleep. But as fate would have it that night, a routine train journey turned cut to be a nightmare for the passengers of coach S7, including Arun and Seema. The train was on its scheduled two-minute halt at an outskirt station when suddenly 4-5 robbers entered the coach S7. They asked all the passengers to hand over their valuables without any fuss. None of the passengers could gather the courage to confront them, as they had country-made pistols and sharp-edged weapons. But somehow, Arun and Seema mustered the courage and resisted the robbers. The robbers threatened them with dire consequences and asked them to comply with their command. But both remained adamant and even refused to hand over their valuables to the robbers. To teach them a lesson and set an example for the other passengers, both Arun and Seema were thrown out of the moving train. At that very moment, another train was approaching on the parallel track, and both were hit by it; Arun lost his right arm, Seema lost her left leg, and she had multiple fractures in the spinal cord. Both met somewhat similar fates that night, but both faced the 'tragedy' that unfolded with then. in a completely different manner. In spite of full support from his family, Arun lost all hope and got disenchanted with life. He couldn't accept the new reality and went into depression. Also, the thoughts of committing suicide would often come into his mind. Seema, on the other hand, after completing her treatment, decided to pursue her dreams. She was also encouraged by his family and friends to start a new life. She started training with a prosthetic leg and resumed playing volleyball. Not only this, she decided to push boundaries and chose mountaineering. And around two years later, she became the world's first female amputee to scale Mount Everest. The stories of Arun and Seema highlight the importance of the adversity quotient. But it is also evident that different people possess different levels of adversity quotient. Based on your understanding of the above case study, answer the following: a) Examine the importance of the adversity quotient in life, citing examples. How can the adversity quotient be developed? b) As a friend of Arun, what suggestions would you give to him to overcome the aftermath of the tragedy?20 marks
  16. Q9Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, Purabkashi is a town located on the way to major pilgrimage destinations. The town is traversed by a section of the Panch-Dham Road Project, whose objective is to improve connectivity to the five major pilgrimage centers in the region. The project aims to develop and widen nearly 900 km of national highways in the Himalayas, making journeys to these centers safer, faster, and more convenient. The project is being constructed at a very high cost and is expected to boost tourism in the region and reduce road accidents occurring in the hilly region. The project is also important from a security point of view, as these roads can act as strategic feeder roads that connect the border with the Army camps in the nearby areas. The roads may facilitate quicker movement of troops and supplies and can serve as a strategic asset in connecting the border regions. However, from the conception stage of the project itself, various NGOs have raised several fault lines regarding its environmental sustainability. It has been noted that the project may destroy about 690 hectares of forests, and an estimated 20 million cubic meters of soil need to be removed. Experts raise concern that such a high-impact activity may aggravate erosion and destabilize the slopes. Large-scale uprooting of vegetation can prove to be perilous for biodiversity and regional ecology. Indiscriminate blasting during road construction creates cracks in soil and rocks that may enhance the possibility of landslides and associated disasters in the future. In 2018, the project was challenged in the Supreme Court by an NGO for its potential impact on the Himalayan ecology due to felling trees, cutting hills, and dumping excavated material. The Supreme Court then constituted a high-powered committee that warned against widening the road by 12 meters. It had suggested that the widening stay between 5.5 and 7 meters. However, this recommendation by independent experts was opposed by government officials and ultimately sidelined. The worst fears of the local and scientific communities came true when about 40 workers got trapped inside a tunnel after the under-construction tunnel structure collapsed in Purabkashi. Overnight, Purabkashi became the talk of the country. The project was awarded to the contractor, PQR Enterprises. Mr. Vinay Kumar, who has experience completing many such projects in the past, was appointed as Project Director, overseeing the smooth completion of the project and monitoring the contractor's work. Mr. Vinay is known for his honesty and dedication. Prior to the mishap, he had successfully overseen this project to meet its timeline. But after the mishap, the higher authorities are privately requesting the project director, Mr. Vinay, to take responsibility for the mishap. To manage the growing resentment in the locality and nationwide, he is being asked to step down as project director. But Mr. Vinay feels that he is being unfairly blamed. To alleviate the pressure from the public, he is being scapegoated. The project had issues right from the conception stage, given the ecological fragility of the region. Various ecological experts and geological scientists think that the incident has exposed not only the prject's vulnerabilities but also the lapses in the safe tunnel construction mechanisms carried out, like the failure to construct an escape tunnel. Several experts have pointed out this incident as a warning for future disasters, as now questions have been raised about the fragility of the Himalayas in sustaining massive infrastructure projects like the Panch-Dham project. The government, despite many voices against the project, is treating the incident as an isolated incident and moving on with the further construction of the project. There is a protest happening in the state with a demand by the people to consider the project's environmental consequences and also the operations of the contractor, PQR Enterprises, in the particular project. a) What are the various ethical issues involved in the above case study? b) As the head of the Panch-Dham Project, what are the options available to Mr. Vinay? Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each. c) In your opinion, between the twin objectives of development and conservation, what should be given more priority and why?20 marks
  17. Q9(a), b), c)a) उपरोक्त मामले के अध्ययन में शामिल विभिन्न नैतिक मुद्दे क्या हैं? b) पंच-धाम परियोजना के प्रमुख के रूप में, श्री विनय के पास क्या विकल्प उपलब्ध हैं? प्रत्येक के लाभ एवं हानियों का विश्लेषण कीजिए। c) आपकी राय में, विकास और संरक्षण, के दोहरे उद्देश्यों में से किसे अधिक प्राथमिकता दी जानी चाहिए और क्यों? (20 अंक, 250 शब्द)20 marks
  18. Q10You are posted as the District Magistrate (DM) of a district in the Nav Pradesh state of the country. Ramesh, a newly joined SDM in your district, actively engages with the public and is also known for his fitness-related activities. He has a strong presence on social media platforms, where he frequently posts about his work life and fitness endeavors on his personal account. Furthermore, he encourages the public to report issues within the district through his personal social media accounts, and he responds to their concerns, ensuring prompt actions are taken to address these issues. His active presence on social media has garnered him a massive following, not only in the district but also beyond. Also, direct communication with the public has led to a perception of greater transparency and accessibility of district administration in the eyes of the public. While Ramesh receives praise for his work in enhancing the trust and credibility of the administration, Ramesh's social media activities have also raised concerns among some of his colleagues and superiors. They argue that his posts often go beyond mere updates and venture into self-promotion, potentially blurring the lines between his personal life and his professional responsibilities. They express apprehensions that Ramesh might be seeking personal attention or recognition rather than focusing on his core duties as an SDM. Some of his juniors lamented working with him, as he often scolds them in public, and that too in the presence of cameras. One day, a local MLA arrives at your office regarding a complaint that some of the posts by Ramesh are self-promoting in nature and expresses deep concern over the matter. He alleges that wherever the SDM goes, the normal functioning of the institution is hampered, and one of his official inspections near the highway resulted in heavy traffic congestion, leading to discomfort for commuters. He also says that while doing public work, Ramesh is perversely taking center stage and doesn't give enough credit to others. He expresses his apprehension that Ramesh might capitalize on this goodwill and may soon enter politics in the near future. He further said that in one of his posts, he seemingly divulged some classified information regarding the security apparatus of a high-level dignitary, which could have seriously jeopardized the dignitary's security arrangements. On enquiring Ramesh, he argues that it is the duty of a civil servant to convey all the important information to the public about different schemes of the department. It would also improve the image of the administration among the public. Being in touch with the public would also help him better understand and address grassroots issues. Also, his fitness-related activities are to create awareness about healthy lifestyles, especially among the youth. He argues that his center-stage appearances at functions are because of requests from the organizing authorities of the functions. He also asserts that there is no hidden agenda in his actions. Some of your senior authorities have also expressed reservations about the active participation of civil servants on social media. They argue that Ramesh's activities are merely part of his regular work and should not be glorified. They assert that bureaucrats should prioritize public service without seeking personal branding, and such self-promotion can create an impression of self-aggrandizement and detract from the selfless nature of public service. Using fancy photos and highlighting official cars, residences, etc. as clickbait goes against the dignity that is expected of a public servant. By the very nature of the job, it is expected that bureaucracy should work behind a fine veil. Bureaucratic anonymity is a foundational value expected from a civil servant to ensure that a civil servant does not develop the negative externalities associated with the personality cult. Such social media posturing also runs the risk of civil servants playing to the gallery as every action comes under popular scrutiny. The point of reference becomes their social media viewership rather than the constitutional mandate. a) What are the ethical issues involved in the above case study? b) Critically assess the role of social media in administration. c) What are the various possible choices available to you and which course of action would you choose? Justify your choice.20 marks
  19. Q11Nisrael, a country in West Asia, recently faced an unprecedented attack on its soil, in which more than 1500 people were brutally massacred. Thousands were injured, and around 200 people were taken hostage. The coordinated attack from land, air, and sea was carried out by an organization named Tamas, which many countries, including Nisrael have designated as a terrorist organization. On the other hand, Tamas argues that it represents the cause of the people of Salestine, whose land is under the illegal occupation of Nisrael. Tamas justified its actions as armed resistance against Nisrael for freedom and self-determination. The attack has sent shockwaves across Nisrael and around the world. Serious questions are being raised by citizens over the intelligence failure of Nisrael's Kossad, one of the most renowned intelligence agencies in the world. However, for the time being, Nisraelis have rallied behind their government and want a befitting response to such an audacious attack. Consequently, the PM of Nisrael has declared war on the Tamas and vowed to eliminate every member of the Tamas. Nisrael has responded by conducting aerial bombings of the Daza strip, which is governed by Tamas. The Daza Strip is a densely populated region, and aerial strikes by Nisrael have led to the killing of many innocent civilians. It is reported that more than 10,000 people have lost their lives in Daza, including some of the hostages as well. There is an acute shortage of food, fuel, and essential items in Daza. The United Nations has warned that the situation in Daza may turn into a grave humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, the international community seems to be divided over the issue. While some countries are defending Nisrael's actions as an act of self-defense, others are blaming Nisrael's illegal occupation of Salestinian territory as the root cause of the conflict and supporting the Tamas. Some nations are pursuing a diplomatic tightrope walk by condemning the ghastly attack on Nisrael and raising concerns over the humanitarian crisis in the Daza strip. Experts fear that if a ceasefire is not declared immediately between the warring parties, the conflict may spiral to other countries in the restive West Asia and may assume catastrophic consequences. Dharmat, a country in Asia, has good relations with both Nisrael and Salestine. While it has historic ties with Salestine, its relations with Nisrael have grown by leaps and bounds in recent times. Dharmat and Nisrael are strategic partners and are actively cooperating in different sectors like agriculture, wastewater management, counter-terrorism, etc. Also, Nisrael is one of the largest suppliers of cutting-edge defense equipment to Dharmat. Both Nisrael and Salestine have reached out to Dharmat to garner support for their respective positions. In Dharmat, there have been rallies and marches in support of both Nisrael and Salestine by different groups. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of Dharmat of Dharmat is drafting an official response to the whole situation. You are the secretary in MEA, tasked with drafting a response regarding the same. a) What are the various ethical issues involved in the case study? b) List various factors that you would consider while drafting the response.20 marks
  20. Q12Mohan was a new intern at ABC Infotech, a company that deals in the assembly and sales of desktops. ABC Infotech is a leading company in its field, and it was a dream come true for Mohan to get an opportunity to intern at the company Mohan is an ethical and upright person who does his duty with the utmost sincerity and dedication. Mohan's hard work at ABC Infotech was well recognized, and his superiors were satisfied with his performance. One day, Avinash, Mohan's team leader, gave him a file and instructed him to deliver it to Mr. Manoj, the General Manager of XYZ Chemicals, a Public Sector Unit (PSU). Avinash told Mohan that the contents of the file were confidential as they contained the company's quotation for a tender of 100 computers required by XYZ Chemicals. Mohan felt encouraged that Avinash had chosen him for this important task. As instructed, Mohan reached the office of XYZ Chemicals on time. While waiting for his turn to meet the General Manager, Mohan noticed the citizen's charter of the XYZ chemicals on the wall. Apart from explicit provisions for transparency and checking corruption, there was a dedicated section for grievance redressal in the citizen's charter. Mohan mentally appreciated the initiative of having a citizen's charter at public offices. On his turn, Mohan greeted Mr. Manoj and presented him with his company's quotations. Mr. Manoj looked visibly satisfied with the quotations; however, he asked Mohan as to what incentives were there for him personally for approving the quotations. Mohan was shocked by this question, and before he could say anything, Mr. Manoj himself hinted that he expects 10% of the quotation value to be delivered to him as a token of gratitude for approving the quotation of ABC Infotech over the quotations of other companies. A man of scruples, Mohan was saddened at the proposition of Mr. Manoj, who was directly demanding a bribe for doing his stipulated duty. He requested that Mr. Manoj consider the quotations on their competitive merit and not embarrass him by demanding a bribe. Mr. Manoj asked Mohan to leave and also told him that his internship may become a problem for him and his company in the future. Mohan felt harassed by the threats from Mr. Manoj. While leaving XYZ Chemicals, Mohan remembered the grievance redressal section in the citizen's charter. He wrote a detailed application of complaint against Mr. Manoj on the letterhead of ABC Infotech and submitted it with the grievance redressal authority of XYZ Chemicals. On returning to his office, he informed Avinash about all that transpired at XYZ Chemicals. Mohan expected his company to initiate an official complaint against Mr. Manoj. However, he was shocked by the response from his company. Avinash. blamed Mohan for spoiling the relations of the company with a long-time client. He also questioned Mohan's authority for writing a complaint on the company's letterhead without consulting his superior. He further belittled Mohan's actions by telling him that his internship would end with immediate effect if he refused to apologize to Mr. Manoj and take back his complaint. a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case study? b) Mohan considers you a wise person and seeks your advice. As a friend of Mohan, what advice will you give him under these circumstances? c) What are the reasons for the acceptance of this kind of corruption? What steps can be taken to tackle the same?20 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 165 words written

Family plays a prominent role in the value development of an individual. Elucidate. Also, examine the impact of the changing nature of families on children's moral development.

Opening

Socialisation is an important procen of impasting values among individuals via institution like family, society and School.

Body · points

Family's role in value development

  1. Family is first & nearest environment of child → hence have great /profound impact

ii) family members like - sibling, grand-parent impart values via - • Telling stories, epics, poems from Ramayan, mahabharat, Geeta etc

@ - Value of - love, kindnen, Compassion respect through Ramayan stories

iii) It provide a conducive environment for holistic development iv) Behaviour of family member also serves as an a toal ↳ child learn by observation

Impact of changing nature of family on children's moral development

  1. Nuclearisation due to globalisation & urbanisation ↳ role of grandparent reducing - children missing an importance source ii) Working parents → low time for children care & care by domestic help ↳ Impacting process of value inculcation iii) Growing role of internet, ICT devices

Close · a summary

Thus, family structure & socialisation has gone under change due to globalisation, Urbanisation & digitalisation