Shruti Rajlakshmi: GS4 answer copy

The questions

1. Q1(a)Persuasion plays an important role in public administration. Discuss. Also highlight the various elements of effective persuasion.10 marks
2. Q1(b)"Never do anything against the conscience even if the state demands it." In this context, discuss the role of conscience in taking ethical decisions in administration.10 marks
3. Q2(a)Raja Ram Mohan Roy's liberal views on social and religious issues have much relevance in present day India. Discuss.10 marks
4. Q2(b)The moral circle of humanity has been expanding constantly over time. Discuss in this context whether non-human entities should have the same rights as humans beings.10 marks
5. Q3(a)What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) "Each individual is capable of transforming his immediate environment by attempting a radical transformation inside him". - J Krishnamurti10 marks
6. Q3(b)"True compassion means not only feeling another's pain but also being moved to help relieve it". - Daniel Goleman10 marks
7. Q4(a)An important requisite for ensuring probity in governance is absence of corruption. Analyse.10 marks
8. Q4(b)The right to information (RTI) and the right to privacy (RTP) complement each other in holding the government accountable to the people, however, in cases of conflict, they can be reconciled keeping public interest in mind. Discuss.10 marks
9. Q5(a)Explain the ethical issues involved in spending government funds for advertisement campaigns and publicity.10 marks
10. Q5(b)Explaining the concept of political neutrality, discuss its significance in administration. Also, highlight how the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules seek to ensure political neutrality in the civil services.10 marks
11. Q6(a)In light of the recurring issues, there is a constant need to search for better ethical frameworks and models of corporate governance. Discuss with adequate examples and evidence in support of your arguments.10 marks
12. Q6(b)Gender inequality begins at home and then gets institutionalised at the societal level. Discuss.10 marks
13. Q6(c)Stakeholder Capitalism is suggested as a way forward in wake of social, economic and environment challenges posed by Shareholder Capitalism. Examine the relevant arguments in this debate.10 marks
14. Q7Mr. X is a renowned Architect. He receives a contract of Rs. 500 crores to design and lead a building project that would not only be an architectural landmark but also involves engineering challenges the solutions for which would change the industry. The building would house the headquarters of a successful company Fictitious Corp. Its chairman, Mr. Y is renowned for his acumen as well as temper. After spending time on the drawing board, Mr. X comes up with an innovative design which in itself is a masterpiece. His office had to lay out the plan and then coordinate with the engineering firms to execute it to perfection. The building is constructed in record time and is praised for its ingenuity and the experts also look at it as an engineering milestone. After six months of its construction, Ms. Z, a doctoral student of mathematics, visits the building for her work on structural engineering calculations. She has immense respect for Mr. X's work. However, she finds that her calculations do not satisfy the requirements of structural integrity for which the building has been widely hailed. She realizes that the building's structure has a deficiency based on the bolted beams used for structural support; this was inadequate if the impact of vertical winds on the building is taken into account. It not only created a threat for the building and its occupants but also the buildings and people nearby. Mr. X is informed of these calculations by the student and her supervisor. However, Mr. X, meticulous as he is, has confidence on his work and detailed design. He looks at the issue seriously and spends time on the design. He indeed finds no flaw in his design and also notes that his design entails the use of welded rather than bolted beams. At the time he is negotiating the construction of another building where the issue of welded versus bolted metal beams is a sticking point. Mr. X prefers welded beams as they are twice as strong as the requirements are. However, the engineering firm responsible for actual construction job and procuring the steel beams points out that double bolted beams are strong enough to meet the requirement, are cost effective and also fulfill the building code requirements. After the meeting Mr. X visits the Fictitious Corp building, and to his horror he realizes that bolted rather than welded beams have been used in the construction of the building. He asks for the design that his office has used after final approval. He notices that indeed the final designs show the use of bolted beams. These beams are classified as trusses which do meet the regulatory requirements but not the structural capacity as envisaged by Mr. X initially. He further enquires and is told that the engineering firm responsible for construction work had also given similar arguments about the sufficiency, cost effectiveness and regulatory
15. Q9You are working as a Divisional Forest Officer in an area which is home to tigers. Recently, there have been reports of a tiger venturing into agricultural fields and also killing livestock of villagers. Unfortunately, 2-3 villagers have been killed by some wild animals in last few weeks. Villagers claim that the tiger has killed their fellow villagers and request you to protect their lives and property by either relocating or killing the man-eater tiger. They also obstructed investigation of forest officials to ascertain whether it was the work of tiger or some other animals. Your attempts to trap the tiger have not been successful. Concerned over the delay in killing or relocating the tiger, villagers hire a private hunter to kill the tiger on their own and argue that they have a right to defend themselves and their property. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the issues involved in this scenario. (b) What steps would you take as the Divisional Forest Officer to ensure villagers' safety along with protection of tigers?20 marks
16. Q10You are a District Magistrate of an area which has seen a huge surge in COVID-19 cases during the second wave of pandemic in India. The health infrastructure is already overburdened. Hospitals are overwhelmed, crematoriums and burial sites are regularly running out of space, and covid testing is struggling to meet the demand. Also, the vaccination drive is at the risk of going off-track due to the demand-supply mismatch. During this difficult time, you come to know that there are some people who are engaging in black marketing, hoarding and profiteering by using every trick in the book to cheat, ransom and swindle Covid-19 patients and their kin in the name of scarcity of drugs, oxygen and hospital beds. Black marketing, hoarding and profiteering are a classic case of market failure, which highlights the significance of state intervention in a crisis situation. How can state effectively play the role of a regulator as well as service provider in such cases of market failure?20 marks
17. Q10(a)(a) इस प्रकरण में सम्मिलित सर्वाधिक अहम मुद्दों की पहचान कीजिए? आप प्राथमिकता के आधार पर किसे संबोधित करेंगे? (b) श्री X और श्री Y को आपकी क्या सलाह होगी? साथ ही, पर्याप्त रूप से इस तरह की सलाह के कारणों को स्पष्ट कीजिए।
18. Q10(b)(b) श्री X और श्री Y को आपकी क्या सलाह होगी? साथ ही, पर्याप्त रूप से इस तरह की सलाह के कारणों को स्पष्ट कीजिए।
19. Q11You work as a marketing consultant for a multinational company that specializes in various products including nutrient supplements, diet pills etc. The company pays its employees extremely well and provides satisfactory fringe benefits. Your manager has hinted that he will recommend you for overseas company transfer, which will improve your job profile. This has motivated you to work harder and perform better. The company has to advertise and sell a new weight loss pill 'X'. As per in-company research, it has minimal or no side effects and has no adverse impacts on health, which is its unique selling point (USP). You are given the responsibility of heading the marketing team for advertising pill 'X'. Due to a well-crafted marketing strategy including endorsement by a renowned celebrity, the product has generated considerable public attention. However, while working on an advertisement campaign for the pill, you find out that the in-company research findings of pill 'X' are fabricated. While it indeed has no side-effects, there are no proven benefits of taking the pill as well. It merely acts as a placebo. When you bring up the issue with your manager, he promptly tells you to keep the facts to yourself. He also indirectly brings up the fact that your performance review date is approaching and hints that you will get transferred overseas if you prove your loyalty to the company. Based on the given information, address the following: (a) Identify the stakeholders in this situation. (b) State the ethical issues that arise in this case. (c) Discuss your options in this scenario and mention your next step.20 marks
20. Q12The COVID-19 pandemic has forced universities, schools and other educational institutions around the world to shut down their campuses indefinitely and move their educational activities onto online platforms. These institutions were not prepared for such a transition and their online teaching-learning process evolved gradually. Though students considered online learning advantageous because of flexibility and convenience, there have been reports that the students prefer learning in physical classrooms to online education. The students feel that online education is stressful and affects their health and social life. Moreover, not all students have equal access to, and expertise on, digital technologies. Although these inequalities existed earlier, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed this digital divide. Considering yourself as the Chairman of a Committee, constituted by the government, to suggest measures to improve the quality and accessibility of online education, answer the following questions: (a) What are the key ethical issues at stake here? (b) Highlight the principles and values that will guide your recommendations to the government. (c) Suggest measures to improve the quality and accessibility of online education in the country.20 marks

The answers