AIR 7 · CSE 2022 · GS4 · 58 pages

Waseem Ahmad Bhat: GS4 answer copy

21 answers by Waseem Ahmad Bhat, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)According to you, what are the main reasons behind prejudice against certain sections of a society? Discuss with examples.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Discuss how persuasion acts as a functional pillar in attitudinal change and attitude formation with requisite examples.10 marks
  3. Q2(a)A legally enforceable code of ethics for civil servants, which not only prescribes the ethical values they must display in their public life but also provides sanctions for violations of these values, is the need of the hour. Discuss.10 marks
  4. Q2(b)Although open and transparent governance has gained ground, do you agree with the view that there is merit in withholding some information from people? Justify your arguments with examples.10 marks
  5. Q3(a)Although bribery is illegal and counterproductive, public officials still demand bribes, and executives in the private sector remain tempted to pay up. In this context, discuss ways in which corporations can build a framework to eliminate the practice of offering kickbacks.10 marks
  6. Q3(b)Identifying the issues associated with utilization of public funds, discuss the various ethical principles which can help devise strategies for better utilization of public funds in India.10 marks
  7. Q4(a)What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) "All persons ought to endeavour to follow what is right, and not what is established." — Aristotle10 marks
  8. Q4(b)"It is compassion, the most gracious of virtues, which moves the world."10 marks
  9. Q4(c)"I understand democracy as something that gives the weak the same chance as the strong." - Mahatma Gandhi10 marks
  10. Q5(a)"A well-developed Emotional intelligence is not only an instrumental tool in accomplishing goals, but has a dark side as a weapon for manipulating others by robbing them of their capacity to reason." Analyse.10 marks
  11. Q5(b)What do you understand by conformity, compliance and obedience? Discuss their relevance in the context of civil services in India.10 marks
  12. Q6(a)Though the internal control systems in India are impressive on paper, they have not worked well in curbing the issue of corruption in the administration. Comment. Also, discuss the various reasons for the same.10 marks
  13. Q6(b)There is broad consensus that the state has failed to effectively deliver public services to its citizens, particularly the poor. In this context, discuss the need for providing incentives, building state capacity and ensuring transparency for better service delivery.10 marks
  14. Q7You are the principal of a college which has a long history of student politics. However, due to your personal belief, you are not in favour of conducting student elections and thus have kept the process of yearly student elections pending without any official announcement. While you are mulling over the decision of not conducting elections, you get representation from some professors as well as students who criticize the activities of student unions as obstructive to the academic environment of the college. Some time later, student leaders also come to talk to you regarding conduct of elections, and you tell them about the representation received by you against allowing student elections. You further tell them that you are contemplating suspending all activities related to student politics in the campus. On hearing this, student leaders become aggressive and start sloganeering and destroying college property. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What are the issues involved in the case above? (b) How can you separate your personal ethics from professional ethics? (c) How would you deal with this situation?20 marks
  15. Q7(b)How to seperate personal ethics from professional ethics? (c) How to deal with situation?
  16. Q8Capital punishment, or "death penalty," is an institutionalized practice designed to result in deliberately executing persons in response to actual or supposed misconduct and following an authorized, rule-governed process to conclude that the person is responsible for violating norms that warrant execution. Punitive executions have historically been imposed by diverse kinds of authorities, for an expansive range of conduct, political or religious beliefs and practices, for a status beyond one's control, or without employing any significant due process procedures. Punitive executions also have and continue to be carried out more informally, such as by terrorist groups, urban gangs, and mobs. For centuries in Europe and America, discussions have focused on capital punishment as an institutionalized, rule-governed practice of modern states and legal systems governing serious criminal conduct and procedures. In light of the above debate of capital punishment, answer the following questions: (a) What are the arguments in favour of and against having capital punishment in the criminal justice system? (b) Do you think capital punishment has a place in modern civilised society? Examine in the context of moral implications involved in awarding it.20 marks
  17. Q8(b)Capital punishment : Any place in modern society?
  18. Q920 marks
  19. Q10(a)Sunil has been posted as a DM in a hilly district which is vulnerable to several natural disasters. The district is known for a pilgrimage site and is frequently visited by tourists from all over India. The major occupation of locals therefore lies in the hospitality business. Unfortunately, after a few days of his joining, the district faced a major earthquake. It has led to high casualties and damages to the essential infrastructure such as roads and bridges. Both locals and tourists are trapped at different routes and locations. An international convoy of dignitaries from a neighboring country which has come to pay their obeisance at the pilgrimage site, is also trapped due to the disaster. Because of this, Sunil has to divert most of the available resources in the rescue operation of the foreign dignitaries. People are emotionally distressed due to the disaster, and delayed response from authorities to their needs has led to a law-and-order situation in the district. People from other states whose families are trapped and need immediate assistance are also getting restless and flooding the emergency helplines with complaints and requests. (a) Discuss the issues being faced by Sunil in the given scenario. (b) Mention a course of action that Sunil must take to maintain law-and-order as well as to expediate rescue operations of all concerned.
  20. Q11You are posted as a Customs official in one of renowned port cities of India. Your team has recently intercepted a consignment having over 5000 kilograms of red sandalwood. Red Sandalwood, also known as Red Sanders, is a prohibited item for export and is covered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) list and hence you detained a few individuals for their alleged involvement in trying to smuggle it to another country. However, you later come to know that these people are working for an influential businessman with close ties to the ruling party of the state. Your seniors in the department have verbally instructed you not to register any compliant as yet. You are fearful that a deal will be struck between the businessman and a few corrupt officers of your department and the detained persons will be freed. You are ready to go ahead and file the complaint but at the same time are also fearful of departmental action against you if you disobey your seniors. (a) What are the various options available to you in the given case? Evaluate the merits and demerits of each of these. (b) Also indicate (without necessarily restricting to the above options) your course of action and the reasons for the same.20 marks
  21. Q1220 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 122 words written

According to you, what are the main reasons behind prejudice against certain sections of a society? Discuss with examples.

Opening · a definition

Prejudice is an attitude of intense stereotyping, hate and discrimination against certain sections of society. ⇒ Reasons for prejudice

Body · points

/-- Belief -- Rigid/Generalised Prejudice -- Emotion -- Hate/Disgust -- Behaviour -- Discrimination/violence

Prejudice as attitude

⇒ Reasons for prejudice

  1. Lack of education or information about that section e.g: Many people think all North easterners eat dogs. → Many people donot know how Muslims pray.

  2. Lack of intergroup contact which leads to ghettoisation

◎ Fake news and misinformation: e.g: lynchings due to belief of child kidnapping.

diagram Ghettoisation -> Stereotype -> Prejudice -> Violence --(back to Ghettoisation)

vicious cycle

◎ Ingroup heterogeneity & outgroup homogeneity e.g. : Someone saying, 'They are all the same'

◎ Endogamous marriages which restrict kin relations to one's own group e.g. : only 8% intercaste marriages

◎ Negative habits on part of discriminated e.g. : Ambedkar wanted Dalits to clothe properly.

Close · a quotation

'Prejudice is what fools take for reason' (Voltaire)