AIR 7 · CSE 2022 · GS4 · 58 pages

Waseem Ahmad Bhat: GS4 answer copy

20 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)Explain why altruism constitutes one of the core values in public life. In this regard, suggest some measures to foster altruistic behaviour in public services.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Certain actions can be right even though they do not maximize good consequences, for the rightness of such actions consists in their representing certain norms. Discuss with examples.10 marks
  3. Q2(a)With the help of appropriate examples, discuss the ethical challenges involved in policing in India. Also, highlight the reasons behind corruption in the police force.10 marks
  4. Q2(b)A right combination of spirit and structure is integral to ethical corporate governance. Discuss.10 marks
  5. Q3(a)It is not only public servants, but also the common citizens who play a key role in institutionalising high standards of ethical conduct and good governance. Elaborate.10 marks
  6. Q3(b)Public administration in India suffers from the 'working-in-silos' culture. In this context, discuss the importance of cooperation, coordination and collaboration for efficient governance.10 marks
  7. Q4(a)While emotional intelligence is an essential tool for a public servant, it can also be misused to manipulate people to act against their own interests. Discuss with examples.10 marks
  8. Q4(b)Social influence is an ambivalent concept. It can be a source for good, bad and even for evil. Discuss with the help of relevant examples.10 marks
  9. Q5(a)Effective public service delivery demands a people-centric approach, which is built upon coordination and leverages technology. Discuss.10 marks
  10. Q5(b)Highlight the important teachings of Kautilya that are relevant to public services in 21st century India.10 marks
  11. Q6(a)What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead." Nelson Mandela10 marks
  12. Q6(b)"I care only for the Spirit - when that is right, everything will be righted by itself". Swami Vivekananda.10 marks
  13. Q6(c)"True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice." Martin Luther King Jr10 marks
  14. Q7You have recently graduated from college and are now preparing for the civil services examination. While reading the newspaper, you come across a news report of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), working for child rights, challenging a provision of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, in the Supreme Court of India. The said provision provides for the option of Children in Conflict with Law (CCL) to be tried as adults under certain circumstances. The NGO's plea is that children are not able to understand the gravity of crimes. It has also contended that the criminal acts committed by children are a reflection of failure of the society to take care of its children. In the context of this situation, as a young aspirant, answer the following questions: (a) What are the possible factors that can drive a child towards committing heinous crimes? (b) Is it ethical to punish children as adults rather than giving them a chance for reformation?20 marks
  15. Q7(a)Possible factors that can drive a child to a crime
  16. Q8You are a CEO-founder of an edTech company. You are under tremendous pressure from the investors in your company to increase the profitability of the company and undertake downsizing. After making a few bad acquisitions, the company's finances have taken a huge hit in the last couple of years. The downsizing is suggested with the hope that the company's profitability would rise, as it often does when mass layoff or downsizing decisions are carried out. Moreover, the investors have hinted that such measures would attract further investment from them, which has come as a ray of hope considering the ongoing volatile market conditions and slowdown in big-ticket fundings. Given the situation, rumors of unscrupulous firing have started doing the rounds among employees. It has increased apprehensiveness and reduced cohesiveness among them. You have informed the investors that the cost cutting exercise can affect the output as well as reputation of the company in the long-run. However, they are adamant to pursue the same. (a) Identify the stakeholders and ethical issues involved in the case. (b) You and the HR team have identified some options and are deliberating to put them across to the investors for consideration. Discuss the merits and demerits of each of these: (i) Identifying key high performers and offering them suitable positions before implementing the layoff decision. (ii) Putting the terminated employees on retainer to work part-time. (iii) Executing the lay off order in the same spirit as it was asked by the investors and letting them deal with the long-term consequences. (iv) Improving the perception of fairness among the existing and terminated employees and moving ahead with the layoffs. (c) Without restricting yourself to the above options, discuss the course of action you will take, and provide adequate reasons for the same.20 marks
  17. Q9There is an ongoing ethnic civil war in a neighbouring country. The conflict has caused massive displacement of people from the country. Ironically, the developed countries have closed off their borders to the refugees on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, resource competition, domestic politics etc. With countries sealing off their borders, the refugees are left in a vulnerable situation and many are taking illegal routes to enter your country. As a Senior Official of your country's Ministry of External Affairs, you have been involved in discussions with officials of other nations and are entrusted with the mandate to design a national policy to safely accommodate India bound refugees. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) Discuss the moral issues related to the rights of international refugees, especially those from conflict-torn regions. (b) What recommendations would you suggest given the large influx of refugees in India.20 marks
  18. Q10Social interactions where a person is addressed by their correct name and pronouns, consistent with their gender identity, are widely recognized as a basic and yet critical aspect of gender affirmation. A national university invited speakers for a discussion on rights of sexual minorities in India. The panel included speakers representing a wide variety of opinions and perspectives on the issue. The debates, though largely peaceful, witnessed a controversy. A college association representing sexual minorities took offence against a panellist who cautioned against self-identification by sexual minorities and the liberal use of pronouns. The association reached out to the media and the localised controversy soon turned into a national issue across news networks and social media. The association demanded that the panellist apologise for his views and issue a public statement in this context. The panellist, on the other hand, seemed unmoved by the issue. In the meantime, the University has come under huge pressure to resolve the issue. The Vice Chancellor set up a Committee to look into the matter and its peaceful resolution. You have been appointed as the Chairperson of the Committee. In this regard, answer the following questions: (a) Discuss the various moral issues involved in the case. (b) Keeping the right to freedom of speech and expression in mind, highlight the steps you would take to resolve the issue and list arguments in support.20 marks
  19. Q11You are a young athlete representing India at an international-level competition. To your surprise, during the competition, you witness a few senior athletes injecting something using a syringe in private. When you approach them, they explain that it is a performance enhancing drug, which is very common in such competitions and you should take the same as well. You are aware that if these players get caught in a doping test, it may damage India's reputation. You are confused and afraid of the repercussions and decide to approach the coach to discuss the event you witnessed. However, you get to know that the athletes are taking the drug on the advice of the coach himself. (a) What would you do in this scenario? Discuss the options available to you and chart your course of action. (b) What are the reasons behind the use of performance enhancing drugs in competitive sporting events? How can this practice be minimized?20 marks
  20. Q12You have been newly appointed as the District Magistrate of a district, which is known for its rich mineral deposits. Following the news being circulated in the media about the illegal mining in your district, you have initiated an enquiry into it. When the State's Minister of Mines and Minerals gets to know of the enquiry initiated by you, he directs you to name some junior government employees as being involved in the wrongdoing and make them scapegoats. He also points out that elections to the State Assembly are around the corner and the present government wishes to stay clear of any political corruption. This Minister is a very influential figure in the present regime and there are high chances of the present ruling party being voted back to power. In due course of the enquiry, it has come to your notice that the said Minister has also been involved in illegal mining through his cronies. The findings of the enquiry can affect the outcome of the elections as well as completely derail your career, if the incumbent party wins the elections, which looks very likely as per the polls. Answer the following with reference to this case: (a) Identify the stakeholders and the ethical issues in the given case. (b) Critically evaluate the options in the given scenario and state your course of action, giving reasons.20 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 146 words written

Explain why altruism constitutes one of the core values in public life. In this regard, suggest some measures to foster altruistic behaviour in public services.

Opening · a definition

Altruism is the quality of selflessness in one's actions for the welfare of others.

Body · points

e.g: Helping an old person cross a road.

=> Altruism as a core value of public life

  • leads to morality in actions e.g: Baba Amte helped leprosy patients.
  • causes social trust and cohesion e.g: Scandinavian countries.
  • fulfills inner conscience & leads to Compassion e.g: Gandhiji fighting against untouchability
  • long term societal ethics e.g: European nations vs. African.

=> Measures

  • Early parenting should be democrtic e.g: Gandhiji's mother
  • Curriculum should be designed to foster selflessness, Compassin e.g: Japanese curriculum.
  • Visiting orphanages & widow homes helps build empathy.
  • Field visits to remote places such as slums etc
  • Media, cinema etc should foster such values as helping, reciprocity etc

Close · a summary

This will ensure a society of virtuous men which will lead to national growth and foster equity.