Mains Marathon 2024

Day 47: In a bustling city, a sub-inspector was caught on camera forcibly disrupting a group of individuals who were offering prayers on the roadside. The video showed the officer using physical force, including kicking and hitting, to clear the space for the busy traffic on the road. The incident quickly went viral, sparking outrage among the public.

The prayers were being held on the road due to space constraints at a nearby religious shrine, where the overflow of worshippers had led people to pray outside. Despite this, the manner in which the sub-inspector handled the situation was deemed excessive and inappropriate.

In response to the incident, local residents gathered at the nearest police station to protest, demanding justice for the mistreatment. They also blocked the road, causing a significant disruption to traffic. The protesters argued that the sub-inspector's actions were unprecedented and raised serious concerns about the conduct of law enforcement officials.

In the given scenario :

A. What ethical dilemmas does the police department face in this situation, and how should they address them while ensuring justice and public trust?

B. If you were the head of the police department, what steps would you take to prevent similar incidents in the future? Justify your decision with ethical reasoning.

C. What policies or procedures should be implemented by law enforcement to balance the need for public order with respect for religious practices in public spaces?

Day 47: You are an Environmental Compliance Officer in a state where a large number of factories have been polluting the local river, leading to serious health issues in nearby communities. An environmental NGO has filed a Right to Information (RTI) application asking for details of pollution levels and the names of the factories involved. Upon gathering the information, you discover that the previous reports had downplayed the pollution levels due to pressure from factory owners, who are politically influential. Disclosure of the true information would expose your earlier negligence and might result in severe disciplinary action against you and your team. However, withholding the information or providing incomplete details would mean continuing harm to the environment and local communities.

In the given scenario :

A. Evaluate the merits and demerits of the following options:

a. Disclose the complete and truthful information, despite the potential repercussions on your career.

b. Provide partial information that highlights some issues but not the full extent of the problem to minimize personal risk.

c. Seek advice from your superior and act according to their guidance, even if it means withholding critical information.

B. What course of action would you recommend, and why? Support your answer with ethical reasoning.

Day 47: A leading IT company in Bengaluru, renowned for its progressive work culture and high standards of employee satisfaction, found itself at the center of a controversy involving the safety of its female employees. Priya, a young software engineer, reported an incident where she was harassed by a senior male colleague during a late-night project meeting.

Despite the company’s established policies against harassment, Priya's complaint was not taken seriously by her immediate manager, who suggested she resolve the matter privately to avoid tarnishing the team's image. Feeling unsupported, Priya took the matter to the company’s HR department, which eventually led to an internal investigation. However, the investigation process was slow, and Priya faced subtle retaliation from her colleagues, making her work environment increasingly hostile.

As the issue became known within the organization, other female employees began expressing their concerns about their safety and the company’s commitment to protecting them. The situation escalated when the incident was leaked to the media, leading to public outcry and scrutiny over the company’s handling of workplace harassment cases. The company’s management is now facing a significant challenge in addressing the safety concerns of female employees while managing the damage to its public image and internal morale.

In the given scenario :

A. Examine the ethical issues faced by the company’s management in this case.

B. What immediate actions should the company take to ensure the safety and well-being of female employees?

C. What long-term strategies should the company implement to foster a safer and more supportive work environment for women?

Day 47: Rahul, an aspirant for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, had been preparing for years. Despite his hard work, he consistently struggled to secure a rank that would ensure his selection in the general category. Frustrated and desperate, he decided to obtain a fake disability certificate to apply under the reserved category for persons with disabilities (PwD). With this certificate, Rahul passed the exam and secured a prestigious position in civil services.

A few months after his appointment, an anonymous complaint was lodged against Rahul, accusing him of using a fake disability certificate to secure his position. The complaint was supported by evidence, leading to an internal investigation. Rahul’s colleagues, some of whom were aware of his actions, advised him to deny the allegations and suggested that he might escape severe punishment due to his clean record and the lack of any other complaints against him.

In the given scenario :

A. If you were in Rahul's position, what would be your course of action? Justify your decision with ethical reasoning.

B. What actions should the UPSC take to prevent and address the misuse of fake certificates in future examinations?

Day 46: A well-known pharmaceutical company in India, XYZ Ltd., developed a new drug intended to treat a common ailment and successfully received approval to market it in several international markets. The drug quickly gained popularity abroad due to its effectiveness and minimal side effects. Building on this success, XYZ Ltd. sought and received approval from the domestic regulatory authority to launch the drug in India, promising Indian consumers the same high-quality product.

However, after several months of domestic sales, a random inspection by the Drug Regulatory Authority revealed significant discrepancies between the quality of the drug sold in India and the internationally approved version. This allegation incited public outrage, causing a severe decline in the company's market share and damaging its reputation both domestically and internationally, necessitating a significant reduction in manpower costs.

In the given scenario :

A. Analyze the ethical dilemmas faced by XYZ Ltd. in this scenario.

B. What steps can XYZ Ltd. take to manage the crisis, rectify the situation, and restore its lost reputation?

C. What actions should the Drug Regulatory Authority take against XYZ Ltd. for violating domestic drug quality standards and distributing substandard products in the domestic market?

Day 46: The CEO of Arya Defense Systems Ltd (ADSL), a leading defense manufacturing company in India, has been monitoring the global arms market and its potential for growth. With the government’s push for self-reliance in defense production, ADSL has made significant strides in developing advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance and combat purposes. The company is now poised to enter the international market, with inquiries from several countries interested in purchasing their UAVs.

The potential revenue from these exports could significantly boost ADSL’s R&D capabilities and contribute to national defense objectives. However, the CEO is concerned about the ethical implications of exporting military technology, particularly to regions with ongoing conflicts or poor human rights records.

In the given scenario :

A. As the CEO of ADSL, what ethical considerations should guide your decision to export UAVs to foreign countries?

B. How would you balance the financial and strategic benefits of exporting military technology with the ethical responsibilities of a defense manufacturer?

Day 46: You have been appointed as the Chief Officer of a Pollution Control Board tasked with enforcing environmental regulations in a region known for its numerous small and medium-sized industries. These industries, employing many migrant workers, are found to be violating environmental standards, contributing to air, water, and soil pollution, and causing health issues for local residents. Despite possessing environmental clearance certificates, these units continue to operate in a harmful manner.

After issuing notices for fresh environmental compliance certificates, you face strong opposition from industry owners, workers, local politicians, and other vested interests. The workers fear job loss and livelihood insecurity, while the industry owners argue that strict enforcement could lead to financial ruin and market disruptions. At the same time, you receive support from some colleagues and local NGOs who demand the immediate shutdown of polluting units.

In the given scenario :

A. What are the options available to you?

B. Critically examine the options listed by you.

C. What mechanisms would you propose to ensure environmental compliance and safeguard livelihood security?

Day 46: In a major city's key educational district, a catastrophic incident occurred when the basement of a large coaching center flooded due to a burst drain during heavy rainfall, tragically resulting in the death of several students who were trapped inside.

As the Director of the Municipal Council investigating the incident, you discovered significant safety and infrastructure management failures across the city. The city faces issues such as illegal structural modifications, substandard materials, poor maintenance, inadequate drainage desilting, hazardous hanging wires, and unsafe study centers operating under similar conditions.

These conditions have sparked widespread student protests, with demonstrators blocking market areas and roads, demanding justice for the victims, and improving safety measures in the area. You are facing intense pressure from both your superiors and external sources to conceal the findings.

In the given scenario :

A. Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.

B. What are the options available to you in this situation?

C. Explain your selected course of action.

Day 45: The Right to Information Act signifies a paradigm shift in governance, where the focus on accountability is no longer optional but a fundamental expectation. Discuss.(250 words)

Day 45:In public life, Probity is not just a virtue; it is a necessity. Comment.(150 words)

Day 45: A Code of Ethics governs decision-making and a Code of Conduct governs actions. Elucidate.(150 words)

Day 45: Corruption is the visible symptom of a society where core values have eroded, revealing a deep-seated failure in ethical commitment. Explain(250 words)

Day 44: Assess the major challenges facing corporate governance in India. What reforms are necessary to improve the effectiveness of corporate governance practices in the country? (250 words)

Day 44: Ensuring accountability in international funding requires more than just mechanisms; it demands a commitment to openness and integrity amidst a landscape fraught with challenges.Explain.(250 words)

Day 44: Good governance is about the balance between the people, the planet, and prosperity. Discuss.(150 words)

Day 44: An ethical dilemma is a mirror that reflects our true moral compass.Comment.(150 words)

Day 43: Discuss the main components of emotional intelligence. How will you apply emotional intelligence in administrative practices? (150 words)

Day 43: What does this quotation mean to you in the present context?
“Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law." – Immanuel Kant (150 words)

Day 43: Does emotional intelligence help in resolving a crisis of conscience without sacrificing ethical and moral principles? Narrate one incident in your life when you were faced with such a crisis and how you resolved the same. (150 words)

Day 43: Critically assess the relevance of John Rawls's theory of social justice in the context of India. (150 words