Mains Practice Questions

Case Study

You are the District Collector of a rapidly urbanizing district. A large government housing project is under construction to provide affordable homes to economically weaker sections. The project is being executed by a private contractor under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

One evening, a section of an under-construction residential block collapses, leading to the death of five workers and injuring many others. A preliminary investigation suggests that poor-quality construction materials were used. Further, it is revealed that the project approval process had several irregularities, including the violation of environmental clearance norms and unauthorized expansion beyond the sanctioned plan. The project was approved under the tenure of your predecessor, who is now a senior bureaucrat in the state government.

As you begin an in-depth inquiry, you receive immense pressure from multiple stakeholders. Senior officials advise you to avoid implicating your predecessor, arguing that it could tarnish the administration's reputation. The contractor, a politically well-connected businessman, offers you a lucrative post-retirement consultancy role in exchange for diluting the report. Additionally, local political leaders, citing the urgency of providing housing to the poor, urge you to let the project continue despite the lapses. Meanwhile, workers' unions and civil society groups demand strict action against those responsible.

1. Identify the ethical dilemmas in this case and analyze them using relevant ethical theories.

2. What course of action should you take to ensure accountability while balancing the interests of all stakeholders?

3. What policy recommendations can help prevent the recurrence of such infrastructure failures?

Q. What are the ethical obligations of a welfare state toward its citizens? Analyze with reference to India's constitutional philosophy and social justice policies. (150 words)

Q. Is conscience an infallible guide to ethical conduct, or is it shaped by social conditioning? Examine in the context of professional ethics for civil servants. (150 words)

Case Study

Puneet is a young and dynamic officer serving as the Director of the State Sports Council. His mandate is to promote sports at the grassroots level, improve infrastructure, and ensure fair selection of athletes for national and international competitions.

During his tenure, Puneet receives multiple complaints from young athletes and coaches about rampant favoritism and corruption in the selection process for a prestigious international sports event. Allegations suggest that several underqualified candidates were selected due to political connections and bribes, while talented athletes, especially from economically weaker backgrounds, were ignored.

Upon investigation, Puneet finds strong evidence of malpractice involving senior officials, influential politicians, and sports federation members. When he raises the issue with his superiors, he is advised to “look the other way” as the individuals involved are politically powerful. Some officials warn him that exposing the issue could lead to career repercussions, frequent transfers, or administrative sidelining.

Athletes and their families have intensified their protests, demanding justice and transparency, sparking mass public outrage. The issue has gained widespread media attention, putting significant pressure on the authorities to act. Meanwhile, a well-known journalist approaches Puneet, seeking insider information to expose the scandal. However, Puneet faces a dilemma: taking action against the malpractice could delay the team selection process, potentially jeopardizing the country’s participation in the prestigious event, while inaction would compromise his integrity and the principles of fairness and accountability.

Questions:

1. What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Puneet in this situation?

2. Evaluate the possible courses of action Puneet can take in this scenario. Discuss the merits and consequences of each approach in light of his ethical responsibilities and the public interest.

3. What institutional and grassroots-level reforms can be implemented to prevent favoritism and corruption in sports governance and ensure fair opportunities for athletes, especially those from economically weaker backgrounds?

Q. “Obeying unjust laws is itself unethical.” Critically examine the ethics of legal obedience and moral resistance. (150 words)

Q. In a world driven by efficiency and results, do virtue ethics still hold relevance in governance? Critically analyze with suitable examples. (150 words)

Case Study

Aarav is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer serving as the District Magistrate (DM) of a remote district. His wife, Meera, is a doctor working in a government hospital. They have a six-year-old daughter, who is primarily cared for by grandparents and a domestic help due to the demanding nature of their jobs.

One evening, Aarav is about to leave the office after a long day when he receives an urgent call from the Chief Secretary. A major industrial accident has occurred in a factory on the outskirts of the district, causing severe casualties. His immediate presence is required to oversee rescue operations and coordinate with disaster management teams.

At the same time, he receives another call—this time from his wife—informing him that their daughter has suddenly fallen ill and needs immediate medical attention. His presence at home would provide emotional support to his family, especially as Meera has an emergency surgery scheduled at the hospital.

Aarav is torn between his professional duty, which demands immediate action to manage a crisis affecting many lives, and his moral responsibility as a husband and father. He must decide where his priority lies in this situation.

Questions:

(a) Identify and discuss the ethical dilemmas involved in this case.

(b) If you were in Aarav’s place, how would you handle this situation?

(c) In light of this case, discuss the importance of institutional mechanisms in ensuring a better work-life balance for civil servants.

Q. What do you understand by "value pluralism"? How does it complicate ethical decision-making in a multicultural democracy like India? (150 words)

Q. “The biggest ethical challenge of the 21st century is not corruption, but moral apathy.” Do you agree? Justify your answer with examples. (150 words)

Case Study

You are the Superintendent of Police in a city that has been experiencing rising incidents of online harassment targeting women. A recent case has attracted significant public and media attention: a young woman has committed suicide after being repeatedly harassed and blackmailed online. An investigation revealed that the harassment was carried out by a group of influential individuals, including the son of a prominent politician.

When you initiate action against the accused, you receive immense political pressure to slow down or drop the investigation. A senior politician contacts you directly, reminding you of your career prospects and how this case could harm your professional growth if you refuse to cooperate.

At the same time, the victim's family is seeking justice, and activists have begun to protest in large numbers, demanding accountability. The media is closely watching the developments, and public sentiment is strongly in favor of justice. However, the pressure from influential circles is mounting, and you risk being transferred or sidelined if you pursue the investigation aggressively.

Questions:

1. What are the ethical dilemmas involved in this case?

2. As the Superintendent of Police, what course of action would you take, and why?

3. Discuss the importance of integrity and accountability in public service, using this case as a reference.

Q. Morality is doing what's right regardless of what you're told. Obedience is doing what is told regardless of what is right. - H. L. Mencken. What does this quotation convey to you in the current context? (150 words)

Q."Intergenerational equity demands fundamental reimagination of current economic and developmental paradigms." Discuss this statement from environmental ethics perspectives. (150 words)

Case Study

A textile dyeing unit was set up seven years ago near a growing semi-urban area, approved by the state government to boost local employment and industrial growth. While it provided jobs to thousands and contributed to the local economy, the unit discharged untreated effluents into a nearby river, leading to severe water pollution. This has caused skin and respiratory diseases among residents, contaminated the groundwater, and damaged agricultural productivity in surrounding villages. Despite repeated complaints, no action was taken until the situation worsened, triggering widespread protests by farmers, environmental groups, and affected citizens. The protests have disrupted public order, forcing the government to consider shutting down the unit.

However, closing the factory would result in mass unemployment for workers and affect businesses dependent on the dyes it produces. Additionally, ancillary industries and transporters linked to the unit would also face economic losses. As the District Magistrate, you are tasked with resolving the crisis and ensuring sustainable solutions to protect public health, restore environmental safety, and address economic concerns.

Questions:

1. What are the stakeholders involved in this situation?

2. What are the ethical, social, and administrative challenges involved in this situation?

3. Suggest immediate and long-term measures to resolve the crisis while balancing the needs of the environment, public health, and the economy.

Q. "Knowledge becomes evil if the aim is not virtuous." In today's world, social media platforms and data analytics are being used to manipulate democratic processes across nations. What ethical considerations should guide the regulation of information technology to protect democratic values? (150 words)

Q. "Moral development is as crucial as professional development." Discuss the statement with respect to corporate governance. (150 words)

Case Study

Q. You share a private hostel room with Aman, a final-year MBA student who has been dealing with a series of personal and academic challenges. Due to a prolonged illness, Aman’s grades in the last two semesters have significantly dropped, putting his eligibility for campus placements at risk. His financial situation is also precarious, burdened by a substantial educational loan and a weak economic background.

As the final semester exams approach, Aman becomes increasingly anxious and confides in you about his plan to purchase exam papers to ensure he meets the placement criteria. He justifies his decision by referencing his poor health, economic hardships, and family responsibilities, portraying it as his only viable option. In desperation, Aman asks you for financial assistance to execute his plan, appealing to your friendship and sense of responsibility.

(a) What are the stakeholders involved in this situation?

(b) What are the ethical issues involved in this situation?

(c) What are your roles and responsibilities in this situation, and what course of action would you take?

Q. "Individual moral attitudes shape collective social consciousness." Comment with reference to public service. (150 words)

Q. "Gender sensitization in public administration requires more than just policy changes." Discuss. (150 words)

Case Study

Q. Ashutosh, a young IAS officer, is posted as the District Magistrate in a flood-prone district. During a recent flood, his team worked tirelessly to evacuate people and provide relief. However, a journalist published a report alleging that the relief camps were inadequately managed, citing poor sanitation and insufficient medical facilities. The article gained traction on social media, leading to public criticism of Ashutosh’s administration.

Ashutosh knows that some of the allegations are exaggerated but also recognizes genuine gaps in the relief operations due to resource constraints. His immediate superior has asked for a report on the issue, while the state government has asked him to focus on controlling the narrative to avoid further public dissatisfaction. Meanwhile, he must continue coordinating ongoing relief efforts.

Ashutosh feels torn between focusing on damage control for his reputation and addressing the real challenges in relief operations. He wonders how he can balance accountability, transparency, and effective administration in this crisis.

(a) What are the stakeholders involved in this situation?

(b) Identify the ethical issues involved in this case.

(c) What steps can Ashutosh take to address both the immediate crisis and the systemic issues exposed by the situation?

Q. "Compassion without competence in public service can lead to greater harm than good."Discuss this statement with reference to emotional intelligence in governance. (150 words)

Q. "Moral courage often requires choosing between institutional loyalty and public interest." Discuss this statement with reference to bureaucratic ethics. (150 words)

Case Study

You are a young Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer posted in a country where a large Indian diaspora resides. Recently, a conflict broke out in one of the regions of the country, and several members of the Indian community, including women and children, are stranded and seeking urgent evacuation. Your embassy has limited resources and a small staff.

While coordinating the evacuation, a prominent local businessperson with significant political connections requests immediate priority evacuation for his family, bypassing the official protocol. He offers to donate a large sum to support the evacuation mission if you agree to his demand. However, prioritizing his request would mean delaying the evacuation of several families who are in more precarious situations.

Adding to the complexity, you are under pressure from the local government to minimize visible evacuation operations as they fear it might escalate tensions further. You must decide how to proceed in this crisis, balancing ethical considerations, resource constraints, and diplomatic pressures.

(a) What are the stakeholders involved in this situation?

(b) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to you as the officer in charge of the evacuation?

(c) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by you?

Q."Kautilya's Arthashastra presents a unique blend of moral pragmatism and ethical governance." Examine how his ideas remain relevant for contemporary public administration. (150 words)

Q. "Meta-ethical inquiries into the nature of morality have a direct impact on practical governance decisions." Discuss this statement with reference to policy implementation challenges. (150 words)

Case Study

You are working as a senior officer in a public sector company. One day, a junior colleague, who is known for her diligence and commitment, approaches you in a distressed state. She informs you that her younger brother, a final-year engineering student, has been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness requiring urgent treatment costing Rs. 8 lakh. Being the sole breadwinner in her family, she is struggling to arrange the funds, as her meager salary barely covers her household expenses.

You sympathize with her situation but are unable to provide financial assistance personally. A month later, you notice her spirits have improved, and upon inquiry, she reveals that the treatment is underway, thanks to an advance payment facilitated by the head of the department using discretionary funds allocated for emergency employee welfare. She also shares that she has committed to repaying the amount in monthly installments, which she has already begun.

However, on reviewing the company's guidelines, you realize that the discretionary fund is meant strictly for official purposes and not for personal use under any circumstances. The department head's action, though well-intentioned, bypassed standard procedures and could attract legal and disciplinary consequences if discovered.

(a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case?

(b) As a senior officer aware of the situation, what course of action will you take?

(c) Suggest broader organizational measures to prevent misuse of discretionary funds.

Q. "Countries advocating global peace while maintaining military superiority through advanced weapons research face a fundamental ethical contradiction." How can this paradox be resolved? (150 words)

Q. "True compassion requires going beyond mere tolerance to active empowerment of marginalized communities." Discuss this statement in the context of public service delivery. (150 words)

Case Study

A new and ambitious District Magistrate (DM) was recently appointed in a district plagued by severe water scarcity and recurring farmer suicides. During his initial field visits, he observed widespread illegal extraction of groundwater by industries, which exacerbated the crisis in rural areas. Despite a Supreme Court directive banning unregulated groundwater extraction, the industries continued to exploit resources, often bribing local officials to evade scrutiny.

One day, during a surprise inspection, the DM sealed a major industrial plant violating water extraction laws. Soon after, he began receiving veiled threats from influential industrialists and even faced indirect pressure from senior bureaucrats to revoke his action. The DM also discovered that the illegal activities were intertwined with the livelihoods of many low-income workers employed by these industries, creating a social and ethical conflict. As public protests against the plant's closure gained momentum, the DM was faced with a challenging decision: to uphold the law and protect long-term water security or to consider the immediate economic impact on local workers and their families.

(a) Identify the ethical dilemmas faced by the DM.

(b) What options are available to the DM in this situation?

(c) Suggest the most appropriate course of action with justifications.

Q. In what ways does APJ Abdul Kalam's life reflect the principles of scientific temper and dedication to national development? (150 words)

Q. Evaluate the philosophical challenges posed by technological advancements to traditional concepts of administrative ethics and accountability. (150 words)