Mains Practice Questions

Case Study

Arjun is an IAS officer posted as District Magistrate (DM) in a backward district. The district has recently been declared as an “Aspirational District” and is receiving special funds for education, health, and infrastructure development.

During a routine review, Arjun discovers that a large portion of the education funds have been diverted by middle-level officials to construct a new VIP Guest House. The justification given is that frequent visits of ministers and senior bureaucrats require better accommodation facilities, which indirectly helps the district by attracting more attention and projects.

Arjun confronts the officials, but they argue that:

• The project has political backing and halting it will upset powerful leaders.
• The guest house is “technically within public interest.”
• Exposing the misuse might delay other ongoing schemes due to political retaliation.

At the same time, Arjun receives a complaint from local civil society groups that several schools lack even basic facilities like toilets, clean drinking water, and teachers. He realizes that continuing the misuse of funds will directly harm the education of children, worsening inequality.

If he resists, he risks straining relations with political leaders, possible transfer, and jeopardizing his ability to work in the district. If he complies, the basic rights of children will be sacrificed.

Questions

(a) What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Arjun in this case?
(b) If you were guiding young civil servants on this case, what ethical principles and leadership qualities would you emphasize for handling such dilemmas in public life?
(c) Suggest the most appropriate course of action for Arjun, balancing administrative pragmatism with ethical responsibility.

Q. Can true impartiality coexist with empathy, or does empathy inevitably lead to bias? Critically analyze in the context of public service. (150 words)

Q. Can strict adherence to duty ever override compassion? Analyze with reference to Kantian ethics and public administration. (150 words)

You are posted as the District Magistrate of a metropolitan city. The State Government has recently rolled out an Artificial Intelligence based Predictive Policing System aimed at preventing crime by analyzing large amounts of citizen data such as CCTV feeds, mobile records, and online activity patterns.

While the system has shown early success in reducing street crimes and improving response times, several concerns have emerged. Civil society groups and digital rights activists allege that the technology disproportionately targets marginalized communities, leading to bias and profiling. Citizens have also raised objections over the lack of consent in data collection and the possibility of mass surveillance.

Meanwhile, the Home Department is pressuring you to expand the use of AI tools across all police stations, citing efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and better law enforcement outcomes. At the same time, a section of police officers informally confide that blind reliance on AI tools may undermine their professional judgment and discretion.
You are expected to prepare a report for the State Government balancing the twin imperatives of public safety and protection of fundamental rights.

a). What would be your immediate response to the concerns raised regarding predictive policing?
b). Identify and discuss the ethical issues involved in this case.
c). If asked to justify the use of AI for public safety, what logical and ethical arguments would you present?
d). As a public servant, what measures would you recommend to ensure accountability, fairness, and respect for citizens’ rights while using AI in governance?
(250 words)

Q. “Conscience is the voice of the soul, not the echo of society.” Analyze the role of conscience in decision-making for public servants. (150 words)

Q. Public service is often described as a balance between compassion and detachment. Analyze this statement with suitable examples. (150 words)

You are posted as the District Magistrate (DM) in a mineral-rich tribal district of central India. The district is home to significant reserves of iron ore, bauxite, and coal, making it a hub of mining activities. However, in recent years, illegal mining has become rampant, causing severe environmental degradation—forests are being cleared without permission, rivers are turning toxic due to slurry discharge, and agricultural land is becoming infertile.

Local communities, especially tribal groups, depend on forests and rivers for their livelihood. They are now losing access to clean water, forest produce, and fertile soil, creating discontent. Civil society organisations have documented cases where labourers, including women and even minors, are forced to work in unsafe conditions without proper safety gear. Frequent accidents, respiratory diseases, and lack of compensation for injuries have worsened the humanitarian crisis.

At the same time, mining activities bring employment and revenue to the region. Thousands of families depend on mining-related jobs, and shutting down operations abruptly could lead to unemployment and unrest. Local political leaders, some with direct business interests, exert pressure on you to adopt a “soft approach” towards the mining companies. Several lower-level officials in the mining and police departments are allegedly complicit, receiving bribes to overlook violations.

The judiciary, acting on petitions from NGOs, has now directed the district administration to submit a comprehensive plan to curb illegal mining. The media has been running campaigns questioning the administration’s inaction, putting your office under public scrutiny. However, taking strict action may invite political backlash, threats, and economic disruption.

A. Identify the major ethical issues involved in this case.
B. How would you balance economic interests, political pressures, and your duty towards environmental protection and labour welfare?
C. What measures would you take to ensure accountability and transparency in the administration to curb corruption in this case?
D. State the ethical values that should guide you.                                             (250 words)  

Q. Sun Tzu remarked, “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” How far is this applicable in current international relations? (150 words)

Q. Jainism emphasized Syadvada (doctrine of conditional predication) and Anekantavada (doctrine of multiplicity of viewpoints). Examine their relevance in strengthening democratic discourse and tolerance in a plural society. (150 words)

Case Studies

You are posted as the District Magistrate in a prominent pilgrimage town in North India that attracts lakhs of devotees every year during a major festival. On the main day of the event, a tragic stampede occurs near the entry gates of the temple complex, leading to the death of over 50 devotees and injuring hundreds. Preliminary reports indicate that poor crowd management, inadequate barricading, and negligence in traffic diversion contributed to the chaos.

Eyewitnesses reveal that local vendors had illegally encroached upon key passageways, while influential religious organisations resisted stricter crowd-control measures citing “devotee inconvenience.” Political leaders had also pressured the administration to allow maximum entry, as restrictions would upset religious sentiments before elections.

Your internal inquiry shows lapses at multiple levels: police and civic officials ignored standard operating procedures for crowd control, corruption was involved in issuing special entry passes for VIPs, and emergency medical response was delayed due to poor coordination between the health department and local NGOs.

The media has labelled the incident a “man-made disaster,” while families of victims demand accountability and justice. An inquiry commission is to be set up, and you are tasked with preparing a comprehensive report and action plan to prevent such tragedies in the future.

A. Identify and discuss the ethical issues involved in this case.

B. How would you balance religious sentiments, political pressure, and your responsibility to ensure public safety?

C. How would you ensure accountability among officials and fairness to victims?

D. Suggest key measures for long-term prevention of stampedes and state the ethical values that should guide you. (250 words)

Q. ” True gender equality in public service is achieved not only when women enter the system, but when the system itself adapts to their needs without compromising standards of probity.”Examine the challenges women officers encounter in administration and suggest reforms to enhance their efficiency and uphold probity. (150 words)

Q. “Trustworthiness ensures credibility, fortitude ensures continuity.”Critically evaluate this statement with illustrations from public administration. (150 words)

Q. "Ethics in public administration operates at the intersection of personal virtue, professional integrity, and societal responsibility”.Discuss. (150 words)

Q. Examine the concept of 'moral injury' and its implications for professionals in law enforcement and administrative services. (150 words)

Case Studies

You are posted as the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation in a major North Indian city located along the Yamuna River. The river is the city’s lifeline, providing water for domestic, industrial, and agricultural needs. Over the years, however, the Yamuna has become heavily polluted due to untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and religious offerings. A recent National Green Tribunal report has criticised your corporation for failing to meet sewage treatment targets and for allowing illegal industrial discharges.

On assuming office, you discover that several textile and dyeing units are secretly releasing untreated waste into the river at night. Many sewage treatment plants under your jurisdiction are either non-functional or operating far below capacity, partly due to corruption in maintenance contracts. Religious organisations continue to immerse idols and floral offerings into the river, citing cultural tradition, and have mobilised public sentiment against any restrictions.

Environmental activists are running a campaign that is gaining national attention, while the local media have started linking rising cases of skin ailments and loss of aquatic life directly to the state of the river. Political leaders, however, advise you to go slow on enforcement until after the upcoming elections, warning that strict action against industries or religious groups may provoke unrest. Meanwhile, the government has directed you to prepare a detailed action plan for river rejuvenation.

A. Identify and discuss the ethical issues involved in this case.
B. How would you balance environmental duty with political and cultural pressures?
C. How would you ensure accountability in industrial compliance and transparency in sewage treatment operations?
D. Suggest key measures for sustainable river management and state the ethical values that should guide you. (250 words)

Q."Integrity without knowledge is useless and knowledge without integrity is dreadful." Examine how the balance between ethical integrity and professional competence is vital in public service. (150 words)

Q.“A public servant should be politically neutral but not morally indifferent.” Justify this statement with examples. (150 words)

Case Studies

Q. You are posted as the General Manager of a large public sector manufacturing unit. Recently, tensions have escalated between the management and the workers’ union. The union has raised demands regarding increased wages, better safety standards, and permanent absorption of contractual workers.

While some of their demands are legitimate and align with labour welfare norms, others may have a severe impact on the company's financial health. Moreover, you discover that a few influential union leaders are instigating workers to go on an indefinite strike, even though negotiations are still ongoing.

Meanwhile, a group of junior employees approaches you confidentially, expressing concern that the aggressive approach of the union may harm their career prospects and lead to a prolonged factory shutdown. At the same time, pressure mounts from the Ministry to avoid disruptions and meet production targets crucial for national supply chains.

In the midst of this, a senior union leader offers to de-escalate the situation in exchange for personal favors, such as awarding contracts to firms linked to him and ensuring his relatives receive preferential treatment in job promotions.

You are expected to submit a report to the Ministry suggesting a path forward that ensures industrial peace, protects workers’ rights, and prevents unethical compromises.

A. Identify and discuss the ethical issues involved in this case.

B. How would you balance worker welfare with organizational sustainability and public interest?

C. How should you respond to the offer made by the union leader? What mechanisms should be used to ensure transparency and accountability?

D. What ethical values and principles of public administration should guide your conduct?(250 words)

Q. “Emotionally intelligent leadership is critical to crisis management.” Discuss how emotional intelligence can enhance administrative effectiveness in times of public emergencies and disasters. (250 words)

Q. John Rawls emphasized “justice as fairness.”Analyze how this principle can be used by government functionaries while allocating scarce resources to competing public interests. (150 words)

Case Study:

You are the Managing Director of "XYZ Biotech", a rapidly growing pharmaceutical firm based in India, with operations in several developing countries. Your company has recently developed a breakthrough mRNA-based vaccine for a rapidly mutating tropical disease affecting large sections of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia.

The vaccine has demonstrated 94% efficacy in Phase III clinical trials and has the potential to save thousands of lives. However, the vaccine is expensive to manufacture, requiring specialized cold-chain storage, and proprietary biotechnology inputs licensed from international partners. The pricing strategy proposed by your Board is to recoup R&D investments and generate profit by pricing the vaccine at Rs. 3000 per dose, which makes it unaffordable for many low-income populations in target regions.

Meanwhile, several NGOs, global health organizations, and even a few governments are urging you to waive your patent rights, or adopt tiered pricing to allow cheaper versions or voluntary licensing for public-sector manufacture.

You are also under pressure from investors, who expect high returns due to the innovation. Some stakeholders suggest cutting costs by outsourcing trials to countries with weaker regulatory standards, while others propose delaying access in poorer countries to focus on wealthier clients first. Your own conscience is conflicted—you believe in public health as a right, but also have obligations to shareholders, employees, and long-term sustainability of the firm.

a) Identify and discuss the ethical issues involved in this case.
b) What would be your immediate response to the situation described above?
c) If a global health coalition asks for voluntary licensing of your vaccine, how would you respond both ethically and strategically?
d) As a conscientious public-spirited executive, suggest a balanced strategy that ensures innovation, affordability, and ethical integrity.

Q. "Procedural integrity is a cornerstone of good governance, yet there are situations where strict compliance with rules may result in outcomes that violate the spirit of justice. In such circumstances, should a civil servant uphold substantive justice even if it means deviating from procedural norms?" Discuss with relevant examples from public administration. (150 words)

Q. “While a strong moral compass is essential for public servants, rigid moral absolutism may sometimes conflict with the practical demands of governance”. Discuss the role of ethical pragmatism in helping civil servants strike a balance between idealism and effective decision-making in complex administrative situations. (150 words)

Case Study

Vikram is an environmental officer working with a state government’s department responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations in the construction and industrial sectors. Recently, a large real estate company has proposed a new residential complex on the outskirts of the city, and Vikram’s department is tasked with evaluating the environmental impact of the project. The company has submitted the required Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, which states that the construction will have minimal impact on the local environment.

While reviewing the report, Vikram notices several discrepancies and omissions. Key details about the impact on local wildlife, soil quality, and water sources have either been underrepresented or completely ignored in the report. Vikram’s initial analysis suggests that the construction could have significant adverse effects on the local ecosystem, but the developers have provided a large donation to a local charity that Vikram's department is associated with. The charity has funded several environmental initiatives in the past, and Vikram is aware that this donation will enhance the department’s reputation and attract further funding.

Furthermore, Vikram’s superior, the head of the department, has publicly praised the development as a much-needed project for the city’s growth and has hinted that the real estate company might receive expedited approval if the environmental report is favorable.

Vikram feels torn between his duty to uphold environmental regulations, his concern about the long-term ecological consequences, and the pressure to support the development in exchange for future funding opportunities for his department.

Questions:

a) What should Vikram’s course of action be in this situation to ensure the integrity of the environmental review process?

b) How can Vikram justify his decision if the real estate company pressures him to approve the report despite the discrepancies?

c) How do personal interests and external pressures compromise environmental ethics in this case, and what measures can be taken to prevent such conflicts in future projects?

Q. "Integrity without compassion is rigidity, and compassion without integrity is weakness."
Discuss the significance of balancing integrity and compassion in public service. Illustrate with suitable examples. (150 words)

Q. “Sustained ethical behaviour in public service demands not just conviction, but also psychological resilience.” Discuss the phenomenon of ‘ethical fatigue’ and how to address it in the civil services. (150 words)

Case Study

As the District Collector of a Suratwada district, you are overseeing a government-funded rural development project aimed at improving infrastructure. However, you soon discover that several contractors awarded the contracts for building roads, sanitation systems, and affordable housing have strong political ties to local and state-level politicians. These contractors, despite a history of substandard work and financial mismanagement in previous projects, continue to be awarded lucrative tenders due to their political leverage.

Upon reviewing the project, you uncover that funds are being misused, with inflated costs and substandard materials being used in construction. Corrupt local officials are found to be complicit in manipulating the approval process. Despite knowing this, you face immense pressure from both your political superiors and influential local figures to allow the project to continue without intervention. Exposing the corruption could stall the project, affecting the district’s development and potentially harming your career, as the political backlash could lead to your transfer or disciplinary action.

You are caught in a dilemma: Should you expose the corruption and risk your career and the completion of the project, or turn a blind eye, knowing that doing so would compromise your ethical duty to the public? The decision is further complicated by the knowledge that your actions could affect both the future of the project and your ability to carry out governance in the district.

Questions:

1. What options are available to you to ensure that the corruption in the project is thoroughly investigated, while minimizing disruption to public services?

2. What course of action would you take to maintain your integrity and balance the investigation with the need for continued public service delivery?

3. What long-term reforms would you consider implementing in your district to prevent similar situations of corruption in future government projects, and how would you ensure that such reforms gain traction in the face of political and administrative resistance?

Q. "In an era of institutional accountability and performance metrics, is there still space for altruism in public administration? Discuss. (150 words)

Q. “Compassion is a necessity, not a luxury. Without it, humanity cannot survive.” How can public servants institutionalize compassion without compromising on rule-based governance? (150 words)

Case Study

Anjali Verma, a young and highly motivated Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, has been assigned to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for over a year. She is a diligent and conscientious officer, known for her hard work and commitment to upholding the law. Recently, Anjali was tasked with overseeing an operation involving the raid of a well-known business conglomerate in the city. The company, owned by an influential businessman, is suspected of large-scale tax evasion, money laundering, and illegal financial transactions.

As the raid unfolds, Anjali’s team discovers significant evidence of financial irregularities, including hidden assets and unreported foreign bank accounts. However, just as the raid is about to conclude, Anjali receives an anonymous phone call suggesting that a close relative of hers, who works at a senior position in the same conglomerate, might be involved in the illicit activities. The caller, however, provides no concrete proof, only a vague assertion.

Anjali is now at a moral and professional crossroads. She has always been fiercely dedicated to her role, ensuring that justice is done, regardless of the social or political consequences. However, this new revelation about her relative raises concerns for her personal life. Anjali fears that pursuing the investigation against her relative could cause her family immense distress and create a personal conflict, potentially affecting her career and her relationship with her relatives.

The business empire is well-connected in both business and political circles, and there are pressures from influential figures suggesting that the raid should be concluded swiftly with minimal fallout. Despite this, Anjali feels compelled to continue the investigation, as she believes that the evidence uncovered so far indicates serious financial crimes.

Her immediate superior has asked her to provide a report on the raid and suggested that the case be handled carefully, without any unnecessary escalation. Anjali is under intense pressure to balance the integrity of the investigation with the personal and professional repercussions she might face if she pursues her relative’s involvement in the case.

Questions:

1. What are the key ethical dilemmas involved in the situation?

2. What would be the most appropriate course of action for Anjali, also discuss what ethical framework should guide her to resolve ethical dilemmas.

3. What long-term strategies can be implemented to support investigation officers in maintaining professional integrity and impartiality in high-profile investigations?