Mains Practice Questions

Q. Discuss how ethical egoism and ethical altruism influence decision-making in a professional setting. (150 words)

Case Study

You are the District Collector of a drought-prone area. The government has allocated funds for a major irrigation project that promises to benefit thousands of farmers. However, during the initial survey, it's discovered that the project will require the displacement of a small tribal community of 500 people from their ancestral lands. The community lacks formal land ownership documents but has been living there for generations. They are unwilling to move, citing cultural and spiritual connections to the land.

As you begin stakeholder consultations, you learn that some influential local politicians and businessmen stand to gain significantly from the irrigation project. They are pressuring you to expedite the process and minimize interaction with the tribal community. Meanwhile, a group of environmental activists has raised concerns about the project's potential negative impact on the local ecosystem, particularly on a rare species of fish found only in the river that will be diverted for irrigation. You have to navigate the situation with sensitivity and balance competing interests.

A. What are the stakeholders involved in this case?

B. What are the ethical dilemmas you face as the District Collector in this situation?

C. Outline the steps you would take to address this situation, ensuring a balance between development goals and the rights of the tribal community. How would you ensure transparency and fairness in the process?

Q. The concept of intrinsic value suggests that nature has value independent of its utility to humans. Discuss the ethical implications of this perspective on environmental policymaking. (150 words)

Q. Compare and contrast Virtue Ethics with Consequentialism. Which approach do you think is most valuable for building a strong ethical character in a civil servant? (150 words)

Case Study

You are the District Collector of a coastal district. A severe cyclone is expected to make landfall in your district within 48 hours. The meteorological department has issued a red alert, warning of wind speeds up to 150 km/h, heavy rainfall, and potential storm surges.

Your district has a population of about 5 lakh people, with 2 lakh living in low-lying coastal areas at high risk of flooding. The district has limited evacuation centers, and moving such a large number of people on short notice poses significant logistical challenges. The district hospital is located in a low-lying area and houses 200 patients, including 50 in the ICU. Moving them would be risky and time-consuming.

Additionally, there's a large fishing community that is reluctant to leave their boats and homes, as they fear looting in their absence. Many of them also doubt the severity of the weather forecast, based on past experiences where cyclone warnings didn't materialize into major events.

Questions:

1. Who are the key stakeholders involved in this case?

2. What immediate course of action will you take to ensure the safety and evacuation of the population, particularly those in high-risk areas?

3. What long-term measures can be implemented to improve disaster preparedness and resilience in your coastal district?

Q.  Explore the contrasting approaches of the Ethics of Care and the Ethics of Justice.  Discuss how a civil servant might navigate situations where these ethical principles seem to conflict.  (150 words)

Q. Critically examine the relationship between rights and duties in a democracy. How do individual rights sometimes come into conflict with societal duties? (150 words)

Case Study

As the Superintendent of Police in Reasi, you have just received a distressing report about a terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims. The strike, which claimed the lives of nine civilians, has sent shockwaves through the region, shattering the relative calm that had prevailed in recent years.

The timing of the attack could not be more precarious, as the region gears up for the upcoming assembly elections. You now find yourself at a critical juncture, tasked with immediate relief measures and devising a comprehensive strategy to address this resurgence of terrorist activities while maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety of civilians.

Political tensions are running high, and any misstep in your response could have far-reaching consequences for the entire Union Territory.

1. What are the key stakeholders involved in this case?

2. What will be your immediate course of action as the Superintendent of Police?

3. What will be your long-term strategy to address the resurgence of terrorist activities and maintain peace in the region?

Q. Analyze the ethical concerns surrounding social media use by public servants. Propose guidelines for ethical conduct based on public service values. (150 words)

Q. Ethical relativism suggests morality is relative to a particular culture or society. Discuss. (150 words)

Case Study

In Chandrapur, the local administration faced a dilemma as the Shivaji Stadium, a beloved but deteriorating venue for local sports, neared collapse. Concurrently, the town's economy was suffering from the closure of coal mines, leading to rising unemployment and the problem of migration. Serendipitously, two proposals landed on the District Collector's desk. A company offered to build a shopping complex on the stadium land, promising jobs for thousands, while Sports Authority of India proposed transforming the stadium into a multi-sport training academy to preserve local sports culture and potentially gain national recognition.

Both proposals required the entire stadium land, sparking heated debates at town hall meetings. Former athletes, unemployed miners, and young sports enthusiasts weighed in, torn between economic stability and preserving their sporting heritage. As the District Collector, you have to navigate this situation.

1. What are the stakeholders involved in the decision-making process for the future of Shivaji Stadium?

2. Discuss the potential socio-economic impacts of both decisions (tech park and sports complex) on Chandrapur.

3. What strategies can the District Collector employ to ensure sustainable long-term development and prosperity for Chandrapur?

Q. Discuss the ethical theories of utilitarianism and deontology. How do these theories differ in their approach to decision-making? (150 words)

Q. Distinguish between distributive justice and procedural justice. How can principles of equity be incorporated into legal and social frameworks to ensure a just society? (150 words)

Case Study

You are the newly appointed Secretary of the School Education and Literacy Department in a state known for the deep-rooted influence of the publishing mafia. As the Secretary, you face two major challenges. First, the mafia exploits the government's free book distribution scheme by colluding with officials to demand commissions, causing financial losses and compromising book quality. Second, they manipulate private school textbook purchases, forcing schools to buy expensive textbooks under the guise of quality education, which burdens students and families financially.

Your predecessor, an honest officer, attempted to tackle these issues but faced severe resistance from the publishing mafia, leading to their resignation. Determined to combat this mafia, you must solve this issue and ensure a fair and transparent system for textbook procurement and distribution.

1. What are the stakeholders involved in this case?

2. How would you address the exploitation of the government's free book distribution scheme by the publishing mafia?

3. What long-term strategies would you implement to ensure a fair, transparent, and high-quality textbook distribution system for all students?

Q. Discuss the concept of conflict of interest in public service. How should a civil servant handle situations where personal interests clash with professional duties? (150 words)

Q. Emerging Brain computer interface technologies are blurring the lines between human and machine interaction. Analyze the ethical implications associated with advancements in BCIs. (150 words)

Case Study

You are the District Magistrate of a hilly region in India. The central government has proposed a high-speed rail project that would pass through your district. The project promises significant economic benefits, including job creation and improved connectivity.

However, the project also faces opposition from environmental groups who argue that it will cause deforestation, disrupt wildlife corridors, and lead to increased pollution. Some environmental groups are also protesting highlighting the ecological threats of the project.

Local farmers are also concerned about the acquisition of their land for the project. As the District Magistrate, you have the responsibility of maintaining law and order and addressing various stakeholders' concerns.

Questions:

1. What are the stakeholders involved in this case?

2. As the District Magistrate, what are the various options available to you? Mention the pros and cons of each option.

3. Which option would you choose and why? Justify your decision using relevant ethical principles.

Q. Analyze the impact of compassion on policy making and its importance in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. (150 words)

Q. "Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching." - C.S. Lewis. Discuss in the context of ethical conduct in public administration and its impact on public trust. (150 words)

Case Study

As the District Election Officer, you have received troubling reports of alarmingly low voter turnout in your district over the past two election cycles. The data reveals a concerning trend of declining voter participation, particularly in certain villages within your jurisdiction. Despite the robust efforts undertaken by previous DEOs to encourage voter registration and mobilization, the numbers paint a disheartening picture, raising critical questions about the underlying causes behind this democratic deficit.

The situation demands your immediate attention and a comprehensive action plan to revive the spirit of civic engagement among the residents of these affected villages.

Questions:

1. What are the stakeholders involved in this issue?

2. What could be the potential reasons contributing to the decline in voter participation in these specific villages?

3. What strategies will you implement to improve voter awareness and education to ensure a higher turnout in the upcoming elections?

Q. Discuss the benefits and limitations of objectivity in maintaining public trust and ensuring fair governance. (150 Words)

Q. What does this quote convey to you in the present context -

“The superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.” – Confucius (150 Words)

Case Study

You are the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of a state plagued by a deep-rooted culture of electoral malpractices, including booth capturing, intimidation, and violence. The ongoing general elections for the Lok Sabha have been marred by widespread incidents of booth capturing, casting a dark shadow over the credibility of the electoral process.

On the third day of polling, the situation escalated to unprecedented levels, with reports pouring in from multiple constituencies across the state. Intimidation tactics, such as threatening voters and election officials, were also widely reported. Additionally, instances of violence, including clashes between rival political factions, further escalated tensions.

The widespread incidents of malpractices had eroded public confidence in the electoral system, leading to disillusionment among voters.

As the CEO, you must take swift and decisive action to address this crisis and ensure the sanctity of the democratic process.

Questions:

1. What are the stakeholders involved in this case?

2. Given the gravity of the situation, outline your immediate strategy to address the ongoing booth capturing incidents and restore order in the affected constituencies.

3. Once the immediate crisis is addressed, what long-term structural reforms would you recommend to overhaul the electoral framework in the state?

Q. Emotional Intelligence is often considered a critical component of effective leadership and ethical decision-making. Suggest measures to develop it among civil servants. (150 words)

Q. In what ways do impartiality and nonpartisanship contribute to the ethical integrity of public service? Discuss practical challenges associated with maintaining these principles, along with strategies for their effective implementation. (250 words)

Case Study

You are a young IAS officer recently posted as the District Collector of Dantewada, a remote and impoverished district in the state of Chhattisgarh. Dantewada has been the epicenter of the violent Naxal insurgency, a protracted conflict between Maoist rebels and security forces that has claimed thousands of lives over the past few decades.

The Naxalites, claiming to fight for the rights of tribal peasants and the oppressed, have established a parallel system of governance in large swathes of Dantewada's forests and villages. They run their own courts, tax civilians, and have targeted government infrastructure and security personnel through deadly ambushes and landmine attacks.

Despite the heavy presence of paramilitary forces, the district administration's writ barely extends beyond the district headquarters. Most development funds allocated for Dantewada have been siphoned off by corrupt officials or remained unutilized due to the precarious security situation.

The situation in Dantewada is highly volatile, with regular incidents of violence disrupting governance and development efforts. As the senior-most civilian authority, you are under pressure to find an effective strategy to resolve this long-standing conflict.

In the above scenario:

1. What are the major ethical dilemmas involved in this issue?

2. What would be your priorities and action plan as the District Collector to restore administration and deliver development in this conflict-affected region?

3. Reflecting on this case study, what policy measures would you recommend for resolving protracted insurgencies through a comprehensive approach combining development, security, and grievance redressal?

Q.Define "Conflict of Interest" and explain how it influences the decision-making process of public servants. If faced with a conflict-of-interest situation, how would you resolve it? (250 words)

Q.Define "environmental ethics" and explain its significance. Choose one environmental issue and analyze it from an environmental ethics perspective. (250 words)

Case Study

In the aftermath of a severe natural disaster, a community finds itself in a dire situation, with thousands left homeless and lacking the most basic necessities. Heavy rainfall and infrastructure damage have severely impeded rescue efforts, exacerbating the frustration and desperation of the affected populace. As rescue teams arrive at the scene, they are met with hostility and violence, with some team members being assaulted, and one suffering severe injuries. In the midst of this turmoil, there are pleas from within the team to cease operations out of fear for their safety.

In the above scenario :

A. Examine the ethical dilemma involved in the case.

B. Examine the qualities of a public servant which will be required to manage the situation.

C. Suppose you are heading the rescue operations in that area, what will be your response?

Q. Discuss the ethical considerations and challenges in balancing private and public relationships, emphasizing integrity and accountability. Provide examples to support your arguments. (250 Words)