Mains Practice Questions

Q: Examine the impact of ethical conduct on public trust and accountability. Provide suitable examples to support your arguments."(250 words)

Q: What are the ethical issues involved in the use of social media for public service delivery? Discuss with suitable examples and suggest measures to address them.

Case Study

You are an officer working for the fire department in a city. One day, a massive fire breaks out in a building belonging to a coaching institute having classrooms where more than 1000 students are stranded. Also, the building lacks proper fire safety measures and adequate exits. Panic ensues as students inside the building desperately try to escape the flames and smoke, resulting in some individuals resorting to jumping off the building to save themselves.

As you arrive at the scene, you are faced with the following dilemmas:

(a) How do you prioritize the rescue operations, given the limited resources and time available?

(b) How do you deal with the ethical and legal implications of the building owner’s negligence and violation of fire safety norms?

(c) How do you handle the emotional and psychological impact of witnessing such a tragic incident on yourself and your team members?

Q. “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi (150 words)

(a) Explain the meaning and significance of this quote in the context of public service.

(b) Give an example of a situation where you applied or witnessed this principle in your personal or professional life.

(c) How can this quote inspire you to overcome ethical dilemmas and challenges in your future role as a civil servant?

Q. Discuss the significance of probity in governance and its impact on administrative effectiveness and public trust. (150 words)

Case Study

You are the secretary of the public works department in a state. You are responsible for overseeing the construction and maintenance of various infrastructure projects in the state. Recently, a bridge that was built by your department collapsed, killing several people and injuring many others. The bridge was inaugurated just a few months ago and was supposed to be a model of engineering excellence. The public is outraged by this incident and blames your department for negligence and corruption. They demand your resignation and hold protests outside your office. Some media channels also accuse you of being involved in a scam and taking bribes from the contractor who built the bridge. You are shocked and saddened by this tragedy and want to find out the truth behind the collapse. You also want to defend your reputation and integrity, which you have earned through years of hard work and honesty.

What will you do in this situation? Explain the ethical issues involved and the course of action you will take.

Q. Discuss the main principles of Chanakya’s philosophy for civil servants and how they are relevant for the contemporary Indian bureaucracy. (150 words)

Q. Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service are essential qualities that a civil servant should possess in order to perform his/her duties effectively and ethically. Discuss. (150 words)

Case Study

Mr. Chandrakant is a principal in a college. There is a professor who happens to be the brother-in-law of an MLA of the ruling Party. The professor’s behavior towards fellow female teachers and students is derogatory. Several females have accused him of harassing them. The victims have lodged several complaints about his behavior. They are also afraid of filing a police complaint against him as he has threatened them to spoil their career if they do so.

Mr. Chandrakant is in a dilemma. He wants to act against the professor, but he also fears the political backlash from the MLA and his party. He knows that the professor is misusing his power and influence to harass the females and violate their dignity and rights. He also knows that the victims are suffering from mental trauma and insecurity due to the professor's actions.

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

2. What are the options available for Mr. Chandrakant?

3. What should Mr. Chandrakant do and why?

Q. What are the main teachings of Socrates and how are they relevant for ethical decision making in public service? Illustrate with examples. (150 words)

Q. All Birds find shelter during a rain. But Eagle avoids rain by flying above the Clouds. Problems are common, but attitude makes the difference!!!” - APJ Abdul Kalam.

Analyze the meaning and implications of this quote for a civil servant. (150 words)

Case Study

You are a superintendent of police in a district that has a high incidence of crimes against women, such as rape, dowry harassment, domestic violence, etc. You have been trying to improve the situation by sensitizing the police personnel, creating awareness among the public, strengthening the legal and medical support systems, etc. However, you face many challenges and constraints in your efforts, such as lack of adequate staff and infrastructure, political interference and pressure, social stigma and prejudice, media sensationalism and trial by public opinion, etc. One day, you receive a call from a woman who claims that she has been gang-raped by four men who are influential and well-connected in the society. She says that she is afraid to go to the police station or the hospital as she fears for her safety and reputation. She requests you to help her.

1 What are the ethical dilemmas involved in this case?

2. What are the possible options available to you to deal with this situation?

3. What would be your preferred course of action and why?

Q. What do you understand by the term ‘ethical competence’? Why is it important for a civil servant to develop ethical competence? (150 words)

Q. What do you understand by the term 'emotional intelligence'? How does it differ from general intelligence (IQ)? Explain with examples how emotional intelligence can be useful for a civil servant in dealing with various stakeholders.

Case Study

You work in a government office, and due to your expertise and trustworthiness, you have been selected to serve on election duty. Your role involves ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process by overseeing the polling station operations, maintaining the voting machines, and monitoring the conduct of election officials.

During the election, you observe a fellow election official who happens to be your good friend engaging in misconduct. The official is manipulating the voting process by favouring a particular political party, allowing unauthorized individuals to vote multiple times, and suppressing votes from certain demographics. You are aware that the actions of this official compromise the integrity of the election and violate the principles of fairness and impartiality.

How do you balance your duty to the election process with potential personal consequences?

Q. Analyze the ethical considerations surrounding the use of gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas 9, in human embryos and its potential impact on future generations. (150 words)

Q. Examine the ethical challenges posed by the rise of automation and artificial intelligence in the workplace, including concerns about job displacement, inequality, and the need for retraining and upskilling. (250 Words)

Case Study

You are the CEO of XYZ Corporation, a multinational conglomerate. The company appoints a new manager, Mr. Rakesh, known for prioritizing short-term profitability and cost-cutting measures. Under his leadership, the company's financial performance improves, but ethical concerns arise.

Mr. Rakesh implements strategies that include capital infusion through debts and over pressurising the employees to work, resulting a significant increase in company’s profitability. Through his policies Company’s shareholder value started increasing and very soon, Mr. Rakesh earns a good reputation image in the eyes of the Board of the directors.

Gradually, the employees start leaving the company. During the initial inquiries you come to know that its Rakesh’s unruly behaviour because of which the employees are leaving. You also come to know that the policies of Rakesh will boost the profits for a short term, but they’re not suitable for sustainability in the long run. The cosy picture that Mr Rakesh has presented is not entirely true. He manipulates financial statements using regulatory loopholes, artificially inflating the company's profitability. This practice attracts investors but questions the accuracy and transparency of financial reporting.

What are the ethical issues involved and what options are available to you to handle this situation?

Q. Examine the ethical issues of government surveillance programs in the context of privacy and individual freedoms. (150 Words)

Q. What are the ethical dilemmas of prioritizing economic development over environmental conservation? (150 Words)

You are the Superintendent of Police of a district that has seen a significant increase in the number of crimes against women, including rape and domestic violence. The district is also home to a large number of migrant workers, who are often vulnerable to exploitation and abuse by employers. The district administration has limited resources, and the police force is understaffed and overworked. Recently, a local NGO has approached you with a proposal to set up a dedicated helpline for women and migrant workers in the district. However, the proposal involves the allocation of a significant amount of funds from the police budget, which may affect the police force's operational capabilities.

What options are available to the Superintendent of Police in this situation? Discuss the merits and demerits of each option and suggest a course of action. (250 Words)

Q. What is the role of morality in shaping human behavior? Discuss the importance of ethical values in personal and professional life. (150 words)

Q. What is emotional intelligence? Discuss its relevance in the context of public service. (250 words)

Case Study

As a Superintendent of Police in a district in Uttar Pradesh, you are facing a challenging situation following the recent killing of a gangster-turned-politician, which took place in police custody. The gangster belonged to a minority community. Situation took a communal colour as the incident was caught live on camera, and the footage has been widely shared on social media, triggering protests by the supporters of the deceased. Assailants were arrested immediately after the attack. There is also a possibility of looming communal riots in the district.

This has led to immense political pressure on the police department to solve the case quickly and bring the culprits to justice. Additionally, there are questions being raised about the security measures taken by the officers deployed to protect the gangster, leading to a lapse in security.

As a police officer, what are your duties and responsibilities in handling the political pressure, conducting an impartial investigation, ensuring that justice is served, and addressing the issues related to the security lapse?

Q. "The ethical dilemmas faced by public servants in modern times are complex and challenging." Discuss with examples. (150 Words)

Q. Discuss the ethical implications of using artificial intelligence in decision-making processes. (150 words)

Case Study

You are an IAS officer posted in a district known for its high rate of farmer suicides due to crop failures. The district has received special attention from the government, and several schemes and policies have been implemented to help the farmers. However, despite these efforts, the number of suicides has not decreased, and the situation seems to be worsening.

During a routine visit to one of the affected villages, you come across a farmer who tells you that the local officials have been demanding bribes for the release of funds under the government schemes. He also tells you that the local officials have been inflating the cost of the projects and pocketing the extra money. The farmer tells you that he has already spent all his savings on his failed crops and cannot afford to pay any more bribes.

You are aware that acting against the officials may result in political pressure and backlash, and it may also jeopardize your own career. However, you also know that if you do nothing, the situation will continue to deteriorate, and more lives will be lost.

What would you do in this situation? How would you balance your duty to serve the people with the potential risks to your career and personal safety?

Q. What do you understand by the Integrity pacts? In light of recent events, analyze their utility in ensuring transparency and efficiency in public procurement in India? (150 words)

Q. “Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.” What does this quote mean in the present context? (150 words)

Case Study

You are the Mayor of a town/city that has recently seen a rise in cases of dog bites. The local community is concerned about the safety of their children and pets, and they have started to demand action from the authorities. As the Mayor, you are responsible for addressing this issue and ensuring the safety of the community.

Upon investigating the issue, you have discovered that many of the dogs in the area are strays, and some are owned by people who do not take proper care of them. You also found that the local dog population has grown significantly in recent years, and there is no effective system in place to monitor or control it.

What would you do in this situation?