Mains Practice Questions

Approach:

• Briefly define ethical values.
• Discuss various ethical values enshrined in the Indian constitution.
• Conclude suitably.

Introduction

• Ethical value denotes something's degree of importance, with the aim of determining what action or life is best to do, or at least attempt to describe the value of different actions.

Body

• The ethical values enshrined in the Indian constitution are:
  • Preamble:
    • Socialism, secularism and democracy.
    • Social, economic and political justice.
    • Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship.
    • Equality of status and of opportunity.
    • Fraternity and dignity of the individual.
    • National unity and integrity.
  • Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties: The ethical values enshrined in the fundamental rights are present in the form of right to dignified life, right to worship, right to education etc, and fundamental duties includes maintaining brotherhood among fellow citizens, encourage environmental ethics by respecting and protecting nature.
  • Directive Principles of State Policy:
    • The Directive Principles of State Policy are ‘fundamental in governance of the country’. Government has to follow these principles while making laws.
      • Equitable distribution of wealth or the socialist pattern of society and equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
      • Provision of adequate means of livelihood to all citizens, men and women.
      • Provision of employment to all.
      • Free and compulsory education for children.
      • Living wage for workers.
      • Protection of childhood and youth against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment.
      • Organization of village panchayats as units of self-government.
      • Prohibition of the consumption, except for medical purposes, of intoxicating drinks and of drugs injurious to health.
      • Organization of agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines.
      • Promotion of international peace and security and maintenance of just and honorable relations between the nations of the world.
      • Social welfare measures.

Conclusion:

The above values enshrined in the constitution will help the public servants in enhancing their performance and further, help them in many official situations which involve ethical questions.