Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Start your answer by briefly introducing moral courage.
• Discuss the importance of moral courage for a civil servant and also provide an example from your life.
• Conclude accordingly.

Introduction

• Moral courage is an essential attribute that allows individuals to uphold their principles and stand up for what is right, even in the face of adversity or opposition. In the context of civil service, moral courage is an important trait that enables civil servants to uphold their ethical and professional standards, even when faced with difficult and sometimes politically sensitive decisions.

Body

• Understanding Moral Courage:
  • Moral courage is the willingness to do what is right, regardless of the consequences. It involves standing up for one's principles and beliefs, even when faced with pressure or opposition from others.
    • It requires individuals to be confident in their values, beliefs, and judgment, and to act on them, even when the situation is challenging or uncomfortable.
    • It is not the same as physical courage. While physical courage involves facing physical danger, moral courage involves facing ethical or moral challenges.
      • It requires individuals to have a strong sense of personal integrity and to be willing to speak out against injustice or wrongdoing, even if it means risking their reputation, career, or personal safety.
• Importance of Moral Courage for Civil Servants:
  • High Ethical Standards: Civil servants are expected to uphold high ethical and professional standards in their work. They are often called upon to make difficult decisions that require them to balance competing interests and values.
    • In such situations, moral courage is essential for civil servants to act in the public interest, even if it means going against the interests of powerful individuals or groups.
  • Impact Masses: Significant Moral courage is particularly important for civil servants because their decisions can have significant impacts on people's lives.
    • They are responsible for implementing policies and programs that affect the welfare of the public, and they have a duty to act in the public interest, even if it means going against the wishes of their superiors or elected officials.
  • Maintain Trust in Government: Civil servants who demonstrate moral courage inspire trust and confidence in the public. They are seen as trustworthy and reliable, and their actions are more likely to be perceived as fair and just.
    • Moral courage is essential for civil servants to maintain the integrity and credibility of the civil service.

Conclusion

Moral courage is an essential attribute for civil servants to uphold high ethical and professional standards in their work. It enables civil servants to act in the public interest, even when faced with difficult and sometimes politically sensitive decisions. Civil servants who demonstrate moral courage inspire trust and confidence in the public and maintain the integrity and credibility.