Mains Practice Questions

Case Study

You are the Dean of Admissions at a prestigious government university. The admission process is underway, and strict merit-based criteria are in place. A few days before the final selection, you receive a call from a senior bureaucrat in the state government requesting admission for his son, who does not meet the cut-off marks. He emphasizes that his support has been crucial in securing government grants for the university’s expansion projects.

Simultaneously, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) informs you in a private meeting that the university’s funding is at a critical juncture and the bureaucrat’s goodwill may help in securing future grants. The VC suggests that you explore "discretionary quotas" to accommodate the student.

Meanwhile, a junior faculty member from the admissions committee privately expresses concerns to you about unusual last-minute changes in the admission list, hinting at possible external interference. You are caught between your duty to uphold fairness and the practical challenges of maintaining the university’s financial health.

Questions:

1. Identify and analyze the ethical issues involved in this case.

2. Examine the possible courses of action available to you as the Dean of Admissions. Discuss the merits and demerits of each option. What course of action will you take and why?

3. What institutional reforms can be implemented to ensure transparency, fairness, and resistance to external pressures in the university’s admission process?

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