Ethics Questions UPSC Mains GS 4

In this article, You will read the Ethics Questions UPSC Mains GS 4.

Ethics Questions

2022

1.(a) Wisdom lies in knowing what to reckon with and what to overlook. An officer being engrossed with the periphery, ignoring the core issues before him, is no rare in the bureaucracy. Do you agree that such preoccupation of an administrator leads to travesty of justice to the cause of effective service delivery and good governance? Critically evaluate. (Answer in 150 words) 10

1. (b) Apart from intellectual competency and moral qualities, empathy and compassion are some of the other vital attributes that facilitate the civil servants to be more competent in tackling the crucial issues or taking critical decisions. Explain with suitable illustrations. (Answer in 150 words) 10

2. (a) The Rules and Regulations provided to all the civil servants are same, yet there is difference in the performance. Positive minded officers are able to interpret the Rules and Regulations in favour of the case and achieve success, whereas negative minded officers are unable to achieve goals by interpreting the same Rules and Regulations against the case. Discuss with illustrations. (Answer in 150 words) 10

2.(b) It is believed that adherence to ethics in human actions would ensure in smooth functioning of an organization/system. If so, what does ethics seek to promote in human life? How do ethical values assist in the resolution of conflicts faced by him in his day-to-day functioning? (Answer in 150 words) 10

3.(a) Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.’-Potter Stewart . (Answer in 150 words) 10

3.(b) “If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.” – Abdul Kalam. (Answer in 150 words) 10

3.(c) “Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.” Dalai Lama. (Answer in 150 words) 10

4. (a) What do you understand by term ‘good governance’? How far recent initiatives in terms of e-Governance steps taken by the State have helped the beneficiaries? Discuss with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10

4.(b) Online methodology is being used for day-to-day meetings, institutional approvals in the administration and for teaching and learning in education sector to the extent telemedicine in the health sector is getting popular with the approvals of the competent authority. No doubt it has advantages and disadvantages for both the beneficiaries and system at large. Describe and discuss the ethical issues involved in the use of online method particularly to
vulnerable section of society. (Answer in 150 words) 10

5. (a) Russia and Ukraine war has been going on for the last seven months. Different countries have taken independent stands and actions keeping in view their own national interests. We are all aware that war has its own impact on the different aspects of society, including human tragedy. What are those ethical issues that are crucial to be considered while launching the war and its continuation so far? Illustrate with justification the ethical issues involved in the given state of affair. (Answer in 150 words) 10

5. (b) Write short notes on the following in 30 words each :

• (i) Constitutional morality
• (ii) Conflict of interest
• (iii) Probity in public life
• (iv) Challenges of digitalization
• (v) Devotion to duty

6.(a) Whistle blower, who reports corruption and illegal activities, wrongdoing and misconduct to the concerned authorities, runs the risk of being exposed to grave danger, physical harm and victimization by the vested interests, accused persons and his team. What policy measures would you suggest to strengthen protection mechanism to safeguard the whistle blower? (Answer in 150 words) 10

6.(b) In contemporary world, corporate sector’s contribution in generating wealth and employment is increasing. In doing so, they are bringing in unprecedented onslaught on the climate, environmental sustainability and living conditions of human beings. In this background, do you Responsibility (CSR) is efficient and sufficient enough to fulfill the social roles and responsibilities needed in the corporate work mandated? Critically examine. (Answer in 150 words) 10

2021

Q1. (a) Identify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant. Justify their inclusion in the matrix.

(b)   Identify ten essential values that are needed to be an effective public servant. Describe the /ways and means to prevent non-ethical behaviour in the pubic servants.

Q2. (a)   Impact of digital technology as a reliable source of input for rational decision-making is a debatable issue. Critically evaluate with a suitable example.

(b)  Besides domain knowledge, a public official needs innovativeness and creativity of a high order as well, while resolving ethical dilemmas. Discuss with a suitable example. 

Q3. What does each of the following quotations mean to you?

(a) “Every work has got to pass through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding. Those that persevere will see the light, sooner or later.-Swami Vivekananda

(b) “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until and unless we obtain peace within ourselves.” – Dalai Lama

(c) Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that it is better for us all.” -Erik Erikson word

Q4. (a) Attitude is an important component that goes as input in the elopement of humans How to build a suitable needed for a public servant?

(b) In case of crisis of conscience does emotional intelligence help to overcome the same without compromising the ethical or moral stand that you are likely to follow? Critically examine.

Q5. (a) “Refugees should not be turned back to the country where they would face persecution          or human rights violation.” Examine the statement with reference to the ethical dimension being violated by the nation claiming to be democratic with an open society.

(b)    Should impartial and being non-partisan be considered as indispensable qualities to make a successful civil servant? Discuss with illustrations.

Q6. (a) An independent and empowered social audit mechanism is an absolute must in every sphere of public service, including judiciary, to ensure performance,  accountability, and ethical conduct. Elaborate.

(b)  “Integrity is a value that empowers the human being.” Justify with suitable illustration.  (Answer in 150 words)

2020

• 1 (a) Discuss the role of ethics and values in enhancing the following three major components of Comprehensive National Power (CNP) viz. Human capital, soft power (culture and policies), and social harmony.
  • (b) “Education is not an injunction, it is an effective and pervasive tool for all-round development of an individual and social transformation.” Examine the New Education Policy, 2020 (NEP, 2020) in light of the above statement.
• 2 (a) ‘Hatred is destructive of a person’s wisdom and conscience that can poison a nation’s spirit.’ Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer.
  • (b) What are the main components of emotional intelligence (EI)? Can they be learned? Discuss.
• 3 (a) What teachings of Buddha are most relevant today and why? Discuss.
  • (b) ‘The will to power exists, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and principles of moral duty.’ Examine this statement in the context of international relations.
• 4 (a) Distinguish between laws and rules. Discuss the role of ethics in formulating them.
  • (b) A positive attitude is considered to be an essential characteristic of a civil servant who is often required to function under extreme stress. What contributes to a positive attitude in a person?
• 5 (a) What are the main factors responsible for gender inequality in India? Discuss the contribution of Savitribai Phule in this regard.
  • (b) ‘The current internet expansion has instilled a different set of cultural values which are often in conflict with traditional values.’ Discuss.
• 6 What do each of the following quotations mean to you?
  • (a) “Condemn none: If you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If not, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.”- Swami Vivekanand
  • (b) “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”.- Mahatma Gandhi
  • (c) “A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.”- Socrates

2019

• 1.(a) What are the basic principles of public life? Illustrate any three of these with suitable examples.
  • (b) What do you understand by the term ‘public servant’? Reflect on the expected role of a public servant.
• 2.(a) What is meant by the term ‘constitutional morality? How does one uphold constitutional morality?
  • (b) What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience? How does it manifest itself in the public domain?
• 3.(a) Explain the basic principles of the citizens charter movement and bring out its importance.
  • (b) There is a view that the Official Secrets Act is an obstacle to the implementation of the Right to Information Act. Do you agree with the view? Discuss.
• 4.(a) What do you understand by probity in governance? Based on your understanding of the term, suggest measures for ensuring probity in government.
  • (b) “Emotional Intelligence is the ability to make your emotions work for you instead of against you”. Do you agree with this view? Discuss
• 5. What do each of the following quotations mean to you?
  • (a) “An unexamined life is not worth living”. – Socrates
  • (b) “A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes.” – M.K. Gandhi
  • (c) “Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world” – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
• 6.(a) Effective utilization of public funds is crucial to meet development goals. Critically examine the reasons for the under-utilization and mis-utilization of public funds and their implications.
  • (b) “Non-performance of duty by a public servant is a form of corruption”. Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer.

2018

• 1.(a) State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services and bring out their importance.
  • (b) Distinguish between “Code of Ethics” and “Code of conduct” with suitable examples.     
• 2.(a) What is meant by public interest? What are the principles and procedures to be followed by civil servants in the public interest?
  • (b) “The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’ empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability.” Discuss
• 3.(a) What is meant by conflict of interest? Illustrate with examples, the difference between the actual and potential conflicts of interest.
  • (b) “In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they do not have the first, the other two will kill you.” —Warren Buffet
• 4. What do you understand by this statement in the present-day scenario? Explain.
  • (a) “In doing a good thing, everything is permitted which is not prohibited expressly or by clear implication.” Examine the statement with suitable examples in the context of a public servant discharging his/her duties.
  • (b) With regard to the morality of actions, one view is that means is of paramount importance and the other view is that the ends justify the means. Which view do you think is more appropriate? Justify your answer.
• 5.(a) Suppose the Government of India is thinking of constructing a dam in a mountain valley bound by forests and inhabited by ethnic communities. What rational policy should it resort to in dealing with unforeseen contingencies?
  • (b) Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in Public Administration.
• 6. What do each of the following quotations means to you in the present context?
  • (a) “The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject anything, is not whether it has any evil in it; but whether it has more evil than good. There are few things wholly evil or wholly good. Almost everything, especially of government policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgment of the preponderance between them is continually demanded.” – Abraham Lincoln. 
  • (b) “Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.” – Mahatma Gandhi. 
  • (c) “Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in the unblemished common good.” – Tirukkural
    

2017

• 1.(a) The crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced to a narrow perception of the good life.Discuss.
  • (b) Increased national wealth did not result in equitable distribution of its benefits. It has created only some “enclaves of modernity and prosperity for a small minority at the cost of the majority.” Justify.
• 2. (a) Discipline generally implies following the order and subordination. However, it may be counterproductive for the organisation. Discuss.
  • (b) Without commonly shared and widely entrenched moral values and obligations, neither the law, nor democratic government, nor even the market economy will function properly. What do you understand by this statement? Explain with illustration in the contemporary times.
• 3. Conflict of interest in the public sector arises when (a) official duties, (b) public interest, and (c) personal interest are taking priority one above the other. How can this conflict in administration be resolved? Describe with an example
• 4. Young people with ethical conduct are not willing to come forward to join active politics. Suggest steps to motivate them to come forward.
• 5. (a) One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be compromised. Explain with reference to a real life example.
  • (b) Corporate social responsibility makes companies more profitable and sustainable. Analyse.
• 6. (a) “Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them.” – Napoleon Bonaparte. Stating examples mention the rulers (i) who have harmed society and country, (ii) who worked for the development of society and country.
  • (b) “If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.” – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Analyse.
• 7. (a) How will you apply emotional intelligence in administrative practices?
  • (b) Strength, peace and security are considered to be the pillars of international relations. Elucidate.
• 8. Examine the relevance of the following in the context of civil service: (a) Transparency (b) Accountability (c) Fairness and Justice (d) Courage of Conviction (e) Spirit of service

2016

• 1. (a) Explain how ethics contributes to social and human well-being.
  • (b) Why should impartiality and non-partisanship be considered as foundational values in public services, especially in the present-day socio-political context? Illustrate your answer with examples.
• 2. (a) What do you understand by the terms ‘governance, ‘good governance, and ‘ethical governance?
  • (b) Discuss Mahatma Gandhi’s Concept of seven sins.
• 3. (a) Analyze John Rawls’s concept of social justice in the Indian context.
  • (b) Discuss the Public Services Code as recommended by the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission.
• 4. (a) “Corruption causes misuse of government treasury, administrative inefficiency, and obstruction in the path of national development.” Discuss Kautilya’s views.
  • (b) How could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?
• 5. Law and Ethics are considered to be the two tools for controlling human conduct so as to make it conducive to civilized social existence.
  • (a) Discuss how they achieve this objective.
  • (b) Discuss how they achieve this objective.
• 6. Our attitudes towards life, work, other people, and society are generally shaped unconsciously by the family and the social surroundings in which we grow up. Some of these unconsciously acquired attitudes and values are often undesirable in the citizens of a modern democratic and egalitarian society.
  • (a) Discuss such undesirable values prevalent in today’s educated Indians.
  • (b) How can such undesirable attitudes be changed and socioethical values considered necessary in public services be cultivated in the aspiring and serving civil servants?
• 7. Anger is a harmful negative emotion. It is injurious to both personal life and work life.
  • (a) Discuss how it leads to negative emotions and undesirable behaviors.
  • (b) How can it be managed and controlled?
• 8. “Max Weber said that it is not wise to apply to public administration the sort of moral and ethical norms we apply to matters of personal conscience. It is important to realize that the state bureaucracy might possess its own independent bureaucratic morality.” Critically analyze this statement.

2015

• 1. (a) What is meant by ‘environmental ethics? Why is it important to study? Discuss any one environmental issue from the viewpoint of environmental ethics.
  • (b) Differentiate between the following:
    • Law and Ethics
    • Ethical management and Management of ethics
    • Discrimination and Preferential treatment
    • Personal ethics and Professional ethics
• 2. Given are two quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. For each of these, bring out what it means to you in the present context:
  • (a) “The weak can never forgive; forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
  • (b) “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”
• 3. (a) “A mere compliance with the law is not enough, the public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical issues for effective discharge of duties.” Do you agree? Explain with the help of two examples, where (i) an act is ethically right, but not legally, and (ii) an act is legally right, but not ethically.
  • (b) How do the virtues of trustworthiness and fortitude get manifested in public service? Explain with examples.
• 4. (a) “Social values are more important than economic values.” Discuss the above statement with examples in the context of the inclusive growth of a nation.
  • (b) Some recent developments such as the introduction of the RTI Act, media and judicial activism, etc., are proving helpful in bringing about greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of the government. However, it is also being observed that at times the mechanisms are misused. Another negative effect is that the officers are now afraid to take prompt decisions. Analyze this situation in detail and suggest how this dichotomy can be resolved. Suggest how these negative impacts can be minimized.
• 5. Two different kinds of attitudes exhibited by public servants towards their work have been identified as the bureaucratic attitude and the democratic attitude.
  • (a) Distinguish between these two terms and write their merits and demerits,
  • (b) Is it possible to balance the two to create a better administration for the faster development of our country?
• 6. Today we find that in spite of various measures like prescribing codes of conduct, setting up vigilance cells/commissions, RTI, active media, and strengthening of legal mechanisms, corrupt practices are not coming under control.
  • (a) Evaluate the effectiveness of these measures with justifications.
  • (b) Suggest more effective strategies to tackle this menace.
• 7. At the international level, the bilateral relations between most nations are governed by the policy of promoting one’s own national interest without any regard for the interest of other nations. This leads to conflicts and tensions between the nations. How can ethical consideration help resolve such tensions? Discuss with specific examples.
• 8. Public servants are likely to confront with the issues of ‘Conflict of Interest’. What do you understand by the term ‘Conflict of Interest’ and how does it manifest in the decision-making by public servants? If faced with the conflict of interest situation, how would you resolve it? Explain with the help of examples.

2014

• 1. Explain with examples.
  • (a) All human beings aspire for happiness. Do you agree? What does happiness mean to you? Explain with examples. 
  • (b) What does ethics seek to promote in human life? Why is it all the more important in public administration?
• 2. (a) In the context of defense services, ‘patriotism’ demands readiness to even lay down one’s life in protecting the nation. According to you, what does patriotism imply in everyday civil life? Explain with illustrations and justify your answer.
  • (b). What do you understand by ‘probity’ in public life? What are the difficulties in practicing it in the present times? How can these difficulties be overcome?
• 3. (a) “Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, but knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.” What do you understand by this statement? Explain your stand with illustrations from the modern context.
  • (b). “Human beings should always be treated as ‘ends in themselves and never as merely `means’.” Explain the meaning and significance of this statement, giving its implications in the modern techno-economic society.
• 4. (a) Which eminent personality has inspired you the most in the context of ethical conduct in life? Give the gist of his/her teachings. Giving specific examples, describe how you have been able to apply these teachings for your own ethical development.
  • (b). There is a heavy ethical responsibility on the public servants because they occupy positions of power, handle huge amounts of public funds, and their decisions have a wide-ranging impact on society and the environment. What steps have you taken to improve your ethical competence to handle such responsibility?
• 5. (a) The current society is plagued with a widespread trust deficit. What are the consequences of this situation for personal well-being and for societal well-being? What can you do at the personal level to make yourself trustworthy?
  • (b). It is often said that poverty leads to corruption. However, there is no dearth of instances where affluent and powerful people indulge in corruption in a big way. What are the basic causes of corruption among people? Support your answer with examples.
• 6. What factors affect the formation of a person’s attitude towards social problems? In our society, contrasting attitudes are prevalent about many social problems. What contrasting attitudes do you notice about the caste system in our society? How do you explain the existence of these contrasting attitudes?
• 7. What does ‘accountability’ mean in the context of public service? What measures can be adopted to ensure individual and collective accountability of public servants?
• 8. We are witnessing increasing instances of sexual violence against women in the country. Despite existing legal provisions against it, the number of such incidences is on the rise. Suggest some innovative measures to tackle this menace.

2013

• 1. What do you understand by ‘Values’ and ‘Ethics’? In what way is it important to be ethical along with being professionally competent?
• 2.
  • (a) What do you understand by the following terms in the context of public service?
    • Integrity
    • Perseverance
    • Spirit of Service
    • Commitment
    • Courage of Conviction
  • (b) Indicate two more attributes that you consider important for public service. Justify your answer.
• 3. Some people feel that values keep changing with time and situation, while others strongly believe that there are certain universal and eternal human values. Give your perception in this regard with due justification.
• 4. What is ‘emotional intelligence and how can it be developed in people? How does it help an individual in taking ethical decisions?
• 5. (a) What do you understand by the term ‘voice of conscience? How do you prepare yourself to heed to the voice of conscience?
  • (b) What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience? Narrate one incident in your life when you were faced with such a crisis and how you resolved the same.
• 6. Given below are three quotations of great moral thinkers/philosophers. For each of these quotations, bring out what it means to you in the present context:
  • (a) “There is enough on this earth for everyone’s need but for no one’s greed.” -Mahatma Gandhi
  • (b) “Nearly all men can withstand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” – Abraham Lincoln.
  • (c) “I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who overcomes his enemies.” – Aristotle
• 7. “The good of an individual is contained in the good of all.” what do you understand by this statement? How can this principle be implemented in public life?
• 8. It is often said that ‘politics and ‘ethics do not go together. What is your opinion in this regard? Justify your answer with an illustration.