Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude — UPSC Mains GS-IV Questions (2013–2025)

1. Given below are two questions to be answered in 150 words each: 1 (a) In the present digital age, social media has revolutionised our way of communication and interaction. However, it has raised several ethical issues and challenges. Describe the key ethical dilemmas in this regard. 1 (b) "Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment but a product of civil education and adherence of the rule of law." Examine the significance of constitutional morality for a public servant, highlighting its role in promoting good governance and ensuring accountability in public administration.

2. Answer the following in about 150 words each: 2 (a) Carl von Clausewitz once said, "War is a diplomacy by other means." Critically analyse the above statement in the present context of contemporary geo-political conflict. 2 (b) Keeping the national security in mind, examine the ethical dilemmas related to controversies over environmental clearance of development projects in ecologically sensitive border areas in the country.

3. Given below are three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context? (Answer each in 150 words) 3 (a) "Those who in trouble untroubled are, Will trouble trouble itself." – Thiruvalluvar 3 (b) "The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes." – William James 3 (c) "The strength of a society is not in its laws, but in the morality of its people." – Swami Vivekananda

4. Answer the following in about 150 words each: 4 (a) "For any kind of social re-engineering, by successfully implementing welfare schemes, a civil servant must use reason and critical thinking in an ethical framework." Justify this statement with suitable examples. 4 (b) What are the major teachings of Mahavira? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.

5. Answer the following in about 150 words each: 5 (a) "One who is devoted to one’s duty attains highest perfection in life." Analyse this statement in reference to the sense of responsibility and personal virtues expected from a civil servant. 5 (b) To achieve holistic development goal, a civil servant acts as an enabler and active facilitator of growth rather than a regulator. What specific measures will you suggest to achieve this goal?

6. Answer the following in about 150 words each: 6 (a) It is said that for an ethical work culture, there must be code of ethics in place in every organisation. To ensure value-based and compliance-based work culture, what suitable measures would you adopt in your work place? 6 (b) India is an emerging economic power of the world as it has recently secured the status of fourth largest economy of the world as per IMF projection. However, it has been or misutilised. What specific measures would you recommend for ensuring accountability in this regard to stop leakages and gaining the status of third largest economy of the world in near future?

Vijay was Deputy Commissioner of a remote district of a Hilly Northern State of the country for the last two years. In the month of August, heavy rains lashed the complete state followed by cloudburst in the upper reaches of the said district. The damage was very heavy in the complete state, especially in the affected district. The complete road network and telecommunication were disrupted and the buildings were damaged extensively. People's houses have been destroyed and they were forced to stay in the open. More than 200 people have been killed and about 5000 were badly injured. The Civil Administration under Vijay got activated and started conducting rescue and relief operations. Temporary shelter camps and hospitals were established to provide shelter and medical facilities to the homeless and injured people. Helicopter services were pressed in for evacuating sick and old people from remote areas. Vijay got a message from his hometown in Kerala that his mother was seriously sick. After two days Vijay received the unfortunate message that his mother has expired. Vijay has no close relative except one elder sister who is a US citizen and staying there for the last several years. In the meantime, the situation in the affected district deteriorated further due to resumption of heavy rains after a gap of five days. At the same time, continuous messages were coming on his mobile from his hometown to reach at the earliest for performing the last rites of his mother.

In line with the Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Indian Constitution, the government has a constitutional obligation to ensure basic needs – "Roti, Kapda aur Makan" (Food, Clothes and Shelter) for the under-privileged. Pursuing this mandate, the district administration proposed clearing a portion of forest land to develop housing for the homeless and economically weaker sections of the society. The proposed land, however, is an ecologically sensitive zone densely populated with age-old trees, medicinal plants and vital biodiversity. Besides, these forests help to regulate micro-climate and rainfalls, provide habitat for wildlife, support soil fertility and prevent land/soil erosion and sustain livelihoods of tribal and nomadic communities. In spite of the ecological and social costs, the administration argues in favour of the said proposal by highlighting that this very initiative addresses fundamental human rights as a critical welfare priority. Besides, it fulfils the government's duty to uplift and empower the poor through inclusive housing development. Further, these forest areas have become unsafe due to wild-animal threats and recurring human-wildlife conflicts. Lastly, clearing forest-zones may help to curb anti-social elements allegedly using these areas as hideouts, thereby enhancing law and order.

Subash is Secretary, PWD in the State Government. He is a senior officer, known for his competence, integrity and dedication to work. He enjoys the trust and confidence of Minister In-charge of PWD and Programme Implementation. As a part of his job profile, he is responsible for policy formulation and execution of projects relating to infrastructure initiatives in the State. Besides, he oversees the technical and administrative aspects relating to planning, designing and construction, etc. The Minister of PWD is an important Minister in the State and significant growth in urban infrastructure development and road network has been registered during his tenure. He is very keen on launching an ambitious road-construction project in the near future. Subash is in regular touch with the Minister and is working on various modalities of the road-construction project. Regular meetings, interactions and presentations are made by him to the Minister before a formal public announcement of the project is made. Subash’s only son, Vikas, is in the real-estate business. From his own sources he is aware that a mega road project is on the anvil and that an announcement in this regard is expected anytime. He is very keen to know from his father the exact location of the upcoming project. He knows there would be a quantum jump in prices of land in the vicinity. Buying land at this stage at cheaper prices would pay him rich dividends. He pleads with his father day in and day out to share the location of the proposed project. He assures him that he would handle the matter discreetly, as in the normal course he keeps on buying land as part of his business. Subash feels pressurised because of his son’s constant pleadings. Another significant aspect is the extra/undue interest in the above project being shown by the Minister, PWD. His nephew also has a big infrastructure-project company. In fact, the Minister has introduced his nephew to Subash and hinted that his nephew’s business interests in the forthcoming project should be taken care of. The Minister has encouraged him to act fast because early announcement and execution of the project would enhance his own status in public life and within the party. In the above backdrop, Subash is in a fix as to the future course of action. (a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. (b) Critically examine the options available to Subash in the above situation. (c) Which of the above would be most appropriate and why?

Rajesh is a Group-A officer with more than five years of service. He is posted as Administrative Officer in an Oil Public-Sector Undertaking. As an Administrative Officer he is responsible for managing and coordinating various administrative tasks to ensure smooth functioning of the office. He also manages office supplies and equipment. Rajesh is now sufficiently senior and expects his next promotion to the JAG (Junior Administrative Grade) in the next one or two years. He knows that promotion is based on examination of ACRs/Performance Appraisals of the last five years or so by a DPC (Departmental Promotion Committee) and that an officer lacking requisite grading of ACRs may not be found fit for promotion. Losing promotion may entail financial and reputational loss and a set-back for career progression. Though he always puts his best effort into his duties, he is unsure of the assessment by his superior and is therefore putting in extra effort so that he gets a thumping report at the end of the financial year. One day his reporting officer (who writes his ACR) calls Rajesh and wants him to buy computer-related stationery on priority from a particular vendor. Rajesh instructs his office to initiate action for procuring these items. During the day, the dealing assistant brings an estimate of ₹35 lakh covering all stationery items from the same vendor. As per the organisation’s GFR-based delegated financial powers, expenditure on office items exceeding ₹30 lakh requires sanction of the next higher authority (his boss in the present case). Rajesh knows his immediate superior would expect all these purchases to be done at his level and may not appreciate such ‘lack of initiative’. During discussions with colleagues he also learns of the common (but illegal) practice of splitting expenditure (dividing a large order into several small ones) to avoid obtaining sanction from higher authority. This practice is against the rules and may invite adverse audit comments. Rajesh is perturbed; he is unsure about what decision to take. (a) What are the options available to Rajesh in the above situation? (b) What are the ethical issues involved in this case? (c) Which would be the most appropriate option for Rajesh and why?

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Program (MGNREGA) was earlier known as National Rural Employment Scheme (NREGA). It is an Indian social-welfare programme aimed at fulfilling the ‘Right to Work’ provisions of the Constitution. MGNREGA was launched in 2006 under the Rural Employment sector by the Ministry of Rural Development. The main objective of the programme is to give a legal guarantee of wage employment to the adult members of rural households who are willing to do unskilled manual labour for a maximum of 100 days per household per year. Every rural household has the right to register under the scheme and, on registration, a Job Card is issued. A Job-Card holder can seek employment. The State Government shall pay 25 % of the minimum wage for the first 30 days as compensatory daily unemployment allowance to the families and wage for the remaining period of the year. MGNREGA works are undertaken by various Gram Panchayats. You have been appointed Administrator-in-Charge of the District. You have been given the responsibility of monitoring MGNREGA works undertaken by various Gram Panchayats and the authority to give technical sanctions to all such works. In one Panchayat in your jurisdiction you notice that your predecessor has mismanaged the programme: (i) Money not disbursed to actual job-seekers. (ii) Muster rolls of labourers not properly maintained. (iii) Mismatch between work done and payments made. (iv) Payments made to fictitious persons. (v) Job Cards issued without assessing genuine need. (vi) Mismanagement and siphoning of funds. (vii) Approved works that never existed. (a) What is your reaction to the above situation and how would you restore proper functioning of the MGNREGA programme? (b) What actions would you initiate to solve the various issues listed above? (c) How would you deal with the above situation?

Ashok is Divisional Commissioner of one of the border districts in a North-East State. A few years back, the military took over the neighbouring country after overthrowing the elected civil government. A civil-war situation has prevailed there, especially in the last two years, and the internal situation has further deteriorated due to rebel groups taking control of populated areas near our border. Intense fighting between the military and rebel groups has sharply increased civilian casualties in recent months. One night Ashok receives information from the local police guarding the border check-post that about 200–250 people—mainly women and children—are trying to cross over to our side. About ten soldiers in military uniform, carrying weapons, are also among them. Women and children are crying and begging for help; a few are injured, bleeding profusely and need immediate medical care. Ashok tries to contact the State Home Secretary but fails, mainly because inclement weather has disrupted connectivity. (a) What are the options available with Ashok to cope with the situation? (b) What are the ethical and legal dilemmas being faced by Ashok? (c) Which of the options would be more appropriate for Ashok to adopt and why? (d) In the present situation, what extra precautionary measures should the Border-Guarding Police take while dealing with soldiers in uniform?

Given below are three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context?

There is a technological company named ABC Incorporated which is the second largest worldwide, situated in the Third World. You are the Chief Executive Officer and the majority shareholder of this company. The fast technological improvements have raised worries among environmental activists, regulatory authorities, and the general public over the sustainability of this scenario. You confront substantial issues about the business's environmental footprint. In 2023, your organization had a significant increase of 48 % in greenhouse-gas emissions compared to the levels recorded in 2019, mainly due to the surging energy requirements of your data-centres, fuelled by the exponential expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI-powered services need much more computational resources and electrical energy compared to conventional online activities. Although there is already a commitment and goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030, the challenge of lowering emissions seems overwhelming as the integration of AI continues to increase. To achieve this goal, substantial investments in renewable energy use would be necessary. The difficulty is exacerbated by the competitive environment of the technology sector, where rapid innovation is essential for preserving market standing and shareholders' worth. To achieve a balance between innovation, profitability and sustainability, a strategic move is necessary that is in line with both business objectives and ethical obligations.

Raman is a senior IPS officer and has recently been posted as D.G. of a state. Among the various issues and problems/challenges which needed his immediate attention, the issue relating to recruitment of unemployed youth by an unknown terrorist group, was a matter of grave concern. Unemployment was relatively high in the state, especially among graduates and those with higher education, making them vulnerable and soft targets. Intelligence inputs suggested that a new global terrorist group had launched a drive to recruit such youth through social-media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, spreading secessionist ideology and extremist propaganda. The need of the hour is to act swiftly before the situation assumes serious proportions.

In the last few years, the coordinated strategy of the Central and State governments has substantially reduced the menace of Naxalism in many affected regions. However, in several remote districts the Naxal problem continues to pose the main internal-security threat. Recently, in one such district, a spate of violent incidents involving explosives and killings has taken place and reliable intelligence points to renewed activities of over-ground workers and foreign extremists in the area.

Sneha is a Senior Manager working for a big (reputed) hospital chain in a mid-sized city. She has been made in-charge of the new super speciality center that the hospital is building with state-of-the-art equipment and world-class medical facilities. The building has been reconstructed and she is starting the process of procurement for various equipment and machines. As the head of the committee responsible for procurement, she has invited bids from all the interested reputed vendors dealing in medical equipment. She notices that her brother, who is a well-known supplier in this domain, has also sent his expression of interest. Since the hospital is privately owned, it is not mandatory for her to select only the lower bidder. Also, she is aware that her brother's company has been facing some financial difficulties and a big supply order will help him recover. At the same time, allocating the contract to her brother might bring charges of favouritism against her and tarnish her image. The hospital management trusts her fully and would support any decision of hers. (a) What should be Sneha's course of action? (b) How would she justify what she chooses to do? (c) In this case, how is medical ethics compromised with vested personal interest?

With the summer heat being exceptionally severe this year, the district has been facing severe water shortage. The District Collector has been mobilizing his subordinate officials to conserve the remaining water reserves for preventing the district from plunging into acute drinking water crisis. Along with an awareness campaign for conserving water, strict measures have been taken for stopping the over-exploitation of ground-water. Vigilance teams have been deployed to the villages and find the farmers who are drawing water from deep borewells or from the river reservoir for irrigation. The farmers are agitated by such action. A delegation of farmers meets the District Collector with their issues and complains that while they are not being allowed to irrigate their crops, big industries located near the river are drawing huge amounts of water through deep borewells for their industrial processes. The farmers allege that their administration is anti-farmer and corrupt, being bribed by the industry. The district needs to placate the farmers as they are threatening to go on a prolonged protest. At the same time, the District Collector has to deal with the water crisis. The industry cannot be closed as this would result in a large number of workers being unemployed. (a) Discuss all options available to the District Collector as a District Magistrate. (b) What suitable actions can be taken in view of mutually compatible interests of the stakeholders? (c) What are the potential administrative and ethical dilemmas for the District Collector?

Dr. Srinivasan is a senior scientist working for a reputed biotechnology company known for its cutting-edge research in pharmaceuticals. Dr. Srinivasan is heading a research team working on a new drug aimed at treating a rapidly spreading variant of a new viral infectious disease. The disease has been rapidly spreading across the world and the cases reported in the country are increasing. There is huge pressure on Dr. Srinivasan's team to expedite the trials for the drug as there is significant market for it, and the company wants to get the first-mover advantage in the market. During a team meeting, some senior team members suggest some shortcuts for expediting the clinical trials for the drug and for getting the requisite approvals. These include manipulating data to exclude some negative outcomes and selectively reporting positive results, foregoing the process of informed consent and using compounds already patented by a rival company, rather than developing one's own component. Dr. Srinivasan is not comfortable taking such shortcuts, at the same time he realises meeting the targets is impossible without using these means. (a) What would you do in such a situation? (b) Examine your options and consequences in the light of the ethical questions involved. (c) How can data ethics and drug ethics save humanity at large in such a scenario?

What do you understand by 'moral integrity' and 'professional efficiency' in the context of corporate governance in India? Illustrate with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words)