Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion

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?

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)

Impact of digital technology as reliable source of input for rational decision making is a debatable issue. Critically evaluate with suitable example. (Answer in 150 words)

Attitude is an important component that goes as input in the development of human being. How to build a suitable attitude needed for a public servant? (Answer in 150 words)

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? (150 words)

As a senior officer in the Ministry, you have access to important policy decisions and upcoming big announcements such as road construction projects before they reach the public domain. The Ministry is going to announce a major road construction project for which land acquisition has already been identified and compensation rates for the land owners have been fixed according to government norms. The compensation is expected to be on the lower side. It is anticipated that once the project is announced, land prices in and around that area will rise sharply. In the meantime, the concerned Minister has asked you to realign the road in such a way that it passes near his 20-acre farm-house. He has also suggested that he will help to purchase land in your wife’s name around the proposed highway at the current nominal rates. The Minister assures you that there is no harm in doing so as the land is being purchased at the prevailing market price. He also wants you to keep him informed about the date when the project will be announced. If you report the alleged malpractices in the land procurement for the project to your higher authorities, it will cause a long delay in your department’s work, resulting in hardship to the farmers as well. Besides, the project is very essential; it will also lead to cutting down of a large number of trees, thereby destroying the green landscape of the area. How would you deal with this situation? Evaluate the options available to you, indicating their merits and demerits, and explain what your responsibilities are as a public servant.

Young people with ethical conduct are not willing to come forward to join active politics. Suggest steps to motivate them to come forward. (150 words)

How could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan? (150 words)

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 socio-ethical values considered necessary in public services be cultivated in the aspiring and serving civil servants? (150 words)

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? (150 words)

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.

In the context of defence 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. (150 words)

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? (150 words)

It is often said that 'politics' and 'ethics' do not go together. What is your opinion in this regard? Justify your answer with illustrations. (150 words)

A Public Information Officer (PIO) has received an application under the RTI Act. Having gathered the information, the PIO discovers that the information pertains to some of the decisions taken by him, which were not altogether right. Disclosure is likely to lead to disciplinary action against him as well as some colleagues. Non-disclosure or partial disclosure may result in lesser or no punishment. The PIO, otherwise honest and conscientious, seeks your advice. Evaluate the merits and demerits of the following options and indicate what you would advise, giving proper reasons: (i) Refer the matter to the superior officer and act strictly as advised. (ii) Proceed on leave/seek transfer of the application. (iii) Weigh consequences of truthful disclosure and reply with some compromise. (iv) Consult other colleagues who were party to the decision and act on their advice. Also, without restricting yourself to the above options, state your advice with reasons. (250 words)