Mains Marathon

Day 41: You are a senior Indian diplomat posted in a strategically important country. Recently, India has been negotiating a crucial defence cooperation agreement with the host nation, which could significantly boost India's regional influence and access to critical technology. The negotiations are in the final stages.

During this time, a foreign media outlet leaks a confidential internal report alleging that a few defence firms from the host country paid bribes to unnamed officials in earlier unrelated deals involving other countries. While the allegations are unverified and unrelated to the current negotiations, a member of your embassy staff anonymously informs you that one of the firms involved in the current deal may be under informal scrutiny back home for similar practices.

Your government is keen to finalize the deal as a counterweight to the growing influence of a rival power in the region. However, civil society groups in India are raising concerns about transparency and accountability in arms procurement.

Simultaneously, you are approached privately by a defence analyst who hints at post-retirement consulting opportunities if you “ensure smooth progress” of the deal without further questioning the firm’s credentials.

You must now send your final assessment to the Ministry of External Affairs, which may heavily influence the decision-making process in Delhi.

A. What are the ethical dilemmas you face in balancing national strategic interests with integrity and transparency?

B. How should you handle allegations that may impact the credibility of the deal, even if not legally proven?

C. How can personal inducements affect ethical decision-making in international negotiations? What safeguards can prevent such compromises?  ( 250 words)

Day 41: You are a senior officer serving as the Public Information Officer (PIO) in the State Urban Development Department. One day, you receive an RTI application from a journalist requesting details of tenders and financial allocations made to a high-profile Smart City project over the past three years. The requested documents include internal file notings, approval memos, correspondence with private contractors, and minutes of meetings.

On going through the documents, you find that some of the files could reveal procedural lapses, cost escalations, and internal disagreements between officers and ministers. One file, in particular, includes a note where you yourself raised ethical concerns about vendor selection, but the project was cleared regardless. Releasing the documents may expose these irregularities and embarrass senior officials and elected representatives.

You are unofficially approached by a senior bureaucrat who advises you to delay the reply or “lose” some sensitive files, citing “larger administrative stability” and reputational risks. You also fear possible transfers or career stagnation if you act against unwritten expectations. Meanwhile, the journalist is following up regularly and plans to publish a story that could trigger public outrage.

A. What are the ethical dilemmas involved in this case?

B. What are the options available to you in this situation?

C. Evaluate each of these options and choose the one that you would adopt, providing justifications for your choice.  (250 words)

Day 41: You are the District Collector of a semi-urban district in eastern India. Six months ago, a key road bridge over a river was inaugurated with great fanfare. Built under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and co-funded by the state government, it was projected as a symbol of rural connectivity and development.

Yesterday, the bridge collapsed after heavy rainfall, killing 17 people, including schoolchildren in a bus and farmers heading to a weekly market. Preliminary investigation reveals that substandard materials were used, the construction was rushed before elections, and safety norms were overlooked. The contract was awarded to a politically connected contractor who has executed several other infrastructure projects in the district.

As the head of district administration, you had signed off on the completion report, based on the reports submitted by the Public Works Department (PWD) and third-party quality audits. Civil society organizations and media are now questioning the role of the administration in approving an unsafe structure. Families of the victims are demanding accountability and compensation. A judicial inquiry has been announced by the state government.

You now face intense scrutiny, both as a public servant responsible for oversight and as a representative of the state ensuring justice, transparency, and institutional trust.

A. What are the ethical issues involved in this case?

B. How would you respond immediately to the crisis?

C. Which constitutional values and professional codes of conduct should guide your decisions in this moment of institutional crisis?

D. What reforms would you suggest to prevent such tragedies in future infrastructure development?  (250 words)

Day 41: You are the District Magistrate of a mineral-rich region in central India. The Union Ministry of Mines has approved a large-scale bauxite mining project in your district, which promises significant economic development—jobs for local youth, revenue for the state, and improved infrastructure. The project is backed by a prominent multinational corporation and enjoys political support at both the state and central levels.

However, the designated mining zone lies in a biodiversity-rich forest area inhabited by tribal communities. Environmental experts have raised concerns about deforestation, contamination of local water bodies, and long-term ecological damage. Local tribal leaders have staged peaceful protests, fearing the loss of livelihood, cultural identity, and forced displacement.

The company has obtained preliminary clearances, but the final environmental impact assessment (EIA) and public consultations are pending. You are tasked with overseeing the EIA process and ensuring transparency and fairness. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting from higher authorities to fast-track approvals in the "larger national interest." A senior bureaucrat informally advises you not to "create roadblocks" for development, hinting that your future postings may be influenced by your decisions.

A. What ethical dilemmas do you face in balancing development imperatives with environmental justice?

B. What should be your immediate course of action for the pending clearances and public consultation process?

C. How would you ensure that the voices of marginalized communities are heard without disregarding the developmental goals of the state?

D. What constitutional provisions, environmental ethics, and principles of participative governance would guide your decisions?  (250 words)

Day 40: You are serving as the Director of a prestigious government department under the Ministry of Skill Development. One morning, a junior female officer visits your office visibly distressed and submits a written complaint against a senior officer, alleging ongoing sexual harassment in the form of repeated suggestive comments, inappropriate text messages, and uncomfortable advances. She explains that while she values her job and respects the institution, she now fears attending office due to emotional distress and a sense of insecurity.

The accused officer is well-regarded for his professional record and has influential connections within the ministry. He denies the allegations outright when confronted and insinuates that the complainant may have misunderstood casual interactions or may be acting out of professional rivalry. The Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is functional, but the complainant hesitates to initiate formal proceedings out of fear of social stigma, professional backlash, and potential isolation at the workplace.

As word of the incident informally spreads, you begin to notice discomfort among other employees. The complainant pleads for confidentiality but also demands immediate action for her safety.

A. What are the core ethical issues involved in this situation?

B. How will you handle this situation while ensuring fairness to both the complainant and the accused?

C. What ethical values will guide your decision-making in this case?

D. What long-term preventive and corrective measures would you recommend for strengthening the workplace culture?

Day 40: You are a senior officer and a member of India’s official delegation to an international climate summit. The conference is at a critical juncture where developed countries are insisting that all nations, including developing economies like India, adopt higher emission reduction targets immediately. These nations argue that the urgency of climate change requires unified and ambitious global action to avoid catastrophic consequences.

However, India maintains that its historical contribution to global emissions is minimal and that its development trajectory—particularly for the millions who still lack access to basic infrastructure—must not be compromised in the name of rapid carbon neutrality.

India’s stand, rooted in the principles of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), emphasizes that the developed world must do more, given their historical emissions and greater financial capacity. While this position is strongly supported domestically, there is growing international pressure accusing India of blocking consensus on climate action.

Amid these negotiations, you are approached by a reputed international think tank that offers you a prestigious fellowship at a leading university abroad. Although they do not explicitly demand anything in return, it is subtly implied that your support in shifting India’s rigid stance could help you secure the opportunity.

You suspect the offer is not fully altruistic and may influence your objectivity.At the same time, one of your colleagues warns you that continued inflexibility could damage India’s international image and limit future cooperation on technology transfer and climate finance.

A. What ethical issues do you face as a public servant representing national interest at the global stage?

B. How will you deal with the conflict between global ethical responsibilities and national developmental goals?

C. How should you respond to the offer? What ethical values and diplomatic principles should guide such negotiations?

Day 40: Abhay Kumar is an IPS officer recently posted as Superintendent of Police in a district located at the junction of three states, known for its history of naxalite insurgency and growing radicalization among youth. Over the past few years, violent incidents have declined due to sustained developmental efforts and community outreach programs.

However, intelligence reports now indicate a resurgence of underground recruitment by both naxalite groups and radical elements using digital propaganda, social media, and local influencers.

A recent arrest of a 19-year-old engineering student shocked the administration. He was found in possession of radical literature, had links with online encrypted groups, and was allegedly planning to sabotage a government infrastructure project. Interrogation reveals he was disillusioned by unemployment and systemic inequalities, and had fallen prey to ideologically driven content.

Abhay’s team is under pressure to take a hardline approach — arrest more youths and deploy aggressive surveillance to deter others. However, Abhay feels this could backfire, pushing more youth towards radical ideologies and deepening alienation. Civil society groups also warn against police excesses and profiling.

A. What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Abhay in the current situation?

B. What are the options available to him and what would be the consequences of each?

C. What course of action would you recommend? Justify it with ethical reasoning.

D. Suggest long-term strategies to address the root causes of youth radicalization in vulnerable regions.

Day 40: Anita is a young IAS officer posted as the Director of the State Digital Governance Mission (SDGM). Her department has launched a major project integrating health, education, ration, land, and police data of citizens into a single digital identity system called "JanSuraksha ID". The objective is to streamline service delivery, reduce corruption, and ensure better targeting of welfare schemes.

However, concerns have been raised by civil liberties groups and data privacy advocates. They claim that the system lacks proper data protection mechanisms, citizen consent is unclear, and there is potential for misuse by law enforcement agencies and third-party contractors.

During an internal audit, Anita discovers that the private vendor managing data analytics has outsourced part of the project to a foreign subcontractor without informing the department. Moreover, preliminary findings suggest that some citizen data is being monetized indirectly for predictive analytics to be sold to commercial companies for targeted advertising.

When Anita raises this with her seniors, she is told not to rock the boat, as the project has political backing and is being hailed as a "game-changer" in governance. She is under pressure to give the project a clean chit before the assembly elections

A. What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Anita in this situation?

B. What options are available to her? Critically examine the consequences of each.

C. What course of action would you recommend? Support your answer with ethical reasoning.

Day 39: “Empathy is not about weakness; it is the strength to see through another’s eyes.”Critically analyse the role of empathy and compassion in ensuring dignified and inclusive service delivery to the marginalised.(250 words)

Day 39: “A civil servant is not a servant of the ruling party, but of the Constitution.”Examine the importance of non-partisanship in maintaining ethical neutrality in public service.(250 words)

Day 39: “Ethical leadership begins with ethical character.”Identify five ethical traits that distinguish an ethically robust civil servant from a merely efficient one.(150 words)

Day 39: “Integrity without accountability is ornamental; accountability without integrity is oppressive.”Discuss their interrelationship in public administration.(150 words)

Day 38: "Moral attitudes define character; political attitudes define citizenship."Examine the interrelationship between moral and political attitudes in shaping an ethically responsible public life.(250 words)

Day 38: “Children learn values not by instruction, but by observation.”Analyze the impact of role modelling by parents, teachers, and societal figures on the ethical development of youth.(250 words)

Day 38: "Public service is not about pushing people, but pulling them toward shared goals."How can civil servants ethically use social influence to achieve public policy objectives?(150 words)

Day 38: "Our thoughts shape our attitudes, and our attitudes shape our actions."Discuss with reference to the relationship between attitude, thought, and behaviour.(150 words)

Day 37: “Technology without ethics becomes power without responsibility.”Examine the ethical dimensions of Digital Public Infrastructures(DPIs) and suggest institutional safeguards that align DPIs with constitutional morality and human values. (250 words)

Day 37: Discuss how conflict of interest arises when private relationships influence public duty. Suggest mechanisms and frameworks to manage such conflicts in administration.(250 words)

Day 37: What does this quote mean to you in the present context?
“A leader is great not because of his power, but because of his ability to empower others”- John Maxwell (150 words)

Day 37: “Law sets minimum standards, while ethics strives for higher ideals.” Explain with examples how legal loopholes are misused when ethics is absent in governance. (150 words)