Mains Marathon

Approach: Introduce Gandhi’s Doctrine of Seven Social Sins and briefly establish their ethical significance. In the body, explain how each of the seven sins can act as ethical benchmarks in decision-making for civil servants, using practical, real-life examples. Conclude with a reaffirmation of the relevance of these ethical checks in contemporary governance.

Introduction:

Mahatma Gandhi's doctrine of the seven sins offers profound moral reflections that can serve as ethical checks in everyday decision-making. These principles are not merely philosophical musings but actionable guidelines for civil servants to uphold ethical standards in governance.

Body:

• Wealth without Work: Gandhi’s principle advocates that true wealth must be earned honestly. A civil servant should ensure that resources are utilized effectively, avoiding corruption or any misuse of power for personal gain. 
  • For instance, transparency in public procurement ensures that no wealth is acquired without fair work.
    
• Pleasure without Conscience: Gandhi emphasized the importance of maintaining a conscience. A civil servant must make decisions with integrity and empathy. 
  • For example, during disaster management, if a civil servant prioritizes the welfare of the people over personal comfort, it aligns with this principle.
    
• Knowledge without Character: Knowledge must be coupled with ethical behavior. Civil servants must use their expertise to benefit society and uphold moral values.
  • Anti-corruption bodies like the Central Vigilance Commission promote this principle by ensuring officials act with ethical responsibility.
    
• Commerce without Morality: Gandhi warned against pursuing business at the cost of ethical conduct. 
  • Civil servants should ensure that all government contracts and public policies are aligned with societal well-being, avoiding any unfair practices like nepotism or favoritism.
    
• Science without Humanity: Technology and development must serve humanity. Civil servants should use innovative technologies like AI in public administration responsibly, ensuring they contribute to public welfare and not solely for economic or political gain.
  
• Religion without Sacrifice: Gandhi believed that religion should promote selflessness. 
  • Similarly, a civil servant must make decisions with sacrifice for the greater good.
    
• Politics without Principles: This principle demands ethical political decision-making. A civil servant should avoid any partisan behavior and act based on merit and equity.
  • For example, the RTI Act (Right to Information) ensures that public officials are held accountable and transparent.

Conclusion:

Gandhi's seven sins provide a robust framework for ethical governance. By applying these principles, civil servants can act as ethical stewards of public trust, ensuring that decisions reflect integrity, fairness, and humanity in every action.