Mains Practice Questions

Case Study

Dr. Ananya Rao is a senior drug regulator in a state where several pharmaceutical manufacturing units produce low-cost medicines, including paediatric cough syrups, for both domestic use and export. These medicines are widely used by economically weaker sections due to their affordability.

Recently, reports emerged that a batch of cough syrups manufactured by a local company was linked to the deaths of several children after consumption. Preliminary investigations indicated the presence of toxic contaminants due to the use of substandard raw materials and poor quality control. International media coverage has raised serious concerns about India’s pharmaceutical regulatory standards, affecting the country’s reputation as the “pharmacy of the world.”

The manufacturing company claims that it complied with existing regulations and argues that stricter enforcement and frequent inspections would increase production costs, making medicines unaffordable for the poor and harming export competitiveness. Some political and industry stakeholders have informally urged Dr. Rao to avoid drastic action such as suspension of licenses, citing potential job losses, investor backlash, and diplomatic sensitivities.

At the same time, families of the affected children are demanding accountability, criminal prosecution, and compensation. Public trust in the healthcare system and drug safety mechanisms is visibly eroding.

Questions

1.Discuss the ethical dilemma between affordability of medicines, industrial growth, and the principle of ‘non malfiance’ in Bio ethics ethics.

2.What options are available to Dr. Ananya Rao in responding to this crisis? Evaluate the ethical merits and limitations of each option.

3.What course of action should Dr. Rao adopt to uphold medical ethics, accountability, and public interest while ensuring long-term credibility of the health system? Justify your answer.

Q. Public trust in administration is a function of value-based conduct rather than procedural efficiency alone. Discuss. (150 words)

Q. Emotional Intelligence is often described as the “moral compass of leadership.” Critically analyse this assertion with suitable examples. (150 words)

Case Study

Suresh is a District Magistrate in a socio-economically backward region where brick kilns, stone quarries, and small manufacturing units provide employment to a large number of unskilled and migrant workers. Many of these workers belong to marginalized communities and are heavily indebted to contractors due to advances taken for medical expenses, marriages, or survival needs.

Recently, a group of social activists submitted a complaint to Suresh’s office alleging the prevalence of bonded labour practices in several work sites. Workers are reportedly forced to work long hours at extremely low wages, are not allowed to leave until their debts are repaid, and face threats and physical intimidation if they attempt to escape. Identity documents are often confiscated by contractors, and children are also made to assist their parents at work sites.

The contractors deny the allegations, claiming that workers are employed voluntarily and that advance payments are a common practice. Some local political leaders and influential business owners, who have economic stakes in these units, have informally advised Suresh to “handle the matter sensitively” to avoid social unrest and disruption of local economic activity.

Media attention is increasing after the rescue of a bonded labourer revealed inhuman living conditions and custodial violence at one of the sites.

Questions

Q1. Identify the ethical issues involved in the case from the perspectives of bonded labourers, employers, and public authorities.

Q2. What options are available to Suresh in dealing with this situation? Critically evaluate each option.

Q3. As the District Magistrate, what course of action should Suresh adopt to uphold constitutional values, human rights, and ethical governance? Justify your answer.

Q. Ethics operates at multiple levels, individual, organizational, and societal. Examine these dimensions of ethics and analyze how ethical failures at one level can undermine ethical governance as a whole.(150 words)

Q. In a society marked by growing materialism and individualism, human values often come under stress. Discuss the relevance of human values in ensuring ethical governance and inclusive development. Illustrate with suitable examples. (150 words)

Case Study

Rakesh Mehta is the Executive Engineer in the Public Works Department (PWD) of a rapidly developing district. His department is responsible for awarding contracts for road construction, public buildings, and infrastructure maintenance. Recently, the government sanctioned a major road development project aimed at improving connectivity in rural areas.

During the tendering process, Rakesh notices that the bidding conditions have been subtly modified to favour a particular private contractor. The technical eligibility criteria appear unnecessarily restrictive, effectively eliminating genuine competitors. Informally, Rakesh learns that senior officials and local political leaders are pressuring the department to ensure the contract goes to this preferred bidder in exchange for financial kickbacks and political funding.

Although the selected firm quotes a higher price and has a questionable track record, the tender evaluation committee is being influenced to overlook these issues. When Rakesh raises procedural concerns, he is advised by colleagues to “go with the system” and reminded that officers who previously opposed such practices were sidelined or transferred.

Meanwhile, local citizens and media have started raising concerns about poor quality of public works and rising costs in government projects. Rakesh now faces a moral dilemma—whether to remain silent and protect his career or uphold transparency and fairness at the risk of professional retaliation.

Questions

Q1.Identify the ethical issues involved in the above case.

Q2.What ethical dilemmas does Rakesh Mehta face as a public servant while dealing with political pressure and irregularities in the tendering process?

Q3.What should be the most appropriate course of action for Rakesh to ensure transparency, accountability, and public interest in the tendering process?

Q. How does lack of probity in public administration affect public trust and institutional credibility? Illustrate your answer with suitable examples. (150 words).

Q. Explain the role of empathy and compassion in strengthening ethical decision-making and improving interpersonal relationships in public service. (150 words).

Case Study

Ananya Sharma is the Deputy Manager in a large public sector organization responsible for infrastructure development. The organisation has a strong technical reputation but suffers from a toxic work culture. Senior officers often shout at subordinates during meetings, take credit for juniors’ work, and discourage dissenting opinions. Long working hours without recognition have become the norm, leading to low morale and high staff turnover.

Ananya observes that talented young officers hesitate to share innovative ideas due to fear of humiliation. Women employees, in particular, feel uncomfortable raising concerns, as informal networks dominated by senior male officers control decision-making. Although there is no explicit harassment, the environment is psychologically unsafe and demotivating.

Recently, a capable junior officer, Ravi, made a small procedural error in a project file. Instead of constructive feedback, he was publicly reprimanded by a senior officer during a meeting. Deeply demoralized, Ravi applied for transfer, citing “personal reasons.” Similar incidents have become common, affecting productivity and team cohesion.

As a mid-level officer, Ananya is respected by her team but has limited authority over senior officials. She believes that such a toxic work culture not only harms employee well-being but also compromises efficiency, innovation, and public service delivery.

Ananya now faces a dilemma: whether to remain silent to protect her own career progression or take steps—formal or informal—to improve workplace culture, promote dignity, and uphold ethical values within the organization.

Q1. Identify the ethical issues involved in the above case related to workplace culture. How do such issues affect employee morale, productivity, and organizational effectiveness?

Q2.What ethical dilemmas does Ananya face as a mid-level officer in addressing toxic workplace practices? Discuss the possible courses of action available to her, highlighting their merits and limitations.

Q3. How can ethical leadership and positive organizational culture contribute to improved governance and employee well-being? Suggest measures to promote a healthy and inclusive work environment in public institutions.

Q. How does sound corporate governance contribute to ethical business practices and long-term sustainability of organizations? Illustrate with suitable examples. (150 words)

Q. “Emotional intelligence is as important as intellectual ability for effective leadership.” Discuss this statement in the context of public service delivery. (150 words)

Case Study 

Ramesh Verma is the District Mining Officer (DMO) in a mineral-rich but economically backward district. The region has long struggled with illegal sand and stone mining, controlled by local contractors with strong political backing. These activities cause environmental damage, loss of state revenue, and frequent accidents involving villagers.

Soon after joining, Ramesh noticed that illegal mining continued openly at night despite repeated complaints. When he ordered surprise inspections and seizure of vehicles, he received a phone call from a local legislator, who advised him to “go slow” in the interest of maintaining social peace and employment. Informally, Ramesh was told by senior colleagues that previous officers who acted strictly were transferred within months.

Over time, a clear nexus emerged. Local politicians protected mining operators, the police avoided registering cases, and criminal groups ensured intimidation of villagers who protested. In return, illegal operators funded election campaigns and paid regular bribes to officials at multiple levels. Files related to mining violations were deliberately delayed or diluted in the district offices.

One evening, a serious accident occurred when an overloaded mining truck hit a group of villagers, killing two people. Public anger erupted, and media attention focused on the administration’s failure. Political leaders blamed “rogue elements” and pressured Ramesh to certify that the truck was operating legally.

Ramesh now faces a critical ethical dilemma. If he records the truth and initiates strict action, he risks political pressure, personal threats, and possible transfer. If he compromises, he becomes part of the political–bureaucratic–criminal nexus, undermining the rule of law, environmental protection, and public trust.

As a public servant, Ramesh must decide how to uphold integrity, legality, and accountability in an environment where institutional support appears weak and vested interests are deeply entrenched.

Q.1 Identify the ethical issues involved in the above case.

Q.2 How does the political–bureaucratic–criminal nexus affect public interest, environmental governance, and the credibility of public institutions?

Q.3 What should be the most ethically appropriate course of action in this case? Suggest both immediate administrative steps and long-term institutional reforms to prevent the recurrence of such political–bureaucratic–criminal nexuses.

Q. Accountability and transparency are foundational values of ethical governance. Analyze their ethical significance and explain how the absence of these values affects public trust in democratic institutions.(150 words)

Q. Attitude plays a critical role in shaping ethical behaviour in individuals and institutions. Examine how attitudes influence ethical decision-making in public administration. (150 words)

Case Study

You have recently taken charge as the District Collector of a semi-urban district dealing with frequent encroachment disputes and rising public expectations from the administration. Soon after assuming office, you notice that one of your junior officers, Raghav, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), has gained significant popularity on social media. He regularly posts updates of inspections, public interactions, and enforcement actions, portraying an image of an energetic and proactive officer. However, you gradually observe that his posts often include videos of surprise inspections, images of junior staff standing tensely behind him, and clips of punitive actions such as sealing shops—sometimes with strong captions like “Action speaks louder than words.” One such video of sealing a commercial establishment goes viral, drawing public praise but also criticism that procedural fairness was not clearly shown.

Colleagues quietly mention that this public display of authority may create more fear than trust. Shopkeepers tell a senior police officer that they hesitate to visit the SDM office, worried that ordinary grievances may be recorded and posted online. An informal complaint from a local MLA describes the SDM’s conduct as “high-handed” and motivated by publicity. An anonymous petition also reaches your office alleging inadequate notice in the sealing operation, although the official records show non-compliance.

You realise that the issue does not involve an obvious legal violation but presents subtle ethical dilemmas, the line between transparency and intimidation, the responsible use of social media, the dignity of individuals during enforcement, and the need for young officers to balance enthusiasm with institutional propriety.

As District Collector, you must decide how to address the situation while preserving administrative integrity, maintaining the morale of a promising officer, and ensuring that citizens do not feel humiliated or threatened by the misuse, intentional or unintentional, of official power.

Question:

Q1.Identify the core ethical issues involved in this case. Explain their relevance to public administration.

Q2. Do you think the SDM’s use of social media, though legal, raises ethical concerns? Justify your answer using principles of public service, propriety, and dignity of individuals.

Q3. As the District Collector, what steps will you take to address the situation in a fair, balanced, and constructive manner? Provide short-term and long-term measures.

Q4. Suggest a code of conduct or guidelines for civil servants’ use of social media that balances transparency, accountability, and ethical restraint.

Q. “Despite unprecedented advances in genome engineering, synthetic human genome projects remain constrained by ethical and biosecurity concerns.” Discuss. (150 words)

Q. “Probity ensures the moral compass of a civil servant, while aptitude ensures functional excellence”. Elucidate with suitable examples . (150 words)

Case Study:

You are the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of a flood-affected district. Thousands of people have been displaced in the recent floods. The state government has sent an emergency relief fund that is significantly lower than what is required. You are instructed to distribute it “based on urgency and vulnerability.”

However, you face the following situation:

1. Village A is politically influential. The local MLA pressures you to allot a major share of relief funds there. He hints that “future cooperation” will depend on your decision.

2. Village B is severely affected, but it has poor road connectivity. Delivering aid there will take extra time and resources.

3. Village C has fewer casualties but houses a large migrant labour population that lacks documents required for official relief distribution.

4. Your field staff privately suggests that you divert some funds for logistics (vehicles, fuel, meals). Official guidelines prohibit this, but without these expenses, delivery to remote areas will be delayed.

5. The media is reporting that the administration is “slow and careless,” adding further pressure.

You must decide how to allocate the limited resources fairly, efficiently, and ethically, while handling political pressure, administrative constraints, and humanitarian concerns.

Question:

Q1. Identify the major ethical issues involved in this situation.

Q2. As the SDM, outline the options available to you. Evaluate each option using ethical principles.

Q3. What would be your final course of action? Justify your decision with proper reasoning, referencing ethical theories and principles of public service.

Q. “Integrity is less about resisting temptation and more about eliminating situations that generate temptation.” Discuss. (150 words)

Q. “Emotions are not obstacles to ethical reasoning; they are its raw material.” Examine the statement in the context of public service decision-making. (150 words)

Case Study

Meera Rao, the District Magistrate of an expanding industrial district, is confronted with increasing incidents of language-based violence targeting migrant labourers arriving from different parts of the country. In recent weeks, several troubling events have created a climate of fear. A group of construction workers was beaten by local youth for not speaking the regional language. Two delivery workers were humiliated and forced to record apology videos for using their mother tongue. A factory supervisor allegedly denied work shifts to labourers who could not communicate in the local language.

Hospitals report a visible rise in assault cases involving migrant workers. Police inputs indicate that intimidation is being coordinated through social media groups that promote linguistic purity and urge locals to reclaim jobs. Investigators also suspect that some cultural organisations with political influence are indirectly escalating tensions by encouraging divisive narratives during public gatherings.

Meera drafts a multi-layered plan that includes strict legal action under relevant provisions, a multilingual grievance helpline, sensitisation programmes in industrial areas, mandatory anti-discrimination guidelines for factories, and partnerships with labour unions and community groups.

Opposition to her plan emerges immediately. Local trade associations fear that strict policing will disrupt hiring practices and harm small industries already facing economic stress. Cultural groups accuse the administration of undermining regional identity and argue that the increasing presence of migrants is eroding local culture. A few media channels portray Meera’s efforts as an attempt to favour outsiders, deepening the polarisation. Some political leaders privately advise her to slow down due to the sensitivity of the upcoming elections.

Simultaneously, labour welfare organisations, rights-based NGOs, and several industrialists express deep concern. They warn that delayed action will embolden extremist behaviour and cause large numbers of migrant workers to flee the district. This could severely disrupt essential services, supply chains, and industrial production. Meera feels torn between the duty to safeguard vulnerable workers and the need to maintain social stability, between enforcing the law with firmness and respecting cultural identity, and between administrative neutrality and political pressure.

Questions:

1. What are the main ethical dilemmas Meera faces in this situation?

2. Identify and analyse the conflicting values and principles involved in this case.

3. Evaluate the possible courses of action available to Meera and their likely consequences.

4. What should be Meera’s most ethical and administratively sound course of action to address language-based violence against migrant labourers? (250 words)

Q. “A civil servant’s success depends more on emotional competence than on cognitive ability.” Do you agree? Substantiate with examples. (150 words)

Q. “Innovation without compassion leads to exploitation.”In the era of AI, surveillance technologies, and digital monopolies, what ethical principles should technologically advanced nations uphold to prevent digital colonisation and ensure equitable technological access worldwide? (150 words)

Case Study

Ritika Sharma, the District Magistrate of a rapidly developing district, is confronted with worrying reports of a steady rise in drug use among students and young professionals. Over the past few weeks, multiple incidents have raised alarms: five college students were admitted to the district hospital after consuming synthetic drugs at a birthday party; police intercepted a courier parcel containing narcotics disguised as health supplements; and several school counsellors reported behavioural changes and absenteeism linked to possible substance abuse.

Preliminary investigations reveal that drugs are being distributed through encrypted messaging apps and anonymous digital wallets. Intelligence inputs point toward a network involving a local nightclub owner, a few influential businessmen, and some college staff who allegedly “look the other way” during campus events. Ritika proposes a plan involving targeted NDPS enforcement, surprise inspections, mandatory counselling sessions in institutions, and collaboration with parents and community groups.

However, as soon as the proposal is made public, pushback begins. Parents’ associations accuse the administration of “criminalising youth experimentation” and argue that harsh action may stigmatise students. The nightclub and hospitality lobby warns that raids and strict policing will harm the district’s business climate. A few NGOs frame the administration’s approach as intrusive and insist that addiction should be treated primarily as a health and rights-based issue. Local media channels run debates portraying the crackdown as moral policing rather than a public safety necessity. Politically connected individuals try to influence Ritika, advising her to avoid taking decisions that may create controversy before the upcoming local elections.

Simultaneously, the district’s anti-narcotics unit warns that delay could allow the emerging drug network to become entrenched. Medical professionals highlight a sharp increase in substance-related emergency cases and caution that untreated early-stage addiction can quickly escalate. Ritika finds herself torn between safeguarding youth welfare and respecting personal freedoms, between enforcing the law firmly and adopting a compassionate, rehabilitation-oriented approach. She is aware that her decision will have long-term implications for public health, administrative credibility, and trust between the youth and the state.

Questions

1. What are the main ethical dilemmas Ritika faces in this situation?

2. Identify and analyse the conflicting values and principles involved in this case.

3. Evaluate the possible courses of action available to Ritika and their likely consequences.

4. What should be Ritika’s most ethical and administratively sound course of action to address the rising drug problem?

Q. “Integrity is not an act but a habit formed through small, invisible choices.” Discuss how micro-decisions shape moral character, drawing upon Aristotle’s virtue ethics. (150 words)

Q. “Ethics lies in choosing the ‘right’ even when the ‘good’ seems more attractive.”
Discuss with reference to the conflict between deontological duty and consequentialist outcomes in public life. (150 words)

Case Study

Ananya Rao, an IPS officer serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber & Internal Security), is deeply troubled by intelligence inputs indicating a sharp rise in white-collar terrorism driven by the radicalisation of highly educated youth. Several recent incidents highlight this trend: engineering graduates developing encrypted communication tools for a banned extremist network, a finance professional funnelling cryptocurrency to foreign terror groups, and university students circulating extremist literature under the defence of intellectual debate.

Although strong digital evidence implicates certain tech entrepreneurs, academics, and online influencers in facilitating these activities, Ananya’s proposal for targeted surveillance, deplatforming recruiters, and initiating UAPA-based action faces intense criticism. Civil society groups accuse her of suppressing free speech and violating privacy norms. Influential educational institutions lobby political leadership to avoid “unnecessary scandal.” Media debates portray the crackdown as ideological policing rather than a national security imperative. Parents of the accused youth argue for leniency on the grounds of immaturity.

At the same time, central intelligence agencies warn that inaction may enable the growth of a covert terror ecosystem capable of cyber sabotage, financial crimes, and ideological infiltration of campuses. Ananya is torn between protecting civil liberties and addressing an urgent security threat. Her decision carries the risks of public controversy, political backlash, and potential legal challenges, but delaying action could compromise public safety and embolden extremist networks.

Questions:

A. What are the key ethical dilemmas faced by Ananya Rao in this situation?

B. Identify and analyse the conflicting values and ethical principles involved in this case.

C. Evaluate the possible courses of action available to Ananya and their likely consequences.

D. Suggest the most ethical and administratively prudent course of action that balances civil liberties with the need to counter rising radicalisation and white-collar terrorism.

Q. What are the essential features of good governance? Critically assess how e-Governance initiatives have contributed to enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in India.(150 words)

Q. Explain how moral intuition and moral reasoning together influence ethical judgment. Illustrate your answer with examples from civil services.(150 words)