- Filter By :
- Theoretical Questions
- Case Studies
Total Questions : 567
-
Case Study
You are the head coach of a state football team preparing for the National Cup finals. Two days before the final match, you witness your star striker, who is crucial to the team's strategy and morale, using a performance-enhancing drug. This drug is undetectable by current testing methods. On confronting him, he expresses deep remorse and begs you not to report him, as it would end his career and possibly result in stripping the team of all their tournament victories.
As you grapple with this revelation, you realize the magnitude of your decision. Playing him risks the integrity of the sport and your personal ethics, but benching or reporting him could cost your nation its first-ever National Cup title. The hopes of fans rest on this match, and the economic impact of winning would be significant for your state. You must decide quickly whether to play him, bench him with a cover story, or report the violation to the authorities, knowing each choice carries profound consequences for the player, the team, and the sport itself.
1. What are the ethical dilemmas involved in this situation?
2. As the head coach, what would be your immediate course of action and why?
3. How can the current system of monitoring and preventing the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports be improved to address situations like this in the future?
26 Jul, 2024 GS Paper 4 Case Studies -
Q. “Happiness is the activity of the soul in accordance with virtue.” - Aristotle
25 Jul, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions
Discuss the relationship between virtue, character, and happiness in the context of public service.(150 words) -
Q.Discuss the relationship between law and ethics. How do they complement and conflict with each other? (150 words)
25 Jul, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Case Study
You are the captain of a space exploration mission to Mars. Six months into the journey, a critical life support system malfunctions. After careful analysis, your engineer determines that the system can be repaired, but it requires a specialized part that can only be 3D printed using a rare material. There's enough of this material on board to either print the part or to continue producing essential medication for one of your crew members with a chronic condition.
If you choose to repair the life support system, all crew members will survive the journey, but the one crew member will likely suffer severe health complications. If you continue producing the medication, that crew member will remain stable, but the faulty life support system significantly increases the risk of mission failure and potential loss of all lives on board.
The crew member in question is your most experienced engineer, crucial for the mission's success on Mars. Earth is too far away to provide immediate assistance, and your decision must be made within 24 hours. Your choice will have profound implications for the mission, the lives of your crew, and potentially the future of space exploration.
1. What are the ethical dilemmas involved in this case?
2. How should a leader balance the ethical principles of non-maleficence and beneficence in this critical situation?
3. What lessons can be learned from this scenario to improve contingency planning and resource allocation?
19 Jul, 2024 GS Paper 4 Case Studies -
Q. "Arise, Awake and stop not till the goal is reached."- Swami Vivekananda. What ethical principles can guide us in achieving our goals without compromising our values? (150 words)
18 Jul, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Q. Discuss the concept of "natural law" and its place in ethical reasoning. Do you believe there are universal moral laws inherent in nature? (150 words)
18 Jul, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Case Study
You are the newly appointed Principal of a prestigious government school in a small town.The school desperately needs upgrades – the science labs are outdated, the computer room has only a few working machines, and the library needs expansion.
You had invited a local politician to the school for the 15th of August celebrations, during which he announced his intention to make a significant donation. However, in a private meeting afterward, he also insisted that the renovation contract and purchase of equipment be awarded to a company owned by one of his relatives. However, the company is known for supplying substandard materials.
The donation would cover all these improvements and more, potentially transforming educational opportunities for the students.Some teachers and parents are opposed to accepting these funds under such conditions, while others argue that the students' needs should come first. Your decision will impact the school's future, its reputation, and the education of hundreds of students.
1. What are the key stakeholders in this situation?
2. What are the ethical dilemmas involved in this situation?
3. What decision will you make regarding the donation, and what is your rationale behind it?
12 Jul, 2024 GS Paper 4 Case Studies -
Q. Peace is not the absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means." What qualities and approaches are necessary to resolve conflicts ethically and peacefully? (150 words)
11 Jul, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Q. Explain the concept of cardinal virtues and how they can be applied to ethical decision-making in a bureaucratic environment. (150 words)
11 Jul, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Case Study
You are the Superintendent of Police in a city hosting a major religious festival. The event is expected to draw over a million pilgrims to a sacred site with limited infrastructure. Despite careful planning, a sudden surge in the crowd near the main shrine entrance has resulted in a stampede. Initial reports indicate multiple casualties and injuries, with panic spreading rapidly through the dense crowd.
The narrow streets around the shrine complex are congested, making it difficult for emergency vehicles to access the area. False rumors are spreading rapidly on social media, claiming that the stampede was caused by a terrorist attack, leading to increased panic and the potential for communal tensions.Your actions in the next few hours will be crucial in minimizing casualties and preventing the situation from escalating further.
1. Identify the key stakeholders involved in this case.
2. What immediate measures should be taken to prevent further casualties and manage the aftermath of the stampede?
3. Discuss the long-term strategies that need to be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future and enhance the safety of large public gatherings
05 Jul, 2024 GS Paper 4 Case Studies -
Q. Discuss how ethical egoism and ethical altruism influence decision-making in a professional setting. (150 words)
04 Jul, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Q. Discuss how the principles of Gandhian ethics can be applied in the context of contemporary public service? (150 words)
04 Jul, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Case Study
You are the District Collector of a drought-prone area. The government has allocated funds for a major irrigation project that promises to benefit thousands of farmers. However, during the initial survey, it's discovered that the project will require the displacement of a small tribal community of 500 people from their ancestral lands. The community lacks formal land ownership documents but has been living there for generations. They are unwilling to move, citing cultural and spiritual connections to the land.
As you begin stakeholder consultations, you learn that some influential local politicians and businessmen stand to gain significantly from the irrigation project. They are pressuring you to expedite the process and minimize interaction with the tribal community. Meanwhile, a group of environmental activists has raised concerns about the project's potential negative impact on the local ecosystem, particularly on a rare species of fish found only in the river that will be diverted for irrigation. You have to navigate the situation with sensitivity and balance competing interests.
A. What are the stakeholders involved in this case?
B. What are the ethical dilemmas you face as the District Collector in this situation?
C. Outline the steps you would take to address this situation, ensuring a balance between development goals and the rights of the tribal community. How would you ensure transparency and fairness in the process?
28 Jun, 2024 GS Paper 4 Case Studies -
Q. The concept of intrinsic value suggests that nature has value independent of its utility to humans. Discuss the ethical implications of this perspective on environmental policymaking. (150 words)
27 Jun, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Q. Compare and contrast Virtue Ethics with Consequentialism. Which approach do you think is most valuable for building a strong ethical character in a civil servant? (150 words)
27 Jun, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Case Study
You are the District Collector of a coastal district. A severe cyclone is expected to make landfall in your district within 48 hours. The meteorological department has issued a red alert, warning of wind speeds up to 150 km/h, heavy rainfall, and potential storm surges.
Your district has a population of about 5 lakh people, with 2 lakh living in low-lying coastal areas at high risk of flooding. The district has limited evacuation centers, and moving such a large number of people on short notice poses significant logistical challenges. The district hospital is located in a low-lying area and houses 200 patients, including 50 in the ICU. Moving them would be risky and time-consuming.
Additionally, there's a large fishing community that is reluctant to leave their boats and homes, as they fear looting in their absence. Many of them also doubt the severity of the weather forecast, based on past experiences where cyclone warnings didn't materialize into major events.
Questions:
1. Who are the key stakeholders involved in this case?
2. What immediate course of action will you take to ensure the safety and evacuation of the population, particularly those in high-risk areas?
3. What long-term measures can be implemented to improve disaster preparedness and resilience in your coastal district?
21 Jun, 2024 GS Paper 4 Case Studies -
Q. Critically examine the relationship between rights and duties in a democracy. How do individual rights sometimes come into conflict with societal duties? (150 words)
20 Jun, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Q. Explore the contrasting approaches of the Ethics of Care and the Ethics of Justice. Discuss how a civil servant might navigate situations where these ethical principles seem to conflict. (150 words)
20 Jun, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Case Study
As the Superintendent of Police in Reasi, you have just received a distressing report about a terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims. The strike, which claimed the lives of nine civilians, has sent shockwaves through the region, shattering the relative calm that had prevailed in recent years.
The timing of the attack could not be more precarious, as the region gears up for the upcoming assembly elections. You now find yourself at a critical juncture, tasked with immediate relief measures and devising a comprehensive strategy to address this resurgence of terrorist activities while maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety of civilians.
Political tensions are running high, and any misstep in your response could have far-reaching consequences for the entire Union Territory.
1. What are the key stakeholders involved in this case?
2. What will be your immediate course of action as the Superintendent of Police?
3. What will be your long-term strategy to address the resurgence of terrorist activities and maintain peace in the region?
14 Jun, 2024 GS Paper 4 Case Studies -
Q. Ethical relativism suggests morality is relative to a particular culture or society. Discuss. (150 words)
13 Jun, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Q. Analyze the ethical concerns surrounding social media use by public servants. Propose guidelines for ethical conduct based on public service values. (150 words)
13 Jun, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Case Study
In Chandrapur, the local administration faced a dilemma as the Shivaji Stadium, a beloved but deteriorating venue for local sports, neared collapse. Concurrently, the town's economy was suffering from the closure of coal mines, leading to rising unemployment and the problem of migration. Serendipitously, two proposals landed on the District Collector's desk. A company offered to build a shopping complex on the stadium land, promising jobs for thousands, while Sports Authority of India proposed transforming the stadium into a multi-sport training academy to preserve local sports culture and potentially gain national recognition.
Both proposals required the entire stadium land, sparking heated debates at town hall meetings. Former athletes, unemployed miners, and young sports enthusiasts weighed in, torn between economic stability and preserving their sporting heritage. As the District Collector, you have to navigate this situation.
1. What are the stakeholders involved in the decision-making process for the future of Shivaji Stadium?
2. Discuss the potential socio-economic impacts of both decisions (tech park and sports complex) on Chandrapur.
3. What strategies can the District Collector employ to ensure sustainable long-term development and prosperity for Chandrapur?
07 Jun, 2024 GS Paper 4 Case Studies -
Q. Distinguish between distributive justice and procedural justice. How can principles of equity be incorporated into legal and social frameworks to ensure a just society? (150 words)
06 Jun, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Q. Discuss the ethical theories of utilitarianism and deontology. How do these theories differ in their approach to decision-making? (150 words)
06 Jun, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Case Study
You are the newly appointed Secretary of the School Education and Literacy Department in a state known for the deep-rooted influence of the publishing mafia. As the Secretary, you face two major challenges. First, the mafia exploits the government's free book distribution scheme by colluding with officials to demand commissions, causing financial losses and compromising book quality. Second, they manipulate private school textbook purchases, forcing schools to buy expensive textbooks under the guise of quality education, which burdens students and families financially.
Your predecessor, an honest officer, attempted to tackle these issues but faced severe resistance from the publishing mafia, leading to their resignation. Determined to combat this mafia, you must solve this issue and ensure a fair and transparent system for textbook procurement and distribution.
1. What are the stakeholders involved in this case?
2. How would you address the exploitation of the government's free book distribution scheme by the publishing mafia?
3. What long-term strategies would you implement to ensure a fair, transparent, and high-quality textbook distribution system for all students?
31 May, 2024 GS Paper 4 Case Studies -
Q. Discuss the concept of conflict of interest in public service. How should a civil servant handle situations where personal interests clash with professional duties? (150 words)
30 May, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Q. Emerging Brain computer interface technologies are blurring the lines between human and machine interaction. Analyze the ethical implications associated with advancements in BCIs. (150 words)
30 May, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Case Study
You are the District Magistrate of a hilly region in India. The central government has proposed a high-speed rail project that would pass through your district. The project promises significant economic benefits, including job creation and improved connectivity.
However, the project also faces opposition from environmental groups who argue that it will cause deforestation, disrupt wildlife corridors, and lead to increased pollution. Some environmental groups are also protesting highlighting the ecological threats of the project.
Local farmers are also concerned about the acquisition of their land for the project. As the District Magistrate, you have the responsibility of maintaining law and order and addressing various stakeholders' concerns.
Questions:
1. What are the stakeholders involved in this case?
2. As the District Magistrate, what are the various options available to you? Mention the pros and cons of each option.
3. Which option would you choose and why? Justify your decision using relevant ethical principles.
24 May, 2024 GS Paper 4 Case Studies -
Q. "Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching." - C.S. Lewis. Discuss in the context of ethical conduct in public administration and its impact on public trust. (150 words)
23 May, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions -
Q. Analyze the impact of compassion on policy making and its importance in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. (150 words)
23 May, 2024 GS Paper 4 Theoretical Questions