Mains Practice Questions

Case Study

Vikram is an environmental officer working with a state government’s department responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations in the construction and industrial sectors. Recently, a large real estate company has proposed a new residential complex on the outskirts of the city, and Vikram’s department is tasked with evaluating the environmental impact of the project. The company has submitted the required Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, which states that the construction will have minimal impact on the local environment.

While reviewing the report, Vikram notices several discrepancies and omissions. Key details about the impact on local wildlife, soil quality, and water sources have either been underrepresented or completely ignored in the report. Vikram’s initial analysis suggests that the construction could have significant adverse effects on the local ecosystem, but the developers have provided a large donation to a local charity that Vikram's department is associated with. The charity has funded several environmental initiatives in the past, and Vikram is aware that this donation will enhance the department’s reputation and attract further funding.

Furthermore, Vikram’s superior, the head of the department, has publicly praised the development as a much-needed project for the city’s growth and has hinted that the real estate company might receive expedited approval if the environmental report is favorable.

Vikram feels torn between his duty to uphold environmental regulations, his concern about the long-term ecological consequences, and the pressure to support the development in exchange for future funding opportunities for his department.

Questions:

a) What should Vikram’s course of action be in this situation to ensure the integrity of the environmental review process?

b) How can Vikram justify his decision if the real estate company pressures him to approve the report despite the discrepancies?

c) How do personal interests and external pressures compromise environmental ethics in this case, and what measures can be taken to prevent such conflicts in future projects?

Q. “Sustained ethical behaviour in public service demands not just conviction, but also psychological resilience.” Discuss the phenomenon of ‘ethical fatigue’ and how to address it in the civil services. (150 words)

Q. "Integrity without compassion is rigidity, and compassion without integrity is weakness."
Discuss the significance of balancing integrity and compassion in public service. Illustrate with suitable examples. (150 words)

Case Study

As the District Collector of a Suratwada district, you are overseeing a government-funded rural development project aimed at improving infrastructure. However, you soon discover that several contractors awarded the contracts for building roads, sanitation systems, and affordable housing have strong political ties to local and state-level politicians. These contractors, despite a history of substandard work and financial mismanagement in previous projects, continue to be awarded lucrative tenders due to their political leverage.

Upon reviewing the project, you uncover that funds are being misused, with inflated costs and substandard materials being used in construction. Corrupt local officials are found to be complicit in manipulating the approval process. Despite knowing this, you face immense pressure from both your political superiors and influential local figures to allow the project to continue without intervention. Exposing the corruption could stall the project, affecting the district’s development and potentially harming your career, as the political backlash could lead to your transfer or disciplinary action.

You are caught in a dilemma: Should you expose the corruption and risk your career and the completion of the project, or turn a blind eye, knowing that doing so would compromise your ethical duty to the public? The decision is further complicated by the knowledge that your actions could affect both the future of the project and your ability to carry out governance in the district.

Questions:

1. What options are available to you to ensure that the corruption in the project is thoroughly investigated, while minimizing disruption to public services?

2. What course of action would you take to maintain your integrity and balance the investigation with the need for continued public service delivery?

3. What long-term reforms would you consider implementing in your district to prevent similar situations of corruption in future government projects, and how would you ensure that such reforms gain traction in the face of political and administrative resistance?

Q. “Compassion is a necessity, not a luxury. Without it, humanity cannot survive.” How can public servants institutionalize compassion without compromising on rule-based governance? (150 words)

Q. "In an era of institutional accountability and performance metrics, is there still space for altruism in public administration? Discuss. (150 words)

Case Study

Anjali Verma, a young and highly motivated Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, has been assigned to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for over a year. She is a diligent and conscientious officer, known for her hard work and commitment to upholding the law. Recently, Anjali was tasked with overseeing an operation involving the raid of a well-known business conglomerate in the city. The company, owned by an influential businessman, is suspected of large-scale tax evasion, money laundering, and illegal financial transactions.

As the raid unfolds, Anjali’s team discovers significant evidence of financial irregularities, including hidden assets and unreported foreign bank accounts. However, just as the raid is about to conclude, Anjali receives an anonymous phone call suggesting that a close relative of hers, who works at a senior position in the same conglomerate, might be involved in the illicit activities. The caller, however, provides no concrete proof, only a vague assertion.

Anjali is now at a moral and professional crossroads. She has always been fiercely dedicated to her role, ensuring that justice is done, regardless of the social or political consequences. However, this new revelation about her relative raises concerns for her personal life. Anjali fears that pursuing the investigation against her relative could cause her family immense distress and create a personal conflict, potentially affecting her career and her relationship with her relatives.

The business empire is well-connected in both business and political circles, and there are pressures from influential figures suggesting that the raid should be concluded swiftly with minimal fallout. Despite this, Anjali feels compelled to continue the investigation, as she believes that the evidence uncovered so far indicates serious financial crimes.

Her immediate superior has asked her to provide a report on the raid and suggested that the case be handled carefully, without any unnecessary escalation. Anjali is under intense pressure to balance the integrity of the investigation with the personal and professional repercussions she might face if she pursues her relative’s involvement in the case.

Questions:

1. What are the key ethical dilemmas involved in the situation?

2. What would be the most appropriate course of action for Anjali, also discuss what ethical framework should guide her to resolve ethical dilemmas.

3. What long-term strategies can be implemented to support investigation officers in maintaining professional integrity and impartiality in high-profile investigations?

Q. The rise of cryptocurrencies presents a paradox between financial freedom and the potential for harm in terms of market instability and misuse. In light of key ethical principles, critically assess the ethical challenges posed by cryptocurrencies in India. (150 words)

Q. "In the context of ethical governance, how can the virtue of temperance guide decision-making in addressing issues such as inequality and environmental sustainability? (150 words)

Case Study

Vikram is an urban planner in a fast-growing metropolitan city. His department has been tasked with overseeing the redevelopment of an old industrial area into a modern residential neighborhood. The project promises to rejuvenate a dilapidated part of the city and provide affordable housing for hundreds of families. However, the area in question is also home to a vibrant but lower-income community that has lived there for decades.

While the local government has promised that the redevelopment will bring economic opportunities and better living standards, Vikram has begun to uncover troubling details. Many of the residents have been living there for years and have a strong social and cultural attachment to the area. They also run small businesses that are crucial for their livelihoods. The redevelopment plan includes tearing down their homes and businesses, displacing them, and relocating them to a different part of the city, far from their current community and support systems. Moreover, there is a lack of detailed information on how the government will ensure affordable housing for the displaced families or whether they will be properly compensated.

Vikram is also aware that there are significant financial interests behind the project. Several influential real estate developers stand to gain immensely from the redevelopment, and their lobbying efforts have heavily influenced the planning process. Vikram, who was initially excited about the project’s potential to revitalize the city, now feels conflicted. On one hand, the redevelopment could bring economic growth, but on the other hand, it may cause social harm to the marginalized community that lives there.

As the project progresses, Vikram is put under pressure by his superiors to approve the project without further scrutiny, as delays could risk funding and affect the city’s overall development plan. He is aware that his career could suffer if he raises objections or calls for a review of the plan. At the same time, he is troubled by the ethical implications of displacing vulnerable communities for the sake of economic development and real estate profit.

Questions:

1. What are the key ethical dilemmas involved in this situation?
2. How should Vikram handle the apparent conflict of interest in this situation, with powerful developers pushing for the project and the displacement of a marginalized community?
3. Can economic growth justify the displacement of a community? What ethical principles should guide policymakers when planning such development projects.

Q. "Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows." - Martin Luther King, Jr. In the context of the above quote, discuss whether lasting peace can be achieved through violent means, or if non-violence is the only ethical way to attain peace. (150 words)

Q. Is ethical relativism a valid approach to governance in a multicultural society like India? Discuss its implications on policy formulation. (150 words)

Case Study

Meera is a senior executive at a publicly listed company in India, specializing in renewable energy projects. The company is in the process of bidding for a government contract to build a large solar power plant in a remote region. The contract is highly competitive, with several top-tier companies vying for it, and winning it would bring significant financial gain and visibility to Meera’s company.

A few months prior, Meera’s brother-in-law, Rajiv, was appointed as a senior official in the Ministry of Renewable Energy, the very ministry responsible for overseeing and awarding the contract. Meera and Rajiv have a close relationship, and although she knows that Rajiv has a strong professional reputation, she is also aware that he is under considerable pressure to ensure the success of the government’s solar power initiatives.

Meera’s company is one of the top contenders for the bid, but she learns that Rajiv may be in a position to influence the decision-making process, and there is a possibility that Rajiv might help her company’s bid, albeit subtly, given their personal relationship. Meera feels conflicted: while she knows her company is capable of delivering on the contract, she is aware that her family connection with Rajiv could create a perception of conflict of interest and lead to accusations of favoritism.

Meera’s dilemma is compounded by the fact that the company’s shareholders are pushing for aggressive expansion and winning this contract could significantly increase the company’s market value. However, Meera is also deeply concerned about maintaining ethical standards, public perception, and the integrity of both her personal and professional reputation.

Questions:
a) What are the key ethical dilemmas involved in this situation?
b) What steps should Meera take to ensure that her involvement in the bidding process remains ethical and transparent, given her personal connection to Rajiv?
c) What are the potential risks of allowing personal relationships to influence corporate governance decisions, particularly in public sector contracts, and how can these risks affect the company’s long-term success?

Q. How does objectivity differ from neutrality and impartiality? Illustrate your answer with suitable examples from public service. (150 words)

Q. Can human actions be considered ethical if they violate societal norms but serve a higher moral purpose? Discuss with examples. (150 words)

Case Study:

As an Airworthiness Officer with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), you have been assigned to conduct a post-crash safety audit following a tragic incident involving a major airline. A commercial aircraft operated by the airline crashed, resulting in fatalities, civilian property damage, and significant public concern over the safety of air travel.

During your audit, you uncover alarming issues with the airline's operations. These include recurring technical faults in the fleet, such as flight control irregularities, as well as incomplete and inconsistent maintenance logs. Despite multiple complaints from crew members over the years, these concerns were neither properly addressed nor escalated by the airline’s management.

Additionally, you find that the airline has inadequately maintained crew training records, casting doubt on the airline’s compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards. A crew member further alleges that the crashed aircraft had known mechanical issues and that staff complaints had been ignored for an extended period.

The airline is part of a well-connected and influential business group, with a strong public image. A senior executive from the airline downplays the severity of the issues, insisting they are minor and will be resolved. Furthermore, your superior has informally advised you to tread lightly, suggesting that highlighting these problems could harm national morale and cause a political backlash.

You are now faced with a difficult decision: should you file a thorough and detailed report of your findings, which could potentially trigger urgent reforms in the airline’s operations but may provoke political and personal risk? Alternatively, should you withhold certain findings to avoid causing harm to the airline’s reputation and national sentiment, despite the potential risks to public safety?

Questions:

(a) What are the key ethical issues present in this case? Highlight the conflicting duties and interests affecting your judgment.

(b) What are the options available to you? Discuss the merits and demerits of each.

(c) Which option would you choose and why? Justify your decision using relevant ethical principles and the responsibilities of a regulatory authority during a crisis.

Q. How does this quotation by John C. Maxwell, "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way," apply to civil servants in the current context? (150 words)

Q. Attitude plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of civil servants. How does a positive attitude contribute to efficient civil service, and what personal and external factors influence the development of this attitude? (150 words)

Case Study:

You are a senior surgeon in a prestigious hospital in Bengaluru, known for its state-of-the-art facilities and high-profile patient base. During a routine audit of the hospital’s procurement and billing practices, you uncover a troubling scenario-the hospital’s administration is involved in a practice where certain high-cost medical supplies and treatments are being marked up exorbitantly, even though alternative, more affordable options are available.

The hospital has entered into a partnership with several suppliers, ensuring that these high-cost supplies are purchased exclusively, despite their high price and limited effectiveness compared to other alternatives.As the chairperson of the Ethical Medical Practitioners Association, you are deeply concerned about the implications of these practices on patient care and financial sustainability.

However, some senior doctors in your hospital, who are benefiting from kickbacks provided by the suppliers, urge you to remain silent about the issue to avoid disrupting hospital operations and to preserve their personal benefits. They argue that the inflated prices are helping to maintain the hospital’s high profit margins, which are crucial for its survival and continued growth.

Questions:
(a) Identify the main stakeholders and ethical issues involved.
(b) Analyze the potential consequences of exposing the unethical practices for both the hospital and the healthcare system.
(c) What actions would you take in this situation, and what ethical principles would guide your decision-making process?

Q. What does this quotation mean to you in the present context: “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.’’-Oscar Wilde (150 words)

Q. How does integrity serve as a source of strength and empowerment in an individual's life? Illustrate with examples. (150 words)

Case Study:

A well-established Indian food products company recently developed a new product intended for the international market. After securing all necessary approvals, the company began exporting the product and proudly announced its success. It further assured consumers that the same high-quality and health-beneficial product would soon be made available in the Indian market.

Following due process, the product received approval from the relevant domestic authority and was launched for Indian consumers. Over time, the product gained significant market share and contributed substantially to the company’s profits, both in India and abroad.

However, during a routine inspection, a random sample test revealed that the version of the product sold domestically did not comply with the standards approved by the competent authority. Further investigations uncovered that the company had been selling substandard products in India, including items that had been rejected for export due to quality issues.

This revelation caused public outrage, tarnished the company’s image, and led to a sharp decline in its profitability and consumer trust.

Questions:

1. Identify and analyze the ethical issues present in this case. Discuss the competing values and responsibilities involved.

2. What actions should the competent authority take against the company?

3. What remedial measures can the company adopt to manage the crisis, regain consumer trust, and restore its public reputation?

Q. Discuss the relevance of John Rawls’s theory of social justice in the Indian socio-political context. (150 Words)

Q. In the context of the defense services, patriotism often entails a willingness to sacrifice one's life for the nation. What does patriotism mean in everyday civilian life? Illustrate your answer with examples. (150 Words)

Case Study:

As the Sarpanch of a village Panchayat, you oversee a government-run primary school that provides midday meals to its students. Recently, a new cook was appointed as per government norms, following due process and eligibility criteria. However, it emerges that the cook belongs to a Scheduled Caste community. A section of parents, influenced by caste prejudices, begins to prevent their children from consuming the meals. As a result, school attendance drops, raising concerns about the continuity of the midday meal scheme, teacher retention, and even the functioning of the school itself.

This situation threatens not just the education of children but also social harmony, inclusion, and the credibility of public welfare programs.

Questions:

1. What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Sarpanch?

2. What steps can the Sarpanch take to resolve the caste-based conflict and restore school attendance?

3. How can different stakeholders support inclusive practices in public services?

Q. How does corruption hinder national development, and what were Kautilya's views on tackling corruption within governance?(150 Words)

Q. What does the term 'voice of conscience' mean to you, and how can one train themselves to listen and respond to it effectively? (150 Words)

Case Study

You are a young field athlete, proudly representing India in your debut at an international championship. While staying at the athletes' village, you accidentally enter the common restroom and see a few senior team members injecting themselves with an unidentified substance. Suspicious, you ask them about it. They explain that it's a ‘recovery booster, a performance-enhancing drug (PED) that supposedly helps with endurance and muscle repair.

They further suggest that using it is common practice, especially in global competitions, and if you want to remain competitive and secure your place in the team, you should consider taking it too. Later, while contemplating whether to approach the coach, you learn from another junior athlete that the team coach is not only aware but has allegedly recommended its use, citing ‘national interest’ and ‘medal pressure.’

Questions:

(a) What are the key ethical dilemmas involved in this situation?

(b) What are the possible courses of action available to you in this scenario?

(c) What course of action would you choose and why?

Q. What are the key components of emotional intelligence, and to what extent can they be developed through learning and experience?(150 words)

Q. A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live-Martin Luther King Jr. What does this quotation convey to you in the present context? (150 words)