Mains Practice Questions

Case Study

Mr. Chandrakant is a principal in a college. There is a professor who happens to be the brother-in-law of an MLA of the ruling Party. The professor’s behavior towards fellow female teachers and students is derogatory. Several females have accused him of harassing them. The victims have lodged several complaints about his behavior. They are also afraid of filing a police complaint against him as he has threatened them to spoil their career if they do so.

Mr. Chandrakant is in a dilemma. He wants to act against the professor, but he also fears the political backlash from the MLA and his party. He knows that the professor is misusing his power and influence to harass the females and violate their dignity and rights. He also knows that the victims are suffering from mental trauma and insecurity due to the professor's actions.

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

2. What are the options available for Mr. Chandrakant?

3. What should Mr. Chandrakant do and why?

Q. What are the main teachings of Socrates and how are they relevant for ethical decision making in public service? Illustrate with examples. (150 words)

Q. All Birds find shelter during a rain. But Eagle avoids rain by flying above the Clouds. Problems are common, but attitude makes the difference!!!” - APJ Abdul Kalam.

Analyze the meaning and implications of this quote for a civil servant. (150 words)

Case Study

You are a superintendent of police in a district that has a high incidence of crimes against women, such as rape, dowry harassment, domestic violence, etc. You have been trying to improve the situation by sensitizing the police personnel, creating awareness among the public, strengthening the legal and medical support systems, etc. However, you face many challenges and constraints in your efforts, such as lack of adequate staff and infrastructure, political interference and pressure, social stigma and prejudice, media sensationalism and trial by public opinion, etc. One day, you receive a call from a woman who claims that she has been gang-raped by four men who are influential and well-connected in the society. She says that she is afraid to go to the police station or the hospital as she fears for her safety and reputation. She requests you to help her.

1 What are the ethical dilemmas involved in this case?

2. What are the possible options available to you to deal with this situation?

3. What would be your preferred course of action and why?

Q. What do you understand by the term ‘ethical competence’? Why is it important for a civil servant to develop ethical competence? (150 words)

Q. What do you understand by the term 'emotional intelligence'? How does it differ from general intelligence (IQ)? Explain with examples how emotional intelligence can be useful for a civil servant in dealing with various stakeholders.

Case Study

You work in a government office, and due to your expertise and trustworthiness, you have been selected to serve on election duty. Your role involves ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process by overseeing the polling station operations, maintaining the voting machines, and monitoring the conduct of election officials.

During the election, you observe a fellow election official who happens to be your good friend engaging in misconduct. The official is manipulating the voting process by favouring a particular political party, allowing unauthorized individuals to vote multiple times, and suppressing votes from certain demographics. You are aware that the actions of this official compromise the integrity of the election and violate the principles of fairness and impartiality.

How do you balance your duty to the election process with potential personal consequences?

Q. Analyze the ethical considerations surrounding the use of gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas 9, in human embryos and its potential impact on future generations. (150 words)

Q. Examine the ethical challenges posed by the rise of automation and artificial intelligence in the workplace, including concerns about job displacement, inequality, and the need for retraining and upskilling. (250 Words)

Case Study

You are the CEO of XYZ Corporation, a multinational conglomerate. The company appoints a new manager, Mr. Rakesh, known for prioritizing short-term profitability and cost-cutting measures. Under his leadership, the company's financial performance improves, but ethical concerns arise.

Mr. Rakesh implements strategies that include capital infusion through debts and over pressurising the employees to work, resulting a significant increase in company’s profitability. Through his policies Company’s shareholder value started increasing and very soon, Mr. Rakesh earns a good reputation image in the eyes of the Board of the directors.

Gradually, the employees start leaving the company. During the initial inquiries you come to know that its Rakesh’s unruly behaviour because of which the employees are leaving. You also come to know that the policies of Rakesh will boost the profits for a short term, but they’re not suitable for sustainability in the long run. The cosy picture that Mr Rakesh has presented is not entirely true. He manipulates financial statements using regulatory loopholes, artificially inflating the company's profitability. This practice attracts investors but questions the accuracy and transparency of financial reporting.

What are the ethical issues involved and what options are available to you to handle this situation?

Q. Examine the ethical issues of government surveillance programs in the context of privacy and individual freedoms. (150 Words)

Q. What are the ethical dilemmas of prioritizing economic development over environmental conservation? (150 Words)

You are the Superintendent of Police of a district that has seen a significant increase in the number of crimes against women, including rape and domestic violence. The district is also home to a large number of migrant workers, who are often vulnerable to exploitation and abuse by employers. The district administration has limited resources, and the police force is understaffed and overworked. Recently, a local NGO has approached you with a proposal to set up a dedicated helpline for women and migrant workers in the district. However, the proposal involves the allocation of a significant amount of funds from the police budget, which may affect the police force's operational capabilities.

What options are available to the Superintendent of Police in this situation? Discuss the merits and demerits of each option and suggest a course of action. (250 Words)

Q. What is the role of morality in shaping human behavior? Discuss the importance of ethical values in personal and professional life. (150 words)

Q. What is emotional intelligence? Discuss its relevance in the context of public service. (250 words)

Case Study

As a Superintendent of Police in a district in Uttar Pradesh, you are facing a challenging situation following the recent killing of a gangster-turned-politician, which took place in police custody. The gangster belonged to a minority community. Situation took a communal colour as the incident was caught live on camera, and the footage has been widely shared on social media, triggering protests by the supporters of the deceased. Assailants were arrested immediately after the attack. There is also a possibility of looming communal riots in the district.

This has led to immense political pressure on the police department to solve the case quickly and bring the culprits to justice. Additionally, there are questions being raised about the security measures taken by the officers deployed to protect the gangster, leading to a lapse in security.

As a police officer, what are your duties and responsibilities in handling the political pressure, conducting an impartial investigation, ensuring that justice is served, and addressing the issues related to the security lapse?

Q. "The ethical dilemmas faced by public servants in modern times are complex and challenging." Discuss with examples. (150 Words)

Q. Discuss the ethical implications of using artificial intelligence in decision-making processes. (150 words)

Case Study

You are an IAS officer posted in a district known for its high rate of farmer suicides due to crop failures. The district has received special attention from the government, and several schemes and policies have been implemented to help the farmers. However, despite these efforts, the number of suicides has not decreased, and the situation seems to be worsening.

During a routine visit to one of the affected villages, you come across a farmer who tells you that the local officials have been demanding bribes for the release of funds under the government schemes. He also tells you that the local officials have been inflating the cost of the projects and pocketing the extra money. The farmer tells you that he has already spent all his savings on his failed crops and cannot afford to pay any more bribes.

You are aware that acting against the officials may result in political pressure and backlash, and it may also jeopardize your own career. However, you also know that if you do nothing, the situation will continue to deteriorate, and more lives will be lost.

What would you do in this situation? How would you balance your duty to serve the people with the potential risks to your career and personal safety?

Q. What do you understand by the Integrity pacts? In light of recent events, analyze their utility in ensuring transparency and efficiency in public procurement in India? (150 words)

Q. “Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.” What does this quote mean in the present context? (150 words)

Case Study

You are the Mayor of a town/city that has recently seen a rise in cases of dog bites. The local community is concerned about the safety of their children and pets, and they have started to demand action from the authorities. As the Mayor, you are responsible for addressing this issue and ensuring the safety of the community.

Upon investigating the issue, you have discovered that many of the dogs in the area are strays, and some are owned by people who do not take proper care of them. You also found that the local dog population has grown significantly in recent years, and there is no effective system in place to monitor or control it.

What would you do in this situation?

Q. Codes of ethics and codes of conduct are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings and functions. Explain the differences between codes of ethics and codes of conduct and provide examples of each. (150 words)

Q. The Right to Information (RTI) Act is considered a cornerstone of transparency and accountability in democratic societies. Discuss the ethical implications and utility of RTI in promoting good governance and social justice. Analyze with suitable examples. (150 words)

Case Study

You are a government employee working in the Ministry of Finance. You are responsible for reviewing and approving financial transactions. One day, you receive a request for approval to transfer a large sum of money to a foreign bank account. The request is made by a senior official in your ministry. You are suspicious of the request and ask the official to explain why the money is being transferred. The official tells you that the money is for a secret project that is being carried out by the government. You are not satisfied with this explanation and ask the official to provide you with more information. The official refuses to provide you with any further information and tells you that you must approve the transfer of the money, or you will be fired.

Q. What should you do in this situation?

Q. How does corporate social responsibility impact Indian society and what are some potential benefits and challenges in implementation of corporate social responsibility? (150 words)

Q. What are the challenges of upholding ethical standards in public service? (150 words)

Case Study

Nila, a civil servant, is appointed as a District Magistrate in a remote and tribal-dominated region. The region has been facing several challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, high unemployment rates, and lack of access to basic amenities. The tribal population in the area is predominantly dependent on farming and forest produce for their livelihood. However, due to industrialization and urbanization, their land and forests are being taken over by big corporations for mining, deforestation, and other projects, leading to displacement and loss of livelihood for the local population.

As the District Magistrate, Nila is tasked with maintaining law and order, ensuring the welfare of the citizens, and promoting development in the region. She is also responsible for facilitating the smooth functioning of the projects undertaken by the corporations, which are expected to bring in investments and job opportunities for the locals.

However, as she spends more time in the region, Nila realizes that the projects are causing irreparable damage to the environment, depleting natural resources, and violating the rights of the tribal population. She also learns that the corporations are indulging in corrupt practices and exploiting the locals for cheap labor. On the other hand, Nila also understands that the region urgently needs investments and job opportunities to improve the standard of living of the locals.

What should Nila do in such a situation? What ethical principles should guide her decision-making process?

Q. Discuss the significance of integrity in public administration and the measures that can be taken to foster a culture of integrity in the civil service. (150 words)

Q. What is the relationship between ethics and aptitude? How does a person's moral character affect their ability to make rational decisions and act in the best interest of society? (150 words)