Mains Practice Questions

Approach:

• Introduce the answer by giving a reference to justify the quote of the question and brief about Ethical pragmatism
• Delve into the Importance of a Strong Moral Compass and Limitations of Moral Absolutism in Governance
• Highlight the Role of Ethical Pragmatism in Administrative Decision-Making
• Conclude with a quote.

Introduction:

In the Mahabharata, Yudhishthira, despite his deep commitment to truth, declares “Ashwathama is dead” with deliberate ambiguity to defeat Dronacharya, prioritizing the greater good over rigid moral absolutism.

• This episode reflects the essence of ethical pragmatism—where civil servants, too, must balance idealism with practical judgment in complex administrative situations.

Body:

Importance of a Strong Moral Compass

• A moral compass refers to the internal guiding principles that help public servants distinguish right from wrong. It ensures:
  • Integrity and honesty in decision-making
  • Accountability and public trust
  • Resistance to corruption and unethical influences
  • Alignment with constitutional values such as justice, equality, and empathy
• Example: A morally grounded officer will refuse bribes even under pressure or temptation, upholding probity in public life.

Limitations of Moral Absolutism in Governance

• Moral absolutism is the unwavering application of moral principles, regardless of context or consequences. While well-intentioned, it may clash with real-world complexities, such as:
  • Conflicting values: Law vs compassion, transparency vs national security
  • Administrative constraints: Limited resources, political realities, or public sentiment
  • Diverse socio-cultural contexts: What is ethical in one setting may be harmful in another
• Example: A strict enforcement of eviction laws during a humanitarian crisis (e.g., floods) may displace vulnerable people without offering alternatives—morally 'right' by law but ethically questionable.

Thus, ethical pragmatism becomes essential to balance rule-based integrity with context-sensitive compassion, enabling decisions that are both morally grounded and practically viable.

Role of Ethical Pragmatism in Administrative Decision-Making:

• Context-Based Flexibility: Enables officials to adjust procedures based on unique circumstances rather than rigidly following rules.
  • Example: Anshul Gupta, while serving as a Commissioner of Ujjain Municipal Corporation, undertook the restoration of the ancient Yam Talaiya pond with the help of volunteers.
• Timely and Effective Decision-Making: Supports rapid response to emergencies or urgent needs, bypassing red tape to prevent harm.
  • Example: Athar Aamir Khan, as SDM Bhilwara, proactively intervened in child marriages by acting on community leads and using immediate measures—rather than insisting on formal complaints—to protect children’s rights.
• Promoting Innovative Solutions: Inspires civil servants to design new programs or methods that address real needs beyond the letter of existing regulations.
  • Example: Sikkim IAS officer Raj Yadav launched the transformative project ‘Aapno Gaav, Aap Banao’ (“You build your village”), under which 5 villages were adopted by him and developed through community participation, impacting over 7,500 lives.
• Balancing Competing Values: Allows administrators to weigh conflicting interests—such as justice versus efficiency, or law versus compassion—to reach a fair and workable solution.
  • Example: Vinod Rai (Former CAG of India) while auditing government expenditures, he faced immense political pressure, but carefully balanced transparency (justice) and institutional responsibility (efficiency).
• Inclusivity and Social Justice: Encourages the creation of ad-hoc solutions for the marginalized who are often excluded by technicalities.
  • Example: Rema Rajeshwari (IPS, Telangana) launched a myth-busting campaign in rural areas to stop mob lynching triggered by WhatsApp rumors.

Conclusion:

While a strong moral compass anchors public servants to integrity, governance demands the wisdom to adapt values to real-world complexities. Ethical pragmatism ensures that decisions remain humane, lawful, and context-sensitive—striking the right balance between idealism and effectiveness. As Nelson Mandela said, “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.”