Mains Practice Questions

Introduction: 

Probity in public administration refers to integrity, honesty, and ethical conduct in the exercise of public power. It forms the moral foundation of governance and ensures that public authority is exercised in the interest of citizens. When probity is compromised, it erodes public trust, weakens institutions, and undermines democratic legitimacy.

Body:

Impact of Lack of Probity on Public Trust

• Erosion of Public Confidence: When corruption, favoritism, or misuse of authority becomes common, citizens lose faith in government institutions. 
  • Scams such as the 2G spectrum case or coal allocation irregularities created a perception that public resources were being misused for private gain, weakening trust in governance.
• Perception of Inequality and Injustice: Lack of probity leads to unequal treatment of citizens, where influence and connections override merit and fairness. 
  • This creates a sense of injustice and alienation, especially among marginalised groups who depend most on public services.
• Decline in Citizen Participation: When people believe that institutions are corrupt or unresponsive, they disengage from civic processes such as voting, public consultations, or grievance redressal, weakening democratic participation.

Impact of Lack of Probity on Institutional Credibility and Governance

• Erosion of Institutional Integrity: Repeated ethical failures damage the credibility of public institutions such as regulatory bodies, law enforcement agencies, and local administrations.
  • For instance, Mismanagement in urban planning and service delivery often results in poor infrastructure and citizen dissatisfaction.
    
    • Once trust is lost, even honest actions are viewed with suspicion.
• Inefficient Policy Implementation: Lack of probity often leads to leakages, delays, and poor implementation of welfare schemes. 
  • For example, corruption in public distribution systems or infrastructure projects reduces effectiveness and increases costs.
• Weak Rule of Law: When rules are selectively applied or manipulated for personal gain, it undermines the rule of law and promotes a culture of impunity, where accountability becomes the exception rather than the norm.

Measures To Strengthen Probity In Public Life

• Strengthening Ethical Frameworks A strong ethical framework is the foundation of clean and accountable governance. 
  • Clear codes of conduct, mandatory asset declarations, and strict conflict-of-interest rules help ensure that public officials act in the public interest rather than for personal gain. 
  • Regular ethics training and clear consequences for violations can create a culture where integrity is valued and misconduct is discouraged. When rules are applied uniformly, citizens gain confidence that governance is fair and impartial.
• Enhancing Transparency and Accountability Mechanisms Transparency is essential for rebuilding public trust. 
  • The use of digital platforms, such as online portals for service delivery, procurement, and grievance redressal, reduces human discretion and corruption. Instruments like the Right to Information (RTI) Act, social audits, and independent vigilance bodies enable citizens to monitor government actions and demand accountability. 
  • When information is accessible and decision-making is open, institutions become more responsive and credible.
• Promoting Ethical Leadership at All Levels: Leaders who demonstrate honesty, humility, and accountability set powerful examples for the entire administrative system
  • Ethical leadership encourages transparency, discourages misuse of power, and builds a culture of trust within institutions. When senior officials lead by example, ethical behaviour becomes a shared norm rather than an imposed rule.
•  Encouraging Citizen Participation and Oversight: Active citizen engagement through public consultations, grievance redressal forums, and social audits strengthens democratic accountability. 
  • When citizens feel heard and involved, trust in institutions increases and governance becomes more responsive to real needs.
• Building a Culture of Integrity: Beyond rules and regulations, long-term trust depends on nurturing values such as honesty, fairness, and responsibility within public institutions. 
  • Continuous training, ethical mentoring, and recognition of integrity-based performance can help embed these values in everyday administrative practice.

Conclusion:

Lack of probity corrodes public trust and weakens institutional foundations, threatening the very legitimacy of governance. Restoring probity through transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership is essential for rebuilding citizen confidence and ensuring effective, people-centric administration.