Mains Practice Questions

Case Study

You are the founder of a social enterprise that provides solar lamps to rural villages that lack access to electricity. You have been working hard to scale up your impact and reach more communities in need. One day, you receive an email from the CEO of a major oil company who is interested in partnering with you. He says that he wants to support your cause and help you expand your operations. He also mentions that he has to meet Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards for his company. However, over the years working with renewable energy, you have developed a strong aversion to fossil fuel companies. Now, the CEO’s offer has put you in a moral dilemma. On one hand, you resent the idea of accepting help from a company that is contributing to climate change and environmental degradation, and on the other hand, you feel that the company’s assistance is a golden opportunity for your social enterprise to provide more light to the dark.

A. What are the various ethical issues involved here?

B. Will it be morally right for you to accept money from the oil company?

Q. You are an IPS officer posted in an area where communal tensions are very much prevalent. One day, a religious procession is being carried out by one community. As they reach the area dominated by another community, sudden firing starts, resulting in several people in the procession getting injured and taken hostage. When you send the police force to control the situation, the force also gets pushed back by the aggressors. Among the hostages, there are individuals who are severely injured and require urgent medical treatment.

A. What are the ethical dilemmas that you face in this situation?
B. What are the possible courses of action that you can take to resolve the crisis?
C. How will you justify your chosen course of action in terms of ethical principles and values?

Q. You are the District Collector of a drought-prone area. The government has announced a relief package for the farmers, which includes waiving off their loans and providing them with free seeds and fertilizers. However, you find out that some of the local politicians and officials are misusing the funds and diverting the resources for their personal gain. They are also threatening the farmers who complain or refuse to cooperate with them. As a responsible officer, how will you deal with this situation? Explain the ethical issues involved and the course of action you will take. (250 words)

Case Study

You are the Superintendent of Police (SP) of a district where panchayat elections are being held. The elections have been marred by widespread violence, resulting in several deaths and injuries. The ruling party and the opposition parties have accused each other of rigging, intimidation and booth capturing. The State Election Commission (SEC) has sought your report on the situation and asked you to take necessary steps to ensure free and fair elections.

One of the major sources of violence in your district is a notorious Bahubali Neta (muscleman leader) who belongs to the ruling party and has several criminal cases against him. He is contesting the elections from his stronghold and has allegedly unleashed his goons to terrorize his rivals and voters. He also enjoys the patronage of some influential politicians and religious leaders who have appealed to their followers to vote for him.

a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case?

b) What are the options available to you as the SP? Evaluate each option in terms of its merits and demerits.

c) What course of action would you take as the SP? Justify your decision with suitable reasons.

Case Study

A Civil Servant, who was posted at the frontier headquarters in Delhi as Commandant (administration) is accused of engaging in financial irregularities for personal financial gains. It is alleged that he misused his position to influence subordinates to indulge in fraudulent practices related to the booking of Leave Travel Concession (LTC) air tickets. These irregularities involved the use of personal credit cards and the manipulation of LTC tickets, resulting in false claims and misuse of earned mileage points.

Discuss the ethical implications of the Civil Servant's involvement in financial irregularities and misuse of his official position. How does this impact public trust and the integrity of the organization?

Case Study

You are an experienced civil servant working in a government department responsible for infrastructure development. Your department has recently received a proposal from a well-known construction company to build a major highway that would greatly improve connectivity in a remote region. However, you have discovered through reliable sources that the company has a history of engaging in corrupt practices and bribing government officials to secure contracts. Furthermore, there are concerns about the environmental impact of the proposed highway, as it would pass through ecologically sensitive areas. As a public servant, you are faced with an ethical dilemma regarding whether to support or oppose the project.

Discuss the ethical issues involved in this case and outline the possible courses of action you could take. Evaluate each course of action in terms of its ethical implications and the impact on public administration.

Case Study

You are an officer working for the fire department in a city. One day, a massive fire breaks out in a building belonging to a coaching institute having classrooms where more than 1000 students are stranded. Also, the building lacks proper fire safety measures and adequate exits. Panic ensues as students inside the building desperately try to escape the flames and smoke, resulting in some individuals resorting to jumping off the building to save themselves.

As you arrive at the scene, you are faced with the following dilemmas:

(a) How do you prioritize the rescue operations, given the limited resources and time available?

(b) How do you deal with the ethical and legal implications of the building owner’s negligence and violation of fire safety norms?

(c) How do you handle the emotional and psychological impact of witnessing such a tragic incident on yourself and your team members?

Case Study

You are the secretary of the public works department in a state. You are responsible for overseeing the construction and maintenance of various infrastructure projects in the state. Recently, a bridge that was built by your department collapsed, killing several people and injuring many others. The bridge was inaugurated just a few months ago and was supposed to be a model of engineering excellence. The public is outraged by this incident and blames your department for negligence and corruption. They demand your resignation and hold protests outside your office. Some media channels also accuse you of being involved in a scam and taking bribes from the contractor who built the bridge. You are shocked and saddened by this tragedy and want to find out the truth behind the collapse. You also want to defend your reputation and integrity, which you have earned through years of hard work and honesty.

What will you do in this situation? Explain the ethical issues involved and the course of action you will take.

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?

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?

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?

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?

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)

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

Case study

You are a government official working in the health department of a state notices that the medicines supplied to government hospitals are of sub-standard quality. On further investigation, you found out that the procurement department has been taking bribes from pharmaceutical companies to supply low-quality medicines at higher rates. You bring this to the attention of your superiors, but they refuse to take any action as they are also involved in the corruption.

What would you do in this situation?

Case Study 

You are an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer posted in a developing country that is known for its human rights violations and corruption. Your job is to represent India's interests and promote friendly relations with the host country. However, you find that your host country's government is involved in several unethical practices, including suppression of political dissent, censorship of media, and siphoning off foreign aid. 

One day, you receive a confidential report from your embassy that confirms the host country's government's involvement in illegal activities, including money laundering, trafficking of drugs and arms, and supporting terrorist organizations. The report also states that some Indian companies are indirectly involved in these illegal activities by providing them with funding and logistics support. 

Q. In this scenario, what would you do as an IFS officer, and how would you justify your actions ethically? 

Case Study

You are a district collector of a drought-prone area where farmers are suffering from crop failure and debt. You have been allocated funds by the state government to provide relief measures such as food grains distribution, loan waivers and employment generation schemes.

However, you find out that some local politicians and officials are involved in diverting these funds for their personal gains. They have also threatened some honest staff members who tried to expose their corruption.

You have evidence against these corrupt people but you also know that they have strong political connections and influence in the area.

Q. What will you do in this situation?

Case Study

You are a junior officer in a government department that deals with food distribution schemes. You have been working under a senior officer who is respected and admired for his efficiency and honesty. However, one day you come across some documents that reveal that he has been siphoning off funds from the schemes for his personal use. You are shocked and confused by this discovery.

What would you do in this situation and why?

Case Study

You are a senior executive at a large healthcare organization that has recently implemented an artificial intelligence (AI) system to assist doctors in diagnosing and treating patients. The system uses machine learning algorithms to analyze patient data, identify patterns and predict outcomes. It has been designed to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.

However, the system has recently come under scrutiny from the media, patient groups and regulators who are concerned about the ethical implications of using AI in healthcare. There are concerns that the system may be biased, as it has been trained on data that may not represent all patient populations. There are also concerns about the potential loss of privacy and autonomy for patients, as their data is being collected and analyzed without their explicit consent.

You have been tasked with addressing these ethical concerns and ensuring that the healthcare organization is operating in a responsible and ethical manner.

What steps will you take to address biases in AI systems and ensure that they are transparent and accountable?

Case Study

Shradha Sharma is a senior civil servant in the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. She has been working for the past 20 years and has a reputation for being honest, competent, and impartial. Her department has been tasked with granting environmental clearances to a large corporation that wants to build a new factory in a forest area.

Shradha Sharma knows that the project could have serious environmental impacts, including deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and pollution. She also knows that the corporation has a history of flouting environmental norms and regulations in other parts of the country.

Shradha Sharma is under intense pressure from the corporation to grant the clearance, as it would create thousands of jobs and bring in large investments. On the other hand, she is also under pressure from environmental activists and NGOs who are urging her to reject the clearance, citing the potential environmental and social costs.

Shradha Sharma is facing dilemma between her duty as a public servant to promote development and create jobs, and her duty to protect the environment and safeguard the interests of the local communities. She has to decide whether to grant or reject the environmental clearance, and her decision will have far-reaching consequences.

Q. What factors should Ms. Sharma consider in making her decision? What are the possible solutions to this ethical dilemma, and what are the trade-offs involved in each solution?

Case study

You are a senior civil servant in the Ministry of Rural Development. The Ministry is responsible for implementing various welfare schemes for rural areas such as employment guarantee, housing, and sanitation programs. Your personal values and beliefs are aligned with the objective of the Ministry to bring about positive change in the lives of rural citizens.

One of your close friends, Tarun, who is a successful businessman, approaches you with a proposal to start a joint venture. Tarun wants to bid for a rural sanitation project that is currently being tendered by the Ministry. The project involves the construction of toilets in rural areas and is part of the government’s larger mission to improve sanitation facilities in rural India.

What would you do in this situation?

Case study

Mr. Sudarshan is a highly competent and experienced civil engineer working in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. He has been assigned the responsibility of overseeing the construction of a major road project in the state. The project has been awarded to a private company, Rudra Inc.

During the course of the project, Mr. Sudarshan becomes aware of certain irregularities and unethical practices being carried out by Rudra Inc. These include the use of sub-standard materials, overcharging for work done, and making payments to government officials such as Mr. Bhushan, the Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, to secure the project contract.

What should Mr. Sudarshan do in this situation? What ethical principles should guide his decision-making process?

Case study

Recently, the Digi Bank-Biocoin loan fraud case was in the news for loan fraud and irregularities in loans provided to the Biocoin Group by Digi Bank, where Teesha Verma was the CEO and Managing Director. Verma and her family allegedly received kickbacks in exchange for granting loans to the Biocoin group, many of which became non-performing assets (NPAs) and caused a loss of 1,730 crores to the bank. Furthermore, Teesha Verma's husband was in the head position in Biocoin company, and the loan indirectly benefitted him, as he siphoned off all the funds to his Swiss bank accounts. The Enforcement Director is called upon to carry out the further investigation, further you as the senior officer leading the case and there has been political pressure to hush up the matter so that Teesha and her Husband don’t get involved in the case.

As a senior enforcement director officer what would you do in this situation? Also Suggest actions that could have been taken to prevent and address these ethical violations.

Case Study

Recently, in a tragic incident occurred in west Delhi where a 20-year-old woman was found naked and dead. She had been dragged beneath a car for 12 kilometers. According to reports, the occupants of the car, which included the son of a ruling party president, were aware that the woman was trapped under the car but chose to keep driving in order to avoid getting caught. Additionally, there is reported pressure on the police by the ruling party to resolve the case quickly and protect the accused.

As a IPS officer you were given responsibility to handle the case, what would you do in this scenario?

Case Study

As a civil servant, you have been appointed as the District Collector of your district. One day, you receive a complaint from a local NGO stating that a government-run school in a remote village in your district is not providing students with proper facilities and infrastructure. The NGO has also provided you with photos and videos as evidence of the poor conditions at the school.

Upon investigation, you find that the allegations made by the NGO are true and the schools in your district are indeed in a poor state. You also find out that they lack basic facilities such as clean drinking water, proper classrooms, and proper sanitation facilities etc.

You are faced with a dilemma - on one hand, you want to take immediate action and improve the conditions of schools in your district to provide the students with a better learning environment. On the other hand, you are aware that the process of improving the school's facilities will take time and money, and you are not sure if the funds allocated for the district will be sufficient to cover the costs.

As a district collector what would you do in this situation?

Case Study

In a horrific incident which sparked outrage in your district, a 17-year-old girl, on her way to school with her younger sister, was attacked with an acid-like substance by two men on a motorcycle near her home. She sustained severe injuries on her face, neck and eyes, currently she is being treated at the Hospital. She comes from a very humble family and her family looked up to her for alleviating them from poverty.

Further, the incident has once again brought back to focus the heinous crime of acid attacks and the easy availability of corrosive substances, therefore, people are anguished and have started protesting and demanding the death penalty for the culprits.

As a district magistrate, what would you do to resolve the situation? What steps would you take to stop easy availability of hazardous substances?