Mains Practice Questions

Q. “Despite unprecedented advances in genome engineering, synthetic human genome projects remain constrained by ethical and biosecurity concerns.” Discuss. (150 words)

Q. “Probity ensures the moral compass of a civil servant, while aptitude ensures functional excellence”. Elucidate with suitable examples . (150 words)

Q. “Integrity is less about resisting temptation and more about eliminating situations that generate temptation.” Discuss. (150 words)

Q. “Emotions are not obstacles to ethical reasoning; they are its raw material.” Examine the statement in the context of public service decision-making. (150 words)

Q. “Innovation without compassion leads to exploitation.”In the era of AI, surveillance technologies, and digital monopolies, what ethical principles should technologically advanced nations uphold to prevent digital colonisation and ensure equitable technological access worldwide? (150 words)

Q. “A civil servant’s success depends more on emotional competence than on cognitive ability.” Do you agree? Substantiate with examples. (150 words)

Q. “Integrity is not an act but a habit formed through small, invisible choices.” Discuss how micro-decisions shape moral character, drawing upon Aristotle’s virtue ethics. (150 words)

Q. “Ethics lies in choosing the ‘right’ even when the ‘good’ seems more attractive.”
Discuss with reference to the conflict between deontological duty and consequentialist outcomes in public life. (150 words)

Q. What are the essential features of good governance? Critically assess how e-Governance initiatives have contributed to enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in India.(150 words)

Q. Explain how moral intuition and moral reasoning together influence ethical judgment. Illustrate your answer with examples from civil services.(150 words)

Q. What does quotation convey to you in the present context?
“The highest form of knowledge is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another’s world.” — Bill Bullard (150 words)

Q. What do you understand by the term ‘crisis of conscience’? Illustrate with the help of an example from your personal or public life how you handled such a situation. (150 words)

Q. What does quotation convey to you in the present context?
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke (150 words)

Q. “In the theatre of global politics, morality is often the first casualty.”Analyse the ethical dilemmas faced by nations when strategic interests conflict with humanitarian responsibilities. Illustrate with recent examples. (150 words)

Q. What does quotation convey to you in the present context?
“We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one's own feet.” – Swami Vivekananda. (150 words)

Q. “Moral absolutism can lead to rigidity, while moral relativism may justify injustice. A balance between the two is essential in ethical decision-making.”Justify with suitable illustration. (150 words)

Q. Evaluate the ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies such as AI, Big Data, and Digital Governance. How should ethical frameworks guide their adoption in public administration? (150 words)

Q.“Ethical dilemmas are inevitable in administration, but ethical decision-making is non-negotiable.” Explain with reference to moral reasoning and conflict resolution. (150 words)

Q. India’s rapid economic growth coexists with social inequalities and environmental challenges. Discuss the need for an ethical framework to ensure inclusive and sustainable development. (150 words)

Q. “Empathy transforms authority into service.”Discuss the relevance of emotional intelligence and compassion in administrative responsibilities. (150 words)

Q. “Essential services cannot be treated as commodities.” Examine the ethical concerns arising from the commercialization of education and healthcare in modern society. (150 words)

Q. Do values precede laws, or do laws shape values? Examine with reference to the evolution of ethical norms in society. (150 words)

Q. “Public trust in institutions is often eroded not by the absence of laws, but by the erosion of ethical values.”Critically analyse this statement with reference to the challenges of accountability, discretion, and corruption in civil services. (150 words)

Q. “Social re-engineering through welfare policies requires not only administrative efficiency but also ethical reasoning and critical analysis by civil servants.”Discuss with suitable illustrations. (150 words)

Q. Can strict adherence to duty ever override compassion? Analyze with reference to Kantian ethics and public administration. (150 words)

Q. Can true impartiality coexist with empathy, or does empathy inevitably lead to bias? Critically analyze in the context of public service. (150 words)

Q. “Conscience is the voice of the soul, not the echo of society.” Analyze the role of conscience in decision-making for public servants. (150 words)

Q. Public service is often described as a balance between compassion and detachment. Analyze this statement with suitable examples. (150 words)

Q. Sun Tzu remarked, “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” How far is this applicable in current international relations? (150 words)

Q. Jainism emphasized Syadvada (doctrine of conditional predication) and Anekantavada (doctrine of multiplicity of viewpoints). Examine their relevance in strengthening democratic discourse and tolerance in a plural society. (150 words)