2025

Introduction: Ashok, as Divisional Commissioner, faces a highly complex humanitarian and security crisis: a large group of distressed civilians including women and children, accompanied by armed soldiers from a neighbouring conflict-ridden country, are attempting to cross into Indian territory. In absence of immediate higher-level guidance, he must balance humanitarian responsibility, national security, and adherence to law.

a) Options Available with Ashok

• Allow immediate entry to all, including armed soldiers, and provide shelter and aid.
• Deny entry to all, citing national security risks.
• Allow humanitarian entry only to civilians, while detaining or disarming soldiers until guidance from higher authorities.
• Provide temporary medical assistance and relief at border itself, without formally allowing entry until further orders.
• Seek rapid coordination with Army/paramilitary forces for secure handling of the situation.

b) Ethical and Legal Dilemmas

• Humanitarian Duty vs National Security – Saving injured women/children vs risk from armed combatants.
• Rule of Law vs Compassion – Legal restrictions on entry of foreign armed personnel vs moral duty to protect civilians in distress.
• Sovereignty vs Refugee Rights – Protecting borders while respecting international refugee and human rights conventions.
• Immediate Action vs Hierarchical Obedience – Taking urgent decision vs waiting for higher-level clearance.

c) The best course would be a balanced approach:

• Allow civilians immediate entry on humanitarian grounds, providing medical aid, food, and temporary shelter.
• Disarm and detain the armed soldiers separately, ensuring no weapons enter civilian areas, and hand them over to the Army/paramilitary forces.
• Maintain full documentation of entrants and inform higher authorities at the earliest, while keeping intelligence agencies in the loop.
• Initiate the deportation/repudiation process as soon as the situation permits, in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, so that civilians can return safely once conditions improve.

This option aligns with constitutional values of compassion and dignity of life (Article 21), while safeguarding national security and sovereignty. It also resonates with India’s commitment to humanitarian obligations under UN refugee norms, even though India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention.

d) Extra Precautionary Measures for Border Guarding Police

• Immediate Disarmament – All soldiers in uniform must be disarmed at the point of entry to prevent any armed threat within Indian territory.
• Frisking and Identity Verification – Conduct thorough frisking and verification of documents to establish nationality, unit, and group affiliations of the soldiers.
• Segregation from Civilians – Keep armed personnel strictly separated from women, children, and other civilian refugees to prevent intimidation or possible violence.
• Transfer to Security Forces – Hand over the soldiers, after disarmament, to the Army or paramilitary forces for interrogation, intelligence gathering, and lawful processing under established protocols.
• Enhanced Border Vigilance – Strengthen surveillance and patrolling at check posts to prevent disguised infiltration, smuggling of arms, or entry of anti-social elements posing as refugees.

Conclusion: Ashok’s situation reflects the delicate balance between humanitarian ethics and national security imperatives. The most ethical path lies in protecting innocent lives without compromising sovereign security. By showing compassion to civilians and enforcing strict control over armed personnel, he upholds both human dignity and state responsibility.

Introduction: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a flagship social security program guaranteeing the Right to Work and aimed at empowering rural households. However, corruption, mismanagement, and leakages weaken its objectives. As District Administrator in charge, one is ethically bound to uphold accountability, transparency, and social justice to ensure the scheme serves its intended beneficiaries.

a) My immediate reaction would be of serious concern because such mismanagement not only deprives poor households of their rightful wages but also erodes public trust in governance. To restore functioning, I would:

• Conduct a comprehensive audit of past records.
• Suspend ongoing irregular practices and ensure direct benefit transfers (DBT).
• Establish social audits with active participation of Gram Sabhas.
• Rebuild confidence by setting up grievance redressal mechanisms for workers.

b) As District Administrator, I will adopt a the following approach:

• Money not disbursed to job-seekers –I will verify job cards and transfer pending wages directly into genuine workers’ bank accounts through DBT.
  • If genuine job seekers are not onboarded, then I would recover wrongly disbursed funds from ineligible beneficiaries or responsible officials, onboard genuine job seekers through Gram Sabha verification, and ensure their pending wages are directly transferred via DBT.
• Muster rolls not maintained – Introduce biometric and facial recognition attendance with attendance systems and maintain digital muster rolls to ensure accuracy and transparency.
• Mismatch between work and payment – Make third-party verification of completed work mandatory before releasing funds, supported by geo-tagging of project sites for transparency and accountability, and complemented by periodic social audits conducted by credible NGOs to ensure community participation and oversight.
• Payments made to fictitious persons – Cross-verify job cards with Aadhaar, voter lists, and other official records to eliminate ghost beneficiaries.
  • Other initiatives can be used such as engaging NGOs, community groups, and Gram Sabhas to cross-verify beneficiary lists, ensuring transparency and accountability and cross-check beneficiary lists with other government databases (ration cards, voter rolls, income tax, EWS/income certificate.) to identify fake entries.
• Improper issuance of job cards – Conduct revalidation of job cards through Gram Sabha scrutiny to ensure that only genuine and needy households are included.
• Siphoning of funds – Initiate a departmental inquiry, fix individual responsibility, and pursue appropriate disciplinary and penal action against those involved in misappropriation.
• Approved but non-existent works – Enforce geo-tagging of assets and use satellite-based monitoring to track and verify the existence of approved projects.

c) Dealing with the Situation

• Take decisive corrective measures – Initiate immediate corrective steps to stop ongoing irregularities, while ensuring fairness to honest and diligent staff members.
• Encourage community participation – Strengthen local ownership of MGNREGA by making social audits mandatory and displaying transparency walls at Panchayat Bhavans to publicly disclose work and payment details.
• Build administrative capacity – Provide training and capacity-building support to Panchayat officials to ensure proper record-keeping, financial management, and compliance with rules.
• Report corruption cases – Refer serious instances of fund mismanagement and siphoning to vigilance authorities and law enforcement agencies for strict action.
• Ensure ethical governance – Reinforce the principles of integrity, accountability, and inclusivity in program implementation, making these values the cornerstone of district administration.

Conclusion: As an administrator, my responsibility is to ensure that MGNREGA fulfils its constitutional mandate of guaranteeing the right to work. By enforcing transparency, adopting technology, empowering Gram Sabhas, and acting firmly against corruption, the program can be restored as an instrument of social justice, poverty alleviation, and rural empowerment.

Introduction: Public servants are custodians of public resources and are expected to act with integrity, accountability, and adherence to rules. In this case, Rajesh, an Administrative Officer in a PSU, faces pressure from his superior to bypass financial rules by splitting procurement orders. His dilemma lies between safeguarding his career prospects and upholding financial propriety as mandated by the General Financial Rules (GFRs).

a) Options Available with Rajesh

• Follow superior’s implied expectation – Split the order below Rs.30 lakhs and approve it himself.
• Take sanction from higher authority – Forward the case as per GFR rules to next authority for approval.
• Seek clarification from superior – Explain the financial limits and request formal written approval.
• Delay or dilute compliance – Avoid immediate decision, hoping matter will resolve, though this risks audit objections.
• Escalate formally – Document concerns, maintain transparency, and escalate if undue pressure continues.

b) Ethical Issues Involved

• Integrity vs Career Progression – Pressure to compromise rules for a good ACR.
• Conflict of Interest – Between personal gain (promotion) and duty to organisation/public funds.
• Compliance vs Conformity – Following GFRs vs following common practice of splitting orders.
• Transparency and Accountability – Risk of audit objection, financial impropriety, and erosion of institutional trust.
• Professional Courage – Need to resist undue pressure from a reporting officer.

c) The most ethical course is for Rajesh to adhere strictly to financial rules by forwarding the case to higher authority for sanction. He should:

• Clearly explain to his superior that GFRs mandate higher-level approval for amounts above Rs.30 lakhs.
• Emphasise that splitting orders is irregular and audit-sensitive.
• Document all decisions transparently to safeguard accountability.

This approach ensures compliance with rule of law, integrity, and probity in public finance. While it may risk displeasing his superior in the short run, it protects Rajesh’s reputation, prevents future disciplinary action, and upholds institutional credibility.

Conclusion: Rajesh’s case highlights the ethical tension between personal interest and public duty. The appropriate decision is to follow established rules rather than succumb to informal practices. Ethical governance demands that civil servants act as trustees of public resources, prioritising long-term institutional integrity over short-term career considerations. By doing so, Rajesh not only safeguards public money but also strengthens his own credibility as an honest officer.

Introduction: Public servants are expected to uphold integrity, impartiality, and public interest above private or political pressures. In this case, Subash, an experienced and reputed Secretary, faces two conflicts of interest i.e. pressure from his son to misuse insider information for financial gain, and pressure from his Minister to favour his nephew’s company. This case reflects the challenges of maintaining objectivity, probity, and impartiality in governance.

a) Ethical Issues Involved

• Conflict of Interest – Subash faces a conflict of interest as his son is pressuring him to disclose insider information about the exact location of the road project, which could be misused for private real estate gains.
• Nepotism and Cronyism – The Minister’s attempt to promote his nephew’s infrastructure company in the upcoming project reflects nepotism and cronyism, undermining fairness and impartiality in governance.
• Abuse of Authority – Both the son’s request and the Minister’s suggestion represent an abuse of authority, as they seek to exploit official positions for advancing personal and family benefits.
• Integrity vs Emotional Pressure –Subash is torn between maintaining his professional integrity and giving in to emotional pressure from his son, who is pleading with him daily to share confidential details.
• Public Interest vs Private Gains –The situation highlights the tension between Subash’s duty to protect public interest by ensuring fair and transparent project execution and the temptation of insider profiteering for private or familial advantage.
• Rule of Law and Transparency – Any leakage of insider information or favoritism in contract awards would undermine the principles of rule of law, transparency, and merit-based competition in public works projects.

b) Options Available to Subash

• Yield to Son’s Request – Share project details privately.
  • Pros: Maintains family harmony, son benefits financially.
  • Cons: Unethical, misuse of insider information, potential vigilance/legal action, loss of credibility.
• Favour Minister’s Nephew in Contracts
  • Pros: Maintains political goodwill and career security.
  • Cons: Violates fairness, promotes nepotism, risks corruption charges.
• Resist Both Pressures and Uphold Integrity
  • Pros: Maintains professional ethics, protects public interest, safeguards reputation.
  • Cons: May strain family relations, risk conflict with the Minister, career repercussions.
• Institutional Safeguards – Place decisions before transparent committees under Section 4(1) of the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2014, e-tendering, and legal frameworks.
  • Pros: Reduces personal pressure, promotes accountability, ensures impartiality.
  • Cons: Time-consuming, may antagonise vested interests.

c) The most ethical and appropriate course for Subash is to resist both personal and political pressures, and uphold integrity. He should:

• Politely but firmly explain to his son that sharing insider information is illegal and unethical.
• Resist the Minister’s attempt at nepotism and ensure all contracts follow transparent competitive bidding.
• Escalate the matter or seek institutional safeguards if undue pressure persists.

This option is consistent with Code of Conduct for Civil Servants, Second ARC recommendations on Ethics in Governance, and constitutional principles of equality, fairness, and probity.

Conclusion: Subash faces a test of character where personal affection and political pressure clash with professional ethics. By resisting undue influence and prioritising public interest, he not only safeguards his reputation but also strengthens institutional integrity. Ultimately, ethical governance demands that civil servants act as trustees of public resources, not as agents of family or political interests.

Introduction: This case highlights the classic dilemma of development versus environment. On one hand, the State has a constitutional obligation to ensure social welfare by providing basic housing to the underprivileged. On the other, the proposed site is an ecologically sensitive forest zone that sustains biodiversity, regulates climate, and supports tribal livelihoods. The conflict between human welfare and environmental sustainability raises complex ethical and administrative challenges for governance.

a)

Arguments in Favour (Ethical Justifications)

• Human Dignity & Rights: Shelter is a basic human right, linked to dignity, safety, and well-being.
• Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP): The State has a constitutional duty to secure food, clothing, and shelter for citizens, especially the underprivileged.
• Social Justice: Housing projects reduce inequality, empower weaker sections, and promote inclusive development.
• Utilitarian Approach: Clearing limited forest land may benefit a larger population in dire need, ensuring the greatest good for the greatest number.
• Public Safety: If forests have become sites of human-wildlife conflict or criminal activity, regulated clearance may reduce risks.

Arguments Against (Why It May Not Be Ethically Justified)

• Ecological Ethics: Forests are not just resources but living ecosystems with intrinsic value that deserve protection.
• Constitutional Mandate: Article 48A (State’s duty to protect environment) and Article 51A(g) (citizens’ duty) bind society to safeguard forests.
• Intergenerational Equity: Destroying forests today undermines the rights of future generations to a healthy environment.
• Livelihoods & Culture: Tribal and nomadic communities dependent on forests may be displaced, causing cultural and social injustice.
• Sustainable Alternatives Exist: Development must not come at the cost of irreversible ecological damage when options like eco-friendly housing, afforestation, or use of degraded land exist.

Ethical Balance

Deforestation cannot be unconditionally justified even for welfare purposes. The ethical path lies in reconciling both objectives through sustainable development—by exploring alternative land, vertical housing models, or compensatory afforestation—so that social justice and environmental sustainability go hand in hand.

Deforestation cannot be ethically justified when it causes irreversible ecological harm that undermines long-term human survival.

• While housing is a fundamental human right, violating environmental ethics harms future generations (intergenerational justice).
• Gandhian principle of ecological trusteeship suggests that natural resources are held in trust for all beings, not to be exploited recklessly.
• Ethical governance demands sustainable solutions where both human dignity and environmental integrity are respected such as Land pooling of underutilized land parcels for housing, redevelop existing urban land through vertical housing.

b) Socio-economic, Administrative, and Ethical Challenges

Socio-Economic Challenges

• Poverty vs. Conservation: Large sections of the population depend on forests for livelihood (fuel, fodder, minor forest produce).
  • Development projects may displace them.
• Human–Wildlife Conflict: Expanding settlements increase clashes with wildlife, endangering both communities and species.
• Equity Issues: Poor and marginalised bear the burden of relocation, while benefits of development often go to elites.
• Intergenerational Cost: Short-term economic gain through deforestation undermines long-term ecological security and climate resilience.

Administrative Challenges

• Policy Dilemma: Reconciling DPSPs (social welfare) with Article 48A (environmental duty) often puts administrators in conflicting roles.
• Land Scarcity: Identifying non-forest land for housing/development is difficult in densely populated or hilly regions.
• Coordination Gaps: Multiple agencies (forest, housing, tribal welfare, revenue) create bureaucratic delays and turf wars.
• Enforcement Issues: Illegal encroachments, timber mafia, and corruption weaken sustainable land-use management.
• Capacity Constraints: Lack of resources, technology, and skilled personnel hampers balanced decision-making.

Ethical Challenges

• Human Welfare vs. Environmental Ethics: Choosing between immediate needs of the poor (housing) and the intrinsic rights of nature.
• Utilitarianism vs. Deontological Duty: Balancing “greatest good for greatest number” against non-negotiable duties of conservation.
• Justice and Equity: Protecting tribal rights, ensuring fair compensation and rehabilitation, avoiding exploitation of vulnerable groups.
• Intergenerational Justice: Protecting ecological balance for future generations while addressing today’s development needs.
• Integrity of Governance: Ensuring that policies are not influenced by vested interests under the guise of welfare.

c) Substantial Alternatives or Policy Interventions

• In-situ Housing Development: Use wastelands, degraded lands, or unused government land instead of cutting ecologically sensitive forests.
• Vertical Housing Models: Promote low-cost, high-density housing in nearby urban areas to reduce land pressure.
• Forest-Compatible Development: Adopt eco-housing for tribal communities with minimal ecological footprint.
• Rehabilitation and Land Pooling: Identify safe, non-forest areas for rehabilitation with livelihood integration.
• Strengthening Legal Frameworks: Enforce Forest Rights Act, 2006 and involve Gram Sabhas in decision-making.
• Eco-restoration with Development: If diversion is unavoidable, ensure compensatory afforestation, biodiversity offsets, and wildlife corridors.

Conclusion: Deforestation for housing, though seemingly compassionate, would be ethically shortsighted and environmentally destructive. Sustainable development requires balancing social welfare with ecological stewardship. True governance lies in finding innovative alternatives that respect both the dignity of the poor and the rights of nature, thereby fulfilling the spirit of the Constitution’s Directive Principles along with its Fundamental Duties.

Introduction: This case study involves conflict of personal and professional conduct, where Vijay, a Deputy Commissioner, is confronted with the devastating loss of his mother while simultaneously managing large-scale rescue and relief operations during a severe natural disaster. It highlights the ethical dilemma of balancing personal compassion and familial obligations with the professional responsibility of safeguarding thousands of disaster-affected citizens who rely on his leadership.

a) Options Available with Vijay

• Immediately Leave for Kerala
  • Personally perform his mother’s last rites.
  • Risk: Relief operations may slow down, causing greater harm to citizens.
• Stay in the District Until Situation Stabilises
  • Prioritise disaster management and travel later for mother’s post-funeral rituals.
  • Risk: Family/community may view this as neglect of personal/cultural duty.
• Temporarily Hand Over Charge to a Senior Officer (e.g., ADM)
  • Delegate responsibility for a few days while he attends the funeral.
  • Risk: Crisis may worsen without his direct leadership.
• Request State Government for Temporary Relief and Replacement
  • Formally ask for another officer to take charge so he can fulfill family obligations.
  • Risk: Time-consuming, may not be feasible in an emergency situation.
• Invite Sister or extended family member in Kerala to Perform Rites
  • Invite sister to India and request her to perform the last rites or allow extended family or community to complete rituals on his behalf.
  • Risk: Personal guilt and social criticism for not being physically present.
• Use of Technology for Balancing Duties
  • Continue supervising disaster management via satellite phones, video calls, real-time monitoring apps while away.
  • Join last rites virtually if impossible and culturally acceptable.
  • Risk: Limited effectiveness compared to physical presence on ground

b) Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Vijay

• Personal vs Professional Duty → Cultural obligation as a son vs Professional duty as a Deputy Commissioner.
  • If Vijay chooses professional duty and stays back, he may experience moral guilt for not performing his mother’s last rites, which is a deeply personal and cultural responsibility.
• Emotional vs Rational Choice → Grief for his mother vs rational need to save thousands of lives.
• Short-term vs Long-term Consequences → Immediate presence at funeral vs long-term reputation and public trust in governance.
• Family Responsibility vs Public Responsibility → Lack of close family in India intensifies the pressure on Vijay.

c) Critical Evaluation of Options

• Leaving immediately for Kerala
  • Pros: This option allows Vijay to fulfil his moral, religious, and cultural obligation as a son, and it would also provide him with personal closure during a difficult time.
  • Cons: However, abandoning relief efforts at such a critical stage may cost lives, erode public trust in the administration, and amount to neglect of his constitutional duty.
• Staying until situation stabilises
  • Pros: By staying in the district, Vijay ensures strong leadership during the peak of the crisis, which helps in protecting lives and upholding his constitutional responsibility as a civil servant.
  • Cons: On the other hand, delaying his travel to Kerala may cause him deep emotional pain and invite social criticism for not performing the last rites of his mother on time.
• Delegating to senior subordinate
  • Pros: Handing over charge to a senior officer, such as the Additional District Magistrate, provides temporary administrative continuity and allows Vijay to attend to his personal duty.
  • Cons: Yet, given the severity of the disaster, subordinates may be overwhelmed, and the absence of Vijay’s direct authority could hamper inter-agency coordination and efficiency.
• Requesting relatives/community to perform rites
  • Pros: In this option, the last rites are performed without delay, while Vijay remains in the district to balance his professional responsibility with cultural obligations.
  • Cons: Nevertheless, this may be socially criticised as neglecting his filial duty, and it could leave him with long-lasting personal regret.
• Requesting State Government for relief/replacement
  • Pros: Seeking temporary relief from duty ensures that the district has a full-time officer in charge of relief operations, while Vijay fulfils his personal responsibility in Kerala.
  • Cons: However, arranging a replacement may take time, and the transition of responsibility during an ongoing crisis could disrupt the efficiency of relief work.

d) The most ethical option is for Vijay to continue leading relief operations until the situation stabilises, while arranging relatives/community to conduct initial last rites. He can then travel later for post-funeral rituals and personal closure.

• This balances public responsibility (saving thousands of lives) with personal obligation.
• As a civil servant, he is a custodian of public trust; in times of disaster, duty to the public outweighs personal interest.
• Philosophically, this aligns with Bhagavad Gita’s Nishkama Karma (perform duty sincerely without attachment to personal gain or loss) and Kant’s deontological ethics (duty as supreme moral law).
  • Nishkama Karma guides Vijay to act as a dutiful public servant, focusing on the larger good of society, while detaching from personal emotional desires. However, this does not mean neglecting family responsibilities altogether—he can ensure that close relatives or community members perform the initial rites, while he later participates in post-funeral rituals for personal closure.
    • For example, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who in 1932 chose to continue the freedom struggle from prison despite his mother’s death.
  • Under Deontological Ethics, Vijay is morally obligated to fulfill both duties, but when they conflict, the duty with greater moral universality and impact on others' rights—such as disaster relief—takes precedence.

Conclusion: This case reflects the highest test of public service i.e. balancing personal grief with professional responsibility. While no choice can fully satisfy both sides, prioritising the lives of thousands over personal obligation is the ethical course for a civil servant. Vijay’s sacrifice would not only honour his mother but also leave a legacy of devotion to duty, embodying the spirit of ethical governance.

(a):

Answer: An ethical work culture is the backbone of efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric governance. As highlighted by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2007), a Code of Ethics provides a moral compass for public servants, ensuring accountability, fairness, and service orientation. To institutionalise values in any workplace, suitable measures must be adopted beyond mere compliance.

Measures to Ensure Values-Based Work Culture

• Formulation and Implementation of Code of Ethics: Clearly articulated principles like integrity, impartiality, accountability, and compassion must guide employees.
  • Example: The Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 already provide ethical norms for civil servants.
• Leadership by Example: Senior officers must demonstrate ethical conduct, since culture flows top-down. Ethical role-modelling reinforces credibility and inspires subordinates.
• Training and Capacity Building: Regular ethics and integrity training sessions, including case studies and dilemmas, develop moral reasoning.
  • Example: LBSNAA’s ethics modules for IAS probationers focus on values-driven governance.
• Institutional Mechanisms for Accountability: Whistle-blower protection, grievance redressal systems, and transparent decision-making promote ethical practices.
  • Example: The Right to Information Act, 2005 enhances transparency and citizen trust.
• Performance Appraisal Linked to Ethics: Evaluations should not only assess efficiency but also integrity, empathy, and fairness. For instance, recognising ethical officers fosters a values-driven workplace.
• Participatory and Inclusive Decision-Making: Encouraging open dialogue, teamwork, and consultation reduces bias and promotes fairness in organisational decisions.
• Reward and Recognition of Ethical Conduct: Officers who show extraordinary integrity (e.g., resisting corruption) must be publicly acknowledged, motivating others.

A values-based work culture is achieved not merely through rules but through internalisation of ethics. A Code of Ethics, coupled with training, leadership, accountability mechanisms, and recognition, ensures that governance is aligned with constitutional morality. Ultimately, such a workplace nurtures trust, transparency, and service orientation, which are the hallmarks of ethical public administration.

(b):

Answer: India today stands as an emerging economic power. With GDP growth of 7.6% in 2023–24 (MoSPI), foreign exchange reserves above USD 600 billion (RBI, 2024), and the IMF projecting India as the fastest-growing major economy, the country is a driver of global growth. Yet, persistent poverty, inequality, corruption, and ecological stress remind us that India is still a developing country. Hence, an ethical framework is essential to convert growth into sustainable and inclusive development.

Need for Ethical Framework:

• Curbing Corruption and Ensuring Fairness: Growth without ethics risks leakages and misuse of resources. Ethical governance ensures fairness in distribution.
  • Example: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) saved Rs. 2.2 lakh crore by eliminating fake beneficiaries (Economic Survey 2023).
• Environmental Responsibility: Rapid industrialisation without ethical restraint causes ecological degradation.
  • Example: India’s Mission LiFE, launched at COP27, emphasises ethical consumption and responsible lifestyles.
• Equity and Inclusivity: Ethical frameworks ensure weaker sections benefit from growth, preventing widening inequality.
  • Example: Aspirational Districts Programme promotes health, education, and infrastructure in lagging regions.
• Corporate and Market Integrity: Investor confidence requires ethical corporate governance and transparency.
  • Example: SEBI’s reforms after corporate frauds highlight the value of business ethics.

India’s economic rise must be anchored in ethics, transparency, sustainability, and inclusivity. Only then can growth translate into long-term prosperity and justice. Thus, an ethical framework is not optional but the very foundation of India’s aspiration to become a developed and responsible global power.

(a):

Answer: The statement highlights the principle that dedication to duty brings both societal transformation and personal fulfilment. For a civil servant, this means discharging responsibilities with fairness, efficiency, and compassion, embodying constitutional morality.

Sense of Responsibility

• Social Dimension: Civil servants are trustees of public resources; devotion to duty ensures justice, equity, and inclusion. IAS Ritu Maheshwari (UP Cadre) digitised land records and grievance redressal in Noida, reducing corruption and empowering citizens.
• Institutional Dimension: Objectivity and accountability in service uphold institutional trust. IAS U. Sagayam (TN Cadre), known as the “people’s collector,” exposed the granite mining scam and returned bribes offered to him, demonstrating loyalty to institutional integrity.

Personal Fulfilment

• Psychological Dimension: Devotion to duty provides inner satisfaction, resilience, and a sense of purpose. IAS Vinod Rai as CAG ensured accountability in public finance by exposing irregularities like the 2G spectrum case. His devotion reinforced democratic oversight and gave him moral satisfaction.
• Ethical Dimension: True fulfilment arises from aligning actions with moral conscience, not material gain. Ashok Khemka (Haryana) cancelled controversial land deals despite repeated transfers, showing ethical courage and personal conviction.

Philosophical Perspective

• This aligns with the Bhagavad Gita’s doctrine of Nishkama Karma—selfless duty without attachment to rewards—and resonates with Kant’s deontological ethics that duty is an end in itself.

For a civil servant, devotion to duty bridges responsibility with fulfilment. It nurtures public trust, strengthens institutions, and leaves a legacy of integrity—true “perfection” in public life.

(b):

Answer: The traditional role of a civil servant as a mere regulator, focused on enforcing rules and maintaining a status quo, is a relic of the colonial past. To achieve holistic development in a democratic and dynamic society like India, the civil servant must evolve into an enabler and active facilitator of growth. This paradigm shift requires a proactive, citizen-centric approach that fosters innovation, collaboration, and trust. This is a move from a "rule-based" to a "role-based" management system.

A Civil Servant should adopt Several Key Measures:

• Promote Citizen-Centric Governance and Transparency: Leverage technology to simplify administrative processes and increase transparency.
  • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, linked with Aadhaar, has significantly reduced leakages in welfare schemes, ensuring that benefits reach the intended beneficiaries directly.
  • This data-driven approach allows civil servants to monitor outcomes rather than just outlays, making them more accountable and effective.
• Facilitate Public-Private-Community Partnerships: Civil servants should actively engage with civil society organizations, the private sector, and local communities.
  • For instance, the success of the Kudumbashree Mission in Kerala is a testament to the power of civil servants acting as facilitators, empowering women through self-help groups and creating a sustainable model for micro-enterprises.
  • This approach recognizes that the government cannot achieve holistic development alone and must act as a catalyst for collective action.
• Embrace a Solution-Oriented Mindset: Instead of simply citing rules, an enabler civil servant focuses on finding creative solutions to public problems. This requires a shift from a reactive to a proactive and agile bureaucracy.
  • This is also a key tenet of Mission Karmayogi, which aims to develop a "future-ready" civil service that is more creative, innovative, and progressive.

The Sevottam Model can be followed by the civil servants which is a framework developed by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) to improve the quality of public service delivery.

The transformation of the civil servant from a regulator to an enabler is crucial for India to achieve its development goals. By focusing on citizen empowerment, leveraging technology for transparency and efficiency, and building collaborative partnerships, civil servants can become the architects of a new, developed India. Committees like the 2nd ARC, Hota Committee (2004), and Surinder Nath Committee (2003) emphasized that civil servants should act as facilitators of development rather than mere regulators.

(a):

Answer: Civil servants act as the bridge between policy design and its delivery on the ground. For welfare schemes to achieve social re-engineering i.e. upliftment of weaker sections and reduction of inequalities, officers must be objective, impartial, and unbiased. Any prejudice rooted in caste, class, gender, or region undermines constitutional ideals of equality and justice.

Importance of Objectivity for Civil Servant

• Ensuring Equity in Welfare Delivery: Social engineering requires benefits to reach the real beneficiaries rather than the influential. Objectivity safeguards distributive justice.
  • Example: IAS officer Smita Sabharwal, the “People’s Officer”, introduced citizen-centric initiatives like Fund Your City and health camps, ensuring transparent and equitable welfare delivery.
• Overcoming Social Prejudices: Civil servants must rise above societal stereotypes to empower marginalised groups.
  • Example: IAS officer Prasanth Nair, known as “Collector Bro”, launched Compassionate Kozhikode to mobilise resources via social media for housing and education, serving people beyond caste or religion.
• Maintaining Impartiality in Sensitive Zones: In conflict-affected or backward areas, neutrality fosters trust and enhances state legitimacy.
  • Example: The Aspirational Districts Programme (NITI Aayog, 2021) improved health and education indicators in Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas like Dantewada by objective targeting, rather than political or elite capture.
• Transparency and Integrity: Transparency ensures that government decisions and welfare delivery are open to scrutiny, reducing chances of corruption. Integrity complements transparency by demanding honesty, consistency, and ethical courage from civil servants in resisting undue influence. Together, they strengthen public trust.
  • Example: IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal upheld transparency and integrity in 2013 by impartially acting against the illegal sand mining mafia despite political pressure, safeguarding people and the environment.

Scholars like Paul H. Appleby emphasise that impartiality is the cornerstone of effective administration. Similarly, Riggs’ Prismatic Society model warns that bias-ridden bureaucracies fail to deliver true social change. So, successful social re-engineering requires civil servants to function as neutral implementers rather than subjective gatekeepers.

(b):

Answer: Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, taught a path of ethical discipline and self-purification. IGNOU notes that his moral philosophy rests on the five great vows (Pancha Vratas)—Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha. These are timeless values that remain deeply relevant today.

Major Teachings & Contemporary Relevance:

• Ahimsa (Non-violence): Mahavira considered non-violence the highest virtue, extending it to thoughts, words, and deeds. It promotes compassion not only towards humans but also animals and the environment.
  • Relevance: India’s global advocacy of peace at the UN and rising vegan/plant-based movements reflect this principle.
• Satya (Truthfulness): Truth for Mahavira meant speaking what is true, but also good and beneficial. It requires courage to overcome fear, anger, and greed that lead to lies.
  • Relevance: Initiatives like the Right to Information (RTI) Act uphold truthfulness in governance by empowering citizens to access accurate information, thereby promoting transparency and accountability.
• Asteya (Non-stealing): Mahavira stressed respecting others’ property and abstaining from exploitation or corruption. It is rooted in fairness and justice in social conduct.
  • Relevance: India’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) ensures objective delivery of subsidies, saving Rs.2.2 lakh crore (Economic Survey 2023) by curbing theft and leakages.
• Brahmacharya (Self-restraint): It implies discipline over desires and passions, promoting purity of body and mind. For ascetics, it meant celibacy; for laypersons, moderation.
  • Relevance: In an age of consumerism and digital addiction, government campaigns on de-addiction and responsible internet use highlight its need.
• Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness): Mahavira advised limiting possessions and detachment from material greed, which bind individuals to suffering.
  • Relevance: India’s Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), promoted at COP27, calls for sustainable living and reduced consumption, echoing this vow.

Mahavira’s teachings transcend time. By emphasising compassion, honesty, restraint, and sustainability, they offer ethical solutions to modern challenges like violence, corruption, misinformation, and climate change.

Mahavira's teachings remain remarkably relevant, offering ethical frameworks for sustainable development, peaceful coexistence, and spiritual well-being in our interconnected modern world.

(a):

Answer: The Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar in the Tirukkural wrote: “Those who in trouble untroubled are, Will trouble trouble itself.” This couplet emphasizes the virtue of equanimity i.e. the ability to remain calm, composed, and resilient in adversity. It suggests that challenges lose their sting when faced with inner strength and balance.

• Resilience and Mental Strength: Adversity is inevitable, but one who remains unshaken can overcome it with clarity of thought.
  • Example: During the Covid-19 pandemic, frontline health workers who stayed calm amidst uncertainty inspired hope and ensured effective service delivery.
• Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: Leaders who manage stress and respond with composure prevent panic and motivate others.
  • Example: Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan calmly navigated India through the 2013 currency crisis, restoring investor confidence without alarmist decisions.
• Ethical Decision-Making: A disturbed mind leads to rash decisions, while equanimity enables fair and ethical judgment.
  • Example: In disaster management operations like the 2018 Kerala floods, officers who stayed composed could coordinate relief despite pressure, ensuring accountability and transparency.
• Spiritual and Ethical Dimension: The quotation also reflects the stoic principle and idea of Sthitaprajna (steady wisdom) of Bhagavad Gita. Remaining unperturbed neutralises the very “trouble” of suffering.

Thiruvalluvar’s wisdom is timeless. In today’s fast-changing world which is marked by pandemics, conflicts, and personal stresses, the ability to remain calm in crisis is an ethical and practical necessity. By cultivating resilience, emotional balance, and moral clarity, individuals can “trouble the trouble” and transform adversity into an opportunity for growth and service.

(b):

Answer: The American philosopher and psychologist William James emphasised the transformative power of the human mind. His statement highlights that by altering one’s attitudes, perceptions, and thought patterns, individuals can reshape their life trajectory.

Conceptual Understanding

James, regarded as the “Father of American Psychology,” argued in his work Principles of Psychology (1890) that thought patterns influence behavior and well-being. This aligns with modern cognitive-behavioral psychology, where altering negative attitudes leads to positive life outcomes.

Transformative Power of Human Mind:

• Personal Transformation through Attitude: A person’s circumstances may be fixed, but their response determines growth or stagnation.
  • Example: IAS officer Anil Swarup (1979 batch) transformed repeated UPSC failures into stepping stones through a resilient attitude, eventually rising to become Coal and Education Secretary, proving how attitude shapes destiny.
• Social and Ethical Dimension: At the societal level, collective attitudes can bring reform.
  • Example: The success of the Swachh Bharat Mission demonstrates how changing public attitudes towards sanitation created visible transformation in Indian villages and cities.
• Philosophical Echoes: James’s idea resonates with Gandhiji’s emphasis on self-purification and the Bhagavad Gita’s doctrine of sthitaprajna, both stressing inner change as the foundation for outer transformation.

William James’s insight remains timeless: life is not merely determined by external conditions but by the attitudes with which we face them. Academic research in psychology and real-world social movements confirm that altering mindsets is the first step toward altering destiny—both individually and collectively.

(c):

Answer: Swami Vivekananda emphasised that lofty principles alone cannot sustain a society unless they are translated into lived morality by its people. Ideals provide direction, but their strength depends on how honestly and ethically citizens, leaders, and institutions embody them in practice.

• Morality as the Foundation of Social Strength: A society may profess equality and justice, but unless citizens act with integrity, these remain empty slogans.
  • Example: The success of the Right to Information (RTI) movement was possible because ordinary citizens demonstrated moral courage to demand transparency in governance.
• Leadership Rooted in Moral Action: Ethical leaders inspire confidence by living values rather than merely preaching them. Their morality becomes society’s real strength.
  • E. Sreedharan (the “Metro Man”): As head of Delhi Metro, he upheld personal integrity, resisted corruption, and completed projects on time—showing how moral leadership inspires public trust.
  • Dr. Verghese Kurien (“Father of the White Revolution”): His moral commitment to empower farmers through cooperatives transformed India’s dairy sector, turning ideals of self-reliance into reality.
• Public Morality and Civic Duty: Ideals of self-reliance or equality gain meaning when leaders morally dedicate themselves to social causes.
  • Example: During the COVID-19 crisis, doctors, nurses, and civil servants who served selflessly, often at personal risk, proved that societal strength lay not just in government directives but in the moral responsibility exercised by individuals.

Swami Vivekananda’s words remind us that society’s resilience rests on lived morality i.e. the honesty of administrators, the compassion of leaders, and the ethical conduct of citizens. Ideals inspire, but only morality sustains.

(a):

Answer: Prussian strategist Carl von Clausewitz argued that “war is the continuation of politics by other means,” emphasizing that wars are not isolated acts of violence but political tools employed when diplomacy fails. In the 21st century, although the nature of warfare has evolved, the underlying political objectives remain central.

Relevance of the Statement in Present Context

• Conventional Relevance
  • Russia–Ukraine conflict (2022–present): Russia’s military action reflects political aims of securing strategic depth and resisting NATO expansion.
  • India–Pakistan conflicts: Kargil War (1999) demonstrated how political objectives—challenging the LoC status quo—shaped military aggression.
• Non-Traditional Wars
  • Proxy Wars: West Asian conflicts (Syria, Yemen) illustrate how states pursue geopolitical goals through proxies.
  • Cyber Warfare: The Indian government’s National Cyber Security Policy notes rising state-sponsored cyberattacks as new “political wars.”
  • Hybrid Warfare: China’s “Three Warfare Strategy” (psychological, legal, media warfare) is used in South China Sea disputes.
• Changing Nature of Politics in War
  • Humanitarian Concerns: UN reports state that 90% of war casualties today are civilians, unlike earlier centuries. This complicates the idea of war as mere “political continuation.”
  • Global Governance: Institutions like the UN, ICJ, and International Humanitarian Law (Geneva Conventions) restrict the political utility of war.
  • Economic Interdependence: According to WTO data, global trade wars and sanctions have become political alternatives to direct war.

Clausewitz’s dictum retains partial relevance i.e. wars still serve political ends, as seen in Ukraine or Middle East conflicts. Yet, in an interconnected world with nuclear deterrence, cyber tools, and multilateral diplomacy, war is increasingly constrained. Today, “politics by other means” is pursued not only through military conflict but also through economic sanctions, cyber operations, and information warfare, reflecting a transformed global order.

(b):

Ethical Dilemmas Involved:

• Compensation vs. Security
  • When land is acquired for defence or infrastructure, compensation may be delayed, inadequate, or poorly distributed. This raises the ethical question of whether the collective good of national security justifies compromising individual justice.
    • While national interest demands quick execution, affected tribal communities often receive delayed or inadequate compensation.
  • Ethical tension arises between utilitarian ethics (greatest good for national security) and distributive justice (fair treatment of displaced families).
  • In Arunachal Pradesh, land for Border Roads Organisation (BRO) projects was acquired, but tribal communities reported long delays in compensation.
• Livelihood vs. Strategic Imperatives
  • Indigenous and border communities depend on forests, rivers, and land for survival. Projects may displace them, threatening their culture and livelihoods, creating tension between security-driven development and cultural rights.
  • Example: Hydropower projects along the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh displaced Adi and Galo tribes, disrupting traditional livelihoods.
• Ecological Sensitivity vs. Development
  • Infrastructure in fragile ecosystems accelerates landslides, floods, and biodiversity loss. Ethical dilemma arises when short-term security imperatives compromise long-term ecological security.
  • Example: The Char Dham highway project in Uttarakhand, meant for faster troop movement to the China border, led to deforestation and frequent landslides.
• Accountability and Transparency
  • Lack of proper rehabilitation, inflated land valuation for contractors, or sidelining community voices undermines procedural justice.
  • In parts of Nagaland, local groups alleged that compensation for defence projects was diverted, eroding public trust.

In ecologically fragile border areas, development projects are vital for national security but must be guided by ethical governance—fair compensation, community participation, ecological safeguards, and long-term sustainability. Balancing raison d’état (reason of state) with constitutional values of justice and dignity ensures that national security is not achieved at the cost of marginalised citizens and fragile ecosystems.

(a):

Answer: Social media has revolutionized communication in India, with over 800 million users actively engaging on platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and X. It has become a powerful tool for democratic participation, activism, and information-sharing. However, its rapid expansion has also created serious ethical challenges raising urgent concerns for governance and society.

Key Ethical Dilemmas in Present Digital Age

• Privacy and Data Security: Social media platforms collect vast personal data, often without user comprehension.
  • For example, social media apps often upload a user's entire contact list to build a network map. This data collection happens without the consent or knowledge of the individuals as the user tap ‘allow’ without reading terms and conditions properly.
• Misinformation and Fake News: India was ranked highest for the risk of misinformation and disinformation according to the World Economic Forum's 2024 Global Risk Report.
  • For example, during the Covid-19 pandemic, WhatsApp forwards about fake cures caused public health crises.
  • According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, there is a 214% rise in cases related to the circulation of fake news.
• Cyberbullying and Mental Health: Digital harassment particularly affects vulnerable groups. The suicide cases linked to social media trolling among Indian youth exemplify this growing concern.
  • Priyanshu (content creator), a 16-year-old from Ujjain, MP died by suicide in 2023 facing relentless cyberbullying.
• Political Manipulation: During elections, bot networks and coordinated campaigns manipulate public opinion, threatening democratic integrity.
  • The Cambridge Analytica scandal (2018) highlighted how Indian users' data was harvested for political manipulation (targeted political ads and messages) during in 2016 Presidential elections, raising serious privacy concerns.

Social media is a double-edged sword i.e. a tool of empowerment but also of manipulation and harm. Ethical dilemmas emerge because technology is advancing faster than our moral and regulatory frameworks.

Resolving these requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving users, corporations, and the State, guided by values of truth, dignity, justice, and responsibility. The IT Rules 2021 mandate social media platforms to ensure grievance redressal, content moderation, and compliance, balancing free speech with accountability.

(b):

Answer: Constitutional morality, as conceptualized by George Grote transcends natural instincts and requires deliberate cultivation. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar observed that constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment but cultivated through education and adherence to the rule of law. It implies fidelity to the values enshrined in the Constitution i.e. justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity - beyond mere compliance with legal provisions.

Role of Civil Servants in Upholding Constitutional Morality

• Civil Education and Institutional Training: Civil Service Officers in a federal polity are accountable primarily to the democratically elected Government and Ministers, forming the backbone of collective responsibility.
  • The civil service training institutions like LBSNAA incorporate constitutional values, transforming bureaucrats into guardians of constitutional principles rather than mere administrators.
• Promoting Good Governance: The Right to Information Act (RTI) empowers citizens, promotes transparency and accountability in government working, and contains corruption, making democracy work for the people in real sense.
  • Civil servants serve as crucial intermediaries in RTI implementation, with over 7.5 lakh RTI applications filed annually demonstrating public demand for accountability.
  • The Adarsh Housing Society case exemplifies how RTI exposed corruption, with civil servants playing pivotal roles in both revelation and rectification.
• Ensuring Accountability: Civil servants are trustees of public power. Mechanisms such as social audits under MGNREGA and proactive disclosure under RTI empower citizens to hold administration accountable, reflecting respect for democratic ethos.
• Protecting Rights of Marginalised: Constitutional morality demands empathy and fairness toward weaker sections. Civil servants implementing welfare schemes like PM Poshan or reservations uphold social justice.

Thus, constitutional morality is not instinctive but cultivated through civil service training, ethical leadership, and continuous commitment to public service values. Constitutional morality, when embedded in public administration, transforms governance from a power-centric process into a citizen-centric service, thereby strengthening democracy. In Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) case, the Supreme Court also emphasized adherence to constitutional principles.