ETHICS 3

The Ultimate Guide to Ace the UPSC

Ethics Paper
AS aspirants often find the Ethics paper (General Studies Paper IV) particularly challenging, resulting
in marks that may seem absurd or disproportionately low compared to other papers.We have complied
some toppers answers those score extraordinarily .

Let’s understand some factor than influence marks. Several factors contribute to this issue:

 Subjectivity in Evaluation
♦ Abstract Nature of Ethics: Unlike other subjects with clear-cut answers, Ethics involves subjective
interpretations. Evaluators may have differing opinions on what constitutes a good answer.

♦ Diverse Perspectives: Ethical dilemmas and case studies can be approached from various
perspectives, making it hard to standardize answers.

 Lack of Structured Preparation

♦ Resources: Standard textbooks and coaching materials might not cover the breadth of ethical
theories and practical applications.

♦ Superficial Understanding: Students might not delve deeply into ethical theories and their
applications, leading to superficial answers that lack depth and analysis. Students focus mostly
on keywords and examples

 Case Study Complexity

♦ Application Challenges: Applying theoretical knowledge to case studies requires critical
thinking and practical insight. Many students struggle to connect theory with real-life scenarios
effectively.

♦ Time Management: Balancing time between writing theoretical answers and solving case
studies within the exam duration is difficult, often leading to incomplete or rushed answers.

 Answer Presentation
♦ Lack of Structure: Well-structured answers with clear introductions, bodies, and conclusions are
crucial. Many students fail to present their arguments coherently. Logical flow matters.

♦ Illustrations and Examples: Use of relevant examples, diagrams, and flowcharts can enhance
answers, but students often overlook these tools.
 4 GS Mains Paper-Iv

 Ethical Reasoning Skills

♦ Analytical Thinking: High marks require analytical thinking and the ability to present balanced
arguments. Many aspirants lack these skills, leading to one-dimensional answers. See the GS
SCORE toppers answer copies to understand it more.
♦ Originality: Reproducing coaching material without original thought can result in mediocre
marks. Examiners appreciate original, well-reasoned answers.
 Preparation Gaps
♦ Dynamic Syllabus: students often stick to keywords but the Ethics syllabus is dynamic and
evolving around current ethical issues and debates and integrating them into answers is necessary
but often neglected. That will give you edge over the others.
Strategies to Improve Marks in Ethics Paper
 Deep Understanding of Theories: Develop a strong foundation in ethical theories and philosophers.
Understanding different viewpoints helps in addressing subjective questions more effectively.
 Practical Application: Practice applying ethical theories to real-life scenarios and current affairs. This
enhances the ability to handle case studies.
 Structured Answers: Focus on structuring answers with clear introductions, bodies, and conclusions.
Use headings and subheadings to organize thoughts.
 Use of Examples: Integrate relevant examples, anecdotes, and personal experiences to illustrate
points. This adds depth and credibility to answers.
 Regular Practice: Regularly practice writing answers and solving case studies under timed conditions.
Seek feedback from mentors or peers to improve.
 Study Model Answers: Review model answers and previous toppers’ scripts to understand what
evaluators look for. Analyse their approach to structuring and presenting answers.
 Ethics in Daily Life: Incorporate ethical reasoning in daily life and discussions. This practical
engagement helps in developing a nuanced understanding of ethics.
 Continuous Update: Stay updated with current ethical issues, landmark judgments, and debates.
Integrate contemporary examples to make answers more relevant and engaging.
Read this to build ethical reasoning skill
High marks require analytical thinking and the ability to present balanced arguments. Many aspirants
lack these skills, leading to one-dimensional answers. Reproducing coaching material without original
thought can result in mediocre marks. Examiners appreciate original, well-reasoned answers.
Why Morality Must Evolve
In a world plagued by social and moral issues, from discrimination and gender-based violence to
the misuse of technology, it is tempting to believe that a stronger focus on morality could be the
solution. However, the real issue may lie in the excessive moral certainty that often accompanies strong
convictions. This piece explores why morality must evolve and how this evolution can help us address
the complex ethical challenges of our time.
The Pitfall of Moral Certainty
Those with unwavering moral convictions often see the world in black and white, perceiving themselves
as warriors in a battle between good and evil. This rigid thinking stifles engagement with diverse
perspectives and leads to conflict rather than solutions.
The Role of Evolution in Morality
Our sense of morality has deep evolutionary roots. Early humans evolved empathy, social cooperation,
and punishment of wrongdoers to live together peacefully. However, evolution provided “good enough”
solutions rather than perfect ones, often leading us to perceive moral truths as objective facts rather
than subjective opinions.
 ETHICS 5

The Subjectivity of Morality

Moral perceptions are subjective, similar to how we perceive colors or tastes. Just as we mistake the
redness of a strawberry as an inherent property, we project our moral values onto the world, mistaking
them for objective truths.
Cultural Variability in Moral Rules
Moral rules are cultural inventions that have evolved to solve specific social problems. Different
societies, faced with unique challenges, developed varying moral systems. As societies grow and
change, so must their moral tools. For example, revenge was a tool for justice in small communities but
became problematic in larger societies, leading to the development of formal legal systems.
The Need for Moral Evolution
Modern societies face rapid changes and complex problems that require flexible and adaptable moral
frameworks. Black and white thinking is inadequate for addressing issues like free speech, tolerance,
and bioethics. Instead, we must view morality as a toolkit to be adapted to contemporary challenges.
Embracing Moral Diversity
Recognizing the diversity of moral viewpoints helps us understand the full spectrum of ethical dilemmas.
Some moral tools may be obsolete, while others are responses to evolving conceptions of the good life.
The continuous production of new moral tools reflects our ongoing search for better solutions.
Adapting to Today’s World
Our world today is larger, more complex, and more interconnected than ever before. This necessitates
a shift from old moral certainties to a more nuanced, adaptable approach. We must rethink morality as
a human invention that evolves to meet the needs of changing circumstances.
Conclusion
To address today’s serious social and moral problems, we must move away from rigid moral views and
embrace a more flexible, evolutionary approach to ethics. By acknowledging the subjectivity of our
moral beliefs and the necessity for adaptation, we can better engage with diverse perspectives and
find effective solutions to the challenges we face. This genuine moral evolution is essential for creating
a better world.


 6 GS Mains Paper-Iv

TREND ANALYSIS (2013-2023)

S.
Topic Subtopic 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
No

Essence,
determinants and
consequences of 2 5 2 1 1
Ethics in human
Ethics & actions
1
Human Values ethics in private and
1 1
public relationships
Human values 1 2 2 1
3 5 1 2 2 1 2 2
content, structure,
1 1
function
its influence and
Attitude relation with thought 1 2 2
2 and behaviour
social influence and
1 2 1 1
persuasion
2 2 2 1 3 1 1
Integrity,
impartiality and
non-partisanship,
objectivity, 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1
dedication to public
service, empathy,
tolerance
Aptitude and
foundational compassion towards
3 1
values for Civil the weaker-sections
Service
2 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 1
concepts, and
their utilities and
Emotional
4 application in 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
intelligence
administration and
governance
Contributions of
moral thinkers and
philosophers from
India and world.
&
5 Moral Thinkers 3 2 3 2 3 3 4 3 3 4
lessons from the
lives and teachings
of great leaders,
reformers and
administrators
 ETHICS 7

Status and problems,

ethical concerns
and dilemmas in 1 1 2 1 1
government and
private institutions
laws, rules,
regulations and
conscience as 2 1 1 1 2 1 1
Public/Civil sources of ethical
service values guidance
and Ethics
6 in Public accountability and
1 1 1
administration ethical governance;
strengthening of
ethical and moral 1 1 1 1
values in governance
ethical issues
in international 1 1
relations and funding
corporate
1
governance
2 2 4 1 5 4 2 1 2 1 1
Concept of public
1 1 1 1
service
Philosophical basis
of governance and 1 1 3 1
Probity in
7 probity
Governance
Information sharing
and transparency in
1 1 1
government, Right to
Information
Codes of Ethics,
1 1 1
Codes of Conduct
Citizen's Charters,
Probity in Work culture, Quality 1
Governance of service delivery
7
Utilization of public
funds, challenges of 1 1 1
corruption
1 2 2 2 3 5 3 2
8 Applied Ethics 3 2 1 1 2 2 4 2

Key Takeaways
 Shift from self-ethics to societal-ethics
 Repetition of themes: corruption, means vs ends, inclusive growth, Emotional Intelligence, conflict
of interest, laws vs ethics
 Shift from theoretical to practical application or current based themes
8 GS Mains Paper-Iv

2013  More questions on defining keywords and relevance for civil service and self
 Only 3 opinion/philosophical based questions and 3 quotes

2014  7 opinion/philosophical based questions

 shift from ethics at personal level to ethics at societal level
 questions on personal ethics were focussed on civil servants

2015  Paper loaded with comparing competing/contradictory keywords like law vs ethics,
discrimination vs preferential treatment, economic vs social value, bureaucratic vs
democratic attitude, national interest vs interest of other, conflict of interest etc.
 More focus on ethical dilemma solving skills

2016  Application of keywords like those asked in 2013- social influence for Swach Bharat,
manage Anger (negative emotion), law/ethics for social well being and civilized
society etc.
 Teachings: 7 sins, Rawl’s theory, 2nd ARC

2017  Pure application based paper like that of 2016 with introduction of corporate
governance (CSR) and few questions requires philosophical/theoretical discussion

2018  Paper focussed on evaluating ethical competency for civil service (rather than
common man’s ethics)- basic values in CS, code of ethics vs code of conduct, public
interest, RTI, integrity, law vs ethics, policy for rehab, solving ethical dilemma etc.

2019  Same trend continues from 2018

 Introduction of new keywords (first time) like- public life/servant, constitutional
morality, citizen’s charter etc

2020  Applied ethics in social issues- CNP, education, hatred, gender inequality, internet
altering cultural values etc.
 Few theoretical questions- EI, laws vs rules, positive attitude

2021  Shift towards conceptual understanding of ethical terminologies

 More emphasis on ethical values and traits

2022  New trend of long questions, the first part of the question acting as a hint for the
direction of the question.
 Applied Ethics sees resurgence in terms of number of questions.

2023  Questions have shifted towards the basic understanding and applications of ethics.
 Conventional ethical topics such as international aid are back in focus.
 ETHICS 9

Ethics/value/ 1 1b, 1b 1a 1a 4a 6b 2b 2a,

morality 4b,
7
Integrity 2a 1a
Emotional 4 7 6a 5b 2b 4b
Intelligence
Probity 2b 5a 5b 5b
Corruption 5b 4a 5b 2a, 2a
Keywords:
2b
define, utility/
threats, how Public life, public 2a 1a, 1a, 1b,
to achieve/ servant, public 1b 1b, 5b
remove for interest 2b,
Public Service/ Misc- 2a, 2a 1a, 1b, 2 3a 5b 1a,
Self Perseverance, 2b 1b, 1b,
Spirit of Service, 3b 5b
Commitment,
Courage of
conviction,
Patriotism,
environmental
ethics,
trustworthiness,
fortitude,
impartiality, non
partisanship,
transparency,
accountability,
fairness, justice,
constitutional
morality etc.
Individual 7 5a 2a
centric: good,
trust deficit,
hatred

Social Issues Contrasting 6

attitude
women 8 5a
Inclusive Growth 4a 7b 5a
Education 1b
 10 GS Mains Paper-Iv

Values/ethics 4, 8 5 5a, 1a, 1b, 4b 2a

7a, 5b 6b
8b
Discussion on
Happiness 1a
keywords
Integrity 3a 4a 3b 6b
Ethical 2a 3a
governance,
Formation/Effect 6 6 4b 4a,
Bureaucratic, 5
democratic,
Attitude
political attitude
Social Influence, 4b 3
Persuasion
Voice of 5a
conscience
crisis of 5b 3b 4b
conscience
Dilemmas Conflict of Interest 8 1 3a 5b
Means vs Ends 3b 4b, 6c
(Quote)
Law vs Ethics 3a 1b, 4a 5a
How to resolve 5b
Quotes 6 2 6 6 6 3 3 3
7 sins, Rawl’s 4a 2b, 3a 6a
theory, Public 3a,
Thinkers
Service Code, 3b
Buddha
CSR 4b 6b
Organisational Discipline 8a
Ethics Citizen Charter 4a
Public vs Private 8
RTI: use/ misuse /strengthen/ 4b, 2b 4b
weakness 6
International Relations 7 6b 3b 5a 5a 1b

Focus Areas in Recent Years:

 Ethics and Human Values:
" Prominent Questions: Questions related to the essence, determinants, and consequences
of ethics in human actions are consistently highlighted. For example, questions in 2021, 2022,
and 2023 frequently explored the role of ethics in public administration, integrity, and ethical
dilemmas. These questions emphasize understanding the essence of ethics and its practical
implications in various scenarios​​.
 ETHICS 11

 Moral Thinkers:
" Prominent Questions: Consistent inclusion of quotations from moral thinkers and their
application to contemporary issues. This trend was evident in 2021, 2022, and 2023, with questions
focusing on quotes from philosophers like Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda, analyzing
their relevance today. This trend highlights the importance of historical ethical perspectives in
modern-day decision-making​ ​.
 Emotional Intelligence (EI):
" Prominent Questions: Questions on EI, particularly focusing on its application in administration
and personal effectiveness. The trend in 2023 emphasized practical applications and the
distinction between moral intuition and reasoning, indicating an evolving understanding of EI in
public service contexts​.
 Public Service Values and Ethics:
" Prominent Questions: Topics such as accountability, ethical governance, and the role of ethics
in public service have been recurring themes. Questions often delve into case studies to assess
candidates’ problem-solving abilities and ethical reasoning, as seen in the 2021, 2022, and 2023
papers​ ​.
 Probity in Governance:
" Prominent Questions: The trend analysis shows a strong focus on transparency, accountability,
and probity. Questions in 2022 and 2023 addressed issues like corruption, ethical governance,
and the challenges posed by digitalization and social media. These topics reflect the ongoing
importance of maintaining integrity in public administration​​.
 Attitude and Foundational Values:
" Prominent Questions: There has been a consistent emphasis on foundational values such as
integrity, impartiality, and non-partisanship. Questions from recent years (2021-2023) explore
these values through real-life scenarios and theoretical discussions, underlining their significance
in effective public service​.
 Applied Ethics:
" Prominent Questions: Contemporary issues, especially those intersecting with technology and
governance, have been highlighted. The 2022 and 2023 papers included questions on ethical
dilemmas posed by social media, international relations, and corporate social responsibility​.

Key Takeaways:
 Identify More Social Issues and Their Ethical Solutions:
" Examine how ethics can address contemporary social issues like the orphans’ and adoption
crises during COVID-19, the migrant crisis, and more.
 Foundational Values in Civil Service and Institutional Ethics:
" Explore how foundational values of civil service or institutional ethics can solve social issues.
Highlight the role of integrity, impartiality, and non-partisanship in resolving these issues.
 Introduction of New Keywords and Concepts:
o Incorporate new keywords like “constitutional morality” and ask simple, relatable
questions. This can help in understanding evolving ethical concepts.
 Application of Emotional Intelligence (EI):
" Find new dimensions for applying EI by mapping it with the syllabus itself. For example,
understanding how anger and other emotions can impact administrative practices.
 12 GS Mains Paper-Iv

 Institutional Ethics and Governance:

" Focus on institutional ethics by referring to reports like the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission
(ARC). Study how ethics guide decision-making in governance, wildlife management, climate
action, disaster management, healthcare, finance, etc.
 Social Reformers in India:
" Examine the contributions of social reformers like Savitribai Phule in addressing social issues.
Understand how their teachings can be applied to contemporary problems.
 Ethics in Decision Making and Governance:
" Study the role of ethics in governance, including decision-making processes in ministries and
offices, and critical areas like wildlife management, disaster management, and healthcare.
 Financial Probity and Jurisprudence:
" Focus on themes like corruption, which is repeatedly addressed in exams. Understand financial
probity and its significance in maintaining ethical standards in public administration.
 Ethics in Critical and Sensitive Institutions:
" Examine the role of ethics in institutions like RAW, IB, and Defence. Study real-world cases like
Snowden’s revelations, Rafale file leaks, and Scorpene submarine data leaks.
 ETHICS 13

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

ETHICS & HUMAN VALUES

Q1. What do you understand by ‘values’ and ‘ethics’? In what way is it important to be
ethical along with being professionally competent? (2013)

Q2. Some people feel that values keep changing with time and situation, while others
strongly believe that there are certain universal and eternal human values. Give your
perception in this regard with due justification. (2013)

Q3. “The good of an individual is contained in the good of all.” What do you understand by
this statement? How can this principle be implemented in public life? (2013)

Q4. What does ethics seeks to promote in human life? Why is it all the more important in
Public Administration? (2014)

Q5. “Human beings should always be treated as ‘ends’ in themselves and never as ‘means’.”
Explain the meaning and significance of this statement, giving it’s implications in the
modern techno-economic society. (2014)

Q6. The current society is plagued with widespread trust-deficit. What are the consequences
of this situation for personal well-being and for societal well-being? What can you do at
the personal level to make yourself trustworthy? (2014)

Q7. Which eminent personality has inspired you the most in the context of ethical conduct
in life? Give the Gist of his/her teachings. Giving specific examples describe how you
have been able to apply these teachings for your own ethical development. (2014)

Q8. Differentiate between the following: (2014)

(a) Law and ethics

(b) Ethical management and management of ethics

(c) Discrimination and preferential treatment

(d) Personal Ethics and Professional Ethics

Q9. Explain how ethics contributes to social and human well-being. (2015)

Q10. Law and ethics are considered to be the two tools for controlling human conduct so as
to make it conducive to civilized social existence. (2016)

(a) Discuss how they achieve this objective.

(b) Giving examples, show how the two differ in their approaches.

Q11. The crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced to a narrow perception of the good
life. Discuss. (2017)
 14 GS Mains Paper-Iv

Q12. Without commonly shared and widely entrenched moral values and obligations, neither
the law, nor democratic government, nor even the market economy will function
properly. What do you understand by this statement? Explain with illustration in the
contemporary times. (2017)

Q13. With regard to the morality of actions, one view is that means is of paramount
importance and the other view is that the ends justify the means. Which view do you
think is more appropriate? Justify your answer. (2018)

Q14. The current internet expansion has instilled a different set of cultural values which are
often in conflict with traditional values. Discuss. (2020)

Q15. “Education is not an injunction, it is an effective and pervasive tool for all-round
development of an individual and social transformation”. Examine the New Education
Policy, 2020 (NEP, 2020) in light of the above statement. (2020)

Q16. “Integrity is a value that empowers the human being.” Justify with suitable
illustration. (2021)

Q17. Identify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant.
Justify their inclusion in the matrix. (2021)

Q18. It is believed that adherence to ethics in human actions would ensure the smooth
functioning of an organization/system. If so, what does ethics seek to promote in
human life? How do ethical values assist in the resolution of conflicts faced by him in
his day-to-day functioning? (2022)

MORAL THINKERS

Q1. Given below are three quotations of great moral thinkers/philosophers. For each of
these quotations, bring out what it means to you in the present context: (2013)

(a) “There is enough on this earth for every one’s need but for no one’s greed.”
Mahatma Gandhi.

(b) “Nearly all men can withstand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character,
give him power.”—Abraham Lincoln.

(c) “I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who overcomes his
enemies.”—Aristotle.

Q2. Given are two quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. For each of these, bring out
what it means to you in the present context: (2015)

(a) “The weak can never forgive; forgiveness is the attribute of strong.”

(b) “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is
when men are afraid of the light”.

Q3. Discuss Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of seven sins. (2016)

 ETHICS 15

Q4. Analyse John Rawls’s concept of social justice in the Indian context. (2016)

Q5. “Corruption cause misuse of government treasury, administrative inefficiency and

obstruction in the path of national development.” Discuss Kautilya’s views. (2016)

Q6. “Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform
very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them.” – Napoleon
Bonaparte. Stating examples mention the rulers (2017)

(a) Who have harmed society and country?

(b) Who worked for the development of society and country?

Q7. “If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly
feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are father,
the mother and the teacher.” – A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Analyse. (2017)

Q8. What do each of the following quotations mean to you in the present context? (2018)

(a) “The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject anything, is not whether it
has any evil in it; but whether it has more evil than good. There are few things
wholly evil or wholly good. Almost everything, especially of governmental
policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgement of the
preponderance between them is continually demanded.” Abraham Lincoln.

(b) “Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.” – Mahatma
Gandhi

(c) “Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common
good.” - Tirukkural

Q9. What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (2019)

(a) “An unexamined life is not worth living.” - Socrates

(b) “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” -
M.K.Gandhi

(c) “Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character.
When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there
is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the
nation, there is peace in the world.” - A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Q10. What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (2020)

(a) “Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If not, fold your
hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way”. - Swami Vivekanand

(b) “The best way to fi nd yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”. -
Mahatma Gandhi.

(c) “A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere

illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and
nothing true”. - Socrates
 16 GS Mains Paper-Iv

Q11. What teachings of Buddha are most relevant today and why? Discuss. (2020)

Q12. What does each of the following quotations mean to you? (2021)

(a) “Every work has got to pass through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding.
Those that persevere will see the light, sooner or later.-Swami Vivekananda.

(b) “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until and unless we obtain peace
within ourselves.” – Dalai Lama

(c) Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and
the sooner we learn that it is better for us all.” -Erik Erikson

Q13. Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is
right to do.’-Potter Stewart . (2022)

Q14. “If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly
feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the
father, the mother and the teacher.” (2022)

Q15. “Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.” (2022)

Q16. “The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing
in prayer.” – Mahatma Gandhi (2023)

Q17. “To awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened. Ones she is on the
move, the family moves, the village moves, the nation moves.” – Jawaharlal Nehru
(2023)

Q18. Do not hate anybody, because that hatred that comes out from you must, in the long
run, come back to you. If you love, that love will come back to you, completing the
circle.” – Swami Vivekanand. 2023)

Q19. What were the major teachings of Guru Nanak? Explain their relevance in the
contemporary world. (2023)

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Q1. What is ‘emotional intelligence’ and how can it be developed in people? How does it
help an individual in taking ethical decisions? (2013)

Q2. All human beings aspire for happiness. Do you agree? What does happiness mean to
you? Explain with answers. (2014)

Q3. Anger is a harmful negative emotion. It is injurious to both personal life and work life.
(2016)

(a) Discuss how it leads to negative emotions and undesirable behaviours.

(b) How can it be managed and controlled?

 ETHICS 17

Q4. How will you apply emotional intelligence in administrative practices? (2017)

Q5. “Emotional Intelligence is the ability to make your emotions work for you instead of
against you.” Do you agree with this view? Discuss. (2019)

Q6. What are the main components of Emotional Intelligence (EI)? Can they be learned?
Discuss. (2020)

Q7. In case of a crisis of conscience does emotional intelligence help to overcome the same
without compromising the ethical or moral stand that you are likely to follow? Critically
examine. (2021)

Q8. What really matters for success, character, happiness and lifelong achievements is a
definite set of emotional skills – your EQ- not just purely cognitive abilities that are
measured by conventional IQ tests.” Do you agree with this view? Give reasons in
support of your answer. (2023)

Q9. Differentiate ‘moral intuition from ‘moral reasoning’ with suitable examples. (2023)

APTITUDE & FOUNDATIONAL VALUES FOR CIVIL SERVICES

Q1. (a) What do you understand by the following terms in the context of public service?
(2013)

(i) Integrity
(ii) Perseverance
(iii) Spirit of service
(iv) Commitment
(v) Courage of conviction

(b) Indicate two more attributes which you consider important for public service.
Justify your answer. (2013)

Q2. “Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, but knowledge without integrity
is dangerous and dreadful.” What do you understand by this statement? Explain your
stand with illustrations from modern day context. (2014)

Q3. Why should impartiality and non-partisanship be considered as foundation values in

public services, especially in the present day socio-political context? Illustrate your
answer with examples. (2016)

Q4. One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be compromised. Explain with
reference to a real life example. (2017)

Q5. Increased national wealth did not result in equitable distribution of its benefits. It has
created only some “enclaves of modernity and prosperity for a small minority at the
cost of the majority.” Justify. (2017)
 18 GS Mains Paper-Iv

Q6. State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services and
bring out their importance. 2018)

Q7. “In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and
energy. And if they do not have the first, the other two will kill you.” – Warren Buffett.
What do you understand by this statement in the present-day scenario? Explain.
(2018)

Q8. What do you understand by the term public servant? Reflect on the expected role of a
public servant. (2019)

Q9. Should impartial and being non-partisan be considered indispensable qualities to make
a successful civil servant? Discuss with illustrations. (2021)

Q10. Identify ten essential values that are needed to be an effective public servant. Describe
the /ways and means to prevent non-ethical behaviour in public servants.
(2021)

Q11. Apart from intellectual competency and moral qualities, empathy and compassion
are some of the other vital attributes that facilitate the civil servants to be more
competent in tackling the crucial issues or taking critical decisions. Explain with suitable
illustrations. (2022)

Q12. Write short notes on the following in 30 words each:

(a) Constitutional morality

(b) Conflict of interest

(c) Probity in public life

(d) Challenges of digitalization

(e) Devotion to duty

Q13. Is conscience a more reliable guide when compared to laws, rules and regulations in
the context of ethical decision making? Discuss. (2023)

ATTITUDE

Q1. What factors affect the formation of a person’s attitude towards social problems? In
our society, contrasting attitudes are prevalent about many social problems. What
contrasting attitudes do you notice about the caste system in our society? How do you
explain the existence of these contrasting attitudes? (2014)

Q2. We are witnessing increasing instances of sexual violence against women in the
country. Despite existing legal provisions against it, the number of such incidences is
on the rise. Suggest some innovative measures to tackle this menace. (2014)

Q3. Two different kinds of attitudes exhibited by public servants towards their work have
been identified as bureaucratic attitude and the democratic attitude. (a) Distinguish
between these two terms and write their merits and demerits. (b) Is it possible to
balance the two to create a better administration for the faster development of our
country? (2015)
 ETHICS 19

Q4. Our attitudes towards life, work, other people and society are generally shaped
unconsciously by the family and the social surroundings in which we grow up. Some of
these unconsciously acquired attitudes and values are often undesirable in the citizens
of a modern democratic and egalitarian society. (2016)

(a) Discuss such undesirable values prevalent in today’s educated Indians.

(b) How can such undesirable attitudes be changed and socio-ethical values
considered necessary in public services be cultivated in the aspiring and serving
civil servants?

Q5. How could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swachh Bharat
Abhiyan? (2016)

Q6. Young people with ethical conduct are not willing to come forward to join active politics.
Suggest steps to motivate them to come forward. (2017)

Q7. A positive attitude is considered to be an essential characteristic of a civil servant

who is often required to function under extreme stress. What contributes to a positive
attitude in a person? (2020)

Q8. What are the main factors responsible for gender inequality in India? Discuss the
contribution of Savitribai Phule in this regard. (2020)

Q9. “Hatred is destructive of a person’s wisdom and conscience that can poison a nation’s
spirit”. Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer. (2020)

Q10. Attitude is an important component that goes as input in the development of humans.
How to build a suitable attitude needed for a public servant? (2021)

Q11. In the context of work environment, differentiate between ‘coercion’ and ‘undue
influence’ with suitable examples. (2023)

PUBLIC/CIVIL SERVICE VALUES AND ETHICS IN PUBLIC

ADMINISTRATION

Q1. (a) What do you understand by the term ‘voice of conscience’? How do you prepare
yourself to heed to the voice of conscience? (2013)

(b) What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? Narrate one incident in your life when
you were faced with such a crisis and how you resolved the same. (2013)

Q2. In the context of defence services, ‘patriotism’ demands readiness to even lay down
one’s life in protecting the nation. According to you, what does patriotism imply in
everyday civil life? Explain with illustrations and justify your answer. (2014)

Q3. What does ‘accountability’ mean in the context of public service? What measures can
be adopted to ensure individual and collective accountability of public servants?
(2014)
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Q4. There is a heavy ethical responsibility on the public servants because they occupy
positions of power, handle huge amounts of public funds, and their decisions have wide
ranging impact on society and environment. What steps have you taken to improve
your ethical competence to handle such responsibility? (2014)

Q5. Public servants are likely to confront with the issues of “Conflict of Interest”. What
do you understand by the term “Conflict of Interest” and how does it manifest in the
decision making by public servants? If faced with the conflict of interest situation, how
would you resolve it? Explain with the help of examples. (2015)

Q6. “A mere compliance with law is not enough, the public servant also has to have a well-
developed sensibility to ethical issues for effective discharge of duties” Do you agree?
Explain with the help of two examples, where (i) an act is ethically right, but not legally
and (ii) an act is legally right, but not ethically. (2015)

Q7. How do the virtues of trustworthiness and fortitude get manifested in public service?
Explain with examples. (2015)

Q8. Max Webar said that it is not wise to apply to public administration the sort of moral
and ethical norms we apply to matters of personal conscience. It is important to realize
that the state bureaucracy might possess its own independent bureaucratic morality.”
Critically analyse this statement. (2016)

Q9. Conflict of interest in the public sector arises when (a) official duties, (b) public interest,
and (c) personal interest are taking priority one above the other. How can this conflict
in administration be resolved? Describe with an example. (2017)

Q10. Discipline generally implies following the order and subordination. However, it may be
counter-productive for the organisation. Discuss. (2017)

Q11. Examine the relevance of the following in the context of civil service: (2017)

(a) Transparency

(b) Accountability

(c) Fairness and justice

(d) Courage of conviction

(e) Spirit of services

Q12. What is meant by conflict of interest? Illustrate with examples, the difference between
the actual and potential conflict of interest. (2018)

Q13. Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in Public Administration. (2018)

Q14. In doing a good thing, everything is permitted which is not prohibited expressly or by
clear implication”. Examine the statement with suitable examples in the context of a
public servant discharging his/ her duties. (2018)

Q15. Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in Public Administration. (2018)

Q16. What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? How does it manifest in the public domain?
(2019)
 ETHICS 21

Q17. What are the basic principles of public life? Illustrate any three with suitable
examples. (2019)

Q18. Distinguish between laws and rules. Discuss the role of ethics in formulating them.
(2020)

Q19. Besides domain knowledge, a public official needs innovativeness and creativity of a
high order as well, while resolving ethical dilemmas. Discuss with a suitable example.
(2021)

Q20. An independent and empowered social audit mechanism is an absolute must in every
sphere of public service, including the judiciary, to ensure performance, accountability
and ethical conduct. Elaborate. (2021)

Q21. The Rules and Regulations provided to all the civil servants are same, yet there is
difference in the performance. Positive minded officers are able to interpret the Rules
and Regulations in favour of the case and achieve success, whereas negative minded
officers are unable to achieve goals by interpreting the same Rules and Regulations
against the case. Discuss with illustrations. (2022)

Q22. What do you understand by ‘moral integrity’ and ‘professional efficiency in the context
of corporate governance in India? Illustrate with suitable examples. (2023)

PROBITY IN GOVERNANCE

Q1. It is often said that ‘politics’ and ‘ethics’ do not go together. What is your opinion in
this regard? Justify your answer with illustrations. (2013)

Q2. What do you understand by ‘probity’ in public life? What are the difficulties in practicing
it in the present times? How can these difficulties be overcome? (2014)

Q3. It is often said that poverty leads to corruption. However there is no dearth of instances
where affluent and powerful people indulge in corruption in a big way. What are the
basic causes of corruption among people? Support your answer with examples. (2014)

Q4. Some recent developments such as introduction of RTI Act, media and judicial activism,
etc. are proving helpful in bringing about greater transparency and accountability in
the functioning of the government. However, it is also being observed that at times the
mechanisms are misused. Another negative effect is that the officers are now afraid to
take prompt decisions. Analyse the situation in detail and suggest how the dichotomy
can be resolved. Suggest how these negative impacts can be minimised.
(2015)

Q5. Today we find that in-spite of various measures of prescribing codes of conduct,
setting up vigilance cells/commissions, RTI, active media and strengthening of legal
mechanism, corrupt practices are not coming under control. (2015)

(a) Evaluate the effectiveness of these measures with justifications.

(b) Suggest more effective strategies to tackle this menace.

 22 GS Mains Paper-Iv

Q6. What do you understand by the terms ‘governance’, ‘good governance’ and ‘ethical
governance’? (2016)

Q7. Discuss the Public Service Code as recommended by the 2nd Administrative Reforms
Commission. (2016)

Q8. What is meant by public interest? What are the principles and procedures to be followed
by the civil servants in public interest? (2018)

Q9. “The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’ empowerment alone, it essentially
redefines the concept of accountability. Discuss. (2018)

Q10. Distinguish between “Code of ethics” and “Code of conduct” with suitable examples.
(2018)

Q11. What do you understand by probity in governance? Based on your understanding of

the term, suggest measures for ensuring probity in government. (2019)

Q12. There is a view that the official secrets act is an obstacle to the implementation of the
Rights to Information act. Do you agree with the view? Discuss. (2019)

Q13. Explain the basic principles of citizens’ charter movement and bring out its
importance. (2019)

Q14. Effective utilization of public funds is crucial to meet development goals. Critically
examine the reasons for under-utilization and mis- utilization of public funds and their
implications. (2019)

Q15. “Non-performance of duty by a public servant is a form of corruption”. Do you agree

with this view? Justify your answer. (2019)

Q16. Wisdom lies in knowing what to reckon with and what to overlook. An officer being
engrossed with the periphery, ignoring the core issues before him, is no rare in the
bureaucracy. Do you agree that such preoccupation of an administrator leads to
travesty of justice to the cause of effective service delivery and good governance?
Critically evaluate. (2022)

Q17. What do you understand by term ‘good governance’? How far recent initiatives in terms
of e-Governance steps taken by the State have helped the beneficiaries? Discuss with
suitable examples. (2022)

Q18. Write short notes on the following in 30 words each: (2022)

(a) Probity in public life

(b) Challenges of digitalization

Q19. ‘Probity is essential for an effective system of governance and socio- economic
development.’ Discuss. (2023)

Q20. Explain the term social capital. How does it enhance good governance? (2023)
 ETHICS 23

APPLIED ETHICS

Q1. What is meant by ‘environmental ethics’? Why is it important to study? Discuss any one
environmental issue from the viewpoint of environmental ethics. (2015)

Q2. At the international level, bilateral relations between most nations are governed on
the policy of promoting one’s own national interest without any regard for the interest
of other nations. This leads to conflicts and tensions between the nations. How can
ethical consideration help resolve such tensions? Discuss with specific examples.
(2015)

Q3. “Social values are more important than economic values.” Discuss the above statement
with examples in the context of inclusive growth of a nation. (2015)

Q4. Corporate social responsibility makes companies more profitable and sustainable.
(2017)

Q5. Strength, peace and security are considered to be the pillars of international relations.
Elucidate. (2017)

Q6. Suppose the Government of India is thinking of constructing a dam in a mountain valley
bond by forests and inhabited by ethnic communities. What rational policy should it
resort to in dealing with unforeseen contingencies. (2018)

Q7. What is meant by the term ‘constitutional morality’? How does one uphold constitutional
morality? (2019)

Q8. Discuss the role of ethics and values in enhancing the following three major components
of Comprehensive National Power (CNP) viz. human capital, soft power (culture and
policies) and social harmony. (2020)

Q9. The will to power exists, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and principles
of moral duty. Examine this statement in the context of international relations. (2020)

Q10. Impact of digital technology as a reliable source of input for rational decision making is
debatable issue. Critically evaluate with a suitable example. (2021)

Q11. “Refugees should not be turned back to the country where they would face persecution or
human right violation.” Examine the statement with reference to the ethical dimension
being violated by the nation claiming to be democratic with an open society. (2021)

Q12. Russia and Ukraine war has been going on for the last seven months. Different countries
have taken independent stands and actions keeping in view their own national interests.
We are all aware that war has its own impact on the different aspects of society, including
human tragedy. What are those ethical issues that are crucial to be considered while
launching the war and its continuation so far? Illustrate with justification the ethical
issues involved in the given state of affair. (2022)

Q13. Whistle blower, who reports corruption and illegal activities, wrongdoing and misconduct
to the concerned authorities, runs the risk of being exposed to grave danger, physical
harm and victimization by the vested interests, accused persons and his team. What
policy measures would you suggest to strengthen protection mechanism to safeguard
the whistle blower? (2022)
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Q14. In contemporary world, corporate sector’s contribution in generating wealth and

employment is increasing. In doing so, they are bringing in unprecedented onslaught
on the climate, environmental sustainability and living conditions of human beings. In
this background, do you think Responsibility (CSR) is efficient and sufficient enough
to fulfill the social roles and responsibilities needed in the corporate work mandated?
Critically examine. (2022)

Q15. Online methodology is being used for day-to-day meetings, institutional approvals
in the administration and for teaching and learning in education sector to the extent
telemedicine in the health sector is getting popular with the approvals of the competent
authority. No doubt it has advantages and disadvantages for both the beneficiaries and
system at large. Describe and discuss the ethical issues involved in the use of online
method particularly to vulnerable section of society. (2022)

Q16. “Corruption is the manifestation of the failure of core values in the society.” In your
opinion, what measures can be adopted to uplift the core values in the society?
(2023)

Q17. ‘International aid’ is an accepted form of helping ‘resource-challenged’ nations.

Comment on ‘ethics in contemporary international aid’. Support your answer with
suitable examples. (2023)

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