GS-4 [ Year: 2024 ]

Q1 "The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell. In the light of this quote, examine the importance of two qualities viz., open-mindedness and intellectual humility for a public servant. SHOW ANSWER

Q2 Ram and Shyam are twin brothers raised in the same family. They both study in the same school. Ram is a bright student and excels academically. Shyam is not good at studies but is a keen learner otherwise. Later in life, Ram clears a competitive civil services examination and joins Government service in a senior position. Shyam blooms as a successful businessman. Within a few years, Shyam has grown rich, owns a mansion and lives a life of luxury. Ram, who is an honest civil servant, receives a modest salary and cannot afford luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by his brother Shyam. Colleagues and friends of Ram cajole him to turn corrupt and make money. Ram, however, remains convinced that he is 'servant' of public and his duty is to serve the nation and people selflessly. His friends dismiss his argument as 'impractical idealism'. With whom do you agree and why? Would a handsome increase in the salary of public servants be an appropriate response to the problem of corruption in bureaucracy? Discuss. SHOW ANSWER

Q3 Manish is an upright officer of Forest Department. He clears the licence application of a rich timber merchant after observing due procedure. A few days later, the timber merchant sends an expensive wooden sofa-set and a dining table set to the residence of Manish when Manish is away on tour. When Manish returns home, he is upset that the furniture has been gifted to him by the merchant without even mentioning about it to him. He immediately telephones the merchant and conveys his displeasure, asking the merchant to take the furniture away. The merchant explains that the furniture is a 'small gift' and there is nothing unusual about it, being a common practice. Wife of Manish, who is overhearing the conversation, suggests that the timber merchant can be paid the price of the furniture as the house badly needed some good furniture. Accordingly, Manish offers to pay the price. The timber merchant reluctantly agrees to accept payment from Manish. He quotes a ridiculously low price for the furniture. The merchant explains that he runs a huge furniture making factory and costs incurred by him are really low. Manish agrees to the offer and pay the quoted price to the timber merchant. What are your views about the ethicality of the conduct of Manish in this incident? Do you think Manish should have acted differently? Has Manish acted in a corrupt manner? Discuss with reasons. SHOW ANSWER

Q4 Mohan is an upright and honest Block Development Officer. But, his honest style of working has generated bad blood with some junior officers who are corrupt. One morning, a destitute woman appears before Mohan and requests him to approve her Ration Card application. She has already approached a junior officer, but her request has been turned down as she does not have Aadhaar Card which is a requirement as per rules. After examining the case, Mohan realises that the woman is entitled to have a Ration Card and non-availability of Aadhaar Card is a mere paper formality. Mohan has the administrative power to grant Ration Card without Aadhaar Card in exceptional cases, using his discretionary powers. He, however, apprehends that in case he approves the Ration Card, he would be accused of using his power for making money through corrupt means. The junior officers who hold a grudge against Mohan are looking for such an opportunity when they can paint Mohan as a corrupt officer. Mohan is wondering if he should run the risk of sullying his reputation for the sake of a poor woman. What advice would you tender to Mohan in this situation and why? SHOW ANSWER

Q5 The Right to Information Act entitles every citizen of the country to seek information from any Government entity, without giving any reason for seeking the information. This has arguably cast a huge burden on the Government departments to satisfy the information seekers. Are you in favour or against this arrangement? Justify your answer with supporting examples. SHOW ANSWER

Q6 Do you think that emotional intelligence is a significant factor in making of a good public servant? Why? Between the intellectual prowess and emotional intelligence, which should get priority while selecting a public servant? SHOW ANSWER

Q7 Several decisions taken by the Government are declared to have been taken in 'public interest'. Many laws, regulations and rules provide that the Government can act in a certain manner if warranted by the 'public interest'. What do you understand by the term 'public interest'? Can there be any objective criterion to decide what is in public interest and what is not? Explain with an example. SHOW ANSWER

Q8 Conduct rules governing public servants put certain restrictions on them covering social, financial and personal matters. Their right to participate in political activities and right to expression is also circumscribed. Do you think that the Government is justified in curtailing the civil rights of the Government servants? Discuss. SHOW ANSWER

Q9 What do you understand by environmental ethics and our duty towards maintaining biodiversity, non-human life on earth and responsible self-sustaining use of natural resources? The Constitution lays down duty to protect and improve the natural environment as one of the Fundamental Duties for every citizen of India. Is this an absolute duty or does it admit of exceptions in consideration of practicality? SHOW ANSWER

Q10 While India is not a signatory to the International Convention relating to Status of Refugees, several persons who have entered India without valid documents keep seeking refugee status in India. In this context, the issue of allowing basic facilities to Rohingya refugees from Myanmar has been before the Supreme Court of India. Do we have a moral obligation to provide shelter to refugees on humanitarian grounds, particularly when a section of our own population is living in poverty? Discuss. SHOW ANSWER

Q11 Some thinkers argue that gender equality is not innate to Indian society as the main stream cultural values and religious beliefs promote misogynist attitudes. How far do you agree with this view? What role can ethical governance play in ensuring gender justice and women empowerment? Suggest some steps that the Government can take to promote gender equality in the country. SHOW ANSWER

Q12 In modern age, several corporate houses have grown huge with their financial outlay being bigger than the budget of many countries. In this context, explain the necessity of ethical decision making in corporate governance? Would your answer be different in case of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)? SHOW ANSWER

Q13 "It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to sound of trumpets." - Voltaire. In the light of the above statement of Voltaire, discuss whether war as a state policy can be justified in the modern age. Can there be a just war? Discuss with reference to Operation Sindoor. SHOW ANSWER

Q14 "Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through." Examine this quote by Jonathan Swift in the light of our nation's objective to emerge as a fair, just and egalitarian society. What effective and practical steps would you take as a public servant to ensure that the law is applied to all in an impartial and non-partisan manner? SHOW ANSWER

Q15 "I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, ...., apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him. Will he gain anything by it? Will it restore him to a control over his own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to Swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away." - Mahatma Gandhi. In the light of above quote, discuss the role of a public servant in a welfare state. Do you think that the test suggested above by Gandhiji can be applied in all situations faced by a public servant in present day complex world? SHOW ANSWER

Q16 Can scientific temper and traditional cultural values coexist in a society? What can possibly be areas of conflict? Has Indian society been able to reconcile the two? Give some examples. SHOW ANSWER

Q17 A doctor with expertise in organ transplant comes across five different patients needing organ donation. These patients badly need five vital body organs, one each, to survive. The doctor meets a perfectly healthy person, and without obtaining his consent, removes five organs from his body and transplants the organs in his five patients, thereby giving them gift of life. When questioned, the doctor claims his action to be completely ethical as he saved five lives by sacrificing just one life. He quotes the utilitarian theory of ethics given by philosopher Jeremy Bentham that highest good of highest number is the essence of an ethical action. Do you agree with the argument of the doctor? Give your reasons. SHOW ANSWER