UPSC Mains PYQs: Ethics

Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in Public Administration.

Distinguish between "Code of ethics" and "Code of conduct" with suitable examples.

What is meant by public interest? What are the principles and procedures to be followed by the civil servants in public interest?

The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens' empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability. Discuss.

Examine the relevance of the following in the context of civil service: (a) Transparency (b) Accountability (c) Fairness and justice (d) Courage of conviction (e) Spirit of service.

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

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.

"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 (i) who have harmed society and country, (ii) who worked for the development of society and country.

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

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

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.

Corporate social responsibility makes companies more profitable and sustainable. Analyse.

"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." – A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Analyse.

How will you apply emotional intelligence in administrative practices?

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

The crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced to a narrow perception of the good life. Discuss.

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.

Max Weber 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 realise that the State bureaucracy might possess its own independent bureaucratic morality. Critically analyse this statement.

Corruption causes misuse of government treasury, Administrative inefficiency and obstruction in the path of national Development. Discuss Kautilya's views.

Our attitudes towards life, work, other people and society are generally shaped unconsciously by the family and social surroundings in which we grow up. Some of these unconsciously acquired attitudes and values are often undesirable in the context of a modern democratic and egalitarian society. (a) Discuss such undesirable attitudes and values prevalent in today's educated Indians. (b) How can such undesirable attitudes and socio-ethical values be cultivated in the aspiring and serving civil servants?