GS 4 Ethics Questions for UPSC Mains 2017

SECTION—A 130 marks: Answer Qs A to M in about 200 words each. The questions carry equal marks

A.       Citing illustrations, explain the following aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service: dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.

B.       Is it correct to say that the bureaucracy is ailing? Is it that mostly due to corruption and lethargy the bureaucracy suffers?

C.       Suggest ways & means to improve Work culture & Quality of service delivery in Civil Service.

D.      What is the difference between ‘Code of Conduct’ and ‘Code of Ethics’? Which one is more important on the Indian context?

E.       “Help others and give something back. I guarantee you will discover that while public service improves the lives and the world around you, its greatest reward is the enrichment and new meaning it will bring your own life” [Arnold Schwarzenegger] Do you agree?

F.        “I think there's no higher calling in terms of a career than public service, which is a chance to make a difference in people's lives and improve the world”. [Jack Lew] Explain with instances.

G.      Have controlling officers, over period of time been giving less attention to curb corruption among their subordinates? Would creation of institutions by itself eliminate corruption? Are external institutional mechanisms a substitute to internal vigilance? How to strengthen internal vigilance?

H.      Could the ‘sting operations’ be given a legal backing?

Should there be a system of evaluating and ranking offices based on corruption indices and then linking incentives to such evaluation.

I.         Does the Constitution and laws give undue protection to the civil servants? Is there a case to revisit Article 311?

J.        Can one individual put his own conscience or moral integrity/turpitude above law? Discuss in the context of Socrates’ philosophy.

K.       “Consequentialism is a theory of morality that derives duty or moral obligation from what is good or desirable as an end to be achieved”. Critically examine.

L.        Select and discuss the contributions of two moral thinkers and philosophers, one from India and one outside India.

M.     Assess the role educational institutions in inculcating values.

SECTION—A 120 marks

1A. “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” 
― Mahatma Gandhi. Do you agree? In this context, can India be termed a great nation?
1B. “Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.” 
― C.S. Lewis. Explain the statement. Cite illustrations.                                  [10x2=20]

2A. Do you think that Kantian ethics exists only in the realm of philosophy and imagination?
2B. What are the recommendations of the 2^nd Administrative Reforms Commission to protect the honest civil servant?                                                                                                         [10x2=20]

3A. Can India considered to be an ethical country in the comity of nations? Justify.
3B. Giving examples, discuss how law can act as deterrent to curb corruption in India? Is corruption limited to only public sector in India?                                                                             [10x2=20]

4A. Critically examine whether change in lifestyle of urban children and youth in India has given / is giving rise to a ‘different generation’ altogether?
4B. Why should a Civil Servant be impartial in his discharge of duties? Cite examples. How would you define ‘dedication’ to public service?                                                                         [10x2=20]

5A. Is there any utility of Emotional Intelligence? How does society help shape our attitudes to life?
5B. Can Yoga help alienate stress in daily life? Would you suggest any alternative to overcome stress and tension?                                                                                                         [10x2=20]

6A. “The transfer is the politicians’ basic weapon of control over the bureaucracy and thus the lever for surplus-extraction from the clients of the bureaucracy. With the transfer weapon not only can the politicians raise money by direct sale; they can also remove someone who is not being responsive enough to their monetary demands or to their request for favours to those from whom they get money and electoral support- in particular, the contractors.” Critically discuss.

6B. Carry out a comparative study of Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam insofar as ethical conduct is concerned.                                

                                                                                                                     [10x2=20]