Case Study Ananya Singh, a dedicated and empathetic IAS officer, is currently serving as the District Collector in a predominantly tribal and underdeveloped district of Jharkhand. The government has recently rolled out a revised Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) to ensure timely financial support for pregnant women and lactating mothers, aimed at improving maternal and child nutrition. A key feature of this new system is mandatory biometric authentication through Aadhaar at the time of benefit disbursal. The move is intended to reduce pilferage, eliminate ghost beneficiaries, and enhance accountability in welfare delivery. However, within a few weeks of implementation, several ground-level issues begin to emerge. Many elderly caregivers, especially grandmothers caring for children in the absence of parents, struggle with fingerprint mismatch due to worn-out biometric impressions. In remote tribal hamlets, poor internet connectivity and lack of functional biometric devices cause frequent transaction failures. Local Anganwadi workers and ASHAs report that over 30% of eligible beneficiaries have not received funds, causing significant distress, especially among marginalized families who rely on this support for basic nutrition. Concerned about the impact on vulnerable groups, Ananya considers allowing alternative forms of verification, such as physical ID checks, mobile OTP, or manual register maintenance, as a temporary stop-gap measure. However, she is advised against it by the State Department, citing strict central guidelines that prohibit deviation from the biometric-based process. Meanwhile, a reputed local NGO organizes protests and contacts the media, accusing the administration of systemic exclusion and violation of Article 21 (Right to Life with Dignity). Questions: (a) Identify the core ethical dilemma involved in the case. (b) What are the options available to Ananya? Critically evaluate each of them and suggest the most appropriate course of action. (c) What steps can be taken by public institutions to ensure that the use of technology in governance does not exclude the vulnerable?

Case Study Nila, a civil servant, is appointed as a District Magistrate in a remote and tribal-dominated region. The region has been facing several challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, high unemployment rates, and lack of access to basic amenities. The tribal population in the area is predominantly dependent on farming and forest produce for their livelihood. However, due to industrialization and urbanization, their land and forests are being taken over by big corporations for mining, deforestation, and other projects, leading to displacement and loss of livelihood for the local population. As the District Magistrate, Nila is tasked with maintaining law and order, ensuring the welfare of the citizens, and promoting development in the region. She is also responsible for facilitating the smooth functioning of the projects undertaken by the corporations, which are expected to bring in investments and job opportunities for the locals. However, as she spends more time in the region, Nila realizes that the projects are causing irreparable damage to the environment, depleting natural resources, and violating the rights of the tribal population. She also learns that the corporations are indulging in corrupt practices and exploiting the locals for cheap labor. On the other hand, Nila also understands that the region urgently needs investments and job opportunities to improve the standard of living of the locals. What should Nila do in such a situation? What ethical principles should guide her decision-making process?

Case Study Mr. Rohit Nair is the Commissioner of Police in a metropolitan city that has recently witnessed a rise in organised crime, including theft, drug trafficking, and incidents of violence. To enhance policing efficiency, the State Government introduces an advanced facial recognition surveillance system integrated with CCTV cameras across the city. The system is designed to identify suspects in real time and has already helped solve several cases. Encouraged by early success, higher authorities directed Mr. Nair to expand its use, including continuous monitoring of public spaces such as markets, metro stations, and residential areas. However, concerns begin to emerge from civil society organisations, legal experts, and sections of the public regarding privacy violations, lack of consent, and potential misuse of personal data. Reports indicate that the system has a higher error rate in identifying certain groups, raising fears of profiling and wrongful targeting. Additionally, there are no clear guidelines on data storage, access, or accountability mechanisms. Some officers informally suggest using the system to monitor “habitual protesters” and political activists to prevent potential law-and-order issues. The State Government emphasises that public safety must take precedence over abstract privacy concerns and expects visible results in crime reduction. Media debates intensify, with some praising technological efficiency and others warning against a “surveillance state.” Mr. Nair must decide how to implement the system while balancing public safety, individual rights, and ethical governance. Questions: 1. What are the ethical issues involved in this case? 2. What options are available to Mr. Nair? Evaluate the merits and demerits of each. 3. What should be the most appropriate course of action for Mr. Nair? Justify your answer in terms of ethical principles, constitutional values, and administrative accountability.

Case Study You are an experienced civil servant working in a government department responsible for infrastructure development. Your department has recently received a proposal from a well-known construction company to build a major highway that would greatly improve connectivity in a remote region. However, you have discovered through reliable sources that the company has a history of engaging in corrupt practices and bribing government officials to secure contracts. Furthermore, there are concerns about the environmental impact of the proposed highway, as it would pass through ecologically sensitive areas. As a public servant, you are faced with an ethical dilemma regarding whether to support or oppose the project. Discuss the ethical issues involved in this case and outline the possible courses of action you could take. Evaluate each course of action in terms of its ethical implications and the impact on public administration.

Case Study Aditi, an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, is posted as the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in a tribal-dominated region. She receives complaints from tribal leaders about a private infrastructure company clearing large stretches of forest land. Her investigation confirms that the project violates the Forest Rights Act, but the state government promotes it as a major development initiative. The tribals strongly oppose the project, fearing displacement and ecological destruction, while some activists threaten protests. As Aditi prepares to take action, the Chief Secretary advises her to "cooperate" in the "larger interest of development" and hints at a possible transfer if she resists. Aditi now faces a dilemma. If she stops the project, she risks political backlash and career consequences. If she allows it, she compromises her integrity and the law. If she leaks information, she invites national scrutiny but could be accused of misconduct. Questions: 1. Examine the ethical dilemmas in this case, focusing on legal obligations, governance ethics, environmental justice, and personal integrity. 2. As an ethical civil servant, analyze the possible courses of action available to Aditi and their ethical and professional implications. 3. Suggest measures to streamline India’s environmental clearance process while ensuring ecological sustainability and stakeholder participation

Case Study A reputed food product company based in India developed a food product for the international market and started exporting the same after getting necessary approvals. The company announced this achievement and also indicated that soon the product will be made available for the domestic consumers with almost the same quality and health benefits. Accordingly, the company got its product approved by the domestic competent authority and launched the product in Indian market. The company could increase its market share over a period of time and earn substantial profit both domestically and internationally. However, the random sample test conducted by inspecting team found the product being sold domestically in variance with the approval obtained from the competent authority. On further investigation, it was also discovered that the food company was not only selling products which were not meeting the health standard of the country but also selling the rejected export products in the domestic market. This episode adversely affected the reputation and profitability of the food company. (a) What action do you visualise should be taken by the competent authority against the food company for violating the laid down domestic food standard and selling rejected export products in the domestic market? (b) What course of action is available with the food company to resolve the crisis and bring back its lost reputation? (c) Examine the ethical dilemma involved in the case.

Case Study A woman was in a live-in relationship with her male partner. She complained to the police of sexual harassment and rape continously for the last five years on the pretext of marriage by her partner. The police on prima facie investigation found out that the allegation is false and the couple was living happily until some internal feud developed that led to these baseless allegations. The woman complained to the State Commission for Women and alleged that she did not get justice from the police and they were biased against her due to a patriarchal mindset. She demands justice from the Women Commission. You are the chairperson of the State Commission for Women. (a) What steps will you take in such a situation? (b) Do you think that live-in relationships are against Indian culture and traditional values?