Case Study As the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in a metropolitan city, you oversee the implementation of an AI-based Facial Recognition System (FRS) designed to track criminals and prevent crimes. The system, installed across public spaces, has been instrumental in reducing theft, identifying suspects, and solving pending cases. However, concerns have emerged regarding false positives, privacy violations, and potential biases in the AI’s algorithm. Recently, the system flagged Ravi, a 22-year-old college student, for allegedly being present at a protest that turned violent. Based on the AI-generated report, Ravi was briefly detained for questioning, despite his insistence that he was not involved. His family and civil society groups argue that he was misidentified due to a technical error in the AI system. Investigations reveal that multiple individuals from marginalized backgrounds have been disproportionately flagged, raising concerns about bias in AI-driven policing. The city’s administration is now divided. Some officials advocate for pausing the AI project for an independent review, citing privacy concerns and wrongful detentions. Others argue that the benefits outweigh the risks and that AI errors can be rectified over time. Meanwhile, public outrage over Ravi’s case is growing, and the police department's credibility is at stake. Questions: A. How can law enforcement balance the benefits of AI-driven facial recognition with concerns over false positives, privacy violations, and algorithmic bias? B. What ethical principles should guide law enforcement in deploying AI tools, particularly in ensuring non-discrimination and protecting marginalized communities? C. What legal, procedural, and technological safeguards should be implemented to ensure AI-driven policing remains transparent, fair, and accountable?

Case Study: As the Sarpanch of a village Panchayat, you oversee a government-run primary school that provides midday meals to its students. Recently, a new cook was appointed as per government norms, following due process and eligibility criteria. However, it emerges that the cook belongs to a Scheduled Caste community. A section of parents, influenced by caste prejudices, begins to prevent their children from consuming the meals. As a result, school attendance drops, raising concerns about the continuity of the midday meal scheme, teacher retention, and even the functioning of the school itself. This situation threatens not just the education of children but also social harmony, inclusion, and the credibility of public welfare programs. Questions: 1. What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Sarpanch? 2. What steps can the Sarpanch take to resolve the caste-based conflict and restore school attendance? 3. How can different stakeholders support inclusive practices in public services?

Rajesh Kumar is a senior public servant, with a reputation of honesty and forthrightness, currently posted in the Finance Ministry as Head of the Budget Division. His department is presently busy in organising the budgetary support to the states, four of which are due to go to the polls within the financial year. This year’s annual budget had allotted 78300 crores for National Housing Scheme (NHS), a centrally sponsored social housing scheme for the weaker sections of society. 775 crores have been drawn for NHS till June. The Ministry of Commerce had long been pursuing a case for setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in a southern state to boost exports. After two years of detailed discussions between the centre and state, the Union Cabinet approved the project in August. Process was initiated to acquire the necessary land. Eighteen months ago, a leading Public Sector Unit (PSU) had projected the need for setting up a large natural gas processing plant in a northern state for the regional gas grid. The required land is already in possession of the PSU. The gas grid is an essential component of the national energy security strategy. After three rounds of global bidding the project was allotted to an MNC, M/s XYZ Hydrocarbons. The first tranche of payment to the MNC is scheduled to be made in December. Finance Ministry was asked for a timely allocation of an additional 6000 crores for these two developmental projects. It was decided to recommend re-appropriation of this entire amount from the NHS allocation. The file was forwarded to Budget Department for their comments and further processing. On studying the case file, Rajesh Kumar realized that this re-appropriation may cause inordinate delay in the execution of NHS, a project much publicized in the rallies of senior politicians. Correspondingly, non-availability of finances would cause financial loss in the SEZ and national embarrassment due to delayed payment in an international project. Rajesh Kumar discussed the matter with his seniors. He was conveyed that this politically sensitive situation needs to be processed immediately. Rajesh Kumar realized that diversion of funds. from NHS could raise difficult questions for the government in the Parliament. Discuss the following with reference to this case: a. Ethical issues involved in re-appropriation of funds from a welfare project to the developmental projects. b. Given the need for proper utilization of public funds, discuss the options available to Rajesh Kumar. Is resigning a worthy option? (250 words) (UPSC GS-4 Mains 2020)

Case Study A textile dyeing unit was set up seven years ago near a growing semi-urban area, approved by the state government to boost local employment and industrial growth. While it provided jobs to thousands and contributed to the local economy, the unit discharged untreated effluents into a nearby river, leading to severe water pollution. This has caused skin and respiratory diseases among residents, contaminated the groundwater, and damaged agricultural productivity in surrounding villages. Despite repeated complaints, no action was taken until the situation worsened, triggering widespread protests by farmers, environmental groups, and affected citizens. The protests have disrupted public order, forcing the government to consider shutting down the unit. However, closing the factory would result in mass unemployment for workers and affect businesses dependent on the dyes it produces. Additionally, ancillary industries and transporters linked to the unit would also face economic losses. As the District Magistrate, you are tasked with resolving the crisis and ensuring sustainable solutions to protect public health, restore environmental safety, and address economic concerns. Questions: 1. What are the stakeholders involved in this situation? 2. What are the ethical, social, and administrative challenges involved in this situation? 3. Suggest immediate and long-term measures to resolve the crisis while balancing the needs of the environment, public health, and the economy.

Case Study You are the Superintendent of Police in a city that has been experiencing rising incidents of online harassment targeting women. A recent case has attracted significant public and media attention: a young woman has committed suicide after being repeatedly harassed and blackmailed online. An investigation revealed that the harassment was carried out by a group of influential individuals, including the son of a prominent politician. When you initiate action against the accused, you receive immense political pressure to slow down or drop the investigation. A senior politician contacts you directly, reminding you of your career prospects and how this case could harm your professional growth if you refuse to cooperate. At the same time, the victim's family is seeking justice, and activists have begun to protest in large numbers, demanding accountability. The media is closely watching the developments, and public sentiment is strongly in favor of justice. However, the pressure from influential circles is mounting, and you risk being transferred or sidelined if you pursue the investigation aggressively. Questions: 1. What are the ethical dilemmas involved in this case? 2. As the Superintendent of Police, what course of action would you take, and why? 3. Discuss the importance of integrity and accountability in public service, using this case as a reference.

Case Study Suppose you are an officer in-charge of implementing a social service scheme to provide support to old and destitute women. An old and illiterate woman comes to you to avail the benefits of the scheme. However, she has no documents to show that she fulfils the eligibility criteria. But after meeting her and listening to her you feel that she certainly needs support. Your enquiries also show that she is really destitute and living in a pitiable condition. You are in a dilemma as to what to do. Putting her under the scheme without necessary documents would clearly be violation of rules. But denying her the support would be cruel and inhuman 1. Can you think of a rational way to resolve this dilemma? 2. Give your reasons for it.

Case Study You have recently taken charge as the District Collector of a semi-urban district dealing with frequent encroachment disputes and rising public expectations from the administration. Soon after assuming office, you notice that one of your junior officers, Raghav, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), has gained significant popularity on social media. He regularly posts updates of inspections, public interactions, and enforcement actions, portraying an image of an energetic and proactive officer. However, you gradually observe that his posts often include videos of surprise inspections, images of junior staff standing tensely behind him, and clips of punitive actions such as sealing shops—sometimes with strong captions like “Action speaks louder than words.” One such video of sealing a commercial establishment goes viral, drawing public praise but also criticism that procedural fairness was not clearly shown. Colleagues quietly mention that this public display of authority may create more fear than trust. Shopkeepers tell a senior police officer that they hesitate to visit the SDM office, worried that ordinary grievances may be recorded and posted online. An informal complaint from a local MLA describes the SDM’s conduct as “high-handed” and motivated by publicity. An anonymous petition also reaches your office alleging inadequate notice in the sealing operation, although the official records show non-compliance. You realise that the issue does not involve an obvious legal violation but presents subtle ethical dilemmas, the line between transparency and intimidation, the responsible use of social media, the dignity of individuals during enforcement, and the need for young officers to balance enthusiasm with institutional propriety. As District Collector, you must decide how to address the situation while preserving administrative integrity, maintaining the morale of a promising officer, and ensuring that citizens do not feel humiliated or threatened by the misuse, intentional or unintentional, of official power. Question: Q1.Identify the core ethical issues involved in this case. Explain their relevance to public administration. Q2. Do you think the SDM’s use of social media, though legal, raises ethical concerns? Justify your answer using principles of public service, propriety, and dignity of individuals. Q3. As the District Collector, what steps will you take to address the situation in a fair, balanced, and constructive manner? Provide short-term and long-term measures. Q4. Suggest a code of conduct or guidelines for civil servants’ use of social media that balances transparency, accountability, and ethical restraint.