Case Study As the event coordinator for the upcoming Global Sustainable Development Summit in New Delhi, you face a complex challenge. The summit, scheduled to host a large number of world leaders and delegates from countries across the globe, aims to address critical issues of climate change, poverty alleviation, and technological innovation. However, just two weeks before the event, widespread protests have erupted across the city regarding the proposed sub-categorization of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). The protesters, numbering in the thousands, have blocked major roads and are threatening to disrupt the summit, citing it as an opportunity to bring international attention to their cause. Your team has received intelligence reports suggesting that some protest groups may attempt to infiltrate the summit venue or target the delegates' accommodations. Additionally, there are concerns about the potential involvement of groups with vested interests who may seek to damage the relevant infrastructure. As the person in charge, you must ensure the safety and comfort of all attendees while maintaining the summit's integrity and schedule. The summit's success is vital for India's international reputation and for progressing global sustainable development goals. 1. Who are the key stakeholders involved in this situation? 2. What immediate steps will you take to ensure the summit’s security and smooth execution? 3. What contingency plans will you have in place if the protests escalate?

Sanjit started a business from scratch and ended up as substantial owner of a midsized engineering company. The position of technical director in the company fell vacant when its incumbent resigned to take up another assignment. To the surprise of the board, Sanjit proposed that his young son Subhash should be made the technical director. One member openly expressed his opposition to the proposal and doubted Subhash’s credentials. Sanjit replied that his son has studied engineering in Remote Westbrook Technical University. In reply to the member’s question, he added that Remote Westbrook Technical University is an accredited University in USA. Subash, he added, also took training in some workshops near Detroit. When there was further opposition from other members as well, he pleaded that his health was poor and that he would like someone from his family to take reins if he became too ill, and would like to see his son to be elected as a technical director on the basis of company’s share held by him. Assume that you have been the Secretary of the company for many years and have the ears of Sanjit. What would be your advice to him?

Case Study Dr. Ananya Rao is a senior drug regulator in a state where several pharmaceutical manufacturing units produce low-cost medicines, including paediatric cough syrups, for both domestic use and export. These medicines are widely used by economically weaker sections due to their affordability. Recently, reports emerged that a batch of cough syrups manufactured by a local company was linked to the deaths of several children after consumption. Preliminary investigations indicated the presence of toxic contaminants due to the use of substandard raw materials and poor quality control. International media coverage has raised serious concerns about India’s pharmaceutical regulatory standards, affecting the country’s reputation as the “pharmacy of the world.” The manufacturing company claims that it complied with existing regulations and argues that stricter enforcement and frequent inspections would increase production costs, making medicines unaffordable for the poor and harming export competitiveness. Some political and industry stakeholders have informally urged Dr. Rao to avoid drastic action such as suspension of licenses, citing potential job losses, investor backlash, and diplomatic sensitivities. At the same time, families of the affected children are demanding accountability, criminal prosecution, and compensation. Public trust in the healthcare system and drug safety mechanisms is visibly eroding. Questions 1.Discuss the ethical dilemma between affordability of medicines, industrial growth, and the principle of ‘non malfiance’ in Bio ethics ethics. 2.What options are available to Dr. Ananya Rao in responding to this crisis? Evaluate the ethical merits and limitations of each option. 3.What course of action should Dr. Rao adopt to uphold medical ethics, accountability, and public interest while ensuring long-term credibility of the health system? Justify your answer.

Case Study: You are the Managing Director of "XYZ Biotech", a rapidly growing pharmaceutical firm based in India, with operations in several developing countries. Your company has recently developed a breakthrough mRNA-based vaccine for a rapidly mutating tropical disease affecting large sections of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia. The vaccine has demonstrated 94% efficacy in Phase III clinical trials and has the potential to save thousands of lives. However, the vaccine is expensive to manufacture, requiring specialized cold-chain storage, and proprietary biotechnology inputs licensed from international partners. The pricing strategy proposed by your Board is to recoup R&D investments and generate profit by pricing the vaccine at Rs. 3000 per dose, which makes it unaffordable for many low-income populations in target regions. Meanwhile, several NGOs, global health organizations, and even a few governments are urging you to waive your patent rights, or adopt tiered pricing to allow cheaper versions or voluntary licensing for public-sector manufacture. You are also under pressure from investors, who expect high returns due to the innovation. Some stakeholders suggest cutting costs by outsourcing trials to countries with weaker regulatory standards, while others propose delaying access in poorer countries to focus on wealthier clients first. Your own conscience is conflicted—you believe in public health as a right, but also have obligations to shareholders, employees, and long-term sustainability of the firm. a) Identify and discuss the ethical issues involved in this case. b) What would be your immediate response to the situation described above? c) If a global health coalition asks for voluntary licensing of your vaccine, how would you respond both ethically and strategically? d) As a conscientious public-spirited executive, suggest a balanced strategy that ensures innovation, affordability, and ethical integrity.

Case Study Mr. Saurabh Singh is the District Magistrate of a district where the State Board examinations for Class 12 are currently underway. The district has a history of examination malpractices, including cheating, impersonation, and organised paper leaks. Determined to ensure fairness, Mr. Singh has implemented strict measures, installation of CCTV cameras, deployment of flying squads, and strict enforcement of anti-cheating laws. During an inspection of an examination centre in a rural area, a flying squad catches a group of students using unfair means. Among them is a meritorious girl student from an economically weaker background who is known in the village for her academic excellence and aspirations to pursue higher education. On questioning, she breaks down and reveals that she was under immense pressure from her family to secure top marks, as her scholarship and future prospects depend on her results. She admits that she made a mistake under stress. At the same time, local reports indicate that organised cheating rackets are still active in other centres, often involving collusion between invigilators and local influential persons. Civil society groups and media are closely watching the administration’s actions, praising strict enforcement but also cautioning against “over-penalisation” of vulnerable students. Some local leaders approach Mr. Singh informally, requesting leniency in this particular case, arguing that a harsh punishment could destroy the student’s future. On the other hand, education officials emphasise that any exception may weaken deterrence and send the wrong signal. Mr. Singh must decide how to respond in a way that upholds examination integrity, ensures fairness, and reflects compassion without compromising the rule of law. Questions 1. What are the ethical issues involved in this case? 2. What options are available to Mr. Singh? Evaluate the merits and demerits of each. 3. What should be the most appropriate course of action for Mr. Singh? Justify your answer in terms of ethical values and administrative responsibility.

Case Study With the latest trend of layoffs by big-tech companies across the globe due to various reasons like continuation of Russia-Ukraine war, fall in consumer demand and slowing economic growth. Considering this global situation, there is an Indian Ed-tech company which is also suffering from slowing of demand, capital crunch etc. Therefore, the company needs to take a slew of measures to navigate through this rough phase of recession. Manish is working as Human Resource (HR) head in this company and there is pressure from investors to fire a major chunk of the workforce. Further, he was informed by management that dismissing employees is essential for the company's existence and instructed him to inform the employees of this decision as soon as possible. Q. With the ethical dilemmas in mind, what should Manish do in this scenario?

Case Study You are working as a senior officer in a public sector company. One day, a junior colleague, who is known for her diligence and commitment, approaches you in a distressed state. She informs you that her younger brother, a final-year engineering student, has been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness requiring urgent treatment costing Rs. 8 lakh. Being the sole breadwinner in her family, she is struggling to arrange the funds, as her meager salary barely covers her household expenses. You sympathize with her situation but are unable to provide financial assistance personally. A month later, you notice her spirits have improved, and upon inquiry, she reveals that the treatment is underway, thanks to an advance payment facilitated by the head of the department using discretionary funds allocated for emergency employee welfare. She also shares that she has committed to repaying the amount in monthly installments, which she has already begun. However, on reviewing the company's guidelines, you realize that the discretionary fund is meant strictly for official purposes and not for personal use under any circumstances. The department head's action, though well-intentioned, bypassed standard procedures and could attract legal and disciplinary consequences if discovered. (a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case? (b) As a senior officer aware of the situation, what course of action will you take? (c) Suggest broader organizational measures to prevent misuse of discretionary funds.