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 are the District Magistrate (DM) of a district that is home to a famous ancient temple. Every year, during a specific month, the "Maha Yatra" (Great Pilgrimage) takes place, attracting nearly 10 lakh devotees from across the country. The local economy is heavily dependent on this month-long event, with shopkeepers, hoteliers, and transport operators earning 70% of their annual income during this period. Two weeks before the Yatra is scheduled to begin, a new, highly contagious virus strain breaks out in a neighboring state. While the mortality rate is low, the transmission rate is extremely high, and it causes severe respiratory distress in the elderly. Medical experts warn that large crowds could turn into "super-spreader" events, potentially overwhelming the healthcare infrastructure. The sentiment in your district is volatile: 1. Religious Leaders: The temple trust argues that the Yatra has continued unbroken for 200 years and cancelling it would be "inauspicious". 2. Economic Stakeholders: The local Traders' Association warns of mass protests if the Yatra is cancelled, as they have taken huge loans in anticipation of the season. As you deliberate, a report arrives stating that 5 cases of the virus have already been detected in your district. If the Yatra proceeds in full force, the district hospital is projected to collapse within days. If you cancel it, you risk a law and order breakdown and economic devastation for the locals. Questions: 1. Identify the ethical issues and dilemmas involved in this case. 2. What are the options available to you in the given situation? Discuss the merits and demerits of each option. 3. What course of action would you adopt in this situation? Justify your answer with reference to ethical principles.

Case Study Mr. Siddhant is the chairman of a cultural organization under the central government. The organization has a historical and cultural legacy. Recently he has been charged with the responsibility of organizing an international event by involving artists from different countries. For this event, he has roped in a famous personality from Bollywood as the brand ambassador and face of the event. This has helped in popularising the program at a wide scale and also in the generation of revenue. However, in the mid of the preparation, a female singer artist came in front of the media and accused the Bollywood personality of sexual harassment 10 years ago when she was a minor and searching for work. This accusation has sparked controversy and protest by the public. People are raising their voices against his involvement in the event. Meanwhile, the National Commission of Women has also approached Mr. Siddhant and demands the removal of the Brand Ambassador. Mr. Siddhant is in mid of the finalization of the event and all the preparations regarding inviting people from different parts of the world, their accommodation, etc have already been done. Initially, his consciousness pushed him to do something in this regard but because of external pressure, he is not sure about the right course of action. With reference to the above case study– (a) What arguments can you give him to show that keeping quiet is not morally right? (b) What course of action would you advise him to adopt and why?

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.

Case Study You are the District Collector of a rapidly urbanizing district. A large government housing project is under construction to provide affordable homes to economically weaker sections. The project is being executed by a private contractor under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. One evening, a section of an under-construction residential block collapses, leading to the death of five workers and injuring many others. A preliminary investigation suggests that poor-quality construction materials were used. Further, it is revealed that the project approval process had several irregularities, including the violation of environmental clearance norms and unauthorized expansion beyond the sanctioned plan. The project was approved under the tenure of your predecessor, who is now a senior bureaucrat in the state government. As you begin an in-depth inquiry, you receive immense pressure from multiple stakeholders. Senior officials advise you to avoid implicating your predecessor, arguing that it could tarnish the administration's reputation. The contractor, a politically well-connected businessman, offers you a lucrative post-retirement consultancy role in exchange for diluting the report. Additionally, local political leaders, citing the urgency of providing housing to the poor, urge you to let the project continue despite the lapses. Meanwhile, workers' unions and civil society groups demand strict action against those responsible. 1. Identify the ethical dilemmas in this case and analyze them using relevant ethical theories. 2. What course of action should you take to ensure accountability while balancing the interests of all stakeholders? 3. What policy recommendations can help prevent the recurrence of such infrastructure failures?