Case Study You are an IAS officer posted in a district known for its high rate of farmer suicides due to crop failures. The district has received special attention from the government, and several schemes and policies have been implemented to help the farmers. However, despite these efforts, the number of suicides has not decreased, and the situation seems to be worsening. During a routine visit to one of the affected villages, you come across a farmer who tells you that the local officials have been demanding bribes for the release of funds under the government schemes. He also tells you that the local officials have been inflating the cost of the projects and pocketing the extra money. The farmer tells you that he has already spent all his savings on his failed crops and cannot afford to pay any more bribes. You are aware that acting against the officials may result in political pressure and backlash, and it may also jeopardize your own career. However, you also know that if you do nothing, the situation will continue to deteriorate, and more lives will be lost. What would you do in this situation? How would you balance your duty to serve the people with the potential risks to your career and personal safety?

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 are the District Collector of a sensitive, hilly, and underdeveloped district. A major infrastructure project is to be built through a dense forest region, requiring the clearance of thousands of trees and the relocation of an indigenous tribe that has lived there for generations. The highway is crucial for national security and economic development, offering faster transport, boosting local trade, and enabling security forces access to a remote border area. Environmental activists are heavily protesting, highlighting the irreversible loss of biodiversity, impact on water sources, and the violation of tribal rights, claiming the relocation site is unsuitable for their livelihood. The State Government is pressing for immediate clearance, stating that the funds will lapse, and the project is vital for the region. The tribals are being incited by activists to not move and are preparing to obstruct the machinery, potentially leading to a law-and-order situation. Considering your role, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the ethical dilemmas involved in this case. (b) What are the options available to you, and what are their respective merits and demerits? (c) Which option will you choose and why?

Case Study Aarav is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer serving as the District Magistrate (DM) of a remote district. His wife, Meera, is a doctor working in a government hospital. They have a six-year-old daughter, who is primarily cared for by grandparents and a domestic help due to the demanding nature of their jobs. One evening, Aarav is about to leave the office after a long day when he receives an urgent call from the Chief Secretary. A major industrial accident has occurred in a factory on the outskirts of the district, causing severe casualties. His immediate presence is required to oversee rescue operations and coordinate with disaster management teams. At the same time, he receives another call—this time from his wife—informing him that their daughter has suddenly fallen ill and needs immediate medical attention. His presence at home would provide emotional support to his family, especially as Meera has an emergency surgery scheduled at the hospital. Aarav is torn between his professional duty, which demands immediate action to manage a crisis affecting many lives, and his moral responsibility as a husband and father. He must decide where his priority lies in this situation. Questions: (a) Identify and discuss the ethical dilemmas involved in this case. (b) If you were in Aarav’s place, how would you handle this situation? (c) In light of this case, discuss the importance of institutional mechanisms in ensuring a better work-life balance for civil servants.

Case Study Ananya Sharma is the Deputy Manager in a large public sector organization responsible for infrastructure development. The organisation has a strong technical reputation but suffers from a toxic work culture. Senior officers often shout at subordinates during meetings, take credit for juniors’ work, and discourage dissenting opinions. Long working hours without recognition have become the norm, leading to low morale and high staff turnover. Ananya observes that talented young officers hesitate to share innovative ideas due to fear of humiliation. Women employees, in particular, feel uncomfortable raising concerns, as informal networks dominated by senior male officers control decision-making. Although there is no explicit harassment, the environment is psychologically unsafe and demotivating. Recently, a capable junior officer, Ravi, made a small procedural error in a project file. Instead of constructive feedback, he was publicly reprimanded by a senior officer during a meeting. Deeply demoralized, Ravi applied for transfer, citing “personal reasons.” Similar incidents have become common, affecting productivity and team cohesion. As a mid-level officer, Ananya is respected by her team but has limited authority over senior officials. She believes that such a toxic work culture not only harms employee well-being but also compromises efficiency, innovation, and public service delivery. Ananya now faces a dilemma: whether to remain silent to protect her own career progression or take steps—formal or informal—to improve workplace culture, promote dignity, and uphold ethical values within the organization. Q1. Identify the ethical issues involved in the above case related to workplace culture. How do such issues affect employee morale, productivity, and organizational effectiveness? Q2.What ethical dilemmas does Ananya face as a mid-level officer in addressing toxic workplace practices? Discuss the possible courses of action available to her, highlighting their merits and limitations. Q3. How can ethical leadership and positive organizational culture contribute to improved governance and employee well-being? Suggest measures to promote a healthy and inclusive work environment in public institutions.

Case Study You are the head coach of a state football team preparing for the National Cup finals. Two days before the final match, you witness your star striker, who is crucial to the team's strategy and morale, using a performance-enhancing drug. This drug is undetectable by current testing methods. On confronting him, he expresses deep remorse and begs you not to report him, as it would end his career and possibly result in stripping the team of all their tournament victories. As you grapple with this revelation, you realize the magnitude of your decision. Playing him risks the integrity of the sport and your personal ethics, but benching or reporting him could cost your nation its first-ever National Cup title. The hopes of fans rest on this match, and the economic impact of winning would be significant for your state. You must decide quickly whether to play him, bench him with a cover story, or report the violation to the authorities, knowing each choice carries profound consequences for the player, the team, and the sport itself. 1. What are the ethical dilemmas involved in this situation? 2. As the head coach, what would be your immediate course of action and why? 3. How can the current system of monitoring and preventing the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports be improved to address situations like this in the future?