You are the Vice-Chancellor of a Public University. Recently, the management has decided to increase the hostel and tuition fees substantially. The students are unhappy with the management's decision and are staging a widespread protest in the university campus. A student from the weaker section came to you and explained his inability to pay the proposed hike in fees due to his weak financial family background. His father is a ragpicker and his mother works as a maid. He informed you about similar conditions of other financially weak students who are unable to pay the hiked fees. He also informed you that one of his friends is planning self-immolation in protest under the influence of some politically motivated students. With the passing of the day, the protest is growing violent, with several incidents of violence between security forces and students. Even though you also do not agree with the management's decision, but are under severe pressure from the government to implement the proposed hiked. In such circumstances, is it right to move forward with the management's decision? Identify the moral dilemma faced by you. Analyze your role and duties, along with a suitable course of action.

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?

Case Study Ms. Kavya Iyer is serving as the District Magistrate of a rapidly urbanising district. Recently, a video clip went viral on social media allegedly showing police personnel using excessive force against a group of migrant workers protesting delayed wages at a construction site. Within hours, the issue gained national attention. Several media channels began running prime-time debates accusing the district administration of human rights violations. Hashtags demanding suspension of officials started trending online. Civil society groups organised protests, demanding immediate action. However, a preliminary internal report suggests that the video clip is selectively edited and does not capture the full sequence of events. According to field officers, the situation had turned violent, and minimal force was used to control the mob and prevent damage to public property. Meanwhile, political leaders from opposition parties visit the site and publicly criticise the administration, demanding immediate suspension of the police officers involved. On the other hand, police officials feel demoralised and argue that any punitive action without a fair inquiry will undermine morale and embolden lawbreakers. The State Government informally advises Ms. Iyer to take “quick visible action” to control the narrative and prevent escalation, even if the facts are not fully verified. At the same time, there are genuine concerns about delayed wage payments to migrant workers, which triggered the protest in the first place. Ms. Iyer must decide how to respond to the situation, balancing truth, justice, public perception, and administrative responsibility. Questions 1. What are the ethical issues involved in this case? 2. What options are available to Ms. Iyer? Evaluate the merits and demerits of each. 3. What should be the most appropriate course of action for Ms. Iyer? Justify your answer in terms of ethical values, administrative neutrality, and public trust.

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?

You are the District Collector of a drought-prone area. The government has announced a relief package for the farmers, which includes waiving off their loans and providing them with free seeds and fertilizers. However, you find out that some of the local politicians and officials are misusing the funds and diverting the resources for their personal gain. They are also threatening the farmers who complain or refuse to cooperate with them. As a responsible officer, how will you deal with this situation? Explain the ethical issues involved and the course of action you will take.

Case Study You are an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer posted in a developing country that is known for its human rights violations and corruption. Your job is to represent India's interests and promote friendly relations with the host country. However, you find that your host country's government is involved in several unethical practices, including suppression of political dissent, censorship of media, and siphoning off foreign aid. One day, you receive a confidential report from your embassy that confirms the host country's government's involvement in illegal activities, including money laundering, trafficking of drugs and arms, and supporting terrorist organizations. The report also states that some Indian companies are indirectly involved in these illegal activities by providing them with funding and logistics support. Q. In this scenario, what would you do as an IFS officer, and how would you justify your actions ethically?