UPSC Mains question bank

GS4 · Case Studies · 15 marks

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)

GS4 · Case Studies · 10 marks

You are Abhishek and you went to Jodhpur to attend the wedding of your friend Neeraj. The wedding went very well and all the rituals were properly followed. At the end of the wedding, the father of the bride offered Rs 10 Lakh to Neeraj to buy a car as a dowry. Since Neeraj and his family are very progressive, they are against the practice of dowry, they denied it. They also reminded the father that under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, it is illegal to offer a dowry. But the father insisted that being a father, he has the right to give his money to his daughter and her husband. Identify the ethical dilemmas involved in the case. What suggestions will you give to your friend Neeraj in this scenario? Are legislative solutions effective to solve social issues?

GS4 · Case Studies · 15 marks

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 enquirers 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 a violation of rules. But denying her the support would be cruel and inhuman. Can you think of a rational way to resolve this dilemma? Give your reasons for it.

GS4 · Case Studies · 15 marks

You are a Superintendent of Police in a district where caste-based discrimination is rampant. In a recent case, members from the Dalit community were prevented from cremating the body of an old woman from their community at the public crematorium. People belonging to the dominant upper caste community have destroyed the funeral pyre and have allegedly threatened the family of the deceased. After the police intervention, the Dalits staged a protest and the body was cremated on the ground in front of the residence of MLA of the region, who also belongs to the dominant community. In the process of investigation, you come to know that not only family members of the MLA but some of your relatives too have been involved in the destruction of the funeral pyre. What will be the possible ethical dilemmas that you might face? What will be your course of action? Justify.

GS4 · Case Studies · 15 marks

You are an auditor with a government department. Your son is starting a business and for that, he needs a large amount of loan from a bank you are auditing. But he couldn’t secure a loan from the bank because of his bad CIBIL score. Moreover, you cannot take the loan as the amount far exceeds your salary range. When you scrutinize the accounts of the bank, you find that its balance sheet has hidden stressed assets. However, one Assistant General Manager of the bank offers you help in return of favour that you do not reveal the balance sheet of the bank. What are the values in conflict in the above situation? What are the various options before you? Also, provide justification for each of the option.

GS4 · Case Studies · 10 marks

Amrita, a young IAS officer, has joined a government department. After working for a while in this department, she realizes that the position of women staff is subservient to male staff. The male staff does not want to take orders from senior women officers. Moreover, women are not taken on serious departmental projects and are discouraged from participating in such projects. Amrita through informal channels comes to know that even the Head of the Department is of the same mindset and believes that women should not be sent to this department. Discuss the course of action Amrita should take so that the work culture becomes conducive for women.

GS4 · Case Studies · 15 marks

Several villages in Jharkhand have resorted to Pathalgarhi – a tribal tradition of erecting stone slabs to demarcate the area of their villages’ jurisdiction, declaring their autonomy and self-rule in the areas under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution. In these localities, no outsider including the government servants is allowed. From various sources, it has come to be known that tribals are not happy with the state and central government as they feel ignored, marginalized and have been experiencing the plunder of their resources on which traditionally they enjoyed control. They hold new laws and developmental activities responsible for their plight. Suppose you are a DM in one such affected district where this movement is going on, what strategies will you adopt to tackle the issues on short term as well as long term basis. Give justification for your strategies.

GS4 · Case Studies · 15 marks

From ‘rat-hole mining’ to ‘open cast mining’, India has witnessed major mining disasters. The main reason behind these calamities is the unscientific, illegal and unsafe mining in India. As and when such disasters are in the news, the incumbent governments and administration address it at the immediate level. But there is indifference to providing sustainable solutions which frequently causes such disasters. After such calamities, an administrative tendency has also been observed which puts the blame on victims. The tacit consensus of the government and administration to unsafe mining activities in India and the attraction of miners are mainly linked to revenue and employment realization. But such activities also lead to widespread loss to the public exchequer and environmental degradation. Therefore, there should be a holistic preparedness to prevent such calamities and to comprehensively cope if they occur. Identify the underlying ethical issues in the above case. As competent authority, discuss some of the feasible strategies to prevent and combat such calamities.

GS4 · Case Studies · 10 marks

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.

GS4 · Case Studies · 10 marks

You are a senior officer at an intelligence agency working for the internal security of the nation. You find out that a junior officer has been a victim of honey trapping through social media. In all of this, his phone was hacked and confidential files were leaked. The entire department has come together and wants you to take strict action against that officer for his behavior. That junior officer is highly skilled and a valuable asset for the organisation. He is also very close to you as you have mentored him throughout and he also respects you a lot. Moreover, any action against him might attract media attention and bring a bad repute to the organisation at large. (A) What are the ethical issues involved and the options available to you in such a situation? (B) Also, suggest a course of action you would like to follow.

GS4 · Case Studies · 10 marks

Pawan is pursuing MBA and shares a room with you in the private hostel. He desperately needs a job after completing his course because of educational loan and weak economic background. In his last two semesters, he couldn’t secure good grades due to serious illness. In current semester he has to secure good marks at any cost to satisfy minimum criteria for placements. Few days before the final semester exam, he comes to you and asks for money. He is stressed and nervous. He tells you about his plan to purchase semester papers to clear the exam and convinces you for the same by giving reference to his bad health, family status and his education loan. In such circumstances, would it be right to lend money to him? (a) Identify the moral dilemma faced by you. (b) Analyse your role and duties as a friend, also suggest your course of action.

GS4 · Case Studies · 15 marks

You are the Managing Director of Metro Rail Corporation (MRC) of a metropolitan city and you have received orders and funding for construction of the metro track and a parking space in a densely forested area of the city with houses of few underprivileged families as well in it. For the construction, the forest has to be cleared and the families have to be moved to some other place. The locals have started a protest after knowing about the order. They are highly raged about cutting down thousands of trees and the affected families have also joined them because the forest holds emotional value for them. On the other hand, the minister who directly controls the MRC is pressuring you to start the felling process as soon as possible. You know that going against his orders will have serious repercussions. (a) What are the ethical issues involved and the options available to you in such a situation? (b) Also, suggest a course of action you would like to follow.

GS4 · Case Studies · 15 marks

You are the director of a department that has recently been engulfed in the #MeToo campaign when two of the deputy directors working under you have been publicly named as sexual predators by two women in the department. As directed by the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, you are to initiate a committee of inquiry and submit the report within 90 days. Before initiating the committee you are faced with two narratives, first, that this is not the first time both women have come forward with similar accusations; second, that you have known both the deputy directors and their families for quite some time now, and you have noticed nothing in their behaviour that says they could have been the sexual predators as alleged. Now, while the women want you to begin the inquiry process at the earliest, the deputy directors deny all charges and say that they want to pursue defamation cases against their main accusers. In all this, public pressure is against you, with the media discussing the case on a regular basis. (a) As a director of a department what will be your course of action for starting an official investigation? State the merits and demerits of whatever course of action you decide to follow. (b) Do you also agree that the sexual nature of a crime makes the crime ethically different and difficult (to handle) from other crimes? Give valid reasons to support your views.

GS4 · Case Studies · 10 marks

You are District Magistrate of a flood-prone district. The flood control department has allocated forty crore rupees for building embankments in the low lying area of the river bed. There have been various complaints from locals over the delay in project completion, violations of rules and misuse of funds by the nexus of politicians and contractors. During monsoon, the embankment construction couldn’t withstand a single season of flooding. This has led to the submergence of many villages in floodwater and thousands of people are trapped in the villages. The villages are completely cut off and there is a scarcity of food and drinking water. Due to water stagnation, there is also a risk of epidemic spread in the region. There is huge discontent and protest over the allegation of corruption against the local politician. As he is a popular face of ruling political party in the state, there is severe pressure from political heads to cover the corruption issue. Defying the orders of political bosses will bring wrath towards you and may also lead to transfer. 1. As a District Magistrate what will be your course of action to manage the situation in the district. (200 words) 2. Identify the various dimensions of the crisis involved in the issue. Based on your understanding, suggest measures to deal with the crisis.

GS4 · Case Studies · 10 marks

You are a Municipal Corporation Commissioner of your city which is under heavy rainfall over the last few days. The boundary wall of one of the housing society collapses. The incident took place at midnight, leading to the death of 12 workers, including two children, sleeping in the shade beside the wall. On the preliminary inquiry, it has been found that inspite of inappropriate soil conditions, the permission to construct wall was given by previous Municipal Commissioner, who happens to be your close friend. Also, irregularities in construction material have been found and the other officials in the department are trying to influence or manipulate you. The whole scenario seems like a nexus between the officials of the municipal department and builder. However, the builder is a close relative of one of the most powerful leaders of the party in power and is trying to threaten you. (A) What are the ethical issues involved and the options available to you in such a situation? (B) Also, suggest a course of action you would like to follow.

GS4 · Case Studies · 15 marks

You are a traffic constable and while on duty you see 3 people riding a motorcycle without a helmet and jumping the red signal. On stopping them, you came to know that one of them met with an accident due to potholes and is severely bleeding and due to non-arrival of ambulance they are taking him to the hospital. On further enquiry, you came to know that the driver does not have a driving license and works as day wager. While on his way to work, he found the man lying injured on the road and in a rush to take him to hospital, he left his helmet on the site of an accident. The driver expresses his financial inability to pay increased fines. Recently, due to the enforcement of new Motor Vehicles Act, you are under severe pressure from your seniors for strict enforcement. 1. What are the ethical issues involved and the options available to you in such a situation. 2. Also suggest a course of action you would like to follow.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

"Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence." — Aristotle. Explain how a civil servant can reconcile personal happiness with the demands and sacrifices required by public service.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

Define 'Aptitude' and 'Foundational Values'. How does the presence of professional aptitude, combined with foundational values such as integrity, impartiality, non-partisanship, and empathy, enhance the service delivery of a public organisation?

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

Define Emotional Intelligence (EI). Discuss how EI can be utilized to handle the stress and conflicting demands inherent in public service.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

The concept of "Accountability" in public administration is evolving from a vertical hierarchy to horizontal and social accountability. Elaborate on this shift and its impact on the ethics of service delivery.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

In a rapidly digitizing administration, face-to-face public interaction is decreasing. How can a civil servant maintain a high level of empathy and emotional responsiveness when dealing with citizens purely through digital interfaces and algorithm-driven data?

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

In the era of widespread misinformation and polarized public discourse, what unique challenges does a public servant face in maintaining political neutrality? Suggest measures to insulate administrative decisions from external ideological pressures.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

In situations where public officials operate under political, social and organisational pressures, analyse how moral courage becomes essential for preserving integrity in governance. (150 words).

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

In the context of increasing institutional complexity and diffusion of responsibility in governance, examine how ethical accountability extends beyond formal duties to include moral responsibility for public outcomes. (150 words).

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

Analyse the role of social skills in the context of increasing use and role of social media in cyber crimes.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

How would you assess the desirability of Gandhian view regarding ends and means in the context of public fund management? Discuss with suitable examples.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

In organisational environments shaped by incentives and peer behaviour, examine how ethical conduct is influenced more by institutional culture than by formal codes of conduct.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

In complex governance situations involving competing interests and uncertainty, examine how ethical decision-making often requires balancing principles, consequences and contextual judgment. (150 words).