UPSC Mains question bank

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

“Emotional intelligence is as important as intellectual ability for effective leadership.” Discuss this statement in the context of public service delivery.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

Accountability and transparency are foundational values of ethical governance. Analyze their ethical significance and explain how the absence of these values affects public trust in democratic institutions .

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

Attitude plays a critical role in shaping ethical behaviour in individuals and institutions. Examine how attitudes influence ethical decision-making in public administration.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

“Despite unprecedented advances in genome engineering, synthetic human genome projects remain constrained by ethical and biosecurity concerns.” Discuss.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

“Probity ensures the moral compass of a civil servant, while aptitude ensures functional excellence”. Elucidate with suitable examples .

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

“Integrity is less about resisting temptation and more about eliminating situations that generate temptation.” Discuss.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

“Emotions are not obstacles to ethical reasoning; they are its raw material.” Examine the statement in the context of public service decision-making.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

“Innovation without compassion leads to exploitation.”In the era of AI, surveillance technologies, and digital monopolies, what ethical principles should technologically advanced nations uphold to prevent digital colonisation and ensure equitable technological access worldwide?

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

“A civil servant’s success depends more on emotional competence than on cognitive ability.” Do you agree? Substantiate with examples.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

“Integrity is not an act but a habit formed through small, invisible choices.” Discuss how micro-decisions shape moral character, drawing upon Aristotle’s virtue ethics.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

“Ethics lies in choosing the ‘right’ even when the ‘good’ seems more attractive.” Discuss with reference to the conflict between deontological duty and consequentialist outcomes in public life.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

What are the essential features of good governance? Critically assess how e-Governance initiatives have contributed to enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in India.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

Explain how moral intuition and moral reasoning together influence ethical judgment. Illustrate your answer with examples from civil services.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

What does quotation convey to you in the present context? “The highest form of knowledge is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another’s world.” — Bill Bullard

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

What do you understand by the term ‘crisis of conscience’? Illustrate with the help of an example from your personal or public life how you handled such a situation.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

What does quotation convey to you in the present context? “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

“In the theatre of global politics, morality is often the first casualty.”Analyse the ethical dilemmas faced by nations when strategic interests conflict with humanitarian responsibilities. Illustrate with recent examples.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

What does quotation convey to you in the present context? “We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one's own feet.” – Swami Vivekananda.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

“Moral absolutism can lead to rigidity, while moral relativism may justify injustice. A balance between the two is essential in ethical decision-making.”Justify with suitable illustration.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

Evaluate the ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies such as AI, Big Data, and Digital Governance. How should ethical frameworks guide their adoption in public administration?

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

“Ethical dilemmas are inevitable in administration, but ethical decision-making is non-negotiable.” Explain with reference to moral reasoning and conflict resolution.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

India’s rapid economic growth coexists with social inequalities and environmental challenges. Discuss the need for an ethical framework to ensure inclusive and sustainable development.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

“Empathy transforms authority into service.”Discuss the relevance of emotional intelligence and compassion in administrative responsibilities.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

“Essential services cannot be treated as commodities.” Examine the ethical concerns arising from the commercialization of education and healthcare in modern society.

GS4 · Theoretical Questions · 10 marks

Do values precede laws, or do laws shape values? Examine with reference to the evolution of ethical norms in society.