GS Paper - IV Model Answers (2018) - 1 | UPSC Mains Answer Writing: Practice PDF Download

Q1(a): State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services and bring out their importance.    (150 words)
Ans: 
Civil Services values encompass guiding principles and standards that civil servants are expected to uphold. These values serve as an internal moral compass, aiding civil servants in navigating situations where they must balance public duty and personal interests.

• Empathy:

  • Empathy involves the ability to understand and appreciate another person's emotions, experiences, and perspectives, including their motives and backgrounds.
  • Active listening, with a focus on understanding rather than merely responding, is essential in cultivating empathy.
  • Being selfless is crucial for practicing empathy, as selfish motivations can hinder a public servant's ability to serve the public interest effectively.

• Integrity:

  • Public servants are entrusted with their positions, and this trust is based on the principles of not using public office for personal gain and acting impartially without favoritism towards private individuals or organizations.
  • Corruption remains a significant challenge, and public officials must avoid conflicts of interest to combat it effectively.
  • Upholding integrity is fundamental to ethical behavior and competency, ensuring that public servants make decisions that prioritize the public good over personal benefit.

• Objectivity:

  • Objectivity is rooted in rigorous evidence-based decision-making, where truths are universal and independent of personal biases.
  • Civil servants must provide information, advice, and decisions based on factual evidence and expert input.
  • Objectivity complements impartiality, ensuring that decisions are made solely on merit and fact, promoting good governance and the highest standards in public service activities such as appointments and awarding contracts.

Q1(b): Distinguish between “Code of ethics” and “Code of conduct” with suitable examples. (150 words)
Ans: 
A "Code of Ethics," sometimes called a "Value Statement," functions as an organization's guiding document, similar to a constitution. It outlines general principles that guide behavior and decision-making. For instance, if an organization prioritizes environmental protection and being eco-friendly, the Code of Ethics will expect employees to choose environmentally friendly solutions when facing challenges.

On the other hand, a "Code of Conduct" consists of rules, standards, principles, and values that define expected behavior for members of an organization. These rules are designed to prevent undesirable behaviors such as conflicts of interest, self-dealing, bribery, and inappropriate actions. Various types of Codes of Conduct exist, including uniform national, department-specific, and general government-wide Codes.

Both the Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct serve to influence employee behavior. Ethics guidelines offer guidance on values and choices to influence decision-making, while conduct regulations specify particular actions as appropriate or inappropriate. Despite their similarities, they differ in their approach to regulating behavior. Ethical standards are typically broad and non-specific, offering a set of values and decision-making approaches that allow employees to make independent judgments about the most appropriate actions. Conduct standards, in contrast, leave little room for judgment; they require compliance, and the code clearly defines expected, acceptable, or prohibited actions.

In the context of civil service in India, conduct rules are in place to maintain integrity, discipline, and political neutrality among civil servants. These rules cover various aspects, including proper behavior, loyalty to the state, regulation of political activities to ensure personnel neutrality, adherence to ethical standards in official, private, and domestic life, protection of officials' integrity by imposing restrictions on financial activities, and limitations on gifts and presents acceptance. Rules also exist to impose penalties on civil servants based on the nature of misconduct. Misconduct includes offenses such as embezzlement, falsification of accounts, fraudulent claims, forgery of documents, theft of government property, bribery, corruption, possession of disproportionate assets, and violations of laws. However, it's worth noting that these rules may sometimes be unclear or open to interpretation.

Q2(a): What is meant by public interest? What are the principles and procedures to be followed by the civil servants in public interest?    (150 words)
Ans: Public interest encompasses matters that impact the rights, health, and finances of the general public. It represents the shared concerns of citizens regarding the governance and administration of local, state, and national governments. As articulated by the Prime Minister, civil servants are expected to prioritize public interest, with the primary goal being the well-being of the masses.

The principles and procedures guiding civil servants in serving the public interest include:

• Selfless Service: Civil servants must carry out their official duties in accordance with the Constitution and the law, acting exclusively in the public interest.

• Openness: Civil servants are obliged to ensure equal treatment of both citizens and legal entities when performing their official duties.

• Accountability: Civil servants should execute their responsibilities conscientiously, efficiently, promptly, and methodically, with a focus on advancing the rights, duties, and interests of citizens and other entities.

• Citizen-Centric Approach:

  • When engaging with citizens and legal entities, civil servants should conduct themselves in a manner that fosters mutual trust and cooperation between these entities and the administration.
  • Civil servants are expected to display understanding, courtesy, respect, and a strong willingness to assist, avoiding any hindrance to the realization of the rights and interests of citizens and legal entities.

Q2(b): “The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’ empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability. Discuss.    (150 words)
Ans: The Right to Information (RTI) Act has marked a decade of existence, with an annual filing of approximately 5 million RTI applications. This legislation has empowered and instilled hope in every Indian citizen, reshaping the notion of accountability and fostering a new breed of activism and citizenship, encouraging a culture of inquiry.

RTI applications have covered a wide range of issues, including the public distribution system, privatization initiatives, pensions, road maintenance, electricity connections, and telecom complaints. This act has served as a robust deterrent against misconduct in government operations, playing a pivotal role in curbing corruption. A multitude of organizations have been encompassed under the definition of Public Authority.

Over the past decade, ordinary citizens have effectively used this law to question governmental actions and inactions. It has played a significant role in unveiling scandals like the Adarsh scam and irregularities in schemes such as MGNREGA. The most prominent impact of RTI has been in establishing social audits, transforming India's accountability landscape from the grassroots level.

Internationally, there is a growing recognition that citizen involvement is essential for enhancing democratic governance, service delivery, and empowerment. "Demand for Good Governance" underscores the importance of social accountability, where citizens, civil society organizations, and non-state actors hold the state accountable and advocate for responsiveness to citizens' needs.

However, despite increasing transparency and accountability in public bodies, the RTI Act faces certain shortcomings:

• The quality of provided information is often inadequate, leading applicants to appeal.
• In many instances, information is not furnished within the stipulated 30-day period.
• Attitudinal change is lacking among Public Information Officers (PIOs) and bureaucrats, who sometimes invoke the Official Secrets Act to withhold information.

Q3(a:) What is meant by conflict of interest? Illustrate with examples, the difference between the actual and potential conflict of interest.    (150 words)
Ans:  A conflict of interest arises when an individual's personal interests, such as those related to family, friendships, financial matters, or social affiliations, have the potential to compromise their judgment, decisions, or actions in a professional setting. Government agencies regulate conflicts of interest due to their significant implications. Such conflicts can manifest in various situations, including those involving public officials whose personal interests clash with their professional roles (e.g., the Chanda Kochhar case) or individuals in positions of authority in one organization whose interests conflict with another organization.

In the workplace, we all possess interests that may influence our job-related decisions and actions. Even if we do not act on these interests, there may be an appearance that a conflict of interest has affected our choices. For instance, consider a scenario where your supervisor is promoted to a department director role, and his daughter-in-law is hired as a new supervisor within the organization, although she does not report directly to him. Even if the hire adheres to the organization's Employment of Relatives policy and is the best candidate for the position, the situation may still raise suspicions, leading employees to question the fairness and ethical nature of the decision.

It's essential to differentiate between actual and potential conflicts of interest:

• An actual conflict of interest involves a direct clash between a public official's current responsibilities and their existing private interests.
• A potential conflict of interest emerges when a public official holds private interests that could conflict with their official duties in the future.
• An actual conflict of interest occurs when financial or other personal or professional considerations compromise an individual's objectivity, professional judgment, professional integrity, or ability to perform their responsibilities.
• Potential conflicts of interest arise when an individual, a family member, or a close personal relation has financial interests, personal connections, or professional affiliations with an external individual or organization. In such cases, the individual's activities within their organization might appear biased due to that interest or relationship.

For example, a civil servant awarding a public contract to a firm owned by their relatives represents an actual conflict of interest. In accordance with civil services rules, civil servants should not be posted in their native district to avoid any potential conflict of interest. Additionally, the Delhi High Court's decision to annul the appointment of 21 Delhi MLAs as secretaries to ministers aimed to prevent potential conflicts of interest. In contrast, an MLA benefiting personally from an Office of Profit is illegal, constituting an actual conflict of interest.

Q3(b): "In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. And if they do not have the first, the other two will kill you." - Warren Buffett (150 words)
Ans: Integrity stands as the fundamental pillar of all ethical values. This assertion emphasizes that while intelligence and enthusiasm are inherent attributes for success in any profession, the ultimate direction, focus, and outcomes are contingent upon an individual's integrity. In its simplest terms, integrity signifies the "quality of being honest and upholding strong moral principles."

Honesty extends not only to an individual's personal values but also to the values of the organization they are associated with. For individuals holding positions of utmost responsibility in society, a compromise in this core value can have severe consequences for both the citizens and society as a whole. For instance, consider cyber-hackers and fraudsters who possess high intelligence and energy but lack integrity, making cyber-crime all the more perilous. Many contemporary issues, such as tax evasion in corporate India, terrorism involving educated youths, and unethical business practices, are fueled by intelligence and enthusiasm but escalate in danger due to the absence of integrity.

Promoting integrity can be achieved through moral education, increased transparency, adherence to a code of ethics, the establishment of a system to recognize and reward integrity, and various other measures. Integrity provides the necessary direction and purpose to channel our intelligence and energy effectively.

What do you understand by this statement in the present-day scenario? Explain. (150 words)

Q4(a): "In doing a good thing, everything is permitted which is not prohibited expressly or by clear implication". Examine the statement with suitable examples in the context of a public servant discharging his/her duties.    (150 words)
Ans:  Governments often encounter challenges in advancing developmental projects due to various constraints. These constraints encompass limited political and fiscal authority, restricted access to development finance, inadequate institutional capacity, a lack of robust collaboration and integration among multiple levels of government, and the inability to establish or participate in strong multi-stakeholder partnerships. Despite having good intentions, there are numerous challenges in achieving positive outcomes. Operating under the conventional approach is insufficient to bring about the transformative results required for a sustainable future.

In the pursuit of public good, a public servant must also uphold the integrity of their means, as not everything can be precisely codified. Every public servant is expected to uphold unwavering integrity, dedication to duty, and consistently conduct themselves in accordance with government orders, whether explicit or implied. Strict adherence to rules may sometimes counteract the very objectives these policies aim to achieve. Given our status as a developing country, rules may need to be adapted to suit regional needs. Consequently, the values and moral compass of a public servant should guide them in determining the extent to which their actions align with the public interest and welfare.

Q4(b): With regard to the morality of actions, one view is that means is of paramount importance and the other view is that the ends justify the means. Which view do you think is more appropriate? Justify your answer.    (150 words)
Ans: Many philosophical traditions commonly establish a clear division between ends and means. In Western thought, there is a prevailing inclination to argue that the end fully justifies the means, with moral considerations primarily concerning ends rather than means.

However, Gandhi takes a distinct stance, rejecting the dichotomy between means and ends. He contends that it is the means, rather than the ends, that set the standard for morality. While individuals can choose their ends, they often have limited control over whether these ends are ultimately achieved. The one aspect entirely within their control is the means by which they pursue these ends.

Both viewpoints hold relevance depending on the specific circumstances, and there is no universally applicable approach.

For instance, consider situations where the police conduct fake encounters with criminals. In such cases, the means employed are ethically questionable, as even though the individuals were criminals and posed a threat to society, the police do not have the right to take their lives. Consequently, in such situations, the achieved ends are considered unethical due to the unjustifiable means.

However, there are scenarios where the means may be ethically dubious, yet the ends carry more significant weight. For instance, employing physical torture on a terrorist to extract information about the location of a bomb planted in a city. In this case, although the means (torture) is ethically objectionable, it is deemed necessary to discover the bomb's whereabouts and prevent the loss of innocent lives.

Therefore, the specific context heavily influences both the ends and the means, and their ethical evaluation is contingent upon the circumstances at hand.

Q5(a): Suppose the Government of India is thinking of constructing a dam in a mountain valley bounded by forests and inhabited by ethnic communities. What rational policy should it resort to while dealing with unforeseen contingencies.    (150 words)
Ans: This issue revolves around the core principles of environmental security and fostering inclusive, balanced economic development. Dams, due to their land-intensive nature, often lead to deforestation, the displacement of tribal communities, and the submergence of villages, among other challenges. A rational policy must tackle these issues by applying environmental ethics, engaging Joint Forest Management committees, mobilizing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, and conducting training and awareness programs for stakeholders.

Key components of such a policy should include the following:

• Environmental Impact Assessment: This assessment should be a continuous process, conducted periodically alongside social impact assessments. The members involved should preferably come from environmentalist groups, academia, and civil society.
• Early Identification of Problems: The local bureaucracy should cultivate a culture of early problem identification and resolution.
• Preparation for Unforeseen Challenges: A list of unforeseen challenges, such as landslides, earthquakes, flash floods, and unscientific land-use practices, should be compiled along with required actions.
• Training of Local Youths: Local youth should be trained in basic survival skills and first aid.
• Vigilance and Accountability: The state should ensure rigorous vigilance and accountability in peripheral activities like tourism, agricultural practices, hunting, deforestation, and land-use patterns.
• Disaster Prediction Mechanism: A mechanism for predicting disasters and assessing vulnerability should be established to provide early warnings based on scientific inputs. The use of radio communication to broadcast critical information is essential.

Unforeseen circumstances often lead to the most environmentally damaging situations in India. Addressing complex and interrelated environmental issues is always a formidable challenge. Recent events, such as the floods in Kerala and Karnataka, should serve as valuable lessons for us.

Q5(b): Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in Public Administration. (150 words)
Ans: When individuals face the fundamental question of what actions to take in complex situations, particularly when contrasting values or decision-making principles may be relevant, they enter the realm of ethical dilemmas or what are commonly referred to as 'hard choices.' A dilemma encompasses a broader and more demanding scope than a problem, no matter how intricate or complex the latter may be. The distinction lies in the fact that dilemmas, unlike problems, cannot be resolved within the framework in which they are initially presented to the decision-maker. An ethical dilemma entails making choices among various principles, particularly in challenging and significant contexts.

In all situations, especially when conflicts of interest arise, personal self-interest should be subordinate to the common good. Such circumstances can give rise to ethical dilemmas, such as those related to administrative discretion, corruption, nepotism, administrative secrecy, information leaks, public accountability, and policy challenges.

The core set of fundamental principles and criteria that guide the handling of ethical dilemmas in public administration include:

• Democratic Accountability of Administration
• The Rule of Law and the Principle of Legality
• Professional Integrity
• Responsiveness to Civil Society

Candidates are expected to provide detailed explanations of these principles.

Q6: What do each of the following quotations mean to you in the present context?
(a)  "The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject anything, is not whether it has any evil in it; but whether it has more evil than good. There are few things wholly evil or wholly good. Almost everything, especially of governmental policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgement of the preponderance between them is continually demanded. "Abraham Lincoln    (150 words)
Ans: This statement by Abraham Lincoln strikes at the core of our contemporary values, which often perceive actions as either good or bad, right or wrong in an absolute sense. Lincoln suggests that actions, policies, and programs, no matter how well-intentioned they may appear, can have negative consequences. Therefore, they should be subject to rational evaluation to maximize positive outcomes while minimizing negatives. Furthermore, he advocates for an ongoing and dynamic assessment process, where these actions are continually researched, revised, and updated to optimize benefits and minimize drawbacks.

To illustrate this point, one can consider the debates surrounding the Aadhaar identification number. As a technological tool, it has the potential to bring about significant socio-economic changes, including direct benefit transfers, rapid poverty alleviation, crime tracking and prevention, preempting the generation and accumulation of illicit funds, and enhancing governance coordination, among other social benefits. However, it also faces challenges such as concerns about surveillance, privacy infringement, authoritarianism, and potential targeting of minorities.

This statement aptly emphasizes the need to assess the pros and cons of policies not as isolated decisions but as an ongoing and evolving process. While we may currently view Aadhaar as a tool for social good, we must remain open to revising our policies if we perceive them as a threat to individual rights in the future.

Similarly, the Supreme Court has declared certain practices, such as Triple Talaq and the restriction of women from entering the Sabrimala temple, as illegal. While religious groups have the right to manage their own affairs (Article 26), these derogatory practices were found to be in violation of the right to equality (Article 14) and the right to live with dignity (Article 21). Thus, they were invalidated by the highest court.

Other examples that can be cited include loan waivers for farmers, the construction of large dams, and interference in the personal laws of communities, all of which have their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. The statement underscores the importance of carefully weighing the pros and cons and using these policies judiciously in the context of today.

Q6(b): "Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding. " - Mahatma Gandhi (150 words)
Ans: Anger and intolerance have the effect of constraining an individual's capacity for rational thinking by fostering bias. This leads to a deficiency in attaining accurate comprehension, which is characterized as "a disposition to empathize with and understand the feelings and thoughts of others." Anger causes a person to lose patience and gradually fosters intolerance.

The ramifications of anger extend beyond the individual who experiences it, as it also impacts all those who come into contact with the person's anger. An individual in a state of anger is more likely to communicate harshly, and in some instances, they may even inflict harm upon themselves if the object of their anger is unavailable or beyond their reach.

Illustrations of this phenomenon can be observed in the growing incidents of intolerance within society, such as mob lynchings, communal conflicts, and incidents of internet shaming. These incidents are often the result of intolerance and anger, which contribute to the development of biased and extremist views among the public.

Similarly, the vices of honor killings and acid attacks by spurned lovers can be attributed to uncontrolled anger at the moment. Anger impedes rational thought processes, causing individuals to resort to extreme measures, even to the point of harming their own children or loved ones due to unbridled emotions.

To address this issue, measures to control anger and intolerance include expeditious delivery of justice, the influence of leaders, celebrities, and prominent figures, vigilance over social media and provocative platforms, government initiatives, public awareness campaigns, and value-based education, among others.

Q6(c): "Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common good." - Thirukkural  (150 words)
Ans: The statement above asserts that achieving a flawless common good is paramount and can justify actions, even if they involve deception or unethical means.

In the contemporary context, there are instances where manipulation or falsehood can prove beneficial in attaining desired outcomes. For example, the government of Bihar initiated a campaign in villages, warning parents that failing to send their children to school would incur the wrath of "Maa Sarasvati," as neglecting education amounted to disrespecting the Goddess. Although the campaign lacked a foundation in truth or sanctity, it yielded positive results by increasing the enrollment ratio in primary schools.

However, it is crucial to recognize that falsehood cannot always serve as a substitute for truth. Engaging in false encounters of criminals based on fabricated charges is ethically unacceptable, even if such actions are purportedly carried out in the interest of public welfare.

In this regard, the ethicality of one's conduct is contingent upon the specific situation and the extent to which such claims are employed for the betterment of the public good.