GS Paper - IV Model Answers (2021)- 1 | UPSC Mains Answer Writing: Practice PDF Download

Q1: (a) Identify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant. Justify their inclusion in the matrix. (Answer in 150 words)
(b) Identify ten essential values that are needed to be an effective public servant. Describe the /ways and means to prevent non-ethical behaviour in the pubic servants. (Answer in 150 words)
Ans: (a) Ethics serve as a subjective standard for distinguishing right from wrong. In the context of civil service, adhering to ethical principles is crucial. The evaluation of civil servants' performance can be facilitated through a matrix of ethical traits, outlined as follows:

• Integrity: Essential for combating corruption, ensuring optimal use of public resources, pursuing professional excellence, and demonstrating leadership qualities as a role model.
• Selflessness: Helps resolve conflicts of interest, counteracts nepotism and cronyism, and prevents the misuse of entrusted public resources and authority.
• Compassion: Cultivates empathy for vulnerable sections, motivates selfless work for the weak, focuses on outcomes and effectiveness, and embodies emotional intelligence.
• Objectivity: Promotes impartiality and non-partisanship, ensures merit-based decisions devoid of personal bias, fosters fairness and efficiency, and encourages tolerance towards diverse perspectives.
• Accountability: Holds civil servants responsible for their conduct and decisions, enhances transparency in administration, fosters public trust, and acts as a deterrent against unethical behavior.

These five ethical traits serve as the foundation of a civil servant's ethical framework. Values such as non-partisanship, tolerance, and responsiveness naturally stem from these traits. They ensure that civil servants fulfill their professional obligations even in challenging circumstances.
(b) The fundamental qualities required for an efficient public servant include:

• Integrity: Upholding a consistent set of values, thoughts, and actions.
• Objectivity: Making impartial decisions.
• Leadership: Guiding subordinates toward specific goals.
• Openness: Maintaining transparency and willingness to be scrutinized.
• Responsiveness: Addressing public demands promptly.
• Empathy: Acting to alleviate the public's suffering.
• Selflessness: Prioritizing the needs of others over personal interests.
• Honesty: Demonstrating fairness, trustworthiness, and sincerity.
• Accountability: Taking responsibility and being answerable for one's actions.
• Courage: Having the bravery to do what is necessary, even in challenging situations.

To prevent unethical behavior in public servants, several measures can be taken:

• Clear Regulations: Implementing unambiguous laws and regulations with swift consequences for unethical conduct.
• Reduced Discretionary Power: Minimizing opportunities for corruption by limiting discretionary powers and reducing direct interactions between citizens and service providers.
• Transparency Tools: Utilizing tools like RTI (Right to Information), social audits, and e-governance to ensure transparency. Providing protection to whistle-blowers is crucial.
• Personnel Management: Selecting candidates with strong ethical values, promoting based on merit, and providing regular training.
• Reward System: Establishing a system of rewards and punishments, such as performance-based bonuses, to encourage ethical behavior and deter misconduct.

Combining these core values with these reforms can enhance the effectiveness of public servants and make their service more oriented toward the public good.

Q2: (a) Impact of digital technology as reliable source of input for rational decision making is debatable issue. Critically evaluate with suitable example. (Answer in 150 words)
(b) Besides domain knowledge, a public official needs innovativeness and creativity of a high order as well, while resolving ethical dilemmas. Discuss with suitable example. (Answer in 150 words)
Ans: (a) The quality of decision-making, whether objective or rational, is contingent upon the availability, quantity, and quality of data. The surge in digital technology usage has raised concerns about its impact on decision quality.
Digital technologies offer a dependable information source for rational decision-making through several means:

• Efficient Data Processing: Digital technologies simplify data collection and transformation into meaningful information using various algorithms. This is exemplified by surveys like census and NFHS, guiding policy interventions.
• Real-time Monitoring: Digital tools facilitate real-time data sharing and monitoring, aiding in identifying bottlenecks and implementing necessary reforms. Online dashboards, for instance, track project implementation progress.
• Data Integration: Digital technology integrates data from diverse sources, offering a comprehensive view across departments and geographies. This holistic perspective supports objective decision-making.
• Predictive Analysis: Big data analysis can foresee events like climate change or disease outbreaks, providing warnings for rational decision-making and adjustments.
• Information Dissemination: Digital platforms enhance information dissemination and awareness campaigns, such as promoting Covid-appropriate behavior.

However, digital technologies might not always be reliable for rational decision-making due to the following reasons:

• Incomplete Data: Digital tools may not capture all necessary data, excluding certain populations, like unbanked individuals in economic policies reliant solely on digital information.
• Manipulative Messages: Targeted messages through digital platforms, as seen in election campaigns, can alter recipients' attitudes and perceptions.
• Infodemic Challenges: Social media can spread unverified information, leading to confusion and cognitive dissonance, as witnessed in the proliferation of fake news during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Bounded Rationality: Human decision-making is influenced by individual perceptions, even with access to comprehensive information, leading to non-rational actions.
• Lack of Emotion: Digital technologies lack human emotions, reducing individuals to binary code. Decisions based solely on such information may neglect principles of compassion and fairness, resulting in mechanical rationality.

Hence, while digital technology provides valuable information, the objectivity of decisions also depends on human values, attitudes, and conscience.
(b) The Indian civil service is primarily composed of highly intelligent generalist officers who frequently encounter numerous ethical quandaries while performing their official duties.
Expertise in a specific domain plays a crucial role in addressing these ethical dilemmas for several reasons:

• Civil servants with domain expertise possess a deep understanding of the intricacies and dynamics of a particular field. This knowledge is invaluable in resolving conflicts between conflicting values. As an illustration, E. Sreedharan, known as the "Metro Man of India," holds an educational background in civil engineering, enabling him to navigate the complexities of large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Government operations have become increasingly specialized and intricate, particularly with the greater involvement of private entities in service delivery. For instance, the meticulous formulation of government contracts is essential for promoting transparency and accountability.
• Domain expertise among civil servants contributes to enhanced decision-making quality and service delivery, thereby bolstering public trust. A case in point is Dr. Rajendra Bharud, the collector of Nandurbar, who effectively managed the second wave of COVID-19 owing to his domain knowledge.
• A system of domain expertise fosters merit, efficiency, and objectivity, diminishing the reliance on external expert consultations.
• Even in the private sector, top-level executives possess domain expertise that aids in resolving ethical dilemmas. However, it is essential to note that while domain expertise is vital, it is not always sufficient.

Innovation and creativity are also critical attributes for addressing ethical dilemmas. They enable individuals to devise unconventional solutions that reconcile seemingly conflicting values or courses of action. For example, providing government scheme benefits to individuals lacking the required documentation can be achieved using innovative techniques like employing information and communication technology (ICT) to issue provisional documents.
Different experts may offer varying suggestions and viewpoints for addressing the same problem. A civil servant with creativity and innovation can identify the right data and guidance for effective policy decisions. During the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, when balancing considerations of saving lives and maintaining livelihoods, various experts had differing opinions.
Furthermore, innovation and creativity are essential for tackling emerging interdisciplinary challenges while operating within political, social, and economic constraints. An example of such a multifaceted problem is the issue of non-performing loans, which is rooted in economic downturns, deliberate defaults, the interplay of politics and business, and the inability of banks to assess risk effectively.
In conclusion, both domain expertise and creativity are indispensable qualities for a leader, enabling them to navigate and resolve a wide range of ethical dilemmas effectively.

Q3: What does each of the following quotations mean to you?
(a) “Every work has got to pass through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding. Those that persevere will see the light, sooner or later.-Swami Vivekananda
(b) “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until and unless we obtain peace within ourselves.” – Dalai Lama
(c) Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, it is better for us all.” -Erik Erikson word
Ans: (a) Perseverance, the ability to persist in the face of challenges, plays a pivotal role in achieving success in various aspects of life, both big and small. This trait is evident in different scenarios:

• Mastering the skill of walking requires overcoming numerous falls before taking the first confident step in an upright position.
• In adulthood, integrity is cultivated over years, resisting the temptations of dishonesty in academic exams, projects, personal relationships, and other spheres of life.
• Gautam Buddha endured rigorous austerities, intellectual inquiries, and debates before attaining enlightenment.
• Mahatma Gandhi's 'experiments with truth' involved youthful indiscretions such as lying and stealing. His approach to the freedom struggle transformed significantly from the Chauri Chaura incident to the Quit India movement.
• Swami Vivekananda, a curious young man, challenged established beliefs, eventually finding his purpose after meeting his mentor, Shree Ramkrishna Paramhans.

Facing difficulties, trials, and failures is an inherent part of the journey toward success. Those who persist through these challenges eventually find illumination, a path that quitters never experience.
(b) Peace is characterized by the absence of conflict and a state of harmony and acceptance. It enables individuals and society to realize their full potential and enjoy various benefits.
The significance of inner peace for global peace:

• Inner peace is a cornerstone of good mental health, which plays a crucial role in various aspects of life, including parenting, professional roles, leadership, and personal relationships.
• Inner peace fosters religious tolerance, countering divisive communalism.
• A sense of inner peace within individuals can contribute to a reduction in crimes such as sexual assaults, theft, domestic violence, and corruption.
• Inner peace is associated with reduced greed, which has positive effects on wealth distribution, social status, income inequality, consumerism, and climate change.
• Instances of social conflicts, such as Naxalism and separatism, can be attributed to the absence of inner peace in individuals.

However, inner peace can also have negative consequences:

• It may lead to passive morality and apathetic citizenship, fostering indifference toward critical issues like gender equality and sanitation.
• Inner peace can impede intellectual growth by promoting the acceptance of religious dogmas, which can hinder scientific exploration.

Inner peace serves as the foundation for global peace, but the pursuit of peace should avoid the pitfalls of dogmatic surrender and conflicts.
(c) Interdependence is a fundamental aspect of our world, evident in various realms such as ecology, familial relationships, and international interactions. Its significance can be observed in several areas:

• Values: The development of personal values, influenced by family, schools, friends, and community, plays a vital role in shaping individual character and societal moral standards.
• Climate Action: Addressing climate change and environmental issues requires a collective effort. Differentiated responsibilities must be acknowledged and acted upon to effectively combat these global challenges.
• Democracy: Sustaining democracy demands a system of checks and balances, involving the distribution of powers among the judiciary, executive, and legislature. Federalism also plays a crucial role in maintaining democratic stability.
• Emotional Wellbeing: Acknowledging and understanding the emotional needs of oneself and others are essential components of interdependent reflection, contributing to emotional wellbeing.
• Scientific Developments: Progress in science relies on the contributions of intellectual pioneers like Newton and Madhava. Academic dissertations and the accumulation of knowledge are interconnected, forming the basis of scientific advancement.
• Heritage: Intergenerational knowledge transfer, encompassing tribal knowledge systems, oral traditions, literature, and religion, serves as the foundation of cultural heritage and societal identity.
• Global Challenges: History, culture, ecology, and development are intricately interlinked. Modern issues such as global warming and development deficits vividly demonstrate the interdependence of nations. Addressing these challenges necessitates collective efforts, as individual needs are inseparable from the well-being of society and nature.

Q4: (a) Attitude is an important component that goes as input in the elopement of human How to build a suitable needed for a public servant?
(b) In case of crisis of conscience does emotional intelligence help to overcome the same without compromising the ethical or moral stand that you are likely to  follow? Critically examine.
Ans: (a) Civil servants serve as the government's representatives and must maintain a positive attitude even in high-pressure situations. Developing this attitude involves several key aspects:

• Practicing Compassion: Public servants, dedicated to the welfare of the masses, can foster a suitable attitude by embracing compassion in their work.
• Learning from Great Leaders: When faced with ethical dilemmas, public servants can draw inspiration from historical figures like Gandhi, Sardar Patel, and Nehru to cultivate a positive mindset.
• Embracing Problem-Solving: Public servants should adopt innovative problem-solving approaches to develop the right attitude, essential for finding creative solutions to challenges.
• Upholding Just Actions: Maintaining impartiality and fairness in their duties is crucial for public servants, necessitating a commitment to just and non-partisan actions.
• Imbibing Moral Values: High integrity, honesty, and responsible, transparent conduct are expected from public servants. Integrating moral values into their lives helps shape an appropriate attitude.
• Inculcating Patriotism: Public servants, entrusted with upholding national interests, can cultivate a desirable attitude by embracing patriotic values.

In essence, a public servant's attitude plays a defining role in their ability to serve the nation effectively, making it imperative to develop a positive mindset in fulfilling their governance responsibilities.
(b) Conscience serves as an internal guide for determining ethical and moral decisions. Crisis of conscience (CoC) occurs when a person either acts against their conscience or faces difficulty in discerning what is morally right due to conflicting values.
For instance, Arjun experienced a crisis of conscience at the start of the Mahabharat epic. Emotional intelligence, the ability to manage one's emotions and understand others', can assist in overcoming this crisis without compromising ethical or moral standards. Here's how:

• Enhanced Understanding: Emotional intelligence enables a deeper comprehension of situations and the long-term consequences of one's actions, dispelling ethical blindness. For instance, it facilitates evaluating the desirability and ethicality of actions like whistleblowing.
• Reconciling Values: Emotional intelligence helps harmonize conflicting values that might contribute to a crisis of conscience. For example, it combines legal objectivity with emotional subjectivity, leading to compassionate justice.
• Internal Strength: Emotionally intelligent individuals possess internal resilience, allowing them to act with integrity even in adverse situations. This strength is crucial in scenarios like coerced corruption or when senior orders contradict established ethical norms.
• Conflict Resolution: Emotionally intelligent individuals excel in persuading others and resolving conflicts. For instance, they can address conflicts arising from divergent demands by different communities, such as those faced by a District Magistrate.
• Controlling Selfish Desires: Emotional intelligence helps in curbing selfish desires, resolving crises of conscience related to conflicts between public and personal interests.

While emotional intelligence is valuable, in some cases, it might not be sufficient to resolve a crisis of conscience. In such instances, laws, regulations, and societal values can serve as guiding principles for ethical conduct and aid in resolving CoC.

Q5: (a) “Refugees should not be turned back to the country where they would face persecution or human right violation.” Examine the statement with reference to ethical dimension being violated by the nation claiming to be democratic with open society.
(b) Should impartial and being non-partisan be considered as indispensable qualities to make a successful civil servant? Discuss with illustrations.
Ans: (a) Non-refoulement, a fundamental principle, prohibits countries from returning refugees to places where they might face persecution. Despite this, self-proclaimed democratic nations with open societies often reject refugees, posing significant ethical dilemmas:

• Balancing National Interest and Global Responsibility:
  Countries reject refugees due to limited resources, security concerns, and their primary responsibility toward citizens. However, this often disregards their duty as global community members. Nations prioritize utilitarian perspectives, safeguarding their citizens, while ignoring the ethical duty to protect refugees.
• Violation of Human Rights:
  Denying refugees asylum denies them their basic human rights, including the right to life, liberty, and the opportunity to fulfill their potential.
• Ethical Principles and Kant's Categorical Imperative:
  Refusing aid contradicts Kant's Categorical Imperative, as it cannot be universally justified. Some countries instrumentalize migrants for foreign policy, treating them as means, not ends, a clear violation of ethical principles like Gandhiji's Talisman.
• Victimization of Innocent Refugees:
  Refugees often suffer due to circumstances beyond their control, such as being born in conflict-ridden countries or persecuted communities. Denying them refuge contradicts fundamental ethical principles.
• Historical Responsibility:
  Western nations bear responsibility for many refugee crises due to historical events like colonial exploitation, armed interventions, and climate-induced displacement. Acknowledging this history is an ethical imperative.
• Impact on Ethical Standards in Society:
  Rejecting refugees and dehumanizing them sets a negative example, eroding values like care, empathy, and compassion in society.
• Responsibility of Democratic Liberal Societies:
  Democratic nations with resources should uphold ethical standards by accepting refugees and enabling them to exercise their basic human rights, including the pursuit of happiness and a dignified life.

(b) While impartiality refers to the act of making decisions without any bias, non-partisanship is the quality of maintaining political neutrality. These two principles are regarded as fundamental values for a civil servant in the execution of their duties for the following reasons:
Non-partisanship:

• It signifies that a civil servant will faithfully serve the current government without being influenced by political affiliations. For instance, a resident commissioner may have to serve under governments with differing political ideologies at both the central and state levels.
• It enables a civil servant to make decisions without favoring any political party, basing their choices on constitutional principles. For example, during elections, non-partisanship assists a District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner in effectively fulfilling the role of a Returning Officer.
• It fosters a professional and effective relationship between elected representatives and civil servants. For instance, non-partisanship enhances and upholds the credibility of a chief secretary, regardless of the political party in power.

Impartiality:

• It helps a civil servant make decisions based on objective criteria rather than personal biases and prejudices. For instance, impartiality aids the Chairman of the Finance Commission in recommending resource allocation based on objective factors, without favoring their own home state.
• It ensures a harmonious and effective relationship between civil servants and the broader society and its citizens. For example, an impartial Sub-Divisional Magistrate or Deputy Superintendent of Police will earn the respect of the public, leading to their cooperation in various conflict management situations.
• It cultivates an equitable attitude towards all matters and individuals. For example, impartiality supports a District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner in implementing benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) without regard to caste or religion.

Impartiality and non-partisanship are considered essential qualities in a civil servant because civil servants are obligated to act in a politically neutral manner, in accordance with the law and constitution, and without any bias or prejudice.

Q6: (a) An independent and empowered social audit mechanism is an absolute must in every sphere of public service, including judiciary, to ensure performance,  accountability and ethical conduct. Elaborate.
(b) “Integrity is a value that empowers the human being.” Justify with suitable illustration.
Ans: (a) Social audit (SA) is a comprehensive assessment of public services, involving collaboration between service providers and the public, particularly the beneficiaries. The introduction of SA became obligatory through the MGNREGA act, making it mandatory for Gram Sabhas. Many states have established Social Audit Units (SAU) to facilitate evaluations of programs like PMAY and MDM. Notably, Meghalaya has given legal support to SA.
The importance of social audit lies in its ability to ensure performance, accountability, and ethical conduct for several reasons:

• Evaluation Beyond Finances: SA surpasses mere financial audits by examining the impact of public services on beneficiaries' quality of life, thereby enhancing the performance of these services.
• Participatory Governance: It enables participatory governance by empowering beneficiaries to question authorities (jansunwais), making the system more transparent and enhancing record-keeping practices in public offices, leading to increased accountability.
• Building Trust and Accessibility: SA bridges the accessibility gap, fostering trust between the public and administration. It acts as a valuable feedback mechanism, enhancing the justice delivery system and assisting in the reengineering of judicial processes.
• Balancing Objectivity and Public Opinions: By revealing insights that align procedural objectivity with public opinions, SA helps reconcile administrative procedures with the subjective needs of the public.

Despite these benefits, the objectives of SA have not been fully realized due to limited awareness, lack of political and administrative commitment, and various other constraints. Implementing a national law mandating SA for public services could be a significant step forward in addressing these challenges.
(b) Integrity in an individual signifies the strength of their moral principles, unblemished virtue, uprightness, honesty, and sincerity. An individual with integrity gains empowerment through their unwavering commitment to ethical and moral values.

• Exemplary professional integrity: Upholding high standards of professional integrity encourages individuals to work in a transparent and responsible manner, thereby enhancing their professional standing. For instance, Lal Bahadur Shastri resigned from his position as a railway minister, taking accountability for a train accident. His integrity played a pivotal role in his ascension to the position of India's second Prime Minister.
• Integrity in public life: T.N. Seshan, the 10th Chief Election Commissioner of India, faced criticism from vested interests and corrupt politicians for his electoral reforms. However, his integrity solidified his reputation as an icon of transparency and efficiency.
• Integrity in leadership: Mahatma Gandhi withdrew the Non-Cooperation movement after the Chauri Chaura incident, even though it led to severe criticism from his followers. Nevertheless, his unwavering commitment to integrity was fundamental in fostering a non-violent freedom struggle.
• Integrity in sports: Sachin Tendulkar, during a cricket match, chose to leave the field after an appeal by the bowler, despite being declared not out by the umpire. While this decision prevented him from achieving a century, it established his reputation as an honorable and globally respected sportsman.

Integrity enables individuals to reconcile conflicts between their desires and their core values, beliefs, and principles. It may seem momentarily self-defeating, but it ultimately empowers individuals in the long run.