UPSC Mains General Studies (Paper 4) - Mock Test 3 | UPSC Mains Mock Test Series 2025 PDF Download

Time Allowed: Three Hours
Maximum Marks: 250
Instructions:

• There are TWELVE questions divided into TWO SECTIONS, printed in English.
• All questions are compulsory.
• The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.
• Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate, clearly stated on the cover of the Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet.
• Keep the word limit indicated in the questions in mind.
• Any page or portion of the page left blank in the QCA Booklet must be clearly struck off.

SECTION A

Q1. (a) "Ethics encompasses several key dimensions that are crucial in guiding individuals and organisations towards morally responsible behaviour." Explain the key dimensions of ethics that influence human actions. Discuss how these dimensions shape ethical decision-making in the professional context. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Q1. (b) "Compassion in governance fosters inclusive policies and public trust." Discuss how compassion can enhance ethical decision-making in public administration. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Q2. (a) "Ethical governance requires a balance between adherence to rules and the pursuit of public good." Discuss the role of discretion in achieving this balance. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Q2. (b) "Accountability ensures responsible exercise of power in public service." Analyze the dimensions of accountability and their impact on ethical governance. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Q3. Below are three quotations from notable thinkers. Explain their relevance in the context of ethical public administration:
(a) "The time is always right to do what is right." – Martin Luther King Jr.
(b) "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." – Lord Acton
(c) "The unexamined life is not worth living." – Socrates
(Answer each in 150 words, 10 marks each )

Q4. (a) "Ethical governance requires balancing innovation with accountability." Discuss the ethical challenges of adopting innovative policies in public administration. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Q4. (b) "Public servants must uphold ethical standards in resource-scarce environments." Analyze the ethical considerations in resource allocation, with examples. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Q5. (a) "Ethical dilemmas in governance often arise from competing public interests." Examine this statement with a real-world example from public administration. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Q5. (b) "Trustworthiness in public service is essential for effective governance." Discuss the role of trustworthiness in building public confidence, with examples. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Q6. Below are two case scenarios involving ethical challenges in public administration. Analyze the ethical considerations in each:
(a) A public servant is pressured to favor a politically connected contractor, risking transparency.
(b) A policy prioritizing economic growth threatens indigenous land rights.
(Answer in 150 words, 10 marks each )

SECTION B

Q7.  You're a senior IAS officer responsible for executing a rural electrification project that promises to bring reliable energy access to remote and underserved villages. The project holds great significance for improving the quality of life in these areas—enabling better education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Communities have been waiting eagerly, and the political leadership has also prioritized the initiative for its developmental impact.

However, midway through the implementation, serious concerns emerge about the quality of work being done. Field inspections and whistleblower reports reveal that one of the key contractors—who enjoys considerable political backing—is using substandard materials for wiring, transformers, and poles. The compromised quality poses risks of electrical failures, fire hazards, and breakdowns within a short period, undermining the safety of future users and the credibility of the project itself.

While technical teams recommend immediate corrective measures, replacing the contractor would mean invoking legal clauses, re-tendering, and halting ongoing work in multiple villages. This could cause substantial delays, leading to public disappointment, political pressure, and a setback in the government’s rural development agenda. Yet, allowing the contractor to continue without action would compromise safety, waste public funds, and set a poor precedent for governance.

You're now caught in a situation where you must weigh development speed against ethical governance and long-term reliability. The urgency of electrifying villages must be balanced with the duty to uphold quality standards, ensure public safety, and reinforce institutional accountability—especially when public trust and rural welfare are at stake.

(a) What are the ethical dilemmas in this scenario?
(b) What options are available to address the contractor’s misconduct?
(c) What course of action would you adopt, and why?
(d) How can ethical oversight in infrastructure projects be improved?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)

Q8. You're the District Magistrate of a flood-prone district currently facing an imminent flood threat due to continuous heavy rainfall and rising river levels. Emergency services have issued red alerts, and meteorological data confirms that low-lying areas are at extreme risk. Among the most vulnerable is a tribal community that resides in a high-risk flood zone. Despite repeated warnings and evacuation appeals, the community steadfastly refuses to leave, citing deep-rooted cultural traditions, ancestral bonds with the land, and spiritual attachments that make relocation emotionally unacceptable.

The situation has become increasingly tense. The state government, prioritizing human safety and liability concerns, has issued directives for mandatory evacuation. However, forcibly removing the community could inflame tensions, disrupt cultural harmony, and provoke resistance, especially given the community’s historical marginalization and mistrust of government intervention. There's also the risk of damaging long-term relationships that are essential for governance in such sensitive regions.

Meanwhile, time is running out. Delaying action could result in loss of life, while a hasty enforcement could lead to confrontation and trauma. Local officials, NGOs, and even tribal elders are attempting negotiations, but progress is slow. The challenge lies in balancing administrative responsibility with cultural sensitivity.

You're now in a critical position where life-saving measures must be taken without compromising human dignity. Strategies like deploying mobile camps nearby, involving respected community leaders in dialogue, and providing culturally sensitive assurances for return post-crisis could help bridge the gap between policy and belief—ensuring safety while preserving trust.

(a) What options are available to handle this situation?
(b) Discuss the ethical issues in balancing safety and cultural autonomy.
(c) What action plan would you adopt, and why?
(d) How can community trust be maintained in such scenarios?
(e) What measures can prevent such conflicts in future disasters?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)

Q9.  You're the CEO of a public sector enterprise tasked with leading a high-impact renewable energy project—part of the national strategy to reduce carbon emissions, promote clean energy, and meet global climate commitments. The project has received significant backing from the government and international agencies and is expected to contribute to energy security, job creation, and sustainable development.

However, the selected site for the project is located in an ecologically sensitive forest region inhabited by indigenous tribal communities. The implementation plan involves large-scale deforestation and displacement of these communities, who have lived on the land for generations and depend on it for their cultural, spiritual, and economic sustenance. As the project progresses toward final approvals, environmental groups and tribal organizations begin voicing strong opposition.

The protests center around the irreversible loss of biodiversity, the destruction of traditional livelihoods, and the undermining of tribal rights guaranteed under constitutional and forest laws. The opposition gains national attention, with activists highlighting the contradiction of promoting green energy at the cost of ecological and human displacement. Meanwhile, any delay in implementation risks cost escalation, withdrawal of funding, and missing critical energy targets.

You now face a complex challenge that pits environmental sustainability against ecological preservation and cultural justice. Balancing national priorities with ethical governance becomes essential, as the decision will not only impact the project's viability but also set a precedent for how clean energy projects are pursued in sensitive areas. The path forward requires sensitive engagement, lawful rehabilitation, and an inclusive approach to development.

(a) What options are available to address this situation?
(b) What are the ethical dilemmas you face?
(c) Which option would you choose, and why?
(d) How can sustainable development balance environmental and social concerns?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)

Q10. You're a senior police officer leading efforts to combat a sharp rise in cybercrime that has begun to severely affect the financial and personal security of citizens. Victims report online fraud, identity theft, phishing scams, and data breaches with increasing frequency, and the existing cyber infrastructure lacks the tools to proactively detect and prevent such crimes. Public outrage is growing, and media coverage is adding pressure on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and effectively.

Amid this crisis, a prominent tech firm approaches the department with a proposal to implement cutting-edge surveillance software capable of monitoring digital activities in real time. The firm claims the tool can help detect patterns, predict criminal behavior, and identify cyber offenders before they strike. However, the system requires broad access to citizens' personal data, including online habits, communication records, and transaction histories.

While the offer seems promising in terms of bolstering cybercrime response, it raises serious concerns over the right to privacy, data security, and potential misuse. Privacy advocates and civil society groups oppose the deployment of such intrusive tools, warning that it could lead to mass surveillance, abuse of power, and violations of constitutional freedoms. They argue that once such access is granted, it would be difficult to regulate or roll back, especially without robust legal safeguards.

You're now in a situation that demands a careful balance between ensuring public safety and protecting individual rights. The decision you make will set a precedent for how law enforcement uses technology in a democracy and whether security can be pursued without compromising liberty.

(a) What options are available to tackle this situation?
(b) Discuss the ethical issues in balancing security and privacy.
(c) What action plan would you adopt, and why?
(d) How can ethical surveillance practices be ensured?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)

Q11. You're a senior police officer leading the charge against a sharp and troubling rise in cybercrime, which is compromising citizens' financial safety, personal identities, and trust in digital platforms. Cases of online fraud, hacking, phishing scams, and data breaches are becoming alarmingly frequent. The pressure on law enforcement is intense, with the public demanding swift and effective action to restore digital security and bring cybercriminals to justice.

In response to this demand, a leading tech firm approaches your department with a sophisticated surveillance software that promises to revolutionize cyber policing. The software can track real-time digital activity, detect suspicious behavior, and map networks of online offenders with high precision. It offers the potential to significantly reduce cybercrime and protect vulnerable citizens. However, the system requires expansive access to personal data, online communication, and digital footprints of ordinary users.

This raises immediate concerns among privacy watchdogs, legal experts, and civil rights groups. They argue that such surveillance, without stringent legal checks, risks violating constitutional protections of privacy and personal liberty. The fear is that in the name of public safety, mass surveillance could become normalized, opening the door to misuse, profiling, and loss of public trust in government institutions.

You're now placed in a high-stakes ethical and strategic dilemma: the need to strengthen cyber security infrastructure while respecting the democratic values of transparency, accountability, and individual rights. The path forward must be grounded in legal safeguards, public dialogue, and technologies that enhance security without sacrificing fundamental freedoms.

(a) What are the ethical issues in this scenario?
(b) What options are available to address the vendor’s performance?
(c) What course of action would you adopt, and why?
(d) How can transparency in procurement prevent such issues?
(e) What measures can ensure accountability in public programs?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)

Q12. You're a scientist heading clinical trials for a new vaccine developed to combat a fast-spreading disease during a national public health emergency. The outbreak has sparked widespread fear, overwhelming healthcare systems and creating immense public pressure for a timely solution. Your team is working around the clock to complete all phases of the trial, aiming to deliver a safe and effective vaccine to the public as quickly as possible.

Amid the urgency, government officials are pushing for the rapid completion of trials, emphasizing the need to alleviate public anxiety and prevent further loss of life. Funding, political support, and media attention are all focused on your lab, placing extraordinary pressure on the research team to deliver quick results. In this climate, some team members begin to argue for bypassing certain safety protocols—such as extended observation periods or delayed-phase data analysis—citing minimal observed side effects and the urgency of saving lives.

They contend that fast-tracking the process could allow for earlier approval and distribution, potentially curbing the outbreak before it worsens. However, you're acutely aware that safety protocols exist for a reason. Skipping steps could lead to unforeseen adverse effects, erode public trust in vaccines, and have long-term health and legal consequences. If complications were to arise later, it could damage the credibility of both the scientific community and public health institutions.

You're now faced with a difficult decision: how to maintain scientific integrity and ensure the vaccine’s safety while responding to the urgent demands of a nation in crisis. The challenge lies in striking the right balance between ethical responsibility and public expectation.

(a) What would you do in this situation?
(b) Examine the options and consequences in light of ethical considerations.
(c) How can medical ethics guide decision-making in this scenario?
(d) What measures can ensure ethical clinical trials?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)