UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions 2021: GS4 Ethics | UPSC Mains: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude PDF Download

Q1:  Identify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant. Justify their inclusion in the matrix. (Ethics - I)
Ans: Ethics can be described as a set of "moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour or the conduct of an activity." It primarily pertains to the fundamental values and standards used to judge human actions. Ethics are subjective standards of right and wrong.

For a civil servant, ethical behavior is crucial. A civil servant is expected to embody virtues such as objectivity and impartiality. The five key ethical traits – Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Objectivity, and Selflessness – serve as the ethical foundation for a civil servant. Other values like non-partisanship, tolerance, and responsiveness can stem from these traits. Below is a matrix of ethical traits that proves beneficial in evaluating the performance of civil servants.

These traits ensure that a civil servant fulfills their professional obligations even in adverse situations. The ideal training program for a civil servant should encompass a mix of ethical traits, procedural rules, and practical situations.

Q2: Impact of digital technology as a reliable source of input for rational decision making is a debatable issue. Critically evaluate with suitable example. (Ethics - I)
Ans: A decision maker is characterized by two binary relations. The first reflects decisions that are rational in an "objective" sense: the decision maker can convince others that they are right in making them. The second relation models decisions that are rational in a "subjective" sense: the decision maker cannot be convinced that they are wrong in making them. Objectivity or rationality in decision making depends upon availability, quantity, and quality of data.

Digital technology has become nearly ubiquitous in all phases of the decision-making process. At the data collection stage, people use technology to access information, influencing the decision maker in subsequent steps. Technology assists in filtering, analyzing, and processing information, as well as formulating and evaluating alternatives, whether consciously or unconsciously.

Digital technologies can act as a reliable source of input for rational decisions, as:

• Big data analysis can predict the future progression of events like climate change, COVID-19 outbreaks, etc., aiding rational decisions and course corrections.
• It enables real-time data sharing and monitoring, identifying bottlenecks and facilitating necessary reforms.
• Digital technologies ease data collection, collation, and conversion using various algorithms, aiding surveys like census, NFHS, etc.
• Integration of data and information across different departments, ministries, and geographies provides a holistic picture.
• Through appropriate measures, it can serve as a reliable source to spread information and raise awareness.

As every coin has two sides, every situation has its pros and cons too. While digital technologies can be a reliable source, at times, this perception changes. It can be concluded that:

• Digital technologies lack human emotions, and decisions based on such information may violate basic principles of compassion and fairness.
• Targeted messages delivered through digital technologies can change the attitude of recipients and manipulate them, as seen during elections.
• Digital technology impacts decisions and leads to bounded rationality.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, digital media served as the hub of unverified information, creating confusion and cognitive dissonance.

Thus, digital technology provides information, but the objectivity of decisions is also based on human values, attitudes, and conscience.

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 Vivekanand. (Ethics-I)
Ans: Perseverance is the ability to sustain one's efforts in the face of immense difficulties, and it is considered the key to success. Integrity in adulthood is built on years of value inculcation and overcoming temptations of dishonesty.

Gautam Buddha faced numerous austerities in his life, and through intellectual queries and debates, he eventually achieved enlightenment. Swami Vivekananda was an inquisitive man whose open mind led him to his Guru, Shree Ramkrishna Paramhans. Through his Guru, he discovered his life's mission. Mahatma Gandhi, in his book 'My Experiments with Truth,' highlighted his indulgence in lying and stealing during his youth. However, during the freedom struggle, his approach underwent significant evolution.

Vijay Vardhan, who secured the 104th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2018, faced more than 35 exam failures before achieving success. The list of failures might discourage anyone and lead them to give up on their dreams. Yet, Vijay exemplified the adage, "What does not break you, makes you stronger." He persisted in striving for his dreams, and his perseverance eventually paid off.

Difficulties, trials, tribulations, and failure are inherent parts of the path to success. Those who persevere see the light, but those who quit cannot.

Q4: Attitude is an important component that goes as input in the development of human being. How to build a suitable attitude needed for a public servant? (Ethics-I)
Ans: Attitude is generally defined as the way a person responds to their environment, either positively or negatively. The work environment can significantly impact a person's attitude, which is a relatively stable predisposition playing a crucial role in human development.

Attitudes serve a knowledge function, providing meaning for life. This knowledge function fulfills our need for a world that is consistent and relatively stable, allowing us to predict events and gain a sense of control. Attitudes also help in organizing and structuring our experiences.

Public servants act as representatives of the government, and a positive attitude is considered an indispensable characteristic for them. Building a suitable attitude for a public servant involves:

• Organizational and Negotiating Skills: Juggling different projects, priorities, and stakeholders while influencing and negotiating with other departments.
• Creativity and Flexible Thinking: Adapting to change and thinking creatively to solve problems.
• Leadership: Learning to become a great leader, influencing and inspiring those around them in both civil service and public affairs.
• Decision-Making Ability: Making tough decisions under pressure and not shying away from finding solutions, no matter how challenging.
• Teamworking Skills: Collaborating with diverse people, motivating them, and working alongside them with different skills and qualities.
• Ability to Work Alone: Being capable of independent thought, coming up with solutions individually, and maintaining focus during solitary tasks.

Q5: “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. (Ethics-I)
Ans: The United Nations defines a 'refugee' as an individual who, due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside their country of nationality and unwilling or unable to avail themselves of that country's protection.

Under international human rights law, the principle of non-refoulement ensures that no one should be sent back to a country where they would face torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, or other irreparable harm. This principle applies to all migrants regardless of their migration status.

Human rights encompass undeniable rights to life, liberty, and the opportunity to realize one's potential. Denying refugees the chance to escape violence and persecution violates their basic human rights, as most refugees suffer through no fault of their own. Such actions contradict ethical principles.

Countries may refrain from providing refuge due to limited resources, security threats, and their primary responsibility toward their citizens. However, this often results in a violation of their responsibility as members of the global community. Moreover, many refugee crises stem from actions of the western world, and they should bear historical responsibility for their contributions.

Refusing to recognize the suffering of refugees and dehumanizing them sets a wrong example for the future. This leads to a decline in societal values such as care, empathy, and compassion.

Q6: 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. (Ethics-I)
Ans: Social Audit is a collaborative audit of a scheme conducted jointly by the Government and the people. It serves to bridge gaps between vision/goals and reality, as well as between efficiency and effectiveness. The MGNREGA was the first Act to mandate a Social Audit by the Gram Sabha.

Social Audit informs and educates people about their rights and entitlements, offering a collective platform for queries, expressing needs, and addressing grievances (jansunwai). It encourages people's participation in all stages of program implementation, making processes credible and inclusive. This results in enhanced ethical conduct by schemes, authorities, and organizations. Moreover, it fosters transparency and objectivity in government schemes, making authorities accountable to the public at large.

In the judiciary, Social Audit plays a crucial role:

• Social auditing employs participatory techniques involving all stakeholders in measuring, understanding, reporting, and improving an organization's social performance. This enhances public understanding of the judicial structure and proceedings, making the judiciary more interactive and comprehensible for common people, thereby improving performance and accountability.
• Social Audit can assist in making the judiciary accessible to the masses and raising awareness about it. It enables the judiciary to proactively address cases involving disadvantaged, vulnerable, and marginalized sections of society that require attention.

Despite its significant importance, Social Audit still requires increased awareness among the masses. Administrative and political cooperation is essential for its effective functioning. Consideration of legal backing or a national law is also crucial.

Q7: Sunil is a young civil servant and has a reputation for his competence, integrity, dedication and relentless pursuit of difficult and onerous jobs. Considering his profile, he was picked up by his bosses to handle a very challenging and sensitive assignment. He was posted in a tribal dominated district notorious for illegal sand mining. Excavating sand from river belt and transporting through trucks and selling them in black market was rampant. This illegal sand mining mafia was operating with the support of local functionaries and tribal musclemen who in turn were bribing selected poor tribals and had kept the tribals under fear and intimidation.

Sunil being a sharp and energetic officer immediately grasped the ground realities and the modus operandi followed by the mafia through their devious and dubious mechanism. On making inquiries, he gathered that some of their own office employees are in hand and glove with them and have developed close unholy nexus. Sunil initiated stringent action against them and started conducting raids on their illegal operations of movement of trucks filled with sand. The mafia got rattled as not many officers in the past had taken such strong steps against the mafia. Some of the office employees who were allegedly close to mafia informed them that the officer is determined to clean up the mafia’s illegal sand mining operations in that district and may cause them irreparable damage.

The mafia turned hostile and launched counter-offensive. The tribal musclemen and mafia started threatening him with dire consequences. His family (wife and old mother) were stalked and were under virtual surveillance and thus causing mental torture, agony and stress to all of them. The matter assumed serious proportions when a muscleman came to his office and threatened him to stop raids, etc., otherwise, his fate will not be different than some of his predecessors (ten years back one officer was killed by the mafia).
(a) Identify the different options available to Sunil in attending to this situation.
(b) Critically evaluate each of the options listed by you.
(c) Which of the above, do you think, would be the most appropriate for Sunil to adopt and why? (Ethics-II)
Ans: The case above revolves around the contemporary issues of illegal sand mining, the exploitation of tribal people by certain groups, and the prevalence of corrupt practices in the administrative domain.

Various stakeholders involved in this scenario include:

• Sunil (a young civil servant)
• Sand mafia group
• Local functionaries and tribal musclemen (assisting the sand mafia)
• Sunil’s family

(a) The various choices Sunil has are:

• Option 1: Take actions against the mafia, local functionaries, and corrupt employees. He can request sufficient protection from the police personnel.
• Option 2: Refrain from taking decisive steps and continue working in the office without implementing stringent measures.

(b) The potential outcomes of the above options are:

Option 1

• Merits:
  (i) Action in accordance with the law is assured in the tribal-dominated district.
  (ii) Acts as a check and balance to administrative corruption prevalent in the government office/department.
  (iii) Adequate security provided by police personnel may instill a sense of security for Sunil's family.
• Demerits:
  (i) Danger to Sunil’s family may escalate.
  (ii) Involvement of some employees from his office may impede the progress of the case.

Option 2

1. Merits: Reduction of fear from the sand mafias as Sunil refrains from further action.
2. Demerits:
   (i) Comes at the expense of degrading the law of the land.
   (ii) Propensity of illegal sand mining will further damage the environment.
   (iii) Goodwill of Sunil amongst his officers will drastically reduce.
   (iv) Boosts the morale of tribal musclemen and local functionaries.

(c) Sunil should opt for the first option. This is due to the following reasons:

• The decision aligns with the provisions of the Panchayats (Extension of Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, and Forests Rights Act, 2006.
• This ensures that he fulfills his duty with utmost sincerity while combating corruption.
• It safeguards the environment and addresses the concerns of local tribals.
• It enhances Sunil's image as a young and energetic officer who upholds the law.

Q8: You are Vice Principal of a degree college in one of the middle-class towns. Principal has recently retired and management is looking for his replacement. There are also feelers that the management may promote you as principal. In the meantime, during annual examination the flying squad which came from the university caught two students red-handed involved in unfair means. A senior lecturer of the college was personally helping these students in this act. This senior lecturer also happens to be close to the management. One of the students was son of a local politician who was responsible in getting college affiliated to the present reputed university. The second student was son of a local businessman who has donated maximum funds for running of the college. You immediately informed the management regarding this unfortunate incident. The management told you to resolve the issue with flying squad at any cost. They further said that such incident will not only tarnish the image of the college but also the politician and businessman are very important personalities for the functioning of the college. You were also given hint that your further promotion to Principal depends on your capability in resolving this issue with flying squad. In the meantime, you were intimated by your administrative officer that certain members of the student union are protesting outside the college gate against the senior lecturer and the students involved in this incident and demanding strict action against defaulters.
(a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.
(b) Critically examine the options available with you as Vice Principal. What option will you adopt and why? (Ethics-II)
Ans: The mentioned issue pertains to the entanglement of crony capitalism, the harsh reality of the education system despite increased budgetary allocations, and the prevalence of maladministration and inducements for short-term gains.

In this scenario, various stakeholders involved in the case include:

• Myself as Vice Principal
• Senior lecturer (responsible for assisting through unfair means)
• Students
• Local businessman and politician (supporting the college through affiliation and funding)
• Flying squad
• Management of the college at large

(a) Ethical issues involved:

• Probity: The senior lecturer has failed to uphold honesty, truthfulness, and the test of integrity when considering personal interests against professional duty.
• Value: The ethical dilemma revolves around whether the Vice Principal should prioritize actions that secure promotion to the position of Principal or ensure the manifestation of values such as justice, probity, and impartiality in reality.
• Impartiality: The fairness of examination conduct is crucial, and showing favoritism to some students would inherently demonstrate unfairness to others.

(b) Options available to me as a Vice Principal:

Option 1: Comply with the school management's wishes without taking any action against the students.

Merits:

• No immediate blockage of funding for the college.
• No harm to the college's dignity in the short term.
• Increased chances of my promotion to the position of Principal.

Demerits:

• Unfair treatment to all other students in the college.
• Possible compromise of procedural sanctity.
• Compromise on my professional conduct.
• May not send a positive message in the long run.
• Potential escalation of student protests.

Option 2: Allow the authorities to take strict action.

• Merits:
  • Maintenance of the college's credibility in the long run.
  • Prevention of the teacher/lecturer from repeating such actions in the future.
  • Enforcement of right conduct.
• Demerits:
  • Potential financial issues for the college in the future.
  • Risk to the future of two students involved.
  • Possible harm to recent admissions to the college.
  • Significant reduction in my chances of promotion.

I will choose the second option. Despite the potential negative impact on the college's reputation and my promotion prospects, it is the right course of action because:

• The college serves as a platform where students learn moral principles, emphasizing the importance of ethical behavior.
• The involvement of a senior lecturer underscores the need for decisive action.
• Advancement through unethical means violates the principle of integrity, compromising the purity of the means.
• This approach ensures fairness to all students who took the tests honestly.
• It helps quell potential student protests.

Q9: An elevated corridor is being constructed to reduce traffic congestion in the capital of a particular State. You have been selected as project manager of this prestigious project on your professional competence and experience. The deadline is to complete the project in next two years by 30 June, 2021, since this project is to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister before the elections are announced in the second week of July 2021. While carrying out the surprise inspection by inspecting team, a minor crack was noticed in one of the piers of the elevated corridor possibly due to poor material used. You immediately informed the chief engineer and stopped further work. It was assessed by you that minimum three piers of the elevated corridor have to be demolished and reconstructed. But this process will delay the project minimum by four to six months. But the chief engineer overruled the observation of inspecting team on the ground that it was a minor crack which will not in any way impact the strength and durability of the bridge. He ordered you to overlook the observation of inspecting team and continue working with same speed and tempo. He informed you that the minister does not want any delay as he wants the Chief Minister to inaugurate the elevated corridor before the elections are declared. Also informed you that the contractor is far relative of the minister and he wants him to finish the project. He also gave you hint that your further promotion as additional chief engineer is under consideration with the ministry. However, you strongly felt that the minor crack in the pier of the elevated corridor will adversely affect the health and life of the bridge and therefore it will be very dangerous not to repair the elevated corridor.
(a) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to you as a project manager?
(b) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by the project manager?
(c) What are the professional challenges likely to be faced by the project manager and his response to overcome such challenges?
(d)  What can be the consequences of overlooking the observation raised by the inspecting team? (Ethics-II)
Ans: Stakeholders involved in the case include:

• Myself as a project manager
• Chief engineer of the project
• Inspecting team (who observed a minor crack)
• Minister (requesting not to delay)
• Chief Minister (scheduled to inaugurate the elevated corridor)
• Contractor

(a) Options available to me as the project manager are as follows:

• I can proceed with the work as advised by my superior.
• I can delve deeper into the issue and escalate it to the political leadership directly.
• Due to my belief that the project's quality does not meet standards, I can request my transfer from the project to avoid the responsibility.

(b) Ethical dilemmas faced by the project manager are as follows:

• Own Benefit vs Public Benefit: Choosing to proceed with the project may lead to personal promotion but could also endanger the lives of numerous residents.
• Right Method vs Right End: Advancing with the project guarantees a timely inauguration and personal promotion but risks compromising the quality of resources utilized.
• Administrative Ethics vs Work Efficiency: While completing the project on time will earn the project manager praise for efficiency, it also poses a threat to administrative ethics.

(c) Professional challenges likely to be faced by the project manager are as follows:

• Pressure from Seniors: Requested by the chief engineer to proceed with the work.
• Political Upheaval: The contractor is related to a minister, and the Chief Minister aims to inaugurate the project before the elections.
• Career Prospects: The project manager's career hinges on the choices made in completing the project.
• Liability: Possible departmental or judicial investigation if the project fails and the bridge collapses.
• Administrative Corruption: Dealing with corruption in the department due to the use of substandard materials.

The project manager can overcome these challenges by:

• Presenting a comprehensive report on findings to the Chief Minister, the concerned ministry, and the chief engineer.
• Investigating the quality of materials used and issuing a show cause notice to parties involved if abnormalities are discovered.

(d) The consequences of disregarding the observations of the inspecting team could be:

• The corridor may collapse, posing a severe threat to the lives and property of the residents.
• The project will incur increased costs and schedule overruns due to a collapse, necessitating a complete restart of the entire project.
• The failure of the project will negatively impact both the department and the political leadership of the State.

Q10: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has quickly spread to various countries. As on May 8th, 2020, in India 56342 positive cases of corona had been reported. India with a population of more than 1.35 billion had difficulty in controlling the transmission of coronavirus among its population. Multiple strategies became necessary to handle this outbreak. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India raised awareness about this outbreak and to take all necessary actions to control the spread of COVID-19. Indian Government implemented a 55-day lockdown throughout the country to reduce the transmission of the virus. Schools and colleges had shifted to alternative mode of teaching-learning-evaluation and certification. Online mode became popular during these days.

India was not prepared for a sudden onslaught of such a crisis due to limited infrastructure in terms of human resource, money and other facilities needed for taking care of this situation. This disease did not spare anybody irrespective of caste, creed, religion on the one hand and ‘have and have not’ on the other. Deficiencies in hospital beds, oxygen cylinders, ambulances, hospital staff and crematorium were the most crucial aspects.

You are a hospital administrator in a public hospital at the time when coronavirus had attacked large number of people and patients were pouring into hospital day in and day out.
(a) What are your criteria and justification for putting your clinical and non-clinical staff to attend to the patients knowing fully well that it is highly infectious disease and resources and infrastructure are limited?
(b) If yours is a private hospital, whether your justification and decision would remain same as that of a public hospital? (Ethics-II)
Ans: (a) The criteria for assigning clinical and non-clinical staff during a crisis would include:

• Preferential selection of staff in age groups with the highest strength and immunity based on scientific studies and medical advice to handle the virus.
• Staff with co-morbidities would be assigned to non-clinical roles, and medical insurance would be mandatory for them.
• Staff aged 50 years or above would not engage in clinical duties or direct patient contact.
• Division of clinical and non-clinical staff based on merit and expertise to handle critical situations and prevent the collapse of health infrastructure.

Justifications for deploying staff in such a severe situation:

• Compassion: The dire situation generates sympathy and compassion for the suffering public.
• Responsibility: As a public servant and hospital administrator, there is a duty to serve the public, motivating staff to fulfill their responsibilities with dedication and sincerity.
• Public Good: In severe situations where lives are at stake, the medical staff and hospital cannot step back from their oath to save lives and work for the public good.
• Empathy: The heartbreaking conditions of the public inspire a commitment to serve patients with increased zeal, aiming to save more lives.
• Utilitarianism: Actions are deemed right if they benefit the majority, and in this case, the treatment of patients aligns with larger public interest.
• Contentment: Serving patients, saving lives, fulfilling duties with honesty, and aiding medical infrastructure bring satisfaction and happiness.

(b) As the administrator of a private hospital, I would have implemented the same measures as those adopted in a public hospital, along with additional steps:

• Ensuring the provision of top-notch equipment, protective gears, and facilities for staff (such as PPE kits and testing kits) while managing their workload effectively to allow proper rest for mental and physical well-being.
• In the unfortunate event of any staff casualty, providing appropriate compensation to their family members and offering free education to their children.
• Striving to promptly vaccinate all staff members, conducting regular health checkups, and ensuring regular testing.
• As an administrator in either a public or private hospital, seizing the opportunity to uphold ethical conduct with utmost honesty and integrity, contributing to serving the country in the best possible manner.

Q11: A reputed food product company based in India developed a food product for the international market and started exporting the same after getting necessary approvals. The company announced this achievement and also indicated that soon the product will be made available for the domestic consumers with almost same quality and health benefits. Accordingly, the company got its product approved by the domestic competent authority and launched the product in Indian market. The company could increase its market share over a period of time and earn substantial profit both domestically and internationally. However, the random sample test conducted by inspecting team found the product being sold domestically in variance with the approval obtained from the competent authority. On further investigation, it was also discovered that the food company was not only selling products which were not meeting the health standard of the country but also selling the rejected export products in the domestic market. This episode adversely affected the reputation and profitability of the food company.
(a) What action do you visualise should be taken by the competent authority against the food company for violating the laid down domestic food standard and selling rejected export products in domestic market?
(b) What course of action is available with the food company to resolve the crisis and bring back its lost reputation?
(c) Examine the ethical dilemma involved in the case. (Ethics-II)
Ans: (a) Recommended actions by the competent authority against the food company for violating food standards:

• Directive to recall all substandard products already introduced in the market and imposition of adequate compensation to affected consumers.
• Implementation of proportionate punitive measures in accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
• Additional requirement for the company to contribute a substantial amount to campaigns aimed at enhancing public awareness on FSSAI norms.

(b) Possible steps the food company can take to resolve the crisis and restore its tarnished reputation:

• Fully cooperate in the investigation and accept the prescribed legal consequences for selling substandard food products.
• Commission an external audit by a reputable organization to identify faults and establish accountability within the company.
• The company's top management should issue a public apology, transparently acknowledging the issue, detailing what went wrong, and outlining corrective actions being taken. This transparent approach reassures the public of the management's commitment to addressing the problem.
• Ensure strict adherence to the planned course of action and regularly monitor progress.

(c) Ethical dilemmas involved in the case:

• Shareholder’s Profit vs Health of Consumer: The food product company faced the dilemma of prioritizing shareholder profit over consumer health, leading to adverse impacts on both in the end.
• Long vs Short Term Gain of Shareholders: Selling substandard food for short-term profit may have increased shareholders' immediate gains, but the tarnished reputation will result in long-term revenue loss.
• Standard for Domestic vs International Consumers: The company's decision to sell rejected products under the assumption that they met international but not domestic standards raises the ethical concern of not addressing this technical issue with the regulator and instead breaching the law.
• Law vs Public Trust: Cases like this create a trust deficit between the food product industry and consumers, potentially impacting the economy and causing job losses. However, the regulator's adherence to the law is crucial for long-term public trust, as consumers need assurance that product quality is monitored.

Q12: Pawan is working as an officer in the State Government for the last ten years. As a part of routine transfer, he was posted to another department. He joined in a new office along with five other colleagues. The head of the office was a senior officer conversant with the functioning of the office. As a part of general inquiry, Pawan gathered that his senior officer carries the reputation of being difficult and insensitive person having his own disturbed family life. Initially, all seemed to go well. However, after some time Pawan felt that the senior officer was belittling him and at times unreasonable. Whatever suggestions given or views expressed by Pawan in the meetings were summarily rejected and the senior officer would express displeasure in the presence of others. It became a pattern of boss’ style of functioning to show him in bad light highlighting his shortcomings and humiliating publicly. It became apparent that though there were no serious work-related problems/shortcomings, the senior officer was always on one pretext or the other and would scold and shout at him. The continuous harassment and public criticism of Pawan resulted in loss of confidence, self-esteem and equanimity. Pawan realised that his relation with his senior officer was becoming more toxic and due to this, he felt perpetually tensed, anxious and stressed. His mind was occupied with negativity and caused him mental torture, anguish and agony. Eventually, it badly affected his personal and family life. He was no longer joyous, happy and contented even at home. Rather without any reason he would lose his temper with his wife and other family members. The family environment was no longer pleasant and congenial. His wife who was always supportive to him also became a victim of his negativity and hostile behaviour. Due to harassment and humiliation suffered by him in the office, comfort and happiness virtually vanished from his life. Thus, it damaged his physical and mental health.
(a) What are the options available with Pawan to cope with the situation?
(b) What approach Pawan should adopt for bringing peace, tranquility and congenial environment in the office and home?
(c) As an outsider, what are your suggestions for both boss and subordinate to overcome this situation and for improving the work performance, mental and emotional hygiene?
(d) In the above scenario, what type of training would you suggest for officers at various levels in the government offices? (Ethics-II)
Ans: (a) Pawan has the following options to cope with the situation:

• Address the root cause of the problem and have a conversation with his senior about the issues he is facing.
• Take leave from the office, discuss the issue with colleagues in other services, and then rejoin. While this may provide a short respite for Pawan, the problem is likely to persist.
• Seek a transfer to another department, which might be an administrative decision with limited control for Pawan.
• Ignore his senior at work, potentially affecting coordination and the quality of work, and possibly portraying him as incompetent.
• Consider resigning from his current position as a last resort. However, this may be seen as an attitude of escapism and lack of courage, with potential consequences for his personal responsibilities.

(b) Recommended approach for Pawan to adopt:

At the Office:

• Reflect on his behavior to assess if his actions are causing annoyance to his senior, considering the behavior of his senior towards other newly transferred colleagues for clarity.
• Initiate a conversation with his seniors (boss’ colleagues) to explain his actions and gain insights into his boss’ temperament, providing an opportunity for mutual understanding and course correction.
• If the above suggestions prove ineffective, Pawan should submit a written complaint to his boss’ senior, ensuring awareness of all the occurrences.

At Home:

• Strive to separate his professional and personal life, enhancing his emotional intelligence quotient.
• Engage in open communication with family members, including his wife, about the workplace challenges, seeking their understanding and support to foster a peaceful and supportive environment at both work and home.

(c) Suggestions as an outsider:
To Boss:

• Exhibit leadership qualities by acting as an example and prioritizing the development of emotional intelligence.
• Recognize that subordinates play a crucial role as the workforce and deserve respect from authorities or seniors.
• Emphasize the importance of constructive criticism in shaping both the organization and individual lives, discouraging the use of belittlement to assert superiority.
• Promote the practice of appreciating good work, as it is not only ethically justified but also fosters positive energy among team members.

To Subordinates:

• Avoid letting professional and personal lives merge, ensuring that work-related issues do not encroach upon personal space and vice versa.
• Prioritize self-respect, welcoming constructive criticism but rejecting demeaning behavior. Dedicate oneself to work with utmost dedication and commitment in the workplace.

(d) Types of Training for Government Officers:

• Sensitivity Training: Sensitize officials to the impact of their actions on others, considering mental health issues.
• Role-playing Training: Encourage officers to investigate situations from others' perspectives, understanding their problems and constraints for constructive decision-making.
• Assertiveness Training: Equip officials to exercise authority without condescension, fostering team spirit and cooperation.
• Communication Training: Enhance effective communication through verbal and non-verbal cues, aiming to increase positivity, promote inclusiveness, and create a conducive work culture for performance.