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) The application of Artificial Intelligence as a dependable source of input for administrative rational decision-making is a debatable issue. Critically examine the statement from the ethical point of view. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
Q1. (b) "Empathy is a critical ethical value for fostering trust in public administration." Discuss how empathy influences ethical decision-making in governance, with examples. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
Q2. (a) "Integrity is the foundation of ethical governance, ensuring public trust." Explain the dimensions of integrity and their role in public service. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
Q2. (b) "Transparency in administration promotes accountability but can risk sensitive information." Analyze the ethical challenges of balancing transparency and confidentiality in governance. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
Q3. Below are three quotations from notable thinkers. Explain their relevance in the context of ethical governance today:
(a) "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." – Mahatma Gandhi
(b) "Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do." – Potter Stewart
(c) "The function of souls is to help one another. This is the beginning, middle, and end of ethics." – Sri Aurobindo
(Answer each in 150 words, 10 marks each)
Q4. (a) "Ethical governance requires addressing power imbalances in policy implementation." Discuss the ethical challenges of ensuring equitable power distribution, with examples. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
Q4. (b) "Public servants must balance speed with ethical rigor in decision-making." Analyze this balance in the context of governance, with examples. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
Q5. (a) "Ethical governance involves navigating conflicts between legal obligations and moral principles." Examine this statement with a real-world example from public administration. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
Q5. (b) "Perseverance in public service is crucial for upholding ethical standards in adversity." Discuss the role of perseverance in ethical governance, 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 faces pressure to ignore environmental regulations for an industrial project.
(b) A policy aimed at public welfare marginalizes a minority community.
(Answer in 150 words, 10 marks each)
SECTION B
Q7. You're the District Collector of a rural district facing severe water scarcity, where agricultural livelihoods are highly dependent on already-stressed groundwater resources. In this context, a private company has proposed setting up a water-intensive industrial project that promises significant economic benefits—such as employment generation, infrastructure upgrades, and increased revenue for the region. The proposal has received enthusiastic support from the state government, which views the project as a catalyst for much-needed regional development.
However, the local farming community has strongly opposed the initiative. Farmers argue that the project would accelerate groundwater depletion, which could permanently damage the agricultural ecosystem and threaten food security in the district. Their protests have grown louder, fueled by fears of losing both their land and their way of life. The tension between promises of industrial progress and the preservation of agrarian livelihoods has turned the issue into a flashpoint.
Matters have become more serious following the findings of an independent audit. The report reveals several procedural lapses in the approval of the project, including inadequate environmental assessments, lack of stakeholder consultations, and potential bypassing of key regulatory norms. These findings raise grave concerns over transparency, governance, and the legitimacy of the decision-making process.
You're now at the center of a difficult dilemma. On one hand, you're expected to facilitate state-led development; on the other, you're duty-bound to uphold environmental sustainability, protect community rights, and ensure that due process is followed. The challenge lies in restoring public trust while balancing developmental goals with ethical and ecological responsibility.
(a) What are the ethical dilemmas you face?
(b) What options are available to address the farmers’ concerns?
(c) What course of action would you adopt, and why?
(d) How can ethical governance balance economic and environmental interests?
(e) What measures can prevent such procedural lapses in the future?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)
Q8. You're a senior police officer assigned to a tribal-dominated, economically backward region where illegal mining has become a deeply embedded part of the local economy. The mining mafia, driven by profit and power, operates with impunity, flouting environmental laws, destroying forested land, and exploiting natural resources without accountability. The environmental degradation is severe, leading to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and water contamination—all of which threaten long-term ecological stability.
At the same time, the issue is not simply one of law enforcement. These illegal operations have become a critical source of livelihood for many local tribal youth who face chronic unemployment and lack of access to formal education or skill development opportunities. For them, mining work, though illegal, offers a rare means of income in an otherwise opportunity-starved region. Over time, the mining mafia has also established social influence by providing informal loans, medical support, and basic necessities—gaining a foothold in community dynamics.
Any abrupt intervention to shut down mining activities risks sparking widespread resentment, protests, and possibly violent unrest. The tribal communities may perceive law enforcement as another oppressive force acting against their survival. On the other hand, tolerating the continued exploitation of both the environment and vulnerable populations would amount to a dereliction of duty.
You're now in a position that requires not only enforcing the law but also understanding the socio-economic fabric of the region. The challenge lies in dismantling the illegal mining network while simultaneously collaborating with civil society, local administration, and welfare agencies to create viable livelihood alternatives and restore community trust.
(a) What options are available to tackle this situation?
(b) What are the ethical dilemmas you face?
(c) Which option would you choose, and why?
(d) How can law enforcement balance economic needs and legal compliance?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)
Q9. You're the CEO of a public sector bank facing a critical ethical and administrative dilemma. A recent internal audit has uncovered serious irregularities in the bank’s lending practices, revealing that numerous loans were approved for applicants who did not meet the necessary eligibility criteria. Further investigation suggests that many of these approvals were influenced by external political pressure, leading to the bypassing of established protocols for risk assessment and due diligence. This pattern of interference not only violates banking norms but also exposes the institution to significant financial risk and reputational damage.
The situation becomes more complex as the government, concerned about the potential fallout, urges you to keep the audit findings confidential. The argument is that public disclosure could lead to panic among depositors, a decline in investor confidence, and long-term harm to the credibility of the banking sector. While the intent may be to contain immediate damage, suppressing the truth would undermine the principles of transparency and accountability that are essential to public institutions.
You're now in a position where each possible action carries serious consequences. Choosing to reveal the audit findings could invite political backlash and shake the financial system, but concealing them would compromise institutional integrity and public trust. The challenge lies in navigating this crisis in a manner that upholds ethical governance, ensures internal accountability, and lays the groundwork for structural reform.
Your responsibility goes beyond damage control—it includes restoring faith in the bank’s processes, protecting the interests of honest stakeholders, and reinforcing the foundation of responsible banking.
(a) What are the ethical dilemmas in this scenario?
(b) What options are available to address the irregularities?
(c) What course of action would you recommend, and why?
(d) How can ethical governance prevent such issues in financial institutions?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)
Q10. You're an IAS officer leading the implementation of a flagship smart city project that promises to modernize urban infrastructure, attract investment, generate employment, and significantly improve the quality of life for the city's residents. The initiative is backed by the government and is considered a cornerstone of the region’s future economic and social transformation. However, a major roadblock has emerged in the form of land acquisition, particularly the procurement of fertile agricultural land from surrounding rural communities.
Farmers in the affected areas have raised strong objections. They argue that the compensation offered does not reflect current market values or account for the long-term impact of losing their sole source of livelihood. Many have also alleged that the process lacks transparency and appears to disproportionately benefit corporate stakeholders involved in the project. This perception of corporate favoritism has intensified distrust, leading to protests, legal challenges, and growing resistance from farming unions and civil society groups.
The unrest is no longer confined to negotiations and public hearings—it is beginning to threaten public order, with demonstrations, road blockades, and confrontations disrupting the normal functioning of the district. Meanwhile, project deadlines loom, and delays could result in the withdrawal of funding or missed development milestones.
You're now at the center of a complex conflict between rapid urban development and rural justice. The credibility of the project hinges not only on its execution but also on the fairness and inclusiveness of the process. Addressing these tensions demands transparent communication, fair compensation, community engagement, and a commitment to ensuring that development does not come at the cost of social equity.
(a) What are the ethical dilemmas in this scenario?
(b) What options are available to address the farmers’ concerns?
(c) What course of action would you adopt, and why?
(d) How can ethical governance ensure fair land acquisition processes?
(e) What measures can build trust with affected communities?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)
Q11. You're the head of a government hospital during a severe health crisis where lives are hanging in the balance due to a critical shortage of ventilators. The influx of patients has overwhelmed the existing infrastructure, and conventional procurement channels are proving too slow to meet the urgency of the situation. Time is of the essence, and any delay in acquiring life-saving equipment could result in avoidable fatalities, eroding public confidence in the healthcare system.
In this moment of extreme pressure, a relative who operates a medical supply business steps forward, offering to deliver ventilators immediately. However, the proposal comes with conditions—the price is higher than standard rates, and the transaction would bypass established procurement protocols meant to ensure transparency, fairness, and cost-efficiency in government dealings. Accepting the offer might provide a quick fix to the crisis, potentially saving lives in the short term. Yet, doing so risks attracting allegations of favoritism, misuse of office, and conflict of interest, which could trigger legal consequences and damage your professional integrity.
This dilemma places you in a morally and administratively complex position. On one side is the compelling need to act swiftly for the greater good, and on the other is the obligation to uphold public trust and institutional accountability. The challenge lies in balancing ethical governance with emergency response, ensuring that short-term decisions do not undermine the long-term credibility of public health institutions. Any action taken must be guided by principles of transparency, fairness, and adherence to legal norms, even in times of crisis.
(a) What are the ethical issues in this scenario?
(b) What options are available to address the shortage?
(c) What course of action would you recommend, and why?
(d) How can procurement processes be strengthened to avoid such dilemmas?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)
Q12. You're the head of a government hospital operating under intense pressure during an acute health crisis. The patient load has surged, and a shortage of ventilators is threatening to overwhelm your capacity to provide critical care. Each passing hour without additional equipment could result in tragic outcomes, and the staff, patients, and families are looking to your leadership for swift and effective solutions.
Amid this crisis, a relative involved in the medical supply business approaches with an immediate offer: a batch of ventilators ready for delivery without delay. However, the offer comes at a higher-than-market price and would require bypassing standard procurement procedures. In the face of mounting casualties and delayed official supplies, the proposal is undoubtedly tempting. It could mean saving lives that might otherwise be lost to bureaucratic delays.
Yet the offer presents a significant ethical dilemma. Accepting equipment from a relative under these conditions risks being perceived as favoritism or abuse of authority. It could lead to accusations of nepotism, trigger internal inquiries, or even invite legal scrutiny, especially if other vendors or oversight bodies question the deviation from transparent procedures. Public trust in the institution—and in your leadership—could be severely compromised.
You're caught between two compelling obligations: the immediate responsibility to protect lives and the long-term duty to uphold institutional integrity and public confidence. Any action taken must be defensible not only in the moment but also in retrospect. The challenge lies in finding a path that ensures rapid relief without compromising transparency, accountability, or ethical standards.
(a) What would you do in this situation?
(b) Examine the options and consequences in light of ethical considerations.
(c) How can data ethics guide decision-making in this scenario?
(d) What measures can ensure ethical use of patient data?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)
