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.
Q1. (a) "The concept of Just and Unjust is contextual. What was just a year back, may turn out to be unjust in today’s context. Changing context should be constantly under scrutiny to prevent miscarriage of justice." Examine the above statement with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
Q1. (b) "Compassion in public service fosters trust and bridges societal divides." Discuss how compassion can enhance ethical governance, with examples from public administration. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
Q2. (a) "The essence of ethics is to differentiate between right and wrong, even when the choice is difficult." Analyze how ethical dilemmas challenge civil servants and suggest ways to navigate them. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
Q2. (b) "Integrity in governance ensures public trust and equitable service delivery." Discuss the role of integrity in public administration, with reference to anti-corruption measures. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
Q3. Below are three quotations from notable thinkers. Explain their relevance in the context of ethical public service:
(a) "Honesty is the best policy, but it is not always enough in public life." – Anonymous
(b) "The greatest good is what we do for one another." – Mother Teresa
(c) "Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit." – Aristotle
(Answer in 150 words, 10 marks each)
Q4. (a) "Fairness in governance requires impartial decision-making." Discuss the ethical challenges of maintaining impartiality in public administration, with examples. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
Q4. (b) "Ethical leadership fosters a culture of accountability in public institutions." Analyze how ethical leadership can drive governance reforms, with examples. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
Q5. (a) "The tension between individual rights and collective welfare often shapes administrative decisions." Examine this tension with a real-world example from public policy. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
Q5. (b) "Probity in public service is essential for maintaining public confidence." Discuss the role of probity in governance, with reference to transparency initiatives. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
Q6. (a) "Social justice requires ethical governance to address systemic inequalities." Analyze the ethical challenges in promoting social justice through public administration. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
Q6. (b) "Ethical governance in diverse societies demands respect for cultural pluralism." Discuss the role of cultural pluralism in public administration, with examples. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
SECTION B
Q7. You're the District Collector of an urban district responsible for implementing a large-scale waste management program aimed at improving sanitation and public health. To execute this initiative, a private contractor was awarded the tender, despite widespread concerns regarding their technical capacity and past record. These concerns were further amplified by the fact that the contractor shares close ties with a local political leader, raising questions of transparency and fairness in the bidding process.
As the program progresses, the contractor’s inefficiency becomes increasingly visible. Garbage begins to accumulate in public spaces, drains get clogged, and waste is left uncollected for days. These developments lead to foul odours, pest outbreaks, and rising instances of communicable diseases. Public dissatisfaction grows rapidly, and local communities begin to organize protests, demanding immediate government action. Health officials warn of a looming crisis if the situation persists.
In this charged environment, you're faced with a difficult choice. Removing the contractor would mean floating a new tender or invoking legal termination clauses—both of which may take time, delaying the program further. On the other hand, retaining the underperforming contractor risks worsening public health and undermining your credibility as an administrator. Additionally, any action taken against the contractor may be perceived as politically sensitive, potentially attracting backlash.
Amid these challenges, the pressure to act decisively while maintaining fairness, legality, and public trust grows intense. You must weigh the short-term consequences against the long-term goal of establishing an efficient, transparent, and accountable waste management system that prioritizes public welfare over political convenience.
(a) What are the ethical dilemmas in this scenario?
(b) What options are available to address the contractor’s performance?
(c) What course of action would you adopt, and why?
(d) How can ethical governance ensure effective waste management?
(e) What measures can prevent favoritism in contract allocation?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)
Q8. You're a senior police officer entrusted with the critical responsibility of managing communal tensions that have erupted in the city following a controversial social media post. The post, perceived as offensive by certain communities, has triggered strong reactions, protests, and a tense atmosphere. In response, community leaders are demanding immediate censorship of the post and other similar online content, arguing that such measures are necessary to prevent the situation from spiraling into violence.
At the same time, free speech activists and civil society groups oppose any form of content removal, asserting that censorship infringes upon constitutionally guaranteed rights. They emphasize the importance of democratic freedoms, warning that arbitrary restrictions on expression could set a dangerous precedent. Amid these conflicting pressures, the state government has issued directions for urgent preventive measures, pushing for swift action to contain the unrest before it turns into a law-and-order crisis.
You're now placed in a situation that requires balancing competing ethical and legal priorities—maintaining public order, upholding freedom of expression, and ensuring impartial enforcement of the law. Censoring content without legal basis could alienate sections of the public and deepen mistrust in institutions, while inaction could lead to violence and loss of life.
The urgency of the moment demands a nuanced approach. You're expected to manage not just the immediate threat of unrest, but also preserve long-term communal harmony, institutional credibility, and public trust. Strategic decisions regarding digital content moderation, community engagement, and coordination with tech platforms must be made within the framework of constitutional values and legal provisions.
(a) What options are available to handle this situation?
(b) Discuss the ethical issues in balancing public safety and freedom of expression.
(c) What action plan would you adopt, and why?
(d) How can trust be maintained with all communities involved?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)
Q9. You're the CEO of a public sector transport company tasked with rolling out a new fleet of electric buses as part of the government's clean mobility mission. The project is aimed at reducing urban pollution, improving public transport infrastructure, and meeting national environmental commitments. However, the designated depot site and charging infrastructure require land currently occupied by a slum community that has lived there for decades. The residents are now protesting, claiming that the rehabilitation package offered is insufficient, non-inclusive, and lacks transparency.
The community’s opposition is growing louder, drawing media attention and criticism from civil society groups. Activists argue that the project is being implemented at the cost of displacing the urban poor, without ensuring their dignity, livelihood, or housing rights. At the same time, funding for the project is tied to tight deadlines under a central scheme or international climate agreement. Any delay could risk withdrawal of financial support, stalling not just this initiative but possibly future green investments as well.
Caught between environmental urgency and social justice, you're faced with a complex ethical dilemma. Advancing the project without addressing the community’s concerns would undermine principles of equity and inclusive development. But halting or slowing the project could result in financial setbacks and reputational loss for the organization.
The situation demands a sensitive, balanced approach—where sustainability doesn’t come at the cost of displacement, and rehabilitation is treated as a non-negotiable part of development. You're expected to uphold environmental commitments while ensuring that the most vulnerable stakeholders are not left behind in the process.
(a) What options are available to address the community’s concerns?
(b) What are the ethical dilemmas you face?
(c) Which option would you choose, and why?
(d) How can ethical governance balance environmental and social priorities?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)
Q10. You're an IAS officer responsible for the smooth implementation of a rural education program aimed at improving access to quality education in underserved areas. A key portion of the program, including infrastructure development and mid-day meal services, has been outsourced to a local NGO. However, you've received credible reports indicating that the NGO—known to have strong political connections—is mismanaging funds. Substandard materials are being used for school buildings, essential resources are missing, and financial records are poorly maintained or manipulated.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the local community, particularly children from economically weaker sections, heavily relies on this program for basic educational facilities. An official audit is scheduled soon, and there’s a high probability that the mismanagement will be uncovered. While exposing the NGO’s wrongdoing is necessary to uphold transparency and accountability, it may also lead to the suspension of the program pending investigation, which would disrupt services to children who depend on it.
You're now faced with an ethical conflict: whether to allow the audit to reveal the truth, risking disruption of services, or to suppress or delay findings to maintain continuity, thereby enabling continued misuse of public funds. The pressure from political quarters to protect the NGO adds another layer of complexity.
This scenario demands careful balancing of competing priorities—ensuring accountability without harming the beneficiaries. You're expected to act within the framework of the law, prioritize the long-term integrity of the program, and safeguard the interests of the children it was designed to serve.
(a) What are the ethical issues in this scenario?
(b) What options are available to address the NGO’s mismanagement?
(c) What course of action would you adopt, and why?
(d) How can transparency in fund allocation prevent such issues?
(e) What measures can ensure accountability in educational programs?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)
Q11. You're the head of a government research institute working on a groundbreaking agricultural technology aimed at increasing crop yields and improving resilience in the face of climate change. The technology has the potential to transform agricultural practices, particularly in rainfed and smallholding farming communities. However, the project is facing funding constraints that are slowing its development and deployment.
A private company approaches your institute with an offer to fund the project in full, promising fast-tracked development, advanced facilities, and wide-scale promotion. However, in return, the company demands exclusive rights to the technology, which would allow it to commercialize the innovation under its own terms. This means the technology could become unaffordable or inaccessible to small and marginal farmers who stand to benefit the most from it.
You're now confronted with a significant ethical dilemma. Accepting the offer would mean faster completion and potential impact, but it risks commodifying a public innovation and restricting access based on market pricing. On the other hand, rejecting the offer would delay the rollout, potentially depriving farmers of timely support, especially in regions already struggling with agricultural distress.
This situation calls for a solution that upholds the public interest while enabling development. You’re expected to ensure that the core objective of public-funded research—equitable access—is not compromised. Exploring alternative models, such as non-exclusive licensing or tiered pricing, could help strike a balance between innovation, private participation, and social justice. As the head of a public institution, your role is to protect the integrity of public goods and ensure that science serves society at large.
(a) What are the ethical issues in this scenario?
(b) What options are available to address the funding dilemma?
(c) What course of action would you recommend, and why?
(d) How can ethical partnerships ensure equitable access to technology?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)
Q12. You're a public health official stationed in a remote region that is currently experiencing a rapidly spreading disease outbreak. The area is geographically isolated, lacks sufficient healthcare infrastructure, and the local population is vulnerable due to poor nutrition, limited access to medical supplies, and low immunity. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and conventional treatments have had limited success in containing the disease. The situation is escalating, with rising fatalities and growing fear among the residents.
Amid this crisis, a pharmaceutical company approaches you with an offer to supply an experimental drug that, according to preliminary lab data, may help reduce the severity and transmission of the disease. However, the drug has not undergone complete clinical trials, and its long-term side effects are unknown. The regulatory approval process is still underway, and no peer-reviewed data is available to ensure its safety and efficacy. The company suggests fast-tracking its use under emergency provisions, citing the urgency of the outbreak.
The local community, gripped by desperation and fear, is demanding immediate relief and is willing to try anything that could offer hope. Community leaders and patients’ families are pressing for the use of the drug, while medical professionals express concern over its unverified nature. Using the drug could save lives, but it might also lead to unforeseen health complications, legal liabilities, or a loss of public trust if adverse effects emerge later.
You're now placed in a high-stakes ethical and administrative dilemma where the pressure to act quickly must be balanced against the duty to protect public health through safe, evidence-based practices.
(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 public health interventions?
(Answer in 250 words, 20 marks)
