GS 4 · Practice archive

GS Paper 4 practice questions for UPSC Mains 2026.

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude — theory plus case studies.

20 Qs / 250 marks270 questionsModel outlines included

GS Paper 4 · Tips & tricks

GS-4 — values, dilemmas, and decisions — not lectures on ethics

Pair every ethical concept with a public-service application.Talk about integrity — but anchor it to a civil servant scenario or a real official action (T.N. Seshan, E. Sreedharan, Ashok Khemka).
Case studies need a 5-step structure.Identify the dilemma, list stakeholders, lay out 3 options with consequences, choose one with justification, and add a follow-up safeguard.
Use thinkers sparingly and accurately.One Aristotle, one Gandhi, one Ambedkar in an answer is enough — and quote what they actually said, not a paraphrase.
Don't moralise. Decide.The examiner wants a decision and the reasoning. Sitting on the fence loses marks even when the case is morally ambiguous.
For aptitude questions, behaviour matters more than feelings.When asked what you would do, focus on observable actions — communication, consultation, escalation — not internal states.

Q.120 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

An apparel manufacturing company having large number of women employees was losing sales due to various factors. The company hired a reputed marketing executive, who increased the volume of sales within a short span of time. However, some unconfirmed reports came up regarding his indulgence in sexual harassment at the work place. After sometime, a woman employee lodged a formal complaint to the management against the marketing executive about sexually harassing her. Faced with the company’s indifference in not taking cognizance of her grievance, she lodged an FIR with the Police. Realizing the sensitivity and gravity of the situation, the company called the woman employee to negotiate. In that she was offered a hefty sum of money to withdraw the complaint and the FIR and also give in writing that the marketing executive is not involved in the case. Identify the ethical issues involved in this case. What options are available to the woman employee?

Subtopic: Case Study · workplace sexual harassment and cover-up

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Brief facts → stakeholders → ethical issues in the case → options available to the woman employee with merits/demerits → recommended course of action grounded in the PoSH framework.

Key points

Central ethical issue: violation of a woman's dignity and right to a safe workplace.
Company's dereliction: ignoring its statutory duty to act on the harassment complaint.
Offer of money to withdraw the FIR and falsely exonerate the accused is bribery and obstruction of justice.
Conflict of interest: the firm privileges the executive's sales over an employee's rights.
Woman's best option: reject the bribe and pursue both criminal and PoSH Act remedies.
Invoke the Internal Committee (or Local Committee) under the PoSH Act, 2013.
Seek support from NCW/SCW, women's organisations and legal aid; preserve evidence of tampering.

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Q.220 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

In a modern democratic polity, there is the concept of political executive and permanent executive. Elected people’s representatives form the political executive and bureaucracy forms the permanent executive. Ministers frame policy decisions and bureaucrats execute these. In the initial decades after independence, relationship between the permanent executive and the political executive were characterized by mutual understanding, respect and co-operation, without encroaching upon each others domain. However, in the subsequent decades, the situation has changed. There are instances of the political executive insisting upon the permanent executive to follow its agenda. Respect for and appreciation of upright bureaucrats has declined. There is an increasing tendency among the political executive to get involved in routine administrative matters such as transfers, postings etc. Under this scenario, there is a difinitive trend towards ‘politicization of bureaucracy’. The rising materialism and acquisitiveness in social life has also adversely impacted upon the ethical values of both the permanent executive and the political executive. What are the consequences of this ‘politicization of bureaucracy’? Discuss.

Subtopic: Probity & Governance · consequences of politicization of the bureaucracy

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Introduction: political vs permanent executive and the shift → meaning of politicization → consequences (on neutrality, morale, governance, corruption, public trust) → brief remedies → Conclusion.

Key points

Politicization = political interference in routine administration and demand for partisan loyalty.
Loss of neutrality: personal loyalty replaces constitutional loyalty.
Demoralisation: upright officers sidelined/transferred; the transfer-posting industry corrodes merit.
Weak governance: loss of continuity, institutional memory and long-term public interest.
Politician-bureaucrat nexus breeds corruption and diffuses accountability; erodes public trust.
Remedies: fixed tenures, Civil Services Board, transparent postings (T.S.R. Subramanian, 2013), ethics training, protection for honest officers.

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Q.320 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

In one of the districts of a frontier state, narcotics menace has been rampant. This has resulted in money laundering, mushrooming of poppy farming, arms smuggling and near stalling of education. The system is on the verge of collapse. The situation has been further worsened by unconfirmed reports that local politicians as well as some senior police officers are providing surreptitious patronage to the drug mafia. At that point of time a woman police officer, known for her skills in handling such situations is appointed as Superintendent of Police to bring the situation to normalcy. If you are the same police officer, identify the various dimensions of the crisis. Based on your understanding, suggest measures to deal with the crisis.

Subtopic: Case Study · narcotics crisis with political-police collusion

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Introduction: multi-dimensional narco crisis → dimensions (law and order, socio-economic, political-police nexus, health, security) → stakeholders → measures (intelligence-led action, internal cleansing, livelihoods, community and health, coordination) → Conclusion.

Key points

Treat as a systemic crisis: security, economic, social, health and internal-integrity dimensions.
Intelligence-led enforcement targeting networks, money laundering and kingpins under the NDPS Act, with ED/NCB.
Internal cleansing: verify and act on collusion by police/politicians through evidence and lawful action – credibility begins within.
Courage to resist improper political pressure, documenting everything and routing evidence to competent authorities.
Livelihood substitution for poppy via crop alternatives, MGNREGA and skilling through administrative convergence.
Community mobilisation, de-addiction/rehabilitation, school re-enrolment, and witness/informer protection.

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Q.420 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

In recent times, there has been an increasing concern in India to develop effective civil service ethics, codes of conduct, transparency measures, ethics and integrity systems and anti-corruption agencies. In view of this, there is a need being felt to focus on three specific areas, which are directly relevant to the problems of internalizing integrity and ethics in the civil services. These are as follows: 1. Anticipating specific threats to ethical standards and integrity in the civil services, 2. Strengthening the ethical competence of civil servants and 3. Developing administrative processes and practices which promote ethical values and integrity in civil services. Suggest institutional measures to address the above three issues.

Subtopic: Probity & Governance · institutionalising integrity in the civil services

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Introduction: integrity as governance infrastructure → anticipating threats through risk-mapping, asset disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules → building ethical competence via induction/mid-career training and a Code of Ethics → embedding ethics in processes through transparency, oversight and whistleblower protection → Conclusion: 2nd ARC's vision of an ethical bureaucracy.

Key points

Three-fold institutional design: prevention (anticipating threats), capability (ethical competence), and process (ethics-promoting systems).
Anticipation needs risk-mapping of sensitive posts, asset/conflict-of-interest disclosure and preventive vigilance.
A separate Code of Ethics (values) alongside the Code of Conduct (rules), as recommended by the 2nd ARC.
Case-based ethics training at LBSNAA and mid-career, developing moral reasoning over rote compliance.
Transparency instruments — RTI, e-governance, DBT, citizen's charters — shrink discretion and rent-seeking.
Accountability architecture: CVC, Lokpal/Lokayukta, social audit and credible whistleblower protection.
Ethical leadership from the top and recognition of upright officers shape organisational culture.

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Q.520 marks · 150w 20 min Medium

(a) Discuss the role of ethics and values in enhancing the following three major components of Comprehensive National Power (CNP) viz. human capital, soft power (culture and policies) and social harmony. (b) “Education is not an injunction, it is an effective and pervasive tool for all round development of an individual and social transformation”. Examine the New Education Policy, 2020 (NEP, 2020) in light of the above statement.

Subtopic: Ethics Theory · values in national power and education

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(a) Define CNP → role of ethics/values in human capital, soft power and social harmony. (b) State NEP 2020's transformative vision → examine how it operationalises education as a tool of individual and social transformation → caveats.

Key points

CNP is the totality of a nation's capabilities; ethics converts capability into effective strength.
Human capital: integrity and trust lower transaction costs, curb corruption and raise productivity.
Soft power: India's pluralism, non-violence and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam build moral authority abroad.
Social harmony: fraternity, tolerance and justice provide cohesion, itself a source of strength.
NEP 2020 frames education as all-round development and social transformation, not mere injunction.
It stresses value/ethics education, foundational literacy, holistic multidisciplinary learning and inclusion.
Transformative promise hinges on funding (6% of GDP), teacher capacity and bridging the digital divide.

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Q.620 marks · 150w 20 min Medium

(a) “Hatred is destructive of a person’s wisdom and conscience that can poison a nation’s spirit.” Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer. (b) What are the main components of emotional intelligence (EI)? Can they be learned? Discuss.

Subtopic: Emotional Intelligence · hatred, conscience and components of EI

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Introduction → (a) why hatred corrodes individual wisdom and collective spirit, with agreement → (b) Goleman's five components of EI → argument that EI is learnable → Conclusion

Key points

Hatred clouds reason and silences conscience; agreeing with the quote and justifying it is essential.
At the collective level hatred poisons national spirit — illustrate with historical examples.
Goleman's five components: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, social skills.
EI, unlike IQ, is learnable through reflection, feedback, mentoring and practice.
Link EI to conscience: emotional maturity is what keeps hatred from dominating judgement.
Trained empathy improves administrative decision-making under stress.

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Q.720 marks · 150w 20 min Medium

(a) What teachings of Buddha are most relevant today and why? Discuss. (b) ‘The will to power exists, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and principles of moral duty.’ Examine this statement in the context of international relations.

Subtopic: Thinkers & Quotes · Buddha's relevance and the will to power

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Introduction → (a) Buddha's teachings most relevant to modern crises, with reasons → (b) will to power tamed by rationality and moral duty in international relations → Conclusion

Key points

Middle Path counters consumerism and excess; a live answer to modern lifestyle crises.
Ahimsa and Karuna address violence, intolerance and environmental harm.
Right Livelihood offers an ethic for business and sustainable work.
Mindfulness and impermanence speak to the mental-health epidemic.
Nietzsche's will to power is real in international politics but can be disciplined.
Rationality (deterrence, mutual destruction) and moral duty (law, treaties, Kant) tame raw power.
India's restraint and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam exemplify principled power.

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Q.820 marks · 150w 20 min Medium

(a) Distinguish between laws and rules. Discuss the role of ethics in formulating them. (b) A positive attitude is considered to be an essential characteristic of a civil servant who is often required to function under extreme stress. What contributes to a positive attitude in a person?

Subtopic: Ethics Theory · laws versus rules and the roots of positive attitude

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Introduction → (a) distinction between laws and rules and the role of ethics in each → (b) factors that build a positive attitude in a person → Conclusion

Key points

Laws are primary legislation by the legislature; rules are delegated legislation by the executive.
Laws are general and penal; rules are procedural and operational — 'what' versus 'how'.
Ethics legitimises law by aligning it with justice; an unjust law lacks moral authority.
Rules must be fair, reasonable and free of arbitrary discretion.
Positive attitude is built by upbringing, socialisation and value formation.
Emotional intelligence, resilience, purpose and role models sustain positivity under stress.

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Q.920 marks · 150w 20 min Medium

(a) What are the main factors responsible for gender inequality in India? Discuss the contribution of Savitribai Phule in this regard. (b) ‘The current internet expansion has instilled a different set of cultural values which are often in conflict with traditional values.’ Discuss.

Subtopic: Ethics Theory · gender inequality and value conflict in the digital age

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Introduction → (a) causes of gender inequality and Savitribai Phule's contribution → (b) how internet-borne cultural values conflict with traditional values → Conclusion

Key points

Patriarchy, son preference, education and health gaps, and economic dependence drive gender inequality.
Under-representation in politics and safety concerns reinforce it.
Savitribai Phule opened India's first girls' school (Pune, 1848) and was its first woman teacher.
She fought caste, backed widow remarriage and ran a home for pregnant widows.
The internet spreads individualism and instant gratification, clashing with family and community values.
Technology also democratises knowledge and empowers marginalised voices — discernment is key.

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Q.1030 marks · 150w 20 min Medium

What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) “Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If not, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.” — Swami Vivekanand (b) “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi (c) “A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.” — Socrates

Subtopic: Thinkers & Quotes · Vivekananda, Gandhi and Socrates

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Introduction → meaning of Vivekananda's quote (compassion without condescension) → meaning of Gandhi's quote (self-realisation through service) → meaning of Socrates' quote (objective versus relative morality) → Conclusion

Key points

Vivekananda: help others without condescension; refrain from condemnation — humility and goodwill.
Apply to administration: serve citizens without moralising over their choices.
Gandhi: self-realisation comes through selfless service, echoing Nishkama Karma.
Link Gandhi's idea to Antyodaya and finding purpose in public service.
Socrates: morality must rest on reason and objective truth, not relative emotion.
Socrates warns against expedient situational ethics; anchor decisions in principle.

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Q.1120 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

Rajesh Kumar is a senior public servant, with a reputation of honesty and forthrightness, currently posted in the Finance Ministry as Head of the Budget Division. His department is presently busy in organising the budgetary support to the states, four of which are due to go to the polls within the financial year. This year’s annual budget had allotted ₹8300 crores for National Housing Scheme (NHS), a centrally sponsored social housing scheme for the weaker sections of society. ₹775 crores have been drawn for NHS till June. The Ministry of Commerce had long been pursuing a case for setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in a southern state to boost exports. After two years of detailed discussions between the centre and state, the Union Cabinet approved the project in August. Process was initiated to acquire the necessary land. Eighteen months ago a leading Public Sector Unit (PSU) had projected the need for setting up a large natural gas processing plant in a northern state for the regional gas grid. The required land is already in possession of the PSU. The gas grid is an essential component of the national energy security strategy. After three rounds of global bidding the project was allotted to an MNC, M/s XYZ Hydrocarbons. The first tranche of payment to the MNC is scheduled to be made in December. Finance Ministry was asked for a timely allocation of an additional ₹6000 crores for these two developmental projects. It was decided to recommend re-appropriation of this entire amount from the NHS allocation. The file was forwarded to Budget Department for their comments and further processing. On studying the case file, Rajesh Kumar realized that this re-appropriation may cause inordinate delay in the execution of NHS, a project much publicized in the rallies of senior politicians. Correspondingly, non-availability of finances would cause financial loss in the SEZ and national embarrassment due to delayed payment in an international project. Rajesh Kumar discussed the matter with his seniors. He was conveyed that this politically sensitive situation needs to be processed immediately. Rajesh Kumar realized that diversion of funds from NHS could raise difficult questions for the government in the Parliament. Discuss the following with reference to this case: (a) Ethical issues involved in re-appropriation of funds from a welfare project to the developmental projects. (b) Given the need for proper utilization of public funds, discuss the options available to Rajesh Kumar. Is resigning a worthy option?

Subtopic: Case Study · re-appropriation of welfare funds to development projects

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Introduction (the dilemma of welfare versus development under political pressure) → stakeholders → (a) ethical issues in re-appropriation → (b) options for Rajesh Kumar and whether resignation is worthy → recommended course → Conclusion

Key points

Core conflict: distributive justice for the poor versus development and international commitments.
Diversion of the entire welfare allocation raises procedural and accountability concerns before Parliament.
Possible electoral motive makes the political urgency ethically suspect.
The honest officer's duty is to record reasoned professional advice, not silently comply.
Creative alternatives — partial or phased re-appropriation, supplementary grants, borrowing — can reconcile both needs.
Resignation is a last resort, not a worthy first response; it removes an honest voice.
Recommended course: a balanced note on record, letting competent authority decide transparently.

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Q.1220 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

You are a municipal commissioner of a large city, having the reputation of a very honest and upright officer. A huge multipurpose mall is under construction in your city in which a large number of daily wage earners are employed. One night, during monsoons, a big chunk of the roof collapsed causing instant death of four labourers including two minors. Many more were seriously injured requiring immediate medical attention. The mishap resulted in a big hue and cry, forcing the government to institute an enquiry. Your preliminary enquiry has revealed a series of anomalies. The material used for the construction was of poor quality. Despite the approved building plans permitting only one basement, an additional basement has been constructed. This was overlooked during the periodic inspections by the building inspector of the municipal corporation. In your enquiry, you noticed that the construction of the mall was given the green signal despite encroaching on areas earmarked for a green belt and a slip road in the Zonal Master Plan of the city. The permission to construct the mall was accorded by the previous Municipal Commissioner who is not only your senior and well known to you professionally, but also a good friend. Prima facie, the case appears to be of a widespread nexus between officials of the Municipal Corporation and the builders. Your colleagues are putting pressure on you to go slow in the enquiry. The builder, who is rich and influential, happens to be a close relative of a powerful minister in the state cabinet. The builder is persuading you to hush up the matter, promising you a fortune to do so. He also hinted that if this matter is not resolved at the earliest in his favour there is somebody in his office who is waiting to file a case against you under the POSH Act. Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. What are the options available to you in this situation? Explain your selected course of action.

Subtopic: Case Study · municipal commissioner and construction-nexus corruption

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Brief facts → stakeholders → ethical issues (nexus, negligence, coercion, conflict of loyalty) → options with merits/demerits → selected course of action defended → qualities upheld.

Key points

Core issue: nexus corruption and regulatory negligence caused avoidable loss of innocent life.
Conflict between personal loyalty to a friend/predecessor and professional duty to the law.
Bribe and a threatened false POSH case are attempts to coerce and subvert justice.
Succumbing or going slow is unlawful and betrays the victims — rejected outright.
Preferred course: an impartial, documented enquiry fixing accountability on all, including the friend.
Refuse the bribe, record all inducements/threats, and pre-empt the false case by informing superiors/vigilance.
Qualities upheld: integrity, moral courage, objectivity, impartiality, public duty above private ties.

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Q.1320 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

Parmal is a small but underdeveloped district. It has rocky terrain that is not suitable for agriculture, though some subsistence agriculture is being done on small plots of land. The area receives adequate rainfall and has an irrigation canal flowing through it. Amria, its administrative centre, is a medium sized town. It houses a large district hospital, an Industrial Training Institute and some privately owned skill training centres. It has all the facilities of a district headquarters. A trunk railway line passes approximately 50 kilometres from Amria. Its poor connectivity is a major reason for the absence of any major industry therein. The state government offers a 10 years tax holiday as an incentive to new industry. In 2010 Anil, an industrialist, decided to take benefits to set up Amria Plastic Works (APW) in Noora village, about 20 km from Amria. While the factory was being built, Anil hired the required key labour and got them trained at the skill training centres at Amria. This act of his made the key personnel very loyal to APW. APW started production in 2011 with the labour drawn fully from Noora village. The villagers were very happy to get employment near their homes and were motivated by the key personnel to meet the production targets with high quality. APW started making large profits, a sizeable portion of which was used to improve the quality of life in Noora. By 2016, Noora could boast of a greener village and a renovated village temple. Anil liaised with the local MLA to increase the frequency of the bus services to Amria. The government also opened a primary health care centre and primary school at Noora in buildings constructed by APW. APW used its CSR funds to set up women’s self-help groups, subsidize primary education to the village children and procure an ambulance for use by its employees and the needy. In 2019, there was a minor fire in APW. It was quickly extinguished as fire safety protocols were in place in the factory. Investigations revealed that the factory had been using electricity in excess of its authorized capacity. This was soon rectified. The next year, due to a nationwide lockdown, the requirement of production fell for four months. Anil decided that all employees would be paid regularly. He employed them to plant trees and improve the village habitat. APW had developed a reputation of high quality production and a motivated workforce. Critically analyse the story of APW and state the ethical issues involved. Do you consider APW as a role model for development of backward areas? Give reasons.

Subtopic: Case Study · inclusive rural enterprise and business ethics

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Brief facts → stakeholders → positive ethical dimensions of APW → ethical issues/concerns (illegal electricity use, dependency, MLA liaison) → reasoned judgement on whether APW is a role model.

Key points

Positives: inclusive local employment, skilling, genuine CSR in health, education and women's empowerment.
Ethic of care: paying workers through the lockdown and engaging them in habitat improvement.
Compliance strength: fire-safety protocols in place prevented a larger disaster.
Concern: using electricity beyond authorised capacity is an illegality, despite later rectification.
Concern: single-employer dependency makes the village economy vulnerable.
Concern: MLA liaison is legitimate advocacy only if transparent and free of favouritism.
Verdict: a role model with qualifications — inclusive development must pair with legal and environmental probity.

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Q.1420 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

Migrant workers have always remained at the socio-economic margins of our society, silently serving as the instrumental labour force of urban economics. The pandemic has brought them into national focus. On announcement of a countrywide lockdown, a very large number of migrant workers decided to move back from their places of employment to their native villages. The non-availability of transport created its own problems. Added to this was the fear of starvation and inconvenience to their families. This caused, the migrant workers to demand wages and transport facilities for returning to their villages. Their mental agony was accentuated by multiple factors such as a sudden loss of livelihood, possibility of lack of food and inability to assist in harvesting their rabi crop due to not being able to reach home in time. Reports of inadequate response of some districts in providing the essential boarding and lodging arrangements along the way multiplied their fears. You have learnt many lessons from this situation when you were tasked to oversee the functioning of the District Disaster Relief Force in your district. In your opinion what ethical issues arose in the current migrant crisis? What do you understand by an ethical care giving state? What assistance can the civil society render to mitigate the sufferings of migrants in similar situations?

Subtopic: Case Study · the migrant crisis and the caring state

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Introduction (frame the crisis as a test of the state's ethical duty) → ethical issues raised → meaning of an ethical care-giving state → role civil society can play → Conclusion (empathy institutionalised as policy)

Key points

The core ethical failure was a policy designed without empathy for the most vulnerable, violating dignity under Article 21.
Distributive injustice: burden of the lockdown fell disproportionately on informal migrant labour.
An ethical care-giving state anchors in ethics of care, welfare state, Rajdharma and Antyodaya — it anticipates vulnerability rather than reacting to it.
Duty of care means guaranteeing food, shelter and safe transport as a right, not charity.
Civil society fills last-mile gaps: kitchens, shelters, information, legal aid and accountability.
Institutionalising empathy in disaster planning is the durable lesson, not ad hoc relief.
Treating migrants as agents with voice, not passive recipients, is central to ethical governance.

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Q.1520 marks · 150w 20 min Medium

(a) Identify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant. Justify their inclusion in the matrix. (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 public servants.

Subtopic: Probity & Governance · ethical traits and values of a civil servant

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Introduction → (a) five ethical traits for a performance matrix, each justified → (b) ten essential values plus means to prevent unethical behaviour → Conclusion

Key points

Five plottable traits: integrity, impartiality, empathy, accountability, moral courage.
Justify each trait as observable and measurable through conduct and outcomes.
Ten values include integrity, honesty, impartiality, dedication, empathy, transparency, accountability, courage, tolerance, constitutional commitment.
Prevention needs a code of ethics distinct from a code of conduct (Second ARC).
Transparency via RTI and e-governance, plus reduced discretion, curbs corruption.
Whistle-blower protection and swift disciplinary action deter wrongdoing.
Value-based training and social audit institutionalise ethics.

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Q.1620 marks · 150w 20 min Hard

(a) Impact of digital technology as reliable source of input for rational decision making is a debatable issue. Critically evaluate with suitable example. (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.

Subtopic: Ethics Theory · digital inputs and creativity in ethical dilemmas

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Introduction → (a) critical evaluation of digital technology as a reliable input for rational decisions → (b) why a public official needs innovativeness and creativity in ethical dilemmas → Conclusion

Key points

Digital technology aids rational decisions via evidence, targeting and reduced discretion (JAM, DBT).
Its reliability is conditional: 'garbage in, garbage out' and data quality matter.
Algorithmic bias, exclusion errors, privacy risk and the digital divide can distort outcomes.
Over-reliance erodes human judgement and empathy; digital inputs should inform, not replace, reasoning.
Ethical dilemmas need creativity to reconcile competing values and find a third alternative.
Innovative officers convert resource constraints and dilemmas into workable ethical solutions.

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Q.1730 marks · 150w 20 min Hard

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

Subtopic: Thinkers & Quotes · perseverance, inner peace and interdependence

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Introduction → Vivekananda: perseverance as the engine of success → Dalai Lama: inner peace precedes outer peace → Erikson: interdependence as the basis of social life → link all three to public service → Conclusion

Key points

Vivekananda: perseverance and grit convert difficulty into eventual success; no effort is wasted.
Dalai Lama: outer peace is a projection of inner peace; self-mastery precedes social harmony.
Erikson: interdependence gives life meaning; cooperation is the basis of society and governance.
Administrative application: persistence in reform, emotional self-regulation in crises, teamwork over ego.
Each quote maps a virtue — fortitude, equanimity, solidarity — essential to a civil servant.
Personal meaning should be expressed with a concrete illustration, not abstract paraphrase.

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Q.1820 marks · 150w 20 min Hard

(a) 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? (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.

Subtopic: Emotional Intelligence · attitude formation and crisis of conscience

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Introduction defines attitude → (a) how to build a public-service attitude → (b) meaning of crisis of conscience → role of EI in resolving it → limits of EI → Conclusion

Key points

Attitude = learned cognitive-affective-behavioural predisposition; public-service attitude is empathetic, impartial, integrity-driven.
Attitude built via value education, role models, field immersion, reflective feedback and probity-rewarding institutions.
Crisis of conscience = clash between inner moral voice and external pressure (illegal order, temptation).
EI aids resolution: self-awareness flags the dilemma, self-regulation resists fear/greed, empathy centres victims.
EI is an enabler, not the source of the ethical standard — conscience and values supply that.
Without moral integrity, high EI can merely rationalise unethical choices.
Best outcome: EI lets an officer defend a values-anchored stand calmly and without collateral damage.

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Q.1920 marks · 150w 20 min Hard

(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.

Subtopic: Probity & Governance · non-refoulement and civil-service neutrality

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Introduction → (a) principle of non-refoulement and the ethical dimensions violated by turning back refugees → (b) impartiality and non-partisanship as core civil-service values with illustrations → Conclusion

Key points

Non-refoulement bars returning refugees to persecution; it is a norm of humanitarian and customary international law.
Turning back refugees violates compassion, human dignity, the Kantian ends-principle and constitutional guarantees.
Article 21 protection of life and liberty in India extends to non-citizens.
Security concerns are addressed by fair individual screening, not blanket expulsion.
Impartiality = merit-based, favour-free decisions; non-partisanship = loyal service without ideological alignment.
Both values preserve public trust, equal citizen treatment and institutional continuity across governments.
Impartiality must not become moral indifference — it coexists with compassion for the weak.

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Q.2020 marks · 150w 20 min Hard

(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.

Subtopic: Probity & Governance · social audit and integrity

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Introduction → (a) why an empowered social-audit mechanism is essential across public service including judiciary → (b) integrity as an empowering value with illustration → Conclusion

Key points

Social audit = participatory citizen scrutiny comparing sanctioned intent with ground reality.
It curbs leakage, deters corruption, empowers beneficiaries and closes the accountability loop.
Extending oversight to the judiciary requires transparency and in-house accountability while protecting independence.
Integrity is consistency between values, words and actions — a form of moral wholeness.
Integrity frees one from fear of exposure and confers credibility and moral authority beyond rank.
An officer with integrity commands voluntary compliance and resists pressure without inner conflict.

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