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

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?

Subtopic: Case Study · courage, safety and duty against a sand-mining mafia

Show model answer outline

Facts → stakeholders → ethical issues (duty vs family safety, corruption, rule of law) → options with merits/demerits → recommended course of action → Conclusion

Key points

Core dilemma: official duty and public interest versus the safety of an innocent family.
Yielding or seeking transfer emboldens organised crime and betrays the vulnerable tribals — ethically weak.
Lone heroism is courageous but reckless and unlikely to succeed against an armed nexus.
Best path: persist while institutionalising the fight — written reporting, family protection, inter-agency action.
Document threats and file FIRs; demand security cover for wife and mother.
Act against complicit office staff via departmental and criminal proceedings.
Enlist media, community and higher authority to make accountability systemic, not personal.

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Q.220 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

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 involving 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?

Subtopic: Case Study · exam malpractice, patronage pressure and promotion bait

Show model answer outline

Facts → stakeholders → ethical issues → options with merits/demerits → chosen course of action → Conclusion

Key points

Central conflict: personal integrity and exam sanctity versus promotion and management pressure.
Suppressing the case is illegal, unjust to honest students and corrodes institutional credibility.
Passivity is complicity by omission, not neutrality.
Right course: let due process run, cooperate with the flying squad, act against the complicit lecturer.
Reframe for management — a cover-up risks greater legal and reputational damage than the incident itself.
Handle the student union transparently to preserve order and trust.
Refuse to trade fairness for promotion; seek lawful recourse if victimised.

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Q.320 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

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?

Subtopic: Case Study · public safety versus political deadline in an infrastructure project

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Facts → stakeholders → options for the project manager → ethical dilemmas → professional challenges and responses → consequences of overlooking the defect → Conclusion

Key points

Public safety and engineering integrity outrank political deadlines and personal promotion.
Continuing work on a defective pier is negligence risking mass casualties and criminal liability.
Right course: halt work, reconstruct the three piers, record the risk assessment in writing.
Seek an independent third-party structural audit to reinforce the technical case.
Ethical dilemma: obedience/career versus duty to protect citizens' lives.
Overlooking the crack risks collapse, deaths, financial-legal liability and loss of public trust.
Escalate to the highest authority rather than certify an unsafe structure.

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Q.420 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

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?

Subtopic: Case Study · hospital administrator deploying staff in a pandemic

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Introduction (scarce resources versus duty of care) → stakeholders → (a) criteria and justification for deploying staff → (b) whether a private hospital's decision differs → Conclusion

Key points

Duty of care is reciprocal: deploy staff only with PPE, training and infection control in place.
Informed consent and transparent risk communication are ethical prerequisites.
Rotation, exemptions for vulnerable staff, insurance and hazard support balance the burden.
Utilitarian triage of scarce manpower must still respect each worker's dignity.
Justification: professional duty plus the social contract of a public institution.
Core medical ethics — beneficence, non-maleficence, justice — apply equally to private hospitals.
A private hospital cannot deny emergency care or discriminate; only operational context differs.

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Q.520 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

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 earned 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 visualize 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.

Subtopic: Case Study · corporate food-safety violation and double standards

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Introduction (consumer safety versus corporate profit) → stakeholders → (a) regulator's action → (b) company's path to recovery → (c) ethical dilemma examined → Conclusion

Key points

Regulator must recall products, test, penalise and prosecute under the FSS Act, 2006.
Licence suspension or cancellation and public disclosure are warranted for repeat violation.
Company should own the lapse with a transparent apology and full recall.
Internal accountability, consumer compensation and third-party quality audits are essential.
The core dilemma is profit versus consumer safety and honesty versus reputation.
The export-domestic double standard denies equal moral worth to domestic consumers.
Ethics demands disclosure and remediation over concealment once the lapse is known.

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Q.620 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

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 seem 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’s style of functioning to show him in bad light highlighting his shortcomings and humiliating publically. It became apparent that though there are 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 realized that his relations with his senior officer are 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 loose 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 suffering 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 up with the situation? (b) What approach Pawan should adopt for bringing peace, tranquillity 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?

Subtopic: Case Study · workplace harassment and emotional hygiene

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Introduction (toxic supervision and its spillover) → stakeholders → (a) Pawan's options → (b) approach for peace at office and home → (c) suggestions for boss, subordinate and organisation → (d) training recommended → Conclusion

Key points

Pawan should first manage himself — emotional regulation, mindfulness, counselling — to rebuild self-esteem.
Document harassment and use formal grievance channels if it persists; transfer only as last resort.
Apply emotional intelligence: empathy for the boss's troubles without excusing his conduct.
Consciously separate work stress from home life to protect the family.
Boss needs self-awareness, empathy and anger management; organisation needs grievance and sensitisation mechanisms.
Recommend EI, stress-management, behavioural and leadership training across all levels.
Emotional hygiene must be built institutionally, not left to individuals.

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Q.720 marks · 150w 20 min Hard

(a) Wisdom lies in knowing what to reckon with and what to overlook. An officer being engrossed with the periphery, ignoring the core issues before him, is not rare in the bureaucracy. Do you agree that such preoccupation of an administrator leads to travesty of justice to the cause of effective service delivery and good governance? Critically evaluate. (b) Apart from intellectual competency and moral qualities, empathy and compassion are some of the other vital attributes that facilitate the civil servants to be more competent in tackling the crucial issues or taking critical decisions. Explain with suitable illustrations.

Subtopic: Emotional Intelligence · administrative wisdom, empathy and compassion

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Introduction → (a) preoccupation with the periphery and travesty of justice – agree with reasoning → (b) empathy and compassion as competencies with illustrations → Conclusion

Key points

Agree: absorption in procedural periphery while ignoring the core purpose produces a travesty of justice.
Wisdom/prudence is the skill of distinguishing core (citizen welfare) from peripheral (formalities).
Caveat: legality and due process are core, not periphery — serve the spirit of rules, not blind letter.
Empathy = understanding others' feelings; compassion = the will to relieve suffering.
These make decisions humane, build trust, and target the vulnerable effectively.
They also strengthen teamwork and reduce administrative friction.
Illustrate with disaster relief, pension redressal, homeless shelters.

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Q.820 marks · 150w 20 min Hard

(a) The Rules and Regulations provided to all the civil servants are same, yet there is difference in the performance. Positive minded officers are able to interpret the Rules and Regulations in favour of the case and achieve success, whereas negative minded officers are unable to achieve goals by interpreting the same Rules and Regulations against the case. Discuss with illustrations. (b) It is believed that adherence to ethics in human actions would ensure in smooth functioning of an organization/system. If so, what does ethics seek to promote in human life? How do ethical values assist in the resolution of conflicts faced by him in his day-to-day functioning?

Subtopic: Ethics Theory · attitude in rule interpretation and the role of ethics

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Introduction → (a) positive vs negative interpretation of the same rules – role of attitude with illustrations → (b) what ethics seeks to promote and how ethical values resolve day-to-day conflicts → Conclusion

Key points

Rules are open-textured; discretion means attitude, not text, drives divergent performance.
Positive-minded officers interpret purposively to enable citizens; negative-minded ones interpret defensively to refuse.
Purposive, citizen-centric interpretation — within legality — turns rules from barriers into tools.
Ethics promotes the good: welfare, justice, dignity, trust and harmony through right means.
Ethics cultivates virtue and aligns self-interest with the collective good.
Ethical values resolve daily conflicts by supplying decision principles — integrity, impartiality, empathy, accountability.
Internalised values act as a compass under pressure, ensuring consistent, defensible action.

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Q.930 marks · 150w 20 min Medium

What does each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.” – Potter Stewart (b) “If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel that there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are father, mother and teacher.” – A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (c) “Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.” – Dalai Lama

Subtopic: Thinkers & Quotes · integrity, family values and success

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Introduction (quotes test values in action) → (a) legality vs morality with example → (b) family and teacher as roots of character → (c) redefining success by what is sacrificed → Conclusion (values guide public and private life)

Key points

Legality is not morality; propriety guides discretion where the law is silent
Family and teachers are the primary agents of value socialisation (Kalam's three pillars)
Ends do not justify sacrificing core values; success has an opportunity cost
Application to civil services: refusing legal-but-improper gains, conscience-based decisions
Foundational values — honesty, empathy, integrity — are built in childhood
Ethics is lived conduct, not mere rule-following

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Q.1020 marks · 150w 20 min Medium

(a) What do you understand by the term ‘good governance’? How far recent initiatives in terms of e-Governance steps taken by the State have helped the beneficiaries? Discuss with suitable examples. (b) Online methodology is being used for day-to-day meetings, institutional approvals in the administration and for teaching and learning in education sector to the extent telemedicine in the health sector is getting popular with the approvals of the competent authority. No doubt, it has advantages and disadvantages for both the beneficiaries and the system at large. Describe and discuss the ethical issues involved in the use of online method particularly to the vulnerable section of the society.

Subtopic: Probity & Governance · e-governance and digital ethics

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Introduction (define good governance) → (a) e-governance initiatives and their impact on beneficiaries → (b) advantages of online methods → ethical issues for vulnerable groups → Conclusion (inclusive, rights-based rollout)

Key points

Good governance pillars: participation, transparency, accountability, responsiveness, equity, rule of law
E-governance reduces discretion and leakage, improving service delivery to beneficiaries
Digital divide is the core ethical concern — exclusion of vulnerable groups
Data privacy, consent and confidentiality obligations, notably in telemedicine
Risk of impersonal, lower-quality service weakening empathy and accountability
Blended model plus assisted access and data protection reconcile efficiency with equity

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Q.1120 marks · 150w 20 min Medium

(a) Russia and Ukraine war has been going on for the last seven months. Different countries have taken independent stands and actions keeping in view their own national interests. We are all aware that war has its own impact on the different aspects of society, including human tragedy. What are those ethical issues that are crucial to be considered while launching the war and its continuation so far? Illustrate with justification the ethical issues involved in the given state of affair. (b) Write short notes on the following in 30 words each: (i) Constitutional morality (ii) Conflict of interest (iii) Probity in public life (iv) Challenges of digitalization (v) Devotion to duty

Subtopic: Ethics Theory · ethics of war and public-service values

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Introduction → (a) just-war ethical issues and humanitarian impact of the conflict → neutrality versus national interest → (b) concise notes on the five concepts → Conclusion

Key points

Just-war framework: jus ad bellum (justness of war) and jus in bello (conduct in war)
Humanitarian cost — civilian casualties, displacement, global food and energy crisis
Ethical dilemma of neutrality versus complicity for non-belligerent states
Constitutional morality: allegiance to constitutional spirit, seen in landmark judgments
Conflict of interest and probity as pillars of ethical public service
Digitalization challenges and devotion to duty as contemporary value tests

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Q.1220 marks · 150w 20 min Hard

(a) Whistle-blower, who reports corruption and illegal activities, wrongdoing and misconduct to the concerned authorities, runs the risk of being exposed to grave danger, physical harm and victimization by the vested interests, accused persons and his team. What policy measures would you suggest to strengthen protection mechanism to safeguard the whistle-blower? (b) In contemporary world, corporate sector’s contribution in generating wealth and employment is increasing. In doing so, they are bringing in unprecedented onslaught on the climate, environmental sustainability and living conditions of human beings. In this background, do you find that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is efficient and sufficient enough to fulfill the social roles and responsibilities needed in the corporate world for which the CSR is mandated? Critically examine.

Subtopic: Probity & Governance · whistle-blower protection and CSR

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Introduction → (a) policy measures to protect whistle-blowers → (b) CSR: contribution versus adequacy → critical assessment → Conclusion (internalising responsibility)

Key points

Confidentiality/anonymity of the whistle-blower's identity is the first safeguard
Statutory protection against victimisation with penalties for reprisal
Empowered independent authority and effective witness protection
Time-bound, credible investigation to sustain trust and morale
CSR (Section 135, 2% rule) has scale but is often tokenistic and reputation-driven
True responsibility means internalising externalities, ESG and the triple bottom line
CSR should complement, not replace, ethical and sustainable business conduct

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Q.1320 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

Prabhat was working as Vice President (Marketing) at Sterling Electric Ltd., a reputed multinational company. But presently the company was passing through the difficult times as the sales were continuously showing downward trend in the last two quarters. His division, which hitherto had been a major revenue contributor to the company’s financial health, was now desperately trying to procure some big government order for them. But their best efforts did not yield any positive success or breakthrough. His was a professional company and his local bosses were under pressure from their London-based HO to show some positive results. In the last performance review meeting taken by the Executive Director (India Head), he was reprimanded for his poor performance. He assured them that his division is working on a special contract from the Ministry of Defence for a secret installation near Gwalior and tender is being submitted shortly. He was under extreme pressure and he was deeply perturbed. What aggravated the situation further was a warning from the top that if the deal is not clinched in favour of the company, his division might have to be closed and he may have to quit his lucrative job. There was another dimension which was causing him deep mental torture and agony. This pertained to his personal precarious financial health. He was a single earner in the family with two school-college going children and his old ailing mother. The heavy expenditure on education and medical was causing a big strain to his monthly pay packet. Regular EMI for housing loan taken from bank was unavoidable and any default would render him liable for severe legal action. In the above backdrop, he was hoping for some miracle to happen. There was sudden turn of events. His secretary informed that a gentleman – Subhash Verma wanted to see him as he was interested in the position of Manager which was to be filled in by him in the company. He further brought to his notice that his CV has been received through the office of the Minister of Defence. During interview of the candidate – Subhash Verma, he found him technically sound, resourceful and experienced marketeer. He seemed to be well-conversant with tendering procedures and having knack of follow-up and liaising in this regard. Prabhat felt that he was better choice than the rest of the candidates who were recently interviewed by him in the last few days. Subhash Verma also indicated that he was in possession of the copies of the bid documents that the Unique Electronics Ltd. would be submitting the next day to the Defence Ministry for their tender. He offered to hand over those documents subject to his employment in the company on suitable terms and conditions. He made it clear that in the process, the Sterling Electric Ltd. could outbid their rival company and get the bid and hefty Defence Ministry order. He indicated that it will be win-win situation for both – him and the company. Prabhat was absolutely stunned. It was a mixed feeling of shock and thrill. He was uncomfortable and perspiring. If accepted, all his problems would vanish instantly and he may be rewarded for securing the much awaited tender and thereby boosting company’s sales and financial health. He was in a fix as to the future course of action. He was wonder-struck at the guts of Subhash Verma in having surreptitiously removing his own company papers and offering to the rival company for a job. Being an experienced person, he was examining the pros and cons of the proposal/situation and he asked him to come the next day. (a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. (b) Critically examine the options available to Prabhat in the above situation. (c) Which of the above would be the most appropriate for Prabhat and why?

Subtopic: Case Study · corporate espionage and professional integrity

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Brief facts → stakeholders → ethical issues → options with merits and demerits → recommended course of action (decline and report) → personal-hardship handled institutionally

Key points

Accepting stolen documents is criminal breach of trust and corporate espionage
Personal financial distress cannot justify unethical, illegal conduct
National-security dimension of defence procurement raises the ethical stakes
Verma's betrayal of his own firm proves his untrustworthiness as a hire
Right course: decline, refuse the candidature, and report through proper channels
Address personal hardship via legitimate institutional support, not fraud
Means matter as much as ends — integrity has long-term value

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Q.1420 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

Ramesh is State Civil Services Officer who got the opportunity of getting posted to the capital of a border State after rendering 20 years of service. Ramesh’s mother has recently been detected cancer and has been admitted in the leading cancer hospital of the city. His two adolescent children have also got admission in one of the best public schools of the town. After settling down in his appointment as Director in the Home Department of the State, Ramesh got confidential report through intelligence sources that illegal migrants are infiltrating in the State from the neighbouring country. He decided to personally carry out surprise check of the border posts along with his Home Department team. To his surprise, he caught red-handed two families of 12 members infiltrated with the connivance of the security personnel at the border posts. On further inquiry and investigation, it was found that after the migrants from neighbouring country infiltrate, their documentation like Aadhaar Card, Ration Card and Voter Card are also forged and they are made to settle down in a particular area of the State. Ramesh prepared the detailed and comprehensive report and submitted to the Additional Secretary of the State. However, he has summoned by the Additional Home Secretary after a week and was instructed to withdraw the report. The Additional Home Secretary informed Ramesh that the report submitted by him has not been appreciated by the higher authorities. He further cautioned him that if he fails to withdraw the confidential report, he will not only be posted out from the prestigious appointment from the State capital but his further promotion which is due in near future will also get in jeopardy. (a) What are the options available to Ramesh as the Director of the Home Department of the bordering State? (b) What option should Ramesh adopt and why? (c) Critically evaluate each of the options. (d) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Ramesh? (e) What policy measures would you suggest to combat the menace of infiltration of illegal migrants from the neighbouring country?

Subtopic: Case Study · illegal migration report and administrative integrity

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Brief facts → ethical dilemmas → options with critical evaluation → recommended option (stand firm, escalate) → policy measures against infiltration

Key points

Core dilemma: duty and national security versus family welfare and career
Withdrawing a truthful security report is complicity and dereliction of duty
Right course: refuse, demand written orders, escalate through official channels
Build a documented record to protect against illegal pressure
Family hardship must be met humanely but cannot buy silence
Border policy: CIBMS, accountability of personnel, document de-duplication, inter-agency coordination

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Q.1520 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

The Supreme Court has banned mining in the Aravalli Hills to stop degradation of the forest cover and to maintain ecological balance. However, the stone mining was still prevalent in the border district of the affected State with connivance of certain corrupt forest officials and politicians. Young and dynamic SP who was recently posted in the affected district promised to himself to stop this menace. In one of his surprise checks with his team, he found loaded truck with stone trying to escape the mining area. He tried to stop the truck but the truck driver overrun the police officer, killing him on the spot and thereafter managed to flee. Police filed FIR but no breakthrough was achieved in the case for almost three months. Ashok who was the Investigative Journalist working with leading TV channel, suo moto started investigating the case. Within one month, Ashok got breakthrough by interacting with local people, stone mining mafia and government officials. He prepared his investigative story and presented to the CMD of the TV channel. He exposed in his investigative report the complete nexus of stone mafia working with blessing of corrupt police and civil officials and politicians. The politician who was involved in the mafia was no one else but local MLA who was considered to be very close to the Chief Minister. After going through the investigative report, the CMD advised Ashok to drop the idea of making the story public through electronic media. He informed that the local MLA was not only the relative of the owner of the TV channel but also had unofficially 20 percent share in the channel. The CMD further informed Ashok that his further promotion and hike in pay will be taken care of in addition the soft loan of Rs. 10 lakhs which he has taken from the TV channel for his son’s chronic disease will be suitably adjusted if he hands over the investigative report to him. (a) What are the options available with Ashok to cope up with the situation? (b) Critically evaluate/examine each of the options identified by Ashok. (c) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Ashok? (d) Which of the options, do you think, would be the most appropriate for Ashok to adopt and why? (e) In the above scenario, what type of training would you suggest for police officers posted to such districts where stone mining illegal activities are rampant?

Subtopic: Case Study · media ethics and investigative journalism

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Brief facts → ethical dilemmas → options with critical evaluation → most appropriate option (pursue truth ethically) → training for police in mining-affected districts

Key points

A journalist's primary loyalty is to truth and the public, not the employer
Accepting inducements to bury the story is complicity in shielding crime
Right course: refuse, protect sources and evidence, use lawful independent channels
Seek whistle-blower and legal protection; meet personal needs transparently
Justice for the slain officer and the rule of law are at stake
Police training: ethics, environmental law, intelligence-led safe enforcement, welfare

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Q.1620 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

You have done MBA from a reputed institution three years back but could not get campus placement due to COVID-19 generated recession. However, after a lot of persuasion and series of competitive tests including written and interview, you managed to get a job in a leading shoe company. You have aged parents who are dependent and staying with you. You also recently got married after getting this decent job. You were allotted the Inspection Section which is responsible for clearing the final product. In first one year, you learnt your job well and was appreciated for your performance by the management. The company is doing good business for last five years in domestic market and this year it is decided even to export to Europe and Gulf countries. However, one large consignment to Europe was rejected by their Inspecting Team due to certain poor quality and was sent back. The top management ordered that ibid consignment to be cleared for the domestic market. As a part of Inspecting Team, you observed the glaring poor quality and brought to the knowledge of the Team Commander. However, the top management advised all the members of the team to overlook these defects as the management cannot bear such a huge loss. Rest of the team members except you promptly signed and cleared the consignment for domestic market, overlooking glaring defects. You again brought to the knowledge of the Team Commander that such consignment, if cleared even for domestic market, will tarnish the image and reputation of the company and will be counter-productive in the long run. However, you were further advised by the top management that if you do not clear the consignment, the company will not hesitate to terminate your services citing certain innocuous reasons. (a) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to you as a member of the Inspecting Team? (b) Critically evaluate each of the options listed by you. (c) What option would you adopt and why? (d) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by you? (e) What can be the consequences of overlooking the observations raised by the Inspecting Team?

Subtopic: Case Study · whistle-blowing on defective goods versus job security

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Facts → stakeholders → options with merits/demerits → chosen option → ethical dilemmas → consequences of overlooking defects → Conclusion

Key points

Dilemma: consumer safety and personal integrity versus job security and family dependence.
Selling Europe-rejected goods to domestic consumers is unethical and discriminatory.
Signing off is complicity; blunt resignation forfeits livelihood without fixing the wrong.
Best path: refuse to certify, record dissent, and propose rework/marked seconds/supplier recovery.
Make the business case — liability and reputational loss exceed one consignment's cost.
Overlooking defects risks consumer injury, legal liability and normalised dishonesty.
Seek recourse under whistle-blower/labour protections if wrongfully terminated.

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Q.1720 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

Rakesh was working as Joint Commissioner in Transport Department of a city. As a part of his job profile, among others, he was entrusted with the task of overseeing the control and functioning of City Transport Department. A case of strike by the drivers’ union of City Transport Department over the issue of compensation to a driver who died on duty while driving the bus came up before him for decision in the matter. He gathered that the driver (deceased) was plying Bus No. 528 which passed through busy and congested roads of the city. It so happened that near an intersection on the way, there was an accident involving the bus and a car driven by a middle-aged man. It was found that there was altercation between the driver and the car driver. Heated arguments between them led to fight and the driver gave him a blow. Lot of passerbys had gathered and tried to intervene but without success. Eventually, both of them were badly injured and profusely bleeding and were taken to the nearby hospital. The driver succumbed to the injuries and could not be saved. The middle-aged driver’s condition was also critical but after a day, he recovered and was discharged. Police had immediately come at the spot of accident and FIR was registered. Police investigation revealed that the quarrel in question was started by the bus driver and he had resorted to physical violence. There was exchange of blows between them. The City Transport Department management is considering of not giving any extra compensation to the driver’s (deceased) family. The family is very aggrieved, depressed and agitated against the discriminatory and non-sympathetic approach of the City Transport Department management. The bus driver (deceased) was 52 years of age, was survived by his wife and two school-college going daughters. He was the sole earner of the family. The City Transport Department workers’ union took up this case and when found no favourable response from the management, decided to go on strike. The union’s demand was two-fold. First was full extra compensation as given to other drivers who died on duty and secondly employment to one family member. The strike has continued for 10 days and the deadlock remains. (a) What are the options available to Rakesh to meet the above situation? (b) Critically examine each of the options identified by Rakesh. (c) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Rakesh? (d) What course of action would Rakesh adopt to diffuse the above situation?

Subtopic: Case Study · compassion, culpability and industrial dispute over compensation

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Facts → stakeholders → options → critical evaluation → ethical dilemmas → chosen course to defuse the strike → Conclusion

Key points

Dilemma: compassion for an innocent, dependent family versus the deceased's own contributory fault.
Full denial is harsh and prolongs the strike; unconditional full compensation risks moral hazard.
Best path: humanitarian ex-gratia plus welfare support, distinct from routine on-duty-death compensation.
Consider compassionate appointment on merit for a dependant.
Keep public transport running through interim arrangements during negotiation.
Engage union and management in transparent, empathetic dialogue.
Issue a reasoned, written order to restore trust and end the deadlock.

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Q.1820 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

You are appointed as an officer heading the section in Environment Pollution Control Board to ensure compliance and its follow-up. In that region, there were large number of small and medium industries which had been granted clearance. You learnt that these industries provide employment to many migrant workers. Most of the industrial units have got environmental clearance certificate in their possession. The environmental clearance seeks to curb industries and projects that supposedly hamper environment and living species in the region. But in practice, most of these units remain to be polluting units in several ways like air, water and soil pollution. As such, local people encountered persistent health problems. It was confirmed that majority of the industries were violating environmental compliance. You issued notice to all the industrial units to apply for fresh environmental clearance certificate from the competent authority. However, your action met with hostile response from a section of the industrial units, other vested interest persons and a section of the local politicians. The workers also became very hostile to you as they felt that your action would lead to the closure of these industrial units, and the resultant unemployment will lead to insecurity and uncertainty in their livelihood. Many owners of the industries approached you with the plea that you should not initiate harsh action as it would compel them to close their units, and cause huge financial loss, shortage of their products in the market. These would obviously add to the sufferings of the labourers and the consumers alike. The labour union also sent you representation requesting against the closure of the units. You simultaneously started receiving threats from unknown corners. You however received supports from some of your colleagues, who advised you to act freely to ensure environmental compliance. Local NGOs also came to your support and they demanded the closure of the polluting units immediately. (a) What are the options available to you under the given situation? (b) Critically examine the options listed by you. (c) What type of mechanism would you suggest to ensure environmental compliance? (d) What are the ethical dilemmas you faced in exercising your option?

Subtopic: Case Study · environmental compliance versus livelihoods and vested pressure

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Facts → stakeholders → options → critical evaluation → mechanism to ensure compliance → ethical dilemmas → Conclusion

Key points

Dilemma: public health and environment versus migrant workers' livelihoods.
Blanket closure is lawful but socially harsh; ignoring violations betrays health, law and integrity.
Best path: phased, firm compliance with time-bound schedules and a transition to clean technology.
Mechanisms: CETPs/ETPs, continuous monitoring, graded penalties, polluter-pays, MSME support.
Provide worker rehabilitation for any unavoidable closures.
Report threats for protection; keep every decision transparent and on record.
Frame the resolution as sustainable development reconciling ecology and livelihood.

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Q.1920 marks · 150w 20 min Medium

(a) What do you understand by ‘moral integrity’ and ‘professional efficiency’ in the context of corporate governance in India? Illustrate with suitable examples. (b) ‘International aid’ is an accepted form of helping ‘resource-challenged’ nations. Comment on ‘ethics in contemporary international aid’. Support your answer with suitable examples.

Subtopic: Probity & Governance · corporate governance and the ethics of aid

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Introduction → (a) define moral integrity and professional efficiency, show both are needed in corporate governance → (b) ethics of international aid: solidarity versus conditionality → Conclusion (compassion without control)

Key points

Moral integrity = adherence to ethical principles even when costly
Professional efficiency = competent, diligent delivery of results
Corporate governance needs both; efficiency without integrity breeds fraud
International aid embodies solidarity and duty of the strong to the weak
Ethical risks: tied aid, conditionalities, debt-trap diplomacy, eroded self-reliance
Ethical aid is need-based, transparent, sovereignty-respecting and capacity-building

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Q.2020 marks · 150w 20 min Medium

(a) “Corruption is the manifestation of the failure of core values in the society.” In your opinion, what measures can be adopted to uplift the core values in the society? (b) In the context of work environment, differentiate between ‘coercion’ and ‘undue influence’ with suitable examples.

Subtopic: Ethics Theory · values, corruption and workplace ethics

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Introduction → (a) measures to uplift core values against corruption → (b) distinguish coercion and undue influence with examples → Conclusion

Key points

Corruption signals the failure of core societal values
Value education, from family and school onward, rebuilds character
Ethical leadership and 'tone at the top' set the moral climate
Transparency tools — RTI, e-governance, social audit — shrink opportunity for corruption
Certain and swift punishment re-anchors social norms
Coercion uses force/threat; undue influence exploits power, trust and dependence

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