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

Sneha is a Senior Manager working for a big reputed hospital chain in a mid-sized city. She has been made in-charge of the new super speciality center that the hospital is building with state-of-the art equipment and world class medical facilities. The building has been reconstructed and she is starting the process of procurement for various equipment and machines. As the head of the committee responsible for procurement, she has invited bids from all the interested reputed vendors dealing in medical equipment. She notices that her brother, who is a well-known supplier in this domain, has also sent his expression of interest. Since the hospital is privately owned, it is not mandatory for her to select only the lower bidder. Also, she is aware that her brother’s company has been facing some financial difficulties and a big supply order will help him recover. At the same time, allocating the contract to her brother might bring charges of favouritism against her and tarnish her image. The hospital management trusts her fully and would support any decision of hers. (a) What should be Sneha’s course of action? (b) How would she justify what she chooses to do? (c) In this case, how is medical ethics compromised with vested personal interest?

Subtopic: Case Study · conflict of interest in procurement

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Introduction: Sneha's dilemma → stakeholders → ethical issues (COI, favouritism, medical ethics) → (a) recommended course of action → (b) justification → (c) how medical ethics is compromised by personal interest → Conclusion: integrity through transparent recusal

Key points

Central issue: conflict of interest between official duty and family loyalty
Correct action is written disclosure and recusal, not covert favour or blanket exclusion
Independent, merit- and quality-based evaluation protects fairness and value
Recusal safeguards Sneha's own reputation and institutional trust
Public-trust and transparency norms apply even in private organisations
Poor procurement choices imperil patient safety, breaching beneficence and non-maleficence
Medical ethics is compromised when clinical quality yields to private interest
Transparent procurement is itself an expression of medical ethics

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Q.220 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

With the summer heat being exceptionally severe this year, the district has been facing severe water shortage. The District Collector has been mobilizing his subordinate officials to conserve the remaining water reserves for preventing the district from plunging into acute drinking water crisis. Along with an awareness campaign for conserving water, strict measures have been taken for stopping the over-exploitation of ground-water. Vigilance teams have been deployed to tour the villages and find the farmers who are drawing water from deep borewells or from the river reservoir for irrigation. The farmers are agitated by such action. A delegation of farmers meets the District Collector with their issues and complains that while they are not being allowed to irrigate their crops, big industries located near the river are drawing huge amounts of water through deep borewells for their industrial processes. The farmers allege that their administration is anti-farmer and corrupt, being bribed by the industry. The district needs to placate the farmers as they are threatening to go on a prolonged protest. At the same time, the District Collector has to deal with the water crisis. The industry cannot be closed as this would result in a large number of workers being unemployed. (a) Discuss all options available to the District Collector as a District Magistrate. (b) What suitable actions can be taken in view of mutually compatible interests of the stakeholders? (c) What are the potential administrative and ethical dilemmas for the District Collector?

Subtopic: Case Study · water crisis and competing stakeholders

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Introduction: Collector's water-crisis dilemma → stakeholders → (a) options available → (b) mutually compatible win-win actions → (c) administrative and ethical dilemmas → Conclusion: equitable, evidence-based, participatory resolution

Key points

Drinking water must be the first, non-negotiable priority in allocation
Perception of bias is defused by applying restrictions equally to industry and farmers
Publish real water-use data to counter corruption allegations with transparency
Win-win tools: industrial water recycling, ZLD, micro-irrigation, water harvesting
Grievance redress, tanker supply and relief for worst-affected farmers
Core dilemma: livelihood vs employment vs public health vs impartiality
Tension between short-term relief and long-term sustainable water governance
Uphold order while respecting the democratic right to peaceful protest

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Q.320 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

Dr. Srinivasan is a senior scientist working for a reputed biotechnology company known for its cutting-edge research in pharmaceuticals. Dr. Srinivasan is heading a research team working on a new drug aimed at treating a rapidly spreading variant of a new viral infectious disease. The disease has been rapidly spreading across the world and the cases reported in the country are increasing. There is huge pressure on Dr. Srinivasan’s team to expedite the trials for the drug as there is significant market for it, and the company wants to get the first-mover advantage in the market. During a team meeting, some senior team members suggest some shortcut for expediting the clinical trials for the drug and for getting the requisite approvals. These include manipulating data to exclude some negative outcomes and selectively reporting positive results, foregoing the process of informed consent and using compounds already patented by a rival company, rather than developing one’s own component. Dr. Srinivasan is not comfortable taking such shortcuts, at the same time he realises meeting the targets is impossible without using these means. (a) What would you do in such a situation? (b) Examine your options and consequences in the light of the ethical questions involved. (c) How can data ethics and drug ethics save humanity at large in such a scenario?

Subtopic: Case Study · research integrity and data ethics

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Introduction: Dr. Srinivasan's pressure to cut corners → stakeholders → ethical issues (data fraud, consent, IP theft, patient safety) → (a) what I would do → (b) options and consequences → (c) how data and drug ethics protect humanity → Conclusion: integrity over first-mover advantage

Key points

Refuse all shortcuts: data manipulation, selective reporting, skipping consent, IP theft
Scientific fraud risks unsafe drugs, mass harm, deaths and legal liability
Informed consent and human-subject dignity are non-negotiable research ethics
Escalate to ethics/institutional review board and seek time, resources or lawful licensing
Integrity may cost the first-mover edge but builds lasting safety and trust
Honest data reveals a drug's true risk-benefit profile, preventing catastrophe
Drug ethics (safety, efficacy, consent) protects patients and public confidence in medicine
Ethical rigor, not speed, is the real safeguard for humanity

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Q.420 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

Vijay was Deputy Commissioner of remote district of Hilly Northern State of the country for the last two years. In the month of August heavy rains lashed the complete state followed by cloud burst in the upper reaches of the said district. The damage was very heavy in the complete state especially in the affected district. The complete road network and telecommunication were disrupted and the buildings were damaged extensively. People’s houses have been destroyed and they were forced to stay in open. More than 200 people have been killed and about 5000 were badly injured. The Civil Administration under Vijay got activated and started conducting rescue and relief operations. Temporary shelter camps and hospitals were established to provide shelter and medical facilities to the homeless and injured people. Helicopter services were pressed in, for evacuating sick and old people from remote areas. Vijay got a message from his hometown in Kerala that his mother was seriously sick. After two days Vijay received the unfortunate message that his mother has expired. Vijay has no close relative except one elder sister who was US citizen and staying there for last several years. In the meantime, the situation in the affected district deteriorated further due to resumption of heavy rains after a gap of five days. At the same time, continuous messages were coming on his mobile from his hometown to reach at the earliest for performing last rites of his mother. (a) What are the options available with Vijay? (b) What are the ethical dilemma being faced by Vijay? (c) Critically evaluate and examine each of these options identified by Vijay. (d) Which of the options, do you think, would be most appropriate for Vijay to adopt and why?

Subtopic: Case Study · Duty versus personal grief in disaster administration

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Introduction: District Collector as incident commander mid-disaster → (a) list feasible options → (b) name the ethical dilemmas (public duty vs filial duty, professional vs personal) → (c) evaluate each option on merits/demerits → (d) recommend a balanced course leveraging delegation and technology → Conclusion: reconciling emotion with the higher call of public service.

Key points

Identify the core conflict: public/professional duty during an active disaster versus personal filial and religious duty of last rites.
Clearly separate answer parts (a) options, (b) dilemmas, (c) critical evaluation, (d) recommendation with justification.
Delegation to a competent officer with proper handover is the pivot that resolves the dilemma without dereliction.
Invoke that Hindu last rites can be performed by proxy or deferred, and the sister can be involved.
Weigh utilitarian logic: thousands of endangered lives outweigh a single personal ceremony in immediacy.
Emphasise emotional intelligence, equanimity and a leader's composure under grief.
Recommend staying through the acute 48–72 hour phase, then travelling once relief is stabilised.

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Q.520 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

In line with the Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Indian Constitution, the government has a constitutional obligation to ensure basic needs – “Roti, Kapda aur Makan (Food, Clothes and Shelter)” – for the under-privileged. Pursuing this mandate, the district administration proposed clearing a portion of forest land to develop housing for the homeless and economically weaker sections of the society. The proposed land, however, is an ecologically sensitive zone densely populated with age-old trees, medicinal plants and vital biodiversity. Besides, these forests help to regulate micro-climate and rainfalls; provide habitat for wildlife, support soil fertility and prevent land/soil erosion and sustain livelihoods of tribal and nomadic communities. Inspite of the ecological and social costs, the administration argues in favour of the said proposal by highlighting that this very initiative addresses fundamental human rights as a critical welfare priority. Besides, it fulfils the government’s duty to uplift and empower the poor through inclusive housing development. Further, these forest areas have become unsafe due to wild-animal threats and recurring human-wild life conflicts. Lastly, clearing forest-zones may help to curb anti-social elements allegedly using these areas as hideouts, thereby enhancing law and order. (a) Can deforestation be ethically justified in the pursuit of social welfare objectives like, housing for the homeless? (b) What are the socio-economic, administrative and ethical challenges in balancing environmental conservation with human development? (c) What substantial alternatives or policy interventions can be proposed to ensure that both environmental integrity and human dignity are protected?

Subtopic: Case Study · Environmental conservation versus housing for the poor

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Introduction: framing the dilemma between DPSP welfare mandate and ecological duty → (a) whether deforestation for housing is ethically justifiable → (b) socio-economic, administrative and ethical challenges in balancing conservation with development → (c) alternative policy interventions protecting both dignity and ecology → Conclusion: sustainable development as the reconciling principle.

Key points

Reject the false binary of poor versus environment; sustainable development reconciles both DPSP welfare and ecological duty.
Right to shelter under Article 21 is real, but ends do not justify irreversible ecological and tribal-livelihood destruction.
Apply principles of sustainable development, inter-generational equity, and precautionary principle.
Flag statutory pathways: Forest (Conservation) Act, Forest Rights Act 2006 and mandatory Gram Sabha consent.
Expose weak arguments (law and order, wildlife threat) as post-hoc rationalisation of a predetermined decision.
Offer concrete alternatives: degraded/wasteland siting, PMAY vertical housing, ESIA, CAMPA compensatory afforestation.
Distinguish socio-economic, administrative and ethical challenges clearly as the question demands.

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Q.620 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

Subash is Secretary, PWD in the State Government. He is a senior officer, known for his competence, integrity and dedication to work. He enjoys the trust and confidence of Minister Incharge of PWD and Programme Implementation. As a part of his job profile, he is responsible for policy formulation, execution of projects relating to infrastructure initiatives in the State. Besides, he oversees the technical and administrative aspects relating to planning, designing and construction etc. Subash’s Minister is an important Minister in the state and significant growth in urban infrastructure development and road network has been registered during his tenure. He is very keen for launching of ambitious road construction project in the near future. Subash is in regular touch with the Minister and is working various modalities of road construction project. Regular meetings, interactions and presentations are made by him to the Minister before a formal public announcement of the project is made by the Minister. Subash’s only son Vikas is in real estate business. His son from his own sources is aware that a mega road project is on the anvil and announcement in this regard is expected anytime. He is very keen to know from his father the exact location of the upcoming project. He knows that there would be quantum jump in the prices of land in the vicinity. Buying land at this stage at cheaper prices would pay him rich dividends. He is pleading with him (his father) day in and day out to share him location of the proposed project. He assured him that he would handle the matter discretely as it would not attract any adverse notice as he in the normal course, keeps on buying land as a part of his business. He feels pressurised because of constant pleadings by his son. Another significant aspect of the matter pertained to the extra/undue interest in the above project by the Minister PWD. His nephew was also having big infrastructure project company. In fact, the Minister has also introduced his nephew to him and indicated to him to take care of his nephew’s business interest in the forthcoming project. The Minister encouraged him to act fast in the matter as early announcement and execution of mega road project would enhance his status in the party and public life. In the above backdrop, Subash is in a fix as to the future course of action. (a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. (b) Critically examine the options available to Subash in the above situation. (c) Which of the above would be most appropriate and why?

Subtopic: Case Study · Conflict of interest and insider information in public office

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Introduction: Secretary PWD holding market-sensitive project information → (a) ethical issues — conflict of interest, insider information, integrity, family and political pressure → (b) critically examine options available to Subash → (c) recommend the most appropriate course and justify → Conclusion: integrity and public interest above kinship and patronage.

Key points

Name the central issues: conflict of interest, misuse of insider/official information, and abuse of political patronage.
Separate the two pressures — the son's land speculation and the Minister's nephew's business interest — as distinct integrity tests.
Refusing to leak confidential information is non-negotiable; acting on it is criminal breach of trust and corruption.
Insist that the mega project follow a transparent, competitive tender where any firm bids on merit.
Document undue directives in writing and escalate to the Chief Secretary/vigilance if pressure persists.
Anchor in objectivity, impartiality, probity and the Nolan principles of public life.
Recognise integrity is tested when upholding it is personally and politically costly.

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Q.720 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

Rajesh is a Group A officer with nine years of service. He is posted as Administrative Officer in an Oil Public Sector undertaking. As an Administrative Officer he is responsible for managing and coordinating various administrative tasks to ensure smooth functioning of office. He also manages office supplies, equipment etc. Rajesh is now sufficient senior and is expecting his next promotion in JAG (Junior Administrative Grade) in the next one or two years. He knows that promotion is based on examination of ACRs/Performance Appraisal of last few years (5 years or so) of an officer by a DPC (Departmental Promotion Committee) and an officer lacking requisite grading of ACRs may not be found fit for promotion. Consequences of losing promotion may entail financial and reputational loss and set-back for career progression. Though he also puts his best efforts in official discharge of his duties, yet he is unsure of assessment by his superior officer. He is now putting extra efforts so that he gets thumping report at the end of financial year. As Administrative Officer, Rajesh is regularly interacting with his immediate boss, who is his reporting officer for writing his ACR. One day he calls Rajesh and wants him to buy computer-related stationery on priority from a particular vendor. Rajesh instructs his office to initiate action for procuring these items. During the day, the dealing Assistant brings an estimate of Rupees Thirty Five Lakhs covering all stationery items from the same vendor. It is noticed that as per delegated financial powers, as provided in the GFR (General Financial Rules) as applicable in that Organisation, expenditure for office items exceeding Rupees Thirty Lakhs requires sanction of the next higher authority (boss in the present case). Rajesh knows that immediate superior would expect all these purchases should be done at his level and may not appreciate such lack of initiative on his part. During discussions with office, he learns that common practice of splitting of expenditure (where large order is divided into a series of smaller ones) is followed to avoid obtaining sanction from higher authority. This practice is against the rules and may come to the adverse notice of Audit. Rajesh is perturbed. He is unsure of taking decision in the matter. (a) What are the options available with Rajesh in the above situation? (b) What are the ethical issues involved in this case? (c) Which would be the most appropriate option for Rajesh and why?

Subtopic: Case Study · probity in public procurement

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Introduction → facts and stakeholders → (a) options for Rajesh → (b) ethical issues → (c) most appropriate option with reasoning → Conclusion

Key points

Splitting of expenditure to avoid higher sanction violates the General Financial Rules, 2017
Core conflict: probity and financial propriety versus ACR-linked career self-interest
Favouring a specified vendor raises conflict-of-interest and transparency concerns
Best course: process the full Rs 35 lakh and route for competent authority's sanction, recorded in writing
Seek written instructions if pressured; note the GFR breach and audit risk
Demonstrates moral courage; a fair APAR system should reward integrity
Complying would expose Rajesh to audit, vigilance and CVC scrutiny

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Q.820 marks · 250w 20 min Hard

Ashok is Divisional Commissioner of one of the border districts of the North East State. A few years back, Military has taken over the neighbouring country after overthrowing the elected civil government. Civil war situation is prevailing in the country especially in last two years. However, internal situation further deteriorated due to rebel groups taking over control of certain populated areas near own border. Due to intense fight between military and rebel groups, civilian casualties has increased manifold in recent past. In the meantime, in one night Ashok got information from the local police guarding the border check post that there are about 200-250 people mainly women and children trying to cross over to our side of the border. There are also about 10 soldiers with their weapons in military uniform part of this group who wants to cross over. Women and Children are also crying and begging for help. A few of them are injured and bleeding profusely need immediate medical care. Ashok tried to contact Home Secretary of the State but failed to do so due to poor connectivity mainly due to inclement weather. (a) What are the options available with Ashok to cope with the situation? (b) What are the ethical and legal dilemmas being faced by Ashok? (c) Which of the options, do you think would be more appropriate for Ashok to adopt and why? (d) In the present situation, what are the extra precautionary measures to be taken by the Border Guarding Police in dealing with soldiers in uniform?

Subtopic: Case Study · humanitarian dilemma at the border

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Introduction → facts and stakeholders → (a) options for Ashok → (b) ethical and legal dilemmas → (c) most appropriate option with reasoning → (d) precautions with armed soldiers → Conclusion

Key points

Core dilemma: humanitarian duty to the injured versus national security and sovereignty
Calibrated response: aid and shelter civilians; separate, disarm and detain armed soldiers
India lacks a domestic refugee law but follows a humanitarian, largely non-refoulement tradition
Record everything and escalate to MHA/MEA the moment connectivity returns
Armed uniformed personnel must be disarmed and kept apart from civilians
Use videography, adequate deployment and international humanitarian norms
Reflects the value of life and India's civilisational ethos of giving shelter

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