(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.

(a) Moral integrity and professional efficiency

Moral integrity is steadfast adherence to ethical principles — honesty, transparency and fairness — even when it is unprofitable. Professional efficiency is competence in delivering results with skill and diligence. Good corporate governance needs both: efficiency without integrity breeds fraud (Satyam, IL&FS), while integrity without efficiency fails stakeholders. The Tata group's trusteeship-with-performance ethos illustrates the desired blend.

(b) Ethics in contemporary international aid

Aid to resource-challenged nations expresses solidarity and the ethical duty of the strong towards the weak. Yet it raises concerns:

• Conditionalities and 'tied aid' that serve donor interests over recipient needs.
• Debt-trap diplomacy that compromises sovereignty (for example, Hambantota port).
• Erosion of self-reliance and local accountability, and aid diverted by corruption.

Ethical aid is need-based, transparent, respects sovereignty and builds capacity — reflected in India's demand-driven development partnership, such as Vaccine Maitri and concessional lines of credit. Compassion must not become control.