You are an honest and responsible civil servant. You often observe the following: (a) There is a general perception that adhering to ethical conduct one may face difficulties to oneself and cause problems for the family, whereas unfair practices may help to reach the career goals. (b) When the number of people adopting unfair means is large, a small minority having a penchant towards ethical means makes no difference. (c) Sticking to ethical means is detrimental to the larger developmental goals. (d) While one may not involve oneself in large unethical practices, but giving and accepting small gifts makes the system more efficient. Examine the above statements with their merits and demerits.

Introduction

The four statements are common rationalisations used to justify abandoning ethics for expediency. As an honest civil servant I examine each on merit while exposing its ethical fallacy.

(a) Ethics harms self and family; unfair means advance careers

Merit: there is a real short-term cost — the ethical officer may face harassment or transfers. Demerit: it assumes success won unethically is worth having; in fact it corrodes self-respect, invites eventual exposure, and harms the family more through insecurity and lost dignity. Ethical conduct offers durable peace and credibility.

(b) A lone ethical minority makes no difference

Merit: individuals may feel powerless amid widespread malpractice. Demerit: this is the fallacy of moral surrender; every reform began with a few — Gandhi, whistle-blowers. Integrity has a demonstration effect and, over time, shifts institutional culture.

(c) Ethics is detrimental to developmental goals

Merit: ethical processes can be slower. Demerit: development achieved by unethical shortcuts is unsustainable — it breeds corruption, exclusion and public distrust. Genuine development requires ethical, inclusive means and ends alike.

(d) Small gifts make the system efficient

Merit: petty facilitation seems harmless. Demerit: it is the thin end of corruption, normalises quid pro quo, and discriminates against those who cannot pay; efficiency built on bribery is illusory. Conduct rules rightly bar accepting gifts.

My stand and conclusion

Each statement trades enduring integrity for short-term convenience. I will uphold ethical means, drawing strength from law, conscience and institutional support, confident that integrity, though harder, is the only sustainable foundation of public service.