💥UPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship - June Batch Starts

Sunita was a young, idealistic development officer in a district panchayat. After joining the district, she studied about its social and economic situation. She consulted various plan documents and looked at the social and economic parameters of the district. She found that the district is relatively better off than other districts in terms of irrigation, crop diversification and industry. But its social indicators were poor with high infant mortality rate, high maternal mortality rate and low literacy percentage among women. Based on her analysis, Sunita thought that large investments in the social sector will be necessary in order to tackle these problems. The panchayat was an elected body. It has decided to spend 40% of its budget on minor irrigation. Sunita felt that the large allocation to minor irrigation will benefit land owning farmers and starve other social programme. What should Sunita do in these circumstances? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment-

  • In the introduction briefly explain the situation in the question, point out the moral dilemmas posed by the situation to Sunita, and explain here the importance of ethical reasoning.
  • In the body explain how she should not adopt improper means in trying to achieve higher spending on social sector. Explain the possible options and substantiate opinion based on ethical backing.
  • Conclude with a fair and balanced approach.

Comments

17 responses to “Sunita was a young, idealistic development officer in a district panchayat. After joining the district, she studied about its social and economic situation. She consulted various plan documents and looked at the social and economic parameters of the district. She found that the district is relatively better off than other districts in terms of irrigation, crop diversification and industry. But its social indicators were poor with high infant mortality rate, high maternal mortality rate and low literacy percentage among women. Based on her analysis, Sunita thought that large investments in the social sector will be necessary in order to tackle these problems. The panchayat was an elected body. It has decided to spend 40% of its budget on minor irrigation. Sunita felt that the large allocation to minor irrigation will benefit land owning farmers and starve other social programme. What should Sunita do in these circumstances? 10 marks”

  1. Uttam Kumar Avatar
    Uttam Kumar

    #0000236123

    1. Parth Verma Avatar
      Parth Verma

      Hi Uttam
      Introduction is missing, briefly explain the situation in the question.
      Then write the ethical involved.
      You have not explained the possible steps in a proper manner, there are four possible approaches-
      -She should tell officers to surreptitiously divert money to social welfare programmes under some
      pretext.
      -She should follow the Panchayat’s decision.
      -She should discuss matters with elected officials of the Panchayat and try to convince them of the
      need to accord greater priority to social sector.
      -She should reconcile herself to the economic inequalities and the power structure of the rural society.
      Conclude with a balanced approach.
      Follow a proper structure.
      Work on content.
      Improve your handwriting !

  2. Dakshina Moorthy Avatar
    Dakshina Moorthy

    Order no. #0000233081

    1. Parth Verma Avatar
      Parth Verma

      Hi Dakshina
      Good introduction.
      You have explained the ethical issues involved in a good manner.
      Give headings properly, course of action means what you are going to do, instead give heading ‘Possible actions that can be taken’.
      The content is good and you have covered the issue comprehensively.
      Work on writing language.
      Overall a decent attempt.
      Keep writing,you will succeed.

  3. Chester Avatar
    Chester

    MOJO0204R00N55952566

    1. Parth Verma Avatar
      Parth Verma

      Hi Chester
      Lackluster introduction, do not give the solution in the introduction, instead briefly explain the situation in the question.
      Do not come directly to steps, write stakeholders and ethical issues involved.
      Follow a proper structure to get better marks.
      Write the possible approaches then write the best way possible.
      In the entire answer, you have written what should be done, this is not the right way to solve the case studies.
      Good conclusion.
      Write crisp and concise.
      Keep writing,you will improve.

  4. Deepika Saini Avatar
    Deepika Saini

    Payment ID: #0000230867

    1. Parth Verma Avatar
      Parth Verma

      Hi Deepika
      Good introduction.
      You have explained the stakeholders and ethical issues involved in a good manner.
      Work on space management, for these two you can make a flow chart to save your space.
      Do not directly write the way forward, briefly explain the possible approaches and their merits and demerits then write the way forward.
      Content is good but write crisp and concise so that you can add more content in the given word limit.
      Overall a decent attempt.
      Keep writing.

  5. PSR Avatar
    PSR

    #0000237952

    1. Parth Verma Avatar
      Parth Verma

      Hi PSR
      Rephrase your introduction.
      Avoid using short forms like fol.
      When you write about the ethical issues involved, write both side of the issue. For example – Governance ethics versus Greater Good.
      You have explained the possible approaches in a decent manner.
      Good conclusion with proper reasoning, keep it up.
      Underline important stuff.
      Good content.
      Overall a decent attempt.
      Keep writing, you will succeed.

  6. Parakh Sarda Avatar
    Parakh Sarda

    Please Review OrderID – ~0000232028

    1. Parakh Sarda Avatar
      Parakh Sarda

      Next pages

    2. Parth Verma Avatar
      Parth Verma

      Hi Parakh
      Try to complete your answer in maximum 2 pages,4 pages are too much.
      Adhere to the word limit.
      Write crisp and concise.
      You have explained the ethical issues involved in a good manner.
      After the ethical issues, directly write the possible steps, do not write what Sunita should do.
      Content is decent but need to summarise it.
      Work on handwriting and improve your presentation to get better marks.
      Deducting your marks for exceeding the word limit.
      Keep writing,you will improve.

  7. PS0095 Avatar
    PS0095

    Payment id : pay_FDALbw6305ZjIX

    1. Parth Verma Avatar
      Parth Verma

      Hi PS
      Good introduction.
      Do not come directly to steps, write stakeholders and ethical issues involved.
      Explain the possible steps, their merits and demerits .
      In the entire answer, you have written what should be done, this is not the right way to solve the case studies.
      Follow a proper structure to get better marks.
      Write crisp and concise.
      Explain how your decision will lead to the greater good of the society.
      Work on content.
      Keep writing,you will improve.

  8. Unnati Chauhan Avatar
    Unnati Chauhan

    Payment id :#0000237030

    1. Parth Verma Avatar
      Parth Verma

      Hi Unnati
      Good introduction.
      You have explained the stakeholders and ethical issues involved in the case study.
      Thumbs up for the structure.
      Improve your handwriting, it is looking that you have written the answer in some hurry, avoid scribbling.
      The content is decent.
      Avoid spelling mistakes.
      Overall a decent attempt.
      Persistence is the key to success, keep writing !