Civilsdaily

Author: Pooja_CD

  • Ethics Case Studies | Mains 2017

    Note4Students

    Year on year, questions in ethics paper have become more dynamic in nature. This is not just for static syllabus portion but also for case studies.

    These 60+ case studies for Mains 2017 are based on current affairs and have been mapped to subtopics of Ethics syllabus in order to provide a better understanding of issues related to Ethics.

    Click on the individual subtopics links below to view and answer case studies:

    Get compilation PDF here, now FREE- http://imojo.in/5y6jyh

    1. Emotional intelligence: concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance
    2. Moral and political attitudes
    3. Social influence and persuasion
    4. Ethics in private and public relationships
    5. Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance
    6. Accountability and ethical governance
    7. Quality of service delivery
    8. Codes of Conduct
    9. Philosophical basis of governance and probity
    10. Work culture
    11. Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality, and nonpartisanship, objectivity
    12. Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior
    13. Probity in Governance: Concept of public service
    14. Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems
    15. Laws, rules, regulations, and conscience as sources of ethical guidance

    Edited and enhanced by Civilsdaily

  • [Ethics Case Studies] Work culture

    Syllabus mapping

    Paper 4 | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Work culture

    Note4Students

    This initiative is a part of Target Mains programme for Mains 2017.

    You can post your answers in the comment section. But mentor review of answers will not be available. Just like various other CD community initiatives, this will also be a peer-to-peer review exercise.

    Model answers are available below in PDF format and can be used for personal evaluation.

    Question 1:

    You are posted in a government office. Your staff is not punctual when it comes to timings as the last officer had no complaints about late coming as long as people did their work efficiently. However, one of your friend who is in other department advices you to be strict with you staff.

    He tells you that punctuality comes first even if people are doing their work efficiently. You know that your staff though comes late but is well efficient in work and their coming late to office doesn’t have any negative effect on work.

    What will you do? Will you follow your friend’s advice and be strict with your staff? Discuss the various options that are available to you along with their merits and demerits suggesting which course of action would you take and why?

    Question 2:

    In a District Government Hospital there exists a powerful nexus among senior doctors, private nursing homes, pharmacy and testing labs. The doctors mislead patients discouraging them from availing the hospital’s medical facilities, making them opt for costly medicines, forcing them to get medical tests done outside, and encouraging them to use private nursing homes.
    You are appointed as the new Superintendent of the Hospital. After taking charge you discover that this dirty game is going on in your hospital. You face pressure from your own people to allow this evil to continue. There are hints given of huge rewards. You are new and have just begun your career. The fate of the patients is in your hands. What are the various options available to you? Evaluate each of the options and suggest what course of action will you take and why?

    Question 3:

    A wordy incentive proves very worth in raising the morale of the workers which ultimately results in an increased output of works. Two girls Komal and Ritika are working in a multi-national company and assigned to complete a project together. Ritika had invested everything in terms of time, knowledge and expertise. Komal also did a bit of work in the project. At the completion of the project, the boss gave complete credit to Komal, when it was in fact her colleague who did most of the work.
    1. Should Komal accept the praise nullifying Ritika? What are moral principles involved in this case?
    2. What should Komal do and why? Suggest the suitable course of action.

  • [Ethics Case Studies] Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance

    Syllabus mapping

    Paper 4 | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance

    Note4Students

    This initiative is a part of Target Mains programme for Mains 2017.

    You can post your answers in the comment section. But mentor review of answers will not be available. Just like various other CD community initiatives, this will also be a peer-to-peer review exercise.

    Model answers are available below in PDF format and can be used for personal evaluation.

    Question 1:

    The showing up of the strength, power through the use of beacons, etc is very much prevalent in India. It brings hatred and discomfort among the minds of general public.

    What are the pros and cons of the government’s decision of curbing VIP culture by banning red beacons?

    Do you think a certain class of people should be given special benefits and important status in the society? Give arguments in support of your answer.

  • [Ethics Case Studies] Social influence and persuasion

    Syllabus mapping

    Paper 4 | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Social influence and persuasion

    Note4Students

    This initiative is a part of Target Mains programme for Mains 2017.

    You can post your answers in the comment section. But mentor review of answers will not be available. Just like various other CD community initiatives, this will also be a peer-to-peer review exercise.

    Model answers are available below in PDF format and can be used for personal evaluation.

    Question 1:

    You are posted as a DM in a small district. Your district suffers from socially backward problems like child marriage, female infanticide, dowry, etc. One day, a girl of about 18 years who is well educated, comes to you and informs you about her neighbors who are getting their daughter married at an age of 15 years. She tells you that she tried to convince her parents but was unsuccessful.

    You immediately reach the spot of marriage. You see that all the preparations have been made. When you talk to the family, you come to know that the family is not well educated and thinks that girls should be married early as it’s the common practice in the whole village and they cannot go against it.

    Given below are some options. Discuss them with their merits and demerits. Also suggest which course of action would you take and why?

    (i) Convince the family and ask them not to send their daughter to her in-law’s place despite marriage being performed.
    (ii) Talk to the girl and know her stand as that is most important.
    (iii) Take strict action against the family under the law against child marriage.
    (iv) Initiating a drive in the area in order to prevent such incidents in future.

    Question 2:

    You are the DM of a district. The education and health inspector of the region has submitted a report which stated that the local goons and people of higher caste are not allowing ASHAs and school teachers to provide facilities to the downtrodden people. They sell the education and health kits in open market and even sarpanch is not able to take action due to social boundations.
    1. What are the various option you have in this case? Discuss them with their merits and demerits suggesting what course of action would you take?

    Question 3:

    Radical political groups are frequently harassing young couples on the ground of preservation of culture and morality, irrespective of the fact whether they are married or are just in a relationship. A café in the city was recently vandalized following a news channel report that it was allowing ‘immoral activities’ which was nothing less a simple holding of hands and occasional hugging among youngsters. The youngsters were assaulted when they protested. This event sparked off an open public protest. You are the DM in that district. Even in front of your office, couple are protesting in large number against the government authorities. The organizers maintained that it was not just about their personal rights but for greater tolerance towards respecting individual choices of the individuals.
    How will you pacify the young couples? Evaluate various options and suggest what course of action will you take?

  • [Ethics Case Studies] Quality of service delivery

    Syllabus mapping

    Paper 4 | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Quality of service delivery

    Note4Students

    This initiative is a part of Target Mains programme for Mains 2017.

    You can post your answers in the comment section. But mentor review of answers will not be available. Just like various other CD community initiatives, this will also be a peer-to-peer review exercise.

    Model answers are available below in PDF format and can be used for personal evaluation.

    Question 1:

    You are posted as DM in a remote area in a state. There has been death of around 20 children in a hospital in your area due to shortage of oxygen supply. The agency supplying the gas had warned the hospital administration several times but the hospital did not take it seriously.

    The government in power does not want the issue to come to light. The hospital had informed the health department about the issue but no timely action was taken. There is outrage and anger among the people. The people have blocked the road and are lying with the dead bodies of their children. If timely action is not taken, there may be a law and order disturbance in the area. Given below are some of the options.

    Discuss them with merits and demerits suggesting what course of action would you take? Your course of action could be different than the options given below.

    (i) Suspending doctors from the hospital who were on duty that night.
    (ii) Setting up a committee to enquire into the matter.
    (iii) Go on leave till the matter is solved so that you are not questioned for all this.
    (iv) Cancelling the licence of the gas agency so that a strong message is sent among people.
    (v) Talking to the parents and assuring them a timely action would be taken.

  • [Ethics Case Studies] Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems

    Syllabus mapping

    Paper 4 | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems

    Note4Students

    This initiative is a part of Target Mains programme for Mains 2017.

    You can post your answers in the comment section. But mentor review of answers will not be available. Just like various other CD community initiatives, this will also be a peer-to-peer review exercise.

    Model answers are available below in PDF format and can be used for personal evaluation.

    Question 1:

    India is a country of festivals and traditions. You are posted as DM of a district which attracts a large number of pilgrims during the year specially on the day of a particular religious festival. Last year, around 15 pilgrims died due to a stampede on that day as no pre-handed precautions were taken in case the number of pilgrims exceeds than the expected.

    Last year, around 15 pilgrims died due to a stampede on that day as no pre-handed precautions were taken in case the number of pilgrims exceeds than the expected.

    When it comes to handling the responsibility at such religious places, the primary responsibility lies with the state of taking care of law and order and ensuring safety and security of people assembling at these places. Present a brief plan of action which must be put in place before such events.

    Question 2:

    You are posted as SDM in a tehsil. Your senior went on leave for 10 days and gave you the responsibility of the district. You are quite new to the job.

    Meanwhile, when your senior was on leave, there occurred an incident of communal violence in your district between two communities. The incident started with a minor argument and then took a religious turn later on which lead to a major conflict between the two communities.

    5 people have died in this conflict. The news in media has further created fear among the people. People are afraid of going out of their home. Your district is known for peace and harmony. What

    What will you do bring the communal tension down in such a situation? What are the various options available before you? Discuss them with their merits and demerits.

    Question 3:

    You are a Deputy Superintendent of Police of a district. From your vigilance department you come to know that some high profile criminals are hiding in a building of nearby residential area. You rushed immediately with 7 of your well trained and known officers in order to conduct raid and to arrest them.
    As you reached on the spot, they welcomed you by firing multiple bullets on your officials. With the exchange of firing you with your officials have moved inside the building shooting some of the criminals randomly.
    From the corner of one of the room, you are being targeted by one of criminals by his gun point and was about to press the trigger. Seeing this, one of officer rushed quickly towards you in order to push you to save from the bullet as you were not wearing any bullet-proof jacket like other officers.
    In the process of saving, the officer got shot by the gun through the bullet-proof jacket. The jacket actually was not made up of bullet proof materials but has been introduced as a bullet proof by your department. This shows the great deal of corruption in your department involving high ranking official, Ministries and contractors in procuring bullet-proof jackets.
    You are in dilemma, since one of your officer who also happens to be your friend got killed in the firing due to the fraudulent done by others for self monetary gain.

    Concerning the above facts consider the following:
    1. Discuss all the available course of actions with their merits and demerits.
    2. What course of action will you take in order to bring justice to your friend and his family?

  • [Ethics Case Studies] Probity in Governance: Concept of public service

    Syllabus mapping

    Paper 4 | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Probity in Governance: Concept of public service

    Note4Students

    This initiative is a part of Target Mains programme for Mains 2017.

    You can post your answers in the comment section. But mentor review of answers will not be available. Just like various other CD community initiatives, this will also be a peer-to-peer review exercise.

    Model answers are available below in PDF format and can be used for personal evaluation.

    Question 1:

    You are posted as head of a district which is severely affected by water crisis. The situation has worsened to the extent that it has disrupted the law and order. Presently a cricket tournament is going on in the country matches for which are held all over the country. You get a call from the state cricket association that a cricket match is to be held in your district. A good sum of money is offered for the match.

    However, when you discuss the matter with your colleagues they suggest you to decline the offer as the district is facing severe water scarcity and this would further add to the problem as a large volume of water will be needed for irrigating the pitch. If you accept the offer, you would get a good sum of money which would compensate for the amount that the water used for irrigating the pitch would cost.

    Will you accept the offer? What are the options before you? Explain the merits and demerits of each option. Also suggest what course of action will you take?

    Question 2:

    India is facing the burning issue of cow protectionism which is also witnessed by many self-appointed “cow protectors” who have committed brutal attacks against Muslims and Dalits over rumors that they sold, bought, or killed cows for beef.
    You are a senior police investigation officer and from some sources, you got to know that a social activist involved in cow protection is smuggling cows in lure of money. While investigating you found that he is in contact with various slaughtering houses where he used to supply cows.
    He is a reputed activist and considered responsible and honest by other social activists which debar him from being doubted by others of any malpractices. He used to take advantage of this trust of masses on him and on the backdrop of it, he used to carry (transport) cows without any security problems. No one from the security was questioning him for such movement due to his reputation.
    1. There is a sure possibility of communal violence being fired upon his arrest which may trigger law and order problems everywhere. How will you control this situation?
    2. Considering the entire situation, what course of action do you think is possible? Justify your actions with suitable measures.

    Question 3:

    Mobilization and awareness are among the key components for successful implementation of any welfare intervention especially in rural areas where literacy and exposure to media is often less as compared to the urban areas. The recent study conducted on MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) by a taskforce committee has found that people were often not aware of the basic guidelines regarding Job card issue, unemployment allowance, worksite facility, social audit and other legal entitlements.
    You are a Block Development Officer (BDO) of a certain region where cases of fraudulent with the MGNREGA workers are rampant. The contractors force the labourers to work extra hours with no extra pay which are backed by the other government officials too. Often the contractors are found to exploit the labourers. You actually want to help those labourers for getting their fair rights but there is risks involved which may even cost your job and life.

    What action(s) would you prefer the most which will prove worth for the labourers as well as yourself?

    Question 4:

    Manoj is the head of State RTO department where Sunil works as an officer in charge of clearing and approving the vehicles paper.
    Manoj’s friend Ankit works in a bank and notices that a portion of certain Mr. Mukesh’s pension is deposited every month into an account of one Reshma who turns out to Be Sunil’s wife. He suspects that the deposits are being made by a customer of Sunil and in return Sunil use to approve their papers. Ankit informs Manoj about the same based on his suspicion.
    Divulging the bank’s secret information from the bank, Ankit has commited a crime that too without having any concrete evidence. During investigation, Manoj lands on Mr. Mukesh’s home and finds that he is been hospitalized. He then turns to Sunil, upon which Sunil replies that Mr. Mukesh happens to be his father in law and the money deposited is for an Old Age Home, which his wife Reshma owns and runs.
    Manoj suspects that the money deposited must be of fraud that’s why is being deposited by unknown person(s). Manoj thinks of taking action based on his own investigation and mere suspicion.
    What should he do? Explore various options available to Manoj with suitable explanation.

  • [Ethics Case Studies] Philosophical basis of governance and probity

    Syllabus mapping

    Paper 4 | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Philosophical basis of governance and probity

    Note4Students

    This initiative is a part of Target Mains programme for Mains 2017.

    You can post your answers in the comment section. But mentor review of answers will not be available. Just like various other CD community initiatives, this will also be a peer-to-peer review exercise.

    Model answers are available below in PDF format and can be used for personal evaluation.

    Question 1:

    With the increasing awareness among the people, the accountability of the government has increased. The government can not escape the vigilance of its aware citizens. The government in your area promised to bring a bill for bringing transparency in the system and challenging corruption.

    There is a young social activist in your area who is sitting on a fast since last 10 days against the fact that the bill has not been brought. He is having wide people’s support. The government sends you as its representative to convince him to give up on the fast.

    How will you convince him to bring the fast to an end? Write in dialogue form. Why do such talks between government and the leaders reach stagnant level after some time and the government fails to convince such activists of its intentions?

     

    Question 2:

    The people are the ultimate authority in any democracy and they are given certain fundamental rights which cannot be taken by the state. Do you think state imposing restrictions on food and living habits of people in a democratic country is justified? Give arguments in support of your answer. Up to what extent, are such restrictions reasonable?

    OR

    The government should respect the voluntary choices made by individuals when it comes to their food and living style as the right to freedom comes at supreme in a country like India. Do you think the role of state when it comes to imposing some sort of restrictions on the food and living habits of its citizens is justified? Critically comment.

  • [Ethics Case Studies] Moral and political attitudes

    Syllabus mapping

    Paper 4 | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Moral and political attitudes

    Note4Students

    This initiative is a part of Target Mains programme for Mains 2017.

    You can post your answers in the comment section. But mentor review of answers will not be available. Just like various other CD community initiatives, this will also be a peer-to-peer review exercise.

    Model answers are available below in PDF format and can be used for personal evaluation.

    Question 1:

    You are living with one of your friend who is known to you since childhood. Your friend is actively involved in political debates, while you don’t have that much interest in politics. One day, he starts discussing with you on some topic but you continue to do your work without taking any interest in the discussion.

    He gets angry and starts telling you that youth being silent on important issues is the biggest worry for the nation. He accuses you of being unpatriotic and anti-national. What is your opinion on your friend’s view?

    Critically comment. Do you think nationalism should be judged on objective factors like taking part in debates and speaking for national issues?

    Question 2:

    Your family wants you to get married. The girl is your family friend for a long time. Everything is almost settled between the two families. When you go to meet the girl, you came to know that you both have a different political ideology. Your political thinking doesn’t match. You are a politically active person.

    When you tell this thing to your family, your family asks you to ignore this as there are no other issues apart from this. They convince you that she is a suitable match for you. You are confused what to do.

    What will you do in such a situation? Will you go ahead with the marriage or not? How can they keep their ideology and personal choices separate in case they get married?

    Question 3:

    Caste occupies distinct position in moulding the voting behaviour in India and this happens in spite of the adoption of several provisions which prohibits discrimination on the basis of caste.

    The political parties in India formulate their policies and election strategies always keeping in mind the caste factor. Even the candidates are selected keeping the caste factor in mind. Election campaigns are made in such a way that it makes the voters to feel their respective caste identities.

    How does caste determine political attitude and voting behavior of people? Do you think even after so many years of independence India has failed to segregate caste from politics? Critically comment.

    Question 4:

    In a democratic setup, election manifestos play an important role in influencing the voting behavior of people. However, before elections the political parties make big promises, they talk about changing the system, making it efficient, transparent and corruption free.

    But when it comes to fulfilling those promises, they fail to abide by them.

    Where does the lacuna lie in the above process? How can accountability be fixed on the political parties? Give suggestions to bring a coherency between elections manifestos promises and the fulfilling of those promises.

    Question 5:

    You are a MLA with a strong influence belonging to a party from last 20 years and are a supporter of its ideology since your college days. Your party is in opposition from last 10 years. The ideology of your political party is pole opposite to the party in power.

    Recently elections are to be held in your state. However, the performance of the party you belong to has not been good in the last some years. It has been losing elections in almost all the states. It has lost 3 successive elections in your home state. The other National party has emerged as the winning party in 4 out of 5 states where elections were held recently. It is almost sure that the ruling party will win the upcoming elections in your state.

    A large section of MLAs of your party have shifted to the other party as they are not sure that your party will perform well and the ruling party has offered lucrative offers to them in terms of money. The President of the ruling party comes to you one day and offers you a ticket from his party. He also offers you a big amount of money and assures you of a seat in the cabinet if the party comes to power which is almost sure seeing the recent trend as they have won in almost all states.

    He threatens you of re-opening a scam which occurred during your tenure in the Department in which you were the Cabinet Minister in case you decline his offer. You were given a clean chit in the scam case by the Court as you played no role in it. When you tell your wife about it, she asks you to accept the offer of the ruling party as she doesn’t want any disturbances due to the scam case re-opening.

    However, the ruling party is in contrast to your ideology. You have been a critic of it since the time you joined politics. You are known by the people in the area for your principles. You are confused now what to do?

    What are the moral values that are at stake?

    Will you accept the offer? Discuss the consequences of agreeing to and rejecting the proposal. What will you do?

    Will you compromise on your principles and ideologies in the above case in order to contest elections, as once you get a cabinet seat you can continue with your present ideology?

    Question 6:

    India looses too many lives due to heavy floods and other natural disasters every year. In some areas flood situation is worsened due to high level of siltation and rising river bed. Poor maintenance and resultant failure of embankments and erosional activities are other contributing factors leading to recurrence of floods causing high magnitude of losses and damages. Also, floods are a result of yet another set of contributing factors such as inadequate urban drainage, poor maintenance of drains and improper land use planning.
    In such a context, disaster risk reduction efforts to reduce flood losses require due attention to not only the direct causes but also the social milieu, economic diaspora, natural environment, ethical and cultural practices etc. These processes are complex in nature owing to historical background and the present processes of development and urbanization. Culture influences to a large extent affect the implementation of strategies and policies.
    You have been appointed as a District Administrator tasked with disaster risk reduction in an area unknown to you in terms of cultural and traditional practices.

    1. What are the actions do you think will be suitable for such areas and how are you going to deal with the situation? Justify your actions.
    2. What are the ethical impediments you are likely to face in dealing with the people affected by floods?

    Question 7:

    You are a District Magistrate recently posted in a district where a three year old girl is allegedly sexually assaulted in her school. On the day of incidence, father picked up the children (4 year old baby boy with 3 year old girl) to home. The girl was quite silent all the way to home and as she reached home, she started crying in front of her mother. She was even resisting her mother from changing her school uniform. When forcefully asked she explained everything. The parents immediately took her to nearest hospital where, after hours of medical examination, the incidence of sexual assault is being confirmed.
    When the victim and her four-year-old brother, who studies in the same school, were shown photos of male members of the school staff, both instantly pointed to the school watchman and said he was “the uncle who would buy them mithai (sweets)”. The police have now arrested the 30-year-old watchman as the prime suspect.
    The next morning, a protest in front of the school by members of the Students’ Association went awry when a scuffle broke out after they were asked to disperse by the police. Many of them were injured, and one girl was detained by the police.
    1. Identify the ethical issues involved and discuss what course of actions is available with you as a DM.
    2. Do you think sexual education or awareness should be imparted to the school children even to the smaller kids? If yes, suggest the processes how it could be done?

    Question 8:

    Kavita works in a school. She is a teacher of English Language. Recently she was summoned by the principal who tried to sexually harass her. She somehow manages to leave his room. Kavita later finds out that there are other women in the school also who had been the victim of the principal. Kavita avoids the principal and responds to his summon. Later, the principal threatens her that if she raises any complaint she will lose her job. Kavita needs the job very badly because her present financial condition is not sound. She starts to live in fear.
    In the above case do you think Kavita is under any moral obligation? What course of action should she take in such a situation?

    Question 9:

    An elderly couple has been living together from 50 years without being married to each other. The man is now 80 and the woman Devi is 70. Both fell in love with each other at a young age. But back then the man did not have enough money to marry his lady love.
    Both took a decision not to marry but to stay together. The couple worked hard as daily wage labourers and started saving money. Eventually, the couple had three sons and two daughters. Everything was going fine with the family, and the couple was busy working and looking after the children.
    They had almost forgotten that they were not married yet. Years passed, and then their children got married. Even they have children now, thus technically they are grandparents.
    1. According to Hindu context, marriage is considered to be an institution in itself. Is it ethically wrong to stay together without marriage? Justify your arguments.
    2. Is there anything wrong done by the couple for not marrying and staying together till the age of 80? Justify your arguments.

  • [Ethics Case Studies] Laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance

    Syllabus mapping

    Paper 4 | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance

    Note4Students

    This initiative is a part of Target Mains programme for Mains 2017.

    You can post your answers in the comment section. But mentor review of answers will not be available. Just like various other CD community initiatives, this will also be a peer-to-peer review exercise.

    Model answers are available below in PDF format and can be used for personal evaluation.

    Question 1:

    You are hearing a case in court. The case is that of rash driving where a 16-year-old boy has hit 3 people on road. Out of them, 1 person who was the only earning member of the family died on the spot. The boy is the son of a reputed IAS officer in the city. At the time of the accident, he had come from a party and was drunk.

    The officer is one of your good friends. He asks you not to punish the child as this would spoil his career and it was by mistake. He requests you that this judgement will have a big impact on the career of his son. What are the ethical conflicts in the case? What are the various options before you?

    What are the ethical conflicts in the case? What are the various options before you? Discuss them with their merits and demerits. Are moral and ethical values of parents and the upbringing of children by them to be held responsible in such cases?

    Question 2:

    You are an investigating officer in the State Government Police Department. It’s a rainy late night; you are returning home by driving four wheeler from wine and dine party organised by the colleagues, a bit over drunk with your female friend sitting next to you.
    Suddenly, you realized that a scooty got thrashed by your vehicle and the person with scooty got landed in a pit near by the road a 10-12 feet below. Realizing that, you suddenly rushed towards the person (a girl) and found that she was severely injured with difficulties in breathing and senseless. You suddenly took out your mobile to call for ambulance. As you were dialing the number you realized that the girl is breathless and there in no sign of being her alive. You stopped dialing for ambulance.
    Realizing that you will be booked for drunk driving which will cost on your reputation and more on the reputation of your female friend sitting next to you, you left the dead body there and moved to your home. You did not inform anyone about the incident.
    Next morning the news was on headline of every news papers and the matter was referred to you for investigation by your department.

    Consider the following statements:
    1. What are the options available to you and why?
    2. What course of action should you think be better for ‘you’, for ‘ethical justice’, which will also save you from moral harassment? Justify.

  • [Ethics Case Studies] Ethics in private and public relationships

    Syllabus mapping

    Paper 4 | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Ethics in private and public relationships

    Note4Students

    This initiative is a part of Target Mains programme for Mains 2017.

    You can post your answers in the comment section. But mentor review of answers will not be available. Just like various other CD community initiatives, this will also be a peer-to-peer review exercise.

    Model answers are available below in PDF format and can be used for personal evaluation.

    Question 1:

    You are posted as SDM in a tehsil. Your husband is also a Civil Servant and remains busy throughout the day because of the work pressure. You have a small child aged 2 years. You are finding it difficult to manage your job with the child as your job sometimes requires you to work in odd hours.

    One day when you discuss the matter with your husband, instead of finding a solution or cooperating you, he abruptly asks you to leave the job and look after the child as he earns well. You have no financial burdens as such and quitting the job would also give you sufficient time to spend with your child who is too young.

    Given below are some options. Discuss them with their merits and demerits. Also suggest which course
    of action would you take and why?

    (i) Resign from the job and look after your child.
    (ii) Continue your job and call your mother in law to look after the child or appoint a caretaker for the child.
    (iii) Have an argument with your husband that why only you should compromise with your job.
    (iv) Getting your child admitted in a crèche near your office.

    Question 2:

    You are posted as a senior officer in forest department. Your office deals with granting clearances to new projects. Your son has recently started a new project where he wants to set up a new factory in a forest area. This would involve clearing some area of district through which forest passes.

    The government has presently been not giving clearances to such projects as it has been emphasizing on forest conservation. Your son asks you to get the clearances done from your department. You have always been an upright officer and have not taken any benefit of the post held by you. However, this project is important for your son as you want him to get settled.

    Will you use your authority to get the project cleared? What are the ethical conflicts that arise in the case? What are the options that are available to you? Discuss them with their merits and demerits.

    Question 3:

    A two year old male child is suffering from physical deformities and also is mentally retarded. The Physician informed that he would probably have lived to his fifth birthday but not more than that. The parents of the boy have no formal education and are working at a factory with a monthly salary of Rs. 3000 to sustain their life and another 3 children with no health insurance.
    Monthly expense for medication and special diet for the child is Rs 2,500. The parents have requested for the Physician to provide any sort of help as they don’t have enough money to take care of the child. They even said that if there could not be any way out, it will be better for them to let the child die.
    What should the doctor do and why? How the doctor should balance the Beneficence and non-maleficence?

  • [Ethics Case Studies] Codes of Conduct

    Syllabus mapping

    Paper 4 | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Codes of Conduct

    Note4Students

    This initiative is a part of Target Mains programme for Mains 2017.

    You can post your answers in the comment section. But mentor review of answers will not be available. Just like various other CD community initiatives, this will also be a peer-to-peer review exercise.

    Model answers are available below in PDF format and can be used for personal evaluation.

    Question 1:

    You are posted as a senior officer in the health department. One day during a visit to a government hospital, you came to know about the poor state of the hospital. The staff is not punctual when it comes to timings. The patients told you that the doctors rarely come on time for the regular round in the ward.

    When you discussed this with the staff, you came to know some of the doctors had private clinics and came to hospital only after visiting patients there. The uniform of the other staff was also not proper. There was no display regarding the time of duty of the doctors in the ward.

    Do you think there should be a code of conduct of doctors and other staff in hospitals like those for civil servants? If you are to make such a code of conduct, what all points will you focus upon? Draft a code of conduct in above case.

    Question 2:

    X and Y are married to each other and own a business together. Z is X’s friend who works in a bank. Z notices that every month Y deposits a fixed amount into one’s (P’s) account. P’s account does not reflect a fixed monthly deposit from any other source.
    Z passes on this information to X. X is upset but chooses to confront P first. She lands up at P’s house and is even more annoyed to find that P has been hospitalized because she is expecting a baby. In her frustration, X storms into her house where Y is with his relatives and confronts him to know the truth. Y though, taken aback replies that P is her half sister and he hid this fact in order to avoid any ill feelings concerning his late father. Was it just a blunder or was an ethical duty done by X and Z? Justify.

    Question 3:

    Crime against women is on the rise in the Capital and also in some other parts of India. Government has taken some steps in its bid to improve the situation. However, the steps still lacks concrete measures. Even the bill on quota reservation for women keeps getting shelved. The reports are coming at regular intervals from the media. However, nothing concrete is being done by the government. Vasundhara who works in the Cabinet in the human resource department finds the whole cacophony distasteful. She decides to express her thoughts on the present situation on her personal blog and in the printed media to spread awareness on the matter.
    What is your take on Vasundhara’s action? Explore the following option and suggest the suitable action (other than the mentioned also if need be) with proper justification.
    Is she right in doing so because someone has to take the step out to make a change?
    She should have restricted herself to personal blogging that way no one questions her freedom of expression?
    She must step out in the open and fully take the cause in her hands.

  • [Ethics Case Studies] Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior

    Syllabus mapping

    Paper 4 | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior

    Note4Students

    This initiative is a part of Target Mains programme for Mains 2017.

    You can post your answers in the comment section. But mentor review of answers will not be available. Just like various other CD community initiatives, this will also be a peer-to-peer review exercise.

    Model answers are available below in PDF format and can be used for personal evaluation.

    Question 1:

    You are CEO of Zila Parishad. One day, you go to inspect a gram sabha meeting in a village which is headed by a female sarpanch. But, you find her absent in the meeting. When you ask the villagers about it, they tell you that

    When you ask the villagers about it, they tell you that it is her husband who takes all decisions and attends the meetings. You decide to have a meeting with her. When you meet her, she tells that her husband does most of the things as he thinks that being a female she can not handle the work of being a headwoman.

    Do you think the real motive of the government behind providing reservation to women in Panchayats has failed? Is the husband’s interference in this case justified? What should she do to convince her husband that she can handle the work herself?

    Question 2:

    You are the director of an NGO which looks after setting up Anganwadi centers for small children and providing MDM in schools. Your organization had received a grant of twenty lakhs to set up Anganwadi centers. You make all efforts to identify areas where the Anganwadi centers can be established. However, even after a year, you are still not able to set up the required number of Aganwadis to spend the allotted amount. Now the time is around the corner to submit the accounts for the grant sanctioned and he has been able to spend only ten lakhs out of twenty lakhs allocated to you.
    When you set to compile the records to account for the spending what are possible temptations you will face. What course of action would you take?

  • [Ethics Case Studies] Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service

    Syllabus mapping

    Paper 4 | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service

    Note4Students

    This initiative is a part of Target Mains programme for Mains 2017.

    You can post your answers in the comment section. But mentor review of answers will not be available. Just like various other CD community initiatives, this will also be a peer-to-peer review exercise.

    Model answers are available below in PDF format and can be used for personal evaluation.

    Question 1:

    You are posted as DSP who is known for his integrity and sense of duty. You find two people violating traffic rules and when you give them challan, they tell you they belong to ruling party and refuse to pay challan. When you insist, they start misbehaving with you. You have a heated argument with them. They ask you to leave them or ask you to be ready to face the consequences.

    Next day you get a call from a local politician that you should apologise to the party workers else you will be transferred to a remote area. You have lived all your life in metro cities. Even your husband advises you to apologise, as he has a permanent job in the city and if you are transferred you might face family problems.

    Given below are some options. Discuss them with their merits and demerits. Also suggest which course of action would you take and why? Your course of action could be different from the options given below.

    (i) Apologise from the leader so that you are not transferred.
    (ii) Asks your husband who also knows some senior minister to help you get out of the matter.
    (iii) Be firm on your stand and decide to go to your new posting.
    (iv) Highlighting the matter in the media to get more people support.

    Question 2:

    You are a District Magistrate and also assigned the work of Returning Officer of a constituency where by-election is being announced by election commission due to death of an MLA (who happened to be the Chief Minister of the state). This constituency is very sensitive and high profile because of the candidates contesting there.
    As an officer your duty is to ensure free and fair election. You found that the voters are being influenced by distributing money and gifts by the candidates and political parties. This all is being done with very secrecy. The voters also seek benefits out of the elections in form of freebies and they don’t see this distribution as illegal. However, use of money power in elections goes against the ethos of democracy. You have been an upright officer all your life and want to ensure that elections are conducted fairly.

    1. Considering the above facts what are the options available to you?
    2. Discuss the merits and demerits of each option. Also, choose the option which you consider best with suitable justification.

    Question 3:

    ‘Jaridharla’ is a village on the extreme north-eastern side of India-Bangladesh border where local residents use to cross the border to reach a town ‘Moghulhat’ (just a 15 minute walk away) in Bangladesh to get even the basic necessities of day to day living. The village lacks basic facilities like Hospital, concrete road, drinking water facilities, school, police station and so on, and nearest Indian town falls about 100 km away from the village.
    The people of the village have no other option than to cross the border to get their health checkup and necessary medicines. Often in an emergency, the people use to carry the patients on their shoulders across the border where Border Guards of Bangladesh stops them for security reasons which delay patient’s treatment.

    Consider the following statement:
    1. The area falls under your jurisdiction of being a district collector. In the above facts what course of actions do you think are possible?
    2. A district magistrate has authority to do many things and if he wants he can transform the village into modern one. How will you act in this situation and what contribution will you make for the village?
    3. Bordering areas are too sensitive and causes security problems. Open border with Bangladesh has many of such implications and caused many such damages in local areas like robbery, killing, smuggling etc. How will you manage to such security scenario?

    Question 4:

    You are working for Air India Ltd. The Managing Director has asked you to write a speech that will be delivered at an International Air Transport Association gathering in Geneva, Switzerland. Air India is suffering from financial difficulties, and the MD hopes to use the speech as a springboard to open discussion about the subsidiaries and increased investments in State-owned carriers. MD holds that decrease in subsidiaries and investments create problems for the consumers as the State Carriers are forced to increase fairs and reduce the standard of service.
    Your deadline is immediate and you have the worst writer’s block ever had in your life. Through some random electronic searches, you find the perfect speech on YouTube. It was delivered by a member of Labour Party who opposed the UK Government’s proposal to cut subsidiaries of the country’s state-owned airline and was posted with subtitles.
    You are ready to copy it and present it to the MD because it is exactly what you have been directed to write. But you are feeling uncomfortable because you know the speech will not be your own work. The deadline is immediate. What will you do?
    Justify the ethical values in the case with proper explanation. Discuss what ethical principles will guide you in decision making in this case? Make a decision and offer a brief rationale.

    Question 5:

    Modern education in India is often criticized for encouraging rote learning, rather than comprehension, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Students spend most of their time memorizing a syllabus with no thought given to learning or playing. Textbook knowledge, rigid ideas, and test scores take precedence over open debates and logical reasoning. Little room is left for creativity to thrive.
    Moreover, there are growing concerns about student learning outcomes, teacher training, curriculum quality, assessment of learning achievements, and the efficacy of school management. Faced with such problems, many children drop out of school before even completing five years of primary education. Those children who do stay on often learn little.
    Most resources and research are directed towards improving quantifiable factors such as enrolment, dropout rates, teacher-to-student ratios, etc. while not enough has been done to examine the quality of education given to India’s children.
    You are posted as a Sub Divisional Magistrate and are assigned to look after the problems of Education System. What suggestions would you like to give in order to improve the education system?

    Question 6:

    A newly appointed Medical Superintendent of a district Government Hospital receives complaints about the negligent attitude of the doctors in times of casualties. The patients are not properly attended. Incidentally it is the only hospital in the city and the vicinity for the poor and needy. While on the round in the hospital, the Superintendent finds that the doctors were not found on duty, there was no proper display of duty timings and shifts. The relatives of the patients complained about the negligent attitude of the doctors.
    1. What do you propose the Medical Superintendent should do? Evaluate various options and suggest suitable measures to improve the condition.

    Question 7:

    Your state has been witnessing on and off Monsoon showers for quite some time now. You are local MLA and in your Constituency majority of your electorates are from weaker section of society. You have come to know that five members of a family have been washed away in flash flood and only two children of the poor family having age of 12 years and 8 years have survived. The children are weeping bitterly as they have nothing to eat and depend upon. On the spot visit, you find the situation to be very pathetic.
    How you would handle the situation. Discuss various options that are available before you? What course of action would you take and why?

    Question 8:

    One Evening, driver of the state MLA was driving his personal vehicle within the limits of the city. He was driving faster than the prescribed speed limit. He jumped a red light and consequently he was stopped by the traffic police officer. The policeman confronted the driver and proceeded to write challan for the offence. The driver stopped him from writing the challan and blatantly informed him that he is the driver of the state MLA. The policeman is in dilemma as the driver may work as influence for the policemen for getting some personal benefits with the support of MLA.
    Do you think, policeman is under certain obligation? What are the various options available to him? What suggestion you would like to provide to policeman in order to help him overcome from dilemma?

    Question 9:

    Mr. Biswas is a civil servant in the PMO office. Lately there has been a lot of activity happening around the present education policy and the right to education. Mr. Biswas gets an invitation from a news channel to a debate on the issue. The news channel assures that it will be a non political intellectual debate. The other invitees will be from other prominent field of education.
    What should Mr. Biswas do? Whether he should express himself on a public platform or not being a civil servant? Suggest Mr. Biswas a suitable action in this regard

  • [Ethics Case Studies] Accountability and ethical governance

    Syllabus mapping

    Paper 4 | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Accountability and ethical governance

    Note4Students

    This initiative is a part of Target Mains programme for Mains 2017.

    You can post your answers in the comment section. But mentor review of answers will not be available. Just like various other CD community initiatives, this will also be a peer-to-peer review exercise.

    Model answers are available below in PDF format and can be used for personal evaluation.

    Question 1:

    Limitless economic growth counters sustainability. Striking a balance between unbounded economic growth and sustainability is very crucial in present times.

    Can development and sustainability of environment go hand in hand?

    Considering the scenarios of the future that include water scarcity, high levels of pollution, extreme weather phenomena and the regular occurrence of natural disasters such as floods and droughts, how can a developing country like India balance both economic development and sustainability? Give your suggestions

  • [Ethics Case Studies] Emotional Intelligence

    Syllabus mapping

    Paper 4 | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Emotional intelligence- concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance

    Note4Students

    This initiative is a part of Target Mains programme for Mains 2017.

    You can post your answers in the comment section. But mentor review of answers will not be available. Just like various other CD community initiatives, this will also be a peer-to-peer review exercise.

    Model answers are available below in PDF format and can be used for personal evaluation.

    Question 1:

    You are heading a disaster relief volunteer team in a district which has witnessed flood on a large level. The floods have caused huge losses. It has been five days since your team is working day and night. Your team, at this point of time is highly exhausted.

    Why do such operations loose energy and enthusiasm after some period?

    Which qualities of the person heading the operation are tested?

    How will you motivate the team to work in such a situation? Discuss the various options.

     

    Question 2:

    You are posted as a police officer. You get a call reporting a road accident where two persons are severely injured. When you reach the accident place, the persons are lying unconscious. You instantly arrange an ambulance for them. However, when lodging the FIR when you ask people present at the site of the accident to be a witness, nobody comes forward.

    Do you think the state has failed to provide protection to such witnesses?

    What actions do you suggest to protect the interests of good Samaritans in case of road accidents?

     

    Question 3:

    You are posted in a district as DM. The agriculture sector has been hit severely this year in your district due to bad rains. There has been an increase in farmers’ deaths due to suicide. Due to this crisis faced by farmers, there is a protest on the main highway passing through the district.

    During the protest, two innocent farmers got killed by a bullet fired by police. They were the sole bread earning members in their families. This made the situation more intense. People have blocked the highway and are sitting
    with the dead bodies.

    How will you pacify the crowd? What are the various options before you? Discuss them with their merits and demerits suggesting which course of action will you take and why?