Mains 2017 • GS-IV • Q.9

Mains 2017GS-IV • Q.9
MainsGS-IV2017 • Q.9
Ethics (GS-IV)
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.
2017 MainsGS-IV

Syllabus Connection

Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion. (GS-IV)

NCERT Connection

Ch.2: Terms, Concepts and their use in Sociology

Sociology • Class 11Introducing Sociology

Ch.4: Culture and Socialisation

Sociology • Class 11Introducing Sociology

Related PYQs in Ethics (GS-IV)

2026MainsGS-IV

(a) An endangered tribe has developed a severe skeletal deformity. A university research has identified a mineral supplement as a possible remedy, though clinical trials are yet to be conducted. Should the District Magistrate (DM) use this research on the tribe? Discuss from the perspective of medical and administrative ethics. (b) Discuss how national security can be balanced with concerns of human rights.

2020MainsGS-IV

Rampura, a remote district inhabited by a tribal population, is marked by extreme backwardness and abject poverty. Agriculture is the mainstay of the local population, though it is primarily subsistence due to the very small land holdings. There is insignificant industrial or mining activity. Even the targeted welfare programs have inadequately benefited the tribal population. In this restrictive scenario, the youth has begun to migrate to other states to supplement the family income. Plight of minor girls is that their parents are persuaded by labour contractors to send them to work in the Bt Cotton farms of a nearby state. The soft fingers of the minor girls are well suited for plucking the cotton. The inadequate living and working conditions in these farms have caused serious health issues for the minor girls. NGOs in the districts of domicile and the cotton farms appear to be compromised and have not effectively espoused the twin issues of child labour and development of the area. You are appointed as the District Collector of Rampura. Identify the ethical issues involved. Which specific steps will you initiate to ameliorate the conditions of minor girls of your district and to improve the over-all economic scenario in the district?

2020MainsGS-IV

(a) What teachings of Buddha are most relevant today and why? Discuss. (b) The will to power exists, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and principles of moral duty. Examine this statement in the context of international relations.

2020MainsGS-IV

(a) Hatred is destructive of a person's wisdom and conscience that can poison a nation's spirit. Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer. (b) What are the main components of emotional intelligence (EI)? Can they be learned? Discuss.