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4392 Previous Year Questions • 2016–2026 • Prelims, Mains, Essay, Optionals
Topic:[GS-IV] Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics - in private and public relationships. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.19 PYQs
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Year
Mains - GS-IV
16 shown2026•Mains•GS-IV•Q.3
(a) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar had cautioned that employing civil disobedience within a constitutional democracy equates to endorsing 'anarchy'. How should modern democracies navigate the ethical dilemmas posed by civil disobedience movements that aim to promote social justice against policies that may raise genuine concerns?
(b) In what ways can an Indian Administrative Officer apply Gandhi's notion of 'trusteeship' to ensure fairness in governance?
(c) Shakespeare in Henry IV says, "The arms are fair when the intent of bearing them is just". What ethical implications does this have in governance?
Ethics
2026•Mains•GS-IV•Q.7
(a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in this case.
(b) Discuss the moral conduct of the doctor in this situation.
Ethics
2025•Mains•GS-IV•Q.2
(a) Carl von Clausewitz once said, "War is a diplomacy by other means." Critically analyse the above statement in the present context of contemporary geo-political conflict.
(b) Keeping the national security in mind, examine the ethical dilemmas related to controversies over environmental clearance of development projects in ecologically sensitive border areas in the country.
Ethics
2025•Mains•GS-IV•Q.8
(a) Can deforestation be ethically justified in the pursuit of social welfare objectives like, housing for the homeless?
(b) What are the socio-economic, administrative and ethical challenges in balancing environmental conservation with human development?
(c) What substantial alternatives or policy interventions can be proposed to ensure that both environmental integrity and human dignity are protected?
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
2024•Mains•GS-IV•Q.1
(a) The application of Artificial Intelligence as a dependable source of input for administrative rational decision-making is a debatable issue. Critically examine the statement from the ethical point of view.
(b) Ethics encompasses several key dimensions that are crucial in guiding individuals and organizations towards morally responsible behaviour. Explain the key dimensions of ethics that influence human actions. Discuss how these dimensions shape ethical decision-making in the professional context.
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
2024•Mains•GS-IV•Q.12
(a) What would you do in such a situation?
(b) Examine your options and consequences in the light of the ethical questions involved.
(c) How can data ethics and drug ethics save humanity at large in such a scenario?
GS-IV
2022•Mains•GS-IV•Q.2
(a) The Rules and Regulations provided to all the civil servants are same, yet there is difference in the performance. Positive minded officers are able to interpret the Rules and Regulations in favour of the case and achieve success, whereas negative minded officers are unable to achieve goals by interpreting the same Rules and Regulations against the case. Discuss with illustrations.
(b) It is believed that adherence to ethics in human actions would ensure in smooth functioning of an organization/system. If so, what does ethics seek to promote in human life? How do ethical values assist in the resolution of conflicts faced by him in his day-to-day functioning?
Ethics
2020•Mains•GS-IV•Q.11
Parmal is a small but underdeveloped district. It has rocky terrain that is not suitable for agriculture, though some subsistence agriculture is being done on small plots of land. The area receives adequate rainfall and has an irrigation canal flowing through it. Amria, its administrative centre, is a medium sized town. It houses a large district hospital, an Industrial Training Institute and some privately owned skill training centres. It has all the facilities of a district headquarters. A trunk railway line passes approximately 50 kilometres from Amria. Its poor connectivity is a major reason for the absence of any major industry therein. The state government offers a 10 years tax holiday as an incentive to new industry. In 2010 Anil, an industrialist, decided to take benefits to set up Amria Plastic Works (APW) in Noora village, about 20 km from Amria. While the factory was being built, Anil hired the required key labour and got them trained at the skill training centres at Amria. This act of his made the key personnel very loyal to APW. APW started production in 2011 with the labour drawn fully from Noora village. The villagers were very happy to get employment near their homes and were motivated by the key personnel to meet the production targets with high quality. APW started making large profits, a sizeable portion of which was used to improve the quality of life in Noora. By 2016, Noora could boast of a greener village and a renovated village temple. Anil liaised with the local MLA to increase the frequency of the bus services to Amria. The government also opened a primary health care centre and primary school at Noora in buildings constructed by APW. APW used its CSR funds to set up women's self-help groups, subsidize primary education to the village children and procure an ambulance for use by its employees and the needy. In 2019, there was a minor fire in APW. It was quickly extinguished as fire safety protocols were in place in the factory. Investigations revealed that the factory had been using electricity in excess of its authorized capacity. This was soon rectified. The next year, due to a nationwide lockdown, the requirement of production fell for four months. Anil decided that all employees would be paid regularly. He employed them to plant trees and improve the village habitat. APW had developed a reputation of high quality production and a motivated workforce. Critically analyse the story of APW and state the ethical issues involved. Do you consider APW as a role model for development of backward areas? Give reasons.
GS-IV Ethics
2019•Mains•GS-IV•Q.6
(a) "An unexamined life is not worth living". - Socrates
(b) "A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes." - M. K. Gandhi
(c) "Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world." - A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
GS-IV
2018•Mains•GS-IV•Q.1
(a) State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services and bring out their importance.
(b) Distinguish between "Code of ethics" and "Code of conduct" with suitable examples.
GS-IV - Ethics and Human Values
2018•Mains•GS-IV•Q.6
(a) "The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject any thing, is not whether it has any evil in it; but whether it has more evil than good. There are few things wholly evil or wholly good. Almost every thing, especially of governmental policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgment of the preponderance between them is continually demanded." — Abraham Lincoln
(b) "Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding." — Mahatma Gandhi
(c) "Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common good." — Tirukkural
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
2018•Mains•GS-IV•Q.12
Edward Snowden, a computer expert and former CIA systems administrator, released confidential Government documents to the press about the existence of Government surveillance programmes. According to many legal experts and the US Government, his actions violated the Espionage Act of 1917, which identified the leak of State secrets as an act of treason. Yet, despite the fact that he broke the law, Snowden argued that he had a moral obligation to act. He gave a justification for his "whistle blowing" by stating that he had a duty "to inform the public as to that which is done in their name and that which is done against them." According to Snowden, the Government's violation of privacy had to be exposed regardless of legality since more substantive issues of social action and public morality were involved here. Many agreed with Snowden. Few argued that he broke the law and compromised national security, for which he should be held accountable. Do you agree that Snowden's actions were ethically justified even if legally prohibited? Why or why not? Make an argument by weighing the competing values in this case.
GS-IV
2017•Mains•GS-IV•Q.3
Young people with ethical conduct are not willing to come forward to join active politics. Suggest steps to motivate them to come forward.
GS-IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
2017•Mains•GS-IV•Q.4
(a) One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be compromised. Explain with reference to a real life example.
(b) Corporate social responsibility makes companies more profitable and sustainable. Analyse.
GS-IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
2017•Mains•GS-IV•Q.5
(a) "Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them." - Napoleon Bonaparte. Stating examples mention the rulers (i) who have harmed society and country, (ii) who worked for the development of society and country.
(b) "If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher." - A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Analyse.
GS-IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
2017•Mains•GS-IV•Q.8
(a) Discipline generally implies following the order and subordination. However, it may be counter-productive for the organisation. Discuss.
(b) Without commonly shared and widely entrenched moral values and obligations, neither the law, nor democratic government, nor even the market economy will function properly. What do you understand by this statement? Explain with illustration in the contemporary times.
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
Essay - Essay
3 shown2018•Essay•Essay•Q.2
A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge
Love, Knowledge and Ethics
2018•Essay•Essay•Q.5
Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life
GS-IV: Ethics and Human Interface
2018•Essay•Essay•Q.7
A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both
GS-IV: Ethics and Human Interface