Group-A (Attempt 10 out of 12 | Word limit: 250 | Marks: 15 each)
- In our society, contrasting attitudes are prevalent about many social problems and prejudices like gender discrimination. What contrasting attitudes do you notice about gender discrimination? As the head of the office, what steps do you take to reduce gender discrimination at your workplace?
- You serve as the Municipal Commissioner of a large city, known for your integrity and honesty. A vast multipurpose mall is being built in your city, employing numerous daily wage workers. One night, during the monsoon season, a substantial section of the roof caved in, resulting in the immediate deaths of four laborers, including two minors. Many others sustained serious injuries and required urgent medical care. The incident led to significant public outcry, prompting the Government to launch an investigation. Your initial assessment has uncovered multiple irregularities. The materials utilized for construction were of substandard quality. Despite the building plans, only allowing for one basement, an additional basement has been constructed. This was ignored during routine inspections by the municipal corporation’s building inspector. In your investigation, you discovered that the mall’s construction was approved even though it encroached on designated green belt areas and a slip road outlined in the city’s Zonal Master Plan. The previous Municipal Commissioner, who is both your senior and a close friend, granted permission for the mall’s construction. It strongly appears that there is a widespread collusion between municipal officials and the builders. Your colleagues are urging you to slow down the investigation. The builder, who is wealthy and influential, happens to be a close relative of a powerful State Cabinet Minister. He is attempting to convince you to bury the issue, offering you a considerable amount of money in return. He also hinted that if this matter is not settled quickly in his favor, someone in his office is ready to file complaints against you for sexual assault. Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. What are the options and alternatives available to you in this situation? Explain your selected course of necessary action.
- Public servants have a moral responsibility because they occupy positions of integrity and power and deal with many public funds. Their decisions have a wide-ranging impact on society and the environment. What steps will you initiate to improve your duty and moral responsibility to handle such empowerment?
- “Education is not an injunction, it is an effective and pervasive tool for moral development of an individual and social transformation”. Examine the New Education Policy, 2020 (NEP, 2020) in light of the above statement.
- Some recent developments such as introduction of RTI Act, media and judicial activism etc., are proving helpful in bringing about greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Government. However, it is also being observed that at times the mechanisms are misused. Another negative effect is that the officers are now afraid to take prompt decisions. Analyze this situation in detail and suggest how this dichotomy can be resolved. Suggest how these negative impacts can be minimized.
- What do you mean by the term ‘constitutional morality’? How does one uphold constitutional morality?
- Corporate Social Responsibility makes companies more profitable and sustainable. Analyze.
- What do you understand by ‘cultural competence’? Why is it important for civil servants to provide effective governance? Discuss.
- How do codes of conduct, codes of ethics and citizen’s charters interrelate and contribute to promote accountability and ethical behavior in public administration?
- Which eminent personality has influenced your moral view the most? List his/her moral values and discuss how you will apply them as a public servant.
- What are the key differences between aptitude and attitude in the context of administration and governance? Discuss with examples.
- “Conflict of interest affects ethical decision-making”. What is your view? Illustrate with examples. What are the different kinds of conflict of interest? Discuss.
Group-B (Attempt all 5 | Word limit: 300 | Marks: 20 each)
- Santosh Panigrahi, a computer specialist and former CIA official, disclosed classified Government documents to the media regarding the existence of Government surveillance programs. Many legal experts and the Government contend that his actions breached the Intelligence Act, which considers the revelation of State secrets as an act of disloyalty. Despite breaking the law, Santosh claimed he had a moral obligation to take action. He justified his ‘whistle blowing’ by asserting that he had a responsibility “to inform the public about what is done in their name and against them.” He maintained that the Government’s infringement on privacy needed to be revealed, irrespective of legality, because more significant matters of social action and public ethics were at stake. While many supported Santosh Panigrahi some argued that he violated the law and jeopardized national security. Based on the story, what is your opinion on Santosh Panigrahi’s action in terms of ethicality despite legal prohibition? Give your argument by weighing the competing values in this case.
- You are a newly recruited administrator working in a Government agency responsible for overseeing elections. You have been assigned to a district where there are two major political parties contesting for a seat. As the election approaches, you receive information that one of the parties has been involved in fraudulent activities, including voter intimidation and illegal campaign financing. Your role is to ensure a fair and transparent election process. In this context, answer the following dilemmatic questions : (i) How can you maintain your integrity and commitment to non-partisanship while addressing the information about fraudulent activities? (ii) What steps can you take to investigate the allegations of voter intimidation and illegal campaign financing without showing favoritism towards either political party? (iii) How can you balance your empathy and compassion for the affected voters who may be intimidated or disenfranchised while maintaining a neutral stance as an administrator?
- Differentiate between legality and morality; ethical management and management of ethics; reverse discrimination and preferential treatment; Artificial Intelligence and professional ethics.
- Max Weber said “It is not wise to apply to public administration the sort of moral and ethical norms we apply to matters of personal conscience. It is important to realize that the State bureaucracy might possess its own independent bureaucratic morality.” Critically analyze this statement.
- “Rational and autonomous human beings are always treated as ‘ends’ in themselves but not as ‘means’.” Explain this statement, giving its implications for modern technocratic society.