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UPSC CSE Mains 2017 — Case Study Questions with Answers

All 5 Case Study previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Mains 2017, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.Case Study

   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, giving and accepting small gifts makes the system more efficient. Examine the above statements with their merits and demerits.

2. Q2.Case Study

   You are aspiring to become an IAS officer and you have cleared various stages and now you have been selected for the personal interview. On the day of the interview, on the way to the venue you saw an accident where a mother and child who happen to be your relatives were badly injured. They needed immediate help. What would you have done in such a situation? Justify your action.

3. Q3.Case Study

   You are the head of the Human Resources department of an organisation. One day one of the workers died on duty. His family was demanding compensation. However, the company denied compensation because investigation revealed he was drunk at the time of the accident. The workers of the company went on strike demanding compensation for the family of the deceased. The Chairman of the management board has asked for your recommendation. What recommendation would you provide the management? Discuss the merits and demerits of each of the recommendations.

4. Q4.Case Study

   You are the manager of a spare parts company A and you have to negotiate a deal with the manager of a large manufacturing company B. The deal is highly competitive and sealing it is critical for your company. The deal is being worked out over a dinner. After dinner the manager of company B offered to drop you at the hotel in his car. On the way he hits a motorcycle, injuring the motorcyclist badly. You know the manager was driving fast and lost control. The law enforcement officer comes to investigate and you are the sole eyewitness. Knowing the strict laws on road accidents, you are aware that your honest account would lead to the prosecution of the manager and consequently jeopardise the deal of immense importance to your company. What are the dilemmas you face? What will be your response to the situation?

5. Q5.Case Study

   You are a Public Information Officer (PIO) in a government department. You are aware that the RTI Act 2005 envisages transparency and accountability in administration and has functioned as a check on arbitrary administrative behaviour. However, as a PIO you have observed that some citizens file RTI applications not for themselves but on behalf of stakeholders who want information to further their own interests. At the same time there are RTI activists who routinely file applications and attempt to extort money from decision makers. This type of RTI activism has adversely affected administration and possibly jeopardises the genuineness of applications essentially aimed at getting justice. What measures would you suggest to separate genuine and non-genuine applications? Give merits and demerits of your suggestions.