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UPSC CSE Mains 2017 — Ethics Questions with Answers

All 9 Ethics 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.Probity in Governance

   Conflict of interest in the public sector arises when official duties, public interest, and personal interest take priority one above the other. How can this conflict in administration be resolved? Describe with an example.

2. Q2.Probity in Governance

   Examine the relevance of the following in the context of civil service: (a) Transparency (b) Accountability (c) Fairness and justice (d) Courage of conviction (e) Spirit of service.

3. Q3.Ethics & Human Interface

   Young people with ethical conduct are not willing to come forward to join active politics. Suggest steps to motivate them to come forward.

4. Q4.Probity in Governance

   (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.

5. Q5.Probity in Governance

   (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.

6. Q6.Emotional Intelligence

   (a) How will you apply emotional intelligence in administrative practice? (b) Strength, peace and security are considered to be the pillars of international relations. Elucidate.

7. Q7.Ethics & Human Interface

   (a) The crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced to a narrow perception of the good life. Discuss. (b) "Increased national wealth did not result in equitable distribution of its benefits. It has created only some 'enclaves of modernity and prosperity for a small minority at the cost of the majority.'" Justify.

8. Q8.Ethics & Human Interface

   (a) Discipline generally implies following the order and subordination. However, it may be counterproductive for the organisation. Discuss. (b) Without commonly shared and widely entrenched moral values and obligation, 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.

9. Q9.Ethics & Human Interface

   A building permitted for three floors, while being extended illegally to 6 floors by a builder, collapses. As a consequence, a number of innocent labourers including women and children died. These labourers are migrants of different places. The government immediately announced cash relief to the aggrieved families and arrested the builder. Give reasons for such incidents taking place across the country. Suggest measures to prevent their occurrence.