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UPSC CSE Mains 2018 — Ethics Questions with Answers

All 10 Ethics previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Mains 2018, 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

   (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.

2. Q2.Probity in Governance

   (a) What is meant by public interest? What are the principles and procedures to be followed by civil servants in public interest? (b) "The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens' empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability." Discuss.

3. Q3.Civil Service Values

   (a) "In doing a good thing, everything is permitted which is not prohibited expressly or by clear implication." Examine the statement with suitable examples in the context of a public servant discharging his/her duties. (b) With regard to morality of actions, one view is that means are of paramount importance and the other view is that the ends justify the means. Which view do you think is more appropriate? Justify your answer.

4. Q4.Civil Service Values

   (a) Suppose the Government of India is thinking of constructing a dam in a mountain valley bound by forests and inhabited by ethnic communities. What rational policy should it resort to in dealing with unforeseen contingencies? (b) Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in public administration.

5. Q5.Moral Thinkers

   What do each of the following quotations mean to you in the present context? (a) "The true rule, in determining to embrace or reject anything, 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 everything, especially of governmental policy, is an inseparable compound of the two, so that our best judgement 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.

6. Q6.Ethics & Human Interface

   Rakesh is a responsible district-level officer who enjoys the trust of his higher officials. Knowing his honesty, the government entrusted him with identifying beneficiaries under a healthcare scheme for senior citizens. The criteria are: (a) 60 years of age or above; (b) belonging to a reserved community; (c) family income of less than Rs. 1 lakh per annum; (d) post-treatment prognosis likely to be high to make a positive difference to the quality of life of the beneficiary. One day an old couple, lifelong residents of a village in his district, visited with their application. The old man is diagnosed with a rare condition causing obstruction in the large intestine, with severe frequent abdominal pain preventing physical labour. The couple have no children to support them. An expert surgeon is willing to operate without fee, but the couple must bear incidental charges (medicines, hospitalization, etc.) of about Rs. 1 lakh. The couple fulfills all criteria except criterion 'b'. However, any financial aid would significantly improve their quality of life. How should Rakesh respond to the situation?

7. Q7.Civil Service Values

   As a senior officer in the Ministry, you have access to important policy decisions and upcoming announcements such as road construction projects before they are notified publicly. The Ministry is about to announce a mega road project with drawings already in place, using government land with minimum land acquisition from private parties and minimum deforestation; compensation rates are finalized. Once announced, there will be a huge spurt in real estate prices in and around the area. The Minister concerned insists you realign the road so it comes closer to his 20-acre farm house. He suggests purchasing a big plot of land in your wife's name at the prevailing nominal rate near the proposed project, claiming there is no harm as he is buying legally, and even promises to supplement your savings. However, the realignment would require acquiring much agricultural land, causing financial burden on government, displacement of people, and cutting of a large number of trees. Faced with this situation, what will you do? Critically examine various conflicts of interest, and explain what are your responsibilities as a public servant.

8. Q8.Ethics & Human Interface

   A big corporate house manufacturing industrial chemicals on a large scale proposes to set up an additional unit. Many states rejected the proposal due to detrimental environmental effects, but one State government permitted it close to a city, brushing aside all opposition. The unit, set up 10 years ago, was in full swing till recently. Pollution from industrial effluents affected land, water and crops and caused serious health problems to humans and animals, giving rise to agitations demanding closure. In a recent agitation thousands took part, creating a law and order problem necessitating stern police action. Following public outcry, the State government ordered closure of the factory. The closure resulted in unemployment of factory workers and ancillary unit workers and badly affected industries dependent on its chemicals. As a senior officer entrusted with handling this issue, how are you going to address it?

9. Q9.Ethics & Human Interface

   Dr. X is a leading medical practitioner in a city. He has set up a charitable trust to establish a super-speciality hospital catering to all sections of society in a region neglected over the years; the hospital would be a boon for the region. You head the tax investigation agency of that region. During an inspection of the doctor's clinic, your officers found major irregularities, some substantial, resulting in considerable withholding of tax now payable. The doctor is cooperative and undertakes to pay the tax immediately. However, there are certain other deficiencies in his tax compliance that are purely technical. Pursuing these technical defaults would divert considerable time and energy and likely hamper the hospital coming up. Two options are before you: (i) take a broader view, ensure substantial tax compliance and ignore merely technical defaults; (ii) pursue the matter strictly on all fronts, substantial or technical. As head of the tax agency, which course of action will you opt for and why?

10. Q10.Probity in Governance

    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 breaking the law, Snowden argued he had a moral obligation to act, justifying his "whistle blowing" by stating he had a duty to inform the public about what is done in their name and 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. Many agreed; a few argued he broke the law and compromised national security and 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.