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UPSC CSE Mains 2020 — Ethics Questions with Answers

All 8 Ethics previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Mains 2020, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.Ethics & Human Interface

   (a) Discuss the role of ethics and values in enhancing the following three major components of Comprehensive National Power (CNP), viz. human capital, soft power (culture and policies), and social harmony. (b) "Education is not an injunction, it is an effective and pervasive tool for all-round development of an individual and social transformation." Examine the New Education Policy, 2020 (NEP, 2020) in light of the above statement.

2. Q2.Emotional Intelligence

   (a) "Hatred is destructive of a person's wisdom and conscience that can poison a nation's spirit." Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer. (b) What are the main components of emotional intelligence (EI)? Can they be learned? Discuss.

3. Q3.Moral Thinkers

   (a) What teachings of Buddha are most relevant today and why? Discuss. (b) "The will to power exists, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and principles of moral duty." Examine this statement in the context of international relations.

4. Q4.Ethics & Human Interface

   (a) Distinguish between laws and rules. Discuss the role of ethics in formulating them. (b) A positive attitude is considered to be an essential characteristic of a civil servant who is often required to function under extreme stress. What contributes to a positive attitude in a person?

5. Q5.Ethics & Human Interface

   (a) What are the main factors responsible for gender responsibility/issues in India? Discuss the contribution of Savitribai Phule in this regard. (b) The current internet expansion has instilled a different set of cultural values which are in conflict with traditional values. Discuss.

6. Q6.Moral Thinkers

   What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) "Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand do so. If not, fold your hands, bless your brothers and let them go their own way." - Swami Vivekananda. (b) "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." - Mahatma Gandhi. (c) "A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true." - Socrates.

7. Q7.Civil Service Values

   Rajesh Kumar is a senior public servant with a reputation of honesty and forthrightness, currently posted in the Finance Ministry as Head of the Budget Division. His department is busy organizing budgetary support to states, four of which are due for polls within the financial year. This year's annual budget allotted Rs 8300 crore for the National Housing Scheme (NHS), a centrally sponsored social housing scheme for weaker sections; Rs 775 crore has been drawn till June. The Ministry of Commerce had long pursued setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in a southern state, approved by the Union Cabinet in August, with land acquisition initiated. Eighteen months ago a leading PSU projected the need for a large natural gas processing plant in a northern state for the regional gas grid (an essential component of national energy security); land is already in the PSU's possession and the project was allotted to an MNC, M/s XYZ Hydrocarbons, with the first tranche of payment scheduled for December. The Finance Ministry was asked for a timely allocation of an additional Rs 6000 crore for these two developmental projects, and it was decided to recommend re-appropriation of this entire amount from the NHS allocation. On studying the case file, Rajesh Kumar realized this re-appropriation may cause inordinate delay in the much-publicized NHS, while non-availability of finances would cause financial loss in the SEZ and national embarrassment due to delayed payment in the international project. His seniors conveyed that this politically sensitive situation needs to be processed immediately; Rajesh Kumar realized diversion of funds from NHS could raise difficult questions in Parliament. Discuss with reference to this case: (a) Ethical issues involved in re-appropriation of funds from a welfare project to development projects. (b) Given the need for proper utilization of public funds, discuss the options available to Rajesh Kumar. Is resigning a worthy option?

8. Q8.Civil Service Values

   Parmal is a small but underdeveloped district with a rocky terrain unsuitable for agriculture, though some subsistence agriculture is done on small plots. It receives adequate rainfall and has an irrigation canal. Amria, its administrative centre, houses a large district hospital, an Industrial Training Institute and some privately owned skill training centres, with all facilities of a district headquarters. A trunk railway line passes about 50 km from Amria; its poor connectivity is a major reason for absence of any major industry. The state government offers a 10-year tax holiday as incentive to new industry. In 2010 Anil, an industrialist, set up Amria Plastic Works (APW) in Noora village, about 20 km from Amria; while the factory was built he hired and trained key labour at Amria skill centres, making the personnel very loyal. APW started production in 2011 with labour fully from Noora village, who were happy to get employment near home and motivated to meet high-quality production targets. APW made large profits, a sizeable portion of which improved the quality of life in Noora—a greener village, a renovated temple, increased bus frequency liaised with the local MLA, a government primary health care centre and primary school in APW-constructed buildings, women's self-help groups, subsidized primary education and an ambulance, all via CSR. In 2019 a minor fire was quickly extinguished due to fire safety protocols, but investigation revealed the factory had been using electricity in excess of authorized capacity—soon rectified. During the nationwide lockdown the next year, with production falling for four months, Anil paid all employees regularly and employed them to plant trees and improve the village habitat. APW developed a reputation for high-quality production and a motivated workforce. Critically analyse the story of APW and state the ethical issues involved. Do you consider APW a role model for the development of backward areas? Give reasons.