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Gs4 Questions Ethics

Ethics Questions

  • Post author By augu
  • Post date February 02, 2023

The topic ‘Ethics’ has the following sub-topics:

  • Essence, Determinants and Consequences of Ethics in – Human Actions
  • Dimensions of Ethics
  • Ethics – in Private and Public Relationships
  • Human Values – Lessons from the Lives and Teachings of Great Leaders, Reformers and Administrators
  • Role of Family Society and Educational Institutions in Inculcating Values

All questions have 10 marks each.

Long story short

Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, Determinants and Consequences of Ethics in - Human Actions; Dimensions of Ethics; Ethics - in Private and Public Relationships
  1. The good of an individual is contained in the good of all. What do  you understand by this statement? How can this principle be  implemented in public life? [Public] [2013]
  2. Human beings should always be treated as ‘ends’ in themselves  and never as merely ‘means’. Explain the meaning and  significance of this statement, giving its implications in the  modern techno-economic society. [Human Values] [2014]
  3. What is meant by ‘environmental ethics’? Why is it important to  study? Discuss any one environmental issue from the viewpoint  of environmental ethics. [Branch] [2015]
  4. Law and ethics are considered to be the two tools for controlling  human conduct so as to make it conducive to civilized social  existence. (a) Discuss how they achieve this objective. (b) Giving  examples, show how the two differ in their approaches. [Law v Ethics] [2016]
  5. Explain how ethics contributes to social and human well-being. [Ethics] [2016]
  6. Without commonly shared and widely entrenched moral values  and obligations, 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. [Values] [2017]
  7. The crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced to a narrow  perception of the good life. Discuss. [Values] [2017]
  8. With regard to the morality of actions, one view is that means is  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. [Morality] [2018]
  9. What does this quotations mean to you in the present context: “Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in  unblemished common good.”- Tirukkural.  [Truth] [2018]
  10. What are the basic principles of public life? Illustrate any three  of these with suitable examples. [Public] [2019]
  11. It is believed that adherence to ethics in human actions would ensure in smooth functioning of an organization/system. If so, what does ethics seek to promote in human life? How do ethical values assist in the resolution of conflicts faced by him in his day-to-day functioning? [Ethics] [2022]
Human Values - Lessons from the Lives and Teachings of Great Leaders, Reformers and Administrators; Role of Family Society and Educational Institutions in Inculcating Values
  1. Some people feel that values keep changing with time and situation, while others strongly believe that there are certain universal and eternal human values. Give your perception in this regard with due justification. [Values] [2013]
  2. What do you understand by ‘values’ and ‘ethics’? In what way is it important to be ethical along with being professionally competent? [Values] [2013]
  3. We are witnessing increasing instances of sexual violence against women in the country. Despite existing legal provisions against it, the number of such incidences is on the rise. Suggest some innovative measures to tackle this menace. [Society] [2014]
  4. The current society is plagued with widespread trust-deficit. What are the consequences of this situation for personal well-being and for societal well-being? What can you do at the personal level to make yourself trustworthy? [Society] [2014]
  5. Social values are more important than economic values. Discuss the above statement with examples in the context of inclusive growth of a nation. [Society] [2015]
  6. Our attitudes towards life, work, other people and society are generally shaped unconsciously by the family and social surroundings in which we grow up. Some of these unconsciously acquired attitudes and values are often undesirable in the citizens of modern democratic and egalitarian society. (a) Discuss such undesirable values prevalent in today’s educated Indians. (b) How can such undesirable attitudes be changed and socio-ethical values be cultivated in the aspiring and serving civil servants? [Family] [2016]
  7. The current internet expansion has instilled a different set of cultural values which are in conflict with traditional values. Discuss. [Society] [2020]
  8. “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. [Education] [2020]
  9. Online methodology is being used for day-to-day meetings, institutional approvals in the administration and for teaching and learning in the education sector to the extent telemedicine in the health sector is getting popular with the approvals of the competent authority. No doubt it has advantages and disadvantages for both the beneficiaries and the system at large. Describe and discuss the ethical issues involved in the use of online methods particularly to vulnerable sections of society. [Education] [2022]
Attitude: Content, Structure, Function; its Influence and Relation with Thought and Behaviour; Moral and Political Attitudes; Social Influence and Persuasion
  1. It is often said that ‘politics’ and ‘ethics’ do not go together. What is your opinion in this regard? Justify your answer with illustrations. [Politics] [2013]
  2. In the context of defense services, ‘patriotism’ demands readiness to even lay down one’s life in protecting the nation. According to you, what does patriotism imply in everyday civil life? Explain with illustrations and justify your answer. [Politics] [2014]
  3. What factors affect the formation of a person’s attitude towards social problems? In our society, contrasting attitudes are prevalent about many social problems. What contrasting attitudes do you notice about the caste system in our society? How do you explain the existence of these contrasting attitudes? [Social] [2014]
  4. How could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swatchh Bharat Abhiyan? [Social] [2016]
  5. Young people with ethical conduct are not willing to come forward to join active politics. Suggest steps to motivate them to come forward. [Politics] [2017]
  6. 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 a positive attitude in person.? [Attitude] [2020]
  7. Impact of digital technology as a reliable source of input for rational decision making is debatable issue. Critically evaluate with a suitable example. [Influence] [2021]
  8. Attitude is an important component that goes as input in the development of humans. How to build a suitable needed for a public servant? [Attitude] [2021]
Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service, Integrity, Impartiality and Non-partisanship, Objectivity, Dedication to Public Service, Empathy, Tolerance and Compassion towards the weaker-sections
  1. Indicate two more attributes which you consider important for public service. Justify your answer [Attributes] [2013]
  2. What do you understand by the following terms in the context of public service? : a) Integrity b) Perseverance c) Spirit of service d) Commitment e) Courage of conviction f) Personal opinion. [Multiple] [2013]
  3. Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, but knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful. What do you understand by this statement? Explain your stand with illustrations from the modern context. [Integrity] [2014]
  4. How do the virtues of trustworthiness and fortitude get manifested in public service? Explain with examples. [Multiple] [2015]
  5. Public servants are likely to confront with the issues of ‘Conflict of Interest’. What do you understand by the term ‘Conflict of Interest’ and how does it manifest in the decision making by public servants? If faced with the conflict of interest situation, how would you resolve it? Explain with the help of examples. [Conflict Of Interest] [2015]
  6. Why should impartiality and non-partisanship be considered as foundational values in public services, especially in the present day socio-political context? Illustrate your answer with examples. [Multiple] [2016]
  7. One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be compromised. Explain with reference to a real life example. [Integrity] [2017]
  8. “In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. And if they do not have the first, the other two will kill you.” – Warren Buffett. What do you understand by this statement in the present-day scenario? Explain. [Multiple] [2018]
  9. Identify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant. Justify their inclusion in the matrix. [Multiple] [2021]
  10. Should impartial and being non-partisan be considered as indispensable qualities to make a successful civil servant? Discuss with illustrations. [Non-Partisanship] [2021]
  11. “Integrity is a value that empowers the human being.” Justify with suitable illustration. [Integrity] [2021]
  12. Apart from intellectual competency and moral qualities, empathy and compassion are some of the other vital attributes that facilitate the civil servants to be more competent in tackling the crucial issues or taking critical decisions. Explain with suitable illustrations. [Multiple] [2022]
  13. (i) Constitutional morality (ii) Conflict of interest (iii) Probity in public life (iv) Challenges of digitalization (v) Devotion to duty [Multiple] [2022]
Emotional Intelligence-Concepts, and their Utilities and Application in Administration and Governance
  1. What is ’emotional intelligence’ and how can it be developed in people? How does it help an individual in taking ethical decisions? [EI] [2013]
  2. All human beings aspire for happiness. Do you agree? What does happiness mean to you? Explain with examples. [Emotion] [2014]
  3. Anger is a harmful negative emotion. It is injurious to both personal life and work life. (a) Discuss how it leads to negative emotions and undesirable behaviours. (b) How can it be managed and controlled? [Emotion] [2016]
  4. How will you apply emotional intelligence in administrative practices? [EI] [2017]
  5. What does this quotations mean to you in the present context: Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding. “ ~ Mahatma Gandhi. [Emotion] [2018]
  6. “Emotional Intelligence is the ability to make your emotions work for you instead of against you.” Do you agree with this view? Discuss. [EI] [2019]
  7. What are the main components of emotional intelligence (EI) ? Can they be learned? discuss. [EI] [2020]
  8. In case of crisis of conscience does emotional intelligence help to overcome the same without compromising the ethical or moral stand that you are likely to follow? Critically examine. [EI] [2021]
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world
  1. I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who overcomes his enemies.—Aristotle [Desire] [2013]
  2. Nearly all men can withstand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.—Abraham Lincoln [Character] [2013]
  3. There is enough on this earth for every one’s need but for no one’s greed. Mahatma Gandhi. [Greed] [2013]
  4. Which eminent personality has inspired you the most in the context of ethical conduct in life? Give the gist of his/her teachings giving specific examples, describe how you have been able to apply these teachings for your own ethical development. [Ethical Conduct] [2014]
  5. We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. [Truth] [2015]
  6. “The weak can never forgive; forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” [Forgivness] [2015]
  7. Max Weber said that 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 realise that the State bureaucracy might possess its own independent bureaucratic morality. Critically analyse this statement. [Bureaucratic Morality] [2016]
  8. Corruption causes misuse of government treasury, Administrative inefficiency and obstruction in the path of national Development. Discuss Kautilya’s views. [Administartion] [2016]
  9. Analyse John Rawls’s concept of social justice in the Indian context. [Justice] [2016]
  10. Discuss Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of seven sins. [Sins] [2016]
  11. “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. [Character] [2017]
  12. “An unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates [Introspect] [2019]
  13. “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” – M.K.Gandhi [Thoughts] [2019]
  14. “Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world.” – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam [Character] [2019]
  15. What teachings of Buddha are most relevant today and why? Discuss. [Buddha] [2020]
  16. What are the main factors responsible for gender responsibility in India ? Discuss the contribution of Savitribai Phule in this regard. [Phule] [2020]
  17. “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 Vivekanand [Help] [2020]
  18. The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service of others .” Mahatma Gandhi [Selflessness] [2020]
  19. “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. [Morality] [2020]
  20. “Every work has got to pass through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding. Those that persevere will see the light, sooner or later.-Swami Vivekananda [Perseverance] [2021]
  21. “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until and unless we obtain peace within ourselves.” – Dalai Lama [Introspect] [2021]
  22. Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, it is better for us all.” -Erik Erikson [Unity] [2021]
  23. Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.’-Potter Stewart. [Morality] [2022]
  24. “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.” – Abdul Kalam [Corruption] [2022]
  25. “Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.” Dalai Lama. [Selflessness] [2022]
Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration: Status and Problems; Ethical Concerns and Dilemmas in Government and Private Institutions; Laws, Rules, Regulations and Conscience as Sources of Ethical Guidance; Accountability and Ethical Governance; Strengthening of Ethical and Moral Values in Governance
  1. What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? Narrate one incident in your life when you were faced with such a crisis and how you resolved the same. [Conscience] [2013]
  2. What do you understand by the term ‘voice of conscience’? How do you prepare yourself to heed to the voice of conscience? [Conscience] [2013]
  3. What does ‘accountability’ mean in the context of public service? What measures can be adopted to ensure individual and collective accountability of public servants? [Accountability] [2014]
  4. What does ethics seek to promote in human life? Why is it all the more important in public administration? [Ethics] [2014]
  5. Differentiate between the following a. Law and Ethics; b) Ethical management and Management of ethics; c) Discrimination and Preferential treatment; d)Personal ethics and Professional ethics [Multiple] [2015]
  6. Two different kinds of attitudes exhibited by public servants towards their work have been identified as the bureaucratic attitude and the democratic attitude. A) Distinguish between these two terms and write their merits and demerits. B) Is it possible to balance the two to create a better administration for the faster development of our country? [Attitude] [2015]
  7. A mere compliance with law is not enough, the public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical issues for effective discharge of duties.” Do you agree? Explain with the help of two examples, where (i) an act is ethically right, but not legally and (ii) an act is legally right, but not ethically. [Ethics] [2015]
  8. Conflict of interest in the public sector arises when (a) official duties, (b) public interest, and (c) personal interest are taking priority one above the other. How can this conflict in administration be resolved? Describe with an example. [Multiple] [2017]
  9. 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. [Multiple] [2017]
  10. “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. [Ethics] [2018]
  11. Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in Public Administration. [Dilemma] [2018]
  12. State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services and bring out their importance. [Multiple] [2018]
  13. Suppose the Government of India is thinking of constructing a dam in a mountain valley bond by forests and inhabited by ethnic communities. What rational policy should it resort to in dealing with unforeseen contingencies. [Dilemma] [2018]
  14. What is mean by public interest? What are the principles and procedures to be followed by the civil servants in public interest? [Public Interest] [2018]
  15. What does this quotations mean to you in the present context: “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. [Dilemma] [2018]
  16. What is meant by conflict of interest? Illustrate with examples, the difference between the actual and potential conflicts of interest. [Conflict of Interest] [2018]
  17. What do you understand by the term ‘public servant’? Reflect on the expected role of a public servant. [Role] [2019]
  18. what is meant by constitutional morality? How does one uphold constitutional morality? [Morality] [2019]
  19. What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? How does it manifest itself in the public domain? [Conscience] [2019]
  20. ‘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. [Conscience] [2020]
  21. Distinguish between laws and rules. Discuss the role of ethics in formulating them. [Law Rule Ethics] [2020]
  22. Identify ten essential values that are needed to be an effective public servant. Describe the /ways and means to prevent non-ethical behaviour in public servants. [Multiple] [2021]
  23. Besides domain knowledge, a public official needs innovativeness and creativity of a high order as well, while resolving ethical dilemmas. Discuss with a suitable example. [Dilemma] [2021]
  24. “Refugees should not be turned back to the country where they would face persecution or human right violation.” Examine the statement with reference to ethical dimension being violated by the nation claiming to be democratic with open society. [Dilemma] [2021]
  25. An independent and empowered social audit mechanism is an absolute must in every sphere of public service, including the judiciary, to ensure performance, accountability and ethical conduct. Elaborate [Ethics] [2021]
  26. The Rules and Regulations provided to all the civil servants are same, yet there is difference in the performance. Positive minded officers are able to interpret the Rules and Regulations in favour of the case and achieve success, whereas negative minded officers are unable to achieve goals by interpreting the same Rules and Regulations against the case. Discuss with illustrations. [Rules] [2022]
Ethical issues in international relations and funding, Corporate governance
  1. At the international level, the bilateral relations between most nations are governed on the policy of promoting one’s own national interest without any regard for the interest of other nations. This leads to conflicts and tensions between the nations. How can ethical consideration help resolve such tensions? Discuss with specific examples. [International] [2015]
  2. Strength, peace and security are considered to be the pillars of international relations. Elucidate. [International] [2017]
  3. Corporate social responsibility makes companies more profitable and sustainable. Analyse. [Corporate] [2017]
  4. 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.d 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. [International] [2017]
  5. ‘The will to power exits, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and principles of moral duty.’ Examine this statement in the context of international relations.[International] [2020]
  6. 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. [International] [2020]
  7. Russia and Ukraine war has been going on for the last seven months. Different countries have taken independent stands and actions keeping in view their own national interests. We are all aware that war has its own impact on the different aspects of society, including human tragedy. What are those ethical issues that are crucial to be considered while launching the war and its continuation so far? Illustrate with justification the ethical issues involved in the given state of affair. [International] [2022]
  8. In contemporary world, corporate sector’s contribution in generating wealth and employment is increasing. In doing so, they are bringing in unprecedented onslaught on the climate, environmental sustainability and living conditions of human beings. In this background, do you Responsibility (CSR) is efficient and sufficient enough to fulfill the social roles and responsibilities needed in the corporate work mandated? Critically examine. [Corporate] [2022]
Probity in Governance: Concept of Public Service; Philosophical Basis of Governance and Probity; Information Sharing and Transparency in Government, Right to Information
  1. What do you understand by ‘probity’ in public life? What are the difficulties in practicing it in the present times? How can these difficulties be overcome? [Public] [2014]
  2. Today we find that in spite of various measures like prescribing codes of conduct, setting up vigilance cells/commissions, RTI, active media and strengthening of legal mechanisms, corrupt practices are not coming under control. A) Evaluate the effectiveness of these measures with justifications. B) Suggest more effective strategies to tackle this menace. [RTI] [2015]
  3. 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. [RTI] [2015]
  4. What do you understand by the terms ‘governance’, ‘good governance’ and ‘ethical governance’? [Governance] [2016]
  5. “The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’ empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability. Discuss. [RTI] [2018]
  6. What do you understand by probity in governance? Based on your understanding of the term, suggest measures for ensuring probity in government. [Governance] [2019]
  7. There is a view that the official secrets act is an obstacle to the implementation of the Rights to Information act. Do you agree with the view? Discuss [RTI] [2019]
  8. Wisdom lies in knowing what to reckon with and what to overlook. An officer being engrossed with the periphery, ignoring the core issues before him, is no rare in the bureaucracy. Do you agree that such preoccupation of an administrator leads to travesty of justice to the cause of effective service delivery and good governance? Critically evaluate. [Governance] [2022]
  9. What do you understand by term ‘good governance’? How far recent initiatives in terms of e-Governance steps taken by the State have helped the beneficiaries? Discuss with suitable examples. [Governance] [2022]
Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work Culture, Quality of Service Delivery, Utilization of Public Funds, Challenges of Corruption
  1. It is often said that poverty leads to corruption. However, there is no dearth of instances where affluent and powerful people indulge in corruption in a big way. What are the basic causes of corruption among people? Support your answer with examples. [Corruption] [2014]
  2. There is a heavy ethical responsibility on the public servants because they occupy positions of power, handle huge amounts of public funds, and their decisions have wide-ranging impact on society and environment. What steps have you taken to improve your ethical competence to handle such responsibility? [Funds] [2014]
  3. Discuss the Public Services Code as recommended by the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission. [Code of Conduct] [2016]
  4. “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 father, the mother and the teacher.” – A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Analyse. [Corruption] [2017]
  5. Discipline generally implies following the order and subordination. However, it may be counter-productive for the organisation. Discuss. [Code of Conduct] [2017]
  6. Distinguish between “Code of ethics” and “Code of conduct” with suitable examples. [Code of Conduct] [2018]
  7. Explain the basic principles of citizens’ charter movement and bring out its importance [Citizens Charter] [2019]
  8. “Non-performance of duty by a public servant is a form of corruption” Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer. [Corruption] [2019]
  9. Effective utilisation of public funds is crucial to meet development goals. Critically examine the reasons for under-utilization and mis-utilisation of public funds and their implication [Funds] [2019]
  10. Whistle blower, who reports corruption and illegal activities, wrongdoing and misconduct to the concerned authorities, runs the risk of being exposed to grave danger, physical harm and victimization by the vested interests, accused persons and his team. What policy measures would you suggest to strengthen protection mechanism to safeguard the whistle blower? [Corruption] [2022]