Test 1 With Answers

GS Test 1C Solutions | ForumIAS
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SECTION A
1) "An individual's values typically are largely, but not entirely, in agreement with
their culture's values." Comment.
Answer
Approach
 Define what values are

 Illustrate how they are influenced by culture
 Explain how individual values may differ from contemporary cultural values
Values are deeply held beliefs and ideas about what is right and wrong and desirable
or undesirable. They influence person’s behaviour and attitude and guide one’s
decisions. The sources that build up an individual values are as follows:
(a) Family (b) Education (c) Society (d) Law (e) Profession (f) Conscience (g) Intuition
The values that are associated with a culture are more often than not, the products of
the following attributes of the culture:
 Geography in which the culture developed

 History of the culture
 Economic activity of the cultural region
 Social organization of the member’s associated
Relationship between Individual values and cultural values can be depicted as

follows
Cultural Values
Individual’s
values
Individual values that are in general in consonance with Cultural Values include
respect for elders, constitutional values, marriage, raising a family, supporting aging
parents, religious beliefs and participating in festivals etc.
However, there may be individual values that may not sometimes be in agreement
with existing cultural values
1) Individual may be a radical feminist but cultural values may be patriarchal.
2) Individual may support LGBT rights but the same would be not supported by the
cultural values.
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3) Individual may be atheist while the culture he is bred into may be highly religious.
Thus it can be said that an individual's values typically are largely, but not entirely,
in agreement with their culture's values. The divergences are as a result of
individual-specific biases, reasoning and exposure to new ideas, lead to birth of new
ideas in the society. Revolutions are known to occur when individuals refuse to
accept existing cultural values. More often than not, evolution and change in human
society happens when individuals go beyond
2) What are the ethical strategies for ensuring accountability in public

administration? Do you think that there is a necessity for reconsidering ethical
accountability in public administration?
Answer:
Accountability stands for holding a person answerable for his/her acts of omission
and commission. The idea of public accountability is that people with public
responsibilities should be answerable to ‘the people’ for the performance of their
duties. The various strategies for ensuring accountability in public administration
are:
1) Legal framework
2) Institutional checks
3) Ethical framework
Among these, ethical strategies for ensuring accountability are various methods of
educating and stipulating broad ethical parameters. Various strategies can be
1) Prescribing Code of Ethics for organization
2) Highlighting work by upright members of the organisation.
3) Having dedicated offices as conscience-keepers or ethical coach.
4) Citizen Charters and
5) Forming voluntary and internal ethics committees
Why there is need for reconsidering ethical accountability in public administration:
1)Changing nature of administration - the demands of public administration are

evolving and so the parameters for considering ethical accountability need
reconsideration.
For example, ethical accountability in PPP-based governance is very different from

the pre-LPG era governance.
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2)Newer demands of governance - performance parameters for evaluating public

administration has changed.
For example, delays in target completion and efficiency have come to be associated
with public administration. Traditional accountability parameters may not take into
account such parameters
3)Newer ways of corruption and unethical practices - Ethical framework for ensuring
accountability has fallen short at times to take into account newer ways of public
office corruption. For example, legal code of conducts may bars chief secretaries from
accepting gifts. But It does not bar their spouse from accepting gifts.
Ethical strategies need constant updation. As the needs of the times changes and the
nature of public administration evolves, the ethical strategies needed for ensuring
accountability in public administration also needs to be reconsidered and
accordingly updated.
3) Distinguish between the below:
a) Code of ethics and Code of conduct
b) Moral attitude and Political attitude
Answer
(a)
Code of Ethics Code of Conduct
1) A code of ethics document may outline 1) A code of conduct is a set of rules

the mission and values of the business or outlining the social norms and religious
organization, how professionals are rules and responsibilities of, or proper
supposed to approach problems, the practices for, an individual, party or
ethical principles based on the organization.
organization's core values and the
standards to which the professional is
held. Simplified definition - stipulates a list of
acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in
precise and unambiguous manner.
Simplified definition - covers broad
guiding principles of good behaviour and
governance.
2) These are a set of broad framework for 2) These are a specific set of behavior that
ethical behavior is expected out of person’s holding public
offices.
3) These cannot be enforced 3) These can be enforced.
4) They are ensured through 4) These are ensured through external as

internal/individual habits and value well as internal controls. For example,
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system of self there are Vigilance officers in every

department.
5) These pertain to the spirit side of the 5) These pertain to the letter side of the
law. law
6) Mere Moral Suasions 6) They have legal backing
(b)
Attitude means a person’s own evaluation of another person, idea, situation etc.
Moral Attitude Political Attitude
1)All attitudes which have their base in 1)Political attitude refer to attitudes about
moral conviction are called moral political systems and institutions
attitude.
2) This is broader than political attitude. 2) This is specific attitude as compared to

moral attitude
3) This is built over the course of one’s life 3) This is a complex attitude that develops
right from childhood. out of one’s moral attitude and begins
maturing from adulthood.
4) It decides our day to day choices from 4) It decides our political choices
all walks of life.
5) They are difficult to change 5) They are comparatively easier to

change
6) They are influenced by religion, 6) They are influenced by our reading,

culture, society, family and virtuous exposure to new ideas and speeches of
persons. leaders.
4) What do you understand by the following terms in the context of public

governance?
(a) Social Contract
(b) Impartiality
(c) Integrity
(d) Conflict of Interest
Answer
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(a)Social Contract - Given by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the social contract is a theory

or model that addresses the questions of the origin of society and the legitimacy of
the authority of the state over the individual.
(b)In the context of public governance it means that individuals have consented,
explicitly or tacitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority
of the ruler or magistrate (or to the decision of a majority), in exchange for protection
of their remaining rights. It is the philosophical basis for legitimacy of any
government. It forms the basis of modern state.
(c)Impartiality - Impartiality is a principle of justice holding that decisions should be

based on objective criteria, rather than on the basis of bias, prejudice, or preferring
the benefit to one person over another for improper reasons. It is one of the founding
principles of good governance. In the context of public governance it is a value that
strengthens the idea of public trust, reposes public faith and aids in maintaining
neutrality of the public post.
(d)Integrity - It stands for being consistence in one’s thoughts, speech and action. It
is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
(e)It is generally a personal choice to uphold oneself to consistently moral and ethical
standards. It is also one one of the foundational values of good governance. In the
context of public governance it is one of the cardinal values that any civil servant
must possess. Without integrity, all other values lose their meaning.
(f)Conflict of Interest - It stands for a situation in which a person is in a position to

derive personal benefit from actions/decisions made in their official capacity. In the
context of public governance, civil servants have to proactively try to eliminate
possible chances of conflict of interest.
Typical examples of conflict of interests are public servant overseeing tendering

procedures for public works in which his/her own relatives are participants.
Another example could be a civil servant drafting the government’s development

plan of an area in which he/she owns a piece of land.
5) a) How does impartiality differ from non-partisanship? Illustrate the

significance of these values in a democratic form of government.
Answer
The differences between the terms can be illustrated in a table as:
Impartiality Non-Partisanship
1) Impartiality is a principle of justice 1) Non-partisanship is a lack of affiliation
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holding that decisions should be based on with, and a lack of bias toward a political
objective criteria. party, ideology or person.
2) More broad term that can refer to any 2) Generally a narrow term that refers to
action, thought or entity. political inclination.
3) It is a positive concept that refers to 3) It is a negative concept that means

evaluating anything based upon a neutral absence of any bias.
criteria.
4) It is easier to ingrain and infuse into an 4) It is challenging to apply it in practice.

activity.
Significance of each term:
Impartiality - This is the basic value that ensures meritocracy in public governance.
For example, recruitment to government jobs based upon a test is an example of
impartiality.
It is the tool that eliminates chances of corruption. For example e-tendering of public
procurement eliminates chances of corruption. It reinforces public trust and faith in
the governance process.
Non-partisanship - This is a value that ensures neutrality of the public office. For
example non-partisanship in administrative action results in maintenance of
neutrality aspect of the public office.
It reinforces the idea of permanent nature of the public office and differentiates the
role and responsibilities from that of a political office.
5) b) What do you understand by Political Neutrality? How does political

neutrality relate to Civil Services Conduct Rules? Explain citing suitable examples.
Answer
Political neutrality is a lack of affiliation with, and a lack of bias toward or against a
political party, ideology or person. It is closely resembles non-partisanship. It is one
of the pre-requisites for a public servant to follow his duties with integrity and
ensure that his actions are without fear or favour.
Civil Services Conduct Rules are set of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour that
are expected from civil servants. These rules aid in maintaining the dignity and
protecting integrity of the public office.
How political neutrality relates to Civil Services Conduct Rules:
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1) Clear rules for civil servants banning them from taking part in politics and
elections or making political speeches.
2) Conduct Rules prescribe rules for association of civil servants with specific
associations only.
3) Bar on criticism of government and fundamental rights are limited by conduct

rules in this regard for the purpose of discipline and efficiency.
4) Rules of engagement with the media are prescribed. Only designated persons can
be spokespersons.
5) Shall not divulge information he got during his official capacity-to a third party-
except under good faith or when required by the law / departmental rules.
6) must not give election fund/ assistance to any political party
7) Can vote. But must not tell his preference to other people.
8) Must not display any election symbols on his person, vehicle or home.
9) Must not participate in rally, dharna-pradarshan, and demonstration without

government permission.
All these rules directly or indirectly relate to the maintenance of political neutrality
of the public servant.
6) a) Corruption is a manifestation of failure of ethics. How far do you agree to the

given statement?
Answer
As per the 2nd ARC Ethics in Governance report, corruption stands for monopoly
plus discretion minus accountability.
Corruption is the abuse of public office for private gains.
Corruption occurs due to several reasons
 Lack of institutional checks and balances

 Lack of organisational vigilance
 Cultural tolerance for maladministration and corruption
 Lack of tools of accountability in governance
 Lack of citizen grievance redressal mechanisms
 Discretionary powers to individuals in certain positions
 Newer areas of governance in which no precedents exist.
 Low awareness of citizens due to apathy, disinterest or illiteracy.
 Lack of adequate legal provisions, for example single directive
 Vigilance bodies being toothless often cited by the judiciary itself as caged
parrots.
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However, legal and institutional frameworks despite their adequacies or

inadequacies, cannot and do not ensure ethical behaviour.
Ethical behaviour is essential for ensuring a corruption free state, society, and
administration.
Despite numerous checks and balances, if the man at the wheel is not ethical, it is
difficult to ensure to get rid of corruption.
So in totality, corruption is not just the failure of ethics but also the other factors that
facilitate it. Corruption is a result of, both, failure of internal checks like ethics as well
as external checks like legal, institutional and enforcement mechanisms.
6) b) Differentiate between Coercive and Collusive corruption and critically

analyze the measures that are available to fight each of them.
Answer
Collusive Corruption Coercive Corruption
1) It is a practice in which two or more 1) it is a form of corruption in which one

parties cooperate to commit corruption. party forces another to pay a bribe in cash
or kind.
2) The colluding parties are accomplishes 2) One party is victim and the other party
in crime. is a perpetrator of crime
3) Both parties benefit at the cost of the 3) One party benefits at the cost of the
society. None of the parties are victims victim
4) Predominant in developed countries 4) Predominant in developing countries
5) It is difficult to trace and catch hold of 5) It is easier to trace and bring justice to
the citizen
6)Dominant at the higher levels of the 6) Dominant at the interface of public

governance, esp ecially, the policy administration and the citizenry
framing level.
7) More dominant post 1991- reforms 7) More dominant before 1991 reforms era
Measures available to fight each type are:
For coercive corruption:
1) Use of whistle-blowing mechanisms
2) Institutional tools like CVC, Anti-Corruption Bureau complaint mechanisms
3) Civil society activism ex. Various NGO take up petty cases with higher up
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4) Use of ICT by administration
For collusive corruption:
1) Using RTI mechanism to infuse public scrutiny
2) Institutional mechanisms like Lokpal
3) Legal provisions of laws like Prevention of Corruption Act. Section 13(2)(d)(iii)
4) Public disclosure of assets of bureaucrats
5) Prescribing code of Ethics.
7) “Public service is public trust.” What are the public service virtues which a
public administrator should posses to ensure public trust?
Answer
Public office is a public trust. Public trust is a concept that relates back to the origins
of democratic government and its seminal idea is that within the public lies the true
power and future of a society; therefore, whatever trust the public places in its
officials must be respected.
In the context of public administration the public service virtues that a public
administrator should possess to ensure public trust are as follows:
1) Selflessness
2) Integrity
3) Objectivity
4) Accountability
5) Openness
6) Honesty
7) Leadership
These are also the 7 basic principles of public life as outlined by the Nolan
Committee.
8) What role can a leader play in managing ethics and checking corruption in the
public sector?
Answer
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A leader is someone who commands and guides a group or an organization. He/she

is the one who decides the overall nature of the activity that the group or
organization indulges in.
Leaders are not only the ones who occupy high position in hierarchy, but also those
who dominate the group because of their ability to empathise with people, due to
their functional knowledge etc.
In managing ethics in public sector, the leader has the most dominant role.
This dominant role can be seen in the following:
1)In ensuring ethical conduct in day-to-day activities - he/she is the ethical

conscience keeper for the public office. For example, ensuring that the public office
activities are within ethical norms. He enforces the Code of Conduct Rules for the
lower officials
2)In balancing ethical dilemmas - he manages the conflicting demands that come up
in the course of various activities. For example, balancing corporate profit generation
with corporate social responsibility in case of a PSU.
3)In emphasizing ethical governance - observance of ethical values in the overall

governance is the sole responsibility. For example, timely filing of returns and
restraint in using legal loopholes in conduct of business is a job that the leader of an
organization takes. Similarly, keeping promoters’ personal interests and business
interest de-hyphenated is the the responsibility of the leader.
4) In serving as a role model in personal capacity – by leading an austere public,

moderation in consumption, leading a mess materialistic life.
In checking corruption, the role of a leader is that of an internal guide. This guide
corrects action that may lead to corruption.
The specific role can be seen in:
1)Not resorting to corrupt means in ensuring goals of the public office are reached.
Example would be using white money in all transactions.
2)Taking pro-active steps to avoid possible conflict with law. Example would be
conducting third-party audits of the policy decisions.
3)Adhering to public sector values of democratic conduct, consensus-based decision-

making and pro-people approach in overall conduct. This ensures that private
interests are not catered to and corruption is avoided.
4) Working without fear or favour : A leader must work without fear or favour. He
should not hesitate in punishing even his near and dear ones when they indulge in
corrupt practises.
Thus the role of a leader is extremely important in managing ethics and checking
corruption as can be seen in the above examples.
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9) Given are two quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. For each of these

bring out what it means to you in the present context.
(a) “At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice
he is the worst.“
(b) “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in
harmony.”
Answer
(a) This statement tries to emphasize the value of law and justice in civilizing man
and differentiating him from other animals. The foundational principle for
civilization is the existence of ideas of justice and their formulation into law.
In the present context the application of this statement can be seen in the following:
1) The idea of democracy is based upon rule of law and having a just social order.
Only in an environment of law and justice can the best of social organization can
come up.
2) The recent spate of lynching. Absence of law and justice leads to men resorting to
mob justice which is not conducive to an ethical society.
3) All our social organization differ from the animal kingdom in the aspects of law
and justice. The idea of law and justice creates the social condition for man to be the
most superior species.
4) History also confirms this. From the beginning of civilization where ideas of law
and justice evolved, human civilization has grown. In times of war, when law and
justice were not observed, the worst of the crisis has befallen upon civilizations and
they have shrunk in size.
5) Nations that have been governed by predictable law and justice have prospered
while nations that have been run counter to law and justice have not.
(b) This above statements have been said by Mahatma Gandhi.
It means that happiness is nothing but consistency in preaching and practice.
The idea of justice of justice exists in all men. However, when we do not say what we
think, or when we do not act according to what we deem right, we become unhappy.
Thus, there should be coherence in one’s thinking, saying and action for one to be
happy. This is the central tenet for achieve overall integrity in personality.
In the present context the statement could mean a wide variety of things:
1) Harmony in thought and action could lead to stable attitude in a person. For
example, a person who is logical in his thinking and action attains overall happiness.
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2) Coherence in all facets of an individual is important for maintaining public life

integrity. A teacher preaching his pupils that smoking is injurious to health and
indulging in the same act outside the school would not enjoy the respect that a
teacher usually enjoys.
Harmony in thought and action helps bring integrity in public life. Someone who
preaches feminism and practices it in his private life ensures that his life has lesser
mental and spiritual contradictions between public and private life and is therefore
more inclined to be happy.
SECTION B
10. There has been a communal violence in the entire state. You are posted as a
Superintendent of Police in a district. Your district has also been affected by it.
You have been provided with the CRPF as well as additional police forces to
manage the situation. They are on a standby awaiting your orders.
The violence is being perpetrated by the majority community as a demand for

reservation. There is talk in hushed tones that the orders are straight from the
Chief Minister. Your superiors are not taking action themselves and have also
given you verbal orders to take no action. All your colleagues have decided to go
by these orders and have decided not to take any action. They have advised you to
do the same. (250 words / 20 marks )
Analyze the situation above and answer the questions that follow
a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case?
b) Why do you think that senior officers fail to act?
c) What are the civil services values that come to the fore in dealing with the above
case?
Answer
Summary: This is a case in which the public’s dereliction of duty and undermining of
some basic civil service values due to political and peer pressure.
A) Ethical Issues involved:
1) Failure of work/professional ethics
2) Lack of ethical conduct on the part of the administration
3) Case of partiality in which one community is being supported against another
4) Issue of lack of courage on the part of seniors and the whole administration to
stand against the orders and uphold the constitution and law.
5) Lack of emotional intelligence of the part of senior civil servants to convince the
political leadership of sticking to the law of the land.
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b) Why civil servants fail to act?
 Failure of the professional ethics at the individual level.

 Lack of moral courage
 Lack of conviction to follow their conscience.
 Lack of appreciation for the concept of public service.
 Lack of empathy for the victims
 Thinking on lines of Sect/ Caste / Primordial identities.
C) Civil service values that come to the fore in this case:
1)Integrity at personal and institutional level
2)Dedication to public service
3)Compassion towards the weaker section
4)Impartiality in conduct
5) Respect for constitutional values.
11. Prostitution is one of the oldest professions of the world practiced since the
birth of the organized society. In modern times it is a serious social problem. It is
widely rampant in India and its main markets are in the big cities.
According to a report, there are approximately 15 million prostitutes in India.
Their
situation is horrifying. Sexual exploitation and sale of women and children are
mostly unreported crimes. Prostitutes face not only social stigma and atrocities but
are also
exploitated by police.
Their rights are hardly recognized and protected. They live under sub-human
conditions and since it has not been legalized, there is lack of policy initiative for
their welfare.
a) What are the ethical issues associated with the profession of prostitution?
b) Suppose you have been entrusted with the task of drafting a rehabilitation
policy for women forced into this profession, how would you approach the
problem and what would be the main elements of your suggested policy? ( 250
words / 20 marks )
Answer
A) The profession of prostitution presents many ethical dilemmas as well as issues.

These are:
1) Objectification of women
2) Women used as means - against Kantian ethics
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3) Against basic human rights and values
4) Failure of state’s responsibility to provide suitable employment opportunities
5) Lack of work ethics/work culture in the profession even if it is considered as a

form of profession
(b) Any rehabilitation policy for women forced into prostitution has to be drafted
with empathy and in a holistic manner.
APPROACH: (Broad points)
1) Clear segregation voluntary and forced prostitution
2) State adoption of children of prostitutes
3) Opening of skill centers specially for victims of trafficking.
4) Social Security
5) Guidelines of health, hygiene and regulation of prostitution.
6) Humanizing the workplace for voluntary prostitution
7) Ensuring that the stigma of the profession is not carried into the rehabilitation
environment and suitable opportunities are given to the rehabilitated women to lead
a normal life
ELEMENTS: (Specific points)
1) Strengthening of the legal provisions that prevent forced prostitution
2) Tackling the reason for choosing prostitution as a profession - recognize the

underlying reasons like poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and suggesting possible
corrective steps
3) For women who seek to continue in the profession, suggest suitable measures to
introduce a work culture and certain ethics in the way it is carried on.
4) Looking at rehabilitating the affected women with their dependents to newer

environments.
5) Taking their dependents also into account and also provisioning resources for
them too.
12. Your village has a very popular annual cultural festival where there is worship
of the local deity followed by animal sacrifice. Large number of people
participates in the festivity, and all your family members also enthusiastically
participate in it.
Being from a family which is quite religious in nature and culturally active, you
have always been following the rituals of this festivity since childhood. The local
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administration also condones it.

As you have grown up, you develop your own reservations about animal sacrifice
and cruelty to animals. You have joined a non-governmental organization, People
for Animals, which passionately works for the welfare of animals. On the other
hand, you see your immediate family participating in acts of animal cruelty.
Keeping in mind the above situation, answer the following questions.
a) Do you see a moral crisis in the above situation?
b) What are the various options available to you?
c) How will you reconcile the ongoing crisis of conscience? (250 words / 20 marks)
Answer
Summary: The case study is one wherein the individual’s personal values are in
conflict with (a) the society’s values & the cultural values (b) Family Values.
It indicates an ethical dilemma where the value systems at different levels are at
conflict.
Stakeholders in the case study:
1) Myself
2) My immediate family and members of society
3) Animals who are sacrificed in the festivities.
Ethical Issues involved:
1) Environmental ethics / Animal Rights and societal ethics being at conflict
2) Crisis of conscience as family supports and indulges in the act but own value
system does not
3) Cultural sanction to the activity but individual values being opposed to the act
Options available:
A) Ignore the act by your family and continue working in the NGO
B) Actively persuade family members against indulging in the ritual
C) Use the NGO resources to induce attitude change in the society via various
awareness-raising activities
Reconciling the resultant crisis of conscience
This is a situation that occurs in day to day life. The reconciliation needs emotional
intelligence to balance the conflicting pulls of various values.
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As an individual I’ll accept that the fact that larger society may not share my own
sensitivities regarding the rituals that slaughter animals.
But at the same time, instead of being passive about it I will try to persuade my
immediate family member and also the society using the NGO as a platform to
advocate for changes in these rituals.
This way I will ensure balance between the divergence of values at different levels in
my immediate surroundings.
13. Read the following statements and give your opinion on the questions asked.
(a) Mr P is a public servant. He charges a bribe for every work that he takes up.
Explain why this behaviour is unethical?
(b) Mr Q is a public servant. He charges a bribe for quick disposal of files. He
argues that he is efficient at his work and the government does not pay him
enough. Is his argument ethical? Give reasons for your answer.
(c) Mr R is a public servant. He does not ask for any bribe on his own, but does
accept it if it is offered. How different is the conduct of Mr. R from that of Mr. P?
Can Mr R be termed as partially ethical?
(d) Mr S is a civil servant. He does not take bribe. If anyone offers him he politely
declines them. However, he does not discourage his colleagues or subordinates
from taking any bribe. Do you see any ethical deficiency in the conduct of Mr. S?
(250 words / 20 marks)
Answer
Integrity is among the foundational values of civil services. Corruption/bribery goes

against this value. Additionally it also erodes other values considered important for
civil services like impartiality, honesty and dedication to public service.
(a) This behaviour is unethical because it favours private gains over public needs. It
goes against the values of integrity and honesty. Also it erodes the concept of public
service. Corruption in this form is wrong by any parameter of good governance. It is
also illegal.
(b) This behaviour is as illegal as that of Mr P. It is equally eroding the foundational

values of public service. It also goes against the concept of public service where
personal interests are subordinated to public cause. This behaviour weakens public
trust in the office.
(c) The conduct of Mr R differs only in the degree of corruption. But it is a corrupt act
nevertheless. The main difference is that Mr P is actively corrupt while Mr R is
passively corrupt. There is nothing ethical in being partially corrupt. Therefore Mr R
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is corrupt and can be said to be fully unethical.
(d) The conduct of Mr S is based upon his own integrity. He is himself honest and
maintains integrity. But his conduct can be said to be against probity of the office.
His conduct can be said to be ethical at a personal and professional level. But at an
institutional level his action affects the probity of the institution.
14. Miss Y is a dedicated employee in a Government office working as a

supervisor. She supervises a very significant and vast infrastructure project. The
project concerns building a bridge over a river that would connect a major rural
area with the nearby towns and the cities.
It is a prestigious project launched by the government and has been marked as the
government’s flagship project. The date of inauguration has also been declared.
The project has brought a lot of positivity and faith among the people towards the
credibility of the government and concerned administration bodies involved in
the project.
Just a fortnight prior to the inauguration of the bridge, she discovers that the
materials used in the construction of the bridge is of inferior quality than stated at
the time of award of the contract.
The bridge may not be able to bear the load of the traffic that would be crossing it
on a regular and continuous basis. The region often see trucks being overloaded
with materials. and it is likely that overloaded trucks may harm the bridge’s
structural security.
The inauguration cannot be cancelled nor can be postponed due to obvious

reasons. But the inauguration and the subsequent usage of the bridge signals
towards an impending danger: the collapse of the bridge.
a) What are the ethical and administrative issues involved in the above case?
b) What options are available to Miss X. Evaluate each of these options and
suggest the course of action, you would adopt, giving suitable reasons.
c) As a Civil Servant, what would you suggest to avoid such situations?
( 250 words / 20 marks )
Answer
Summary: The case study is one in which the public servant is pulled between
conflicting demands of the case. On one side is the need to balance accountability of
the public office for overseeing the completion of the project and on the other side is
the need to maintain public trust and the credibility of the government as the date of
inauguration has been announced.
1) Miss Y and her job responsibility
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_________________________________________________________
2) The government and its image as it is a flagship project
3) The immediate beneficiaries of the project and the larger society
4) The contractor and his record
1) Personal Integrity of Miss X
2) Professional responsibility of Miss X to not hide any information that can be

detrimental to public good.
3) The issue of public
Administrative issues involved:
1) Ensuring accountability in the complete construction of the project
2) Ensuring that the public expectations are managed
3) Ensuring that the government is not shown in poor light
Options available:
A) Finding out the reason for the use of substandard material and setting up an
inquiry
B) Continuing with the completion of the project and inaugurating the project in time
but opening it for regular use only after the risk associated with use of substandard
material is evaluated and corrected
C) Not going ahead with the inauguration and taking steps to hold the contractor
accountable
D) Conducting a risk assessment of the project if going ahead with the inauguration
date and taking the matter up with seniors and political bosses and trying to
convince them of the risks associated
Evaluation of the options:
OPTION PRO CON
A) Finding out the reason -will find out the exact -can lead to delaying of the
for the use of substandard reason for the lapse project
material and setting up an
inquiry
B) Continuing with the -manages the conflicting
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completion and demands of all

inauguration the project in stakeholders
time but opening it for
regular use only after the
risk associated with use of
substandard material is
evaluated and corrected
C) Not going ahead with -attaches accountability on -will lead to erosion of

the inauguration and the contractor public trust since the
taking steps to hold the project would not be
contractor accountable inaugurated on the
designated day
-will put pressure on the

government as this is a
flagship project
-it may attract more

unnecessary public
scrutiny
D) Conducting a risk -upholds the best interests -can lead to delays

assessment of the project of the public in the long
and taking the matter up term
with seniors and political
-will repose faith of the
bosses and trying to
public in the offices
convince them of the risks
associated.
Best course of action:
This would be Option B after evaluating all the risks involved. This is because it
manages all the ethical issues of the case and does not compromise on any of them.
Things to be done as civil servant to avoid such situation:
1) Ensure that accountability mechanisms are heeded to at every stage.
2) Ensure ethical leadership to ensure that probity is maintained at all levels of the
public office.
3) Infuse use of ICT in ensuring that such lapses are avoided.
15. You have recently been employed in one of best restaurants in the city. It has
been a sigh of relief for your family members who have been financially
struggling.
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_________________________________________________________
Few days into work, you realize that there are several malpractices that are taking
place in the establishment. A senior manager in your company has been
instructing to use low grade ingredients in food which can be fatal for the
customers’ health.
He has been bribing the Food Inspectors during the checks that are held.
When you approached the senior manager, he asked you to ignore the matter and
warned that further intrusion might cost you your job.
This is something that you cannot afford at this moment. You are not sure how to
proceed.
(a) Given the peripheral conditions, what are the options available to you?
(b) Evaluate each of the options and state which option you would adopt. Give
reasons in support of your answer. ( 250 words / 20 marks )
Answer
Summary: The case study is one wherein the individual’s work environment does
not appreciate ethical behaviour. Also there is problem of work culture as the state of
affairs is profit-centered and ignores the cost its activities imposes on the society.
1) Me
2) My family which is dependent on me financially
2) The restaurant, its long term image and its business viability and the co-workers
3) The people who visit the restraint.
1) Issue of truthfulness and personal integrity
2) Issue of loss of livelihood of co-workers if truth is exposed and restraint is sealed

by government
3) Issue of escaping the financial responsibility of my family.
Options available:
A) Ignore the act and continue working in the restaurant
B) Try to go through official channel and try persuasion
C) Search for another job and use whistle-blowing mechanism
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_________________________________________________________
D) Approach an NGO/Civil Society/Journalist to continue with the issue
Evaluation of the options:
OPTION PRO CON
A) Ignore the act and -saves my job -it is complicit in the illegal
continue working in the act
-does not affect my family
restaurant
-ignores the voice of
conscience
B) Try to go through -goes with my voice of -can endanger my job

official channel and try conscience
-may affect my family too
persuasion
-it is better than keeping if I lose my job
quite
C) Search for another job -this removes the conflict -can be problematic in the
and use whistle-blowing of interest associated long run
mechanism
-it is the correct way -can expose me to distrust
forward if everything fails in new job
-ever existent free of being

exposed as the
whistleblower
D) Approach an -this frees me from the -may be a bit passive as

NGO/Civil fears of being the whistle compared to the previous
Society/Journalist to blower option
continue with the issue
-it is better than taking up
the matter personally and
involves a long term
interest in seeing to it that
the restaurant corrects its
ways
- NGO may try to persuade

the management before
exploring legal options.
Best option:
The best course of action will be D. It will avoid the coercive force of all other options
as well as use the tools of moral suasion to accomplish the task.
Page 21 of 21

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GS Test 1C Solutions | ForumIAS

 Define what values are

 Geography in which the culture developed

Relationship between Individual values and cultural values can be depicted as

1) Individual may be a radical feminist but cultural values may be patriarchal.

2) What are the ethical strategies for ensuring accountability in public

1) Prescribing Code of Ethics for organization

2) Highlighting work by upright members of the organisation.

3) Having dedicated offices as conscience-keepers or ethical coach.

4) Citizen Charters and

5) Forming voluntary and internal ethics committees

Why there is need for reconsidering ethical accountability in public administration:

1)Changing nature of administration - the demands of public administration are

For example, ethical accountability in PPP-based governance is very different from

2)Newer demands of governance - performance parameters for evaluating public

3) Distinguish between the below:

a) Code of ethics and Code of conduct

b) Moral attitude and Political attitude

Code of Ethics Code of Conduct

1) A code of ethics document may outline 1) A code of conduct is a set of rules

3) These cannot be enforced 3) These can be enforced.

4) They are ensured through 4) These are ensured through external as

system of self there are Vigilance officers in every

6) Mere Moral Suasions 6) They have legal backing

Moral Attitude Political Attitude

2) This is broader than political attitude. 2) This is specific attitude as compared to

5) They are difficult to change 5) They are comparatively easier to

6) They are influenced by religion, 6) They are influenced by our reading,

4) What do you understand by the following terms in the context of public

(a) Social Contract

(d) Conflict of Interest

(a)Social Contract - Given by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the social contract is a theory

(c)Impartiality - Impartiality is a principle of justice holding that decisions should be

(f)Conflict of Interest - It stands for a situation in which a person is in a position to

Typical examples of conflict of interests are public servant overseeing tendering

Another example could be a civil servant drafting the government’s development

5) a) How does impartiality differ from non-partisanship? Illustrate the

The differences between the terms can be illustrated in a table as:

1) Impartiality is a principle of justice 1) Non-partisanship is a lack of affiliation

3) It is a positive concept that refers to 3) It is a negative concept that means

4) It is easier to ingrain and infuse into an 4) It is challenging to apply it in practice.

Significance of each term:

5) b) What do you understand by Political Neutrality? How does political

How political neutrality relates to Civil Services Conduct Rules:

3) Bar on criticism of government and fundamental rights are limited by conduct

6) must not give election fund/ assistance to any political party

9) Must not participate in rally, dharna-pradarshan, and demonstration without

6) a) Corruption is a manifestation of failure of ethics. How far do you agree to the

Corruption is the abuse of public office for private gains.

Corruption occurs due to several reasons

 Lack of institutional checks and balances

However, legal and institutional frameworks despite their adequacies or

6) b) Differentiate between Coercive and Collusive corruption and critically

Collusive Corruption Coercive Corruption

1) It is a practice in which two or more 1) it is a form of corruption in which one

4) Predominant in developed countries 4) Predominant in developing countries

6)Dominant at the higher levels of the 6) Dominant at the interface of public

Measures available to fight each type are:

For coercive corruption:

1) Use of whistle-blowing mechanisms

2) Institutional tools like CVC, Anti-Corruption Bureau complaint mechanisms

4) Use of ICT by administration

For collusive corruption:

1) Using RTI mechanism to infuse public scrutiny