Ethics 2013
Section A
1. What do you
understand by ‘values’ and ‘ethics’? In what way is it important to be ethical
along with being professionally competent? (10 marks | 150 words)
2. [a] What do
you understand by the following terms in the context of public service? (5
terms x 3 marks each=15 marks |250 words)
a)
Integrity
b)
Perseverance
c)
Spirit
of service
d)
Commitment
e)
Courage
of conviction
[b] Indicate two
more attributes which you consider important for public service. Justify your
answer. (10 marks |100 words)
3. 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. (10 marks | 150 words)
4. What is
‘emotional intelligence’ and how can it be developed in people? How does it
help an individual in taking ethical decisions? (10 marks | 150 words)
5. [a] What do
you understand by the term ‘voice of conscience’? How do you prepare yourself
to heed to the voice of conscience? (10 marks| 150 words)
[b] 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. (10 marks| 150
words)
6. Given below
are three quotations of great moral thinkers/philosophers. For each of these
quotations, bring out what it means to you in the present context: (each quote
for 10 marks and 150 words=total 30 marks)
a)
“There is enough on this earth for every one’s
need but for no one’s greed.” Mahatma Gandhi.
b)
“Nearly all men can withstand adversity, but
if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”—Abraham Lincoln.
c)
“I count him braver who overcomes his desires
than him who overcomes his enemies.”—Aristotle.
7. “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? (10 marks| 150
words)
8. It is often
said that ‘politics’ and ‘ethics’ do not go together. What is your opinion in
this regard? Justify your answer with illustrations. (10 marks| 150 words)
Section B
9) A Public
Information Officer has received an application under RTI Act. Having gathered
the information, the PIO discovers that the information pertains to some of the
decisions taken by him, which were found to be not altogether right. There were
other employees also who party to these decisions were. Disclosure of the
information is likely to lead to disciplinary action with possibility of
punishment against him as well as some of his colleagues. Non-disclosure or
part disclosure or camouflaged disclosure of information will result into
lesser punishment or no punishment.
The PIO is
otherwise an honest and conscientious person but this particular decision, on
which the RTI application has been filed, turned out to be wrong. He comes to
you for advice.
The following
are some suggested options. Please evaluate the merits and demerits of each of
the options:
a)
The
PIO could refer the matter to his superior officer and seek his advice and act
strictly in accordance with the advice, even though he is not completely in
agreement with the advice of the superior.
b)
The
PIO could proceed on leave and leave the matter to be dealt by his successor in
office or request for transfer of the application to another PIO.
c)
The
PIO could weigh the consequences of disclosing the information truthfully,
including the effect on his career, and reply in a manner that would not place
him or his career in jeopardy, but at the same time a little compromise can be
made on the contents of the information.
d)
The
PIO could consult his other colleagues who are party to the decision and take
action as per their advice.
Also please
indicate (without necessarily restricting to the above options) what you would
like to advise, giving proper reasons. (20 marks| 250 words)
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10) You are
working as an Executive Engineer in the construction cell of a Municipal
Corporation and are presently in-charge of the construction of a flyover. There
are two Junior Engineers under you who have the responsibility of day-to-day
inspection of the site and are reporting to you, while you are finally
reporting to the Chief Engineer who heads the cell. While the construction is
heading towards completion, the Junior Engineers have been regularly reporting
that all construction is taking place as per design specifications. However, in
one of your surprise inspections, you have noticed some serious deviations and
lacunae which, in your opinion, are likely to affect the safety of the flyover.
Rectification of these lacunae at this stage would require a substantial amount
of demolition and rework which will cause a tangible loss to the contractor and
will also delay completion. There is a lot of public pressure on the
Corporation to get this construction completed because of heavy traffic
congestion in the area. When you brought this matter to the notice of the Chief
Engineer, he advised you that in his opinion it is not a very serious lapse and
may be ignored. He advised for further expediting the project for completion in
time. However, you are convinced that this was a serious matter which might
affect public safety and should not be left unaddressed.
What will you do
in such a situation? Some of the options are given below. Evaluate the merits
and demerits of each of these options and finally suggest what course of action
you would like to take, giving reasons. (20 marks |250 words)
a)
Follow
the advice of the Chief Engineer and go ahead.
b)
Make
an exhaustive report of the situation bringing out all facts and analysis along
with your own viewpoints stated clearly and seek for written orders from the
chief Engineer.
c)
Call
for explanation from the Junior Engineers and issue orders to the contractor
for necessary correction within targeted time.
d)
Highlight
the issue so that it reaches superiors above the Chief Engineer.
e)
Considering
the rigid attitude of the Chief Engineer, seek transfer from the project or
report sick.
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11) Sivakasi in
Tamil Nadu is known for its manufacturing clusters on firecrackers and matches.
The local economy of the area is largely dependent on firecrackers industry. It
has led to tangible economic development and improved standard of living in the
area.
So far as child
labour norms for hazardous industries like firecrackers industry are concerned,
International Labour Organization (ILO) has set the minimum age as 18 years. In
India, however, this age is 14 years.
The units in
industrial clusters of firecrackers can be classified into registered and
non-registered entities. One typical unit is household-based work. Though the
law is clear on the use of child labour employment norms in
registered/non-registered units, it does not include household-based works.
Household-based work means children working under the supervision of their
parents/relatives. To evade child labour norms, several units project
themselves as household-based works but employ children from outside. Needless
to say that employing children saves the costs for these units leading to
higher profits to the owners.
On your visit to
one of the units at Sivakasi, the owner takes you around the unit which has
about 10-15 children below 14 years of age. The owner tells you that in his
household-based unit, the children are all his relatives. You notice that
several children smirk, when the owner tells you this. On deeper enquiry, you
figure out that neither the owner nor the children are able to satisfactorily
establish their relationship with each other. (25 marks | 300 words)
a)
Bring
out and discuss the ethical issues involved in the above case.
b)
What
would be your reaction after your above visit?
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12) You are
heading a leading technical institute of the country. The institute is planning
to convene an interview panel shortly under your chairmanship for selection of
the post of professors. A few days before the interview, you get a call from
the Personal Secretary (PS) of a senior government functionary seeking your
intervention in favour of the selection of a close relative of the functionary for
this post. The PS also informs you that he is aware of the long pending and
urgent proposals of your institute for grant of funds for modernization, which
are awaiting the functionary’s approval. He assures you that he would get these
proposals cleared. (20 marks | 250 words)
a)
What
are the options available to you?
b)
Evaluate
each of these options and choose the option which you would adopt, giving
reasons.
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13) As a senior
officer in the Finance Ministry, you have access to some confidential and
crucial information about policy decisions that the Government is about to
announce. These decisions are likely to have far-reaching impact on the housing
and construction industry. If the builders have access to this information
beforehand, they can make huge profits. One of the builders has done a lot of quality
work for the Government and is known to be close to your immediate superior,
who asks you to disclose this information to the said builder. (20 marks| 250
words)
a)
What
are the options available to you?
b)
Evaluate
each of these options and choose the option which you would adopt, giving
reasons.
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14) You are the
Executive Director of an upcoming InfoTech Company which is making a name for itself
in the market.
Mr. A, who is a
star performer, is heading the marketing team. In a short period of one year,
he has helped in doubling the revenues as well as creating a high brand equity
for the Company so much so that you are thinking of promoting him. However, you
have been receiving information from many corners about his attitude towards
the female colleagues; particularly his habit of making loose comments on
women. In addition, he regularly sends indecent SMS’s to all the team members
including his female colleagues.
One day, late in
the evening, Mrs. X, who is one of Mr. A’s team members, comes to you visibly
disturbed. She complains against the continued misconduct of Mr. A, who has
been making undesirable advances towards her and has even tried to touch her
inappropriately in his cabin. She tenders her resignation and leaves your
office. (20 marks | 250 words)
a)
What
are the options available to you?
b)
Evaluate
each of these options and choose the option you would adopt, giving reasons.
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