Ethics 2021
Section A
Q.1) (a) Identify five ethical traits on which one
can plot the performance of a civil servant. Justify their inclusion in the
matrix. (Answer in 150 words)
(b) Identify ten essential values that are needed to
be an effective public servant. Describe the ways and means to prevent
non-ethical behavior in the public servants. (Answer in 150 words)
Q.2) (a) Impact of digital technology as reliable
source of input for rational decision making is a debatable issue. Critically
evaluate with suitable example. (Answer in 150 words)
(b) Besides domain knowledge, a public official
needs innovativeness and creativity of a high order as well, while resolving
ethical dilemmas. Discuss with suitable example. (Answer in 150 words)
Q.3) What does each of the following quotations mean
to you?
a) (a)”Every
work has got to pass through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding. Those
that persevere will see the light, sooner or later. ‘-Swami Vivekananda. (Answer in 150 words)
b) (b)”We
can never obtain peace in the outer world until and unless we obtain peace
within ourselves.”-Dalai Lama (Answer in 150 words)
c) (c)”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 (Answer in 150
words)
Q.4) (a) Attitude is an important component that
goes as input in the development of human being. How to build a suitable
attitude needed for a public servant? (Answer in 150 words)
(b) 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. (Answer in 150
words)
Q.5) (a) “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.
(Answer in 150 words)
(b) Should
impartial and being non-partisan be considered as indispensable qualities to
make a successful civil servant? Discuss with illustrations (Answer in 150
words)
Q.6) (a) An independent and empowered social audit mechanism is an absolute must in every sphere of public service, including judiciary, to ensure performance, accountability and ethical conduct. Elaborate. (Answer in 150 words)
(b) ”Integrity is a value that empowers the human
being.” Justify with suitable illustration. (Answer in 150 words)
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Section B
Q.7) Sunil is a young civil servant and has a
reputation for his competence, integrity, dedication and relentness pursuit of
difficult and onerous jobs. Considering his profile, he was picked up by his
bosses to handle a very challenging and sensitive assignment. He was posted in
a tribal dominated district notorious for illegal sand mining. Excavating sand
from river belt and transporting through trucks and selling them in black
market was rampant. This illegal sand mining mafia was operating with the support
of local functionaries and tribal musclemen who in turn were bribing selected
poor tribal’s and had kept the tribal’s under fear and intimidation.
Sunil being a sharp and energetic officer
immediately grasped the ground realities and the modus operandi followed by the
mafia through their devious and dubious mechanism. On making inquiries, he
gathered that some of their own office employees are in hand and glove with
them and have developed close unholy nexus. Sunil initiated stringent action
against them and started conducting raids on their illegal operations of
movement of trucks filled with sand. The mafia got rattled as not many officers
in the past had taken such strong steps against the mafia.
Some of the office employees who were allegedly
close to mafia informed them that the officer is determined to clean up the
mafia’s illegal sand mining operations in that district and may cause them
irreparable damage. The mafia turned hostile and launched counter-offensive.
The tribal musclemen and mafia started threatening him with dire consequences.
His family (wife and old mother) were stalked and were under virtual
surveillance and thus causing mental torture, agony and stress to all of them.
The matter assumed serious proportions when a muscleman came to his office and
threatened him to stop raids, etc. otherwise; his fate will not be different
than some of his predecessors (ten years back one officer was killed by the
mafia).
a) Identify
the different options available to Sunil in attending to this situation.
b) Critically
evaluate each of the options listed by you
c) Which
of the above, do you think, would be the most appropriate for Sunil to adopt
and why? (Answer in 250 words)
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Q.8) You are Vice Principal of a degree college in
one of the middle-class towns. Principal has recently retired and management is
looking for his replacement. There are also feelers that the management may
promote you as Principal. In the meantime, during annual examination the flying
squad which came from the university caught two students red-handed involving
in unfair means. A senior lecturer of the college was personally helping these
students in this act. This senior lecturer also happens to be close to the
management.
One of the students was son of a local politician
who was responsible in getting college affiliated to the present reputed
university. The second student was son of a local businessman who has donated
maximum funds for running of the college. You immediately informed the
management regarding this unfortunate incident. The management told you to
resolve the issue with flying squad at any cost. They further said that such
incident will not only tarnish the image of the college but also the politician
and businessman are very important personalities for the functioning of the
college.
You were also given hint that your further promotion
to Principal depends on your capability in resolving this issue with flying
squad. In the meantime, you were intimated by your administrative officer that
certain members of the student union are protesting outside the college gate
against the senior lecturer and the students involved in this incident and
demanding strict action against defaulters.
a) Discuss
the ethical issues involved in the case.
b) Critically
examine the options available with you as Vice Principal. What option will you
adopt and why? (Answer in 250 words)
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Q.9) An elevated corridor is being constructed to
reduce traffic congestion in the capital of a particular state. You have been
selected as project manager of this prestigious project on your professional
competence and experience. The deadline is complete the project in next two
years by 30 June, 2021, since this project is to be inaugurated by the Chief
Minister before the elections are announced in the second week of July 2021.
While carrying out the surprise inspection by inspecting team, minor crack was
noticed in one of the piers of the elevated corridor possibly due to poor
material used.
You immediately informed the chief engineer and
stopped further work. It was assessed by you that minimum three piers of the
elevated corridor have to be demolished and reconstructed. But this process
will delay the project minimum by four to six months. But the chief engineer
overruled the observation of inspecting team on the ground that it was a minor
crack which to not in any way impact the strength and durability of the bridge.
He ordered you to overlook the observation of inspecting team and continue
working with same speed and tempo.
He informed you that the minister does not want any
delay as he wants the Chief Minister to inaugurate the elevated corridor before
the elections are declared. Also informed you that the contractor is far
relative of the minister and he wants him to finish the project. He also gave
you hint that your further promotion as additional chief engineer is under
consideration with the ministry. However, you strongly felt that the minor
crack in the pier of the elevated corridor will adversely affect the health and
life of the bridge and therefore it will be very dangerous not to repair the
elevated corridor.
a) Under
the given conditions, what are the options available to you as a project
manager?
b) What
are the ethical dilemmas being faced by the project manager?
c) What
are the professional challenges likely to be faced by the project manager and
his response to overcome such challenges?
d) What
can be the consequences of overlooking the observation raised by the inspecting
team? (Answer in 250 words)
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Q.10) The
Coronavirus disease (COVID 19) pandemic has quickly spread to various
countries. As on May 8th 2020,in India 56342 cases of corona had been reported.
India with population of more than 1.35 billion had difficulty in controlling
the transmission of Coronavirus among its population. Multiple strategies
became necessary to handle this outbreak. The ministry of health and family
welfare of India raised awareness about this outbreak and to take all necessary
actions to control the spread of Covid 19.
Indian Govt. implemented a 55 day lockdown
throughout the country to reduce the transmission of virus. Schools and
colleges had shifted to alternative mode of teaching-learning-evaluation and
certification. Online mode became popular during these days
India was not prepared for the sudden onslaught of
such a crisis due to limited in terms of human resource, money and other
facilities needed for taking care of this situation. This disease did not spare
anybody irrespective of caste, creed ,religion on the one hand have and have
not on the other. Deficiencies in hospital beds, Oxygen cylinders, ambulances,
hospital staff and crematorium were the most crucial aspects
You are a hospital administrator in a public
hospital at the time when Coronavirus had attacked large number of people and
patients were pouring into hospital day in and day out
a) What
are your criteria and justification for putting your clinical and non clinical
staff to attend the patients knowing fully well that it is highly infectious
disease and resources and infrastructure are limited?
b) (b)If
yours is a private hospital, whether your justification and decision would remain
the same as that of a public hospital? (Answer in 250 words)
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Q.11) A
reputed food product company based in India developed a food product for the
international market and started exporting the same after getting necessary
approvals. The company announced this achievement and also indicated that soon
the product will be made available for the domestic consumers with almost same
quality and health benefits. Accordingly, the company got its product approved
by domestic competent authority and launched the product in Indian market. The
company could increase its market share over a period of time and earned
substantial profit both domestically and internationally.
However the random sample test conducted by the
inspecting team found the product being sold domestically in variance with the
approval obtained from competent authority. On further investigation it was
also discovered that the food company was not only selling products which were
not meeting the health standards of the country but also selling the rejected
export products in the domestic market. This episode adversely affected the
reputation and profitability of the food company
a) What
action do you visualize should be taken by the competent authority against the
food company for violating the laid down domestic food standard and selling
rejected export products in domestic market?
b) What
course of action is available with the food company to resolve the crisis and
bring back its lost reputation?
c) Examine
the ethical dilemma involved in the case. (Answer in 250 words)
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Q.12) Pawan is working as an officer in the State
Government for the last ten years. As a part of routine transfer, he was posted
to another department. He joined in a new office along with five other
colleagues. The head of the office was a senior officer conversant with the
functioning of the office. As a part of general inquiry, Pawan gathered that
his senior officer carries the reputation of being difficult and insensitive
person having his own disturbed family life. Initially, all seem to go well.
However, after some time Pawan felt that the senior
officer was belittling him and at times unreasonable. Whatever suggestions
given or views expressed by Pawan in the meetings were summarily rejected and
the senior officer would express in the displeasure presence of others. It
became a pattern of boss’s style of functioning to show him in bad light
highlighting his shortcomings and humiliating publically. It became apparent
that though there are no serious work-related problems/shortcomings, the senior
officer was always on one pretext or the other and would scold and shout at
him.
The continuous harassment and public criticism of
Pawan resulted in loss of confidence, self-esteem and equanimity. Pawan
realized that his relations with his senior officer are becoming more toxic and
due to this, he felt perpetually tensed, anxious and stressed. His mind was
occupies with negativity and caused him mental torture, anguish and agony.
Eventually, it badly affected his personal and family life. He was no longer
joyous, happy and other family members contented even at home. Rather without
way reasons he would lose his temper with his wife and other family members.
The family environment was no longer pleasant and
congenial. His wife who was always supportive to him also became a victim of
his negativity and hostile behavior. Due to harassment and humiliation
suffering by him in the office, comfort and happiness virtually vanished from
his life. Thus it damaged his physical and mental health.
a) What
are the options available with Pawan to cope up with the situation?
b) What
approach Pawan should adopt for bringing peace, tranquility and congenial
environment in the office and home?
c) As
an outsider, what are your suggestions for both boss and subordinate to
overcome this situation and for improving the work performance, mental and
emotional hygiene?
d) In
the above scenario, what type of training would you suggest for officers at
various levels in the government offices? (Answer in 250 words)
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