Notes - Ethical Competence and Professional Competence
Ethical Competence
- It means the ability to distinguish right from wrong
and act according to moral principles like honesty, fairness,
compassion, and integrity.
- It is about “doing the right thing, even when no one
is watching.”
Example:
·
A civil servant refuses a bribe and
ensures that a poor farmer gets his rightful land — this shows ethical
competence.
Professional Competence
- It means having the knowledge, skills, and efficiency
to perform one’s official duties effectively.
- It is about “doing the thing right.”
Example:
·
A district collector efficiently
manages flood relief operations because he knows the procedures, planning, and
coordination — this shows professional competence.
Why Both Are Important
|
Ethical Competence |
Professional Competence |
|
Ensures that actions are morally
right and just. |
Ensures that actions are technically
correct and effective. |
|
Builds public trust in
governance. |
Ensures results and efficiency
in administration. |
|
Prevents misuse of power and
corruption. |
Prevents incompetence and failure
of systems. |
|
Focuses on values —
honesty, empathy, transparency. |
Focuses on skills —
planning, management, execution. |
Why One Is Meaningless Without the Other
A person with only professional
competence may become a “clever manipulator” — effective but
unethical.
·
Example: A corrupt but efficient officer may get things done, but at
the cost of justice and public faith.
·
Quote: “Efficiency without ethics is dangerous; ethics without
efficiency is ineffective.”
A person with only ethical
competence may be honest but ineffective — good-hearted but unable
to deliver results.
·
Example: An honest officer who cannot manage disaster relief
properly causes harm despite good intentions.
·
Quote: “Good intentions are not enough; they must be matched with
good execution.”
Ideal Civil Servant = Ethical + Professional
True public service requires a
balance of both:
·
Ethical
competence ensures integrity and moral
compass.
·
Professional
competence ensures capability and results.
Mahatma Gandhi said:
“The ends do not justify the means.”
So ethics guide how we work.
But Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
reminded us:
“Excellence happens not by accident.
It is a process.”
So professionalism ensures how well we work.
- Ethical competence
→ Doing right things.
- Professional competence → Doing things right.
- Together → Create a responsible, efficient, and
morally upright administration.
“Ethics is the heart of
administration; competence is its brain.
One without the other leads to failure.”
PYQs - Ethical Competence and Professional
Competence
Section A
·
What
do you understand by ‘values’ and
‘ethics’? In what way is it important to be ethical along with being
professionally competent? 2013
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·
“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
modern day context. 2014
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·
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? 2014
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·
“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. 2018
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·
What do you understand by ‘moral integrity’ and ‘professional
efficiency in the context of corporate governance in India? Illustrate with
suitable examples. 2023
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·
Analyse the significance of both aptitude (skills, intelligence) and
attitude (mindset, ethics) in civil
services. Justify which is more important for effective governance with
examples from public administration. KPSC
2025
Section B
2013 – Star Performer and Misbehavior
Complaint
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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2019 - Star Performer and Misbehavior Complaint
An apparel manufacturing company having a large
number of women employees was losing sales due to various factors. The company
hired a reputed marketing executive, who increased the volume of sales within a
short span of time. However, some unconfirmed reports came up regarding his
indulgence in sexual harassment at the workplace.
After sometime a woman employee launched a formal
complaint to the management against the marketing executive about sexually
harassing her. Faced with the companies’ indifference, in not taking cognizance
of her grievances, she lodged an FIR with the police.
Realizing the sensitivity and gravity of the
situation, the company called the woman employee to negotiate. In that she was
offered a hefty sum of money to withdraw the complaint and the FIR and also
give in writing that the marketing executive is not involved in the case.
a) Identify
the ethical issues involved in this case.
b) What options are available to the woman employee?
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2022 – To Hire or Not? – Resourceful but Corrupt
Prabhat was working as Vice President (Marketing) at
Sterling Electric Ltd., a reputed multinational company. But presently the
company was passing through the difficult times as the sales were continuously
showing downward trend in the last two quarters. His division, which hitherto
had been a major revenue contributor to the company’s financial health, was now
desperately trying to procure some big government order for them. But their
best efforts did not yield any positive success or breakthrough.
His was a professional company and his local bosses
were under pressure from their London-based HO to show some positive results.
In the last performance review meeting taken by the Executive Director (India
Head), he was reprimanded for his poor performance. He assured them that his
division is working on a special contract from the Ministry of Defence for a
secret installation near Gwalior and tender is being submitted shortly.
He was under extreme pressure and he was deeply
perturbed. What aggravated the situation further was a warning from the top
that if the deal is not clinched in favour of the company, his division might
have to be closed and he may have to quit his lucrative job.
There was another dimension which was causing him
deep mental torture and agony. This pertained to his personal precarious
financial health. He was a single earner in the family with two school-college
going children and his old ailing mother. The heavy expenditure on education
and medical was causing a big strain to his monthly pay packet. Regular EMI for
housing loan taken from bank unavoidable and any default would render him
liable for severe legal action.
In the above backdrop, he was hoping for some
miracle to happen. There was sudden turn of events. His Secretary informed that
a gentleman Subhas Verma wanted to see him as he was interested in the position
of Manager which was to be filled by him in the company. He further brought to
his notice that his CV has been received through the office of the Minister of
Defence.
During interview of the candidate-Subhash Verma, he
found him technically sound, resourceful and experienced marketer. He seemed to
be well-conversant with tendering procedures and having knack of follow-up and
liaising in this regard Prabhat felt that he was better choice than the rest of
the candidates who were recently interviewed by him in the last few days.
Subhash Verma also indicated that he was in
possession of the copies of the bid documents that the Unique Electronics Ltd.
would be submitting the next day to the Defence Ministry for their tender. He
offered to hand over those documents subject to his employment in the company
on suitable terms and conditions. He made it clear that in the process, the
Sterling Electric Ltd. could outbid their rival company and get the bid and
hefty Defence Ministry order. He indicated that it will be win-win situation
for both-him and the company.
Prabhat was absolutely stunned. It was a mixed
feeling of shock and thrill. He was uncomfortable and perspiring. If accepted,
all his problems would vanish instantly and he may be rewarded for securing the
much awaited tender and thereby boosting company’s sales and financial health.
He was in a fix as to the future course of action. He was wonder-struck at the
guts of Subhash Verma in having surreptitiously removing his own company papers
and offering to the rival company for a job. Being an experienced person, he
was examining the pros and cons of the proposal/situation and he asked him to
come the next day.
(a) Discuss
the ethical issues involved in the case.
(b) Critically
examine the options available to Prabhat in the above situation.
(c) Which of the above would be the most appropriate for Prabhat and why?
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