Ethics Questions from Prelims 2026

Mr. X, a senior officer, was overseeing a critical vaccination programme during a pandemic. He found that a private service provider responsible for vaccine distribution was compromising on quality to make profits. Despite immense pressure due to vested interests, he reported the issue to the appropriate vigilance authority and halted the contract to ensure citizen welfare.

Which one among the following principles of public administration was most strongly demonstrated by Mr. X's actions?

(a) Esprit de corps
(b) Equity
(c) Accountability
(d) Delegation

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A conflict has arisen over the Government's decision to allocate land for a waste management facility near a tribal hamlet. Tribal communities oppose the project, claiming the land is sacred and central to their identity, while urban residents and industries support the project due to waste management needs.

Which of the following statements would contribute to conflict resolution?

1. A successful conflict resolution process must begin with acknowledging the cultural concerns of the protesting tribal community before discussing technical alternatives.
2. The Government should move ahead with the project without delay to address urban health concerns, which outweigh the sentiments of a small group.
3. Creating a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform involving tribal leaders, environmental experts, and municipal representatives would help de-escalate tensions.
4. Conducting an independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and sharing findings transparently would facilitate evidence-based decision-making.

Options:

(a) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

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Ms. X, a mid-level civil servant, received confidential information indicating that one shortlisted contractor for a public infrastructure project had a history of poor workmanship and allegations of corruption in other cities, although nothing had been legally proven.

Her superior advised her not to disclose this information because it could delay the project and damage the city's reputation. Ms. X believes withholding the information would compromise transparency and public trust.

What should Ms. X do?

1. Immediately disclose the information to the project committee and the public.
2. Recommend removing the contractor from the shortlist to protect the project's integrity.
3. Propose a "limited disclosure" to an oversight committee while keeping the information confidential from the public for the time being.

Options:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Kerala Viral Bus Video Incident

January 2026

·   Shimjitha Musthafa - A social media influencer and U Deepak – 42 Year Old Person

Ethical Issues

Value	Meaning
Gender justice	Protecting women from harassment
Due process	Innocent until proven guilty
Freedom of expression	Right to speak
Right to reputation & privacy	Not to be destroyed without proof
Digital ethics	Responsible use of social media

 

Who is wrong in the above incident?

• If harassment happened → the man is wrong.
• If it was accidental → public shaming was wrong.
• Regardless → online mob behavior was wrong.
• The tragedy shows systemic ethical failure in digital society.

Ethical Conclusion

·         Justice must be sought through institutions, not through viral videos.

·         Compassion must coexist with caution.

·         Empathy must be balanced with evidence.