Ethics 2026 Question Paper
SECTION A
1.
(a) Owing to paucity of time, a university professor generates a Ph.D. evaluation report using Artificial Intelligence and submits it with some modifications. Discuss this from the perspective of accountability and integrity.
(b) A business house is working on a project that could displace a forest community from their habitat. As the administrative officer of that district, what ethical challenges are you likely to face?
2.
(a)
An endangered tribe has developed a severe
skeletal deformity. A university researcher has identified a mineral
supplement as a possible remedy,
though clinical trials are yet to be conducted. Should the District Magistrate
(DM) use this research on the tribe? Discuss from the perspective of medical
and administrative ethics.
(b)
Discuss how national security can
be balanced with concerns of human rights.
3.
a)
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar had cautioned that
employing civil disobedience within
a constitutional democracy equates to endorsing ‘anarchy’. How should modern
democracies navigate the ethical
dilemmas posed by civil disobedience movements that aim to promote social
justice against genuine concerns?
b) In what ways can an Indian Administrative Officer apply Gandhi’s notion of ‘trusteeship’ to ensure fairness in governance?
c)
Shakespeare in Henry IV
says, “The arms are fair when the intent of bearing them is just”. What ethical implications does this
have in governance?
4.
(a) Citing the serious adverse effects of long-term medication, a doctor convinces the family of a female patient for surgery. This led the patient to reluctantly consent for the surgery, though her original choice was to opt for medication. Explain the concepts of paternalism and beneficence by analysing the doctor’s action.
(b) Efficiency is doing things right, while
effectiveness is doing the right
thing. How do you strike a balance between the two to enhance productivity?
5.
a) Usually schools, working in remote areas, do not fully comply with government regulations. However, if the rules are enforced strictly, it would lead to most schools closing down. How should an administrator strike a balance between enforcement of rules and educational rights of children?
b)
In international
relations, ethical considerations
are often subjugated to the strategic interests of nation-states. Discuss this
from an ethical perspective.
6.
a) On the request of his Personal Assistant (PA), the District Magistrate (DM) stops the transfer of a schoolteacher who takes private tuition for his daughter diagnosed with learning disability. In this context, discuss the aspects of empathy versus compliance with rules.
b)
Some moral philosophers argue that spending some of
your resources—without significantly affecting your financial stability—to help other people who badly suffer
is our moral duty and not merely a matter of charity. Justify
this claim by explaining the distinction between duty and charity.
SECTION B
7. Lata, a
mother of two children, was admitted to a hospital for acute abdominal pain. Her sister-in-law,
Sujatha, accompanied her. Dr. Mansi examined Lata and recommended a diagnostic
laparoscopy. Lata’s consent was taken to conduct the medical procedure under
general anesthesia.
During the laparoscopy, Dr. Mansi’s team discovered a tumor in Lata’s uterus. A closer examination suggested that the tumor could be malignant.
One option before Dr. Mansi was to extract a sample for biopsy. In that case, if the tumor was malignant, Lata would have to undergo another surgery for removal of the uterus. An alternative was to remove the uterus immediately. Dr. Mansi had to take a quick decision.
As Lata was under general anesthesia, Dr. Mansi explained the situation to Sujatha. Sujatha agreed with Dr. Mansi’s recommendations for a hysterectomy, wherein Lata’s uterus would be removed to avoid the risk and pain of undergoing another surgery. Dr. Mansi removed Lata’s uterus after receiving Sujatha’s consent in writing. Lata was informed of this the next day. She was very upset and felt betrayed, as she had not consented to the removal of her uterus.
Lata complained to the police who tried to convince her that Dr. Mansi had acted with good intention to help a patient. Sujatha was of the same opinion, however, Lata was not convinced and decided to approach the court.
(a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in this case.
(b) Discuss the moral conduct of the doctor in this situation.
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8. Ravi is a
senior police officer with vast experience in riot control and cyber-policing.
Since one year, he has been the Superintendent of Police (SP) of a district
with a history of frequent rioting.
Last year, Ravi had sought installation of an AI-enabled software for predictive policing. This system has been operational for approximately six months. This system employs advanced algorithms for capturing the biometric data of persons in a crowd and swiftly relating it to a data library. This has enabled the police to identify the persons involved in various crimes.
The system has identified an immigrant and low-income neighbourhood as a centre for gang violence and drug trafficking. Aided by this AI analysis, the local police has focused its patrolling, preventive detentions and establishing checkpoints. Consequently, public order and law enforcement has visibly improved.
Last week, some community leaders, civil rights lawyers and human rights activists visited Ravi’s office. They submitted a memorandum that the new system is faulty as it is based on incorrect historical data caused by social biases and discriminatory policing. The memorandum also alleges that the increased surveillance has created a climate of tension amongst residents. This feeling is aggravated by the fact that the residents are not aware of the data noted against their names.
(c) What are the ethical issues including biases involved in the use of AI in data-driven policing?
(d) Place yourself in Ravi’s role and discuss the alternatives available. Justify the action that optimises compliance with ethics.
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9. Seema is
a senior bureaucrat with a reputation of honesty and professional efficiency.
She has recently been posted as the District Collector (DC) to Surinder Nagar,
where a large industrial area is being established.
The new industrial area had caused many farmers to submit applications for change of land use (CLU) to convert their farmlands into residential areas. There is an unusually large backlog of these applications awaiting processing. Seema noticed that some applications had been approved selectively with no visible chronological pattern. The case files showed a few complaints of some approvals being subject to receipt of large bribes from the applicants.
On further fact-finding, Seema realized that a small group of touts were controlling this illegal activity through some subordinate officials in the Collectorate. This had created a fear in the other employees who were reluctant to process any application. The resultant backlog has been piling up thereby hindering local economic progress and causing public dissatisfaction.
Seema was faced with a major moral and administrative challenge of dismantling this corruption network without hampering daily administrative operations. An aggressive internal investigation would result in institutional resistance and, possibly, a backlash from labour unions. Conversely, ignoring this situation would encourage the wrongdoers and unnecessarily continue this avoidable harassment to the populace.
(a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case?
(b) Discuss the options open to Seema. Identify the recommended option and justify it.
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10. Vikas is a government officer
with over a decade of service in public administration. He has recently moved
as the District Collector (DC) of Naipinura, a remote hilly district bordering
a forest. Due to Naipinura’s low levels of economic development, one of his
major duties is to ensure proper functioning of the public distribution system (PDS) amongst
the economically weaker sections (EWS).
During his on-site visits, Vikas was apprised of a typical administrative challenge in operating the PDS. To prevent leakages, all distributors were required to carry out real-time biometric identification of the beneficiaries, whose fingerprints were tallied with identity card records. This was creating problems as the operating system sometimes rejected fingerprint matching in the cases of growing children, manual labourers and senior citizens. The problem was further compounded in periods of low WiFi connectivity. The distributors, in such cases, resorted to personal discretion when they could identify the recipient.
Vikas had to address this problem on priority. Strictly adhering to government regulations would ensure fiscal probity but would greatly trouble the proposed beneficiary, i.e. EWS. It may even impinge on their fundamental right to life as per Article 21 of the Constitution. Conversely, leaving the resolution solely to the discretion of the distributors could lead to misuse and leakages.
(a) What are the options open to Vikas? How should he balance fiscal probity with empathy towards the designated beneficiaries?
(b) Discuss the ethics of using technology as a gatekeeper for welfare schemes.
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11. Rajapuram is a border district.
Jhara and Biru, its two major communities
are in continual conflict with each other. The social fabric is fractured
and demands immediate mending.
Ethnic tensions between the two communities have erupted into violence resulting in a large number of deaths. The stated causes are conflicting land claims, uneven resource allocation and inadequate political representation in government bodies. Separate relief camps had to be created for the two communities. The situation is volatile and appears to be getting out of control.
Rajan has been appointed as District Magistrate (DM) of Rajapuram and tasked to quickly get the situation under control. His immediate tasks include restoring administrative authority, reopening the highway and initiating peace talks. On taking over his appointment, Rajan realized that the inter-community rivalry had even seeped into the local administration and police. With functional neutrality being the immediate casualty, it had made both communities distrustful of the government. The neighbouring country could utilize the opportunity to spur insurgent activity and further aggravate the situation.
Rajan favoured a controlled approach starting with opening the highway to restore food and medical supplies. He toyed with the idea of requisitioning CRPF units to help restore administrative control.
(a) Discuss the ethical issues that need to be addressed in this case.
(b) What are the options open to Rajan? Which option would ensure protection of his non-partisan image without compromising ethics?
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12. Ajit has
been recently promoted as the Head of the Department of Weapon Sales (DWS) in
the Ministry of Defence Production (MDP). His charter of duties includes
international sales of weapons produced domestically by MDP.
In two recent wars, MDP weapons have performed admirably, resulting in many countries showing interest in buying them, particularly long-range artillery and missiles. Country A and country B have asked for these weapons. However, production constraints restrict DWS to accept only one purchase order.
Country A is a developing nation with a sound technology base. MDP is planning R&D collaboration with it for the next generation of weapons. It is not part of any security alliance and needs weapons for protection from a troublesome neighbour. It seeks a large acquisition on a long-term loan.
Country B is also a developing nation. Military strength is its priority, with the military budget often ingressing into allocations for human resources and infrastructure development. It is in security alliance with a superpower who has a large military base there and periodically allots it financial grants. It is a member of an economic bloc with which the government is currently negotiating a free trade agreement. It is not a signatory of NPT but possesses smaller nuclear weapons and delivery systems. It supports some guerilla forces abroad. It has sought a smaller acquisition and is prepared to make some advance payment. It is currently negotiating arms purchases from another nation too.
Ajit discussed this case with his counterparts in the related departments. Therein, significant economic benefits, employment generation and stronger diplomatic relations arising from this sale were highlighted. It was also emphasized that refusing the deal could result in country B purchasing weapons from some other supplier.
Ajit was aware that in arms sales, due diligence at each stage was pivotal to ensure conformity to national policy and international treaties.
(a) Discuss the options available to Ajit. Which option should he select and why?
(b) How can Ajit balance nation’s economic and strategic interests with ethical considerations?
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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?
- A successful conflict resolution process must begin with
acknowledging the cultural concerns of the protesting tribal community
before discussing technical alternatives.
- The Government should move ahead with the project
without delay to address urban health concerns, which outweigh the
sentiments of a small group.
- Creating a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform
involving tribal leaders, environmental experts, and municipal
representatives would help de-escalate tensions.
- 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
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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?
- Immediately disclose the information to the project
committee and the public.
- Recommend removing the contractor from the shortlist to
protect the project's integrity.
- 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
Beginners Case Study Practice
Hello friends,
In your free time, reflect on these questions and discuss
them with other like-minded individuals. Try to examine each situation from multiple perspectives and explore the
various ethical, administrative, social, and human dimensions involved.
The objective is not merely to arrive at the "right"
answer, but to develop a structured and balanced way of thinking.
Civil servants are often faced with complex situations where there may be no
perfect solution. What matters is the ability to analyze stakeholders, identify
competing values, weigh alternatives, and arrive at a reasoned and ethical
decision.
Remember, ethics is less about
memorizing answers and more about cultivating a thoughtful decision-making
process.
Public Administration & Governance
1.
Poverty vs Rules
You are a District Collector. A poor
widow requests immediate financial assistance for her daughter’s medical
treatment, but her application lacks one mandatory document. Media and local
activists are pressuring you to help immediately.
What will you do?
How will you balance compassion with procedural fairness?
2.
Political Pressure
As a Sub-Collector, you discover
illegal land encroachment by influential ruling party leaders. Your senior
informally advises you to “avoid unnecessary conflict.”
How will you proceed?
What ethical values are involved?
3.
Honest but Insensitive Officer
One of your subordinate officers is
extremely honest and efficient but behaves rudely toward citizens, especially
elderly people.
How will you handle this issue?
4.
Compassion vs Precedent
During floods, several families
occupy government school buildings without permission. Technically, this is
illegal occupation.
Would you strictly enforce eviction
rules or allow temporary occupation? Why?
5.
Pressure from Social Media
A viral social media campaign
demands suspension of a government teacher accused of insulting a student.
Investigation is still incomplete.
As District Education Officer, how
will you respond?
Law & Order
6.
Mob Sentiment vs Rule of Law
A crowd gathers demanding immediate
“encounter justice” against a murder suspect. Political leaders indirectly
support public anger.
As Superintendent of Police, how
will you maintain law and order?
7.
Compassion toward Protesters
A peaceful protest by unemployed
youth suddenly turns aggressive after police barricading. Some officers want
strict lathi-charge action.
What will you do?
8.
Communal Sensitivity
Rumors spread on social media
causing tension between two religious communities during a festival procession.
How will you prevent violence while
protecting democratic freedoms?
9.
Ethical Dilemma in Policing
A constable from a poor background
is caught accepting a small bribe to pay for his child’s surgery.
Should punishment differ because of
his personal circumstances?
Healthcare & Humanitarian Situations
10.
Scarcity of Resources
As a hospital administrator during a
pandemic, only one ICU bed is available. Two patients urgently need it:
- a young daily wage worker
- an elderly retired judge
How should the decision be made
ethically?
11.
Vaccine Distribution
A local MLA pressures you to reserve
vaccines for influential people before frontline workers.
How will you respond?
12.
Doctor Absenteeism
You discover that doctors in a
remote Primary Health Centre are frequently absent because of poor living
conditions.
How will you balance accountability
and empathy?
Education Administration
13.
Cheating in Examination
A brilliant but economically poor
student is caught cheating in a competitive examination. He says failure may
destroy his family’s future.
What action would you take?
14.
Teacher Bias
Parents complain that a government
school teacher gives preference to students from wealthy families.
As Education Officer, how will you
investigate and resolve this issue?
Disaster Management
15.
Rescue Priorities
During floods, only one rescue boat
remains available. You receive two urgent calls:
- stranded villagers
- trapped VIP relatives
How will you decide priorities?
16.
Media vs Rescue Work
Media persons insist on entering a
disaster zone during rescue operations, potentially disturbing relief work.
How will you balance transparency
and operational efficiency?
Corruption & Integrity
17.
Gift from Contractor
A contractor sends expensive gifts
to your home during festival season, claiming it is merely “respect.”
How will you handle the situation?
18.
Corruption by Efficient Officer
An officer under you delivers
excellent public results but is suspected of corruption.
Would efficiency justify overlooking
unethical conduct?
19.
Family Pressure
Your relatives request your
influence to secure a government contract for a known family member.
How will you deal with the conflict
between personal relationships and professional ethics?
Balancing Compassion & Objectivity
20.
Illegal Street Vendors
Street vendors are illegally
occupying footpaths, causing inconvenience and accidents. Removing them may
destroy their livelihoods.
What approach would you adopt?
21.
Employee with Personal Problems
A government employee’s performance
has sharply declined because of severe family issues.
How will you maintain discipline
while showing compassion?
22.
Emotional Decision-Making
A crying mother emotionally pleads
for immediate government housing allocation despite not being eligible under
current rules.
How will you respond?
Technology & Ethics
23.
Privacy vs Security
A proposal suggests installing
extensive CCTV surveillance with facial recognition across the city to reduce
crime.
What ethical concerns arise?
Would you support it?
24.
AI in Welfare Schemes
An AI-based system wrongly excludes
several poor beneficiaries from welfare schemes due to data mismatch.
As administrator, what corrective
measures will you take?
Workplace Ethics
25.
Toxic Senior Officer
Your senior officer publicly
humiliates junior staff regularly but has strong political influence.
How would you handle this situation
ethically and professionally?
26.
Whistleblower Protection
A junior employee confidentially
informs you about corruption in your department but fears retaliation.
How will you protect the employee
and ensure proper inquiry?
Gender & Social Justice
27.
Sexual Harassment Complaint
A highly competent officer faces
allegations of workplace harassment. Evidence is unclear, but public pressure
is intense.
How will you ensure fairness to both
sides?
28.
Tradition vs Rights
A local community opposes girls
attending higher secondary school due to traditional beliefs.
How will you address the issue
without creating social conflict?
29.
Transgender Welfare
A transgender applicant faces
discrimination from local officials during welfare verification.
As district administrator, what
steps will you take?
Environmental Ethics
30.
Employment vs Environment
A factory project promises thousands
of jobs but may damage a nearby river ecosystem.
How would you balance economic
growth and environmental protection?
31.
Illegal Mining
Illegal mining supports livelihoods
of many poor families but causes severe environmental destruction.
What ethical approach will you
adopt?
Ethical Leadership
32.
Fear Among Staff
Your office staff are afraid to
report mistakes because previous officers punished even minor errors harshly.
How would you build an ethical and
accountable work culture?
33.
Ethical Use of Authority
A minister verbally orders you to
transfer an honest officer who refuses political interference.
What will you do?
34.
Public Humiliation of Officials
A senior politician publicly insults
a junior government employee during an official meeting.
How should an ethical administrator
respond?
Emotional Intelligence & Human Values
35.
Suicide Threat by Citizen
A distressed farmer threatens
suicide outside your office over loan-related issues.
How will you respond immediately and
long-term?
36.
Angry Citizen
A citizen shouts aggressively at you
in public over delay in government services.
How will you manage the situation
emotionally and administratively?
37.
Balancing Neutrality and Humanity
During communal tension, a child
from one community urgently requires medical help in an area dominated by
another community.
How will you ensure safety,
neutrality, and humanitarian response?
Ethics in Resource Allocation
38.
Limited Budget Allocation
You have limited district funds and
must choose between:
- improving rural healthcare
- repairing roads
- expanding digital infrastructure
How would you decide ethically?
39.
Favoritism Allegation
A village accuses your administration
of favoring politically supportive regions in development projects.
How will you ensure transparency and
trust?
Personal Integrity
40.
Career vs Conscience
Taking a morally correct decision
may severely affect your career progression and transfer prospects.
Would you still proceed? Why?
Advanced Ethical Dilemmas
41.
Mercy vs Equality
A poor student misses scholarship
deadline because he was caring for his sick mother. Granting an exception may
be unfair to others.
What should be done?
42.
Truth vs Public Stability
Revealing complete truth about
contamination in city water supply may create panic.
How much information should be
disclosed to the public?
43.
Loyalty vs Ethics
Your close colleague, known for
years as an honest person, is accused of misconduct.
Will personal trust influence your
official actions?
44.
Strict Justice vs Reform
A juvenile repeatedly commits petty
crimes due to poverty and abusive family conditions.
Would you prioritize punishment or
rehabilitation?
45.
Humanity vs Uniform Rules
During winter, homeless people
occupy railway premises illegally for shelter.
Should authorities strictly remove
them?
Ethics in Modern Governance
46.
Deepfake Misinformation
A fake AI-generated video creates
communal tension before elections.
As district administration, how will
you respond ethically and effectively?
47.
Media Trial
A government employee accused of
corruption is declared “guilty” by television debates before investigation
concludes.
How should public institutions
react?
48.
Influencer Pressure
Social media influencers pressure
you to approve a project quickly, bypassing environmental clearances.
How will you balance public
sentiment and institutional integrity?
49.
Balancing Speed and Due Process
Citizens demand immediate action
after a tragic accident, but legal procedures require careful investigation.
How will you balance urgency and
fairness?
50.
Ethical Leadership During Crisis
During a major disaster, your own
family is affected while you are leading district relief operations.
How will you balance personal
emotions and public duty?
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