UPSC Mains 2013 GS-4 Question Paper

All 17 questions from this paper, with real topper answers where available.

• Q1. 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 · Essence and Consequences of Ethics in Human Actions
• Q1. 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 · Values
• Q1. It is often said that ‘politics’ and ‘ethics’ do not go together. What is your opinion in this regard? Justify your answer with illustrations. What factors affect the formation of a person’s attitude towards social problems?10 marks · Political Attitude vs Ethics
• Q1. A. What do you understand by the following terms in the context of public service?: 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 · Core Foundational Values
• Q1. What is ‘emotional intelligence’ and how can it be developed in people? How does it help an individual in taking ethical decisions?10 marks
• Q1. “I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who overcomes his enemies.” – Aristotle10 marks · Western Philosophers (Aristotle)
• Q1. 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
• Q1. 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. 1) Bring out and discuss the ethical issues involved in the above case. 2) What would be your reaction after your above visit?20 marks · Qn. Case Study Infrastructure Safety & Boss Pressure
• Q1. You are heading a leading technical institute of the country. The institute is planning to convene an interview panel shortly under your chairmanship for the 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 the grant of funds for modernization, which are awaiting the functionary’s approval. He assures you that he would get these proposals cleared. 1) What are the options available to you? 2) Evaluate each of these options and choose the option which you would adopt, giving reasons.20 marks · Qn. Case Study Institutional Fund Approval vs Nepotism
• Q2. What do you understand by ‘values’ and ‘ethics’? In what way is it important to be ethical along with being professionally competent?10 marks · Values vs Ethics
• Q2. Nearly all men can withstand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power. — Abraham Lincoln10 marks · Political Ethics
• Q2. What do you understand by the term ‘voice of conscience’? How do you prepare yourself to heed to the voice of conscience?10 marks · Voice of Conscience
• Q2. 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 who were also party to these decisions. 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: 1) 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. 2) 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. 3) 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. 4) 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.25 marks · Evaded Norms
• Q2. 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, he has increased revenues as well as created 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 female colleagues; particularly his habit of making loose comments on women. In addition, he regularly sends indecent SMSs 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. 1) What are the options available to you? 2) Evaluate each of these options and choose the option you would adopt, giving reasons.20 marks · he has helped in doubling the vs POSH Compliance
• Q3. There is enough on this earth for every one’s need but for no one’s greed. — Mahatma Gandhi10 marks · Gandhian Philosophy
• Q3. 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. 1) What are the options available to you? 2) Evaluate each of these options and choose the option which you would adopt, giving reasons.20 marks · RTI Disclosure vs Colleague Protection
• Q4. You are a no-nonsense, honest officer. You have been transferred to a remote district to head a department that is notorious for its inefficiency and callousness. You find that the main cause of the poor state of affairs is the indiscipline of a section of employees. They do not work themselves and also disrupt the working of others. You first warned the troublemakers to mend their ways or else face disciplinary action. When the warning had little effect, you issued a show cause notice to the ringleaders. As a retaliatory measure, these troublemakers instigated a woman employee amongst them to file a complaint of sexual harassment against you with the Women’s Commission. The Commission promptly seeks your explanation. The matter is also publicized in the media to embarrass you further. Some of the options to handle this situation could be as follows: 1) Give your explanation to the Commission and go soft on the disciplinary action. 2) Ignore the Commission and proceed firmly with the disciplinary action. 3) Brief your higher-ups, seek directions from them and act accordingly. Suggest any other possible option(s). Evaluate all of them and suggest the best course of action, giving your reasons for it.20 marks · Confidential Policy Leakage & Superior Pressure