UPSC Mains 2023 GS-4 Question Paper

All 19 questions from this paper, with real topper answers where available.

• Q5. A man came running to you with a request for urgent medical help for his pregnant wife who is in labour and in loosing blood. You directed your medical team to examine his wife. They return and convey to you that this woman needs blood transfusion immediately. Upon enquiry, you come to know that a few blood collection bags and blood group test kits are available in the ambulance accompanying your team. Few people of your team have already volunteered to donate blood.20 marks · Emergency Health Regulations vs Compassion
• Q7. After a few days, during a sporting event, where you and your wife have gone to watch your son play, one of your colleague’s son shows you a video in which students have caricatured your son. Further, he also points out to perpetrators who were sitting in the stands. You purposefully walk past them with your son and go home. Next day, you find on social media, a video denigrating you, your son and even your wife, stating that you engaged in physical bullying of children in the sports field. The video became viral on social media. Your friends and colleagues began calling you to find out the details. One of your juniors advised you to make a counter video giving the background and explaining that nothing had happened on the field. You, in turn posted a video which you have captured during the sporting event, identifying the likely perpetrators who were responsible for your son’s predicament. You have also narrated what has actually happened in the field and made attempts to bring out the adverse effects of the misuse of social media.20 marks · Social Media Bullying
• Q9. day-to-day functioning? Differentiate ‘moral intuition” from ‘moral reasoning’ with moral intuition vs suitable examples. “Ethics encompasses several key dimensions that are crucial in10 marks · moral reasoning
• Q9. lifelong achievements is a definite set of emotional skills -your EQ- not just purely cognitive abilities that are measured by conventional IQ tests.” Do you agree with the view? Give reasons10 marks · EQ vs IQ
• Q10. What do you understand by ‘moral integrity’ and ‘professional moral integrity and efficiency in the context of corporate governance in India? Illustrate with suitable examples.10 marks · professional efficiency
• Q10. Probity is essential for an effective system of governance and socio-economic development. Discuss10 marks · Probity & Socio-Economic Outcomes
• Q11. International aid is an accepted form of helping resource-challenged nations. Comment on ethics in contemporary international aid. Support your answer with International Aid suitable examples.10 marks · Ethics of
• Q11. Explain the term social capital. How does it enhance good governance? “In Indian culture and value system, an equal opportunity has10 marks · Social Capital
• Q11. protection mechanism to safeguard the whistle blower? “Corruption is the manifestation of the failure of core values in the society.” In your opinion, what measures can be adopted to uplift the core values in the society?10 marks · Societal Values & Anti-Corruption
• Q12. In the context of work environment, differentiate between ‘coercion and undue influence’ with suitable examples. “The ‘Code of Conduct’ and ‘Code of Ethics’ are the sources of10 marks · Work Culture (Coercion vs Influence)
• Q16. A few weeks later, you ask her about the well-being of her father and she informs you about his successful surgery and that he is recovering. She then confides in you that the bank manager was kind enough to facilitate the release of 10 lakhs from a dormant account of someone to pay for the operation with a promise that it should be confidential and be repaid at the earliest. She has already started paying it back and will continue to do so until it is all returned.20 marks · Empathy vs Financial Misappropriation
• Q28. illustrations. Is conscience a more reliable guide when compared to laws, rules, and regulations in the context of ethical decision-making. Conscience vs Law Discuss10 marks
• Q29. “The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.”- Mahatma Gandhi10 marks · Gandhian Philosophy (Kindness)
• Q30. To awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened. Once she is on the move, the family moves, the village moves, the nation moves”.- Jawaharlal Nehru10 marks · Role of women in society(Nehru)
• Q31. “Do not hate anybody, because that hatred that comes out from you must, in the long run, come back to you. If you love, that love will come back to you, completing the circle- Swami Vivekananda10 marks · Vivekananda's philosophy on Inter-relationship
• Q31. She reflects on how she had looked forward to the posting and had worked long hours for months to achieve it, he had kept the welfare of people uppermost in discharging her duties. She feels that she has not done enough Justice to her family and she has Work-Life Balance not fulfilled her duties in discharging essential social obligations. Even as recently as last month she had to leave her sick child in the nanny’s care as she had to work in the office. Now, she feels that she must draw a line, beyond which her personal life should take precedence over her professional responsibilities. She thinks that there should be reasonable limits to the work ethics such as punctuality, hard work, dedication to duty and selfless service. (a) Discuss the ethical issue involved in this case. (b) Briefly describe at least four laws that have been enacted by the Government with respect to providing a healthy, safe and equitable working environment for women. (c) Imagine you are in a similar situation. What suggestions would you make to mitigate such working conditions?20 marks · Asymmetry
• Q32. What were the major teachings of Guru Nanak? Explain their Teaching of Guru relevance in the contemporary world.10 marks · Nanak
• Q32. A Board Member of the Corporation belonging to the Opposition Party meets Vinod and hands over a few documents along with a video recording in which the Chairman appears to be demanding bribe for placing a huge order for the supply of QMR tyres. Vinod recollects the Chairman expediting the clearing of pending bills of QMR tyres. Vinod confronts the Board Member as to why he is shying away from exposing the Chairman with the so-called solid proof he has with him. The members inform him that the Chairman refuses to yield to his threats. He adds that Vinod may earn recognition and public support if he himself exposes the Chairman. Further, he tells Vined that once his party comes to power, Vinod’s professional growth would be assured.20 marks · Politicisation of Bureaucracy (Bribe Video)
• Q33. A new lady architect. Seema, trained at Manchester School of Architecture, UK joined as Senior Architect in your division. During the briefing about the project, Seema made some suggestions which would not only add value to the project, but would also reduce completion time. This has made the Chief Architect insecure and he is constantly worried that all the credit will go to her. Subsequently, he adopted a passive and aggressive behaviour towards her and has become disrespectful to her. Seems felt it embarrassing as the Chief Architect left no chance of humiliating her. He would very often correct her in front of other colleagues and raise his voice while speaking to her. This continuous harassment has resulted in her losing confidence and self-esteem. She felt perpetually tensed, anxious and stressed. She appeared to be in awe of him since he has had a long tenure in the office and has vast experience in the area of her work.20 marks · Workplace Harassment & Professional Jealousy