UPSC Mains 2025 GS-4 Question Paper

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

• Q7. “The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.” – William James10 marks · Changing of Attitude
• Q7. Inspite of the ecological and social costs, the administration argues in favour of the said proposal by highlighting that this initiative addresses fundamental human rights as a critical welfare priority. Besides it, it fulfils the government’s duty to uplift and empower the poor through inclusive housing development. Further, these forest areas have become unsafe due to wild-animal threats and recurring human-wild life conflicts. Lastly, clearing forest-zones may help to curb anti-social elements allegedly using these areas as hideouts, thereby enhancing law and order.20 marks
• Q8. Vijay was Deputy Commissioner of a remote district of a Hilly Northern State of the country for the last two years. In the month of August, heavy rains lashed the complete state followed by a cloud burst in the upper reaches of the said district. The damage was very heavy in the complete state, especially in the affected district. The complete road network and telecommunication were disrupted and the buildings were damaged extensively. People’s houses have been destroyed and they were forced to stay in the open. More than 200 people have been killed and about 5000 were badly injured. The Civil Administration under Vijay got activated and started conducting rescue and relief operations. Temporary shelter camps and hospitals were established to provide shelter and medical facilities to the homeless and injured people. Helicopter services were pressed in, for evacuating sick and old people from remote areas. Vijay got a message from his hometown in Kerala that his mother was seriously sick. After two days, Vijay received the unfortunate message that his mother has expired. Vijay has no close relative except one elder sister who is a US citizen and has been staying there for the last several years. In the meantime, the situation in the affected district deteriorated further due to resumption of heavy rains after a gap of five days. At the same time, continuous messages were coming on his mobile from his hometown to reach at the earliest for performing last rites of his mother. (a) What are the options available with Vijay? (b) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Vijay? (c) Critically evaluate and examine each of these options identified by Vijay. (d) Which of the options, do you think, would be most appropriate for Vijay to adopt and why?20 marks · Devotion to Administrative Duty
• Q8. As Administrative Officer, Rajesh is regularly interacting with his immediate boss, who is his reporting officer for writing his ACR. One day he calls Rajesh and wants him to buy computer-related stationery on priority from a particular vendor. Rajesh instructs his office to initiate action for procuring these items. During the day, the dealing Assistant brings an estimate of Rupees Thirty Five Lakhs covering all stationery items from the same vendor. It is noticed that as per delegated financial powers, as provided in the GFR (General Financial Rules) as applicable in that Organisation, expenditure for office items exceeding Rupees Thirty Lakhs requires sanction of the next higher authority (boss in the present case). Rajesh knows that immediate superior would expect all these purchases should be done at his level and may not appreciate such lack of initiative on his part. During discussions with office, he learns that common practice of splitting of expenditure (where large order is divided into a series of smaller ones) is followed to avoid obtaining sanction from higher authority. This practice is against the rules and may come to the adverse notice of Audit.20 marks · Financial Probity vs Career Coercion
• Q10. "Those who in trouble untroubled are, Will trouble trouble itself." – Thiruvalluvar10 marks · Quote based: Equanimity
• Q11. In the present digital age, social media has revolutionised our way of communication and interaction. However, it has raised several ethical issues and challenges. Describe the key ethical dilemmas in this regard.10 marks · Ethics
• Q13. To achieve holistic development goal, a civil servant acts as an enabler and active facilitator of growth rather than a regulator. What specific measures will you suggest to achieve this goal?10 marks · Regulator vs Facilitator
• Q14. Carl von Clausewitz once said, "War is a diplomacy by other means." Critically analyse the above statement in the present context of contemporary geo-political conflict.10 marks · War diplomacy (Clausewitzian Doctrine)
• Q15. "One who is devoted to one’s duty attains highest perfection in life." Analyse this statement with reference to sense of Devotion to Duty, responsibility and personal fulfilment as a civil servant.10 marks
• Q15. India is an emerging economic power of the world as it has recently secured the status of fourth largest economy of the world as per IMF projection. However, it has been observed that in some sectors, allocated funds remain either under-utilised or misutilised. What specific measures would you recommend for ensuring accountability in this regard to stop leakages and gaining the status of third largest economy of the world in near future?10 marks · Value-based vs Compliance-based Culture
• Q16. You are working as an Executive Engineer in the construction cell of a Municipal Corporation and are presently in-charge of the construction of a flyover. There are two Junior Engineers under you who have the responsibility of day-to-day inspection of the site and are reporting to you, while you are finally reporting to the Chief Engineer who heads the cell. While the construction is heading towards completion, the Junior Engineers have been regularly reporting that all construction is taking place as per design specifications. However, in one of your surprise inspections, you have noticed some serious deviations and lacunae which, in your opinion, are likely to affect the safety of the flyover. Rectification of these lacunae at this stage would require a substantial amount of demolition and rework which will cause a tangible loss to the contractor and will also delay completion. There is a lot of public pressure on the Corporation to get this construction completed because of heavy traffic congestion in the area. When you brought this matter to the notice of the Chief Engineer, he advised you that in his opinion it is not a very serious lapse and may be ignored. He advised for further expediting the project for completion in time. However, you are convinced that this was a serious matter which might affect public safety and should not be left unaddressed. What will you do in such a situation? Some of the options are given below. Evaluate the merits and demerits of each of these options and finally suggest what course of action you would like to take, giving reasons: 1) Follow the advice of the Chief Engineer and go ahead. 2) Make an exhaustive report of the situation bringing out all facts and analysis along with your own viewpoints stated clearly and seek for written orders from the Chief Engineer. 3) Call for explanation from the Junior Engineers and issue orders to the contractor for necessary correction within targeted time. 4) Highlight the issue so that it reaches superiors above the Chief Engineer. 5) Considering the rigid attitude of the Chief Engineer, seek transfer from the project or report sick.10 marks · Value-based vs Compliance-based Culture
• Q31. "For any kind of social re-engineering by successfully implementing welfare schemes, a civil servant must use reason and critical thinking in an ethical framework." Justify this statement with suitable examples.10 marks · Thinking
• Q32. "Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment but a product of civil education and adherence of the rule of law." Examine the significance of constitutional morality for public servant highlighting the role in promoting good governance and ensuring accountability in public administration.10 marks · Constitutional Morality
• Q33. Keeping the national security in mind, examine the ethical dilemmas related to controversies over environmental clearance of development projects in ecologically sensitive border areas in the country.10 marks
• Q36. “The strength of a society is not in its laws, but in the morality of its people.” – Swami Vivekananda10 marks · Vivekananda philosophy on Laws vs Ethics
• Q36. Subash is in regular touch with the Minister and is working on various modalities of a road construction project. Regular meetings, interactions and presentations are made by him to the Minister before a formal public announcement of the project is made by the Minister. Subash’s only son, Vikas, is in the real estate business. His son, from his own sources, is aware that a mega road project is on the anvil and an announcement in this regard is expected anytime. He is very keen to know from his father the exact location of the upcoming project. He knows that there would be a quantum jump in the prices of land at the proposed location. Buying land at this stage at cheaper prices would pay him rich dividends. He is pleading with his father day in and day out to share the location of the proposed project. He assured him that he would handle the matter discreetly as it would not attract any adverse notice since he, in the normal course, keeps on buying land as a part of his business. He feels pressured because of the constant pleadings by his son.20 marks · Inside Information Leakage (PWD Mega Project)
• Q37. What are the major teachings of Mahavir? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.10 marks · Teaching of Mahavir
• Q37. You have been appointed as an Administrator-in-Charge of the District. You have been given the responsibility of monitoring MGNREGA work undertaken by various Gram Panchayats. You are also given the authority to give technical sanctions to all MGNREGA works.20 marks · Systemic Fund Siphoning & Scheme Restoration
• Q38. Ashok is the Divisional Commissioner of one of the border districts of a North-East State. A few years back, the military took over the neighbouring country after overthrowing the elected civil government. A civil war situation is prevailing in the country, especially in the last two years. However, the internal situation further deteriorated due to rebel groups taking over control of certain populated areas near our own border. Due to intense fighting between the military and rebel groups, civilian casualties have increased manifold in the recent past. In the meantime, one night, Ashok got information from the local police guarding the border check post that there are about 200-250 people, mainly women and children, trying to cross over to our side of the border. There are also about 10 soldiers with their weapons in military uniform, part of this group, who want to cross over. Women and children are crying and begging for help. A few of them are injured and bleeding profusely and need immediate medical care. Ashok tried to contact the Home Secretary of the State but failed to do so due to poor connectivity, mainly due to inclement weather.20 marks · Refugee Influx