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.

What do you understand by the term ‘Conflict of Interest’ and how does it manifest in the decision making by public servants? If faced with the conflict of interest situation, how would you resolve it? Explain with the help of examples.

Conflict of interest in the public sector arises when (a) official duties, (b) public interest, and (c) personal interest are taking priority one above the other. How can this conflict in administration be resolved? Describe with an example.

Abraham Lincoln. What is meant by conflict of interest? Illustrate with examples, the difference between the actual and potential conflicts of interest.

As a senior officer in the Ministry, you have access to important policy decisions and upcoming big announcements such as road construction projects before they are notified in the public domain. The Ministry is about to announce a mega road project for which the drawings are already in place. Sufficient care was taken by the planners to make use of the government land with the minimum land acquisition from private parties. Compensation rate for private parties was also finalized as per government rules. Care was also taken to minimize deforestation. Once the project is announced, it is expected that there will be a huge spurt in real estate prices in and around that area. Meanwhile, the Minister concerned insists that you realign the road in such a way that it comes closer to his farmhouse. He also suggests that he would facilitate the purchase of a big plot of land in your wife's name at the prevailing rate which is very nominal, in and around the proposed mega road project. He also tries to convince you by saying that there is no harm in it as he is buying the land legally. He even promises to supplement your savings in case you do not have sufficient funds to buy the land. However, by the act of realignment, a lot of agricultural land has to be acquired, thereby causing a considerable financial burden on the government, and also the displacement of the farmers. As if this is not enough, it will involve cutting down of a large number of trees denuding the area of its green cover. Faced with this situation, what will you do? Critically examine various conflicts of interest and explain what your responsibilities are as a public servant.

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.

“The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.” – William James

"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.

"Those who in trouble untroubled are, Will trouble trouble itself." – Thiruvalluvar

“The strength of a society is not in its laws, but in the morality of its people.” – Swami Vivekananda

What are the major teachings of Mahavir? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.