Sure Shot Mains Test series 2025
VAJIRAM & RAVI
[Institute for IAS Examination]
GENERAL STUDIES
SUBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT
Test - 20 (GS4 - Ethics - Governance)
Time Allowed: 90 Minutes Maximum Marks: 120
INSTRUCTIONS
Candidates should attempt all questions.
The number of marks carried by each question is indicated at the end
of the question.
Important: Attempt questions in the “Answer Booklet” in the same
serial order in which they are printed in the question paper. If you
skip a question, indicate it accordingly in your “Answer Booklet”.
Pages left blank in the answer book are to be clearly struck out in
ink. Any answers that follow pages left blank may not be given credit.
Vajiram & Ravi, 9-B, Bada Bazaar Marg, Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi - 110060
Vajiram & Ravi, New No. 62, P Block, 6th Avenue, Anna Nagar, Chennai - 600040
Section A
1. a) Code of ethics is theoretically more effective than code of conduct. Do
you agree? What are the challenges in formulation and implementation
of the code of ethics? 10M (10 marks, 150 words)
1. b) Conscience is often regarded as a more powerful motivator for
ethical behaviour than external enforcers like laws and regulations, as it
is rooted in an individual’s internal moral compass. Critically examine
this statement in the context of public administration, highlighting the
limitations of both conscience and legal frameworks in fostering ethical
conduct. (10 marks, 150 words)
2. a) In the context of climate change and global environmental degradation,
what are the ethical responsibilities of developed nations towards
developing countries? Discuss in the light of the principle of equity in
the fight against global climate change. (10 marks, 150 words)
2. b) Access to information by the public is considered a fundamental pillar
of democratic governance, ensuring transparency, accountability and
citizen participation in the public administration. Justify this statement
with suitable illustrations. Discuss how information sharing can be made
more effective in Indian public institutions. (10 marks, 150 words)
3. a) Citizen’s Charters are considered an important tool for enhancing
transparency, accountability and responsiveness in public administration.
Critically examine the concept of the Citizen’s Charter in promoting
ethical governance in the Indian context. What are the major obstacles
in its successful execution and how can these challenges be addressed
to ensure that public service delivery aligns with the principles of good
governance? (10 marks, 150 words)
3. b) “If corruption is a disease, transparency is a central part of its
treatment.” Justify the statement with suitable illustrations.
(10 marks, 150 words)
Section B
4. You are District Magistrate (DM) posted in a socio-economically
backward district. The district has poor literacy, health care facilities
and infrastructure. Farmers of the district are paid lower for their
produce by middlemen, while also providing them loans at exorbitant
rates leading to the perpetuation of poverty.
One day a social activist, Pawan came to you with a complaint of a
road in his area getting potholes. He tells you that the said road was
made one month ago, with a substantial amount spent on it. Pawan gave
you the proof of the RTI application filed by him. You told Pawan that
you would examine the complaint.
Upon visiting the area, you found the road had numerous potholes. You
noticed the material used in it to be of substandard quality at the same
time width of the road was lower than what has been recorded on the
paper. You were surprised by the fact that the road has been passed in a
quality check by two engineers from the rural development department
under you.
You asked your staff to call the contractor, to which they told you that he is
a relative of the local Member of Legislative Assembly. When you called
the engineers to clarify, a representative of the MLA visited your office. He
asked you to drop the case and leave the matter as it is. He proposed that
the MLA has connections with the Chief Minister(CM) so he will ensure
that you will be posted in an urban area once the case settles.
Next day, you get news of the mistreatment and assault of Pawan. He
had to be hospitalized for a day to recover. You realised that someone
from your office leaked the information of his name.
You recognise the need of the quality road for rural connectivity and
development in your district. Farmers will be connected to the markets and
education and health will become more accessible to the people. A road
with potholes will not serve the purpose of the development in the district.
a. Discuss the ethical dilemmas involved in the case.
b. Evaluate the options available to you in the above situation.
c. What measures have been taken by the government to check and
eliminate corruption in the public departments?(20 marks, 250 words)
5. XYZ had “a very comfortable life” that included a handsome salary,
family he loves and a stable career. He was a computer expert in the
Intelligence agency of his nation. Being in the agency he had access to
all the confidential documents.
While working in the agency, however, XYZ came across some
unethical practices followed by the intelligence agency. For example,
rampant surveillance was going on against the common citizens. Also,
the surveillance was going on at the behest of the national government.
Saddened by the unethical functioning of the intelligence agency and
the national government, he accessed the confidential documents from
the agency and leaked them to the press. These documents were about
the existence of Government surveillance programmes. According to
many legal experts and the national Government, his action violated the
Espionage Act of his country and helped their enemies, which identified
the leak of State secrets as an act of treason. Yet, despite the fact that he
broke the law, XYZ argued that he had a moral obligation to act. He gave
a justification for his “whistle blowing” by stating that he had a duty “to
inform the public about the surveillance they were subjected to by their
own government.” According to him, the Government’s violation of
privacy had to be exposed regardless of legality since more substantive
issues of social action and public morality were involved here. Many
agreed with XYZ. Few argued that he broke the law and compromised
national security, for which he should be held accountable.
a. Do you agree that XYZ’s actions were ethically justified even if legally
prohibited? Give arguments in favor and against him.
b. Describe the values a person must possess for doing lawful and ethical
whistle blowing. (20 marks, 250 words)
6. The Chairperson of a prominent regulatory organization XYZ in India
has been accused of compromised decision-making by an international
research organization. It alleges that her decisions may have indirectly
benefited companies associated with her spouse as these companies are
within the regulatory purview of this regulatory organisation.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have raised questions about the
Chairperson’s previous employment with a private financial institution
accusing her of gaining undue financial gains from it. They allege her
of taking the salary from previous employer even when she has left that
previous employment. Coincidentally, that private financial institution
also comes within the regulatory purview of XYZ. They demand a
parliamentary committee investigation into these allegations.
The situation has further deteriorated with an anonymous letter,
purportedly from senior employees of the organization XYZ, being
leaked to the media. The letter accused the chairperson of arbitrary
decision-making and shouting at staff unnecessarily creating a hostile
work environment. In another media report a former employee accuses
her of suppression of dissenting views within the organization. It also
reports that several experienced officers working in that organisation
have reportedly sought transfers or taken voluntary retirement in the past
year.
a. Identify the key ethical issues involved in this case.
b. What steps can be taken to strengthen institutional governance in India?
c. Suggest the steps that can be taken by this organization to ensure a
cordial work environment for its employees. (20 marks, 250 words)
