IMP 2025

Intensive Mains
Programme
Revision Notes

Ethics: 03

APTITUDE &
FOUNDATIONAL VALUE
FOR CIVIL SERVICES
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Aptitude and Foundational  Leadership Qualities

Value for civil services ! Inspiring and mobilizing teams to
achieve public goals.
! Leading by example with integrity
A. Signification in Civil Services and responsibility.
 Drafting inclusive policies that promote  Emotional Intelligence
economic growth while protecting ! Recognizing and managing personal
vulnerable populations. emotions and understanding others’
 Acting decisively during crises (e.g., emotions.
natural disasters) while upholding ! Building relationships based on
fairness and efficiency. empathy and mutual respect.
 Ensuring transparency in implementing  Administrative Skills
welfare schemes.
! Efficient resource management and
 Resolving conflicts through negotiation,
planning.
empathy, and dialogue.

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! Ability to implement policies
 Promoting good governance
effectively and monitor outcomes.
by integrating accountability,
responsiveness, and public  Analytical Aptitude
participation. ! Quantitative and qualitative analysis
Values form the backbone of ethical and to measure policy impact.
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effective administration in civil services,
ensuring alignment with public interest and
! Evaluating the feasibility of initiatives
and programs.
national priorities
C. Foundational Values for Civil
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B. Aptitude for Civil Services
Services
 Problem-Solving Skills
 Integrity
! Ability to analyse complex situations
and identify practical, balanced ! Adherence to moral and ethical
solutions. principles, ensuring transparency
and honesty.
! Use of logic and creativity to address
! Avoiding conflicts of interest and
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administrative challenges.
corruption.
 Decision-Making Ability
 Objectivity
! Making timely, informed, and ethical
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decisions under pressure. ! Making impartial decisions based on

! Balancing competing interests while merit, free from biases.
maintaining fairness. ! Ensuring fairness in policy
 Critical Thinking implementation and service
delivery.
! Evaluating policies, laws, and
situations with an objective lens.  Dedication to Public Service
! Addressing societal issues with ! Commitment to serving citizens,
evidence-based reasoning. particularly marginalized
communities.
 Communication Skills
! Upholding the dignity and welfare of
! Clear and concise written and verbal
individuals.
communication to interact with
diverse stakeholders.  Accountability
! Persuasive and empathetic ! Taking responsibility for decisions
communication to build trust. and outcomes.
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! Ensuring openness in government  Here’s how these principles translate

functions and responsiveness to into practice:
public scrutiny.
 Empathy and Compassion 1. Integrity in Action
! Understanding the needs of  Ensuring Transparent Procurement:
vulnerable sections of society.
A civil servant must uphold integrity
! Addressing grievances with during tender processes by preventing
sensitivity and care. favouritism or corruption. For instance,
 Transparency digitizing tender systems ensures
! Ensuring open access to government transparency and accountability.
information.  Reporting Malpractices:
! Building public trust through clarity Whistleblowing against unethical
in actions and communication. practices, even at personal risk, reflects
 Courage of Conviction courage and honesty.
! Standing by ethical principles, even  Example: IAS officer Ashok Khemka

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in the face of adversity. gained recognition for cancelling illegal
land deals, despite facing frequent
! Challenging unethical practices and
transfers.
defending public interest.
 Inclusiveness 2. Objectivity in Decision-Making
! Promoting equality and justice
across all sections of society.
O  Merit-Based Recruitment: A district
! Encouraging diverse voices in officer ensuring unbiased selection of
decision-making processes. beneficiaries under welfare schemes,
SC
regardless of caste, gender, or political
 Commitment to Constitutional
affiliation.
Values
 Balanced Recommendations: In policy
! Upholding the principles of
democracy, secularism, and the rule drafting, objective analysis of data—
of law. free from political pressure—ensures
well-rounded decisions that address
! Ensuring justice, liberty, equality, and
the real needs of society.
fraternity as enshrined in the Indian
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Constitution.  Example: S.R. Sankaran, a distinguished

 Sustainability IAS officer, applied objective principles
to uplift marginalized communities in
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! Integrating long-term environmental, Andhra Pradesh.

economic, and social considerations
into decision-making.
3. Empathy and Compassion in
! Advocating for policies that promote
intergenerational equity.
Governance
 Proactive Response in Crises: During
D. Practical Applications of Aptitude natural disasters, such as floods, civil
and Foundational Values in Civil servants must empathize with affected
Services people, setting up relief camps
and ensuring timely distribution of
 Civil servants operate at the resources.
intersection of governance and public
welfare, where practical application  Grievance Redressal: Actively listening
of aptitude and foundational values to public grievances and resolving
becomes critical for delivering good them compassionately fosters trust in
governance. governance.
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 Example: Arminder Singh Gill, a  Example: Digitization of PDS systems

bureaucrat in Punjab, is lauded for in states like Tamil Nadu has reduced
empathetically addressing farmers’ corruption and ensured food grains
concerns during agrarian distress. reach the intended beneficiaries.

4. Accountability in 7. Leadership in Crisis

Administration Management
 Public Audit of Schemes: Conducting  Handling Public Unrest: Leading
social audits of flagship programs like negotiations with striking workers
MNREGA to involve citizens in evaluating or protest groups to find peaceful,
their effectiveness. acceptable resolutions.
 Answerability to Stakeholders:  Coordinating Teams: During
Ensuring proper documentation of funds the COVID-19 pandemic, district
and actions to avoid mismanagement. magistrates played pivotal roles in
resource allocation, vaccination drives,
 Example: TN Seshan, as Chief Election and public communication.

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Commissioner, transformed electoral
 Example: District Collector Gagandeep
accountability by enforcing strict
Singh Bedi’s efforts in coordinating post-
adherence to the Model Code of
flood relief in Tamil Nadu demonstrated
Conduct.
exceptional crisis leadership.
5. Inclusiveness in Policy 8. Sustainability in Development
Implementation
O Initiatives
 Schemes for Marginalized Groups:  Green Infrastructure Projects:
Rolling out gender-sensitive schemes
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Promoting solar energy projects or
like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao afforestation drives while balancing
while addressing intersectional economic development.
disadvantages such as caste or
 Climate-Resilient Agriculture:
disability.
Initiating practices like watershed
 Public Participation: Engaging diverse management to conserve water and
communities in local governance ensure sustainable farming.
through platforms like Gram Sabhas
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 Example: IAS officer Rajendra Kumar’s

ensures inclusivity in developmental
work in Tamil Nadu focused on water
planning. conservation through micro-irrigation
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 Example: IAS officer Smita Sabharwal’s systems.

inclusive healthcare initiatives in
Telangana enhanced rural access to 9. Courage of Conviction in
medical facilities. Upholding Values
6. Transparency in Service  Standing Against Pressure: Refusing
Delivery to succumb to political or corporate
lobbying, such as blocking illegal
 Digital Governance: Leveraging construction or misuse of public lands.
technology for direct benefit transfers  Advocacy for Justice: Supporting
(DBT) to minimize leakages and ensure policies like land redistribution despite
timely payments of subsidies. opposition from influential elites.
 RTI Compliance: Providing information  Example: E. Sreedharan, known as the
proactively to citizens under the Right “Metro Man of India,” upheld ethical
to Information Act demonstrates values while leading infrastructure
openness. projects like the Delhi Metro.
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10. Focus on Problem-Solving ! Identify five ethical traits on which

one can plot the performance of a
 Public-Private Partnerships: civil servant. Justify their inclusion
Formulating innovative solutions by in the matrix.
involving private stakeholders in public
! Integrity is a value that empowers
projects like affordable housing or
the human being. Justify with
sanitation.
suitable illustration.
 Quick Action in Emergencies: Setting
up helplines or emergency response Theme 2: Core Foundational Values
centers during calamities. in Civil Services
 Example: IAS officer Anil Swarup
designed the Rashtriya Swasthya  Sub-Theme 2.1: Integrity and Honesty
Bima Yojana (RSBY), a health insurance ! What does integrity mean to
scheme for the poor, combining you in the context of public
problem-solving with efficient resource administration? How would you
use. uphold this value in your service?

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! “Integrity is the cornerstone of
11. Adaptation to Global and Local public service ethics.” Discuss its
Contexts relevance in today’s governance.
 Global Outlook, Local Action:  Sub-Theme 2.2: Objectivity and Non-
Implementing global best practices, Partisanship
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such as participatory budgeting, tailored ! Objectivity and impartiality are
to India’s socio-cultural realities. essential values for a civil servant.
 Leveraging SDGs: Aligning How can these values help in
effective policy implementation?
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developmental goals with Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) for holistic  Sub-Theme 2.3: Empathy and
and inclusive growth. Compassion
 Civil servants must integrate these ! How can empathy and compassion
values and aptitudes in daily governance enhance the effectiveness of a civil
to bridge the gap between policy servant in public service delivery?
intent and ground realities. Practical Illustrate with examples.
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application of these principles ensures  Sub-Theme 2.4: Accountability and

equity, efficiency, and justice in public Responsibility
administration.
! Accountability ensures transpa-
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rency in governance. Explain

E. Themes the relationship between
accountability and foundational
Theme 1: Understanding Aptitude values in public service.
and Foundational Values
Theme 3: Role of Aptitude in Public
 Sub-Theme 1.1: Definition and Administration
Significance
! What do you understand by  Sub-Theme 3.1: Emotional and
‘aptitude’ and ‘foundational Intellectual Aptitude
values’ for civil services? Discuss ! What role does intellectual aptitude
their importance in public play in effective decision-making
administration. for civil servants? (Hypothetical,
 Sub-Theme 1.2: Essential Values for extrapolated from the syllabus.)
Civil Services ! Discuss how emotional aptitude
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helps civil servants balance ! Leadership is not about managing

professional responsibilities and others; it is about managing
ethical challenges. (Hypothetical, oneself. Discuss in the context
linked to applied ethics.) of foundational values for civil
 Sub-Theme 3.2: Conflict Resolution servants.
and Negotiation Skills
 Sub-Theme 5.2: Transparency and
! It is believed that adherence to
ethics in human actions ensures Integrity in Policy Implementation
the smooth functioning of an ! How do foundational values like
organization. How do foundational integrity and accountability
values assist in conflict
improve transparency in
resolution?
governance? Illustrate with
Theme 4: Challenges in Upholding examples.
Foundational Values
Theme 6: Cultivating Foundational
 Sub-Theme 4.1: Ethical Dilemmas in
Values

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Civil Services
! With regard to the morality of  Sub-Theme 6.1: Training for Civil
actions, one view is that means is Servants
of paramount importance, and the
other view is that ends justify the ! Suggest a framework for
means. Which view do you think inculcating foundational values in
is more appropriate? Justify your
O civil services training. Discuss its
answer. impact on ethical governance.
 Sub-Theme 4.2: Balancing Personal
 Sub-Theme 6.2: Self-Reflection and
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and Professional Ethics
Ethical Growth
! Differentiate between personal
ethics and professional ethics. ! Which eminent personality has
How do civil servants balance the inspired you the most in the
two in real-world scenarios? context of ethical conduct in life?
Give the gist of his/her teachings.
Theme 5: Application of Giving specific examples, describe
Foundational Values in Governance
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how you have been able to apply

 Sub-Theme 5.1: Leadership and these teachings for your ethical
Decision-Making development.
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Summary of Key Themes

Themes Sub-Themes

Understanding Aptitude Definition, significance, essential traits

Core Values in Civil Services Integrity, empathy, accountability, non-partisanship

Role of Aptitude Intellectual/emotional aptitude, conflict resolution

Challenges in Upholding Values Ethical dilemmas, balancing ethics

Application in Governance Leadership, policy implementation

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F. Key focus of Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Services Summary

Theme Key Focus Example Question

Understanding the importance of Discuss the importance of aptitude in
Role of Aptitude
aptitude in making informed and the selection and functioning of civil
in Civil Services
rational decisions in civil services. servants.

Foundational Core values that should guide civil What foundational values should
Values for Civil servants in their duty to the public and a civil servant uphold to ensure
Services nation. effective governance?

Integrity as the cornerstone of public How does integrity and transparency

Integrity and
service, and the role of transparency in in public service contribute to good
Transparency
building trust. governance?

The intrinsic motivation to serve the How does public service motivation
Public Service

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public and work towards the common enhance the effectiveness of civil
Motivation
good. servants?

Accountability The importance of accountability in How can civil servants ensure

and governance and the responsibility of accountability in their day-to-day
Responsibility civil servants towards the public. work?

Commitment to
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The necessity of adherence to legal
Why is commitment to the rule of
frameworks and constitutional norms
Rule of Law law essential for civil servants?
by civil servants.
SC
Ensuring fairness in decision-making Discuss how fairness and impartiality
Fairness and
and the importance of impartiality in are essential in decision-making for
Impartiality
serving the public. civil servants.

Ethical Decision- The role of ethical decision-making in How can civil servants make ethical
Making public administration. decisions in complex situations?

Ensuring competence through

What role does competence
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Competence and continuous learning and maintaining

and professionalism play in the
Professionalism professionalism in every aspect of
effectiveness of civil services?
governance.
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The need for leadership skills and the How do leadership skills and
Leadership and
ability to work in teams for successful teamwork contribute to effective
Teamwork
governance. governance?

The importance of empathy in Discuss the role of empathy and

Empathy and
understanding public issues and compassion in the delivery of public
Compassion
delivering services. services.

Selflessness Emphasizing selflessness in serving the How can civil servants uphold
and Service nation and citizens, with a focus on selflessness in the course of their
Orientation collective well-being. duties?

The importance of respecting diversity

Respect for in society, and how civil servants Discuss the importance of respecting
Diversity should navigate cultural and social diversity in civil services.
differences.
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Theme Key Focus Example Question

A focus on the ethical standards that How can ethical principles
Ethics in Public
should guide the functioning of civil be implemented in public
Administration
services. administration?

Service Discuss how accountability ensures

The need for effective and accountable
Delivery and effective service delivery in civil
service delivery to the public.
Accountability services.

Key Insights  Ethical Decision-Making: Civil servants

face ethical dilemmas regularly, and their
 Role of Aptitude in Civil Services: Aptitude decisions should align with moral principles,
helps civil servants make rational, informed ensuring fairness and public good.
decisions. It includes skills like problem-
 Competence and Professionalism:
solving, critical thinking, and decision-
Competence ensures that civil servants
making that are essential for effective

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can effectively perform their duties, while
governance. professionalism ensures that they uphold
 Foundational Values for Civil Services: the standards expected in their roles.
Core values such as integrity, transparency,  Leadership & Teamwork: Leadership is
and accountability form the basis of critical in guiding teams, while teamwork
good governance. These values guide civil ensures that diverse skills and perspectives
servants in their duties to the nation and
the public.
O contribute to effective governance.
 Empathy & Compassion: Empathy helps
 Integrity & Transparency: Integrity civil servants understand and address the
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ensures that civil servants act ethically, real needs of the public, while compassion
while transparency builds trust and reduces ensures that services are delivered with
corruption. Both are key for accountability care and concern for individuals’ welfare.
and credibility in governance.
 Selflessness & Service Orientation: Civil
 Public Service Motivation: A civil servant’s servants must put public interest before
motivation to serve the public ensures personal gain, fostering a service-oriented
that their actions are aligned with public mindset that emphasizes the common
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interests, fostering a sense of responsibility good over individual desires.

and commitment to societal well-being.
 Respect for Diversity: Civil servants should
 Accountability & Responsibility: Civil respect and navigate cultural, social, and
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servants are accountable to the public and regional differences, ensuring that policies
must take responsibility for their actions are inclusive and representative of diverse
and decisions. Accountability mechanisms communities.
help ensure transparency and fairness.
 Ethics in Public Administration: Ethical
 Commitment to Rule of Law: Adherence to principles like fairness, transparency, and
the rule of law is a fundamental principle accountability should be embedded in all
for civil servants. It ensures that all actions aspects of public administration to ensure
and decisions are in line with constitutional effective and just governance.
norms and legal frameworks.  Service Delivery and Accountability:
 Fairness and Impartiality: Civil servants Effective service delivery is rooted in
must ensure that their decisions are fair and accountability. Civil servants must ensure
impartial, treating all individuals and issues that they deliver quality services, answerable
without bias, ensuring justice for all. to the public for their actions.

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