Ultimate Assessment Program 2027/28/29 || 1:1 Mentorship Batch Admissions Open

Mains

35 questions

# Question Microtheme Year UPSC Syllabus Marks GS Paper Subject
Accountability and Ethical Governance
1 The soul of the new law, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is Justice, Equality and Impartiality based on Indian culture and ethos. Discuss this in the light of major shift from a doctrine of punishment to justice in the present judicial system. Accountability and Ethical Governance 2024 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
2 Explain the term social capital. How does it enhance good governance? Accountability and Ethical Governance 2023 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
3 What do you understand by term ‘good governance’? How far recent initiatives in terms of e-Governance steps taken by the State have helped the beneficiaries? Discuss with suitable examples. Accountability and Ethical Governance 2022 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
4 An independent and empowered social audit mechanism is an absolute must in every sphere of public service, including the judiciary, to ensure performance, accountability and ethical conduct. Elaborate. (150 words) Accountability and Ethical Governance 2021 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
5 What do you understand by the terms 'governance', 'good governance' and 'ethical governance’? Accountability and Ethical Governance 2016 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
6 What does 'accountability' mean in the context of public service? What measures can be adopted to ensure individual and collective accountability of public servants? Accountability and Ethical Governance 2014 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
Conflict of Interest
7 What is meant by conflict of interest? Illustrate with examples, the difference between the actual and potential conflicts of interest. Conflict of Interest 2018 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
8 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. Conflict of Interest 2017 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
9 Public servants are likely to confront with the issues of 'Conflict of Interest'. 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 2015 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
Corporate Governance
10 What do you understand by ‘moral integrity’ and ‘professional efficiency' in the context of corporate governance in India ? Illustrate with suitable examples. Corporate Governance 2023 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
11 In contemporary world, corporate sector’s contribution in generating wealth and employment is increasing. In doing so, they are bringing in unprecedented onslaught on the climate, environmental sustainability and living conditions of human beings. In this background, do you find that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is efficient and sufficient enough to fulfill the social roles and responsibilities needed in the corporate world for which the CSR is mandated? Critically examine. Corporate Governance 2022 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
12 Corporate social responsibility makes companies more profitable and sustainable. Analyse. Corporate Governance 2017 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
Ethical Dilemma Resolution
13 Besides domain knowledge, a public official needs innovativeness and creativity of a high order as well, while resolving ethical dilemmas. Discuss with a suitable example. (150 words) Ethical Dilemma Resolution 2021 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
14 Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in Public Administration. Ethical Dilemma Resolution 2018 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
Ethical Issues in International Relations and funding
15 Q2 (a)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. Ethical Issues in International Relations and funding 2025 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
16 "It is not enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it; and it is not enough to believe in it, one must act upon it." In the present context, the major weapon industries of the developed nations are adversely influencing continuation of number of wars for their own self-interest, all around the world. What are the ethical considerations of the powerful nations in today's international arena to stop continuation of ongoing conflicts? Ethical Issues in International Relations and funding 2024 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
17 ‘International aid’ is an accepted form of helping ‘resource-challenged’ nations. Comment on ‘ethics in contemporary international aid’. Support your answer with suitable examples. Ethical Issues in International Relations and funding 2023 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
18 Russia and Ukraine war has been going on for the last seven months. Different countries have taken independent stands and actions keeping in view their own national interests. We are all aware that war has its own impact on the different aspects of society, including human tragedy. What are those ethical issues that are crucial to be considered while launching the war and its continuation so far? Illustrate with justification the ethical issues involved in the given state of affair. Ethical Issues in International Relations and funding 2022 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
19 “Refugees should not be turned back to the country where they would face prosecution or human rights violation.” Examine the statement with reference to the ethical dimension being violated by the nation claiming to be democratic with an open society. (150 words) Ethical Issues in International Relations and funding 2021 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
20 'The will to power exists, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and principles of moral duty.' Examine this statement in the context of international relations. (150 words) Ethical Issues in International Relations and funding 2020 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
21 Strength, peace and security are considered to be the pillars of international relations. Elucidate. Ethical Issues in International Relations and funding 2017 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
22 At the international level, the bilateral relations between most nations are governed on the policy of promoting one's own national interest without any regard for the interest of other nations. This leads to conflicts and tensions between the nations. How can ethical consideration help resolve such tensions? Discuss with specific examples. Ethical Issues in International Relations and funding 2015 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
Laws,Rules,Regulations,Conscience
23 Is conscience a more reliable guide when compared to laws, rules and regulations in the context of ethical decision making ? Discuss. Laws,Rules,Regulations,Conscience 2023 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
24 What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? How does it manifest itself in the public domain? (150 words, 10m) Laws,Rules,Regulations,Conscience 2019 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
25 Law and ethics are considered to be the two tools for controlling human conduct so as to make it conducive to civilized social existence. (a) Discuss how they achieve this objective. (b) Giving examples, show how the two differ in their approaches. Laws,Rules,Regulations,Conscience 2016 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
26 A mere compliance with law is not enough, the public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical issues for effective discharge of duties." Do you agree? Explain with the help of two examples, where (i) an act is ethically right, but not legally and (ii) an act is legally right, but not ethically. Laws,Rules,Regulations,Conscience 2015 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
27 What do you understand by the term 'voice of conscience'? How do you prepare yourself to heed to the voice of conscience? Laws,Rules,Regulations,Conscience 2013 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
28 What is meant by 'crisis of conscience? Narrate one incident in your life when you were faced with such a crisis and how you resolved the same. Laws,Rules,Regulations,Conscience 2013 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
Public/Civil Service Values
29 Q5 (a) “One who is devoted to one’s duty attains highest perfection in life.” Analyse this statement with reference to sense of responsibility and personal fulfilment as a civil servant. Public/Civil Service Values 2025 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
30 “Non-performance of duty by a public servant is a form of corruption” Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer (150 words, 10m) Public/Civil Service Values 2019 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
31 In doing a good thing, everything is permitted which is not prohibited expressly or by clear implication. Examine the statement with suitable examples in the context of a public servant discharging his/her duties. Public/Civil Service Values 2018 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
32 What is meant by public interest? What are the principles and procedures to be followed by the civil servants in public interest? Public/Civil Service Values 2018 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
33 Max Weber said that it is not wise to apply to public administration the sort of moral and ethical norms we apply to matters of personal conscience. It is important to realise that the State bureaucracy might possess its own independent bureaucratic morality. Critically analyse this statement. Public/Civil Service Values 2016 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
Not set
34 Q1 (b)“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. 2025 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics
35 What is meant by constitutional morality? How does one uphold constitutional morality?(150 words, 10m) 2019 GS4-07.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 10.0 GS4 Ethics