UPSC Mains 2025 GS4 Q14 — Case study - Disaster management
Vijay was Deputy Commissioner of remote district of Hilly Northern State of the country for the last two years. In the month of August heavy rains lashed the complete state followed by 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 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 was US citizen and staying there for 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 dilemma 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? (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- evaluateexamine
- Scope keywords
- Deputy Commissioner of remote districtrescue and relief operationsmother has expiredno close relative except one elder sistersituation in the affected district deterioratedperforming last rites
- Implicit sub-parts
- The conflict between 'Deontological' duty (professional obligation) vs. 'Personal Ethics/Filial Piety'.
- The administrative impact of a leadership vacuum during a secondary crisis (resumption of heavy rains).
- Alternative arrangements for the mother's last rites to satisfy emotional closure without abandoning public duty.
- The risk of 'Emotional Intelligence' application—managing personal grief while leading a traumatized team.
- Common pitfalls
- Suggesting he should leave immediately solely on 'emotional grounds' without accounting for the 200+ dead and 5000+ injured under his care.
- Adopting an overly stoic approach that ignores the cultural importance of last rites, making the answer appear robotic rather than ethically balanced.
- Failing to mention the 'Sister' factor—aspirants often forget she is in the US and cannot reach immediately, placing the entire burden on Vijay.
- Neglecting the 'deteriorating situation' mentioned in the prompt; leaving at this specific moment could lead to administrative collapse.
- Dimensions required
- Crisis Management and LeadershipPersonal vs Professional EthicsEmotional IntelligenceAdministrative AccountabilityFilial Obligations
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate approximately 40 words each to parts (a) and (b) to define the framework. Devote the bulk (120 words) to (c) by rigorously testing the consequences of staying vs. leaving. Conclude with 50 words in (d) providing a 'middle path' or a synthesis that prioritizes the 'larger public good' while honoring his mother through digital/proxy means.
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