UPSC Mains 2024 GS4 Q15 — Internal Security Ethics
Raman is a senior IPS officer and has recently been posted as D.G. of a state... (a) What are the options available to Raman to tackle the above situation? (b) What measures would you suggest for strengthening the eñisting set&up to ensure that such groups do not succeed in penetrating 'and vitiating the atmosphere in the state? (c) In the above scenario, what action plan would you advise for enhancing the intelligence gathering mechanism of the police force? (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- What are the options availableWhat measures would you suggestwhat action plan would you advise
- Scope keywords
- senior IPS officerD.G. of a statestrengthening the existing set-uppenetrating and vitiating the atmosphereenhancing the intelligence gathering mechanismpolice force
- Implicit sub-parts
- Ethical evaluation of each option (merits vs demerits) for the D.G.
- Short-term crisis management vs. long-term institutional resilience
- Community policing as a soft-intelligence tool
- Technological integration in surveillance and data analysis
- Inter-departmental coordination and real-time information sharing
- Common pitfalls
- Providing generic administrative reforms without addressing the specific threat of 'vitiating the atmosphere' or radicalization.
- Ignoring the 'D.G.' seniority level by suggesting low-level tactical actions instead of strategic/policy interventions.
- Failing to balance hard policing (arrests) with soft power (counter-narratives) in part (b).
- Overlooking the legal and ethical safeguards required while enhancing 'intelligence gathering' mechanisms.
- Dimensions required
- Ethical LeadershipPublic Order and Internal SecurityTechnological/Digital InfrastructureCommunity and Social PsychologyLegal and Constitutional Framework
- Marks allocation hint
Devote 70-80 words to part (a) by evaluating 3 distinct options through an ethical lens. Allocate 90 words to part (b) focusing on systemic and structural reforms. Use the remaining 80 words for part (c) to provide a specific, multi-layered action plan for intelligence ranging from human assets to technical signals.
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