UPSC Mains 2023 GS4 Q17 — Bureaucratic Politicization
Vinod is an honest and sincere IAS officer. Recently, he has taken over as Managing Director of the State Road Transport Corporation... (a) As a conscientious civil servant, evaluate the options available to Vinod. (b) In the light of the above case, comment upon the ethical issues that may arise due to the politicization of bureaucracy. (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- evaluatecomment
- Scope keywords
- honest and sincere IAS officerconscientious civil servantoptions availableethical issuespoliticization of bureaucracy
- Implicit sub-parts
- Identification of core ethical dilemmas (e.g., Efficiency vs. Political Pressure, Integrity vs. Career progression).
- Pros and cons of 'Going along with the system' versus 'Strict adherence to rules' versus 'Tactful persuasion'.
- Long-term systemic impacts of political interference on institutional integrity and public service delivery.
- The 'Middle Path' or creative solution that balances pragmatism with principled conduct.
- Common pitfalls
- Focusing too much on the 'corrupt' politicians and ignoring the 'options' part for the officer.
- Proposing extreme solutions like immediate resignation which fails the test of 'conscientiousness' and public duty.
- Treating Part (a) and (b) as separate essays instead of linking the case specifics to the theoretical concept of politicization.
- Generic ranting about corruption instead of analyzing specific ethical concepts like 'Objective Neutrality' and 'Commitment to the Constitution'.
- Dimensions required
- Professional EthicsLegal-Rational AuthorityPublic Interest and AccountabilityPsychological/Moral CourageAdministrative Efficiency
- Marks allocation hint
Devote approximately 150 words to Part (a) by evaluating at least three distinct options with their ethical merits and demerits. Use the remaining 100 words for Part (b) to provide a high-level analysis of how politicization erodes the 'Steel Frame' and affects the morale of honest officers.
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