GS4 2021 Q8 20 marks 250 words Case study: Academic integrity

UPSC Mains 2021 GS4 Q8 — Case study: Academic integrity

You are Vice Principal of a degree college in one of the middle-class towns. Principal has recently retired and management is looking for his replacement. There are also feelers that the management may promote you as Principal. In the meantime, during annual examination the flying squad which came from the university caught two students red-handed involving in unfair means. A senior lecturer of the college was personally helping these students in this act. This senior lecturer also happens to be close to the management. One of the students was son of a local politician who was responsible in getting college affiliated to the present reputed university. The second student was son of a local businessman who has donated maximum funds for running of the college. You immediately informed the management regarding this unfortunate incident. The management told you to resolve the issue with flying squad at any cost. They further said that such incident will not only tarnish the image of the college but also the politician and businessman are very important personalities for the functioning of the college. You were also given hint that your further promotion to Principal depends on your capability in resolving this issue with flying squad. In the meantime, you were intimated by your administrative officer that certain members of the student union are protesting outside the college gate against the senior lecturer and the students involved in this incident and demanding strict action against defaulters. (a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. (b) Critically examine the options available with you as Vice Principal. What option will you adopt and why? (Answer in 250 words)

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Question Decoded — examiner's intent

Directive verbs
DiscussCritically examine
Scope keywords
ethical issuesoptions availableunfair meanspromotion to Principalresolve the issue with flying squad at any coststudent union are protesting
Implicit sub-parts
  • Identification of primary stakeholders and their conflicting interests.
  • Analysis of the institutional integrity of the college vs. personal career advancement.
  • The role of the senior lecturer as an internal rot that facilitates corruption.
  • Managing the immediate law and order situation created by the student union protest.
  • The long-term impact of 'fixing' the issue on the university's reputation and student morale.
Common pitfalls
  • Failing to address the specific role of the senior lecturer who actively assisted in cheating.
  • Proposing 'negotiation' with the flying squad, which is essentially bribery or professional misconduct.
  • Ignoring the student union's protest, which represents the public accountability aspect of the case.
  • Choosing a 'middle path' that compromises on the zero-tolerance policy for unfair means just to satisfy the management.
  • Over-emphasizing the fear of the politician and businessman instead of upholding academic standards.
Dimensions required
Professional EthicsAdministrative IntegrityConflict of InterestInstitutional AccountabilityLegal-Procedural Compliance
Marks allocation hint

Dedicate 50 words to identifying 4-5 core ethical issues. Use 120 words to evaluate three options (Compliant, Escapist, and Ethical/Principle-based) with their pros and cons. Use the remaining 80 words to justify the final choice, ensuring it integrates the action against the lecturer and the management of the protest while maintaining academic merit.

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