UPSC Mains 2017 GS4 Q9 — Ethical Conduct
You are an honest and responsible civil servant. You often observe the following : (a) There is a general perception that adhering to ethical conduct one may face difficulties to oneself and cause problems for the family, whereas unfair practices may help to reach the career goals. (b) When the number of people adopting unfair means is large, a small minority having a penchant towards ethical means makes no difference. (c) Sticking to ethical means is detrimental to the larger developmental goals. (d) While one may not involve oneself in large unethical practices, but giving and accepting small gifts makes the system more efficient. Examine the above statements with their merits and demerits. (250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Examine
- Scope keywords
- ethical conductunfair practicescareer goalssmall minority makes no differencedetrimental to the larger developmental goalssmall gifts makes the system more efficient
- Implicit sub-parts
- Analyze the cost-benefit of integrity versus career advancement in a personal/family context.
- Critique the 'Critical Mass' theory—why individual ethical conduct matters even when outnumbered.
- Deconstruct the false dichotomy between strict ethical adherence and national development speed.
- Examine the 'Slippery Slope' argument regarding petty corruption/gifts and institutional efficiency.
- Common pitfalls
- Taking a purely moralistic or 'preachy' tone without evaluating the actual 'merits' (rationales) people use for these behaviors.
- Failing to address the 'family' aspect mentioned in statement (a), which is a common pressure point for civil servants.
- Agreeing with the 'efficiency' argument of gifts without citing the legal definition of 'gratification' under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
- Treating all four statements as a single block instead of providing a distinct merit/demerit analysis for each.
- Dimensions required
- Individual Ethics vs. Organizational CultureUtilitarianism vs. DeontologyLegal-Rational Authority (Weberian)Sociological impact on Family and Peer groupsLong-term Institutional Integrity vs. Short-term Developmental Gains
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate approximately 50-60 words to each of the four statements (a-d). For each statement, spend 20 words on the 'merit' (the perceived logic/rationalization) and 40 words on the 'demerit' (the ethical/systemic fallout). Use the remaining 10-20 words for a concluding synthesis on the non-negotiability of integrity.
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