APSC Mains 2022 – General Studies GS 4 Question Paper 4 Analysis
Section-A
Q1. Our education system has helped us in acquiring skills but has failed us in inculcating values and ethics.” Do you agree? Illustrate with examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Q2. Explain the concept of ‘Vasundhara Kutumbakam’. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Q3. Describe the following terms with respect to the fundamental values of Civil Services : (Answer in 150 words) 2×5=10
- Integrity
- Impartiality
- Objectivity
- Empathy
- Compassion towards weaker sections
Q4. Describe the recommendations of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission for code of conduct. (Answer in 150 words)
Q5. It is said that our behaviour reflects our attitude. Do you agree? What are some of the ways by which our attitude gets shaped? (Answer in 150 words) 10
Q6. Distinguish between personal and professional ethics. Do you think it is justified for a civil servant to be ethical in his/her professional life without being so in his/her personal life? Explain with examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Q7. *An effective public servant must be a good leader rather than a good boss.” Comment. What are the three most important leadership qualities that a public servant must possess? (Answer in 150 words) 10
Q8. The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” (Mahatma Gandhi). Explain what the statement means to you in the present context. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Q9. What are the principal measures taken by the government in recent years to bring transparency? Have these brought down corruption? Elucidate with examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Q10. Government departments are are increasingly resorting to contractual employment or outsourcing activities. Do you think this is the right way to improve work culture in government departments and service delivery? (Answer in 150 words) 10
Q11. Social media is a double-edged sword and must be used carefully by public servants Discuss the role of Emotional Intelligence in management of social media by public servants. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Q12. What, in your opinion, has been the impact of rise of nuclear families on family as an institution for inculcating values? (Answer in 150 words) 10
Q13 “A man with integrity refuses to be compromised.” Elaborate with reference to a real-life example. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Section-B
Q14. An activist files a petition in your office stating that there have been irregularities in choosing beneficiaries by your staff in office. You decide to initiate an enquiry and then come to know that the activist has taken money from your staff in office. The next day the activist again comes to your office with a petition to withdraw the previous petition. He argues that he received wrong information from the beneficiaries. You know that initiating an enquiry will damage the reputation of your office and also demoralise your office staff.
Now, answer the following questions:
(a) What are the various ethical dilemmas you are currently facing?
(b) List out the various options available to you in dealing with the situation.
(c) What option will you finally exercise? Justify.
(Answer in 250 words]
Q15. There are situations where a public servant faces dilemma between what is written in the law and what her empathy and compassion call for How should servant resolve this dilemma? What should she prioritise? Discuss with suitable example. (Answer in 250 words) 20
Q16. You are posted as a Circle Officer of X Revenue Circle in Y district. There is a public complaint filed against one of your Lat Mondals for demanding bribe in a mutation case. The Deputy Commissioner orders you to enquire and submit a report. When you begin the enquiry, you get evidence that the Lat Mondal did in However, the Lat Mondal is connected to a senior officer in the government who starts pressurising you to give clean chit to the said Lat Mondal.
In this context, answer the following questions:
- What the ethical dilemmas that you are facing?
- What are the various actions you can take in this case?
- Discuss the ethical implications of each action.
- Which action will you finally choose and why?
(Answer in 250 words)
Q17. You are HOD of a government department. Mr. A is a very efficient employee in your office. He comes to office on time, leaves after everyone has left and never says no to any work you assign to him. One day, one woman by the name of Mrs. B comes to your office. She alleges that she is the first wife of Mr. A and that A has married a second time without informing her. She says that she does not want to complain against him, but needs your intervention in ensuring that A gives a monthly maintenance. Upon enquiry, you find that A has indeed married a second time without divorcing Mrs. B. A has also informed you that the marriage with Mrs. B broke down due to irreconcilable differences and that A had offered to give her maintenance which she refused. A has further stated that Mrs. B demanded a much higher maintenance-nearly half his salary-which A refused as he now has children from his second wife and also a home loan. You know that it is illegal for a government servant to marry second time without divorcing the first.
Now, answer the following questions:
- What are the ethical dilemmas faced by you?
- How would you tackle the above situation?
(Answer in 250 words)
Q18. What is the importance of discretion for a civil servant? Discuss some of the areas where you as a civil servant might have to exercise discretion. Do you think that discretion also increases the possibility of corruption? Critically examine. (Answer in 250 words) 20
Q19. “Corruption is more of a social problem than a legal problem.” In the light of recent incidents of officials apprehended for taking bribes, critically examine the above statement. Also, explain the steps taken by the government in recent years to reduce corruption: Do you think the Amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act will help honest officials in discharging their duties? (Answer in 250 words) 20
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