GS4 · UPSC Mains

Arijit, a recent graduate from a top marketing institute, has joined a prominent multinational corporation (MNC) in the “personal care and wellness” sector. The MNC is globally known for its commitment to eco-friendly, natural, and sustainable products, which was a major reason for Arijit being drawn to the job. He sees this as a chance to work on campaigns that promote health-conscious and environmentally sustainable choices worldwide. Arijit enjoys the organization’s work culture and the nature of his new job. Within just a month, his creativity and fresh approach have earned him praise from his manager. Soon, he is assigned a high-stakes project to design an international campaign for the MNC’s new skincare product—a role typically reserved for more experienced team members. Excited, Arijit begins researching for the campaign but soon discovers an uncomfortable truth. Despite its “100% natural” branding, the product contains a significant percentage of synthetic ingredients, some of which are known to harm the environment and may also pose risks to human health. Arijit feels this contradicts the brand’s supposed commitment to environmental and health standards. When Arijit raises these concerns, his manager rebukes him and sternly instructs him to follow the company’s approved messaging. The manager emphasizes that the product meets all regulatory standards and that similar claims are widely used by other competitors in the market. Arijit is told to focus on his marketing responsibilities and avoid scrutinizing the product’s formulation. However, he still feels this is a manipulative practice that could mislead environmentally and health-conscious consumers into believing they are choosing a completely natural product. Arijit worries that pressing the issue further could harm his career prospects, especially since he is still on probation. As the sole breadwinner with a large education loan to repay, he can’t afford to lose his job. He tries to reason that this might simply be “how business is done” and considers dropping the matter. However, his conscience continues to urge him to take action. a. Analyze the conduct of the MNC from an ethical point of view. b. What are the options available to Arijit under the given situation? Evaluate each of the options and suggest the best course of action.

20 marks · 20 words · 3 toppers answered this · seen 2025

GS4 · Case studies on the above issues GS4 · Probity in governance — concept of public service; philosophical basis; information sharing & transparency; RTI; codes of ethics; work culture; service delivery; corruption; challenges

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