Sanskriti Singh

AIR 165 · CSE 2025

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Sample questions answered

• a) Rising influence of money power in Indian elections poses a serious challenge to transparency, fairness, and democratic accountability. How can ethical electoral funding be ensured to maintain the integrity of democracy? b) Explain the key dimensions of ethics that influence human behaviour. How do these dimensions shape ethical decision-making in private life? GS4
• a) What do you understand by the term ‘probity in governance’? Explain how probity acts as the foundation of ethical public administration. GS4
• a) What do you understand by the ‘voice of conscience’? In what ways can you prepare yourself to listen to the voice of conscience? b) Effective utilisation of public funds is not merely an administrative requirement but a moral responsibility of those entrusted with public office. However, instances of funds allocated to government schemes lying idle or being diverted towards extraneous purposes continue to be reported across the country. Examine the reasons for under-utilization and mis-utilization of public funds and their implications. GS4
• A rail overbridge (ROB) is being planned in the capital city of a central Indian state. The project aims to reduce traffic congestion and ease delays at railway crossings, which affect thousands of daily commuters. It had been a long-standing demand of local residents, and the government approved it to address persistent traffic bottlenecks in the area. The project is to be executed by the State Public Works Department (PWD), with a strict completion deadline of one year i.e. 31st July 2026. The PWD Minister, who is also the local MLA, is scheduled to inaugurate the project in the third week of August 2026. This is planned to take place shortly before the expected announcement of state elections. Ramesh has been selected as the project manager of this prestigious assignment on the basis of his professional competence and experience. While reviewing the approved design plans in preparation for execution, Ramesh identifies a serious flaw. The proposed alignment includes a sharp 90-degree turn, incorporated due to spatial constraints between an electrified railway line on one side and ongoing metro construction on the other. From a technical standpoint, Ramesh believes the design is unsafe. It increases the risk of vehicular accidents, especially for heavy vehicles, and may lead to long-term inconvenience for road users. Ramesh promptly raises the issue with the Chief Engineer. However, the Chief Engineer overrules the concern. He states that the General Arrangement Drawing (GAD) has already been approved by the Bridge Engineering Department, in coordination with Indian Railways. He points out that revisiting the design at this stage shall result in project delays, increased expenditure, and unwanted political attention. Subsequently, Ramesh comes to know that the contractor awarded the tender to execute the project is a close relative of the PWD Minister. He also receives unofficial communication suggesting that his promotion to Additional Chief Engineer is under active consideration, but could be jeopardised if he creates “unnecessary hurdles” in the project’s timely completion. The incumbent state government is eager to complete the overbridge before the elections and present it as a major developmental achievement. This adds to the pressure on Ramesh to expedite project execution without raising further objections. Nonetheless, he remains convinced that the current design is flawed and could have grave implications for public safety if left unaddressed. Meanwhile, the bridge design has also attracted widespread public attention after being published in a leading local newspaper. Images of the sharp 90-degree turn went viral on social media, drawing criticism and ridicule. Several engineering experts have publicly flagged the alignment as a potential safety hazard, reinforcing Ramesh’s concerns. a) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to Ramesh as a project manager? b) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Ramesh? c) What are the professional challenges likely to be faced by Ramesh and his response to overcome such challenges? GS4
• a), b), c) a) दी गई परिस्थितियों में, एक परियोजना प्रबंधक के रूप में रमेश के पास क्या विकल्प उपलब्ध हैं? b) रमेश को किन नैतिक दुविधाओं का सामना करना पड़ रहा है? c) रमेश को किन व्यावसायिक चुनौतियों का सामना करना पड़ सकता है तथा ऐसी चुनौतियों पर नियंत्रण पाने के लिए उसकी क्या प्रतिक्रिया होनी चाहिए? a) दी गई परिस्थितियों में, एक परियोजना प्रबंधक के रूप में रमेश के पास क्या विकल्प उपलब्ध हैं? b) रमेश को किन नैतिक दुविधाओं का सामना करना पड़ रहा है? c) रमेश को किन व्यावसायिक चुनौतियों का सामना करना पड़ सकता है तथा ऐसी चुनौतियों पर नियंत्रण पाने के लिए उसकी क्या प्रतिक्रिया होनी चाहिए? GS4
• a) What are the ethical issues involved in the above case? b) Evaluate the options available to Srushti in the above situation. c) What suggestions would you make to help officers like Srushti maintain a healthy work-life balance. a) What are the ethical issues involved in the above case? b) Evaluate the options available to Srushti in the above situation. c) What suggestions would you make to help officers like Srushti maintain a healthy work-life balance. GS4
• A reputed Indian beauty & personal care company developed a herbal skin cream for the international market, claiming anti-ageing and skin-repair properties based on traditional Ayurvedic formulations. After obtaining the necessary approvals and export certifications, the company began exporting the product. The product received widespread positive feedback for its quality and natural formulation, and soon became a huge hit in international markets. Riding on this success, the company announced that the product would soon be made available to domestic consumers, with almost the same quality and health benefits. Subsequently, it secured approval from the domestic regulatory authority and launched the product in the Indian market. Over time, the brand gained a significant share of the domestic market and earned substantial revenues both nationally and internationally. However, during a random sample check, officials discovered that the cream sold in India differed from the version approved by the competent authority. The product failed to meet the claimed herbal composition and purity standards. Further investigation revealed that the company had often been distributing batches that had failed export quality checks. The incident triggered widespread public criticism and regulatory scrutiny, leading to a sharp decline in the company’s reputation and financial performance. a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. b) What actions should the competent regulatory authority take against the personal care company for violating domestic quality standards and distributing rejected export batches in the Indian market? c) What course of action is available to the company to manage the crisis and restore public trust and brand credibility? GS4
• A forest fire has broken out in a hilly district and is rapidly spreading toward an eco-sensitive area that includes four villages (ESA villages). These villages lie along the forest fringe and are surrounded by difficult terrain. The region is known for its biodiversity and traditional forest-based livelihoods. The inhabitants of these villages are mostly poor tribal communities, dependent on forest resources for their sustenance. You, as the District Magistrate of the area, have rushed to the spot with a medical team, police personnel, NGOs, media, and support staff to oversee the rescue and containment operations. Your disaster response team on the ground is small and poorly equipped. Reinforcements from the district headquarter have been requested, but they may take several hours to arrive due to the remoteness and challenging terrain. In the meantime, a group of trained ex-forest guards and local youth from the villages offer to help. They are experienced and familiar with the area. However, existing government rules do not permit the engagement of unofficial personnel in fire control operations without formal clearance and insurance coverage. Your team members are divided on this issue. Some members argue that volunteers should be engaged immediately to prevent the fire from spreading. Others caution that involving them without proper approval and safety cover could be risky and against protocol. As the District Magistrate, you are also the Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). The fire is spreading at a very rapid rate, and immediate action is required to protect lives, property, and the environment. You are now in a dilemma. a) What are the options available to you? b) Critically evaluate each of the options identified by you. c) What option would you adopt and why? d) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by you? GS4

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