GS Mains Test Series 2016

Answer Hints: Test No.10 www.iasscore.in

ETHICS, INTEGRITY AND APTITUDE

SECTION - A

1. Shrewdness and cleverness are considered as hallmark of an efficient administrator, but

probity is put above this. A philosopher has said in this regard, "Take from a man his
reputation for probity, and the more shrewd and clever he is, the more hated and mistrusted

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he becomes." Examine.

Thinking line: OR
• The administrators are involved with the coordination and implementation of different
programmes and policies and oversee and supervise the team work.

• They require shrewdness and cleverness for:

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(a) Seeing things clearly; seeing things as they are

(b) Acting in prudent and effective ways

(c) Acting with the well-being of the whole in mind

(d) Knowing when to act and when not to act

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(e) Being able to handle whatever arises with peace of mind and an effective, compassionate,
holistic response

(f) Being able to anticipate potential problems and avoid them

• But most important aspect is that these have to accompany with probity to prove its right
intention and authenticity.

• Probity means integrity, trustworthiness, openness and honesty, and is expected in all areas
of governance, not solely in connection with financial dealings.Probity maintains strict
adherence to a code of ethics based on undeviating honesty, especially in commercial
(monetary) matters and beyond legal requirements.

• Without probity the characteristics as shrewdness and cleverness depicts a negative

connotation.

• Hence, administrator needs to be conscious at all times to uphold the highest standards of
conduct in their dealings on the government's behalf, which includes acting with integrity
and avoiding conflicts of interest.

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude [1]

2. Corruption, embezzlement, fraud, these are all characteristics which exist everywhere. It is
regrettably the way human nature functions, whether we like it or not. What successful
economies do is keep it to a minimum. No one has ever eliminated any of that stuff. Do
you agree? Give reasons.
Thinking line:
• In present day India, corruption has found an acceptance in the social psyche and behaviour.
Social evils like bribery, nepotism and favouritism have come to be accepted in the society.
• Corruption promotes illegality, unethicalism, subjectivity, inequity, injustice, waste, inefficiency
and inconsistency in administrative conduct and behaviour.
• It destroys the moral fabric of society and erodes the faith of the common man in the
legitimacy of the politico-administrative set up.
• Corruption effects include the rise of inflation, increase in black money, an unstable
marketplace and risk of investment, thus the rich becoming richer and the poor becoming

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poorer.
• This effects the overall social environment as well as economic development.
OR
• Thus good government always tries to minimize corruption.
• Government has taken many new initiatives as e-governance, fair recruitment, training of
emotional intelligence, value inculcation, etc for reducing corruption. Apart from that
government has taken human development initiatives as education and skill development to
reduce the poverty and unemployment.
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• These Good governance initiatives create enabling environment conducive to the enjoyment
of human rights. Without good governance, human rights cannot be respected and protected
in a sustainable manner.
• Explain these aspects and cite some good examples to substantiate your answer.
3. Suicide rate among the youth and especially students are increasing in India. Education is
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to be blamed for this to a great extent. Education is today imparting attributes needed for
competition and existentialist requirements in the market place and it is failing to give us
eternal values like courage, character, patience, perseverance, endurance, honesty, integrity,
etc. Do you agree? Give reasons.
Thinking line:
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young adults worldwide.
• The reasons for suicidal behaviour can be the lack of self determination, immaturity in
handling challenges, lack of patience, etc.
• This can be due to faulty education scenario which fails to inherent life-skills in an individual.
Thus reorienting education for values is needed.
• Role of informal education is of equal importance.
• The current model of education contributes to the lopsided development of students. This
model of education puts exclusive focus on cognitive to the total neglect of the affective
domain and presents an alienation between head and heart.
• Students are nurtured in a spirit of excessive competition and are trained right from the
beginning to relate to aggressive competition and facts detached from contexts.
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• The individualistic idea of excellence is promoted at the cost of emotional and relational
skills. Young learners hardly understand why they are in school, why they are studying
different subjects and how their schooling will be helpful to them.
• Their understanding is limited to learning about the subjects. They hardly know how they
should live their lives, commit themselves to the welfare of the country, care about the
environment and other social and moral issues. They are not clear as to what sort of persons
they hope to become when they complete their school education. Education of this kind
turns children into machines. Such a perspective defeats the very purpose of education - the
wholesome development of personality including ethical development which is fundamental
for making responsible decision making in case of moral conflicts.
• This requires adoption and structuring of the curriculum in such a manner that optimizes
the transmission and assimilation of values within and outside the classroom. Every lesson,
routine activity and environment becomes value-centric and the entire gamut of relationships
and processes in the school is thereby strengthened and empowered.
• We also need to see about the role of various institutions in this regard.

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4. Discuss the positive correlation between economic development of a country with the level
of ethics in governance system. OR
Thinking line:
• Economic growth is the most important means of raising people's incomes and reducing
poverty in the developing world - it creates jobs and opportunities for poor people to
support their families and build more stable futures.
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• Many developing countries face particular challenges that make it difficult for them to
stimulate and sustain economic growth. These challenges include weak institutions, high
unemployment, poor infrastructure, a lack of access to financial services and unsuitable laws
and regulations.
• This exists for a few reasons. First of all, if a small, corrupt nation is run by a dictatorial
regime, one that extracts much of the country's wealth for personal gain, the private sector
will be weak and unemployment will be high. Secondly, this type of environment is also
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unattractive to multinational corporations looking to expand. It's also not conducive for local
business development. Hence, the result is a dual-class citizenry (i.e.; the "haves" and the
"have-nots").
• The lack of ethical governance also leads to slow human resource development as most of
the steps for increment in education, health failed to show results due to poor implementation
scenario.
• Even in terms of gender disparity and discrimination lack of ethical governance aggravate
the situation.
5. ‘Freedom and liberty are genuine aspirations of the people in a democracy. But without
reasonable restrictions and self discipline there is a danger that we may end up in an
unprincipled anarchy.’ Examine the above statement in view of some of the recent happenings
in the country.
Thinking line:
• Freedom is said to exist when external constraints on the individual are absent. In terms of
this definition an individual could be considered free if he/she is not subject to external
controls or coercion and is able to make independent decisions and act in an autonomous

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude [3]

 way. However, absence of constraints is only one dimension of freedom. Freedom is also
about expanding the ability of people to freely express themselves and develop their potential.
Freedom in this sense is the condition in which people can develop their creativity and
capabilities.
• But no individual living in society can hope to enjoy total absence of any kind of constraints
or restrictions. It becomes necessary then to determine which social constraints are justified
and which are not, which are acceptable and which should be removed.
• In the recent times debate over freedom of expression and restrictions over it to maintain
peace and stability has increased. In the Section 66A judgment even Supreme Court has
stated that freedom of expression is rights of individual but government can place restrictions
on the content in tune to national security. Thus disciplined freedom is needed.
6. "The corrupt have many masters. The honest serve none". In the light of this statement,
discuss the reasons for decrement of ethics in the public service.

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Thinking line:
• The traditional cultural and spiritual values, which have been the mainstay of our civilization,
OR
seem to be losing their grip over society and politics due to Corruption. The corruption is
prevalent in all the field of governance whether executive, legislature, judiciary, civil society,
etc. each is supporting other to compromise national interest by providing service to powerful
bribe-givers while paying lip service to the country's good.
• There are certain departments and posts, which offer ample opportunities for graft. For
instance, at the state level departments of public works forests, excise, sales tax, revenue,
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police, food and civil supplies, road transport and health are favourite pasture of the corrupt.
Earlier the politicians used to occasionally help a corrupt official in difficulty and get their
reward. Now in all these departments, lucrative assignments have been clearly earmarked,
and only those officials are given these posts with whom the politicians have reached a clear
understanding on sharing the spoils. In the states appointments even to the Public Service
Commissions are mostly done on a quid pro quo basis, and the candidates they select are
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those whom the ministers have recommended.

• Thus the corrupt has many masters whereas honest serves the none.
• The reasons for erosion of values and increment of corruption are: Most of the employees
in government sector are paid low wages and salaries. Hence some employees revert to
corruption for more financial benefits; Due to lack of job opportunities at will, there are
many people who like to go for corruption mode to get the job offer; Even if someone is
found guilty or even caught red-handed by the anti-corruption officials or media, the convicts
get less punishment.
7. The Indian view of work depicts it as worship and act which is done for the betterment of
common good rather than individual, but in reality it is quite opposite since time immemorial.
Why?
Thinking line:
• From the earliest dawn of civilization, man has to work and struggle for his livelihood and
survival. For few, the work is a source of livelihood, for others it is a sense of achievement
in life. But Indian view on work depicts it as worship, i.e. dedication to work for the
livelihood of oneself as well as for the benefit of the society. It states a larger goal of common

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 good rather than satisfying selfish needs. Work that is done for the welfare of human beings
is worship.
• But in reality, the people follow the work for the selfish motive since time immemorial. At
the personal level the reason can be family pressure, peer pressure, rise of consumerism and
materialistic life.

• In the organization when people are not able to connect with the goal of the organization
and do not get healthy work culture, they start working just for selfish motives, i.e. salary
and promotion and does not vision for the organizational goal.

• Hence happiness, sense of belongingness and social cohesion makes the work as worship,
and the organizational culture, education system as well as society should inbuilt this at
individual level to make it a prosperous society working for common good rather than
selfish motive.
8. ‘Morality which depends upon the helplessness of a man or woman has not much to

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recommend it. Morality is rooted in the purity of our hearts’. Explain the statement in the
context of the behavioural traits of citizens including politicians, bureaucrats and common
men in India. OR
Thinking line:

• "Morality" refers to a code of conduct that would be accepted by anyone who meets certain
intellectual and volitional conditions, almost always including the condition of being rational.
This is important to ensure fair play and harmony between individuals; to help make us
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good people in order to have a good society.

• Morality conduct should be done from heart not when any other person is in helplessness.
The feeling of helplessness is one of severe pain where a person finds all his knowledge, wit,
might and ability incapable of restoring normalcy.
• This principle is applicable to all citizens including politicians, bureaucrats and commen
men.
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• "Morality" is the set of correct moral principles, which, though they probably will never be
universally adopted, ought to be adopted for the peaceful development of society.
• Politicians and bureaucrats design some of schemes and policies according to the ground
situation to gain advantage whether in elections or in day to day provisions. Their act of
morality is more inclined in favor of their own short-term self-interest that does not define
any particular course of action to establish moral society but changes with situations and
their interest.

• Same is the case with common citizens. The principles of morality should be universally
established with irrespective of the situations of the other person.

9. All members of the civil services have to be individually efficient and the department or the
organization of which they are part should be efficient as a whole. Define the qualities that
are implied in "being an efficient administrator".
Thinking line:

• Every organization bases its future and growth on the administrative skills of its administrators.
Mere college degrees and certificates do not make good administrators. Experience working
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude [5]
 with various people - customers, colleagues, peers, and others - can help an administrator
go from being effective to being good.

• Civil Servants are placed in a complicated leadership role. Employees look up to them for
guidance and structure; politicians look to them to provide advices with respect to government
agendas and efficiency.

• Thus a good administrator has to be able to work effectively with people at all levels of
hierarchy.
• A good administrator should be friendly with employees, earning their trust, while also
maintaining an authoritative role. Administrators have to be able to understand the needs
and concerns of their employees as well as recognize their potential and foster their talents.
A good administrator should treat their employees with the same kindness and respect that
they expect to receive from their superiors. It is possible to remain authoritative without
coming across to employees as mean or aggressive.

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• The best administrators all possess one talent-the ability to discover and capitalize upon
employees' distinctive traits. An effective administrator has following characteristics:
OR
• A good administrator is also a strategic planner, one who will draw up plans for the next
five to 10 years. This way, the administrator will never be short of ideas for leading the
organization in the right direction. A good administrator will never fail to abide by the five
'Ls'-look, listen, learn, lead, and laugh-while leading the team.
• A good administrators' skills will make employees want to deliver their bests and excel, not
just meet everyday targets. In fact, all employees love to follow a good, honorable, and
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trustworthy administrator willingly who proves, by his or her actions, to be a team member
in the truest sense.
• He/she is sufficiently sensitive to the needs and motivations of others in his/her organization
so the he/she can judge the possible reactions and outcomes of various courses of action he/
she may undertake. Having this sensitivity, he/she is able and willing to act in a way which
takes these perceptions by others in to account.
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• Thus the efficient administrator makes an efficient organization.

10. Emotional intelligence in recent times has become the buzzword for determining the success
of a person. Do you agree? If yes, mention the steps you have taken in your life to develop
emotional intelligence.
Thinking line:
• Emotional intelligence has been defined as the ability to perceive, access and generate
emotions, to assist out, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge and to reflectively
regulate emotions to remote emotional and intellectual growth.
• When an individual has not developed their EI, they tend to get stopped by setbacks. They
either can't get past these kind of situations, or they struggle past it after a long period of
time. They may react negatively to the other people involved, which results in increased
animosity and difficulty in being productive. They may take things personally that are not
meant to be. They may feel like a victim rather than feeling empowered. All in all, these
types of situations prevent them from being as successful as possible in the workplace.
• Someone who has a highly developed EI still face these types of situations, just like everyone
else. Yet the way they react is different. They are able to stop and analyze what they are
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 feeling, and to understand how those feelings are impacting their behavior and their choices.
They are able to recognize how other people are feeling and to empathize with them.
• They can then choose the behavior and actions that will help them to not just move past a
situation, but to resolve it - both within themselves and in relationship with others. And as
they practice, they will get faster and faster at recovering from stumbling blocks. At their
highest level of emotional intelligence they can see setbacks as learning experiences and
chances to improve their relationships with others. Then these roadblocks no longer stop
them, but rather help them develop their potential.
• Steps taken for developing emotional intelligence:
(a) Emotional intelligence mainly depends on controlling one's emotions first. Hence when one
feel adversely about someone's behavior, he should avoid jumping to a negative conclusion
right away. Give a rational thinking to it.
(b) Take responsibility for one's feelings and behavior and do not point the reason for one's
behaviour on other.

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(c) Start practicing empathy. Empathy about understands why someone feels or behaves in a
certain way and being able to communicate that understanding to them.
OR
(d) Develop social skills to interact freely with people.
11. Free flow of information for citizen empowerment should be accompanied by proper utilisation
of information. Discuss the steps required for increasing the capability of individuals for
utilising information properly.
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Thinking line:
• Information is crucial to good governance as it reflects and captures government activities
and processes.
• Every citizen of the state has right to access information under the control of public authorities,
consistent with public interest.
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• The main objective of governments providing information to its citizens is not only to promote
openness, transparency and accountability in administration, but also to ensure participation
of people in all matters related to governance.
• It not only empowers the people to exert demand for better services, it also empowers the
service providers to benchmark and make effort to provide better services.
• The free flow of information also improves the rational thinking of people. It helps them in
coming to the decision making as the information provides them different dimensions and
consequences of any decision made. It also helps people in bringing an ethical approach to
their actions as they are in a condition to analyze the impact of their action properly.
• But the utilization of information in correct format is becoming increasingly important. The
mis-communication or the negative interpretation of information can lead to improper use
of information which can have impact on society.
• The steps needed are:
(a) Production and dissemination of details on implementation of programmes and projects by
all Government Departments/Agencies/Undertakings in local language.
(b) Wide publicity through print and electronic media.
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude [7]
(c) Discussions, seminars, meetings and similar other public discourses should be organised to
explain the pros and cons of the problems at all levels.
(d) The administration will have to be proactive rather than merely reacting to public criticism.
This will require a change in the mindset of the higher bureaucracy; periodical training,
change management and refresher courses will help in this task.
(e) The two-way communication should be established.
12. The ethics is concerned with the morality of human action which should be knowledgeable,
voluntary and done by free will. But if a civil servant even under the pressure of politician
gets involved in scams, then will it be an unethical conduct on the part of the civil servant?
Discuss by giving your viewpoint.
Thinking line:
• Ethics is primarily interested in human actions and, following that, in their legality or
illegality.

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• The following three requirements must be concurrently present for any action to be human:
OR
(a) There must be some knowledge involved;
(b) There must be voluntariness present;
(c) The action must be freely done.
• If any one of these elements is not present, the action according to discipline of Ethics is not
a human action, and therefore it is not a fitting subject for ethics.
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• In the above case the civil servant has been involved in scam because of pressure, however
he is aware of what he is doing.
• According to conduct rules, civil servant is bound to follow the orders from above but if it
is in written. Even if he does not agree with the decision of minister, he can put a decent
note. So, involving in scams cannot be said to be ethical just on the definition of human
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actions.
• In that also inherent benefit to the civil servant in form of promotion, transfer, etc. can be
involved. Corruption is not just related to financial resources only but it covers a broader
definition of use of powers for illegitimate private gains.
• They have special responsibility to perform and to continue with their work they enjoy
constitutional protection.
13. “There is a common belief that many things in India have become very disorderly and ugly
and have deteriorated beyond repair so much so that there is a common respite that now
nothing could be done for change, things will move only on their natural pace. But great
Indian spiritual guru Swami Vivekananda believed that it is our own mental attitude and
thoughts which make things beautiful or ugly and so we should learn to see things in the
proper light”. In the light of the above statement explain how is it possible to change things
for better in our country by citing some appropriate examples.
Thinking line:
• India is going under numerous types of changes and problems within the country and from
outside the country. Some of the issues are poverty and employment, discrimination,
corruption, etc.
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• Due to presence of such widespread issues, many believe that nothing can be done to bring
changes.

• But as rightly said by the Swami Vivekananda, mental attitude decides the positive and
negative of the situation. All things are neither good nor bad it is perception which decides
it.

• Hence positive attitude is must to bring fruitful change in the society.

• Positive attitude helps to cope more easily with the daily affairs of life. It brings optimism
into life, makes them happier, brighter and more successful. It is certainly a state of mind
that is well worth developing and strengthening.

• To bring change in the society, true empowerment is needed which can be brought by
poverty alleviation and employment.

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• Sustainable development can be brought by people participation that may lead to true
empowerment. When people move out of the vicious cycle of daily issues, then only he
thinks about societal development and common good.
OR
SECTION - B

14. Mr X is working as the Head of a developmental organization dealing with water supply
schemes in an urban area. Y and Z are his two subordinates. Y is the engineering head and
Z is the financial head. Both Y and Z were earlier good friends, but now the differences
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between the two have gone all time low. Whenever Y brings any water supply proposal and
is sent for the financial concurrence of Z, he makes adverse observations, which makes
difficult for X to take a final decision. How will X resolve their differences so as to ensure
that water supply schemes do not get delayed?

Thinking line:
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• Conflict management is a skill that Civil Servants must know.

• In any organization, there are areas where functions overlap between two divisions. The
best way of addressing this problem is to bring people into open and arrange discussions
between the concerned people to clear-out the difference.

• In the instant case X may call both Y and Z, over a meeting. He may explain the importance
of water-supply schemes and also be explained to them that their personal differences are
bringing disrepute to the organization and ultimately people will suffer because of these.

• Z may be given the opportunity to explain, also what are his expectations from Y. Z should
make a check list of the financial pre-requisite which should be followed before any project
is brought for financial concurrence by Y.

• Y can use the opportunity to list out his priorities and about pending matters with the
finance wing.

• X may play a leadership role to reduce differences between the two and may organize more
frequent meetings.
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude [9]
15. Once you went to market with your mother for festive shopping. There you found that most
of the shopkeepers have employed children as attendants and were behaving very harshly
with them. You get very touched by seeing all this and started arguing with one of the
shopkeeper on this issue. Your mother told you to stop and asked you that if you argue like
this he will remove the child and child may have no earning source for family. The point
was correct because you are not in a position to provide that child other income source.

What will you do in consonance to your moral quality?

Thinking line:
• The increasing gap between the rich and the poor, privatization of basic services and the
neo-liberal economic policies are causes for major sections of the population out of employment
and without basic needs. There are other social reasons for poverty also persists. This adversely
affects children more than any other group.
• Many children are forced to work because of poverty. Especially where adult unemployment

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is very high and there is no social security, families may be forced to allow their children to
work simply in order to survive. OR
• It is true that legal action cannot be taken but following steps can be initiated.
(a) We need to provide training to the child workers during their free time so that they can
develop alternative livelihoods for them in more dignified manner and also attain schools.
(b) They can be admitted at night schools so that they can simultaneously get education without
effecting their job because due to poverty they cannot leave the job. However, such
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employment is not legal. But law is not final solution for every problem.
(c) The vocational training or employment opportunities can be initiated for their parents with
the support of NGOs so that the children need not to work for livelihood.
(d) The awareness drive can be initiated among the employers and they should be taught the
larger social implications of their act.
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16. There is a busy railway station where the waiting rooms are unhygienic. There is no proper
safe and clean drinking water facility. The enquiry system is dysfunctional and on reservation
counter, the touts dictate everything. You are Station Superintendent and there is an advisory
committee to look after the interest of railway passengers. You have decided to improve the
work culture of the railway station. Your officials are willing to cooperate but reluctant to
share responsibility.
(a) What are the options available to you?
(b) Examine the merits/demerits of each option and suggest the best course of action with
reasons.
Thinking line:
• The poor work culture can be attributed to the negligent attitude of the railway authorities,
lack of supervision by senior officials. Such a work environment does not developed in a day
or two but over a period of months and year.
• The steps can be taken are:
(a) For every function the organization performs and every service or information it is required
to provide, there should be a step-by-step analysis of each process to ensure its rationality
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 and simplicity. Such analysis should incorporate the viewpoints of all stakeholders, while
maintaining the citizen-centricity of the exercise, to bring a sense of participation.
(b) The station superintendent will himself have to make sure that the junior officials are aware
of their responsibilities. He can put up a search process to find out the stage at which
problems are occurring. This will help to pinpoint the problem and find the solution.
(c) He should set personal examples by coming to office on time, maintaining hygiene in his
premises himself so that the juniors take up a lesson from his deeds.
(d) The government authorities can be approached for funds allocations so that the overall
condition of the station can be improved. But, it is possible in between the year, he may not
get any help from government.
(e) There should be proper supervision of the persons/employees in order to fix their
accountability. There should be a notice put up on the reservation counter that citizens
should not pay any money to the touts and any complaint regarding the same should be

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reported to the station superintendent.
(f) Manpower can be appointed for maintaining sanitation. If unhygienic condition is due to

•
OR
lack of toilets and dustbins, then proper infrastructure can be built.
Thus, the process of reforming the work culture of the station will have to be started from
the beginning. The superintendent should make it sure that he personally supervises the
working of all officials. Strict action should be taken against the officials who are not doing
their work properly.
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17. You are a Tribal officer of Jharkhand. Once you visited a tribal region. You noticed that
poverty, hunger, malnutrition and impoverishment have been the perennial problems for
them. With your team efforts, you initiated a development drive there by providing subsidised
foods, primary education and health facilities.
But you were shocked to see that they had rejected these subsidies and asked for livelihood
amenities to live a respected life, not on charity.
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(a) What would be your reaction to the above situation?

Thinking line:
• In the above situation the tribal people want a sustainable livelihood tool rather than charity
in form of subsidies which may help for short term goal but fail to initiate a growth driven
society.
• You may call a meeting with the leader of the tribal society to understand their viewpoints.
This will help in understanding the different dimensions of the issue.
(b) What steps would you initiate to improve their livelihoods?
Thinking line:
The steps can be taken are:
(a) Initiate a livelihood development programmes such as initiation of financial inclusion drive
or formation of self heal groups to improve their suitable skills.
(b) Provide a basic education ground for all people and create awareness about their rights
provided under different laws, programmes and policies.
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude [11]
(c) You can help them in using their indigenous knowledge for improving crop yield to maintain
food security in the long run.
(d) You can help them in vocational education related to low level skills so that they can initiate
cottage industries.
(e) You can initiate a process for establishing a village mandi for selling of minor forest produce
and can initiate a process of placing their art and culture in different Melas and trade fairs.
• All the above stated process may help in improving their livelihoods in long term.
18. A talented cricket player gave trial for his selection in the state level team, but somehow
he was not able to perform his best, yet he remained in close contact with some of the
probable candidates. He was very keen to ascertain his selection and tried to meet some
of the people who were close to the selection committee. One such person told him that if
the player pays some bribe, he can convince some of the members of the selection committee
for his selection. The player was in a dilemma because the money to be paid was a large
sum, but he had a modest background; selection was not sure even after paying; and more

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than this his conscience was not in favour of selection in team through bribe.
Discuss the various options cricketer has? Which option is best? Justify.
OR
Thinking line:
The options available are:
(a) He may follow his conscience and the spirit of a sportsman and leave his selection totally
on the judgment of the selection committee, whatever is the outcome.
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(b) He should try again by honing up his talents more and more.
(c) Bring the matter in the light of the board.
Elaboration of the options:
(a) He may follow his conscience and the spirit of a sportsman and leave his selection totally
on the judgment of the selection committee, whatever is the outcome.
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• The selection committee should be allowed to be independent and the decisions of the
committee should be respected. Further a true sports person should also be bound by sports
spirit where winning and losing are taken in the same stride and as eternal part of the act.
He should focus more on his sporting skills. Listening to the conscience at such times is often
the best course when bestial human instincts like greed or over ambition overpower an
individual. If one is true to the one's profession and do required hard work, he may get his
due place and reputation in the team. One must rely on his conscience when the brain and
heart give two different course of actions.
(b) He should try again by honing up his talents more and more.
• A talented person relies on his/her skill and performance. Success and failures are bound
to come in life. The reason of confidence in a sports person is mastery of the art by rigorous
practice and also readiness to accept whatever is the outcome- victory or defeat. Ethics and
moral, like all other spheres of life, are the main attributes that differentiate the great and
successful people from only successful people. Also following moral and ethics improves the
cause of the sports as well as does not allow vitiating the environment. Even if he gets
selected compromising on his ethical values he would not get the inner satisfaction. But if
he does so by the hard and rigorous efforts it would make him proud. The player should

[12] Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

 focus on his performance and must trust the decision of the board that it will be fair and
independent. Even if he doesn't get selected, he should take it as a challenge and work on
his talents and try again by putting in more efforts.
19. You are a middle ranked officer in the ministry and known for your honesty and integrity.
You find that private secretary of the Minister suggests you to deal with certain matter in
a particular way. When you tell him, that the suggestion is against Government rules, he
confirms that this is the desire of Hon. Minister. Following options come in your mind to
deal with the problem.
(a) Ask the Private Secretary (P.S.) to confirm in writing.
(b) Meet your senior officer and seek his suggestion and guidance.
(c) Refuse the Private Secretary and stick to the rules only.
(d) Bring the matter into records and suggest that rules be changed to accommodate the views
of Minister.

E
Examine the merits/demerits of each option and suggest the best option with justifications.
Thinking line: OR
• In government, civil servants need to function with the political bureaucracy. The ministers
may not be fully conversant with the rule and regulations and hence same time they may
expect to unduly influence civil servants in decision making. Normally they convey their
desire through their P.S. who are themselves senior civil servants.
SC

• In this case, the P.S to Minister has conveyed something which cannot be done, as per the
existing rules, and the officer is in a fix. The merits/demerits of various options are given
below:
(a) The P.S. will have to rethink and come up with a convincing argument that might make the
Minister understand, that matter cannot be resolved in the way minister wants. However,
the Minister might ask his P.S. to convey his desire in writing. The middle ranked Civil
Servant can then, examine the issue in accordance with the rules and can very well express
GS

his/her opinion.
(b) This is a normal practice. The senior officer might orally suggest the minister/P.S. not to
press the issue. But, there are chances that the senior civil servant may suggest to meet the
minister and explain him or may even refuse to get into the matter. The middle ranked
officer will then have to decide what to do or may look for other option.
(c) Refusing the P.S. is appropriate, because P.S. is also a civil servant and is expected to uphold
the rules and educate the minister accordingly. However point blank refusal may result into
straining of personal relation and may also be termed as disobedience. At this stage, one
should personally meet the secretary of the department and should apprise him the ground
reality.

(d) By dealing the issue in file and deliberating it on the point of merit is a good option, because
one is only upholding the rules, but the minister might overrule the objection. In that case
resubmission of the file can be made.

Best option will be to initially refusing the P.S. and reminding him the existing procedure.
When insisted by written orders, one should deal the matter and put everything on record
as suggested in option d.
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude [13]