Ethics by Sumit Rewri

CONTENTS
The TAO of Ethics�� 1-2 2.15 Prejudice.................................................................... 56

2.16 Political Attitude..................................................... 57
1. Ethics and Human Interface�� 3-42 2.17 Democratic Attitude.............................................. 58
1.1 Introduction To Ethics............................................3 2.18 Bureaucratic Attitude........................................... 59
1.2
Definitions of Ethics from 2.19 Social Influence....................................................... 59
Different Scholars......................................................3
2.20 Persuasion ................................................................ 60
1.3 The Origin of Ethics.................................................3
2.21
Administration and The Masses (Public)......64
1.4 Sources of Ethics.......................................................4
1.5 The Importance of Ethics......................................4 3. Aptitude and Foundational Values
1.6
Consequences of Absence of Ethics..................5 for Civil Service...................................... 67-91
1.7 Scope of Ethics...........................................................6 3.1 Aptitude...................................................................... 67
1.8 The Nature of Ethics................................................6 3.2 Types of Aptitude................................................... 67
1.9 The Essence of Ethics..............................................7 3.3
Aptitude Versus Skill Values, Attitude......... 68
1.10 Determinants of ethics...........................................7 3.4 Aptitude and Civil Services................................ 69
1.11 Consequences of Ethics....................................... 10 3.5
Relationship of Aptitude with
1.12 Dimensions of Ethics............................................ 12 Other Values............................................................. 71
1.13 Challenges To Ethics............................................. 24 3.6
Foundational Values for Civil Servants........ 72
1.14
Ethics in Private and Public Relationships......25 4. Emotional Intelligence......................... 92-109
1.15 Morals.......................................................................... 31
4.1
Concept of Emotional Intelligence................. 92
1.16 Human Values.......................................................... 32 4.2
Concept and Components of Emotions........ 92
1.17
Key Terms of Ethics & Their Meanings....... 39
5. Contributions of Moral Thinkers and
2. Attitude................................................... 43-66 Philosophers from India and World��110-144
Introduction.............................................................. 43
5.1
Philosophy: Meaning and Concept.............. 110
2.1
Attitude Content (A-B-C Components)......... 43
5.2 Western Thinkers................................................ 111
2.2 Structure of Attitude............................................. 44
5.3 Indian Philosophies............................................ 125
2.3
Categories of Attitude: Explicit Attitude
5.4 Indian Philosophers........................................... 128
and Implicit Attitude ........................................... 45
5.5 Indian Administrators....................................... 139
2.4 Characteristics of Attitude................................. 45
5.6 Administration and Leadership.................... 142
2.5
Formation of Attitude and
5.7
Administrator, Manager and Leader.......... 143
Factors Affecting It................................................ 46
2.6 Functions of Attitude............................................ 47 6. Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics
2.7 Attitudes and Thoughts....................................... 49 in Public Administration................... 145-177
2.8 Attitudes and Behaviour..................................... 50 6.1
Meaning of Public Administration.............. 145
2.9 Opinion and Attitude .......................................... 52 6.2
Basic Characteristics of Public
2.10 Belief and Attitude................................................. 52 Administration...................................................... 145
2.11 Value and Attitude ................................................ 53 6.3 Principles Differentiating Public
2.12 Moral Attitude.......................................................... 53 Administration from Private
2.13 Social Attitude ........................................................ 55 Administration��146
2.14
Attitude Towards The Weaker Sections 6.4 Public Services Values��146
of Society.................................................................... 55 6.5 Need for Ethics in Public Administration��147
6.6 Status of Ethics in Indian Public 8.5
Biotechnology and Bioengineering............. 226
Administration��148 8.6
Space Exploration and Colonization.......... 227
6.7 Problems of Ethics in Indian
8.7
Ethical Challenge of Gene Editing............... 228
Administration��148
6.8 Ethical Challenges in Indian 8.8
Challenges Related to Designer Babies..... 228
Administration��149 8.9
Ethical Concerns Related to
6.9 Ethical Concerns and Dilemmas in Social Media............................................................. 229
Government and Private Institutions��150
8.10
Ethical Issues Involved in other
6.10 Laws, Rules and Regulations as Sources
Emerging Technologies.................................... 229
of Ethical Guidance��156
6.11 Conscience as Sources of 8.11
Way Forward for Ethics in
Ethical Guidance��159 Emerging Technologies.................................... 230
6.12 Accountability and Ethical Governance��163
9. Ethics: Miscellaneous Topics ............. 232-253
6.13 Strengthening of Ethical and
Moral Values in Governance��165 9.1
Superior’s Directive Versus
6.14 Ethical Issues in International Relations Public Good............................................................ 232
and Funding��167 9.2 Entrepreneurial Government......................... 232
6.15 Corporate Governance��170 9.3 New Public Administration (NPA).............. 233
6.16 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)��173 9.4 New Public Management (NPM).................. 235
6.17 Some Contemporary Issues/Case 9.5 Custodial Violence and Torture ................... 235
Studies��175 9.6 Ethics of Early Embryo Research................ 237
7. Probity in Governance....................... 178-222 9.7 Ethics of War ........................................................ 237
7.1 Meaning of Probity............................................. 178 9.8 Role of Bhagwat Gita in Administration�� 240
7.2
Philosophy and Principles of Probity........ 178 9.9 Artificial Intelligence (AI) in
7.3
Challenges in Achieving Probity in Military Security: Ethical Issues................... 241
Governance............................................................. 179 9.10 Centralisation and Monopoly........................ 242
7.4
Ways to Promote Probity 9.11 Ethics of The Pharmaceutical
in Governance....................................................... 180 Ecosystem............................................................... 243
7.5 Meaning of Public Services............................. 180 9.12 Marital Rape and Conjugal Rights .............. 244
7.6
Information Sharing and Transparency 9.13 Opinion Polls and Ethical Issues ................ 247
in Government...................................................... 186 9.14 Bulldozer Model and Principle of
7.7 Right to Information (RTI).............................. 187 Natural Justice...................................................... 248
9.15 Yellow Journalism .............................................. 250
7.8
Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics.......... 191
9.16 Glossary................................................................... 253
7.9 Citizen Charter...................................................... 196
7.10 Work Culture......................................................... 200 Glossary: Ethics Key Terms
7.11 Quality of Service Delivery............................. 203 with Examples.................................... 254-263
7.12 The Utilisation of Public Funds.................... 204 Ethics and Human Interface........................... 254
Attitude.................................................................... 256
7.13 Corruption.............................................................. 205
Aptitude................................................................... 258
8. Ethics and Emerging Technologies......223-231 Foundational Values for Civil Services...... 258
8.1 Introduction........................................................... 223 Emotional Intelligence...................................... 261
8.2 Artificial Intelligence (AI)................................ 223 Ethical Governance............................................. 262
8.3
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Probity...................................................................... 263
Reality (AR)........................................................... 224 Appendix............................................ 264-288

8.4 Robotics and Automation................................ 225 UPSC CSE Mains - 2023.................................... 264
iv
KNOWLEDGE INDIA
Publication
The TAO of Ethics
z General Studies 4 - Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude paper for Civil Services Examination requires a clear and
holistic understanding of all Ethics-based concepts and philosophies. It requires the right balance between theory
and proper exemplification with the help of examples, case studies, and best practices. Understanding and explaining
Ethics in the form of examples, scenarios, and real-life situations infuses life into theoretical propositions and makes
Ethics an applied field.
z There is, thus, a need to learn “THE ART OF EXAMPLES” to have a distinctive and clear-cut idea of every topic needed
in an Ethics paper. There may be many ways and perspectives to look at this. For the reader's ease and comfort,
we have tried to explain and demonstrate how to generate, develop and enrich our example-based knowledge of
Ethics and related concepts.
z Students generally face problems and challenges regarding the quality and relevancy of examples in Ethics papers.
There is a dire need on the part of readers to develop the ability to generate quality examples in less time offered
by Ethics papers. ‘The art of examples’ is thus a well-researched effort to help students in this regard. We have tried
to keep things simple to learn, understand, and master the trick and technique of example articulation in real-time.
z There are a few templates based on which a reader in her/his pursuit of understanding Ethics can structure their
knowledge throughout their preparation. We suggest such an approach based on the experiences of a large number
of students who have done well in the civil services examination.
THE METHOD
z To develop the art of illustrative and representative examples, we need to think in following directions and
generate structured information in our minds. These are four templates that may be used:
1. Template 1: We can look at the Life experiences/sayings of great leaders, reformers, and administrators from the
past and present. These examples have great utility and are useful in the theoretical sections of the paper. They
are also useful to understand how great people apply and bring principles from the thought and value domain
to the action domain.
2. Template 2: Man along with being a political, social animal is in all his right and also a great ethical being. We
by the virtue of being humans ourselves act and face ethical issues regularly. Thus, we need to reflect on our own
life situations and contexts and the people around us to understand and explain the interplay of ethics in the life
of ordinary people. So the use of Personal life experiences and examples can be highly beneficial in ethics.
3. Templates 3: Often in Ethics Hypothetical situations and examples and possible courses of action can give a
clear idea of the distinction between what and what not is ethical. This has great applicability in understanding
case studies along with concepts.
4. Template 4: We also need to imagine ethical perspectives/theories and contextualise them civil servant’s
perspective. In this case, we can assume the role of civil servant/bureaucrat/Administrator or whatever
applicability given scenario offers to us.
z Illustrative examples based on the above templates have been developed on the same topic to explain the
templates.
For example, Topic - Love and Compassion
z Template 1: Standard Example - Gandhiji had great empathy and compassion for the downtrodden in society. It
was visible in his approach toward untouchability and the removal of caste discrimination
z Template 2: Personal Example - During a cricket match in my school days I once got irritated in a match and in
my frustration threw a stone on a barking dog. Unfortunately, it got wounded a bit. After catering to it, later, that
very incident strengthened my compassion for animals and their suffering which was not that strong beforehand.
z Template 3: Hypothetical cases:
z Lgnores an accident victom.

Person A z Lack of compassion
z Feels sad but doesn't take effort.

Person B z Has empathy but lacks compassion
z Sees a victim and acts promptly.

Person C z Compassionate behaviour.
z Template 4: Civil servant/bureaucrat/administrator - As a civil servant true compassion can be shown by always
implementing the spirit of welfare and protecting and implementing empowerment efforts sincerely. A compassionate
civil servant must ensure the availability of the government for those who need government assistance for a decent
life.
zHowever, The Ethics book as a whole, tries to work out these templates. The reader must try to get along
well with the approaches to learn the “Art of Examples” and fetch the final reward in the form of a great
performance in the Ethics Paper (GS-4) in the Civil Services Mains Examination.

2 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

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1 Ethics and Human Interface
“Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.”–Potter Stewart
Syllabus
z Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics;
ethics in private and public relationships.
z Human Values: Lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers, and administrators; the role of
family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Conscience Morals
1.1 INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS Integrity
z Ethics is a framework of moral principles that Righteousness
regulate human conduct in society. It studies the
norms or standards of right and wrong to judge Ethics
Value Fairness
actions. It studies what is morally right or wrong,
just or unjust.
Responsibility
z Religions, philosophies, cultures, human conscience
and intuition, role models, family and friends, Principles
Choice
schools and colleges, rational thinking, and personal Honesty Honor
experience are all examples of this.
Fig: Components of Ethics
1.2 DEFINITIONS OF ETHICS FROM DIFFERENT SCHOLARS

Scholar Definition of Ethics
“Ethics is the study of how individuals can live a good and virtuous life, and involves the
Aristotle
examination of moral character and virtues.”
“Ethics is the rational investigation of the principles and rules that guide human
Immanuel Kant
behaviour, focusing on the inherent worth and dignity of rational beings.”
“Ethics is concerned with maximising overall happiness and well-being for the greatest
John Stuart Mills
number of people through the principle of utility and the pursuit of pleasure.”
“Ethics concerns principles of justice and fairness in social institutions, emphasising the
John Rawls
need to create a just society that maximises the welfare of the least advantaged.”
1.3 THE ORIGIN OF ETHICS

z Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle: Ethics can be Public
traced back to ancient Greek philosophy, specifically Administration
Aristotle’s works. “Nicomachean Ethics,” by Aristotle, is a
comprehensive exploration of ethical theory and practice.
Aristotle delves into the nature of virtue, moral
character, and the pursuit of a good life in this
work, laying the groundwork for ethical inquiry Philosophy Psychology
and providing invaluable insights into the origins
and study of ethics.
z Ethics is derived from the Greek word ethos and the
Latin word mores, which mean “custom,” “ways of
behaviour,” or “human character.” ETHICS
1.4 SOURCES OF ETHICS
Sources of Ethics
Religion Traditions Family and Laws Conscience-

and Culture Society Values and Beliefs
Fig: Sources of Ethics
z Religious and Spiritual Beliefs: Religious and agreements on human rights establish fundamental
spiritual traditions frequently provide ethical ethical principles regarding individuals’ inherent
frameworks based on divine teachings, moral dignity and rights. These ethical sources provide a
principles, and religious scriptures. These ethical global framework for promoting justice, equality,
sources help believers determine what is right and and human rights respect. For example, LGBTQ
wrong and establish moral values. Examples include orientation is now a recognised part of human rights
the teachings of Hinduism aligned to respect for and, thus, isn’t now seen as an ethical issue in most
nature and elders in society. societies.
z Philosophical Ethics: Philosophical traditions z Scientific Research and Empirical Evidence:
such as consequentialism, deontology, and virtue Scientific research and empirical evidence help
ethics provide ethical theories and principles based to inform ethical decision-making by providing
on rational inquiry and philosophical reflection. information about the potential consequences,
Philosophical ethics offers approaches to moral benefits, and risks of various actions. Evidence-based
decision-making that are based on reasoning. approaches guide ethical decisions in fields as diverse
z Cultural and Societal Norms: Cultural and societal as medicine, technology, and environmental ethics.
norms shape ethical standards within a specific
community or society. Shared values, customs, 1.5 THE IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS
traditions, and social expectations all have an impact
z Provides a Moral Map: Ethics provides us with a
on these norms, which establish accepted guidelines
framework that we can use to navigate difficult issues.
for moral behaviour. For example, we are aware of
the fact that vegetarianism was treated with high z Promoting Fairness and Justice: Ethics ensures
regard in the Brahminic era which isn’t the case in that people are treated fairly, regardless of their
Western societies. background or characteristics. Ethical principles aid
in the prevention of discrimination, exploitation, and
z Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: Legal and
power abuse. For example, a civil servant believing
regulatory frameworks define acceptable and
in fairness and justice will always act impartially and
unacceptable behaviour in a society. These laws and
never in an arbitrary manner.
regulations frequently reflect ethical principles and
provide guidance and accountability. For example, z Fostering Social Responsibility: Individuals and
public displays of affection in India are not considered organisations are encouraged by ethics to consider their
right by the law which is different from the Western impact on society and the environment. It encourages
societies. responsible decision-making that considers long-term
consequences and benefits for the greater good. For
z Professional Codes of Ethics: Specific codes of ethics
example, Sachin Tendulkar denied advertisement
exist in professional fields such as medicine, law,
opportunities for alcohol companies based on the
engineering, and journalism that outline professional
social responsibilities tied to his stature in India.
responsibilities, conduct, and ethical standards.
These codes guide ethical decision-making within the Good Soul Dutiful
context of a specific profession.
z Ethical Principles and Theories: In ethical Importance of
frameworks, ethical principles such as autonomy, Firm Value
Ethics in Human
beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice serve as Character based life
Life
foundational concepts. Ethical theories such as
Sound
utilitarianism, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics Transparency Decision
provide systematic approaches to assessing ethical
z Help in Finding Solutions to Moral Issues: Ethics
quandaries and decision-making.
does provide useful tools for thinking about moral
z Human Rights and International Standards: issues. It does not always provide the correct answer
Declarations, conventions, and international to moral problems, but it can help to clear up confusion

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Knowledge India Publication (Ki)
and clarify issues. For example, Gandhiji suggested Self Realisation
going against the Shastras if it did sanction the
inhuman practice of untouchability based on ethical
principles.
z Ensures Individual and Social Good: Ethics is an To Satisfy Creates
attempt to guide human behaviour and to assist man Basic Needs Why Ethics? Credibility
in leading a good life by applying moral principles. It
seeks both individual and social good, as well as the
good of humanity as a whole.
Ethics Improved Decision
Making
Fig: Importance of Ethics
Religion
1.6 CONSEQUENCES OF ABSENCE
OF ETHICS
Common to both
Upholding Professional Standards: Ethics
z
Immanuel Kant
establishes standards of conduct and competence. It z Kant argues in his book “Groundwork of the
directs professionals’ ethical behaviour while ensuring Metaphysics of Morals” that without ethics, society
the well-being and safety of clients, customers, or would devolve into chaos and moral anarchy.
patients. z He argues that ethical principles and moral duties
z Building Trust and Relationships: Individuals, are necessary for maintaining order, encouraging
organisations, and communities can all benefit cooperation, and protecting human dignity.
from ethical behaviour. It lays the groundwork z The absence of ethics, according to Kant, would
for dependability, honesty, and integrity, thereby result in a breakdown of social harmony, resulting
strengthening relationships and social cohesion. in conflicts, exploitation, and a disregard for
Free From individual rights and well-being.
Provides
Prejudices Moral Map z Individual Level: Abuse, domestic violence, casteism,
selfishness, cheating, unemphatic, bystander apathy,
etc.
Example: I always see my neighbour Ramesh
Attainment of Significance abusing his partner and making sexist remarks to
‘Summum Self-realisation
of Ethics her. The lack of ethical behaviour is affecting their
Bonum’ personal life.
(highest good) z Social Level: Acceptance of corruption, the
commodification of women, increased materialism,
Improve Decision Creates credibility ends justify the means Drug addiction, violence,
Making communalism, gender crimes, and disrespect for
Fig: Significance of Ethics women, the elderly, and the disabled
z Resolves Moral Dilemmas: Ethical values such as Examples: Stalking and following girls, social
honesty, trustworthiness, and responsibility lead us boycotts, etc.
down a path that helps us deal with ethical dilemmas z Political Level: Criminalization of politics and
more effectively. For example, most great personalities politicisation of criminals, power abuse, power
like Buddha, Gandhiji, Ambedkar, Martin Luther King concentration, defections, government instability,
jr., etc all held some ethical principles which guided violence, communalism, use of money and muscle
power, constitutional abuse, and so on.
them in difficult decisions in their public lives.
Examples: Campaigning on a communal agenda,
z Frees from Bias and Prejudice: Using moral bribing voters, using goons to create disturbances
principles and ethical values in our daily lives helps at rallies or rioting, etc.
to deconstruct false beliefs and attitudes, as well as z Bureaucratic Level: Corruption, nepotism, a lack of
avoid bias and prejudice. trust, punishment postings, red tape, poor decisions,
z Effective Decision-Making: Ethics guides us in personal gain, favouritism, a conflict of interest, abuse of
making decisions that are right, just, and inclusive of power, neglect of public welfare, poor implementation
both personal and societal interests. of schemes and welfare programs, etc.
Ethics and Human Interface 5

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Example: Asking for a bribe from a rule breaker z Dealt with human actions: Actions of humans
or bribing traffic police instead of paying a penalty. may not be done wilfully, voluntarily, consciously,
z International Level: Ceasefire violations, or deliberately, but they are done by humans (e.g.,
encroachment on border areas, cross-border terrorism, sleeping, walking, etc.). We only deal with human
drug trafficking, human trafficking, organised crime, actions in ethics.
tax havens, protectionism, vaccine nationalism, z Linkage with other fields of knowledge: Ethics is
nuclearization, conflict war, eroding international fundamentally linked to all other fields of knowledge,
institutions’ legitimacy, etc. including sociology, political science, jurisprudence,
Examples: Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian law and legal study, psychology, anthropology, culture
territories, Pakistan’s support for separatists in study, ecology and environmental study, economics,
Jammu Kashmir, etc. religion, aesthetics, and other related fields.
z Environmental Level: Illegal deforestation, z Concerns with the issues of all spheres: In the
encroachment on natural water bodies, animal pursuit of the highest good, ethics is concerned with
torchers, illegal mining and depletion of natural political, sociological, cultural, psychical, economic,
resources, wildlife crime, etc. environmental, and religious issues. As a result, these
Examples: Dumping industrial waste into rivers or issues have a new place in the realm of ethics.
other bodies of water for profit, illegally poaching z Addresses emerging issues: As new technology
and trading threatened species, etc. emerges, the scope of ethics expands to address new
emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, social
1.7 SCOPE OF ETHICS media and OTT content regulation, gene editing, etc.
Scope of Ethics is concerned with 1.8 THE NATURE OF ETHICS

principles/causes of action: z Ethics can be found in all human societies: Ethics
z What obligation is common to all? emerges during the evolution of social, intelligent,
z What is good in all good acts? long-lived mammals with the ability to recognize one
z The sense of duty and responsibility. another and remember the past behaviour of others.
z Individual and society. z Exclusively for human beings: Ethics is concerned
z In ethics, we deal only with human actions. with the actions of individuals and groups. Animal,
bird, and insect behaviour is not subject to ethical
The study of moral principles, values, and the evaluation standards. Only humans have the ability to guide and
of human behaviour are all part of the scope of ethics. It
regulate their own behaviour.
investigates issues of right and wrong, good and evil, and
z Ethical standards change from society to society:
offers frameworks to help guide ethical decision-making.
The field is divided into several branches, including Ethics standards change from society to society; what
metaethics (the nature of ethics), normative ethics (moral is considered ethical behaviour in one society may be
principle theories), and applied ethics (ethics in specific considered unethical in another.
contexts). Example: Abortion, is prohibited in the majority
of Islamic countries. However, it is completely
Book by Simon Blackburn ethical in many other countries. Further, ethics
“Ethics- A Very Short Introduction” by Simon evolves with time, situation, understanding, and
Blackburn is a related book that delves into the scope experience, among other factors.
of ethics. It gives a brief overview of ethical theories, z Universal nature of Ethical principles: Some ethical
moral quandaries, and the practical application of
principles are universal in nature; they prescribe
ethics in everyday life.
obligations and virtues for all members of society.
z Includes all free human actions: The subject matter For example, truth as an ethical principle and
of ethics is defined by its scope. It encompasses all virtue is almost universal in its acceptance beyond
references to free human acts (voluntary actions). the boundaries of individual societies.
z Difference between actions of humans and human z Ethics is scientific: In the manner that it seeks
actions: Human actions are those performed by systematic knowledge. As a scientific approach, it
humans consciously, deliberately, and with a goal in deals with the systematic explanation of right and
mind. wrong in the light of man’s highest good.

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z Ethics is a normative science: As opposed to positive z Individual and Collective Well-being: The goal of
science, ethics is concerned with values. It assesses ethics is to promote both individual and collective
the standards or norms by which we can determine well-being. It recognizes the importance of ensuring
whether human action is right or wrong. individuals’ welfare, rights, and dignity, as well as the
For example, ethics doesn’t just describe things broader impact on communities, societies, and the
like many scientific disciplines, rather it is environment.
concerned with normative prescriptions and can
z Balancing Conflicting Interests: Ethics recognizes
suggest what to do in a particular situation.
that ethical quandaries frequently involve competing
interests and values. It demands that these interests be
1.9 THE ESSENCE OF ETHICS
considered and fairly balanced in order to determine
The intrinsic quality of something that determines its the most ethically justifiable course of action.
character is referred to as its essence. The essence of z Ethical Development and Growth: Ethics recognizes
ethics represents its characteristics, significance, benefits. that ethical behaviour is not fixed but can be cultivated
over time. It emphasises the significance of personal
Behaviour
development, self-reflection, and continuous learning
in order to improve ethical decision-making and
behaviour.
z Ethical Leadership: Ethics emphasises the role
of ethical leadership in guiding individuals and
Essence of
Ethics organisations. Ethical leaders uphold moral principles,
set a good example, and inspire others to follow suit.
Choice Actions
1.10 DETERMINANTS OF ETHICS
Fig: Essence of Ethics.
DETERMINANTS OF ETHICS
The Essence of Ethics
z Moral Principles and Values: At the heart of ethics 3 Circumstance
are moral principles and values. These principles, • Person • Place • Time
which include honesty, fairness, compassion, empathy,
love, humanism, integrity, respect, etc, serve as the
Religion
foundation for ethical behaviour and guide individuals
in making morally correct decisions. Constitution Culture
z Right and Wrong: The fundamental distinction
between right and wrong actions is addressed in Determinants
ethics. It aims to provide a framework for assessing Role Model of Society
the morality of human behaviour, distinguishing Ethics
between morally acceptable and morally unacceptable Conscience
Law and
behaviours.
Judiciary
z Moral Responsibility: The concept of moral Family and
responsibility is recognized in ethics, emphasising that Teacher
individuals have a duty to act in ethically responsible
Fig: Determinants of Ethics
ways. It emphasises individuals’ accountability for
z Religion: Every religion in the world advocates ethical
their actions and the consequences they may have on
living and lays down ethical principles or standards.
others.
Examples: Law of Karma in Hinduism, the
z Ethical Decision-Making: The process of ethical Golden Rule in Christianity, Charity and Equality
decision-making in ethics entails assessing ethical in Islam, etc. The source of religion-based ethics
quandaries, considering various perspectives, and is attributed to God. Ethics, however, cannot be
selecting the morally appropriate course of action. It confined to religion nor is it the same as religion.
gives people the tools and approaches they need to For instance, an atheist person can also be ethical
navigate complex ethical situations. (deriving his morality from conscience).

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Religion as a
source of Ethics
Hinduism Islam Christianity
Charity and Golden

Law of Karma
Equality Rule
z Culture: The manner in which a society lives, eats, z Role models: Role models can also influence the
drinks, wears, celebrates, and engages among its ethical values of individuals by setting certain
members, setting certain standards are considered standards of good behaviour or will in society.
social norms that regulate the behaviour of an Example: Lal Bahadur Shastri’s simplicity, honesty,
individual. Culture acts as a prescription for correct integrity, and compassionate behaviour is revered
and moral behaviour. to date. Gandhi, Vivekananda, and Ambedkar
Example: I always say “Namaste” whenever I acted as role models for the society. Politicians
meet someone and touch the feet of elders. This and Bureaucrats may set high ethical standards
is because of the cultural impact on me as a person of Integrity and Probity for the youth.
belonging to Indian society. z Constitution: Constitution provides broad principles
z Society: In any society, most people accept standards that govern what kind of laws, and legislatures may
that are, in fact, ethical. However, ethics is not be enacted and what sort of actions administrators
just doing whatever society accepts. Standards of can take.
behaviour in society can deviate from what is ethical.
Example: Fairness, Justice, equality, non-
An entire society can become ethically corrupt in toto
discrimination, and duty to protect the
or may be unethical in certain aspects of social living.
environment are some ethical values provided in
Example: Nazi Germany was an example of
the Indian constitution which need to be imbibed
a morally corrupt society while sati was one
by all members of Indian society in general and
unethical practice in traditional India.
the state in particular.
z Law: Law acts as a determinant of ethics by setting legal
z Governance: The government creates laws and
standards and consequences for behaviours, thereby
policies that incentivize one type of behaviour while
influencing individuals’ ethical decision-making. It
discouraging another type of behaviour. Such an
provides a framework that defines acceptable and
unacceptable conduct within a society. incentive structure shapes people’s ethical standards
as well as their adherence to them.
Example: Prevention of Corruption Act, establishes
William Gladstone: “It is the duty of the
legal boundaries that align with ethical standards
of honesty and integrity. government to make it difficult for people to do
wrong and easy for them to do right,”
z Family and Teachers: A child’s family and teachers
play a significant role in shaping his attitude, Example: The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has
behaviour and inculcating values. But sometimes, influenced people’s ethical standards in favour of
children can deviate from family teachings owing to cleanliness and sanitation.
external influences laden with negative values. z Judiciary: The judiciary lays down ethical standards
z Conscience: Conscience is a person’s moral sense through various judgments, pronouncements, and
about right and wrong, viewed to be acting as a guide guidelines.
to one’s behaviour. The products of conscience are Example: In the Sabarimala temple case, the SC
moral intuitions, which are the feelings that some acts of India upheld the right to equality. Vishakha
are right and others are wrong. Guidelines of 1997 materialised as legislation on
Example: Gandhiji’s withdrawal from the Non- the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women
cooperation movement after the violence at Chauri at Workplaces ensuring women’s safety and
Chaura incident was based on his conscience. promoting gender parity.

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1.10.1 Law and Ethics: Determinants of Example: We always believe that lying, cheating,
or stealing is wrong. Even if these actions are not
Human Conduct illegal, they are considered unethical.
z Critical tools for regulating human behaviour: Law
z Both differ in their approaches to controlling
and ethics are two critical tools for regulating human
human behaviour: The approaches of law and ethics
behaviour and ensuring civilised social existence.
to controlling human behaviour differ. The threat of
They accomplish this goal in various ways.
punishment is used by the law to deter people from
z Law Establishes minimum standards of conduct:
engaging in harmful behaviour. In contrast, ethics is
Law establishes minimum standards of conduct that
more persuasive, appealing to people’s sense of right
must be followed in order to provide a framework for
and wrong.
regulating behaviour.
z Both collaborate to achieve the goal of controlling
Enforcement through sanctions: These standards
are enforced through the use of sanctions such as human behaviour: However, law and ethics can
fines, imprisonment, or other penalties. collaborate to achieve the goal of controlling human
behaviour.
Example: The law makes murder, theft, and
assault illegal. These are considered harmful to Example: The law can make certain behaviours
society, and the law is intended to discourage illegal, such as murder, and ethics can provide a
people from engaging in them. moral justification for that prohibition. In this way,
z Ethics provides a set of moral principles: In law and ethics can complement one another and
contrast, ethics provides a set of moral principles contribute to a more civilised society.
and values that guide individual behaviour. Although Here is one example which shows that if Mr Ahuja
ethics are not enforceable by the state, they can still is working in a big financial firm then how law and
play a significant role in shaping human behaviour. ethical approaches control his behaviour differently:
Mr Ahuja’s Behavior Effect of Law on his behaviour Effect of Ethics on his behaviour
Financial dealings Tax Laws, Fraud Laws Honesty, and integrity in financial matters
Workplace conduct Employment Laws, Harassment Laws Respect, professionalism, fairness
Environmental Environmental Protection Laws Sustainability, conservation
Privacy Data Protection Laws Confidentiality, consent, respect
Consumer rights Consumer Protection Laws Honesty, transparency in business
Intellectual Copyright, Patent Laws Respecting intellectual property rights
Additional thoughts:
z Other factors also influence human behaviour: Law and ethics are important, but they are not the only factors
influencing human behaviour. Other factors can also play a role, such as culture, religion, and personal beliefs.
z Necessary to strike a balance between law and ethics: It is critical to strike a balance between law and ethics.
Individual freedom can be stifled if the law is overly restrictive. Too permissive ethics can lead to social chaos.
z A strong foundation of both is needed: A strong foundation in both law and ethics is the best way to achieve a
civilised society. This will help to ensure that people are acting in a legal and ethical manner.
Difference between Law and Ethics:
Aspect Law Ethics
Nature Rules and regulations that are legally binding. Moral values and principles.
Varies depending on the jurisdiction. Although universal principles exist, their
Universality
interpretations are different.
The governing authority establishes them. Personal beliefs, culture, and society all
Source
have an impact on it.
Purpose Maintains peace and resolves disputes. It directs morally acceptable behaviour.
Legal systems are used to enforce this. Relied upon Individual conscience and
Enforcement
social norms.
Laws can be influenced by ethical Laws can be used to express ethical
Overlap
considerations. principles and values.

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Analysis of Determinants of Ethics:
z Multiple determinants work at the same time: A number of determinants are active at the same time, and ethical
standards are the result of the combined effects of various factors.
Example: The integrity of civil servants in government is affected by social, economic, political, cultural, and
other factors.
Political Factor
Economical Factor
z Pressure from
z Facing financial
influential
difficulties
politician
Other Factor
Social Factor z Lacks proper
z His/her ethical training
colleagues z Facing ethical
morality Possible factors
dilemma
affecting integrity
of a civil servant
Fig: Possible factors affecting integrity of a civil servant.

z Variation in Influence: Different determinants influence ethical standards to varying degrees.
Example: Some people’s marriage choices are influenced by personal factors, whereas others are influenced
by social norms.
z Possible Conflict: When determining ethical standards, various factors may come into conflict.
Example: An individual’s thoughts and experiences may lead him to be an atheist, whereas society may lead
him to be religious.
1.11 CONSEQUENCES OF ETHICS This unethical behaviour resulted in severe legal

and financial consequences, including hefty fines,
The consequences of ethics can have a profound impact on
product recalls, and reputational damage.
individuals and society. Here are the points highlighting
the real-life consequences of ethics: z Long-Term Sustainability and Success: Ethical
z Trust: Ethicality in behaviour helps to build long- behaviour contributes to long-term sustainability and
lasting relationships based on trust and respect which success. It builds a strong foundation of trust with
is fundamental in the creation of a civilised society. stakeholders This trust fosters loyalty, collaboration,
z Social harmony: Ethical behaviour imbibed in and stakeholder support, which are critical for
the collective conscience of society ensures the sustainable growth.
minimisation of conflict and optimisation of harmony.
1.11.1 Consequences for Individual
z Positive Reputation: Acting ethically can contribute
to building a positive reputation, both personally and z Source of Happiness: An ethical life is said to be
professionally. the source of ultimate happiness rather than a life
For example, Tata’s business is known for its of wealth, pleasure, fame, and so on. Such happiness
ethical practices, such as fair trade sourcing or leads to ultimate satisfaction and contentment, in
environmentally friendly manufacturing. which a person does not require anything more or
z Legal Compliance and Avoidance of Penalties: By less.
acting ethically, individuals and organisations can Golden Mean of Aristotle: Aristotle claims
avoid legal complications and potential penalties. that following the “Golden Mean” (middle path,
For instance, The Volkswagen Emissions Scandal moderation, etc.) leads to happiness, which he
- Volkswagen manipulated emission tests to refers to as “Eudaimonia.” Donating blood, for
appear compliant with environmental regulations. example, makes us feel good on the inside.

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z A positive attitude toward society: An ethical person Example: Kiran Bedi used her values of integrity,
has a positive attitude toward society. This optimism compassion, and dedication to turn around the
contributes to the development of trust and social state of Tihar jail, which became a success story
capital. of good governance.
z Improves individual acceptability and likeability: z Ensures justice and inclusion: Ethical social
When a person exhibits ethical behaviour, he or she behaviour leads to equality of status and opportunity,
is accepted into society and appreciated for his or her fair treatment, and other benefits for all people,
actions. particularly the weak and vulnerable. Injustices such
For instance, My Parents and relatives always
as untouchability and gender discrimination result
value my cousin because, with his sheer hard work
and determination, he cleared the prestigious civil from a lack of ethics.
services exam. z Equitable and inclusive development: In the
z Increases Credibility: People who are moral and economic sphere, ethics is critical. Ethics ensures
upright are believed by others, and their words and equal opportunity, equitable resource distribution,
deeds have more weight than those of regular people. and social mobility. Scams, meltdowns, and labour
Example: Leaders with integrity and honesty, have exploitation are all the results of unethical behaviour.
a greater influence on the public than leaders with z Set a good example for future generations: Society’s
a questionable track record. Political parties solicit ethics set a good example for children and youth. They
endorsements from well-known public figures. observe, learn, and develop values that ensure ethical
z Helps in accomplishment: Ethical behaviour is not behaviour. This results in a stable social order. When
only morally required, but it is also practical. People young boys see women being respected in the home,
who have ethics and values are more likely to succeed they respect women in their social lives as well.
in the long run.
z Create environment consciousness: In today’s
Example: Honest people like Kiran Bedi and world, the environment and climate are critical
TSR Subramaniam, have held high positions in
concerns. Environmental ethics can ensure that
government. Professional ethics is an important
human civilization is clean, green, and sustainable,
factor in the advancement of lawyers, doctors, and
which is critical for survival and development.
other professionals.
Example: Simple behaviours such as not wasting
z Provides a foundation for decision-making: In
water, electricity, or fuel can go a long way toward
today’s complex lives, ethics tells us what is the
saving the environment.
right thing to do when we are torn between two
equally good/bad alternatives. Ethics also provides a z Motivates for reform: Ethics of care, justice, and
foundation for decision-makers to justify their actions. reason, among other things, motivate societies to
Example: Civil servants have a Code of Ethics to reform and bring about change. In this way, ethics
guide their decision-making. contribute to a healthier society.
For example, in nineteenth-century India, liberal
1.11.2 Consequences for society humanistic ethics reformed society and reduced
z Leads to harmony and peace: Ethical behaviour social ills such as sati, restrictions on widow
remarriage, polygamy, and so on.
leads to reciprocation, which leads to a peaceful and
stable society. z Maintains People’s faith: Religion and tradition are
Example: Neighbours have good relations if they highly valued all over the world. Ethical behaviour
mutually respect noise pollution, sanitation, and is prescribed by all religions and is thus valued by
other standards. Similarly, if countries follow the people. It also maintains people’s faith in a supreme
rules, the world will be at peace. authority (such as God) and thus the social order.
z Ensure good governance: Administration ethics z Leads to a healthy society: Ethical behaviour leads
(transparency, accountability, rule of law, etc.) ensure to the right kind of behaviour by individuals, which is
greater administrative effectiveness and efficiency, reciprocated by others, resulting in a well-functioning
which leads to greater public satisfaction. society in which no one is harmed.

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Example: Adherence to traffic rules by all individuals will result in safe and efficient transportation, which will
benefit society as a whole.
Example Scenario
Mr. Sharma aspired to make a positive impact on society. After clearing the civil services examination, he joined the
Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and was assigned as the District Collector of a backward district in rural India.
Now his following actions can bring positive changes in society:
z Implementing
online portal
Transparent
governance z Showing financial
disclosures
Ethical Person z Recognizing the

Becomes Civil Empowering plight
Servant then Marginalized z Collaboration
his actions and Communities with NGOs
benefits
z Encourages
entrepreneurship
Strengthening z Establishment
Local Economy of small-scale
industries
1.12 DIMENSIONS OF ETHICS

There are 4 branches of ethics and they deal with the following types of questions:
BRANCHES OF ETHICS
Branches of Ethics
Meta Ethics Normative Ethics Descriptive Ethics Applied Ethics
1.12.1 Descriptive Ethics Example: In India, attitudes towards

z Scholars such as David Hume have studied homosexuality have evolved over time. Initially,
descriptive ethics, which is concerned with describing there was cultural acceptance, but British colonial
and analysing existing moral beliefs, practices, and rule introduced laws criminalising same-sex
behaviours within a specific culture or society. Rather relationships. However, there has been a notable
than prescribing how people should behave morally,
shift in recent years, with increasing acceptance
it seeks to provide an objective understanding of how
they actually behave. and support for LGBTQ+ rights, particularly among
z Studies moral beliefs of people: Studies about younger generations and urban populations.
things like values, which actions are right and wrong, Descriptive ethics helps us understand the
and which traits of moral agents are virtuous. It also changing moral beliefs and values surrounding
looks into people’s ethical ideals and what actions homosexuality in Indian society, reflecting the
societies reward or punish through the law or politics. dynamic nature of social attitudes.

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z It is a value-free approach to ethics. It does not make judgments about the morality of the practices and beliefs
but simply describes the practices observed in the different groups or cultures.
1.12.2 Meta-Ethics
z Metaethics, as studied by scholars such as J.L. Mackie, investigates the nature and foundations of ethics itself. It
looks into the meaning of moral language, the objectivity of moral claims, and the nature of moral truths. Metaethics
seeks to comprehend the philosophical underpinnings of ethics and the concepts involved.
Meta Ethical Philosophies
Moral Objectivism Moral Subjectivism/Moral Relativism Moral Nihilism
z There are objective universam and z Morality is not dependent on z Nothing is moral or
moral principles valid for all; binding society but on individual. immoral.
on all human beings. z An individual may have his z Rejects the possibility
z It is morally wrong to torture people own definition of morality of absolute moral or
or kill an innocent. that maynot be universally ethical values.
applicable.
z Investigate the underlying principles of ethical values: The study of the origin and meaning of ethical concepts
is known as metaethics. It examines where our ethical principles originate and what they imply. It attempts to
investigate the underlying principles of ethical values.
Meta refers to the things themselves. As a result, meta-ethics is ethics about ethics or the evaluation of
ethics itself.
For example,
What is the wrong action?
Why is stealing morally wrong?
Why is charity moral?
z Focuses on the meaning of ethical terms: It focuses on the meaning of ethical terms rather than the applied
question of ‘what should be done in a specific situation?’ It is not concerned with whether an action is good or bad,
but rather with the goodness and badness of morality itself.
It addresses issues such as “What do we mean by “freedom” and “determinism”?
Meta-ethical philosophies include Moral nihilism, moral objectivism, moral subjectivism, and moral relativism.
Meta-ethics is divided into two categories:

z They deal with fundamental issues such as why it is important to be ethical, what is
the most important determinant of ethics - reason or emotion.
z Example: Philosophers such as Ayn Rand, use reason as the foundation for ethical
principles. She believes that rational egoism should be the foundation of human
1. Meta issues choice.
z Example: Philosophers such as Mahatma Gandhi, on the other hand, use the
human conscience as the foundation of ethical norms. He claims that our inner
voice can be used as an ethical guide in times of dilemmas and that such a voice
possesses the highest value.
z This branch deals with cosmic concerns such as whether ethics is an absolute cosmic
reality or a social construct.
z Example: The Bhagavad Gita says that every entity (whether energy, soul,
2. Meta-physical issues
molecules, planet, etc.) has a predetermined path that it must follow in order to
achieve salvation. According to this, ethical standards apply to the entire cosmic
universe, not just to humans.

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1.12.3 Normative Ethics z Examines standards of actions: It looks into
z Normative ethics, which has been extensively studied standards for the rightness and wrongness of actions
by scholars such as John Stuart Mill, focuses on and is more concerned with ‘who ought one to be’
providing guidelines for determining what is right than with the ethics of a specific issue.
and wrong. Its goal is to create ethical theories and If someone violates established standards, there are
principles that will aid individuals in making moral provisions for punishment as well as justification.
judgments and decisions. The goal of normative
z Examines how basic moral standards are
ethics is to establish moral standards and assess
established: The central question in normative
the morality of human behaviour.
ethics is how basic moral standards are established
z Examines ethical theories: It is an examination of
and justified.
ethical theories that prescribe how people should act
and behave in society. If someone violates established z Normative ethical theories: The most common
standards, there are provisions for punishment as normative ethical theories are utilitarianism,
well as justification for the same. deontology, and consequentialism.
Theories of Normative Ethics
NORMATIVE ETHICAL THEORIES
HOW TO BE HOW TO ACT

Ethics of character Ethics of right action
Character focus Rule/Duty Focus Results Focus
Kantian Rule Act

Virtue Ethics deontology Consequentialism Consequentialism
Fig: Theories of Normative Ethics
Utilitarianism Limitations
z Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that emphasises z It is impossible to quantify happiness: Happiness
outcomes in determining what is right and wrong. and well-being are impossible to quantify, compare,
This is a form of consequentialism. or measure. It does not take into account feelings and
z Greatest good for the greatest number: As per emotions, culture, or justice.
utilitarianism, the most ethical choice is the one that z Utilitarianism disregards the well-being of
produces the greatest good for the greatest number minorities, such as LGBQ communities.
of people.
Example: If a particular act is enacted that is in the
Example: Terrorists are sentenced to death
interests of the general public while also infringing
as an example of utilitarianism. According to
on the rights of transgender people, utilitarianism
utilitarian theory, killing terrorists is an ethical act
because it saves the lives of numerous innocent would defend it.
people, maintains peace in society, and aids in z Creates a black-and-white moral construct: One
the development of the country. Killing another limitation of utilitarianism is that it creates a black-
person is unethical in almost all religions and is and-white moral construct. There are no shades of
a fundamental value that our families and even grey in utilitarian ethics—either something is wrong
schools teach us. or it is right.

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z Uncertain about consequences of action and its Example: You should not lie even if it saves
outcomes in the future: Utilitarianism also cannot millions of people’s lives.
predict with certainty whether the consequences of z Ignores the consequences of actions: Some
our actions will be good or bad—the outcomes of our argue that by ignoring the consequences of actions,
actions occur in the future. Deontology missed an important aspect of ethical
decision-making.
Deontology
z Duty-based system of ethics: Deontology is a duty- Real Life example to show the
based system of ethics that holds that some acts
are intrinsically right or wrong regardless of their
difference between descriptive,
consequences and that moral agents have duties to normative, and meta-ethics
obey moral commands or rules regardless of their Me and my friends (Prince and Prakhar) were
consequences. discussing ethics in day-to-day life. We went on to
z Uses rules to distinguish between right and wrong: discuss ‘whether it is morally acceptable to lie to
Deontology is an ethical theory that uses rules to protect someone’s feelings’.
determine what is right and wrong. My arguments were based on Descriptive Ethics: I
Immanuel Kant is frequently associated with
shared my personal beliefs and experience about how
deontology. Kant believed that ethical actions it is wrong to lie. Once I lied to my parents regarding
must adhere to universal moral laws such as “Do money for which they scolded me a lot.
not lie.” “Don’t steal anything”. “Do not deceive.” z This descriptive conversation helps us to understand
the diverse range of moral beliefs and attitudes
z Follow the rules and duties: Deontology is a simple
towards lying held by every one of us.
concept to grasp. It simply requires that people follow
the rules and perform their duties. This approach Prince’s arguments based on Normative Ethics:
corresponds to our natural intuition about what is As the conversation progressed, Prince delved into
and isn’t ethical. normative ethics to evaluate whether lying to protect
someone’s feelings is morally right or wrong. He
z Does not evaluate actions based on their
considered various ethical theories, such as deontology
outcomes: Unlike consequentialism, which evaluates
or consequentialism, to analyse the moral implications
actions based on their outcomes, deontology does
of lying. He discussed principles like honesty, empathy,
not necessitate weighing the costs and benefits of a
and the potential consequences of lying, aiming to
situation. Subjectivity and uncertainty are avoided
arrive at a shared normative judgement about the
because only set rules must be followed. morality of lying in this particular situation.
Example: According to the deontological approach, Prakhar’s arguments based on Meta-Ethics: He
a civil servant must follow the given rules and explored the nature of moral judgments and the
regulations without regard for the consequences. foundations of ethical claims. He delves into questions
Limitations like whether moral values are objective or subjective,
the role of cultural relativism in shaping moral
z Cannot be followed rigidly: Following deontology
beliefs, or the existence of universal ethical principles.
rigidly can produce results that many people find
These metaethical inquiries help us gain a deeper
unacceptable. understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of
Assume you’re a software engineer who learns our moral judgments and the nature of ethics itself.
that a nuclear missile is about to be launched,
potentially igniting a war. You can hack the network
and cancel the launch, but gaining unauthorised Threshold Deontology
access to any software system is against your One possible solution to this problem is threshold
professional code of ethics. deontology, which holds that we should always follow
This rule should not be broken, according to
the rules unless we are in an emergency situation,
deontology. However, by letting the missile launch, in which case we should revert to a consequentialist
thousands of people will die. approach.
z No role of human emotions: Human inclinations, Moving forward, ethics can be studied in relation to
emotions, and consequences, according to this theory, specific issues. Ethics is viewed not only as a theoretical
have no place. Emotional intelligence (empathy) is branch of knowledge but also as an applied branch of
required in some situations to bring harmony or knowledge that can be used to solve real-world problems.
achieve a greater good. Various fields, such as administration, medicine, and the
z It may have unfavourable consequences for the media, face ethical issues in their operations and require
majority of people. ethical guidance.

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Virtue Ethics corruption and fraudulent decisions and to provide
z Aristotelian virtue ethics emphasises the the public with an accurate picture of the government.
development of virtuous character traits as the Woodrow Wilson was correct when he said,
foundation of ethical behaviour. It emphasises
the importance of virtuous individuals in creating a “Corruption thrives in secret places and avoids
flourishing society by emphasising the development public places.”
of qualities such as courage, justice, and temperance z Integrity: Integrity is frequently referred to as the
to guide moral decision-making. “value of values”. It requires administrators to
z Character-based approach to ethics: It focuses on stand firm and persistently up for civil service values.
the development of good character traits, or virtues,
Nothing else matters if there is integrity. Nothing else
as the foundation for moral behaviour.
matters if there is no integrity.
z Acquired through practice and habit: The more we
practice being honest, just, courageous, and so on, the Example: Civil servants like Ashok Khemka and
more likely we are to become virtuous people. Sanjiv Chaturvedi set a good example for present
z Not rules or principles: They are more like and future civil servants.
dispositions or tendencies to act in certain ways. For z Objectivity: Civil servants must make decisions based
example, the virtue of courage is not a rule that says
solely on facts and logic, with no undue influence from
“Always do what is dangerous.” It is a disposition to
face danger with determination and resolve. bias or prejudice.
z Concerned with the good life: It is not only about Example: A civil servant’s advice to political
doing the right thing but also about living a meaningful bosses should be based on facts, analysis, and
and fulfilling life.
rational logic rather than personal beliefs.
Purity
Love Goodness z Compassion: In a developing country where poverty
Hope Trait and hunger are widespread, civil servants must be
Ideals compassionate to the weaker sections in order to
Character Examples of
Virtues meet their needs.
Integrity
Faith Example: If a needy beneficiary named Ramesh
under a scheme does not have valid documents,
Honor Chastity a public servant should not simply reject the
Dignity
Value application but should make efforts to obtain the
Fig: Examples of Virtues. necessary documents and provide him with the
benefits he is entitled to.
Virtue and Vice
z Commitment to public service: Governance in a
z A virtue is a morally good disposition to think, feel,
and act well in some domain of life. Similarly, a vice democracy involves many challenges and pressures, so
is a morally bad disposition involving thinking, civil servants must be completely committed to serving
feeling, and acting badly. the people despite the challenges. Such dedication
z Virtues are not everyday habits; they are character ensures that civil servants remain motivated over the
traits, in the sense that they are central to
someone’s personality. A virtue is a trait that makes course of their long careers.
its possessor a good person, and a vice is one that Example: The district’s police department’s
makes its possessor a bad person. dedication is demonstrated by the district’s recent
z Virtues include truth, integrity, hard work, etc UN Award for community policing.
whereas vices include stealing, cheating, fraud, etc.
z Impartiality: Civil servants must treat everyone
1.12.4 Applied Ethics equally, regardless of religion, class, caste, or other
factors. This is critical for the rule of law and
Administrative Ethics
maintaining people’s trust in democracy. Articles 14
z Transparency: The administration must not only
follow transparency laws but also voluntarily disclose and 15 of the Indian Constitution guarantee the right
all information to the public in order to prevent to equality for all Indian citizens.

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challenge hierarchical power structures, and transform
Scholars Opinion social norms.
z In his book “The Responsible Administrator: An Feminist ethics strives to build a more inclusive and just
Approach to Ethics for the Administrative Role,” ethical framework that addresses the unique experiences
Terry L. Cooper emphasises the importance of and concerns of women and marginalised groups. It
ethical behaviour for public administrators. questions traditional moral concepts, emphasises the
z Cooper contends that in making decisions, importance of care and relationality, and strives for gender
administrators should be guided by principles such equality and justice. Feminist ethics seeks to contribute
as accountability, transparency, and fairness. to a more equitable and inclusive understanding of ethics
z He emphasises the importance of administrators by investigating power dynamics, gender identities, and
balancing the interests of various stakeholders, social inequalities.
upholding the public interest, and exercising power
responsibly.
Bioethics
The Bioethics domain examines ethical issues in human
z Cooper’s work emphasises the importance of
biology and biotechnology. While modern science has
ethical behaviour in the administrative sphere and
advanced to the point where it can alter human biology,
offers suggestions for promoting ethical behaviour
bioethics establish certain ethical guidelines for how and
in public administration.
why such scientific knowledge should be used. Bioethics
addresses the following issues:
Feminist Ethics
z Privacy: Biomedical research and data collection must
Feminist ethics is the study and critique of traditional respect individuals’ privacy because they deal with
ethical theories from a gendered perspective. It emphasises
private, sensitive medical information about them.
the importance of gender equality and challenges male-
People’s medical histories should not be revealed
dominated ethical frameworks.
Feminist ethics encompasses multiple dimensions, because it is an invasion of privacy and opens
including: the door to abuse. A person with a chronic life-
z Care Ethics: Scholars such as Carol Gilligan threatening disease, for example, may not want to
and Nel Noddings developed care ethics, which reveal this to another person.
emphasises the ethics of care and relationality. It z Bio-piracy: Advanced countries and their innovators
emphasises the moral importance of care, empathy, conduct commercial exploration and gathering of
and interconnectedness in ethical decision-making, biological resources (such as DNA, leaves, tissues,
particularly in relationships and caregiver roles. and so on) from developing countries in the tropical
z Gender Justice: Feminist ethics criticises the gender region (which has higher biodiversity).
biases and injustices that are inherent in traditional Bio-piracy is the use and exploitation of biological
ethical frameworks. It advocates for gender resources by an advanced country from a relatively
perspectives to be recognized and included in ethical backward country for profit without sharing
analysis, addressing issues such as reproductive profits with the source country. It is expected
rights, violence against women, and gender-based that developed countries will not exploit biological
discrimination. resources without sharing the benefits with
z Intersectionality: Feminist ethics recognizes the developing countries.
intersectionality of gender and other social identities The Nagoya Protocol under the Convention
such as race, class, and sexuality. Scholars such on Biological Diversity, for example, requires
as Kimberlé Crenshaw emphasise how multiple signatory countries to ensure access and benefit
oppression and privilege systems intersect and shape sharing for the greater good of biotechnology and
ethical experiences and moral obligations. humanity.
z Ethics of Autonomy and Agency: Feminist ethics z Abortion: The act of abortion is hotly debated in
advocates for the recognition of women’s autonomy terms of its ethicality. Pro-life preachers argue that
and agency in decision-making processes. It opposes human life is sacred in nature and that parents have
paternalistic attitudes and promotes women’s no right to terminate it. Human life begins when a
empowerment in exercising control over their lives baby is conceived, and ending such a human life is
and choices. equivalent to murder.
z Feminist Critique: Feminist ethics examines Pro-choice advocates, on the other hand, argue
traditional ethical theories and their gender biases that parents must have the absolute right to choose
critically. Scholars such as Virginia Held and Alison and plan parenthood, including the right to abort
Jaggar argue that feminist perspectives should be an unwanted child. With increasing modernity,
included in order to broaden the moral domain, India’s abortion law has also been relaxed.

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Abortion, on the other hand, remains illegal in Example: The Government of India, runs the Jan
India. Aushadhi Yojana to increase the supply of generic
z Exorcism: Exorcism raises ethical concerns in medicines.
the context of bioethics due to its use in treating z Patient identity: Medical ethics require doctors
individuals who may be suffering from mental health to treat all patients with honesty and commitment,
or neurological conditions. regardless of their identity or background, even if
It intersects with bioethics when issues of the patient is a criminal. The Hippocratic oath, which
autonomy, informed consent, potential harm, and doctors take, establishes this ethical standard.
the need for evidence-based medical interventions
in the treatment of psychological or psychiatric Media Ethics
conditions that may be misinterpreted as z Independence: Media outlets (print, electronic, or
possession or spiritual afflictions arise. digital) must be politically neutral and independent
Medical Ethics of the government. The independence of the media
not only promotes free speech and expression but
z End-of-life care: Interventions such as life support
are necessary to keep a person alive when he or she also encourages debate and dissent in democratic
is brain-dead or has no hope of recovery. societies.
Different societies have different ethical norms Currently, in the United States, certain media
regarding when to introduce and when to withdraw outlets are showing courage and determination
life support. to question the Trump administration’s policies,
Some countries prefer to keep the patient alive, despite direct criticism and denigration by the
while others prefer to remove it when survival is President himself.
unlikely so that the facility can be used for other z Objectivity: Media personnel’s reports should be
promising patients. based on facts rather than personal bias or prejudice.
z Informed Consent: Patients should be given complete The media must report all information from all points
information about the procedure they are about to of view. It must also give due consideration to all
have, and consent should be granted based on that points of view as well as facts.
information. Taking kidneys from patients without Example: The Government of India recently
their consent, for example, is clearly unethical. barred Qatar government-owned news channel
z Attachment with the patient: Medical ethics states Al-Jazeera from operating in Jammu and Kashmir
that a doctor should avoid developing emotional due to its biased coverage.
attachments to patients who must be treated
z Sensationalism: The role of the media in a democracy
scientifically. It allows a doctor to be objective,
courageous, and so on. On the other hand, one school is to provide people with information in its purest
of thought holds that a basic level of compassion and form so that they can make informed decisions. The
devotion to patients is required. media must avoid sensationalising and scandalising
z Euthanasia: The moral acceptability of euthanasia news for the sake of marketing, as this causes tensions,
differs depending on location and time. It raises the heightened emotions, and so on.
serious ethical question of whether it is permissible z Editorial independence: Media outlets are
to intentionally end human life in cases of severe commercial enterprises that require funds to
irreversible suffering. operate. The editorial and news reporting segments,
One school of thought believes in the sanctity on the other hand, must be kept separate from the
of human life, while another believes in ending commercial segments, such as advertisements.
human misery and allocating resources to other Example: Governments may coerce newspapers
needy patients. to refrain from publishing criticism of the
In this regard, the Supreme Court of India government in exchange for government
permitted passive euthanasia in the Aruna commercial advertisements.
Shanbaug case in 2011, and it recently permitted However, an independent editorial department
an ‘advance directive’ or ‘living will’ for terminally
can double-check that.
ill patients.
z Ownership: Media organisations must avoid
z Prescription: Doctors must ensure that they
prescribe the most accessible, affordable, and effective concentrated ownership, particularly in the hands
medicines to their patients, i.e. generic drugs rather of vested interests such as politicians, businessmen,
than expensive patented drugs. The goal is to assist and others. Media ownership should be distributed
the needy while also protecting public health. as widely as possible.

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z Responsibility and sensitivity: When covering No information shall be withheld, even if it is contrary
news, particularly live coverage, media professionals to the interests of the media outlet itself.
must ensure that their coverage does not jeopardise z Accountability: The media should be held accountable
the larger public interest. for its mistakes and take appropriate action to right
Example: When covering issues such as terrorist the wrongs. For example, news programs must
attacks, wars, and so on, the media must exercise acknowledge errors in their reporting while also
reasonable responsibility toward national presenting the correct information.
interests.
z Methods of obtaining information: Proper methods
When reporting on issues such as riots and rapes,
of obtaining information should be used while
the media must exercise basic sensitivity and avoid
hurting the emotions or dignity of any individual maintaining privacy, dignity, and trust, among other
or community. things. Methods such as sting operations should be
z Honesty: It must be ensured that information is used only when they are clearly in the public interest,
shared with the public in its entirety and accurately. and there should be clear guidelines in place.
Environmental Ethics
Environmental
Ethics
Anthropocentric Non-Anthropocentric
Consequentialistic Deontological Consequentialistic Deontological

z Nature z Kantesian z Animal Protection z Animal Rights
Management z Rawlesian z Biocentric holism z Biocentric
holism
Fig: Dimensions of Environmental Ethics
z Ensure sustainability: The environment and its z Conservation of biodiversity: Every effort must be
resources must be used in such a way that future made to eliminate or reduce environmental pollution.
generations and marginalised groups have enough This is critical for the preservation of nature as well
to meet their basic needs. We must conserve natural as the survival of living beings who rely on natural
resources and avoid modern consumerism. According resources.
to Gandhiji, there is enough for everyone’s needs but
not for anyone’s greed. Chipko movement: The story of the Chipko
Example: The story of Kamala Sohonie, the
movement in India, which fought against
first Indian woman to receive a Ph.D. in science. deforestation. The Chipko movement began in
Sohonie was a scientist who worked on developing the 1970s as a nonviolent protest. Members of
environmentally friendly pesticides. She believed the movement considered forests to be sacred, and
that humans had a responsibility to protect the they chained themselves to trees to prevent them
environment and worked to develop sustainable from being cut down.
pest control solutions. z Equal access to natural resources: All living beings
z Compensation for environmental loss: Although have equal access to Mother Nature. As a result, we
basic economic and domestic activities consume must ensure that nature is used for the benefit of all,
resources and pollute the environment, they are
rather than just a select few.
necessary for development. Those who degrade
the environment, whether for legitimate or unjust z Right to life and existence of natural creatures:
reasons, must take compensatory measures. Every living being has the right to life and existence.
One example is compensatory afforestation, for Humans are not meant to consume or exploit other
which the Government of India recently passed living beings. The earth belongs to all living things,
legislation. not just humans.

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Wildlife, for example, must be conserved not for continued human exploitation, but because it has its own life
and rights granted by nature.
Example: This concept even extends to non-living environmental entities. The Uttarakhand High Court recently
granted the Ganga the status of a living person, along with all the rights and obligations that entails.
z Mother nature: Environmentalists believe that ‘nature knows best’. We must treat it with respect or it will lash
out in order to restore the balance.
Floods, cyclones, and landslides, for example, are viewed as natural methods of restoring natural order.
Liberal Ecological Environmental

Conservation Ethics
balance
the context of the environment and cannot function

Scholars Opinion without it.
z Holmes Rolston III, a philosopher and environmental z Social responsibility: Because businesses make
ethicist, emphasises the ecological consequences of profits, they have a moral obligation to contribute a
ethics in his book “Environmental Ethics.” Rolston
reasonable portion of their profits to the welfare of
emphasises the significance of ethical decision-
the society around them.
making in addressing environmental issues and
preserving the planet for future generations. “The Gandhi Ji put forth the “concept of trusteeship”,
biosphere may survive,” he says, “but humanity’s in which wealthy people hold the resources of the
role within it will be determined by whether we people in trust and must use them for the greater
individually and collectively come to act ethically public good.
toward the environment.” Industries use society’s resources (both human
and natural), and they must reciprocate.
Ethics in Business Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is one
z Transparency: Businesses must be open in their such mechanism in India. It makes moral as well
operations and share all information with their as business sense because it improves the image
stakeholders. This is also required for the market to of any business.
function properly.
z Worker rights: Because industries rely on labour
z Conflicts of interest: Business professionals must act
to generate output and profits, they are obligated to
objectively and fairly regardless of personal interests
provide basic rights and facilities to workers in order
or obligations. They must make decisions only in the
for them to work in humane conditions. Furthermore,
best interests of the company.
good employee benefits such as pay, recognition, and
For example, ICICI CEO Chanda Kochhar was
so on boost worker motivation and productivity.
sanctioned for a conflict of interest in lending to
The Indian government has introduced a Code on
entities related to her husband. Individuals must
fully disclose any conflicts of interest that arise. Wages Bill to rationalise and raise minimum wages
z Integrity: Complete adherence to moral principles in order to protect workers’ right to a fair wage.
is required for the long-term health of any business. Philosophers such as Karl Marx emphasised
Organisational and public interests must take workers’ rights in a capitalist society.
precedence over private interests. z Accountability: Because they use large amounts of
Recent scams such as PMC Bank and PNB Bank public money and resources, businesses, particularly
are the result of individuals’ lack of integrity. large corporations, must hold themselves accountable
Furthermore, businesses must ensure that they do to their stakeholders.
not undermine government integrity by offering Companies must ensure regular annual reports,
bribes or kickbacks. audits, and Annual General Meetings (AGMs) to
z Environmental sustainability: Industries must ensure business honesty and fairness.
operate in a way that does not degrade the z Gender equality: In a patriarchal society, businesses
environment beyond repair and recovery. They must must act as torchbearers and set examples for gender
also reduce the harm by implementing measures such equality and justice by implementing policies such as
as energy efficiency, effluent treatment plants, rooftop equal work for equal pay, maternity leave, anti-sexual
solar energy, and so on. Everything operates within harassment bodies, and so on.

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z Free and open Internet: Governments, service
Scholars Opinion providers, and other stakeholders must work together
z Scholars also stress the relationship between to ensure that the Internet remains accessible to all
ethics and organisational performance. In his book and free of barriers. The recent demands for net
“Ethics and the Conduct of Business,” John R. neutrality aim to uphold this cyberspace ethic.
Boatright investigates the implications of ethical z Respect of all in online behaviour: Users are expected
behaviour in the business context. to demonstrate basic respect and courtesy in their
z He contends that companies that prioritise ethical online behaviour in order to provide a safe and stable
behaviour gain trust, improve their reputation, environment for all. Recent incidents of trolling, abuse,
and gain a competitive advantage (Boatright, and shaming highlight the importance of this ethic.
2012). “Ethics can pay off in business by enabling z Public decency: Because the internet is a public
companies to avoid legal problems, build customer platform, users must make certain that their content
loyalty, and develop better relationships with is appropriate for all audiences, including children.
employees, customers, and suppliers,” Boatright Offensive content such as pornography and brutality
adds. should be avoided.
z Honesty and Sincerity: In the age of social media,
Artificial Intelligence Ethics users, in addition to platforms, can create their own
z According to the European Commission, the ethics of content. Users and platforms must both create and
AI focuses on the ethical issues raised by the design, share only true, complete, and accurate information.
development, implementation, and use of AI. It Violation of this norm leads to the risk of fake news
involves issues like facial recognition bias, prejudices, and rumour-mongering, which ultimately undermines
etc. people’s trust in the internet.
z Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI Issued by the
Application of Ethics in Refugee Crisis
European Commission:
z Principle of non-refoulment: The principle of non-
Human Agency and Oversight: AI systems
refoulment prohibits a country from returning a
should both act as enablers to a democratic and refugee to a country where they may face persecution.
flourishing and equitable society by supporting
However, countries claiming to be democratic and
the user’s agency.
open societies frequently refuse to accept refugees
Transparency: AI systems should be based upon and return them.
the principle of explainability, and encompass z National responsibility Vs Global responsibility:
transparency and communication of the elements Countries deny asylum citing limited resources,
involved. security threats, and primary responsibility to their
Diversity, Non-discrimination, and Fairness: citizens.
Involves avoidance of unfair bias, encompassing However, as a member of the global community,
accessibility, universal design, and stakeholder responsibility is frequently violated. In dealing
participation throughout the lifecycle of AI systems with refugees, nations justify their actions on
apart from enabling diversity and inclusion. utilitarian grounds (protecting their citizens)
Accountability: The requirement of accountability while ignoring the deontological aspect (duty to
complements other requirements and is closely protect).
linked to the principle of fairness. z Violation of Human Rights: Human rights are
unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the chance to
Cyber Ethics realise one’s full potential. Refusing to accept refugees
z Following the law: Internet users must follow the law violates their basic human rights.
and not use the Internet for illegal activities such as z The categorical imperative of Kant: Turning away
hacking, defrauding, stalking, harassing. those in need violates Kant’s categorical imperative
z Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): Online content because it cannot be made into a universal principle.
is frequently protected by copyrights that must be Some countries are accused of using migrants as
respected by other users. This is critical for web a tool of foreign policy, as seen during the 2021
innovation and authenticity. border crisis between Belarus and the European
z Privacy: Despite the availability of modern technology Union.
such as mass surveillance, spyware, and so on, users This amounts to treating people as a means to an
must respect the privacy and dignity of one another. end rather than an end in themselves. Such actions
Before online platforms can obtain users’ private do not meet Gandhiji’s Talisman (action in the
information, they must obtain their informed consent. interests of the weakest).

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z Accidents of birth: The majority of refugees z Rosalind Hursthouse’s Virtue Ethics: Rosalind
are suffering through no fault of their own. They Hursthouse made an impact on Action-Agent Theory
become victims of violence as a result of ‘accidents with her work on virtue ethics, particularly in her
of birth’ such as being born in a particular country book “On Virtue Ethics.”
(Syria, Afghanistan), into a persecuted community She emphasised the importance of character
(Ahmadiyas, Rohingyas). Denying them the traits and virtues in making ethical decisions.
opportunity to flee violence and persecution violates Hursthouse proposed that virtuous people have
every ethical principle. certain character traits that guide them in making
z Historical responsibility: The Western world is to morally sound decisions.
blame for many refugee crises. Colonial exploitation z Emphasis on moral judgement: The emphasis in
and policies (Sykes-Picot Agreement, for example), Action-Agent Theory is not solely on the outcomes
armed humanitarian intervention leading to civil wars of an action (as in consequentialist ethics) or on
(Middle East), climate refugees. They must accept adherence to universal moral principles (as in
historical accountability for their actions. deontological ethics).
Instead, moral judgement is based on the character
z Society’s ethical standards: Dehumanising refugees
and intentions of the agent performing the action.
and refusing to recognize their suffering sets a bad
This approach recognizes that ethical actions
example for the future, leading to a decline in values
emerge from individuals’ moral character and the
such as care, empathy, and compassion in society.
virtues they embody.
Action Agent Theory z Assess the morality of action: When assessing the
z An ethical framework that emphasises the role of morality of an action, Action-Agent Theory considers
the agent or individual in moral decision-making factors such as personal motivations, intentions,
and evaluation is Action-Agent Theory, also known as moral reasoning, and the cultivation of virtuous traits.
It recognizes that an action can be morally praised
agent-based ethics.
or condemned based on the virtues or vices
It considers the character, intentions, and
displayed by the agent.
virtues of the person performing the action
Because it recognizes the complexities and
to determine the moral worth of the action. By
context-dependence of moral decision-making,
incorporating personal virtues and character this framework provides a more nuanced
traits into the evaluation process, this approach understanding of ethics.
provides a more holistic understanding of ethics.
Overall, the Action-Agent Theory enriches ethical
Aristotle, Alasdair MacIntyre, and Rosalind analysis by focusing on the individual’s role in moral
Hursthouse are among the scholars who have actions, emphasising the importance of character and
contributed to the development and exploration virtues in guiding ethical behaviour. Scholars such as
of Action-Agent Theory. Aristotle, Alasdair MacIntyre, and Rosalind Hursthouse
z Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics: The foundation for Action- contributed to the development and exploration of this
Agent Theory was laid by Aristotle’s virtue ethics. In ethical framework, providing valuable insights into the
his work “Nicomachean Ethics,” Aristotle argued that role of the agent in moral decision-making.
moral virtue is fundamental to ethical behaviour. Teleological Ethics
He proposed that people strive to develop “Telos” is the ancient Greek term for an end, fulfilment,
virtuous character traits such as courage, justice, completion, goal, etc. Teleology is a philosophy that
and temperance. A morally good action is one states that the consequences of one’s action are the
performed by a virtuous person, according to ultimate judge of the rightness or wrongfulness of
Aristotle. the conduct.
Deontological Ethics (Duty-Based) Teleological Ethics (Result-Oriented)

z Focus on moral duties, not consequences. z Focus on the consequences of actions.
z Prioritises intentions over outcomes. Focus is on the z Prioritises outcomes over intentions. Focus is on the
right means. right end even if means are not right.
z Moral duties are more important than moral value. z Moral value is more important than duties.
z Individual’s intentions play a crucial role. z Individual’s intentions have no relevance.
z Rightness of actions is prior to their goodness. z Goodness of actions determines their rightness.

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z Emphasises individual’s moral status. z Emphasises the moral status of the action.
z Moral duties have a negative formulation. z Moral duties have a positive formulation.
z Personal interests have no relevance. z Equal consideration of personal and others’ interests.
z Actions are inherently moral or immoral. z Actions are evaluated based on consequences.
z Application: Deontological approach is applied in z Application: Teleological approach is used by the

the criminal justice system, which ensures that the courts for the interpretation of any legislation, its
punishment was proportionate and appropriate to the purpose, direction or design.
crime committed.
z Teleological ethics, also known as consequentialist behaviour. In teleological ethics, ethical evaluation is
ethics, is an ethical framework that evaluates the frequently based on the principle of utility or some
moral worth of actions based on their consequences or other criterion of goodness.
outcomes. It emphasises the notion that the goodness z Criticism of theory: Critics of teleological ethics
or value of an action determines its morality. express concerns about the difficulty of predicting
Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, and consequences, potential conflicts of interest, and the
consequentialist theories such as utilitarianism possibility of sacrificing individual rights or minority
have all contributed to the development and interests for the greater good.
exploration of teleological ethics.
z Jeremy Bentham and Utilitarianism: An influential
Example Based on Deontological and
philosopher, Jeremy Bentham, is regarded as one of Teleological Theories
the founders of utilitarianism, a prominent form of z Let us suppose a man kick’s a dog sleeping roadside.
teleological ethics. The dog cries and runs away. Moments later, a car
Bentham proposed that actions be judged comes speeding along the road so fast that it would
according to their ability to maximise overall certainly have killed the dog if it had still been lying
happiness or utility. there.
z John Stuart Mill and Rule Utilitarianism: Building z Deontological perspective says, the man’s action
on Bentham’s utilitarianism, John Stuart Mill was bad since it is cruel to kick dogs but according
advanced teleological ethics with his concept of rule to the teleological perspective, his action was
utilitarianism. good, since it saved the dog’s life.
Mill contended that actions should be guided by Nonetheless, teleological ethics, particularly utilitarianism,
broad principles that, when followed, tend to has had a significant impact on ethical discourse, shaping
maximise overall happiness. Rather than focusing debates on topics such as social justice, policy-making,
on the happiness or utility of each individual and the balancing of individual and collective interests.
action, Scholars such as Bentham and Mill have made significant
Mill emphasised the importance of adhering to contributions to the study of teleological ethics and its
rules that promote the greatest happiness in the implications for ethical decision-making.
long run.
Means Vs Ends Debate
z Act Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism:
The means vs. ends debate in ethics is a question of
Teleological ethics is divided into two parts, whether the ends justify the means. In other words, is it
1. Act Utilitarianism: It evaluates the morality ethical to use unethical means to achieve a good end?
of individual actions based on their immediate This is a complex question with no easy answer, and there
consequences. It takes into account the specific are many different perspectives on it.
circumstances of each situation and seeks to z Means-ends distinction is a central concept in
maximise overall utility in that particular instance. ethics: It refers to the idea that the way we achieve
2. Rule Utilitarianism: It emphasises adhering to our goals is just as important as the goals themselves.
general rules that, when consistently applied, tend z There are two main ethical theories that deal with the
to produce the greatest overall utility or happiness. means-ends distinction:
z Teleological ethics evaluates actions based on their Consequentialism: This theory judges the
outcomes: Instead of focusing on intentions, virtues, morality of an action based on its consequences.
or duties, teleological ethics evaluates actions based If the consequences are good, then the action
on their outcomes. It emphasises maximising overall is considered moral, even if the means used to
well-being or happiness as the ultimate goal of ethical achieve those consequences were bad.

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Deontology: This theory judges the morality of 1.13 CHALLENGES TO ETHICS
an action based on the duty or obligation to act
in a certain way. The means used to achieve an z Data Breach: High-profile data breach cases involving
sensitive personal information raise ethical concerns
end are not as important as the fact that the action
about the protection and security of individuals’ data.
was performed out of a sense of duty.
z Manipulation and Targeted Advertising: The
z The means-ends distinction is often debated in
collection of personal data for targeted advertising
the context of political and military actions: For purposes raises concerns about informed consent,
example, some people believe that it is justified to use user autonomy, and the potential manipulation of
torture to extract information from a terrorist suspect, consumer behaviour.
even if torture is considered a morally bad act. z Situation Ethics: This is the kind of moral approach
z The means-ends distinction is also relevant to one might expect from an existentialist, who rejects
personal ethics: For example, some people believe the concept of human nature or any nature or essence.
that it is justified to lie to a friend in order to protect z Moral Relativism & Moral Objectivism: Moral
their feelings, even if lying is considered to be a relativists believe that universal moral principles do
morally bad act. not exist. Whereas moral objectivism holds that there
are objective moral truths that some actions are right
z There is no easy answer to whether the ends justify for everyone at all times and others are wrong for
the means: It is a complex issue that depends on the everyone at all times.
specific circumstances of each case. z Moral subjectivism: Contends that in the realm of
z Some people believe that the ends never justify human behaviour, what is true for one individual is
the means: They believe that it is always wrong to not necessarily true for everyone else or even anyone
use bad means to achieve good ends. else. In this viewpoint, what is right and wrong is a
z Other people believe that the ends sometimes matter of personal preference. People’s moral beliefs
justify the means: They believe that it is sometimes cannot be evaluated.
necessary to use bad means to achieve good ends if z Cultural and ethical subjectivism: In one culture,
the good ends are sufficiently important. polygamy is considered right and moral, whereas, in
another, it is strongly condemned. Within the same
z The means-ends distinction is a complex and
country or culture, there can be divisions: some
challenging issue: There is no easy answer, and each Indians oppose widow remarriage, while others
case must be considered on its own merits. support it.
Historical Examples of the z Ethical Egoism: It is the belief that people should act
in their own self-interest. This is a type of hedonism,
Means vs. Ends Debate which is a doctrine that proposes maximising
z The Mahabharata: The Mahabharata is an ancient happiness while minimising unhappiness.
Indian epic depicting a tremendous conflict between
z The doctrine of determinism: Holds that human
two families of cousins. This raises the question of
decisions and actions are causally determined by
whether using unethical means to attain a good end
external forces. They lack free will and are unable to
is ever appropriate.
make conscious or deliberate moral decisions. They
z Vietnam War (1954-1975): The United States cannot choose between good and bad actions and
utilised Agent Orange, a chemical weapon. thus are not truly responsible for their actions. As a
Although Agent Orange was known to cause birth result, men cannot be held morally accountable for
deformities and other health problems, the United their actions.
States continued to deploy it in the belief that it
z Surveillance and Government Intrusion: As
would help them win the war.
governments and law enforcement agencies’
z The Suffragette Movement: The suffragette surveillance capabilities expand, there are concerns
movement used a variety of strategies to fight about privacy invasion and potential abuse of power.
for women’s right to vote, particularly in the Balancing security needs with privacy rights is a
early twentieth century. Civil disobedience by contentious ethical issue, especially in areas such as
suffragettes included protests, hunger strikes, and mass surveillance programs and facial recognition
even property destruction. While their ultimate goal technology.
was to secure women’s suffrage and equal political
z Artificial Intelligence and Algorithmic Bias: The
rights, the methods they used, such as disrupting
use of artificial intelligence and algorithms in decision-
public order and clashes with authorities, sparked
making processes such as hiring, loan approvals, and
debates about the ethics of their tactics.
criminal justice can raise ethical concerns. If these

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systems are not designed with fairness and inclusivity z Love: Loving everything, even if it has flaws.
in mind, they have the potential to perpetuate biases z Fidelity: This is a key driver of marital relationships
and discrimination, reinforcing societal inequalities. and the essence of marriage ethics. It refers to
remaining faithful to one’s life partner while avoiding
1.14 ETHICS IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC sensual distractions or committing adultery.
RELATIONSHIPS z Confidentiality: In order to keep private relationships
sacred, secrecy and privacy are essential.
Example: I generally refrain from sharing the
Thoughts of Gandhiji
secrets of my friends, colleagues, and others without
z Human beings are social animals. So, we interact
their permission. This is because I understand
with each other and when we interact with each
that revealing their confidential information can
other we establish some relations. Gandhi said, “For
lead to discord and strain in our relationships.
achieving a non-violent and truthful society, it
Respecting their privacy and maintaining their
is important to have good relationships”.
trust is important to me. Just as I value my own
privacy, I extend the same courtesy to others. By
Appreciation keeping their secrets confidential, I show them
that I value and respect their trust, which helps
to strengthen and deepen our relationship.
Principles of z Accountability & Responsibility: In private
Respect Relationships Acceptance relationships, one is bestowed with various
responsibilities such as responsibility towards a child,
life partner, parents, and so on. This necessitates
fulfilling one’s responsibility to them as well as being
Understanding accountable to them in the event of failure to do so.
Fig: Relationships based on four principles
z Tolerance and Acceptance: Tolerance is the ability
1.14.1 Ethics In Private Relationships to recognize and respect the values and differences
of others. Tolerance removes self-imposed barriers,
Private Relationships allowing one to think more broadly and experience
greater inner peace.
Couples Family and Friends/Peer Society/ Tolerance and acceptance both lead to less conflict
Kinship Groups Surroundings and harmony in society, especially in a country like
Fig: Ethics In Private Relationship India, which has multiple religions, cultures, and
z It refers to the ethical values that a person adheres to/ ideologies.
values in his or her personal life when dealing with Ethics in private relationships are generally directed by:
various relationships such as family relationships, z Individual virtues: They are generally used to guide
friendship, and so on. ethics in private relationships: Truthfulness and
z The following are some cardinal values in private honesty are important factors in determining ethics
relationships: in private relationships. It reveals a person’s attitude
Trust: Trust is the foundation upon which your and behaviour.
relationship can withstand the most difficult of z Universal human values: The established standard
times. In fact, you cannot sustain a long-term for ethical behaviour is based on universal values.
relationship without trust. One of the causes of
Example: Respect for elders is a universal value
relationship breakdown is a lack of trust.
that serves as a guiding principle in private
Mutual respect: It is beneficial in remaining
compassionate, committed, truthful, and honest. relationships.
Strengthens the relationship and treats each other z Religion: Religious and theist people accept Divine
fairly. commands and follow them in their personal lives in
Law of Integrity: The law of integrity states that a order to please God and gain salvation.
person should not lie and keep his promises. Example: The Ten Commandments (from the
Law of Improvement: If a mistake is made, the Bible) serve as a guide for Christians in their
person should try to improve on it. interactions with family, neighbours, and society
Gratitude: If anyone has helped, the person should at large.
remember that. z Social norms: Some values are learned from
Loyalty: Devotion to one’s partner and family environmental factors that influence humans, such
members. as family, peer groups, society.

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Example: I learn from my parents how to interact z Ethical lessons for children: Ethical living in
with family elders. private relationships, particularly at home, influences
z Law of the land: Some ethical principles are governed children’s behaviour and serves as their first ethics
by laws and constitutional values.
lesson.
Example: Not insulting women’s modesty is a
fundamental duty under the Indian constitution. z Acceptance in Public Life: Personal relationships
The Importance of Ethics in Private Relationships with ethics make a person more acceptable in public
z Leads to a good life: Allows individuals to sail life.
smoothly through difficult times and live a good life.
z More Tolerance for Imperfection: Because of
z Right decision-making: Allows us to make sound
decisions, especially when there is a conflict of interest. mutual trust, love, and dependence, people used to
z Character development: Is aided by adherence to good have a high index of tolerance for imperfection in
values such as honesty, integrity, equality, and so on. private relationships.
1.14.2 Ethics In Public Relationship

ETHICS IN PUBLIC RELATIONSHIP
Public Ethics
Social Ethics Political Ethics Organisational Ethics International Ethics
z Respect and towards z Constitutionalism z Corporate Social z Respect to International

other communities z Transparency in Responsibility treates and Conventions
z Peace and Harmony Governance z Efficiency z Global Peace
z Coexistence z Accountability z Cost Benefit Analysis z Disarmament
z Social Equality z Public service z Honesty and Hardwork z Ethics in Diplomacy
z Social welfare z Code of conduct
Fig: Ethics In Public Relationship

z Ethics in public relations refers to the ethical values or values are required to guide human actions and are
moral standards that an individual adheres to in his or critical to the integrity of any profession.
her professional interactions and business dealings. z Any ethical framework must include the following
Power governs ethics in public relationships. components:
Codifying ethical standards and practices.
Example: In a public relations campaign Disclosure of personal interests in order to avoid a
for a healthcare company, the PR conflict between public interest and personal gain.
Establishing a system for enforcing the relevant codes.
professional Establishing criteria for qualifying and disqualifying
z Adheres to ethical values and moral standards a public official from office.
throughout the campaign.
Examples: Ethics In Public Relationship
z Ensures that all communication is truthful, accurate,
and transparent. z He invited all of his relatives
z Respects the privacy and confidentiality of patients to dinner before accepting the
and clients. position of Dewan of Mysore. He
stated unequivocally that he would
z Avoids any conflicts of interest that could accept the prestigious position on
compromise the campaign’s integrity. the condition that none of them
z Engages with stakeholders in an inclusive and Sir M approach him for favours. These
respectful manner. Visvesvaraya days, such things are unheard of.
z Strives to create a positive and ethical image for the He is said to have had two sets of
healthcare company. candles. One was purchased privately
and used for personal purposes,
z Important values critical to the integrity of any while the other was provided by the
profession: Advocacy, honesty, selflessness, expertise, government and was only used for
openness, accountability, fairness, and other core official purposes.

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go above and beyond the call of duty in order to serve
z In 2005, Mohanty was
instrumental in the rescue of the the public interest. This provides the individual with
crew of the ill-fated Indian Space inner satisfaction while also inspiring his colleagues
Research Organisation (ISRO) to meet the service goals.
cryogenic engine test vehicle. Responsibility Compassion Work
Madhu The vehicle had exploded during & Commitment
Mohanty a test, and Mohanty led the team Accountability
that rescued the three scientists Transparency
who were on board. This incident Legality &
showed Mohanty's commitment Excellence
Rationality Ethics of Public
to safety and his willingness to
put others before himself. Administation:
Responsiveness &
Maxims of Fusion
The Role of Ethics In Public Relationships Resilience
z Moral Compass for Resolving Conflicts of Interest:
Creating a moral compass for navigating ethical Utilitarianism
Integrity
quandaries and resolving conflicts of interest. Personal
life frequently has an impact on an individual’s work National Interest
Justice
and role in public spheres of life.
Civil servants’ morale has been deteriorating in recent
z Contributes to the humanization of public years. Following are the prominent reasons:
relations: Ethics in private relationships contributes
z Lack of accountability and responsibility: When
to the humanization of public relations and plays an
things go well, there are plenty of people willing to
important role in the formation of a person’s moral
claim credit, but when things go wrong, no one is
system. If someone values honesty in his personal life,
willing to take responsibility.
he is likely to be honest in his public life as well.
z Sacrificing ethics, values, integrity, and
z Responsible advocacy and communications:
Personal values are translated into responsible spiritualism: These are sacrificed in favour of
advocacy and communications through responsible materialism and worldly success.
advocacy and communications. z Social Acceptance: Society as a whole has begun to
z Social well-being: This Entails sustaining authority, accept corrupt individuals. Good people’s silence is
developing and enhancing public trust in the system, more dangerous than some people’s moral erosion.
and achieving societal well-being. Failure of the family, schools, society, and institutions
z Effective and balanced decision making: Aids in to instil values.
making more fair and balanced decisions. z Mega Administration, slow methodology, and
z Office/institution/organisation credibility: Ethical decision-making delay: Each department and
public relations requires maintaining transparency institution is growing both vertically and horizontally.
when dealing with any information, sensitive or not. This has caused confusion in the hierarchy, resulting
Blurring the lines between fact and fiction can erode in decision-making delays.
credibility and tarnish the reputation of an office/ z Soft society, tolerant public opinion, and the nexus
institution/organisation. of politics, business, and bureaucracy: The public
z Trustworthy relationships with people: Through does not resent or tolerate wrongdoing. This gives
trust, an organisation can build solid relationships decision-makers more leeway in the future to avoid
with various stakeholders, which can be gained by committing such crimes.
always taking an ethical approach. Following the Code
of Ethics can aid in the development of much-needed Efforts to correct this
trust between organisations and the general public. z Increase transparency: By enacting laws that require
z Courtesy: This is extremely important in the official civil servants to justify their official decisions.
conduct of civil servants in India. This creates a sense z Whistleblower Protection Act: To protect
of belonging among the general public. appropriate ‘public interest disclosures’ of official
Example: Prashanth Nair (IAS)’s approach to wrongdoing.
dealing with the general public earned him the z Ethical audit of integrity: To identify threats to
moniker “Collector Bro.” the integrity of the most critical processes and
z Spirit of service: This is essential in order to serve Effective external and internal complaint and redress
the purpose of service. Civil servants are expected to procedures.

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z Disciplinary action: Code of Ethics violations and Example: Sam Manekshaw, one of the key
breaches should result in sanction and punishment architects of India’s 1971 victory over Pakistan,
under the disciplinary rules. is best known for telling Prime Minister Indira
z Computerization and digitization: Eliminate Gandhi bluntly in April 1971 that the Indian Army
the middle layers that require people to rely on was not prepared for war. Saying that his job was
bureaucrats for work. to fight to win, he requested a few months — a
Nolan Committee: Seven Principles In Public Life request which Gandhi, to her credit, accepted.
Selflessness Manekshaw provided India with one of its most
Accountability rapid and remarkable military victories.
Integrity
4. Accountability: Holders of public office are
Principles of accountable to the public for their decisions and
Relationships Openness actions and must submit to whatever scrutiny is
appropriate for their office.
Example: As Railway Minister under Prime
Objectivity Leadership Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri
Honesty
resigned in August 1956, following a major railway
The Committee on Standards in Public Life in the
accident in Mahabubnagar, Andhra Pradesh, in
United Kingdom, also known as the Nolan Committee,
which 112 people died. He resigned, accepting
has outlined the seven principles of public life
moral responsibility and accountability, but Nehru
outlined below:
persuaded him otherwise. Shastri’s actions set a
1. Selflessness: Public officials should make decisions high standard for public servants to be accountable
solely in the public interest. They should not do to the public.
so in order to benefit financially or otherwise for
themselves, their family, or their friends. Ethics in Public Relationship
Example: When Lal Bahadur Shastri was Prime z According to the second ARC: Open, transparent,
Minister, he never took a vacation. When he and accountable government is a must for
died, he left only a few rupees, a loan, and some community citizen-centric public service delivery.
belongings. As a result, he always put the nation z According to Max Weber: A fully developed
first and lived to the end. bureaucracy’s power position is everywhere
2. Integrity: This is the practice of being truthful overwhelming. Without accountability, bureaucracy
and adhering to moral and ethical principles in a will resemble Frankenstein’s monster, who divorced
consistent and unwavering manner. Holders of public his master.
office should not place themselves under any financial
5. Honesty: “Being trustworthy, loyal, fair, and sincere”
or other obligation to individuals or organisations
is what it means. An honest person is deceit-free,
outside of their official duties.
truthful, and sincere, and does not lie. Holders of
Example: U. Sagyam (a civil servant from Tamil
public office must declare any private interests related
Nadu) - In his 20 years of service, he has been
to their public duties and take steps to resolve any
transferred approximately 20 times. He is well-
conflicts that arise in a way that protects the public
known for fighting corruption wherever he goes.
interest.
He was also the first IAS officer to disclose his
assets. Example: A honest civil servant should be open
Mahatma Gandhi and Abraham Lincoln were both

about his work and property, admit his own
exemplary leaders known for their honesty. mistakes, and try to correct them rather than
hiding or shifting responsibility onto others.
In times of crisis, both remained true to their
values, such as Lincoln’s commitment to the 6. Leadership: Holders of public office should lead by
abolition of slavery and Gandhi’s commitment to example and promote and support these principles.
nonviolence. Example: Indira Gandhi, resisted all suggestions to
3. Objectivity: This refers to making decisions based on remove her Sikh bodyguards following Operation
established facts and figures rather than personal bias Blue Star because it would create a communal
or opinion. Holders of public office should make merit- divide. Despite the fact that all of the country’s
based decisions when carrying out public business, investigative agencies urged the late prime
such as making public appointments, awarding minister to remove the two bodyguards from
contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards her security detail, she was hesitant because she
and benefits. feared it would cause a schism.

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7. Openness: Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions they take.
They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest
clearly demands it.
Example: Vinod Rai, former CAG turned the office of CAG into a powerful force for openness and transparency
by unearthing a 2G scam.
OECD and an Ethical Infrastructure

z OECD called for an ethical infrastructure referring to a range of tools and processes for regulating or checking
undesirable behaviour and providing incentives to encourage good conduct of public officials. OECD 8-point
charter is as follows;
z Political commitment for ethical governance
z Creation of an Effective legal framework,
z Evolving an Efficient accountability mechanism,
z Need for evolving workable codes of conduct,
z Professional socialisation mechanisms (including training),
z Creation of supportive public service conditions,
z Need for a central ethics coordinating body,
z Need for an energetic civil society able to act as a watchdog.
Comparison of Ethics in Public and Private Relationship

Type of Relationship Ethics in Public Relationships Ethics in Private Relationships
Concerns community, society, Concerns immediate family, friends etc.
Whom it concerns? business etc.
What is the Nature of the Formal in nature. Informal in nature.
relationship?
Based on societal and personal Based on personal values, morality and family
What are the Sources? norms. values.
Which part plays the larger The large role of rules and The large role of feelings and emotions.
role? regulations.
Externally imposed and controlled Voluntary and self-imposed.
Controlled by office rules.
Codification Codified. Generally, not codified.
Legal, social, professional and Violation generally goes unpunished but can
What are the implications implications if norms are violated. have social consequences e.g. Loss of reputation
after a violation? in society.
Separation of Public and Private Relationships

Reasons for separation:
z Both function in a different way: Private and public relationships are conducted in very different ways and thus
must be treated separately in order to behave appropriately in each context.
z Should not be influenced by each other’s problems: Neither public nor private relationships should be influenced
by the problems of the other. Private issues should not have an impact on public performance.
Example: People expect public servants to be at their best regardless of personal issues. The ups and downs of
public relationships should not influence our personal behaviour. For example, a police officer’s work situation
should not influence his behaviour at home.
z Combining two results in complications: Combining the two types of relationships frequently results in
complications. The publicization of private relationships leads to nepotism and favouritism. The introduction of
public relationships into the private sphere jeopardises the sanctity, privacy, and intimacy of private life.

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Example: In the Mahabharata, conflict arose Effect of Public Relationships on Private
because Dhritrashtra mixed his public and private Relationships
relationships. When he wanted his son to be king
Positive:
despite being unworthy, he allowed his private z Inspiration: Our public lives frequently serve as a
relationship with his son to influence his public lesson for our private lives, inspiring us to improve
decision-making. our behaviour.
z Different expectations from both spheres: As Example: Workshops on gender equality in the
society judges people differently in their public and workplace, inspire husbands to treat their wives
private spheres, it is best to keep them separate. better at home.
Example: Mahatma Gandhi is revered as the “Father
z Value: The harsh realities of public relationships (such
of the Nation,” but he is not held accountable for as give and take and insensitivity) make us appreciate
his troubled relationship with his own son. the importance of our private relationships and the
z Helps in the prevention of conflict of interest: emotional support they provide.
Separating public and private relationships helps in Example: Deception by colleagues, frequently
the prevention of conflicts of interest. makes people realise the innocence and greatness
Example: Former CBI chief Ranjit Sinha met an of their friends and family.
accused in a case at his home (due to personal z Humane: Private relationship ethics, such as love and
relationships), and his integrity was called into care, can be used to make public relationships more
question. This could have been avoided if public humane and compassionate.
and private relationships had been kept separate. Example: A District Collector, who is loving
z Cannot be mixed to preserve the sanctity: Public and caring in his personal life is likely to be
relationships can be so complicated and intense that compassionate toward the poor and needy in his
they cannot be mixed with private relationships in official role.
order to preserve the sanctity of private life. Negative:
Example: Politicians frequently keep their private z Spillover: When people are preoccupied with the
lives separate from their public lives because their public, they continue to behave in the same manner
public lives are heavily scrutinised and criticised. in their private space.
Problems and Challenges with Separation Example: Criminals or anti-social elements exhibit
z Not feasible: Because public and private relationships violent and harsh behaviour even at home.
frequently overlap and mix, they cannot be kept z Time management: Excessive involvement in public
separate. life frequently forces people to sacrifice time from
Example: The President of the United States their private lives, which has a negative impact on
and his wife, the First Lady, have a critical public their private relationships.
relationship. Politicians’ families and marriages
Effect of Private Relationships on Public
are openly discussed in the United States.
Relationships
z Undesirable: A rigid separation of public and private
relationships may be counter-productive. Both types Positive:
z Interpersonal relationships: Private relationships
of relationships can benefit from one another.
teach people values like love, care, empathy, and
Example: Support from family and friends can
so on, which they can then replicate in their public
help people excel professionally. Friends at work relationships to improve their quality.
assist people in remaining motivated and satisfied.
Example: Studies by psychologists such as
z Not manageable: Individuals may experience Douglas McGregor have shown that managers’
confusion and mental stress if public and private trust, confidence, politeness, and so on increase
relationships are treated differently. the motivation of their subordinates.
Example: Police officers who behave differently at
z Positive mood: People who have smooth and happy
work and at home (toughly and nicely, respectively) private relationships are more satisfied, which allows
may be confused and feel hypocritical. them to behave better in public. This is the reasoning
z Not separable: Because some values and ethics are behind the adage “Happy wife, happy life.”
shared by both public and private relationships, both Negative:
types of relationships necessitate similar behaviour. z Stress: Tensions in private relationships with friends,
Example: Honesty and politeness are desirable in family, spouses, and others cause stress and have a
both the family and the workplace. negative impact on public behaviour. Healthy private

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relationships are a basic requirement that must be z There cannot be a watertight separation: As
met in order to have good public relationships. a result, striking a balance requires wisdom and
Example: Companies provide holiday packages for ingenuity. While public and private relationships
their employees and families in order to maintain should be viewed differently, they should not be
a healthy family life. viewed in watertight compartments.
z Prejudice: Private relationships frequently permeate z Use the continuum of both relationships: We must
the public sphere. comprehend how they interact and how one can be
Example: When one of our friends from a used to benefit the other. We must also recognize that
particular community acts in a certain way, we certain fundamental values must be demonstrated in
form an opinion about the entire community. both public and private relationships.
Common Ethics in Public and Private Relationships It will be more helpful if we consider the ethics of
z Honesty: Both types of relationships expect truthful public and private relationships as a continuum
behaviour, without which trust and confidence are
rather than as separate compartments.
lost. Marriage, for example, as well as superior-
subordinate relationships, necessitate loyalty.
1.15 MORALS
Example: In public relationships, I always
communicate transparently and truthfully, which z Derived from the Latin word moralis, meaning
helps to earn credibility. In private relationships, I “traditional customs”.
prioritise open and honest conversations, fostering z Morals are personal beliefs about what is right and
trust and deepening connections. wrong. Morals, as opposed to ethics, are standards
z Interpersonal factors: Both relationships are of behaviour that apply to an individual rather than
not mechanical, but rather involve interpersonal social behaviour.
behaviour. As a result, both require individuals to have
z Personal experience, character, conscience, and other
basic sensitivity, empathy, care, and so on in order for
factors all contribute to moral development.
both parties to better understand each other.
For example, homosexuality may be considered
Example: Many businesses have begun to provide
unethical in a society but it might be seen as a
sensitivity training (T-Group training) to their
employees in order to improve interpersonal moral by an individual.
relations. Moral ideas and concepts:
z Accountability: In both relationships, we are held z Individualistic: As previously stated, morals are an
accountable for our actions. To maintain trust and individual concept that is the result of each individual’s
confidence, we must answer for and account for our conscience, upbringing, psyche, and so on.
actions. For example, a person may see non-vegetarian food
Example: People are expected to account for their through the lens of morality others may not.
financial decisions both at home and at work. z Moral attitudes: Moral attitudes are formed as a result
z Compassion: Helping others is a good deed that is of an individual’s morals. These are perspectives on
desired in both public and private relationships. moral issues. People develop a moral preference for
Example: People assist not only their own family
viewing an issue favourably or unfavourably.
members but also colleagues, neighbours, and so A person with a conservative attitude, for example,
on. tends to see most right-wing policies as positive.

z Variation in morality at multiple levels: Morality
Balancing Public and Private Relationships varies greatly from person to person and from society
z Act appropriately with due diligence: Relationships to society (collective morality).
are very important in our lives, so we must take care
Example: Views on capital punishment, range
to act appropriately. There are different ethics for
from abolition to phased abolition to the rarest-
acting in public and private relationships. They make
certain that the relationships run smoothly. of-rare doctrine to active retention.
z Certain values work in both spheres: It is common z Dynamism: Although moral standards are stable, they
practice to treat private and public relationships can change as people are exposed to new information,
separately because they necessitate different lifestyles, cultures, and so on.
behaviours. However, further examination reveals Example: Drug abuse was once considered a crime,
that, while the two are distinct, they share some but with increased awareness and understanding,
characteristics. Certain values are required in both people have begun to view it as a disease that
public and private relationships. requires assistance and treatment.

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Differences Between Ethics & Morals:
Attributes Ethics Morals
Origin Greek word “ethos” meaning “character”. The Latin word “Mos” means “custom”.
The rules of conduct are recognized with respect Principles or habits with respect to right or wrong
to a particular class of human actions or for a conduct. While morals also prescribe dos and
Nature
particular group or culture. don’ts, morality is ultimately a personal compass
of right and wrong.
Source Social system – External Individual – Internal
Ethics are dependent on others for definition. Usually consistent, although can change if an
They tend to be consistent individual’s beliefs change. For eg-views of
within a certain context but can vary between homosexuality, cross-cousin marriage changes
Flexibility
contexts. from individual to individual.
Ethics largely stays universal for eg - truth,
compassion, non-violence, etc.
Ethics are governed by professional and Morality connects with cultural norms.
Acceptance legal guidelines within a particular time
and place.
In recent times, there have been some cases of moral erosion of civil servants:
Reasons for Moral Erosion Effort to Correct it
z Lack of Accountability and Responsibility: If z Increase Transparency: Effective laws which
anything goes well, there is no dearth of people to claim require civil servants to give reasons for their official
that they are the people behind that but if anything goes decisions.
wrong, nobody is ready to take responsibility. z Whistle-blower’s Protection Law: To protect
z Sacrificing Ethics, Values, Integrity, and Spiritualism: appropriate ‘public interest disclosures’ of
These things are sacrificed in comparison to materialism wrongdoing by officials.
& worldly success. z Research and Studies: Public relations professionals
z Social Acceptance: Society’s acceptance and tolerance should study the academic research and best practices
of corruption remains high. The silence of good people of issues management to best prepare themselves to
is more dangerous than the moral erosion of some engage in ethical issues.
people. z Ethics Audits: To identify risks to the integrity of
z Mega Administration, Slow Methodology, and the most important processes Effective external and
Delay in Decision Making: There is growth in internal complaint and redress procedures.
each department and institution both vertically and z Violation and Breaches of the Code of Ethics: This
horizontally. This has created confusion in the hierarchy should invite sanction and punishment under the
leading to delays in decision-making. disciplinary rules.
z Soft-Society, Tolerant Public Opinion, and Politico- z Computerization and Digitization: Remove the
Business-Bureaucracy Nexus: Public doesn’t resent & middle layers in which people have to depend on
tolerate the wrongdoings. This gives decision-makers bureaucrats for work
more liberty against not doing such crimes in the future. z Setting CCTV: It creates fear that they are being watched.
Constitutional Morality z The SC had relied on constitutional morality to allow

z Constitutional Morality means adherence to entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala
or being faithful to bottom line principles of the temple under a 4-1 majority verdict. In the Navtej
constitutional values. Singh Johar vs Union of India, the SC struck down
z It includes a commitment to an inclusive and the archaic provision of Section 377 and upheld
democratic political process in which both constitutional morality.
individual and collective interests are satisfied.
z The major elements of constitutional morality in 1.16 HUMAN VALUES
the context of the Indian constitution are – Rule
of law, right to equality, social justice, unity and z Values are broad preferences regarding appropriate
integrity of nation, social justice, secularism, courses of action or outcomes. As a result, values
individual liberty and freedom of expression etc. reflect an individual’s sense of right and wrong, or
what “ought” to be. It establishes a crucial aspect of

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one’s self-concept and operates as a person’s guiding
principles. Individual
Values
Core Emotions Values Social

Belief Values
z Sometimes individual beliefs are referred to as Universal

values: Individual beliefs that motivate people to act Values
in one way or another are referred to as values. These
values can be ethical/moral, religious, political, social,
or aesthetic, among others. Example: In Indian tradition, dharma, artha, and
kama are instrumental values, while moksha is the
z Predisposition to the values: People are generally
terminal value.
predisposed to adopt the values with which they are
z Relative and absolute values: Relative values differ
raised. People also believe that those values are “right”
between people, and on a larger scale, between people
because they are the values of their culture. of different cultures.
z The usefulness of values in ethical decision-making: Example: Materialistic values are individual and
Ethical decision-making frequently entails weighing society specific. An absolute value is philosophically
values against one another and deciding which values absolute and independent of individual and
to elevate. Conflicts can arise when people’s values cultural perspectives, as well as whether or not it
differ, resulting in a clash of preferences and priorities. is known or perceived. Nonviolence, equality, non-
z Values are learned and instilled: Values are not discrimination, and so on.
created by nature. They are learned and instilled. z Protected values: A protected value is one that an
The family, its environment, and traditions all play an individual is unwilling to give up, regardless of the
important role in the development of values. benefits of doing so.
Beliefs Example: Some people may be unwilling to kill
another person even if it means saving many others.
z Personal Values: Personal values are those that are
prescribed by the individual alone, regardless of his
Morals Values Ethics or her social relationships.
z Individual z Society Examples: Dignity of labour, sensitivity,
z Intrinsic z External cleanliness, politeness, honesty, and so on.
z Community Values: Community values are values
Attitude that are shared by the entire community.
Example: Caring for and respecting elders.
Behaviours z Intrinsic and extrinsic values: Intrinsic values are
Fig: Constituents of Values those that have intrinsic value on their own, such
as peace, love, and so on. Extrinsic values are only
Example valuable when used to obtain something with intrinsic
z Mohan values compassion and empathy. Manjuli value.
cherishes personal freedom and autonomy. Suman Wealth and wisdom, for example, are extrinsic
advocates for environmental sustainability and values that are used to realise intrinsic values such
conservation. Darwish prioritises intellectual as prosperity and knowledge. Value division is not
curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge. These mutually exclusive.
individuals represent different sets of human Example: A religious book may be valued because
values: empathy, autonomy, conservation, and of its intrinsic value (religious message/doctrine)
knowledge-seeking, respectively. or because it assists in the attainment of higher
goals such as moksha or nirvana.
1.16.1 Different Types of Values z Morality, amorality, and immorality: Values can be
z Terminal and Instrumental Values: Terminal values classified according to what is right and wrong. Moral
are those that end in themselves, such as happiness, values are those that encourage the right action, such
salvation, and so on. Terminal values are derived as honesty, empathy, and so on. Immoral values are
through the use of instrumental values. those that encourage wrongdoing, such as greed and

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lust. Amoral values are those that are neither moral Example, obedience, and honesty are values that
nor immoral and have nothing to do with morality, for may be relevant at work or school, as well as in
example, beauty, fitness, and so on. sports, business, and politics. This distinguishes
values from more limited concepts such as norms
Cognition (belief)
and attitudes, which usually refer to specific
Things we hold to
actions, objects, or situations.
be true.
z Serve as Standards or Criteria: Values are used as
standards or criteria in the selection or evaluation
of actions, policies, people, and events. People make
decisions about what is good or bad, justified or
Peripheral Core (Strong) illegitimate, worthwhile to do or avoid based on the
(Weak) Belief Belief potential consequences for their cherished values.
Morality, Ethics, and Values
z Values include all ethics and morals. Not all values
Emotion are ethical. For instance, bravery.
z It is a value, but it is not ethical. Individuals who
are not courageous cannot be considered unethical.
Value z In our society, conservation is a value, but not
What is important ethics.
to us.
z In some countries, such as Japan, punctuality is valued
Fig: Value System alongside ethics. Hard work is a value, but it is not an
ethical value.
Constitutional Values
z Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, Non-
discrimination, Secularism, Tolerance, Compassion Values Ethics
towards weaker sections etc.
1.16.2 Importance of Values

Morality
z Guides Human Behaviour: Values are the principles
and fundamental convictions that serve as a general
guide to behaviour. Attitudes and behaviour are
influenced by values. Fig: Morality, Ethics, and Values
z Driving Force in Ethical Decision-Making: Values
are universally recognized as a driving force in ethical Examples of Morality
decision-making - Values are universally recognized
as a driving force in ethical decision-making. They z "A young boy in Kerala returned Rs. 1 lakh that he
serve as the foundation for their intentional activities found in his school bag. He said he learned from
and influence an individual’s choices. his parents to always return what doesn't belong to
z Internal Reference for Good Living: Personal him." This is a moral example because the boy did the
values provide an internal reference for what is good, right thing despite the fact that he could have kept
beneficial, important, useful, beautiful, desirable, and the money for himself. He demonstrated honesty,
constructive in life. integrity, and a solid moral compass. His actions serve
z Helps Differentiate between what is Right and as a reminder that by doing the right thing. Young
Wrong: All values have effective, cognitive, and people can make a difference in the world.
directional aspects that guide us in deciding what is
right and wrong. z From Movie Characters: In the Bollywood movie
z Promotes Peace and Stability: Human values are "Lagaan," the characters display morality when
a tool for managing human relations and a tool for they refuse to succumb to oppression. Led by
peace when tensions are high. Values enable us to Bhuvan, played by Aamir Khan, they unite against
live in harmony with one another and to contribute unjust taxes imposed by the British. Despite the
to peace on a personal level. odds, they uphold principles of fairness, honesty,
z Values Extend beyond Specific Actions and and integrity, fighting for their rights and inspiring
situations: Values extend beyond specific actions and a nation.
situations.

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How to remain ethical when the entire system is z First School of Value Learning for Children:
corrupt Values are often obtained through cultural processes,
z Maintain Personal Integrity: Before preaching particularly diffusion and transmission or socialisation
integrity to others, you must first practise it. Be honest
from parents to children.
by conviction rather than fear or compulsion.
z Know Your Job Well: To steer your subordinates in For children, family and parents serve as the first
the proper direction, you must know the laws, rules, school of value learning. They instil in youngsters
and processes better than they do. values such as honesty and truth. Grandparents
z Courage: Demonstrate courage by giving your honest
opinion to your managers vocally and verbally. in Indian traditional families frequently tell their
Overrule your subordinates with boldness. children ethical/moral stories from holy books
z Divide and Rule: Support the honest while ignoring such as the Mahabharat and Ramayana. They
the dishonest. Recognizes publicly the good work of also share their life experiences and lessons with
any employee.
them. As a result, youngsters acquire their earliest
z Be an Inspiration for Others: Inspire others by being
the change you want to see in the world. lessons in values from them.
z Be Compassionate: Be kind to subordinates and help z Provide Emotional Support: Provide him with the
them through difficult times. Demonstrate emotional emotional support, care, and counselling he needs to
intelligence.
z Follow the Law: Don’t cut corners for the sake of get him out of negative thoughts.
speed. A single criminal act can haunt you for the z Family Provides an Informal way of Learning:
rest of your life and destroy your reputation. This also A child develops implicitly love, compassion, self-
lowered your credibility.
sacrifice, and values of sharing and caring. For
z Be a Leader: Take the lead. Don’t get into the habit
of passing the buck up or down. example, children are taught to share their lunch
z Suffer for the Principles You Hold: Honesty does not boxes with their friends and their toys with siblings,
come without cost. Always be prepared for transfers. instilling in them a spirit of charity and brotherhood.
The softest pillow is a clear mind. z Role Model for Children: Parents and family members
1.16.3 Role of Family In Value Inculcation are role models for children, and they frequently
A family is a social institution with the bond of common follow their acts and behaviours.
belief, religion, customs, culture, language, and a way of For example, if a father beats his or her mother,
life. It carries on the heritage and traditions as legacies the child is likely to have a similar value for women,
from the earlier generation to the next generation. however, if family members treat women equally
and respect them, the youngster is likely to do the
Quotes
same in the future.
z “There is nothing called a self-made man. We are
made up of thousands of others”. If they willfully violate traffic laws, their children
–George Mathew Adams will do the same.
z “A man is usually closest to five people closer to him.” If a boy is raised in a society where girls are treated
z A family is a social institution with the bond of as second-class citizens, he will treat his wife
common belief, religion, customs, culture, language, similarly and see nothing wrong with it.
and way of life. It carries on the heritage and
If parents are conscientious about cleanliness on
traditions as legacies from the earlier generation
to the next generation. both private and public property, their children
will be as well.
Pampering or z Constructive and Destructive roles: Family can play
punishment both a beneficial and a detrimental role in instilling
ideals in children.
An example of a constructive role is assisting
Respect Family Charity elderly or blind people to cross the street, which
originates from the concept of respecting elders
instilled in children by their parents. In our cultural,
Dignity of Learning from children acquire and develop their understanding
Labour our parents of the caste system during childhood within their
Fig: Role of Family In Value Inculcation. families.

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z Change in values taught by parents: Another systematic learning takes place. School gives children
tendency we can see is a shift in the values taught by the most opportunities and exposure. In addition, a child
parents. They prioritise competition over cooperation, is introduced for the first time in school to members of
individualism over family and collectivism, and the community other than his family, such as his peers,
consumerism above gratification and sacrifice. pupils, teachers, and other staff. This teaches the child
z Divergence between family and individual values: how to regulate his behaviour in society.
Due to the disintegration of traditional families, the
necessity of both parents working, the technological Quotes
explosion, and peer influence, the role of the family
z Intelligence plus character is the true goal of
as a first value provider has declined in recent years.
education. – Martin Luther King
Furthermore, as a result of education, critical thinking,
media, and awareness, children may reject and deviate z Education without values, as useful as it is, seems
from family values. rather to make a man a more clever devil. – C S
Lewis
1. Obedience z “The purpose of education is to teach the mind to
think, the heart to feel, and the body to act.” - John
Dewey
2. R
eward &
6. Internalize Empathy &
Punishment
Compassion
Role of
Making a Education in Scientific
Good Citizen Inculcating value Temper
5. Social 3. Good
Contract Boy/Girl Discipline Punctuality
Fig: Role of Education In Value Inculcation
4. R
ules &
Regulation
Fig: Value Inculcation
Parents
Leaders
Examples of the Role of Family in Value CHILD
Inculcation
z Hypothetical: Mr. X and Mrs. X actively promote
gender equality in their home. They involve their
son and daughter in decision-making, encourage Teacher
them to pursue their ambitions, and teach them
to challenge gender stereotypes. They instil values z Imparting a strong value system: The major task
that empower their children to advocate for gender of parents is to inculcate values in their children.
equality in society by modelling respect and However, teachers and schools play an important role
fairness. As a result, they often advocate gender in this as students spend more time in schools and
equality in school and peer circles. institutions. Students learn how to behave in society at
z Real life: “Every year during Diwali, a family in schools and, later, in colleges. The role of peer ground
Mumbai began a tradition of donating clothes to can’t be written off and remains highly significant in
the needy.” Their children have now grown up and value accumulation and value internalisation.
continued this tradition, instilling in them the value z Most effective agent for instilling human values:
of giving back to society.” Education has the ability to generate strong and
enduring values. Education has always been based on
1.16.4 Role of Educational Institutions In a value system that promotes the growth of physical,
Value Inculcation intellectual, moral, and spiritual life.
According to the National Education Policy, education z Basic etiquettes and values: In the Japanese system,
is the most effective tool for instilling values in children. children are taught basic etiquettes and values during
In the first year of life, a school is a place where their first four years in school.

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Children are also taught how to clean their toilets z Transmission of Culture Through Society: Man
properly. Plastic is not permitted in the classroom exists in society in order to grow mentally and
in the Netherlands. Students are taught in natural intellectually. Society protects and transmits our
settings for the first few years to establish a culture to future generations. For example, the
positive attitude toward nature. worship of the peepal tree and the sacred Ganges river.
z The curriculum and textbooks also influence z Individual Discipline: It is cultivated by society via
children’s attitudes: punishments and rewards. For example, the social
z French Revolution: Liberty, equality, fraternity. boycott was used against money lenders by peasants
Modern History: Gandhi’s train to Pretoria - in the Deccan peasant revolt during the -British era
Standing up to injustice. in India.
Constitutional ideals include democracy, z Man exists in society in order to grow mentally and
secularism, and human values such as truth, intellectually.
love, and compassion.
z Nurtures Morality and Ethics: Society preserves and
Literature: It teaches us about human nature and
transmits our culture to future generations. Morality
the dominant social ideals of a certain era. and ethics are nurtured in individuals by society.
Curiosity about science: This leads to questions
z Develops Tolerance and Sense of Nationalism:
about religious orthodoxy and bad practices.
Tolerance and national integration are brought about
Values of sportsmanship and team spirit: The
through society. Tolerance develops when one lives
opportunity to participate in numerous sports at a in a community with individuals of many castes,
young age helps pupils develop team spirit.
religions, and regional backgrounds.
z Holistic personality development: Education is
z Through collaborative endeavour, society eliminates
critical to overall growth:
the problems of social indifferences such as caste.
Instilling compassion, honesty, and mutual
cohabitation among different cultures; z Conformity is Instilled in Society: A person is
Old age homes for imparting compassion and compelled to imitate what his peers do. If they smoke,
selflessness. he will smoke; if they live in nuclear families, he will
Museums and cultural centres to foster tolerance feel the need to separate from his joint family, and
and secularism. so on.
Tree planting and street cleaning to instil z Nurtures the Behavioural Pattern Amongst New
environmental consciousness. Members of Society: The youngsters encounter
Yoga helps to internalise your thinking. You’ll
a variety of behavioural patterns and develop
have more clarity of thought once your attention common causes with peers; learn the importance of
is focused.
neighbourhood, unity in diversity, service to man is
Diversity in unity, constitutional morality, and
service to God, cooperation, and virtues in-depth.
insights from philosophers like Gandhi.
With rapid rationalisation and intensification of
industrialisation, aesthetic senses, neighbourliness,
Value emotional quotient, and spiritual values are rapidly
Intelligence + Character = deteriorating. This has also intensified with massive
Education
materialism and transnational capitalism. As a result, the
roles of school, society, and teachers in value instillation
Fig: Value Education must be redefined as there has been rapid neglect of the
value domain and an emergent need to revitalise values
1.16.5 Role of Society in human life.
The Society is at the centre of informal learning that ensures
members’ inheritance. It embraces the child’s development Role of Society
with love and a sense of possessiveness, teaching the child z Constructive Role of Society: Society can play an
to value societal patterns and philosophy. important role in the development of an individual’s
z Society Imparts Values Through Social Tradition: personality. By widely upholding ethical values it
Values of intimacy, language, love, equality, desires to can encourage individuals to be ethical.
live, action, behaviour, morality, unity, attachment, and
z Destructive Role of Society: Similarly, society
jealousy are all values carried through social tradition.
may play a deciding role in developing a crime as a
These are the evident characteristics that a child picks
subcultural phenomenon. If it does not disapprove
up from society. Through collaborative endeavour,
of the unethical behaviours/acts, it may lower the
society eliminates the problems of social indifferences
standards of ethics in society and it may result in
such as caste. For example, touching the feet of the
an increase in criminal activities.
elderly in Indian society.

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z Holistic Approach: When committing to action to
Examples of the Role of Society in Value achieve one’s goals, each action must be evaluated
Inculcation in light of universal ideals that society accepts. Such
z From Movie Characters: In Indian society, the behaviours should not be destructive to nature,
movie “Taare Zameen Par” highlights the role of ecology, or life in general. Value education steers
society in inculcating values. Through the journey pupils in the direction of universal happiness or
of Ishaan, played by Darsheel Safary, society goodwill toward all.
recognizes his individuality and provides support, z Technology and Value Education: Because
fostering empathy, acceptance, and understanding. technology is a behemoth capable of both meaningful
This collective effort helps him embrace discipline construction and meaningless destruction, value
and achieve personal growth, showcasing the education is required to prepare future technocrats
transformative power of societal influence. by making them fully aware of both the constructive
and destructive aspects of technology.
1.16.6 Recommendations for Value
1.16.7 Reasons For Erosion of Values
Education
z Materialism: The twenty-first century has seen the
z Value-based Education: Value education must be greatest degradation of individual, societal, national,
integrated into the entire educational process. An moral, ethical, and spiritual values. The growing
individual’s personality should be shaped by education. concern with materialistic advantages, combined with
Education should be the light of information that rising commercialisation, is weakening societal values
guides the world in the correct direction. Basic human and ethics.
principles must be emphasised in the school. z Vacuum in Social Cohesion and Stability: Vested
Physical Mental interests, terrorism, disruption, and access to worldly
life have all contributed to a vacuum in social cohesion
and stability. Values are therefore gradually damaged
Holistic and eroded.
Education
Bystander
Apathy Materialism
Spiritual Intellectual
Deconstructing Wrong Values: In addition to Factors Vaccum in social
z Fake news
imparting values, educational institutions and Responsible for cohesion
& Rumors
teachers can play an important role in deconstructing Erosion of values
incorrect values taught by pupils. Gender prejudice,
hostility, communalism, or casteism, for example, can Individualism Moral Degradation
be demolished by instilling a reasonable perspective
z Moral Degradation: Growing cynicism, a gap
in students.
between rights and duties, a materialistic bent, moral
z Teachers as Student’s Role Models: After school, degeneration, and violence have all harmed man’s
adolescents spend a significant amount of time in knowledge.
schools, therefore Teachers, like parents, serve as role
z The Failure of Religious Leaders: The rise of
models for their students.
fundamentalism amongst major religious adherents
As a result, teachers can directly or indirectly across the world has brought to light the inability on
inculcate moral ideals in students by embodying the part of religious leaders and authority to bring
those values. A teacher must offer an ideal moral under control the impending and emerging crisis.
example for his or her students. The teacher z The Breakdown of Traditional Family Structures:
is supposed to act not only as a facilitator of The traditional family is a key source of moral
knowledge acquisition but also as a value instiller education and guidance. However, in recent years,
and inner being transformer. there has been a breakdown of traditional family
z Playful Learning for Cultivating Values: Teacher structures, due to factors such as divorce, single-
educators can engage students in active games in parent households, and blended families. This has
the classroom to inculcate values such as fair play, made it more difficult for children to learn and
honesty, courage, and cooperation; respect and love internalise ethical values.
are best learned through interaction with peers who z The Lack of Role Models: In the past, people were
have diverse cultural, ethnic, and personality traits. more likely to learn ethical values from their parents,

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teachers, and other role models. However, in today’s z Privacy vs. Security: The ongoing debate between
world, there is a lack of clear role models for young individual privacy rights and the need for enhanced
people. This can make it more difficult for them to security measures, especially in the context of
develop strong ethical values. surveillance technologies and national security, raises
ethical dilemmas.
Conclusion (Values)
z Moral Myopia: The inability to see ethical issues
z Values and Value Education have become a source
clearly. It can happen when people are so focused on
of concern for parents, teachers, and society as a
their own immediate goals or interests that they fail
whole. Values are guiding principles that define our
to consider the ethical implications of their actions.
global vision, behaviour, and attitudes, and they play
Moral myopia can lead to unethical behaviour, such
a critical part in the development of any society or
as cheating, lying or stealing. Moral myopia is a term
nation. Truth, love, non-violence, honesty, punctuality,
coined by Minette Drumwright and Patrick Murphy in
integrity, self-discipline, equality, courage, cleanliness,
their 1992 article, “Moral Issues in Marketing.”
democracy, and self-reliance must be instilled in the
youthful mind. These principles are necessary not z Cognitive Bias: It is a systematic error in thinking that
only for an individual’s personality development but occurs when people are processing and interpreting
also for the survival of mankind as a whole. information in the world around them. These errors
can lead to people making irrational decisions and
judgments.
1.17 KEY TERMS OF ETHICS &
z Bounded Ethicality: The idea that people’s ability
THEIR MEANINGS to make ethical choices is limited by internal and
z Ethical AI Governance: The establishment of ethical external factors. These factors can include cognitive
frameworks, guidelines, and regulations for the biases, social pressures, and organisational norms. As
development and use of AI technologies is a key focus, a result, even generally ethical people may sometimes
ensuring responsible and accountable AI practices. make unethical decisions.
z Ethical Consumerism: Increasingly, consumers z Conformity Bias: The tendency to change one’s
are considering the ethical implications of their beliefs or behaviour to fit in with others. It is a type
purchasing decisions, including factors such as fair of social influence that can lead people to go along
trade, sustainable sourcing, and corporate social with the crowd, even if they disagree with what the
responsibility. crowd is doing.
z Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics: With the increasing z Ethical Fading: This is a term coined by Ann
use of AI in various fields, ethical considerations Tenbrunsel and David Messick in their 1999 article,
regarding its development, deployment, and potential “Ethical Fading: The Role of Self-Deception in Unethical
impacts have gained significant attention. behaviour.” Ethical fading occurs when people make
z Moral cognition: It is the study of how people make decisions that they would not make if they were fully
moral judgements and decisions. It is a complex aware of the ethical implications of those decisions.
process that involves a variety of cognitive factors, z Role Morality: The idea that people may have
such as the ability to reason, the ability to understand different moral standards depending on the role they
others’ perspectives, and the ability to empathise. are playing in society. For example, a doctor may have
Moral cognition is also influenced by a person’s social different moral standards when they are treating a
and cultural background, as well as their personal patient than when they are interacting with their
experiences. colleagues. This is because the doctor is expected
z Moral Muteness: This is the tendency to remain to behave in a certain way in each role, and these
silent when witnessing unethical behaviour. It can expectations may conflict with each other.
also occur when people communicate in ways that z Workplace Ethics: Issues such as fair labour practices,
obscure their moral beliefs and commitments. This diversity and inclusion, and ethical leadership have
can happen for a variety of reasons, such as fear of gained attention as organisations strive to create
retaliation, a desire to fit in, or a lack of confidence in ethical work environments and address social and
one’s own moral judgement. cultural challenges.
z Algorithmic Bias: Concerns about bias in algorithms z Moral absolutism: It is the belief that there are
and machine learning systems have surfaced, universal moral standards that apply to all people,
highlighting the ethical implications of automated regardless of context. This means that certain
decision-making that may discriminate against certain actions are always right or wrong, regardless of the
groups or reinforce existing inequalities. circumstances.

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14. What is meant by public interest? What are the
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION (MAINS)
principles and procedures to be followed by civil
1. It is believed that adherence to ethics in human servants in the public interest? (150 words) (2018)
actions would ensure in smooth functioning of an
15. With regard to morality of actions, one view is that
organisation/system. If so, what does ethics seek to
promote in human life? How do ethical values assist means are of paramount importance and the other
in the resolution of conflicts faced by him in his day- view is that the ends justify the means. Which view
to-day functioning? (Answer in 150 words) (2022) do you think is more appropriate? Justify your answer.
(2018)
2. Ethics is knowing the difference between what you
have the right to do and what is right to do.’-Potter 16. The crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced
Stewart. (Answer in 150 words) (2022) to a narrow perception of the good life. Discuss.(2017)
3. “If a country is to be corruption free and become a 17. Explain how ethics contributes to social and human
nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are well-being.(2016)
three key societal members who can make a difference. 18. Law and ethics are considered to be the two tools for
They are the father, the mother, and the teacher.” – controlling human conduct so as to make it conducive
Abdul Kalam. (Answer in 150 words) (2022) to civilised social existence. Discuss how they achieve
4. Write short notes on the following in 30 words each: this objective. Giving examples, show how the two
(i) Constitutional morality (ii) Conflict of interest differ in their approaches. (2016)
(2022)
19. What is meant by ‘environmental ethics’? Why is it
5. “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until important to study? Discuss any one environmental
and unless we obtain peace within ourselves.” – Dalai issue from the viewpoint of environmental ethics.
Lama (Answer in 150 words) (2021) (150 words) (2015)
6. Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. 20. Differentiate between the following (2015)
We need each other, and the sooner we learn that it
a. Law and ethics.
is better for us all.” -Erik Erikson word (Answer in
150 words) (2021) b. Ethical management and management of ethics.
7. “Refugees should not be turned back to the country c. Personal Ethics and Professional Ethics.
where they would face persecution or human rights 21. What do you understand by values and ethics? In what
violation.” Examine the statement with reference to way is it important to be ethical along with being
the ethical dimension being violated by the nation professionally competent? (2013)
claiming to be democratic with an open society. (2021)
22. It is often said that politics and ethics do not go
8. Discuss the role of ethics and values in enhancing the together. What is your opinion in this regard? Justify
following three major components of Comprehensive your answer with illustrations. (2013)
National Power (CNP) viz. human capital, soft power
(culture and policies) and social harmony. (2020)
CASE STUDIES
9. “Education is not an injunction; it is an effective
and pervasive tool for all round development of an 1. You are a municipal commissioner of a large city, having
individual and social transformation”. Examine the the reputation of a very honest and upright officer.
New Education Policy, 2020 (NEP, 2020) in light of A huge multipurpose mall is under construction in
the above statement. (2020) your city in which a large number of daily wage
earners are employed. One night, during monsoons,
10. Distinguish between laws and rules. Discuss the role
a big chunk of the roof collapsed causing the instant
of ethics in formulating them. (2020)
death of four labourers including two minors. Many
11. What are the basic principles of public life? Illustrate more were seriously injured requiring immediate
any three of these with suitable examples. (150 words) medical attention. The mishap resulted in a big hue
(2019)
and cry, forcing the government to institute an inquiry.
12. What is meant by the term ‘constitutional morality’? Your preliminary enquiry has revealed a series of
How does one uphold constitutional morality? (2019) anomalies. The material used for the construction was
13. State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the of poor quality. Despite the approved building plans
context of civil service and bring out their importance. permitting only one basement, an additional basement
(150 words) (2018) has been constructed. This was overlooked during the

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periodic inspections by the building inspector of the natural gas processing plant in a northern state for
municipal corporation. In your enquiry, you noticed the regional gas grid. The required land is already in
that the construction of the mall was given the green possession of the PSU. The gas grid is an essential
signal despite encroaching on areas earmarked for a component of the national energy security strategy.
green belt and a slip road in the Zonal Master Plan After three rounds of global bidding, the project was
of the city. The permission to construct the mall was allotted to an MNC, M/s XYZ Hydrocarbons. The first
accorded by the previous Municipal Commissioner tranche of payments to the MNC is scheduled to be
who is not only your senior and well-known to you made in December.Finance Ministry was asked for
professionally, but also a good friend. Prima facie, the a timely allocation of an additional 6000 crores for
case appears to be of a widespread nexus between these two developmental projects. It was decided to
officials of the Municipal Corporation and the builders. recommend the re-appropriation of this entire amount
Your colleagues are putting pressure on you to go slow from the NHS allocation. The file was forwarded
in the enquiry. The builder, who is rich and influential, to the Budget Department for their comments and
happens to be a close relative of a powerful minister further processing. On studying the case file, Rajesh
in the state cabinet. The builder is persuading you Kumar realised that this re-appropriation may
to hush up the matter, promising you a fortune to do cause an inordinate delay in the execution of NHS,
so. He also hinted that if this matter is not resolved a project much publicised in the rallies of senior
at the earliest in his favour; there is somebody in his politicians. Correspondingly, the non-availability of
office who is waiting to file a case against you under finances would cause a financial loss in the SEZ and
the POSH Act. Discuss the ethical issues involved in national embarrassment due to delayed payment in
the case. What are the options available to you in an international project. Rajesh Kumar discussed the
this situation? Explain your selected course of action. matter with his seniors. He was conveyed that this
(UPSC Mains 2020) politically sensitive situation needs to be processed
immediately. Rajesh Kumar realised the diversion of
APPROACH funds from the NHS could raise difficult questions
z Introduction: Identifying issues such as Personal for the government in the Parliament.
vs. Professional ethics, ethical aspects like Honesty Discuss the following with reference to this case:
& Courage vs. Flattery & stakeholders involved. Ethical issues involved in the re-appropriation of
z Body: Identify Ethical issues involved in the funds from a welfare project to the developmental
re-appropriation of funds from a welfare project projects.
to the developmental projects. Analyse various Given the need for proper utilisation of public funds,
options on the basis of merit. discuss the options available to Rajesh Kumar. Is
z Conclusion: Exploring various possible resigning a worthy option? (UPSC Mains 2020)
alternatives/ responses weighing as per the merit.
Choosing the best possible course of action and
APPROACH
substantiating it with Ethical Theory.
z Introduction: Introduce by describing the conflict
in the case.
2. Rajesh Kumar is a senior public servant, with a
z Body: In the first part of the question, identify
reputation of honesty and forthrightness, currently
Ethical issues involved in re-appropriation. In
posted in the Finance Ministry as Head of the Budget
the second part of the question, discuss the need
Division. His department is presently busy organising
for proper utilisation of public funds. Discuss the
budgetary support to the states, four of which are due
course of action available before Rajesh Kumar by
to go to the polls within the financial year. This year’s
explaining the Merit & Demerits of each option.
annual budget allotted 78300 crores for the National
Housing Scheme (NHS), a centrally sponsored social z Conclusion: Then, suggest a course of action to be
housing scheme for the weaker sections of society. pursued by Rajesh Kumar.
775 crores have been drawn for NHS till June.The
Ministry of Commerce had long been pursuing a case 3. Rameshwar successfully cleared the prestigious
for setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in a civil services examination and was excited about
southern state to boost exports. After two years of the opportunity that he would get through the civil
detailed discussions between the centre and state, the services to serve the country. However, soon after
Union Cabinet approved the project in August. The joining the services, he realised that things are not
process was initiated to acquire the necessary land. as rosy as he had imagined. He found a number of
Eighteen months ago, a leading Public Sector Unit malpractices prevailing in the department assigned
(PSU) had projected the need for setting up a large to him. For example, funds under various schemes

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and grants were being misappropriated. The official
facilities were frequently used for personal needs by APPROACH
the officers and staff. After some time, he noticed that z Introduction: Explain the ethical aspects like a
the process of recruiting the staff was also not up violation of Professional Ethics and identify various
to the mark. Prospective candidates were required stakeholders involved.
to write an examination in which a lot of cheating z Body: Exploring various possible options such as
was going on. Some candidates were provided with telling the senior about the wrongfulness of the act
external help in the examination. Rameshwar brought or divulging the information of builders.
these incidents to the notice of his seniors. However, z Conclusion: Suggest the best option available
he was advised to keep his eyes, ears, and mouth shut which takes ethics into account.
and ignore all these things which were taking place
with the connivance of the higher-ups. Rameshwar 5. You are the Executive Director of an upcoming InfoTech
felt highly disillusioned and uncomfortable. He comes Company which is making a name for itself in the
to you seeking your advice. Indicate various options Market. Mr. A, who is a star performer, is heading
that you think are available in this situation. How the marketing team. In a short period of one year,
would you help him to evaluate these options and he has helped in doubling the revenues as well as
choose the most appropriate path to be adopted? creating a high brand equity for the Company so
(250 words) (20 M) (UPSC MAINS 2014) much so that you are thinking of promoting him.
However, you have been receiving information from
APPROACH many corners about his attitude towards the female
z Introduction: Discuss ethical issues involved colleagues; particularly his habit of making loose
like the use of public resources for personal comments on women. In addition, he regularly sends
interests, departmental apathy, whistleblowing, indecent SMS to all the team members including his
and organisational Ethics. female colleagues. One day, late in the evening, Mrs.
z Body: Analyse various options on the basis of X, who is one of Mr. A’s team members, comes to you
merit like accepting advice from seniors, drafting visibly disturbed. She complains about the continued
assessment reports or acting as a whistleblower. misconduct of Mr. A, who has been making undesirable
Also, discuss how Ethical values can be helpful such advances toward her and has even tried to touch
as persuasion. her inappropriately in his cabin. She tendered her
z Conclusion: Then, suggest a course of action to resignation and left your office.
be pursued by Rameshwar on the basis of Ethical What are the options available to you?
values. Evaluate each of these options and choose the option
you would adopt, giving reasons.
4. As a senior officer in the Finance Ministry, you have (20 marks | 250 words) (UPSC MAINS 2013)
access to some confidential and crucial information
about policy decisions that the Government is about APPROACH
to announce. These decisions are likely to have far-
z Introduction: Identify the issue and ethical aspects
reaching impacts on the housing and construction
also discuss Professional Ethics, Code of Conduct,
industry. If the builders have access to this information
and Misuse of Authority.
beforehand, they can make huge profits. One of
the builders has done a lot of quality work for z Body: Exploring various possible alternatives
the Government and is known to be close to your on their merits. Also, discuss about SC Vishakha
immediate superior, who asks you to disclose this guidelines and legislative measures to prevent and
information to the said builder. prohibit sexual harassment at the workplace with
the latest facts & figures.
What are the options available to you?
z Conclusion: Suggest the best option available
Evaluate each of these options and choose the option
along with measures to strengthen institutional
which you would adopt, giving reasons.
safeguards for women.
(20 marks|250 words) (UPSC MAINS 2013)
v v v

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2 Attitude
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”–Winston S. Churchill
Syllabus
Attitude: Content, structure, and function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political
attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
INTRODUCTION Quotes
z “You can often change your circumstances by
Attitude is a fundamental aspect of human psychology
changing your attitude”. —Eleanor Roosevelt
that influences our thoughts, emotions, and
z “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”
behaviours. It refers to the predisposition or outlook
—Winston Churchill
we hold towards people, events, ideas, or situations.
Attitudes can be positive, negative, or neutral. These
attitudes can be developed through a variety of factors, 2.1 ATTITUDE CONTENT
including personal experiences, cultural influences, (A-B-C COMPONENTS)
upbringing, and social interactions. Attitudes are z Attitude Content refers to the ways in which different
not fixed and can change over time based on new psychological constructs like beliefs, values and
information, insights, or personal growth. emotions are expressed in attitude.
Components of Attitude
Affective Component Behavioural Cognitive Component

(Emotional Aspect of Component (Thought aspect of
Attitude) (Tendency to act) Attitude)
Neutral Attitudes
Positive Attitudes Negative Attitudes
Fig: Content of Attitude

1. Affective Component of Attitude: The affective component of attitude encompasses the emotional responses,
feelings, and sentiments associated with a particular object, person, or situation. It represents the individual’s
emotional orientation towards the attitude object. The affective component of attitude includes:
Emotional Example: Rocky who feels excited and joyful while attending a live music concert of his favourite band.
Responses: This emotional connection contributes to his overall positive attitude towards the band and their music.
Example: Students of JNU and DU generally develop a deep sense of pride and loyalty towards
Feelings and
their university, considering it a place of personal growth and fond memories. These feelings and
Sentiments:
sentiments contribute to their strong positive attitude towards their alma mater.
2. Behavioral Component of Attitude: The behavioural
component of attitude relates to the actions,
Example of Ronaldo
intentions, and expressions associated with an z Portugal’s football player Ronaldo sat down for his
attitude. It reflects how attitudes translate into first pre-match press conference of the tournament
before Portugal’s clash with Hungary. He noticed
observable behaviours. The behavioural component
that two bottles of Coca-Cola were kept directly
of attitude includes:
in front of him. He promptly removed the soft
Example: Sandeep with a pro- drinks from the view of the cameras and replaced
environmental attitude has a strong them with a water bottle. In the given example,
Action inclination to engage in eco-friendly the following A-B-C components of Attitude were
Tendencies behaviours such as recycling, using observed:
reusable products, and conserving z The feeling of disgust towards
energy. Affective Coca-Cola.
component
Example: Shiv holds a positive attitude
towards volunteering for a local
Intended z Removal of the Coca-Cola
charity. He actively seeks volunteer
or Actual Behavioural
bottles.
opportunities, signs up for events, and component
Behaviour
dedicates his time and effort to support
the cause. z Knowledge of Ronaldo that
Example: Abhay openly expresses his Cognitive Coca-Cola Is bad for health.
component
admiration and appreciation for A. R.
Expressions Rahman by watching his concerts on
and YouTube, listening to his interviews,
Reactions and discussing his work with others. 2.2 STRUCTURE OF ATTITUDE
These expressions reflect his positive
attitude toward A. R. Rahman. z How positive and negative judgments are arranged
inside and between the cognitive, affective, and
3. Cognitive Component of Attitude: The cognitive behavioural components is addressed by attitude
component of an attitude refers to the beliefs, thoughts, structure.
and knowledge that shape an individual’s attitude. z The three aspects of attitude are not always positive
It involves the mental processes of perception, all the time. A person might, for instance, have
interpretation, and understanding. The cognitive favourable thoughts of saving lives leading to
component of attitude includes: blood donation. Yet, when asked to do so, a person’s
behaviour may be inhibited by unpleasant feelings
Example: You might have a friend who
like a dread of needles.
believes that regular exercise promotes
Beliefs and z There are two approaches to attitude structuring:
good health and longevity. This belief
Knowledge 1. One-Dimensional Perspective: According
forms the cognitive foundation of his
positive attitude towards exercise. to a one-dimensional viewpoint, positive
beliefs, emotions, and behaviour preclude the
Example: Greta Thunberg perceives development of negative or positive beliefs,
climate change as a pressing global feelings, and behaviour. Thus, this viewpoint
Thoughts issue based on scientific evidence, news suggests that there won’t be any attitudinal
and reports, and personal observations. ambivalence and that a person’s attitude towards
Perceptions This perception influences her attitude the attitude object is consistent.
towards environmental conservation
Mildly positive Mildly negative
and sustainability.
belief, emotions belief, emotions
Example: When considering a new and behaviour and behaviour
smartphone purchase, I always
gather information about its features, Highly positive Neutral Highly negative
Information
performance, and customer reviews. belief, emotions belief,
Processing
My attitude towards the smartphone and behaviour emotions and
is shaped mostly based on this behaviour
information. Fig: One-Dimensional Perspective of Attitude

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2. Two-dimensional Perspective: As per this It reflects values, beliefs It reflects experiences
perspective, Positive and negative aspects are and desired responses. based on social
supposedly stored along two different dimensions. conditioning.
In one dimensional perspective, there are many Example: Positive Example: Positive attitude
positive elements of belief, emotion, and behaviour. attitude towards a towards products used by
Whereas, under this perspective, there are many product because it was parents during childhood
negative elements. According to this theory, humans manufactured in an days.
can have any ratio of either positive or negative environment-friendly
attitudes. manner.
Little positivity and high negativity, little
negativity and low positivity, or neither 2.4 CHARACTERISTICS OF ATTITUDE
positivity nor negativity (i.e., a neutral position) Attitudes possess several key characteristics that
might be included in an attitude. shape nature and influence the individual. These
characteristics help us understand how attitudes are
formed, maintained, and expressed. Here are some
High High
important characteristics of attitudes:
Positive Positive
Evaluative: Attitudes are inherently evaluative,
NEGATIVE ELEMENT
z
Low High
Negative Negative meaning they involve the evaluation or judgement
of people, objects, ideas, or events. Attitudes can be
positive (favourable) or negative (unfavourable), and
Low Low they reflect our overall assessment or opinion about
Positive Positive something.
Low High Example: Sonam Wangchuk may have a positive
Negative Negative
attitude towards environmental conservation as
he believes that it is crucial for the well-being of
the planet and future generations.
POSITIVE ELEMENT
z Learned over time: Attitudes are acquired through
Fig: Two-Dimensional Perspective of Attitude
socialisation, experience, and exposure to various
2.3 CATEGORIES OF ATTITUDE: influences in our environment. They are learned
over time through interactions with family, friends,
EXPLICIT ATTITUDE AND
media, and societal norms.
IMPLICIT ATTITUDE
Growing Goodness
1. Explicit Attitude: It is also referred to as the “Self & Helping hand in Peaceful life/
Reported Attitude”. This Attitude is embedded in our society society
conscious cognition or in simple words, the person
involved is aware of his/her Attitude. Importance of Good Thoughts
Reflects back
2. Implicit Attitude: Mostly governed by past memories, same goodness Good Attitude Intentions
this Attitude is embedded in our unconscious cognition. It
arises unintentionally due to our experiences, learnings,
implicit values and embedded personality of a person. Good Good Behaviour
The difference between Explicit and Implicit Attitude Action / Attitude
is as follows:
Example: If you are supporting a particular
Explicit Attitudes Implicit Attitudes
political party then your attitude towards this
It is conscious It is unconscious or political party may be influenced by your family’s
awareness of attitude. automatic attitudes political beliefs, exposure to political campaigns,
It is voluntary and It is involuntary and less and media coverage.
controllable controllable z Stable and Enduring: Attitudes are relatively stable
It is easily accessible It is less accessible and and enduring, meaning they tend to persist over
and reportable not easily reported time.
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Example: My grandmother, being a religious z Variance in Specificity: Specificity refers to the
person since her youth, used to visit a temple clarity and precision of an attitude. It involves
daily. And she persisted with this attitude towards having a clear focus on a particular object, person, or
religion till her death. concept. Attitudes can vary in their specificity, ranging
z Influence Behaviour: Attitudes have a significant from broad to narrow. For example:
impact on behaviour. They shape our actions, Attitude: Food preferences
choices, and decisions. Attitudes guide our Broad specificity: Having a positive attitude
behaviour by influencing our motivation, preferences, towards trying different cuisines and exploring
and intentions. new flavours.
Example: My father has a very positive outlook Narrow specificity: Having a specific liking for
towards physical fitness. He keeps himself engaged Italian cuisine and a preference for pasta and
in regular exercise and maintains healthy lifestyle pizza.
habits. This demonstrates his attitude towards In this example, the broad specificity reflects
physical fitness. a general openness to different types of food,
while the narrow specificity indicates a more
z Consistency: Consistency refers to the degree of
specific preference for Italian cuisine.
compatibility or coherence between different
components of an attitude. When an attitude is
Example
consistent, the cognitive, affective, and behavioural
In a patriarchal society, a child learns from his
aspects align with each other.
surroundings that females are inferior to males at
For example - Attitude towards environmental many levels. The child gets married and begets a
conservation: daughter and a son. Since his resources are limited,
Cognitive component: Belief that preserving the abstract construction towards his daughter is to
get her admitted to a public school while he gets
natural resources is important.
his son admitted to a convent school. Later in life,
Affective component: Positive emotional when he realises that girls are equally capable and are
response towards sustainable practices. excelling in various spheres, he changes his action.
Behavioural component: Engaging in He gives equal opportunities for education to both
recycling, and using eco-friendly products. her son and daughter without discriminating on
the basis of gender. (This is based on a changed
In this example, all three components of the attitude.)
attitude are consistent. They reflect a positive
stance towards environmental conservation.
z Intensity: Intensity of attitude represents the degree
2.5 FORMATION OF ATTITUDE AND
of favorability or unfavorability towards an object, FACTORS AFFECTING IT
person, or concept. Some attitudes may be extreme Several factors can influence how and why attitudes form,
also. Extremity refers to the strength or intensity of including:
an attitude. Experiences
Attitude: Political ideology
Extremity: Holding extreme liberal or
conservative views. Formation of Perceptual
Personality Attitude Biases
Example: A person who strongly believes
in advocating for social equality and welfare
programs (extreme liberal) or someone Association Observation
who strongly supports limited government z Personal Experience or Individuality: Experience
intervention and free-market principles has a direct impact on how attitudes develop. They
(extreme conservative). may appear as a result of observation or direct
In both cases, the individuals hold strong and personal experience.
passionate attitudes towards their political Example: After reading about climate change and
ideology, exhibiting extremity in their beliefs the benefits of solar panels, I insisted my father
and values. install solar panels on our newly constructed

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home and we witnessed the financial and z Role Modelling:
environmental benefits of it. It helped me to Celebrity Influence: Celebrities often serve as
develop a favourable attitude towards solar role models, and their attitudes and behaviours can
energy. shape the attitudes of their followers. For instance,
z Social Factors: Social roles refer to how individuals when a popular athlete like M S Dhoni promotes
are supposed to act in a specific situation or role. a healthy and active lifestyle, their followers may
Social norms are the guidelines that society has adopt similar attitudes and behaviours.
established for acceptable behaviour.
Example: I am inclined to this act because my
Classical Conditioning: Discovered
social circle has a positive perception of solar by Ivan Pavlov
energy, all of us are more or less likely to adopt a He paired a previously neutral stimulus (the sound
of the bell, which did not elicit any response from
similar attitude.
dogs) with an unconditioned stimulus (dog’s food) to
For instance, one of my friends works in a elicit a conditioned response in dogs. Because of the
renewable energy firm. She actively promotes conditioned response, dogs produced saliva just by
and advocates for renewable energy sources ringing bells.
influencing my attitude towards solar power.
z Learning: Different techniques can be used to learn 2.6 FUNCTIONS OF ATTITUDE
attitudes. Think about how marketers can sway Attitudes serve several functions in individuals lives,
your opinion of a certain product through classical influencing their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
conditioning. Here are some common functions of attitudes, along with
Example: My brother watched a youthful, attractive examples:
person sipping a sports drink while having fun on a z Utilitarian Function: Attitudes can serve a utilitarian
tropical beach depicted in a television channel. He function by helping individuals maximise rewards
then started associating this particular beverage and minimise punishment.
positively because of the gorgeous and alluring Example: Awards such as Bharat Ratna, Padma
imagery of the advertisement. Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan etc are bestowed by
z Conditioning: Additionally, attitudes can be the government to develop a positive attitude in
influenced by operant conditioning. the citizens towards their respective works and
Example: A young man who recently started social service
smoking faced objections, reprimand, and often z Knowledge Function: Attitudes can serve a
was asked to leave whenever he used to light a knowledge function by organising and simplifying
cigarette in their vicinity. He gradually developed information about the social world.
a negative attitude toward smoking as a result
Example: If you are given a chance to visit a
of this feedback from people around him and
country like Syria during the ISIS regime, then
resolved to quit smoking.
definitely you will avoid it as you are a civil
z Observation: In addition, people pick up attitudes
service aspirant and you have knowledge that
by watching the people around them.
your life will be in danger there.
For example, a child belonging to a middle class
z Social Identity Function: Attitudes can serve a social
family, observing the attitudes of their parents,
identity function by helping individuals define and
usually begins to demonstrate similar outlooks
towards a poor person or house help etc. express their social identity. They contribute to a
sense of belonging to a particular group or community.
z Persuasion: Through persuasive advertising
campaigns, companies aim to shape consumer For example, We Indians have a strong positive
attitudes towards their products. For example, a attitude towards our cultural heritage, which
cosmetics brand may use persuasive messaging and helps us feel connected to our cultural group and
visuals to convince individuals that their product will reinforces our sense of identity especially when
enhance their beauty and boost their self-confidence. we go abroad.
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Socialisation
Society
School
Family
Child
Grown Up Child
Attitude (+ve) Attitude (–ve)

Rational Stereo-type
Liberal Prejudice
Secular Hostile
Humble Aggressive
Intervention
Elite
Violent
Emotionally
Formal Informal
Unstable
Training Reward, Value Role modeling,
based education or Leadership, Social
Punishment for deviance influence
z Ego-Defensive Function: Attitudes can serve an ego-defensive function by protecting individuals’ self-esteem
and maintaining a positive self-image. They may help individuals cope with anxiety, fear or threat by justifying
their beliefs or behaviours.
For instance, You may not be able to play football like Messi. Instead of accepting this reality, someone may
claim that they don’t like football to maintain their self-image.
Rationalisation
Ego Defensive
Denial Tools Projection
Repression
z Value-Expressive Function: Attitudes can serve a value-expressive function by allowing individuals to express
their core values and beliefs. They act as a means of self-expression and reflect an individual’s moral or ideological
stance.

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For example: A civil servant may keep a zero

Attitudes are more Thoughts are more rational
corruption tolerance attitude expressing
emotionally driven and logical, involving
commitment to probity and the rule of law.
and involve affective critical thinking, analysis,
z Behavioral Guidance Function: Attitudes can serve
responses, likes and and problem-solving.
a behavioural guidance function by influencing
dislikes towards
individuals’ behaviour and decision-making. They
something.
provide a framework for making choices and guide
actions. Attitudes are relatively Thoughts are more
For instance: A civil servant having equality stable and enduring, transient and can change
embedded in his/her thoughts and attitude is likely influencing behaviour based on new information,
to behave decently with all sections of society. and decision-making perspectives or experiences.
z Self-Awareness Function: Attitudes can help people over time.
to approach things that are beneficial to them and Attitudes can shape the Thoughts can contribute
avoid things that are harmful to them. focus and direction of to the formation or
Example: Tanya’s positive attitude towards thoughts. modification of attitudes.
healthy eating leads her to choose nutritious foods Analysing information,
and avoid harmful dietary habits. critically evaluating
z Social Adjustment Function: Attitudes help us in arguments, and considering
social adjustments. Attitudes help us in simplifying multiple perspectives can
our perception of the world and make it more shape attitudes.
manageable to us.
Attitudes can impact Thoughts provide the
Example: Michael’s open-minded attitude allows
behaviour and guide foundation for decision-
him to adapt to diverse cultural perspectives,
actions. They can making and can influence
facilitating social interactions and fostering
understanding in a globalised world. motivate individuals the choices individuals
to act in alignment make based on their
These functions of attitudes illustrate how they play a
vital role in shaping individuals’ thoughts, emotions, with their attitudes or analysis, judgement, and
and behaviours. Attitudes help individuals navigate the to support causes they reasoning.
social world, define their identity, cope with challenges, believe in.
express values, and guide their actions based on their
Examples: Case Study: Attitude vs. Thought - Impact
beliefs and evaluations. on Voting Behavior
2.7 ATTITUDES AND THOUGHTS In a fictional Indian town called Rajnagar,
a local legislative assembly election
z Attitudes influence thoughts by providing a is underway. The town has two main
framework for interpreting and evaluating candidates: Rahul Sharma and Priya
Situation
information. They shape the way individuals perceive Desai. The residents of Rajnagar have
and make sense of the world around them. Attitudes diverse opinions and beliefs about the
serve as filters through which individuals process candidates’ qualifications and political
information, leading to the formation of thoughts and agendas.
opinions related to the attitude object. Rajesh, a resident of Rajnagar, holds
z Attitude plays a significant role in shaping both a favourable attitude towards Rahul
thoughts and behaviour. The relationship between Sharma. He believes that Rahul is a
attitude, thought, and behaviour can be summarised charismatic and dynamic leader who
as follows: can bring about positive change in the
town. Rajesh actively supports Rahul
Attitude Thought Attitude
by attending his rallies, displaying
Scenario
Attitude refers to the Thought refers to the his campaign posters, and spreading
evaluation or feeling cognitive process of positive word-of-mouth about him.
towards an object, processing information, Rajesh’s attitude towards Rahul shapes
person, or concept. It analysing ideas, and forming his behaviour as he enthusiastically
involves a positive or opinions or beliefs. volunteers for his campaign and
negative orientation. encourages others to vote for him.
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In contrast, Deepa, another resident of Negative Quitting
Disqualifying
Rajnagar, takes a thoughtful approach to Depression
in an Exam
Attitude
evaluating the candidates. She critically Suicidal tendencies
examines the track records, political Using one's acquired knowledge
Positive in some other field.
affiliations and proposed policies of both
Attitude Exploring alternate career options
Rahul Sharma and Priya Desai. Deepa
considers the candidates’ stances on where one can excel.
Thought key issues such as education, healthcare,
Scenario: and infrastructure development. After Negative
Population Burden
Population
careful consideration, she concludes that Attitude
of India
Drain on Resources
Priya Desai’s policies align more closely
Human Resource
with her own values and aspirations for Positive
the town. Despite not having a strong Attitude Increased Demographic dividend
emotional attachment to Priya, Deepa
decides to vote for her based on her 2.8.1 Influence of Attitude on Behaviour
thoughtful evaluation.
z Attitude is defined as tendencies to behave in
Attitude Thought certain ways in social situations. Attitude is a
Candidate – Rahul Candidate – Priya personal trait, whereas behaviour is a social trait.
Voter – Deepa
Voter – Rajesh (friend Critically
Deepa Behaviour
of Rahul) assess walk
Compaignity
Thought
Rajes Attitude done by both
for friend
candidate Attitude
Attend Examine Track
Rajesh Action Rajesh
Rally of record
Rahul Action Political attitude Values
Display
compaign Check Ideology
poster of candidate
Beliefs
2.8 ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOUR

z Behaviour refers to the way a person or an organism
acts or conducts itself in response to various z Attitudes Guide Behaviour: Attitudes serve as guides
stimuli, situations, or circumstances. for behaviour by shaping how individuals perceive
z It can include actions like speaking, moving, and respond to certain situations.
expressing emotions, making decisions, and
z Attitudes Impact Decision-Making: Attitudes
engaging in social interactions.
influence decision-making processes, as individuals
Attitude precedes Behaviour
tend to align their choices with their attitudes.
Behaviour is a reflection of Attitude
Attitude + Reaction = Behaviour For instance, Shyam has a negative attitude
towards fast food pertaining to health concerns,
Favourable
he most of the time avoids consuming such food
UnFavourable
and opts for healthier alternatives.
Prejudice (–ve) Bureaucratic (–ve)

Casteism Complacency Behaviour Attitude
Communalism Red Tapism
Gender Bias Elite orientation
Discrimination Sluggishness z Attitudes Affect Action: Attitudes can directly
Patriarchy Rule Adherence influence actions. When individuals hold strong
Social Conflicts Administrative Malpractices attitudes towards a cause or issue, they are more
� Dowry � Corruption
likely to take actions to support or advocate for it.
� Honor killing � Bribery
For example, I am passionate about animal
� Lack of freedom to girls � Misuse of Authority
rights, thus, I would actively participate in
� Child marriage � Goal Shifting protests or support the cause of animal welfare.

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z Attitudes Shape Perceptions: Attitudes shape how individuals perceive and interpret information. They can
create biases or filters through which people view the world.
For instance, Sandeep has a negative attitude towards a particular political party, he may perceive the policies
in a more critical light while dismissing positive aspects.
z Attitudes Impact Social Interactions: Attitudes play a crucial role in social interactions. They can influence how
individuals interact with others, form relationships, and engage in communication.
For example, Rohit with a tolerant and inclusive attitude towards diverse cultures is more likely to embrace
and respect people from different backgrounds.
Influence of Attitude on Behaviour
Attitude Behaviour
Individual Level
z Being fit and healthy. z Having a balanced diet and proper sleep.
z Gaining knowledge. z Studying.
Societal Level
z Gender-neutral. z Gender sensitisation.
z Environmental concern. z Afforestation drives.
Administrative Level
z Empathy towards the vulnerable section. z Following Administrative Ethics and Probity in
z Public service and social welfare. Governance.
z Commitment to the constitutional values.
2.8.2 Attitude-Behaviour Consistency
z Attitude-behaviour consistency refers to the degree to which attitudes predict behaviour.
z The relationship between attitude and behaviour is complex and influenced by various factors such as
situational constraints, social norms, and individual characteristics.
Affective Component + Congitive component = Behaviour
z While there may be instances of attitude-behaviour alignment, inconsistencies between attitude and behaviour
can arise due to external constraints, conflicting motivations, or other intervening factors.
Attitude-Behaviour Consistency
Attitude Behaviour
z Attitude is an internal component of our cognition z Behaviour is the manifestation or exhibition of such
(Knowledge or Information) an attitude.
z Attitude refers to a person’s mental view, regarding the z Behaviour implies the actions and conduct of an
way he/she thinks or feels about someone or something. individual or group towards other persons.
z It is more personal. z It is more social.
z A person’s attitude is mainly based on the z The behaviour of a person is based on the situation
experiences gained by him during the course of his and circumstances.
life and observations.
z Behaviour reflects one’s attitude as actions are the
z Attitude reflects one’s emotions, opinions, and thoughts. reflection of our thoughts.
z Factors like environment, experiences, and moral
z Attitudes, character traits, and biological factors like
values mainly influence attitudes.
endocrine and nervous responses influence our behaviour.
z Example: A civil servant working in a rural area saw
that many villagers were living in poverty. They did z Example: A civil servant working in a government
not have access to clean water or sanitation facilities, office received an application from a poor family with
and they did not have enough food to eat. The civil many young children. The civil servant felt sympathy
servant worked with the local government to improve for the family and took the time to carefully review
the villagers’ access to basic necessities, and they also their application. They also asked the family about their
helped the villagers to find ways to generate income. situation and helped them connect with resources in
The civil servant’s actions showed that they were the community. The civil servant’s behaviour showed
genuinely concerned about the poor and were willing that they were genuinely concerned about the family’s
to help them improve their lives. well-being.
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Attitude Formation and Change
Attitudes can be formed through various processes such as direct experience, socialisation, education, and exposure
to persuasive messages. Attitudes can also be influenced and modified over time. Attitude change can occur through
persuasive communication, cognitive dissonance, social influence, or personal experiences that challenge
existing attitudes.
Behaviour Habit Attitude Value Character Destiny
Overall, attitudes are related to both thoughts and z Beliefs are the convictions or acceptance of
behaviour. They shape the way individuals think about something as true or real.
and interpret information, and they guide behavioural
z They are formed through personal experiences,
intentions and actions. However, it is important to
consider that attitude-behaviour consistency is not knowledge, cultural influences, and social
always absolute, and there can be variations depending interactions.
on individual factors and contextual influences.
z Beliefs can be about a wide range of topics, including
2.9 OPINION AND ATTITUDE religion, morality, politics, science, and more.
z Example: Theists believe in the existence of God while
z It is an individual’s thought or belief about something,
Atheists deny existence of it.
whether good or bad. It can vary from person to person.
Example: There are conflicting opinions on Belief Attitude
the possession of Nuclear Weapons, Historical z It is an idea that a z It is a mental
Responsibility for Climate Change in the Western person holds as true. disposition that
and Eastern Worlds.
z It can arise from past results in a particular
Opinion Attitude experience, cultural behaviour.
& societal norms, or It arises out of values
z It is the expression z It is a predisposition z
education.
of judgement. to act in a certain way. and beliefs we hold
z It is restricted to z Attitude is inferred from z Changing beliefs can internally.
verbal expression- both verbal & non- change attitudes.
z Changing attitudes
spoken or written. verbal expressions. z Example: A person
can also lead to a
z It may or may not z It is generated from may have belief in a
change in belief.
be based on facts or own belief system particular God.
knowledge z It is related more to z Example: The person
z Opinion is generally self-like or dislike will regularly pay
advisable in nature towards a person, place obeisance to that God.
to others or environment, etc.
z Example: An author z Example: The author Cognition (belief)
expressing a positive has a positive attitude Things we hold to
opinion on democracy about democracy by be true.
through an article. studying various forms
of government
2.10 BELIEF AND ATTITUDE

Peripheral Core (Strong)
(Weak) Belief Belief
Attitude
Values Emotion
Beliefs Values Attitude
Behaviours
Fig: Beliefs, Values and Attitude

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2.11 VALUE AND ATTITUDE

z Values are deeply held beliefs and principles that guide individuals’ behaviours and decision-making, reflecting what
is considered important and desirable in life.
z Example: A person’s honesty (value) compels him to always speak the truth, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable.
Values Attitudes
z Core beliefs and principles z Evaluative judgments and preferences
z Stable and enduring z Subject to change or modification
z Influence behaviour and decision-making z Influence behaviour and expression of opinions
z Deeply rooted in one’s character z Shaped by experiences and social influences
z Examples: Honesty, integrity, justice z Examples: Support for a political candidate, liking/disliking
a particular food
z On the negative side, moral attitudes can be used to
Example: Changing Attitude by justify violent acts of terrorism. It is shaped by family,
Changing Thought and Belief society, religion, education etc.
Case Study: There is a community in my neighbourhood Example: Positive attitude for honour killing
where mental health is a highly stigmatised topic. is justified on the grounds of saving the pride
Misconceptions and negative attitudes towards of the family. Positive attitude towards live-in
mental illness prevailed, leading to social isolation relationships is justified on the grounds of
and limited access to mental health support services. individuality and freedom.
People experiencing mental health issues often faced Awareness
discrimination and were hesitant to seek help due to Empathy Strong emotions
fear of being judged. It’s a very difficult task to change
their belief system but if I was given a chance I will Moral
apply the following measures. Altruism Attitude Reverence
Awareness campaign
Efforts which Personal stories & Fidelity
Could be taken to Testimonials Faithfulness
change the belief Peer Support & Truthfulness
system & thoughts Community Network Importance of Moral Attitude:
Encourage help- z Reflection on Individual’s Belief: Moral attitudes
seeking Behaviour reflect an individual’s beliefs, values, and judgments
about what is right and wrong, good and bad, and
morally acceptable or unacceptable.
2.12 MORAL ATTITUDE z Shaping the Ethical Reasoning: They shape one’s
z Moral attitude refers to an individual’s evaluation, ethical reasoning and guide behaviour in situations that
belief, and disposition towards moral principles, involve moral dilemmas or ethical considerations.
values, and ethical standards. z Societal Importance: Moral attitudes are essential
z It encompasses the ethical framework that guides a for fostering social cohesion, promoting fairness,
person’s behaviour, decision-making, and judgement and upholding ethical standards in personal and
in moral and ethical matters. societal contexts.
z Not all attitudes are concerned with morality. z Personal Integrity: Moral attitude is essential
Moral attitudes are influenced by personal values, for maintaining personal integrity. It reflects an
social norms, cultural factors, and philosophical individual’s commitment to acting in accordance
perspectives. with their moral values, even when faced with
challenges or temptations.
Examples: Rahul’s attitude towards snakes has
Upholding one’s moral principles enhances self-
nothing to do with morality rather is driven
by fear factor. Similarly his attitude towards esteem, self-respect, and a sense of authenticity.
a particular dish merely reflects his personal z Ethical Decision-Making in Professions: Moral
preferences, like/dislike. However, his attitudes are particularly significant in professions
attitude towards democracy will have moral that require ethical decision-making, such as
undertones. healthcare, law, education, and business.
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Professionals with a strong moral attitude are
Influence of Moral Attitude on Human Actions
better equipped to navigate complex ethical
challenges, prioritise ethical considerations, and Positive Negative
make choices that uphold the interests of those z Altruism z Self serving morality
they serve. z Volunteerism z War
Examples: Moral Attitudes Shown by z Integrity z Genocide
Great Personalities z Social Service z Riots
Socrates and Plato had Moral Attitudes in which they z Charity/Philanthropy z Terrorism
believed that it is better to suffer injustice than to do Significance of Moral Attitude:
injustice. z Personal Growth: Developing and nurturing moral
Gandhiji’s fundamental belief in Non-violence as a attitudes is essential for personal growth, ethical
tool to combat injustice. decision-making, and creating a harmonious society.
Dimensions of Moral Attitudes: z Creating a Better World: By cultivating a strong moral
z Moral Principles and Values: Moral attitudes are compass and being mindful of the ethical implications
grounded in fundamental principles and values that of their actions, individuals can contribute to a more
individuals deem important in determining right and just, compassionate, and morally responsible world.
wrong. These principles can include fairness, justice, z Variable in Nature: It is important to note that moral
honesty, compassion, respect for autonomy, and attitudes can vary across individuals, cultures,
integrity. and contexts. What one person considers morally
For example, a civil servant having a strong moral
acceptable may differ from another’s perspective.
attitude may prioritise fairness and advocate for
equal treatment in social and economic matters. z Furthermore, moral attitudes can sometimes be in
conflict, leading to moral dilemmas where individuals
z Ethical Decision-Making: Moral attitudes influence
how individuals approach ethical decision- must navigate complex ethical choices.
making. They provide a moral compass and guide Examples of Moral Attitudes:
individuals to make choices aligned with their moral z Honesty: Neha is a sincere journalist who believes
principles and values. in the importance of truth-telling. She consistently
For instance, a civil servant with a moral strives to provide accurate and unbiased information
attitude aligning towards honesty will prioritise to the public, even when it means challenging powerful
truthfulness even in situations where lying may vested interests.
seem advantageous.
z Compassion: Richa, a dedicated nurse, embodies
z Moral Responsibility: Moral attitude encompasses
compassion in her daily interactions with patients.
a sense of moral responsibility towards others and
She listens attentively, offers comfort, and goes the
society. Moral responsibility leads to an emphasis
on the importance of considering the consequences extra mile to ensure their well-being, providing a
of actions on others and taking responsibility for source of support during challenging times.
one’s choices. z Justice: Rahul, a human rights lawyer, is driven by a
For example, a civil servant with a moral attitude strong sense of justice. He fights tirelessly to ensure
of empathy may actively engage in charitable that marginalised communities have equal access to
activities to help those in need. legal representation, advocating for systemic change
z Moral Development: Moral attitudes evolve and and challenging discriminatory practices.
develop over time through socialisation, education, z Integrity: Ayushi, an ethical business leader,
and personal experiences. demonstrates unwavering integrity in her decision-
Moral attitudes become more nuanced and making. She refuses to engage in corrupt practices,
refined as individuals mature and engage in moral promotes transparency within her organisation, and
reflection. treats her employees and stakeholders with fairness
z Moral Courage: Moral attitudes can manifest in the and respect.
form of moral courage, which involves the willingness
to stand up for one’s ethical beliefs and take action in z Respect for Autonomy: Nitin, a civil rights activist,
the face of moral challenges or wrongdoing. strongly believes in respecting individual autonomy.
He advocates for the rights of marginalised groups,
Individuals with strong moral attitudes may
demonstrate courage by speaking out against empowering them to make their own choices and
injustice or unethical behaviour, even if it entails actively involving them in decision-making processes
personal risk or backlash. that affect their lives.

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z Environmental Responsibility: Nidhi, an environmental scientist, embodies a deep sense of environmental
responsibility. She works diligently to raise awareness about sustainable practices, actively participates in
conservation initiatives, and encourages others to take action to protect the planet.
Implication of Moral Attitudes:
Positive Implications Negative Implications
z Tied up with strong emotions. Hence, it prevents z People can use it to justify violent behaviour and
deviant behaviours due to fear of social ostracization. lunacy, and still, society will accept it because the
e.g., child molestation, or incest. moral attitude is based on strong emotions.
z Example: Motivates a person towards Altruism, z Example: Motivates a person towards riots, genocide,
volunteerism, and social service. and terrorism to justify religious, and regional issues.
z Guides ethical decision-making. z Can result in moral absolutism and inflexibility
z Fosters social cohesion and trust. z May lead to moral self-righteousness and superiority
z Emphasises personal and social responsibility. z Can lead to moral policing and judgmental attitudes.
z Promotes a sense of justice and fairness. z Can cause moral conflicts and dilemmas.
Moral Attitude Related To Social Issue: Climate Change

Case Study: My friend, John, has developed a negative attitude towards climate change. He believes that individual
actions can not make a significant difference and that the issue is exaggerated by the media. Now I have it upon me
to change his negative attitude towards climate change which is real for real.
In conclusion, moral attitudes encompass individuals’ access to resources, and participation in decision-
beliefs, values, and dispositions toward moral principles making processes.
and ethical standards. They guide ethical decision-making, Example: Supporting affirmative action policies
moral responsibility and moral courage. Examples of that aim to address historical disadvantages faced
moral attitudes include honesty, compassion, justice, by certain communities, such as reservations in
integrity, respect for autonomy and environmental educational institutions or employment.
responsibility. By embracing and promoting positive
z Advocacy and Support: Positive attitudes towards
moral attitudes, individuals can contribute to a more
weaker sections involve actively advocating for their
ethical and harmonious society.
rights, amplifying their voices, and providing support to
2.13 SOCIAL ATTITUDE empower them. It entails recognizing and challenging
systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality.
z It is a behaviour pattern, a conditioned response or Example: Joining a human rights organisation or
anticipatory tendency towards a social stimulus. It participating in campaigns that raise awareness
is the outlook of a person towards social entities like about the rights and issues faced by marginalised
society, culture, organisations, institutions, etc.
communities.
z It is shaped by personal experiences and
Negative Attitudes towards Weaker Sections:
observations. It can be learned predispositions.
z Discrimination and Prejudice: Negative attitudes
Example: Attitude of mainstream society towards the towards weaker sections manifest as discrimination,
LGBTQ community. stereotypes, and prejudice. It involves treating
individuals from these sections unfairly, denying them
2.14 ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE WEAKER opportunities, or holding biased beliefs about their
SECTIONS OF SOCIETY abilities or worth.
Positive Attitude towards Weaker Sections: Example: Engaging in racial profiling or expressing
z A positive attitude towards poverty, deprivation, discriminatory views based on caste, gender, or
discrimination etc. implies empathy and caring nature disability.
of the person. It signifies compassion towards the z Indifference and Apathy: Indifference and apathy
weaker and marginalised section. towards weaker sections reflect a lack of concern
z Social Inclusion and Equality: Embracing an attitude or disregard for their struggles and challenges. It
that promotes social inclusion and equality recognizes involves a passive stance where individuals may not
the rights and dignity of individuals from weaker actively engage or take steps to address inequality or
sections. It involves ensuring equal opportunities, injustice.
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Example: Ignoring instances of social injustice
Differences Between Prejudice and Stereotype
or turning a blind eye to issues affecting
vulnerable communities. Stereotype Prejudice
z Stigmatization and Marginalisation: Negative It is a thought about a It is attitude and feelings
attitudes can contribute to stigmatising and person or group of people. about a person or group.
marginalising weaker sections, reinforcing It is both positive and It is negative attitude.
stereotypes and isolating them from mainstream negative in nature.
society. It perpetuates a cycle of exclusion and limited Example: Stereotype Example: Prejudice
opportunities. about Indian community against the black
in America that they are community in America
Example: Bullying or ostracising individuals
intelligent and good in that they are drug addicts.
from marginalised communities based on their maths and computers.
social, economic, or cultural background.
How To Counter Prejudice?
Significance of Attitude For Civil Servant z Identify Cause and Source: Determine the origin of
z Compassionate Attitude: Civil servants must exhibit prejudice to address its root causes.
compassion towards weaker sections, using their
Tackling Prejudice
power to uplift them.
z Tolerance: Civil servants should be tolerant to cater
to the needs of weaker sections. Direct/Formal Indirect/Informal
z Familiarity with Fundamental Rights: Civil servants Intervention Intervention
must be aware of marginalised citizens’ fundamental Government and Leadership
Administration Social influence/Persuasion
rights.
Judiciary Role modeling
z Sarvodaya and Antyodaya: Civil servants should
work in the spirit of upliftment for all, especially the Law and Legislations Generation of resources
poorest. z Minimise Opportunities for Learning Prejudices:
z Proactive Empathy: Civil servants should develop an Reduce exposure to biased information or
empathetic approach towards weaker sections. environments that foster prejudice.
z Avoiding Stereotypes and Prejudices: Civil servants z Encourage Interactions and Dialogue: Facilitate
opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds
must steer clear of biases and stereotypes in their
to interact, engage in dialogue, and share
treatment of individuals.
their experiences. Encouraging open-minded
Example: IAS officer Amit Gupta’s initiative conversations helps challenge stereotypes, foster
“Daliya Jalao” helped in the elimination of manual empathy, and build bridges of understanding.
scavenging in the Badaun district of UP.
z Challenge Stereotypes and Biases: Encourage
critical thinking and questioning of stereotypes
2.15 PREJUDICE and biases. Encourage individuals to examine
z It involves pre-judgements that are usually negative their own assumptions and beliefs, and challenge
about members of a group. them through exposure to diverse perspectives and
experiences.
z It is a baseless and often negative attitude towards
members of a group. It has a strong influence on how z Promote Equal Opportunities: Advocate for equal
opportunities and equal treatment for all individuals,
people behave.
regardless of their background. Support policies and
z It is an assumption that is not supported by logic or
initiatives that aim to eliminate systemic biases
personal experience. It is primarily dependent on and create a level playing field for everyone.
the person’s membership in a social group.
z Address Unconscious Bias: Raise awareness
z People holding prejudicial attitudes paint every about unconscious biases that often influence our
member of the group as the same. It often translates perceptions and judgments. Encourage individuals
into discrimination. to reflect on their own biases and take steps to
Examples: Prejudice that women can’t drive, mitigate their impact through self-awareness and
Dalits don’t have merit, tribals are unhygienic etc. education.

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z Lead by Example: Individuals in positions of z By understanding our political attitudes, we gain
influence should demonstrate inclusive behaviours insight into our own perspectives and become better
and attitudes, setting an example for others to equipped to navigate the political landscape.
follow. Leaders should actively promote diversity, Traits That Influence Our Political Orientation:
fairness, and inclusivity in their organisations and z Extraversion: It is the energetic approach to the social
communities. and material world. It includes traits such as sociability,
z Community Engagement: Engage in community activity, assertiveness & positive emotionality.
initiatives and activities that bring people from z Agreeableness: It is a pro-social trait. It includes
diverse backgrounds together. Collaborate with traits such as altruism, tender-mindedness, trust, and
community organisations to address prejudice and modesty.
discrimination collectively. z Conscientiousness: It facilitates task and goal-
oriented behaviour such as thinking before acting,
2.16 POLITICAL ATTITUDE following norms & rules, planning, organising etc.
z Emotional Stability: Emotional stability enables the
z Political attitudes reflect our beliefs, values, and person to develop an integrated and balanced way of
orientations towards political ideologies, policies, perceiving the problems of life. This organisational
and systems. Understanding political attitudes is ability and structured perception helps one to develop
crucial for comprehending how individuals shape reality-oriented thinking, judgement and evaluation
their political behaviour, make policy choices, and ability. It implies even temperedness.
contribute to the democratic process. z Openness to Experience: It describes the breadth,
Types of Political Attitude depth, originality, and complexity of an individual’s
experiential life.
Positive Negative Factors Which Affect Our Political Ideologies:
Enthusiasm, Hope, Resentment, Hatred, z Religion: Religion shapes our moral attitude which in
Patriotism and Love for Distrust, Apathy, Anxiety turn shapes our political attitude.
any political ideology or and Fear for any political Example: In the backdrop of Ramjanma
political party. ideology or political party. Bhoomi movement; people developed
Formation of Political Attitudes: orientation towards particular political parties
z Political attitudes are shaped by a variety of factors, owing to religious affiliations or their stand
including upbringing, education, socialisation, on religious issues. Similarly recent public
personal experiences, and exposure to media. debates related to places of religious worship
in backdrop of Gyanvapi (Varanasi) and Idgah
z Family, peers, and community play a crucial role in
Mosque (Mathura) and stand of various
transmitting political values and ideologies.
political parties on the issue have led to social
z Moreover, societal events and political campaigns political polarisation.
can also impact the formation of political attitudes
z Age: In the general sense older people are conservative
by shaping perceptions and beliefs.
and young people are liberal and as such subscribe to
The Significance of Political Attitudes: a particular ideology.
z Political attitudes are essential as they shape our
Example: Younger generation is more likely
political outlook, influence decision-making, and drive
to support political parties who support
political participation.
individuality and freedom and parties including
Voting
employment and economy in their manifestos,
behaviours
while the older generation often finds adherence
Political Political to political parties with religious and cultural
activism ideology issues in their political manifesto.
Manifestations z Economic Status: Poor people align toward socialist
of political ideology and rich people align toward capitalistic
attitudes ideology.
Policy Example: Poor people are more likely to vote for
Party
affiliations preferences parties who promise them freebies subsidised
food, healthcare, education etc; while the
Political debate & economic elite supports the capitalist agenda
discourse – ease of doing business, facilitating foreign
z They provide a framework for evaluating and engaging investment, privatisation and liberalisation of
with political concepts, parties, and policies. economy.
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z Family: Children tend to emulate their parent’s Evolution and Change:
ideology. z Political attitudes are not static; they can evolve and
z Education: The school’s ideology and syllabus play change over time. As societies and circumstances
an important role in shaping the ideology of students. transform, individuals may reassess their political
Example: The Chinese system of education beliefs, leading to shifts in their attitudes and
supports communist ideology and hence they ideologies. Exposure to new ideas, experiences, or
loathe democratic countries. compelling arguments can challenge and reshape
z Caste: A person is likely to adopt the ideology which political attitudes.
is supported by his caste.
Conclusion
Example: Elections in India are still fought on
Political attitudes shape beliefs, policy preferences, and
caste lines. A politician is more likely to give a
ticket to a candidate belonging to a caste that has political participation. Understanding and respecting
a majority in a given constituency. diverse perspectives fosters inclusive democracy. Open
z Ethnicity: People are often moved by the political dialogue, critical thinking, and empathy promote vibrant
ideology which supports their ethnicity. discourse and positive societal change.
Example: Political Parties like DMK, Shiromani
Akali Dal etc. base their political ideology on 2.17 DEMOCRATIC ATTITUDE
ethnicity. z It refers to those attitudes possessed by civil servants
z Social Media: In the age of IT, social media has who promote the participation of people in
become a prominent tool of propaganda influencing decision-making. They promote the delegation of
the political ideologies of the people. power or authority.
Example: Currently, on social media, people
Example: Indian bureaucrats showcasing a
tend to surround themselves with like-minded
democratic attitude by ensuring transparency,
individuals and reinforcing their political ideology.
accountability, and citizen participation in
z Psychological Factor: Some persons are more governance processes and decision-making.
psychologically adapted to liberalism or conservatism
than others. A great tolerance for disorder is a z Characteristics: Along with rule and regulation,
requirement for being a liberal. there is more focus on compassion, tolerance, and
Dimensions of Political Attitudes: inclusiveness. It has the following characteristics-
z Ideological Spectrum: Political attitudes span Decisions are based on popular opinion.
a spectrum of ideologies, including liberalism, Views of the majority are right.
conservatism, socialism, libertarianism, and more. Maximisation of satisfaction of the largest number
Each ideology represents a distinct set of values, of people.
beliefs, and policy preferences, providing individuals
Supported by elected representatives.
with a broader framework to understand their
political attitudes. Merits Demerits
z Policy Preferences: They guide our opinions on
z It promotes the z A wider consultation
how these issues should be addressed, providing a
active participation makes the decision
lens through which we evaluate policy proposals and making process slow
of people. So,
make decisions. and time consuming.
it will promote
Example: In India, individual policy preferences
and strengthen z There is difficulty to
can vary based on factors like religion, caste, satisfy every section
the democratic
regional identity, and socioeconomic background. of society. Sometimes,
institutions at the
z Trust in Institutions: Political attitudes also grass root level. such an attitude
encompass our trust and confidence in political becomes a hindrance
institutions, including the government, judiciary and z It makes governance
more accountable. to the development
media. process.
Impact on Society: z Ensure public
z Example: Delay in
z They determine voting behaviour, political participation.
clearance of mining
affiliations, and the formation of interest groups. z Flexibility in and Industrial
z They influence public opinion, shape public policy programme design development
debates, and drive social movements. and implementation. project in scheduled
z Moreover, political attitudes are integral to the z There will be more area, because of
functioning of democracy, as they enable citizens transparency and environmental
to express their preferences and hold elected officials efficient public service clearances under
accountable. delivery. Forest Act 2006.

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2.18 BUREAUCRATIC ATTITUDE Changing Behaviour to Make Government Programs

Successful. What Needs to be Done?
z Bureaucratic attitude refers to a mindset or z Cultural and Societal Conventions must be used
approach characterised by rigid adherence to in the Campaign: For example, for the successful
rules, procedures, and formalities within an implementation of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, reference
organisational or institutional setting. to our scriptures can be taken where women are
Example: Any Government agency refusing to worshipped as embodiments of Shakti.
adopt innovative technologies due to resistance z Reflection Sessions: Where government agents can
to change and fear of disrupting established pre-commit people to certain goals. For example,
processes. it can be used in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan where
z It is based on Neutrality, Objectivity, Impartiality Swachagrahis will pre-commit people to sanitation
and Non-Partisanship. goals.
z Characteristics of Bureaucratic Attitude: Decisions z Making People Realise Tangible Outcomes: by
strictly based on law, adhering to all rules and showing examples of people who have benefited from
procedures, lack of importance to public opinion,
the program.
antagonise the elected representatives.
SOP framework Value based Bottom-up z Creating Emotional Connect Between the Citizens
Public interest
People
and the Government: The government’s transparent
Bureaucratic Democratic centric communication and active engagement foster an
attitude attitude Inclusive emotional connect with citizens, building trust and a
Procedure Constitution sense of shared responsibility for societal progress.
Orientation Participative
Accountability Value
Balanced
Approach
based 2.19 SOCIAL INFLUENCE
Fig: Balance Approach between Democratic and z Social influence refers to the process by which
Bureaucratic Attitude individuals’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are
influenced by the presence or actions of others.
Democratic Attitude Bureaucratic Attitude
z It is the effect that other people have on our
z It is based on z It reflects attitudes, beliefs, and actions. Social influence
participatory, hierarchical can occur in various forms, including conformity,
humanistic, and discipline, implicit compliance, and obedience.
flexible approaches obedience to Charisma
and on bottom-up orders, top-down Presentation
decision-making. instructions,
z It focuses more and rule-bound Peer pressure Enablers of social
Content
on accountability, approaches. influence
people participation, z It focuses on
transparency, the strengthening and Master-servant
flexibility of law, and adhering to rules relationship
public interest. procedures, top-
Ways in which Individuals Respond to Social
z It promotes the down, and centralised
active participation of decision-making. Influences:
people z Apathy towards z Compliance: An individual is not fully convinced with
z Based on the values common people as the other person but shows agreement at the surface
of Transparency and rule is supreme and level.
Inclusiveness. not citizens. Example: In a conversation, a manager makes a
z Example: Institutions z Based on Objectivity comment which sounds irrational with respect to
which require and Neutrality. the outcome of a project. The associate manager
inclusive approach z Example: Works is not convinced but avoids contradicting his
like welfare measures, where division of manager. Here, the associate manager merely
public service delivery labour is systematic shows compliance.
require democratic and command
attitude. institutionalised z Identify: In this case, an individual idolises the other
z New bureaucratic may find utility in influential person.
models like New bureaucratic attitude. Example: A college student drinks Pepsi because
Public Management. z British era colonial his favourite celebrity endorses it.
bureaucracy, z Internalize: Here two individuals share the same
Weberian model etc. belief system. In the example made for compliance if
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the other individual too makes racist comments, it is
the case for internalisation. Public Spirit Context: Odisha Train
Dependence on Accident
social approval Presentation z The recent Train Accident in Odisha’s Balasore
District claimed almost 200 lives and caused many
Emphasis on Techniques of Deficiency injuries to people.
similarly social influence principle z Apart from the doctors and other hospital staff who
worked non-stop, the society also came to be one
Manipulation based of the helpers in the best way possible.
on authority z The train accident has shown the humane side of
villagers who queued up outside medical centres in
Types of Social Influence: large numbers to donate blood. Some civil society
1. Normative Influence: An individual follows the groups also chipped in for the noble cause.
crowd in order to be liked and accepted. By agreeing z As a result of this action by the public - there was
on common beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviour, more blood than was needed.
an individual increases his chance of acceptance and
survival possibilities.
2. Informational Influence: An individual goes along
Norms
with the crowd because he thinks that crowd knows z These are group-held beliefs about how members
more than him. should behave in a given context.
z These are informal understandings that govern
Examples of Social Influence society’s behaviours.
Example: Touching feet in Indian society is
Person A Person B’s Person C’s
convinces their charismatic influential social considered as a sign of respect.
friends to switch leadership media posts
Conclusion:
to a new eco- inspires a group on a particular
friendly lifestyle, to volunteer and political issue Overall, social influence plays a significant role in
impacting their raise funds for lead to a surge shaping human behaviour and decision-making. It
consumption a local charity in public can occur consciously or unconsciously, through direct or
habits positively. event. awareness and indirect means, and it affects various aspects of our lives.
engagement. Understanding social influence helps us navigate
Two types of situations produce informational social situations, comprehend group dynamics, and
influence: make informed choices while considering both our own
1. Ambiguous Situations: When individuals don’t know values and the impact of others on our thoughts and
what to do. actions.
2. Crisis Situation: When an individual doesn’t have time
to think about what to do. For eg., during stampede. 2.20 PERSUASION
Principles of Social Influence:
z Reciprocity: People tend to give back what they z Persuasion refers to the process of influencing
receive or convincing someone to adopt a particular
Example: Exchanging smiles while greeting each
belief, attitude, or behaviour. It involves using
other- mutual sense of respect. communication and argumentation techniques to
z Consistency: Generally, people try to be consistent to change someone’s opinion or encourage them to take
their previous actions, opinions and assertions. a specific action.
z Social proof: People often decide what to do by z Persuasion is a fundamental aspect of human
looking at what others have done on similar occasions. interaction and is employed in various domains,
z Liking: People are often influenced by those they like. including advertising, marketing, politics, and
z Authority: People with legitimate power authority interpersonal relationships.
tend to influence others.
Elements of Persuasion:
Example: Role models, Charismatic personalities.
z Scarcity: Items and opportunities become more z Source (Persuader): The person or entity delivering
desirable when they are less accessible. the persuasive message is known as the source. The
Example: Use of slogans like limited edition or last credibility, expertise, and likability of the source can
week for sale seem to have an immediate effect. significantly impact the effectiveness of persuasion.

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z Message: The content and structure of the message Persuasion techniques should be adapted to resonate
play a crucial role. A persuasive message should be with the audience’s interests, values, and motivations.
clear, logical, and tailored to the target audience. It z Communication Channels/Medium: The medium
often appeals to emotions, values, and reasoning to through which the message is conveyed also affects
influence attitudes or behaviours. persuasion. It can include face-to-face interactions,
z Audience: Understanding the characteristics, needs, written materials, digital platforms, or mass media
and beliefs of the target audience is essential. channels.
Case of Persuasion
Logical Appeal: Emotional Appeal: Social Proof:
Person A makes a well-researched Person B makes an emotional appeal Person C uses testimonials and
and logical case, using facts, data, and by sharing a personal narrative about success stories from delighted
expert views to persuade others of their own challenges with mental customers or clients to urge others
the advantages of renewable energy health in order to urge people to to try a specific product or service,
sources over traditional fossil fuels. prioritise mental well-being and emphasising how it has improved
support efforts that promote mental their life.
health awareness.
Functions of Persuasion: z Change Attitude: When the audience has no

z Weaken the Current Rigid Attitude: When the committed attitude, persuasion can help in changing
audience has a contrasting attitude, persuasion can the attitude.
help in making the audience less comfortable with z Intensify Attitude: When the audience has the same
the current attitude. Example Talking about greatness attitude, persuasion can amplify the current attitude.
of shri Abdul kalam ji may loosen an islamophobia z Gain Behaviour: When the audience is strongly in
persons rigid attitude towards muslims. sync with the persuader, the final objective is to make
z Moral Conditioning: Persuasion can bring change the audience act.
in the social attitude of people. For example, regular Public
announcements to keep the station clean persuade Government
people to change their behaviour.
z Minimise Resistance: When the audience has
Subordinate Agents of
moderately opposed ideas, persuasion can move the
employees persuasion
Private sector
audience towards neutrality. for funding
Superior officers
Methods of Persuasion
ETHOS PATHOS LOGOS
Ethos is the credibility Pathos is the use of Logos is the appeal to
that a speaker or writer emotion in detbate or reason, to the forcefulness
brings to the subject that argument. of a well-thought-out and
he or she is communicating well structured position.
about.
We trust certain hinds of people Appeals to pathos surround us, Some arguments matte more
more than others because they particularly in visual arguments logical sense than others, and
have expertise, or because they such as advertisements and many consider logos to be
are well informed about the many online videos. critical in the development
subject at hand. and dissemination of ideas and
values.
Fig: Methods of Persuasion
z Appeal to Reason (Logos): This method involves presenting logical reasoning, evidence, and rational arguments to
persuade others. It relies on facts, statistics, expert opinions, and logical deductions to support the message.
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Example: Gandhi appealed to British people’s Example: Martin Luther King Jr. used social proof
reason by pointing out logical flaws in their belief by highlighting the widespread support for the
that force can rule India. civil rights movement through peaceful protests,
inspiring others to join the cause for equality.
z Appeal to Emotion (Pathos): This method involves
appealing to the emotions and feelings of the z Reciprocity: This method is based on the principle that
people feel obliged to return favours or concessions
audience. Emotional appeals can be effective in
they have received. By offering something of value
storytelling, using personal anecdotes or creating or making a concession, individuals can create a
powerful narratives that resonate with the audience. sense of indebtedness in others, making them more
Example: Using heart-wrenching stories of likely to comply with their requests or viewpoints.
individuals affected by climate change to persuade Example: Offering a free trial of a software
others to take action toward environmental product to potential customers, creating a sense
conservation. of reciprocity and increasing the likelihood of their
z Appeal to Authority (Ethos): This method involves continued usage.
citing credible sources, experts or authorities to z Scarcity: This method capitalises on the perception
of limited availability or scarcity of a product,
support the message. Appealing to authority can be
opportunity, or idea. It creates a sense of urgency
effective in convincing others when they perceive
or fear of missing out, motivating individuals to take
the authority as knowledgeable and trustworthy. immediate action or accept the persuasion message to
Example: Citing renowned scientists and experts secure the scarce resource or benefit.
to support the effectiveness of a new medical Example: Creating a limited-time offer for a
treatment. product or service to induce a sense of urgency
Quote: “According to Dr. Jane Smith, a leading and encourage immediate action.
expert in the field, this treatment has shown z Contrast and Framing: This method involves framing
remarkable results in clinical trials.” the message or information in a way that influences
perception. By presenting a comparison or contrast,
z Social Proof: This method relies on the principle that
individuals can be persuaded to perceive the message
people are influenced by the actions and opinions of or option as more favourable or advantageous.
others. Testimonials, reviews, endorsements, or Example: Presenting two options side by side,
case studies are examples of social proof that can be emphasising the benefits of one over the other to
used to sway opinions. influence preference.
Example: Case Study

Imagine a city called XYZ, where a significant portion of the population has developed a negative attitude towards
society. They express their disgust through various means, such as public protests, social media campaigns filled with
criticism, and frequent complaints about the government and public institutions. The prevailing sentiment among
these individuals is one of disillusionment, mistrust, and frustration with the system. As a civil servant assigned
to address this issue, your goal is to change their negative attitude and foster a more positive and constructive
relationship between the citizens and society.
Approach
Task Change Negative
Civil servant
attitude
Persuasion Techniques applied
Active Conduct a Reward Engagement

listening cleanliness drive meritorious with Community
studentgs of
district
Impact Impact
Impact
Less Protest & Change in Development of People will start

Demonstration Attitude Role Model contributing

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Ethical Considerations of Persuasion: Examples of persuasion can be found in various
z It is crucial to ensure that persuasion techniques contexts, such as:
z Advertising campaigns that aim to convince
are used responsibly and transparently, without
consumers to purchase a product or service.
manipulating or deceiving the audience.
z Political speeches and campaigns that seek to sway
z Respect for Autonomy: Persuasion should respect
public opinion and secure votes.
the autonomy and free will of individuals. It
z Public service announcements encourage
should not involve coercion, manipulation, or the use
behaviours like wearing seat belts or quitting smoking.
of deceptive tactics to sway someone’s opinion or
z Salespeople utilise persuasive techniques to close
decision against their will.
a deal or persuade customers.
z Honesty and Transparency: Ethical persuasion z Interpersonal communication, where individuals
requires honesty and transparency in presenting attempt to influence the opinions or actions of others.
information and arguments. It is important to z Overall, persuasion is a dynamic process that involves
provide accurate and reliable information, avoiding skillful communication and understanding of human
misleading or false claims that could deceive or psychology. It is used to shape attitudes, beliefs, and
manipulate others. behaviours and its ethical and responsible application
z Informed Consent: When attempting to persuade can bring about positive outcomes in various domains
someone, it is important to ensure that they have access of life.
to all relevant information and have the opportunity
to make an informed decision. Persuasion should TARES Test
not exploit someone’s lack of knowledge or use z The TARES test acts as a guide for making and
tactics that limit their ability to make a reasoned defending ethical choices.
judgement. z Test was developed by Baker and Martinson
(2001) to focus on five principles of ethical
z Respect for Diverse Perspectives: Ethical
persuasion.
persuasion respects diverse perspectives and
z This framework functions under the theory of
values. It acknowledges and considers the individual
utilitarianism, which maintains that the results of
differences, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds of the
an action are equally important to the action itself
audience, avoiding discrimination or marginalisation
when evaluating its ethicality.
of certain groups.
z TARES is an acronym for Truthfulness (of the
z Balanced Presentation: Ethical persuasion involves message), Authenticity (of the persuader),
presenting a balanced view of the topic or issue at hand. Respect (for the persuadee), Equity (of the
It acknowledges and presents counterarguments persuasive appeal), and Social responsibility (for
or alternative viewpoints, allowing individuals to the common good).
critically evaluate different perspectives and make
informed decisions.
More Examples of Persuasion
z Avoiding Emotional Manipulation: Persuasion
z Disclosure of income to avoid tax evasion:
should not rely solely on emotional manipulation or Honouring the honest, rewarding honest taxpayers.
appeals that exploit individuals’ fears, insecurities,
z Beti Bachao Beti Padao/Selfie with daughter: To
or vulnerabilities. It should be based on rational change the attitude of people towards girls.
and logical arguments that appeal to reason and
z #Give It Up Campaign to give up government
evidence.
subsidies and freebies.
Case Study: Persuasion in Pandemic Phase z Marking Earth Hour, Earth Day, Forest Day, and
Wildlife Day as a symbolic means to draw public
Persuasion in Pandemic
attention and gather public support through

→ Credibility of Speaker → Prime minister himself persuasion.
z To persuade global citizens against climate
change.
→ Credibility of Argument → To Fight COVID-19
Making Persuasion Effective:
z Know Your Audience: Understanding your audience
→ Emotional Appeal → For Public Safety is crucial for effective persuasion. Research their
values, beliefs, and interests to tailor your
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message accordingly. Consider their knowledge Ways To Resist Persuasion:
level on the topic and frame your arguments in a way z Attitude Inoculation: Just like a person who has
that resonates with them. been exposed to a weak virus becomes resistant to a
z Establish Credibility: Build trust and credibility by disease, similarly a person who has been exposed to
presenting yourself as knowledgeable and reliable. counter argument develops resistance to persuasion.
Use evidence, facts and expert opinions to support Example: A group of students is exposed to
your arguments. several viewpoints and counterarguments on

a contentious issue, allowing them to develop
z Appeal to Emotions: Emotions play a significant
resistance against biased information and
role in persuasion. Tap into the emotional aspect of increase their critical thinking abilities.
your audience by using compelling stories, personal
z Forewarned: When a person is being forewarned
anecdotes, or powerful imagery.
of persuasion attempts, he develops psychological
z Use Social Proof: People are often influenced by what reactance that motivates them to resist such attempts.
others think and do. Utilise social proof by providing z Boomerang Effect: When a person develops a
examples or testimonials from individuals or psychological reactance towards an attitude object, an
groups who have already embraced your viewpoint attempt of persuasion is countered with an equally
or taken the desired action. This demonstrates that strong response.
others find your argument compelling. Example: during the COVID-19 pandemic
z Address Counter-arguments: Acknowledge and medical staff were assaulted by the people as they
address potential counterarguments or objections had developed a negative attitude towards disease
to your viewpoint. Anticipate the concerns of your treatment.
audience and provide evidence or reasoning to z Stockpile: A healthy person who is well-read and
counter those objections. equipped with cognitive and social resources is able
z Provide Clear Benefits: Clearly communicate the to resist persuasion better.
benefits or advantages of accepting your viewpoint
or taking the desired action. Show how it will address 2.21 ADMINISTRATION AND THE
a problem, improve their lives, or align with their MASSES (PUBLIC)
values. Highlight both short-term and long-term
Administration’s Attitude Towards The Masses:
benefits to make your persuasion more compelling.
z Wide cultural gap between the administrators and
z Use Persuasive Language: Craft your message using the masses: As the administrators largely come from
persuasive language techniques. Use rhetorical the upper middle class who deal with rural masses
devices, such as repetition, metaphors and vivid who are poor and illiterate.
language to make your arguments memorable z Bureaucracy points out that people are unaware of
and impactful. Frame your message in a positive and their rights.
optimistic tone to inspire enthusiasm and action. z Lack of Knowledge: Administrators feel that people
z Utilise Visual Aids: Visual aids, such as charts, don’t have adequate knowledge of rules and
graphs and infographics can enhance your persuasive regulations.
message. They help simplify complex information, z Political Pressure: Civil servants complain that
make data more accessible, and create a visual impact people try to pressurise them through politicians.
that supports your arguments. Visuals can engage z Lack of Cooperation: They also complain that
your audience and make your message more citizens don’t cooperate with them to bring change
memorable. in society.
z Maintain Respectful Communication: Be respectful Why are Public Officials not able to persuade the
and maintain a positive tone throughout the Target group?
persuasion process. Avoid attacking or belittling z Barriers: The reason for this is the presence of
opposing viewpoints, as it can lead to defensiveness certainbarriers like Semantics, Psychological and
and resistance. Physical Barriers.
z Follow up and Reinforce: After delivering your z Communication barriers: Public officials may
persuasive message, follow up with your audience to struggle to effectively communicate their message
reinforce the key points and continue the dialogue. to the target group due to language barriers, cultural
Address any remaining questions or concerns, provide differences, or complex jargon. If the message is not
additional information if needed, and remind them of communicated clearly and in a relatable manner, it
the benefits and reasons to take the desired action. may fail to resonate with the intended audience.

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z Differing Values and Beliefs: The target group z Social audit, which involves auditing the project from
may hold different values, beliefs, and ideologies the beneficiaries.
that are incompatible with the message or policies z Increasing accessibility to civil servants by making
being advocated by public officials. These differences public meetings compulsory.
in perspectives can create resistance and make z E-governance which helps in making the government
persuasion challenging. reach the doorstep of the citizens.
z Lack of Empathy and Understanding: Public officials z Citizen’s charter to make the citizens aware of the
may fail to understand the concerns, needs, and quality of service they receive and grievance redressal
aspirations of the target group. Without empathising mechanism.
with their perspective and addressing their specific In conclusion, persuasion can be good or bad, so it
concerns, it becomes difficult to effectively persuade is important to realise that it can promote good ideas,
them. products, and causes, but if misused, it can be manipulative
Attitude of Public Towards The Administrators and unethical. Any persuasive effort should respect the
z Public complaints against the administrators regarding autonomy and well-being of the people being persuaded.
corruption, delay in disposal of cases, exploitation,
favouritism etc. PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS
z Public is suspicious about the integrity of public 1. Attitude is an important component that goes as
officials. input in the development of humans. How to build a
z They feel that public officials are devoid of any suitable need for a public servant? (2021)
human considerations.
2. What do the following quotations mean to you? “Every
z They create scope for middlemen who in turn exploit work has to pass through hundreds of difficulties
them. before succeeding. Those that persevere will see the
z Scepticism and Distrust: There is also a segment of light, sooner or later. -Swami Vivekananda (2021)
the population that may be sceptical or distrustful
3. A positive attitude is considered to be an essential
of administrators due to instances of corruption,
characteristic of a civil servant who is often required
bureaucratic red tape and inefficiency. They perceive
to function under extreme stress. What contributes
administrators as self-serving and unresponsive to
to a positive attitude in a person. (2020)
public needs.
z Perception of Inequality and Bias: Some segments of 4. “Hatred is destructive of a person’s wisdom and
society may hold the view that administrators exhibit conscience that can poison a nation’s spirit.’ Do you
bias or favouritism in their decision-making, agree with this view? Justify your answer. (2020)
leading to unequal treatment and opportunities. This 5. Young people with ethical conduct are not willing to
perception may be influenced by factors such as caste, come forward to join active politics. Suggest steps to
religion, or regional disparities. motivate them to come forward. (2017)
How To Improve The Relationship Between The Public 6. Without commonly shared and widely entrenched moral
And The Administration? values and obligations, neither the law, nor democratic
z Creating a Public Relations Agency in the government, nor even the market economy will function
Administration: To serve as the conduit between the properly. What do you understand by this statement?
public and the administration. (C P Bhambri) Explain with illustration in contemporary times. (2017)
z Public Hould Shed its Negative Role and Adopt a 7. How could social influence and persuasion contribute
Positive Role: Citizen’s support and cooperation are to the success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan? (2016)
essential for the success of any government program.
8. Our attitudes towards life, work, other people and
society are generally shaped unconsciously by the
Legal Ethical family and the social surroundings in which we grow
Attitude Attitude up. Some of these unconsciously acquired attitudes
and values are often undesirable in the citizens of a
modern democratic and egalitarian society.
Compassionate a. Discuss such undesirable values prevalent in

Attitude Today’s educated Indians.
Fig: Compassionate Attitude b. How can such undesirable attitudes be changed
z Administration should maintain constant contact and socioethical values considered necessary in
with the public, especially those from rural areas. public services be cultivated in the aspiring and
(Hota committee) serving civil servants? (2016)
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9. Two different kinds of attitudes exhibited by public adding to unemployment amongst male population.
servants towards their work have been identified as The younger generation feels that in the present era,
bureaucratic attitudes and democratic attitudes. girls should have equal opportunities for education
a. Distinguish between these two terms and write and employment, and other means of livelihood. The
their merits and demerits. entire locality is divided between the elders and the
b. Is it possible to balance the two to create a better younger lot and further subdivided between sexes in
administration for the faster development of our both generations. You come to know that in Panchayat
country? (2015) or in other local bodies or even in busy crossroads,
10. In the context of defense services, ‘patriotism’ demands the issue is being acrimoniously debated. One day
readiness to even lay down one’s life in protecting the you are informed that an unpleasant incident has
nation. According to you, what does patriotism imply taken place. Some girls were molested, when they
in everyday civil life? Explain with illustrations and were en-route to schools. The incident led to clashes
justify your answer. (2014) between several groups and a law and order problem
11. It is often said that ‘politics’ and ‘ethics’ do not go has arisen. The elders after heated discussion have
together. What is your opinion in this regard? Justify taken a joint decision not to allow girls to go to school
your answer with illustrations. (2013) and to socially boycott all such families, which do not
follow their dictate.
PREVIOUS YEAR CASE STUDIES 1. What steps would you take to ensure girls’ safety
without disrupting their education?
1. Our attitudes towards life, work, other people and
society are generally shaped unconsciously by the 2. How would you manage and mould the matriarchal
family and the social surroundings in which we grow attitude of the village elders to ensure harmony in
up. Some of these unconsciously acquired attitudes the intergenerational relations?
and values are often undesirable in the citizens of a
modern democratic and egalitarian society. Approach
(a) Discuss such undesirable values prevalent in z Think about various steps that can be taken.
Today’s educated Indians z Divide steps into immediate response and long
(b) How can such undesirable attitudes be changed term measures to solve the issue.
and socioethical values considered necessary in z Think about some innovative steps to resolve the
public services be cultivated in the aspiring and
issue
serving civil servants? (2016)
z To change the matriarchal attitude, think in the line
Approach of social influence and persuasion.
z Identify the ethical issues involved and the z Think about methods or agents who can persuade
stakeholders. village elders effectively.
z Exploring unconsciously shaped attitudes and z You have to work towards changing the thought
values in life, work, and society. and belief system of the village.
z Identify and discuss undesirable values prevalent
3. Two different kinds of attitudes exhibited by public
in Today’s educated Indians.
servants towards their work have been identified as
z Suggesting measures to be undertaken to cultivate bureaucratic attitudes and democratic attitudes.
socioethical values in aspiring and serving civil (a) Distinguish between these two terms and write their
servants. merits and demerits.
z Identifying the best possible course of action. (b) Is it possible to balance the two to create a better
administration for the faster development of our
2. You are recently posted as district development officer country?(2015)
of a district. Shortly thereafter you found that there
is considerable tension in the rural areas of your Approach
district on the issue of sending girls to schools. The z Define both kinds of attitude first.
elders of the village feel that many problems have z Write merits and demerits with the help of examples.
come up because girls are being educated and they are z First take the stand that both attitudes can be
stepping out of the safe environment of the household. balanced or not.
They are of the view that the girls should be quickly
z Based on that stand give your arguments
married off with minimum education. The girls are
and suggest that with carrying these attitudes
also competing for jobs after education, which have
administration can be made better.
traditionally remained in boys’ exclusive domain,
v v v
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Aptitude and Foundational
3 Values for Civil Service
“Aptitude is the bridge between knowledge and accomplishment.” — John C. Maxwell
Syllabus
Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service: Integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity,
dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.
3.1 APTITUDE z Drawing upon her aptitude, she consults with

experts, considers the long-term implications,
z Aptitude, in simple terms, refers to a natural talent
and assesses the ethical ramifications of her
or inclination towards a specific skill or ability. It is decision. In the end, Maya chooses the non-profit
the potential or capacity to perform well in a particular organisation, as it aligns better with the principles
area. For example, someone with an aptitude for of fairness, transparency, and cost-effectiveness.
mathematics may have a natural ability to understand z Maya’s decision demonstrates her aptitude
and solve complex mathematical problems. for ethical decision-making. By prioritising the
well-being of the village over personal interests or
Intellectual external influences, she ensures that the project is
executed ethically, benefiting the community in
Aptitude the long run. Her actions inspire trust, promote
good governance, and exemplify the importance
of aptitude in ethical decision-making within the
Emotional Physical realm of public administration.
Example 3.2 TYPES OF APTITUDE

z Imagine a civil servant named Maya. Maya is
assigned to oversee a project aimed at providing Aptitude
clean drinking water to a remote village. As
she begins her work, Maya conducts thorough
research, assessing the village’s water needs, Physical Mental
availability of resources, and potential
environmental impacts.
z During her analysis, Maya discovers that a General Mental Capacity to adhere
private company has approached her with an Capacity to the foundational
offer to provide the required infrastructure values of civil
at a significantly higher cost. However, Maya’s service
aptitude for ethical decision-making leads her
to investigate further. She realises that a local
non-profit organisation has the expertise and Means Value End Value
resources to implement the project at a lower cost,
1. Physical Aptitude: Physical aptitude refers to an
benefiting the village economically.
individual’s capability to perform physical tasks
z Despite pressure from various sources to choose
or activities effectively. It involves factors such as
the private company, Maya remains steadfast in her
strength, endurance, coordination, flexibility, and
commitment to ethical principles.
overall physical fitness.
Physical aptitude is particularly important in For example, a scientist like Dr. APJ Abdul
fields that require physical labour, such as sports, Kalam who demonstrated strong mental aptitude,
manual labour jobs, or military service. definitely would have possessed exceptional
For example, A professional athlete like Usain analytical skills, the ability to form hypotheses,
Bolt who demonstrates exceptional physical and the capacity to make connections between
aptitude may have the strength, speed, and agility different scientific theories.
required to excel in their chosen sport.
Aptitude Attitude
2. Mental Aptitude: Mental aptitude refers to
an individual’s capacity for cognitive tasks and z Based on
intellectual pursuits. It encompasses various mental z Inborn Nature Human Nurture environment
abilities, including reasoning, memory, problem- z Genetic z Acquired
solving, attention, creativity, and critical thinking. z Potential z Learned
Mental aptitude plays a crucial role in academic
z Socialisation
performance, professional success, and
intellectual pursuits. Fig: Difference Between Aptitude and Attitude
3.3 APTITUDE VERSUS SKILL, VALUES, ATTITUDE
Parameters Aptitude Skill Values Attitude

Natural talent or Acquired knowledge, Personal beliefs and Disposition or mindset
Definition inclination towards a abilities, and expertise. principles that guide towards people, events,
specific area. behaviour. or things.
Innate abilities and Learning and Personal beliefs, Shaped by beliefs,
Basis potential. development over time. upbringing, and life values, and
experiences. experiences.
Present from birth and Developed through Developed through Subject to individual
Inherent early development. education, training, and personal beliefs and perception and
practice. experiences. interpretation.
Can be refined and Can be developed Can be reinforced Can be cultivated
improved with practice through training and and cultivated and shaped through
Development
and learning. experience. through conscious conscious effort.
effort.
Provides a strong base Utilises skills to perform Serves as a Influences behaviour
Foundation for acquiring skills. tasks or activities. moral and ethical and actions.
foundation.
Relatively stable over Can be enhanced, Can evolve and be Can evolve and change
Longevity time. updated, or replaced shaped through self- based on experiences
over time. reflection. and choices.
Helps in identifying Enables effective Guides moral and Shapes personal
Importance potential areas of performance in specific ethical choices, and growth, relationships,
expertise. tasks. defines character. and success.
Numerical aptitude, Programming skills, Honesty, integrity, Positive attitude,
Examples verbal aptitude, and communication skills, respect, compassion. growth mindset,
spatial aptitude. leadership skills. empathy.
3.3.1 Aptitude Versus Intelligence, Ability and Interest

Parameters Aptitude Intelligence Ability Interest
Natural talent or Cognitive ability to Proficiency or skill in Personal enjoyment,
Definition inclination towards a understand, reason, performing a specific curiosity, or passion
specific area. and problem-solve. task. for something.

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Innate abilities and Cognitive capacity and Acquired through Personal preferences
Basis
potential. mental capabilities. learning and practice. or inclinations.
Relatively stable over Can be measured Can be developed Subject to change or
Nature time. through IQ tests and and improved with evolution over time.
cognitive assessments. practice.
Can be refined and Can be enhanced Can be honed Can be explored and
Development improved with through education and through training and cultivated through
practice and learning. intellectual pursuits. experience. exposure.
Relates to skills and Applies to problem- Utilised in performing Drives engagement
Application abilities in specific solving, critical specific tasks or and motivation in a
areas. thinking, and learning. activities. particular area.
Contributes to the Influences academic Impacts performance Guides personal
Influence mastery of tasks and and professional and success in specific choices and pursuits.
activities. success. domains.
Verbal aptitude, Logical-mathematical Athletic ability, Interest in literature,
Example logical reasoning intelligence, linguistic musical ability, and sports, music, and
aptitude. intelligence. artistic ability. photography.
3.4 APTITUDE AND CIVIL SERVICES

z Aptitude plays a crucial role in civil services by shaping the abilities and potential of individuals in their
professional roles. It refers to the inherent talent, skills, and capabilities that individuals possess, which are
essential for success in civil service. Aptitude assessments help identify individuals with the right aptitudes for
specific roles, ensuring a better match between their abilities and the requirements of the job.
Domain
Competence + Emotional
Intelligence + Ethical
Behaviour + Attitude = Aptitude of
Civil Servant
Fig: Values Making Aptitude
3.4.1 Role of Aptitude in the departments like working for setting up a new
Development of Social semiconductor factory in Gujarat.
Competence in Civil Services z Cultural Sensitivity And Diversity: Aptitude for
z Effective Communication And Interpersonal cultural sensitivity and diversity appreciation enable
Skills: Aptitude for effective communication and civil servants to engage with diverse populations and
interpersonal skills enables civil servants to build respect different perspectives.
strong relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, Example: A civil servant with a strong aptitude for
and the public. cultural sensitivity can design policies that respect
Example: A civil servant with a strong aptitude and protect the cultural heritage of indigenous
for communication can engage with diverse communities like the tribals of Andaman Nicobar.
communities, fostering trust and understanding.
z Public Speaking And Persuasive Communication:
It can be helpful in religious-sensitive areas to
Aptitude for public speaking and persuasive
bring harmony.
communication enables civil servants to effectively
z Teamwork And Collaboration: Aptitude for
convey messages to the public and advocate for policy
teamwork and collaboration enables civil servants
to work effectively in diverse teams, fostering changes.
cooperation and synergy. Example: A civil servant with a strong aptitude for
Example: A civil servant with a strong aptitude public speaking can deliver impactful speeches to
for teamwork can lead cross-functional projects, raise awareness about important social issues like
promoting coordination among different cleanliness in the area.
Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service 69

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Role of Aptitude in the
Development of Social
Competence in Civil Services
Effective Public Speaking

Teamwork and Cultural Sensitivity
Communication and and Persuasive
Collaboration and Diversity
Interpersonal Skills Communication
Ex: Working for

Ex: Collaboration for Ex: Protecting cultural Ex: Speech for better
setting up new
bringing religious heritage of Andaman cleanliness and its
semiconductor
harmony. tribes. importance.
factory.
3.4.2 Role of Aptitude In The for beggars, street vendors etc that address the
specific challenges faced by them.
Development of Ethical
z Ethical Leadership And Decision-Making: Aptitude
Competence in Civil Services for ethical leadership and decision-making allows civil
z Critical Thinking And Moral Judgment: Aptitude servants to inspire their teams and create an ethical
for critical thinking and moral judgement empowers work culture.
civil servants to assess ethical implications and make Example: A civil servant with a strong aptitude
principled choices in their professional responsibilities. for ethical leadership can establish codes of
Example: A civil servant with an aptitude for conduct and provide guidance to colleagues on
critical thinking can identify and address potential ethical dilemmas like leaking internal details of a
conflicts of interest in a tender of road construction department to a big company or following honesty
where his brother is a big road constructor in the and integrity.
area. z Principled Stand And Address Unethical Practices:
z Empathy And Compassion: Aptitude for empathy Aptitude for moral courage empowers civil servants
to take principled stands and address unethical
and compassion allows civil servants to consider the
practices, even in challenging circumstances.
needs and perspectives of individuals, promoting
Example: A civil servant with an aptitude for moral
inclusive and equitable policies.
courage can expose corruption or misconduct,
Example: A civil servant with a strong aptitude
advocating for ethical practices within the
for empathy can design welfare programmes organisation.
Role of Aptitude in the

Development of Ethical
Competence in Civil Service
Principled Stand and

Critical Thinking and Empathy and Ethical Leadership
Address Unethical
Moral Judgement Compassion and Decision-Making
Practices
Ex: Designing Ex: Solving ethical

Ex: Not giving tender Ex: Exposing
welfare programmes dilemmas like leaking
for road construction corruption or
for beggars, street internal details of
to his brother. misconduct.
vendors etc. department or following
honesty and integrity.

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3.4.3 Role of Aptitude in The Development 3.5 RELATIONSHIP OF APTITUDE

of Professional Competence in Civil WITH OTHER VALUES
Services
z Aptitude and Integrity: Aptitude enhances the
ability to make ethical decisions and uphold integrity
Skills + Values = Holistic
Competence
in one’s actions.
Example: Mr. Raman with aptitude in a field
such as finance or accounting can demonstrate
integrity by using his skills to promote financial
z Continuous Learning and Professional
transparency, ethical practices, and accountability.
Development: Aptitude for continuous learning and
z Aptitude and Collaboration: Aptitude facilitates
professional development allows civil servants to stay
updated with evolving policies, technologies, and best effective teamwork and collaboration by promoting
practices. open-mindedness, flexibility, and willingness to work
with others.
Example: A civil servant with a strong aptitude
can learn how to use AI in Governance or how to For instance, a team consisting of members
use Blockchain technology for the banking system with different aptitudes such as design, coding,
in India. and marketing can create innovative products or
z Problem-Solving and Analytical Thinking: Aptitude services by leveraging their respective strengths.
for problem-solving and analytical thinking equips civil z Aptitude and Determination: Aptitude can be
servants to identify and address complex challenges enhanced by determination and perseverance. When
in their respective domains. individuals combine their natural talent with a strong
Example: A civil servant with a strong aptitude for drive to improve and excel, their aptitude is amplified.
problem-solving can develop innovative solutions For example, My friend Raj had a talent for
to solve the problem of huge traffic in metro cities cricket during school time. He demonstrated
by providing solutions to the administration. determination and put in consistent effort now he
z Strategic Planning and Organisational is playing in the IPL team from Sunriser Hyderabad.
Management: Aptitude for strategic planning and z Aptitude and Empathy: Aptitude enhances the
organisational management helps civil servants capacity to understand and connect with others’
efficiently manage resources and achieve desired
perspectives, promoting empathy and compassionate
outcomes.
decision-making.
Example: A civil servant with a strong aptitude for
For example, Miss Ruchi with a natural aptitude
strategic planning can develop long-term policies
for counselling or psychology, combined with a
for solving the issue of decreasing groundwater
strong sense of empathy, effectively counselling
levels in the country.
those who need emotional support.
Role of Aptitude in the z Aptitude and Leadership: Aptitude cultivates
Development of Professional leadership skills, such as effective communication,
Competence in Civil Services decision-making, and inspiring others towards shared
goals.
For example, When I was working in a company
Continuous Problem-Solving Strategic under the sales department then my boss combined
Learning and Analytical Planning and effective communication and strategic thinking
Professional Thinking Organisaitonal skills, inspiring the whole team to positive change,
Development Management and to achieve collective goals.
z Aptitude and Professionalism: Aptitude contributes
to professional competence, excellence, and the ability
Ex: Learning Ex: Finding Ex: Developing to meet the expectations of the role with proficiency.
use of A.I in solving of traffic long-term policies
z Aptitude and Public Service: Aptitude supports the
governance. problem in cities. for decreasing
ground water delivery of quality public services by enabling civil
level. servants to efficiently and effectively fulfil their duties
and responsibilities.

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Professionalism Adaptability Decision Making
Example
Communication
Skills z Meet Neha, a civil servant working for an
Role of Aptitude environmental protection agency. Her role
Inclusivity
Innovation for Civil Services involves monitoring and enforcing regulations to
Optimism ensure environmental compliance by industries
Persuasive Leadership Stewardship in her region.
Skills Skills z Neha upholds integrity by conducting thorough
inspections and investigations, ensuring that
Fig: Role of Aptitude for Civil Services companies adhere to environmental standards
Civil servants are an important institution of the government and regulations. She refuses to accept any form
tasked with policy implementation and ensuring effective of bribery or influence that may compromise the
integrity of her work.
governance and social justice. In addition to this, they
z Impartiality is a key value for Neha, as she
provide advice to the political executives. Since aptitude
treats all businesses equally, regardless of their
is an innate potentiality, therefore, one cannot develop size or influence. She conducts fair and unbiased
an aptitude if it is completely absent from one’s psycho assessments, imposing penalties or taking
physical system. To perform, these essential services above corrective actions when violations are identified.
Aptitudes are essential for Civil servants. z Neha takes her responsibility seriously by
meticulously documenting her findings, actions
3.6 FOUNDATIONAL VALUES FOR taken, and decisions made. She is aware that her
actions directly impact the preservation of the
CIVIL SERVANTS environment and the well-being of the community.
z Values are individual principles or qualities that guide z As a professional, Neha stays up-to-date with
the judgement and behaviour of a person or a group. the latest environmental laws and regulations.
She actively participates in training programs
Example: Mother Teresa regarded empathy as and conferences to enhance her expertise and
the highest value and exhibited it throughout her ensure that her actions align with best practices
life. in environmental protection.
z Foundational values for civil servants are the core z Neha respects the communities affected by
principles and ethical standards that guide their industrial activities. She actively engages
behaviour and decision-making in their public with stakeholders, listens to their concerns,
and advocates for sustainable practices. She
service role. These values form the bedrock of their
communicates effectively to raise awareness about
professional conduct and serve as a framework environmental issues and encourages collaboration
for upholding integrity, promoting public trust, and among businesses, government agencies, and
delivering effective and accountable governance. community groups.
z Additionally, they offer a normative consensus z Through her commitment to foundational
regarding the privileges and rights that citizens are values, Neha contributes to the preservation of the
entitled to. environment, protects the health and well-being
of the community, and upholds public trust in the
Example: The foundational value of compassion work of the environmental protection agency.
led IAS Officer Prashant Nair to start the
Compassionate Kozhikode project.
Evolution of Foundational Values
Empathy & Impartiality & z Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and
Compassion Non-Partisahip the All-India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968
mentions values like integrity and devotion to duty.
Foundational z The Draft Public Service Bill, 2007 enumerated
Tolerance Values for Civil Integrity
values like allegiance to the ideals of the Constitution,
Servant good governance to be the primary goal, apolitical
functioning, objectivity, impartiality, accountability
Dedication to Objectivity and transparency in decision-making, merit-based
Public Service selection of civil servants, avoidance of wastage in
Fig: Foundational Values for Civil Servants expenditure, etc.

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z The 10th Report of Second Administrative or unpopular. People with integrity are trustworthy
Reforms Commission in addition to upholding the and reliable. They can be counted on to keep their
constitutional spirit recommended values such as the promises and to do what they say they will do.
highest standards of integrity and conduct; impartiality
and non-partisanship; objectivity; dedication to public
service; and empathy and compassion towards the Say/ Belief/
weaker sections. Think Feel
z The Committee on Standards in Public Life (The
Nolan Committee) defined seven guiding principles Integrity
Do/Act
of behaviour for public life in 1995, which are:
Accountability, Selflessness, Integrity, Openness,
Leadership, Honesty, and Objectivity.
z Examples:
Need of Foundational Values
z Ethical Framework: Foundational values provide z Refuses to cheat on a test, even
an ethical framework that guides the behaviour and though they know they will get a
decision-making of individuals and organisations. better grade if they do.
They serve as moral principles that promote honesty, Student
integrity, fairness, and accountability.
z Trust and Credibility: Foundational values contribute
to building trust and credibility within society. When z Returns a donation from a special
individuals and institutions uphold these values, they interest group, even though they could
inspire confidence and belief in their actions and use the money to win the election.
Politician
intentions.
z Good Governance: They establish the principles
and standards by which governments and public
institutions operate, promoting transparency, z Refuses to cut corners on safety, even
accountability, and the efficient use of resources. though it would save them money.
z Social Cohesion: Values such as tolerance, respect, Businessman
and inclusivity foster social cohesion by promoting
harmonious relationships among diverse individuals
and groups. They create an environment where
different perspectives are valued, and discrimination
and prejudice are minimised. z Importance:
z Conflict Resolution: Foundational values provide Social Good: Civil Servants are provided with
a basis for resolving conflicts and disputes. They immense powers and responsibilities towards
promote dialogue, compromise, and peaceful
society. Their impartiality and honesty are
negotiation, facilitating resolution rather than
important for social good and development.
escalation of tensions.
Constitutional Obligation: To uphold and
z Human Rights and Justice: Values like dignity,
equality, and justice are fundamental to human safeguard the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of
rights. Upholding these values ensures the protection India is mentioned in the Directive Principles of
of individuals’ rights, regardless of their background, State Policy, thus it’s a constitutional as well as
and promotes a just and equitable society. moral obligation.
Fight Corruption: It is essential to counter the
3.6.1 Integrity evil of corruption in public administration, which
Quotes denies just rights to many and also hinders our
economic development.
z "Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one
Community Needs: The actions of public servants
is watching." — C.V. Raman
have a direct bearing on the character of the
z "Integrity is the soul of the character."
community, thus they should have integrity that
— Mahatma Gandhi
prevents them from making wrong decisions
z Integrity is a personal quality that means being which could harm the society.
honest and having strong moral principles. It Managing Public Resources: They are responsible
means doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult for managing public resources and money

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entrusted to them for the benefit of the citizens. Performing Duties: A person of integrity does
For instance, funds to be used for development his/her duties with a conscience. E.g. Policemen
have been raised through taxes and are used for ordered the firing of unarmed peaceful protesters.
the provision of public goods. Honest policemen will obey the order. Policemen
Good Governance: In order to provide good of integrity will refuse to fire.
governance, enable personnel to perform
Right course
their duties honestly, and promote improved Consistency
of conduct
administration, integrity is crucial in the public
sector. It is important for good governance and to
Integrity
prevent failures which may occur due to resistance
to accountability and transparency. Results Open stand
Achievements of Goals: Civil servants have
an important role to play in the development
and achievement of goals of social, economic Fig: Four-Step Process of Integrity
and political justice and equality of status and z Benefits:
opportunity in society. Trust: People will trust you and be more likely to
Fair Treatment: To deal with the public and their believe you.
affairs fairly, efficiently and sensitively to the best Respect: People will respect you for your honesty
of his abilities integrity in nature is important. and moral principles.
No Misuse of Power: It ensures that civil servants Honesty: You will be able to live with yourself
do not misuse his/her official position to further knowing that you have done the right thing.
their private interest, for instance taking bribes Peace of mind: You will have peace of mind
from police to file an FIR. knowing that you are not living a lie.
z Types of Integrity:
Integrity Type Definition Basis Example
Adherence to ethical Ethical Standards, Establishing an independent
Institutional Integrity
standards, transparency, Transparency, ethics committee.
and accountability within an Accountability.
organisation or institution.
Demonstrating honesty, Upholding moral principles Keeping promises made to
consistency, and ethical and values in one's personal friends or family members
behaviour in personal life, being trustworthy, and that you will study hard
Personal Integrity relationships, commitments, acting with sincerity. for UPSC Preparation and
and responsibilities. based on that promise you
clear the exam despite being
away from home.
Demonstrating honesty, Upholding the principles Civil Servant refusing
ethical behaviour, and of fairness, transparency, to engage in unethical
adherence to professional and accountability in practices such as bribery,
standards and values in the professional conduct, fraud, or plagiarism, keeping
Professional Integrity workplace or professional and maintaining trust and confidential information of
settings. credibility with colleagues, clients or colleagues secure
clients, and stakeholders. and not disclosing it without
proper authorization.
Adhering to ethical principles Demonstrating consistency Refusing to engage in
and values, making moral between one's moral values dishonest practices,
choices, and acting in and actions, and standing up speaking out against
Moral Integrity accordance with one's beliefs for what is morally right. injustice or discrimination,
and convictions. and showing compassion
and empathy towards
others in need.

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Without Integrity Other Values Are and accountability while fulfilling official duties and
Meaningless responsibilities.
Without integrity other values can become meaningless z Ministry Of Personnel: According to the Ministry
as they lack a solid foundation and are susceptible to of Personnel, a person with integrity “Consistently
manipulation or disregard. behaves in an open, fair and transparent manner,
honours one’s commitments and works to uphold the
z Trust: If a person lacks integrity and repeatedly Public service values.”
breaks promises or engages in deceitful behaviour,
z Nolan Committee: According to the Nolan Committee
trust is eroded.
on Principles of Standards in Public Life, Integrity
For instance, a manager who consistently takes
in public life implies “holders of public office should
credit for their team’s work without acknowledging not place themselves under any financial or other
their contributions undermines trust within the obligation to outside individuals or organisations
team. that might influence them in the performance of their
z Respect: When someone lacks integrity, they may official duties.”
engage in disrespectful or unethical actions. z Public Interest: Public officials with integrity are
For example, a politician who engages in corrupt guided by a strong commitment to serving the public
practices or dishonesty loses the respect of the interest, prioritising the common good, and making
public and their colleagues. decisions based on principles and values rather than
z Accountability: Without integrity, individuals may personal gain or external influences. They maintain
evade accountability for their actions, leading to a a high level of professionalism, adhere to legal and
culture of impunity. ethical standards, and avoid conflicts of interest.
For example, an executive who manipulates funds z Avoidance of Corruption and Bribery: Integrity in
and financial records, without facing consequences, public life also entails avoiding any form of corruption,
undermines the concept of accountability within bribery, or undue influence that could compromise the
the organisation. integrity and impartiality of public decision-making
processes.
z Credibility: Integrity is closely linked to credibility. If
a person lacks integrity, their words and actions lose z Upholding Trust and Effective Resource Utilisation:
credibility, making it difficult for others to trust or It requires upholding the trust placed in public officials
believe in them. by the citizens and ensuring that public resources are
used judiciously and for the benefit of society.
For example, a salesperson who consistently
z Public administration writers make a distinction
makes false claims about a product’s capabilities
between ‘ethics of compliance’ and ‘ethics of integrity’.
loses credibility with customers.
Ethics of compliance focuses on instructing
z Ethical Behaviour: Integrity is fundamental to ethical
public servants to strictly adhere to laws, rules,
conduct. When someone lacks integrity, they may
and regulations without engaging in independent
engage in unethical practices, such as taking bribes
moral thinking. It emphasises externally imposed
or exploiting vulnerable individuals.
commands and instructions.
For example, a healthcare professional who
Ethics of integrity aims to develop the moral
falsified medical records jeopardises the well- reasoning skills of civil servants, enabling them
being and trust of patients. to analyse ethical dilemmas independently. It
Integrity Encompasses emphasises the internal development of moral
character, self-responsibility, and proactive
z Soundness of moral principles.
adherence to ethical norms rather than relying
z Uprightness. solely on external commands and penalties.
z Honesty and sincerity. z Examples:
z Synchronisation between one’s thoughts, speech S.R. Sankaran (1934-2010) was Chief Secretary
and actions. of Tripura and known for his contributions to the
z Loyalty to rational principles. enforcement of the Abolition of Bonded Labour
Act of 1976 while facing severe pressure from
Integrity in Public Life different groups.
z Integrity in public life refers to the ethical conduct Satyendra Dubey lost his life fighting against
and moral uprightness expected from individuals corruption in NHAI.
holding public office or involved in public service. Tirunellai Narayana Iyer Seshan was the 10th
It encompasses acting with honesty, transparency, Chief Election Commissioner of India (1990–96),

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who reformed elections by largely ending its z Collusion of Interests: Corrupt practices are
malpractices in the country and redefined the facilitated by the collusion between commercial and
status and visibility of the Election Commission industrial magnates and corrupt officials to serve
of India. their individual interests.
For example, awarding contracts to companies in
The Erosion of Integrity in Public Service exchange for personal favours or financial bribes.
z Historical Factors: Corruption in India originated
z Pressure Group Influence: Pressure groups
during colonial rule when low salaries for Indian
seeking favours for their communities, such as trade
officials led to corrupt practices becoming habitual.
associations and chambers of commerce, contribute
For example, the notorious “Baksheesh” system.
to corruption by exerting influence and breeding
z Shifting Values and Aspirations: Fast urbanisation favouritism.
and industrialization have made material possessions For instance, lobbying for favourable policies or
and economic power key determinants of social status, exemptions in exchange for monetary benefits.
leading to corruption among civil servants striving to
maintain their position. 2nd ARC Recommendations on Integrity
For instance, accepting bribes for awarding The Second Administrative Reforms Commission
contracts. (ARC) prepared a detailed blueprint for revamping the
z Economic Factors: Inadequate remuneration and public administration system. It gave the following
rising living costs, particularly affecting the salaried recommendations:
class, contribute to corruption as individuals seek to z A Person Must Not: Misuse official positions by
compensate for their financial struggles. using information acquired in the course of his duties,
For example, issuing licences or permits. accept gifts or hospitality which might compromise
z Weak Public Opinion: People often resort to offering his judgements, or disclose information without the
bribes instead of reporting corruption, highlighting authority.
the need to foster a strong public opinion against z A Person Must: Fulfil his duties and obligations
corrupt practices. responsibly, act in a way that is professional and
For instance, paying bribes to expedite paperwork deserves and retain public confidence, make sure
or avoid penalties. public money and resources are used efficiently, be
z Complex Government Procedures: Cumbersome transparent and open in his public dealings, comply
procedures in various government departments with the law and uphold administrative justice.
create opportunities for dishonest practices and the
misuse of power. Integrity Pact
For example, bureaucrats demand bribes to z Integrity Pact is a vigilance tool that envisages an
expedite paperwork or bypass regulations. agreement between the prospective vendors/bidders
z Ineffective Anti-Corruption Laws: Outdated laws and the buyer, committing both parties not to exercise
and insufficient penalties for corruption cases any corrupt influence on any aspect of the contract.
delay justice and necessitate the implementation of z Its implementation is assured by Independent External
summary trials and stricter punishments. Monitors (IEM) who are people of unimpeachable
For instance, cases are being dragged on for years
integrity.
without resolution. Transparency International (TI)
z Protection to the Public Services: Article 311 of z Transparency International is a global non-
the Indian Constitution, coupled with the reluctance governmental organisation dedicated to combating
of higher officials to take disciplinary action against corruption and promoting transparency in governance
corrupt individuals, hinders effective measures and public life.
against corruption.
z Transparency International emphasises the
For instance, shielding corrupt officials from
importance of honesty and ethical behaviour in
disciplinary action or transfers. fostering accountable and transparent systems.
Difference between Honesty and Integrity

Parameters Honesty Integrity
Definition Being truthful and standing for what we say. Consistency in the value system, thoughts and actions.
Truthfulness Telling lies may or may not break our Honesty. Truthfulness is the first pre-condition for Integrity.
Conduct Honesty may or may not reflect actual conduct. Must be reflected in actual conduct.

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Can be honest without integrity—just words, It can’t be possible without honesty; words and
Interrelation
no action. actions are in sync.
Component Honesty is one of the components of Integrity. Integrity is a superset of honesty.
Shanmugam Manjunath, an Indian Oil Corporation TN Seshan, who reformed elections, was known for
sales manager, displayed unwavering integrity by his integrity.
exposing and closing adulterated fuel stations. His
courageous stance against corruption, including
For Example,
surprise raids, ended tragically with his murder.
Manjunath's sacrifice for honesty serves as a
poignant reminder of principle-driven individuals,
evoking national grief.
z In the words of Sardar Patel, “The unity of India relies 3.6.2 Impartiality, Non-Partisanship and
on a strong and independent All India Service that can Neutrality
freely express its opinions and feels secure. It is crucial
to recognize that an efficient, disciplined, and satisfied Quotes
service, achieved through diligent and honest work, is z "Non-partisanship is not about abandoning our
essential for effective administration in a democratic beliefs, but about transcending our differences
system, even more so than under authoritarian rule.” and finding common solutions that benefit all of
Therefore, integrity holds great significance in public society." — Barack Obama
life, fostering societal harmony. z "Impartiality is the soul of justice. It requires
us to judge without bias, to listen without
prejudice, and to act with fairness and equity."
Honesty Shops — Mahatma Gandhi
z Recently, ‘honesty shops’ were opened in nearly 15 z "Neutrality allows us to see things from different
schools in Kerala as part of the Student Police Cadet angles and make informed decisions without being
(SPC) project. swayed by personal biases." — Malala Yousafzai
z It focussed on some valuable lessons on trust, truth
and integrity for students. Impartiality
z There is no salesman at these counters and students z Impartiality means being fair and unbiased. It is
can drop the money for each item at the collection the quality of making decisions and judgements
box kept on a table. They can walk in, choose the without favouring one side over another.
item of their choice and pay for it based on the An impartial person treats everyone equally and
price list displayed. does not let personal feelings, opinions, or external
influences interfere with their judgement.
They strive to be neutral and objective, considering all perspectives and evidence before making a fair and just
decision.
Impartiality ensures that everyone is given a fair chance and that decisions are based on merit rather than
personal biases.
Example: A judge cannot presume a person guilty simply because he/she belongs to a particular community or
based on the social media reports and has to follow due process of law.
Will lead to Distrust

School Teacher Can be partial
Encourages Unhealthy competition
z Responsible for assigning grades
to students Erosion of respect
z Has personal relations with few Transparency
students.
Responsibility
Can be impartial Will lead to Integrity
Respect
Fig: Scenario Example

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z Impartiality for Civil Servants: For civil servants,
impartiality works at two different levels - Scenario Example
1. Political Impartiality: It implies serving z Imagine a scenario where a judge presides over a
governments of different political persuasions court case involving two individuals from different
equally well, irrespective of civil servants’ own political parties who are in a legal dispute.
personal opinions. z The judge carefully listens to the arguments
2. Public Impartiality: It implies that a civil servant presented by both parties, examines the evidence,
carries out his responsibilities in a fair, just, objective, and applies the law objectively and fairly.
and equitable manner without discriminating z Despite any personal opinions or political leanings,
against a particular individual or interest. the judge may have, they remain impartial
z Significance of impartiality: throughout the proceedings, ensuring that the
Right Action: In case of riots, communal violence decision is based solely on the merits of the case
or such a complex situation, a Civil Servant is able and the applicable laws.
to take the right action when he/she is free from
z The judge’s commitment to impartiality
any type of religious, political or social prejudices;
uphold impartiality. guarantees equal treatment and a fair outcome
for both parties involved, regardless of their
Vested Interest: In a diverse country like India,
minority voices can be suppressed if the civil servant political affiliations.
becomes partial towards the majority for vested
interests. Civil servants have to safeguard minorities. z Examples:
Welfare of the People: In the appraisal of TN Seshan is remembered for his non-partisan
subordinates, evaluation; review of schemes, role as Chief Election Commissioner.
programs; action is taken report, impartiality helps z Significance of Non-partisanship:
Civil Servants to present the true picture which is
Fairness: Non-partisan decisions are not
ultimately helpful for the welfare of the public
influenced by personal biases or political affiliation.
Upholding Values: Impartiality helps to uphold
This is important in areas such as law, where fair
Equality, Liberty, Fraternity; thinking about the
marginalised section as much as about the rich ones. decisions are essential for ensuring justice.
Accuracy: Non-partisan reporting is not influenced
Work Culture: Creation of positive & conducive
work culture. by the desire to promote a particular political party
or ideology. This is important in areas such as
Others: Keeping oneself free from nepotism,
political-corporate nexus; corruption. journalism, where accurate reporting is essential
for informing the public.
Trust: Because the public perceives non-partisan
institutions as being impartial and objective,
Political Non- Civil Service they are more likely to enjoy public trust. This
Impartiality Partisanship Neutrality is important in areas such as the government,
where trust in institutions is essential for their
effectiveness.
Credibility: Non-partisan individuals are more
Fig: Importance of Neutrality in the Civil Service likely to be credible, as they are seen as being
impartial and objective. This is important in areas
Non-Partisanship such as education, where credibility is essential
z Non-partisanship, in simple terms, refers to the for ensuring that students receive a high-quality
practice of being unbiased and neutral in political education.
matters or affiliations.
z Method to Ensure Non-Partisanship:
It means that a person or organisation remains
The Central Civil Services Conduct Rules, 1964,
impartial and does not favour any particular
political party or ideology. and the All India Services Conduct Rules, 1968:
They stipulate certain guidelines for the Civil
Instead, they approach issues and decisions
objectively, free from the influence of personal servant to perform their duty with full devotion
biases or allegiance to a particular political party. and shall not adopt dilatory tactics in their dealings
Non-partisanship promotes fairness, openness,
with the public.
and the ability to consider multiple perspectives, Code of Ethics, 1997: It was the first initiative to
ensuring that decisions are made in the best introduce a code of ethics for public servants in
interest of the broader community rather than India, which was considered a step towards better
serving any particular political agenda. governance.

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Neutrality of Constitutional Offices
Quote
z In recent times, the neutrality of various constitutional
“Partisanship is our great curse. We too readily assume offices such as Governor (e.g., Maharashtra, West
that everything has two sides and that it is our duty to
Bengal, and speaker) in the State Legislative Assemblies
be on one or the other.” — James Harvey Robinson
have come under the scanner of the Supreme Court on
the ground of the Doctrine of Political Neutrality.
Non-Partisanship Impartiality
z Significance of the Doctrine of Neutrality in the
It is a kind of attitude. It is a kind of behaviour in Case of Constitutional Offices
a particular situation. Upholding constitutional trust that requires
It deals with the relationship It deals with the relationship neutrality in actions.
of civil servants with of civil servants not only The tilt of power vested in Constitutional offices
political executives and with political executives, in favour of any political party can disturb the
thus a narrower concept. It but people as well and thus political fairness in democracy.
is political neutrality. a broader concept.
Presently, cooperative federalism is needed and
Neutrality the absence of neutrality of constitutional offices
z Neutrality refers to remaining unbiased and creates conflict between States and centres, e.g.
not taking sides in a conflict, disagreement, or West Bengal and the Central government.
situation. It means maintaining a position of fairness
and objectivity, allowing for an impartial assessment Political Partiality
of different perspectives or options.
Politicised Bureaucracy
Neutrality involves setting aside personal biases
and opinions to provide a balanced and neutral Partisanship
viewpoint.
It allows for a clear and unbiased evaluation,
ensuring that decisions or actions are not Political Impartialilty
influenced by favouritism or prejudice.
Neutrality is often associated with being open- Neutral Bureaucracy
minded, objective, and treating all parties or Non-Partisanship
viewpoints equally.
Civil Service Neutrality refers to political Fig: Importance Of Neutrality
impartiality.
z Types of Neutrality: z Challenges to Neutrality:
Passive Neutrality: The civil servants will do Lack of Independent Institutions: There is a
anything that the political executive orders, but lack of independent institutions for transferring,
then they may end up violating some legal or posting, and other service conditions. As a result,
constitutional provisions. Hence, it is undesirable the civil servants align with one or the other
as it leads to the idea of committed bureaucracy. political party to get their favourite postings and
Active Neutrality: Officers will do what the
other perks.
Constitution, laws, rules, and office manuals say
Secrecy: Secrecy in official functioning, as a
without following any particular party. Excess of
this might sometimes lead to civil service activism. result there develops a nexus between the
political executive and civil servants to fulfil their
Committed Bureaucracy illegitimate gratifications.
Negative Perspective Positive Perspective In-service and Intra-service Rivalry: In each
It implied politicised It implies that civil servants government service, there are various factions
bureaucracy, where are committed to the based on language, religion, caste and region. To
administrative system objectives of the State, gain promotion and perks for their faction, they’d
functions serve only the the Constitution, the laws bend to the wills of politicians.
narrow interest of the etc. and have faith in the Illegitimate Political Agendas: Wrong notion of
political party in power, programmes of the political committed bureaucracy, where the civil servants
e.g. administrative system executives if they are aligned try to fulfil the political agenda of a particular
of Nazi Germany. with the objectives of the political party.
State, Constitution etc. Here Election and Corruption: Ministers need a lot
they give technical advice of money to finance election campaigns, so they
on the political philosophy prefer a convenient subordinate. Many don’t like
of the ruling party. an officer who gives free and frank advice.

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Political neutrality casts responsibility on the Constitutional offices to uphold the democratic principles of fairness,
tolerance and independence of opinion and the conduct of persons holding these offices be such that there is no political
interference.
Difference Between Impartiality, Non-Partisanship And Neutrality:
Parameters Impartiality Non-Partisanship Neutrality

Treating all parties or individuals Remaining unbiased and neutral Maintaining an objective and
equally and without bias, in political or partisan matters, unbiased position, not favouring
Definition
ensuring fairness in judgement refraining from taking sides or any side or showing partiality in
and decision-making. showing favouritism. any situation.
Is Applicable in various domains, Primarily relevant in political Generally applicable in situations
including justice, governance, settings, public service, and where a neutral standpoint is
and decision-making processes, administrative roles, where the required, such as mediating
Context
where fair treatment and equal focus is on serving the public conflicts, facilitating negotiations,
consideration of all parties are interest without favouring any or ensuring unbiased reporting.
essential. particular political group or party.
Ensuring fairness, justice, and Promoting public trust, integrity, Facilitating a balanced and objective
equal treatment for all individuals and credibility in political approach, allowing for unbiased
Purpose or parties involved in a particular processes and public service assessments, decisions, or actions
situation or decision-making by avoiding favouritism or bias in situations where taking sides
process. towards any political party. could compromise neutrality.
Impartial judgement, equal Independence from political Objective assessment, lack of
consideration for all, absence of affiliations, neutrality towards personal bias or vested interests,
Key Traits
bias or prejudice, fairness. partisan interests, and neutrality towards conflicting
commitment to the public interest. parties or views.
An unbiased judge presiding over A public servant or government A mediator facilitating peace talks
a court case, treating both the official who remains neutral between two conflicting parties
Examples prosecution and defence equally and serves the public interest, maintains an impartial stance and
and basing the verdict solely on regardless of the political party ensures fair negotiations.
the evidence and law. in power.
3.6.3 Objectivity It emphasises that individuals in public office
should exhibit objectivity when conducting public
Quote affairs, such as making appointments, awarding
"Objectivity is the intellectual rigour that helps us contracts, and recommending individuals for
separate facts from opinions." — Fareed Zakaria rewards and benefits.
The committee stresses that decisions should be
z Objectivity refers to the quality of being unbiased,
fair, and free from personal opinions or emotions based on merit, devoid of any personal biases or
when perceiving or evaluating something. It involves favouritism.
looking at a situation or information objectively, Examples
without allowing personal biases or preferences to
influence one’s judgement. z Drugs Controller General of India ensured sufficient
data for approval of the COVID-19 vaccine against
Objectivity is a mean value to achieve the end
value of equality. public pressure.
Objectivity requires examining facts and evidence,
z Awarding contracts, Making appointments and
considering different perspectives, and making Giving Rewards based on Merit and not on the basis
judgments based on logical reasoning rather than of Favouritism.
subjective feelings.
It is about maintaining a neutral standpoint and Need of Objectivity for Civil Servant
striving for fairness and accuracy in understanding z Impartiality: Objectivity helps civil servants to
and interpreting the world around us. approach their work without bias or favouritism,
z Nolan Committee: As per the Nolan Committee, treating all individuals and cases equally. It ensures
objectivity is highlighted as one of the fundamental that decisions are based on merit, without any
values in public life. personal or subjective influences.

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z Public Trust: Objectivity fosters public trust in the z Training: Training imparts the right guidance to
civil service by demonstrating that decisions are made the people who are delivering the services. This also
based on objective criteria and in the best interest ensures that public servants know what all needs to
of the public. It helps to maintain the integrity and
be done.
credibility of the administrative system.
z Effective Problem-Solving: Objectivity enables civil z Critical Thinking: ASI began gold hunting in the
servants to analyse situations and issues objectively, Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, on order of a union
considering all relevant factors and evidence. It helps minister who believed in a ‘baba’. They showed a lack
in identifying the root causes of problems and finding of critical thinking by blindly following the dictates of
appropriate solutions, free from personal biases or higher authority.
preconceived notions.
z Right to Review Decisions: Within judicial/
z Transparency and Accountability: Objectivity
promotes transparency in decision-making processes, administrative procedure, there should be a
ensuring that decisions are well-founded, justifiable, mechanism for appellate boards e.g. in taxation, land
and can withstand scrutiny. It enhances accountability acquisition etc.
by allowing for clear explanations and justifications z Right to be Heard: Often officers don’t hear the
for actions taken.
complaints or opinions of people properly and just
z Consistency and Uniformity: Objectivity helps to
do the things that are in their mind. Hence new
establish consistent standards and practices within
the civil service, ensuring that similar cases are schemes should have ‘social audit / public hearing’
treated similarly. It reduces the risk of arbitrary or components.
discriminatory decision-making, promoting fairness
and equal treatment.
Critical Perspectives on Objectivity
z Evidence-Based Approach: Objectivity encourages z Remnant of Weberian Model: Some scholars argue
civil servants to rely on objective evidence, data, and that excessive emphasis on objectivity is rooted in the
analysis in their work. It helps in making informed traditional Weberian model of administration, which
decisions based on facts, minimising the influence of may result in bureaucratic apathy.
personal opinions or subjective interpretations.
z They believe that strict adherence to objectivity can
z Professionalism: Objectivity is a key attribute of
stifle creativity and innovation in decision-making
professional conduct for civil servants. It reflects
their commitment to serving the public interest and processes.
upholding the principles of good governance, ethics, z Limited Availability of Data: In a developing country
and integrity. like India, the availability of sufficient data for objective
Objectivity Must Objectivity Must Not decision-making can be a challenge. A lack of reliable
and comprehensive data can hinder the application of
Provide information and Ignoring inconvenient facts
advice based on evidence, or relevant considerations strict objectivity in decision-making processes.
presenting facts and when providing advice or z Restriction on Creativity: Objectivity, by its nature,
options. making decisions. tends to discourage creative thinking and alternative
Decision based on merit. Avoiding actions that flow solutions. Decision-making at higher levels often
from the decisions taken. requires subjective judgments and innovative
Taking due account of expert and professional advice. approaches to address complex problems, whereas
How To Develop Objectivity objectivity is seen as more suitable for lower-level
z Transparency: Transparency with better tasks that involve repetitive work.
implementation of the RTI Act, which will ensure that z Emphasis on Emotional Intelligence: Critics argue
the decisions are based on facts rather than whims that objectivity overly emphasises the elimination
and fancies. Transparency and openness allow for the of emotions from decision-making processes.
assurance of objectivity.
However, contemporary understanding recognizes
z Information Management System: It will ensure
that emotions can play a valuable role in facilitating
that any organisation keeps proper records and
documents of incidents, decisions, information etc. It decision-making through emotional intelligence,
will act as a check as well as provide vital input for which involves recognizing and appropriately
decision-making. managing emotions in a productive manner.

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Scenario Example
z Imagine a government department responsible for formulating policies to address a pressing social issue,
such as poverty alleviation. The traditional approach to decision-making in this department is based on strict
objectivity, where decisions are made solely based on statistical data and numerical indicators.
z However, critics argue that relying solely on objectivity in this scenario may overlook important qualitative aspects
and innovative solutions. For instance, if the data show a decline in poverty rates, but there is still a significant
portion of the population facing economic hardships, an objective approach might consider the problem solved.
This could lead to a lack of empathy and a failure to address the underlying causes of poverty.
z In contrast, a more balanced approach that considers subjective factors, such as personal stories, community
insights, and creative ideas, can lead to more comprehensive and effective solutions. By incorporating emotions
and a deeper understanding of the social context, decision-makers can develop policies that address the root
causes of poverty and bring about positive change.
Objectivity Vs Neutrality
Objectivity Neutrality
Focuses on making decisions based on factual Involves maintaining an unbiased stance and avoiding
information and evidence. favouritism or bias.
Emphasises eliminating personal opinions and emotions Requires maintaining a neutral position without taking
from decision-making. sides or showing favouritism.
Relies on data, research, and objective criteria to make Requires treating all parties or individuals equally,
fair and impartial decisions. without showing preference or prejudice.
Aims to provide an objective viewpoint and avoid Aims to maintain a neutral position in situations where
subjective influences. conflicting interests or opinions are involved.
Used in various fields, including science, research, and data Often applied in contexts such as arbitration, mediation,
analysis. and conflict resolution.
3.6.4 Dedication To Public Service for the safety and security of the public. He worked
z Dedication is the quality of being able to give or tirelessly, often sacrificing personal time and comfort,
apply one’s time, attention, energy or self, entirely to to ensure the well-being and peace of the community.
a particular activity, person or cause. It is different z Kumar’s dedication to public service earned him
from commitment, which is formally obligated/
recognition and respect, not only from his fellow
bound, whereas dedication is a commitment with
passion and is guided by a sense of duty, inspired by officers but also from the public he served.
some ideals.
Willing to Go
‘Dedication to Public Service’ refers to keeping
Beyond Duty
public good above all which will ensure that a
civil servant’s sense of duty is integrated with his
official responsibility.
z Example: K. Vijay Kumar was an Indian Police Service Qualities of Public
(IPS) officer. He played a crucial role in leading the Seeks Neither an Officer Welfare above
Special Task Force (STF) in the state of Tamil Nadu, Rewards Nor Dedicated to Personal
India, to combat the insurgent group Liberation Tigers Recognition Public Services Interest
of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the late 1990s. for Efforts
z Despite facing significant challenges and threats to
his life, Kumar tirelessly worked towards maintaining Fig: Qualities of An Officer Dedicated to Public Services
law and order in the region. He displayed immense
dedication by staying on the ground, leading his team z Significance:
from the front, and devising strategic plans to counter It keeps them motivated to keep doing their job
the insurgency effectively. even if it is boring, unwanting, or tedious.
z His unwavering commitment to public service was It is highly required as civil servants face difficult
evident in his willingness to put himself in harm’s way and different situations regularly.

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It brings empathy in civil servants towards their peacefully with people who have diverse perspectives
job and people. and experiences.
Public service is highly important to realise the Social Harmony
ideals of the Constitution, such as justice, equality
etc.
Commitment + Perseverance = Dedication

Tolerance
Participatory Inclusive
Name Details
Democracy Growth
S. R. Sankaran was an Indian
civil servant, social worker Fig: Trinity of Tolerance
and the Chief Secretary of the z Example: Keshav Desiraju was an IAS officer
State of Tripura, known for his who served in various positions within the Indian
S. R. Sankaran
contributions to the enforcement government. Desiraju was known for his inclusive and
of the Abolition of Bonded Labour tolerant approach towards marginalised communities,
Act of 1976 which abolished particularly in the healthcare sector.
bonded labour in India. As the former Secretary of the Department of
Known and respected for his high Health and Family Welfare in India, he played a
levels of honesty and integrity. He crucial role in advocating for the rights and well-
is best known for cancelling the being of vulnerable populations, including those
illegal land deal in Gurgaon and affected by HIV/AIDS and mental health issues.
Ashok Khemka
also brought several irregularities Desiraju worked towards eliminating
in the government. Due to this, he discrimination and stigma associated with these
has been transferred more than conditions and promoted inclusive policies and
50 times in his career. programs.
During his tenure as CAG chief His commitment to tolerance and empathy in
Vinod Rai he brought several scams like 2G addressing public health challenges made him an
scam, coal scam etc. exemplary civil servant.
Known for his friendly policing
Mahesh Bhagwat and also trains civil services exam Quote:
aspirants free of cost. "Tolerance is giving to every human being every right
that you claim for yourself." — Thomas Paine
Awarded with most eminent IAS
Armstrong Pame awardee for his dedication to
public service. Significance of Tolerance
She came into public view after z Peace: Tolerance is important for maintaining lasting
Durga Shakti launching a massive drive against peace in societies.
Nagpal corruption and illegal sand z Human Development: Upholds human rights,
mining within her jurisdiction. pluralism, democracy and the rule of law, thus
enabling human development.
An IFS officer, known for his
efforts to make people aware z Innovation: Enables new inventions and removes
Praveen Kaswan the status quo in society as it enables freedom of
of conservation and forestry
expression.
through social media.
z Equality: Upholds the moral worth of every individual
3.6.5 Tolerance as all individuals have equal moral worth according to
John Stuart Mill.
z Tolerance, in simple terms, means accepting
and respecting others’ differences, beliefs, and z Public Service: Enables civil servants in public
opinions, even if they are different from our service as a diverse society like ours needs the service
own. It involves being open-minded, understanding, of all equally.
and patient towards others, regardless of their race, z Inclusivity: It accommodates people in society
religion, culture, or background. Tolerance promotes irrespective of their sexual orientation. Ex. Acceptance
harmony, empathy, and the willingness to coexist of LGBTQ society.

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z Broadened Perspective: Broadens the perspective z Individuality And Diversity: Tolerance creates a
of civil servants and upholds values like justice, society in which people can feel valued and respected,
impartiality and objectivity. and in which there is room for every person, each with
z Adaptability: A civil servant posted in a state other their own ideas, thoughts and dreams.
than his own, his tolerant aptitude, may face problems z Respect: Tolerance allows individuality and diversity.
in adapting and dedicating himself to the service of It is more about mutual respect and the common good,
and not about who is right and who is wrong.
people.
z Examples:
z Secularism: Tolerance as a virtue is important to
A civil servant actively promotes cultural
pursue the high ideal of secularism enshrined in
inclusivity by organising multicultural events
the Constitution. Intolerance would breed injustice
and celebrations within the community, fostering
and violence which are antidotes to a balanced
an environment of tolerance and appreciation for
development in a culturally diverse nation.
diverse traditions.
z Courage: Courage to fight for others’ rights – Tolerance
A civil servant listens attentively to diverse
gives respect for others and hence courage to fight for
viewpoints during public hearings or community
their rights like fighting against racial discrimination, meetings, ensuring all voices are heard and
LGBTQ community, minorities etc. considering different perspectives when
z Better Decision: Tolerance avoids impulsive decisions. formulating policies or making decisions.
It buys time and helps in minimising loss and damage. A civil servant acts as a mediator between two
Allows healthy debate and discussion to take place opposing community groups, facilitating dialogue,
between different sections and hence outcomes are promoting empathy, and finding a compromise
democratic. In times of peace, people have a chance to that addresses their respective concerns and
thrive socially, economically and emotionally. promotes harmony.
Role of Tolerance at Different Levels
Level Role
z Teaches one to respect others and not to impose our will on others.
Individual Level z Example: Beef may be prescribed for one community in the society but if it is part of
someone’s culture then it helps in broadening our perspective and thinking.
z Promotes peace.
Societal Level z Example: Imposition of Urdu in former East Pakistan led to division of Pakistan, whereas
linguistic tolerance has strengthened unity in India.
z Increases legitimacy and provides a holistic view of various issues.
Government Level z Example: Tribal Panchsheel has been largely beneficial in promotion of democracy in the
North-eastern region.
z Promotes peace and security.
International Level z Example: The lack of tolerance between Israel and Arab countries has led to frequent
conflicts in the region.
Difference between Tolerance And Acceptance
Prohibition Tolerance Acceptance
Tolerance Acceptance
Being open-minded towards diverse perspectives. Fully embracing diverse perspectives.
Allowing others to hold different beliefs. Embracing and celebrating different beliefs.
Coexisting peacefully despite differences. Fully embracing and integrating differences.
Can involve discomfort or disagreement. Embracing without judgement or discomfort.
Fosters a sense of mutual respect. Fosters a sense of inclusivity and belonging.
Can be based on a sense of obligation. Based on genuine understanding and appreciation.

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Can still maintain personal biases. Embracing others as they are, without biases.
May tolerate without truly accepting. Embraces without any conditions or reservations.
Example: I can live with your beliefs even though I don't Example: I embrace and respect your beliefs as an integral
agree with them. part of who you are.
3.6.6 Empathy and Compassion z Three Ways of Looking at Empathy:

1. Affective Empathy: The ability to share the
Quote emotions of others.
“Compassion is not religious business, it is human 2. Cognitive Empathy: The ability to understand the
business, it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace emotions of others.
and mental stability, it is essential for human survival.”
3. Emotional Empathy: The ability to regulate one’s
— Dalai Lama emotions.
“Empathy is the greatest virtue. From it, all virtues flow. z Significance of Empathy in Civil Services:
Without it, all virtues are an act.” — Eric Zorn
Lack of empathy leads to a narrow understanding
of others’ perspectives.
Empathy Example: Gender-related issues, discrimination
z Empathy refers to the ability to imagine oneself in faced by transgenders etc. which might lead to
another’s place and understand the others’ feelings, social unrest.
desires, ideas and actions or It is an act of perceiving,
Empathy helps to understand the ground realities
understanding, experiencing and responding to the
which will reflect in policy formulations and
emotional state and ideas of another person.
implementation.
It involves putting yourself in someone else’s
shoes, imagining how they might be feeling, and Example: Tribes have certain customary values
genuinely connecting with their emotions. which are contradictory to the rules of the
Empathy allows us to relate to others, show government. Here empathy in public servants
compassion, and offer support or help when needed. would act as a saviour for the tribal population.
It goes beyond sympathy, as it involves truly Increasing the effectiveness of bureaucracy as they
grasping and resonating with the emotions of will not follow the rule but rather follow the spirit
others. behind the rules, i.e. welfare of people.
Empathy helps us understand others’ emotions
Scenario Example
and thus improves our emotional intelligence.
z Imagine a government official responsible for
overseeing public transportation. One day, they Feeling the same
receive a complaint from a visually impaired condition as the
individual who has been experiencing difficulties Empathy person
navigating the bus system due to inadequate
accessibility measures. Instead of dismissing the
complaint or offering a generic response, the
official takes the time to put themselves in the
shoes of the visually impaired person.
z They arrange a meeting with the individual to When
gain a deeper understanding of their challenges and someone in
listen to their firsthand experiences. The official Distress
also consults with accessibility experts and Sympathy Compassion
conducts research to identify potential solutions.
As a result, they propose
Feeling sorrow Feeling care
z implementing audio announcements, tactile
signage, and trained staff to assist visually or concern for & warmth for
impaired passengers. other person other person
z Through their empathy and understanding, the Fig: Empathy, Sympathy & Compassion
official takes proactive steps to address the issue
and improve the public transportation system's Compassion (Empathy + Action)
accessibility. This not only benefits the visually z Compassion is the understanding or empathy for
impaired individual but also creates a more
inclusive and accommodating environment for the suffering of others. More involved than simple
all passengers. empathy, compassion commonly gives rise to ‘an
active desire to alleviate others’ suffering’.

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It involves having a genuine desire to alleviate
z However, their compassion extended beyond
the suffering of others and to show kindness,
healthcare. They realised that the tribal
understanding, and support.
communities were struggling with poverty,
Compassion is about being sensitive to the illiteracy, and lack of basic amenities. In addition
emotions and needs of others and being willing to their medical services, Dr. Prakash and Dr.
to take action to help them in any way possible. Mandakini initiated various developmental projects
It is a heartfelt response that recognizes the to uplift the tribal people. They established schools,
shared humanity and interconnectedness of vocational training centres, and rehabilitation
all individuals, motivating us to show care and programs for disabled individuals.
empathy towards others in their times of need. z Their compassion and dedication to the
welfare of the tribal communities earned them
Desire for immense respect and admiration. Their selfless
action work not only provided healthcare and education
but also helped in preserving the tribal culture and
empowering the community.
Examples:
Bharat Vatwani, an Indian psychiatrist, received
the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018 for rescuing
and rehabilitating mentally ill street people in
Empathy Compassion India.
Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat, an IPS officer, was
honoured with the 2017 Trafficking in Persons
Scenario Example (TIP) Report Heroes Award for his relentless
z An interesting example of compassion in civil efforts to combat human trafficking.
services is the story of Dr. Prakash Amte and Swarochish Somavanshi, an IAS officer,
his wife, Dr. Mandakini Amte, who dedicated prioritised the well-being of malnourished children
their lives to serving the tribal communities in by installing air conditioners in Nutritional
the remote forests of Maharashtra, India. Both Rehabilitation Centres to protect them from the
doctors gave up comfortable city lives to live among scorching heat.
the Madia-Gond tribal people and provide them
with healthcare and support. Quote:
z Dr. Prakash and Dr. Mandakini set up a hospital “Compassion is at the root of a tree called Dharma.”
in Hemalkasa, a remote village with no medical — Bhagavad Gita
facilities. They provided free medical treatment
to the tribal people, treating various illnesses, z Significance of compassion for civil servants:
injuries, and disabilities. They also conducted Civil Servants are agents of change and compassion
regular health camps in nearby villages, reaching motivates them to help people and ensure the
out to those who couldn’t travel to the hospital. welfare of people.
Compassion improves the attitude of a civil servant with other positive traits like generosity, kindness and
understanding.
It contributes to efficient service delivery through people-centric, humane, accommodative administration.
It makes civil servants responsive to the needs of citizens, especially those in distress.
Compassion also inculcates selflessness and a spirit of service for the country, society and its people without
any self-motive, which keeps civil servants motivated.
Difference Between Antipathy, Apathy, Sympathy, Empathy And Compassion
Feeling Sympathy Empathy Compassion Action
z Negative emotions for the target group (but Example: If a hungry person approaches you for
not hate). food, you scold him rather than help.
Antipathy
z Attempt to cause suffering and discomfort to
the target group.

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z Absence of attachment. Example: If a hungry person approaches you for

Apathy z General behaviour of indifference, and food, you remain indifferent to him/her.
disinterest with regards to the needs of others.
z Acknowledgement of the distress of others. Example: If a hungry person approaches you for
Sympathy food, you provide him/her a cold drink, frooti etc,
whereas that person needs daal-roti.
z Help offered is as per the needs and the Example: If a hungry person approaches you for
Empathy requirements of the distressed person/group food, you provide him/her what he/she needs
but orientation to help is somewhat less active. i.e. daal roti.
z Detached attachment with the person. Example: If a hungry person approaches you
Compassion z Empathy + Active desire to alleviate the for food, you provide him/her daal-roti but also
suffering of those in distress. ensure that he/she gets regular food and does
not have to beg like this.
3.6.7 Other Important Values

z Discipline, refers to the ability to follow rules, guidelines, and routines in a consistent and
orderly manner.
z It involves self-control, obedience, and adherence to established norms or expectations.
Discipline z Being disciplined means having the focus and determination to stay committed to tasks or
behaviours, even when faced with distractions or challenges.
z It is about maintaining a structured and organised approach in daily life, work, or any endeavour,
in order to achieve desired goals and outcomes.
z It means continued effort and determination in doing something in which someone is facing
difficulties or delays in achieving success.
Perseverance
z Example: Efforts that attempt to bring behavioural transformation (removal of open defecation,
vaccine hesitancy) in society take time and require perseverance.
z It refers to the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason. Wisdom, insight
and knowledge are often associated with prudence.
z It refers to maintaining or keeping the secrecy of certain information and matters from the public
Prudence
view for the larger public interest.
z Example: Section 8 of the Right to Information Act, 2005 and Official Secrets Act provide for
confidentiality in the larger public interest.
z It refers to sharing of information along with transparent decision-making. In another sense,
it includes characteristics such as imagination and an attitude of ready accessibility.
Openness z Nolan Report on Openness: Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the
decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict
information only when the wider public interest clearly demands it.
z Selflessness signifies serving the public interest and keeping it above self-interest.
z Nolan Report on Selflessness: Holders of public office should act solely in terms of public
interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their
Selflessness
family or their friends.
z Example: Mother Teresa dedicated herself to the selfless service of the suffering and tortured
humanity.
Conclusion
The foundational values for civil services are crucial in shaping ethical conduct and effectiveness. Integrity ensures
honesty, transparency, and accountability. Impartiality promotes fairness and equitable treatment. Neutrality avoids
favouritism. Objectivity enables rational decision-making. Tolerance fosters inclusivity and respect. Empathy and
compassion connect civil servants with people’s needs for responsive governance. Together, these values uphold good
governance and improve society.

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Summary of Definition and Examples
z Definition: Integrity means adopting similar standards or moral principles in similar
situations across time and interested parties.
Integrity
z Example: Senior IAS officer, Ashok Khemka has shown professional integrity with
consistency in his thought, actions and has chosen a right course of conduct.
z Definition: It refers to consistency and honesty in the application of standards of morality
or right and wrong; used for judging others as well as our self.
Moral Integrity
z Example: Buddha emphasised on the purity of ‘thoughts, words and deeds’ and showed
unconditional commitment to this ethical principle.
z Definition: Adherence to ethical standards, transparency, and accountability within an
Institutional organisation or institution.
Integrity z Example: Establishing an independent ethics committee avoiding conflict of interest and
in tune with principles of justice.
z Definition: It refers to acting in accordance with professional values, standards and norms
Professional with consistency and willingness; even in the face of criticism or allurements.
Integrity z Example: Sanjiv Chaturvedi showed professional integrity during his tenure as the Chief
Vigilance Officer of AIIMS, Delhi and uncovered several large scams.
z Definition: It simply means representing the same what exactly they are in convergence
of thoughts and actions.
z Upholding the truth.
Honesty z Non-manipulation of facts.
z Providing unbiased, rational and meritorious decisions.
z Example: Not taking bribes is an expected behaviour. If someone actually never takes it
then it is an act of honesty. People respect him for his honesty in his work.
z Definition: Impartiality refers to the fact of not supporting one person or a group more
than the other. It holds that decisions should be based on objective standards, instead of
on the basis of bias, prejudice, or preferring the advantage to one person or another for
Impartiality unsuitable reasons.
z Example: A judge cannot presume a person guilty simply because he/she belongs to a
particular community or based on the social media reports and has to follow due process
of law.
z Definition: Non-partisanship infers that the officer is to do his task without any fear of, or
favour to any political party. The values of the administrator will flow from the constitution
Non-Partisanship not from the philosophy of any political party.
z Example: Sunil Arora is remembered for his non-partisan role as Chief Election
Commissioner.
z Definition: Neutrality is with specific reference to political neutrality, i.e. relationship
between the civil servants and the political executives. Neutrality refers to not being biased
in providing facts, feedback, opinions etc. to the political executives and diligently carrying
out tasks ordered by the political executives, irrespective of which political party is in
Neutrality
power.
z Example: In recent times, neutrality of various constitutional offices such as Governor
(e.g. Maharashtra, West Bengal), Speaker in the State Legislative Assemblies have come
under the scanner of the Supreme Court on the ground of ‘Doctrine of Political Neutrality’.
z Definition: The principle of objectivity implies that the decisions and actions should be
based on observable phenomena and should not be influenced by emotions, biases or
Objectivity personal prejudices.
z Example: Drugs Controller General of India ensured sufficient data for approval of
COVID-19 vaccine against public pressure.

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z Definition: It means that the civil servants work from behind the screen and avoid media
limelight and public gaze. Civil servants do not get credit for the success and nor blamed
for the failure. It is the responsibility of the political executive.
Anonymity
z Example: In the Mundhra deal scam (1957), Chagla commission held that “Minister T.T.
Krishnamachari is constitutionally responsible for the actions of his secretary (H. M.Patel) and
he can’t take shelter behind them or disown reasonability.” Consequently, the Minister resigned.
z Dedication is the quality of being committed to a certain task. Commitment is the formal
Dedication to
obligation but dedication is guided by a sense of duty and values. Therefore, Dedication is
public service
defined as “quality of commitment with perseverance”.
z Definition: It means continued effort and determination in doing something in which
someone is facing difficulties or delay in achieving success.
Perseverance
z Example: Efforts that attempt to bring behavioural transformation (removal of open
defecation, vaccine hesitancy) in the society takes time and requires perseverance.
z Definition: Courage is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger,
uncertainty, or intimidation with poise and the moral conviction that underpins necessary
Courage and ethically correct action. Courage is not just physical bravery.
z Example: Courage of Mansi Bariha from Odisha helped to rescue 6000 migrant workers
from 30 kilns in TN during covid-19 induced lockdown last year.
z Definition: Responsiveness refers to the quality of being attentive and responding to
whatever new opportunities and challenges arises every day and also to the emerging
Responsiveness needs of the public.
z Example: Steve Jobs used to share his email id with his employees and remained accessible
for their grievances.
z Definition: It refers to the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason.
Wisdom, insight and knowledge are often associated with prudence.
Prudence z Example: Civil service involves decision-making in the public sphere. Civil servants are
supposed to be men of practical affairs. They are in fairly regular contact with people. Civil
servants have to deal with matters anonymously and discreetly.
z Definition: It refers to maintaining or keeping secrecy of certain information, matters from
the public view for larger public interest.
Confidentiality
z Example: Section 8 of Right to Information Act, 2005 and Official Secrets Act provide for
confidentiality in larger public interest.
z Definition: It refers to sharing of information along with transparent decision-making. In
another sense, it includes characteristics such as imagination and attitude of ready accessibility.
Openness z Example: RTI opens access to information, which empowers the poor and the weaker
sections of society to demand and get information about public policies and actions, thereby
leading to their welfare.
z Definition: Selflessness signifies serving public interest and keeping it above self-interest.
Selflessness z Example: Mother Teresa dedicated herself to the selfless service of the suffering and
tortured humanity.
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS are unable to achieve goals by interpreting the same
Rules and Regulations against the case. Discuss with
1. Apart from intellectual competence and moral illustrations. (150 words) (2022)
qualities, empathy and compassion are some of the 3. “Integrity is a value that empowers the human being.”
other vital attributes that facilitate civil servants to Justify with a suitable illustration. (150 words) (2021)
be more competent in tackling crucial issues or taking
4. Should impartial and non-partisanship be considered
critical decisions. Explain with suitable illustrations. indispensable qualities to make a successful civil
(150 words) (2022) servant? Discuss with illustrations. (150 words)
2. The Rules and Regulations provided to all civil servants (2021)
are the same, yet there is a difference in performance. 5. Identify ten essential values that are needed to be an
Positive-minded officers are able to interpret the effective public servant. Describe the ways and means
Rules and Regulations in favour of the case and to prevent unethical behaviour in public servants.
achieve success, whereas negative-minded officers (150 words) (2021)

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6. Identify five ethical traits on which one can plot the Distinguish between these two terms and write their
performance of a civil servant. Justify their inclusion merits and demerits. B) Is it possible to balance the
in the matrix. (150 words) (2021) two to create a better administration for the faster
7. What do you understand by the term ‘public servant’? development of our country? (2015)
Reflect on the expected role of a public servant. 19. What does ‘accountability’ mean in the context of
(150 words) (2019) public service? What measures can be adopted to
8. “In looking for people to hire, you look for three ensure individual and collective accountability of
qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. And if public servants? (2014)
they do not have the first, the other two will kill 20. Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless,
you.” – Warren Buffett. What do you understand by but knowledge without integrity is dangerous and
this statement in the present-day scenario? Explain. dreadful. What do you understand by this statement?
(150 words) (2018) Explain your stand with illustrations from the modern
9. What is meant by public interest? What are the context.(2014)
principles and procedures to be followed by civil 21. There is a heavy ethical responsibility on the public
servants in public interest? (150 words) (2018) servants because they occupy positions of power,
10. State the three basic values, universal in nature, handle huge amounts of public funds, and their
in the context of civil services and bring out their decisions have wide-ranging impacts on society
and the environment. What steps have you taken
importance. (150 words) (2018)
to improve your ethical competence to handle such
11. Examine the relevance of the following in the context responsibility?(2014)
of civil service: (a) Transparency (b) Accountability
22. What do you understand by the following terms in the
(c) Fairness and justice (d) Courage of conviction (e)
context of public service? (5 terms x 3 marks each:
Spirit of service. (2017)
(a) Integrity (b) Perseverance (c) Spirit of service (d)
12. One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be Commitment (e) Courage of conviction (f) Personal
compromised. Explain with reference to a real life opinion(2013)
example. (2017)
23. Indicate two more attributes which you consider
13. Conflict of interest in the public sector arises when important for public service. Justify your answer.
(a) official duties, (b) public interest, and (c) personal (150 words) (2013)
interest are taking priority one above the other.
How can this conflict in administration be resolved?
Describe with an example. (2016)
CASE STUDIES
1. Sunil is a young civil servant and has a reputation for
14. Why should impartiality and non-partisanship be
his competence, integrity, dedication and relentless
considered foundational values in public services,
pursuit of difficult and onerous jobs. Considering his
especially in the present-day socio-political context?
profile, he was picked up by his bosses to handle a
Illustrate your answer with examples. (2015)
very challenging and sensitive assignment. He was
15. Public servants are likely to confront the issues of posted in a tribal dominated district notorious for
‘Conflict of Interest’. What do you understand by the illegal sand mining. Excavating sand from the river
term ‘Conflict of Interest’ and how does it manifest belt and transporting it through trucks and selling
in the decision-making of public servants? If faced them in black market was rampant. This illegal sand
with a conflict of interest situation, how would you mining mafia was operating with the support of local
resolve it? Explain with the help of examples. (2015) functionaries and tribal musclemen who in turn were
16. How do the virtues of trustworthiness and fortitude get bribing selected poor tribals and had kept the tribals
manifested in public service? Explain with examples. under fear and intimidation. Sunil being a sharp and
(2015) energetic officer immediately grasped the ground
realities and the modus operandi followed by the
17. A mere compliance with law is not enough, the public
mafia through their devious and dubious mechanism.
servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility
On making inquiries, he gathered that some of their
to ethical issues for effective discharge of duties.” Do
own office employees are hand in glove with them and
you agree? Explain with the help of two examples,
have developed a close unholy nexus. Sunil initiated
where (i) an act is ethically right, but not legally and
stringent action against them and started conducting
(ii) an act is legally right, but not ethically. (2015)
raids on their illegal operations of movement of trucks
18. Two different kinds of attitudes exhibited by public filled with sand. The mafia got rattled as not many
servants towards their work have been identified: the officers in the past had taken such steps against
bureaucratic attitude and the democratic attitude. A) the mafia. Some of the office employees who were

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allegedly close to the mafia informed them that the executive. Ministers frame policy decisions and
officer is determined to clean up the mafia’s illegal bureaucrats execute these. In the initial decades
sand mining operations in that district and may after independence, the relationship between the
cause them irreparable damage. The mafia turned permanent executives and the political executives were
hostile and launched a counter-offensive. The tribal characterised by mutual understanding, respect, and
musclemen and mafia started threatening him with cooperation, without encroaching upon each other’s
dire consequences. His family (wife and old mother) domain. However, in subsequent decades, the situation
were stalked and were under virtual surveillance and has changed. There are instances of the political
thus causing mental torture, agony and stress to all of executive insisting upon the permanent executives
them. The matter assumed serious proportions when to follow its agenda. Respect for an appreciation
a muscle man came to his office and threatened him to of upright bureaucrats has declined. There is an
stop raids, etc., otherwise, his fate will not be different increasing tendency among the political executive to
from some of his predecessors (ten years back one get involved in routine administrative matters such as
officer was killed by the mafia). transfers, posting etc. Under this scenario, there is a
1. Identify the different options available to Sunil in definitive trend towards ‘politicisation of bureaucracy’.
attending to this situation. The rising materialism and acquisitiveness in social
2. Critically evaluate each of the options listed by you. life has also adversely impacted upon the ethical
values of both the permanent executive and the
3. Which of the above, do you think, would be the
political executive. What are the consequences of this
most appropriate for Sunil to adopt and why?
‘politicisation of bureaucracy? Discuss. (250 words)
(Answer in 250 words) (2021)
(2019)
Approach Approach
z Identify ethical issues involved.
z Identify ethical issues involved.
z Identify the Stakeholders.
z Explain terms like politicisation of bureaucracy etc.
z Identify the different options available to Sunil.
z Explain how the rising materialism and
z Explore options for its Merits and Demerits. acquisitiveness in social life has also adversely
z Give the course of action best suited. impacted upon the ethical values of both the
permanent executive and the political executive.
2. In a modern democratic polity, there is a concept
z Give the consequences of this ‘politicisation of
of the political executive and permanent executive
bureaucracy’?
elected people’s representatives forming the political
executive and bureaucracy forming the permanent z Give measures to deal with it.
v v v

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4 Emotional Intelligence
“Emotional intelligence is the ability to sense, understand, and effectively apply the power and acumen of emotions as a
source of human energy, information, connection, and influence.”—Robert K. Cooper.
Syllabus
Emotional intelligence: Concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
4.1 CONCEPT OF EMOTIONAL z Emotions have three distinct components:

INTELLIGENCE 1. Subjective Experience: Social psychologists
z Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognize identify universal emotions like happiness,
and manage one’s own and others’ emotions, sadness, fear, and anger, but these experiences are
apply them in thought and action, and regulate subjective and can vary greatly, with mixed feelings
and manage them. common in different situations.
z Emotional intelligence is defined as self-awareness,
For example, Anger, which can range from mild
self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social
skills, and it is regarded as an important aspect of annoyance to blinding rage.
human functioning that influences many aspects of 2. Physiological Response: Physiological response
life, such as relationships, work, and well-being. refers to the body’s reaction to emotion, ranging
z It was first coined in 1990 by researchers John from sweating to a racing heart.
Mayer and Peter Salovey and popularised by
For example, high blood pressure in anger.
psychologist Daniel Goleman.
z Goleman suggests EQ is twice as important as 3. Behavioural Response: Behavioural response
cognitive intelligence for career success, and 80% refers to an actual expression of emotions. It is the
of adult success comes from EQ. outward sign of internal reactions. For instance,
in happiness, We laugh or smile while in sadness
4.2 CONCEPT AND COMPONENTS OF we seem dull, and may even cry. However, this is
EMOTIONS subjective.
For example, when a mother sees her newborn,
z To understand EI, it is important to understand all the
aspects of Emotions. she may express her happiness with teary eyes.
z Emotion, also known as feeling or mood, is an intuitive
mental state.
Indian Philosophies and
z It is one of the elements of attitude, along with Emotional Intelligence
cognition and behaviour. z Yoga and Meditation: According to Patanjali’s
z Emotions are typically thought of as strong, positive, or Yoga Sutras, yoga emphasises meditation and
negative, feelings directed at someone or something. mindfulness practice to promote self-awareness
Our attitudes towards things are influenced by and emotional regulation. The aim is to reach
emotions, which can occasionally override cognition. greater emotional balance and intelligence.
z For Example, z Vedanta and Self-Inquiry: Advaita Vedanta
Positive Emotions: Happiness, smiling, laughing, etc,
philosophy, in particular, investigates the nature
of the self and its link to emotions. It promotes
Negative Emotions: Anger, jealousy, disgust, etc.
emotional resilience and helps build a sense of
separation from emotions.
Head Heart El z Bhakti and Compassion: This practice improves
(IQ) Emotions emotional intelligence by encouraging empathy and
an understanding of all beings’ interconnectivity.
Types of Emotions
Jnana and Self-Reflection: Jnana, or the path
z Primary and Secondary Emotions:
of knowledge, emphasises introspection and
reflection on oneself. It encourages people to Primary emotions: First to express, primary
question the nature of reality, including their emotions are distinct and direct emotional
own thoughts and feelings. responses to a situation.
Secondary emotions: These are emotional
For example: According to the Bhagavad Gita,
the individual’s mind is controlled, becomes responses to primary emotions.
stable, and thus keeps his senses under control z Positive and Negative Emotions:
and focused on the supreme self. Positive emotions: Emotions that are pleasurable
z Karma and Selfless Behaviour: The concept to experience are positive emotions. They are open
of karma emphasises the necessity of selfless to new possibilities.
behaviour. For example, love, joy, happiness, etc.
Happiness
Confidence
Contentment
Exhilaration
Calmness
Enthusiam
Positive Emotions
Disquiet Negative Emotions
Frustration
Fear
Anger Anxiety
Depression
Fig: Positive and Negative Emotions
Negative Emotions: Emotions that we do not find z Moral Evaluation: Emotions are important in
pleasurable to experience are negative emotions. assessing the ethical dimensions of situations and
For example, Sadness, anger, distress, etc. actions. They provide a subjective assessment of an
event’s or behaviour’s moral significance, guiding
Functions of Emotions our perceptions of what is morally appropriate or
z Motivation and Action: Emotions are powerful inappropriate.
motivators that drive ethical behaviour. z Intrapersonal Functions: Emotions guide our
behaviour and help in decision-making so that we can
Compassion and empathy, for example, one lady
survive and function as human beings.
in my neighbourhood feeds local dogs on a daily
basis driven by positive emotions for street dogs. Example: Happiness promotes creative thinking
and expands our focus to allow new ideas.
Negative emotions, such as guilt or shame,
can serve as internal cues to correct unethical z Social and Cultural Functions: Emotions help in
behaviour or make amends in future action. the construction and maintenance of societies and
cultures.
z Ethical Awareness and Sensitivity: Emotions
Example: Emotions such as trust often act as a
heighten our awareness of ethical concerns and assist
us in recognizing moral dimensions in a variety of social glue that keeps groups together. Like people
situations. working in NGOs for a common cause.
z Moral Intuition: Emotions can provide a quick and z Decision Making: Emotions aid faster decision-
intuitive response to ethical situations, guiding our making as options associated with strong negative
initial moral judgments. They provide a sense of emotions are eliminated outrightly.
moral rightness or wrongness that influences our Example: When ordering food in a restaurant in
immediate reactions and moral intuitions, assisting a family get-together every member of my family
us in navigating complex ethical quandaries. orders food that he/she likes.
Emotion Physiological Cognitive appraisal to Subjective Behavioral response

Provoking response identify the cause of Experience - how we show or
event arousal arousal Feeling react to our feeling
Fig: Mechanism of Emotion
Emotional Intelligence 93
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Emotions Vs Feelings Vs Mood
Emotions Feelings Mood
Responses to stimuli or events Emotions and thoughts bring on Long-lasting and pervasive
Definition that are intense, brief, and subjective experiences. emotional states that are less
specific. specific to specific events.
Typically, they are brief, lasting Can last for longer periods of Can last hours, days, or even
Duration from seconds to minutes. time, ranging from minutes to weeks.
hours.
Emotional responses are Subjective experiences are Internal factors (e.g., thoughts,
elicited by specific events, caused by thoughts, beliefs, or physical state) and external
Triggers
situations, or stimuli. interpretations. circumstances are generally
influential.
Changes in physical appearance Internal experiences and Generally not expressed
and observable behaviours personal interpretations of outwardly, but can have an impact
Expression (e.g., facial expressions, body emotions are not always visible. on one’s overall demeanour or
language) are frequently disposition.
observed.
Anger, joy, fear, surprise, Happiness, love, guilt, shame, Positive mood, negative mood,
Examples
disgust, and sadness. envy, pride. calm, irritability, melancholy.
Example to explain the difference between Emotions Vs Feelings Vs Mood

Imagine our school days when we were students, sitting in a classroom when our teacher unexpectedly announces
a surprise test. Let’s explore how emotions, feelings, and mood can manifest in this situation:
z Feeling of a sudden rush of anxiety and fear, accompanied

by a racing heart and sweaty palms.
Emotions
z Feeling overwhelmed, worried about our preparedness for

the test, and frustrated that we didn’t have prior knowledge
Feelings of it.
z If we receive positive feedback, our mood might become

more positive and relieved.
z If we feel dissatisfied with our performance, our mood may
Mood turn more negative or disappointed.
Elements of Emotional Intelligence (EI) Example: In a company a manager Mr. Khanna is

According to Daniel Goleman, there are 5 elements of highly competent but not well behaved. Khanna ji
is not clearly aware of this trait.He often offends
Emotional Intelligence:
others due to his behaviour. He is often seen
1. Self-awareness: In emotional intelligence individuals
shouting at his subordinates on noncompletion of
are comfortable with their emotions and understand work, demand for leave, etc. Had he tried to explain
their impact on others. Understanding and accepting to his juniors the importance of timely completion
the way you feel is often the first step to overcoming of work, being consistent, it could have delivered
it. better outcomes.

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2. Self-regulation: Control of impulses and emotions to Example: Aligarh SSP Akash Kulhari walked
avoid mistakes and damage relationships. unarmed into the crowd of protestors and appealed
Example: Gandhiji’s satyagraha which involved
to students to remain peaceful while recognising
becoming a non violent protester even against
severe repression demanded self regulation over their right to protest. He exhibited excellent social
emotion and anger by a satyagrahi. skills to bring the crowd into peace and tranquillity.
3. Internal Motivation: Goleman suggests passion z According to Goleman, individuals that adopt these
for work, rather than material rewards, improves
characteristics give themselves a far greater chance of
emotional intelligence, leading to sustained
motivation, clear decision-making, and understanding being successful than individuals that do not. However,
of organisational goals. individuals are not simply born with these skills and
Example: The COVID-19 pandemic has put they can be learned.
enormous stress on doctors and they had to find
internal motivation to keep working for patients. Emotion Regulation
Self Awareness z Recognizing Emotions: Being aware of our own
emotions and understanding their triggers and
patterns.
Social Skills Element of Self Regulation z Understanding Triggers: Identifying the
Emotional
situations, events, or thoughts that evoke specific
Intelligence
emotions.
z Adopting Coping Strategies: Employing
Empathy Internal
techniques like deep breathing, positive self-talk, or
Motivation
seeking support to manage and regulate emotions
Fig: Elements of Emotional Intelligence effectively.
4. Empathy: It refers to being in others’ shoes. Empathy
demands understanding the situation of others by
keeping oneself in his/her position. Impact of Emotion
Example: A civil servant, being a common z Behavioural Effects: Emotions influence our
man himself before being appointed, must be actions, decisions, and the way we interact with
empathetic to the problems of common citizens others.
else he/she may lose the connection to the roots
z Interpersonal Effects: Emotions impact our
of the country.
relationships by influencing how we communicate,
5. Social Skill: Goleman describes social skills as empathise, and connect with others.
“friendliness with a purpose”. Social skills involve
z Well-being Effects: Emotions significantly affect
being friendly, polite, and respectful, and fostering
our mental and emotional well-being, influencing
healthy relationships for personal and organisational
overall life satisfaction and happiness.
benefits, enhancing overall well-being.
Salovey and Mayer’s Four Branches of EI

Understanding
Perceiving Emotions Reasoning with Emotions Managing Emotions
Emotions
The first step in It involves the use of The emotions that It is a key part of emotional
understanding emotions emotions to promote we perceive can intelligence. Regulating
is to accurately perceive thinking and cognitive carry a wide variety emotions, responding
them. In many cases, activity. It helps to of meanings. If appropriately and responding
this might involve prioritise our attention someone is expressing to the emotions of others are all
understanding nonverbal and reaction; we respond angry emotions, important aspects of emotional
signals such as body emotionally to things that the observer must management.
language and facial garner our attention. interpret the cause of
expressions. their anger and what
it might mean.
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Example: Ankit, a civil servant has to allocate
Marshmallow Experiment funds in his district for social welfare, he takes
z The Marshmallow Experiment, which was a rational decision after an extensive evaluation
conducted with young children, revealed that process.
those who resisted immediate gratification in
favour of a larger reward fared better in life.
Enhance
z The connection between self-regulation,
Emotional
impulse control, and emotional intelligence is
Literacy
highlighted in this experiment.
Recognise
z Self-regulation is an important aspect of emotional Patterns in
Exercise
intelligence because it allows people to manage Reactions and
Optimism
their impulses and make better decisions based Behaviours
on long-term goals.
Six
z Individuals can improve their emotional intelligence
Competencies
by developing self-regulation skills, which leads
of EI
to better relationships, academic or professional
success, and overall well-being. Evaluating
Engage
z The Marshmallow Experiment highlights the Intrinsic Cost and
value of self-control and delayed gratification Motivation Benefits of
in developing emotional intelligence and achieving Choice
positive life outcomes.
Use Emotions
as Strategic
Traits of Emotional Intelligent Individual Resources
z Rational Decision-making: A person with good EI
will understand the implication of his actions and will Fig: Six Competencies of EI
take decisions rationally.
Example
Meet Rahul, a manager at a multinational company who demonstrates several traits of emotional intelligence
in different situations:
High-pressure meeting
�
he notices feelings of
Self
frustration.
Awareness
Takes a moment to
�
acknowledge his emotions.
Rahul's
several traits His team members is struggling
�
of Emotional with a personal issue.
Intelligence Empathy
Takes the time to listen attentively,
�
in different express genuine concern.
situations
Conflict
� between team
members.
Emotional �
Remains composed and
Regulation objective.
Refrains from reacting
�
impulsively.
z Better Communication Skills: People who are emotionally intelligent listen to others and know how to communicate
effectively (Goleman 1997).
z Improved Coordination: EI makes a public servant more attentive and sympathetic.
z Management of Disruptive Emotions: A civil servant working in a high-pressure setting is frequently subjected
to political pressure, life threats, and so on.

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z Better Policy Execution: Working with colleagues Understands Understands
who aren’t self-aware, according to a study, can cut a own emotion emotions of
team’s success in half while also increasing stress and other
decreasing motivation.
EI person
z Encourages Leadership: At the heart of everything
is self-awareness. It describes the capacity to Develops more
recognise emotions and their impact on one’s (public EI persons
Helps them
servant’s) and her team’s performance in addition to
& other
understanding one’s own strengths and flaws.
z Recognition of Patterns: EI person has the ability to
recognise emotional patterns, reactions and behaviour of Fig: Conflict Resolution
others for effective problem-solving or decision-making. Mental Health: It helps us to manage our
Various Models of Emotional Intelligence (EI) emotions and stress. This keeps us protected
against depression and anxiety.
z Ability Model: The ability model of EI emphasises Decision Making: Researchers agree that the
an individual’s ability to perceive, understand, key to a good decision is the combination of both
and manage emotions effectively. It highlights the thinking and feeling in one’s decisions.
cognitive aspects of emotional intelligence and treats Optimism: It helps to control our negative
EI as a mental ability. High EI individuals are skilled emotions and provides a proper perspective of
in recognizing emotions, understanding their causes, hope and possibility for a task.
and regulating their responses. Personal Development: It has been discovered
For example, Mr. Rahul with high EI is excellent through research that emotionally intelligent
at interpreting facial expressions and accurately people achieve better results in both personal
gauging his team member’s emotional states. and professional life. They are flexible enough to
z Trait Model: Emotional intelligence (EI) is a set of accept positive changes in their life.
personality traits influencing emotions perception and Motivation: Individuals with high emotional
management. High EI individuals display emotionally intelligence are highly motivated and they can
easily navigate through occasional failures.
intelligent behaviours across various situations,
Differentiate Between Needs and Wants: An EI
focusing on stable traits like self-awareness, self-
mind is able to differentiate between things that
regulation, empathy, and social skills.
they need and things they want. This prevents
For example, Mr Rahul consistently exhibits
conspicuous consumption.
empathy and understanding towards others,
Building Trust: EI fosters trust and deeper
regardless of the context. connections. For instance, sharing personal
z Mixed Model: The mixed model of emotional vulnerabilities with a partner leads to increased
intelligence (EI) combines ability and trait models, emotional intimacy.
recognizing innate abilities and learned skills, and Promote Resilience: In the wake of adversity, EI
suggests training and practice for improved EI, helps to manage a positive outlook, promoting
integrating cognitive and personality-based aspects. resilience.
For example, Mr Rahul, according to the mixed z In public life:
model, may possess natural abilities to perceive and Leadership: Emotional intelligence enhances
understand emotions, while also exhibiting learned leadership abilities, enabling effective decision-
skills in managing emotions and building positive making, inspiring and motivating others, and
relationships with management and his team members. fostering collaboration.
Example: Mahatma Gandhi empathised with
Multi-Dimensional Utility of Emotional diverse perspectives, built consensus, and led
Intelligence (EI) with compassion exhibiting effective EI.
Public Speaking and Influence: EI helps
z In personal life:
individuals connect with and engage their audience
Conflict Resolution: EI people can handle difficult effectively.
individuals, groups of people, or tense situations For instance, Sandip Maheshwari, with his
with diplomacy. It aids in finding collaborative effective engagement with the audience is able
solutions. to guide them through their problems.
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Conflict Resolution and Negotiation: EI z Cultural Sensitivity: India is multilingual,
facilitates resolving conflicts and negotiating religious, and cultural. Emotional intelligence helps
effectively. administrators respect this diversity, promoting
For example, diplomatic negotiation by Prime inclusivity and cultural sensitivity in policy making
Minister Narendra Modi. and implementation.
Building and Maintaining Relationships: EI aids Example: C.B. Muthamma was the first woman
in building strong relationships with colleagues, IFS officer and Ambassador. She faced gender
constituents, and stakeholders. It fosters issues and caste issues. Thus, she fought all that
community feeling. and served different capacities with an extreme
Handling Criticism and Pressures: EI equips
energy level in different places such as Asia, Africa,
individuals with the resilience and emotional and Europe.
strength to handle criticism, public scrutiny, and z Community Engagement: Emotional intelligence
high-pressure situations. helps administrators engage local communities.
Empathy: EI fosters empathy and understanding
Understanding regional and community needs,
towards the needs and concerns of the public. concerns, and aspirations helps administrators tailor
policies and programmes to India.
z In Politics:
Example: Cafe Able initiative was started in
Effective Communication: High-EQ politicians
Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu by District Collector
can connect with different cultural, linguistic,
(DC) Sandeep Nanduri. The IAS officer established
and socioeconomic groups by adapting their
a cafe to be run by differently-abled individuals to
communication styles.
boost their confidence, entrepreneurial spirit and
Example: A politician addressing a rally in a promote self-reliance among them.
rural area using relatable language and stories
z Conflict Resolution: Emotional intelligence helps
that connect with the local community’s
resolve conflicts and manage tensions in diverse
emotions and aspirations.
administrative settings. High-EI administrators can
Building Consensus: High-EQ politicians can mediate intercommunity disputes, promote dialogue,
resolve conflicts and advance national interests and promote understanding.
by consensus building.
Example: Noronha was an ICS officer. He was
For instance, India’s representative at the UN appointed as the Chief Civil Administrator of Goa
played an active role in consensus building for by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru directly. He has played
global collective action against terrorism. a key role in encountering communalism and
Empathy and Grassroots Engagement: corruption in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
Emotional intelligence helps politicians z Public Service Delivery: Emotional intelligence
understand people’s concerns by actively listening helps administrators in delivering public services
and engaging with them. with empathy and efficiency. By understanding the
Example: Politicians visiting the victims of emotional needs of citizens, administrators can design
disaster/crime/natural calamities. and implement service delivery mechanisms that are
Handling Social Divisions: Social, religious, and responsive, transparent, and citizen-centric.
caste divisions shape India’s politics. Emotional Example: While the online ecosystem is flooded
intelligence helps politicians navigate these with apps, Dr. T Arun, Puducherry District
complexities, foster social cohesion, and bridge Collector, created a first-of-its-kind app that
communities. revived 198 water bodies in Puducherry, including
z In Administration: ponds, lakes, and 206 km of canals. “Neer Padhivu”
Effective Governance: Administrators with high digitises water bodies with geotagging, unique ID
emotional intelligence can understand the diverse numbers, GIS on ponds and tanks, and latitudes
needs and sentiments of the Indian population. and longitudes.
They can engage in empathetic governance, z Crisis Management: India faces natural disasters,
addressing the concerns of different regions, public health emergencies, and other crises. Emotional
cultures, and socioeconomic groups. intelligence helps administrators respond with
Example: Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary, District
compassion, resilience, and quick decision-making
Collector of Srinagar, has built 320 bridges while considering the emotional well-being of affected
in vulnerable villages in Kashmir. This has individuals and communities.
provided connectivity to thousands of people Example: Dr. Rajendra Bharud holds the distinction
and school kids. Apart from reducing travel of cutting Nandurbar’s single-day COVID-19 spike
distance, the initiative has drastically brought by 75 percent and also making the district self-
down the loss of lives in floods. sufficient in its oxygen requirement.

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Elements of Emotional Intelligence and to help her build infrastructure in Naxal-affected

areas.
Their Use in Civil Services
In summary, civil servants with high emotional
z Self-awareness: Civil servants with self-awareness intelligence possess self-awareness, self-regulation,
possess a deep understanding of their emotions, motivation, empathy, and social skills. By developing
strengths, weaknesses, and values, enabling effective these dimensions, they can enhance their decision-
emotional management in various situations. making, communication, and relationships, leading to
Example: Civil servants with self-awareness more effective and empathetic public service delivery.
can manage impatience during high-pressure
meetings by practising self-regulation techniques
Development and Improving Emotional
for calm and composed discussions. Intelligence (EI)
z Self-regulation: Civil servants with self-regulation z At the individual level:
maintain emotional balance, adapt to changing Increase Self-Awareness: Consider your
circumstances, and make rational decisions. emotional reactions to various situations and
Example: Civil Servant taking a rational decision
the underlying causes of those reactions. Thus,
mindfulness journaling and obtaining input
in a critical situation by self-regulation.
from trusted people can all help to increase self-
z Motivation: Motivated civil servants possess a strong awareness.
sense of purpose, commitment, and high standards,
Identify and classify Emotions: Increase
overcoming challenges with resilience and a positive
emotional vocabulary and improve your ability to
attitude. identify and classify emotions.
Example: A motivated civil servant taking a step
Emotional Management: Breathing exercises,
beyond bureaucratic hurdles for a larger public meditation, physical exercise, or engaging in
good. activities that promote relaxation and stress
z Empathy: Empathy is the capacity to understand reduction can all be part of this.
and share emotions and perspectives, enabling Active listener: Foster empathy by understanding
civil servants to connect with citizens, colleagues, and sharing others’ sentiments, practising active
and stakeholders through active listening, genuine listening, considering alternative viewpoints, and
concern, and considering diverse viewpoints. putting oneself in others’ shoes.
Example: Prashant Nair, the District Collector of Improve Communication Skills: Enhance
Kozhikode, established Compassionate Kozhikode, communication skills by practising active listening,
a volunteer-driven project that provides a variety nonverbal communication, and assertive speaking,
of public services. while paying attention to both verbal and nonverbal
z Social skills: Social skills in civil servants enable signs in conversations.
effective communication, collaboration, and Learning from mistakes: Learn from your
relationship-building, enabling them to navigate mistakes and consider how to improve your
complex interactions and influence diverse emotional responses and behaviours.
stakeholders. Prioritise Self-Care: Practice relaxation, stress
Example: IAS Officer OP Choudhary solved the

reduction, and well-being techniques through
exercise, hobbies, and seeking mental health help.
problem of lack of availability of skilled labour
with the education initiative ‘Choo Lo Aasman’. Communication
z Stress Management: EI allows one to manage skills
Imparting
emotions in anxious situations, which aids in the values Emotional
maintenance of one’s physical and mental well-being. literacy
Example: A civil servant has to make rational
decisions even when there is pressure from a Improve Developing Role
higher authority. Listening EI Modelling
z Adaptability: EI civil servants, because of their
3Ds
calmness, control over emotions, etc. are able to adapt Generating
to different and even challenging situations. Empathy
Example: IAS officer Smita Sabharwal responded Debate
Dissension Discussion
to the financial crisis by launching a campaign
called Fund Your City, in which she asked residents Fig: Development of EI
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z In Civil Servants:
Capacity Building Programs: The Department of Emotional
Personnel and Training (DoPT) offers a variety of Intelligence
capacity-building programs aimed at improving
civil servants’ emotional intelligence. Courses
in emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills,
conflict resolution, and stress management are
among the topics covered in these programs. Managing Perceiving
Integrated Government Online Training (iGOT): Emotions Emotions
The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and
Pensions’ iGOT platform offers online training
modules on emotional intelligence and related
skills. Civil servants can use these modules to
improve their emotional intelligence skills. Understanding
National Training Policy: The government Emotions
implemented the National Training Policy, which
emphasises the development of emotional
Fig: Development of EI
intelligence among civil servants. The policy
encourages training institutions to include
elements of emotional intelligence in their training Real-Life Example of Emotional
curricula. Intelligence
Empathy Training: Teach civil workers empathy. While working in a software company I met a colleague
Active listening, perspective-taking, and empathy named Pankaj.
can help. This can be achieved through frequent
Pankaj was facing a challenging phase in personal life,
field visits.
affecting his performance and well-being. I noticed
Example: Rohini Bhajibhakare (District his withdrawal, increased irritability in behaviour,
Collector of Salem District), who is a daughter
and decline in productivity. I did the following thing
of a marginal farmer is known for people-
centric governance. (related to Emotional Intelligence):
Me Pankaj
Effective Communication: Improve
communication skills in government officials by
training in active listening, emotional expression, Situation
and situational communication.
Example: IAS probationers are taken to Bharat
Darshan to increase their understanding of the Pankaj is feeling
culture and various other aspects of the country. low due to less
Conflict resolution training: Train civil workers in productivity
conflict resolution, collaborative problem-solving,
and polite conversation, enhancing emotional
intelligence and teamwork. Use of EI
Leadership Development: Provide emotional
intelligence-focused programs for government
servants to develop inspirational leadership, Understand Emotions Provide resources
empathy, and workplace positivity. of Pankaj & Suggestions
Continuous evaluation of performance: for performance
Encourage civil officials to assess emotional improvement
intelligence through performance reviews,
coaching, and peer feedback. Challenges in the Development
Supportive Work Environment: Promote of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in
emotional well-being and work-life balance through
counselling and stress management programs. Administration
Experiential learning: Emotional and behavioural z Work Pressure: There is excessive work pressure on
changes require experiential learning, and life public servants which leads to the development of a
activities outside traditional classrooms. This can “do whatever it takes” approach.
be achieved through learning transfer, which refers Example, due to heavy understaffing and
to how people use what they learn in training for unattended vacancies, there is heavy work
performance improvement. pressure on public servants.

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z Cultural Gap: Cultural gap between bureaucrats important outcomes such as job performance or
and the public reduces empathy, understanding, leadership effectiveness. According to critics, the
and communication, affecting communication and relationship between emotional intelligence and
understanding. desired outcomes is frequently weak or inconsistent.
Example: A bureaucrat from Bihar may face a
Example: Individuals with high emotional
cultural gap and lack of cultural awareness if
posted to Kerala. It can only be minimised with intelligence scores may not always excel in
cultural sensitisation with time. their professional roles or demonstrate effective
z Technology infusion in administration: Technology leadership skills.
in administration hinders emotional intelligence, as it z Often confused with Skill: EI is a desirable moral
lacks emotions. quality rather than a skill. A well-developed EI is not
Example: A girl, Santoshi Kumari from Jharkhand only an instrumental tool for accomplishing goals but
died due to starvation. The denial of ration was as a dark side weapon for manipulating others.
the result of inability to link the ration card with z Not a form of intelligence: This criticism asserts
the Aadhar card.
that scientific inquiry requires construct validity and
z Excessive Anonymity and Hierarchy: Anonymity in
bureaucracy can be strong, but excessive hierarchy and consistency. Before EI, psychologists had theoretically
anonymity can hinder responsibility-taking motivation. distinguished abilities and achievements, skills and
Example: A government official can refuse to grant habits, attitudes and values, personality traits, and
PDS benefits to a destitute (eligible but lacking emotional states. Thus, EI may also mix and confuse
required documents) by making an excuse over such terms and definitions.
the want of order from higher officials. z Tolerance towards injustice: If a person has
z Lack of Training: Indian bureaucracy primarily trains excessive control over emotions, then he/she can
on technical tasks, lacks emotional intelligence, and suppress his/her emotions that might be inclined
faces reluctance to change the training curriculum. towards justice.
Example: A lack of specific emotional intelligence
Example: A person can control his emotion of pity
training programs or workshops may result in a
gap in the development of key competencies such when he sees someone scolding a poor person
as empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution. asking for food.
z Resistance to Change and a Traditional Mindset:
The administration may encounter resistance to Examples of Emotional Intelligence
change as well as a traditional mindset that values z As a Civil Servant: In distributing ration to a
hierarchy and authority over emotional intelligence. poor elderly tribal couple, civil servant Ms Patel
This resistance can stymie the adoption of new demonstrates emotional intelligence. Faced with an
approaches and the willingness to embrace initiatives ethical dilemma of limited supplies, she prioritises
to develop emotional intelligence. compassion, fairness, and respect. She engages in
Example: Senior officials may be resistant to
active listening, understanding their unique needs,
implementing emotional intelligence practices
and ensures equitable distribution, upholding
because they believe they are unnecessary or
contradict the existing system. principles of justice, empathy, and dignity.
z From Movie Characters: In the Bollywood movie
Negative Use of Emotional Intelligence (EI) “Dear Zindagi,” the character Dr. Jehangir Khan,
z Manipulation of others: A person adept at judging played by Shah Rukh Khan, exhibits emotional
and manipulating others’ emotions without integrity intelligence. He guides the protagonist, Kaira,
can conceal real emotions and disguise others’ played by Alia Bhatt, in exploring her emotions,
expressions. building self-awareness, and developing
Example: People on social media platforms
healthier relationships, demonstrating empathy,
manipulate other people by exploiting their understanding, and compassion throughout their
emotions such as distress etc. therapeutic journey.
z Lack of communication: Excessive emotion
regulation and low social skills may result in Challenges to Emotional Intelligence (EI)
communication issues. z Artificial Intelligence: Increasing reliance on
Example: If a person (A) is not good in AI hinders understanding cultural differences
communication skills and does not show any and emotional expressions, highlighting biases in
emotion (such as a smile) while meeting someone algorithms.
(B), then that person (B) will have lesser interest Example: Facial recognition technology used in
in talking to the person (A). the USA has been biased against people of colour
z Lack of Predictive Power: Another criticism is that and has wrongfully matched people of different
emotional intelligence does not consistently predict colours.

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z Excessive Politicisation: Excessive politicisation Example: Former Kerala Chief Secretary Jiji
increases public pressure on honest officials and Thomson, an accused in the palmolein graft case
‘yesmanship’ among politically aligned officials. had to abide by the decision of the government to
Example: Archaeological Survey of India began import about 15,000 tonnes of palmolein.
gold hunting in Uttar Pradesh on the order of a
Union Minister who believed in a Baba. Emotional Quotient (EQ)
z Social Media and Fake News: Social media and z Emotional quotient (EQ) is a measure of a person’s
fake news reduce rationality, increasing pressure on ability to understand and manage their emotions
officials to deliver quick results. and the emotions of others. It’s like having a kind of
“emotional intelligence.”
Example: In the Ryan international school case,
Gurugram, the police charged the bus driver to z Just like IQ measures a person’s intelligence, EQ
show quick results, but he was later released after measures a person’s emotional skills.
CBI took over the case. z It is about being aware of and handling emotions
z Online Games and Apps: Online games waste well, both in ourselves and in our interactions with
children’s time, shaping their thinking processes and others.
character development based on the characters of the z Example: My School Teacher demonstrates a high
game. Emotional Quotient (EQ) by recognizing and managing
Example: Tik Tok app which prompted people his own emotions, understanding others’ perspectives,
to make videos for publicity only without any and fostering positive relationships through effective
substantial content. communication and empathy.
z Virtual Classes and Activities in School: During
the Corona period, students’ internet engagement IQ EQ
hinders natural EI growth, separating them from the
real world and affecting their learning experiences.
Example: Group events and games are not being
organised which could lead to suppression of
Get you hired Gets you promoted
values such as teamwork, leadership, compassion,
etc.
z Rigid Laws: Strict code of conduct, rules that abide
the bureaucrats to the decisions of ministers and they
The Professional Success
cannot outrightly reject illegitimate demands.
Parameter High EQ Low EQ

z Self-awareness at a high level, z Lacking self-awareness, difficulty
recognizing and understanding recognizing and comprehending one’s
Self-Awareness
one’s own emotions, strengths, and own emotions and their impact on
weaknesses. behaviour.
z Emotions and rationality are taken z Difficulty incorporating emotions into
into account in decision-making decision-making, relying solely on
Decision-Making
processes, resulting in well-informed logic, or being excessively influenced
choices. by emotions.
z Strong leadership abilities, inspiring z When a leader lacks the ability to
and motivating others, and fostering motivate and engage others, he or she
Leadership Skills
a positive work environment. may exhibit limiting or unsupportive
behaviours.
z High adaptability, with the ability z Change resistance, difficulty adapting
Adaptability to navigate change and deal with to new situations, or unexpected
uncertainty with resilience. challenges.
z Strong ability to comprehend and z Lack of empathy, difficulty
empathise with others, taking into understanding and relating to other
Empathy
account their perspectives and people’s emotions and experiences.
emotions.

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Example to Help Clarify the Concept of Emotional Quotient (EQ)

z Imagine your friend Meera is struggling. She is depressed after losing her job. As a high-EQ person, you notice
Meera is sad and upset.
z As a friend with high EQ, you need to support Meera. You say, “Meera, you seem down today. All right?” You
show you care by acknowledging her feelings.
z Meera expresses her frustration and disappointment. Listen and validate her feelings by saying, “Losing a job is
hard. It’s normal to be upset.” You support Meera by understanding and empathising with her emotions.
z Next, your high EQ helps Meera manage her emotions and encourages her. You say, “Remember that you have
many valuable skills and experiences. You’re not this setback. Let’s brainstorm ways to get you back on track.
You’re capable.”
z Your empathy and encouragement motivate Meera. She appreciates your support, strengthening your friendship.
Your high EQ helps Meera emotionally, regain confidence, and find a new job.
z Your high EQ helped you recognise Meera’s emotions, empathise with her, and respond positively. It helped Meera
and strengthened your relationship.
Intelligent Quotient (IQ)

z Intelligence Quotient (IQ) measures a person’s cognitive abilities, assessing their thinking, reasoning, problem-
solving, and learning abilities.
z It determines a person’s academic and cognitive performance, indicating their ability to comprehend, connect,
and solve problems effectively.
Knowledge
Fluid Quantitative
Factor of IQ Reasoning
Reasoning
Working Visual-Spatial
memory Processing
Fig: Factors of IQ
Difference Between EQ and IQ
Emotional Quotient (EQ) Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
z Measures a person’s ability to understand and manage z Measures a person’s cognitive abilities and
emotions. intelligence.
z Focuses on emotional skills, including self-awareness, z Focuses on cognitive abilities, such as logical
empathy, and emotion regulation. reasoning, problem-solving, and memory.
z Helps in building and maintaining relationships, resolving z Helps in academic and cognitive performance,
conflicts, and effective communication. problem-solving, and learning new information.
z Indicates a person’s emotional intelligence or “emotional z Indicates a person’s intellectual capabilities or
smarts.” “cognitive smarts.”
z High EQ is associated with empathy, adaptability, and z High IQ is associated with analytical thinking,
resilience. academic success, and cognitive performance.
z Can be developed and improved through self-awareness, z Considered relatively stable and less malleable,
empathy training, and emotional regulation exercises. with a genetic and environmental influence.
z Does not necessarily correlate with a high IQ. z Does not necessarily correlate with high EQ.
z Examples of EQ-related skills: Recognizing emotions, z Examples of IQ-related skills: Problem-solving,
understanding others’ perspectives, and managing conflicts critical thinking, and logical reasoning.
effectively.

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Illustration: Let’s consider an example to help illustrate the concept of Intelligence
Quotient (IQ)
z Imagine two maths test takers, Akansha and Reeta. Akansha’s IQ is high, while Reeta’s is average.
z The test begins with complex maths problems that require critical thinking and problem-solving. Akansha’s high
IQ allows her to quickly analyse problems, connect concepts, and find effective solutions. She solves problems
quickly and logically but remains error-prone.
z However, Reeta’s average IQ makes things difficult for her. Mathematical principles and a methodical approach
are her methods. She uses good reasoning to solve problems, even if it takes longer.
z This example shows Akansha and Reeta’s IQ difference. Akansha’s higher IQ allows her to solve problems faster,
while Reeta’s average IQ slows her down but maintains accuracy.
z In conclusion, combining IQ and emotional intelligence helps in getting good results. Emotional intelligence
involves understanding, managing, and expressing emotions effectively and helps in effective and efficient
decision-making. In contrast, IQ helps in faster execution and expediting problem-solving.
Artificial Intelligence vs Emotional Intelligence

Aristotle
“Anyone can become angry- that is easy, but to be angry with the right person at the right time and for the right
purpose – that is not within everyone’s power and that is not easy”.

Parameter Artificial Intelligence (AI) Emotional Intelligence (EI)

z A Machine or computer system’s ability z The ability to recognize, understand, and
to simulate human intelligence and manage one’s own and other’s emotions,
Definition
perform tasks that normally require as well as to use emotions effectively in
human intelligence. a variety of situations.
z Voice recognition, natural language z EI allows for effective human interaction,
processing, and chatbots allow AI such as active listening, empathy,
Human Interaction systems to interact with humans, but understanding nonverbal cues, and
they lack emotional understanding and relationship building.
connection.
z AI algorithms are capable of processing z Emotional intelligence entails considering
massive amounts of data and making emotions in decision-making, recognizing
logical decisions based on predefined the impact of emotions on oneself and
Decision-Making
rules patterns. others, and making informed decisions
that take both rationality and emotional
factors into account.
z Automation, data analysis, predictive z Interpersonal relationships, leadership,
modelling, robotics, virtual assistants, teamwork, customer service, conflict
Applications and other industries all use AI. resolution, and roles requiring empathy
and understanding of human emotions
all benefit from EI.
z Artificial intelligence (AI) lacks human- z Individual differences in EI exist, and
like emotional understanding, intuition, its development requires time, practice,
Limitations and subjective experiences, limiting its and self-reflection, all of which can
ability to fully comprehend complex be subjective and difficult to quantify
human emotions and contexts. objectively.

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Emotional Intelligence Vs Sympathy mostly used interchangeably. As Swamy Vivekananda

Vs Empathy said, “Prefer a man with a kind heart rather than an
intelligent mind”.
z Sympathy: It is about understanding others’ feelings
without feeling at yourself. It is a feeling similar to z Sympathy and empathy involve recognizing and
pity with kindness towards one who has faced an responding to the emotions of others. Emotional
undesirable scenario. Intelligence, on the other hand, encompasses a
z Apathy: Indifference broader set of skills that includes both self-awareness
z Sympathy: Kindness and understanding and managing the emotions of
z Empathy: Experience oneself and others.
z Compassion: Action z EI goes beyond simply acknowledging emotions
z Empathy: It is about thinking and feeling from and focuses on developing emotional awareness,
others’ perspectives. Empathy and Compassion are regulation, and effective interpersonal skills.
Feeling Sympathy Empathy Compassion Action
z Scenario: A friend has recently lost their job-

Emotional Intelligence (EI) Sympathy Empathy
A person with high emotional z Sympathy: A sympathetic response z They would actively understand
intelligence in this scenario to the friend’s job loss would involve and share their friend’s emotions,
would demonstrate the expressing concern, compassion, acknowledging the impact of job
following: loss on their friend’s well-being.
and support without necessarily
z Self-awareness: They
would recognize their own sharing the same experience.
emotions and any biases or Example: A sympathetic person
preconceptions they may might say, “I’m sorry to hear
have about job loss. about your job. That must be
z Self-regulation: They would really tough. If there’s anything
manage their own emotions I can do to help or if you need
and remain composed, someone to talk to, I’m here for
avoiding any negative or
judgmental reactions. you.”
z Social skills: They would
effectively communicate with
their friends, offer support,
and provide resources or
guidance if appropriate.
Emotional Intelligence and Social seeking help from trustworthy persons, and retaining
Competence empathy for others, therefore establishing a good and
inclusive atmosphere.
z Social competence and emotional intelligence are
closely related concepts that impact an individual’s Emotional Intelligence and Social
ability to navigate social interactions effectively.
Intelligence
z Social competence involves cognitive abilities,
emotional processes, behavioural skills, social z Social Intelligence (SI) is the ability of a person to
awareness, and personal and cultural values related tune into other people’s emotions and read the
to interpersonal relationships. subtle behavioural cues to choose the most effective
z It varies depending on age, person, and situation, response in a given situation.
making it a crucial aspect of interpersonal z It aids people to successfully build relationships and
relationships. navigate social environments.
z Example: Despite being subjected to repeated z Example: Mahatma Gandhi demonstrated social
bullying, I have demonstrated social competence by intelligence when he opted to lead the Indian
responding calmly, assertively addressing the issue, freedom cause via nonviolence. He recognised that

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violence would only lead to greater bloodshed and intelligence. It entails making and keeping positive
that it was critical to establish ties with the British connections with others, cultivating trust, and
in order to achieve his objectives. He was able to use comprehending the dynamics of social interactions.
his social skills to foster trust and collaboration, Example: Building a strong professional network
eventually leading to Indian independence. through active engagement with colleagues,
Patience attendance at social events, and genuine interest
Truthfullness
in their lives and work, for example.
Traits of Socially z Social Adaptability: The ability to adjust one’s
Self Tolerance
Intelligent Person behaviour and communication style in response to the
Confidence
social context and the needs of different individuals or
groups is referred to as social adaptability. It entails
Social being adaptable, flexible, and open-minded in a variety
Memory Effective listening of social situations.
Fig: Traits of Socially Intelligent Person.
Example: Modifying your communication style
Key Elements of Social Intelligence and tone to accommodate the preferences and
z Verbal fluency and conversational skills: Socially cultural norms of a diverse group of people is an
intelligent individuals can engage with diverse example.
individuals while maintaining sensitivity and z Intuition and Social Sensitivity: Social intelligence is
appropriateness. influenced by intuition and social sensitivity. It entails
Example: Swami Vivekananda used the phrase having an intuitive understanding of social dynamics,
“Sisters and Brothers of America” with subtlety being sensitive to unspoken cues, and accurately
in his lecture in Chicago. assessing a situation’s emotional climate.
z Knowledge of social roles, rules, and scripts: Example: Detecting tension in a meeting and
Socially intelligent individuals excel in various roles defusing it by addressing underlying concerns and
and understand societal norms. encouraging open and respectful communication.
Example: Gandhiji was well aware of the social
roles prescribed for women in pre-independence
Example of Social Intelligence
India and devised an appropriate strategy to allow z From Movie Character: In the Bollywood movie
them to participate in the freedom struggle. “3 Idiots,” the character Rancho, played by Aamir
z Effective listening skills: Socially intelligent Khan, showcases social intelligence. He effortlessly
individuals are good listeners and have a positive connects with people from all walks of life,
attitude, creating a strong connection with others. transcending social barriers. Through his inclusive
mindset, he promotes teamwork, understanding,
Example: Former President K.R. Narayanan
and respect, fostering a harmonious and supportive
became the first public figure (as Vice-President)
environment for personal and academic growth.
to shake hands with an HIV-infected person and
showed a positive attitude
z Impression management skills: Socially intelligent
Key Terms of Emotional Intelligence &
individuals effectively balance their image and Their Meanings
authenticity. z Emotional Resilience: The ability to recover from
Example: Chetan Singh Rathore, the Deputy setbacks, adapt to change, and cope effectively with
Commissioner of Bengaluru spoke to protesters stress and adversity. It entails maintaining a positive
and sang the national anthem to pacify them. attitude, remaining optimistic, and being able to
z Conflict Resolution: Social intelligence requires regulate emotions in stressful situations.
conflict resolution skills. It entails constructively z Emotional Awareness: The ability to recognize and
managing and resolving conflicts, finding win-win understand emotions in oneself and others. To gain a
solutions, and effectively addressing disagreements better understanding of emotions, it is necessary to
or disputes while maintaining positive relationships. recognize emotional cues such as facial expressions,
Example: Facilitating a meeting in which opposing body language, and vocal tone.
parties express their concerns, actively listening to z Emotional Regulation: The ability to effectively
each person’s point of view, and assisting them in manage and control one’s emotions in order to
reaching a mutually beneficial resolution.
avoid impulsive or destructive reactions. To regulate
z Relationship Building: Developing and nurturing emotions, it employs techniques such as deep breathing,
relationships is an important aspect of social relaxation techniques, and cognitive reframing.

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z Social Skills: Social skills include the ability to form z Emotional Intelligence and Diversity: Recognizing
and maintain positive relationships, communicate and appreciating diverse emotional experiences,
effectively, and collaborate with others. Active perspectives, and cultural contexts. Being emotionally
listening, conflict resolution, teamwork, and effective intelligent entails being sensitive to the emotional
verbal and nonverbal communication are all required. needs and experiences of people from various
z Emotional agility: Is defined as the ability to backgrounds, as well as fostering an inclusive and
navigate and adapt to one’s own emotions as well equitable environment.
as the emotions of others in a rapidly changing and z Emotional Intelligence and Technology: An
unpredictable world. It entails being adaptable, open- investigation into how technology affects emotional
minded, and resilient in the face of obstacles and intelligence and vice versa. As technology continues
setbacks. to shape our lives, there is an increasing interest in
z Empathic Leadership: A leadership style that learning how to use technology to improve emotional
emphasises understanding and connecting with intelligence skills and address potential challenges,
employees’ or team members’ emotions and such as digital distraction or online communication
experiences. Empathic leaders listen actively, show dynamics.
genuine concern, and foster a supportive and inclusive
work environment. PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS (MAINS)
z Emotional well-being: Is defined as the state of
being emotionally healthy and resilient. It entails 1. Wisdom lies in knowing what to reckon with and
dealing with stress, staying positive, and cultivating what to overlook. An officer being engrossed with the
a sense of fulfilment and purpose in one’s personal periphery, ignoring the core issues before him, is no
and professional life. rare in the bureaucracy. (2022)
z Emotionally Intelligent Hiring: The practice of 2. In case of crisis of conscience does emotional
assessing and selecting job candidates based on
intelligence help to overcome the same without
their emotional intelligence as well as their technical
skills. Employers understand that people with high compromising the ethical or moral stand that you are
emotional intelligence perform better in teamwork, likely to follow? Critically examine. (2021)
collaboration, and interpersonal relationships. 3. What are the main components of emotional
z Emotional Intelligence Training: Programs or intelligence (EI)? Can they be learned? discuss. (2020)
interventions designed to help individuals or
4. “Emotional Intelligence is the ability to make your
organisations develop and improve their emotional
emotions work for you instead of against you.” Do you
intelligence skills. These courses frequently emphasise
self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social agree with this view? Discuss. (2019)
skills, with the goal of improving communication, 5. What does this quotations mean to you in the present
teamwork, and overall emotional well-being. context: “Anger and intolerance are the enemies of
z Emotional Intelligence in Education: The correct understanding” - Mahatma Gandhi. (2018)
incorporation of emotional intelligence competencies
6. “In doing a good thing, everything is permitted which
into educational settings. Emotional intelligence is
recognized as important in students’ academic success is not prohibited expressly or by clear implication”.
and personal development by educators. Emotional Examine the statement with suitable examples in the
intelligence training can improve students’ social- context of a public servant discharging his/her duties.
emotional skills, empathy, and resilience. (2018)
z Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace: The 7. How will you apply emotional intelligence in
Application of emotional intelligence skills in administrative practices? (2017)
professional settings. Employees with high emotional
intelligence are valued by employers because they 8. Anger is a harmful negative emotion. It is injurious to
can effectively navigate workplace dynamics, manage both personal life and work life. (a) Discuss how it leads
conflicts, and build positive relationships with to negative emotions and undesirable behaviours. (b)
colleagues and clients. How can it be managed and controlled? (2016)
z Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health: An 9. All human beings aspire to happiness. Do you agree?
examination of the relationship between emotional What does happiness mean to you? Explain with
Intelligence and mental health. According to research,
examples.(2014)
people with higher emotional intelligence are better
able to understand and regulate their emotions, 10. What is ’emotional intelligence and how can it be
resulting in better mental health outcomes and a developed in people? How does it help an individual
lower risk of mental health disorders. in taking ethical decisions? (2013)

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11. What do you understand by the term ‘voice of (c) As an outsider, what are your suggestions for both
conscience’? How do you prepare yourself to heed the boss and subordinate to overcome this situation
voice of conscience? (2013) and for improving the work performance, mental
12. What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? Narrate one and emotional hygiene?
incident in your life when you were faced with such a (d) In the above scenario, what type of training would
crisis and how you resolved the same. (2013) you suggest for officers at various levels in the
government offices? (2021 UPSC Mains)
CASE STUDIES
Approach
1. Pawan has been working as an officer in the State
Government for the last ten years. As a part of a z Introduction: Identifying the issue, ethical aspects
routine transfer, he was posted to another department. like absence of Emotional Intelligence, misuse of
He joined a new office along with five other colleagues. authority by seniors & stakeholders.
The head of the office was a senior officer conversant z Body: Identifying the actions to be undertaken by
with the functioning of the office. As a part of general the competent authority for violating the safety
inquiry, Pawan gathered that his senior officer carries standards and health norms of the food company.
the reputation of being a difficult and insensitive Discuss what approaches Pawan should adopt at
person having his own disturbed family life. Initially, different places. Identifying the ethical dilemmas
all seemed to go well. However, after some time involved in the case.
Pawan felt that the senior officer was belittling him z Conclusion: Highlighting the alternatives available
and at times unreasonable. Whatever suggestions and the course of action expected to be undertaken
given or views expressed by Pawan in the meetings by the food company.
were summarily rejected and the senior officer would
express displeasure in the presence of others. It 2. You are heading the rescue operations in an area
became a pattern of the boss’ style of functioning to affected by severe natural calamity. Thousands of
show him in a bad light highlighting his shortcomings
people are rendered homeless and deprived of food,
and humiliating him publicly. It became apparent that
though there were no serious work-related problems/ drinking water and other basic amenities. Rescue
shortcomings, the senior officer was always on one work has been disrupted by heavy rainfall and damage
pretext or the other and would scold and shout at to supply routes. The local people are seething with
him. The continuous harassment and public criticism anger against the delayed limited rescue operations.
of Pawan resulted in loss of confidence, self-esteem When your team reaches the affected area, the people
and equanimity. Pawan realised that his relation with there heckle and even assault some of the team
his senior officer was becoming more toxic and due to members. One of your team members is even severely
this, he felt perpetually tensed, anxious and stressed.
injured. Faced with this crisis, some team members
His mind was occupied with negativity and caused
plead with you to call off the operations fearing threats
him mental torture, anguish and agony. Eventually,
it badly affected his personal and family life. He to their life.
was no longer joyous, happy and contented even at
In such trying circumstances, what will be your
home. Rather without any reason he would lose his response? Examine the qualities of a public servant
temper with his wife and other family members. which will be required to manage the situation.
The family environment was no longer pleasant (2019 UPSC Mains)
and congenial. His wife who was always supportive
to him also became a victim of his negativity and
Approach
hostile behaviour. Due to harassment and humiliation
suffered by him in the office, comfort and happiness z Introduction: Identifying the issue, ethical aspects
& stakeholders.
virtually vanished from his life. Thus, it damaged his
physical and mental health. z Body: Analysing the challenges in the Rescue
operation. Exploring various possible alternatives/
(a) What are the options available with Pawan to cope
responses weighing as per the merit. Examining
with the situation?
the qualities of a Public Servant.
(b) What approach Pawan should adopt for bringing
z Conclusion: Respond to the situation by choosing
peace, tranquillity and congenial environment in
the best possible course of action.
the office and home?

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3. Dr X is a leading medical practitioner in a city. He
Approach
has set up a charitable trust through which he plans
z Introduction: Identifying the issue, ethical aspects
to establish a super-speciality hospital in the city to & stakeholders.
cater to the medical needs of all sections of the society. z Body: Analysing the objective and subjective issues
Incidentally, that part of the State had been neglected involved in the case – tax compliance irregularities
and intention of the Doctor.
over the years. The proposed hospital would be a boon
Identifying Real vs Intended Objective.
for the region. You are heading the tax investigation
Identification Enquiry and subjective analysis.
agency of that region. During an inspection of the
Exploring various possible alternatives and
doctor’s clinic, your officers have found some major weighing them as per merit.
irregularities. A few of them are substantial which had z Conclusion: Respond to the situation by choosing
resulted in considerable withholding of tax that should the best possible course of action.
be paid by him now. The doctor is cooperative. He 4. You are the head of the Human Resources department
undertakes to pay the tax immediately. However, there of an organisation. One day one of the workers died
are certain other deficiencies in his tax compliance on duty. His family was demanding compensation.
which are purely technical in nature. If these technical However, the company denied compensation because
it was revealed in investigation that he was drunk at the
defaults are pursued by the agency, considerable time
time of the accident. The workers of the company went
and energy of the doctor will be diverted to issues on to strike demanding compensation for the family
which are not so serious, urgent or even helpful to the of the deceased. The Chairman of the management
tax collection process. Further, in all probability, it will board has asked for your recommendation. What
hamper the prospects of the hospital coming up. recommendations would you provide to the
management? Discuss the merits and demerits of

There are two options before you:
each of the recommendation. (20 Marks) (250 Words)
(a) Taking a broader view, ensure substantial tax (2017 UPSC Mains)
compliance and ignore defaults that are merely
Approach
technical in nature.
z Introduction: Identifying the issue, ethical aspects
(b) Pursue the matter strictly and proceed on all fronts, and stakeholders.
whether substantial or merely technical. z Body: Making recommendations to the management
As the head of the tax agency, which course of action based on merit and demerits of the propositions.
will you opt for and why? z Conclusion: Identifying the best possible Course
of Action.
(2018 UPSC Mains)
v v v

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5 Contributions of Moral Thinkers and
Philosophers from India and World
“If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply
pondered over the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions of some of them which well deserve the attention even
of those who have studied Plato and Kant, I should point to India.”—Max Muller
Syllabus
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.
5.1 PHILOSOPHY: MEANING AND They asked big questions like “What is the meaning of
life?” or “How do we know what is true?”
CONCEPT
z Today, philosophy is still important. It helps us
z Philosophy is derived from the Greek word–
understand ourselves, the world, and our place in it.
Philosophia which means love of wisdom coined
by pre-Socratic thinker Pythagoras (6th century BC). It’s like a guide that helps us make sense of things and
z Philosophy is a way of thinking and asking make good decisions.
questions about the world around us. It’s about For example, let’s say you have a friend who
trying to understand things using our thoughts and is arguing about whether it’s right to tell a lie.
reasoning. Philosophy would help you think about why telling
Imagine you’re curious about why things happen the truth is important and what the consequences
or what is right and wrong. Philosophy is like a of lying might be. It would help you figure out what
tool that helps you explore those questions and
you believe is the right thing to do.
find answers.
z In ancient Greece, there were great philosophers like A human is a social being who seeks to understand cause
Socrates and Plato. They used their minds to think and effect relationships in nature and the society he
deeply about life, knowledge, and how we should live. lives in.
Study of search for truth

Philosophy and hidden realities of the
self and universe.
Epistemology Meta Physics Ethics
Study of fundamental Moral

Study of
nature of reality, Principles
nature, origin
Study of Universe and governing
and limits of
beyond, dealing with human
knowledge.
the nature of existence conduct.
truth and knowledge.
Fig: Philosophy, Meaning and Concept
Example: Civil servants must acknowledge that
Kohlberg's theory of Moral they have room for growth and remain open to
Consciousness (1958) new perspectives and ideas.
z It focuses on the thinking process that occurs when z Virtue Ethics: Socrates emphasized the importance
one decides whether behaviour is right or wrong. of moral virtue and ethical conduct. He believed
The theoretic emphasis is on how one decides to that the pursuit of knowledge and self-examination
respond to a moral dilemma not what one decides should be directed towards cultivating virtuous
or what one actually does. character and improving oneself morally. Socrates
z Lawrence Kohlberg was one of the thinkers of argued that the ultimate goal of human life is to
this branch conducted social experiment Heinz achieve eudaimonia, which is often translated as
Dilemma (should an individual steal a drug to “flourishing” or “living well.”
save his wife, or refrain from theft even though Implementation: In the realm of civil services,
that would lead to his wife's death?) Kohlberg's public servants are expected to uphold ethical
concern was not which choice the boys made, values, demonstrate integrity, and prioritize the
but the moral reasoning that lay behind their well-being of the public.
decisions, thus found greater role of social norms For example, a civil servant adhering to virtue
in their reasoning. ethics may resist corrupt practices, act justly,
and make decisions that consider the long-term
5.2 WESTERN THINKERS benefits for society rather than personal gain.
z The Examined Life: Socrates advocated for self-
5.2.1 Socrates reflection and the pursuit of self-knowledge. Socrates
z He was born in 470 BC in Athens and is well-known famously proclaimed that “the unexamined life is
for his dialogues and debates with public figures not worth living.” He believed that individuals should
and authorities of the time. This technique is termed constantly question and examine their beliefs, values,
Maieutics. and actions in order to lead a meaningful and fulfilling
life. Socrates encouraged introspection and self-
Socrates Philosophy awareness, arguing that self-knowledge is essential
z Socratic Method: Socrates is known for his Socratic for personal growth and moral development.
Method, a form of inquiry and dialogue that involves
Implementation: In the context of civil service,
asking probing questions to stimulate critical thinking
civil servants can engage in regular introspection
and encourage self-examination. Through this method,
to assess their motives, biases, and personal values.
Socrates aimed to challenge people’s assumptions,
By critically examining their own actions and
reveal inconsistencies, and arrive at deeper truths.
beliefs, they can ensure that their decisions and
Implementation: In the context of civil services,
policies are fair, unbiased, and aligned with the
bureaucrats and administrators can employ the
principles of justice.
Socratic Method to foster open dialogue, engage
in rational inquiry, and make well-informed z Equality and Justice: Socrates emphasized the
decisions. ideals of equality and justice. He believed that every
individual possess intrinsic worth and should be
Example: During policy discussions, civil servants
treated with fairness and respect. Socrates argued
can use probing questions to encourage thorough
analysis and consider diverse perspectives before that justice-involved giving each person what they
arriving at a solution. are due and ensuring that laws and social structures
are based on principles of equity and righteousness.
z Socratic Ignorance: Socrates famously claimed
that he was wise because he knew that he didn’t Implementation: In the civil services of India, this
know everything. He acknowledged the limits of philosophy calls for public servants to strive for
his knowledge and embraced a state of “Socratic fairness, inclusivity, and equal treatment for all
ignorance,” recognizing that there is always more to citizens.
learn. For example, civil servants can work towards
Implementation: In civil service, this philosophy implementing policies that reduce social
encourages civil servants to embrace a humble and disparities, provide equal access to public
receptive attitude, recognizing that there is always services, and uphold the principles of justice in
more to understand and discover. the distribution of resources.
Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers from India and World 111
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Example of Socrates’ Philosophy
and Its Application
There is a person named Rahul who is passionate about environmental conservation. Inspired by Socrates’ emphasis
on self-examination and the pursuit of knowledge, Rahul decides to delve deep into understanding the ecological
challenges facing his local community.
Rahul starts by engaging in critical thinking and researching the environmental issues affecting his area. He seeks
wisdom from experts, reads scientific literature, and attends community workshops on sustainable practices.
Through this pursuit of wisdom, Rahul develops a comprehensive understanding of ecological challenges and
potential solutions.
Motivated by Socrates’ focus on moral virtue, Rahul begins implementing changes in his own lifestyle to promote
sustainability. He reduces his carbon footprint by adopting eco-friendly habits like recycling, conserving energy, and
using public transportation. He also shares his knowledge and experiences with others, encouraging them to
adopt similar practices.
As Rahul deepens his involvement in environmental conservation, he experiences a sense of fulfillment and
happiness. The ethical actions he takes align with Socrates’ philosophy of living a virtuous life and contributing
to the well-being of both the community and the environment. By pursuing wisdom, practising moral virtue,
and striving to make a positive impact, Rahul finds a sense of purpose, contentment, and happiness in his
commitment to environmental sustainability.
This example demonstrates how Socrates’ philosophies can be applied to real-life situations, where the pursuit of
knowledge, moral virtue, and the pursuit of the common good can lead to personal happiness and a sense of fulfillment.
5.2.2 Plato
z Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher who was born in Athens during the Classical period of Greek history.
Plato established the Academy in Athens, a philosophical school where he taught the philosophical doctrines that
became known as Platonism.
Cardinal Virtues : Proposed by Plato
Prudence Temperance Courage Justice
Right z Self Regulation Bravery 3 qualities in

reason in & obedience to to do Humans that
action authority. Justice facilitate justice
z Harmony among
conflicting elements
Reason Spirit Appetite
Fig: Cardinal Virtues
Plato’s Philosophy journey, escaping the metaphorical “cave” of
z Allegory of the Cave: Plato’s allegory of the Cave ignorance and expanding their understanding of
the world.
is a metaphorical story that depicts the journey of
z Theory of Forms: Plato’s theory of Forms suggests
a prisoner from ignorance to enlightenment. In the
that there is a perfect world of ideas or concepts that
allegory, prisoners are chained inside a dark cave,
exists separately from the physical world we see. In
facing a wall and only able to see the shadows of this perfect world, there are ideal versions of things
objects cast by a fire behind them. The prisoner who like beauty, justice, and truth.
escapes the cave and sees the outside world represents For example, let’s think about the concept of a
the philosopher who gains knowledge and transcends circle. In the physical world, we can draw circles,
the limited understanding of the physical realm. but they are never perfectly round. However,
Implementation: The allegory of the cave can according to Plato, there is a perfect Form of a
be applied to a person who has grown up in a circle that exists in the world of Forms. Every circle
closed and restrictive environment, with limited we see in the physical world is just an imperfect
exposure to different ideas and perspectives. copy of that ideal Form.
When this person is exposed to new knowledge Implementation: In India, a similar idea can be
and experiences, they undergo a transformative seen in the concept of gods or deities. People

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believe in gods like Shiva, Vishnu, or Lakshmi, Cardinal Virtues
who represent perfect qualities such as power,
love, or prosperity. These gods are seen as ideal
Temperance
Forms of those qualities.
Prudence
Courage
Justice
z Philosopher-King: Plato believed that the ideal state
should be governed by philosopher-kings who possess
wisdom, knowledge, and a deep understanding of
the Forms. These philosopher-kings would rule with
reason, pursuing the well-being and justice of the
entire society rather than their own self-interest.
Plato argued that only through philosopher-kings Fig: Cardinal Virtues
could a just and harmonious society be achieved. Example: A person named Maya who consistently
demonstrates acts of kindness and compassion
z Ideal State and Justice: Plato envisioned an ideal
towards others. Maya volunteers at a local shelter,
state governed by philosopher-kings, as mentioned
helping those in need and showing empathy
earlier. In Plato’s ideal state, individuals would be
towards their struggles. By embodying the virtue
assigned roles based on their natural abilities
of kindness, Maya not only improves the lives of
and aptitudes, creating a harmonious society
those she helps but also experiences personal
where each person contributes according to their
fulfillment and a sense of moral goodness.
strengths.
z Golden Mean: Aristotle proposed that virtues lie between
Example: Justice, according to Plato, is achieved
two extremes, known as vices. He advocated for finding
when every individual fulfills their proper role
the “golden mean” or the moderate and balanced
in society, and the philosopher-kings rule with
approach between excess and deficiency. According
wisdom and knowledge.
to Aristotle, virtuous actions and behaviours are found in
z Theory of Knowledge (Epistemology): Plato’s the middle ground between extreme behaviours.
theory of knowledge suggests that true knowledge
Example: Let’s take the virtue of courage. Aristotle
is not derived from sensory experience but rather
suggests that courage lies between recklessness
through rational inquiry and contemplation.
(excessive bravery) and cowardice (deficiency
According to Plato, the highest form of knowledge
of bravery). A person who demonstrates the
is knowledge of the Forms—the perfect and
golden mean of courage acts bravely when
unchanging ideals that exist beyond the physical
necessary, but not to the point of unnecessary risks
world. Sensory perception provides only opinions or
or foolhardiness. They find the balance between
beliefs that may be flawed or subject to change.
being overly cautious and being overly reckless.
Example: Imagine a person encountering various
z Teleology and the Purposeful Life: Aristotle believed
chairs of different sizes, shapes, and materials.
that everything in nature has a purpose or end goal
According to Plato, they can only have opinions
(telos). He argued that human beings have a specific
about the nature of a chair based on sensory
purpose—using reason to fulfill their potential
perception. However, true knowledge of the ideal
and achieve eudaimonia, which is often translated
form of a chair would involve recognizing the
as “flourishing” or “the good life.” According to
common essence or perfect chairness that all
Aristotle, eudaimonia(well-being, happiness) is
physical chairs imitate.
attained through the pursuit of virtue and the
5.2.3 Aristotle realization of one’s highest capabilities.
Example: Rohit has a passion for music and
z Aristotle was a philosopher and polymath from
Ancient Greece. His writings range across the natural dedicates his life to becoming a skilled musician.
sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, Rohit spends hours practising, studying music
psychology, and the arts. theory, and performing. By pursuing his passion
and developing his musical abilities, Rohit fulfills
Philosophies of Aristotle his telos or purpose as a musician. Through his
z Virtue Ethics: Aristotle believed that the key to living dedication, he experiences a sense of fulfillment,
a good and fulfilling life lies in cultivating virtues. achievement, and eudaimonia.
Virtues are positive character traits that enable z Natural Law: Aristotle’s idea of natural law is rooted
individuals to lead a life of moral excellence and in the belief that there is an inherent order and
balance. Aristotle identified virtues such as courage, purpose in nature that guides human conduct.
kindness, honesty, and temperance as crucial for According to Aristotle, human beings have a natural
human flourishing. inclination to seek happiness and live in accordance
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with reason. He believed that through reason, z Political Theory: Aristotle’s political philosophy has
individuals can discern the natural laws that govern had a lasting impact on political theory and governance.
human behaviour and the proper functioning of His ideas on the ideal state, the role of citizens,
society. and the importance of a balanced and just society
have influenced political thinkers across centuries.
Example of The Doctrine of Golden Concepts such as democracy, rule of law, and the
Mean: The Delayed Development common good find their roots in Aristotle’s works.
Project Case z Applied Sciences: Aristotle’s contributions to various
scientific disciplines, such as biology and physics,
z Mr S Patil, an Indian civil servant, is responsible
have had enduring influence. While some of his
for approving a development project that would
specific scientific theories have been surpassed, his
create jobs and boost the local economy while
methodology of observation, classification, and
clearing a large tract of forest.
logical reasoning laid the foundation for scientific
z The project is controversial and has significant inquiry and research.
impacts on the lives of many people.
z Personal Development: Aristotle’s philosophy
z To find a moderate position between two extremes,
offers insights and guidance for personal growth
Mr Patil carefully considers the project’s pros
and self-improvement. His emphasis on reason, self-
and cons, meets with stakeholders and conducts
reflection, and the pursuit of virtues can be applied to
research on its environmental impact.
cultivate one’s character and lead a more fulfilling life.
z Ultimately, he approves the project with some
modifications, requiring developers to mitigate Criticism of Aristotle’s Philosophy
the project’s environmental impact and setting z The Mind-Body Problem and Dualism: Aristotle’s
aside land for a new wildlife sanctuary. notion of the soul as detachable from the body has
z This decision is not perfect, but it is a fair and been criticised for its dualistic character, which fails
balanced one, ensuring the best interests of all to account for the mind’s and body’s connectivity and
stakeholders. interdependence.
z By applying the Doctrine of Golden Mean, civil z Inadequate Empirical Method: Critics argue that
servants can ensure their decisions are fair, just, Aristotle’s dependence on deduction and limited
and ethical. empirical observations hampered the development
of a more rigorous scientific method, which has since
Application of Philosophy become crucial to modern scientific investigation.
z Ethics and Virtue-Based Approaches: Aristotle’s z Ethics’ Limitations: Cultural relativism has been
emphasis on virtues and moral character has had a criticised in Aristotle’s ethical framework since it
significant impact on ethical theories and frameworks. does not give clear universal moral principles and
His ideas have been influential in fields such as instead indicates that virtues and ethics are context-
applied ethics, professional ethics, and character dependent and related to certain groups or cultures.
education. Virtue ethics approaches, which focus on z Women and slaves are excluded: Aristotle’s
cultivating virtues to lead a good life, draw inspiration philosophy has been criticised for excluding women
from Aristotle’s philosophy. and slaves from full citizenship and sustaining unfair
z Education: Aristotle’s philosophy has influenced social systems, specifically his ideas on political
educational theories and practices. His belief in the involvement and the hierarchy of beings.
importance of cultivating virtues and developing
z Inequality and Hierarchy: Some detractors contend
character has informed approaches to character
that Aristotle’s recognition of natural hierarchies,
education and moral development in schools.
such as the division between rulers and subjects,
Educators often strive to instill virtues like
promotes oppressive power relations and impedes
kindness, honesty, and resilience in students,
societal development and equality.
drawing from Aristotle’s emphasis on moral
excellence. z Essentialism: Critics contend that Aristotle’s essentialist
z Leadership and Management: Aristotle’s views perspective, which attaches fixed essences and purposes
on leadership have been applied in the field of to things and events, hinders our grasp of reality’s
management and organizational studies. His concept dynamic and developing character.
of a virtuous leader who demonstrates qualities z Teleology: Aristotle’s philosophy’s teleological
like wisdom, fairness, and courage has influenced perspective, which suggests that everything in nature
leadership theories and practices. Organizations has a predefined purpose, has been criticised for lacking
often seek leaders who embody these virtues and empirical proof and depending on anthropocentric
promote ethical conduct and long-term success. assumptions.

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5.2.4 Immanuel Kant of Metaphysics of Morals (1785), The Critique of

z Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher and Practical Reason (1788), and The Metaphysics of
key Enlightenment thinker. Kant, who was born in Morals (1798).
Königsberg, is regarded as one of the most influential z Kant rejects the traditional theories of Morality
figures in modern Western philosophy for his (Virtue theories and Consequentialists) and argues
comprehensive and systematic works in epistemology, that Moral actions are based on a Supreme principle of
metaphysics, ethics, and aesthetics. morality that is objective, rational, and freely chosen.
z Kant’s account of morality fits into deontological z Kant regards the Categorical Imperative as the only
traditions in his three books - The Foundations possible standard of moral obligation.
Watching TV (Leisure)
Select an action from
several possible Jogging?Exercise (Fitness)
Function of Human Will
courses of action Studying/Working (Economic reasons)
Engaging into a group discussion among
peers/family members, Browsing Social
Wilful Decision Media Sites (Non economic activity/
Leisure)
Objective Considerations Subjective Considerations
Driven by rationality Driven by Emotions

[A rational consideration that influences the will must be a single principle of obligation in form of Command]
Categorical Imperative Dictates the universalizability of our actions
Imperatives [Commands that dictate a particular course of action]
Categorical Hypothetical
z Moral commands one follows irrespective of his z Commands that are dependent on
desires/motives. preferences for a particular end/
z Absolute Command (not based on subjective objective/desire.
considerations). z Moral commands that are conditional on
z Supreme principle of morality is a categorical imperative personal desire or motive (driven by ones
since it is not conditional on preferences. goals).
z Example - Divine commandments, Social norms, z Example: Clearing UPSCto be inducted as
Cultural Prescriptions: Non violence, Truthfulness, a civil servant with an objective of Public
Celibacy, Monogamy. service.
Kant’s Philosophy 3. Don’t use people as a means to an end.

z Categorical Imperative: Literal meaning of 4. Human actions should benefit society as a whole.
Categorical Imperative - an unconditional moral
Example: Sandip is faced with a moral dilemma.
obligation which is binding in all circumstances and
He has the choice to either lie to protect a
is not dependent on a person’s inclination or purpose.
Kant’s philosophy is centred around the concept of the friend or tell the truth and potentially harm
categorical imperative, which is a moral principle their friend’s reputation. Kant’s categorical
that guides ethical decision-making. According to imperative would require Sandip to consider
Kant, one should act in a way that the moral principle whether lying can be morally justified in all
behind their actions could be universally applied situations. If lying were universally accepted, it
without contradiction. would lead to a contradiction where truth loses
z There are four categorical imperatives: its value. Therefore, according to Kant, Sandip
should prioritize telling the truth, as it can be
1. Don’t do to others what you don’t want others to
do to you applied as a universal moral principle.
2. Act according to maxims that can be established z Moral Autonomy and Duty: Kant emphasized the
as universal laws. importance of moral autonomy, which is the ability
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to make ethical decisions based on rationality and worth. This perspective emphasizes the importance
universal moral principles rather than external of fairness, equality, and the recognition of the value
influences or desires. He believed that individuals of every person.
have a moral duty to act in accordance with rational Example: In a diverse society, Kant’s philosophy
and moral principles, irrespective of personal desires would advocate for the fair and equal treatment
or consequences. of individuals, irrespective of their race, gender, or
Example: Samriddhi encounters a lost wallet social status. This means respecting each person’s
containing a large sum of money. Although autonomy, ensuring equal opportunities, and
Samriddhi could easily keep the money for herself, promoting a just society where all individuals are
Kant’s philosophy would encourage her to act out treated with dignity and their rights are protected.
of moral duty. Samriddhi would feel compelled
Teleological Approach:
to return the wallet to its rightful owner, as she
z “Telos” is an ancient Greek word that means “end,”
recognizes that honesty and respecting others’
“fulfilment,” “completion,” “goal,” and so on. Teleology
property rights are universal moral principles that
is a philosophy that holds that the consequences of
transcend personal desires or immediate benefits.
one’s actions are the ultimate judge of whether the
z Practical Reason and Good Will: Kant believed in
action was right or wrong.
the importance of practical reason and the idea of
acting out of a goodwill. According to Kant, moral
Difference between Deontological and
actions should be guided by rationality and the
Teleological Theories
intention to do what is morally right, regardless of
personal interests or external consequences. Deontological Ethics Teleological Ethics
(Duty-Based) (Result-Oriented)
Example: Karan volunteers at a local homeless
shelter. Karan’s motivation for volunteering is z Concentrate on moral z Consider the
not driven by personal gain or recognition, but obligations rather consequences of your
than consequences. actions.
rather by the genuine desire to help those in
need. Kant would view Karan’s actions as morally z Prioritises intentions z Prioritises results over
praiseworthy because they are guided by practical over results intentions
reason and a good will to do what is morally right. z Moral duties are z Moral value takes
z Universalizability and Moral Obligation: Kant more important than precedence over
moral value duties.
argued that moral principles should be universally
applicable. Actions should be evaluated based z Individual intentions z Individual intentions
on whether they can be consistently applied as are critical. are irrelevant.
a universal rule without contradiction. Moral z The rightness of z The rightness of
obligations arise from the rational recognition of actions comes before actions is determined
principles that can be consistently upheld. their goodness. by their goodness.
Example: Ahmed considers stealing from a store z Focuses on an z Focuses on the
because she wants a particular item without individual’s moral action’s moral status
paying for it. Applying Kant’s philosophy, Ahmed standing
would recognize that if stealing were universally z Moral responsibilities z Moral responsibilities
accepted, it would undermine the concept of private have a negative have a positive
property and lead to contradictions. Therefore, formulation. formulation.
Ahmed would acknowledge that stealing is z Personal preferences z Equal consideration
morally wrong and refrain from engaging in are irrelevant. for one’s own and
such behaviour. other people’s
interests
z The Kingdom of Ends and Human Dignity: Kant
believed in the inherent dignity of all individuals. He z Actions are either z The consequences of
argued that humans should be treated as ends in moral or immoral by actions are used to
definition. evaluate them.
themselves, respecting their autonomy and moral

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is determined by its ability to maximize happiness or
Example Based on Deontological and pleasure and minimize suffering or pain for the largest
Teleological Theories number of people affected by the action.
z Man kick’s a dog sleeping roadside: Let us
Example: Suppose a government is deciding on
suppose a man kick’s a dog sleeping roadside.
a public policy related to education. Utilizing
The dog cries and runs away. Moments later, a
car comes speeding along the road so fast that Bentham’s greatest happiness principle, the
it would certainly have killed the dog if it had government would consider the potential impact
still been lying there. of the policy on various stakeholders, such
z Perspectives: Deontological perspective says, as students, teachers, parents, and the wider
the man’s action was bad since it is cruel to kick community. They would assess how the policy
dogs but according to the teleological perspective, could enhance access to quality education, improve
his action was good, since it saved the dog’s life. educational outcomes, and contribute to overall
societal well-being.
Conclusion
z Quantitative Approach: Bentham’s philosophy takes
z In the criminal justice system, a deontological
approach is used to ensure that the punishment a quantitative approach to ethics, where pleasure and
is proportionate and appropriate to the crime pain are measured and compared to determine the
committed. The teleological approach, on the other moral value of an action. He believed that pleasure
hand, is used by courts to interpret any legislation, and pain can be assessed in terms of their intensity,
its purpose, direction, or design. duration, certainty, and other factors to calculate
5.2.5 Jeremy Bentham their overall impact.
z Jeremy Bentham (1747-1832) was a British Example: Suppose a city council is deciding on
philosopher, jurist, and social reformer who is widely the location of a new park. Bentham’s quantitative
regarded as the father of modern utilitarianism. approach would involve assessing the potential
Bentham defined the principle that “it is the greatest pleasure gained by the community members
happiness of the greatest number that is the in terms of recreational opportunities, physical
measure of right and wrong” as a “fundamental
exercise, and improved mental well-being. They
axiom” of his philosophy.
would also consider the potential reduction in
Bentham’s Philosophies noise pollution and the creation of green spaces.
z Utilitarianism: Bentham’s philosophy is centred By quantitatively comparing the overall
around utilitarianism, which holds that actions pleasure generated against any potential
should be evaluated based on their utility or the
negative consequences, the council can make
amount of happiness they produce versus the
a decision that maximizes overall utility.
amount of suffering or pain they cause. The ethical
value of an action is determined by its consequences z Hedonic Calculus: Bentham developed the concept of
and its overall impact on the well-being of individuals the “hedonic calculus,” a method to calculate the
affected by it. overall happiness or utility of an action or policy. It
Example: Imagine a company considering whether involves considering the intensity, duration, certainty,
to invest in sustainable practices or not. According and other factors of pleasure and pain to determine
to Bentham’s utilitarianism, the company should
their net effect on overall well-being.
assess the potential benefits and harms of adopting
sustainable practices. They would evaluate the Example: Consider a government considering a
impact on the environment, the well-being of policy to increase taxes on high-income individuals
employees, and the satisfaction of customers. to fund social welfare programs. Using Bentham’s
By considering the overall utility, including hedonic calculus, they would evaluate the potential
the reduction of environmental harm and the pleasure gained from improved social welfare and
improvement in stakeholder satisfaction, the
the reduction of suffering among marginalized
company can make a decision that aligns with
utilitarian principles. populations. They would also assess the pain
z Greatest Happiness Principle: Bentham’s philosophy caused by higher taxes for high-income individuals.
is guided by the principle of the greatest happiness By weighing these factors, the government can
for the greatest number. The moral value of an action make a decision that maximizes overall utility.
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Example: When considering the regulation of
Utilitarianism substances, such as alcohol or drugs, Mill’s harm
z Utilitarianism is a moral theory that advocates for principle would suggest that society should only
actions that promote happiness or pleasure while intervene if the consumption or use of these
opposing actions that cause unhappiness or harm. substances leads to harm to others. Individuals
z A utilitarian philosophy would aim for the should have the freedom to make their own
betterment of society as a whole when making choices as long as they do not infringe upon
social, economic, or political decisions. the rights or well-being of others.
z Individual Development and Diversity: Mill
5.2.6 J S Mill recognized the importance of individual development
z John Stuart Mill was an English philosopher, political and diversity in promoting human happiness. He
economist, Member of Parliament, and civil servant. argued that allowing for a variety of opinions and
One of the most influential thinkers in the history of perspectives contributes to intellectual and moral
classical liberalism, he contributed widely to social growth.
theory, political theory, and political economy Example: In the context of education, Mill’s
philosophy would support an inclusive and diverse
Mill’s Philosophy
curriculum that exposes students to a wide range
z Utilitarianism: Like Bentham, Mill’s philosophy is of ideas, cultures, and perspectives. This allows
based on utilitarianism, which seeks to maximize
for the development of critical thinking skills,
happiness and minimize suffering for the greatest
fosters empathy, and promotes a more vibrant
number of people. However, Mill’s version of
and intellectually enriched society.
utilitarianism places a greater emphasis on qualitative
aspects of pleasure, considering higher or more z Higher and Lower Pleasures: Mill distinguished
refined pleasures as more valuable than lower or between higher and lower pleasures, considering
base pleasures. higher pleasures of the mind and intellect as more
valuable than lower bodily or sensual pleasures.
Example: A person deciding between spending
He argued that pursuing intellectual, moral, and
their weekend playing video games or
aesthetic pleasures leads to greater overall happiness.
volunteering at a local charity. According to
Mill’s utilitarianism, they should consider the Example: Suppose a person has the choice between
qualitative aspects of each option’s pleasure. spending their evening watching mindless reality
Volunteering may bring a deeper sense of TV shows or attending a thought-provoking lecture
fulfillment, contribute to the well-being of on philosophy. According to Mill, the lecture offers
others, and align with higher moral values, making a higher pleasure because it engages the mind,
it a more valuable and desirable choice than mere promotes intellectual growth, and contributes
personal amusement. to long-term happiness, whereas the TV shows
z Principle of Utility and Individual Liberty: Mill provide lower pleasures that offer immediate but
emphasized the principle of utility in guiding ethical transient enjoyment.
decisions, but he also emphasized the importance z Quality over Quantity: While Bentham’s utilitarianism
of individual liberty and autonomy. He argued emphasized the maximization of overall happiness or
that individuals should be free to pursue their own pleasure, Mill argued that the quality of pleasure is
happiness as long as it does not harm others. more important than the quantity. He believed that
Example: A society like India considering the intellectual and moral pleasures, which engage
legalization of same-sex marriage. Mill’s philosophy higher faculties of the mind, provide more lasting
would support legalizing same-sex marriage, and meaningful happiness compared to lower
as it would extend the freedom and happiness bodily pleasures.
to individuals who wish to enter into such According to Mill, reading a classic novel can be
marriages. As long as the union does not harm considered a higher-quality pleasure compared to
others, it aligns with the principle of individual playing a video game. The experience of reading
liberty and promotes overall happiness. a well-written novel engages the mind, stimulates
z Harm Principle: Mill introduced the harm principle, imagination, and offers opportunities for reflection
which states that individuals should be free to act and personal growth.
as they wish as long as their actions do not harm
others. He argued that society should only intervene 5.2.7 Thomas Hobbes’s
in the actions of individuals when there is clear and Total liberty invites war, and submission is the best
direct harm to others. insurance against war. —Hobbes

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z Thomas Hobbes was a philosopher from England. Hobbes is best known for his book Leviathan (1651), which
contains an influential formulation of Social Contract Theory.
Contractarianism
z Contracts are important agreements that people make with each other. They help us set rules and expectations
for how we should behave and interact. When we follow a contract, it means we are keeping our promises and
doing what we agreed to do.
z According to this theory, if we stick to the agreements we made with others, then our behaviour is considered
ethical. It’s like a way of saying that it’s good to do what you promised to do.
z Sometimes, there is a special kind of contract called a social contract. This happens when the government or the
state makes an agreement with its people. The government has certain responsibilities, or duties, towards the
people, and the people also have obligations towards the government.
z One important person who talked about this idea was Hobbes. He believed that people act in their own self-
interest, meaning they do things that benefit themselves. In contractarianism, morality is seen as a cooperative
activity where people work together for their own self-interest. It’s like saying that it’s good to do things that
are helpful to both yourself and others.
Thomas Hobbes’s Philosophy

Philosophy Description
z According to him, human beings are inherently selfish, brutish, murderous, and driven by self-
preservation.
z As a result, they are incapable of maintaining peace and stability. To address this, people come
together through a social contract to form a state or government.
Human
Example: In the aftermath of a severe cyclone or flood, where resources become scarce, people
Nature
might engage in hoarding or conflict as they strive to secure essential supplies for themselves
and their families. This behaviour reflects Hobbes’s view that humans, driven by their innate
self-interest, can prioritize their own survival and well-being over communal cooperation
during times of crisis when resources are scarce and the social fabric is strained.
z He believed that in the state of nature, human beings engage in a constant struggle for scarce
resources to fulfill their self-interests. This struggle can lead to a state of war, where conflict and
State of competition prevail.
Nature Example: The Rwandan Genocide was a horrific event in which over 800,000 people were
killed in just 100 days. The genocide was motivated by ethnic hatred, and it was exacerbated
by the struggle for control of scarce resources, such as land.
z The Leviathan State, as envisioned by Hobbes, is an all-powerful sovereign authority with the
ability to maintain order, enforce laws, and protect individuals from harm.
z He advocates for a leviathan state with specific provisions:
z Absolute power to govern
z People do not have the right to revolt against the state
Leviathan
State z People do not possess absolute rights
z The state should emphasize civic education to foster obedience among citizens
Example: Kim Jong-Un in North Korea: The rule of Kim Jong-Un in North Korea can be
considered as a modern example of a leviathan state.
The government possesses absolute power, dissent and revolt are suppressed, citizens do not
have absolute rights, and civic education is used to induce obedience among the population.
Relevance of Thomas Hobbes’ Philosophy z Moral and Political Responsibilities: Hobbes’s

z International Relations and Political Realism: thesis that individuals have a moral and political
Hobbes’s focus on self-preservation and the need to submit to a sovereign authority is relevant to
competitive character of nations resonates with debates over the legitimacy of political power and the
realist ideas in international affairs.
boundaries of individual rights.
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z Politics and the Social Contract: Hobbes’s philosophy z Egoism and Individualism: Hobbes’ emphasis on
of sovereignty and the social contract is relevant to self-interest and self-preservation as individuals’
current political theory and governance issues. fundamental motivations has been criticized for
z Nature’s State and Human Nature: Hobbes’s image ignoring the complexity of human nature.
of the state of nature as a state of continual conflict and z Human Flourishing Has a Limited Scope: Hobbes’
war resonates with concerns about the importance of
emphasis on material well-being and security has been
social order and the role of government in sustaining
peace and stability. criticized for ignoring other important components
of human flourishing, such as personal fulfillment,
z Self-interest and a desire: Hobbes’s view of human
nature as essentially motivated by self-interest and spiritual values, and the pursuit of higher objectives
a desire to avoid damage is relevant to modern beyond basic survival.
arguments on individual motives and the pursuit of
happiness. Social Contract
z Empirical Methodology and Materialism: Hobbes’s z State is a result of a contract between the
materialistic philosophy is relevant to scientific and Government (state) and citizens through a mutual
empirical approaches to understanding human agreement where citizens surrender some of their
behaviour and social phenomena. common rights and agree to abide by laws with
payment of taxes in return for the protection of
Criticism of Thomas Hobbes’ Philosophy
individual rights assured to them by the Sovereign
z Lack of people Sovereignty: Hobbes’ political theory State and provision of Public services.
has been criticized for being undemocratic and for
z A Government is legitimate only if it corresponds
limiting citizen participation in decision-making.
to the social contract and consent agreement.
z Implications for Ethics: Hobbes’ ethical framework
has been criticized for being consequentialist and for
undermining moral ideals based on rights, justice, and 5.2.8 John Locke
equality. z John Locke (1632–1704) was an English philosopher
z Absolutism with authoritarianism: Hobbes’ focus and physician who is widely regarded as one of the
on strong sovereign authority has been criticized for most influential Enlightenment thinkers and is often
leading to authoritarianism and the consolidation of
referred to as the “Father of Liberalism.”
power in the hands of a few.
z Locke, regarded as one of the first British empiricists
z Nature’s State and Human Nature: Hobbes’ depiction
of nature as intrinsically chaotic and violent has been in the tradition of Francis Bacon, is equally important
criticized for oversimplifying human behavior and to social contract theory.
ignoring the possibilities for collaboration, charity, z His work had a significant impact on the development
and the presence of moral feelings. of epistemology and political philosophy.
John Locke’s Philosophy
Philosophy Description Example
z Locke advocated freedom and governance by z The founding fathers of the Constitution
Liberty consent. He identified “Life-Liberty-Property” included the right to property in Articles 19
as the three natural rights of every individual. and 21, upholding the right to life and liberty.
z Locke championed women’s rights and called z Labor reforms in India aim to eliminate gender-
for equal opportunities for them. based discrimination and ensure equal pay
No and opportunities for women in the workforce.
Patriarchy
z Recent announcement by BCCI for paying
equal match fees to women’s cricket teams.
z According to Locke, individuals have a natural z When an inventor or creator develops a new
right to acquire and possess property through invention, software, artistic work, or any form of
Property their own labour. intellectual property, they have the right to claim
ownership and enjoy the benefits of their creation.
z Locke supported minority rights and advocated z Despite differences in religious beliefs, Hindus,
for a heterogeneous society where people of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and others
Tolerance different cultures coexist. live side by side, practising their respective religions
without persecution or discrimination in India.

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5.2.9 Rousseau
z Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1844–1910) was a philosopher, writer, and composer from Geneva. His political philosophy
influenced the progression of Europe’s Age of Enlightenment, as well as aspects of the French Revolution and the
development of modern political, economic, and educational thought.
Rousseau’s Philosophy
Philosophy Description Example
z Man is born free but is constrained by z A child is born free but is bound by responsibilities to
societal chains. their family, school curriculum, adherence to the laws
Man’s
z One man may think he is the master of of the government, and compliance with international
Freedom
others, but he remains more of a slave laws (immigration, visas, and citizenship), reflecting
than they are. the chains imposed on individuals.
z People are the ultimate authority z Democracy is the biggest example of collective will
in a democracy, and sovereignty lies where people’s vote determines who is going to come
General Will
within the people and their collective into power.
will.
z Rejecting the idea of private wealth, z The implementation of chakbandi as part of
it is advocated that wealth should land reforms in India aimed to limit private wealth
Property only serve basic needs, indicating an accumulation and redistribute land to ensure that
inclination towards socialism. everyone has access to sufficient land for their basic
needs.
z Education should be obtained through z Rabindranath Tagore’s Shantiniketan, is based on
Education nature rather than formal education the idea of creating a free and fearless atmosphere
from books. for children to grow up in close contact with nature.
5.2.10 John Rawls
z John Bordley Rawls (1921–2002) was a moral, legal, and political philosopher from the United States. In 1999, he
received the Schock Prize for Logic and Philosophy as well as the National Humanities Medal.
z John Rawls is known as the father of contemporary contractarianism and is the most influential American
philosopher post-Second World War. His philosophy is also called Rawlsianism.
Rawl’s Concept of Social Justice
First Principle Second Principle
Concerns Political Concerns Socio-

Institutions economic Institutions
Freedom of speech They are attached to

and Expression offices and positions
open to all under
Human Rights
conditions of fair equality
Rights of Private individuals of opportunity
corporations or workers to
own private property They are to be to the
greatest benefit of
Basic liberties could be limited
the least advantaged
for the sake of liberty.
members of society-
Difference Principle
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John Rawls Philosophy
Topic Key Point Example
z Every rich and poor individual should have z Recognition of marriage equality in many
equal basic rights, such as liberty, right to vote, countries ensures that same-sex couples have
and right to hold public offices. equal rights and legal protections previously
These rights are referred to as political rights exclusive to opposite-sex couples. This
Equality z
in most nations. reflects the principle of equal basic rights
and the commitment to non-discrimination
In India, equality given to women by making
triple talaq illegal is also one example.
z Due to differences in advantages and z Some societies refer to these differences
disadvantages among individuals (rich vs. as reservations, while others term them
Differential poor), different rights are enjoyed based on as positive discrimination.
Equality their position in society. z Progressive taxation, government programs
that provide social benefits to the poor.
z Justice is a standard used in decision-making z Affirmative Action programs, the Universal
that involves considering facts without Declaration of Human Rights.
Theory of prejudices.
Justice
z It is also known as the “Veil of Ignorance” or
“Original Position.”
z A component of social contract theory, the z To understand the Veil of Ignorance, imagine
Veil of Ignorance, allows us to evaluate ideas you are charged with cutting up a pizza to
for fairness. share with friends.
Veil of z Nobody knows who they are behind the Veil z You will be the last to eat a piece. You want
Ignorance of Ignorance. to obtain the biggest share possible, and the
z They have no idea of their social class, their only way to do so is to make all the slices
benefits, their shortcomings, or even their the same size.
personality.
z Reflective equilibrium is a condition of balance z If someone is imprisoned for stealing, it
or coherence among a collection of beliefs would be inconsistent and immoral to allow
reached by a process of deliberate reciprocal another thief go free if the two instances are
Reflective adjustment between basic principles and identical in all important ways.
Equilibrium specific assessments. z Similarly, if we treat one individual better
than another without explanation, we may
be accused of discrimination.
z Abortion, death penalty, animal rights.
Example of Veil of Ignorance

z Rajiv, a poor man from a small town in the Himalayas, had never been exposed to the outside world and didn’t
have much education.
z One day, a stranger approached him and offered him the chance to create rules for society.
z Rajiv wanted to choose values that would benefit everyone, regardless of their background, even though he didn’t
know much about the world.
z He thought about the needs of the poor, the importance of education, healthcare, and protecting the environment.
z In the end, he decided on ideals that would provide equal opportunities, like education for all and fair taxes,
while also taking care of the environment and promoting social justice.
z The stranger approved of Rajiv’s decision, which made him question how society should be in the future.
z Rajiv realized that he could have been born into any social class, so he wanted to protect the rights of the poor
and marginalized.
z The concept of not knowing his own position in society helped Rajiv make fair and unbiased choices, even if they
didn’t directly benefit him.

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Criticism of Theory of Justice For example, in studying protest movements,
z Feasibility and Implementation Issues: Critics sociologists employing Weber’s philosophy
doubt the feasibility of implementing Rawls’ theory of Verstehen would seek to understand the
in real-world circumstances. motivations, values, and beliefs of the protesters,
rather than just examining their external behaviors.
z Ignoring Non-Western Points of View: Critics argue
By understanding the reasons behind their
that the Theory of Justice is Western-centric and may
actions, sociologists gain insights into the
not account for non-Western perspectives.
social dynamics and broader societal issues at
z Individual Rights are Sacrificed: Critics argue that play.
Rawls’ theory may sacrifice individual rights for social
z Ideal Type: Weber introduced the concept of the
equality.
“ideal type” to understand and analyze complex
z Inadequate Attention to Merit: Critics argue that social phenomena. An ideal type is an abstract
Rawls’ theory does not fully address the importance representation of the essential features and
of merit in creating social and economic outcomes. characteristics of a social phenomenon.
z Imposition of a Single Conception of Justice: Critics For instance, in studying the concept of democracy,
argue that Rawls’ theory imposes a single conception an ideal type could be constructed that includes
of justice that ignores other perspectives. key elements such as free elections, political
z Redistribution is overemphasised: Critics argue representation, and protection of civil liberties.
that Rawls’ theory focuses too much on redistribution This ideal type helps researchers identify and
and ignores economic growth. compare real-world instances of democracy,
highlighting similarities and deviations from
Contemporary Contractarianism the ideal.
z Contemporary Contractarianism is a z Bureaucracy: Weber extensively studied
philosophical viewpoint that emphasizes the bureaucracies and their impact on society. He
importance of social contracts and agreements in recognized their rationality and efficiency in
shaping ethical and political systems. achieving organizational goals but also identified
z It emphasises the importance of cooperation, potential issues, such as the emergence of an
fairness, and mutual benefit in building just and impersonal and rigid system.
stable societies. An example of bureaucracy in action is a
z Scholars like John Rawls and Thomas Scanlon government agency with clear hierarchies,
have contributed to this framework by delving into standardized procedures, and specialized roles.
ideas like the original position, the veil of ignorance, While bureaucracy brings efficiency and order, it
and the concept of reasonable agreement. may also lead to bureaucratic red tape and a lack
of flexibility.
z Modern Contractarianism seeks to lay the
groundwork for moral and political theories z Protestant Ethic and Capitalism: Weber explored
that prioritise individual rights, social cooperation, the connection between Protestantism and the rise
and the pursuit of common interests. of capitalism. He argued that certain Protestant
religious values, such as the Protestant work
5.2.11 Max Weber ethic, which emphasizes hard work, discipline,
z Maximilian Karl Emil Weber (1864 – 1920) was a and frugality, contributed to the development of
a capitalist spirit.
German sociologist, historian, lawyer, and political
economist who is recognised as one of the most An example of this can be seen in the history of
influential thinkers of contemporary Western society’s the Protestant Reformation, where the religious
growth. values of frugality, self-discipline, and diligence
were believed to promote economic success
z His views have had a significant impact on social
and the accumulation of wealth and growth of
theory and research. While Weber did not consider
industrial capitalism.
himself a sociologist, he is regarded as one of
sociology’s founding fathers, alongside Karl Marx and z Social Action and Social Order: Weber distinguished
Émile Durkheim. between different types of social action, which are the
actions and behaviors of individuals that shape social
Weber’s Philosophy order.
z Verstehen (Understanding): Weber believed in For example, value-rational action is driven by
the importance of understanding social action by a commitment to certain values or principles.
grasping the subjective meanings individuals attach An individual who chooses to pursue a career in
to their actions. public service out of a sense of duty and the desire
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to contribute to the greater good demonstrates z Separation of Powers: Madison advocated for
value-rational action. By understanding the various the separation of powers, which involves dividing
types of social action, sociologists can analyze how governmental authority among different branches
they contribute to the formation and maintenance (legislative, executive, and judicial). This separation
of social structures. serves as a system of checks and balances to
z Value Neutrality: Weber advocated for value neutrality prevent the concentration of power and protect
in social science, suggesting that researchers should individual liberties.
strive to separate their personal values and beliefs Example: The Indian Constitution establishes three
from their objective analysis. separate branches of government: the legislature,
For instance, when studying religious practices, a the executive, and the judiciary. The legislature,
sociologist following Weber’s philosophy of value known as the Parliament, is responsible for
neutrality would aim to understand the practices making laws, the executive branch executes
and beliefs of a religious group without those laws through the President and the Council
imposing their own judgments or biases. By of Ministers, and the judiciary, headed by the
maintaining objectivity, researchers can provide a Supreme Court, interprets the laws and ensures
clearer and more unbiased understanding of social their constitutionality. This separation of powers
phenomena. helps maintain a system of checks and balances.
z Federalism: Madison supported the concept of
5.2.12 James Madison federalism, which involves the division of power
z James Madison Jr. (1751 –1836) was an American between a central government and regional or state
statesman, diplomat, and founding father who governments. He believed that a balance of power
served as the country’s fourth president from 1809 between the two levels of government helps
to 1817. Madison is known as the “Father of the protect individual rights and prevents tyranny.
Constitution” for his key role in the creation and Example: India follows a federal system where
promotion of the United States Constitution and the power is divided between the central government
Bill of Rights. and state governments.
James Madison Philosophy z Protection of Individual Rights: Madison was a
strong advocate for protecting individual rights
z Republicanism: Madison believed in a republican and freedoms. He believed in the importance of
form of government, where power is held by the people safeguarding personal liberties from potential
and exercised through elected representatives. He government encroachment.
emphasized the importance of citizen participation Example: The Constitution of India includes a
and public deliberation in the decision-making comprehensive list of fundamental rights that
process. protect individual liberties.
Example: India operates as a parliamentary
republic, where power is vested in the people, 5.2.13 Machiavelli
and elected representatives form the government. z Machiavelli (1469-1527) was an Italian Renaissance
Indian citizens have the right to vote and participate historian, politician, diplomat, philosopher, humanist,
in the democratic process through regular and writer. He wrote his most renowned work ‘The
elections, exercising their voice in choosing their Prince’ in 1513. For Machiavelli, the highest purpose
representatives at various levels of government. of social political life is to attain and hold power.
Machiavelli Philosophy
Philosophy Description Application and Example
Machiavelli advises rulers to possess A ruler may employ strategic tactics, including
Combination of lion and qualities of both the lion (strength deceit and opportunism, to achieve their goals and
fox qualities and force) and the fox (cunningness maintain power.
and foresight).
Machiavelli advises rulers to gain Rulers should prioritize the welfare and satisfaction
Winning the popularity
popularity, goodwill, and affection of the people to maintain their support and prevent
of the people
from their subjects. potential unrest or opposition.
Machiavelli recommends rulers to Rulers should seek the counsel of knowledgeable
Council of wise men surround themselves with wise and honest individuals to make informed decisions
advisors who can speak the truth. and avoid the pitfalls of isolation or sycophancy.

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Machiavelli suggests rulers should Rulers should strategically leverage emotions and
be calculated, opportunistic, and exploit public sentiments for the benefit of the state,
Emotion-free ruling
unswayed by emotions. while maintaining a cool and rational approach to
decision-making.
5.3 INDIAN PHILOSOPHIES 5.3.1 Important Schools of Hindu

Indian philosophies encompass a rich and diverse Philosophy and Ethical Perspectives
tradition of philosophical thought that has evolved over The term Dharma here does not merely means religion;
thousands of years in the Indian subcontinent. These but it stands for duty, obligation and righteousness.
philosophies delve into fundamental questions about the Schools of Hindu Philospphy
nature of existence, knowledge, ethics, and the purpose of
human life. Here is a brief introduction to some prominent
Indian philosophies: Orthodox Heterodox
z Hindu Philosophy: Hindu philosophy encompasses Schools Schools
various schools of thought, including Vedanta, Yoga, z Samkhya z Buddhism
and Samkhya. Vedanta explores the nature of
z Yoga z Jainism
ultimate reality and the self through the study
of sacred texts such as the Upanishads. Yoga z Nyaya z Ajivika
philosophy emphasizes the union of body, mind, and z Vaisheshika z Charvaka
spirit for self-realization and liberation. Samkhya z Purva Mimamsa
philosophy explores the dualistic nature of reality z Uttara Mimamsa
and the analysis of the material and spiritual aspects
of existence. z Nyaya: Nyaya is a school of philosophy that focuses
on logic, reasoning, and epistemology. From an ethical
z Buddhist Philosophy: Buddhism, founded by Gautama
perspective, Nyaya emphasizes the importance of
Buddha, emphasizes the Four Noble Truths and the right knowledge and understanding in guiding ethical
Eightfold Path as the means to overcome suffering and behavior. It asserts that ethical decisions should be
attain enlightenment. Buddhist philosophy explores based on sound reasoning and evidence.
concepts such as impermanence, non-self, and the nature z Vaisheshika: Vaisheshika is a philosophical school
of consciousness. Schools of Buddhist philosophy that explores metaphysics and the nature of reality.
include Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, each From an ethical perspective, Vaisheshika emphasizes
offering unique insights and practices. the concept of moral responsibility and accountability.
z Jain Philosophy: Jainism, founded by Mahavira, It asserts that individuals are responsible for their
focuses on the pursuit of liberation and the ethical actions and should strive to act in accordance with
principle of non-violence (ahimsa). Jain philosophy moral principles.
explores the concepts of karma, the cycle of birth z Samkhya: Samkhya is a dualistic school of philosophy
and death, and the path to spiritual liberation that delves into the nature of existence and the
distinction between matter and consciousness. From
through non-violence, truthfulness, and asceticism.
an ethical perspective, Samkhya highlights the concept
z Sikh Philosophy: Sikhism, founded by Guru Nanak, of liberation (moksha) through knowledge and self-
emphasizes devotion to the divine, equality, and social realization. It emphasizes the need to transcend
justice. Sikh philosophy stresses the importance of material desires and attachments to attain spiritual
ethical living, selfless service, and the continuous liberation.
pursuit of spiritual growth. z Yoga: Yoga is a philosophical and practical school that
focuses on the union of the individual self (Atman)
Doctrine of Karma with the cosmic consciousness (Brahman). From an
z When a soul is connected to a physical body, it is ethical perspective, Yoga emphasizes moral values and
expected to follow divine laws and carry out certain ethical conduct as an integral part of the yogic path.
actions. It advocates for self-discipline, self-control, and the
cultivation of virtues to lead a balanced and ethical life.
z The belief is that performing good deeds leads to
z Purva Mimamsa: Purva Mimamsa is a school of
happiness, while doing evil deeds brings about philosophy that primarily concerns itself with
misery. the interpretation of Vedic rituals and texts. From
z The human soul is eternal and constantly engaged an ethical perspective, Purva Mimamsa places
in actions, and it cannot avoid experiencing the significant emphasis on performing one’s duties and
consequences of its actions. It receives what it gives. responsibilities (svadharma) in accordance with the
rituals and injunctions laid out in the Vedas.
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z Uttara Mimamsa (Vedanta): Vedanta is a school of philosophy that focuses on the study and interpretation of the
Upanishads and the Vedas. From an ethical perspective, Vedanta emphasizes the principles of dharma (righteousness),
ahimsa (non-violence), and selfless service. It emphasizes the realization of one’s true nature and the recognition
of the divinity within oneself and others, leading to ethical conduct and compassion.
These six schools of Indian philosophy provide different perspectives on ethics and ethical conduct
5.3.2 Essence of Ramayana and Mahabharata
Character Ethical Lessons
z Marriage: Demonstrating loyalty towards his wife.
z Social Contractarianism: Valuing the relationship with the public/subjects.
Ram
z Governance: Prioritising the public over family.
z Friendship: Treating Hanuman as a friend.
Dasharatha z Emotional Intelligence: Making decisions without being influenced by extreme emotions.
and Kaikeyi z Social Influence: Highlighting the importance of both positive and negative social influences.
z Greed: Illustrating the consequences of excessive desire for power and lack of ethical judgment.
Ravana
z Knowledge and Wisdom: Emphasising the importance of ethical intellectualism.
Bhishma z Dharma: Upholding one’s duty and righteousness.
z Positive Thinking: Finding solutions and positivity in every situation.
Arjun and
z Contractarianism: Understanding the importance of keeping one’s word and fulfilling obligations.
Krishna
z Teleological Ethics: Considering the consequences of actions to determine their ethical nature.
z Dedication and Patience: Demonstrating unwavering dedication and patience.
z Love, Satisfaction, and Happiness: Finding eternal happiness and satisfaction in serving Lord
Shabari
Rama.
z Equality and Respect: Lord Rama’s equal treatment and respect towards Shabari.
Jatayu z Responsibility: Fulfilling one’s responsibilities despite knowing the limitations.
5.3.3 Lessons from the Ramayana As a result, he was forced to forsake his wife for the
sake of the crowds after they called her virginity
z Choose the Righteous Path: Ravana’s younger
into doubt.
brother, Vibhishana, opted not to help his sibling in
As a husband, he was duty-bound towards his
the fight against Ram. He was well aware that his
brother had committed a transgression by kidnapping wife. But as a King, he had to think of his subjects’
wishes ahead of his personal ones.
a woman.
z Treat everyone equally: Lord Rama treated everyone
z Remain humble no matter how powerful you
equally, which is how he acquired everyone’s love and
become: Lord Hanuman had the ability to face
esteem.
Ravana’s army alone. However, he opted to submit
When Shabari (the sage’s daughter) presented
to Lord Rama’s divinity and let him perform the
him with the previously eaten berry fruits, he ate
necessary.
them without hesitation. He was always kind and
z Truth Wins: The fundamental message of the modest to others.
Ramayana is that no matter how powerful evil is, it
We should dip our toes into this quality. We must
will always be conquered by Good.
always treat everyone equally and not discriminate
The truth always triumphs. A noble heart and
on the basis of position, gender, age, or cast.
excellent ideals should always be present in a
z Always keep excellent company: It is stated that
person. your surroundings form you into the person you
z Unity Can Overcome Any Difficulty in Life: The are. The importance of an excellent company is also
fruits of unity offer the ability to sail the ship when emphasised in the Ramayana.
the tide appears to be higher than the sky. Queen Kaikeyi, Dashratha’s third wife, loved Rama
z Be Deeply Committed to Your Duty: Ram was not more than her own son, but her handmaiden,
only Sita’s husband but also the King of Ayodhya Manthara, poisoned her mind with bad feed,
and the king’s responsibility is to make his subjects and as a consequence, Kaikeyi requested Rama’s
pleased. fourteen-year exile.

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A bad person may brainwash all the good inside Example: A civil servant ensures equitable access
you, which is why we need to constantly maintain to government services and resources, irrespective
a healthy circle so that we can improve over time. of caste, creed, or socioeconomic status. They strive
to eliminate discrimination and work towards
5.3.4 Ethical lessons given by Bhagavad- creating an inclusive and just society.
Gita z Self-reflection and Self-improvement: The Gita
z Only the truth will triumph: There will always be encourages individuals to engage in self-reflection and
more powerful timepieces, and the truth can never continuous self-improvement. Civil servants are urged
be hidden. to reflect on their actions, learn from experiences, and
For example Skin colour is a biological reality, cultivate qualities that contribute to their effectiveness
but race is a social issue. Western authorities and ethical conduct.
attempted to conceal this reality, but Nelson Example: A civil servant regularly engages in self-
Mandela’s anti-apartheid fight in South Africa assessment, seeking feedback from colleagues and
ultimately demonstrated that race is but a social citizens, and actively participates in professional
construct. development programs. They aim to enhance their
z Duty and Service: The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes skills, knowledge, and ethical awareness to better
the importance of fulfilling one’s duties with a sense serve the public.
of service and dedication. Civil servants have a
responsibility to serve the public and work towards 5.3.5 Islamic Ethics
the welfare of society. z Islam as a comprehensive way of life encompasses
Example: A civil servant diligently performs a complete moral system that is an important aspect
their duties, such as maintaining law and order, of its worldview.
providing public services, or implementing
z Islam holds that moral positions are not relative,
policies that uplift the marginalized sections of
and instead, defines a universal standard by which
society. They prioritize the well-being of the public
over personal interests, embodying the principle actions may be deemed moral or immoral.
of selfless service. z Islam’s moral system not only defines morality, but
z Ethical Decision-Making: The Gita teaches the value also guides the human race in how to achieve it, at
of ethical decision-making based on righteousness both an individual as well as collective level.
and moral principles. Civil servants are often faced
with complex decisions that require ethical judgment Principles of Islam from Ethical
and consideration of the broader impact on society.
Perspective
Example: A civil servant faces a situation where
they must choose between following corrupt Tawhid (Unity); Ihtiram (Respect); Ikhlas (Sincerity);
practices or upholding integrity. By aligning Haya (Modesty); Iqtisad (Moderation/ Humility);
their actions with ethical principles, they make Dhikr (Remembrance); Ilm (Pursuit of Knowledge)
decisions that prioritize the public good, even
if it means facing challenges or going against z From an Islamic perspective, the purpose of human
prevailing norms. life is complete surrender to God and his stated
z Non-attachment to Outcomes: The Gita emphasizes principles (commandments) by leading this worldly
the importance of performing one’s duties without life in harmony with the Divine will, and thereby
attachment to the results. Civil servants need to achieve peace in this world, and everlasting success
focus on their responsibilities and perform their in the life hereafter.
duties without being swayed by personal ambitions z Muslims look towards the Quran and the Traditions
or desires for recognition. of the Prophet (Hadis) as their moral guides.
Example: A civil servant works tirelessly on a
z The guiding principle for the behaviour of a Muslim
project or policy implementation, focusing on
is what the Quran refers to as Al Amal Assalih-
the task at hand and the welfare of the people
virtuous deeds. This term covers all deeds, not just
they serve, rather than being motivated solely by
personal gain or political recognition. the outward acts of worship.
z Equality and Fairness: The Gita promotes the ideals z Some of the primary character traits expected of a
of equality and fairness. Civil servants are expected to Muslim are piety, humility and a profound sense of
treat all citizens with equal respect, ensuring fairness accountability to God.
in the delivery of public services and upholding the z The love and continuous awareness of God and
principles of justice. the Day of Judgment enables man to be moral in
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conduct and sincere in intentions with devotion z Buddhist ethics is not founded on man-made rules
and dedication. or social practises. It is founded not on changing
z The key to virtue and good conduct is a strong social traditions, but on the eternal laws of nature.
relationship with God, who sees all, at all times and
z Buddhist morality: It determines whether an activity
everywhere. He knows the secrets of the hearts and
the intentions behind all actions. is good or harmful depending on the purpose or
z Therefore, Islam enjoins moral behaviour in all motive behind it.
circumstances; God is aware of each one when no Actions motivated by greed, hate, or selfishness
one else is. It may be possible to deceive the world, are deemed harmful and are referred to as Akusala
but it’s not possible to deceive the Creator.
Kamma.
z Charity is one of the most commendable acts in Islam.
Kusala Kamma refers to meritorious and virtuous
Zakah/Zakat, the annual charity that is obligatory
for every Muslim who has accrued wealth above actions centred on the principles of charity, love,
a certain level, is one of the basic pillars of Islam. and wisdom.
z Islam supports morality and matters that lead to
the enhancement of morality, and stands in the way
Quotes by Buddha
of corruption and matters that lead to the spreading z Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love;
of corruption. The injunctions and prohibitions in this is the eternal rule.
Islam are to be seen in this light. z It’s not what you say but what you do that defines
you.
Ethical Values Enshrined in Islam z A man is not called wise because he talks and talks
z Kindness Charity Fairness and Justice again; but if he is peaceful, loving and fearless then
z Forgiveness Honesty Keeping promises he is in truth called wise.
z Patience Social Equality Controlling one’s z The secret of health for both mind and body is
anger not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the
z Order Respecting parents and elders future, but to live the present moment wisely and
earnestly.
5.4 INDIAN PHILOSOPHERS

Three Essentials for
z Indian philosophers have contributed significantly Life That Buddhism Eight-Fold Paths
to the realm of philosophy. Considers
z These intellectuals have studied fundamental 1. Wisdom (Prajna): It 1. Right Knowledge (or
conceptions of existence, awareness, and morality, from comes from the right Views)
ancient sages like Gautama Buddha, who created view, and it leads to 2. Right Resolve
Buddhism, to Adi Shankara, who reinvigorated
the right intention. 3. Right Speech
Hindu philosophy.
2. Ethical conduct (Sila): 4. Right Conduct (or
z Swami Vivekananda and Jiddu Krishnamurti
The right view and Action)
introduced Indian philosophy to the world, while
intentions are guides
Rabindranath Tagore combined philosophy and 5. Right Livelihood
to ethical conduct –
writing. 6. Right Effort
right speech, right
z Their teachings continue to inspire and influence action, right livelihood 7. Right Mindfulness,
many people, providing insights into the nature of and
and right effort.
reality and the search for inner peace. 8. Right Meditation (or
3. Concentration
5.4.1 Buddha (Samadi): Its focus Concentration)
z Gautama Buddha was an ascetic, religious leader, is ‘self–activity’
and teacher who lived in ancient India between the to have the right
sixth and fifth centuries BCE. His teachings became mindfulness and right
the foundation of Buddhist philosophy, customs, and concentration. When
religion. wisdom, ethics and
z Buddhist ethics are neither arbitrary norms devised concentration become
by man for his own utilitarian purposes, nor are a way of life; one gains
they enforced arbitrarily. enlightenment.

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Four Noble Truths z Compassion: The teachings of Buddha on compassion
1. The Truth of Suffering: No matter how much we emphasise the value of kindness, empathy, and care
struggle, we are unable to find the ultimate happiness for the well-being of others. Compassion may create
or satisfaction. Suffering is the common bond we understanding, bridge barriers, and promote peace
share. Therefore, suffering is the real truth of our among individuals and groups in a society that
existence. frequently appears divided and lacking in empathy.
2. Excess Desire: Cravings, excess desires and ignorance
Kautilya
about reality are the cause of suffering.
z Kautilya/Chanakya (375-283 BCE) was a teacher,
3. The Truth about the End of Suffering: If the desire
author, strategist, philosopher, economist, jurist, and
is eliminated, then only the suffering would stop. This royal advisor in ancient India. He is traditionally
stage when all desires are burned is called “nirvana” identified as Kauilya or Vishnugupta, the author of
in Buddhism. the Arthashastra, an ancient Indian political treatise.
4. The Path for Ending Suffering: This path is called the
eightfold path. It emphasises a middle path between Philosophy of Kautiliya:
worldly pleasure and painful asceticism. Seven Prakritis (Saptangas) are constitutive of the State
Pancasila (Five Precepts) 1. Swamin Ruler
Buddhism invites Buddhists to adopt five precepts 2. Amatya Ministers
voluntarily in order to live together in civilised 3. Janapada Territory and Population
communities with mutual trust and respect. These are – 4. Durga Fort/Capital city
No killing, No stealing, No lying, No sexual misconduct,
and No intoxicants. 5. Kosa Treasury
6. Danda Coercive power of the state/ Punitive justice
Relevance to Modern Time 7. Mitra Ally
z Mindfulness: As taught by Buddha, the practice of Governance: King’s happiness lies in the happiness of his
mindfulness has grown in prominence in the modern subjects. His focus lies on the welfare state.
world. “Yatha Raja Tatha Praja” highlighting
It provides useful methods for cultivating present- the importance of honesty, efficiency, and
moment awareness, reducing stress, improving accountability of the King.
attention, and improving general well-being. z Rajrishi Concept: An ideal leader is a combination
It enables us to handle the distractions and of Raja and Rishi.
craziness of modern life with better clarity and Like a Raja, he is dynamic, active, and has decision-
inner serenity. making capacity.
z The Middle Path: Buddha’s focus on seeking balance At the same time, like a sage, he should be able
and avoiding extremes is especially pertinent now. to connect with the spiritual and higher level
The Middle Way urges us to pursue moderation,
of the world by being wise and should focus on
harmony, and a balanced approach in our ideas, philosophy.
actions, and attitudes in a society frequently He should possess the quality of inviting nature,
characterised by polarisation and extremism. self-restraint and spirit, intellect and intuition, and
enthusiasm.
z Teachings on suffering: Dukkha and its source,
cessation, and the route to liberation are extremely z Science a source of power: He advocated that science
is a great source of power. He further believed that
important in today’s environment.
‘power is strength and it is the strength which changes
They remind us of the universality of pain and
the mind’.
give a framework for comprehending its causes
z Realpolitik and Pragmatism: Kautilya’s philosophy
and overcoming it.
emphasizes a pragmatic approach to governance,
z Everything is temporary: The teaching of Buddha on where rulers prioritize the stability and welfare of the
impermanence (Anicca) informs us that everything is state over idealistic notions. It recognizes the need for
temporary and prone to change. practical decision-making based on political realities.
This teaching urges us to build resilience, Example: In modern times, political leaders often
adaptation, and a greater awareness of the employ realpolitik strategies, such as making
ephemeral aspect of existence in a fast-paced and alliances or engaging in diplomatic negotiations
ever-changing world. with countries that may have conflicting ideologies.
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These actions are driven by the pragmatic pursuit Relevance to Modern Time:
of national interests and the preservation of
stability. Kautilyan Indicators of Good
z Statecraft and Governance: Kautilya’s philosophy Governance
emphasizes effective statecraft and governance, An ideal king must merge his individuality with duties.
including principles related to administration, law, —Impersonality
and economics. It provides guidance on how rulers An ideal King must avoid extremes without missing the
can ensure the efficient functioning of the state and goal.—Madhyammarga/ Middle Path
maintain social order. The king and public servants must get fixed salaries
and allowances. —Avoid Corruption
Example: The administrative systems and The main duty of the King and servants is to maintain
bureaucratic structures in many countries law and order. The losses due to theft and corruption
draw inspiration from Kautilya’s principles of should be made good from the king’s and his servant’s
governance. These systems aim to promote salary.—Accountability
efficiency, transparency, and accountability in An important duty of the king is to carry out preventive
decision-making and public service delivery. and punitive measures against corrupt officials.
—Justice
z The Use of Power and Diplomacy: Kautilya
Replacement of ministers by good ones.
recognized the importance of power and diplomacy
—Transfers and Shuffling
in the international arena. His philosophy suggests Code of Conduct for King and ministers. —Disciplined
that rulers should employ strategic tactics to protect Appointment of Amatyas who were selected on merit.
and advance the interests of their states. —Bureaucracy
Example: In international relations, countries
often engage in diplomatic negotiations, deploy
5.4.2 Thiruvalluvar
military forces, or use economic leverage to protect z Thiruvalluvar, or Valluvar, was a well-known Tamil
poet and philosopher.
their national interests. These actions reflect the
principles of power and diplomacy outlined in z He is best known for writing the Thirukkural, a
collection of couplets on ethics, politics, and economics,
Kautilya’s philosophy.
as well as love.
z Espionage and Intelligence: Kautilya’s philosophy z The text is regarded as an outstanding and widely
emphasizes the role of espionage and intelligence admired work of Tamil literature.
gathering as crucial tools for governance and decision- z Valluvar’s contribution to politics is applicable to the
making. It recognizes the need for information to present democratic governance for the welfare of
make informed choices and mitigate potential threats. all the people.
Example: Governments around the world have Philosophy of Thiruvalluvar:
intelligence agencies and conduct intelligence
z Forgiveness: Retaliation will bring you joy for a short
operations to gather information on potential time, but patience and forgiveness will bring you joy
security threats, monitor international for the rest of your life.
developments, and safeguard national interests. z Right Speech: Burns from careless speech will never
These actions align with Kautilya’s emphasis on heal, even those caused by fire.
intelligence gathering. z Nation-State: A nation should focus on five essential
z Ethics and Moral Governance: While Kautilya’s factors: well-being, prosperity, security, and
philosophy acknowledges the practical realities of production.
politics, it also recognizes the importance of ethical z Truthfulness: Even a lie could be regarded as the
conduct and moral governance. It advocates for the truth if it is unharmful and has clear advantages.
welfare of the people and upholds righteousness. z God and Religion: Even if god and fate don’t want it,
your true efforts will bear efforts.
Example: In contemporary governance, leaders
z Application: Tiruvalluvar’s worldview serves as a
are expected to adhere to ethical standards and
guidepost for the current drive for retribution and
demonstrate moral leadership. Policies aimed vengeance among people, communities, and nation-
at social welfare, combating corruption, and states. Thiruvalluvar’s approach is supported by
protecting human rights reflect the principles examples such as atheists achieving more success,
of ethical governance influenced by Kautilya’s Gandhi’s capacity to forgive others for their ignorance,
philosophy. and Buddha’s eightfold way.

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5.4.3 Ravidasa z Brotherhood: Through his landmark address at the

World Parliament of Religions Conference, he fostered
z During the medieval period, Ravidasa was a prominent
brotherhood among Indians and people all over the
Hindu saint and philosopher. Despite coming from a
world.
low-income family, he had no inferiority complex. He
restored good to evil. z Rationalism: He was a rationalist movement pioneer
in India and a disciple of Vedanta philosophy. For a
z View on Religion:
happy existence, he wished for a synthesis of Western
He regards religion as a basic human necessity. and Indian thought.
Man has a religious inclination that differs from z Oneness and Universal Brotherhood: Swami
hunger and thirst. Vivekananda emphasized the underlying unity
If self-realization is the dawn of the spirit, self- of all beings and promoted the idea of universal
negation is the dark night of the soul, according brotherhood. He believed that beyond the external
to him. differences, there is a common thread of divinity
He can lead people gathered in darkness to their
connecting all individuals.
fate. z Service to Humanity: Swami Vivekananda
Ravidasa criticises religious beliefs that do not
emphasized the concept of selfless service to humanity.
appeal to human reason. He believed that true spirituality is expressed through
acts of compassion, social service, and upliftment of
He opposes the folly of futile religious action.
the underprivileged.
Ravidasa despises the superstitions linked with
z Integration of Science and Spirituality: Swami
devotion. His commitment was mostly in the form Vivekananda advocated for the harmonious
of service. integration of science and spirituality. He believed
z Human existence: that scientific advancements and spiritual insights
According to Ravidasa, human existence is should complement each other to provide a holistic
uncommon and earned as a consequence of understanding of the world.
worthy acts. z Strength and Self-confidence: Swami Vivekananda
He should devote his life to reaching the ultimate emphasized the development of inner strength,
human desire, which is only achievable by adhering self-confidence, and fearlessness. He believed that
to a moral code of discipline. individuals should overcome their limitations and
realize their true potential.
Ravidasa exhorts his followers to rise beyond the
faults of pride, wrath, greed, attachment, envy, z Youth Empowerment: Swami Vivekananda believed
and desire. in the power of the youth as agents of social change and
nation-building. He emphasized the need to channel
Only in the absence of determinism can true
their energy and idealism towards constructive and
freedom be realised.
noble causes.
Reason, religion, and reflection have all been given
a high priority. Relevance in the Present Times
Reason is trustworthy and important. Ravidasa’s z Togetherness, tolerance, and mutual
philosophy is distinguished by the principles of understanding: Swami Vivekananda’s message of
self-transcending existence and perfect freedom. togetherness, tolerance, and mutual understanding,
regardless of religious differences, is critical in today’s
5.4.4 Swami Vivekananda world, where religious disputes and extremism are
z Swami Vivekananda (1863 – 1902) was an Indian persistent challenges.
Hindu monk, philosopher, author, and religious teacher. z Peaceful and harmonious society: His teachings can
He was a pivotal player in introducing Vedanta and contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious society
Yoga to the Western world. and is credited for pushing in which other religions, cultures, and ideologies are
Hinduism to the level of a significant international recognised and treasured.
religion and fostering interfaith awareness. z Motivate future generations: Vivekananda’s
teachings can motivate future generations to treasure
Philosophy of Swami Vivekananda India’s rich spiritual legacy and the importance of old
z Education: To awaken the masses, he founded the spiritual traditions in today’s world.
Ram-Krishna Mission and, eventually, Ram-Krishna z Relevance of Indian spiritual traditions: He was
Math. He criticised naïve spiritual beliefs and sought one of the first to emphasise the relevance of Indian
religious logic. spiritual traditions to the Western world, and his
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teachings and efforts can continue to inspire young injustice, oppression, and inequality. It emphasizes
people to maintain and promote the same. the power of collective action grounded in truth
z Ideas and teachings: Swami Vivekananda’s ideas and nonviolence.
and teachings are still very relevant to today’s youth. z Simplicity and Minimalism: Gandhi lived a
His message of self-reliance, religious unity, and the
simple and minimalistic lifestyle, emphasizing the
necessity of education are all significant teachings
importance of reducing materialism and living with
that may assist young people manage the modern
world’s obstacles and possibilities. less. He believed that true wealth lies in contentment
We may look to the wisdom of this great spiritual leader and inner richness rather than material possessions.
for advice and inspiration as we continue to face various Relevance: In a consumer-driven society, Gandhi’s
societal and economic difficulties. teachings on simplicity and minimalism remind
us to prioritize values beyond material wealth.
5.4.5 M K Gandhi
Embracing a more sustainable and mindful way
Gandhi’s Talisman of life can contribute to personal well-being and
environmental sustainability.
Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes
too much, recall the face of the poorest and the z Equality and Social Justice: Gandhi advocated for
weakest man/ woman whom you may have seen, and equality among all individuals, regardless of caste,
ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be religion, gender, or socioeconomic status. He fought
of any use to him/her. Will it lead to swaraj for the against discrimination, untouchability, and other
hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then yourself forms of social injustice.
will melt away.
Relevance: Gandhi’s teachings on equality and
social justice continue to resonate today. They
Important Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi inspire movements and individuals striving for
z Nonviolence and Ahimsa: Gandhi’s principle of
equal rights, gender equality, inclusivity, and the
nonviolence (Ahimsa) advocates for resolving conflicts
eradication of discrimination in all its forms.
through peaceful means and rejecting violence
in thought, speech, and action. He believed that z Service to Others: Gandhi emphasized the importance
nonviolence is a powerful force that can transform of selfless service to others and the welfare of society.
individuals and societies. He believed in working for the upliftment of the
Relevance: In today’s world, where conflicts and marginalized and the well-being of all.
tensions exist on various levels, Gandhi’s teachings Relevance: Gandhi’s teachings on service and
on nonviolence and peaceful resistance continue compassion guide individuals and organizations
to inspire movements for social justice, human
involved in philanthropy, community development,
rights, and conflict resolution.
and social service initiatives. They remind us of our
z Truth and Honesty: Gandhi emphasized the
collective responsibility to contribute positively to
importance of truth and honesty in all aspects of life.
He believed in speaking the truth, even in difficult society and alleviate suffering.
circumstances, and practising honesty in personal Trusteeship
and public life.
z Wealthy people should act as trustees of the trust,
Relevance: In an era of misinformation and deceit,
Gandhiji’s teachings on truth and honesty remind looking after the welfare of the people.
us of the significance of integrity, transparency, z The concept of trusteeship makes it clear that wealth
and trustworthiness. Upholding truth in public and resources, regardless of who “owns’’ them, must
discourse and personal relationships is crucial for help with the betterment of society and its entire
building a just and ethical society. people, and it places the onus on those who have
z Satyagraha: Satyagraha is a philosophy and method wealth to make this happen.
of nonviolent resistance that Gandhi developed. It
z This is a direct embodiment of his nonviolence
involves using the power of truth, self-sacrifice, and
ideology, i.e. the effluent must do it of their own
nonviolent actions to confront injustice and bring
about positive change. volition, unforced by external pressure.
Relevance: Gandhi’s concept of Satyagraha z However, in the long run, and in the realities of
inspires movements and individuals engaged the society we live in, this strategy will be more
in peaceful protests and civil resistance against sustainable.

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Relevance of Idea of Trusteeship: Everyone should be equitably represented, and the

value of liberty should be promoted.
Development models centred around
Relevance of
Trusteeship The spirit of love, brotherhood, truth, nonviolence,
preservation of nature.
and self-sacrifice will pervade all people.
Corporate Social Responsibility.
Nonviolence will be the foundation of society.
Addressing Income Inequality and Poverty.
There will be no party system or majority control,
Channelisation of revenue for social welfare. and society will be free of the evil of majority
z Prevalence of Inequality: A recent Oxfam research tyranny.
titled “Inequality Kills” highlighted a substantial Politics will no longer be a tool of power, but rather
economic difference exacerbated by the Covid a tool of service.
epidemic, both internationally and in India. Every
four seconds, at least one person dies as a result of Satyagraha
inequality. z Origin of Satyagraha may be traced in the
z Degrading Environment: Greenhouse gas emissions Upanishads, as well as the teachings of Buddha,
are impacting the world climate and creating a variety Mahavira, and a number of other greats such as Leo
of catastrophic disasters and illnesses. Tolstoy and John Ruskin.
z Natural resource overexploitation: Minerals, oil, z Means and purposes: Gandhi’s philosophy of
gas, and coal are non-renewable resources. Their Satyagraha can be understood as a method of
usage as raw materials and energy sources depletes nonviolent resistance or civil disobedience that seeks
the Earth’s stocks. to confront injustice and bring about social change
through the power of truth and nonviolence.
Trusteeship Provides Solutions for Various
z Example: let’s consider a scenario where a community
Challenges of the 21st century is facing unfair eviction from their homes due to a
z Sustainable Consumption: Consume just what is development project. Instead of resorting to violence
necessary without harming others. or aggressive confrontation, the community decides to
z Labor Dignity: Providing a good minimum living employ Satyagraha. They organize peaceful protests,
wage and compassionate working conditions. engage in acts of civil disobedience like sit-ins or
z Fair Wealth Distribution: The affluent have a hunger strikes, and raise awareness about their cause
moral obligation to care for the social welfare of the through nonviolent means.
impoverished. Three Pillars of Satyagraha:
z Enrichment of human life: At the heart of Gandhi’s
trusteeship concept is the growth, upliftment, and Three Pillars of Satyagraha
enrichment of human life, rather than a higher level
of living with minimal regard for human and social
Satya Ahimsa Tapasya
values.
z The Gandhian quest for peace rests on the foundation
Sarvodaya of non-violence.
“The good of the individual is contained in the z For conflict resolution Mahatma Gandhi used the
welfare of all. This is the core idea behind inclusive method of Satyagraha [insistence on truth or zeal
development.” for Truth] that has three pillars:
z The ‘Sarvodaya’ is the combination of two words 1. Satya - which implies openness, honesty, and
‘Sarva’ and ‘Uday’. It denotes the meaning of uplift fairness:
of all. It also gives the meaning ‘good of all’, ‘service
Each person’s opinions and beliefs represent
to all’ and ‘welfare of all’, etc. It is concerned with
part of the truth;
Gandhian Socialism. Its purpose is the socio-
economic development of all. The base of Philosophy In order to see more of the truth we must share
is commonness, i.e., what is done not for any particular our truths cooperatively; This implies a desire
individual or group but for all to communicate and a determination to do so.
z The following examples demonstrate ‘Sarvodaya’ 2. Ahimsa - refusal to inflict injury on others:
philosophy: Ahimsa is defined by our willingness to
Creation of self-sustaining village networks in communicate and share our bits of truth.
which the primary goal of production is self- Violence cuts off communication channels;
consumption. the concept of Ahimsa appears in most major
Fostering family bonds that go beyond blood religions, implying that while most people do
relations. not practise it, it is respected as an ideal; Ahimsa
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is an expression of our concern that our own z To mitigate corruption and race of materialism:
and other people’s humanity be manifested and Truth and nonviolence will always be beneficial
respected. wherever the objective is wealth, welfare, and
We must learn to genuinely love our opponents progress, since without truth and nonviolence, there
in order to practice Ahimsa. can be no peace, and without peace, there can be no
development.
3. Tapasya - willingness for self-sacrifice:
A Satyagrahi must be willing to bear whatever Gandhi on Politics
sacrifice or suffering caused by the conflict they z Aim of Polity: He thinks polity’s ultimate aim as a
launched, rather than forcing such sacrifice or medium for total welfare of mankind and hence there
suffering on their opponent. is no any place for violence, cruelty, injustice and
The Satyagrahi must constantly present oppression. If to achieve good results, the medium to
opponents with a face-saving way out. attain needs to be of equality, good and pure, ethical
values, it is compulsory.
The purpose is to uncover a broader panorama
of truth and justice, not to defeat the opponent. z Civilise contemporary politics: Gandhi’s main goal
was to civilise contemporary politics from within by
Use of Satyagraha by Gandhiji removing anger, hostility, and compulsion.
z Weapon of spiritual force: Satyagraha has also been z Mobilising collective power: His nonviolent politics
regarded as a weapon of spiritual force in the face of was a strategy of mobilising collective power in a
injustice. way that attends to its own moral education in an
z As a way of life: Gandhi Ji saw Satyagraha as a way exemplary and unique way.
of life, during India’s liberation war, Satyagraha was z Politics from ethics or religion: Gandhiji always
utilised as a weapon to defy governmental authority derived politics from ethics or religion, and he saw
and achieve diverse goals for the general benefit of politics as a labour of the heart rather than a job of
the people. intellect.
z Movements: The Civil Disobedience Movement of z Dedicated and committed political: He advocated
1930, which began with the violation of the Salt Law for a dedicated and committed political ethos that
in Dandi, and the Quit India Movements were classic rejected the requirement of “dirty hands” in politics.
examples of Gandhi and his associates employing
Satyagraha as a weapon of the soul force.
Gandhi’s Eleven Vows
Truth Remove
Relevance of Satyagraha at Present Fearlessness untouchability
z For Dispute in the Industrial Establishment:
Bread labour Self Discipline
Satyagraha would be a viable alternative to other
strategies for the peaceful resolution of disagreements
and conflicts in the industrial system. Equality of all Gandhi’s 11
religion Non-possession
z To resolve war-like situations such as the Russia vows
– Ukraine war: To address war-like circumstances, Control of
such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, practising the Swadeshi Palate
principles of truth and nonviolence in the smallest
manner possible will undoubtedly make a significant Non
Non
contribution to bringing about peace and harmony. Stealing
Violence
z To reduce corruption and the rush to materialism:
In today’s socioeconomic political system, there is Gandhi’s Seven Sins
an urgent need to wean the person away from the z Gandhi mentioned these seven sins in his weekly
influence of riches, pleasures, and power. “Young India”.
Type of Sins Examples

z Religion-based vote-bank politics.
Politics without
z False promises made by politicians for personal gain.
principles
z Political position buying and selling.

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Wealth without z Commission agents charge hefty amounts of commissions on buying and selling of properties.
work z Accepting bribes, personal gifts by many politicians and civil servants in some instances.
z Activities such as deforestation, pollution, and overconsumption, driven by a desire for personal
Pleasure pleasure or convenience without considering the long-term consequences, reflect this social
without sin.
conscience z Illegal gambling activities, such as betting on sports events or card games, without considering
the ethical and moral implications.
z Use of scientific knowledge to create weapons of mass destruction.
Knowledge
z Recent cases of “Missing women” due to female feticide using ultrasound tests.
without
character z Academic frauds like plagiarism, falsification of research data, or manipulating information
to mislead others.
Science without z Bombardment of missiles between Ukraine and Russia.
humanity z Misuse of technology for surveillance.
z Unethical business practices, such as exploitative labor conditions, unethical supply chain
Commerce management, or predatory pricing strategies.
without z Hoarding essential commodities to increase their price to get more profits.
morality z Selling substandard products just to earn money.
z Predatory lending and exploitative lending.
z Religious fundamentalism in all religions leads to communal tensions as seen recently in
Religion France.
without
z Using religion to incite violence, discriminate against certain groups, or promote hatred
sacrifice
contradicts the core principles of selflessness and sacrifice in religious teachings.
Gandhiji’s on the Good Life

z Social service: Selfless social work was a source of
Gandhism in Civil Services
spiritual upliftment and a greater sense of fulfillment z Framing inclusive policies: A civil servant must
for Gandhi ji. According to Gandhiji, “the best way ensure that the benefits of government policies
to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service reach the most needful. Gandhi’s vision of Sarvodaya
of others.” through Antyodaya can only be achieved when
welfare policies are inclusive and well-directed.
z Cleanliness: According to Gandhiji, “cleanliness is
next to godliness” Cleanliness and hygiene promote z Judicious utilization of resources: All public
mental well-being and the production of positive resources must be utilized in a fair and transparent
ideas. Furthermore, Gandhi ji attempted to solve the manner. It is the duty of civil servants to check
problem of sanitation, and hence manual scavenging underutilization and misappropriation of public
and untouchability, using this concept. funds.
z Intoxication: Gandhi ji campaigned for the ban z Special provisions for the marginalized: A civil
of spirits and denounced drunkenness. It pollutes servant should think about how his actions will
our spirit, intellect, and emotions and encourages benefit the marginalized sections of the society.
unethical behaviour. z Handling continuous public criticism: Civil
z Austerity: Gandhi ji advocated for a modest existence servants are constantly under public scrutiny
for their actions. A civil servant must not stop
with the minimal necessities. He believed in the
taking decisions which will benefit the poor and
satisfaction of higher-order demands like knowledge,
downtrodden, even though he/she has to face
morality, faith, and so on. Furthermore, Gandhi ji
criticism for that.
stated that having material luxury when the majority
of India suffered in poverty and hunger was against
his conscience. Gandhi and Sustainable
z Altruism: Gandhi ji promoted altruism not just as a Development Goals
voluntary good deed but also as an obligation for the
well-off in order to build a just and sustainable social
Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need but
order. Vinobha Bhave, a devotee of Gandhi Ji, carried
not any man’s greed. —M.K. Gandhi
it further as the Bhoodan movement.
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SDGs are distinguished by their emphasis on 5.4.7 Rabindranath Tagore
sustainability. This idea of sustainability figures z Rabindranath Tagore was born in Calcutta on
prominently in Gandhiji’s teaching as well. May 7, 1861, a poet, writer, dramatist, composer,
philosopher, social reformer, and painter from Bengal.
What we do today, is our future. We should not look In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century,
upon the natural resources – water, air, land – as he used Contextual Modernism to transform Bengali
inheritance from our forefathers. literature and music, as well as Indian art.
z Tagore on Education: Tagore envisioned a book
Gandhi considered natural resources to be the loan given
that combined Eastern and Western ideals. Indian
by our next generation. philosophy’s spiritualism and the Western people’s
z Gandhi believed that technology and innovation progressive viewpoint were combined.
have to be deployed to the service of the people and z Naturalist: Tagore was a naturalist, and nature is the
create broader employment possibilities; not to be finest teacher. Nature will present the pupil with the
used as a means for laying off people from their jobs situations he or she needs to learn.
and generating profits for few. There should be no external pressure on the
z He looked upon rural employment and small-scale pupil to learn anything. Nature will mould his
industries as a tool for eradicating poverty, bringing personality and attitude.
the rural areas at par with the urban areas - localising z New standard in education: Tagore set a new
standard in Indian education by rejecting book-
the development.
centred instruction for kids for the first time.
z Gandhi was the epitome of personal practice of z Practical and real education: Tagore believed that
sustainable consumption and production. He education should be practical and real, rather than
underscored that for the sustainability of the world, artificial and academic. Education should undoubtedly
individual responsibility is important as anticipated improve a learner’s creative ability.
in the SDGs. z Fine arts in his educational programme: Tagore
z Gandhi wanted human beings themselves to be the placed a high value on the fine arts in his educational
programme. Activities like sports, dancing, music,
major change agent in the process. Similar idea is
theatre, painting, and so on were considered instructive.
embedded in the SDGs; theory of change.
z Poverty removal via education: Tagore was aware of
The major aspiration of the 2030 Sustainable our country’s rural poverty. As a result, he sought to
Development Agenda is captured by the tagline abolish it via education. Students will become expert
Leave No One Behind. Gandhi viewed, Progress of a artisans in their fields as a result of the practical
society should be determined by the state of the training they get in various crafts.
most vulnerable and the weakest ones. Comparative Analysis: Gandhi and Tagore
Similarities Differences
5.4.6 Amartya Sen
z Had an intercultural z Gandhi emphasised
Amartya Kumar Sen is an Indian economist and approach and Charkha and Swadeshi,
philosopher, who since 1972 has taught and worked in influence. and Tagore believed in
India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Some z Critical of materialistic integration with the
of his ideas are: approach to life (Both global economy.
z Social Welfare: The government should address were critical of the z Gandhi was an ardent
the issue of individual rights as well as minority Industrial Revolution). supporter of India-
aspirations for collective growth and development. z Laid emphasis on centric nationalism;
z Human Development: He proposed that rather than spiritual dimensions while Tagore’s view
focusing on economic issues, governments should changed post WWI;
of life.
when he realised
prioritise education, public health, food distribution, z Emphasised living nationalism violated
and other social changes. in tune with nature- basic ideals of
z The Capability Approach: Rather than assessing Environmental humanity and a way of
in monetary terms, the government and individuals Sustainability. accumulating wealth
should focus on the development of skills, values, and z Proponents of and territory.
morals for welfare. vocational education z Gandhi advocated
z Application: His ideas have been collated, and the opposed Western for Self-sufficiency;
United Nations has created the Human Development model of education. Tagore used Swadeshi
Index to augment economic growth criteria such as Samaj based on love
GDP and GNP. and cooperation.

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5.4.8 Kabir z Humanism and human values: Roy was a staunch

z Sant Kabir Das was born in the Uttar Pradesh city of supporter of human values such as peace, decency,
Varanasi. He was a 15th-century mystic poet, saint, caring, and justice. He worked for the betterment of
and social reformer who was a strong supporter of the poor, the weak, and the marginalised because he
the Bhakti Movement. felt that everyone had the right to a happy life.
z Kabir on Tolerance: Sant Kabir attempted to unify z Education: Roy was an educationist who advocated
Indian groups, namely Hindus and Muslims, who for introducing Western technical education into
made up the majority. traditional Indian curricula. In 1825, he founded the
Vedanta College in Bengal and supported David Hare
He used analogies such as “both Hindus and
in establishing the Hindu College.
Muslims are made of the same clay.”
z Monotheism: Roy proclaimed God’s oneness and
His lessons are especially relevant now when
that all religions are different pathways to the same
religious conflicts are raging over the world.
ultimate truth and salvation.
z Kabir on Wisdom: Kabir emphasised the cultivation
of wisdom. z Cosmopolitanism: Roy viewed individuals of
different nations as subunits of one large family who
“If I tell the truth, people rush to beat me, but if I
are interdependent and must work together to attain
lie, they trust me,” he elaborates with his Dohas.
the common good. Roy backed French nationalists and
This represents the necessity for oneself to acquire
was the first individual to breach the custom of not
authentic knowledge. crossing the water to England.
Even in current times, many are outraged by the
z Rationalism and modernity: Like Rousseau, Roy
bitter reality but are willing to tolerate falsehoods saw reason and rationality as more important than
and mediocrity to fit their ideas. tradition and superstition in determining the best
z Anti-Caste System and Evil Practises: Kabir was a course of action. Roy is known as the “Father of Modern
staunch opponent of the caste system. India” because he emphasised modern education as a
He emphasised that in God’s creation, everyone tool of social transformation and upliftment.
was equal. z Reformist: Roy regarded social change as a means
He exhorted his disciples to abandon inhuman of achieving social progress and national prosperity.
practices such as untouchability, emotions of high He worked for social transformation by mobilising
and low, and so forth. people, lobbying the government, establishing
He was also opposed to the worship of stone images educational institutions, forming volunteer
and the worship of many gods and goddesses, as organisations, and so on.
well as religious rites and ceremonies. Roy advocated for women’s issues such as widow
z Compassion: Kabir was adamantly opposed to remarriage, consent age, sat, and so on.
hypocrisy and did not approve of those who had dual This led to the passage of reformative laws such
standards.
as the prohibition of Sati and the prohibition of
He consistently promoted compassion for other polygamy.
living beings and the practising of pure love. Which
is slightly lacking nowadays. 5.4.10 Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar
z Unbreakable link of brotherhood: He underlined z Humanism and potential: He advocated that ethical
the need of surrounding oneself with decent people behaviour respects human dignity and allows each
who uphold ideals and beliefs, and he emphasised that individual to attain their full potential.
love was the only channel capable of uniting the whole Every human being has some basic requirements
human race in an unbreakable link of brotherhood. and rights that must be met.
He exhorted everyone to abandon animosity
Humans cannot be viewed as simple objects of
and embrace love for everyone. The globe’s
tradition, but rather as controllers of their fate.
overwhelming consumerism is weighing down
today’s world. z Importance of education: Vidyasagar saw education
as the key to a person’s and society’s progress.
5.4.9 Raja Ram Mohan Roy Vidyasagar thought that studying and widening
z Vedantic philosophy: He attempted to liberate one’s views were the best ways to instill in people
Hinduism from orthodoxy and superstition by reviving a feeling of dignity and independence, which
Vedantic philosophy. He advocated knowledge, motivates them to freedom and development.
enlightenment, and spirituality as essential religious Vidyasagar established a Sanskrit college for lower
doctrines. castes and the underprivileged for this reason.
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z Reformist: He regarded social transformation as a benefited upper castes so much, they would never be
precondition for social and national growth. ready to change the situation.
He believed that it was the obligation of the z Constitutional guarantees: That is why he sought
educated and capable to lead and strive for constitutional guarantees and direct participation
progress. for lower castes and Dalits in democratic institutions
z Gender equality: Vidyasagar was a caring and ranging from the legislature to the courts.
concerned social being. He was a trailblazer in social Right Equality (Art. 14-18), Right to life and liberty
changes for gender equality. (Art 21), Freedom of Speech and Expression (Art
He advocated for widow remarriage, girl education, 19), Political Rights (Adult Franchise and Right
and an end to polygamy and child marriage. to participate in the electoral process) and social
z Scholar and educator: He was awarded the moniker inclusion through various means were incorporated in
‘Vidyasagar’ (Ocean of Learning) for his wide and the Indian constitution by Dr Ambedkar irrespective
in-depth academic knowledge. of one’s caste identity, gender, race or origin ensuring
basic natural and Human Rights to all.
He also wrote well-known pieces such as Borno
Porichoy. Vidyasagar was the principal of Sanskrit View of Ambedkar on Caste Identity & Social Attitude:
College and instituted several educational and z Dalit a word coined by Jyotiba Phule, symbolic of
administrative changes. oppression was consequently rejected by Ambedkar
In 1849, he also helped J.E.D. Bethune create the (recently there have been petitions in Supreme Court
Bethune School, the first female school. in this regard; to substitute the name by scheduled
castes in public usage); who proposed the terms-
5.4.11 Dr B. R. Ambedkar Exterior Castes or Excluded Castes during Round
z Dr B R Ambedkar was one of the primary architects Table Conferences (1930s) and census held during
of the Indian Constitution. He was a well-known the period to distinguish economic and educationally
politician and outstanding jurist. Ambedkar’s attempts depressed Hindus within the pale of Hindu society.
to eliminate problems such as untouchability and z It is common to experience that certain names become
caste limitations were outstanding. Throughout his associated with certain nations and sentiments,
life, the leader battled for the rights of Dalits and other which determine a person’s attitude towards men
socially disadvantaged groups. and things. (Annihilation of caste, Ambedkar, 1936),
words like Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra
z Last, lost, and least: Ambedkar sought justice for
are associated with a social identity, based on a
the ‘last, lost, and least’ and emerged as a type of
caste-based hierarchy (owing to one’s birth).
revolutionary leader of India’s Hindu untouchables
and other castes. z To continue the old name is to make the reform futile;
to allow the Chaturvarna, indicative of social divisions
z Who Were the Shudras: He argued that the caste
is snare.
system, which provided the climate for the citation
z The social attitude of upper caste Hindus towards
of Shudras and untouchables by Brahmins and other
untouchables is embedded in the name itself (Away
upper castes, was the basis of any lack of social justice
from Hindus, Essay by Ambedkar).
in India.
z The untouchables know that continuing with the
z Achieving social fairness: He thought that no
caste/ occupation-based identity names exposes them
democracy could be established in India without first
to social prejudice; hence they come up with names
achieving social fairness via caste eradication.
like Ravidas, Balmiki or Adidravidas that may be
As a result, he chose a position that was linked to the process of undergoing protective
diametrically opposed to that of both the Congress discoloration.
and Gandhi.
z Lack of social justice: He believed that a lack of social 5.4.12 Vallabhbhai Patel
justice as a result of the caste system would never z Basic rights and liberty: He strongly believed
be abolished by the upper castes because it served that basic rights and freedom were crucial for both
their interests, and also by any Western-style system personal and national growth.
because all institutions, from the legislature to the z Exploitation and high-handedness of power: He
judiciary, would be dominated by the upper castes consistently criticized exploitation, the government’s
who would manipulate and control the system to unfair taxes, and mismanagement in the princely
ensure Shudras and untouchables did not rise. kingdoms.
z Economic Exploitation: He also believed that because z Opposed arbitrary expropriation: He opposed
of the caste system’s economic exploitative foundation the unjust seizure of property and advocated for

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regulations on land reform and nationalization of e-Governance Grid
important businesses.
z Modernise Hinduism: His attempts to modernise It will lead to transparency in government services
Hinduism and safeguard individuals of other religions and ensure that they reach all the people uniformly
demonstrated his desire for religious freedom. without dilution of quantum or quality.
z Political value system: As a result, his political Kalam’s five-point oath for civil servants-
value system was an excellent blend of liberalism, 1. I will strive for 100 per cent literacy among the people
conservatism, and welfare. in the region where I serve, as well as the absence of
z Nationalism and patriotism: In his view, the State any kid from school.
was formed and sustained by a strong feeling of 2. I will endeavour to improve women’s position and
nationalism and patriotism. achieve gender equality for girls and boys.
z Individual liberty: It was to conform to the 3. I will make certain that no one can persuade me to
provisions of the Constitution, to create a Nation- succumb to the lure of corruption.
State, he pressed for the emancipation of backward 4. During my term in any district, I shall plant and
communities and women, and to bring about Hindu- maintain a minimum of one lakh trees.
Muslim unity through the Gandhian constructive 5. I will endeavour to complete at least five PURA
programme, and he skillfully used the higher castes complexes in the district where I am assigned, as
for social integration and political mobilisation. well as generate job possibilities for at least 25% of
z Humanitarian in spirit and function: He defined the population through the establishment of rural
a nation as one that is “democratic in structure, companies.
nationalistic in foundation, and humanitarian in spirit
and function.” Patel campaigned vigorously in Gujarat According to Kalam, civil servants must
and elsewhere against alcohol use, untouchability, always remember the inspiring words
caste prejudice, and women’s independence. of Patanjali (from Yoga Sutra)
When you are inspired by some great purpose,
5.4.13 A.P.J. Abdul Kalam some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break
z Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam BR was an their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your
Indian aerospace scientist and statesman who consciousness expands in every direction, and you find
served as the 11th president of India from 2002 to yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant
2007. He was born and raised in Rameswaram, Tamil forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you
Nadu and studied physics and aerospace engineering. discover yourself to be a greater person by far than
z Governance: According to Kalam, it is measured you ever dreamed yourself to be.
by how proactive and responsive it is to people’s
demands. 5.5 INDIAN ADMINISTRATORS
Governance should assist individuals in living
morally upright, intellectually superior, and high- 5.5.1 E Sreedharan
quality lives. z Elattuvalapil Sreedharan is an Indian engineer and
This is attainable through knowledge acquisition politician from the Indian state of Kerala. He is
and enrichment. credited with changing the face of public transport
z Kalam suggested evolving a Societal Grid which in India
comprises a Knowledge Grid, Health Grid and z Also called the “Metro Man of India” he worked
e-governance grid that feed into the PURA Grid. towards redefining public transport in India.
Knowledge Grid z Equity: One of his successful enterprises was the
Delhi Metro, where he offered reasonable tickets for
It will empower citizens with appropriate knowledge
everybody and free transit for women.
in a democratic way, thereby ensuring the growth of
a knowledge society. z Workplace ethics: “Workplace ethics is a compulsion,
not an option,” he argues. He stressed the need for
Health Grid
timeliness, professionalism, and competence in the
It will ensure that the benefits of quality healthcare workplace.
services reach the needy. This will enhance their z Perseverance: Despite his disagreement with the
quality of life and increase individual productivity. Railway Minister over the choice of gauges, he was
This will lead to faster development of the nation. successful in building Konkan Railways of the greatest
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standard. With his devotion and tenacity, he persuaded z Humanity: Approximately 1,000 inmates were fed
the minister. and groomed for their well-being through haircuts,
surgeries, counselling, and medical check-ups, among
5.5.2 T N Sheshan other things.
z He was an IAS officer from Tamil Nadu Cadre who z Innovative and compassionate: Those who did not
stamped his authority on the electoral system in India. have ID cards were given new ones, and a literacy
z Leadership: He discovered a number of electoral programme, ‘Jnanodayam,’ as well as certification
malpractices, including faulty election rolls, booth exams, were also held to assist them in earning a
capture, electioneering, and so on. He then acted steady income.
firmly on all elements and established benchmarks
for officials to follow.
5.5.5 Shalini Agarwal
z Discipline: He was well-known for his z Innovative Ideas: To address the issue of acute
uncompromising commitment to the law. He made water scarcity in Vadodara, she devised an ingenious
certain that his support personnel and politicians solution of installing rainwater harvesting in schools,
which helped lakhs of students save 10 crore litres of
followed the rules.
water each year.
For example, in 1994, he recommended the
z Varsha Kal Nidhi: It was launched in 2020, and it
Prime Minister to dismiss two incumbent cabinet
collects rainwater from the terrace and channels it
ministers for election misconduct.
through pipes to a chamber in the ground. The water
His method was known as the Zero Delay and
in the bore wells is then filtered and percolated by
Zero Deficiency Approach. the chamber, ensuring direct groundwater recharge.
z Innovative: He was the first to effectively introduce z Leadership: “Various workshops, competitions,
the Model Code of Conduct during Elections, which and events were held throughout Vadodara, where
has now grown into an integral feature of Indian children served as brand ambassadors and people
elections. were educated on the importance of conservation.”
5.5.3 Dr T Arun, IAS 5.5.6 Dr Adarsh Singh
z Innovative, Technocrat: He built an app that has been z Leadership: They took steps such as sensitising
used to revitalise 198 water features in Puducherry, villagers, removing encroachments, reducing garbage
including ponds, lakes, and a 206-kilometer stretch dumping, and prohibiting open defecation on the
of canals. The app ‘Neer Padhivu’ assists in the riverbank. The district authorities also educated
digitization of water bodies by geotagging, unique ID residents about open defecation and garbage disposal
numbers, GIS on ponds, and latitude and longitude in the river.
coordinates. z Organiser, Innovative Ideas: He used the lockdown
z Environmentalist: Using remote sensing satellites, to revive a dying river in the district by giving
the app updates the status of groundwater levels, soil employment to those who had lost their livelihoods
moisture content, and size. The programme not only due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
helps to speed up the rejuvenation process, but it also z Prudence: At a time when many people were losing
ensures that people do not pollute or encroach on the their jobs and facing significant pay cuts, Dr Adarsh
water bodies. took advantage of the opportunity to create jobs while
also addressing an environmental crisis.
5.5.4 S Seeram Sambasiva
z Compassion: He established the Udayam Charitable 5.5.7 Anupam Sharma
Society to establish and run shelter homes out of z Prudence: The biogas plant helps meet some of the
compassion. One of his objectives was to provide needs of the Maa Sharda Devi Temple Management
shelter homes for street dwellers as part of the Committee’s Old-Age Home, where it generates
state’s ‘Nammude Kozhikode’ development project. enough gas to prepare morning and evening tea for the
In the last 18 months, this initiative has taken nearly residents. It also helps mitigate wet waste generated
1,500 homeless people off the streets and into various on the premises.
shelter homes.. z Leadership: The goal was to help create job
z Dutifulness, Dedication to Service, and opportunities for the villagers while also efficiently
Compassion: In addition, the district administration managing the plastic waste generated.
took on the responsibility of reuniting the homeless z Innovative Approach: The forest department planted
with their families, as well as providing skill training approximately five lakh saplings, each of which came
and job opportunities. wrapped in a plastic bag.

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z Environment Friendly: Dedicated to environmental mandatory, with special tanks and pipes installed in
causes, despite the fact that approximately 5,000 kilos each household.
of plastic waste had accumulated. This resulted in the
use of 5000 kg of plastic waste to generate long-term 5.5.12 Aruna Sundararajan
employment opportunities for three villages in Maihar. z Thinks like a businesswoman: Forbes magazine
described this Kerala cadre IAS officer as “an IAS
5.5.8 Dharam Singh Meena
officer who thinks like a businesswoman.” As IT
z Concern for the Environment: The disappearance
secretary, she was instrumental in the advancement of
of natural springs in Uttarakhand and the Himalayan
e-governance in Kerala. She also led the Kudumbashree
subcontinent is cause for concern. Dharam Singh
project, which is now a shining example of women’s
Meena, a divisional forest officer, noticed this and
decided to address it. empowerment, creating long-term employment
opportunities for working-class women.
z Leadership: He and his team were able to resurrect
66 Himalayan springs in Tehri Garhwal, providing a
5.5.13 Smita Sabharwal
sustainable water supply to over one lakh people in
23 villages. z People’s Officer: She is also referred to as the
“People’s Officer.”
5.5.9 Damodar Gautam Sawang z Fund your City: While serving as Municipal
z Inclusive: The Disha Mobile app for women was Commissioner in Warangal, she introduced the “Fund
released, and it had 12.57 lakh downloads in five your City” scheme, through which a large number of
months. public utilities, such as footbridges, traffic junctions,
z Technocrat and innovator: Named India’s top DGP, parks, and bus stops, were built through a public-
he has implemented various technical innovations in private partnership.
the Andhra Police Department that made filing FIRs,
complaints, and SOS requests easier and faster. 5.5.14 Rajni Sekhri Sibal
z Openness and accountability: The technology z Courage: As Director, of Primary Education in the
advancements used aided in increasing transparency state, she withstood pressure from the government
and accountability across departments. The officer’s and exposed the JBT recruitment scam.
introduction of a new file management system aided
in the pace of investigations and the completion of 85 z Integrity: In this scam, the teachers’ selection lists
percent of cases. were altered in order to give jobs to those who had
paid bribes. In the presence of her junior officers, Sibal
z People-centered and user-friendly: A mobile
application called AP Police Seva was established, and locked and sealed the almirah containing the original
within five months, 2,64,000 FIRs were downloaded. list with thick cotton bandages when asked if she was
a party to the fraud. She also asked them to sign the
5.5.10 Dr Sangram Singh Patil bandages in various locations and take photographs
z Compassion: A programme started by Superintendent as proof.
of Police Dr Sangram Sigh Patil that has assisted over
5000 members of the Gotti Koya tribal tribe in gaining 5.5.15 D Subba Rao
improved access to healthcare. Subbarao, a 1972 IAS officer, was the RBI’s 22nd
z Effective Resource Management: Since 2019, Dr Governor.
Sangram has assisted over 5,000 tribals from the z Financial inclusion, financial literacy: As Governor
district’s 100-odd hamlets with different concerns of the Reserve Bank of India, he oversaw financial
such as nutrition deficit, haemoglobin, skin, and other inclusion, financial literacy, and village outreach
associated diseases. programmes.
The tribal community members have received
z New Trilemma of Central Bankers: He even
medical assistance worth Rs 7 lakh, thanks to the
developed a theory on the New Trilemma of Central
efforts of this officer.
Bankers, dubbed the “Holy Trinity,” in contrast to
5.5.11 Santha Sheela Nair Robert Mundell and Marcus Fleming’s “Impossible
z Santha Sheela Nair: An IAS officer from the 1973 Trinity.”
batch, Nair is regarded as a master administrator. She z A Brief History of Time: He was the first to review
is credited with rescuing Chennai from a water crisis Stephen Hawking’s acclaimed book, “A Brief History
in the early 2000s by making rainwater harvesting of Time.
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5.5.16 Bhupesh Chaudhary after due deliberation. “The first group of students left
z The plight of chilli farmers: In Siaha, the on April 17th, and the last on May 12th.”
southernmost district of Mizoram was no different z ThankyouDMKota: To commemorate this, students
than the other farmers of India. used the hashtag #ThankyouDMKota on Twitter for
z Issues: Plagued by issues like unjust market rates one day in June.
and lack of storage facilities, these farmers were 5.5.19 Harshika Singh
selling one of the finest chilli varieties — Bird’s Eye,
at whatever rate they could. z Lopsided gender ratio: Harshika Singh witnessed
the lopsided gender ratio as a Collector in Madhya
z Stepped in to resolve the issue: This was until
Pradesh’s Tikamgarh district, as well as other gender-
Bhupesh Chaudhary, the former Deputy Commissioner
related concerns such as high maternal mortality, lack
(DC) of Siaha district stepped in.
of hygiene, and literacy among women.
z Packaged chili powder: Fast forward two years, and
z Establishing all women’s schools: The IAS officer
the farmers are now selling packaged chilli powder
from the 2012 batch promised to bring about change
produced at Rs 700/800 per kg against the previous
by establishing all women’s schools in 35 Gram
earlier rate of fresh chill at Rs 50-100 per kg.
Panchayats.
z Improved situation: Today, over 280 farmers in
z Reducing female dropouts: She hired local women
the district grow about 102,580 kgs of fresh chillies,
as tutors to help organise elderly women and female
resulting in about 3,200 kgs of dry chillies.
dropouts.
5.5.17 Anshul Gupta z Introductory academic curriculum: Harshika
z Rebuilding hospital: Anshul Gupta, an IAS official, created an introductory academic curriculum that
was quietly rebuilding a decrepit hospital into a cheap focuses on skills such as writing names, learning
healthcare clinic long before the epidemic. to sign, basic arithmetic, and general health and
sanitation awareness.
z Problems ailing the Indian Red Cross Hospital:
When he took over as Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) z Increase attendance: Two months into the course,
of Indore’s Mhow cantonment in 2019, he was made each school had an average of 20-30 women who
aware of the several problems ailing the Indian Red faithfully attended the one-hour lessons three to four
Cross Hospital (IRCH). days a week.
“There were a number of issues that required 5.5.20 Ramesh Gholap
immediate attention, ranging from understaffed
z Rescued a 9-year-old kid: Ramesh Gholap, the Sub
nurses and doctors to irregular work schedules,
Divisional Magistrate of Bermo in Jharkhand’s Bokaro
insufficient medical facilities and basic diagnostic
district, rescued a 9-year-old kid called Sumit in 2015.
services, and rampant bribery.”
z Enrolling children: Since then, he has enrolled
The hospital was later converted into a COVID-19
around 35 children in several school systems. Ramesh
care facility.
is currently the Deputy Commissioner of Koderma,
z Fighting the coronavirus: “The hospital’s facilities where he has enrolled five children in state-run
and transparent management had assessed the people residential schools.
in fighting the coronavirus,”.
z Vital Paperwork: Not only that, but he also assisted
5.5.18 Om Kasera the youngsters in obtaining vital paperwork like
Aadhar and ration cards to get government benefits.
z NEET and JEE applicants: Om Prakash Kasera, a
He has also appointed himself as the guardian of
2012-batch IAS official presently serving as District
Sapna Kumari, an orphaned 11-year-old.
Collector, was inundated with calls from anxious
parents and professors of NEET and JEE applicants
on a daily basis.
5.6 ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP
z Mental and emotional well-being: Om was z Administration: It is defined as a process of working
concerned that the lockdown would exacerbate the with and through others to accomplish the agreed
students’ mental and emotional well-being, which goals efficiently. It is largely concerned with the
were already suffering from concerns like loneliness implementation of objective procedures, guidelines,
and worry as they prepared for difficult tests. policies etc. using existing tools and structures.
z Returning home: Om and his administration team z Leadership: It is concerned with the direction and
devised a precise strategy to evacuate 50,000 kids and control of human and material resources to create
assist them in safely returning home throughout India value and to evolve structures as per contemporary

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times and technology and thus outperform the defined z Political administration: Administration and
goals and objectives. leadership are inextricably linked in the Indian setting.
z Example: While an administrator would have Political leaders wield considerable administrative
waited for the government to clear funds for road authority, and efficient administration is critical to the
construction, Armstrong Pame (leader) constructed smooth operation of government at all levels.
a 100 km road through crowdfunding.
z Bureaucratic structure: India has a well-established
z Capacity development and training: Developing
bureaucratic structure that plays an important
skilled administrators and leaders is critical for good
government in India. Continuous capacity development role in administration and leadership. The Indian
and training programmes are required to provide Administrative Service (IAS) is a distinguished
administrators with the skills and knowledge needed government service that seeks outstanding talent to
to face complex situations and successfully lead. fill administrative jobs around the country.
z Public involvement and engagement: There has z Decentralisation and local governance: In India,
been a rising emphasis in recent years on public power and authority are divided among the central
participation and engagement in administration and government, state governments, and local entities
decision-making processes. In the Indian context, such as municipalities and panchayats. To guarantee
effective leaders are those that actively engage
efficient service delivery and governance, effective
citizens, listen to their problems, and incorporate
administration necessitates strong leadership at all
their feedback into policy creation and execution.
levels.
z Inclusion and diversity: India is a varied country
with many languages, faiths, and customs. Successful
administration and leadership in India need an 5.7 ADMINISTRATOR, MANAGER AND
awareness and appreciation of this variety, as well as LEADER
a commitment to inclusion and fair development for
all segments of society. z Administrator: It is a person who is responsible for
z Policy implementation and political will: Effective forming the strategic vision of the organisation. An
administration and leadership in India are dependent administrator formulates an organisational structure
on political will to implement policies and reforms. To and focuses on long-term plans.
promote change, overcome bureaucratic obstacles, and z Manager: It is a person who is responsible for
ensure the successful implementation of government translating the administrator’s vision into operating
projects, strong leadership is required.
plans and directs, and supervises, personnel working
z Accountability and transparency: Accountability
in the formulated organisational structure.
and transparency are becoming increasingly important
in Indian administration and leadership. Leaders are z Leader: It is a person who guides and motivates
required to be responsible to the public, with systems others which might include managers at times. They
like the Right to Information Act allowing individuals are vision-oriented and provide a positive outlook to
to get government information. the team.
5.7.1 Difference between Manager and Leadership

Parameter Manager Leadership
z Passive outlook which is limited to z Ambitious outlook; they initiate new structure
Outlook stated objective or procedures
z They are generally appointed z They can be appointed or can emerge from
Appointment within a group
Approach z Impersonal, unidirectional approach z Personal involvement, holistic vision towards

towards Goals towards goals goals
z Low emotional involvement with people, z Higher emotional involvement with people; at
People interaction is limited to specific roles times, may invoke competitive and inspirational
Management assigned to people spirits to yield best results
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Conclusion 12. “Great ambition is the passion of a great character.
Thinkers and philosophers through their theories and Those endowed with it may perform very good or
philosophies, provided a strong ethical and intellectual very bad acts. All depends on the principles which
base to extract rational values from it and their direct them.” – Napoleon Bonaparte. Stating examples
contribution is leading towards bringing more ethical mention the rulers (i) who have harmed society and
perspective to the arena of governance specifically and to country, (ii) who worked for the development of
the society in general. society and country. (2017)
13. Discuss Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of seven sins.
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS (2016)
1. “Every work has got to pass through hundreds of
14. Analyse John Rawls’s concept of social justice in the
difficulties before succeeding. Those that persevere
Indian context. (2016)
will see the light, sooner or later. - Swami Vivekananda
(150 words) (2021) 15. Corruption causes misuse of government treasury,
2. “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until Administrative inefficiency and obstruction in the
and unless we obtain peace within ourselves.”– Dalai path of national Development. Discuss Kautilya’s
Lama (150 words) (2021) views.(2016)
3. Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. 16. Max Weber said that it is not wise to apply to public
We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, it administration the sort of moral and ethical norms
is better for us all.” - Erik Erikson word (150 word) we apply to matters of personal conscience. It is
(2021) important to realise that the State bureaucracy might
4. What teachings of Buddha are most relevant today possess its own independent bureaucratic morality.
and why? Discuss. (2020) Critically analyse this statement. (2016)
5. What are the main factors responsible for gender 17. “The weak can never forgive; forgiveness is the
responsibility in India? Discuss the contribution of attribute of the strong.” (2015)
Savitribai Phule in this regard. (2020)
18. We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark;
6. “Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand
the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the
do so. If not fold your hands, bless your brothers
and let them go their own way.” – Swami Vivekanand light.(2015)
(2020) 19. Which eminent personality has inspired you the
7.“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in most in the context of ethical conduct in life? Give
service of others” Mahatma Gandhi (2020) the gist of his/her teachings, give specific examples,
8. “A system of morality which is based on relative and describe how you have been able to apply these
emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly teachings for your own ethical development.(2014)
vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and 20. There is enough on this earth for everyone’s needs
nothing true.” – Socrates (2020) but for no one’s greed. Mahatma Gandhi. (2013)
9. “An unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates
21. Nearly all men can withstand adversity, but if you want
(2019)
to test a man’s character, give him power —Abraham
10. “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he Lincoln(2013)
thinks, he becomes.” – M. K. Gandhi (2019)
22. I count him braver who overcomes his desires than
11. “Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is
him who overcomes his enemies —Aristotle(2013)
beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the
character, there is harmony in the home. When there 23. The good of an individual is contained in the good
is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. of all.” What do you understand by this statement?
When there is order in the nation, there is peace in How can this principle be implemented in public life?
the world.” – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (2019) (2013)
v v v

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Public/Civil Service Values and
6 Ethics in Public Administration
“It is not merely a bigger government that ultimately matters; what is significant is that morality in administration alone
could ensure better government. One would not doubt that the morality in administration is sustained by patience, honesty,
loyalty, cheerfulness, courtesy and like traits.” — Paul H. Appleby
Syllabus
Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration: Status and Problems; Ethical Concerns and
Dilemmas in Government and Private Institutions; Laws, Rules, Regulations, and Conscience as Sources of Ethical
Guidance; Accountability and Ethical Governance; Strengthening of Ethical and Moral Values in Governance; Ethical
Issues in International Relations and Funding; Corporate Governance.
6.1 MEANING OF PUBLIC public interest, ensuring compliance with laws and
regulations.
ADMINISTRATION
z Policy Implementation: It also formulates and
z Public administration refers to the field of study implements policies, playing a crucial role in their
and practice that focuses on the management and development, execution, and achieving desired
implementation of government policies, programs, outcomes. It bridges the gap between policy design
and services. and effective action, ensuring the translation of
z It involves the planning, organising, coordinating, policies into tangible results.
and controlling of public resources to achieve z Public Participation: Public administration
public goals and serve the interests of society. encourages public participation and engagement in
z Woodrow Wilson, erstwhile President of the USA, decision-making processes to ensure inclusivity and
defined public administration as a detailed and responsiveness to citizens’ needs.
systematic execution of public law. He divided z Social Equity: It strives to promote fairness, social
government institutions into two separate sectors, justice, and equal access to services, minimising
administration and politics. disparities and addressing societal inequalities.
z Public administration also encompasses various z Concentration in the Executive Branch: Public
activities such as policy formulation, budgeting, administration spans all government branches
personnel management, public service delivery, and but is usually concentrated within the executive
regulatory oversight. branch, responsible for day-to-day administration.
z Its primary aim is to ensure effective and efficient Public administrators in this branch oversee policy
governance, promote public welfare, and address implementation, service delivery, and regulatory
societal needs. functions.
z Aims at improving Quality of Life: It aims to improve
6.2 BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF citizens’ quality of life by providing regulatory
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION oversight, essential services, and addressing societal
z Neutral System: Public administration operates needs, working towards the betterment of society
neutrally, serving the state and public interests, through improved public services and infrastructure.
independent of political affiliations, and upholding z Emphasis on the Public Sphere: Public
principles of impartiality and fairness in decision- administration diverges from private administration
making and actions. by prioritising the public sphere over profit-making,
z Collective Will: It aligns with the collective will focusing on the welfare of the public, and operating
of the people, focusing on state objectives and the with social responsibility and accountability.
Differences Between Public & z While private administration
Private Administration aims for profitability,
the objectives of public
Administration Bureaucracy administration cannot be solely
measured in monetary terms.
Administration Bureaucracy indicates
represents a permanent desk services on the Public administration focuses
Principle of
side of the state which basis of appointed on the well-being of the public
Marginal Return and achieving societal goals
is responsible for officials who are
translating policies into selected on the basis beyond financial gains.
action. It includes all of general academic Example: Compare the
machinery of government achievement hence, they fares of Railways and
including political are generalist in nature Airlines, it shows the
executives. and its characteristics difference in profitability.
are hierarchy, a system
of rules, impartiality, and
neutrality. 6.4 PUBLIC SERVICES VALUES
Public administration is guided by a set of values and
6.3 PRINCIPLES DIFFERENTIATING ethics that shape the conduct and behaviour of public
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION FROM servants. These principles reflect the core beliefs and
PRIVATE ADMINISTRATION responsibilities of those working in the public sector.
z Administration occurs in both public and private Neutrality Rule
institutional settings. While public administration is Orientation
concerned with government administration, private Rationality
administration is concerned with the administration
of private business organisations. Traditional
Values in Impartiality
Four Principles differentiating public administration
Administration
from private administration Formal
Behaviours
z Public administration
Efficiency
operates under common and Impersonality
uniform laws and regulations,
while private administration
Principle of is subject to varied rules
and regulations specific to Social Justice Compassion
Uniformity Responsibility
individual businesses.
Example: CrPC laws Innovation Outcome
Contemporary Orientation
are applied similarly to
everyone. Accountability Values in
Administration Exemplary
z Public administration is subject Responsiveness Behaviour
to external financial control
by legislative bodies, which Dedication to Transparency
oversee government revenues Public Service
and expenditures. In contrast,
Principle of
private administration has
External Financial internal financial control within Some key values and ethics in public administration
Control the organisation. are mentioned below:
Example: We have a z Commitment to the Public Interest: Public
constitutional body in servants should be dedicated to serving the public
the form of CAG for doing and advancing the common good. They prioritise
regular audits of finances. the needs and welfare of the people they serve over
z Public administration is personal or special interests.
accountable to its political z Upholding Integrity: Public servants are expected to
superiors and, ultimately, to uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethical
Principle of the people it serves. Private conduct. They need to act honestly, transparently, and
Ministerial administration is accountable responsibly, avoiding conflicts of interest, corruption,
Responsibility to its shareholders or owners. and unethical behaviour.
Example: Question Hour z Impartiality and Fairness: Public servants need to
in our Parliament ensures treat all individuals and groups fairly and without bias.
such responsibility. They should make decisions based on objective criteria,

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ensuring equal access to services and opportunities, z The official provides regular
and avoiding favouritism or discrimination. progress updates, financial
z Accountability and Responsibility: Public servants Accountability reports, and project assessments
are accountable for their actions and decisions. They and to the public, taking ownership
are expected to take responsibility for the outcomes Responsibility of the project's outcomes and
of their work, remain transparent in their decision- promptly addressing challenges
making processes, and need to justify their choices to or setbacks.
the public and relevant stakeholders. z The official ensures transparency
z Respect for the Law and the Constitution: Public by sharing relevant information
servants adhere to the laws, regulations, and Transparency and data about the project with
constitutional provisions governing their work. They and Openness the public, fostering an open
respect and protect individual rights, uphold the rule and inclusive decision-making
of law, and ensure due process. process.
z Effective and Efficient Service Delivery: Public
servants strive for effectiveness and efficiency in z The official sets a positive example
delivering services to the public. They are expected to for their team, promoting integrity,
manage resources responsibly, seek cost-effectiveness, Ethical professionalism, and ethical
and strive for continuous improvement in service Leadership behaviour, and prioritising the
delivery. public's well-being over personal
z Professionalism and Competence: Public servants gain or political motives.
need to maintain a high level of professionalism and
competence in their areas of expertise. They are 6.5 NEED FOR ETHICS IN PUBLIC
expected to continuously update their knowledge and
skills, adhere to professional standards, and seek to ADMINISTRATION
improve their performance. Ethics plays a crucial role in public administration for the
z Transparency and Openness: Public servants should following reasons:
promote transparency by providing accessible and
timely information to the public. They need to engage z Efficient Resource Utilisation: Ethics ensure that
in open dialogue, encourage public participation, and public resources are utilised efficiently and effectively,
ensure accountability in decision-making processes. without corruption or misuse. Ethical practices make
z Ethical Leadership: Public administrators in public administrators accountable for their actions,
leadership roles serve as ethical role models. They are promoting transparency and responsible resource
expected to demonstrate ethical behaviour, promote management.
an ethical culture within their organisations, and Legality &
establish mechanisms for reporting and addressing Empathy &
Rotationality Justice
ethical concerns. Compassion
z Respect for Diversity and Inclusion: Public servants Innovation
value and respect the diversity of individuals and Dedication
communities they serve. They embrace inclusivity, Ethics in Public to work
Accountability &
ensure equal treatment, and promote diversity in Administration Honesty &
Transparency
decision-making processes. Integrity
Example: A high-ranking government official is responsible Responsive &
for overseeing a major infrastructure project. He can Resilience National
adhere to various public service values in the following Interest
ways:
Values Example z Social Justice: Ethical public administration is

essential to achieve social justice goals outlined in the
z The government official can make Constitution and Directive Principles of State Policy. It
decisions based on principles of ensures equality and equity for vulnerable sections of
Upholding good governance and ethics. He society, promoting inclusivity and fairness.
Integrity avoids conflicts of interest and
z Resolving Dilemmas: As public administration
personal bias maintaining the
becomes more complex, ethical principles guide
highest standards of integrity.
administrators in resolving frequent dilemmas. Ethical
z The official can consider input decision-making prioritises the public good, resolves
from various stakeholders and conflicts, and upholds societal values.
Impartiality
ensure equitable treatment and Decision Making: Ethical decision-making in public
and Fairness z
justice in decision-making related administration involves objectivity, fairness, and
to a major infrastructure project. justice. It involves prioritising collective interests over
Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration 147

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personal gains. Such decisions yield positive outcomes devotion to duty, and political neutrality in their
for society. work.
z Public Trust: Ethical public administration fosters All India Service Conduct Rules, 1968: These
confidence and trust among the people. When rules apply to officials of the Indian Administrative
administrators demonstrate competence, fairness, Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian
honesty, impartiality, and sincerity, it enhances public Forest Service (IFoS). They highlight the need for
trust in the effectiveness of public services. high ethical standards, integrity, honesty, political
z Social Capital: Ethical public administration neutrality, merit-based decision-making, fairness,
establishes credibility and fosters cooperation impartiality, accountability, and transparency.
with civil society, leading to the development of Code of Ethics, 1997: This was the first attempt
social capital within the country. This cooperation to introduce a code of ethics for public servants
strengthens the relationship between administration in India, aimed at promoting better governance.
and citizens, facilitating the implementation of policies However, it was not specifically issued for public
and programs. servants, which limited its impact.
z Sarvodaya/Antyodaya: Ethical public administration z These provisions serve as guidelines for public
embraces empathy and compassion towards the servants, emphasising the importance of ethical
poor and vulnerable sections of society. It promotes conduct, professionalism, and adherence to
a better understanding of societal problems and principles of integrity, fairness, and accountability
supports finding solutions that uplift marginalised in their roles and responsibilities.
communities. z However, it is necessary to ensure effective
One notable example of ethical public implementation and enforcement of these rules
administration is the implementation of the to strengthen the ethical foundation of the Indian
Bonded Labour Abolition Act by IAS officer S. administration.
Shankaran, demonstrating the commitment to
social justice and Human Rights. 6.7 PROBLEMS OF ETHICS IN INDIAN
z Mitigating Corruption and Nepotism: Ethics provide ADMINISTRATION
a framework to combat corruption and nepotism
in public administration. Ethical standards promote The problems surrounding ethics in Indian administration
fairness, integrity, and meritocracy, reducing the risk include:
of favouritism, bribery, and unethical practices that z Limited Ethical Literacy: Many administrators lack
undermine public trust. a comprehensive understanding of ethical issues,
relying solely on rule books and neglecting the
z Upholding the Rule of Law: Ethics in public
broader cultural, social, and environmental factors
administration ensures adherence to the rule of law. that influence decision-making.
Administrators are bound by ethical principles to follow
z Secrecy: Despite the existence of the Right to
legal frameworks, regulations, and constitutional
Information (RTI) Act, there persists a culture of
provisions, promoting accountability and maintaining
excessive secrecy within the Indian administration,
the integrity of the administrative system.
often denying access to information even under the
z Conflict Resolution and Consensus Building: Ethical provisions of the RTI Act.
principles guide public administrators in resolving z Societal Pressures: Administrators face unreasonable
conflicts through dialogue, consensus building, and demands from their families, relatives, peers, and
prioritising the common good, aiming for equitable others, which can compromise ethical decision-
solutions that benefit society as a whole. making.
z Sustainable Development: Ethical public z Political Influence: Bureaucrats are answerable
administration prioritises sustainable development by to their political superiors, sometimes leading to
considering the long-term environmental, social, and decisions that prioritise political exigencies and short-
economic impacts, ensuring resource preservation, term goals over economic prudence.
social well-being, and economic sustainability for z Lack of Grievance Redressal Mechanism: There
future generations. is a dearth of organised public opinion regarding
administrative deficiencies, compounded by a lack
of awareness among the public about their rights,
6.6 STATUS OF ETHICS IN INDIAN entitlements, and mechanisms for lodging complaints
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION against officials.
z Information Leaks: Officials sometimes struggle to
z Provisions for inculcating ethics in Indian maintain confidentiality, resulting in the leakage of
administration include: sensitive information such as pending tax increases
Central Services Conduct Rules, 1964: These or staff cost-cutting measures to the public.
rules outline the dos and don’ts for civil servants, z Insufficient Whistleblower Protection: While the
emphasising the importance of absolute integrity, Whistleblower Protection Act, of 2014 is in place,

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whistleblowers often face victimisation, and there is z Patronage: Political patronage influences the
a need for stronger penalties against public servants appointment of administrators, particularly at higher
who retaliate against complainants. levels.
z Lack of Training and Capacity Building: Insufficient For Example, Post-retirement assignments to
emphasis on ethics in education and professional senior officials to Regulatory and other bodies are
development hampers ethical awareness, decision-
largely done on the basis of political patronage.
making skills, and professional conduct among
public administrators, highlighting the need for z Excessive Security: Excessive security provisions
comprehensive training programs. provided by Article 311 of the Constitution reduce
z Negligence: Some public officials either fail to fulfil accountability and hinder the effective enforcement
their professional responsibilities or perform them of disciplinary measures.
in a negligent manner, causing harm to the state and z Ill-Conceived Goals: Incentives tied to achieving
community. This negligence often stems from a lack of
certain goals may inadvertently promote negative
interest in their duties and responsibilities.
behaviours, compromising the ethical fabric of
z Corruption: Bribery and corruption have become
prevalent as a means of rewarding obligatory work, administration.
creating a pervasive culture of unethical practices For Example, The Bank Manager of Utkal
within government departments. Grameen Bank in Odisha insisted on the physical
For Example, India has been ranked 85th in verification of a 100-year-old lady for withdrawal
Corruption Perception Index, 2022. of money from Jan Dhan’s Account.
z Weak Enforcement Mechanisms: Weak enforcement z Nepotism: The practice of nepotism, where personal
of ethical conduct in public administration undermines relationships supersede merit in appointing
accountability and fosters a culture of impunity despite
individuals to public positions, erodes the quality and
existing rules. Stronger monitoring and disciplinary
actions are crucial to deter unethical behaviour. fairness of the public service.
z Lack of Public Participation: Limited public z Lack of Compassion: Decision-making processes in
participation in decision-making and policy formulation Indian administration often prioritise rigid adherence
hampers ethical governance. Greater citizen to rules and procedures over considering the feelings
engagement fosters inclusivity and transparency in and convenience of individuals, resulting in injustice
public administration. and lack of empathy.
z Overvaluing Outcomes: Placing excessive importance
6.8 ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN INDIAN on end results rather than ethical processes can lead
ADMINISTRATION to compromising principles and engaging in unethical
practices.
Ethical issues in Indian administration are prevalent and
impact the functioning of the government. These issues For Example, Certifying a drug developed by a
include: drug company, even if it has used unethical means.
z Misuse of Discretionary Powers: Discretionary z Lobbying: Pressure groups exert significant political
powers are often exploited for personal gain, leading influence, leading to the fulfilment of their interests
to favouritism and a disregard for public welfare. even if they may not be beneficial in the long term.
z Red Tapism: Excessive focus on compliance with Political pressure often forces administrators to
rules and regulations results in red-tapism, hindering comply with their demands.
justice and fairness. Accountability takes precedence For Example, Various political parties have
over responsibility. demanded loan waivers for farmers.
z Poor Reward and Punishment Mechanism:
z Conflicts of Interest: Robust mechanisms to identify
Favouritism and political connections determine
and manage conflicts of interest are essential to
rewards and punishments, undermining merit-based
administration. safeguard the integrity of administrative processes
and prevent personal or financial interests from
z Lack of Communication: Indian administration
suffers from closed communication and limited public compromising decision-making by public officials.
engagement. Rigid hierarchical structures further z Gender Bias and Discrimination: Ethical public
impede effective communication. administration requires addressing gender biases
z Evasive Tendency: Administrators often evade and discriminatory practices by promoting gender-
tackling challenging situations by passing tasks responsive policies and ensuring equal opportunities
from one department to another, leading to a lack of for all genders, fostering principles of equality and
proactive problem-solving. inclusivity.

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In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, 159 Members
Observations of the Second of Parliament (MPs) were reported to have serious
Administrative Reforms criminal cases against them, including charges of
Commission (ARC) rape, murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, and
The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) crimes against women.
has made several observations regarding ethical issues z Organisational Aspect: The extensive expansion of
in Indian administration, including the bureaucracy makes it challenging for the political
z Corruption is a significant concern, particularly at executive to effectively manage and control it.
higher levels of bureaucracy.
z Excessive Security: Provisions in acts like the
z Public servants show a lack of commitment to Prevention of Corruption Act and Article 311 of
addressing citizens’ grievances.
the Constitution, intended for protection, are often
z Red-tapism and complex procedures cause
misused by corrupt and unethical civil servants.
hardships for citizens.
Rare accountability for government servants,
z
with complaints to higher authorities often being
6.9 ETHICAL CONCERNS AND
ignored. DILEMMAS IN GOVERNMENT AND
z Attitudes of many public functionaries are PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS
characterised by arrogance and indifference.
z Ethical dilemmas, also known as moral dilemmas,
z Frequent transfers of officers diminish their
effectiveness and accountability. refer to situations where individuals face a choice
z Existence of a nexus between politicians and between two or more options, none of which fully
bureaucrats. resolves the situation.
z These dilemmas create a mental conflict as they involve
6.8.1 Reasons for Unethical Behaviour of moral imperatives, where obeying one would result in
Public Servants transgressing another. In such situations, individuals
are confronted with difficult decisions that require
Reasons for unethical behaviour of public servants can be
attributed to various factors: careful consideration and weighing of ethical principles.
z Historical Context: The colonial legacy and inherited z Ethical dilemmas are encountered in both government
bureaucratic structure focused on control and and private institutions.
exploitation rather than ethical governance.
Different course
z Social Context: Corruption has become normalised in of actions to
Indian society, with diminished negative perceptions choose from
surrounding it.
According to the India Corruption Survey 2019, Individual must No perfect
51% of the respondents admitted to paying bribes. make a decision solution, some
z Legal-Judicial Context: Outdated laws and lack of about course of ethical principle
action is compromised
specific guidelines regarding ethical concerns for civil
Ethical
servants, such as the Indian Police Act of 1861.
dilemma
z Political Context: The infiltration of criminals
into politics has created alliances with unethical
public servants, leading to a compromised ethical Fig: Three Essential Conditions for a Situation
environment. to be an Ethical Dilemma
z Here are some examples of ethical dilemmas faced in these settings:

Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Government and Private Institutions
Balancing Loyalty to the Political Office Holders and the Public Interest: Civil servants
may face a dilemma when their loyalty to political leaders conflicts with their obligation
to serve the best interests of the public.
Government Institutions
Maintaining Confidentiality and Transparency: Government officials often handle
sensitive information that must be kept confidential. However, they may face a dilemma
when transparency and accountability are compromised due to the need for confidentiality.

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Upholding Personal Ethics vs. Organisational Demands: Civil servants may encounter
situations where organisational demands or policies conflict with their personal ethical
beliefs, requiring them to make difficult choices.
Personal Cost Ethical Dilemmas: Occur when complying with ethical conduct comes
at a significant personal cost to the decision-maker, such as jeopardising their position,
missing out on opportunities, or straining relationships.
Right vs Right Ethical Dilemmas: Arise from conflicting sets of genuine ethical values,
where there is no clear right or wrong choice. Examples include the conflict between
transparency and secrecy in public service or the choice between justice and mercy when
enforcing the law.
Conjoint Ethical Dilemmas: Involve situations where a public servant faces a combination
of both right vs right and personal cost ethical dilemmas, presenting a complex challenge
that requires balancing conflicting values and personal consequences.
Balancing Profit Maximization and Social Responsibility: Private organisations may
face dilemmas when their pursuit of profit conflicts with their responsibility to act
ethically and consider the social and environmental impacts of their actions.
Protecting Whistleblowers Vs. Maintaining Organisational Integrity: Employees in
private institutions may face a dilemma when they discover unethical practices within
Private Institutions the organisation. They must decide whether to report the wrongdoing, potentially facing
retaliation or damaging the organisation's reputation.
Balancing Customer Satisfaction and Ethical Standards: Private sector employees
may encounter dilemmas when they face pressure to prioritise customer satisfaction
over ethical considerations, such as providing misleading information or compromising
product quality.
z In both government and private institutions, ethical dilemmas arise due to conflicting values, obligations, and
responsibilities.
z Resolving these dilemmas requires careful consideration of ethical principles, legal obligations, and the potential
consequences of different courses of action.
6.9.1 Ethical Dilemmas Faced By Public Servants

z Ethical dilemmas faced by public servants are often complex and require careful consideration of their professional
obligations and the public interest.
Personal z Example: Injuring a

cost Ethical valuable relationship.
dilemma
Right z Example:
 ?
 versus right Responsiblity of
Ethical remaining open
dilemma vs. oath of secrecy.
Ethical dilemma
Conjoint z Example:
Ethical Transparency
dilemma vs. harming a
relationship.
Fig: Ethical Dilemmas faced by Public Servants

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z Some common ethical dilemmas encountered by following provisions of the Official Secrets Act
public servants are mentioned below: along with Right to information.
Conflict of Interest: Public servants face conflicts Limited Resources and Prioritization: Public
between private and public interests, influenced servants face ethical dilemmas when allocating
by personal relationships, financial interests, limited resources among competing demands,
or previous associations, compromising their requiring them to prioritise certain programs or
decision-making. services while considering the needs and welfare
For Example, late. Arun Jaitley ji did not handle of the public.
the Vodafone case because he had a conflict z Resolving these ethical dilemmas requires public
of interest as he was an advisor to Vodafone servants to engage in ethical reasoning, seek guidance
earlier. from relevant policies and regulations, consult with
colleagues or superiors, and consider the potential
Conflicting Values: Public servants confront
consequences of their actions on the public interest.
dilemmas when their personal values clash with
z It is essential for public servants to uphold the principles
the values of public administration, challenging
of integrity, transparency, and accountability in their
their ability to reconcile their beliefs with their
decision-making processes.
professional responsibilities.
For Example, A public servant might be against 6.9.2 Resolving Ethical Dilemmas In
the use of Aadhar because of high regard for Governance
the right to privacy but might have to use it for
Resolving ethical dilemmas in governance involves several
Public Distribution Systems (PDS).
key aspects:
Ethical Dilemmas Imposed by Superiors: Public
z Prioritising the Public Interest: Public officials
servants often face ethical dilemmas when they should prioritise the welfare and well-being of the
must reconcile their professional ethics with the public over their own self-interest when making
demands of superiors, highlighting the challenge decisions or taking action. The greater good should
of balancing moral integrity with obedience to guide their choices, always keeping public interest as
authority. the core focus.
For Example, A Public servant might be against z Thorough Assessment: Ethical dilemmas should be
loan waivers but because of orders of seniors carefully evaluated by considering all available options
will have to abide by the order. and their potential consequences. Comprehensive
Compliance with Code of Conduct: Public
analysis helps in selecting the decision that maximises
servants grapple with ethical dilemmas when their the overall benefit and minimises harm.
personal motivation or acceptance of rewards z Impartiality: Public servants should remain unbiased
clashes with the prescribed guidelines of the code and objective when faced with ethical dilemmas.
of conduct they are bound by. Decisions should be made without favouritism or
personal biases, similar to a neutral referee ensuring
For Example, A Public servant might be of the fairness and justice.
opinion that small gifts act as a motivation to z Use Gandhi’s Talisman: Consider the impact of the
perform his/her duty but that is against the decision on the most vulnerable individuals or groups
code of conduct. in society, following Mahatma Gandhi’s principle
Professional Commitment vs. Public Welfare: of assessing actions based on their impact on the
Public servants face dilemmas when balancing weakest.
their commitment to rules and procedures with Fundamental Principles to Solve Ethical Dilemma
the immediate needs and welfare of the public,
requiring careful consideration of fairness, justice,
and accountability. The provisions of Indian Constitution.
For Example, A public servant denying
Democratic accountability of administration.
government entitlements to a destitute due to
lack of documentary proof.
The rule of law and the principle of legality.
Confidentiality and Transparency: Public
servants face dilemmas regarding maintaining
Professional integrity, impartiality and
the confidentiality of sensitive information
neutrality.
while ensuring transparency and accountability,
requiring a balance between confidentiality and Larger public good.
the public’s right to access information.
For Example, conflicting demands may emanate Responsiveness to society.
from a public servant who is concerned with

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z Use Conscience: Consider one’s conscience, but for ethical behaviour, helping public officials navigate
recognize that it may not always be accurate or dilemmas and maintain integrity in their actions.
reliable. It is important to critically evaluate the moral z Ethical Training and Education: Providing ongoing
reasoning behind one’s conscience to ensure the right training and education on ethical principles and
course of action. decision-making processes can equip public servants
z Integration of Goals: Integrating individual, with the necessary tools to address ethical dilemmas
organisational, and societal goals can help alleviate effectively. Promoting ethical awareness and
ethical dilemmas. Finding a solution that aligns with competence enhances ethical decision-making within
the broader objectives of all stakeholders can promote the governance framework.
harmony and mitigate conflicts. z Accountability and Transparency: Upholding
z Adherence to the Rule of Law and Legality: The principles of accountability and transparency is crucial
rule of law is essential in governance. Public servants in resolving ethical dilemmas. Public servants should
must act within the legal framework and follow be accountable for their actions and decisions, and
established rules and regulations. Upholding the transparency in the decision-making process can help
build trust and mitigate potential conflicts of interest.
principles of legitimacy and legality helps maintain
ethical standards and guides decision-making during z Evaluation and Reflection: Regular evaluation and
ethical dilemmas. reflection on past decisions and their outcomes can
provide valuable insights for future ethical dilemmas.
z Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging relevant
Learning from experiences, both successes and
stakeholders and seeking their input can provide failures can contribute to continuous improvement
valuable perspectives and insights. Consulting with in ethical governance practices.
experts, affected individuals or groups, and the public
z Ethical Oversight Mechanisms: Implementing robust
can contribute to better decision-making and foster
oversight mechanisms, such as ethics committees or
trust in the process.
ombudsman offices, can help address ethical concerns,
z Ethical Guidelines and Codes of Conduct: Public provide guidance, and ensure compliance with ethical
servants should adhere to established ethical standards in governance. These mechanisms promote
guidelines and codes of conduct specific to their roles. accountability and support the resolution of ethical
These frameworks provide principles and standards dilemmas.
Process of Resolving Ethical dilemma
Recognize Gathering Identify Analyze

Ethical Dilemma Information Stakeholder Options
Evaluate Implement Make a Applying Ethical

Decision Decision Decision Principles
legitimate business purposes while respecting their

“Ethics must begin at the top of an organisation .It is
privacy rights and personal freedoms.
a leadership issue and the chief executive must set an
example”. —Edward Hennessy z Transparency and accountability: Upholding the
principles of honesty, accurate reporting, and clear
communication to foster trust, credibility, and ethical
6.9.3 Ethical Concerns In Private Institutions business practices.
Ethical dilemmas in private institutions can vary z Insider trading: An ethical issue in private
depending on the industry, company culture, and specific institutions, occurs when company officials unfairly
circumstances. Some common ethical concerns and utilise confidential information about the company to
dilemmas that private institutions may encounter are engage in stock trading, thereby harming investors by
given below: gaining an unfair advantage.
z Balancing cost-cutting and employee health/ z Fair working conditions: Ensuring fair treatment,
safety: Struggling to find a balance between reducing including competitive wages, and benefits, and
expenses and prioritising the well-being and safety of creating a non-discriminatory work environment that
employees in the workplace. promotes diversity and employee well-being.
z Privacy and technology usage: Navigating the z Morality and values-based dilemmas: Managing
ethical dilemma of monitoring employee activities for conflicts of interest and navigating diverse

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perspectives, values, and cultural differences to For Example, An honest salesman might have to
address ethical challenges in the workplace. sell a defective medical product which might affect
For Example, the BCCI Ethics officer served a the patient’s health.
notice of Conflict of interest to Rupa Gurunath z Social and political influence: Exercising social and
the President of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association as political influence responsibly, transparently, and in
well as Director of India Cements Ltd (the parent alignment with the company’s values, avoiding actions
company of Chennai Super Kings). She has been that could harm democratic processes or create undue
found guilty of indirect conflict of interest for ICL’s influence.
close association with Chennai Super Kings Cricket
Limited (CSKCL). 6.9.4 Addressing Concerns
z Environmental impact: Making ethically responsible z Establishing ethical frameworks and Codes of
choices that prioritise sustainability and minimise Conduct: Private institutions develop comprehensive
negative effects on the environment, even when it may frameworks and codes of conduct that provide clear
incur additional costs or require significant changes guidelines for ethical decision-making and behaviour
in business practices. within the organisation.
z Corporate governance and leadership: Establishing z Providing ethics training and education: Invest
strong ethical decision-making frameworks, promoting in programs to enhance ethical awareness, decision-
accountability, and avoiding conflicts of interest to making skills, and understanding of ethical dilemmas.
maintain integrity and ethical standards at all levels z Implementing ethical decision-making processes:
of the organisation. Establish structured processes that consider ethical
z Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Engaging implications, evaluate stakeholder impacts, and align
in meaningful social initiatives, contributing to decisions with ethical principles.
community development, and addressing societal z Consumer Protection: Prioritising the safety and
challenges. rights of consumers, avoiding deceptive practices, and
z Data Privacy and Security: Protecting the personal providing high-quality products and services.
and sensitive information of customers, clients, and z Establishing whistleblower mechanisms: Private
employees from unauthorised access, breaches, or
institutions create channels for employees to
misuse.
confidentially report unethical behaviour or raise
z Supply Chain Ethics: Ensuring ethical practices concerns about ethical violations, ensuring protection
throughout the supply chain, including fair treatment from retaliation and enabling the resolution of ethical
of suppliers, responsible sourcing, and avoiding the dilemmas.
use of forced labour or exploitative practices.
z Conducting ethical audits and monitoring:
z Loyalty to boss vs organisation loyalty: Employees
Regularly assess practices to identify ethical risks,
often face ethical concerns when they have to navigate
ensure compliance, and address dilemmas proactively.
the loyalty between their immediate boss and their
commitment to the overall organisation. z Engaging stakeholders: Actively involve employees,
z Accounting fraud: In private institutions, unethical customers, suppliers, and communities to understand
behaviour arises when companies engage in their perspectives and address ethical issues.
accounting fraud by intentionally inflating revenue or z Collaborating with industry associations: Partner
manipulating expenses to present improved financial with peers and associations to share best practices,
results, with the objective of attracting investors. discuss challenges, and develop industry-wide ethical
z Ethical Marketing and Advertising: Upholding standards.
honesty and integrity in advertising and marketing z Promoting ethical leadership: Foster a culture of
practices, avoiding false or misleading claims, and integrity, accountability, and ethical decision-making
respecting the boundaries of ethical persuasion. at all levels, with leaders as ethical role models.
Principle Adopted in Private Institutions to Address Ethical Concerns

z Multinational corporations may adapt to the cultural and ethical norms of the host country
in which they operate. This approach allows them to navigate the local market but can lead to
ethical concerns if it compromises universal ethical standards. For example, mcdonalds doesn't
Ethical sell beef and pork burgers in India.
Relativism
z Ethical relativism enables survival in the host country's market but can damage the company's
international reputation if it involves practices contrary to universal ethical norms, such as
child labour.

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z Private institutions adhere to a set of ethical standards that apply universally across all
countries where they conduct business like truthfulness, and quality service to customers are
Ethical universal ethics. This approach emphasises consistency and a higher moral responsibility but
Universalism may encounter challenges in respecting cultural diversity.
z Ethical universalism upholds a higher moral responsibility and stricter adherence to human
rights but may be perceived as imposing cultural imperialism in certain cases.
6.9.5 A Common Framework For Ethical Decision Making
Recognizing the Getting the Deciding Conscience and Decision

ethical dilemma facts/data Approach aptitude making
Fig: Process of Ethical Decision Making

z Identify and Define the Ethical Dilemma: Clearly specific to the realm of public administration and
articulate the ethical issue at hand and identify the bureaucratic systems.
conflicting values or principles involved. Consider the z It recognizes that within the bureaucratic context,
stakeholders and the potential impact of the decision. decision-making may be influenced by factors
z Gather Relevant Information: Collect all relevant such as organisational goals, legal frameworks,
facts, data, and information related to the ethical procedural requirements, and the need for
dilemma. This may involve understanding laws, efficient functioning.
regulations, policies, and professional codes of z Bureaucratic morality acknowledges that the
conduct that apply to the situation. application of moral and ethical norms in public
administration may have distinct considerations
z Identify and Evaluate Options: Generate a range compared to personal conscience.
of possible courses of action that could address the z On the other hand, public morality refers to
ethical dilemma. Assess each option by considering its the ethical standards and principles that are
potential consequences, risks, and benefits, as well as commonly accepted by society at large.
how it aligns with ethical principles and values. z Public morality encompasses the values, beliefs, and
z Apply Ethical Theories or Principles: Utilise ethical norms that guide individuals’ behaviour in their
theories or principles to analyse the situation and personal lives and interactions within the broader
guide decision-making. Common ethical theories community.
include utilitarianism (maximising overall happiness), z It reflects the shared understanding of what is right
deontology (acting based on duties and moral rules), and and wrong, just, and fair within society.
virtue ethics (focusing on personal character and virtues). z The differences between bureaucratic morality
z Consider Stakeholders’ Perspectives: Take and public morality can be understood in the
into account the perspectives and interests of all following ways:
stakeholders affected by the decision. Consider the Context and Focus: Bureaucratic morality focuses
potential impacts on different individuals, groups, or on achieving organisational goals and efficiency
the broader society. within the bureaucratic system, while public
morality addresses broader societal issues and
z Make a Decision and Take Action: Based on the
the common good.
evaluation of options, select the course of action
Constraints and Trade-offs: Bureaucratic
that best resolves the ethical dilemma and upholds
ethical principles and values. Develop a plan for morality operates within specific constraints and
trade-offs, such as limited resources and legal
implementation and communicate the decision
frameworks, while public morality considers a
effectively.
wider range of factors and values.
z Reflect and Learn: After implementing the decision,
Accountability: Bureaucratic morality is subject
reflect on the outcomes and consequences. Assess the to organisational accountability structures, while
effectiveness of the decision and consider any lessons public morality is enforced through social norms,
learned for future ethical decision-making. legal systems, and democratic processes.
Balancing Interests: Bureaucratic morality
6.9.6 A Contrast between Bureaucratic
involves balancing competing interests, such as
Morality and Public Morality efficiency and legal compliance, while public
z Bureaucratic morality refers to the ethical morality emphasises fairness, justice, equity, and
considerations and decision-making processes protecting individual rights.

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z While bureaucratic morality and public morality may z To resolve a conflict-of-interest situation, it is
have distinct considerations, it is important to note crucial for public servants to act with integrity and
that they are not entirely separate entities. transparency. The following steps can help address
z Bureaucratic systems ultimately exist to serve the such conflicts:
public interest and should align with broader societal Disclosure: Public servants should disclose
values and ethical norms. any potential conflicts of interest to their
z The challenge lies in striking a balance between the superiors, colleagues, or appropriate authorities.
unique demands of public administration and the This promotes transparency and allows for an
ethical principles that underpin public morality. evaluation of the situation.
z This can be achieved through ethical frameworks, Recusal: If a conflict of interest arises, a public
guidelines, and accountability mechanisms that servant should consider recusing themselves from
promote transparency, integrity, and accountability any decision-making process that directly involves
within bureaucratic decision-making processes. their personal interests. This ensures impartiality
and maintains public trust.
6.9.7
Conflict of Interest (CoI)
Ethical Guidelines: Adherence to ethical
z “Conflict of interest” refers to a situation where a
guidelines and codes of conduct is essential. Public
public servant’s personal interests or obligations,
servants should abide by established rules that
whether financial, professional, or personal,
govern conflicts of interest and make decisions
conflict with their official duties or responsibilities.
Corporate vs in the best interests of the public rather than
private personal gain.
Independent Review: In certain cases, seeking
an independent review or opinion from an
ethics committee or oversight body can provide
guidance on how to handle a conflict of interest
Conflict of
appropriately.
Interest Public vs
Corporate vs Checks &
public interest private interest Awareness
Balances
Use of standard
z It occurs when a public servant’s private interests operating
Risk
could improperly influence or compromise their Resolving procedural
management
decision-making process, leading to a potential bias COI
or unfair advantage.
z Conflict of interest can manifest in various ways in Foundational Redefining and
the decision-making process of public servants. Some values enforcing code
Accountability
common manifestations include: (Nolan committee) of conduct
z Upward
Financial Interests: When a public servant has a z Downward
personal financial stake or association that could
z Horizontal
be affected by a decision they make in their official
capacity. For example, a public official is involved z By following these steps, public servants can navigate
in awarding contracts to a company in which conflicts of interest and maintain the integrity of their
they or their family members have a financial decision-making processes, ultimately serving the
interest. public’s interest above personal considerations.
Personal Relationships: When personal
relationships, such as familial or close friendships, 6.10 LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS AS
influence a public servant’s judgement or decision- SOURCES OF ETHICAL GUIDANCE
making. For instance, a public servant favours a
friend’s business interests in the allocation of z Laws, rules, and regulations serve as sources of ethical
government resources. guidance by providing a framework for acceptable
behaviour and defining legal boundaries.
Post-Employment Concerns: After leaving
public service, former public servants may have z They promote fairness, justice, and the protection of
obligations or financial ties that could influence individual and collective interests within society.
their actions or decisions while still in office. This z These legal frameworks address various societal
situation is often referred to as a “revolving door” issues, protecting public welfare and individual
issue. rights.

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Regulations:
z Regulations, the detailed and specific instruments
Constitution derived from laws, play a vital role in shaping conduct
and ensuring compliance within a legal framework.
Law z They are created by the executive branch, often
through various departments, to provide a
Act comprehensive framework for the implementation
and enforcement of laws.
Regulations z Unlike laws, which establish a broader framework,
regulations focus on the intricacies of specific subjects,
aiming to facilitate smooth functioning and address
complexities within a legal system.
Rules z By creating, limiting, and allocating responsibilities,
regulations serve as important tools for governing
various aspects of society.
Difference between Laws and Rules
z While laws set binding standards, rules and regulations Parameters Laws Rules
translate them into practical guidelines for specific sectors.
Rules usually Law seeks to
z However, ethical decision-making extends beyond
focus on increase public
legal requirements, requiring consideration of values, Objective individual good good and serve
principles, and societal expectations. public interests
Laws:
Legally binding Guidelines or
z Laws are formal rules that have been legally enacted regulations codes of conduct
and apply to everyone within a society.
set by the established by
z They are created and enforced by the government Authority government organisations or
through a legislative process, involving the or legislative individuals.
judiciary, legislature, and public officials. bodies.
z Laws are written in a specific code and must go
through various processes, including voting before Applies to Can be specific
they are implemented. everyone within to a particular
z They are designed to protect the well-being and rights Applicability a jurisdiction or group,
of individuals and regulate relationships between society. organisation, or
people and the government. situation.
z Laws are enforceable by the judicial system, and Formal and Less formal and
individuals who break them can face legal consequences enforceable typically enforced
such as fines, imprisonment, or community service. Enforceability through the through internal
z There are different types of laws, such as criminal judicial system. mechanisms or
laws, civil laws, and international laws. social norms.
Created by Made by
Rules:
legislative individuals or
z Rules are guidelines or codes of conduct created Framing processes, organisations
by individuals or organisations to govern specific process involving voting without a formal
situations or settings. and approval. legislative
z They are more flexible than laws and are often process.
implemented within specific groups or institutions.
Intended Designed to
z Rules are designed to maintain order, harmony,
to regulate facilitate smooth
and smooth functioning within an organisation or
community. Purpose behaviour and functioning within
maintain order a specific context
z They may be more informal and can be adapted or in society. or organisation.
adjusted based on changing circumstances.
z Rules are usually enforced by the person or entity that Violating Breaking rules
creates them and may have consequences determined laws can may lead to
by that entity. result in legal repercussions
Consequences
z Breaking rules may result in less severe consequences consequences, determined by the
compared to breaking laws and can vary depending such as fines or enforcing entity.
on the context and authority imposing the rules. imprisonment.

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6.10.1 L
aws, Rules And Regulations as a For example, money laundering, Cyber crime etc.
Source Of Ethical Guidance z Finding Loopholes: Incomplete coverage of scenarios
in laws, rules, and regulations can be exploited,
Laws, rules, and regulations serve as crucial sources of
enabling unethical practices to occur.
ethical guidance, ensuring accountability and fostering a
just society through various mechanisms: For example, the 2G spectrum case is an example
z Regulating Discretionary Powers: These of how loopholes in the law can be exploited to
frameworks establish specific guidelines for public enable unethical practices. In 2008, the Indian
servants, preventing the misuse of discretionary government auctioned 2G spectrum licences to
powers and promoting fair governance. telecom companies. However, the government did
For instance, the Central Civil Services Conduct not have a clear policy on how to determine the
Rules, 1964, outlines ethical norms to prevent reserve price for the licences. This loophole was
abuse of authority. exploited by some telecom companies, which paid
z Commanding Action and Inaction: They provide significantly less than they should have for the
positive incentives and negative deterrents, directing licences. As a result, the government lost billions
individuals towards desired behaviour and deterring of dollars in revenue.
unethical actions.
z Limited Scope: Laws, rules, and regulations often
The Prevention of Corruption Act discourages
corruption, while the Mahatma Gandhi National focus on specific areas or industries, leaving gaps in
Rural Employment Guarantee Act promotes ethical guidance for emerging issues or sectors that
social audit for transparency. are not adequately covered.
z Fostering Social Justice: Laws, rules, and regulations For example, the lack of regulation of social media
uphold modern human rights principles such as in India, Gig economy.
equality and liberty, contributing to a more equitable z Inflexibility: The static nature of laws, rules, and
society. regulations can hinder their ability to adapt to
The Prevention of Civil Rights Act, 1955, evolving ethical challenges and advancements in
prohibits untouchability, safeguarding social society, leading to outdated or ineffective guidance.
justice.
For example, the outdated laws on data protection
z Human Rights Protection: By promoting empathy in India, the static laws on labour rights in India.
and compassion, these legal frameworks prioritise
the protection of human rights. z Unintended Consequences: Despite good intentions,
The Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2019,
laws, rules, and regulations can sometimes have
acknowledges Good Samaritans and shields them unintended consequences that may conflict with
from civil or criminal repercussions, fostering a ethical considerations or create new ethical dilemmas.
culture of compassion and assistance. For example, the demonetization of 500 and 1000
rupee notes in India had a number of unintended
6.10.2 L
imitations of Laws, Rules and consequences, such as the disruption of the
Regulations as Source of Ethical economy and the hardship faced by the poor.
Guidance z Negative Perception: Resistance or negative
z Lack of Enforcement: Inadequate enforcement attitudes towards certain regulations can lead to non-
undermines the ethical guidance provided by compliance and a disregard for ethical behaviour.
laws, rules, and regulations, allowing for unethical For example, the resistance to environmental
behaviour to persist. regulations in India is often based on the belief
For example, In 2015, Volkswagen was found
that environmental regulations are too costly and
to have installed software in its diesel vehicles
that they will harm the economy.
that cheated on emissions tests. This allowed the
vehicles to emit up to 40 times more pollutants z Cultural Relativism: Ethical standards embedded in
than allowed by law. Volkswagen was able to get laws, rules, and regulations may not align with diverse
away with this for years because there was a lack cultural perspectives, posing challenges in applying
of enforcement of emissions regulations. The universal ethical principles across different societies
EPA, which is responsible for enforcing emissions and contexts.
regulations, did not have the resources to
For example, the use of child labour in the carpet
adequately monitor Volkswagen’s compliance. As
a result, Volkswagen was able to continue selling industry in India.
vehicles that were polluting the environment. z Complexity and Overregulation: Excessive
z Evasive Tendency: Individuals and organisations complexity and an abundance of regulations can
may try to bypass or circumvent ethical standards, create confusion and compliance burdens, making
diminishing the effectiveness of laws, rules, and it challenging for individuals and organisations to
regulations. navigate ethical decisions effectively.

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For example, the maze of regulations governing It requires individuals to engage in self-reflection and
the pharmaceutical industry in India. critical thinking to evaluate the ethical implications of
z Lack of Social Maturity: Society’s readiness and their actions.
maturity to embrace ethical standards impact the z While laws and rules provide a general framework
effectiveness of laws, rules, and regulations. for behaviour, conscience helps individuals navigate
For Example, Opposition to the Triple Talaq law by moral complexities and ethical grey areas where
some sections of Muslim society, and opposition to specific guidance may be lacking.
the Supreme Court verdict on the Sabarimala case
z Conscience is influenced by various factors, including
by some sections of Hindu society.
upbringing, culture, and personal beliefs, but it also
z Lack of Individual Accountability: Relying solely allows for personal growth and moral development
on external regulations may diminish individual
through self-examination and the integration of new
accountability for ethical behaviour, as individuals
may defer responsibility to legal compliance rather knowledge and perspectives.
than exercising personal moral judgement. z Conscience holds individuals accountable for their
z Insufficient Guidance for Ethical Grey Areas: Laws, actions and can lead to feelings of guilt or satisfaction
rules, and regulations may struggle to provide clear based on whether one’s behaviour aligns with their
guidance in situations where ethical choices are moral values.
subjective or involve moral dilemmas that require z Conscience plays a vital role in ethical decision-
deeper reflection and ethical reasoning. making by bridging the gap between abstract
z Inadequate Resources: Limited resources for principles and practical application, allowing
enforcement, monitoring, and education on ethical individuals to align their actions with their personal
standards can undermine the effectiveness of laws, sense of right and wrong.
rules, and regulations in promoting ethical behaviour. z Conscience is linked with morality and comes into
z Changing Moral Values: Ethical values and societal picture when dealing with practical situations. It
norms evolve over time, and laws, rules, and regulations acts as a source of ethical guidance in following
may not always keep pace with these shifts, creating
manner:
gaps in ethical guidance.
Resolving Ethical Dilemma: Conscience helps
in taking correct decisions based on our ethical
6.11 CONSCIENCE AS SOURCES OF and moral principles and thus helps in resolving
ETHICAL GUIDANCE ethical dilemmas.
Avoiding Conflict of Interest: Conscience reminds
Quotes of one’s inherent moral values and helps us avoid
z “There is a higher court than courts of justice and conflict of interest.
that is the court of conscience. It supersedes all Example: An ethical professional would prefer
other courts.” — Mahatma Gandhi professional values when faced with a conflict
z “If you talk to yourself daily you can bring a of interest vis-à-vis his/her relatives to avoid
better person out of yourself”. Therefore, it is chances of nepotism, favouritism, etc.
vital to make a space somewhere in his life. Guilty Conscience : An individual who might
— Swami Vivekananda. have done something wrong feels pain or guilt
z "Ethics is the activity of man directed to secure emanating from his/her conscience.
the inner perfection of his own personality." Example: A biker breaking traffic rules might
— Albert Schweitzer feel guilty after causing some accident or
creating a traffic ruckus or delaying a passing by
z Conscience goes beyond the scope of laws and ambulance due to his non compliant behaviour.
rules, as it applies moral judgement to specific This might lead to a crisis of conscience and
actions. It serves as a personal moral compass, internal reflection reform his behaviour vis -a
guiding individuals in determining the rightness or -vis traffic rules compliance.
wrongness of their behaviour. Repulsive Behaviour against Unethical Act:
z Unlike laws and rules, conscience is not externally A person might show lower motivation and
imposed but arises from an individual’s internal involvement in a situation in which is against his/
sense of morality. her conscience and thus he/she will be inclined to
z It is shaped by personal values, beliefs, and take ethically correct path.
experiences, making it subjective and unique to each Example: A police officer might lack motivation
person. to do lathicharge on a peaceful protest if that is
z Conscience involves intellectual decision-making against his/her conscience even if ordered to
rather than simply relying on emotions or feelings. do so.

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Difference Between Laws and Conscience
Parameters Laws Conscience
Source Created and imposed by governing bodies. Developed through individual values and beliefs.
External, legally enforced regulations. Internal, personal moral compass, inner lens of a
Nature
person.
Basis Objective and standardised. Subjective and unique to each person.
Function Specific and prescriptive. Evaluative and reflective.
Enforcement Enforced through external mechanisms. Self-imposed and self-regulated.
Focus Focus on external behaviour and consequences. Focus on internal moral judgement and principles.
Guidance Provide a general framework for behaviour. Guide individuals in navigating moral complexities.
Consequences for non-compliance. Feelings of guilt or satisfaction based on alignment
Compliance
with values.
Can be limited in addressing ethical nuances. Accounts for personal growth and moral
Limitations
development.
Responsibility Requires external enforcement for compliance. Individual responsibility and accountability.
6.11.1 T
he Philosophical Debate On courtroom that evaluates thoughts and actions.
Conscience Inner peace resulting from following one’s
conscience should not be the primary motivation
z Different philosophers have presented diverse
viewpoints on the nature and role of conscience. Here for doing good deeds; instead, moral actions
are their perspectives: should be performed out of a sense of duty.
John Locke: Conscience is seen as evidence of z It is crucial to recognize that conscientious
innate principles, but the debate arises regarding judgments can be fallible due to their relativistic
whether these principles provide moral absolutes nature. Failing to acknowledge this can lead to the
and if they are objective or subjective in nature. manipulation of conscience, providing unjustified
The diversity of actions based on individual
justifications for non-virtuous and selfish acts.
consciences raises questions about their reliability.
Thomas Hobbes: Considering the potential
z Without adequate external, altruistic, and normative
for misunderstanding, opinions formed solely justifications, conscience may be considered morally
based on conscience, even when sincerely held, blind and potentially dangerous to both individuals
should not always be unquestionably trusted. The and humanity as a whole.
fallibility of individual conscience calls for critical
z Ethical deliberation and consideration of broader
examination.
ethical frameworks are essential to ensure the
Erich Fromm: Conscience is viewed as a self-
responsible use of conscience in decision-making.
reflective process that guides individuals toward
realising their full potential. It represents the z These philosophical perspectives highlight the
voice of our authentic selves, driving us towards complexity and significance of conscience,
personal growth and self-actualization. emphasising the need for critical analysis, self-
Immanuel Kant: The concept of the critical reflection, and ethical reasoning in interpreting and
conscience is introduced, likened to a mental applying one’s conscience.
Antecedent Conscience and Consequent Conscience
z Antecedent Conscience is that which acts as a guide to future actions, prompting
us to do them or avoid them.
Antecedent Conscience
z Example: A person stops at a red signal because of prospective remorse. In ethics,
an antecedent conscience which is a guide to our future actions is more important.
z Consequent Conscience is that which is acting as a judge of our past actions and
Consequent Conscience acts as a source of our self-approval or remorse of the past actions.
z Example: A person jumps the red signal and then feels guilty.

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6.11.2 C
onscience: The Guide To Ethical them of their duty to serve the nation and
maintain integrity and probity. Bureaucrats act as
Decision Making
a link between citizens and politicians, and their
Here are some key points regarding the role of conscience adherence to moral principles is essential.
as a guide to ethical decision-making:
Act of 'advising' Mental act of
z Perspectives on Conscience: There are different
that a particular act 'commanding' that
perspectives on conscience, ranging from its origins
is better or worse a particular act 'is
in early Christian beliefs to psychological views as a
to do to be done'
part of the mind. Sigmund Freud emphasised scientific
knowledge in explaining the conscience, while secular
Four
perspectives highlight the subjectivity of moral values
Acts of Antecedent
due to individual experiences and upbringing.
Conscience
z Ethical Decision Making: Ethical decision-making
aims to assist in making the best choices when it
Act of 'permitting' Act of 'forbidding'
comes to moral judgement. Secular approaches
that a particular act that a particular act
may lack a clear method of determining the correct
is ' allowed' by one's 'is not to be done'
path, while religious perspectives, such as St. Paul’s
own moral values
universal concept of the conscience, view it as a moral
guide accessible to all individuals. Citizens at Large: Citizen conscience, both at
z Accountability and Conscience: Using conscience as the collective and individual level, is crucial in
a moral guide raises questions about accountability for shaping the state of society. It prompts citizens
crimes committed under the belief of doing the right to actively participate in elections, dissent
thing. This raises complexities in holding individuals against undemocratic practices, and contribute
responsible if their conscience led them astray. to environmental preservation. By following their
z Saint Augustine’s View: Saint Augustine saw conscience, citizens can prevent mob justice and
conscience as God’s voice within, guiding individuals promote a more just and inclusive society.
to understand right and wrong actions. According to Striving for Excellence: Conscience encourages
him, conscience always directs us toward the good individuals and institutions to pursue excellence
and away from the bad. From a religious standpoint, and continuous improvement. It helps prevent
conscience is considered a reliable guide to ethical moral decay and restores faith in governing
decision-making. institutions. Upholding principles and values
z Differing Perspectives: While religious views aligned with one’s conscience can contribute to
emphasise the reliability of conscience, secularists the betterment of society.
may have reservations and highlight its limitations.
The agreement on the role of conscience as a guide to 6.11.4 Crisis of Conscience
ethical decision-making may vary depending on one’s z The term “crisis of conscience” refers to a state of
beliefs and philosophical stance. internal conflict or turmoil experienced by an
individual when their personal moral or ethical
6.11.3 C
onscience: Ethical Guidance for principles clash with external pressures or
Bureaucrats, Politicians, and Citizens expectations, duty or the work they are expected
z Conscience plays a significant role in guiding ethical to do.
decision-making for bureaucrats, politicians, and z It is a situation where a person’s sense of right
citizens. Here are key points regarding the influence and wrong, their values, and their ethical beliefs
of conscience in these contexts: are challenged, causing distress and a struggle to
Political Leaders: Conscience serves as a moral make decisions or take actions that align with their
compass for political leaders. It can help them conscience.
resist corruption, nepotism, and self-interest, z In the public domain, a crisis of conscience can manifest
urging them to act in the best interest of society itself in various ways. Here are a few examples:
and uphold constitutional principles. Political Moral Decision-Making: Individuals may find
leaders should prioritise the needs of the citizens themselves grappling with difficult choices that
who elected them over personal gain. require them to weigh their personal values against
Bureaucratic Level: Bureaucrats face moral societal expectations or institutional demands. This
dilemmas when deciding whether to blindly internal struggle can manifest when making public
follow orders or exercise independent judgement. policy decisions, taking a stance on controversial
Conscience serves as a guiding voice, reminding issues, or navigating ethical dilemmas.

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Ethical Leadership: Leaders in the public domain z Reflect on Values: Take time to clarify and understand
often encounter crisis of conscience when their your core values and principles. Reflect on what
decisions impact the well-being of others. They matters most to you, your beliefs, and the ethical
may question whether to prioritise personal standards you uphold.
gain or power or act in the best interests of their z Gather Information: Seek out relevant information
constituents, considering the broader ethical and perspectives related to the issue at hand. Engage in
implications. critical thinking and research to gain a comprehensive
Civil Disobedience: In certain circumstances, understanding of the situation, its implications, and
individuals may feel compelled to engage in acts potential courses of action.
of civil disobedience to protest against perceived z Seek Guidance: Consult trusted mentors, advisors,
injustices or unethical practices. This could involve or individuals with expertise in the relevant field.
nonviolent resistance, public demonstrations, Engage in discussions with people who may offer
or other forms of activism to challenge existing diverse perspectives and insights to broaden your
systems or policies. understanding.
Ethical Controversies: Public debates and z Ethical Frameworks: Familiarise yourself with ethical
controversies on ethical issues like human rights, frameworks or theories that can guide decision-
social justice, and the environment can trigger a making, such as utilitarianism, deontology, or virtue
crisis of conscience. People struggle to reconcile ethics. These frameworks can provide a systematic
their personal values with prevailing opinions or approach to analysing the ethical dimensions of a
societal norms. situation.
Public Service and Accountability: Public
z Evaluate Consequences: Consider the potential
officials and leaders often face a crisis of conscience consequences of different choices and actions. Assess
when they encounter conflicting expectations the impact on stakeholders, the broader community,
or pressures. Balancing personal integrity and and your own moral integrity. Balance short-term and
commitment to the public interest with political long-term consequences and strive for the greatest
pressures or compromising situations becomes overall ethical good.
challenging.
z Consult Conscience: Listen to your inner voice,
Whistleblowing: Instances of corruption, intuition, or conscience. Pay attention to your gut
misconduct, or unethical behaviour within feelings and personal convictions. Trust your ethical
organisations or institutions can lead individuals
instincts, but also critically evaluate whether they are
to confront a crisis of conscience. They face the
grounded in well-reasoned moral principles.
dilemma of whether to expose the wrongdoing,
z Courageous Action: Once you have arrived at a
risk personal and professional repercussions, or
decision aligned with your values and ethical analysis,
remain silent.
summon the courage to act upon it. Be prepared to face
Moral Activism: Public figures or citizens who
potential challenges, resistance, or personal sacrifices
advocate for social justice, human rights, or
that may arise from upholding your moral stance.
environmental sustainability may experience a
crisis of conscience as they confront systemic z Dialogue and Engagement: Engage in open dialogue
issues or public apathy. They may struggle with with others who may be involved or impacted by your
the tension between their convictions and the decision. Seek common ground, build understanding,
obstacles they face in effecting meaningful change. and foster collaboration when possible. Communicate
your reasoning and intentions clearly, while remaining
z A crisis of conscience in the public domain arises
open to constructive feedback. Seniors, peers and
when individuals encounter moral dilemmas, ethical
people with similar situation experiences may be
controversies, accountability challenges, or situations
particularly of great help in such situations.
that challenge their personal values and beliefs.
z Continuous Learning: Embrace the opportunity for
z It can lead to internal turmoil, moral distress, and
growth and learning from the experience. Reflect on
a struggle to navigate complex decisions while
the outcomes of your decisions, both positive and
upholding one’s integrity and ethical principles.
negative, and use them to refine your ethical decision-
Resolution of Crisis of Conscience making skills in the future.
Resolving a crisis of conscience requires introspection, z Constitutional Morality: The principles of
ethical reasoning, and courageous decision-making. Here constitution and idea of human rights, humanism
are some steps that can help individuals navigate and may prove to be the northern star guiding actor in
address such a crisis: situations of crisis of conscience.

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6.11.5 Is Conscience An Absolute Guide To 2. Enforcement: Accountability requires the

existence of mechanisms to enforce consequences
Ethical Behaviour? for inappropriate actions or violations of
No, conscience is not an absolute guide to ethical behaviour. established rules. Both the public and accountable
There are several factors that can limit its reliability institutions should have the authority to take
and effectiveness: measures to rectify behaviour and hold individuals
z Crisis of Conscience: There are situations where an or organisations accountable.
individual’s conscience may fail to provide clear moral
guidance. Ambiguous circumstances, conflicting
values, or conflicting duties can create a crisis of
conscience, leaving individuals unsure about what is
Answerability + Enforceability = Accountability
right and wrong.
z Wrong Training of Conscience: Conscience develops
through moral education and habit formation. If
someone has been trained or conditioned to follow 6.12.1 The significance of Accountability
unethical behaviour, their conscience may not reliably z Democratic Governance: Accountability ensures
guide them towards ethical choices. that public officials are accountable to the people,
z Impact of Morals/Cultures: Conscience is influenced promoting democratic principles and citizen
participation.
by the morals and cultural norms of a particular
society or environment. Different cultures may have z Public Trust: Accountability enhances public trust
and confidence in the government by holding officials
different ethical perspectives, and an individual’s accountable for their actions and addressing any
conscience may align with societal norms even if those wrongdoing.
norms are morally questionable. z Clarity and Efficiency: Accountability requires clear
For Example, A person’s conscience towards his task specifications, timelines, and resource allocation,
behaviour towards females would not provide improving governance effectiveness and efficiency.
ethical guidance if he has been brought up in a z Prevention of Irregularities: Accountability helps
patriarchal environment. prevent administrative irregularities and improper
z Impact of Societal Pressure: Conscience can be implementation of policies, contributing to better
governance outcomes.
influenced or overridden by societal or professional
pressures. Fear of social rejection, professional z Remedial Action: Accountability enables the
identification and rectification of mistakes or
consequences, or peer pressure can compromise an
misconduct, ensuring that officials are held liable and
individual’s ethical judgement and lead them to act corrective measures are taken.
against their conscience. z Transparency: Accountability promotes transparency
These factors demonstrate that conscience is subject to in decision-making processes, making citizens
limitations and can be influenced by various external stakeholders in governance and fostering trust.
factors. While conscience can play a significant role in z Feedback Mechanism: Accountability establishes
ethical decision-making, it should be supplemented with a feedback mechanism where the concerns and
critical thinking, moral reasoning, and consideration of feedback of beneficiaries can reach decision-makers,
ethical principles to ensure a more comprehensive and facilitating responsive governance.
reliable guide to ethical behaviour.
6.12.2 Importance of Accountability
z Preventing abuse of power: Answerability and
6.12 ACCOUNTABILITY AND ETHICAL enforcement mechanisms prevent public officials
GOVERNANCE from becoming tyrannical and acting against the
public’s best interests.
z The concept of holding public officials accountable
z Conflict of interests: Accountability helps define
involves a process through which their actions and
the boundaries of acceptable actions, reducing the
choices are closely examined to ensure that they fulfil likelihood of conflicts of interest and ensuring public
their responsibilities, obligations, and job duties. officials act in the public’s interest.
z Accountability Encompasses Two Main Aspects:
Legal Institutional
1. Answerability: Public officials should be
accountable for their decisions and actions. They Financial
should provide explanations and justifications to Accountability
the public and oversight institutions regarding
their choices and behaviours. This transparency Ethical
Democratic
helps prevent abuse of power and promotes Individual
responsible conduct. Fig: Dimensions of Accountability

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z Serving public interest: Public services are meant Resignations, dismissals, and political
to benefit the public, and accountability ensures that consequences are common outcomes of failures
officials act in accordance with the public’s needs and or misconduct. It ensures transparency and
are answerable for their actions. consequences for political leaders’ actions.
z Justice and equality: Accountability promotes justice, z Social Accountability: Driven by citizens and civil
equality, and the realisation of constitutional ideals by society, it involves active engagement and monitoring
holding public servants responsible for their actions. of public officials.
z Legitimacy of public services: Accountability fosters Through citizen-led audits, participatory
loyalty to public service by ensuring that actions are processes, and community involvement, it ensures
carefully considered and preventing arbitrary and ill- accountability and influences decision-making.
conceived policies.
Internal and External Accountability
6.12.3 Types of Accountability
z External (Outside the Executive): Parliament,
z Horizontal Accountability: State institutions oversee
Judiciary, Lokpal, Comptroller and Auditor
and regulate other government agencies to prevent
misuse of power and corruption. General, and Central Vigilance Commission serve
as external accountability mechanisms that
Examples include internal audits, ombudsman
offices, and administrative courts. oversee and monitor the actions of the executive
branch to ensure transparency, legality, and proper
z Vertical Accountability: Citizens, civil society, and
media hold public officials accountable from the governance.
bottom up. z Internal (Within the Executive): Internal
It involves mechanisms like elections, public accountability mechanisms within the executive
hearings, citizen feedback, media scrutiny, and branch include superior officers who enforce
public participation. It ensures the enforcement reward and punishment, disciplinary procedures,
of good governance standards and prevents abuse and performance management systems. Internal
of power. audits and grievance redressal mechanisms
z Political Accountability: Individual ministerial also play a role in promoting accountability and
responsibility holds political leaders accountable for addressing internal issues.
the decisions and actions of their ministries.
Institutions and Mechanisms that Promote Accountability

z Elections: The electoral process allows citizens to hold public officials accountable through voting
and choosing their representatives.
z Right to Information (RTI) Act: This empowers citizens to access information held by public
authorities, promoting transparency and accountability.
z Citizen Oversight Committees: These committees involve citizens in monitoring and evaluating
government actions and policies.
Outside z Civil Society/Watchdog Bodies: Non-governmental organisations and civil society groups play
the State a crucial role in holding the government accountable by advocating for transparency and good
(Vertical) governance.
z Media: Independent media organisations act as a watchdog by reporting on government activities
and exposing any wrongdoing.
z Service Delivery Surveys: Surveys conducted among citizens assess the quality and effectiveness
of public services, providing feedback on performance and accountability.
z Citizen's Charters: These documents outline the rights and entitlements of citizens and set
standards for service delivery, promoting accountability.
z Superior Officers: They enforce accountability within the executive branch through reward and
punishment systems, disciplinary procedures, and performance management.
z CBI/Police/Vigilance: These agencies investigate and take action against corruption, misconduct,
and violations of rules and regulations within the government.
Within the
z Internal Audit: Internal audit units evaluate the financial and operational processes of government
State (Hori-
departments to ensure compliance and identify any irregularities.
zontal)
z Grievance Redressal Mechanisms: Mechanisms such as the Prevention of Corruption Act and the
Official Secrets Act address complaints, grievances, and cases of corruption or maladministration.
z E-Governance Mechanisms: Platforms like Pragati and the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP)
leverage technology to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in government processes.

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Differences Between Accountability and Responsibility
Parameters Accountability Responsibility
Being answerable for the outcome or results of a task Being assigned or entrusted with a duty or
Definition
or action. task and having an obligation to fulfil it.
Focus on the Outcome or results. Duty or task.
Nature Imposed or assigned from an external source. Voluntarily assumed or delegated.
Extent Broad and overarching. Specific and focused.
Level Usually associated with higher-level roles or positions. Can be associated with various levels and positions.
Taking ownership of the outcome, including Taking ownership of completing a task or
Ownership
successes and failures. fulfilling a duty.
Decision- May involve making decisions or having the authority May involve executing decisions made by
making to make decisions. others.
Answering for the consequences or results, regardless Answering for the completion of assigned
Answerability
of individual involvement. tasks or duties.
Emphasises the ultimate outcome and the impact on Emphasises the completion of specific tasks
Importance
stakeholders. or duties.
Transfer Cannot be transferred or delegated. Can be transferred or delegated to others.
6.12.4 W
ays and Means to Ensure z Governance: According to the UNDP, governance
Accountability refers to the exercise of political, economic, and
z Stakeholder involvement: Empowering stakeholders administrative authority to manage a country’s affairs.
to question public officials about their official duties It involves the decision-making processes, policies,
promotes accountability. For example, initiatives and actions undertaken by governments, institutions,
like Social Audit under MGNREGA involve engaging and individuals in positions of authority.
stakeholders in assessing the performance of public
programs.
z Transparency and proactive disclosure: Promoting Ethical
transparency through the effective implementation Morals and Ethical Values
of Right to Information (RTI) laws encourages public Governance
officials to adhere to the law and constitution. Proactive
Good Efficiency and Inclusivity
disclosure of information educates the public about
their rights and helps them question the fulfilment Governance
of those rights.
z Independent judiciary: Upholding the rule of law Governance
Implementation of
relies on the independence and effectiveness of laws and rules
the judiciary. Measures like the Memorandum of
z Good Governance: The World Bank defines good
Procedure and the use of e-courts can strengthen
the role of the judiciary in ensuring accountability. governance as the manner in which power is exercised
z Periodic elections: Elections serve as the ultimate in the management of a country’s economic and social
expression of accountability in a democracy. They resources for development. It emphasises the need for
enable the public to reward or punish the government effective and accountable institutions, transparency,
based on its performance, providing a check on those the rule of law, and inclusive participation of citizens
in power. Electoral reforms and an informed and in decision-making processes.
mature electorate contribute to accountability.
z Eight Principles of Good Governance by the United
Nations:
6.13 STRENGTHENING OF ETHICAL AND
1. Participation: This principle emphasises the
MORAL VALUES IN GOVERNANCE
importance of involving all people, including
Good Governance depends on the ability to take women, vulnerable sections of society, and
responsibility both administrations as well as people. marginalised groups, in governance processes. It
— PM Narendra Modi ensures that their voices are heard and considered
in decision-making.

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Effective & z Ethical Governance: Ethical governance prioritises
adherence to universal values and moral principles,
Follows the Efficient Accountability
ensuring decisions and actions are guided by truth,
Rule of law Consensus
honesty, integrity, and the public interest, fostering
Good Oriented
integrity, trust, and effective management of affairs.
Transparent Governance
Good Ethical
Equitable & Participatory Governance
Governance Governance
Inclusive Responsive
2. Rule of Law: Good governance requires the 6.13.1 Importance of Ethical Governance
impartial enforcement of the legal framework and Ethical governance holds significant importance in a
protection of human rights, including those of country like India with its large population and limited
minorities and vulnerable populations. It ensures resources. It serves as a foundation for several key
that laws are applied equally to all individuals. aspects of governance:
3. Consensus Oriented: Governance should aim to z Social Justice: Ethical governance aligns with the
mediate and reconcile different interests to reach constitutional vision of social justice, striving to
decisions that serve the best interests of the entire reduce inequalities and ensure equal opportunities
community. It promotes dialogue and cooperation for all citizens.
among various stakeholders.
z Public Confidence: By upholding truth and
4. Transparency: This principle emphasises the transparency, ethical governance fosters public trust,
provision of sufficient information to the public cooperation, and coordination.
in an easily understandable form. Transparency
Initiatives like the Right to Information Act, of
ensures openness, accountability, and public
scrutiny of decision-making processes. 2005 enhance transparency and accountability.
5. Responsiveness: Good governance requires z Upholding Human Rights: Ethical governance
institutions and leaders to be responsive to prioritises the protection and fulfilment of basic
the needs, concerns, and grievances of citizens. human rights for all individuals, particularly the
It involves addressing and redressing citizen marginalised and vulnerable sections of society.
complaints, providing timely and efficient services, Legislation such as the National Food Security Act
and promoting citizen-oriented policies. ensures access to food for those in need.
6. Effective and Efficient: Governance should result z Universal Value System: Ethical governance, rooted
in the effective and efficient utilisation of resources in objectivity and fairness, counters nepotism
at the disposal of institutions. It aims to achieve and favouritism in decision-making processes,
optimal outcomes and deliver quality services to appointments, and resource allocation.
the public. z Efficiency: Ethical governance, guided by integrity
7. Equitable and Inclusive: Good governance ensures and ethical conduct, ensures that public resources are
that all individuals and groups feel included, have utilised effectively and efficiently, minimising the risk
a stake in decision-making processes, and have of corruption and mismanagement.
equal access to opportunities and resources. It
z Compassion: Ethical governance emphasises
promotes fairness and reduces inequalities.
compassion, giving special consideration to the
8. Accountable: Accountability is a fundamental
needs of the poor and vulnerable sections of society.
principle of good governance. It involves
Initiatives like the affordable rental housing scheme
acknowledging and assuming responsibility for
aim to provide affordable housing for migrant workers.
actions, decisions, policies, and their outcomes.
Accountability ensures transparency, integrity, and Effective
Good Good Ethical
trust in governance processes. + + = & Efficient
Governance Intentions Governance
Governance
Truth
Objectivity Integrity
Means End
Altruism Justice While transparency reduces corruption, good
Ethical governance goes beyond transparency in achieving
Good Governance openness. Openness means involving the stakeholders
Fairness
Governance in the decision-making process. Transparency is the
right to information while openness is the right to
participation. — PM Narendra Modi
Fig: Aspects of Ethical Governance

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6.14 ETHICAL ISSUES IN z Peace and Harmony: Ethics in international relations

promote peaceful conduct and equality among
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND nations, exemplified by the establishment of the
FUNDING United Nations as a global effort for peace.
z International Ethics refers to a set of universal z Legitimacy: International ethics grants legitimacy
to nations based on adherence to ethical principles
standards and values that guide and regulate the
and international norms, while violators risk losing
behaviours and actions of nations in their international
international legitimacy, as seen with the Taliban in
dealings. Afghanistan.
For instance, most countries uphold and protect
z Human Rights Protection: International ethics
basic human rights as a set of fundamental drives nations to prioritise human rights, exemplified
principles. through cooperation in addressing refugee crises and
z Ethical issues in international relations and funding advocating for gender equality.
are complex and multifaceted, posing challenges to the z Solutions to Global Problems: International ethics
principles of fairness, justice, and accountability encourages collaborative efforts among nations to
in global affairs. address global challenges such as terrorism, as seen
z These issues arise from diverse contexts such through intelligence sharing and coordinated actions.
as humanitarian aid, economic development, z Business Ethics: International ethics ensure
environmental concerns, human rights, and multinational companies operate ethically, pay fair
geopolitical power dynamics. taxes, and contribute to society, with initiatives like
the Global Minimum Tax deal and combatting BEPS.
z Addressing these ethical concerns is crucial for
z Racism: International ethics compels nations to
promoting stability, cooperation, and sustainable
eradicate racism from policies, with international
development on a global scale. pressure playing a role in ending apartheid in South
6.14.1Significance of International Ethics Africa.
The significance of international ethics is multifaceted and 6.14.2 Ethical Concerns in International
plays a vital role in shaping international relations. Here Relations
is a detailed explanation of its significance:
Ethical concerns in international relations encompass
z Responsibility: International ethics holds affluent a broad range of issues that arise from the interactions
nations accountable for contributing to the progress between nations and their impact on global communities.
of less developed countries, ensuring shared These concerns reflect the need for ethical considerations
responsibility for human development. and responsible actions in addressing global challenges.
Example: Paris Climate Agreement and Common, Here are some key ethical concerns in international
But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR relations:
Principles). z Lack of Responsibility and Equity: Developed
z Humanitarian Ethics: Ethics in international relations countries, historically responsible for climate change,
prevent advancements in science, defence, and often fail to take sufficient responsibility for their
security from infringing on human rights, promoting actions. This lack of accountability disproportionately
cooperation through organisations like MTCR and affects developing and least developed countries, which
Australia Group to restrict weapon misuse. bear the brunt of the consequences of climate change
Defence without having contributed significantly to its causes.
For example, the Paris Agreement on climate
Sovereignty
Environment change: Some of the world’s largest emitters of
greenhouse gases, such as the United States and
International China, have not yet ratified the Agreement. This
Culture
Ethics lack of ratification by key countries undermines
Politics the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement and its
Economics ability to address climate change.
z Global Poverty: The stark contrast between affluent
Human Rights and impoverished nations raises ethical questions
about equitable resource distribution and access to
Fig: Principles of International Ethics basic human rights. While people in richer countries
z Compassion: International ethics fosters solidarity enjoy abundant resources and a lavish lifestyle, people
among nations during challenging times, exemplified in poorer countries often lack access to even the most
by the COVAX Program’s collaboration to provide fundamental necessities such as food, clean water,
COVID-19 vaccinations to impoverished nations. healthcare, and education.

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For example, the World Bank’s definition of efforts at all levels, including international institutions,
extreme poverty: The World Bank defines extreme to promote equality, inclusivity, and social justice.
poverty as living on less than $1.90 per day. For example, the Black Lives Matter movement
According to the World Bank, there were 689 protests racism and police brutality against
million people living in extreme poverty in 2015. Black people, globally. It has raised awareness
However, this number is likely to be higher today, about racism and led to changes like removing
as the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed millions Confederate statues. However, racism persists,
more people into poverty. requiring further efforts for progress.
z Apathy Towards the Third World: In times of crisis, z Weakening Global Institutions: Global institutions
countries tend to prioritise their own self-interests established after World War II require reform to
over global interests. This self-centred approach better reflect present realities and effectively address
can hinder international cooperation, exacerbate contemporary challenges. The lack of timely reforms
conflicts, and impede collective efforts to address and adaptation to changing geopolitical dynamics can
global challenges such as poverty, climate change, and undermine the legitimacy and effectiveness of these
public health crises. institutions in addressing global issues.
For example, the Rohingya refugee crisis
For example, the WTO has refused to allow
emerged when the Myanmar military persecuted countries to impose tariffs on goods that are
the Rohingya minority in 2017, leading to their
produced in countries with high carbon emissions.
displacement to Bangladesh. International
This decision has been criticised by environmental
response has been inadequate, with countries
groups, who argue that it will make it more difficult
hesitant to accept Rohingya refugees. This has
to address climate change.
been seen as a betrayal of the Rohingya and a
global solidarity failure. z Lack of Ethics in crisis and times requiring
cooperation: Ethical decision-making, guided by
z Lack of Accountability: Global institutions often
principles such as fairness, justice, human rights, and
struggle to ensure accountability, particularly among
environmental sustainability, is often undermined
powerful countries. This lack of accountability can
by political considerations and short-term interests.
lead to violations of international law, human rights
This compromises the ability to find sustainable and
abuses, and the erosion of trust in global governance
equitable solutions to global problems.
systems.
For example, some countries have hoarded
For example, the UN Security Council is the
influential body within the United Nations with COVID-19 vaccines, while others have refused
authority over military action and sanctions. to share data about the virus. This has made it
However, it faces criticism for its lack of more difficult to develop effective vaccines and
accountability, including failure to address human treatments, and it has prolonged the pandemic.
rights abuses by certain countries. 6.14.3 Ethical Issues in International Funding
z Selfishness: Nations frequently prioritise their own International funding refers to the aid given by richer and
parochial self-interests over the collective well-being advanced countries to poorer countries for developmental,
of the global community. This can be observed in security and other purposes. However, this aid presents
actions such as the controlled production of crude following ethical issues:
oil by OPEC countries to manipulate market prices or
the lack of consensus on patent waivers for COVID- z Subverting Sovereignty of Nations: Donor
19 vaccines, hindering equitable access to life-saving conditions on funding can infringe upon recipient
treatments. countries’ sovereignty and decision-making.
Example: IMF imposed specific policies on India
z Lack of Universal Standards: The absence of
universal standards in international relations during the financial crisis in 1991.
often results in inconsistent decision-making and z Exploiting Compulsion: Powerful countries may
the prioritisation of national interests over global exploit the vulnerabilities of recipient nations to
principles. further their own interests.
This can be seen in instances where countries Example: China’s debt-trap diplomacy taking
support or protect allies despite their violations advantage of infrastructure needs in poorer
of human rights or international norms. countries.
z Racism: Racism remains a pervasive problem z Funding to NGOs: Donor countries providing
worldwide, with systemic discrimination and unequal funding to NGOs can raise concerns if it serves their
treatment based on race or ethnicity persisting in own interests or interferes with recipient countries’
many societies. Addressing racism requires concerted internal affairs.

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Example: It is alleged that some NGOs received International produces independent reports on human
funding to protest against nuclear power plants rights abuses, raising awareness and pressuring for
in India. change.
z Clinical Trials: Conducting clinical trials in poorer z Efforts of countries: Nations like India and Bangladesh
countries while providing funding can raise ethical have provided shelters and aid to Rohingya refugees,
questions about informed consent and the protection demonstrating humanitarian approaches to address
of participants’ rights. refugee crises.
Example: Poorer African countries have been z Humanitarian aid: Global efforts are focused
hotbeds for clinical trials by large pharmaceutical on reducing hardship in conflict zones, such as
companies. Afghanistan, by providing essential items and
z Neo-colonialism: International funding and market assistance in response to food shortages and other
tactics can promote neo-colonialism by establishing urgent needs.
economic dependencies and eroding local cultures.
z United Nations Peacekeeping Army: Deployed to
Example: Multinational companies accused of
establish peace and harmony in conflict zones, UN
promoting Western culture in recipient countries. peacekeeping missions help safeguard human rights
z Terror Financing: Illicit funding channels may be and protect vulnerable populations.
exploited for terrorism financing or money laundering,
posing security risks and violating ethical principles. Climate Change Issues
Example: Instances of international funding being z International Equity Concerns: The countries least
misused for terrorist activities and round-tripping responsible for climate change and with a limited
black money. economic capacity to combat its effects are often the
most affected, as seen in the case of the Marshall
6.14.4 Global Efforts To Deal With Islands.
International Ethical Issues z Common but Differentiated Responsibilities:
Challenges arise in defining and differentiating
Issues and Global Efforts responsibilities between present and future
Issues of Human Rights Violations generations and between developed and developing
z Political interventions leading to Human Rights countries in addressing climate change.
Violations: The interference of external powers in z Climate change scepticism: Some individuals or
the internal affairs of nations often results in human groups deny or disregard the reality of climate change,
rights abuses. hindering global efforts to address the issue.
z Terrorism as a tool of foreign policy: Some states
Global Efforts
employ terrorism as a means to achieve their foreign
policy goals, resulting in violations of human rights. z Commitment towards strong climate action:
For example, Pakistan's support for LeT and JeM or Countries are committed to taking significant actions to
Iran's support for Hezbollah. combat climate change, including promoting sustainable
z Refugee Issue: European nations close their lifestyles, mindful consumption, and waste reduction.
borders to refugees fleeing war-torn regions, leaving z Financial tools: Various financial mechanisms, such
vulnerable populations without necessary protection as the Polluter Pay Principle, Carbon Tax, Energy
and support. Saving Certificates, and green bonds, are adopted to
Global Efforts mobilise funds and encourage sustainable practices.
z Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): z Mission Innovation: A global initiative involving
The UDHR outlines the fundamental rights and 22 countries and the EU to accelerate clean
freedoms that all individuals are entitled to, energy innovation, with commitments to doubling
encompassing civil, political, economic, social, and governments' clean energy R&D investments over
cultural rights. five years.
z Human Rights Council and the Office of the High z Decoupling economic growth from emissions:
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): The Efforts are focused on achieving economic growth
Human Rights Council, along with the OHCHR, works while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and
to promote and protect human rights worldwide, promoting sustainable development.
investigating violations and making recommendations z Glasgow Climate Summit: Major countries have
for action. disclosed their targets for becoming carbon neutral,
z Amnesty International: An international organisation and discussions have taken place regarding climate
of volunteers advocating for human rights, Amnesty finance and a Climate Finance Delivery Plan.

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z Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): A market essential medicines and technologies to address
mechanism established under the Kyoto Protocol public health crises.
to achieve emissions reduction, allowing developed International ethics is a set of universal values that
countries to implement emission-reduction projects governs the actions and behaviours of nation-states. In
in developing nations and earn Certified Emission International Relations, the state is called an Actor. Hence,
Reduction (CER) credits. all decisions should protect and further the national
z Focus on renewable energy sources and interests of the State (Machiavellian Ethics) but it should
international institutions: Emphasis is placed also be seen as ethical.
on promoting renewable energy and establishing
international institutions like the International Solar 6.15 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Alliance to facilitate cooperation and reduce reliance
on fossil fuels. z According to the Cadbury Committee, corporate
z Increasing Green Cover: Efforts are made to expand governance is the “system by which companies are
green cover and create more carbon sinks to absorb directed and controlled so as to run it in the best
greenhouse gas emissions. interest of all stakeholders and society at large.”
Other Issues z It is a set of systems, processes and principles
which ensures promoting corporate fairness,
z Zoonotic diseases like Covid-19: The emergence
transparency and accountability.
and spread of zoonotic diseases pose global
challenges, necessitating international cooperation z Corporate governance is crucial for the effective
and preparedness. management and oversight of a company.
z Overfishing: The depletion of marine resources due to z It encompasses the structures, mechanisms, and
unsustainable fishing practices threatens ecosystems practices that guide and regulate the behaviour and
and the livelihoods of fishing communities worldwide. decision-making processes of corporate entities.
z Accumulation of plastic waste: The excessive z The primary objectives of corporate governance are to
accumulation of plastic waste in oceans and terrestrial protect the interests of various stakeholders, including
environments has detrimental effects on wildlife, shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers,
ecosystems, and human health. and the broader community.
z Accumulation of space debris: The proliferation z Example: A company’s board of directors meets to
of space debris poses risks to satellites and space consider the prospective acquisition of a new firm.
activities, requiring collaborative efforts to mitigate The board members carefully weigh the risks and
and manage space debris. benefits of the transaction before voting to approve
it. As the board is working in the best interests of the
Global Efforts
company’s shareholders, the acquisition process is
z WHO panel monitoring zoonotic diseases: The done keeping in mind all the stakeholders, this is an
World Health Organization has established a panel example of excellent corporate governance.
to monitor zoonotic diseases, enhance global
preparedness, and facilitate coordinated responses. Respect
z International cooperation for vaccine stakeholders
development: Collaborative efforts are underway to
develop vaccines for combating zoonotic diseases, as
seen in the global response to Covid-19. Community Contribute
Development to Socio-eco
z Framework for a patent waiver: Discussions are
development
ongoing regarding waiving intellectual property rights
related to medicines, vaccines, and medical devices Principles
for zoonotic diseases like Covid-19, aiming to ensure of Corporate
Support
equitable access to essential healthcare technologies. Governance
responsible Avoid illicit
z Guidelines for enforcement of IPRs: The World globalization activities
Trade Organization (WTO) has established guidelines
for the enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights,
striking a balance between protecting innovation and
ensuring access to vital technologies. Sustainable
Principle of and inclusive
z Compulsory licensing: In emergencies, there is a Trusteeship growth
provision for invoking compulsory licensing, allowing
countries to grant licences for the production of Fig: Principles of Corporate Governance

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6.15.1 Key Elements of Corporate z Stakeholder Engagement: Good corporate

Governance governance considers the interests of all stakeholders
and encourages dialogue and engagement with them.
z Board of Directors: The board plays a pivotal role
This includes employees, customers, suppliers, local
in corporate governance, providing strategic direction
communities, and other relevant parties affected by
and ensuring accountability. It is responsible for the company’s operations.
appointing top executives, monitoring performance,
and making important decisions. Also, Independent 6.15.2 Importance of Good Corporate
directors are now appointed to ensure integrity in Governance
corporate functioning. The importance of corporate governance is significant and
z Shareholder Rights: Corporate governance can be observed in various aspects:
emphasises the protection of shareholder rights, z Protection of Shareholder Rights: It safeguards the
including the right to vote, access information, and interests of shareholders and provides them with a
receive a fair return on investment. Shareholders have voice in decision-making processes.
the power to influence company decisions and hold z Enhanced Investor Confidence: Good governance
practices promote transparency, accountability, and
management accountable.
ethical conduct, which attract investors and improve
z Ethics and Integrity: Corporate governance promotes their confidence in the company.
ethical behaviour and integrity within an organisation. z Improved Financial Performance: Effective
It includes establishing a code of conduct, ensuring governance contributes to better financial performance
compliance with laws and regulations, and fostering and long-term sustainability by minimising risks,
a culture of transparency, honesty, and fairness. enhancing operational efficiency, and attracting
Example: A company’s board of directors upholds capital.
the highest ethical standards by acting in the best z Stakeholder Trust and Reputation: Strong corporate
interests of the shareholders, avoiding conflicts of governance fosters trust among stakeholders,
including employees, customers, and the community,
interest, and being transparent in their decision-
which enhances the company’s reputation and brand
making.
value.
z Transparency and Disclosure: Companies are z Compliance with Legal and Regulatory
expected to provide timely and accurate information Requirements: Good governance ensures compliance
to shareholders and stakeholders. Transparency with laws, regulations, and corporate governance
involves clear communication of financial performance, codes, reducing the risk of legal and reputational
risks, and other material information. Disclosure issues.
requirements vary across jurisdictions but generally 4 Pillars of Corporate Governance
aim to enhance investor confidence and market Protection of shareholders' right,
efficiency. Fairness equitable treatment and redressal of
violations.
z Risk Management: Effective corporate governance
involves identifying and managing risks that may Minimise or avoid conflict of interest
Independence and independent directors and advisors.
impact the company’s performance and reputation.
It includes implementing risk assessment processes,
Management is accountable to board
internal controls, and risk mitigation strategies. Accountability and board to shareholders.
z Accountability and Auditing: Corporate governance
emphasises accountability by establishing mechanisms Timely accurate disclosure on all
Transparency
for monitoring and evaluating the performance of material matters.
executives and the board. External auditors play a
z Efficient Decision-Making: Clear governance
crucial role in ensuring financial transparency and structures and processes enable efficient decision-
providing independent verification of the company’s making, facilitating timely responses to market
financial statements. changes and opportunities.

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z Long-Term Value Creation: Corporate governance z Promoter-Led Board: Boards chaired by promoters,
focuses on sustainable growth and value creation, leading to potential conflicts of interest and a lack
balancing short-term objectives with long-term of independence in decision-making, exemplified by
strategic goals.
Naresh Goyal in Jet Airways.
Accountability z Lack of Oversight: Weak enforcement mechanisms
and poor oversight despite statutory changes, allowing
favouritism in lending institutions (e.g., ICICI Bank,
Auditing Chanda Kochar case).
Functions of Transparency
z Lack of Independence: Independent directors face
Corporate
Governance pressure and limitations in their decision-making, as
seen in the Tata-Mistry case.
z Crony Capitalism: Mutual benefits given to close
associates, leading to unfair advantages, such as
Compliance Fairness captive coal block allocation in the Coal scams.
z Credit Rating Issues: Conflict of interest, information
Fig: Functions of Corporate Governance gaps, and non-rating business affect the credibility of
z Premium: Well-governed companies command a credit rating agencies, as observed in the recent ILFS
market premium, with investors willing to pay more crisis.
for shares due to their reliability and lower risk.
6.15.4 Existing Measures and Initiatives To
z Foreign Investment: Transparent and accountable
Ensure Ethical Corporate Governance
corporate practices attract foreign investment, as they
provide confidence and assurance of a well-managed In India
entity. z Companies Act, 2013: Regulates the incorporation,
z Compensation for Weak Laws: Strong firm-level formulation, and functioning of companies in India,
empowering shareholders and emphasising higher
governance can offset deficiencies in corporate laws or
values for corporate governance.
their enforcement, as it upholds integrity and fairness.
z Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956: Aims
z Mitigation of Corruption: Effective governance
to prevent undesirable transactions in securities by
structures and policies reduce the likelihood of
regulating business dealings.
fraud and scandals, promoting ethical behaviour and
z Competition Commission of India: Established
minimising corruption risks.
to promote and sustain a competition culture,
z Corporate Sustainability: Stakeholder-focused curb monopolistic tendencies, and inspire fair and
governance builds trust and ensures long-term innovative business practices.
sustainability by aligning company actions with
z National Company Law Tribunal: Deals with
expectations and needs.
corporate disputes of civil nature and serves as the
z Curbing Nepotism: Good governance practices adjudicating authority under the Insolvency and
value meritocracy and equal opportunities, curbing Bankruptcy Code.
nepotism and favouritism in decision-making. z Accounting Standards: Issued by the Institute of
z Internal Checks and Balances: Robust governance Chartered Accountants of India to bring structure
establishes mechanisms to prevent mismanagement, to financial reporting and mandate disclosure of
conflicts of interest, and misuse of resources, ensuring accounting policies, cash-flow statements, related-
accountability and transparency. party disclosures, and more.
6.15.3 Issues of Corporate Governance in India z Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
Guidelines: Regulatory authority overseeing listed
z Collusion: Companies colluding with auditors to
companies, issuing regulations, rules, and guidelines
deceive investors, regulators, and stakeholders, as to ensure investor protection.
seen in cases like the Satyam scandal and DHFL case.
z Secretarial Standards: Issued by the Institute of
z High Risks: Company owners taking significant risks Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) to establish
in their personal capacity and are unable to repay, standards for company secretaries in accordance with
such as V. Siddhartha in the Cafe Coffee Day case. the provisions of the Companies Act.

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Committees Related To Corporate Governance In India
z It emphasised the importance of an appropriate mix of executive and non-executive
directors on the board of directors.
z The establishment of an audit committee consisting of at least three independent directors
Kumar Mangalam was recommended.
Birla Committee z A remuneration committee was suggested to determine the remuneration of directors and
Report (2000) senior management.
z The board of directors was required to hold a minimum of four meetings per year.
z Shareholders were to be provided with comprehensive information regarding their
investments.
z It recommended the prohibition of certain non-audit services, such as valuation services
and internal audits, for audit clients.
Naresh Chandra
z A compulsory rotation of auditors was proposed, with audit partners and at least fifty
Committee
percent of the team members being rotated every five years.
(2002)
z Audit firms were required to provide an annual certification of independence to the Audit
Committee or Board of Directors before agreeing to the terms of the audit engagement.
z It recommended strengthening the responsibilities of audit committees, including the
Narayan Murthy requirement for at least one member to be financially knowledgeable and another member
Committee to possess accounting or related financial management proficiency.
(2003) z The committee emphasised improving the quality of financial disclosures, particularly
those related to related party transactions.
z It recommended the separation of the roles of chairperson and CEO/MD to ensure a
balance of power and increased accountability.
z The committee proposed a maximum limit of eight directorships for an individual to
prevent overcommitment and ensure effective board participation.
z At least half of the board members in listed companies were required to be independent
directors to enhance transparency and objectivity.
Uday Kotak
z The committee suggested mandating minimum qualifications for independent directors
Committee
and disclosing their relevant skills and expertise.
(2017)
z It proposed granting powers to SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) to provide
immunity to whistleblowers to encourage reporting of corporate misconduct.
z The committee recommended that public sector companies should be governed by listing
regulations rather than nodal ministries to ensure better corporate governance practices.
z Enhanced disclosure requirements were suggested, such as full disclosure of fund
utilisation, auditor credentials, audit fees, and other relevant information.
6.16 CORPORATE SOCIAL its employees, their families, local communities, and
society at large.
RESPONSIBILITY (CSR)
z It involves the voluntary actions and initiatives taken
“Corporate Social Responsibility is a company’s by companies to go beyond their legal obligations and
commitment to its stakeholders — to conduct business make a positive impact on society.
in an economically, socially, and environmentally
z Under the Companies Act, 2013 in India, provisions
sustainable manner. At scale, and with mass buy-in,
society as a whole is the beneficiary of Multiplicative for CSR are outlined in Section 135.
Value Effects.” z This provision applies to companies meeting specific
— Hendrith Vanlon Smith criteria, such as having a net worth of INR 500 crore
Jr, CEO of Mayflower-Plymouth or more, a turnover of INR 1,000 crore or more,
or a net profit of INR 5 crore or more.
z Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept
that emphasises a company’s commitment to z Such companies are mandated to spend at least 2%
behaving ethically and contributing to economic of their average net profit in the previous three
development while improving the quality of life for years on CSR activities.

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6.16.1 The Significance of Corporate Social
Activities that can be taken up as CSR
Responsibility
z Promotion of Education,
z Moral Appeal: CSR aligns with the principle of
z Eradication of extreme hunger and poverty. Gandhiji’s Trusteeship, urging companies to act as
z Gender equity and women empowerment. responsible and ethical citizens.
z Reducing child mortality and improving maternal z Satisfaction: Companies should aim to satisfy not only
health. their shareholders but also other stakeholders who
z Combating HIV-AIDS, malaria, and other diseases. are directly or indirectly affected by the company’s
z Environment sustainability. operations and environment.
z Public Image: Companies engaging in CSR activities
z Social Business projects.
often enjoy a positive brand image and a good
z Employment enhancing vocational skills. reputation in the eyes of the public. The TATA Group
z Research across various fields such as science, of companies is an example of an organisation with a
technology, and medicine. strong public image due to its CSR initiatives.
z Incubators funded by the Centre or State or any z Licence to Operate: CSR helps companies gain the
state-owned companies. trust and support of local communities. By allocating
resources for community development, companies
z Example: Brook Corporation in India undertakes demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of
Corporate Social Responsibility through constructing the communities in which they operate.
schools, giving vocational training, providing z Consumers’ Trust: Many consumers actively seek out
healthcare, and promoting sustainable agriculture. companies that support charitable causes. Therefore,
These projects empower rural communities CSR attracts customers.
while promoting inclusive growth and long-term z Profitability: CSR activities can contribute to the
development. ABC Corporation effectively influences profitability of a company. Ethical conduct and socially
the lives of poor persons by cooperating with local responsible practices influence consumer purchasing
organisations, encouraging social progress, and decisions, leading to increased customer loyalty and
building a brighter future for all. market share.
z Competitive Advantage: Companies that showcase
Companies (CSR Policy) their commitment to social responsibility can
Amendment Rules, 2021 differentiate themselves from their competitors and
z The following activities have been excluded from attract socially conscious consumers.
CSR: z Morale Boost for Employees: CSR practices have a
Activities are undertaken in the normal course
positive impact on employee morale. When employees
of business excluded from CSR activities; see their company actively engaging in socially
responsible activities, it reinforces their confidence in
Activities undertaken outside India;
the company’s empathy and values, leading to higher
Contribution to political parties; job satisfaction.
Activities benefiting employees of the company;
Activities supported by the company on a
Recommendations of Injeti
sponsorship basis; Srinivas Committee on CSR
Activities carried out to fulfil a statutory z Making CSR expenditure tax deductible.
obligation. z Allowing companies to carry forward unspent
z Engagement of external organisation for design, funds for three to five years.
and evaluation permitted. z Aligning Schedule 7 of the Companies Act, 2013
with the Sustainable Development Goals.
z Companies have to formulate an annual action plan
and submit it to the Board of the company. z Balancing local area preferences with national
priorities.
z Companies to ensure administrative overhead does
not exceed 5% of total CSR expenditure. z Introducing impact assessment studies for CSR
obligations of 5 crores or more.
z The surplus cannot be utilised for other purposes.
z Registration of implementation agencies on the
z Companies with CSR obligations of more than 10 MCA Portal.
crore 3 financial years to hire an Independent z Developing a CSR exchange portal to connect
agency to conduct an impact assessment. contributors, beneficiaries, and agencies.
z Mandatory disclosure of CSR projects on the z Allowing CSR in social benefit bonds.
website. z Promoting social impact companies.

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6.16.2 Issues with Corporate Social z Furthermore, the overall increase in alcohol
Responsibility (CSR) consumption raises questions about the direction of
social progress.
z Poor Implementation: Many companies lack strategic
thinking and innovation in implementing CSR. CSR is Key Players
often seen as a merely charitable endeavour rather z State Governments: Responsible for implementing
than a larger goal with a meaningful impact. alcohol policies, including bans and regulations,
z Lack of Robust Policy: The absence of a long- while balancing revenue generation from the liquor
term and well-defined CSR policy hinders effective business with public health considerations.
CSR implementation. Without clear direction, CSR z Individuals and Communities: Engage in alcohol
spending may not align with desired objectives. consumption, facing health risks and potential social
z Duplication of Activities: Different companies consequences.
engaging in similar CSR activities without coordination
z Alcohol Industry: Involved in the production,
can result in a competitive rather than collaborative
marketing, and sale of alcoholic beverages, raising
approach. This leads to duplication of efforts and a
fragmented impact. ethical concerns regarding their social responsibility
and promotion of sensible drinking.
z Viewed as Additional Corporate Tax: Some perceive
the CSR obligation as a 2% tax that companies are z Public Health Authorities: Concerned with the
required to spend, rather than considering it as a health implications of alcohol consumption, including
voluntary contribution towards societal development. chronic diseases, violence, and road accidents.
z Skewed Pattern of Expenditure: CSR efforts may z Society and Cultural Norms: Varying societal views
be driven primarily by the company’s operational on alcohol consumption, ranging from considering
perspective and convenience rather than focusing it a part of socio-religious rituals to advocating for
on addressing critical social and environmental abstinence.
challenges. Ethical Issues
Way Forward z Balancing Individual Liberty and Public Health:
z Annual Awards: Establish annual awards to Striking a balance between upholding individual
incentivize companies for their exemplary CSR freedom and intervening in public health matters to
activities, categorising them based on company size. address the harmful effects of alcohol consumption.
z Accountability: Companies should ensure that their z Health and Safety Concerns: Ethical dilemmas
CSR activities have clear objectives and measurable surrounding the health consequences, social violence,
targets. Robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and road accidents associated with alcoholism.
should be in place to track progress. z Revenue vs. Vulnerable Individuals: Ethical
z Collaboration: Companies should collaborate with considerations in managing the conflict between the
local NGOs and community organisations to gain a revenue generated by the liquor business and the
deeper understanding of local needs and leverage their protection of vulnerable individuals from the harms
expertise in implementing effective CSR initiatives. of alcohol.
z Greater Awareness: Increase awareness about CSR, z Responsible Marketing and Sensible Drinking:
particularly at the grassroots level, to ensure that Ethical concerns regarding the marketing of alcohol
local communities receive their fair share of social products and promoting responsible and moderate
development from corporate profits. drinking practices.
Conclusion z Combating Illegal Liquor Businesses: Addressing the
z By addressing these issues and implementing growth of illegal liquor businesses while safeguarding
the suggested measures, CSR can become a more legitimate industry jobs.
impactful and well-structured approach to corporate z Social Norms vs. Personal Discretion: Navigating
social responsibility, benefiting both companies and ethical dilemmas between enforcing societal norms
society as a whole. related to alcohol consumption and respecting
individuals’ personal discretion.
6.17 SOME CONTEMPORARY ISSUES/ z Diverse Societal Views: Understanding and
CASE STUDIES addressing varying societal perspectives on alcohol
consumption, ranging from socio-religious rituals to
6.17.1 Alcoholism in India advocating for abstinence.
z Alcoholism is a significant issue in India, with rising Way Forward
concerns over deaths caused by the consumption of z Thoughtful Decision-Making: Considering
poisonous alcohol in states where alcohol is banned. individual freedom, public health, and social

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responsibility when formulating policies and Ethical Concerns
interventions to address alcoholism. z Well-being and anxiety: Increased reliance on
z Upholding Ethical Principles: Ensuring that technology and long work hours can negatively impact
strategies to tackle alcoholism adhere to ethical employee well-being and contribute to anxiety.
standards and legal frameworks. z The decline in sense of community: Remote work
z Public Health Interventions: Prioritising effective and hybrid models can lead to a diminished sense of
public health initiatives such as awareness campaigns, community and connection among employees.
education, and access to treatment for alcohol-related z Transparency and fairness: Practices like quiet
issues. quitting and quiet firing hinder open communication
z Responsible Industry Practices: Promoting and erode trust, raising concerns about transparency
responsible marketing, accountability, and social and fairness.
responsibility within the alcohol industry. z Health risks: Extended work hours are linked to
z Law Enforcement and Job Protection: Strengthening health issues like stroke and heart disease.
law enforcement efforts to combat illegal liquor Way Forward
businesses while safeguarding legitimate industry
z Value-based work culture: Prioritise human
jobs.
connection, trust, well-being, and responsible
z Education and Awareness: Empowering individuals technology use to foster a healthy work environment.
with information about the health risks and
z Ethical technology usage: Balance the benefits
consequences of alcohol abuse.
of digitalization with privacy, security, and healthy
z Support and Rehabilitation: Providing support technology practices.
systems, counselling, and rehabilitation programs for z Employee well-being: Prioritise physical and mental
individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. health, promoting work-life balance and overall well-
6.17.2 Changing Work Culture being.
z In recent times, work culture has undergone significant z Transparent communication: Foster transparency,
changes influenced by various factors. These changes fairness, and mutual respect within organisations.
have been driven by evolving workforce needs, z Address health risks: Mitigate health risks associated
advancements in technology, and the impact of the with long working hours through appropriate policies
COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s delve into the observed and support systems.
changes: 6.17.3 Ethics of Protest
Longer work hours z The Agniveer Scheme (2022), launched by the
Significant rise in remote work government, aimed to recruit individuals into the
Accelerated adoption of Automation and Artificial tri-services but faced opposition and protest from
Intelligence (AI) aspiring candidates due to concerns about short
Technology-enabled monitoring
tenure and the absence of pension benefits.
Focus on employee well-being and mental health Key Players
Shift towards remote collaboration and digital z Aspiring Candidates: Individuals aspiring to join
tools the tri-services who protested against the Agniveer
Need-based interpersonal communication
Scheme, expressing their concerns and demands for
better terms and conditions.
Consequences z Government Authorities: Responsible for
z Hustle Culture: The influence of startup culture has implementing the Agniveer Scheme and addressing
led to a hustle mentality, encouraging employees to the concerns raised by the protesters.
work excessively. z General Public: Affected by the protests, including
z Quiet Quitting: Blurring boundaries and longer work disruptions to daily life, potential damage to public
hours have resulted in employees doing the minimum, property, and concerns about the ethical conduct of
setting boundaries, or demanding extra compensation. the protesters.
z Quiet Firing: Some companies create unpleasant Ethical Issues
work environments, subtly pushing employees to quit z Right to Protest vs. Ethical Conduct: The protesters
without termination. exercised their constitutional right to protest, but
z Moonlighting: Remote work and technology ethical concerns arose when some engaged in violent
advancements have increased moonlighting, where or destructive behaviour, undermining the peaceful
employees take on additional jobs outside their intent of the demonstrations and causing damage to
regular employment. public property.

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z Civic Duty and Responsible Action: Protesters had PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION
a duty to protect public and private property and
1. ‘The will to power exists, but it can be tamed and be
promote non-violent means of expression. Ethical
guided by rationality and principles of moral duty.’
conduct required them to uphold civic responsibilities
Examine this statement in the context of international
and engage in peaceful dialogue rather than resorting
relations.(2020)
to violence or destruction.
2. What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? How does it
z Balance of Rights and Responsibilities: Protesters
manifest itself in the public domain? (2019)
had the right to express their grievances, but they also
had a responsibility to consider the impact of their 3. Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in
Public Administration. (2018)
actions on others, including the general public. Ethical
protest required finding a balance between exercising 4. Strength, peace, and security are considered to be the
their rights and respecting the rights and well-being pillars of international relations. Elucidate. (2017)
of others. 5. Conflict of interest in the public sector arises when
z Upholding Democratic Morality: The right to (a) official duties, (b) public interest, and (c) personal
interest are taking priority one above the other.
freedom of speech and expression, peaceful assembly,
How can this conflict in administration be resolved?
and demonstrations are fundamental elements of Describe with an example. (2017)
democratic morality. Protesters and authorities
6. Corporate social responsibility makes companies more
needed to ensure that these rights were respected
profitable and sustainable. Analyse. (2017)
while maintaining social order and public safety.
7. At the international level, bilateral relations between
Resolution and Way Forward most nations are governed by the policy of promoting
z Dialogue and Engagement: The government and one’s own national interest without any regard for
protest leaders should engage in constructive dialogue the interest of other nations. This led to conflicts and
to address the concerns raised by the protesters and tension between the nations.
find mutually agreeable solutions. This approach 8. “Max Weber said that it is not wise to apply to public
promotes ethical conduct and peaceful resolution. administration the sort of moral and ethical norms
we apply to matters of personal conscience. It is
z Promoting Ethical Protest Culture: Protest
important to realise that the state bureaucracy might
movements should emphasise non-violence, possess its own independent bureaucratic morality.”
inclusivity, transparency, and accountability within Critically analyse this statement. (2016)
their ranks. This fosters an ethical environment that
9. How can ethical consideration help resolve such
upholds the principles of peaceful coexistence and tensions? Discuss with specific examples. (2015)
social harmony.
10. Public servants are likely to confront the issues of
z Education and Awareness: Promoting awareness “Conflict of Interest”. What do you understand about
about ethical protest practices and civic responsibilities the term “Conflict of Interest” and how does it manifest
can help individuals understand the importance of in the decision-making of public servants? If faced
responsible conduct during demonstrations. Education with a conflict-of-interest situation how would you
programs can emphasise the ethical dimensions of resolve it? Explain with the help of examples. (2015)
protest and encourage peaceful means of expression. 11. What does ethics seek to promote in human life? Why
z Legal and Social Accountability: Authorities should is it all the more important in Public Administration?
enforce existing laws to hold individuals accountable (2014)
for any unethical or illegal actions during protests. This 12. What does ‘accountability’ mean in the context of
can deter destructive behaviour and promote a culture public service? What measures can be adopted to
of ethical conduct within the protest community. ensure individual and collective accountability of
public servants? (2014)
Conclusion 13. What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? Narrate one
z Organisations must adapt to changing dynamics by incident in your life when you were faced with such
changing their work culture. Adopting flexibility, a crisis and how you resolved the same. (2013)
inclusion, and innovation increases employee 14. What do you understand by the term ‘voice of
engagement, productivity, and well-being, resulting conscience’? How do you prepare yourself to heed
in long-term success and competitiveness. the voice of conscience? (2013)
v v v

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7 Probity in Governance
Syllabus
Probity in Governance: Concept of Public Service; Philosophical Basis of Governance and Probity; Information
Sharing and Transparency in Government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters,
Work Culture, Quality of Service Delivery, Utilization of Public Funds, Challenges of Corruption.
z Probity in governance is a necessary and fundamental

Example
prerequisite for an efficient and effective governing
z There is project aimed to construct a new highway
system and for socioeconomic growth. connecting two major cities and was expected to
z The absence of corruption is a critical requirement have a significant impact on the region's socio-
economic development. The implementation of
for ensuring government probity.
this project required the involvement of various
z Other needs include effective laws, rules, and government departments, regulatory bodies, and
regulations controlling all aspects of public life, as well civil service officials.
z You are appointed as CEO of the project.
as effective and equitable application of those laws,
z During the planning phase of the project, it was
among others. observed that the proposed route for the highway
Empathy Impartiality would traverse through a dense forest area, home
to several endangered species and ecologically
Transparency sensitive habitats.
Integrity
z This raised concerns among environmental activists,
Probity in Commitment to local communities, and wildlife conservation
Confidentiality
Governance Constitution organizations.
z You have faced a critical challenge: as your
Dedicated to Accountability immediate lower staff members are buying land
Public Service Honesty from locals at cheap price to sell it to government
at high price. How will you deal with the situation?
Fig: Probity in Governance
Approach
7.1 MEANING OF PROBITY As a CEO of the project, I am responsible for efficient
and timely implementation of the project. In this case
z It is the trait of possessing strong moral values whatever my immediate staff is doing is as per the
law but they are morally corrupt as they are doing
and adhering to them rigidly, such as honesty,
insider trading and undermining the interest for locals
uprightness, transparency, and incorruptibility. It by giving them low value of their land for gain of
is commonly thought to be incorruptible. Probity profit.
is proven integrity.
z As it is based on intangibles like personal and 7.2 PHILOSOPHY AND PRINCIPLES
communal ideals, probity goes beyond the avoidance OF PROBITY
of dishonesty.
z The philosophical foundations of governance can be
Honesty Integrity Probity traced back to ancient Greece.
Fig: Relation between Honesty, Integrity, and Probity z Aristotle linked philosophy and politics together.
He invented the term ethics (ethos) and Selflessness
maintained that ethics and politics are two distinct
but closely related branches of study, because Accountability Integrity
ethics analyses the welfare of an individual,
whereas politics is concerned with the good of
the city-state. Values in Public
z In his book “Prince”, Machiavelli argues that good Relationship Nolan Openness
rulers must sometimes learn “not to be good” in Committee
order to be effective.
They must be willing to set aside ethical concerns
about justice, integrity, and compassion in order
to keep the state stable. Objectivity Leadership
z Hobbes’ concept of the “Social Contract” was Honesty
challenged by John Locke.
Fig: Values given by Nolan Committee
The social contract suggests that the source
of state authority is the will of the people and 1. Transparency: Public officials must be open and
that the state bears specific responsibilities to transparent in their actions, and they must be
individuals. willing to share information with the public.
z Because the social contract implies that the people 2. Honesty: In their interactions with the public and
have placed their trust in the state to preserve their their colleagues, public officials should be truthful
rights, this trust offers the philosophical foundation and honest.
for probity. 3. Leadership: Public officials should be great
The concept of probity in governance suggests that leaders who endeavour to set a positive example
those who govern should be morally above others for others to follow.
and that there should be an element of trust that 4. Selflessness: Public authorities should act in the
people in positions of power will act ethically. public interest rather than for personal benefit.
z The Indian notion of government is based on 5. Integrity: Public officials should avoid situations
ethics. in which their honesty and impartiality may be
The duty of a king is to secure the satisfaction of
called into question.
his subjects. 6. Objectivity: Public officials should base their
According to the Mahabharata, a person
decisions on evidence and not let their personal
becomes a King to defend Dharma rather than to beliefs influence their decision-making.
act arbitrarily. 7. Accountability: Public leaders must accept
z Chanakya’s Arthashastra (2nd and 3rd century responsibility for their acts and be prepared to
B.C.) is a concrete account of the philosophical justify their judgements.
foundations of Indian governance. The Supreme Court observed further that “these
Chanakya supported the king’s right to rule
principles of public life are of general application in
based on Dharma shastras, but he was opposed every democracy, and they should be kept in mind
to monarchical absolutism. when scrutinising the conduct of every holder of a
public office.” It is in this regard that holders of public
7.2.1 Principles of Probity positions are entrusted with certain rights to be exercised
solely for the public good, and so the office is held in trust
z In the United Kingdom, the Nolan Committee was
for the people.
founded in 1994 to review norms of behaviour in
public life, with a focus on probity and integrity in
7.3 CHALLENGES IN ACHIEVING
governance.
z The recommendations of the committee, which were
PROBITY IN GOVERNANCE
released in a series of publications between 1995 and z Historical and social asymmetries of power in
1997, included the naming of Seven principles of society: In India, nearly 90% of the workforce work
public life intended to foster integrity and trust in the unorganised sector.
in the UK’s public institutions. The remaining workers in the organised sector
z These are referred to as the “Nolan Principles”. This have job security and regular monthly wages
is comparable to the evolution of the Philosophical and are employees of the state either directly or
Basis of Governance and Probity. indirectly.
Probity in Governance 179

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Such asymmetry of power reduces societal of comprehending bonafide actions, though may be
pressure to conform to ethical behaviour. concerned, of civil servants.
z Erosion of Values and Institutions: Gross A comprehensive law needs to be enacted to
perversion of the Constitution and democratic provide that where public servants cause loss to
institutions amounting to willful violation of the the State by their mala fide actions or omissions
oath of office is so deeply entrenched in the system of a palpable character to be defined, they should
that most people regard corruption as inevitable be made liable to make good or the loss caused by
and any effort to fight it as futile. him to the State and, in addition, would be open to
z Culture of Corruption ingrained in society: It is the imposition of exemplary actions.
unfortunate that corruption has, for many, become z Promoting transparency and accountability: The
a matter of habit. It is so deeply entrenched that measures under the Right to Information Act (RTI)
corruption is now considered a social norm. should be implemented properly. Similarly, provisions
Greed for illegitimate money, over centralisation of the citizen charter can be institutionalised.
are some of the reasons for the culture of
z Empowering Civil Services Board: It will insulate
corruption.
civil servants from political interference in transfer
z Lack of Transparency in the working of and posting. Thus, promoting values like neutrality,
Institutions: Transparency is a cornerstone for non-partisanship, and impartiality.
probity. Due to the opaque working environment
in the organisation, it is difficult to maintain probity
in the governance of the Institutions.
7.5 MEANING OF PUBLIC SERVICES
z Lack of fair and effective implementation of laws: z A wide range of services performed by government
It is the implementation of the law that tests its agencies or organisations on behalf of the public is
effectiveness in addressing problems on the ground. referred to as public services.
Poor implementation of a law makes even the greatest These services are designed to address the
law ineffective. requirements of society as a whole and are
funded by taxes, fees, or other types of government
7.4 WAYS TO PROMOTE PROBITY IN revenue.
GOVERNANCE Education, healthcare, transportation, public
For ensuring probity in governance, several measures safety (police and fire services), sanitation, water
are necessary: supply, energy distribution, waste management,
z Need for enforcing section 5 of the Benami and social welfare programmes are all examples
Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988: The Act, a of public services.
statute containing nine sections, perhaps requires it
Government
to be modified and strengthened.
Such a salutary will work as a deterrent - upon Tax/
Fund/
corrupt public servants and would certainly be a fines
Budget
measure to ensure probity in governance.
z Taking away the fruits of corruption: Mere
prosecution under the IPC or the Prevention of Administration Citizens
Service
Corruption Act (PCA) is not sufficient, apart from the
fact that such prosecutions are very rarely launched Fig: Values given by Nolan Committee
and even when they are, the conviction is much too z Level of Delivery: Depending on the size and nature
rare. of the service, government organisations frequently
The necessity for a law providing for the
provide these services at the local, regional, or
confiscation of illegally acquired assets of public national levels.
servants. z The goal of Public Services: The basic goal of public
Unless the fruits of corruption are taken away, services is to promote community well-being and
you would not be fighting the corruption truly development by assuring equal access to the provision
and effectively. of necessary services for all individuals.
z Setting liabilities of civil servants: The principle on They strive to answer public requirements that
which liability can be placed on public servants must private businesses may not be able to fully handle
be clear and must also be a fair principle consistent for a variety of reasons, such as affordability,
with need to act fearlessly and must not be capable universality, or societal importance.

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7.5.1 Features of Public Service society, regardless of socioeconomic status, location,

Public services possess several key features that or other demographic characteristics.
distinguish them from private services. These features They seek universal coverage, guaranteeing that
include: everyone has equal access to basic necessities.
z Public Interest: Public services are developed and For example, the Right to Education Act has
delivered to serve the common good and enhance the provision for compulsory education for all children
public’s overall interests. from ages 6 to 14 years.
They prioritise citizens’ well-being over individual
z Equity and Social Justice: The goal of public services
profit or gain.
is to minimise inequities and promote social justice.
z Government Responsibility: Typically, government
They address societal needs and work to close
agencies or organisations offer or oversee public
services. access and opportunity gaps, ensuring that
essential services are available to all residents,
Governments are responsible for ensuring the
particularly marginalised and disadvantaged
supply of basic services to their citizens, as
well as regulating and monitoring their delivery. communities.
For example, potable water, health services, and For example, subsidised food, water, and
education. transportation are provided to the destitute
z Accessibility and Universality: The goal of public in order to ensure their upliftment and the
services is to make them available to all members of achievement of an equal society.
Citizen
Obligatory Centric Participatory
Equality
Government
and
Driven
Equity
Morality Facilitator
Intangible Attributes
and of Public Sovereignty
Invisible Service
Fig: Attributes of Public services
z Non-profit Motives: Unlike private services, public For example, provisions of the RTI, Lokpal,
services do not prioritise making money. While they Central Vigilance Commission, etc. promote
require funding, their goal is not to make money but transparency and accountability in public
to provide quality services that benefit society as a services.
whole.
z Regulation and Oversight: Regulatory frameworks
For example, The Right to Education Act 2005,
and oversight systems govern public services.
Ayushmaan Bharat, and the NALSA Act.
Governments establish regulations, standards, and
z Accountability and Transparency: Public services
rules to guarantee the effectiveness, safety, and
are scrutinised and held accountable by the public.
quality of public services.
Governments and public agencies are supposed
to be transparent in their operations, releasing They also monitor compliance and, where
information on service delivery, performance, and required, intervene to defend the public interest.
outcomes. They must answer to the public and can For instance, the establishment of SEBI, the
be held accountable for their acts. Competition Commission of India, the RBI, etc.

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z Long-Term Perspective: Public services frequently These infrastructure projects help boost economic
have a long-term perspective, taking into account growth, improve quality of life, and promote long-
societal evolution and future needs. term development.
They are concerned with delivering long-term z Education and Knowledge: Public service includes
services and infrastructure that will benefit both education systems that ensure everyone has access
current and future generations. to a high-quality education.
For instance, the LPG reforms of 1991 to tackle It contributes to the development of a
the BoP crisis led to fundamental changes in knowledgeable and skilled workforce, supporting
Indian society in the long run. creativity, economic productivity, and societal
progress.
These features collectively define the nature and purpose
of public services, emphasising their role in promoting z Democratic government: The public sector is
inextricably linked to democratic government. It
the public good, ensuring equitable access, and meeting
guarantees that public resources are administered
the essential needs of society.
properly and in the best interests of the public.
Accountable to the citizens, public officials
Holistic Professional Ethical strive to respect democratic values, transparency,
Competence Service Service Conscience
and ethical standards in their service delivery.
z Crisis Management and Disaster Response: During
A mix bag Helps in ethical crises and catastrophes, public services play a key role.
of ethical Conscience decision making They provide disaster response, relief, and recovery
competence and & Procedure services, ensuring the safety of people, property, and
Professional followed infrastructure.
competence In the aftermath of a disaster, public service
agencies coordinate efforts, provide support, and
7.5.2 Importance of Public Services assist communities in rebuilding.
For various reasons, public service is paramount in z Social Welfare and Support: Social welfare
society: programmes that assist and support vulnerable
z Common Good: The purpose of public service is to individuals and groups in society are included in
serve the common good and advance the interests of public services.
society as a whole. They provide social security, healthcare coverage,
housing help, and other forms of social assistance
It focuses on providing necessary services,
to individuals in need in order to improve their
fostering social welfare, and fulfilling collective
well-being and quality of life.
demands that the private sector may not be able
z Environmental Stewardship: The necessity of
to meet properly.
environmental sustainability is becoming more widely
z Equity and Inclusion: The public sector is critical to recognised in the public sector.
reducing inequities and achieving social justice.
Environmental policies and initiatives are
It seeks to ensure that all members of society, implemented by government agencies to protect
regardless of origin, money, or geography, have the environment, reduce climate change, and
access to fundamental services and opportunities. encourage sustainable practices in sectors such
Public service contributes to a fairer and more as energy, transportation, waste management, and
equal society by bridging gaps and promoting conservation.
inclusivity. Overall, public service is critical to the development of
z Public Health and Safety: Public services such as a well-functioning society. It meets societal demands,
healthcare, sanitation, and public safety are critical assures access to critical services, promotes equity
to the preservation of public health and safety. and diversity, and adheres to democratic values. Public
service contributes to the advancement of communities,
They safeguard individuals and communities
individuals, and society as a whole by serving the public
against hazards, diseases, and emergencies,
interest.
ensuring the population’s well-being and security.
z Infrastructure and Development: Critical 7.5.3 Challenges with Public Services
infrastructure, such as transportation networks, While public services are critical to society’s well-being,
energy grids, water supply systems, and waste they encounter a number of problems that might impair
management facilities, is developed and maintained their effectiveness and delivery. Some of the major
by public services. issues linked with public services are as follows:

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z Financial limits: Because public services frequently Changing demographics, technological improve-
rely on government funding, financial limits might ments, and rising socioeconomic concerns
limit their resources. Inadequate funding can result require public services to adapt.
in a shortage of suitable employees, infrastructure, Balancing limited resources with increasing
equipment, and supplies, compromising service demands can put a strain on service delivery and
quality and accessibility. impair the ability to efficiently satisfy changing
For example, the Public Accounts Committee needs.
(PAC), in its 54th report on the “Implementation of z Political intervention and Instability: Political
Public Financial Management System [PFMS]”, has intervention can lead to inconsistent policies,
stressed fiscal prudence in financial planning by frequent restructuring, and leadership changes in
incorporating scientific methods into budgeting,
public services.
projecting, and utilisation of funds.
These issues can jeopardise service continuity,
z Complex Decision-Making: Bureaucratic processes
jeopardise institutional stability, and have an
and complex decision-making structures can hamper
impact on long-term planning and efficacy.
public sector organisations.
z Emergency and Crisis Management: Responding
This can cause service delivery delays,
to large-scale disasters or emergencies, on the other
inefficiencies, and difficulty reacting to changing
hand, can strain public service agencies’ capability
needs and requests.
and resources, making it difficult for them to deliver
For example, Binod Kumar Chaudhary is a Nepalese
timely and efficient assistance.
billionaire and the chairman and president of the
Chaudhary Group, which operates in both the Conclusion
hospitality and culinary industries (it produces
To address these difficulties, proactive initiatives such
the famed Wai-Wai noodles). He purchased land
as proper finance, organisational reforms, streamlined
in Surat in 2010, planning to build a hotel, but
abandoned the project after several years of processes, better accountability mechanisms, workforce
attempting to obtain licences. development, and embracing innovative solutions are
required. Continuous review, learning, and adaptation
z Accountability and Transparency Challenges:
to changing demands can help public services overcome
Accountability and public trust can be hampered by
these problems and provide the public with efficient and
a lack of clear performance measures, weak reporting
effective services.
procedures, and restricted public interaction.
z Workforce Issues: The public sector relies on a 7.5.4 Changing nature of Public Services
trained and motivated workforce. However, due to z Shift from Regulator to Facilitator: Public service was
reasons such as limited compensation structures, earlier meant to regulate the activities detrimental to
competition from the private sector, and bureaucratic society under the notion of Police State maintenance
work cultures, attracting and retaining talented of law and order.
individuals can be difficult.
In the scenario, impartiality, procedural
z Complex Stakeholder Management: Multiple
correctness, legality, honesty were the principal
stakeholders with varying interests and agendas are
civil service values.
frequently involved in public services.
Changing landscape of governance gave rise to the
Balancing the interests of various stakeholders and
government acting as a facilitator to the private
ensuring efficient collaboration and coordination
parties.
can be difficult, resulting in potential conflicts,
delays, and service delivery compromises. The facilitation role demands the government to
understand the needs of the party being served
z Rapid technological improvements present
opportunities as well as difficulties for public and ease and mentor the latter’s functioning.
services. This emerging role has made the public service
While technology can increase efficiency and

emphasise on flexibility in place of procedural
service delivery, adopting and integrating correctness.
new technologies may necessitate substantial Regulation function demanded inspecting the
investments, training, and overcoming change performance of the regulated parties and imposing
resistance. the penalties accordingly for non-compliance.
z Changing Requirements and Increasing Demand: z Shift from Regulation to Development: Regulation
The requirements and expectations of society are implies monitoring, while development implies the
always changing. provision of services for public welfare.

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Development services (education, health, loans, z New Public Management (NPM): NPM refers to the
employment, food, etc.) are mostly targeted at application of private sector management principles
the most deprived sections of the society, which to public administration which includes private sector
necessitates the observance of values such as principles such as performance-linked- rewards,
simplicity and compassion. customer-centricity, innovation, entrepreneurial spirit,
Focus on maintaining the regional balance. Small teamwork, outcomes-management, competition,
towns and all the backward areas were brought flexibility, capitalism, market supremacy and merit.
into the loop.
Traditional Public Service Values
z Administration Getting Technical: As a natural
response to the infusion of technology into the lives
of individuals, the administration has to both regulate Relevant Non-relevant
and facilitate technology infusion, necessitating the
induction of technocrats into governance. Honesty Procedural correctness
A lot of forensic experts, cyber security experts, and
architects have made headway into governance, Impartiality Hierarchy
making public service delivery interdisciplinary, Objectivity Secrecy
giving rise to many new public services values
Non-partisanship Centralization
such as team spirit, technology interface, and
specialisation.
Though it has led to the erosion of traditional Dedication
public service values such as hierarchy and
Legality
centralization.
Fig: Changing Values of Public Services.
z Information Technology: The advent of information Traditional public service was characterised by
technology into governance has broken the barriers inefficiency, serpentine file movement, automatic
between governance and the public. It has also promotion, and non-accountability that has lost
enabled serving multiple citizens at the same time relevance in the current scenario decimating
on a real-time basis. traditional public service values such as hierarchy,
It has significantly led to the emergence of new periodicity, discretion, and secrecy.
public service values like innovation, hierarchy, New public service values like teamwork,
transparency, service delivery-at-doorsteps, and leadership, equality, flexibility, and vision have
efficiency. assumed relevance.
Reason for change in Public values
Change in nature of Governance Change in Administrative Functioning
New Public Administration Relevance, Equity, Value, Innovation and Technology

E-Governance
Change Oriented, Responsive
Decentralised
New Public Management Administration
Social Audit
Development Administration vis a vis Administrative development Police state to

welfare state Citizen charter
Good Governance Public Participation, Transparency, Responsiveness, Equity and Inclusiveness,

Transparency
Effectiveness and Efficiency, Accountability, Rule of Law, Consensus Oriented
Fig: Factors responsible for Changing the nature of Public Services

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7.5.5 C
oncerns about Ethics in Public and prevent the public from making informed
decisions.
Services
z Ethical Leadership and Role Modelling: It is the job
The responsibility of public workers to act in the best
of public sector leaders to create ethical standards and
interests of the public and uphold ethical values in
serve as role models for their subordinates and the
their decision-making and actions gives rise to ethical
larger community.
considerations in public service. Some typical ethical
concerns in government include: Conclusion
z Conflict of Interest: Public workers must avoid
To address ethical challenges in government, clear ethical
conflicts between personal interests and public duty.
standards, codes of behaviour, and training programmes
This includes avoiding situations in which personal
must be established. Strong ethical leadership, effective
financial gain or ties could sway decision-making accountability procedures, and a culture that encourages
or jeopardise the impartiality and integrity of their ethical behaviour and integrity are also required.
function.
For example, retired civil servants are taking 7.5.6 Public Service Code
jobs in the private sector and involved in financial z In the draft Public Service Bill, 2007, the 2nd
irregularities. Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC)
z Transparency and accountability are expected of advocated the introduction of a Public Service Code.
public workers in their activities and choices. The commission was inspired by the inclusion of
They should be held accountable for how public comparable articles in the constitutions of other
resources are used, guaranteeing transparency countries such as Australia, Poland, and others.
in procurement processes, and preventing z The commission specifies the desirable
favouritism or nepotism. characteristics that contribute to the efficiency of
z Fairness and impartiality: Public workers should civil services.
operate impartially and without bias, treating all They include fairness, integrity, public service
people fairly and equally. dedication, political neutrality, adherence to the
Instead of personal preconceptions or favouritism, highest standards of probity, objectivity, empathy
they should base choices on merit, objective for the less fortunate, and so on.
standards, and the public interest. z The commission acknowledges the difficulty in
z Public employees frequently handle sensitive enforcing these norms in general. However, the
material and must respect individuals’ commission has stated that efforts made by individuals
confidentiality and privacy rights. They must follow in leadership positions inside organisations to instil
proper data protection measures and only use these values can make a difference.
confidential information for legal purposes. z According to the commission, the Public Service
z Professionalism and Integrity: Public workers Code would make it easier for personnel to carry
should conduct themselves with professionalism and out their official obligations with competence and
integrity. accountability, care and diligence, honesty, without
This includes sustaining trust and public faith in discrimination, and in line with the law.
the institution by acting with honesty, integrity, z It envisions a three-tiered comprehensive Civil
and respect for others. Service Code.
z Public Engagement and Participation: It is the 1. Apex Level: A succinct and clear explanation of the
obligation of public employees to engage with the ideals and ethical standards that federal servants
public, listen to their concerns, and include them in should uphold.
decision-making processes as appropriate. 2. Second Level: Outline broad principles that should
When there is a lack of genuine public participation govern civil servant behaviour.
or when choices are made without considering 3. Third Level: A detailed code of conduct that
public input, ethical difficulties arise. specifies a list of acceptable and prohibited
z Power and Authority in an Ethical Way: Public behaviour and acts in a precise and explicit manner.
officials wield power and authority entrusted to them z The commission believed that statutory support for
by the public. It is critical to utilise this power ethically, the Code of Ethics through the Government Services
avoiding abuse of authority, power, or corruption. Bill would encourage government workers to adopt
z Ethical Communication and Transparency: behaviours, choices, and actions that benefit the
Misleading or withholding facts can erode confidence community.

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7.6 INFORMATION SHARING AND governing institutions’ legitimacy and encourages
public trust.
TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT
RTI Act, Citizen Charter, E-governance Initiatives,
Information sharing and transparency in government are Civil Society Movements,etc.c are few mechanisms
crucial elements of democratic governance and public to aid accountability, among others.
accountability. They involve the proactive disclosure of z Informed decisions: Access to information enables
information by government institutions to the public, ensuring
citizens to make informed decisions about their lives,
that citizens have access to relevant and timely information
communities, and the overall direction of government.
about government activities, decisions, and policies.
It enables people to take part in public debates,
“Transparency is not an option, but a necessity for a contribute to policy discussions, and form informed
modern and effective government.” opinions on issues that concern them.
—Christine Lagarde z Public participation: It allows for meaningful public
participation in governance processes. Citizens who
Meaning of Transparency
have access to important information can participate
z Transparency is not just about sharing information,
in decision-making, provide input, and help shape
but also about being open, honest, and accountable
policies and programmes.
for one’s actions.
z Transparency refers to how decisions are made z Evidence based decision making: It ensures that
and implemented in accordance with applicable decision-making processes are evidence-based and
laws and regulations. inclusive. Access to information assists policymakers
It also implies that information is easily accessible
in developing well-informed policies that take
in easily readable formats and that it is accessible many perspectives and the experiences of various
to those who will be impacted by such decisions stakeholders into account.
and their implementation. z Restrict corruption: Transparency is a strong
Importance of Information and Transparency instrument in the prevention and combating of
in Governance corruption. When government processes, transactions,
and budgets are made public, it acts as a deterrent to
Transparency and information are key components
corrupt practices.
of governance, laying the groundwork for effective,
accountable, and democratic regimes. Here are some It promotes increased accountability, the discovery
significant reasons for their significance: of irregularities, and the promotion of ethical
behaviour within the government.
Transparency z Efficient allocation of resources: Transparency
Accountability in governance guarantees that public resources are
information allocated in an efficient and effective manner. When
sharing information on budgetary allocations, public spending,
and procurement processes is readily available, it
aids in the prevention of waste, encourages fair
competition, and ensures value for money in public
investments.
z Social bond: Transparency and information exchange
Corruption promote social cohesion by eliminating information
Discretion asymmetry and increasing understanding among
various segments of society.
Access to accurate and thorough information
Fig: Importance of Information and Tranparency in encourages communication, creates trust, and
Governance. bridges gaps across various social groups.
z Accountability: When the general public has access z Improve global image: Transparent governance
to information about government processes, policies, systems promote international collaboration and
and performance, it encourages more scrutiny, lowers growth. Transparent governance processes increase
corruption, and increases public trust. the likelihood of attracting investments, receiving
z Trust: Transparency fosters trust between the international help, and forming effective collaborations
government and its constituents. When governments with other countries.
are open and transparent in their activities, decision- Overall, transparency and information access are critical
making, and resource allocation, it strengthens cornerstones of good governance. They encourage

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accountability, trust, citizen participation, informed The RTI initiative aims to increase openness,
decision-making, and resource allocation that is efficient. accountability, and citizen empowerment.
In 1994, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan
Mechanisms For Improving Information
(MKSS) initiated the first grassroots movement
Share And Transparency In Public for RTI implementation.
Offices: People’s RTI National Campaign: The National
z RTI: The RTI Act was enacted by the government Campaign for People’s RTI, founded in 1996,
to ensure information exchange and transparency. developed the first draft of RTI legislation for the
As a result, it will be carried out in letter and spirit. government.
z Transparency Oath: Administer a transparency Tamil Nadu was the first Indian state to pass RTI
oath to bureaucrats and politicians. legislation in 1997.
z Official Secrets Act: It should be repealed so that z The Indian Parliament passed the RTI Act in 2005,
the two acts do not contradict each other. and on June 15 of that same year, it received
z E-Governance: Create e-governance technologies presidential assent. It went into effect on October
to ensure a seamless flow of information with 12, 2005, creating a formal framework for citizens to
regular updates. access data kept by public entities.
Bridge the digital barrier between rural and
urban areas so that rural residents can access
7.7.1 Salient features of the RTI Act 2005
services. z It applies to the whole nation (Section 1(2)).
z Social auditing: Should be used in rural z Defines Public Authority: Under Section 2(h) “Public
employment programmes. authority” means any authority, body or institution of
self-government established or constituted—
z Media: The use of media to raise public awareness
By or under the Constitution;
and build trust.
By any other law made by the Parliament/State
z Citizen Charter: A list of available services should
be published. Legislature.
By notification issued or order made by the
appropriate Government, and includes any-
7.7 RIGHT TO INFORMATION (RTI) Body owned, controlled or substantially
z The United Nations General Assembly’s Resolution financed;

59 of 1946 recognised freedom of information as an Non-Government organisations substantially
essential component of freedom of expression. financed, directly or indirectly, by funds

z Right to Information Act: The Act grants every provided by the appropriate Government.
citizen the right to access information held by public z Specified Response Time: Public agencies must
authorities. reply to information requests within 30 days. In
Citizens can request information on any matter
circumstances involving an individual’s life or liberty,
of public importance, including government a response should be issued within 48 hours.
decisions, policies, programmes, projects, and If the data is held by another government agency,
records. it must be transferred within five days.
z Information Disclosure: The Act requires public
Origin of RTI in India agencies to disclose certain categories of information
Here is a quick rundown of the important milestones and on a proactive basis.
advances in India’s RTI evolution: They must publish information regarding their
z Prior to the RTI Act, there were few options for functions, powers, rules, regulations, budgetary
obtaining information from governmental authorities. allocations, and public contract details.
Although several states had their own information
This increases transparency while decreasing the
acts, there was no overarching national legislation. need for individuals to file information requests.
In 1986, the Supreme Court stated in Kulwal vs
z Exemptions: The Act specifies the circumstances under
Jaipur Municipal Corporation that freedom of
which information may be withheld. National security,
speech and expression is meaningless without the
defence, sovereignty, privacy, commercial confidence,
right to information.
and Cabinet files are among the exemptions.
z Advocacy and Demand for Transparency: Over These exclusions, however, are subject to
the years, civil society organisations, activists, and a public interest test, and information about
media advocacy have increased the demand for corruption and human rights breaches cannot be
comprehensive right-to-information laws. concealed.

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z Appeals and Complaints: The Act creates a two-
tiered appeals system. If an information request is RTI and Judiciary
denied or does not receive a response, the applicant z A full bench of the Central Information Commission
has 30 days to file an appeal with the first appellate in 2013 brought the national political parties within
authority. the ambit of the RTI Act.
If the appeal is denied, the applicant has 90
days to file another appeal with the Information Significance of Political parties
Commission, either at the national or state level. to be brough under RTI
z Information Commissions: The Act creates a Central
Information Commission (CIC) at the federal level and Ensures Financial Informed
State-level Information Commissions (SICs). Accountability transparency citizenry
These commissions serve as impartial entities that
hear RTI Act appeals and complaints. z Concerns regarding bringing Political parties
under RTI Public Authority
They have the authority to mandate the release
RTI can be used with malicious intent to
of information, impose penalties on disobedient
understand the political strategies which can
public employees, and give directions to guarantee
hamper their winning prospects.
that the Act is followed.
There are already provisions in Income Tax
The RTI Amendment Act 2019, gives power to the
Act, 1961; Representation of People’s Act, 1951
central government to fix the salary of the CIC.
which demand necessary transparency.
z Penalty and Remedies: The Act establishes fines and
remedies for noncompliance with the Act. 7.7.2 Significance of the RTI Act
Public employees who improperly withhold or
z Transparency and Accountability: The RTI Act is
delay access to information may be penalised, and essential for fostering transparency in government
the affected applicant may be compensated. operations. It gives citizens access to information
The Act also includes disciplinary penalties about government decisions, policies, and activities,
for public officials who block the flow of allowing them to hold public officials responsible for
information. their actions.
z RTI also overrides the Official Secrets Act. Section This transparency aids in the reduction of
8(2) provides for disclosure of information corruption, the promotion of fair practices, and
the implementation of responsible governance.
exempted under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, if a
greater public interest is served. z Citizens’ Empowerment: The RTI Act empowers
citizens by giving them a tool to actively participate in
RTI and Judiciary governance. It enables individuals to seek knowledge
z The RTI Act conferred powers on the Chief Justice on public issues, allowing them to make educated
of the Supreme Court and the Chief Justices of High decisions, participate in public discussions, and
Courts of states for carrying out its provisions. contribute to policy making.
z The Supreme Court adopted the RTI-friendly rules This gives citizens the ability to exercise their
of the central government for itself. rights, express their concerns, and hold public
z Subhash Agarwal case: officials responsible.
The Supreme Court declared the office of the z Combating Corruption: The RTI Act is a powerful
Chief Justice of India as a public authority under instrument in the fight against corruption. It functions
the RTI Act. The Supreme Court also observed as a deterrent to corrupt practices by allowing
that the Right to Privacy is an important aspect individuals to access information about government
and has to be balanced with transparency while contracts, spending, and decision-making procedures.
deciding to give out information from the office It aids in the exposure of corruption,
of the Chief Justice of India. irregularities, and abuses of authority,
RTI cannot be used as a tool of surveillance
encouraging transparency and integrity in public
and that judicial independence has to be kept administration.
in mind while dealing with transparency. z Good Governance: The RTI Act encourages good
On the issue related to the appointment of
governance by developing tools for transparency,
accountability, and citizen participation. It encourages
judges, the Supreme Court held that only the
government agencies and public authorities to share
names of the judges recommended by the
information more proactively, decrease bureaucratic
Collegium for appointment can be disclosed,
delays, and improve responsiveness to citizen
not the reasons.
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This results in enhanced service delivery, efficiency,
The states with the most pending cases and
and government effectiveness. appeals are Maharashtra (99,722), Uttar Pradesh,
z Participation of citizens and informed decision- Karnataka, Bihar, and others.
making: The Act encourages citizen engagement in z The majority of Commissions are operating
democratic processes by giving citizens access to at reduced capacity: According to the law, each
information that allows them to act constructively in commission must have a leader and up to ten
public affairs. commissioners.
It allows citizens to participate in policy Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS) and the Centre for
discussions, monitor government actions, and Equity Studies (CES) presented a report card on the
make educated decisions based on trustworthy performance of India’s information commissions
data. in October 2020.
z Check on Public Authority Actions: The RTI Act z Vacant leadership positions: According to the
serves as a check on public authorities’ actions by report card, nine of the country’s 29 information
allowing citizens to seek information and challenge commissions (31%) were operating without a head
decisions. information commissioner.
It aids in the prevention of power abuse, z Defunct Information Commissioners: For more
arbitrary decision-making, and the unauthorised than two years and one year, respectively, ICs in
use of public resources. Jharkhand and Tripura have been fully defunct.
Public authorities are accountable to the
z Vacant Public Information Officer (PIO) positions:
public, and the Act ensures that they do so in a According to Transparency International, one-quarter
transparent and accountable manner. (42 of the total 165) of information commissioner
z Engagement of the Media and Civil Society positions are vacant. Manipur, Telangana, West Bengal,
Organisations: The RTI Act promotes the role of the and Andhra Pradesh are among the states that do not
media and civil society organisations in promoting have an Information Commissioner.
transparency and accountability. z Reluctance to impose penalties: Section 20 of the
The Act is used by journalists and civil society RTI Act empowers the ICs to impose penalties of up
activists to obtain information, examine problems to Rs 25,000 on erring public information officers
of public interest, and hold public officials (PIOs) as a deterrent against wrongful refusal to
accountable. provide information; however, “ICs imposed penalty
This boosts civil society’s scrutiny of in an extremely small fraction of the cases in which
governance and strengthens the role of the media penalty was imposable,” and “commissions appear
as a watchdog. to be reluctant to even ask the PIOs to give their
z Encourage Proactive Disclosure: The Act encourages justification for not complying with the law.”
public authorities to disclose information in advance. Only 3.8% of cases where penalties may have been
This lessens the burden on citizens to file information imposed received them.
requests and ensures that critical information is
z Lack of transparency: It stated that most of the
easily accessible to the public. Proactive disclosure
material needed as part of the review should have
promotes an open society and builds confidence
been available in these committees’ yearly reports.
between citizens and public officials.
Twenty of the 29 ICs (69%) have yet to publish their
Overall, the RTI Act promotes transparency, accountability, annual report for 2020-21.
public empowerment, and good government. It increases
Furthermore, most information commissions have
citizen participation, combats corruption, and promotes
not established any guidelines for the number of
democratic processes, resulting in a more inclusive and
cases that a commissioner should handle in a given
accountable society.
year.
7.7.3 Issues and Challenges with the RTI Act z No valid explanation given for the rejection of
z RTI is hampered by a growing backlog: Seventeen RTI requests: In 2019-20, the Centre rejected only
years after the Right to Information (RTI) Act became 4.3% of all RTI queries. However, nearly 40% of these
law, there are approximately 3.15 lakh pending rejections lacked a valid justification because they did
complaints or appeals with India’s 26 information not cite one of the RTI Act’s authorised exemption
commissions. clauses.
According to a Satark Nagrik Sangathan report, z Denial of access to personal information: Section
the backlog of appeals or complaints before 8(1)(j) allows for the denial of access to personal
commissions is steadily expanding year after year. information if disclosure has no relevance to any public

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activity or public interest or is likely to constitute an information requests and responses from information
unreasonable breach of the individual’s privacy. providers will allow PIOs to submit an accurate and
This clause was utilised in one-third of all valid timely compilation in accordance with Section 25(1).
denials. z CIC office weakened: The RTI Act (Amendment) Act
z Exemptions from sharing information: Section of 2019 empowers the central government to set the
24 of the Act, which exempts material relating to terms and conditions of employment for Information
security and intelligence agencies — save allegations Commissioners at both the federal and state levels.
of corruption and human rights breaches — was This amendment has limited CIC’s autonomy
also often utilised, accounting for one in every five by empowering the federal government with
permissible denials. disproportionate powers.
The Agriculture Ministry has denied a Right to
Information (RTI) request for information on pre- The Official Secrets Act (OSA) And Its
legislative consultations on farm reform measures, Implications For The RTI
citing pending litigation. z Given that we had the colonial Official Secrets Act
z The killing of RTI activists: Every year since the RTI (OSA) of the British era, we continued to act in a
Act’s adoption, around 28 RTI advocates have been secret way at an administrative level even after
intimidated, attacked, or killed. More than a hundred independence.
RTI activists have been killed, 182 have been attacked, z The Central Civil Service Conduct Rules of 1964
and 188 have been harassed or threatened. reinforce the OSA by forbidding government
employees from sharing official documents with
z Appointments are not diverse: Section 12 (5) of
anybody without permission.
the RTI Act requires commissioners to be chosen
z Problems with OSA
from among “persons of eminence in public life with
The most problematic issue in the
wide knowledge and experience in law, science and
implementation of the Right to Information Act,
technology, social service, management, journalism,
according to the Second ARC report, is official
mass media, or administration and governance.” secrets.
However, 84% of CICs come from a bureaucratic Section 5 of the OSA states that any person who
background, with 65% being retired IAS officers. communicates information about a prohibited
z Constraints encountered during record inspection: place, or information that may aid an enemy
According to the Act, information must be delivered in state, or that has been entrusted to him in
the form requested unless it would disproportionately confidence, or that he obtained as a result of
divert the public authority’s resources. his official position, commits an ‘offence’.
This Section applies to any type of material that
z Insufficient human resources: According to
is categorised as “secret.”
Transparency International, one-fourth (42 of
The term “official secrets” is not defined in
the total 165) of the information commissioner
the Act, making it simpler for public servants
positions are empty. There are no chiefs or heads in to label anything as “secret.”
the four ICs in Manipur, Telangana, West Bengal, and
According to the Shourie Committee on OSA,
Andhra Pradesh. “it is the OSA that has been regarded in many
z Constraints encountered when filing applications: quarters as being primarily responsible for the
User manuals have not been made available. The lack government’s excessive secrecy.” Its “catch-all”
of a user guide makes it difficult for information character has drawn widespread criticism and
seekers to learn about the procedure of submitting calls for modification.
an RTI request.
z Information of poor quality: The quality of the 7.7.4 Measures to Strengthen the RTI Act
information provided is very low due to a lack of z Governments should establish RTI Implementation
infrastructure and proper mechanisms to comply Cells.
with the RTI Act. The data supplied is either partial z Improving request convenience by establishing
or lacking in quantity. numerous access channels, Common Service Centres
z Lack of Behavioural Training: RTI is a dynamic act, established under the National e-Governance Plan to
with new dimensions being introduced on a regular assist citizens in making RTI applications.
basis. As a result, PIOs must have access to RTI z The job of monitoring the effective implementation
refresher training or a single information repository. of RTI in all public authorities should be assigned to
z Lacking database: There is no centralised database CICs and SICs.
of RTI applicants, hence there is no monitoring and z A National Coordination Committee (NCC) with the
review system. A centralised database of applicants’ nodal union ministry, the SICs, and state representatives

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as members could be formed under the chairmanship Features of the Code of Conduct
of the Chief Information Commissioner. The Conduct Rules address a wide range of issues, from
z PIOs are required to be appointed by all the hazy concept of personal integrity to more precise
organisations specified in Schedule 2. activities.
z Public Authorities should be listed at the federal z Integrity and Impartiality: According to Rule 3(1),
and state levels, and web-based applications for public “Every member of the Service shall at all times
authorities should be used. maintain absolute integrity and devotion to duty and
z In each district, a single-window agency should be shall do nothing which is unbecoming of a member
established. of the Service.”
z Exemptions under the RTI Act should be amended z Prevent private employment: The AIS Conduct Rules
to cover annual confidential reports, examination are more clear in Rule 4(1). It states, “No member of
question papers, and related matters. the Service shall directly or indirectly use his position
z Third-party auditing is being institutionalised. or influence to secure employment for any member
of his family with any private undertaking or Non-
The RTI Act promotes transparency, accountability,
Governmental Organisation.”
public empowerment, and good government. It increases
citizen participation, combats corruption, and promotes z Political Neutrality: “No member of the Service shall
democratic processes, resulting in a more inclusive and be a member of, or otherwise associated with, any
accountable society. political party or any organisation which participates
in politics, nor shall he participate in, or subscribe
7.8 CODE OF CONDUCT AND CODE in aid of, or assist in any other way, any political
movement or political activity,” specifies Rule 5(1).
OF ETHICS z Impartiality: Rule 5(4) stipulates that “no member of
z Code of Conduct: A code of conduct outlines the the Service shall canvass or otherwise interfere with,
expected behaviour and standards of conduct for or use his influence in connection with, or take part
individuals within an organisation or profession. in, any election to any legislature or local authority.”
It provides guidelines on how individuals should z Restrictions on expressing a personal opinion:
interact with others, make decisions, and uphold According to Rule 7 of the AIS Rules, “No member
the values and principles of the organisation. of the Service shall, in any radio broadcast or
The code of conduct helps promote integrity, communication over any public media or in any
professionalism, and ethical behaviour among its document published anonymously, pseudonymously
members. or in his own name or in the name of any other
person or in any communication to the press or in
z Code of Ethics: A code of ethics is a set of principles
any public utterance, make any statement of fact or
and guidelines that govern the moral and ethical
opinion,— Which has the effect of an adverse criticism
behaviour of individuals within a specific profession
of any current or recent policy or action of the Central
or organisation.
Government or a State.
It provides a framework for ethical decision-
z Promoting Citizen-Centric Administration: “Every
making and establishes the ethical responsibilities
member of the Service shall maintain, among other
and obligations of its members.
things, high ethical standards, integrity, and honesty;
7.8.1 Codes of Conduct political neutrality; accountability and transparency;
responsiveness to the public, particularly the weaker
A code of conduct is a set of values, rules, standards, and
section; courtesy and good behaviour with the public.”
principles outlining what employers expect from staff
within an organisation. Issues with the Code of Conduct
z Civil servants are subject to two sets of rules: One z Vague Nature: Regulation under Rule 3(1) is
for All India Services and another for Central Civil intentionally vague, and it can be used to persons in
Services. Officer behaviour and conduct are governed circumstances of any form of crime, even if the claims
by specially defined Conduct Rules. are not covered by any other rules.
z The AIS Conduct Rules of 1968 and the CCS Conduct While no particular Conduct Rules address the
Rules of 1964 are basically the same. propagation of casteism, casteist behaviour can
These were based on suggestions by a committee be viewed as “unbecoming of a member of the
formed in 1962 by the then-Minister of Home Service” under Rule 3(1).
Affairs Lal Bahadur Shashtri. z Lack of Awareness and Training: One of the most
This Anti-Corruption Committee was headed by serious difficulties is a lack of adequate awareness and
Rajya Sabha Member K Santhanam. training on the code of conduct.

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Many government servants may be unaware enforcement procedures, increase transparency, and
of the code’s precise requirements and norms, foster an ethical culture throughout the civil service.
which can lead to inadvertent infractions or To meet emerging difficulties and retain relevance in a
misunderstandings. fast-changing environment, the code of conduct must be
z Inconsistent Enforcement: The code of conduct may evaluated and updated on a regular basis.
be enforced inconsistently in some instances. Applications of the Code of Conduct for Civil
Discipline or punishments for infractions may
Services in India
range among departments or regions, giving the
z Maintaining Integrity: The code emphasises the
impression of unfairness or leniency. This has the
significance of integrity in government. It encourages
potential to damage the code’s effectiveness and
honesty, transparency, and responsibility in all
confidence.
elements of a civil servant’s work, including decision-
z Political Interference: Political interference can
making, money management, and public interactions.
make upholding the code of conduct difficult. Civil
officials may experience pressure to operate in z Preventing Conflicts of Interest: The code tackles
ways that align with political objectives rather than conflicts of interest and advises federal officials on
adhering to impartiality and neutrality ideals. how to recognise and manage such situations.
It helps to ensure that government workers
z Conflicts of Interest: While the code of conduct
tackles conflicts of interest, detecting and effectively prioritise the public interest by preventing
managing them can be difficult. personal or private interests from inappropriately
influencing official obligations.
Civil officials may have personal or familial
For example, provisions like voluntary disclosure
connections that impact their decision-making,
resulting in potential conflicts of interest. of assets and property by civil servants.
z Whistleblower Protection: Whistleblowers who z Inculcate Impartiality: The code emphasises the
disclose wrongdoing or code of conduct violations importance of civil workers remaining impartial and
may fear reprisal or lack adequate protection. unbiased in their acts. It protects residents against
discrimination, favouritism, and unfair treatment by
Individuals may be discouraged from reporting
requiring civil officials to deliver equal and equitable
ethical violations as a result, hampered by
services to all citizens.
accountability and openness.
z Ensure Responsiveness and Accountability: It
z Limited Transparency and Accountability: The
implementation of the code of conduct may be lacking emphasises the importance of civil officials being
in transparency and accountability. Because the public accessible to the public, immediately addressing
may have limited access to information concerning grievances, and being accountable for their actions
investigations, disciplinary measures, and outcomes, and choices.
faith in the system may suffer. z Confidentiality: The code emphasises the necessity of
z Inadequate Monitoring and Reporting Methods: confidentiality and protecting sensitive information.
The code of conduct’s efficacy is dependent on effective Civil servants are supposed to handle official
monitoring and reporting methods. However, gaps in documents and data with care, ensuring that secret
the systems and processes for monitoring compliance material is not disclosed without authorization.
and reporting infractions may exist, preventing timely z Corruption Is Prohibited: The code expressly
action and resolution. prohibits government workers from engaging in
z Evolving Ethical Difficulties: Because of technical corrupt practices, bribery, or misappropriation of
breakthroughs, globalisation, and changing societal public resources. It encourages civil officials to report
norms, the code of conduct may not always meet any instances of wrongdoing they encounter and
rising ethical difficulties and complexities. To meet develops a culture of zero tolerance for corruption.
these growing ethical challenges, regular updates and z Encourages Professionalism: It emphasises the
adjustments may be required. importance of ongoing learning, professional growth,
z Inadequate Public Participation: The code of and adherence to high service delivery standards.
conduct may fail to adequately involve the public in z Strengthening Public Trust: The code requires
its formulation and execution. Incorporating public civil officials to act with integrity, transparency,
participation and feedback can help guarantee that and accountability, all of which are necessary for
the code represents the citizen’s expectations and maintaining public faith in government institutions.
concerns. z Providing a Foundation for Disciplinary Action:
To address these concerns, ongoing efforts must be made Civil servants who breach the code’s requirements
to raise awareness, provide thorough training, strengthen are subject to disciplinary action.

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It allows authorities to undertake investigations, People outside the organisation can
Objectives of code of
launch disciplinary actions, and inflict appropriate expect a degree of uniformity from the/
penalties or consequences for misbehaviour. standardisation of norms/values
Ethics
Measures needed to strengthen the Code of Individuals within the organisation can call
upon their colleagues and mutual adherence
Conduct to certain organisation principles.
z To ensure the successful execution of the Conduct
Rules, the complaint procedure must be streamlined Sets bars of standards/values for the
and transparency encouraged. organisation and the personnels.
z The rules should be reviewed and updated on a Fig: Objectives of Code of Ethics
regular basis to address emerging difficulties and The present status of the Code of Ethics in India
ensure their relevance. z In India, there is no Code of Ethics for civil officials,
z Training programmes and public awareness despite the fact that similar codes exist in other
initiatives can help civil officials understand their nations.
roles and the implications of noncompliance. z In India, we have various Conduct Rules that prohibit
a variety of common actions.
z Collaboration between government agencies, civic
These Conduct Rules serve a function, but they
society, and the general public can help develop a
are not a Code of Ethics.
culture of accountability and ethical behaviour among
civil servants. Features of the Code of Ethics
The execution of the code of conduct is critical to fostering It lays forth the anticipated norms of behaviour and acts
an ethical, professional, and public-spirited culture in as a framework for ethical behaviour. Here are some
fundamental characteristics of an ethical code:
India’s civil services. Civil officials contribute to efficient
z Objectivity: A code of ethics is often preceded
and successful governance by adhering to the code, and by a clear declaration of purpose and mission.
fulfilling their responsibilities to the citizens they serve. It describes the organization’s or profession’s
overarching objectives and aspirations, providing
7.8.2 Codes of Ethics context for the ethical norms that follow.
z A code of ethics is meant primarily to provide guidance z Guide conduct: The code of ethics articulates the
for all decision-making and to build a shared ethical essential ethical principles that guide behaviour.
framework for all decisions. It also assists specialists Integrity, honesty, fairness, respect, accountability,
in comprehending the procedures that must be transparency, and professionalism are frequently
performed. included among these principles.
They lay the groundwork for ethical decision-
z It is a system of norms designed to encourage correct
making and behaviour.
behaviour among members of a specific organisation,
z Application and Scope: The application and scope of
association, or profession.
the code of ethics are specified. It specifies whether
z The code is built based on acts that organisations it applies to all members of an organisation or
desire to prevent from occurring and occurring rather profession, or to specific positions or departments
than solely on past organisational and individual within that organisation or profession.
experiences. It also specifies the boundaries and circumstances
in which the code is to be used.
Objectives of the Code of Ethics z Specific Conduct Standards: A code of ethics
z Code of Ethics has two fundamental and significant comprises specific conduct standards that individuals
purposes: or organisations are expected to follow.
1. The primary goal is to maintain moral and These standards cover a wide range of topics,
professional standards of behaviour. including conflicts of interest, confidentiality,

privacy, client or stakeholder relationships,
These will keep people accountable for their
responsible resource management, compliance
performance as well as their commitment to
with laws and regulations, and professional
honesty and obligation. competence.
2. The second goal is to define professional z Compliance and Enforcement: It may set reporting
behaviour in order to instil in professionals a processes for ethical issues, examine complaints, and
sense of tolerance, pride, and responsibility. impose disciplinary actions or punishments for code

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violations. It also emphasises the significance of self- (JBT) teachers were hired with the help of forged
regulation and self-monitoring. documents) in Haryana.
z Ethical Decision-Making Guidance: A code of z Making Ethical Decisions: It provides a framework
ethics is frequently used to provide advice on ethical for ethical decision-making by taking into account
decision-making. the code’s values, principles, and standards. It assists
It provides a framework or method to assist
civil servants in assessing the ethical implications of
individuals or organisations in navigating their activities and making decisions that prioritise
complicated ethical quandaries and making the public good.
decisions that are consistent with the code’s z Maintaining honesty and Professionalism: A code
ethical principles and standards. of ethics encourages honesty and professionalism
in government. It establishes expectations for civil
For example, provisions of Corporate social
officials to maintain high ethical standards, be
responsibility guide investment in an ethical way.
professional in their relationships, and uphold public
z Periodic Review and Updates: An ethical code is not service values.
static; it evolves with time. It should be examined and
This increases public trust and confidence in
modified on a regular basis to guarantee its relevance
the government.
and effectiveness in dealing with growing ethical
z Preventing Conflicts of Interest: The code of ethics
dilemmas and changes in social standards.
tackles conflicts of interest and advises federal officials
z Organisational Culture Integration: An effective on how to identify, report, and manage such conflicts.
code of ethics is incorporated into the organisational It aids in the prevention of circumstances in which
culture. Training, communication, and the commitment personal interests may influence or jeopardise the
of leaders all reinforce it. impartiality, objectivity, or fairness of public service
It becomes part of the organisation’s shared values acts.
and beliefs, which govern behaviour and decision- z A code of ethics emphasises the significance of
making at all levels. transparency and accountability in government
z Accessibility and Communication: All stakeholders services. It encourages prompt disclosure of pertinent
should have easy access to the code of ethics. It should information, appropriate resource use, and accurate
be adequately communicated to employees, members, recordkeeping. It holds civil servants accountable for
or other relevant parties. their decisions and actions.
z External Standards Alignment: A code of ethics may z Promoting Public Interest: The code of ethics
align with or relate to external standards or codes set stresses the importance of public interest in civil
by professional associations, regulatory authorities, service.
or industry-specific rules in some situations. This It orders civil officials to put the welfare and well-
ensures conformity and compliance with larger being of the citizens they serve first. It discourages
ethical frameworks. conduct that could jeopardise the public interest
These traits jointly contribute to a code of ethics’ or compromise the civil service’s integrity.
effectiveness and impact in promoting ethical behaviour, z Maintaining Legal and Regulatory Compliance: An
directing decision-making and building an integrity ethical code ensures that civil officials follow legal
culture inside organisations or professions. and regulatory standards. It stresses government
officials’ obligations to follow laws, regulations,
The utility of the Code of Ethics for the Civil and policies in the performance of their tasks.
Service It encourages ethical behaviour within the confines
A code of ethics in the civil service can help promote of legal duties.
ethical behaviour, professionalism, and public trust in z Increasing Public Trust and Confidence: By
the administrative machinery. Here are some of the most following an ethical code, civil workers demonstrate
important benefits of a civil service ethical code: their dedication to ethical behaviour, professionalism,
z Promotes rule of law: A code of ethics gives explicit and public service.
norms and principles to control the behaviour of Citizens regard civil servants as accountable,
civil officials. It defines behaviour standards to assist transparent, and dedicated to the public good,
civil servants in making ethical decisions, acting with which increases public trust and confidence in
integrity, and carrying out their public service the civil service.
responsibilities. z Ethical Leadership and Organisational Culture: An
An IAS officer, Rajani Sekri, denied bribery, and ethical code promotes ethical leadership in the civil
she exposed the JBT scam (Junior basic trained service. It encourages senior officials and managers to

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set the tone for the organisation and build an ethical Cultural differences can influence how ethical
culture by exemplifying ethical behaviour. It instils in norms are interpreted and applied, necessitating
the civil service the ideals of integrity, transparency, careful analysis and adaptation of the code to
and accountability. varied circumstances.
z Continuous Improvement and Learning: In the z Evolving Ethical Landscape: Over time, societal
civil service, a code of ethics serves as the foundation values and ethical norms shift. A code of ethics
for continual learning, training, and development. can become out of date or fail to meet new ethical
It encourages civil officials to think about ethical dilemmas and challenges.
concerns, participate in ethical discussions, and get a To ensure that the code remains relevant and
better knowledge of their ethical responsibilities. represents current ethical norms, it must be
The civil service can encourage a culture of integrity, reviewed and updated on a regular basis.
professionalism, and ethical behaviour by developing z Ethical Relativism: Different people or groups may
and executing a strong code of ethics. As a result, public have different ethical convictions or cultural norms. A
trust is strengthened, service performance is improved, code of ethics may confront difficulties in integrating
and the values of good governance are upheld in the civil multiple viewpoints and guaranteeing inclusion while
service sector. adhering to fundamental ethical values. It can be
difficult to strike a balance between universal ethical
Issues with the Code of Ethics norms and cultural sensitivity.
While a code of ethics can be a useful foundation for z Ethical Leadership and Role Modelling: For a
guiding behaviour and fostering ethical behaviour, there code of ethics to be effective, senior officials and
may be certain concerns or challenges with its application. organisational leaders must provide strong ethical
Here are some frequent concerns that can emerge while leadership and role modelling. If leaders do not
using an ethical code: respect ethical standards or hold others accountable,
z Limited Enforcement Mechanisms: Enforcing an the code’s credibility and influence will suffer.
ethical code may be difficult. Individuals may be less Addressing these concerns necessitates continuing efforts
inclined to comply with the rules of the code if there such as regular code reviews and revisions, extensive
are insufficient systems in place to monitor adherence, training and awareness programmes, strong enforcement
investigate infractions, and impose appropriate mechanisms, and the development of an ethical
repercussions. organisational culture. To ensure relevance, efficacy, and
z Conflicts with Organisational Culture: A code of compatibility with the dynamic ethical context, the code
ethics may conflict with the dominant organisational of ethics must be regularly evaluated and adjusted.
culture or norms in some instances. Measures needed
Individuals may experience difficulties z According to the 2nd ARC (10th report; Refurbishing
adhering to the code or may feel forced to Personnel Administration - Scaling New Heights),
compromise ethical standards if there is a a comprehensive Civil Service Code can be
misalignment between the values and principles conceptualised at three levels.
expressed in the code and the actual practices
z First level: A clear and succinct statement of the
inside the organisation. ideals and ethical standards that a civil worker
z Ethical Dilemmas and Grey Areas: Real-world should uphold should be made at the highest level.
circumstances frequently present difficult ethical These principles should represent the public’s
quandaries with no clear-cut solutions. expectations of a civil servant in terms of political
A code of ethics may not cover every possible neutrality, upholding the highest ethical standards,
scenario, leaving individuals unsure about how and accepting responsibility for one’s actions.
to proceed. Grey spots might cause confusion and z Second level: The basic principles that should govern
make it difficult to apply the code correctly. a civil servant’s actions can be articulated at the second
z Individuals may feel less compelled to respect level. This would comprise the Code of Ethics.
the code of ethics if there are gaps in accountability z At the third level, there should be a specific Code
procedures. Inadequate or no consequences for of Conduct that provides a list of acceptable and
infractions might undermine the code’s effectiveness prohibited behaviour and acts in a clear and plain
and reduce its impact on behaviour. manner.
z Cultural and Contextual Variations: A code of ethics z Enforcement mechanism: A process might be
written for a specific cultural or organisational setting implemented to ensure that those in positions of
may fail to take into account the unique viewpoints leadership, in particular, make attempts to instil these
and values of people from various backgrounds. principles in all members of their companies.

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z It is also stated that the Commissioner’s responsibilities include the following:
Evaluating the effectiveness of agencies’ processes and procedures for ensuring Code of Conduct compliance.
An independent agency should audit organisations/departments and evaluate the steps made to respect
civil service ideals. The Central Civil Services Authority could be given this duty.
Difference between the Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics
Parameters Code of Conduct Code of Ethics
z Specifies the expected behaviour and z Outlines the moral principles, values, and
Meaning actions of individuals within a specific standards that guide ethical decision-making and
organisation or profession. behaviour in a particular profession or field.
z Focuses on rules and regulations that z Emphasises broader ethical principles and ideals
Emphasises
govern behaviour and conduct. that individuals should aspire to uphold.
z Provides specific guidelines for z Offers a more comprehensive framework for
appropriate behaviour, often addressing ethical decision-making, taking into account
Scope issues such as conflicts of interest, factors like fairness, honesty, integrity, and social
confidentiality, professionalism, and responsibility.
accountability.
z Often enforced through disciplinary z Relies on personal commitment and individual
measures and consequences for non- responsibility to adhere to ethical principles,
compliance. with less emphasis on disciplinary actions.
Enforcement
z Typically developed and enforced by z May be developed by professional associations or
the organisation or professional body to bodies, but also guided by broader societal values
which individuals belong. and ethical standards.
z Primarily concerned with regulating z Aims to shape individual character, promoting
behaviour within a specific organisation ethical behaviour beyond specific professional
or profession. contexts.
Functions
z Often more specific and detailed, z Generally more broad and principle-based,
providing practical guidance for day-to- allowing for interpretation and application to a
day actions and decisions. wide range of situations.
z Can vary between different organisations z May have some universal principles, but can also
Variability or professions, reflecting the specific incorporate specific considerations relevant to a
needs and context of each. particular profession or field.
7.9 CITIZEN CHARTER also State Government Departments and UT

Administrations.
In his 12th report, the 2nd ARC characterised the Citizen
Charter as “An instrument that seeks to make an Satisfaction
of Citizens Interacting &
organisation transparent, accountable, and citizen- training for
friendly.” A Citizens’ Charter is essentially a series of Accountability responsive
agreements made by an organisation regarding the service climate
standards that it provides.
Entitlement
7.9.1 Meaning of Citizen of users, Characteristics of Participatory
services, & Citizen Charter formulation
z The term citizen in the Citizen’s Charter refers to
standard of staff &
the clients or customers whose interests and values
users
are addressed by the Citizen’s Charter, and thus
includes not only citizens, but also all stakeholders,
Simple & Feedback &
i.e., citizens, customers, clients, users, beneficiaries, performance
Useful
other Ministries/ Departments/ Organisations, State Audit
Procedure & Cost
Governments, UT Administrations, and so on.
Display
z The effort encompasses not only Central Government
Ministries, Departments, and Organisations, but Fig: Characteristics of Citizen Charter

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7.9.2 The evolution of the Citizen Charter z Information about the Grievance Redress Mechanism
z Following in the footsteps of Prime Minister John and how to use it.
Major, the United Kingdom was the first country to z Expectations of ‘Citizens’ or ‘Clients’.
establish the Citizen Charter in 1991. z Additional promises, such as reimbursement in the
z Other countries launched comparable schemes to event of service delivery failure.
address distinct regional needs, but the notion of z Quality: Improving service quality
transparency and accountability remained consistent. z Choice: to be made available wherever and whenever
z Chief Ministers’ Conference in India: It was practicable.
introduced on May 24, 1997, at the Chief Ministers’ z Service delivery standard: clearly stating what to
Conference, where a decision was made to implement
anticipate and what to do if expectations are not met.
the Citizen Charter, particularly in areas with a high
public interface. z Transparency: The Citizen Charter explains the
z Legislative action: The Residents Charter Bill of 2011 procedure and grievance redressal mechanism in
was introduced in 2011 to provide formal backing to detail.
the citizen charter in India. z Accountability applies to both individuals and
It intends to create a framework for assuring the organisations.
timely delivery of goods and services to residents.
It requires any public authority to publish a citizen
7.9.4 Principles of Citizen Charter
charter within six months of the Act’s adoption or Six principles of the Citizens Charter movement as
face a fine of up to Rs 50,000. originally framed, were:
The Indian government has built and published 1. Quality: Improving the quality of services;
a comprehensive platform for citizens’ charters 2. Choice: Wherever possible;
(www.goicharters.nic.in), which contains Citizens’ 3. Standards: Specify what to expect and how to act if
Charters issued by various Ministries, Departments, standards are not met;
and Organisations of the Central Government. 4. Value: For the taxpayer’s money;
z The Panchayati Raj Ministry published a Model 5. Accountability: Individuals and Organisations; and
Panchayat Citizens Charter.
6. Transparency: Rules/Procedures/Schemes/
It was created to supply services across 29 areas
Grievances.
while matching efforts with localised Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs). These were later elaborated by the Labour Government
as the following nine principles of Service Delivery
The importance of the Gram Panchayat -)1998(
Citizen Charter 1. Set standards of service;
2. Be open and provide full information;
z Professionalism: It enhances Panchayat’s
functioning and aids in reaching out to all sectors 3. Consult and involve;
of society without discrimination. 4. Encourage access and the promotion of choice;
z Monitoring and assessing Service delivery: The 5. Treat all fairly;
Panchayats’ promises serve as great standards for 6. Put things right when they go wrong;
monitoring and assessing service delivery. 7. Use resources effectively;
z More Accountability at the Grassroot: It will help 8. Innovate and improve;
residents understand their rights while also holding 9. Work with other providers.
Panchayats and their elected representatives
directly accountable to the people. 7.9.5 Features of Citizen Charter
The following are the primary characteristics of a
7.9.3 Components of Citizen Charter Citizen’s Charter:
The following elements should be included in a strong z A set of service delivery standards: The Charter
Citizen’s Charter: Vision and Mission Organisational should establish explicit service quality standards so
Statement: that people understand what to expect from service
z Details of the Organization’s Business providers.
Transactions. These requirements must be suitable, dependable,
z ‘Citizens’ or ‘Clients’ information. observable, exact, and time-bound.
z Statement of services offered to each Citizen/ or z Service delivery transparency and information:
client group separately, including standards, quality, Users have access to accurate and succinct information
time period, and how/where to obtain the services. at the appropriate time and in the right place.

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In layman’s terms, the Charters should provide consultative process in the majority of cases; service
thorough and detailed information about the providers are generally unfamiliar with the ideology,
resources accessible. goals, and key features of the Charter; and Charters
z Choice and contact with users: The Charter shall were not given adequate publicity in any of the
provide consumers with a choice of services whenever Departments examined.
available. To define service expectations and maintain z No funds have been expressly set aside to raise
consistency of service delivery, users of the service awareness of the Citizens’ Charter or train workers
should be consulted on a regular and systematic basis. on the various components of the Charter;
z Fairness and assistance in service delivery: The z The Charters are only in the early or middle stages
Charter will help to build a culture of friendly and of development.
attentive public service.
Shortcomings of Citizen Charter in India
z Citizens’ objections and grievances are addressed:
There is a strong link between offering high-quality z Inadequately constructed and lacking
service and successfully addressing complaints. By organisational capacity: important information
encouraging and responding to concerns, the reasons such as service timetables, grievance resolution
for complaints can be reduced. mechanisms, and so on is missing.
Recognising “trends” in complaints allows the
z Public awareness is lacking: public education and
service provider to address structural and chronic communication attempts have been ineffective.
concerns. z There is a lack of adequate groundwork in terms
of assessment and improvements in internal
Transparency procedures while developing and modifying the
citizen charter.
Specific z No update: The creation of a charter is viewed as
Option for
Standardization a one-time event that is not updated regularly.
Choice
z No Stakeholder consultation: When charters are
Citizen’s
drafted, end-users, civic society, and other stakeholders
Charter
are not consulted.
Equality and The interests of the elderly and the poor are
Courtesy
Value overlooked when charters are being drafted.
The agency’s and staff’s behaviours and attitude
Complaint towards citizens contribute to reform resistance.
Mechanism
z Lacking understanding: Service providers’ lack of
Fig: Features of Citizen Charter understanding of the Charter’s concept, goals, and
essential elements.
7.9.6 India’s Experience with Citizen Charter All ministries and departments have yet to come
z DARPG and the Consumer Coordination Council, New up with the Citizen Charter.
Delhi, an NGO, performed a study of the Citizens’ z Lacking proactive dedication: In many
Charters of several government institutions in circumstances, service providers lack dedication and
October 1998. Given the initiative’s infancy in India, precision in standards and service delivery.
the findings were quite optimistic. z Absence of grievance redressal systems: In the
z DARPG recruited a specialised organisation in absence of an offended party, efficient and sufficient
2002–03 to develop a standardised mechanism for grievance redressal systems often do not give
more accurate, quantitative, and objective internal information in vernacular language.
and external assessment of Citizens’ Charters. z Reluctancy: Organisations are frequently reluctant to
z Major findings of the Agency’s assessment report carry out the Citizen Charter’s obligations because there
included: Charters were not formulated through a is little motive or desire to impose them on their staff.
+
Transparency
Good Governance is the
+
Accountability Citizen Technology, Citizen’s
Charter Charter is the Tool
Citizen
Friendliness

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Measures to Implement the Citizen Charter 2. Public Grievance Redressal Procedure: Requires an
The 2nd ARC recommended the following actions to effective grievance redress procedure that, regardless
ensure the Citizen Charter’s success and consistency of the ultimate decision, makes the citizen feel more
in service delivery: at ease with how the organisation handles problems.
z Making Citizen Charters Effective: The charters 3. Capabilities for Service Delivery: Only if an
should clearly state the remedy for penalty organisation controls the main components for
compensation in the event of a failure to satisfy the
successful service delivery well and consistently
requirements outlined in the charter.
improves its capacity to boost delivery can it achieve
z Broad consultation process: A Citizen Charter
should be developed after advocating for consultation excellent service delivery efficiency.
inside the institution and between the organisation
and civil society. Citizen Charter
z In the event of a failure, an adequate grievance
redressal system must be in place. The Citizen
Charter should explicitly state the relief that the
organisation is obligated to provide if it fails to meet
the specified service criteria.
z One size does not fit all: The capabilities, resources,
and responsibilities of government organisations Grievance Service Delivery
are not similar, and there is a considerable need to Redressal Capability
implement the Citizen Charter across the country.
z Firm Commitment to be made: The Citizen Charter Fig: Trinity of Sevottam Model
should be specific and, whenever feasible, excluded The significance of the Sevottam Model:
from obligations of service delivery standards to
citizens in quantifiable terms. z From April 2009 to June 2010, the Sevottam model
z Citizens’ charters should be evaluated and changed was first implemented in eleven government agencies
on a regular basis. with large public interfaces.
z Statutory assurances: The citizen charter must z The BIS then produced the IS 15700:2005 standard,
include statutory assurances for the right to receive which permits public service organisations to be
services. granted the Sevottam symbol of excellence if they
z Create the information and facilitation centres: implement and demonstrate compliance with a set of
Every public authority was required by the Bill to management systems.
construct information and facilitation centres to
z The Sevottam model is designed to assess an
provide efficient and effective service delivery and
organisation’s ability to enforce the Citizens’
grievance redressal.
Charter, implement a grievance resolution procedure,
z “A citizen’s charter in every department will send a
strong message that the government is committed to and provide services.
preventing and controlling corruption.” Improvement in quality of
public service delivery
7.9.7 The Sevottam model
z The Sevottam model is meant to be a framework Citizen Redress Capacity
for achieving excellence in public service delivery. Empowerment Satisfaction Enhancement
The Sevottam model was created as a result of the
Citizen Charter’s failure to generate the desired
results in terms of improving the quality of public
Service Delivery
Public Grievance
Charter Mark
services on its own.

capability
Redresss
z The Sevottam model is a technique for analysing the

efficiency of internal processes and their impact on
the quality of service delivery.
Sevottam model is divided into three modules:
1. Citizen Charter: Necessitates effective charter
Integrated Approch
implementation, which establishes a system for people
to provide feedback on how companies determine
service delivery requirements. Fig: Significance of Sevottam Model

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Conclusion z Collaboration and Teamwork: Employees are
encouraged to collaborate, share knowledge and
The Citizen’s Charter serves as a tool for improving
skills, and root for one another’s success.
governance, enhancing public trust, and promoting
citizen-centric service delivery. It empowers citizens by Improved problem-solving, innovation, and
making public services more accessible, accountable, and productivity result from effective teamwork.
responsive to their needs. z Work-Life Balance: Employers encourage flexible
work arrangements, prioritise employee well-being,
7.10 WORK CULTURE and give resources and assistance to help employees
z Work culture refers to the values, behaviours, achieve a healthy work-life balance.
norms, and practises that define how a business or z Employee efforts and successes are recognised
organisation runs. and rewarded in a good work culture.
It can encompass the mission and values of z Professional growth: A good work culture places
the organisation, how employees engage with a high focus on continual learning and professional
one another and with management, the level growth. Employers create opportunities for people
of collaboration and teamwork, and the overall to grow and attain their full potential by providing
attitude and environment of the workplace. opportunities for skill development, training, and
z A positive work culture can lead to increased employee career promotion.
happiness and productivity, whereas a negative work
z Diversity and inclusion are valued and embraced
culture can lead to increased turnover and low morale.
in a healthy work culture. It fosters creativity,
Components of Positive Work Culture innovation, and a broader viewpoint by creating an
z Communication clarity and transparency. environment in which people from varied backgrounds
z Continuous learning and personal development are feel accepted, respected, and included.
prioritised. z Workload Balance and Realistic Expectations: A
z A sense of belonging and teamwork. healthy work culture encourages acceptable workloads
z Diversity and inclusivity are valued. and realistic expectations of employees. It works to
z All employees are treated fairly and equally. prevent burnout by ensuring that job expectations are
z A healthy balance of work and personal life. manageable and that employees have the resources
and support they need to carry out their obligations.
Significance of Positive Work Culture z Autonomy and Empowerment: A strong work culture
z Workplace culture is crucial to bringing out the best in empowers employees by giving them autonomy
employees and retaining them for an extended period and decision-making authority in their roles. It
of time. expects people to take ownership of their job, make
z The organisation must provide a favourable independent decisions, and contribute to the success
environment for employees so that they may of the organisation.
concentrate on their work rather than interfering with
one another’s. Issues and challenges with the Poor Work
Culture
Characteristics of A Healthy Work Culture
A poor work culture can have various detrimental features
z Employees are happier and more productive in a
that negatively impact employee morale, productivity,
favourable work environment.
and overall organisational performance. Here are some
z Open and Transparent: A good work culture promotes
common features of a poor work culture:
open and transparent communication at all levels of
z Lack of Communication: In a poor work culture,
the organisation. Employees are free to voice their
thoughts, concerns, and criticism, and management there is often a lack of effective communication among
actively listens and responds constructively. employees and between management and staff.
z Trust and respect are important elements of a This can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and a
successful workplace culture. Employees have faith breakdown in teamwork and collaboration.
in their leaders, colleagues, and teams, and they value z Absence of Trust: Trust is essential for a healthy
different viewpoints, contributions, and backgrounds. work culture, but in a poor work culture, trust is
z Clear Values and Purpose: Employees understand often lacking. Employees may feel unsupported,
the organisation’s mission and values, and their work unappreciated, or undervalued, leading to low morale
reflects these ideas, providing meaning and direction. and decreased engagement.

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z Poor Micromanagement: Poor work culture
often involve excessive micromanagement, where
Key concerns in Indian
managers closely scrutinise and control every aspect
Workplace Culture
of their employees’ work. This can create a stifling z The ‘hustle culture’: A sort of intense workaholism-
remains prevalent in the Indian workplace, as it
environment that hampers creativity, autonomy, and does in many other Asian industries.
individual growth. z This culture is fueled by a scarcity mindset, which
z Lack of Recognition and Rewards: When employees’ states that each worker must share opportunities
contributions and achievements are not recognised or and resources with over 1.3 billion other people,
rewarded, it can lead to a lack of motivation and a and there are only so many resources available.
This creates a sense of insecurity, which
sense of demotivation.
keeps people trapped in the vices of a toxic
z High Turnover Rate: A poor work culture can work environment.
contribute to a high turnover rate, as employees may z The practice of judging an employee based on
feel dissatisfied and seek opportunities elsewhere. the number of hours worked rather than the
Constant turnover negatively impacts team dynamics, quality of his or her work is widespread not only in
India but across Asia. The Karoshi culture of Japan
institutional knowledge, and productivity.
exemplifies the outcome of this cultural notion.
z Bullying or Harassment: A toxic work culture may z According to the ILO’s Global Wage Report
involve bullying, harassment, or discrimination, 2020-21, Indians endure some of the longest
creating a hostile and uncomfortable environment work hours and are among the lowest paid in
for employees. Such behaviours can lead to emotional the world. Working hours could be extended to 48
hours, placing India fifth among countries with the
distress, reduced job satisfaction, and a decline in
longest working hours.
overall well-being.
z The recent epidemic brought to light a variety of
z Lack of Work-Life Balance: A poor work culture difficulties brought forth by this hustling culture,
often disregards the importance of work-life balance. such as too-demanding workplaces and employee
Employees may be expected to work long hours, take fatigue.
on excessive workloads, or face unrealistic deadlines, z Furthermore, ossified (Ossify refers to becoming
inflexible, conventional, and resistant to change)
resulting in burnout and a negative impact on their
hierarchies plague the Indian workplace.
personal lives.
z Resistance to Change: In a poor work culture, there Factors Responsible for Poor Work Culture
is often resistance to change and innovation. The among Civil Servants
organisation may get stuck in outdated practices, z Bureaucratic indifference: Bureaucracy lives a
processes, and technologies, hindering progress and privileged existence in ivory towers and is regarded
adaptability. as unconcerned about the needs of the people,
particularly the weaker sections. Regardless of
z Lack of Employee Development: A poor work success, bureaucracy continues to enjoy huge pay
culture typically neglects employee development and and promotions. Karl Marx expounded on such
growth opportunities. This can lead to a stagnant bureaucratic flaws.
workforce with limited skills, diminished motivation, z Lack of performance evaluation: Employee
and decreased job satisfaction. performance is not appropriately reviewed in a fair,
measurable, and objective manner. As a result, there
z Negative Attitudes and Low Morale: Poor work is a dearth of rewards and recognition for outstanding
cultures tend to foster negative attitudes, including performance, resulting in low levels of motivation and
cynicism, apathy, and disengagement, among effort among workers.
employees. Low morale becomes pervasive, resulting z Inadequate performance accountability: Civil
in reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, and a officials are not held accountable for poor performance,
lack of commitment to organisational goals. errors, or delays. This fosters bad performance while
failing to weed out the worst performers.
Identifying and addressing these issues is crucial for z Seniority principle: Promotions are dependent on
organisations to cultivate a positive work culture that seniority and the fulfilment of specific years of service,
fosters employee well-being, satisfaction, and productivity. and merit is not given sufficient weightage. Employees

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get complacent as a result, and the drive to perform remuneration, managerial autonomy, recruiting and
is reduced. firing convenience, and so forth.
z Job security: Excessive job security and life-long
Way forward
service lead to complacency since employees assume
they will keep their job despite poor performance. z Each employee should be viewed as a separate
individual. Employees should be evaluated exclusively
z Process-oriented: In government, the emphasis is on
on the basis of their performance.
closely adhering to the rules and procedures rather
Personal relationships should take a back seat at
than obtaining results.
work. Someone should not be treated differently
z The quantity of finances available to the
just because he or she is a relative.
government is limited, particularly in developing
nations, resulting in a lack of investment in human z Recognising and rewarding top achievers is
resources and office conditions. crucial: Instead of blaming individuals who did not
perform well, encourage them to do better next time.
z Poor training: Civil officials, particularly those on the
Instead of immediately terminating them, give them
bottom rungs, are not properly prepared to instil civil
service principles and skills that will lead to increased another chance.
production. This results in a lack of dedication and z It is a good idea to promote workplace debates:
poor performance throughout the workforce. Employees must discuss issues among themselves in
order to draw better conclusions. Everyone should be
Measures needed to improve the Work Culture able to express themselves freely.
in Civil Service: Transparency at all levels is required for stronger
z Sensitivity training: Chris Argyris’ technique (also employee connections and healthy company
known as T-Group training) aims to improve mutual culture.
understanding and respect among employees, Data manipulation and tampering are
resulting in stronger interpersonal relationships. This absolutely prohibited in the workplace. Allow
lessens disagreements and boosts morale. for the flow of information in the desired direction.
z Public hearings: Public hearings should be held on a z The organisation needs employee-friendly rules
regular basis to address residents’ issues in an open and standards. The rules and regulations should
and effective manner. This increases responsiveness benefit the employees.
and enhances the quality of service delivery. In
Employees are expected to follow the rules of the
Rajasthan, this has been a success story known as
organisation. Maintaining a high level of discipline
Jan Sunwais.
at work is crucial.
z Robust Feedback Mechanism: Organisations and
z The “Hitler Approach” is inappropriate in the
employees should get clear and consistent feedback on
current situation. Bosses should serve as mentors
their performance. This motivates them to implement
to their employees. Superiors are required to provide
improvements and improve their operations.
employees with guidance and guide them as needed.
z Public Service Guarantee: Legal procedures, such as
z In order to deepen their bonds, encourage
Public Service Guarantee Acts implemented in various
employees to participate in team-building
Indian states, can be utilised to establish specific
activities. To assist employees in improving their
legal criteria for service delivery. This creates a legal
current abilities, conduct training programmes,
obligation for employees to perform their obligations
workshops, seminars, and presentations. Prepare
while also raising employee awareness.
them for the challenging times ahead. They should
z Performance-based pay: Civil officials’ salaries should
be ready in case of unforeseen situations or a shift in
not be fully fixed and should include a component that
workplace culture.
increases with their performance. This motivates and
recognises good achievement. Conclusion
z CCTV surveillance and e-Governance: Surveillance Companies and organisations must prioritise the creation
keeps an eye on employees, which boosts the incentive and maintenance of a positive work culture in order to
to work hard. It also serves to prevent inappropriate promote a productive, engaged, and happy staff. Work
behaviour. culture is an essential component of every organisation
z Learning from Private sector practices: Because the and may have a considerable impact on employee morale,
private sector work culture is perceived to have some performance, and well-being. A positive work culture
advantages over the public sector, some private sector can promote productivity, creativity, and collaboration,
practices can be adopted by the government. This whereas a negative work culture can hinder these
can include performance goals, performance-based qualities, resulting in low morale and high turnover.

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7.11 QUALITY OF SERVICE DELIVERY Service providers have the essential skills, training,
and expertise to perform services successfully and
A key responsibility of any government is to provide efficiently. They stay current on industry changes
quality services to its inhabitants. Government services, and best practices.
ranging from healthcare and education to public safety
z Personalization: Quality service delivery recognises
and infrastructure, have a direct impact on the daily
the uniqueness of each beneficiary and attempts to
lives of their residents. Providing high-quality services
personalise the service experience.
is critical for establishing and sustaining public trust,
satisfaction, and loyalty. It entails adapting services to specific consumer
needs, tastes, and situations.
Challenges with the Quality of Services in
For example, provisions of the Citizen Charter.
India:
z Clear Communication: Quality service delivery is
Several factors can have an impact on the quality of dependent on clear and effective communication
government service delivery. These are some examples:
between service providers and beneficiaries. It
z Inadequate resources: Ensuring that adequate
entails communicating information, instructions, and
financial and human resources are available to deliver
updates in a simple, intelligible manner, as well as
services is critical for maintaining service quality.
actively listening to beneficiaries feedback.
z Lacking Competent and well-trained personnel:
z Efficiency and Timeliness: Quality service delivery is
Government employees’ skills and expertise are crucial
both efficient and timely. It entails minimising avoidable
to the delivery of high-quality services. Providing
delays, simplifying operations, and delivering services
continuing training and professional development
within agreed-upon timeframes. Beneficiaries are not
can help guarantee that employees have the skills and
expertise needed to provide effective services. subjected to long lines or superfluous red tape.
z Establishing defined policies and processes can z Attention to Detail: Quality service delivery pays
help ensure that services are delivered consistently attention to the specifics. It entails guaranteeing
and efficiently. correctness, precision, and thoroughness in service
delivery. Service providers attend to the minor details
z Bureaucracy and Red Tapism: Complex policies,
that can make a huge impact on the beneficiary’s
procedures, and regulations can delay and inefficiently
deliver services. experience.
z Lack of coordination between agencies: Conflicting z Continuous Improvement: Quality service delivery
priorities or a lack of communication between is devoted to continuous improvement. It entails
government agencies and departments can slow conducting frequent reviews and assessments of
service delivery. service delivery processes, finding opportunities
for improvement, and making changes to improve
z Balancing the demands of different interest
customer satisfaction and organisational performance.
groups: Governments must often balance the needs
of different groups, such as age groups, income levels, Measures needed for the improvement of the
or geographic locations. It can be challenging to
Quality of Services
accommodate all residents’ demands and expectations.
z Effective communication and collaboration:
7.11.1 Characteristics of Quality Service Effective communication and collaboration among
Delivery agencies and departments can improve service
coordination and delivery.
z Reliability: Quality service delivery is constant and
z Technology can improve the efficiency and efficacy
dependable. Beneficiaries should expect to receive
of service delivery, but it is critical to ensure that the
the provided service on time and without faults
or interruptions. It entails providing agreed-upon technology employed is reliable and user-friendly.
services and adhering to specified criteria. For example, the introduction of JAM trinity,
z Quality service delivery is attentive to beneficiaries PRAGATI portal, the e-Kranti portal, etc.
inquiries, requests, and concerns. It entails timely z Responsiveness to changing wants and
and effective communication, problem-solving, and expectations: Governments must be attentive to their
a willingness to go above and beyond to meet the citizens’ changing needs and expectations, and they
demands of customers. must always seek methods to enhance and innovate
z Competence and expertise: Quality service delivery their service delivery.
is supported by competent and knowledgeable Providing the Citizen Charter by every department
employees. and ministry.

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Twitter Seva: The government’s latest social 7.12.1 Issues with the Utilisation of Public
media project lets citizens request services, file
complaints, and get rapid responses.
Funds
z Transparency and accountability: Ensuring z Under-utilisation of Plan expenditures by states can
transparency and accountability in the service delivery be linked to institutional and procedural bottlenecks
process can aid in the development of citizen trust and in the process of implementing Plan schemes, as well
confidence. as deficiencies in the district-level planning process.
Prevent leakages in PDS through DBT. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on
z Establish clear goals and performance criteria: Labour said that there had been an increase in
Establishing clear goals and performance standards the allocation for the Ministry from ₹12,065.49
can help guarantee that services are consistently and
crores in the Budget Estimate, but only ₹2,566
successfully supplied.
crores could be spent as of February 15, 2021,
Public Service Guarantee Act: State governments,
starting with Madhya Pradesh in 2010, have which amounts to the utilisation of only 52.8% of
implemented PSG Acts that set timetables the funds.
for service delivery and consequences for z Deficits in decentralised planning carried out in
noncompliance. the schemes as a result of insufficient staff to carry
z Involve citizens in the process of service delivery: out planning activities, inadequate attention to
Involving citizens in the service delivery process can
capacity building, and a limited role for community
assist guarantee that services satisfy the needs and
expectations of those who use them. participation in the planning process.
2nd ARC recommended the citizen-centric The Parliamentary Standing Committee on
administration. Labour also observes that gross underutilization
z Invest in professional growth and training: of funds has impacted the performance of certain
Continuous training and professional development schemes, thereby defeating the laudable intent of
can assist guarantee that government employees have these schemes in benefiting the targeted group.
the skills and expertise needed to provide high-quality
z Blockages in budgetary processes in the schemes,
services.
such as delays in the flow of funds, in releasing sanction
Government introduced the 360-degree mid-
orders for spending, centralised decision-making
career training module for capacity building.
in the States, an insufficient delegation of financial
z Simplify rules and procedures: Simplifying policies
powers to district/sub-district level authorities, and
and procedures can assist minimise bureaucracy and
increase service delivery efficiency. uniform Centrally Sponsored Schemes norms for all
states.
For example, Biometric-enabled Ration Card
Security System. Government Accounts
Conclusion z Consolidated Fund of India: This fund was formed
Providing outstanding services is difficult for governments, in accordance with Article 266 (1) of the Indian
but there are various solutions and best practices. These Constitution.
include setting clear goals and performance standards, z The Consolidated Fund of India holds all of the
involving citizens in service delivery, using performance government’s direct and indirect tax revenues,
data to drive continuous improvement, investing in borrowing expenses, and loan repayments.
training and professional development, simplifying z Contingency Fund of India: Article 267(1) of the
policies and procedures, using technology to improve Indian Constitution establishes the Contingency
efficiency, fostering agency collaboration and coordination, Fund of India.
and fostering a customer service culture. z The Contingency Fund of India shall be held
on behalf of the President by a Secretary to the
7.12 THE UTILISATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS Government of India in the Ministry of Finance.
The term "Public funding is money that comes from the z Advances from India’s Contingency Fund will be
government, often through taxes, that's used to help made to cover unforeseen expenses.
the public through goods and services.". Direct taxes, z Public Account: Article 266 (2) of the Constitution
indirect taxes, non-tax earnings, and outside financing established the Public Accounts of India fund.
all contribute to the government’s revenue. These public z It accounts for flows in transactions in which the
funds are referred to as public funds, and they must be government is just acting as a banker.
spent in accordance with the law.

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z Furthermore, the lack of need-based budgeting Government agencies must comply with
in the programmes, which is frequently carried out the law. Use public funds with consent from a
without sufficient analysis of unit costs on the competent authority.
ground, suggested that allocations for some of the Unauthorised spending leads to overspending.
schemes were chosen top-down and unrealistically. Funds must also be used for their intended
z Misappropriation of funds: purpose.
Misappropriation of public funds involves MPs Accountability: Government agencies using
investing MPLAD cash in their own private trusts public funds should be able to offer complete
and societies. and accurate accounts of their operations and
Recommending unlawful projects, insisting have sufficient governance and management
on selecting implementing agencies, seeking to arrangements to resolve any shortcomings.
control payments to contractors, and consistently z Promoting Good governance: Good governance
refusing openness and accountability all add up requires decentralisation, legislative loopholes,
to theft. strengthening public institutions like CVC and RTI,
z Misutilisation: administrative accountability, and a more democratic
Misuse of public funds includes spending society to successfully employ public finances.
without adequate authority or spending that is z Value for Money: The government should find and
illegal or contradictory to applicable legislation, maintain the optimal public expenditure by balancing
regulations, policies, and procedures. societal benefits and expenses. Every government
Purchases that are wastefully superfluous and dollar must maximise society’s benefit.
are not in line with the organization’s commercial
or operational needs may also constitute an abuse Conclusion
of public funds. Good governance and digitalization have reduced
Misuse of public assets encompasses both corruption and loopholes, but there is still a long
inappropriate or illegal use of government way to go. People’s participation, increasing moral
property and a failure to protect such assets. responsibilities in agencies and bureaucracy, focusing on
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) scheme implementation and output, and transparency in
founded in 2012 that the then-governing body procedures can help.
had fraudulently awarded 216 coal blocks to
public and private firms from 1993 to 2006, 7.13 CORRUPTION
wasting millions of dollars.
z India is the 85th least corrupt nation out of
z Freebies for political power: Irrational freebies
entice people. This wasteful spending puts a strain on 180 countries, according to the 2022 Corruption
the government’s finances. It hinders the ruling party Perceptions Index reported by Transparency
from spending properly for everyone. International.
z Limited Power of CAG: The Comptroller and Auditor 7.13.1 Types of Corruption (As given by
General of India is the protector of the public purse
and regulates the whole financial system of the the 2nd ARC)
country at both the state and central levels, but it can Coercive Corruption Collusive Corruption
only audit the account after expenditure. CAG cannot
ensure whether the funds are spent correctly. z Here, the citizen is z There is collusion
compelled to pay a between the bribe
Measures needed to improve Public Finance bribe in order to get the giver and the public
z Sustainability of the funding: A public entity service. servant.
using public funds should consider the impact of its z Citizens end up losing z Both of them benefit
financing decisions and future funding needs. much more when they at the expense of
Public organisations should assure fair and try to resist corruption. society.
reasonable funding for a cause without jeopardising z It can be in the form z For example, in
long-term service delivery. of delays, harassment, awarding contracts
For example, fertiliser subsidies are distorting lost opportunity, loss for public works,
nature and creating environmental challenges. of precious time and procurement of
z Following the Principles of Public Fund Utilisation: wages, and at times goods and services,
Public entities employing public funds should follow even potential danger recruitment of
these guidelines: of losing life or limb. employees, etc.

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Variants of Corruption Favouritism is the inherent human tendency
z Misappropriation is the theft of resources by those to prefer friends and family above strangers.
Favouritism is linked to corruption since it
who are assigned to administer them. It happens when
indicates a corrupted distribution of resources.
dishonest employees steal from their bosses. When a
This is the flip side of the coin, where corruption
state employee steals from the public institution in is the acquisition of resources.
which he or she is engaged and from resources that he z Fraud is a financial crime that involves deception,
or she is obliged to administer on behalf of the public, scams, or fraud. Fraud is defined as the manipulation
this is a serious offence. or distortion of information, facts, and expertise by
z Nepotism is a form of favouritism in which an official public officials who are placed between politicians
prioritises his proper kin and family members (wife, and citizens in order to gain personal benefit.
brothers and sisters, children, and in-laws). Fraud occurs when a public official (principal)
Many unconstrained rulers have attempted who is responsible for carrying out orders or
tasks assigned by his superiors (principal)
to secure their authority by appointing family
manipulates the flow of information for personal
members to significant political, economic, and
gain, resulting in the widely used principal-agent
military/security roles inside the state apparatus. or incentive theory used by economists to study
z Conflict of Interest: It is a minor but significant this phenomenon.
component of the larger issue of police ethics and z Bribery: Bribery is the payment (in money or kind)
corruption. given or received in a corrupt relationship. A bribe is
z Favouritism is a weapon of power abuse that implies a fixed fee, a percentage of a contract, or any other
“privatisation” and a highly biased allocation of state monetary or in-kind favour provided to a public
official who can make contracts on the state’s behalf
resources, regardless of how these riches were
or otherwise distribute benefits to corporations or
acquired in the first place.
individuals, businessmen, and clients.
Corruption = Monopoly + Discretion – Accountability
z Competition z Decentralisation z RTI

z e-bidding z Delegation z Citizen Charter
z Public procurement z Devolution z Social audit
7.13.2 Challenges Posed by Corruption z Red Tapism: Corruption in the public services sector
z People benefiting from corruption try to maintain the carries high risks for conducting good businesses.
status quo and resist any reform. Companies are likely to receive unwanted red tape,
petty corruption, and bribes for finalising any
z It lowers productivity and reduces the effectiveness
procedures or deals.
of industrial policies.
z Corruption leads to a loss of legitimacy in the
z Infrastructure Failure: The Mafia uses construction
political system and gives free rein to non-state
to launder money and make money.
actors. Example- Left-wing extremism
Bribery, favouritism and influence-peddling are
suspected of violating land-use and authorization 7.13.3 Causes of Corruption
limitations, resulting in dangerous buildings.
z Countries with higher corruption have lower social
Santhanam committee (1963) identified the
investments like education, healthcare, etc. following causes of corruption in India:
z It leads to inequality among the masses. The recent z Monopoly of government: Government taking upon
Oxfam report on inequality points towards this. itself more than what it could manage by means of
z Undermines ease of doing business. Although regulatory functions.
accurate numbers for the economic implications of z Wide discretion: Scope of discretion in the exercise of
corruption are difficult to come by, International powers vested in the various categories of government
Monetary Fund (IMF) research from 2016 suggested servants.
that the cost of bribery alone ranges from $1.5 to $2 z Complex laws and regulations: Cumbersome
trillion per year. procedures in dealing with various matters in dealing

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with the public that were of importance to citizens in z Radiation: Corruption in one area of the civil service
their day-to-day life. harms the reputation of the entire civil service.
z Other Reasons: Citizens and the media, in general, do not distinguish
The Weak Legal Framework for Punitive between the several branches of government.
Action: Because of ill-defined policies, weak As a result, corruption is imputed to the entire
regulatory frameworks, and large indiscretions public system, undermining its legitimacy.
among ministers and high public officials. z Revelation: Transparency is a key principle in the
Political Corruption: Due to the vast geographical public sector. Civil servants work in a fishbowl, always
area of a constituency, with more than two million being watched from all sides and studied with a
voters in many cases, a candidate has to spend magnifying glass.
huge amounts of money to contest the elections. Corrupt acts are thus more likely to be detected
Over-Regulation: combined with a weak state, and exposed by the media, often resulting in public
fosters corruption. indignation and a loss of public trust.
Bureaucratic Red-Tapism and Abetting
Corruption: This has been suitably highlighted by 7.13.5 Characteristics of Corruption in India
Robert Merton as, “When the rule becomes more The Consultation Paper on Probity in Governance issued
important than the game itself”. by the National Commission to Review the Working of
Rise of the Elites and Post-Liberalisation the Constitution listed the following characteristics of
Corruption: Mega corruption thrives because of corruption in India:
a nexus between big business, politicians, and 1. First, in India, corruption occurs upstream rather
bureaucrats, as highlighted by Transparency than downstream. Corruption at the highest levels
International. influences key decisions concerning development
The 2nd ARC identified three key causes objectives, programmes, and projects.
2. Second, in India, corruption has wings rather than
of high corruption
wheels. The majority of corrupt gains made in the
1. First, colonial power and arbitrariness persist. region are immediately smuggled out of the territory
Public leaders can deviate from ethics in a power- to safe havens abroad.
obsessed society.
While capital flight occurs in other countries as
2. Second, our society is highly unequal. Corruption
well, a bigger share of it is invested. In other words,
is easier due to power asymmetry.
corrupt money in other regions of the world is
3. Third, the Indian state’s early policies left more likely to be used to finance business than to
citizens at the state’s mercy. Overregulation,
fill overseas accounts.
significant limits on economic activity, heavy state
control, near-monopoly of the government in many 3. Third, in India, corruption frequently leads to
areas, and a scarcity economy fostered uncontrolled advancement rather than imprisonment. Unless
corruption. they belong to the other team, huge fish rarely fry.
In contrast, developed countries frequently have
7.13.4 Effects of Corruption on an accountability framework in place where even

top leaders are examined and prosecuted.
Government Services
The most irritating part of corruption in India is
Corruption is self-perpetuating, resulting in a
that the dishonest are frequently too powerful to
cascade of corrupt acts. Corruption harms the entire
go through an honest accountability process.
administration and governance system because of the
following consequences: 4. Fourth, corruption happens in India, where
z Snowballing: Small instances of corrupt behaviour hundreds of millions of people live in poverty and
tend to snowball into larger ones. Not tackling lack access to basic necessities such as healthcare,
corruption in a timely manner and turning a blind education, and safe drinking water, and sanitation.
eye shows that it is acceptable. This increases the The vast majority are impoverished and destitute,
likelihood that trespassers will engage in corruption while a few acquire riches through corruption.
more frequently and on a larger scale.
z Becoming a norm: Violations that are disregarded or 7.13.6 Ways and Means to Tackle Corruption
are not dealt with appropriately by the organisation z Strict Adherence to the Code of Conduct and Code
may be interpreted as acceptable. This increases the of Ethics: The code of conduct established for various
likelihood that others in the organisation may feel officials needs to be backed by a Code of ethics that
justified or encouraged to follow suit. needs to be imbibed internally by the officials.

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This will ensure that there will be no need to z Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988:
coerce public officials to show ethical behaviour. It provides for penalties in relation to corruption
z Effective Implementation of Institutional by public servants and also for those who are
Measures: Strict and evolved implementation of involved in the abetment of an act of corruption.
the accountability mechanisms, by effective laws, The 2018 Amendment criminalised both bribe-
mechanisms, procedures, or tools, in accordance with taking by public servants and bribe-giving by any
the changing dynamics of society’s requirements, is person.
crucial. z Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002:
z Use of Technology: Use of e-governance and ICT Money Laundering is the process of making
tools to build dynamic and continuous exchanges money earned through illegitimate sources appear
between key stakeholders, ensuring transparency and legitimate.
accountability in governance. The act empowers the Enforcement Directorate to
z Power to the People: Citizens also need to undergo conduct money laundering investigations.
attitudinal change and must refrain from bribing It has provisions for rigorous imprisonment along
officials through ‘speed money’ to get their work done with fines.
faster. Banking companies and financial intermediaries
are obliged under the act to maintain records
Conclusion
of financial transactions of specified nature and
If corruption levels in India are reduced to those in value.
Scandinavian countries, GDP would increase by 1.5% and
z The Companies Act, 2013:
investment would increase by 12%. If all the black money
It provides for corporate governance and
from overseas is brought back, India can pay back its debt.
prevention of corruption and fraud in the corporate
7.13.7 Present Mechanisms in India to deal sector.
with Corruption The term ‘fraud’ has been given a broad definition
and is a criminal offence under the Companies Act.
Legislations for Dealing With Corruption In cases involving fraud specifically, the Serious
z Indian Penal Code, 1860: Frauds Investigation Office (SFIO) has been set
Section 169 has provisions for up to two years of up under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, which
imprisonment with a fine for unlawfully buying or is responsible for dealing with white-collar crimes
bidding on property. and offences in companies.
A provision of prior sanction from the state or The SFIO conducts investigations under the
the Central government is required in order to provisions of the Companies Act.

prosecute a public servant. Institutions for Dealing With Corruption
z The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988: z Lokpal and Lokayukta:
It prohibits benami transactions (property in the
Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013, provided for the
false name of the other person who does not pay establishment of Lokpal at the Union level and
for it) except when it is purchased in the wife’s or Lokayukta at the state level.
unmarried daughter’s name.
They inquired into allegations of corruption
The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) against certain public officials.
Amendment Act, 2016 The jurisdiction of Lokpal includes the Prime
Imprisonment has been extended up to seven Minister, Ministers, MPs, Group A, B, C, and D
years with a fine. officers, and officials of the Central government.
Furnishing false information is punishable by It has the power to confiscate assets or other
five years of imprisonment and a fine. benefits acquired through corrupt means.
The initiating officer may pass an order to Lokpal is legally mandated to receive and handle
continue holding property and may then refer complaints concerning alleged offences against
the case to the adjudicating authority, which public employees under the 1988 Prevention of
will then examine evidence and pass an order. Corruption Act.
The Appellate Tribunal will hear appeals against Issues With Lokpal:
orders of the Adjudicating Authority. Complete Exclusion of Judiciary: Which
The High Court can hear appeals against orders hampers the prospects of making the judiciary
of the Appellate Tribunal. accountable.

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No Full Authority to Investigate the Prime
The CBI is India’s representative for
Minister: The act prohibits inquiry against the correspondence with the INTERPOL.
PM in certain cases like atomic energy, etc. Issues with CBI:
Not Much Protection to Whistle-Blowers: Lack of Independence: CBI is dependent on
This acts as an impediment in drives against the home ministry for its staff.
corruption. Political Interference: CBI has been termed
Delay in Appointment of Lokpal: For years, a caged parrot by the Supreme Court due to
the appointment of Lokpal was delayed over excessive interference by the government.
technical issues.
Dependence on the State Government: CBI
z Chief Vigilance Commission (CVC): needs the consent of the state in question
The Central Vigilance Commission is the apex before starting the investigation. The state of
vigilance institution. West Bengal withdrew the general consent
The CVC was set up by the Government in 1964 given to the CBI.
on the recommendations of the Committee on Lack of Accountability: As CBI is outside the
Prevention of Corruption, headed by K. Santhanam. ambit of RTI.
The CVC is independent of any Ministry or Prior Consent: Central government is required
Department and is only accountable to Parliament. to start an investigation on officers at the level
It is empowered to inquire into offences alleged of Joint Secretary and above.
to have been committed under the Prevention
of Corruption Act, 1988, by certain categories of Whistleblowing
public servants. It is the act of exposing the alleged bribery, incompetence,
Its annual report gives the details of the work
corruption, fraud, or unethical behaviour within public,
done by the commission and points to systemic private, or third-sector organisations by an authority
failures that lead to corruption in government figure or the public.
departments. Origin of Whistleblowing:
Limitations of CVC: z In 2001, the Law Commission recommended that a
It is treated as an advisory body with no power law protecting whistleblowers be enacted in order to
to register criminal cases. combat corruption.
It lacks the resources and powers to take action z In 2003, the Golden Quadrilateral project in Bihar was
on cases of corruption. exposed to corruption by Satyendra Dubey, a project
z Central Bureau of Investigation: engineer with India’s National Highway Authority.
The CBI was formed as the Special Police In November 2003, he was shot dead in Gaya.
Establishment in 1941, to investigate cases of For the murder, three people had been sentenced
corruption in procurement during World War II. to life in 2010.
The CBI was formed by a resolution of the Home In the wake of his murder, calls came for a law to
Affairs Ministry on the recommendations of the protect whistle-blowers.
Santhanam Committee. z In 2004, the Supreme Court of India, in response
Its important role is to prevent corruption and to a petition, ordered the Central government to
maintain integrity in administration. It works put in place “administrative machinery for acting
under the supervision of the CVC. on complaints from whistleblowers before a law is
It investigates cases connected to infringements enacted.”
of economic and fiscal laws at the request of the z In response, the government issued the ‘Public
department concerned or in consultation with the Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers
concerned department. Resolution (PIDPIR)’ in 2004.
It investigates crimes of a serious nature, that z The Second Administrative Reforms Commission
have national and international ramifications also suggested that whistle-blowers be protected by
and are committed by professional criminals or enacting new legislation.
organised gangs. z To rectify International treaties: In 2005, India
It coordinates the activities of the various state signed the UN Convention against Corruption which
police forces and anti-corruption agencies. offers adequate protection and safeguards for those
It maintains crime statistics and disseminates who complain and facilitates reporting on corrupt
criminal information. public servants.

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The Whistle Blowers Protection Bill was introduced revealed and become a threat to life, for instance -
in 2011 and became an act in 2014. Satyendra Dubey.
Organisational execution is ineffective: In several
Salient Features of the Act z
industries, the whistle-blower policy manual is
z Protecting whistle-blowers: It protects people
not used to offer instructions to workers on the
who report abuse, deliberate misuse of authority, or
whistleblower programme.
arbitrary use of discretion of any power by a public
official from harassment, as well as keeping whistle- z The whistleblowers have very little protection in
blowers’ identities secure. India and hence they are wary of sending documentary
evidence either to the regulator or to their employers.
z Provide safeguards: In addition, the act provides
sufficient protection against victimisation of the z Cases are on the rise: About a third of the 50
individual filing such a complaint. companies of the National Stock Exchange of India’s
Nifty index said in their last financial year annual
z The limited time frame for complaint filing: The
reports that they together received 3,508 whistle-
law prohibits anonymous allegations and expressly
blower complaints in 2018, up from 3,139 complaints
specifies that until the plaintiff establishes his or
the previous year.
her identity, no action can be taken by a competent
authority. z Issue with Whistle-blower amendment bill 2015: It
A complaint can be filed within a span of seven
dilute the several provisions of earlier act for example
years. Disclosures cannot be made under the Bill, if it
z Criminalise false claims: Anyone who unintentionally is prohibited under the OSA.
or maliciously discloses the identity of a plaintiff faces Incorporates provisions to keep issues of national
a sentence of up to three years in prison and a fine of security out of its purview.
up to Rs 50,000. z Too many exemptions: It makes a lot of information
z Appeal to high court: Any individual who is inaccessible to the public on various grounds.
aggrieved by a Competent Authority order has sixty But the bill failed in Rajya Sabha and lapsed when
days from the date of the order to file an appeal with the 16th Lok Sabha got dissolved in May 2019.
the concerned High Court.
2nd ARC recommended the following
z Exemptions: The act does not apply to staff and
officers of the Special Protection Group (SPG), which Measures
was formed under the Special Protection Group Act z Appropriate legislation must be enforced to protect
of 1988. innocent whistle-blowers.
z The Whistle Blowers Act supersedes the Official z Empowering: Legislation should be enacted
Secrets Act of 1923, allowing a claimant to make immediately to provide protection to whistle-
public interest disclosures to competent authorities blowers on the following lines proposed by the Law
even though they are in violation of the latter act but Commission:
do not jeopardise the nation’s sovereignty. Whistleblowers exposing false claims, fraud or
z Protection from disclosing identity: The Vigilance corruption should be protected by ensuring
Commission shall not disclose the identity of the confidentiality and anonymity, protection
complainant except to the head of the department if from victimisation in their career, and other
deemed necessary. The Act penalises any person who administrative measures to prevent bodily harm
has disclosed the identity of the complainant. and harassment.
z Identity of the complainant: Every complaint has to z The legislation should cover corporate
include the identity of the complainant. whistleblowers unearthing fraud or serious damage
to the public interest by wilful acts of omission or
Issues with Whistle Blowers Protection Act, commission.
2014 SEBI recently introduced a tipping mechanism.
z Delayed implementation: The implementation of SEBI will award up to ₹1 crore for information
the WhistleBlower Protection Act has been delayed. and successful action against insider traders. It
As a result, some people have been harassed, has also created a “cooperate and confidentiality”
attacked, or killed for their position as RTI activists mechanism.
or whistleBlower.
z Anonymous complaints not allowed: The act Other Measures Taken to eliminate Corruption
does not allow anonymous complaints which is z The Indian government is committed to “Zero
defeating the very purpose of the act. For example – Tolerance Against Corruption” and has implemented
The submission of the identity of the officer can be a number of anti-corruption measures, including:

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z To eliminate corruption, systemic reforms must 6. What do you understand about probability in
be implemented to increase transparency in citizen- governance? Based on your understanding of the term,
friendly services. suggest measures for ensuring probity in government.
This includes, through the Direct Benefit Transfer (2019)
scheme, the direct and transparent transfer
7. “Non-performance of duty by a public servant is a
of welfare benefits to citizens under various
government programmes. form of corruption” Do you agree with this view?
Justify your answer. (2019)
E-tendering is a type of public procurement.
E-Government implementation and process 8. There is a view that the official secrets act is an obstacle
and system simplification to the implementation of the Rights to Information
The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is being act. Do you agree with the view? Discuss (2019)
introduced for government procurement. 9. Impact of digital technology as a reliable source of
z Interviews for Group ‘B’ (Non-Gazetted) and Group input for rational decision making is a debatable issue.
‘C’ postings in Government Departments have been Critically evaluate with a suitable example. (2019)
halted.
10. “Non-performance of duty by a public servant is a
z Updation in rules and procedures: Both the Central
form of corruption” Do you agree with this view?
Civil Services (Classification, Control, and Appeal)
Rules and the All India Services (Disciplinary and Justify your answer. (2019)
Appeal) Rules have been updated to offer more 11. Explain the basic principles of the citizens’ charter
specific timetables for disciplinary processes. movement and bring out its importance. (2019)
The Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988 has been
12. What is meant by conflict of interest? Illustrate with
revised to expressly criminalise bribery.
examples, the difference between the actual and
z The Right to Information (RTI) Act was passed in potential conflicts of interest. (2018)
2005 to create a practical framework for the right to
information, allowing citizens to acquire access to 13. Distinguish between the “Code of Ethics” and “Code
data held by public agencies. of Conduct” with suitable examples. (2018)
14. “The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’
PREVIOUS YEAR’S QUESTIONS empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the
1. Whistle-blower, who reports corruption and illegal concept of accountability. Discuss.
activities, wrongdoing, and misconduct to the 15. “If a country is to be corruption free and become a
concerned authorities, runs the risk of being exposed nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are
to grave danger, physical harm, and victimisation three key societal members who can make a difference.
by the vested interests, accused persons, and his
they are father, the mother, and the teacher.” – A. P. J.
team. What policy measures would you suggest to
strengthen protection mechanisms to safeguard the Abdul Kalam. Analyse. (2017)
whistle-blower?(2022) 16. Increased national wealth did not result in equitable
2. Write short notes on the following in 30 words each: distribution of its benefits. It has created only some
(2022) “enclaves of modernity and prosperity for a small
a. Constitutional morality minority at the cost of the majority.” Justify. (2017)
b. Conflict of interest 17. Discuss the Public Services Code as recommended by
c. Probity in public life the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission. (2016)
d. Challenges of digitalization
18. Discipline generally implies following orders and
e. Devotion to duty
subordination. However, it may be counter-productive
3. Effective utilisation of public funds is crucial to meet for the organisation. Discuss. (2015)
development goals. Critically examine the reasons for
under-utilisation and mis-utilisation of public funds 19. Some recent developments such as the introduction
and their implications. (2019) of the RTI Act, media and judicial activism, etc.,
4. Effective utilisation of public funds is crucial to meet are proving helpful in bringing about greater
development goals. Critically examine the reasons for transparency and accountability in the functioning of
under-utilisation and mis-utilisation of public funds the government. However, it is also being observed
and their implications. (2019) that at times the mechanisms are misused. Another
5. What are the basic principles of public life? Illustrate negative effect is that the officers are now afraid to
any three of these with suitable examples. (2019) take prompt decisions. Analyze this situation in detail

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and suggest how this dichotomy can be resolved. family with two school-college-going children and his
Suggest how these negative impacts can be minimised. old ailing mother. The heavy expenditure on education
(2015) and medical was causing a big strain on his monthly pay
20. It is often said that poverty leads to corruption. packet. Regular EMI for a housing loan taken from bank is
However, there is no dearth of instances where unavoidable and any default would render him liable for
affluent and powerful people indulge in corruption severe legal action.
in a big way. What are the basic causes of corruption In the above backdrop, he was hoping for some miracle to
among people? Support your answer with examples. happen. There was sudden turn of events. His Secretary
(2014) informed that a gentleman Subhas Verma wanted to see
21. What do you understand by ‘probity’ in public life? him as he was interested in the position of Manager which
What are the difficulties in practicing it in the present was to be filled by him in the company. He further brought
times? How can these difficulties be overcome? (2014) to his notice that his CV has been received through the
22. Today we find that in spite of various measures like office of the Minister of Defence.
prescribing codes of conduct, setting up vigilance cells/ During the interview of the candidate-Subhash Verma,
commissions, RTI, active media and strengthening of he found him technically sound, resourceful and an
legal mechanisms, corrupt practices are not coming experienced marketeer. He seemed to be well-conversant
under control. A) Evaluate the effectiveness of these with tendering procedures and having the knack of
measures with justifications. B) Suggest more effective follow-up and liaising in this regard Prabhat felt that he
strategies to tackle this menace. (2014) was a better choice than the rest of the candidates who
were recently interviewed by him in the last few days.
CASE STUDIES Subhash Verma also indicated that he was in possession
of the copies of the bid documents that the Unique
Case studies: 2022
Electronics Ltd. would be submitting the next day to the
Prabhat was working as Vice President (Marketing) at
Defence Ministry for their tender. He offered to hand
Sterling Electric Ltd., a reputed multinational company.
over those documents subject to his employment in the
But presently the company was passing through the
company on suitable terms and conditions. He made it
difficult times as the sales were continuously showing
clear that in the process, the Sterling Electric Ltd. could
a downward trend in the last two quarters. His division,
which hitherto had been a major revenue contributor outbid their rival company and get the bid and hefty
to the company’s financial health, was now desperately Defence Ministry order. He indicated that it will be win-
trying to procure some big government order for them. win situation for both-him and the company.
But their best efforts did not yield any positive success Prabhat was absolutely stunned. It was a mixed feeling of
or breakthrough. shock and thrill. He was uncomfortable and perspiring. If
His was a professional company and his local bosses were accepted, all his problems would vanish instantly and he
under pressure from their London-based HO to show may be rewarded for securing the much-awaited tender
some positive results. In the last performance review and thereby boosting company’s sales and financial
meeting taken by the Executive Director (India Head), he health. He was in a fix as to the future course of action.
was reprimanded for his poor performance. He assured He was wonder-struck at the guts of Subhash Verma in
them that his division is working on a special contract having surreptitiously removing his own company papers
from the Ministry of Defence for a secret installation near and offering to the rival company for a job. Being an
Gwalior and the tender is being submitted shortly. experienced person, he was examining the pros and cons
He was under extreme pressure and he was deeply
of the proposal/situation and he asked him to come the
perturbed. What aggravated the situation further was
next day.
a warning from the top that if the deal is not clinched
A. Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.
in favour of the company, his division might have to be
closed and he may have to quit his lucrative job. B. Critically examine the options available to Prabhat in
There was another dimension which was causing him deep the above situation.
mental torture and agony. This pertained to his personal C. Which of the above would be the most appropriate for
precarious financial health. He was a single earner in the Prabhat and why? (250 words)

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Approach Approach
z Identify the stakeholders involved, issues and z Identify the stakeholders involved, issues and
ethical aspects. ethical aspects.
z Discuss the options Available to Prabhat: z Discuss the options Available to Ramesh:
Reject Subhash Verma’s Offer. Withdraw the Report.
Report the Incident. Maintain the Report.
Seek Legal Advice. Seek Legal Advice/Whistleblowing.
z Discuss the most appropriate option. z Recommended Option for Ramesh.

Ethically and Critically Evaluate the Option.
Case Study: 2022 z Discuss the Policy Measures to Combat Illegal
Ramesh is a State Civil Services Officer who got the Migration.
opportunity of getting posted to the capital of a border z Conclude with citing the importance of
State after Tendering 20 years of service. Ramesh’s Whistleblowing.
mother has recently been detected cancer and has been
admitted in the leading cancer hospital of the city. His two Case Study: 2022
adolescent children have also got admission in one of the You are appointed as an officer heading the section
best public schools of the town. After settling down in his in the Environment Pollution Control Board to ensure
appointment as Director, in the Home Department of the compliance and its follow-up. In that region, there were a
State, Ramesh got confidential report through intelligence large number of small and medium industries which had
sources that illegal migrants are infiltrating in the State
been granted clearance. You learnt that these industries
from the neighbouring country. He decided to personally
provide employment to many migrant workers. Most of
carry out surprise check of the border posts along with his
the industrial units have got environmental clearance
Home Department team. To his surprise, he caught red-
certificates in their possession. The environmental
handed two families of 12 members infiltrated with the
clearance seeks to curb industries and projects that
connivance of the security personnel at the border posts.
supposedly hamper the environment and living species in
On further inquiry and investigation, it was found that
the region. But in practice. Most of these units remain to
after the migrants from neighbouring country infiltrate,
be polluting units in several ways like air, water and soil
their documentation like Aadhaar Card, Ration cards
pollution. As such, local people encountered persistent
and Voter ID are also forged and they are made to settle
health problems.
down in a particular area of the State. Ramesh prepared
It was confirmed that the majority of the industries were
the detailed and comprehensive report and submitted
to the Additional Secretary of the State. However, he violating environmental compliance. You issued notice to
has summoned by the Additional Home Secretary after all the industrial units to apply for a fresh environmental
a week and was instructed to withdraw the report. The clearance certificate from the competent authority.
Additional Home Secretary informed Ramesh that the However, your action met with hostile response from
report submitted by him has not been appreciated by the a section of the industrial units, other vested interest
higher authorities. He further cautioned him that if he persons and a section of the local politicians. The workers
fails to withdraw the confidential report, he will not only also became very hostile to you as they felt that your
be posted out from the prestigious appointment from the action would lead to the closure of these industrial units,
State capital but his further promotion which is due in and the resultant unemployment will lead to insecurity
near future will also get in jeopardy. and uncertainty in their livelihood. Many owners of the
1. What are the options available to Ramesh as the industries approached you with the plea that you should
Director of the Home Department of the bordering not initiate harsh action as it would compel them to close
State? their units, and cause huge financial loss, shortage of their
2. What option should Ramesh adopt and why? products in the market. These would obviously add to the
sufferings of the labourers and the consumers alike. The
3. Critically evaluate each of the options.
labour union also sent you a representation requesting
4. What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Ramesh?
against the closure of the units, You simultaneously
5. What policy measures would you suggest to combat started receiving threats from unknown corners. You
the menace of infiltration of illegal migrants from the
however received support from some of your colleagues,
neighbouring country? (Answer in 250 words)

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who advised you to act freely to ensure environmental the elevated corridor before the elections are declared.
compliance. Local NGOs also came to your support Also informed you that the contractor is a distant relative
and they demanded the closure of the polluting units of the minister and he wants him to finish the project.
immediately. He also gave you a hint that your further promotion as
1. What are the options available to you under the given additional chief engineer is under consideration with the
situation? ministry. However, you strongly felt that the minor crack
2. Critically examine the options listed by you. in the pier of the elevated corridor will adversely affect
3. What type of mechanism would you suggest to ensure the health and life of the bridge and therefore it will be
environmental compliance? very dangerous not to repair the elevated corridor.
1. Under the given conditions, what are the options
4. What are the ethical dilemmas you faced in exercising
available to you as a project manager?
your option? (Answer in 250 words)
2. What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by the
Approach project manager?
z Identify the stakeholders involved, issues and 3. What are the professional challenges likely to be faced
ethical aspects. by the project manager and his response to overcome
z Discuss the options Available to you as an officer: such challenges?
Enforce Strict Compliance.
Negotiate and Collaborate.
4. What can be the consequences of overlooking the
Seek Legal Support. observation raised by the inspecting team?
Strengthen Monitoring and Inspection. (Answer in 250 words)
z Analysing various alternatives and weighing the
options as per the merits. Approach
z Discuss the Mechanisms to Ensure Environmental
z Identify the issues, ethical aspects & stakeholders.
Compliance.
z Discuss the Ethical Dilemmas Faced by you as the z Identify the Ethical issues.
Officer. z Explore various alternatives and weigh them as per
z Conclude with the importance of sustainable merit.
development. z Choose the best possible course of action.
Case Study: 2021

Case Studies: 2021
An elevated corridor is being constructed to reduce traffic
You are Vice Principal of a degree college in one of the
congestion in the capital of a particular state. You have
middle – class towns. Principal has recently retired and
been selected as project manager of this prestigious
management is looking for his replacement. There are
project on your professional competence and experience.
also feelers that the management may promote you as
The deadline is to complete the project in the next
Principal. In the meantime, during an annual examination
two years by 20 June 2021, since this project is to be
the flying squad from the university caught two students
inaugurated by the Chief Minister before the elections red-handed involving unfair means. A senior lecturer of
are announced in the second week of July 2021. While the college was personally helping these students in this
carrying out the surprise inspection by the inspection act. This senior lecturer also happens to be close to the
team, a minor crack was noticed in one of the piers of management. One of the students was the son of a local
the elevated corridor possibly due to poor material used. politician who was responsible for getting the college
You immediately informed the chief engineer and stopped affiliated to the present reputed university. The second
further work. It was assessed by you that a minimum student was the son of a local businessman who has
three piers of the elevated corridor have to be demolished donated maximum funds for running the college. You
and reconstructed. But this process will delay the project immediately informed the management regarding this
minimum by four to six months. But the chief engineer unfortunate incident. The management told you to resolve
overruled the observation of the inspection team on the the issue with the flying squad at any cost. They further
ground that it was a minor crack which will not in any said that such incidents will not only tarnish the image
way impact the strength and durability of the bridge. He of the college but also the politicians and businessmen
ordered you to overlook the observation of the inspecting are very important personalities for the functioning of
team and continue working with the same speed and the college. You were also given a hint that your further
tempo. He informed you that the minister does not want promotion to Principal depends on your capability in
any delay as he wants the chief Minister to inaugurate resolving this issue with the flying squad. In the meantime,

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you were intimidated by your administrative officer that patients knowing fully well that it is a highly infectious
certain members of the student union are protesting disease and resources and infrastructure are limited?
outside the college gate against the senior lecturer and 2. If yours is a private hospital, whether your justification
the students involved in this incident and demanding
and decision would remain same as that of a public
strict action against defaulters.
hospital? (250 words)
1. Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.
2. Critically examine the options available with you as
Approach
Vice Principal. What option will you adopt and why? z Identify the issues, ethical aspects & stakeholders.
(Answer in 250 words)
z Identify the criteria and justification for allocating
limited availability resources among the patients.
Approach z Explore various possible alternatives weighing
z Identify the stakeholders involved, issues and
them as per merit.
ethical aspects.
z Choose the best possible Course of action with
z Discuss the Options Available as Vice Principal:
Justification.
Report to the Flying Squad.
Negotiate with the Flying Squad.
Seek Legal Advice and other options.

Case studies: 2021
z Describe the options chosen by you as the Vice A Reputed food product company based in India developed
Principal. a food product for international market and started
z Conclude with the importance of professional exporting the same after getting necessary approvals.
ethics. The company announced this achievement and also
indicated that soon the product will be made available
Case studies: 2021 for the domestic consumers with almost the same
The coronavirus disease( CoVID )19-pandemic has quickly quality and health benefits. Accordingly, the company
spread to various countries .As on May8 th ,2020 ,in India
got its product approved by the domestic competent
56342positive cases of corona had been reported .India
authority and launched the product in Indian market. The
with a population of more than 1-35 billion had difficulty
in controlling the transmission of coronavirus among company could increase its market share over a period
its population .Multiple strategies became necessary to of time and earned substantial profit both domestically
handle this outbreak .The Ministry of Health and Family and internationally. However, the random sample test
Welfare of India raised awareness about this outbreak conducted by inspecting team found the product being
and to take all necessary actions to control the spread sold domestically in variance with the approval obtained
of COVID .19-The Indian Government implemented a from the competent authority. On further investigation,
-55day lockdown throughout the country to reduce the it was also discovered that the food company was not
transmission of the virus .Schools and colleges had shifted only selling products which were not meeting the health
to an alternative mode of teaching -learning-evaluation
standard of the country but also selling the rejected
and certification .Online mode has become popular these
export products in the domestic market. This episode
days .India was not prepared for a sudden onslaught of
adversely affected the reputation and profitability of the
such a crisis due to limited infrastructure in terms of
human resource ,money and other facilities needed for food company.
taking care of this situation .This disease did not spare 1. What action do you visualise should be taken by
anybody irrespective of caste ,creed ,religion on the one the competent authority against the food company
hand and have and have not ’on the other .Deficiencies for violating the laid down domestic food standard
in hospital beds ,oxygen cylinders ,ambulances ,hospital and selling rejected export products in the domestic
staff and crematorium were the most crucial aspects .You market?
are a hospital administrator in a public hospital at the
2. What course of action is available with the food
time when coronavirus had attacked a large number of
company to resolve the crisis and bring back its lost
people and patients were pouring into the hospital day
in and day out. reputation?
1. What are your criteria and justification for putting 3. Examine the ethical dilemma involved in the case.
your clinical and non-clinical staff to attend to the (250 words)

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Rajesh Kumar discussed the matter with seniors. He was
Approach conveyed that this politically sensitive situation needs to
z Identifying the issue, ethical aspects & stakeholders.
be processed immediately. Rajesh Kumar realised that
z Identifying the actions to be undertaken by the
diversion of funds from the NHS could raise difficult
competent authority for violating the safety
standards and heath norms by the food company. questions for the government in the Parliament.
Discuss the following with reference to this case:
z Identifying the ethical dilemmas involved in the
case. 1. Ethical issues involved in re-appropriation of funds
from a welfare project to the development projects.
z Highlighting the alternatives available and the
course of action expected to be undertaken by the 2. Given the need for proper utilisation of public funds,
food company. discuss the options available to Rajesh Kumar. Is
resigning a worthy option? (250 words)
Case Studies: 2020
Approach
Rajesh Kumar is a senior public servant, with a reputation z Identifying the issue, ethical aspects & stakeholders.
of honesty and forthrightness, currently posted in the z Identify Ethical issues involved in re-appropriation
Finance Ministry as the Head of the Budget Division. His of funds from a welfare project to the developmental
department is presently busy in organising the budgetary projects.
support to the states, four of which are due to the polls z Exploring various possible alternatives/ responses
within the financial year. This year’s annual budget had and weighing as per the merit. Responding to the
allotted Rs 8300 crores for the National Housing Scheme situation by choosing the best possible course of
(NHS), a centrally sponsored social housing scheme for action.
the weaker sections of society. Rs 775 crores have been
drawn for the NHS till June. Case Study: 2020
The Ministry of Commerce had long been pursuing a You are a municipal commissioner of a large city, having
case for setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in a the reputation of a very honest and upright officer. A
southern state to boost exports. After two years of detailed huge multipurpose mall is under construction in your
discussion between the centre and state, the Union city in which a large number of daily wage earners are
Cabinet approved the project in August. The process was employed. One night, during monsoons, a big chunk of
initiated to acquire the necessary land. the roof collapsed causing instant death of four labourers
Eighteen months ago a leading Public Sector Unit (PSU) including two minors. Many more were seriously injured
had projected the need for setting up a large natural gas requiring immediate medical attention. The mishap
processing plant in a northern state for the regional gas resulted in a big hue and cry, forcing the government to
grid. The land is already in possession of the PSU. The institute an inquiry.
gas grid is an essential component of the national energy Your preliminary enquiry has revealed a series of
security strategy. After three rounds of global bidding, the anomalies. The material used for the construction was
project was allotted to an MNC, M/s XYZ Hydrocarbons. of poor quality. Despite the approved building plans
The first tranche of payment to the MNC is scheduled to permitting only one basement, an additional basement
be made in December. has been constructed. This was overlooked during the
The Finance Ministry was asked for a timely allocation of periodic inspections by the building inspector of the
an additional Rs 6000 crores for these two developmental municipal corporation. In your enquiry, you noticed that
projects. It was decided to recommend re-appropriation the construction of the mall was given the green signal
of this entire amount from NHS allocation. The file despite encroaching on areas earmarked for a green belt
was forwarded to the Budget Department for their and a slip road in the Zonal Master Plan of the city. The
comments and further processing. On studying the case permission to construct the mall was accorded by the
file, Rajesh Kumar realised that this re-appropriation previous Municipal Commissioner who is not only your
may cause an inordinate delay in the execution of senior and well known to you professionally, but also a
NHS, a project much publicised in the rallies of senior good friend.
politicians. Correspondingly, the non-availability of Prima facie, the case appears to be of a widespread nexus
finances would cause a financial loss in the SEZ and between officials of the Municipal Corporation and the
national embarrassment due to delayed payment in the builders. Your colleagues are putting pressure on you
international project. to go slow in the enquiry. The builder, who is rich and

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influential, happens to be a close relative of a powerful rendered homeless and deprived of food, drinking water
minister in the state cabinet. The builder is persuading and other basic amenities. Rescue work has been disrupted
you to hush up the matter, promising you a fortune to do by heavy rainfall and damage to supply routes. The
so. He also hinted that if this matter is not resolved at the local people are seeding with anger against the delayed
earliest in his favour there is somebody in his office who limited rescue operations. When your team reaches the
is waiting to file a case against you under the POSH act. affected area, the people there heckle and even assault
Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. What are
some of the team members. One of your team members
the options available to you in this situation? Explain your
is even severely injured. Faced with this crisis some team
selected course of action. (250 words)
member pleads with you to call off the operations freeing
Approach threats to their life.
z Identifying the issue, ethical aspects & stakeholders. In such trying circumstances, what will be your response?
z Identify Ethical issues involved in re-appropriation Examine the qualities of a public servant which will be
of funds from a welfare project to the developmental required to manage the situations. (250 words)
projects.
z Exploring various possible alternatives/ responses Approach
and weighing as per the merit. z Discuss the ethical issues and stakeholders involved
here.
z Choose the best possible course of action.
z As a leader, first try to understand the reasons for
the anger of the local people.
Case Study: 2019 z Discuss the qualities needed in a civil servant to
Honesty and uprightness are the hallmarks of civil face adversities.
servants. Civil servants possessing these qualities are z Conclude with the importance of optimism and
considered as a backbone of any strong organisation. In leadership in public services.
the line of duty, they make various decisions, at times some
become bonafide mistakes. As long as such decisions are Case Studies: 2019
not taken intentionally and do not benefit personally, the
In one of the districts of a frontier state, narcotics menace
officer cannot be said to be guilty. Though such decisions
has been rampant. This has resulted in money laundering,
may, at times, lead to unforeseen adverse consequences
mushrooming of poppy farming, arms smuggling and
in the long term.
near stalling of education. The system is on the verge
In the recent past, a few instances have surfaced wherein
of collapse. The situation has been further worsened
civil servants have been implicated for bonafide mistakes.
by unconfirmed reports that local politicians, as well as
They have often been prosecuted and even imprisoned.
some senior police officers, are providing surreptitious
These instances have greatly rattled the moral fibre of the
patronage to the drug mafia. At that point of time a
civil servants.
woman police officer, known for her skills in handling
How does this trend affect the functioning of civil services?
such situations is appointed as superintendent of police
What measures can be taken to ensure that honest civil
to bring the situation to normalcy.
servants are not implicated for bonafide mistakes on their
If you are the same police officer, identify the various
part? Justify your answer. (250 words)
dimensions of the crisis. Based on your understanding,
Approach suggest measures to deal with the crisis. (250 words)
z Identify the issues, ethical aspects and stakeholders.
z Discuss the changing role of civil servants and Approach
resultant conflicts with the traditional values. z As the superintendent of police, discuss the ethical
issues involved and assess the ground situation.
z Analyse the challenges faced by Civil servants in
pursuance of official duty. Analyse the impact on z Develop and implement a plan.
the functioning of civil servants. Enforce the law strictly
z Conclude with the Measures undertaken to ensure Work with the community.
morale of civil servants. Target the source of the problem.
Support education for the community.
Case Studies: 2019 z Conclude with the importance of community

engagement and outreach in delivery of public
You are heading the rescue operations in an area affected
services.
by severe natural calamity, thousands of people are

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Case-Study: 2018 Case Studies: 2018
As a senior officer in the Ministry, you have access It is a State where prohibition is in force. You were
to important policy decisions and upcoming big recently appointed as the Superintendent of Police of a
announcements such as road construction projects before district notorious for illicit distillation of liquor. The illicit
they are notified in the public domain. The Ministry liquor leads to many deaths, reported and unreported,
is about to announce a mega road project for which and causes a major problem for the district authorities.
the drawings are already in place. Sufficient care was
The approach till now had been to view it as a law and
taken by the planners to make use of the government
land with the minimum land acquisition from private order problem and tackle it accordingly. Raids, arrest,
parties. Compensation rate for private parties was also police cases, and criminal trials – all these had only
finalised as per government rules. Care was also taken to limited impact. The problem remains as serious as ever.
minimise deforestation. Once the project is announced, it Your inspections show that the parts of the district where
is expected that there will be a huge spurt in real estate the distillation flourishes are economically, industrially
prices in and around that area. Meanwhile, the Minister and educationally backward. Agriculture is badly affected
concerned insists that you realign the road in such a by poor irrigation facilities. Frequent clashes among
way that it comes closer to his 20 acres farmhouse. He communities gave a boost to illicit distillation. No major
also suggests that he would facilitate the purchase of a initiatives had taken place in the past either from the
big plot of land in your wife’s name at the prevailing rate government’s side or from social organisations to improve
which is very nominal, in and around the proposed mega
the lot of the people. Which new approach will you adopt
road project. He also tries to convince you by saying that
to bring the problem under control?
there is no harm in it as he is buying the land legally. He
even promises to supplement your savings in case you (250 words, 20 marks)
do not have sufficient funds to buy the land. However,
by the act of realignment, a lot of agricultural lands has Approach
to be acquired, thereby causing a considerable financial z Identifying the issue, ethical aspects & stakeholders.
burden on the government, and also the displacement z Discuss the moral issues involved with the
of the farmers. As if this is not enough, it will involve unauthorised sale of the liquor.
cutting down a large number of trees denuding the area z Explain your approach to control the situation.
of its green cover. Faced with this situation, what will you
z Conclude by citing the vicious cycle between
do? Critically examine various conflicts of interest and
unemployment and crime and methods to provide
explain what your responsibilities are as a public servant.
employment.
(250 words)
Case-Study: 2017 Case Studies: 2018
A building permitted for three floors, while being
extended illegally to 6 floors by a builder, collapses. As a A big corporate house is engaged in manufacturing
consequence, a number of innocent labourers including industrial chemicals on a large scale. It proposes to set
women and children died. These labourers are migrants upon the additional unit. Many states rejected its proposal
from different places. The government immediately due to the detrimental effect on the environment. But one
announced cash relief to the aggrieved families and state government acceded to the request and permitted
arrested the builder. Give reasons for such incidents the unit close to a city, brushing aside all opposition. The
taking place across the country. Suggest measures to unit was set up 10 years ago and was in full swing till
prevent their occurrence. (250 Words) recently. The pollution caused by the industrial effluents
was affecting the land, water and crops in the area. It
Approach was also causing serious health problems to human
z Identifying the issue, ethical aspects & stakeholders. beings and animals. This gave rise to a series of agitation
z Analyse the conflicting values and conflict of thousands of people took part, creating a law and order
interests.
problem necessitating stern police action. Following
z Suggest measures for containing the conflict of
the public outcry, the State government ordered the
interest.
closure of the factory. The closure of the factory resulted
z Discuss the debate between development and
in the unemployment of not only those workers who
sustainable livelihood methods.
were engaged in the factory but also those who were
z Identify the roles and duties as a public servant.
working in the ancillary units. It also very badly affected
z Choose the best possible course of action.
those industries which depended on the chemicals
z Conclude with the importance of professional
manufactured by it. As a senior officer entrusted with the
ethics and the need for proactive disclosure of
information. responsibility of handling these issues, how are you going
to address it? (250 words)

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Approach Case-Study: 2017

z Identify the issue, ethical aspects & stakeholders. You are a Public Information Officer (PIO) in a government
z Analyse the socio economic and environmental department. You are aware that the RTI Act 2005 envisages
impact in holistic nature. transparency and accountability in administration. The
z Explore various possible alternatives and weigh act has functioned as a check on the supposedly arbitrarily
them by merits. administrative behaviour and actions. However, as a PIO
z Recommend various steps to be undertaken to you have observed that there are citizens who filed RTI
control the menace and provide a long term applications not for themselves but on behalf of such
solution to the problem. stakeholders who purportedly want to have access to
z Response to the situation by choosing the best information to further their own interests. At the same
possible course of action. time there are these RTI activists who routinely file
RTI applications and attempt to extort money from the
Case-Study: 2018 decision makers. This type of RTI activism has affected
the functioning of the administration adversely and also
Edward Snowden, a computer expert and former
possibly jeopardises the genuineness of the applications
CIA administrator, released confidential Government
which are essentially aimed at getting justice. What
documents to the press about the existence of Government
surveillance programmes. According to many legal experts measures would you suggest to separate genuine and
and the US Government, his action violated the Espionage non-genuine applications? Give the merits and demerits
act of 1971, which identified the leak of State secrets as of your suggestions. (250 Words, 20)
an act of treason. Yet, despite the fact that he broke the
Approach
law, Snowden argued that he had a moral obligation to act. z Identify the stakeholders involved here and ethical
He gave a justification for his “whistle blowing” by stating concerns you are facing as a stakeholder in this
that he had a duty “to inform the public as to that which is case study.
done in their name and that which is done against them.” z Recognize the presence of both genuine and non-
According to Snowden, the Government’s violation of genuine RTI applications, which can impact the
privacy had to be exposed regardless of legality since more functioning of the administration and the legitimacy
substantive issues of social action and public morality were of the RTI process.
involved here. Many agreed with Snowden. Few argued z Discuss the need to differentiate between
that he broke the law and compromised national security, applications aimed at seeking justice and those
for which he should be held accountable. driven by personal interests or extortion.
Do you agree that Snowden’s actions were ethically z Summarise the suggested measures, highlighting
justified even if legally prohibited? Why or why not? Make the importance of maintaining the integrity of the
an argument by weighing the competing values in this RTI Act while differentiating between genuine and
case (250 words, 20 marks) non-genuine applications.
Approach
z Analyse the case of Edward Snowden, who Case-Study: 2017
leaked confidential government documents about You are an honest and responsible civil servant .You often
surveillance programs. observe the following:
z Explain the conflict between the legality of his 1. There is a general perception that by adhering to
actions and the ethical justification he provided ethical conduct one may face difficulties to oneself
for his whistleblowing.
and cause problems for the family, whereas unfair
z Discuss the competing values in this case, which practices may help to reach the career goals.
include the importance of upholding the law,
maintaining national security, protecting individual 2. When the number of people adopting unfair means
privacy rights, and promoting transparency and is large, a small minority having a penchant towards
accountability in government actions. ethical means makes no difference.
z Conclude with your personal perspective on 3. Sticking to ethical means is detrimental to the larger
whether Snowden’s actions were ethically justified, developmental goals
considering the ethical principles, potential 4. While one may not involve oneself in large unethical
consequences, and the broader implications for practices, giving and accepting small gifts makes the
society, privacy, and government transparency.
system more efficient.

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Examine the above statements with their merits and Case Studies: 2016
demerits. (250 Words) Land needed for mining, dams and other large-scale
projects is acquired mostly from Adivasis, hill dwellers
Approach and rural communities. The displaced persons are paid
z Analyse each statement individually to understand monetary compensation as per the legal provisions.
the perspectives presented.
However, the payment is often tardy. In any case, it cannot
z Identify the underlying assumptions and
sustain the displaced families for long. These people do
implications of each statement regarding ethical
not possess marketable skills to engage in some other
conduct and its impact on personal and professional
outcomes. occupation. They end up as low paid migrant labourers.
Moreover, their lives are destroyed. Thus, the benefits
z Highlight the role of civil servants and leaders
in setting an example of ethical conduct and of traditional ways of community development go to
promoting a culture of integrity in governance and industries, industrialists and urban communities whereas
public service. the costs are passed on to these poor helpless people.
z Summarise the key points emphasising the This unjust distribution of costs and benefits is unethical.
importance of ethical conduct for personal, Suppose you have been entrusted with the task of drafting
professional, and societal well-being. a better compensation-cum-rehabilitation policy for such
displaced persons, how would you approach the problem
Case-Study: 2016 and what would be the main elements of your suggested
Saraswati was a successful IT professional in the USA. policy? (250 words)
Moved by the patriotic sense of doing something for the Approach
country she returned to India. Together with some other z Identify the stakeholders involved and ethical
like-minded friends, she formed an NGO to build a school issues involved in this case.
for a poor rural community. z Assess the situation:
The objective of the school was to provide the best quality z Recognize the unjust distribution of costs and
modern education at a nominal cost. She soon discovered benefits that arise from land acquisition for large-
scale projects, resulting in the displacement of
that she had to seek permission from a number of
Adivasis, hill dwellers, and rural communities.
Government agencies. The rules and procedures were
z Emphasise the importance of addressing the ethical
quite confusing and cumbersome. What frustrated her concerns and ensuring a fair distribution of costs
most was the delays, callous attitude of officials and and benefits in the process of land acquisition for
constant demand for bribes. Her experience and the large-scale projects.
experience of many others like her has deterred people
from taking up social service projects. Case Studies: 2015
A measure of Government control over voluntary social
There is a disaster-prone State having frequent landslides,
work is necessary. But it should not be exercised in a
forest fires, cloudbursts, flash floods and earthquakes, etc.
coercive or corrupt manner. What measures can you Some of these are seasonal and often unpredictable. The
suggest to ensure that due control is exercised but magnitude of the disaster is always unanticipated. During
well meaning, honest NGO efforts are not thwarted? one of the seasons, a cloudburst caused devastating
(25 marks) floods and landslides leading to high casualties. There
was major damage to infrastructure like roads, bridges
Approach and power generating units. This led to more than
z Assess the current situation and identify the
100000 pilgrims, tourists and other locals trapped across
stakeholders.
different routes and locations. The people trapped in your
z Highlights the importance of ensuring government
control over voluntary social work. area of responsibility included senior citizens, patients
in hospitals, women and children, hikers, tourists, the
z Streamline Regulatory Procedures.
ruling party’s regional president along with his family,
z Whistleblower Protection and Grievance Redressal.
and additional jail staff. As secretary State and prisoners
z Online Portal and Information Dissemination.
in jail.
z Conclude with the importance of the strike a As a civil services officer of the State, what would be the
balance between exercising control and supporting
order in which you would rescue these people and why?
well-meaning, honest NGO efforts.
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1. Educated rural youth are trying to shift to urban areas;
Approach
z Assessing the Situation: 2. Landless poor people are migrating to urban slums;
z Gather information about the extent of the 3. Even some farmers are selling off their land and trying
disaster, including the affected areas, the number to settle in urban areas taking up petty jobs.
of people trapped, and the severity of the damage 4. What feasible steps can you suggest which will be
to infrastructure.
effective in controlling this serious problem of our
z Establish a priority order for rescuing the trapped
country?
individuals based on the urgency of their situations
and the level of risk they face.
z Coordinating Rescue Efforts.
Approach
z This case study requires holistic knowledge of
z Justify the order of evacuation. the relation between poverty and unemployment
which is leading to the migration among rural
Case Studies: 2014 youth.
Now-a-days, there is an increasing thrust on economic z Provide an overview of the increasing rural-urban
development all around the globe. At the same time, migration and its impact on both rural and urban
there is also an increasing concern about environmental areas.
degradation caused by development. Many a time, we z Analysis of the Problem: Explore the socio-
face a direct conflict between developmental activity economic, emotional, and attitudinal factors
contributing to the migration issue.
and environmental quality. It is neither feasible to stop
z Reasons for Migration:
or curtail the development process, nor it is advisable to
z Educated rural youth: Examine the pull factors
keep degrading the environment, as it threatens our very
and opportunities attracting educated individuals
survival.
to urban areas.
Discuss some feasible strategies which could be adopted to
z Landless poor people: Discuss the factors driving.
eliminate this conflict and which could lead to sustainable
development. (250 words)
Case-Study: 2013
Approach In the following questions, carefully study the cases
z Introduce the concept of the increasing conflict
presented and then answer the questions that follow:
between economic development and environmental
degradation. A Public Information Officer has received an application
z Understanding the Conflict: under RTI Act. Having gathered the information, the
z Discuss the reasons behind the conflict, such as PIO discovers that the information pertains to some
the pursuit of economic growth without adequate of the decisions taken by him, which were found to be
consideration for environmental impacts. not altogether right. There were other employees also
z Explain the consequences of unchecked who were party to these decisions. Disclosure of the
development on ecosystems, biodiversity, natural information is likely to lead to disciplinary action with
resources, and climate change. possibility of punishment against him as well as some
z In conclusion, highlight the need for feasible
of his colleagues. Non-disclosure or part disclosure or
strategies to achieve sustainable development,
considering both economic growth and camouflaged disclosure of information will result in
environmental protection. lesser punishment or no punishment.
The PIO is otherwise an honest and conscientious person
Case Studies: 2014 but this particular decision, on which the RTI application
In our country, the migration of rural people to towns has been filed, turned out to be wrong. He comes to you
and cities is increasing drastically. This is causing serious for advice.
problems both in the rural as well as in the urban areas. The following are some suggested options. Please evaluate
In fact, things are becoming really unmanageable. Can the merits and demerits of each of the options:
you analyse this problem in detail and indicate not only 1. The PIO could refer the matter to his superior officer
the socio-economic but also the emotional and attitudinal and seek his advice and act strictly in accordance
factors responsible for this problem? Also, distinctly bring with the advice, even though he is not completely in
out why— agreement with the advice of the superior.

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2. The PIO could proceed on leave and leave the matter
z Proceeding on leave or requesting transfer of the
to be dealt by his successor in office or request for application.
transfer of the application to another PIO. z Consulting colleagues who were party to the
decision.
3. The PIO could weigh the consequences of disclosing
z Choose an appropriate option and provide ethical
the information truthfully, including the effect on his and practical reasons for choosing that option.
career, and reply in a manner that would not place
him or his career in jeopardy, but at the same time a Case-Study: 2013
little compromise can be made on the contents of the As a senior officer in the Finance Ministry, you have access
to some confidential and crucial information about policy
information. decisions that the Government is about to announce.
4. The PIO could consult his other colleagues who are These decisions are likely to have a far-reaching impact
on the housing and construction industry. If the builders
party to the decision and take action as per their
have access to this information beforehand, they can
advice. make huge profits. One of the builders has done a lot of
quality work for the Government and is known to be close
5. Also please indicate (without necessarily restricting
to your immediate superior, who asks you to disclose this
to the above options) what you would like to advise, information to the said builder. (20 marks)
giving proper reasons. (20 marks) 1. What are the options available to you?
2. Evaluate each of these options and choose the option
which you would adopt, giving reasons.
Approach
z Identify the stakeholders, issues and ethical aspects. Approach
z Identify the Options Available and evaluate each z Identify the issues and ethical aspects.
option. z Identify the Options Available.
z Referring the matter to the superior officer and z Evaluate each option.
acting strictly according to their advice. z Choose the Preferred Option and Provide Reasons.
v v v

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Ethics and
8 Emerging Technologies
8.1 INTRODUCTION Ethical considerations include preserving human

control, promoting transparency, and maintaining
z Emerging technologies refer to innovative and
meaningful human-AI collaboration.
advancing fields of technology that have the
z Autonomous Weapons and Warfare: The
potential to significantly impact various aspects of
development of autonomous weapons systems raises
society. As these technologies continue to evolve,
moral issues related to the delegation of lethal
ethical considerations become increasingly important.
decision-making to machines. Concerns include a
z They are innovative in the sense that they promise lack of human control, the potential for indiscriminate
new and better solutions to the world’s challenges. use, and the erosion of ethical considerations in armed
z They are still in development in the sense that none conflicts.
or a limited number of products or services have z Job Displacement and Economic Impact:
been created from them. These technologies are AI automation has the potential to disrupt
expected to generate significant economic value various industries and lead to job displacement.
and activity. Ethical considerations involve addressing the
Here are some examples of emerging technologies socio-economic impact, ensuring retraining
and their associated ethical implications: opportunities, and fostering a just transition for
affected workers.
8.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
z Bias and Discrimination: AI systems can perpetuate
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer biases present in training data, leading to
science that focuses on creating intelligent machines discriminatory outcomes in areas such as hiring,
capable of performing tasks that typically require human loan approvals, or criminal justice. Ensuring
intelligence. It involves developing computer systems fairness and avoiding discrimination is a significant
and algorithms that can learn, reason, problem-solve, ethical challenge in AI development.
and make decisions similar to how humans do. z Privacy and Data Protection: AI relies on vast amount
Examples of AI applications include virtual assistants of data, raising concerns about the privacy and security
like Siri and Alexa, self-driving cars, fraud detection of personal information. Ethical considerations
systems, and personalized recommendations on include obtaining informed consent, protecting
online platforms. sensitive data, and preventing unauthorized
Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a range of ethical and access or misuse.
moral issues that need careful consideration. Here are z Accountability and Transparency: AI systems can
some key concerns: be complex, making it challenging to understand their
z Ethical Decision-Making by AI: AI systems may need decision-making processes. The lack of transparency
to make ethical decisions in certain situations, such as raises concerns about accountability, as it becomes
autonomous vehicles choosing between potential difficult to determine who is responsible for the
accidents. Determining the ethical principles to outcomes or to address potential errors or biases.
program AI systems and addressing the complexities z Economic and Social Inequality: AI can exacerbate
of ethical dilemmas is a critical ethical challenge. existing inequalities if access to and benefits from
z Human-AI Interaction and Dependence: As AI AI technologies are concentrated in the hands of
becomes more integrated into our daily lives, there are a few. Ensuring equitable distribution of AI
concerns about overreliance on AI systems, erosion of benefits and opportunities is an important ethical
human skills, and potential loss of human agency. consideration.
Examples Illustrating the Conclusion:
As AI technologies continue to advance and integrate
Unethical Use of AI into various aspects of our lives, it is imperative to
z Deepfake Manipulation: AI algorithms can prioritize ethical guidelines and ensure responsible use.
generate highly convincing deepfake content,
The ethical consideration of AI is not only essential for
such as manipulated images or videos, that can
be used to deceive and manipulate people. This maintaining public trust but also for shaping a future
raises ethical concerns regarding misinformation, where AI technologies are harnessed for the betterment
identity theft, and the potential for misuse in of humanity. It is our collective responsibility to ensure
various contexts, including politics and public that AI advances ethically, benefiting individuals and
discourse. society as a whole.
z Algorithmic Trading Manipulation: AI
algorithms used in financial markets can be 8.3 VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) AND
manipulated for personal gain. High-frequency
trading, for instance, can exploit market AUGMENTED REALITY (AR)
fluctuations at an unprecedented speed,
Virtual Reality (VR) transports users to a simulated
potentially leading to market manipulation, unfair
advantage, and increased volatility. digital environment that can be entirely different from
the real world. It typically involves wearing a VR headset
Ethics guidelines for Trustworthy AI issued that covers your eyes and ears, blocking out the real
world and immersing you in a virtual environment. VR
European Commission:
is commonly used in gaming, training simulations,
1. Human Agency And Oversight: AI systems should virtual tours, and even therapeutic applications.
both act as enablers to a democratic, flourishing and Augmented Reality (AR), on the other hand, presents
equitable society by supporting the user’s agency, virtual elements onto the real world, enhancing the real-
fostering fundamental rights and allowing for human world environment with additional digital information.
oversight. AR is experienced through devices like smartphones,
2. Technical Robustness And Safety: AI systems need tablets, or smart glasses, which use cameras to capture
to be resilient and secure. the real-world view and overlay virtual objects or
information onto it.
3. Privacy & Data Governance: Besides ensuring full
For example, AR can be used to display digital information
respect for privacy and data protection, adequate
on top of a real-life image, such as showing directions on
data governance mechanisms must also be ensured, a live map or placing virtual furniture in your living
considering the quality and integrity of the data, & room to see how it would look.
ensuring legitimized access to data. Some of the Ethical Consideration related to VR and
4. Transparency: AI systems should be based upon AR is given below:
the principle of explainability, and encompass z Privacy and Data Security:
transparency and communication of the elements Concern: VR/AR devices collect and process
involved: the data, the system and the business personal data, raising concerns about privacy and
models. data security.
5. Diversity, Non-Discrimination And Fairness: Example: A VR application may track user
Involves avoidance of unfair bias, encompassing movements, interactions, and physiological
accessibility, universal design and stakeholder responses, which can be sensitive and require
participation throughout the lifecycle of AI systems appropriate data protection measures to prevent
unauthorized access or misuse.
apart from enabling diversity and inclusion.
z Ethical Use and Content:
6. Societal And Environmental Wellbeing: AI systems
should benefit all human beings, including future Concern: VR/AR technologies can be used to
generations. It must hence be ensured that they are create and distribute harmful, offensive, or
sustainable and environmentally friendly. unethical content.
7. Accountability: The requirement of accountability Example: VR/AR experiences that depict violence,
complements other requirements and is closely linked hate speech, or explicit content can have negative
to the principle of fairness. social and psychological impacts, necessitating

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guidelines and regulations to ensure responsible z Identity and Authenticity: The Metaverse blurs the
content creation and distribution. lines between real and virtual identities. There is
z Digital Divide and Access: an ethical concern about identity theft, impersonation,
and the creation of fake personas that can lead to
Concern: Access to VR/AR technologies may
fraudulent activities or deception within the virtual
be limited, potentially exacerbating existing environment.
inequalities. z Digital Divide and Inclusion: The Metaverse
Example: VR/AR devices and experiences can be can exacerbate existing inequalities, creating a
expensive, and their availability may be limited to digital divide between those who have access to
certain demographics or geographic areas. This the necessary technologies and resources and those
can create a digital divide, where some individuals who do not. Ethical considerations involve ensuring
equitable access, and inclusivity, and addressing
have access to enhanced experiences while others
potential discrimination or exclusion based on
do not. socio-economic status or other factors.
z Ethical Representation and Bias: z Intellectual Property and Copyright: In the
Concern: VR/AR applications should strive for Metaverse, users can create and share virtual
fair and inclusive representation, avoiding bias assets, designs, and content. Ethical issues arise in
and stereotypes. protecting intellectual property rights, preventing
unauthorized copying or distribution, and ensuring
Example: If AR applications overlay digital fair compensation for creators and innovators.
information on real-world objects or people, there z Psychological and Social Impacts: The immersive
is a risk of reinforcing biases or perpetuating nature of the Metaverse can have psychological and
stereotypes based on race, gender, or other social effects on users. Ethical concerns revolve
characteristics. Ethical considerations involve around addiction, virtual addiction, mental health,
ensuring diverse and inclusive representations. and the impact on real-life relationships and social
interactions.
Conclusion z Ethical Representation and Cultural
Appropriation: Within the Metaverse, users can
Addressing these ethical concerns requires industry
create avatars and virtual environments that
standards, guidelines, and regulations. Developers and may represent different identities, cultures, or
providers of VR/AR technologies need to prioritize communities. Ensuring respectful representation,
user safety, privacy, and inclusive content creation. avoiding cultural appropriation, and promoting
Transparency, informed consent, and user education are diversity and inclusivity are important ethical
vital in promoting responsible use and mitigating potential considerations.
ethical issues associated with VR and AR technologies. Conclusion
Metaverse and Ethical Issues Associated By proactively addressing these ethical issues, we can
strive towards a future Metaverse that enriches lives,
With It promotes positive experiences, and upholds the values
The metaverse refers to a virtual reality space or and principles that guide our real-world interactions.
a collective virtual shared space where people can Ethical considerations should guide the development,
interact with each other and digital objects in a three- deployment, and regulation of Metaverse technologies,
ensuring that it becomes a realm that benefits society as
dimensional environment. It is often envisioned as an
a whole while respecting the rights and dignity of its users.
immersive and interconnected digital universe that
extends beyond individual virtual reality experiences
8.4 ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION
The concept of the Metaverse, a virtual shared space
created by the convergence of virtual reality (VR), Robotics and Automation are two interconnected fields
augmented reality (AR), and the internet, presents that involve the use of technology to automate tasks and
several ethical issues. Here are some of the ethical perform operations with minimal human intervention.
concerns associated with the Metaverse: Robotics refers to the design, development, and
z Privacy and Data Security: In the Metaverse, users operation of robots. A robot is a mechanical device
engage in virtual interactions, create avatars, and share programmed to perform specific tasks or actions. These
personal information. Ethical concerns arise regarding tasks can range from simple repetitive actions to complex
the collection, storage, and use of user data, as movements and interactions with the environment.
well as the potential for unauthorized access, data Robots can be found in various industries, such as
breaches, and misuse of personal information. manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and even in
Ethics and Emerging Technologies 225

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our daily lives (e.g., robotic vacuum cleaners). Conclusion
Automation, on the other hand, is the process of using The societal impact of robotics and automation must
technology to perform tasks or control systems be evaluated. It is important to consider the broader
automatically, without the need for direct human implications of these technologies on society, including
involvement. It involves the use of software, sensors, and economic disparities, ethical dilemmas, and human-
control systems to monitor and control various processes. robot interaction. Careful thought should be given to
Automation aims to streamline operations, improve ensuring that the benefits of robotics and automation are
efficiency, and reduce human error. distributed equitably and that human values and rights
are respected.
Some of the ethical considerations are:
z Displacement and Economic Impact: 8.5 BIOTECHNOLOGY AND
Concern: Robotics and automation can lead BIOENGINEERING
to job displacement, impacting workers and
Biotechnology and bioengineering are rapidly advancing
communities.
fields that involve the application of biological principles,
Example: Increased automation in manufacturing tools, and techniques to develop innovative solutions
may result in reduced employment opportunities for various sectors. One example of biotechnology
for human workers, leading to socio-economic and bioengineering is the development of Genetically
challenges such as unemployment and income Modified Crops (GMOs). However, they also raise
inequality. important ethical considerations. Here are some key
z Ethical Use and Responsibility: ethical aspects of biotechnology and bioengineering:
z Genetic Manipulation and Modification:
Concern: Robots and autonomous systems must
Concern: Genetic engineering and modification of
be programmed and used ethically and responsibly.
organisms can have ethical implications.
Example: Military drones used for warfare
Example: Genetically modified crops raise
raise concerns about the ethical implications of
concerns about potential environmental impacts,
delegating lethal decision-making to machines and
unknown long-term effects on human health, and
the potential for unintended civilian casualties.
the ownership and control of genetically modified
z Safety and Liability: organisms (GMOs).
Concern: Ensuring the safety of robots and z Cloning and Reproductive Technologies:
autonomous systems and determining liability for Concern: Cloning and assisted reproductive
accidents or harm. technologies raise ethical questions related to
Example: Self-driving cars raise questions about human dignity, identity, and the moral status of
who is responsible in the event of an accident - the cloned or genetically modified individuals.
vehicle manufacturer, the software developer, or Example: The cloning of animals or potentially
the vehicle owner. even humans raises concerns about individuality,
z Human-Machine Interaction and Autonomy: autonomy, and the potential for exploitation or
misuse of the technology.
Concern: Maintaining meaningful human
z Biosecurity and Dual-Use Research:
control over robotic systems and considering the
Concern: Biotechnology advancements can have
appropriate level of autonomy.
both beneficial and harmful applications, posing
Example: Medical robots assisting in surgical
biosecurity risks.
procedures should ensure that human surgeons
Example: Developments in synthetic biology, such
retain ultimate decision-making authority and
as the creation of potentially dangerous pathogens,
responsibility for patient care.
raise concerns about the intentional or accidental
z Ethical Design and Bias: release of harmful organisms and the need for
Concern: Designing robots and AI systems robust security measures.
with ethical considerations, avoiding biases and z Access and Equity:
discriminatory behaviours. Concern: Ensuring equitable access to
Example: AI-based hiring systems in recruitment biotechnology advancements and avoiding
should be designed to eliminate biases and ensure disparities between developed and developing
fair and equal opportunities for all candidates, regions.
regardless of race, gender, or other protected Example: The availability and affordability of
characteristics. life-saving biotechnological treatments, such as

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gene therapies or personalized medicines, raise Example: Ensuring that the exploitation of
concerns about equitable access, especially for extraterrestrial resources, such as minerals or
marginalized communities and economically water, benefits all nations and does not lead to
disadvantaged regions. monopolization or exploitation by a few powerful
z Informed Consent and Human Subject Research: entities.
Concern: Conducting research involving human z Human Health and Well-being:
subjects requires informed consent, privacy Concern: Safeguarding the health and well-being
protection, and ethical considerations. of astronauts during space travel and potential
Example: Clinical trials testing new long-term colonization.
biotechnological interventions should adhere to Example: Providing adequate healthcare,
ethical principles, ensuring that participants fully radiation protection, and psychological support
understand the risks, benefits, and implications of for astronauts exposed to prolonged space
their involvement in the research. conditions and the challenges of living in isolated
z Environmental Impact and Ecological Ethics: and confined environments.
Concern: Biotechnological applications can have
z Space Debris and Sustainability:
environmental consequences and raise ethical Concern: Mitigating the creation of space debris
considerations regarding the preservation of and ensuring the long-term sustainability of space
ecosystems. activities.
Example: Implementing responsible space debris
Example: The release of Genetically Modified
Organisms into the environment, such as management practices, including debris removal
genetically modified mosquitoes for disease and designing satellites and spacecraft for
controlled re-entry or disposal at the end of their
control, necessitates careful risk assessment,
operational life.
environmental impact studies, and public
engagement. z Cultural and Indigenous Rights:
Concern: Respecting the cultural heritage and
Conclusion rights of indigenous peoples in relation to space
By addressing ethical considerations, we can harness exploration and colonization.
the potential of biotechnology and bioengineering while Example: Recognizing and involving indigenous
maintaining a strong ethical foundation. It is through communities in decision-making processes

responsible practices and ethical frameworks that we regarding the use of their ancestral lands or
can create a future where biotechnological advancements territories for space-related activities, ensuring
contribute to the betterment of humanity and the their cultural values and rights are upheld.
preservation of our planet. z International Cooperation and Collaboration:
Concern: Promoting international cooperation,
8.6 SPACE EXPLORATION AND collaboration, and sharing of benefits in space
COLONIZATION exploration and colonization.
Example: Encouraging collaborative efforts
Space exploration and colonization are areas of scientific among nations, international space agencies, and
and technological advancement that present unique ethical private entities to foster peaceful exploration,
considerations. Here are some key ethical aspects avoid conflicts, and promote the common good of
associated with space exploration and colonization: humanity.
z Planetary Protection and Environmental Ethics:
Concern: Preserve the integrity of celestial bodies
Conclusion
and avoid contamination from Earth. Space exploration raises ethical questions regarding the
preservation of celestial bodies, protection of indigenous
Example: Strict protocols are followed to prevent
life forms, and responsible resource utilization.
contamination of celestial bodies with microbes
Colonization efforts bring up issues of equity, governance,
from Earth to protect potential extraterrestrial
and the impact on celestial environments. It is through
life and maintain the scientific value of pristine thoughtful consideration of ethical implications that
environments. we can embark on space exploration and colonization
z Resource Allocation and Fairness: endeavours that contribute to scientific progress,
Concern: Equitable distribution and utilization of technological advancements, and the well-being of both
resources in space exploration and colonization. Earth and potential future space habitats.

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8.7 ETHICAL CHALLENGE OF GENE z Ethical Frameworks and Regulation: Developing
robust ethical frameworks and regulations for gene
EDITING editing is essential. These frameworks should involve
interdisciplinary collaboration, public engagement,
Introduction and international consensus to address the complex
Gene editing, particularly with the CRISPR-Cas9 system, ethical considerations associated with gene editing
presents several ethical issues that need careful and provide guidance for responsible research and
consideration. Here are some of the key ethical clinical applications.
concerns associated with gene editing:
z Human Germline Editing: One of the primary ethical Conclusion
concerns is the editing of genes in human embryos, These ethical issues highlight the need for a thoughtful
sperm, or eggs (germline cells). Altering the germline and inclusive dialogue involving scientists, policymakers,
could potentially introduce genetic changes that will ethicists, healthcare professionals, and the public to
be inherited by future generations, raising questions ensure that gene editing technologies are developed
about the long-term impact on human evolution, and used in a manner that upholds ethical principles,
genetic diversity, and unintended consequences. promotes social good, and considers the potential impact
z Ethical Use in Enhancements: Gene editing on individuals and society as a whole.
technologies have the potential to be used for non-
therapeutic purposes, such as enhancing certain 8.8 CHALLENGES RELATED TO
physical or cognitive traits. This raises concerns DESIGNER BABIES
about creating a divide between those who can afford
Designer babies refer to the concept of using genetic
enhancements and those who cannot, exacerbating
engineering and reproductive technologies to select
existing social inequalities and potentially leading to
or modify certain traits in unborn child. This involves
a “designer baby” scenario.
manipulating the genetic makeup of embryos to enhance
z Informed Consent: Ensuring informed consent is desired characteristics or eliminate undesirable ones.
crucial when it comes to gene editing, particularly in While the idea of creating genetically modified
the context of human clinical trials. There are ethical children raises potential benefits and possibilities, it
considerations around providing individuals with also presents significant ethical considerations.
comprehensive information about the risks, benefits, z Ethical concerns of Eugenics: The pursuit of designer
uncertainties, and potential long-term consequences babies can be seen as a form of eugenics, raising
of gene editing, allowing them to make autonomous ethical concerns about the selection and manipulation
decisions about participating in such interventions. of traits based on societal ideals or preferences.
z Off-Target Effects and Unintended Consequences: This can lead to discrimination, stigmatization, and
Gene editing techniques are not yet entirely precise, and devaluation of individuals who do not meet the
there is a risk of off-target effects where unintended desired criteria.
genetic alterations occur. This raises concerns about z Slippery Slope: The concern with designer babies is
potential unforeseen consequences and long-term the potential for a slippery slope toward more extreme
effects on the health and well-being of individuals who forms of genetic manipulation. The technology could
undergo gene editing. be misused or extended beyond medical necessity,
z Equity and Access: The ethical question of equitable leading to a society where genetic enhancement
access to gene editing technologies is critical. Ensuring becomes the norm, with implications for social
that these technologies are accessible to all, rather than inequality and the commodification of human life.
being limited to certain individuals or communities, z Informed Consent: The ethical principle of
is important to prevent exacerbating existing social informed consent is crucial when it comes to genetic
disparities and creating a divide between those who modification. It raises questions about the rights and
have access to genetic interventions and those who autonomy of the unborn child and the parent’s
do not. responsibility to make decisions on their behalf.
z Safety and Long-Term Effects: Ethical considerations Ensuring that parents have access to accurate and
involve adequately assessing the safety and long-term unbiased information about the risks, benefits, and
effects of gene editing interventions before they are long-term consequences of genetic modification is
applied in clinical settings. Thorough preclinical and vital.
clinical research, rigorous regulatory oversight, and z Unintended Consequences And Genetic Diversity:
ongoing monitoring are necessary to ensure the safety Altering the genetic makeup of individuals may have
and well-being of individuals who undergo gene unintended consequences on their health and well-
editing procedures. being. Additionally, there are concerns about the

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potential impact on genetic diversity if certain traits z Algorithmic Bias and Manipulation: The algorithms
are consistently selected or eliminated, leading to a used by social media platforms to curate content
loss of variation within the gene pool and potential and personalize user experiences can introduce
vulnerabilities to new diseases or environmental biases and manipulation. This raises concerns
challenges. about echo chambers, filter bubbles, and the
z Social Implications: The availability and affordability potential for reinforcing existing biases or polarizing
of genetic modification technologies raise concerns viewpoints. Ethical considerations involve ensuring
about social inequality. If only the wealthy have transparency in algorithmic decision-making,
access to these technologies, it could exacerbate promoting diversity and inclusivity in content
existing disparities and create a further divide recommendations, and addressing the potential
between the genetically enhanced and non- for manipulation and algorithmic discrimination.
enhanced populations. z Impact on Mental Health and Well-being:
Excessive use of social media, along with the constant
Conclusion comparison, validation-seeking, and curated portrayals
As society progresses and scientific advancements of life, can have detrimental effects on individuals’
continue, it is crucial to engage in open and inclusive mental health and well-being. Ethical considerations
discussions that involve various stakeholders, including include promoting digital well-being, encouraging
experts, policymakers, ethicists, and the general public. responsible use of social media, and providing
These discussions should explore the ethical implications, resources and support for those affected by the
risks, and potential long-term consequences associated negative impacts of social media.
with the pursuit of designer babies.
z Influence on Children and Vulnerable Individuals:
8.9 ETHICAL CONCERNS RELATED TO Young users may be exposed to inappropriate content,
cyberbullying, and harmful online behaviours.
SOCIAL MEDIA Moreover, social media can contribute to feelings
Ethical concerns related to social media have become of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and body image
increasingly significant in today’s digital age. While issues, particularly among young users. Ethical
social media platforms provide opportunities for considerations involve implementing age-appropriate
connectivity, information sharing, and community content filters, enforcing stricter guidelines for
building, they also raise several ethical considerations protecting minors, and promoting digital literacy and
that need to be addressed. responsible use of social media among children and
z Misinformation and Disinformation: Social media vulnerable populations. Platforms like YouTube or
has become a breeding ground for the spread of TikTok, highlight the need for enhanced protections
misinformation and disinformation, which can have and age-appropriate guidelines.
significant societal consequences. False or misleading
information can easily go viral, influencing public Conclusion
opinion, political discourse, and even public health It is vital to foster an ethical culture within social media
initiatives. platforms that values transparency, user empowerment,
Example: The spread of false information during and the protection of individual rights. Striking a balance
the COVID-19 pandemic, such as conspiracy between freedom of expression and responsible content
theories and misleading remedies, has had moderation is crucial in maintaining a healthy digital
detrimental effects on public health efforts and ecosystem. Additionally, promoting digital literacy, critical
vaccine acceptance. thinking, and empathy can help users navigate the social
z Online Harassment and Cyberbullying: The media landscape in an ethical and responsible manner.
anonymity and wide reach of social media
can embolden individuals to engage in harmful 8.10 ETHICAL ISSUES INVOLVED IN
behaviours. Ethical considerations include OTHER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
implementing effective reporting mechanisms,
enforcing strict community guidelines, and fostering z Blockchain Technology:
a positive and safe online environment. Ethical Concerns: Blockchain technology raises
Example: Instances of cyberbullying on platforms concerns related to data privacy, security, and the
like Twitter or Instagram, where individuals are potential for facilitating illegal activities.
subjected to relentless harassment, threats, or Example: Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin have
online shaming, demonstrate the negative impact been associated with money laundering and illicit
on victims’ mental well-being. transactions.

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z Genetic Engineering and Gene Editing: z Biometrics:
Ethical Concerns: Genetic engineering and Ethical Concerns: Biometric technologies raise
gene editing pose ethical dilemmas regarding concerns about privacy, consent, and potential
consent, genetic discrimination, and unintended misuse of personal biometric data.
consequences. Example: The use of facial recognition technology
Example: CRISPR-Cas9, a gene-editing tool, raises in public spaces raises questions about invasion of
privacy and potential biases in identification.
questions about the ethical implications of altering
the human genome.
8.11 WAY FORWARD FOR ETHICS IN
z Internet of Things (IoT):
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
Ethical Concerns: IoT raises concerns about data
security, privacy, and potential misuse of personal z Develop Ethical Frameworks: Establish
information. comprehensive ethical frameworks that address the
Example: Smart home devices that collect and unique challenges posed by emerging technologies.
transmit data about individuals’ daily activities These frameworks should incorporate principles
raise concerns about privacy breaches and data such as accountability, transparency, privacy, and
security. inclusivity to guide the development and use of these
z 5G Technology: technologies.
Ethical Concerns: 5G technology raises concerns z Foster Collaboration: Encourage collaboration
about data privacy, cybersecurity, and potential among various stakeholders, including technology
health risks. developers, policymakers, ethicists, researchers,
Example: The deployment of 5G networks and the and civil society organizations. Collaborative
increased connectivity of devices raises questions efforts can help identify and address ethical concerns,
about the security of personal data and the promote responsible practices, and ensure the
potential for cyberattacks.
benefits of emerging technologies are maximized
z Renewable Energy Technologies: while minimizing potential harm.
Ethical Concerns: Renewable energy technologies z Promote Ethical Education and Training:
raise concerns about environmental impact,
Enhance ethical education and training programs
resource distribution, and social equity.
for technology professionals and stakeholders
Example: The development and implementation of
involved in the development, deployment, and
large-scale solar or wind energy projects may lead
governance of emerging technologies. This will raise
to land-use conflicts and potential displacement of
awareness about ethical considerations and equip
communities.
individuals with the knowledge and skills to make
z Nanotechnology:
ethically informed decisions.
Ethical Concerns: Nanotechnology raises
z Implement Ethical Impact Assessments: Integrate
concerns about health and environmental risks, as
well as potential misuse in surveillance or weapon ethical impact assessments into the design and
development. development processes of emerging technologies.
These assessments should evaluate the potential
Example: The use of nanomaterials in consumer
products raises questions about their long-term ethical implications, societal impacts, and risks
effects on human health and the environment. associated with the technologies, helping to identify
z Quantum Computing: and address any ethical concerns proactively.
Ethical Concerns: Quantum computing raises z Engage in Public Discourse: Foster open and
concerns about data security, encryption, and the inclusive public discourse on ethical considerations
potential for disrupting current cryptographic related to emerging technologies. Engage citizens,
systems. community organizations, and advocacy groups to
Example: The development of powerful quantum ensure that a wide range of perspectives are taken
computers may pose risks to sensitive information into account. This will promote public understanding,
and require new encryption methods to maintain raise awareness, and enable collective decision-
data security. making on ethical issues.

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z Establish Regulatory Frameworks: Develop and z Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation: Implement
enforce regulatory frameworks that govern the ethical mechanisms for continuous monitoring and evaluation
development, deployment, and use of emerging of the ethical implications and societal impacts
technologies. These frameworks should balance of emerging technologies. Regular assessments
innovation and societal well-being, ensuring ethical will help identify evolving ethical concerns, adapt
ethical frameworks accordingly, and ensure ongoing
standards are upheld and providing mechanisms for
compliance with ethical standards.
accountability and oversight.
z Foster International Cooperation: Foster Conclusion
international cooperation and collaboration on ethics By implementing these measures, we can promote a
in emerging technologies. Encourage the sharing of responsible and ethical approach to the development
best practices, knowledge, and experiences across and deployment of emerging technologies. This will
countries and regions. This will help establish global enable us to harness the transformative potential of
norms and standards for ethical practices and ensure these technologies while upholding principles of fairness,
consistency in addressing ethical challenges. privacy, accountability, and societal well-being.
v v v

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9 Ethics: Miscellaneous Topics
9.1 SUPERIOR’S DIRECTIVE VERSUS The conflict between a superior’s directive and the
PUBLIC GOOD public good poses ethical dilemmas for civil servants.
Prioritizing public safety over blind obedience is crucial.
The conflict between a superior’s directive and the public Taking a stand for the greater good involves reporting
good refers to a situation where a decision or action violations, advocating for proper procedures, and
instructed by someone in a position of authority goes
upholding ethical standards. By acting responsibly,
against what is considered beneficial for the general
public or the greater good of society. civil servants safeguard the public interest and maintain
institutional integrity.
Example
z Imagine you work for a government agency 9.2 ENTREPRENEURIAL GOVERNMENT
responsible for inspecting and approving
construction projects to ensure they meet safety An entrepreneurial government refers to a government
standards. One day, your superior instructs that adopts entrepreneurial and innovative approaches
you to overlook certain safety violations in a to solving problems and delivering public services. It
building project because the developer has involves embracing a business-like mindset and applying
close connections to influential people in the entrepreneurial principles such as creativity, risk-taking,
government. By doing so, your superior wants to and adaptability to drive positive change and enhance
expedite the project’s approval process and avoid
public service delivery.
potential conflicts.
z However, as a civil servant, your primary Osborne and Gaebler proposed a ten-point program
responsibility is to protect the public and for entrepreneurial government, which emphasizes
ensure their safety. You notice that these safety the following principles:
violations are significant and could potentially lead
1. Encouraging competition among diverse providers of
to hazardous conditions for future occupants. If
you follow your superior’s directive, you would goods and services.
compromise the public good by allowing an 2. Empowering citizens by reducing bureaucratic
unsafe building to be approved and constructed. control.
z In this situation, you face a dilemma between 3. Evaluating performance based on outcomes, not just
obeying and following your superior’s
inputs.
instructions and upholding the public good. To
act ethically, you may need to take a stand for the 4. Focusing on mission-driven approaches rather than
public good by documenting the safety violations, rigid rules and regulations.
reporting the issue to your higher authorities or 5. Viewing clients as customers and offering them
appropriate regulatory bodies, and advocating for
choices.
a thorough inspection and adherence to safety
standards. This action prioritizes the safety 6. Emphasizing preventive measures rather than reactive
and well-being of the future occupants over solutions.
following your superior’s directive. 7. Prioritizing effective and efficient spending, not just
z It’s important to note that as a civil servant, the act of spending money.
your duty is to serve the public and uphold the
law. Sometimes, this may mean challenging the 8. Embracing participatory management and involving
instructions of your superiors when it conflicts stakeholders in decision-making.
with the public good. By taking a stand for what 9. Preferring market mechanisms over bureaucratic
is right, you contribute to the integrity and processes.
trustworthiness of the civil service, ensuring that
10. Encouraging collaboration among public, private, and
the public’s interests are protected.
voluntary sectors to address community problems.
The entrepreneurial role of the government z An entrepreneurial government embraces innovation
encompasses the following aspects: and proactive approaches to deliver public services.
It prioritizes outcomes, citizen empowerment,
z Investment in New Units: The government invests in
and collaboration. By adopting entrepreneurial
industries that require significant capital investments
or are deemed essential for the nation’s interests and principles, civil servants drive positive change,
enhance public welfare. foster growth, and enhance community well-being.
They create customer-centric experiences through
z Acquisition of Existing Units: The government
initiatives like user-friendly apps and stakeholder
acquires financially distressed or unprofitable units
involvement, becoming catalysts for progress.
with the aim of reviving them. A merger scheme was
introduced in 1977 to encourage the amalgamation of
ailing units with healthy ones, allowing tax benefits 9.3 NEW PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
for the absorbing units. (NPA)
z Nationalization: Certain industries are exclusively
reserved for the public sector, with the government New Public Administration (NPA) refers to a modern
taking ownership and control over them. approach to public administration that focuses on citizen
participation, social equity, and responsiveness to
Government investment is usually seen in the societal needs. It aims to bring about positive change
following industries: and improve public service delivery by emphasising
z Industries involving high risk, like heavy and basic collaboration, transparency, and accountability.
industries. In simpler terms, NPA is about making government more
z Capital intensive industries. people-centred and ensuring it works effectively
z Industries with a low rate of return. and fairly for everyone. It recognizes the importance
z Industries with long gestation periods. of involving citizens in decision-making processes and
z Industries of national importance. addressing their needs and concerns.
Example Features of New Public Administration
z Imagine you work for a local government agency
The New Public Administration (NPA) exhibits several
responsible for tourism promotion in your city.
Traditionally, the agency has relied on conventional distinct features:
methods like brochures and advertisements to z Prescriptive Nature: NPA is characterized by a
attract tourists. prescriptive approach, providing guidelines and
z However, as a civil servant with an entrepreneurial recommendations for effective public administration
mindset, you recognize the potential for using practices.
technology and social media to reach a wider
audience and engage with tourists more z Value-Based Concept: NPA recognizes the importance
effectively. You propose innovative ideas such as of values in public administration and emphasizes
creating a user-friendly mobile app that provides ethical considerations and the public interest.
information about local attractions, interactive z Orientation towards Change: NPA is focused
maps, and personalized recommendations.
on adapting to changing realities and addressing
z By introducing these entrepreneurial approaches,
emerging challenges in public administration.
you aim to enhance the overall tourist experience,
boost visitor numbers, and increase revenue for z Flexibility and Dynamism: NPA encourages flexibility
local businesses. You collaborate with tech- and responsiveness to better meet the evolving needs
savvy professionals, local entrepreneurs, of society.
and community stakeholders to develop and
z Influence on Policies: NPA aims to influence policies
implement these initiatives.
that enhance the quality of work and is competent in
z Through your entrepreneurial government
mindset, you embrace a proactive and dynamic implementing such policies.
approach to delivering public services. You seek z Client-Oriented Approach: NPA places emphasis on
out opportunities, take calculated risks, and the needs and expectations of citizens, considering
constantly adapt to changing circumstances them as clients of public administration.
to achieve better outcomes for the community.
This entrepreneurial spirit allows you to drive z People’s Participation: NPA advocates for the
innovation, foster economic growth, and create active involvement of people in the decision-making
a positive impact on the city’s tourism industry. processes of public administration, promoting
participatory governance.
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Theme of New Public Administration The Major Landmarks of New Public
z The New Public Administration (NPA) is a movement Administration
that emerged in the 1960s in response to the perceived z Honey Report (1967): The Honey Report, officially
shortcomings of traditional public administration. known as “Personnel Administration in the Public
The NPA emphasized the importance of public Service,” highlighted the need for comprehensive
participation, responsiveness to citizen needs, and reforms in public administration, focusing on
social equity in public administration. personnel management, training, and recruitment to
z The four major themes of New Public improve government performance.
Administration are: z Philadelphia Conference (1967): The Philadelphia
Conference brought together scholars, practitioners,
1. Relevance: The NPA emphasized the importance of
and policymakers to discuss the challenges and
public administration being relevant to the needs
opportunities in public administration. It emphasized
of citizens. This meant that public administrators
the importance of citizen participation, accountability,
should be responsive to the needs of citizens and
and responsiveness in the functioning of government
should be willing to work with citizens to solve agencies.
problems.
z Minnowbrook Conference (1968): The
2. Values: The NPA also emphasized the importance Minnowbrook Conference was a significant gathering
of values in public administration. This meant of public administration scholars that focused on the
that public administrators should be guided by a role of public administration in a changing society. It
set of values, such as social equity, fairness, and called for a shift towards collaborative governance,
efficiency. addressing social equity, and embracing new methods
of public management.
3. Participation: The NPA also emphasized
the importance of citizen participation in z Important Publications: Various publications
public administration. This meant that public contributed to the development of New Public
administrators should encourage citizens to Administration, including “Public Administration
and the Public Interest” by Dwight Waldo, which
participate in the decision-making process and
emphasized the ethical and value-based dimensions
should be willing to share power with citizens.
of public administration, and “The Politics of
4. Change: The NPA also emphasized the importance Bureaucracy” by B. Guy Peters, which explored the
of change in public administration. This meant that political dynamics within bureaucratic institutions.
public administrators should be willing to change These publications provided theoretical frameworks
the way they do things in order to meet the needs and insights into the principles and practices of the
of citizens. New Public Administration movement.
Difference Between Old Public Administration and New Public Administration
Aspect Old Public Administration New Public Administration
Bureaucratic structure and hierarchy. Citizen-centric approach, responsiveness, and
Focus
efficiency.
Decision-making Centralized, top-down approach. Decentralized, participatory approach.
Emphasis on compliance with rules and Emphasis on outcomes and results-based
Accountability
regulations. accountability.
Citizen Engagement Limited citizen participation. Increased citizen participation and involvement.
Stable administration and routine Innovation, adaptability, and continuous
Goal
processes. improvement.
Flexibility Rigid and bureaucratic. Flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances.
Limited transparency and public access Transparency, openness, and accountability.
Transparency
to information.
Problem-solving Reactive problem-solving. Proactive problem-solving and prevention.
Emphasis on following procedures and Emphasis on efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and
Efficiency
protocols. service delivery.
Public Service Emphasis on bureaucracy and red tape. Emphasis on customer-oriented services and
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Example z Additionally, the hospital sets clear performance

z Imagine you work for a local government targets for its staff, monitors their performance
department responsible for urban planning. regularly, and rewards outstanding
Traditionally, decisions regarding city development achievements. This approach creates a sense of
were made without much input from the community, accountability and encourages employees to strive
resulting in projects that didn’t always align with for excellence in their roles.
the needs and aspirations of the residents. z By embracing NPM principles, the hospital
z However, with the adoption of NPA principles, becomes more efficient, patient-centred, and
your department decides to engage the local accountable. It aims to provide quality healthcare
community in the planning process. You services in a cost-effective manner, ensuring that
organize public meetings, workshops, and public resources are used efficiently and that
online surveys to gather feedback and ideas patients receive the care they need promptly.
from residents. This inclusive approach allows z New Public Management (NPM) makes government
community members to express their concerns, more business-like, emphasizing efficiency,
share their vision for the city, and participate in effectiveness, and accountability. It borrows
decision-making. management techniques from the private sector to
z Based on the input received, your department streamline operations and improve results. NPM aims to
modifies the urban development plans to address enhance public service delivery by cutting bureaucracy
the community’s priorities. You ensure that and promoting a results-oriented approach.
affordable housing, green spaces, and improved
infrastructure are incorporated into the plans to 9.5 CUSTODIAL VIOLENCE AND
promote social equity and enhance the quality
of life for all residents. TORTURE
z Custodial violence and torture refer to acts of
New Public Administration (NPA) focuses on citizen
violence, abuse, and torture that occur when
participation, social equity, and responsive public
individuals are in the custody of law enforcement
service delivery. It involves involving the community in
decision-making and addressing their needs. agencies, such as police or correctional facilities. It
involves physical, psychological, or emotional harm
9.4 NEW PUBLIC MANAGEMENT (NPM) inflicted upon people who are detained, arrested,
or held in custody.
z New Public Management (NPM) is an approach to
public administration that emphasizes efficiency, z Custodial violence and torture occur when people
effectiveness, and accountability by borrowing in the custody of the authorities are subjected
management techniques from the private sector. It to harmful treatment. This can involve physical
aims to make government operations more business- violence like beatings or torture methods, as well
like and results-oriented. as psychological abuse, such as humiliation or
z In simpler terms, NPM is about running government intimidation.
agencies more efficiently, like a well-managed
business. It focuses on achieving tangible outcomes, According to the NHRC
cutting unnecessary bureaucracy, and holding public There were over 12,000 cases of custodial violence
officials accountable for their performance. reported in India in 2021. These cases often go
Example unreported, and the perpetrators of violence are rarely
brought to justice.
z Let’s consider a government hospital that adopts
NPM principles. Traditionally, the hospital may
have been characterized by long waiting times, Recent Examples
inefficient processes, and a lack of accountability. z On February 17, 2023, a 20-year-old man named
z However, with the implementation of NPM, Jayaraj and his 58-year-old father, Fenix, were
hospital management introduces reforms to arrested by the Sathankulam police in Tamil Nadu
streamline operations. They identify bottlenecks on charges of selling spurious alcohol. The two men
and implement measures to reduce waiting were allegedly beaten and tortured by the police
times, such as better appointment systems and in custody, and they died within hours of their
improved patient flow management. The focus arrest. The incident sparked widespread outrage
shifts towards delivering timely and quality in India, and there have been calls for the police
healthcare services to patients. officers involved to be held accountable. The National
Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also taken

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suo motu cognizance of the case and has ordered imprisonment for those who cause grievous hurt in
an investigation. police custody.
z In 2021, a 22-year-old man named Akil was arrested z The Supreme Court of India: It has also issued
by the police in Uttar Pradesh on charges of theft. He several judgments to address the problem of custodial
was allegedly beaten and tortured by the police in violence. These judgements include:
custody, and he died a few days later. The D.K. Basu guidelines: These guidelines were
z In 2020, a 16-year-old boy named Junaid was issued in 1994 and they set out several measures
arrested by the police in Haryana on charges of that should be taken to prevent custodial violence.
carrying beef. He was allegedly beaten and tortured
These measures include the right to be informed
by the police in custody, and he died a few days later.
of the reasons for arrest, the right to be produced
z In 2019, a 23-year-old man named Altaf was arrested
before a magistrate within 24 hours of arrest, and
by the police in Uttar Pradesh on charges of being
the right to be examined by a doctor.
a Maoist. He was allegedly beaten and tortured by the
police in custody, and he died a few days later. The Prakash Singh guidelines (2006): These
guidelines were issued in 2006 and they set out
Ethical Issues Involved several measures to improve the functioning of the
z Human Dignity: Custodial violence undermines the police. These measures include the establishment
inherent dignity of individuals, violating the principle of independent police complaint authorities and
of fair and respectful treatment for all. the creation of a system of police accountability.
z Human Rights: Custodial violence infringes upon z Some state governments have also taken steps
basic human rights, including the right to life, liberty, to address the problem of custodial violence. For
security, and protection from torture or degrading example, the state government of Maharashtra
treatment. has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT)
z Abuse of Power: Custodial violence represents an to investigate cases of custodial violence. The state
abuse of authority, breaching the trust placed in law government of Tamil Nadu has also introduced a
enforcement and custodial agencies.
new law that makes it mandatory for police officers
z Accountability and Justice: Holding perpetrators to inform the family of a person arrested, within 24
accountable for custodial violence is crucial to
hours of the arrest.
promote ethical behaviour, deterring future abuses,
and restoring faith in the justice system. Way Forward
z Prevention and Duty to Protect: Taking preventive
measures is an ethical obligation to minimize the z Strengthening the laws against custodial violence:
occurrence of custodial violence and ensure a safe The laws against custodial violence need to be
environment for individuals in custody. strengthened so that those who commit these crimes
z Professional Ethics: Custodial violence contradicts are punished.
professional ethics, which demand respecting rights, z Improving police accountability: The police need to
upholding the law, and serving the public interest, be held accountable for their actions, even when they
eroding trust in the profession. are found to have committed custodial violence. This
can be done by creating independent police complaint
Measures Taken authorities and by strengthening the system of police
z The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993: This Act accountability.
established the National Human Rights Commission
z Changing the culture of impunity: The culture of
(NHRC) and state human rights commissions. The
impunity needs to be changed so that people who
NHRC has the power to investigate cases of human
rights violations, including custodial violence. commit custodial violence are punished. This can
be done by raising awareness about the problem of
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
has issued several advisories to the States and custodial violence and by ensuring that the police are
Union Territories, setting out the steps that they held accountable for their actions.
should take to prevent custodial violence. z The right to a fair trial: Custodial violence and
These advisories include the establishment of torture can also violate the right of individuals to a
CCTV cameras in police stations, the training of fair trial. This is because they can be used to coerce
police officers on human rights, and the provision confessions or to intimidate witnesses.
of legal aid to victims of custodial violence. z Increasing the value internalisation segment in
z The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013: This police training: There needs to be a reinvigoration
Act introduced new provisions to the Indian Penal in police training. The focus must shift from law
Code to deal with custodial violence. These provisions enforcers to facilitators of human rights and public
include the death penalty for custodial deaths and life welfare. Law and order must be seen as a means to

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improve the liberty experience of citizens rather than to the presence of a soul or the inherent dignity of
disciplining the citizens. human life. These viewpoints emphasize the sanctity
of life and consider it unethical to sacrifice one life for
9.6 ETHICS OF EARLY EMBRYO the benefit of others.
RESEARCH z Value judgement of human qualities: Human
abilities are put into categories of superior and inferior
Recently, research on embryonic stem cells sparked
debate over its ethical concerns, hence it becomes ones. This has the potential to solidify prejudices
important to study the issues involved. and discrimination against people lacking so called
superior qualities.
Introduction
z Embryonic stem cell research refers to scientific Way Forward
investigations conducted on embryonic stem cells, z Ethical Conduct of Research: It is crucial that all
which are derived from human embryos. research involving stem cells, including early embryos,
z Embryonic stem cell research presents a complex is carried out in an ethical manner with appropriate
ethical dilemma, as it requires a choice between oversight and adherence to established guidelines and
two moral principles: regulations.
1. The duty to prevent or z Public Engagement and Dialogue: Societal
2. Alleviate suffering and the duty to respect the discussions should continue to explore the ethical
value of human life. dimensions of early embryo research, involving
z The key question revolves around the moral status diverse perspectives and values. Public engagement
of the early embryo and whether it should be can contribute to developing regulations and policies
considered a person or not. that strike a balance between the pursuit of scientific
Ethical Arguments in Favor of progress and respect for the value of human life.
Alternative Research Approaches: Efforts should
Early Embryo Research z
be made to explore and develop alternative research
z Embryo’s Developmental Potential: The early
approaches that do not involve the destruction of
embryo, before implantation in the uterus, lacks the
capacity to develop into a fully formed human being. embryos. This includes exploring the potential of
Therefore, it can be argued that it does not possess adult stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and
the same moral status as a fully developed person. other innovative technologies.
z Surplus Embryos: Fertility clinics often create more
embryos than can be implanted, leading to the disposal Conclusion
of surplus embryos. Utilizing these excess embryos for The ethics of early embryo research pose a profound
research purposes offers a way to derive potential moral dilemma, balancing the potential benefits
benefits from them rather than discarding them. of medical advancements and alleviating suffering
z Medical Advancements and Saving Lives: Early against the intrinsic value and moral status of the early
embryo research, particularly in the field of embryonic embryo. The ongoing dialogue and consideration of
stem cells, holds the potential to uncover new medical diverse perspectives will shape the ethical framework
treatments that can alleviate suffering and improve the
within which this research is conducted, ensuring that
quality of life for many individuals. The pursuit of such
research may outweigh the destruction of embryos if scientific progress is achieved responsibly and ethically.
it leads to significant medical breakthroughs.
9.7 ETHICS OF WAR
Ethical Arguments Against Early
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has
Embryo Research raised significant ethical concerns regarding the use of
z Potential to Develop into a Full Human: The central force and the conduct of warfare.
ethical concern revolves around the belief that the
early embryo has the potential to develop into a Introduction
complete human being. This perspective argues that z The ethics of war is a complex and contentious
intentionally destroying the embryo for research subject that examines the moral implications of
purposes is equivalent to taking a human life. engaging in armed conflict.
z Religious and Philosophical Perspectives: Various z It involves evaluating the justifications for resorting
religious and philosophical traditions hold the belief to war, the conduct of warfare, and the consequences
that the embryo possesses moral significance due of war on individuals and society.

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z Ethical principles such as legitimate authority, and prisoners of war, should be protected from
just cause, proportionality, and protection of non- deliberate harm.
combatants guide the evaluation of the ethical Proportionality: The use of force must be
justifiability of war.
proportionate to the military objective and should
z The ethics of war also considers the adherence to
not cause unnecessary harm or suffering.
international laws and conventions, the promotion
of humanitarian values, and the pursuit of peaceful Military Necessity: Actions taken during the war
conflict resolution. must be militarily necessary to achieve the desired
objective. Unnecessary destruction or harm is
The Just War Theory considered ethically unacceptable.
z The Just War Theory is a framework that provides z By adhering to these principles, the Just War Theory
principles and criteria for determining the ethical seeks to establish a moral framework for assessing the
justification for going to war and conducting
ethical implications of engaging in armed conflict and
warfare.
guiding decision-making in times of war.
z It has a historical foundation, dating back to the
contributions of St. Augustine in the 5th century Consequences of War
and St. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century.
The consequences of war are significant and have far-
z The theory consists of two main branches: Jus ad
reaching impacts on various aspects of society. Some
bellum and Jus in Bello. Jus ad bellum focuses on the
justifications for resorting to war, while Jus in Bello of the common consequences include:
deals with ethical conduct during war. These branches z Loss of Life and Suffering: War often leads to the
work together to ensure that war is conducted in a loss of human lives, including both military personnel
morally responsible manner. and civilians. It causes physical injuries, psychological
z According to the principles of the Just War Theory, trauma, and emotional suffering for individuals and
a war must meet several criteria to be considered their families.
ethically justifiable: z Mass Destruction of Property: Wars involve the
Legitimate Authority: A recognized and use of weapons and military tactics that can result
legitimate governing authority, typically a state or in the destruction of infrastructure, homes, cultural
a government, must decide to go to war. heritage sites, and public amenities. This damage can
Just Cause: The war must have a just cause, such
take years or even decades to rebuild, further affecting
as self-defence against an aggressor, protection of
the affected communities.
innocent lives, or restoration of justice.
z Negative Economic Impact: Wars have a detrimental
Right Intention: The intention behind waging war
should be morally upright, aiming to achieve a just effect on the economy, including disruption of trade,
and peaceful outcome rather than pursuing self- damage to infrastructure, and loss of productive
interest or revenge. capacity. Resources that could have been allocated to
Probability of Success: There should be a development and welfare are redirected to military
reasonable chance of achieving the desired expenditures, resulting in economic instability and
objectives of the war. A futile or hopeless war is hardship for the population.
considered unjust. z Impacts on Livelihoods: War disrupts the normal
Last Resort: War should be the last resort, functioning of society, including agriculture, industry,
employed only after all peaceful means of resolving and commerce. The displacement of populations,
the conflict have been exhausted. destruction of livelihoods, and disruption of supply
Proportionality: The harm caused by the
chains can lead to poverty, food insecurity, and loss
war must be proportional to the good that is
of employment opportunities.
sought to be achieved. Excessive use of force or
disproportionate damage is deemed unjust. z Denial of Basic Human Rights: During the war,
z In addition to these principles, there are three key human rights violations are often committed, including
principles that guide the conduct of war (Jus in arbitrary arrests, torture, forced displacement, sexual
Bello): violence, and denial of access to healthcare and
Discrimination: The distinction must be made education. These violations undermine the dignity and
between combatants and non-combatants. Non- well-being of individuals and communities affected by
combatants, such as civilians, medical personnel, the conflict.

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International Laws and Conventions Pertaining to the War

z The Geneva Conventions form the cornerstone of international humanitarian law.
z They outline the legal framework for the protection of individuals who are not directly
Geneva participating in hostilities, including civilians, medical personnel, and prisoners of war.
Conventions z The conventions establish rules on the humane treatment of individuals during armed
and Additional conflicts, prohibition of torture, and respect for fundamental human rights.
Protocols z The Additional Protocols provide further protections and address issues such as the use
of certain weapons, the protection of victims in non-international armed conflicts, and the
identification of combatants and legitimate targets.
z Article 2(4) of the UN Charter emphasizes the principle of non-intervention, prohibiting
UN Charter the use of force or the threat of force against the territorial integrity or political independence
Principle of Non- of any state.
Intervention z The Russian attack on Ukraine is seen as a violation of this principle and constitutes
aggression under international law.
z This resolution provides a definition of aggression, stating that it involves the use of armed
UN General force by one state against the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or political independence of
Assembly another state.
Resolution 3314
z It also recognizes that allowing one’s territory to be used by another state for aggression
(1974)
against a third state qualifies as an act of aggression.
z The UDHR is a landmark document that sets out fundamental human rights and freedoms.
z It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 and serves as a global
standard for protecting human rights.
Universal
z The UDHR emphasizes the inherent dignity and equal rights of all individuals, irrespective
Declaration of
of their nationality or status.
Human Rights
(UDHR) z It includes rights such as the right to life, liberty, and security, the prohibition of torture
and cruel treatment, and the right to a fair trial.
z The UDHR provides a moral and legal framework that guides the international community
in promoting freedom, equality, and justice.
Ways to Promote Ethics in War of affected populations, particularly civilians and

z Strengthen International Agreements: Enhance vulnerable groups.
compliance with existing conventions and expand/ z Promoting Ethical Research and Innovation:
update them to address emerging challenges in Encourage research and innovation in military
warfare. technology and tactics that align with ethical principles,
z Education and Training: Provide comprehensive such as minimizing civilian harm, respecting human
education on ethical principles and laws of armed rights, and promoting peaceful outcomes.
conflict to military personnel. z Cultivate a Culture of Respect: Foster a culture within
z Ethical Decision-Making: Prioritize ethical military institutions that values and promotes respect
considerations in military decision-making processes. for human rights, non-combatant immunity, and the
z Promoting Ethical Leadership: Nurture a culture principles of proportionality and discrimination.
of ethical leadership within military organisations, z Promote Peaceful Conflict Resolution: Prioritize
emphasizing the importance of leaders who exemplify diplomacy, negotiation, and peaceful means to resolve
and uphold ethical values and principles. conflicts, aiming to prevent the need for armed
z Investing in Conflict Prevention and Resolution: intervention.
Prioritize efforts to prevent conflicts and promote z Uphold Accountability and Justice: Establish robust
peaceful resolution through diplomacy, negotiation, mechanisms to hold individuals accountable for war
and mediation, reducing the need for military crimes and human rights violations, promoting justice
intervention. and deterring future unethical actions.
z Promoting Humanitarian Assistance: Facilitate and z Dialogue and Diplomacy: Emphasize peaceful
support humanitarian aid and assistance efforts in negotiations and diplomatic solutions to prevent
conflict zones, ensuring the well-being and protection unnecessary wars.

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z Public Awareness and Engagement: Raise public dilemmas, and fostering a sense of disinterestedness
awareness about the ethical dimensions of war and impartiality. These qualities help administrators
through education and discussions. navigate complex situations and inspire others.
z Dharma and Governing Principles: The concept of
Conclusion dharma in the Gita identifies the essential ideas and
The ethics of war encompass principles and guidelines governing principles of our cultural life. Administrators
that aim to ensure the moral justifiability of engaging in can draw upon these principles to uphold justice,
armed conflict. The Just War Theory, rooted in historical righteousness, and harmony in their decision-making
contributions by St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, and policies.
provides a framework consisting of two main branches: z Karma Yoga and Jnana Yoga: The Gita presents the
Jus ad bellum (justifications for resorting to war) and paths of karma yoga (the path of selfless action) and
Jus in Bello (ethical conduct during the war). These jnana yoga (the path of knowledge) as ways to attain
branches work together to establish criteria for the ethical eternal bliss and truth. Administrators can apply these
justification of war, including legitimate authority, just paths by performing their duties with dedication,
cause, right intention, probability of success, last seeking knowledge, and pursuing self-improvement.
resort, and proportionality.
z Integration of Social and Individual Welfare: The
Gita emphasizes the synthesis of individual and social
9.8 ROLE OF BHAGWAT GITA IN
interests. It recognizes the importance of personal
ADMINISTRATION growth while highlighting the interconnectedness of
individuals within a society.
Introduction z Nishkama Karma: The Gita promotes selfless
z The Bhagavad Gita is a sacred Hindu scripture actions, detached from personal desires and ego, as
found within the Mahabharata epic. It consists a path to integrity and spiritual growth. By removing
of a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord attachments and focusing on duty, individuals can
Krishna, exploring profound questions about life, lead a life of ethical conduct.
duty, and spirituality. z Non-Attachment to Fruits of Action: The Gita
z The Gita emphasizes the concept of dharma, emphasizes that individuals have the right to work, but
presenting various paths to spiritual enlightenment, not to control the outcomes or fruits of their actions.
including Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Jnana Yoga. Administrators can embrace this teaching by focusing
z It offers guidance on righteous living, self-realization, on their duties and actions, without being attached
and devotion to a higher power. to personal rewards or outcomes, thus reducing the
z The teachings of the Gita have had a profound stress and anxiety associated with success or failure.
influence on Indian philosophy and continue to inspire z Synthesis of Enjoyment and Austerity: The Gita
individuals worldwide in their spiritual journeys. provides a balanced approach to life, integrating
enjoyment and asceticism. It encourages individuals
Role of Bhagwat Gita in Administration to divinise their passions and find harmony between
The Bhagavad Gita provides valuable insights for material pursuits and spiritual growth.
administrators in various aspects: z Guiding Daily Duties: The Gita offers guidance on
z Detachment and Duty: The Gita emphasizes that it fulfilling one’s daily duties according to one’s nature
is not enough to simply perform one’s duty, but to and role. It provides a framework for understanding
do so with detachment from personal desires and and performing ethical actions in everyday life.
outcomes. Administrators can apply this principle to z Determinism and Freedom of Will: The Gita
carry out their responsibilities selflessly, focusing on synthesizes the concepts of determinism and freedom
the well-being of society rather than personal gains. of will. It acknowledges the role of God in controlling
z Virtue Theory: The Gita highlights virtues essential outcomes while emphasizing the importance of
for righteous administration, such as maintaining a individual determination and self-submission to
calm and unagitated mind, being firm in decision- divine action.
making, remaining impartial and content in one’s z Resolution of Ethical Dilemmas: Gita’s teachings on
duty, and treating friend and foe, honour and disgrace, detachment and selfless action can assist in resolving
with equanimity. These virtues guide administrators ethical dilemmas, particularly those arising from
in their actions and interactions. conflicts between self-interest and public benefit.
z Leadership Development: The Gita provides z Universal Relevance: Gita’s message is universally
guidance for developing effective leadership qualities, comprehensive and timeless. Its teachings hold value
such as emotional intelligence, resolving ethical in contemporary society, guiding individuals towards

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a balanced and ethical way of life, particularly in times z Altering Human Behavior and Beliefs: In
when materialism threatens social harmony. authoritarian regimes, AI technologies are being
z Role in Governance: The ethical teachings of employed to manipulate the behaviour and belief
the Gita can guide public servants in practising systems of populations. For instance, in Xinjiang,
effective, accountable, and inclusive governance. By China, face recognition and surveillance technologies
emphasizing ethical behaviour, decision-making, and are used to control and suppress Uighur Muslims.
creating an ethical workplace, it can contribute to Similarly, social credit score systems are being
ethical governance practices. developed to assess and control the behaviour of
citizens, limiting personal freedoms and autonomy.
Conclusion z Subduing Human Intelligence and Capability:
In conclusion, the Bhagavad Gita plays a significant role The increasing reliance on AI systems for decision-
in administration by providing valuable insights into making in military security may diminish the role
detachment, duty, virtue, leadership, and ethical of human intelligence and experience. While AI can
decision-making. It emphasizes the integration of social provide data-driven analysis, it lacks the contextual
and individual welfare, promotes selfless actions, and offers understanding, intuition, and strategic thinking that
guidance on fulfilling daily duties. The Gita’s teachings human decision-makers possess.
on non-attachment, enjoyment, and austerity, as well z Emotional Intelligence and Empathy: AI lacks
as its synthesis of determinism and freedom of will, have emotional intelligence and empathy, which are crucial
universal relevance. By applying the principles of the Gita, in military security operations. Human soldiers rely
administrators can foster ethical governance practices on camaraderie, emotional support, and empathy
and create a harmonious and inclusive environment. in challenging circumstances. AI-controlled or
autonomous systems cannot provide the same level
9.9
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) of emotional support, potentially impacting morale
IN MILITARY SECURITY: ETHICAL and the well-being of military personnel.
ISSUES z Proportionality in Warfare: The introduction of
AI in military operations may lead to an escalation
Recently the Netherlands hosted the first global in violence and destruction. Autonomous weapons
conference on the use of AI in the military in which all and AI-driven decision-making may result in
the major military powers of the world including India disproportionate responses and collateral damage,
were invited. raising concerns about adherence to the principles of
proportionality and minimizing harm.
Introduction z Accountability and Responsibility: In traditional
z As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to advance and warfare, individuals can be held accountable for
play an increasingly prominent role in military security, violations of ethical principles and face consequences
it is essential to address the ethical considerations for war crimes. However, the involvement of automated
that arise. machines and AI systems complicates the issue of
z AI technology enables computers to emulate human accountability. Machines cannot be held morally
thinking and decision-making by analyzing data and responsible for their actions, raising questions about
responding accordingly. the allocation of responsibility and accountability for
z However, as AI surpasses human capabilities, it unethical or cruel acts.
becomes crucial to ensure that ethical principles
governing human conduct are given due consideration Steps can be Taken
prior to deploying AI in military contexts. To navigate the ethical issues surrounding the use
of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in military security, the
Ethical Issues Involved following steps can be taken:
Artificial intelligence (AI) in military security raises z Ethical Frameworks: Develop comprehensive ethical
significant ethical concerns that must be addressed frameworks specific to the use of AI in military
before its deployment. These ethical issues include: security. These frameworks should address privacy
z Violation of Privacy and Human Rights: The use of rights, human rights, proportionality in warfare,
AI tools for surveillance and patrolling can threaten accountability, and other relevant ethical concerns.
the right to privacy and other fundamental human They should provide guidance for decision-making and
rights, particularly in border and insurgency-ridden establish principles for responsible AI deployment.
areas. The extensive capabilities of AI in gathering z International Collaboration: Foster international
and analyzing data may encroach upon individual collaboration and dialogue among nations to establish
freedoms. global norms and regulations regarding the use of AI

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in military security. This can help ensure a unified measures ensure the responsible use of AI, uphold human
approach and prevent unethical practices. values, and safeguard individual rights.
z Ethical Guidelines and Training: Develop clear
ethical guidelines for military personnel and AI 9.10 CENTRALISATION AND MONOPOLY
developers involved in military security. Provide
training programs that focus on the responsible Introduction
and ethical use of AI, emphasizing human oversight,
adherence to international laws and conventions, z Centralization and monopoly are terms that refer to
and the importance of maintaining human values in the concentration of power and control within a
decision-making processes. single entity or a small group of entities.
z Public Engagement and Transparency: Foster z The consolidation of authority or influence in
public engagement and awareness about the use one central entity is referred to as centralization,
of AI in military security. Encourage open dialogue, whereas monopoly occurs when a single corporation
transparency, and accountability by involving the or group controls a certain market, eliminating or
public, civil society organizations, and experts in considerably decreasing competition.
discussions and decision-making processes. This can z These ideas create ethical problems about justice,
help mitigate concerns, build trust, and ensure that competition, and the possibility of misuse.
societal values are considered in AI deployment.
z Human-Machine Collaboration: Emphasize the Understanding Centralization
importance of human oversight and control in AI and Monopoly
systems used in military security. Promote the idea
of humans and machines working together, with AI z Centralization:
systems augmenting human decision-making rather Definition and Scope: Centralization is the
than replacing it entirely. This approach can ensure a concentration of power, authority, or control in
balance between the capabilities of AI and the ethical a single entity or a small group of entities. With
considerations of human judgment. a hierarchical organization, decision-making is
z Continuous Evaluation and Adaptation: Establish frequently centralized at the top.
mechanisms for ongoing evaluation and assessment Ethical Considerations:
of AI systems deployed in military security. Regularly Fairness and Accountability: Concerns
review the ethical implications and impact of AI concerning the equitable distribution of
applications, making necessary adjustments and power and decision-making authority arise as
updates to align with evolving ethical standards and a result of centralization. Power abuses can
societal values.
occur when there is a lack of transparency and
z Multidisciplinary Approach: Promote a accountability.
multidisciplinary approach to AI development and
Participation and Representation: In order
deployment in military security. Involve experts from
to ensure various perspectives and avoid
diverse fields, including ethics, law, social sciences,
and philosophy, to provide diverse perspectives and marginalization of voices, inclusive decision-
ensure a holistic consideration of ethical implications. making processes are essential.
z Ethical Audits and Certification: Implement z Monopoly: Market Domination
mechanisms for conducting ethical audits and Definition and Scope: A monopoly occurs when
certification of AI systems used in military security. a single firm or group dominates a market,
Independent third-party organizations can assess the exercising exclusive control over the supply of
ethical practices and compliance of AI technologies goods or services. As a result, there is little or no
to ensure adherence to established ethical standards. competition.
Ethical Considerations:
Conclusion
Competition and Innovation: Monopolies
AI integration into military security raises ethical concerns,
stifle competition, which can stifle innovation,
including privacy violations, manipulation, diminishing
human intelligence, lack of empathy, proportionality, and reduce incentives for quality improvement, and
accountability challenges. To address these concerns, limit consumer choices.
ethical frameworks, international collaboration, Consumer Welfare: Monopolistic activities
training programs, public engagement, human- may result in higher costs, lower product
machine collaboration, continuous evaluation, and quality, and fewer options for consumers, thus
multidisciplinary approaches are essential. These harming them.

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Ethical Concerns empower individuals to fight monopolistic behaviours.

z Lack of Competition: Centralization and monopolies Consumer advocacy groups, industry watchdogs, and
hinder competition, resulting in fewer customer open access to information can all help to create a
options, less innovation, and the possibility of more balanced market landscape.
price manipulation. This concentration of power
undermines market dynamics and the principles of
Conclusion
free and fair competition. Centralization and monopolies pose ethical difficulties
z Inequality: Concentrated power can worsen societal that necessitate careful thought and action. While
disparities. Monopolies frequently control resources, centralization can improve efficiency and streamline
supply chains, and distribution networks, allowing operations, it must be tempered with the ideals of
them to wield disproportionate power and abuse fairness, competitiveness, and social welfare. Regulatory
vulnerable stakeholders including small firms, frameworks that support healthy market dynamics,
workers, and customers. This has the potential to foster innovation, and protect the rights of consumers
exacerbate economic gaps and impede social mobility. and smaller market participants should be a goal for
z Consumer Welfare: Monopolistic activities can affect society. Finally, we can promote a more fair and sustainable
consumers by lowering product quality, raising costs, economic landscape that benefits all stakeholders by
and degrading customer service. Consumers may preserving ethical standards, supporting diversity, and
be left with few options if credible alternatives are empowering individuals.
not available, and they may experience monopolistic
abuse. 9.11 ETHICS OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL
z Ethical Leadership: Centralized entities and ECOSYSTEM
monopolies face the ethical challenge of using their
power and influence to benefit society. Transparency,
accountability, and awareness of the broader societal
Introduction
consequences of their decisions and actions are all z The pharmaceutical ecosystem is critical to global
required for ethical leadership. healthcare because it provides crucial medications
and therapies that enhance and preserve lives. This
Mitigating the Ethical Challenges complicated industry, however, is not without ethical
z Regulatory Frameworks: Governments and challenges.
regulatory agencies play an important role in z This article investigates the ethics of the
guaranteeing fair competition and preventing the pharmaceutical ecosystem, focusing on significant
misuse of concentrated power. Effective regulations issues such as drug pricing, access to medications,
and antitrust laws can aid in the preservation of a level research ethics, and the balance of health and profits.
playing field, the promotion of healthy competition,
and the protection of consumers and smaller market Can Doctors Accept Freebies From
participants’ interests.
Pharmaceutical Industries?
z Promoting Diversity and Innovation: Encouraging
diversity and creating an environment that fosters z According to the Indian Medical Council
(Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Ethics)
innovation and entrepreneurship can help mitigate
Regulations, medical practitioners are prohibited
the negative consequences of centralization and
from accepting emoluments such as gifts, travel
monopolization. Society may gain from more
facilities, hospitality, cash or monetary grants.
competition, new ideas, and economic progress by
creating an inclusive culture and supporting startups z Acceptance of freebies may result in a range of
and small enterprises. sanctions ranging from a “censure” for incentives
worth up to Rs 5,000 to removal from the Indian
z Social Responsibility: Monopolies and centralized
Medical Register or State Medical Register for
corporations must prioritize ethical business
periods of up to three years.
practices and social responsibility. This involves using
sustainable techniques, giving back to the community,
and treating employees, suppliers, and customers
Ethical Considerations & Challenges
fairly. Maintaining public trust requires ethical z Drug Pricing and Affordability:
business governance and transparency. Balancing Profit and Access: Establishing
z Consumer Empowerment: Educating customers reasonable prices that allow for profitability while
about their rights, enabling educated decision- ensuring that all individuals have affordable access
making, and encouraging collective action can to pharmaceuticals.

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Disparities in Pricing: Differences in drug pricing z Collaboration for Affordability: Working with
among areas and countries, limit access for people governments, healthcare systems, and non-
with less financial resources. governmental organizations (NGOs) to negotiate fair
z Access to Medicines: pricing and assure affordability through measures
such as differential pricing and discounts.
Healthcare Disparities: Unequal access to
medicines due to factors such as geography, z Differential Pricing and license: Implementing
income, and healthcare infrastructure. differential pricing models and license agreements
in low-income nations and during public health
High Prices and Limited Availability: Limited
emergencies to enable affordable access.
access due to high prices, scarcity, or a lack of
z Ethical Guidelines and Oversight: Adherence to
distribution networks.
strong ethical principles and regulations, such as
z Research Ethics: those defined by international organisations, as well
Informed consent: Ensuring that participants as oversight by ethics committees to preserve the
in research offer informed permission and are welfare of the research participants.
sufficiently informed about potential risks and z Transparent Reporting and Data Sharing:
benefits. Promoting transparency in trial results reporting
Data Integrity and Reporting: Maintaining and promoting responsible data sharing to advance
integrity in research data collection, processing, science and establish trust.
and transparent reporting of trial outcomes is z Ethical Marketing Codes: Adhering to strict marketing
referred to as data integrity and reporting. norms of behaviour that promote transparency,
z Marketing Practices and Transparency: accuracy, and integrity in promotional operations.
z Voluntary Licensing and Knowledge Transfer:
Misleading Advertising: Ethical concerns about
Increasing the availability of cheap drugs by
the truth and fairness of pharmaceutical marketing
collaborating with generic producers through
techniques, which may affect prescribing decisions. voluntary licensing agreements and promoting
Conflicts of Interest: Ensuring transparency in knowledge transfer.
revealing financial links between pharmaceutical z Flexibilities in Intellectual Property: Advocating
corporations and healthcare personnel that have for intellectual property rights flexibilities, such
the potential to influence medical decisions. as compulsory licensing, to solve public health
z Intellectual Property Rights and Global Health: emergencies and promote access to important
Access Barriers: Balancing intellectual property medications.
rights protection with the need for inexpensive z Responsible Corporate Governance: Implementing
access to life-saving pharmaceuticals, particularly strong corporate governance structures that
in low-income nations. stress ethical decision-making, transparency, and
accountability is referred to as responsible corporate
Patent and Regulatory Hurdles: Overcoming
governance.
patent and regulatory restrictions, as well as trade
agreements that limit access to affordable generic Conclusion
drugs. Drug pricing, access to medicines, research ethics,
z Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): marketing strategies, intellectual property rights, and
Ethical Business Practices: Ensuring that corporate social responsibility are all issues that the
pharmaceutical businesses follow ethical business pharmaceutical business faces. The industry may establish
practices in all parts of their operations, including an ethical environment that fosters equal access, patient
supply chain management and corporate welfare, innovation, and global health by stressing
governance. transparent pricing, collaboration, ethical guidelines,
responsible marketing, fair intellectual property
Environmental Impact: Addressing the
management, and social responsibility.
environmental impact of pharmaceutical
manufacturing, waste management, and
sustainable practices.
9.12 MARITAL RAPE AND CONJUGAL
RIGHTS
Mitigating the Ethical Challenges
z Transparent Pricing Models: Implementing Introduction
transparent pricing models that take into account z In India, the question of marital rape and conjugal
elements like R&D costs, public health impact, and rights has been a contentious issue. In 2017, the
affordability for various groups. Indian Supreme Court ruled that marital rape is not

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a crime under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), citing z Rape is not a basis for divorce: Because marital rape
the exemption clause in Section 375 that exempts is not a basis for divorce under any personal laws,
marital rape from the definition of rape. This decision including the Special Marriage Act of 1954, it cannot
was based on the concept of “conjugal rights” and has be utilized as a basis for divorce and cruelty against
faced criticism for undermining women’s fundamental the spouse. As a result, the women remain helpless
rights. and suffer in silence.
z In 2020, a petition was filed to the Supreme Court
seeking to overturn the 2017 verdict. The petition Scenario Example
argues that the exception clause in Section 375 is z Although Sarah and Abdul are married, Abdul
unconstitutional and that marital rape should be frequently engages in sexual activities with
considered a crime. The Supreme Court has yet to Sarah without her explicit agreement. Sarah
decide on the petition. feels violated, but she is afraid to pursue the
z However, there have been positive developments in matter since society expects marital rights to take
recent years. In 2021, the Delhi High Court held that precedence over her right to agree.
marital rape is a form of domestic abuse under the z Ethical Considerations:
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, Respecting Sarah’s right to consent within her
2005. This decision allows victims of marital rape marriage, as well as accepting her boundaries,
to seek civil remedies, including compensation and are critical ethical issues.
protective orders, through the courts. Recognizing the power dynamics in the
marriage is critical, as Abdul’s non-consensual
Understanding Marital Rape behaviour disregards Sarah’s autonomy and
z Marital Rape: Marital rape is any unwanted equality.
sexual intercourse or penetration gained through Since both couples must engage in honest
force, threat of force, or when the wife is unable dialogues about sexual boundaries and
to consent. expectations, open communication and trust
z Conjugal Rights: Conjugal rights are marriage- are critical for resolving the issue.
created rights, i.e. the right of the husband or z Resolution:
wife to the society of the other spouse. These Sarah discusses the problem with Abdul
rights are recognized by the law, both in personal emphasizing the significance of permission and
legislation dealing with marriage, divorce, and so her autonomy. They communicate openly, set
on, and in criminal law mandating the payment of boundaries, and prioritize Sarah’s consent.
maintenance and alimony to a spouse. Abdul accepts responsibility, promises to
respect Sarah’s constraints, and seeks her
Ethical Issues explicit permission. They defy cultural norms
by prioritizing consent in their relationship.
z Violation of the Right to Live with Dignity: Marital
Sarah and Abdul collaborate to create
rape violates a woman’s or wife’s right to live
with dignity. According to Article 21 of the Indian an ethical and cooperative marriage
Constitution, the right to live with human dignity is relationship.
part of the right to life (a Fundamental Right).
z Issues of Sexual Privacy: In the case of the State The Doctrine of Coverture
of Maharashtra v. Madhukar Narayan, the Supreme
z The doctrine of coverture was a legal principle
Court ruled that every woman is entitled to her sexual
that held that when a woman is married, her
privacy and that it is not open for anyone to breach
her privacy whenever they want. legal identity and rights were blended with
those of her husband.
z Right to Bodily Self-Determination: Everyone has
the right to make decisions about his or her own z As a result, she had limited legal competence and
body. Similarly, a woman’s decision to have sex or could not possess property, enter into contracts, or
not to have sex or to grant consent is one of the most have independent legal standing.
personal decisions she makes for herself. It is a right z The concept reflected prevailing societal
to express oneself. standards and gender inequity at the time.
z Violation of the Right to Equality: Similarly, in India, z However, because of its discriminatory nature,
the discriminatory treatment of rape and marital rape the concept has been highly condemned and
under Section 375 of the IPC, as well as the varying has been generally eliminated, recognizing the
sentences granted for both under Section 376 of the importance of individual rights and gender equality
IPC, breaches the right to equality before the law in modern legal systems.
(Article 14).

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Ethical Implications Way Forward
Marriage, on the other hand, does not confer ownership Several critical efforts must be taken to address the
or control over the other spouse’s body. Understanding issue of marital rape and recognize the importance of
the ethical consequences of marital rape is critical for consent in intimate relationships:
maintaining the ideals of autonomy, consent, and dignity z Legal Reform: Adopt the Justice Verma Committee’s
in any relationship. recommendations, which emphasize that the
z Autonomy: Every person has the intrinsic right to relationship between the accused and the complainant
make decisions about their body, including whether should not be a consideration in evaluating consent.
or not to engage in sexual behaviour. This right to This ensures that marital rape is viewed as a severe
autonomy should be upheld without exception inside
crime and not treated lightly.
a marriage.
z Dissolution of Marriage: Provide victims of marital
z Consent: Consent is the foundation of ethical sexual
rape with a legal remedy through marriage dissolution.
relationships. It must be freely given, enthusiastically
This permits individuals to seek legal separation or
received, and well-informed. The absence of consent
or force undermines the ethical underpinning of any divorce, allowing them to leave an abusive relationship.
sexual interaction, regardless of marital status. z Attitude Change: In addition to legal improvements, it
z Dignity: Marital rape violates the survivor’s bodily is critical to encourage a shift in public attitudes about
and mental well-being. Respecting the dignity of each consent and gender equality. This necessitates public
partner is essential for building a healthy, equitable, awareness campaigns and educational initiatives that
and ethical marital partnership. promote knowledge of women’s rights to autonomy
and physical integrity, regardless of married or
Arguments Against Criminalizing Marital intimate relationship status.
Rape z Training and Sensitization: Make certain that
z Destabilize marriage as an institution: It has the prosecutors, police officers, and other law enforcement
potential to produce full turmoil in families and officials receive extensive training on how to handle
destabilize marriage as an institution, damaging cases of marital rape. This includes training in
the family platform that upholds family values and sensitivity, recognizing the dynamics of power and
contributes to the country’s existence. In Indian control within relationships, and treating all victims
culture, marriage is viewed as a sacrament. with decency and respect.
z Misuse of the law: It may become an easy instrument z Support Services: Establish support services for
for harassing husbands by misusing the law, victims of marital rape, such as helplines, counselling,
comparable to the growing misuse of section 498A and safe areas. Individuals wishing to escape violent
of the IPC (harassment given to a married woman by situations can benefit from emotional support, legal
her husband and in-laws). assistance, and direction from these agencies.
z Awareness is more important: Simply criminalizing
marital rape may not be enough to put an end to it Recent Developments in the Fight
because “moral and social awareness” is essential in
preventing such an occurrence.
Against Marital Rape
z The burden of proof: The burden of proof is a Here are some recent developments in India’s fight
complicated notion. When marital rape is regarded against marital rape:
as a crime, the burden is on either the wife to prove z In 2021: The Delhi High Court held 2021 that
the offence or the husband to prove his innocence, marital rape is a kind of domestic abuse under the
making it extremely difficult to apply. Protection of Women from Domestic Abuse Act,
2005.
z Against privacy: Some say that making marital rape
a crime would allow the government to intervene in z In 2022: The National Commission for Women
(NCW) established recommendations for dealing
people’s private lives. This would violate the right to
with incidents of marital rape in 2022. According
privacy enshrined in the Indian Constitution’s Article
to the rules, police should file FIRs in situations
21 which guarantees the right to life.
of marital rape, and judges should be receptive to
z Cultural Diversity: India has unique challenges such cases.
due to elements such as literacy, a lack of financial
z In 2023: The Ministry of Women and Child
empowerment for the majority of females, societal
Development (MWCD) presented a proposed bill
attitudes, huge diversity, poverty, and so on, and
criminalising marital rape in 2023. The government
they should be carefully studied before criminalizing
is presently considering the bill.
marital rape.

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Conclusion Many “polls” with such flaws amount to

misinformation, which can result in “undue
Marital rape is a difficult subject that requires a thorough
influence,” which is an “electoral offence” under
examination. Making marital rape a crime will not only
IPC Section 171 (C).
assist. Rather, there is a need to correct and address gaps
The RP Act defines it as a “corrupt practice” in
in existing laws, as well as eliminate obsolete ones that
section 123 (2).
tend to work against the well-being of women and society
as a whole. Public consultation and discussion with all z Doubts on the integrity of opinion polls: According
stakeholders could be the way to go. to the Press Council of India, today, because the print
media is sought to be exploited by interested
9.13 OPINION POLLS AND ETHICAL individuals or groups to misguide and misled unwary
voters through subtle and not-so-subtle propaganda
ISSUES on casteist, religious, and ethnic basis, as well as
through the use of sophisticated means such as alleged
Introduction poll surveys.
z An opinion poll is a survey of public opinion based z Unfair Influence on the Electoral Process: Opinion
on a specific sample of people. polls have a direct impact on the sanctity and integrity
z Typically, opinion polls are intended to represent the of the election process.
opinions of a population by asking a series of questions They have the ability to affect voting behaviour
and then extrapolating generalizations using ratios or and alter electoral outcomes.
confidence intervals. A sting operation by a television news
z In contrast to exit polls, which are conducted after programme made quite a stir in early 2014.
voting, opinion polls are conducted prior to elections. As many as 11 polling firms were caught red-
handed falsifying polls.
Regulation of Opinion Polls in India These polling firms were willing to falsify the
z Rules under Article 324: The Election Commission margin of error, candidate victory margins, seat
of India (ECI) published rules under Article 324 of estimates for a party, or conceal negative data.
the Constitution in 1998, prohibiting media from Sadly, this exposé did not receive the attention
broadcasting opinions and exit poll findings within a it deserved.
restricted time. z Bandwagon effect: The bandwagon effect asserts that
The Supreme Court ruled in 1999 that, in the voters “jump on the bandwagon,” which implies that
absence of formal punishment, the ECI cannot if a party is gaining ground in the polls, the party will
impose any rules barring such polls. garner greater support from voters, and vice-versa if
the party is losing ground in the polls.
z Section 126(A) of the Representation of the People
Act, 1951, was added in 2010 to restrict just exit polls. z Unfair and unrealistic claims: Pollsters exacerbate
the situation by making sweeping assertions.
Section 126(1)(b) of the Representation of the
For Example, Austria’s hardline Chancellor
People Act, 1951 prohibits opinion polls from
Sebastian Kurz has been accused of arranging
being disseminated in electronic media for 48
phone surveys and buying the news media to
hours before an election in that voting district.
present them as legitimate opinion polls.
Punishment: The violation of Section 126(1)(b) is
z Potential harm and influence: In some cases, opinion
penalised under Section 126(2) by imprisonment
polls can have unintended consequences, such as
for a term of up to two years, a fine, or both. influencing public opinion or election outcomes.
Ethical Issues with the Opinion Polls Poll results may sway voters or discourage
participation in elections, leading to potentially
z Biased and Paid News: It believes that certain polls
skewed outcomes.
are sponsored, motivated, and biased.
Pertaining to this, opinion polls do not accurately represent
Biased sampling can lead to inaccurate and
the real figure. Furthermore, they are exclusively aired
misleading results that do not reflect the views before elections to promote specific political parties.
of the wider population.
The Cambridge Analytica scandal is an infamous Can banning Opinion Polls cure the
example of biased opinion-making. problem?
z Opaque and Biased sampling: Practically all polls are Many political scientists have sought to completely
opaque, with little information about the technique ban the opinion polls. But this would have the
provided. following issues:

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z Knee-jerk reactions: The demand for a total ban on Additionally, the data collected should only be
pre-election polls, or a prohibition commencing on used for the stated research purposes and not for
the day of notice, represents the knee-jerk reaction any other unrelated activities.
that has come to dominate much of our policies. z Upholding Neutrality: Care must be taken to avoid
z Failed to pass the judicial check: A total prohibition leading or biased questions that may unduly influence
for the duration of the campaign may not be upheld participants’ opinions.
in court. Pollsters should strive for neutrality and objectivity
z Against the freedom of speech and expression: in question design to obtain accurate and unbiased
It’s difficult to understand how such a prohibition results.
could be justified as a “reasonable restriction” on the
constitutionally granted freedom of expression. Conclusion
z It would be extremely difficult to implement. It Overall, opinion polls can provide valuable insights into
may exist simply on paper like the prohibition on public opinion, but ethical considerations are crucial to
smoking in public places does. ensure the integrity and accuracy of the data collected. By
z Punish law-abiding agencies: It may drive out all addressing these ethical concerns, we can maintain the
legitimate and law-abiding agencies, leaving the field trustworthiness of opinion polls and their contribution to
open for rogue polls run by fly-by-night operations. informed decision-making.
Promote corruption: It would almost certainly create
z
a black market for information, with secret polls
9.14 BULLDOZER MODEL AND
and whispers replacing transparent and accountable PRINCIPLE OF NATURAL JUSTICE
polling.
Introduction
Measures Needed z The “bulldozer model” of governance, which involves
z A possible approach would be an independent the demolition of property as a form of punishment,
regulator: Such as the British Polling Council. has been criticized for violating the principle of
In addition to sample size, technique, time range, natural justice. The principle of natural justice, also
and the quality of research staff training, all polling known as the Audi Alteram Partem rule, requires
organisations must reveal the sponsor for review. that individuals be given a fair hearing before they
On the same lines, India might establish its own are punished.
professional body. z This means that they must be given notice of the
Following the Bihar election in 2015, six key charges against them, an opportunity to present their
agencies discussed the formation of a self- case, and the right to be represented by counsel.
regulatory entity called the Indian Polling Council.
There has been no development in almost six Elements of Natural Justice
years. The principle of natural justice typically includes the
z Developing a code of conduct: An Opinion Polls following elements:
Code of Conduct should exist. The sampling frame, z Right to be heard: Individuals have the right to
sample size, and the specific procedure used to draw present their case and have their arguments and
the sample will be published, as will the social profile evidence considered by the decision-maker.
of the achieved sample. This includes the right to respond to allegations,
z Improving transparency: The ownership and track cross-examine witnesses, and make submissions.
record of the group conducting the survey, as well as z Impartial decision-maker: Authorities should not
the names of the sponsors, will be made public. have any personal interest in the outcome of the case
z Eliminating sample error: The sampling frame, or any preconceived notions that could affect their
sample size, and exact sampling procedure employed; judgment.
the sociological profile of the achieved sample should z Notice of the case: Individuals should be given
be made public. sufficient notice of the case against them, including
z Timing of release: Ethical considerations should the nature of the allegations, the evidence being relied
be given to the timing and release of poll results to upon, and the potential consequences.
mitigate any undue influence on political processes. This allows individuals to prepare their defence
z Protecting privacy: Personal information should adequately.

be collected and stored securely, and it should be z Right to an unbiased tribunal: The decision-making
anonymous when reporting the results to ensure body or tribunal should be impartial and free from any
individuals cannot be identified. conflicts of interest.

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The decision should be based on the evidence z Liability on fringe elements: Defenders of the
and the applicable law, rather than personal state’s activities frequently cite a 2009 Supreme
biases or external pressures. Court decision that said that the responsibility for
z Right to reasons for the decision: Individuals have any violence during an event rests with the event’s
organizers.
the right to receive written reasons for the decision.
According to the judgment, the organizers must
This allows them to understand the rationale behind
settle for claims resulting from such violence.
the decision and determine whether any legal errors
These individuals, however, overlook the ruling’s
were made.
other aspects, such as the preceding requirement
Three Principles of Natural Justice to establish the organizers were complicit in the
1. Audi alteram partem (the right to be heard): violence.
This principle emphasizes that all parties involved z Anti-encroachment drive by state: Bulldozers have
in a dispute or decision-making process have the razed buildings or house extensions built “illegally”
right to be heard. in neighbourhoods that recorded communal clashes
a. It means that individuals should have the recently in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
opportunity to present their cases, respond z Restrict future crimes and criminals: It is a way to
to allegations or arguments made against deter crime and illegal activities. The idea is that if
them, and have their arguments and evidence people know that their property will be demolished
considered by the decision-maker. if they break the law, they will be less likely to do so.
2. Nemo judex in causa sua (the rule against
bias): This principle states that the decision-maker
Ethical Issues with the Bulldozer Culture
should be impartial and unbiased. The demolition of property without due process of law
a. It prohibits individuals who have a personal can violate the principle of natural justice in several ways:
interest in the outcome of the case or any z It denies individuals the right to be heard: If
preconceived notions from making decisions. the property is demolished without notice or an
opportunity to be heard, individuals may not have
b. Decision-makers should not have any conflicts
the chance to explain why their property should not
of interest that may influence their judgment,
be demolished.
and they should approach the case with an open
mind and neutrality. z Undermines due process of law: the demolition of
property can be a form of punishment, which is a form
3. Rule of fair hearing and reasoned decisions:
of deprivation of liberty.
This principle encompasses various elements that
Under the principle of natural justice, individuals
contribute to a fair hearing.
cannot be punished without due process of law.
a. It includes the right to adequate notice of the
case (including the nature of the allegations, z The devastating impact on individuals: the
evidence, and potential consequences), the demolition of property can have a devastating impact
right to legal representation, the right to cross- on individuals’ lives.
examine witnesses, and the right to receive It can displace them from their homes, destroy their
reasons for the decision. businesses, and leave them without a livelihood.
z Violation of Article 300A: “No one shall be deprived
These principles aim to ensure that decision-making
of his property except by authority of law”.
processes are fair, transparent, and accountable. They
z Violation of Supreme Court: The Supreme Court of
apply to various legal contexts, including administrative
India has recognized the importance of the principle
law, disciplinary proceedings, and judicial processes. of natural justice in the context of demolitions.
Justification of Bulldozer Culture In the case of M.C. Mehta v. State of Gujarat, the
Court held that the demolition of property without
z Instant justice: Today bulldozer represents a regime
due process of law was a violation of the right to
willing to oppress individuals it considers to have
life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.
done something wrong.
The Court also held that the demolition of the
There were no queries, no waiting for court
property could be a form of punishment, which is a
rulings, and no need for legal procedures. form of deprivation of liberty, and that punishment
Whether it’s eloping couples, lawbreakers, or cannot be imposed without due process of law.
community violence, the police are turning to z No prior information: This provision guarantees that
hasty punishment, and bulldozers are their individuals have ample time to depart before they are
partners. forced to leave.

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z Encroaching the separation of power: the executive
is taking on the role of judge, jury, and executioner. Gandhian Ethics on Journalism
z It is a form of collective punishment: When the z Mahatma Gandhi emphasized the importance
of journalism as a service, not an uncontrolled
property of an entire community/family is demolished,
torrent of water.
it is often the innocent who are the most affected.
z He emphasized the idea of social responsibility,
This can lead to resentment and anger, which
stating that journalism should serve people
can further fuel conflict. with devotion and educate them while avoiding
sensationalism, distortion, and manipulation of
Measures Needed facts.
z Giving notice prior to action: Before an eviction, the z He emphasized the need for ethical standards in
landmark 1985 Olga Tellis verdict highlights that journalism for profit.
notice is required, as is listening to impacted people,
including trespassers. Elements of Media Ethics
z Strengthening the judiciary: Such as establishing
Media ethics encompasses a set of principles and
fast-track courts, and transparency in judicial
standards that guide the ethical behaviour and practices
proceedings.
of media professionals. While the specific elements
z Stand against collective punishment: The court
may vary, depending on cultural and contextual
must also confront the fact that such demolitions are
factors, here are some important elements commonly
collective punishment, which has no place in a modern
associated with media ethics:
legal system based on individual responsibility rather
z Truth and Accuracy: Media professionals have
than collective punishment.
an ethical responsibility to report truthfully and
z Effective implementation of laws: States like
accurately. They should verify facts, check sources, and
Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand have laws
present information in a fair and balanced manner.
in place to compensate for property damage caused
by disruption. This includes avoiding the dissemination of false
information, misleading headlines, and deceptive
Conclusion editing practices.
The controversial tactic of deploying bulldozers to z Independence and Impartiality: Media should
demolish “suspected” people’s homes and businesses maintain independence from undue influence, political
harms local populations irreparably. Another community’s pressure, or conflicts of interest. Journalists should
residents will suffer from uncontrolled bulldozing without strive for impartiality, avoiding favouritism, bias, or
an appropriate hearing. These actions are brief, but the the promotion of personal or corporate agendas.
scar lasts and raises issues about the legal system. The z Privacy and Confidentiality: Media professionals
court must convey a message that the rule of law is strong should respect individuals’ privacy rights and handle
in India. personal information with care.
z Sensitivity and Respect: Media should demonstrate
9.15 YELLOW JOURNALISM sensitivity and respect for cultural, religious, racial,
and gender diversity.
John Stuart Mill
They should avoid perpetuating stereotypes,
Everyone’s opinion must be heard, even if he is a mad
engaging in discriminatory practices, or promoting
man. Because every opinion contains a part of the
truth. hate speech.
Responsible reporting requires considering the
Introduction potential impact of language, visuals, and narratives
on marginalized or vulnerable communities.
z Journalism is the profession of gathering, analysing,
and broadcasting news and social issues to the z Accountability and Transparency: Media
general public. The major function of media sources organizations and professionals should be accountable
is to enlighten the public and provide reliable, for their actions and decisions.
unbiased information. Today, journalism is facing a Corrections and clarifications should be promptly
moral crisis, with its ratings continually dropping issued in case of inaccuracies or mistakes, and
and its viability as a democratic agency being called feedback or complaints from the audience should
into doubt. be taken seriously.

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z Minimization of harm: Media professionals should z Lack of fairness and balance: Ethical journalism
strive to minimize harm when reporting sensitive or strives for fairness and balance in reporting by
traumatic events. presenting different perspectives and providing a
Sensationalism, gratuitous violence, or invasion of comprehensive view of the issue.
privacy should be avoided when not essential to Yellow journalism, on the other hand, may be
the public interest. biased, presenting one-sided or incomplete
information to support a particular narrative or
z Social responsibility: Media has a role in fostering
agenda.
a healthy and informed society. Media professionals
Questions that challenge the prevailing narratives
should prioritize public interest, contribute to public
are repressed and denied a public voice.
debate, and promote civic engagement.
z Undermines the interest of the Public: Instead
These elements provide a foundation for responsible
of functioning as a ‘check and balance’ on the
and ethical media practices. Adhering to media ethics
government’s policies and any abuse of power,
helps build trust with the audience, promotes journalistic
the mainstream media has taken on the role of
integrity, and supports the media’s role as a crucial pillar
propaganda weapons employed in infamous wars
of democracy and information dissemination.
when all kinds of communication channels were
Ethical Issues with Yellow Journalism restricted and used to disseminate official views.
Yellow journalism refers to a style of journalism that Instead of assisting individuals in raising fair
emphasizes sensationalism, exaggeration, and issues to authorities and engaging in healthy
distortion of news to attract readers and increase discourse, the mainstream media plays the role
circulation. Thus it has the following ethical issues of denying citizens such forums.
associated: z Saffron journalism: Saffron journalism, a variant of
z Accuracy and truthfulness: Yellow journalism often ‘yellow journalism,’ refers to journalism that views the
prioritizes attracting attention over factual accuracy. ‘state’ as its own entity rather than as an autonomous
entity. This is mainly noticeable in the television
This can lead to the dissemination of
medium.
misinformation, rumours, and unverified claims.
z Invasion of privacy: Yellow journalism sometimes
In 2017, a leading newspaper published a front-
invades the privacy of individuals by publishing
page headline that claimed there was no evidence
personal details, private conversations, or intrusive
of rape in the Kathua case.
photographs without their consent.
The case involved the rape and murder of
This can have serious consequences for the
an eight-year-old girl in Kathua, Jammu and
individuals involved and raises ethical concerns
Kashmir. The headline was later retracted after
about respecting privacy rights.
it was revealed that there was indeed evidence
Such media outlets hold media trials, as
of rape.
happened in the case of the Shushant Singh Rajpoot
z Sensationalism and exaggeration: Yellow Muder case, adopting the role of a government
journalism tends to sensationalize news stories, often propaganda instrument in the maintenance of
exaggerating or distorting facts to create sensational what is known as public order.
headlines or narratives. z Manipulation of public opinion: Yellow journalism
This can manipulate public perception, create has the potential to manipulate public opinion by
unnecessary panic, and damage the reputation of exploiting emotions, prejudices, or biases.
individuals or institutions. This can lead to the polarization of society,
Two thousand rupee note controversy: After the spread of hatred, and the undermining of
the release of the new two thousand rupee note, democratic discourse.
fake news was run by some reputed news channels z Lack of accountability: Yellow journalism
that a GPS-enabled microchip is attached to the may prioritize commercial success over ethical
note to track the location of the note. responsibility.

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The pursuit of higher circulation or viewership z Transparency in ownership and funding: Media
numbers can overshadow the importance of organizations should be transparent about their
journalistic integrity and accountability. ownership structures and funding sources.
Journalistic organizations and individual This helps to identify any potential conflicts of
journalists should be accountable for the content interest and ensures that editorial decisions are
they produce and its impact on society. not unduly influenced by external pressures.
z Damage to media credibility: Yellow journalism can Implementing the recommendations of TRAI
erode public trust in the media as a whole. with regard to media ownership and investment
When news outlets prioritize sensationalism and disclosure norms would help in maintaining the
clickbait tactics, it diminishes the credibility of the transparency required for the news media sector.
entire profession and undermines the role of the z Media literacy and public awareness: Educational
media as a reliable source of information. institutions, media organizations, and civil society can
Responsible journalism should uphold the principles collaborate to develop programs that enhance media
of accuracy, fairness, objectivity, and respect for the literacy skills, teaching individuals how to evaluate
public interest. Adhering to these principles ensures sources, identify biases, and distinguish between
that media organizations fulfill their crucial role in reliable and unreliable information.
democratic societies by providing reliable and responsible z Ethical journalism in education: Journalism schools
information. and educational institutions should prioritize ethics
education as part of their curriculum.
Measures Needed
Teaching aspiring journalists about the importance
z Fixing individual responsibilities: The ethical
responsibility of journalism is to provide accurate and of ethical practices, media ethics codes, and the
verified information to the public, enabling them to impact of yellow journalism can help instill
make informed decisions. responsible journalism values from the
z Media organizations promoting ethical standards: beginning of their careers.
Media organizations should prioritize and promote z Regulatory oversight: Regulatory bodies or
ethical journalism standards within their own independent media councils can play a role in
operations. monitoring media content and addressing complaints
This includes establishing and enforcing clear related to yellow journalism.
guidelines for accuracy, fairness, and responsible
These bodies should have the power to investigate
reporting.
complaints, issue warnings, and impose appropriate
Encouraging professional development and
training programs for journalists can also help in sanctions when ethical standards are violated.
fostering ethical practices. z Public accountability mechanisms: Media
z Journalistic self-regulation: They can develop and organizations should have clear mechanisms for
enforce codes of conduct that outline ethical standards addressing public complaints and feedback.
and principles for journalists to follow. This can include establishing ombudsman offices or
This includes measures to discourage dedicated platforms to receive and address public
sensationalism, require fact-checking, and ensure concerns about unethical reporting practices.
balanced reporting.
Conclusion
z Fact-checking and verification: Promoting
fact-checking initiatives and investing in robust Addressing yellow journalism requires a multi-faceted
verification processes can help combat the spread of approach involving media organizations, journalists,
misinformation and rumours. regulators, educational institutions, and the public. By
Media organizations can establish dedicated collectively promoting and upholding ethical journalism
teams or collaborate with independent fact- standards, it is possible to mitigate the negative impact
checking organizations to verify information of yellow journalism and foster a more responsible and
before publishing or broadcasting. reliable media landscape.

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9.16 GLOSSARY Example is the story of S.R. Sankaran, the former

Chief Election Commissioner of India. Sankaran
1. Perseverance:
was known for his meticulous planning and his
It is the ability to continue working towards a goal
commitment to ensuring that elections were
even in the face of difficulties or obstacles. It is the
conducted fairly and transparently. He was also
quality of staying committed to one’s objectives
known for his willingness to take tough decisions,
and working tirelessly towards achieving them.
even when they were unpopular.
Example is the story of Sreedharan, the “Metro
3. Self-Restraint:
Man” of India. Sreedharan was responsible for
the construction of the Delhi Metro, which is one Self-restraint is the ability to control one’s
emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. It is the
of the largest and most successful metro systems
ability to resist temptation and act in a way that
in the world. The project faced many challenges,
is in line with one’s values.
but Sreedharan persevered and saw it through to
completion. Example Civil servants are expected to be impartial
2. Prudence: and objective in their work, and they must be able
It refers to the quality of exercising sound judgment, to resist the temptation to let their personal biases
caution, and practical wisdom in decision-making. influence their decisions. They must also be able to
It involves carefully considering available options, control their emotions in difficult situations, and
weighing potential risks and benefits, and making they must be able to act in a professional manner
sensible choices based on thoughtful analysis. at all times.
v v v

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Glossary: Ethics Key Terms
with Examples
ETHICS AND HUMAN INTERFACE 7. Ethical Dilemma

It is a situation when two Equally important Moral
1. Ethics:
Values conflict with each other and the person has
It is the systematic study of human actions
a dilemma of choosing one over the other.
from the point of view of their rightfulness or
A civil servant works against a sand mining cartel
wrongfulness, as a means for the attainment of
(being honest, dutiful, etc.) despite repeated
ultimate happiness.
threats of harming his/her family (protecting the
Examples: Following rules, being Honest at work,
lives of others) from the cartel.
being Loyal in relations, etc
8. Bounded Ethicality
2. Normative Ethics:
It refers to the systemic and predictable ways in
Normative ethics includes a set of Moral Standards
which people make decisions without realising the
that determine Right or Wrong conduct. It is also
implications of their behaviour.
called Prescriptive Ethics.
Implicit Prejudice i.e., a person favouring Equality
Examples; Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics, Immanuel
may discriminate based on Gender or Race
Kant’s Deontological Ethics, J. S. Mill’s Utilitarianism
unknowingly.
or Consequentialism, and Bhagwat Gita’s Nishkama
Karma. 9. Ethical Fading
3. Virtue Ethics It occurs when the Ethical Aspect of a decision
It aims to understand and live a life of Moral

disappears from view and a person focuses on
Character. It was given by Aristotle. other aspects of a decision more than its Ethicality.
It helps minimise the guilt one feels by violating
Example: Building an Honourable and Moral
the Ethical Standards.
character by practising 4 Cardinal Virtues of Plato
like Courage, Temperance, Justice, Prudence, etc. The practice of Greenwashing by big corporations
4. Meta-Ethics for profit.

It refers to the study of the origin and meaning
10. Law
of Ethical Concepts. It is the study of what Ethical It is a binding force and includes the set of Rules
terms and theories refer to. recognized by a particular country or community

Addressing questions like “What is the meaning of
to regulate the behaviour of its citizens.
Moral Judgements or terms”? Constitution of India, Laws enacted by the
5. Personal Ethics legislatures for the benefit of the people like

POCSO, POSH, etc.
It is specific to a person and determines the
person’s moral standards and code of conduct. 11. Rule
Mahatma Gandhi through his traits of honesty, It is generally the regulations or procedures
sacrifice, truthfulness, and discipline is an that govern the conduct within a specific area of
embodiment of high personal ethics. activity. It may be a binding force if it is linked to
6. Professional Ethics the statutory requirements
It refers to the Moral Principles or Values that Rules of conduct of business in the Houses of
govern the way Businesses and Individuals engage Parliament regulate the manner and procedure
in business activities. governing the proceedings of the House.
Companies not using the data collected from 12. Utilitarianism
consumers without consent is an example of It considers an action to be morally right if it is
professional ethics. favourable to more people. The happiness of the
greatest number of people is more important than when it benefits others. It may or may not benefit
the greatest happiness of one Individual. the person him/herself.
It was advocated by Jeremy Bentham (Quantitative Spy keeping his identity secret to help his Country,
Utilitarianism) and J.S.Mill (Qualitative helping a close friend cheat in the Exam.
Utilitarianism). Redistribution of income from rich 20. Cognitive Bias
to poor. The way a particular person understands events,
13. Harm Principle facts, and other people, is based on their own
It states that people are free to act as per their particular set of beliefs and experiences and may
wish as long as their actions do not harm other not be reasonable or accurate.
persons. It was given by J. S. Mill. Stereotyping women as less competent for
Ensuring vaccination of persons during the spread work due to motherhood responsibilities, Khap
of the pandemic to prevent harm to others. Panchayat legitimising Honour Killings.
14. Deontology 21. Cognitive Dissonance
Deontology is duty-based ethics. (It comes from It can also be referred to as a situation of mental
the Greek word deon, meaning duty). It deals with discomfort when there is a conflict between one’s
the actions itself and not with the consequences of Beliefs, Attitude, Values and Behaviour or Actions.
the actions. Promises must be kept as it is right to An IPS Officer who believes in Non-Violence has to
keep them irrespective of the consequences. give orders of Lathi Charge to maintain Law and
Satyagraha and Ahimsa as Deontological Principles
Order.
used by Gandhiji during Indian National Movement. 22. Confirmation Bias
15. Morality It establishes that people naturally favour
information that confirms their previously existing
It refers to the set of commitments acceptable to an
beliefs.
Individual even when they are rejected by others.
During the election campaign, people tend to look
A Moralist may favour war even when others don’t.
for information confirming their perspectives on
Morality of a person may allow the person to
different candidates while ignoring any information
appreciate or accept unmarried Mothers or Live-
contradictory to their views.
in-Relationships.
23. Conformity Bias
16. Hedonism
It is the tendency of people to behave like those
It refers to giving the highest Moral Value to one’s
around them rather than using their own personal
own Pleasure - by minimising pain, in terms of
judgement.
Ethical Philosophy. It is associated with the belief
Following a typical career path which is safer as
that Pleasure, or the absence of Pain, is the most
per society, contributing to charity as others are
important Principle in determining the morality of
doing it, conserving water, etc.
a potential course of action.
24. Incrementalism
A person indulges in reckless consumption of
Incrementalism is the slippery slope that often
drugs only to derive pleasure.
causes people to slide unintentionally into
17. Human Values
unethical behaviour.
They are Individual Principles or qualities that
Accounting fraud begins by fudging small numbers.
guide the judgement and behaviour of a person
25. Moral Agent
or a group.
A Moral Agent has the ability to discern Right from
Ideas of Equality and Justice, etc.
Wrong and to be held accountable for his or her
Showing Compassion towards living creatures
own actions.
such as animals can be an example of Human Value.
Ordinarily, human beings are considered as Moral
18. Altruism Agents, while animals are not. Any adult with a
It refers to acting in the best interest of others sound mind can be considered as a Moral Agent
rather than in one’s own self-interest. while infants are not considered as moral agents.
Akshaya Patra Foundation provides free food to 26. Moral Muteness
underprivileged Children. It occurs when people choose to stay silent even
19. Altruistic Cheating on observing Unethical Behaviour.
It refers to cheating for the welfare of others as it Most people witness corruption but only a few
is easier for people to rationalise their wrongdoing have the courage to report it, Silence of People
Glossary: Ethics Key Terms with Examples 255

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on evil acts of Domestic Violence, Dowry, Child Amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic, a divyang beedi
Marriage. worker Janardhanan, from the Kannur district
27. Moral Myopia in Kerala had donated all of his life savings – ₹2
It was coined by Minette Drumwright and Patrick lakhs to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund
Murphy and can be understood as the inability to (CMDRF). He is now left with just ₹850.
see Ethical Issues clearly. 33. Veracity
Brazilian Government allowing deforestation It refers to the Moral Obligation of individuals to
activities in Amazon Rainforest for cattle Ranching inform others of the truth.
and Soya bean Production The doctor-Patient relationship, wherein the
28. Moral Equilibrium Doctor informs the Patient of the side effects of a
It is the idea that deals with most people running a particular treatment.
mental scoreboard where they compare their self- 34. Humility
image as a good person with what they actually do. It is the state of being Humble or keeping oneself
If they do something consistent with their positive free from Pride and Arrogance.
self-image, they feel a surplus on the good side of
Once during an event, Dr Kalam (Erstwhile
the scoreboard.
President of India) refused to sit on a chair that
Donating to charity or on a crowdfunding platform
was designated to him, because the Chair was
makes us feel good about ourselves. larger in size than the other Chairs.
29. Moral Relativism
35. Gratitude
It holds that there are no universal or absolute sets
It is a feeling of Gratefulness or Thankfulness
of Moral standards. They are Culturally defined.
towards something or someone.
Though there may be a few values that seem nearly
To be happy one must be thankful for the little
universal, such as honesty and respect, many
differences appear across cultures when people things like family, friends, good health, job, etc.
evaluate moral standards around the world.
LGBTQ+ People enjoy Rights in the USA, France
ATTITUDE
etc but are outlawed in Bangladesh, Brunei, 1. Attitude
Afghanistan etc.
It is a psychological tendency of evaluating a
30. Moral Nihilism particular object either in favour or disfavour. It
Moral Nihilism is the meta-ethical view that has three components namely- Cognitive (beliefs
nothing is objectively morally right or morally and thoughts), Affective (feeling or emotions),
wrong. and Behavioural (tendency or predisposition).
It holds that there are no objective moral facts Positive Attitude: Forgiving, generous, grateful,
or true propositions - that nothing is morally hardworking, honest.
good, bad, wrong, right, etc - because there are
Negative Attitude: Resentful, Pessimist, lazy,
no moral truths. Moral Nihilism would say that
Selfish, Arrogant.
killing someone might not be wrong but it would
A Civil Servant with a positive Attitude would
also not be right
Uphold Constitutional Ethos and Values like
31. Veil of Ignorance
Compassion towards the Downtrodden.
It helps people establish a Just and Fair Society
2. Behaviour
as they are ignorant of their circumstances.
As explained by John Rawls, we must imagine It is the way a person conducts oneself. Our
ourselves sitting behind a Veil of Ignorance that behavior is largely shaped by our Attitude. A
prevents us from knowing who we are. Principles positive attitude manifests in good Behaviour.
of Justice should be free from bias and should It is an individual’s reaction to a particular action,
evolve behind a Veil of Ignorance. person, or environment.
Interviewers not knowing about the social status, Communication, Thinking, Motivation, etc are
caste etc of candidates before awarding marks in manifestations of behaviour.
a job interview. 3. Explicit Attitude
32. Benevolence It is also referred to as the “Self Reported
It refers to the acts of mercy, kindness, generosity, Attitude”. This Attitude is embedded in our
charity, altruism, love, humanity and promoting conscious cognition or in simple words, the
the good of others. person involved is aware of his/her Attitude.

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Explicit Attitude: A football fan would like to 10. Stereotypes
mingle with a person wearing a Messi jersey in a It is a preconceived notion about a specific
gathering with strangers. group based on sex, gender identity, race and
4. Implicit Attitude ethnicity, nationality, age, socioeconomic status,
It is mostly governed by past memories, this language, and so forth. It is embedded within
Attitude is embedded in our unconscious social institutions and wider culture.
cognition. It arises unintentionally due to our Associating the colour pink with girls and blue
experiences. with boys.

Involuntarily feeling uncomfortable around a 11. Political Attitude
person with a voice similar to that of an abusive It is our Attitude towards political objects like
partner. political institutions, and leaders and is largely
5. Opinion shaped by our personality traits.
A person favouring Freedom and Autonomy
It is an individual’s thoughts or beliefs about
something, whether good or bad. It can vary from would favour political parties with Libertarian
person to person. Ideology.
There are conflicting opinions on the possession 12. Democratic Attitude
of Nuclear Weapons, Historical Responsibility It gives space to differences of opinion and
of Climate Change in the Western and Eastern appreciates the participation of stakeholders.
World. In the case of public service, it ensures the
participation of people at various stages of
6. Belief
policy formulation and implementation.
It is being certain about something that exists or
Anna Hazare, a social activist, in his fight for rural
is true. Belief is accepted, considered to be true,
development, corruption depicted a democratic
or held as an opinion by individuals.
attitude.
Beliefs may or may not have any solid proof.
13. Bureaucratic Attitude
Theists believe in the existence of God while It refers to the Attitudes of Bureaucrats in the
Atheists deny it. implementation of the schemes. It is generally
7. Moral Attitude characterized by Red-Tapism, Top Down
Moral attitudes are inclusive of Moral judgements approach, and strict adherence to Norms with
(right and wrong) and depict the Values of a no room for any flexibility towards anyone.
person. It is an ethical predisposition which Giving more importance to the procedure than the
distinguishes one person from another. end result.
Gandhiji’s fundamental belief in Non-violence as a 14. Moral Policing
tool to combat injustice. Also known as Vigilantism, it refers to actions by
8. Social Attitude Vigilant groups to enforce a particular Code of
It is the outlook of a person towards social Conduct in society.
entities like society, culture, organisations, Female attire, considered a distraction for men, is
institutions, etc. It is shaped by personal subjected to moral policing in some societies.
experiences and observations. It can be learned 15. Social Influence
predispositions. It is the influence of outside factors mainly
Generally, there is an unfavourable social attitude social groups on the thoughts, feelings, and
in many sections of society towards same-sex or actions of an individual.
inter-faith marriages. On moving from a village to a city, a person may
9. Prejudice change his/her dressing sense under the influence
It is an unreasonable dislike towards a particular of peer groups.
person or a group of persons and preferences. It 16. Persuasion
is generally a preconceived notion devoid of any It can be defined as an attempt to bring about a
reason or logic. change in the Attitude of a person.
Prejudiced Behaviour with People of colour in Swachh Bharat Mission is persuading people to
Western Countries. use toilets.

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APTITUDE 7. Principles
Principles are guiding concepts that help
1. Aptitude
individuals and organisations make decisions, set
Aptitude refers to a person’s natural ability or priorities, and evaluate actions or outcomes.
talent to acquire and apply new skills, knowledge, Sustainability: the principle of meeting current
and abilities. It is often seen as a measure of a needs without compromising the ability of future
person’s potential for success in a particular field generations to meet their own needs.
or occupation.
Fairness: Equitable and just treatment for others.
Sachin Tendulkar’s Batting Aptitude made him a
successful player of his generation. 8. Proficiency
A greater degree of competence for efficient,
2. Skills
effective, and accurate performance of a particular
Skill is defined as the learned ability or expertise
task or activity is termed as Proficiency. Proficiency
of effectively and efficiently performing a task or a
results from focused extensive practice and
set of tasks. Practice, experience, and training help
experience.
in developing Skills.
Language Proficiency, Proficiency in Coding,
Technical or Hard skills are usually specific to a
Mathematics, etc.
particular job or industry, while Soft Skills are
interpersonal and more transferable and can be 9. Achievement
useful in many different contexts. Technical or Achievement can be defined as the successful
Hard skills like Coding or Accounting. accomplishment of a goal or task. Skilled and
3. Interest focused effort and perseverance results in the
The natural inclination or liking for a particular
attainment of a desired outcome which is termed
activity, subject, or topic that motivates a person as Achievement.
to pursue and engage in the same. Achievement leads to a sense of satisfaction, pride,
Interest in playing football motivated players like

and fulfillment, increased confidence, motivation,
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to aspire for and higher self-esteem.
Excellence. Completing a project on time.
4. Intelligence Indian Cricket Team Winning the 1983 and 2011
Intelligence is the outcome of a wide range of World Cups created a sense of achievement in the
cognitive abilities like memory, creativity, logical whole Nation.
reasoning, understanding, problem-solving,
situational/spatial awareness, and learning from FOUNDATIONAL VALUES FOR CIVIL
experience. SERVICES
Emotional Intelligence, i.e. the ability to experience/
1. Integrity
comprehend, express and control emotions.
It is the quality of being Honest, having strong
5. Ability
Moral principles unwilling to change.
The natural or acquired competence to perform
Sir M Visvesvaraya: Before accepting the position
a particular activity or task is termed as Ability.
of Dewan of Mysore, he invited all his relatives for
Physical, Cognitive, or Behavioural are some of its
dinner. He told them very clearly that he would
types.
accept the prestigious office on the condition that
Ability to Motivate People, Ability to Control Mob,
none of them would approach him for favors. Such
Analytical Ability, etc.
things are unheard of these days. It is said that he
6. Values used to have 2 sets of candles. One was privately
Values are the Guiding Principles and Beliefs purchased which he used for his private work and
that shape an Individual’s Behaviour, Decisions, the other, was provided by the government which
and Attitudes. Values influence our perceptions he used only for official work.
of right and wrong, good and bad, and what is Lal Bahadur Shastri: On a visit to a textile mill
meaningful and fulfilling. Factors like Upbringing, as Prime Minister, when the owner offered to give
Culture, Belief Systems, Education, and Personal
him expensive sarees, Shastri insisted on buying
Experiences all play their role in shaping Values
and paying for only those he could afford.
for an individual. Values can also change over time
as an individual’s beliefs and perspectives evolve. 2. Honesty
Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, It is the quality of standing by the truth or being
Fairness, and Integrity. truthful.

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Raju Narayana Swamy, Kerala Cadre, IAS is known 8. Neutrality
for exposing corruption, even in the government, It is the state of not taking sides on any issue,
and has been transferred 20 times. conflict, or situation.
3. Impartiality Former Election Commissioner, T N Seshan, was
It is the quality of being fair, or not being biased
known for his Neutrality and ushered in Electoral
or partial towards anything or anyone. reforms.
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (6th President of India 9. Anonymity
and twice Lok Sabha Speaker), was the first ever In terms of Public Service, it refers to staying
Speaker to quit his party on being Elected as a behind the curtain. It is related to the concepts
Speaker. He also conducted the proceedings so of Permanence and Neutrality in civil services.
smoothly that not even once during his tenure,
It is necessary that civil servants (Permanent
opposition staged a walkout.
Executives) give advice freely and without fear
4. Non-partisanship (Neutrality) to the Governments of different
It refers to a lack of affiliation towards any political political parties. Several Doctors, Paramedics and
party or ideology. Non- Partisan media is one of Medical Staff have Anonymously contributed to
the strongest pillars of Democracy. the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was looked up by the 10. Dedication to Public Service
people and various political parties for his simple It refers to the commitment of a public servant
living and Non-Partisan Conduct. towards his/her duty to ensure the welfare of the
5. Conflict of Interest public.
When an individual or organization is faced with S. R. Sankaran, IAS, was known as the People’s Man
competing interests or loyalties that may interfere as he led to the Abolition of Bonded Labour and did
with their ability to act in a Fair, Impartial, Just a lot for the welfare of marginalised communities.
or Objective manner, it is known as Conflict of 11. Tolerance
Interest. It occurs when a person or organization
Tolerance is Respect, Acceptance, and Appreciation
has a personal, financial, or other interest that
may conflict with their Professional or Ethical of the rich diversity of our world’s Cultures, our
obligations. forms of expression, and our ways of being human.
(UNESCO).
A Journalist who is reporting on a company in
Ashoka through Dhamma and Akbar through Din-
which they have a financial interest may be seen
as biased or lacking Non-Partisanship. i-Ilahi preached tolerance towards all persons
belonging to different faiths.
6. Harmony
12. Acceptance
Harmony refers to a state of peaceful coexistence
It refers to accepting the circumstances of one’s
or agreement among individuals or groups. It is
a situation in which different elements or parts life, both misery and joy.
come together in a way that is pleasing, balanced, Sports Players accept defeats and learn from those
and mutually reinforcing. defeats.

Personal Harmony is a sense of inner peace or 13. Antipathy, Apathy, Sympathy
balance, where an individual’s thoughts, feelings, Antipathy: It is the feeling of strong dislike or
and actions are aligned and in sync. hostility towards someone or something.
Social Harmony is a situation in which different The Rohingya Genocide depicted the Antipathy
cultural, ethnic, or religious groups coexist towards the Minority groups in Myanmar.
peacefully and respectfully. Apathy: It is the state of being indifferent towards
Environmental Harmony is a balance between someone or something. It is marked by the absence
human activities and the natural world, where the of concern, feeling, emotions, inclination, etc.
environment is preserved and protected. towards something.
7. Objectivity The breakout of the Russia- Ukraine War indicates
It refers to adhering to facts rather than one’s own the Apathy of those in power towards the common
personal beliefs and feelings. people.
Awarding contracts, Making appointments, and Sympathy: It is the feeling of pity, sorrow, and
giving Rewards based on Merit and not on the compassion for someone’s trouble. It can also be
basis of Favouritism. understood as agreeing to a particular issue

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The Candle Marches throughout the country post Shivdeep Waman Lande, the IPS officer of the 2006
the Nirbhaya Incident showed Sympathy towards batch arrested many Criminals, worked towards
the victim and all women in general. women’s safety and took on the Pharmaceutical
14. Empathy Mafia, took strong action against eve-teasers, and
has been very easily accessible to the people.
It is the ability to sense the emotions of others, look
Received hundreds of messages every day and he
from the perspective of others, keeping oneself in
their shoes. made sure that each message is attended to.
IAS Jitendra Kumar Soni on seeing some
21. Prudence
unprivileged kids going to school barefoot in harsh Prudence refers to the quality of being careful,
winters started the Charan Paduka Abhiyan and cautious, and wise in making decisions and taking
distributed shoes to them. action. Using good judgment and foresight to
15. Compassion anticipate potential risks and avoiding hasty or
It is feeling the pain of others and wanting to help impulsive decisions make one prudent.
them in relieving their pain. A professional shows prudence when she
Mother Teresa is regarded as an icon of compassion prioritises the quality of her work and upskills
for her service towards the poor and downtrodden. herself beforehand.
16. Sincerity 22. Temperance
Sincerity is the quality of being Honest, Genuine,
Temperance refers to the ability to exercise
and Truthful in one’s thoughts, actions, and Self-Control and Moderation in one’s behavior
communication with others. It is a virtue that
and avoid Impulsive Behaviour, especially when
involves being Authentic, Transparent, and
Straightforward in expressing oneself and in dealing indulging. Temperance allows individuals to
with others. Sincerity may involve performing day- maintain balance and avoid extremes.
to-day activities with honesty. An individual not indulging in harmful/useless
Coming to the office on time, Maintaining a record activities either due to peer pressure or even
of all official transactions etc. otherwise.
17. Perseverance 23. Confidentiality
Perseverance is the quality of continuing to Confidentiality refers to the practice/assurance of
pursue a goal or task despite challenges, obstacles, keeping sensitive or classified information, data, or
and setbacks. It involves a combination of knowledge private and preventing its disclosure to
determination, persistence, and resilience in the unauthorised individuals or unintended audiences.
face of difficulties or failures. It is an important Non-disclosure of the identity of the victims of
trait for achieving success in various fields. sexual crimes: the identity is protected so that they
Thomas Edison continued, despite failing over are not subjected to unnecessary ridicule, social
1000 times, in the invention of the light bulb. ostracization and harassment.
18. Courage 24. Openness
Courage is the quality of being brave, fearless,
Openness refers to the state of being Transparent,
and willing to confront and overcome challenges,
Inclusive, and Accessible. Openness promotes
difficulties, or even danger.
a Culture of Trust, Accountability, and leads to
Standing up for what is right, taking risks when social and economic development by increasing
necessary to achieve a desired outcome, and access to knowledge and opportunities, enhancing
countering fear are subject to Courage. innovation, and creating more inclusive societies.
19. Fortitude Jansuchna Portal of Rajasthan Government
Fortitude refers to a quality that enables us to face promotes Openness
life’s difficulties with courage, perseverance, and a 25. Selflessness
deep sense of inner strength.
Selflessness refers to the quality or state of being
A soldier with disturbed personal life facing
concerned more with the needs and well-being
dangerous situations and risking his life to protect
of others than with one’s own. Selflessness can
his country and not giving up.
manifest itself in many different ways, including
20. Responsiveness acts of kindness, generosity, patriotism and
Responsiveness refers to the ability to respond altruism.
quickly and appropriately to a situation, request, Brave Soldiers of India lay off their lives to protect
or stimulus. their Motherland.

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26. Accountability People in positions of power follow the code of
Accountability refers to the state of being
ethics and not misusing their position.
responsible for one’s actions, decisions, 32. Rationality
and performance and being answerable for Rationality refers to the ability to think critically,
the outcomes of those actions. It involves weigh different options, and make informed
acknowledging and taking ownership of one’s decisions in a logical and reasoned way i.e. based
actions and being willing to explain and justify on evidence and facts.
them if necessary. People choose jobs that are more in sync with their
CAG is Accountable to Parliament for his/her skills and interests over jobs that pay more.
Actions
27. Responsibility EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Responsibility refers to the willingness and ability 1. Emotions
to accept the consequences of one’s choices and to Emotions are complex psychological and
fulfill the duties and expectations associated with physiological responses generated due to either
a particular role, position, or situation. some external stimulus or internal thoughts and
Corporate Firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility feelings. Emotions are not inherently good or bad,
28. Fiduciary Duty but rather they are natural and necessary aspects
Fiduciary Duty refers to a legal obligation that one
of our mental and physical well-being. Emotions
party has to act in the best interest of another can be positive or negative and can range in
intensity from mild to intense.
party. The party with the fiduciary duty is called
the fiduciary, and the party to whom the duty is Some common positive emotions are happiness,
owed is called the beneficiary. contentment, and excitement, while anger, fear,
The Fiduciary Duty of a Civil Servant refers to
and sadness are common negative emotions.
their obligation to act in the best interests of the 2. Emotional Intelligence
public and to use their powers and resources in a It refers to the ability to experience/comprehend,
Responsible and Accountable manner. express and control emotions, maintaining
29. Diffusion of Responsibilities composure during stressful activities or in tense
Diffusion of responsibilities, also known as the
situations.
Bystander Effect, is a social phenomenon in which Chasing a target during a game, keeping calm,
individuals are less likely to take responsibility and remaining focussed on the workplace despite
for their actions or intervene in an emergency disturbance in personal life.
situation when others are present. It can occur 3. EQ vs IQ
due to social norms, group conformity, and a lack IQ or Intelligence Quotient is an intelligence test
of personal responsibility, among other factors. score. The test is aimed at assessing a person’s
If a group of friends witness someone being cognitive capacity for thinking and reasoning.
bullied, they may be less likely to intervene if they EQ or Emotional Quotient is defined as a person’s
each assume that someone else in the group will capability of identifying his own and another
do it instead. person’s emotions. Emotional intelligence
30. Discipline measures a person’s ability to perceive, control,
Discipline refers to a set of Rules or a Code of evaluate, and express emotions.
Conduct that one follows in order to achieve a
IQ or Intelligence Quotient: It is the measure
certain goal or maintain a certain standard and
of cognitive abilities which Involves processing,
balance. It is the practice of Self-Control and the
knowledge, memory, and reasoning. It affects
ability to adhere to the accepted Rules or Standards
academics, expertise, critical thinking, and logic.
even when faced with distractions.
EQ or Emotional Quotient: It refers to the
Discipline is the backbone of the Indian army.
measure of emotional competency. It involves
Through discipline, it has maintained order and
identifying, controlling, and using emotions in the
excellence over the years.
best and most effective manner.
31. Character
Character defines a person’s Moral and Ethical
It affects motivation, empathy, relationships, self-
Identity as a result of certain qualities, values, and awareness, and self-control. In a scenario where
traits that one possesses. two individuals are applying for a high-pressure

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job, one has a distinguished IQ i.e she possesses A BSF jawan in Jaipur, Jitendra Singh refused to
greater cognitive capacity and skills but gets easily accept a dowry worth Rs 11 lakh and instead, took
Rs 11 and coconut as a token.
frustrated under pressure while the other one has
an IQ that is comparable to many but her high EQ 3. Corporate Governance
makes her more suitable to the job. It is the set of rules, practices, and processes
that are used to govern or manage a company.
4. Social Intelligence According to the Cadbury Committee, corporate
It is the ability to understand and navigate social governance is the “system by which companies
situations and interactions effectively. It involves are directed and controlled.”
being aware of and sensitive to the emotions,
Warren Buffett is known for his Ethical Business
needs, and perspectives of others, and being able
Strategy based on the 3 Ps- Principal, Purpose, and
to use that understanding to interact with others
People.
in a positive and constructive way.
4. Red Tapism
A team leader notices that one of their team
members seems to be upset and distracted during It refers to the excessive adherence to the rules or
a meeting. Rather than ignoring the behavior procedures that not only makes the task complex
or becoming critical, the leader takes the team but also delays the result or outcome.
member aside after the meeting and asks if A complicated taxation structure and procedure
everything is okay. The leader listens attentively of filing.
and offers support and encouragement, which 5. Nepotism
helps the team member feel heard and valued.
It refers to the misuse of one’s power or position
5. Interdependence to extend an unfair advantage to a closed one.
Interdependence is defined as a relationship
A political leader appoints his son as the president
between two or more entities in which each entity of the party instead of internal elections and fair
depends on the other(s) for support, cooperation,
chance to other party members.
or mutual benefit. Individuals, groups, or systems
that are interconnected and influenced by each
other’s activities and presence are said to be
PROBITY
interdependent. 1. Probity
Governance: Different ministries and departments Probity refers to a strong commitment to Honest,
depend on each other for functional and technical Ethical, and Moral Conduct. It refers to a person’s
support for the smooth operation of service or an organisation’s adherence to high standards
delivery. of Integrity, Transparency, and Accountability in
Social Setups: A situation in which different their actions and decision-making. A Public Official
groups or communities depend on each other for with probity would act in the public interest, be
resources, services, or protection. transparent about their financial dealings, and
Economics: A situation in which markets, avoid conflicts of interest.
countries, or regions rely on each other for trade, A Journalist who adheres to Probity would report
investment, or technology transfer. the truth and be transparent about their sources of
information. They would avoid sensationalism and
ETHICAL GOVERNANCE bias, and ensure that their reporting is accurate
and fact-based.
1. Ethical Governance
2. Transparency
It refers to the set of Rules, Practices, and Processes
Transparency refers to the Principle of Openness
driven by Moral principles like Probity, Honesty,
Integrity, Transparency, etc. and Honesty in all types of human interactions
and communication, whether it is in personal
CPGRAMS Portal of Union Government and
relationships, business, or government. It involves
Sampark Portal of Rajasthan Government for
being open and truthful about one’s actions,
Effective Grievance Redressal.
intentions, and motivations, and providing access
2. Conscience to information and processes that affect others.
It is an individual judgment regarding the morality Transparency is an important principle for
of one’s actions. It creates a sense of guilt for promoting Honesty, Trust, and Accountability in
committing something wrong and pride for right. all areas of human interaction.

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A social media platform that is transparent would personal gain. Corruption can take many forms,
publicly disclose its content moderation policies, including bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and
so users know what is allowed and what is not. fraud.
3. Code of Ethics 2G Spectrum Scam 2008: This case involved
A code of ethics is a set of guidelines or principles the alleged irregularities in the allocation
that outlines the ethical standards and expectations of 2G spectrum licenses by the Ministry of
for behaviour of an individual, organisation, or Communications and Information Technology.
profession. It provides a framework for ethical
decision-making and helps to promote integrity, 7. Trustworthiness
professionalism, and accountability. The quality of being Honest, Sincere, at all times
The Medical Council of India (MCI) Code of which makes a person Reliable.
Ethics and Regulations sets Ethical Standards for The rampant spread of Fake News and Rumours
physicians in India, including principles such as has reduced the trustworthiness of Social Media.
maintaining the dignity and honour of the medical 8. Discrimination
profession, prioritising the well-being of the It is the unfair and prejudicial treatment of a
patient, and avoiding conflicts of interest. person or group on the basis of their race, sex,
4. Code of Conduct caste, etc.
Code of Conduct is a set of Guidelines or Principles Racial discrimination- Mahatma Gandhi was
that outlines acceptable behaviour for individuals thrown out of the first class compartment in a
or organisations. It may also address issues such as train due to his skin colour.
conflicts of interest, confidentiality, and compliance 9. Preferential Treatment
with laws and regulations. Many organisations
It refers to the concession or the privilege granted
and professions have their own Codes of Conduct,
to certain persons or groups of persons thereby
which are often enforced through disciplinary
making certain benefits more accessible to them.
actions or other consequences for violations.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Preferential treatment is given to persons with
has a Code of Conduct for its employees that disability to help them access public facilities
outlines the ethical and professional standards to with ease.
be followed. 10. Common Good
5. Citizen’s Charter It refers to those facilities which benefit the
A Citizen’s Charter is a document that outlines the society at large and are naturally shared by all the
commitments made by a government or public members of a community.
service provider to its citizens or customers. The
Public transportation and recreational facilities,
charter sets out the standards of service that can
the judicial system, civil liberties like the freedom
be expected from the organisation, including the
quality and level of service, the time it takes to of speech and the freedom of association, clean air
complete tasks, and the accessibility of services. It and clean water; and national defence.
is a tool for citizens to hold public service providers 11. Falsehood
accountable for their actions and to demand better A non-true or inaccurate statement or assertion
services. can be termed as Falsehood. Intentionally or
Citizen’s Charters of various Ministries and unintentionally the claim in the statement could
Departments of Government. be misleading or deceptive like lies, rumours,
6. Corruption misconceptions, and misrepresentations.
Corruption is a form of dishonest or unethical Advertisers, many times, make false/exaggerated
behaviour that involves the abuse of power for claims about their products in order to increase sales.
v v v

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Appendix
6a. What were the major teachings of Guru Nanak? Explain

UPSC CSE MAINS - 2023 their relevance in the contemporary world.
6b. Explain the term social capital. How does it enhance
Section A good governance?
1a. What do you understand by ‘moral integrity’ and
‘professional efficiency’ in the context of corporate Section B
governance in India? Illustrate with suitable examples. 7. You are working as an executive in a nationalised bank
1b. International aid’ is an accepted form of helping for several years One day one of your close colleagues
resource-challenged nations. Comment on ‘ethics in tells you that her father is suffering from heart disease
contemporary international aid’. Support your answer and needs surgery immediately to survive. She also
with suitable examples. tells you that she has no insurance and the operation
2a. “Corruption is the manifestation of the failure of core will cost about 10 lakh. You are also aware of the fact
values in the society.” In your opinion, what measures that her husband is no more and that she is from a
can be adopted to uplift the core values in the society? lower middle class family. You are empathetic about
her situation. However, apart from expressing your
2b. In the context of the work environment, differentiate sympathy, you do not have the resources to fund her.
between ‘coercion’ and ‘undue influence’ with suitable A few weeks later, you ask her about the well-being of
examples. her father and she informs you about his successful
3a. “The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful surgery and that he is recovering. She then confides
than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.”- Mahatma in you that the bank manager was kind enough to
Gandhi. facilitate the release of 10 lakh from a dormant
3b. “To awaken the people, it is the women who must be account of someone to pay for the operation with a
awakened. Once she is on the move, the family moves, promise that it should be confidential and be repaid
the village moves, the nation moves.”- Jawaharlal at the earliest. She has already started paying it back
Nehru. and will continue to do so until it is all returned.
What are the ethical issues involved ?
3c. “Do not hate anybody, because that hatred that comes
out from you must, in the long run, come back to you. Evaluate the behaviour of the bank manager from
If you love, that love will come back to you, completing an ethical point of view.
the circle.”-Swami Vivekananda. How would you react to the situation?
4a. What really matters for success, character, happiness 8. A landslide occurred in the middle of the night
and lifelong achievements is a definite set of emotional on 20th July, 2023 in a remote mountain hamlet,
skills - your EQ-not just purely cognitive abilities approximately 60 kilometres from Uttarkashi. The
that are measured by conventional IQ tests. Do you landslide was caused by torrential rains and has
agree with this view? Give reasons in support of your resulted in large-scale destruction of property and
answer. life. You, as District Magistrate of that area, have
4b. Differentiate ‘moral intuition’ from ‘moral reasoning’ rushed to the spot with a team of doctors, NGOs,
with suitable examples. media and police along with numerous support staff
to oversee the rescue operations. A man came running
5a. Is conscience a more reliable guide when compared to to you with a request for urgent medical help for his
laws, rules and regulations in the context of ethical pregnant wife who is in labour and is losing blood.
decision-making ? Discuss. You directed your medical team to examine his wife.
5b. Probity is essential for an effective system of They return and convey to you that this woman needs
governance and socio-economic development.’ blood transfusion immediately. Upon enquiry, you
Discuss. come to know that a few blood collection bags and
blood group test kits are available in the ambulance politician and is very close to the Chief Minister. Vinod
accompanying your team. Few people of your team comes to know about many alleged irregularities
have already volunteered to donate blood. Being a of the Corporation and the high-handedness of the
physician who has graduated from AIIMS, you know Chairman in financial Matters. A Board Member of the
that blood for transfusion needs to be procured only Corporation belonging to the Opposition Party meets
through a recognized blood bank. Your team members Vinod and hands over a few documents along with
are divided on this issue; some favour transfusion, a video recording in which the Chairman appears to
while some others oppose it. The doctors in the team be demanding bribe for placing a huge order for the
are ready to facilitate the delivery provided they supply of QMR tyres. Vinod recollects the Chairman
are not penalized for transfusion. Now you are in a expediting clearing of pending bills of QMR tyres.
dilemma. Your professional training emphasizes on Vinod confronts the Board Member as to why he is
prioritising service to humanity and saving lives of shying away from exposing the Chairman with the
individuals. so-called solid proof he has with him. The member
What are the ethical issues involved in this case? informs him that the Chairman refuses to yield to his
Evaluate the options available to you, being District
threats. He adds that Vinod may earn recognition and
Magistrate of the area. public support if he himself exposes the Chairman.
Further, he tells Vinod that once his party comes to
9. At 9 pm on Saturday evening, Rashika, a Joint Secretary, power, Vinod’s professional growth would be assured.
was still engrossed in her work in her office. Her Vinod is aware that he may be penalized if he exposes
husband, Vikram, is an executive in an MNC and the Chairman and may further be transferred to a
frequently out of town in connection with his work. distant place. He knows that the Opposition Party
Their two children aged 5 and 3 are looked after by stands a better chance of coming to power in the
their domestic helper. At 9:30 pm her superior, Mr. forthcoming elections. However, he also realizes that
Suresh calls her and asks her to prepare a detailed the Board Member is trying to use him for his own
note on an important matter to be discussed in a political gains.
meeting in the Ministry. She realises that she will have
As a conscientious civil servant, evaluate the
to work on Sunday to finish the additional task given
options available to Vinod.
by her superior. She reflects on how she had looked
In the light of the above case, comment upon
forward to this posting and had worked long hours
the ethical issues that may arise due to the
for months to achieve it. She had kept the welfare of
politicization of bureaucracy.
people uppermost in discharging her duties. She feels
that she has not done enough justice to her family and 11. You have just been appointed as Additional Director
she has not fulfilled her duties in discharging essential General of Central Public Works Department. The
social obligations. Even as recently as last month she Chief Architect of your division, who is to retire in six
had to leave her sick child in the nanny’s care as she months, is passionately working on a very important
had to work in the office. Now, she feels that she must project, the successful completion of which would earn
draw a line, beyond which her personal life should him a lasting reputation for the rest of his life. A new
take precedence over her professional responsibilities. lady architect. Seema, trained at Manchester School
She thinks that there should be reasonable limits of Architecture, UK joined as Senior Architect in your
to the work ethics such as punctuality, hard work, division. During the briefing about the project, Seema
dedication to duty and selfless service. made some suggestions which would not only add
Discuss the ethical issues involved in this case.
value to the project, but would also reduce completion
time. This has made the Chief Architect insecure
Briefly describe at least four laws that have
and he is constantly worried that all the credit will
been enacted by the Government with respect to
go to her. Subsequently, he adopted a passive and
providing a healthy, safe and equitable working
aggressive behaviour towards her and has become
environment for women.
disrespectful to her. Seema felt it embarrassing as
Imagine you are in a similar situation. What
the Chief Architect left no chance of humiliating her.
suggestions would you make to mitigate such He would very often correct her in front of other
working conditions? colleagues and raise his voice while speaking to her.
10. Vinod is an honest and sincere IAS officer. Recently, This continuous harassment has resulted in her losing
he has taken over as Managing Director of the State confidence and self- esteem. She felt perpetually
Road Transport Corporation, his sixth transfer in tensed, anxious and stressed. She appeared to be in
the past three years. His peers acknowledge his vast awe of him since he has had a long tenure in the office
knowledge, affability and uprightness. The Chairman and has vast experience in the area of her work. You
of the State Road Transport Corporation is a powerful are aware of her outstanding academic credentials
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and career record in her previous organisations. made attempts to bring out the adverse effects of the
However, you fear that this harassment-may result misuse of social media.
in compromising her much needed contribution in Based on the above case study, discuss the ethical
this important project and may adversely impact her issues involved in the use of social media.
emotional well-being. You have also come to know
Discuss the pros and cons of using social media
from her peers that she is contemplating tendering
by you to put across the facts to counter the fake
her resignation.
propaganda against your family.
What are the ethical issues involved in the above
case?
What are the options available to you in order to
UPSC CSE MAINS - 2023
complete the project as well as to retain Seema in
the organization? Model Answers
What would be your response to Seema’s 1a. What do you understand by ‘moral integrity’ and
predicament? What measures would you institute ‘professional efficiency’ in the context of corporate
to prevent such occurrences from happening in governance in India? Illustrate with suitable examples.
your organization? Ans:
12. You hold a responsible position in a ministry in the Introduction
government. One day in the morning you received Corporate governance refers to the framework of
a call from the school of your 11-year-old son that principles, practices, and regulations that guide business
you are required to come and meet the Principal. management. In this context, ‘moral integrity’ represents
You proceed to the school and find your son in the an unwavering commitment to ethical conduct, honesty,
Principal’s office. The Principal informs you that and the preservation of moral values throughout an
your son had been found wandering aimlessly in the organization. Conversely, ‘professional efficiency’ pertains
grounds during the time classes were in progress. The to the competence and effectiveness of an organization’s
class teacher further informs you that your son has leadership in carrying out its responsibilities, making
lately become a loner and did not respond to questions informed and efficient decisions to achieve organizational
in the class, he had also been unable to perform well goals. The Tata Group exemplifies these principles.
in the football trials held recently. You bring your son
back from the school and in the evening, you along Body
with your wife try to find out the reasons for your
son’s changed behaviour. After repeated cajoling, Moral Integrity in the Context of Corporate
your son shares that some children had been making Governance in India:
fun of him in the class as well as in the WhatsApp z Whistleblower Protection: In the Indian context
group of the students by calling him stunted, duh of corporate governance, moral integrity includes
and a frog. He tells you the names of a few children protecting whistleblowers, fostering an environment
who are the main culprits but pleads with you to let where employees feel safe to expose wrongdoing. Ex-
the matter rest. After a few days, during a sporting the Companies Act, 2013, provides legal protection
event, where you and your wife have gone to watch to whistleblowers.
your son play, one of your colleague’s son shows you
z Shareholder Rights Protection: Moral integrity
a video in which students have caricatured your son.
extends to protecting shareholder rights, ensuring
Further, he also points out to the perpetrators who
fair treatment, equal access to information, and
were sitting in the stands. You purposefully walk
safeguarding against conflicts of interest. Ex the “Say
past them with your son and go home. Next day, you
on Pay” provision in India gives shareholders the
find on social media, a video denigrating you, your
right to approve executive compensation packages,
son and even your wife, stating that you engaged in
physical bullying of children on the sports field. The promoting transparency and accountability in
video became viral on social media. Your friends and corporate governance.
colleagues began calling you to find out the details. z Independent Board Oversight: Corporate
One of your juniors advised you to make a counter governance in India involves the inclusion of
video giving the background and explaining that independent directors on corporate boards who can
nothing had happened on the field. You, in turn posted impartially assess company actions and provide ethical
a video which you have captured during the sporting guidance, thereby reinforcing moral integrity. For
event, identifying the likely perpetrators who were instance, SEBI requires that a certain percentage
responsible for your son’s predicament. You have also of board members be independent directors to
narrated what has actually happened in the field and ensure checks and balances in decision-making.

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z Sustainable Practices: Moral integrity in corporate Conclusion
governance helps to adopt sustainable and socially In conclusion, ‘moral integrity’ and ‘professional
responsible business practices that benefit not efficiency’ in the context of corporate governance in India
only the company but also the broader community represent an unwavering commitment to ethical conduct
and environment. For instance, the Tata Group’s and the competence of leadership in making informed
commitment to sustainability and corporate decisions. It is imperative for companies to incorporate
social responsibility, like the Tata Sustainability these values into their practices as an integral part of
Group, reflects their dedication to moral integrity sustainable development, ensuring not only their own
in business operations. success but also contributing to the betterment of society
z Code of Ethics Implementation: Within the and the environment.
framework of Indian corporate governance, moral
integrity is exemplified by the establishment of a Extra Edge
code of ethics that guides individuals’ conduct within Interrelation between Moral Integrity and
a company, emphasizing qualities like honesty, Professional Efficiency:
transparency, and ethical behavior. For instance, z Synergic Relationship: Moral integrity and
SEBI mandates listed Indian companies to develop professional efficiency work in tandem to create a
a code of conduct for board members and senior corporate environment that supports sustainable
management, ensuring ethical decision-making. growth. Mahindra & Mahindra demonstrate
this interrelation by integrating sustainable
Professional Efficiency in the Context of practices into their business model.
Corporate Governance in India: z Ethical Leadership: Ethical leadership serves as
z Effective Decision-Making: In the realm of corporate a guiding force that enables a company to achieve
governance in India, professional efficiency hinges on professional efficiency while upholding moral
leaders making well-informed and timely decisions integrity. Infosys, under the leadership of N. R.
that benefit the organization. An example is the Narayana Murthy, is a notable example.
Tata Group’s swift response to the 2008 financial z Trust and Reputation: Moral integrity and
crisis, which helped the conglomerate weather the professional efficiency mutually reinforce trust
economic storm. and reputation. For instance, the Tata Group’s
enduring ethical commitment and community
z Resource Allocation: Professional efficiency leads
development efforts have built a trustworthy
to efficient allocation of resources, including capital, reputation, fostering efficient operations and
labor, and assets. Companies like Infosys exemplify enduring success.
this by strategically investing in research and z Conflict Resolution and Decision-Making: The
development to enhance their technological nexus of moral integrity and professional efficiency
capabilities within the framework of corporate is pivotal in conflict resolution and decision-
governance. making, aligning business efficiency with values of
z Risk Management: Professional efficiency also integrity and fairness. Johnson & Johnson’s swift
extends to an organization’s ability to identify, and costly recall of Tylenol during the 1980s
assess, and mitigate risks effectively. HDFC Bank, poisoning crisis illustrates this.
for instance, maintains stability in India’s volatile
financial sector through robust risk management 1b. International aid’ is an accepted form of helping
practices. resource-challenged nations. Comment on ‘ethics in
z Transparent Reporting: Timely and accurate financial contemporary international aid’. Support your
reporting is essential in corporate governance. answer with suitable examples.
Reliance Industries’ transparent accounting
Ans:
practices serve as a model of professional Introduction
efficiency in this context. International aid refers to the assistance provided by one
z Ethical Conduct: Upholding ethical standards is country or international organization to another country
paramount for organizations in India’s corporate facing various challenges, exemplified by India’s
governance landscape. The Aditya Birla Group’s contribution of INR nearly 96 crore to Nepal for post-
strong ethical framework guides its operations, earthquake assistance in 2015. However, the ethics
reinforcing its professional efficiency in corporate surrounding international aid have become increasingly
governance. important in contemporary scenario, as ensuring aid
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is delivered and utilized ethically is essential to its demonstrating increased dependence on
effectiveness and the well-being of recipient nations. external assistance.
Corruption: Inequitable distribution of aid has often
Body z
resulted in corruption, where funds intended for relief
Ethical Foundations of International Aid: and development are embezzled or misappropriated.
z Humanitarian Assistance: In the case of Haiti’s earthquake relief efforts
in 2010, corruption within the aid distribution
Altruism: Altruism, a fundamental ethical
system hindered effective relief efforts.
foundation of international aid, emphasizes
selfless concern for the welfare of others. A prime z Armed Conflicts: Aid can also be misused to fuel armed
example is the global response to the 2004 conflicts, as seen in cases where humanitarian
Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. assistance inadvertently supports warring factions
rather than benefiting the affected populations.
Global Solidarity: The principle of global
Such misuse can have severe ethical implications for
solidarity underscores the shared responsibility of
international aid efforts.
the international community in assisting nations
facing challenges. An excellent illustration is the Conclusion
establishment of COVAX for equitable access to The ethical dimensions of international aid are complex
COVID-19 vaccines. and multifaceted, highlighting the need to strike a
z Developmental Assistance: balance between noble intentions and potential pitfalls.
Capacity Building: Capacity building, a critical This balance is paramount to ensuring that international
ethical foundation, emphasizes empowering aid better serves its intended purpose while upholding
nations to become self-sufficient and resilient. The the principles of fairness, compassion, and global
Marshall Plan post World War II exemplified environmental responsibility.
this principle by focusing on long-term 2a. “Corruption is the manifestation of the failure of core
recovery of Europe. values in the society.” In your opinion, what measures
Education and Health: The ethical imperative to can be adopted to uplift the core values in the society?
enhance education and healthcare is paramount Ans:
in international aid efforts. This is exemplified Introduction
by agencies like UNICEF, which actively Corruption involves the misuse of power, authority,
promote education, and the Bill & Melinda or resources for personal gain, often violating ethical
Gates Foundation, which has made significant principles and values. In contrast, core values represent
contributions to improving healthcare around fundamental beliefs and guiding principles reflecting the
the world. central priorities and ethical standards. For example,
z Ecological Sustainability: With growing integrity is a core value directly opposing the corrupt
environmental concerns, international aid increasingly practice of embezzlement.
includes projects for sustainable development and
environmental conservation. An example is the Body
Green Climate Fund, which supports projects Corruption as the Manifestation of the Failure
that mitigate the impacts of climate change in
vulnerable countries.
of Core Values in Society:
z Erosion of Integrity: The decline in personal
Ethical Issues and Criticisms: integrity can lead to corrupt practices, as individuals
z Conditional Aid: compromise their ethical principles for personal
Political Manipulation: International aid gain. The Enron scandal illustrates how a lack
often faces criticism for being influenced by of integrity among top executives can result in
political motives rather than solely addressing dishonest and unethical behavior.
humanitarian needs. For instance, U.S. aid to z Disregard for Rule of Law: Corruption often involves
Central American countries has been accused powerful individuals manipulating legal processes to
of prioritizing political interests over the protect their interests, undermining the core value of
welfare of the recipients. the rule of law. The Brazilian Car Wash operation
Economic Dependencies: Certain forms of aid is a clear example of how corruption can infiltrate
have inadvertently created economic dependencies legal systems.
rather than promoting self-sufficiency. Haiti, z Neglect of Accountability: A lack of accountability
despite receiving substantial aid, continues in society allows corruption to thrive without
to struggle with economic hardships, consequences, as individuals and institutions evade

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responsibility for their actions. The Volkswagen z Ethical Leadership: Foster integrity in public and
emissions scandal is a case where a lack of private sectors through ethical leadership, setting
accountability allowed corrupt practices to persist. high moral standards. Notable examples include Dr.
z Loss of Trustworthiness: When trustworthiness Mariazeena Johnson, Chancellor of Sathyabama
erodes, it can lead to corruption as people lose Institute of Science and Technology, as a beacon
faith in legal and ethical processes. Transparency of ethical leadership in the Indian business world.
International’s Corruption Perceptions Index z Civil Society Engagement: Empower NGOs and
demonstrates the connection between corruption watchdog groups to monitor government activities,
advocate for transparency, and mobilize public
levels and the erosion of public trust in institutions.
opinion against corruption, as exemplified by the
z Disregard for Fairness: Corruption often results Ghana Integrity Initiative, engaging citizens in
in unfair advantages and disparities in society, monitoring public services and advocating for
undermining the core value of fairness. The Panama anti-corruption reforms.
Papers leak reveals how corrupt practices can z Use of Technology: Leverage technology to reduce
allow a select few to accumulate wealth at the opportunities for corruption, such as implementing
expense of others, illustrating how corruption is e-government initiatives and blockchain for
a manifestation of the failure of this core value. transparency, to modernize and streamline
processes while minimizing corrupt practices.
Measures to Uplift Core Values in Society: Conclusion
z Education and Awareness: Emphasize values-based The deterioration of core values within society creates an
education from an early age, as demonstrated in ideal environment for corruption to thrive. Nevertheless,
Finland where ethics education is integrated into collaborative efforts from all sectors—governments,
the curriculum, teaching students about societal businesses, civil society, and individuals—hold the key
values, ethical decision-making, and critical to eradicating corruption and nurturing a culture that
thinking. champions integrity and transparency, thereby securing
a fairer and more equitable future.
z Strong Legal Framework: Ensure comprehensive
2b. In the context of the work environment, differentiate
anti-corruption laws with severe penalties, backed
between ‘coercion’ and ‘undue influence’ with suitable
by an independent judiciary and anti-corruption examples.
agencies, akin to Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Ans:
Investigation Bureau (CPIB), known for its swift Introduction
and effective prosecution of corruption cases. In the workplace, coercion employs force or intimidation,
z Transparency and Accountability: Promote while undue influence manipulates trust, both leading to
transparency and accountability through open data unfair control over decision-making. These behaviours
initiatives, like Norway’s practice of publishing result in abusive management, eroding trust, hindering
communication, and fostering an unhealthy work
all government contracts online, ensuring
environment. For example, a supervisor coercing
transparency and accountability in public
employees into unpaid overtime or using undue
procurement processes.
influence for personal gain undermines a healthy
z Whistleblower Protection: Establish a safe work environment.
environment for whistleblowers with legal
protection and incentives, as seen in India with Body
the Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2014, which Differences between ‘Coercion’ and ‘Undue Influence’
encourages individuals to expose corruption. within a Work Environment:
Aspect Coercion Undue Influence

The act of forcing someone to act in an The subtle act of manipulating someone,
Definition involuntary manner through the use of threats, exploiting a position of power to sway decisions
intimidation, or some other form of pressure or behaviours
Often involves overt threats and a clear display More subtle and might involve psychological
Characteristic of power imbalance manipulation and a misuse of power and
authority
Covered under laws protecting employees from Might not always involve clearly illegal actions
Legal Aspect harassment and hostile work environments. but can still fall under the purview of workplace
ethics and laws regarding abuse of power.
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Aspect Coercion Undue Influence
Can manifest as bullying, harassment, or Generally manifests as manipulation,
Manifestation
violence in the workplace. persuasion, and exploitation of power dynamics
Creates a hostile work environment impacting Can lead to a stressful work environment with
Impact
the mental well-being of employees. employees feeling pressured and manipulated
Raises serious ethical concerns as it involves a Ethically questionable as it undermines the
Ethical
violation of individual autonomy and consent autonomy of individuals through subtle
Considerations
manipulation
z Forcing an employee to work overtime z A manager subtly suggesting that helping
regularly under the threat of termination. them with personal errands might be
Examples z Sexual harassment cases where individuals favourable for the employee’s career.
are forced into unwanted situations. z Using one’s influence to sway performance
appraisals and promotions unduly.
Conclusion z Fostering Inclusivity and Harmony: Kindness

The distinction between ‘coercion’ and ‘undue influence’ transcends boundaries and promotes inclusivity by
in the workplace is pivotal for nurturing a healthy and bringing people of diverse backgrounds together. For
ethical work environment. By embracing comprehensive instance, participating in a neighborhood potluck
policies, ensuring whistleblower protection, setting up dinner encourages inclusivity and builds harmony
ethics hotlines, and investing in leadership development, among community members.
we can lay the foundation for cultivating an atmosphere z Fulfilling Moral Duty: Engaging in simple acts of
characterised by profound respect and unwavering kindness allows individuals to fulfill their moral duty
integrity. towards others. For instance, when someone stops
3a. “The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful to help a stranded motorist on the roadside, they
than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.”- Mahatma are fulfilling their moral responsibility to assist
Gandhi someone in need.
Ans: Practical Implications and Applications:
Introduction
z Educational Settings:
Mahatma Gandhi, a towering figure in the history of India’s
Kindness Curriculum: Incorporating kindness
struggle for independence, was not only a political leader
but also a philosopher of peace and non-violence. In the curriculums in schools, such as the “Random
quote mentioned above, he imparts a profound wisdom Acts of Kindness” program, can foster empathy
that transcends the boundaries of religion and speaks to and compassion among students.
the universal power of compassion and kindness. Anti-bullying Campaigns: Educational
institutions can combat bullying through kindness
Body and understanding. An example is the “Buddy
The Power of Simple Acts of Kindness: Bench” initiative, where a designated bench on
the playground allows students to signal that
z Promoting Empathy and Connection: Simple acts
they need a friend, promoting inclusivity and
of kindness, such as regularly visiting an elderly
kindness in schoolyards.
neighbor to chat and help with chores, not only
ease their loneliness but also foster empathy and a z Corporate Ethics:
stronger sense of community. Philanthropy: Businesses can actively apply
z Enhancing Mental Well-being: Engaging in acts of kindness through philanthropic efforts, for
kindness, like volunteering at local shelters, has example Microsoft’s philanthropic arm. This
been linked to improved mental health. Volunteers involves contributing to societal well-being by
often report reduced stress levels and increased donating a portion of their profits to charitable
satisfaction with life. causes.
z Creating Positive Social Ripples: Simple acts of Ethical Business Practices: Companies can
kindness, such as paying for a stranger’s coffee in actively apply kindness by adopting ethical
a drive-thru, can set off a chain reaction of goodwill. practices that reflect their commitment to society.
This inspires others to perform kind acts, creating a Tata Group exemplifies this commitment
positive “pay it forward” trend through various initiatives like extensive

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community development programs, which z Kindness to Others: Many religious and spiritual
focus on education, healthcare, and skill- teachings emphasize kindness, compassion, and love
building. for others. When individuals pray for the well-being
z Healthcare: and happiness of others, it exemplifies kindness in
action, fostering empathy and care for one’s fellow
Compassionate Care: Healthcare institutions
human beings.
can actively apply kindness by training their staff
to provide emotional support to patients, Ex- z Community and Unity: When a community gathers
programs like the “No One Should Die Alone” for collective prayer, it signifies unity and shared values,
initiative, where dedicated volunteers offer encouraging acts of kindness within the community as
companionship and solace to terminally ill members support and care for one another. This sense
patients in their final moments. of togetherness often leads to collaborative efforts,
such as organizing charitable events or providing
Mental Health Initiatives: Healthcare systems
assistance to those in need within the community.
can actively promote mental health by fostering
z Moral Guidance: Through prayer, individuals may
empathy and understanding. Ex- “Bell Let’s Talk”
seek guidance on how to navigate moral dilemmas,
campaign in Canada, which encourages open
ultimately leading them to choose actions that reflect
dialogue on mental health issues and works to
kindness and compassion.
reduce the stigma surrounding mental health
challenges. z Social Impact: Prayer can inspire individuals and
communities to engage in acts of charity, service, and
z Community Building:
social justice. For instance, religious communities
Volunteerism: Communities can build stronger often organize outreach programs that provide
bonds through volunteerism. For instance, food, shelter, and support to vulnerable
volunteers helping to rebuild communities after populations, demonstrating the tangible impact
natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, of prayer on social well-being.
exemplify the power of collective kindness and
resilience. Conclusion
Social Capital: Grassroots initiatives at the Gandhi’s wisdom still resonates today, underscoring that
neighborhood level, such as community gardens profound change often commences with the simplest acts
in cities like New York and London, actively of kindness. In an era marked by intricate challenges,
build social capital by encouraging kindness and the timeless significance of this quote urges us to adopt
fostering collaboration among residents. kindness as a guiding principle in our interactions
z Environmental Sustainability: and pursuits, ultimately steering us towards a more
compassionate and harmonious world.
Eco-friendly Practices: Individuals and
communities can actively apply kindness to the 3b. “To awaken the people, it is the women who must be
environment by adopting eco-friendly practices, awakened. Once she is on the move, the family moves,
such as reducing plastic waste through the use the village moves, the nation moves.”- Jawaharlal Nehru.
of reusable bags and containers. Ans:
Conservation Efforts: Engaging in conservation
Introduction
activities, such as tree planting drives Above statement emphasizes the crucial significance
or neighborhood clean-up initiatives, of women’s empowerment in the holistic development
of a society, extending from individual families to the
demonstrates kindness to the environment by
entire nation. This empowerment entails the provision of
preserving natural resources and enhancing local
autonomy, rights, and opportunities, enabling women to
ecosystems.
actively participate in various domains, and stands as a
“A Thousand Heads Bowing in Prayer” as a fundamental catalyst for societal progress.
Manifestation of Kindness: Body
z Kindness to Oneself: Prayer often involves self-
reflection, seeking forgiveness, and nurturing one’s The Centrality of Women in Societal Awakening
inner peace, promoting emotional well-being and z Awareness and Enlightenment: Educated women
personal growth. For instance, taking time for can ignite awareness and action, fostering a culture of
prayer allows individuals to reflect on their own critical thinking and empowering them to raise their
emotions and experiences, fostering a sense of voices against issues such as child marriage.
self-compassion that contributes to their overall z Political Trailblazers: Women in politics can shape
well-being. policy and society; leaders like Angela Merkel in
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Germany have influenced policies on gender Nation:
equality and social welfare. z Political Representation: Women in politics advocate
z Social Entrepreneurs: Women-led social enterprises, for policies promoting gender equality, social justice,
such as the SEWA founded by Ela Bhatt, have not and economic development, creating a more equitable
only improved women’s livelihoods but have also and prosperous nation. Indira Gandhi, India’s first
brought about broader societal transformation. female Prime Minister, exemplifies this.
z Community Influencers: Women in leadership roles z Economic Growth: Women›s participation in the
at the community level can drive positive change; for workforce boosts the national economy through
instance, women in the “Panchayati Raj” system increased productivity and innovation. A study
suggests that India’s GDP could increase by $770
in India advocate for better local infrastructure.
billion by 2025 with gender equality measures in
Empowering Women: Catalysts for Family, place.
Inspirational Icons: Iconic individuals like Arunima
Village, and National Advancement z
Sinha, the first female amputee to conquer Mount
Family: Everest, serve as symbols of determination and
empowerment. Conference and the Women’s India
Educational Upliftment: When women are
Association exemplify this commitment.
educated and empowered, they prioritize their
children’s education, leading to improved literacy Conclusion
rates and higher living standards within families. In conclusion, Jawaharlal Nehru’s profound insight
For example, an educated mother may choose underscores the pivotal role of women in catalyzing
to allocate a portion of the household budget societal progress. By recognizing and nurturing the
specifically for the quality education of her potential of women in various spheres, we not only
child. awaken societies but also pave the way for a more
Health and Well-being: Women often serve equitable, compassionate, and prosperous nation.
as primary caregivers and their advocacy for 3c. “Do not hate anybody, because that hatred that comes
healthcare and nutrition contributes to the well- out from you must, in the long run, come back to you.
being of family members. If you love, that love will come back to you, completing
Fostering Values: Women’s influence fosters moral the circle.”-Swami Vivekananda
values like empathy and compassion, leading to Ans:
harmonious family dynamics and the development Introduction
of responsible, caring individuals. For instance, Swami Vivekananda, a prominent Indian philosopher
a mother›s considerate behavior toward the and spiritual leader, implores individuals in this quote to
embrace love and compassion. He highlights the enduring
household maid helps instill the value of
truth that the emotions we project onto the world have a
compassion in a child.
cyclical effect, ultimately shaping the course of our own
Village: lives.
z Social Impact: Women’s leadership in community Body
projects results in enhanced infrastructure, better
access to essential services, and improved living The Circle of Hatred and Its Implications:
conditions for all residents. z Self-Destructive Emotion: Hatred often consumes
z Healthcare Advocacy: Women-led initiatives raise one’s own peace of mind and emotional well-being
awareness about healthcare issues, increasing over time, making it a self-destructive emotion. For
instance, the deep-seated hatred among European
vaccination rates, improving maternal health, and
nations before World War I exacerbated the
reducing disease prevalence. The “Anganwadi”
emotional toll and suffering endured by individuals
program serves as an example.
and societies in the conflict.
z Addressing Social Issues: Empowered women, like z Negative Consequences: When hatred is expressed
Mamta from Rajasthan, who successfully prevented through harmful actions, it can trigger negative
her own child marriage and now advocates consequences, such as legal repercussions or a
against the practice, exemplify how women take a damaged reputation. A clear illustration is the Nazi
stand against critical issues such as child marriage war criminals tried by international tribunals
and female foeticide, driving positive change in their after World War II, leading to legal accountability
communities. and enduring infamy.

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z Isolation: Hatred can erode one’s ability to form escalate, leading to real-world consequences. Ex- the
positive relationships and alliances, isolating the rise of extremist online forums.
individual in the long run. For instance, engagement z International Conflicts and Peace Efforts: In a world
of individuals in extremist hate groups often leads marked by international conflicts, Vivekananda’s
to isolation from mainstream society. message emphasizes the importance of love,
z Toxic Environment: The cycle of hatred perpetuates compassion, and diplomacy in resolving disputes.
itself when others respond with similar negativity, Ongoing conflicts, such as those in the Middle
creating a toxic environment that can ultimately impact East, serve as reminders of the destructive nature
the individual who initially harbored the hatred. For of hatred and the need for love-driven solutions.
example, the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
z Mental Health and Well-Being: In the context
z Escalation of Conflict: Hatred often fuels the escalation
of mental health, Vivekananda›s philosophy finds
of conflicts, making them more intense and difficult to
validation in support groups for combat veterans,
resolve, resulting in prolonged suffering for all parties
involved. The Kashmir conflict exemplifies how where shared experiences and love-driven empathy
hatred fuels hostilities, prolonging suffering and aid in their mental and emotional recovery.
impeding resolution. z Environmental Stewardship: Vivekananda’s
philosophy of interconnectedness and
The Circle of Love and Its Implications: responsibility extends to environmental concerns.
z Positive Energy: Love generates positive energy, For instance, organizations like Greenpeace
fostering feelings of compassion, empathy, and exemplify this love for the planet through direct
goodwill towards others, creating a harmonious actions such as protesting against deforestation and
atmosphere that, in turn, nourishes the cycle of love advocating for responsible resource management.
and positivity. For example, colleagues at work
expressing genuine care and appreciation for one z Global Solidarity: In times of crisis, such as the
another. COVID-19 pandemic, Vivekananda’s message inspires
global solidarity and acts of kindness. Acts of support
z Acts of Kindness: Love motivates individuals to
engage in acts of kindness, such as helping, supporting, and humanitarian aid exemplify the positive cycle of
and caring for others, leading to a cycle of positivity. love and compassion that benefits not only individuals
For instance, helping a neighbour with groceries, but entire communities.
can inspire others to do the same, creating a chain
of goodwill.
Conclusion
z Connection: Love strengthens social ties, fosters a In the convoluted tapestry of human emotions and
sense of belonging, and creates a close-knit community choices, Swami Vivekananda’s profound message serves
where mutual support and unity perpetuate the cycle as a guiding light, urging individuals to choose love
of connectedness and love for each other. For example, and compassion over hatred. By choosing love and
in many villages, people often share meals in each compassion, we can perpetuate a virtuous cycle that not
other’s homes. only enriches our lives but also contributes to the well-
z Mental and Emotional Well-Being: Experiencing being of our communities, nations, and the world at large.
and expressing love can enhance one’s mental and 4a. What really matters for success, character, happiness
emotional health, promoting inner peace, and reducing and lifelong achievements is a definite set of emotional
stress and anxiety, ultimately creating a more loving skills - your EQ-not just purely cognitive abilities that
environment. This is exemplified by the strong are measured by conventional IQ tests. Do you agree
bonds formed among comrades in the military. with this view? Give reasons in support of your answer.
z Reciprocity: When we love and show kindness to Ans:
others, it often inspires them to respond in kind, Introduction
creating a circle of love and compassion that benefits Emotional Quotient (EQ) and Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
all involved and extends to the broader community.
represent two distinct facets of human abilities. EQ
For instance, neighbourly acts of kindness, like
involves the ability to understand and manage one’s own
child care assistance, often lead to reciprocal
emotions as well as the emotions of others, while IQ
support, strengthening neighbourly bonds.
serves as a tool to measure a person’s cognitive abilities.
Relevance in Contemporary Times: For instance, a person’s ability to remain focused and
z Social Media and Online Hate: In the age of productive during a crisis at home reflects their EQ,
digital communication, Vivekananda›s message gains whereas solving puzzles within a given time frame
relevance as we witness how online hate speech can tests one’s IQ.
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Body z Narrow Definition of Success: Relying solely on
IQ restricts the definition of success to academic or
Importance of EQ: career achievements, disregarding broader aspects
z Self-Awareness: Emotional intelligence allows like happiness, personal fulfillment, and ethical
individuals to recognize and understand their values that emotional skills encompass.
emotions, leading to better decision-making and z Unrealized Potential: Depending only on IQ can
personal growth. Swami Vivekananda demonstrated result in untapped potential, as it doesn’t account for
high emotional intelligence in his personal and unique talents and strengths that individuals possess
spiritual growth. but may not align with traditional cognitive measures.
z Adaptability: High EQ fosters adaptability, allowing z Limited Scope: IQ’s focus on academic and problem-
individuals to navigate changing circumstances solving abilities fails to capture qualities like
resilience, motivation, and integrity, which play a
effectively; for example, Virat Kohli exemplified
substantial role in character development and overall
adaptability in his career by adjusting to various
well-being.
challenges.
z Conflict Resolution: High EQ promotes empathy Conclusion
and active listening, enabling individuals to mediate In today’s era, as emotional challenges continue to
conflicts and find mutually beneficial solutions. mount, the importance of EQ cannot be overstated.
Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent conflict resolution This is exemplified by Indian educational reforms that
during India’s struggle for independence are incorporating EQ from the beginning. However, it is
showcased exceptional emotional intelligence. essential to strike a balance between IQ and EQ, as it
equips individuals with a holistic skill set that enhances
z Stress Management: Emotional intelligence
their overall quality of life and leads to a more fulfilling
enables individuals to handle stress and pressure
and successful life journey.
more effectively, reducing the risk of burnout and
4b. Differentiate ‘moral intuition’ from ‘moral reasoning’
maintaining mental well-being.
with suitable examples,
z Leadership and Teamwork: EQ allows leaders
Ans:
to understand and motivate their team members, Introduction
leading to greater productivity and job satisfaction. Moral intuition and moral reasoning are pivotal cognitive
Ratan Tata exemplifies it. processes in shaping our moral judgments. Moral intuition
operates as an immediate, emotion-driven response,
Limitations of Relying Solely on IQ:
whereas moral reasoning involves a deliberate, rational
z Neglecting Non-Cognitive Skills: Relying solely on IQ analysis before reaching a moral decision. For example,
overlooks essential non-cognitive skills, illustrated in a distressing situation, moral intuition prompts
when a highly intelligent individual struggles to instinctive help, while moral reasoning assesses
cope with change or work effectively in a team due potential risks and benefits before deciding on the
to a lack of adaptability and interpersonal skills. appropriate action.
Body
Difference between ‘Moral Intuition’ and ‘Moral Reasoning’:
Aspects Moral Intuition Moral Reasoning
Immediate and automatic judgement The deliberate process of determining right or
about the right or wrong of a situation, wrong through logical analysis, involving critical
Definition
often driven by emotions and instinctive thinking and evaluation of ethical principles.
reactions.
Often instantaneous, arising from gut Involves conscious thought, where one applies
Characteristic feelings without conscious reasoning. moral principles and ethical theories to reach a
conclusion.
Plays a foundational role, forming the Comes into play when one seeks to justify a
Importance in immediate judgement that can later be moral judgement or when engaging in moral
Moral Judgements analyzed through reasoning. discussions and debates.

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Aspects Moral Intuition Moral Reasoning

Grounded in innate tendencies and shaped Relies on cognitive processes and often
Psychological Basis by evolutionary processes, cultural norms, involves employing moral philosophies such as
and personal experiences. utilitarianism or deontology.
Can be biased and subject to personal Can sometimes be influenced by an individual’s
Objectivity prejudices and might not always lead to moral intuition, and therefore not entirely
morally correct judgments. objective.
Develops early in life, with children Evolves with cognitive development and
Moral Development showcasing basic moral intuitions. education, becoming more refined with
intellectual maturity.
z Feeling an instant disapproval upon z Critically evaluating the implications of a
seeing someone steal, without policy on various stakeholders and making
analyzing the act in depth. a decision based on principles of justice and
z Feeling a spontaneous urge to donate to fairness.
Examples
a charitable cause upon hearing about z Deliberating on the allocation of limited
a natural disaster or a humanitarian medical resources (like ventilators) during
crisis. a pandemic, considering principles of justice,
equity, and the greater good.
Conclusion z Personal Accountability: Relying on one’s conscience

Moral intuition and moral reasoning are distinct yet promotes personal accountability in ethical decision-
interconnected processes that guide individuals in their making, fostering a sense of responsibility as
moral decision-making, with moral intuition often serving individuals take ownership of their actions based on
as the instinctive compass and moral reasoning providing moral judgement. Courageous acts of whistleblowers
the calibration. A deep understanding of these processes like Satyendra Dubey in India serve as examples.
can lead to a comprehensive and thoughtful approach z Adaptability: Conscience can adapt to complex
to ethical dilemmas, fostering a well-rounded moral ethical dilemmas. It considers nuances and context,
decision-making process. allowing individuals to navigate situations where
5a. Is conscience a more reliable guide when compared to strict rules or regulations may not apply or provide
laws, rules and regulations in the context of ethical clear guidance. For instance, during Kerala floods,
decision-making ? Discuss. people’s conscience led them to aid beyond legal
Ans: mandates.
Introduction z Consideration of Consequences: Conscience
Conscience, emphasised by thinkers like Socrates,
often prompts individuals to consider the ethical
serves as an intrinsic moral compass, guiding individuals
consequences of their actions, including how their
in ethical judgments and actions, such as offering
immediate assistance to an accident victim. On the decisions impact others and society as a whole.
other hand, laws, rules, and regulations are structured Illustratively, Ashok Khemka, an IAS officer,
frameworks established by authorities to regulate upheld his conscience despite the risk of frequent
behavior, maintain social order, and ensure justice within transfers.
a community, exemplified by traffic laws governing z Ethical Development: Over time, an individual’s
speed limits and driving rules to uphold road order. conscience can mature and become more refined
Body as they gain life experiences and engage in moral
reflection, enhancing its reliability as a guide for ethical
Reliability of Conscience: decision-making. Development of environmental
z Moral Autonomy: Conscience operates as an internal consciousness serves as an example.
moral compass, embodying an individual’s core
values and beliefs, allowing for independent ethical
Limitations of Relying Solely on Conscience:
decision-making by distinguishing right from wrong. z Subjectivity: Conscience is inherently subjective,
For example, Mahatma Gandhi’s commitment influenced by personal beliefs, emotions, and biases,
to the “inner voice” principle during the Indian which can lead to inconsistent ethical judgments. For
independence movement showcased moral instance, in the context of euthanasia, individuals’
autonomy in action. subjective moral beliefs can result in varied
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opinions on the matter, making it challenging to
z Protecting Society: Laws. rules and regulations
establish a clear ethical consensus.
are primarily crafted to safeguard the welfare
z Lack of Clarity: Conscience may not provide clear of society, upholding social order by drawing
guidance in complex or ambiguous ethical situations, upon collective wisdom and consensus, with the
leaving individuals uncertain about the right course of overarching aim of preventing harm. For example,
action. An example of this ambiguity can be seen in environmental regulations are put in place to
the use of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic mitigate pollution, ultimately benefiting the
without following proper protocol. well-being of communities.
z Cultural Variability: Conscience can vary significantly z Reducing Bias: Conscience can be influenced by
across cultures, rendering it an unreliable universal personal biases, emotions, and subjectivity. Laws
standard for ethical decision-making, as seen in and regulations, when created impartially, aim to
differing cultural perspectives on issues like reduce such biases and ensure impartial ethical
live-in relationships. standards. For example, anti-discrimination
z Vulnerability to Manipulation: Conscience can laws promote impartiality by prohibiting bias
be manipulated or misguided, particularly when based on factors like race, gender, or religion.
individuals are under external pressure or influenced z Preventing Chaos: Laws, rules, and regulations
by group dynamics. A relevant example is the prevent chaos and anarchy in society by establishing
phenomenon of groupthink, where individuals boundaries and expectations and providing justice
may suppress their personal moral judgments in through their enforcement. Criminal laws, for
favor of conforming to a group’s unethical actions. instance, maintain social order by outlining
z Legal and Social Consequences: Relying solely on consequences for actions like theft or assault,
conscience without considering legal or societal preventing chaos in society.
norms may lead to legal repercussions or social
backlash in cases where individual judgment conflicts 5b. Probity is essential for an effective system of
with established standards, as exemplified by the governance and socio-economic development.’
alarming instances of mob lynching. Discuss.
Ans:
Conclusion Introduction
To navigate the complexities of ethical decision-making, Probity refers to the quality of absolute honesty, integrity,
individuals should consider both their conscience and and moral uprightness in one’s actions and behavior,
legal standards, adhering to democratic ethics rooted in encompassing adherence to high moral standards and
both conscience and laws, as advocated by leaders like ethical conduct. A financial auditor refusing a bribe
Jawaharlal Nehru. This balanced approach ensures that and reporting irregularities found during an audit
personal morality aligns with societal norms, fostering a demonstrates probity.
just and responsible society.
Body
Extra Edge: Role of Probity in Governance:
Need for Laws, Rules, and Regulations: z Trust and Credibility: Probity builds faith and
z Consistent and Standardised Framework: confidence in government institutions through the
Laws, rules, and regulations provide a consistent unwavering honesty and incorruptibility of public
and standardized framework for ethical behavior, officials. Successful implementation of the Aadhaar
offering clear guidelines that promote fairness and system in India exemplifies it.
predictability for all individuals. Development
z Transparency and Accountability: Probity promotes
of the Indian Constitution underscores the
openness in government operations and holds public
importance of structured guidelines in
servants and officials accountable, acting as a deterrent
governing society.
against corruption and unethical behavior.
z Creating Deterrence: Ignoring established laws
z Effective Resource Utilization: Probity ensures
and regulations can lead to legal consequences,
efficient allocation of public resources based on merit
such as fines or imprisonment. This acts as a
and need, exemplified by New Zealand’s transparent
deterrent against unethical behavior and ensures
budgeting process prioritizing projects with clear
accountability. For example, in the case of
social and economic benefits.
financial fraud, legal consequences serve as a
deterrence against unethical financial practices. z Promoting Stability and Unity: A government
characterized by probity reduces social unrest and
promotes a sense of unity among diverse segments

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of society, contributing to overall political stability. God, known as “Waheguru,” from whom all of creation
Denmark’s governance model serves as an originates.
example. z Spiritual Awakening: Guru Nanak stressed that
the path to spiritual awakening and enlightenment
Role of Probity on Socio-economic
involves deep devotion, understanding of the divine,
Development: meditation (Naam Japna), and selfless service
z Attracting Investment: Probity attracts domestic and (Seva).
foreign investments by assuring investors that their
z Gender Equality: Guru Nanak’s teaching emphasized
resources will be safeguarded against corruption
gender equality, recognizing the equal spiritual
and unethical practices, thus stimulating economic
growth. For instance, Singapore’s stringent anti- potential of both men and women, as reflected in
corruption measures have made it a magnet for his verses in the Guru Granth Sahib.
foreign investments. z Selfless Service (Seva): Guru Nanak stressed the
z Equitable Distribution of Resources: Probity concept of ‘Seva,’ or selfless service to humanity,
ensures that resources are allocated in a manner epitomized by the institution of ‘Langar’, where
that benefits society as a whole, promoting balanced free meals are offered to all, irrespective of their
development. This can be observed in Nordic background, symbolizing equality and service.
countries. z Altruism: Guru Nanak encouraged selflessness
z Promoting Fair Competition: Probity prevents and helping others as vital for spiritual growth,
corrupt practices, thus fostering a level playing field emphasizing the love and compassion that God has
and ensuring markets operate efficiently, ultimately for all. This teaching is epitomized in the principle
leading to economic growth. The United States’ strict of “Vaand Chhako”(sharing with those in need).
enforcement of anti-monopoly laws exemplifies z Social Equality: Guru Nanak strongly disagreed
this.
with the caste system and social divisions in India.
z Human Capital Development: Through probity He taught that all people are equal in God’s eyes, no
in education and employment practices, emphasis matter where they come from, and he taught that we
is placed on merit and skills, which are essential
should treat everyone with respect and kindness.
for sustained socio-economic progress. Germany’s
vocational training system is a prime example. Relevance in the Contemporary World:
z Community-harmony: Probity in governance z Oneness of God (Monotheism): In today’s religiously
ensures that public resources are used for the diverse world marked by occasional tensions, Guru
collective good, fostering social stability and Nanak’s monotheistic teachings remain pivotal
unity within a society. Switzerland’s high in fostering interfaith harmony and transcending
levels of probity are reflected in its strong religious divisions. This is evident in temples
community cohesion and overall social stability.
providing aid to destitute individuals regardless
of their faith.
Conclusion z Spiritual Awakening: In 2021, 40% of adults
As nations strive for growth and stability, prioritizing worldwide reported significant levels of concern
probity remains pivotal in achieving these goals, fostering (42%) or stress (41%), underscoring the pertinence
a society where honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct of Guru Nanak’s teachings on spiritual awakening
serve as guiding principles for a prosperous future. and enlightenment as a comprehensive guide for
6a. What were the major teachings of Guru Nanak? Explain individuals seeking inner peace and purpose in
their relevance in the contemporary world. modern life.
Ans: z Gender Equality: With the Global Gender Gap score
Introduction showing progress towards closure at 68.4% across
Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, lived in the late 15th all 146 countries in 2023, Guru Nanak’s teachings
and early 16th centuries in the Indian subcontinent, a time on recognizing the equal potential of both men and
characterized by societal disparities, religious divisions, women hold profound relevance.
and a quest for spiritual meaning. His teachings, impactful z Selfless Service (Seva): Guru Nanak’s teaching
in his era, retain profound relevance in the modern world. encourages individuals to actively engage in acts of
kindness and community service, emphasizing that
Body
it goes beyond being a religious duty, serving as a
Major Teachings of Guru Nanak: means of addressing pressing societal issues like
z Oneness of God (Monotheism): Guru Nanak’s central poverty and non-inclusivity.
teaching revolved around monotheism, highlighting z Altruism: In today’s age of economic disparities,
the belief in a single, omniscient, and omnipresent environmental challenges, and humanitarian crises,
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Guru Nanak’s teaching of “Vaand Chhako” encourages for its sustainability. For example, in a closely-knit
individuals to transcend self-centered perspectives. neighbourhood, regular gatherings and mutual
This fosters a sense of responsibility for fellow human assistance among residents (networks) establish
beings and the planet as a whole. a norm of community support and unity.
z Social Equality: Guru Nanak’s rejection of the
Role of Social Capital in Enhancing Good
caste system and emphasis on social equality
inspire contemporary efforts for inclusive, equitable Governance:
communities, like inter-caste marriages and z Trust and Accountability: Social capital fosters
educational programs in India, promoting social trust among citizens and between citizens and
justice and respect for all. their government, creating an environment where
cooperative and transparent interactions can thrive.
Conclusion For example, in India’s Panchayati Raj system,
Guru Nanak’s teachings, grounded in compassion, equality, trust within communities helps hold elected
and spirituality, provide an enduring and timeless guide representatives accountable for their actions and
for navigating the complexities of the contemporary decisions.
world. His wisdom offers a universal message that z Civic Engagement: High levels of social capital
inspires individuals and societies to pursue a more just, encourage civic engagement, where individuals actively
compassionate, and harmonious world, rendering his participate in political processes due to their strong
teachings highly relevant and indispensable in addressing social networks. An example is the Gram Sabha,
the multifaceted challenges of our modern age. where social capital facilitates informed decision-
making through active public participation.
6b. Explain the term social capital. How does it enhance
good governance? z Social Cohesion: Social capital fosters collective
efforts to address challenges and promote inclusive
Ans: policies, a crucial aspect of good governance. Sports
Introduction teams exemplify the power of social networks in
Social capital refers to the collective value of trust, achieving shared objectives, demonstrating the
cooperation, and mutual support within a social network concept in action.
or community, facilitating collaboration and shared z Conflict Resolution: High social capital promotes
resources, such as neighbours helping each other peaceful conflict resolution through negotiation and
during a crisis due to pre-existing bonds of trust and mediation, fostering stability and peace—vital for
reciprocity. good governance. For example, property disputes
Body are often resolved through community mediation
instead of lengthy legal procedures.
Understanding Social Capital: z Reducing Corruption: Social capital acts as a
z Components of Social Capital: Social capital consists deterrent to corruption, as communities with strong
of three integral components: social networks are less susceptible to corrupt
Networks: These represent the interconnected
practices. For instance, self-help groups promote
transparency and accountability in financial
relationships among people.
transactions, reducing corruption at the grassroots
Norms: Norms encompass the rules, values, and
level.
expectations governing social interactions.
z Inclusivity: Social capital promotes inclusivity
Sanctions: Sanctions encompass both rewards by ensuring that marginalized and disadvantaged
and punishments, such as praise and sarcasm groups have a voice in governance. For instance,
that serve to reinforce adherence to established cooperative societies have enabled marginalized
norms. farmers to collectively influence policies and gain
z Interconnected Dynamics: Social capital’s better access to agricultural resources.
components are interlinked and mutually affect
each other. For instance, volunteer networks in a Conclusion
community establish norms like cleanliness and Social capital serves as a vital foundation for effective
environmental responsibility, and those who don’t governance structures. India’s successful policies,
participate face social sanctions, reinforcing both including “Self-Help Groups” and community-driven
the practice and social unity. programs, highlight the significance of cultivating and
z Reinforcing Relationships: The interaction between harnessing social capital. Looking ahead, a steadfast
the components of social capital, such as strong commitment to investing in social capital-building policies
networks fostering shared norms and adherence to remains imperative for achieving equitable and effective
these norms strengthening relationships, are crucial governance within society.

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Section B the bank manager, has played a significant role in the

transaction involving a dormant account.
7. You are working as an executive in a nationalised bank
for several years One day one of your close colleagues Ethical Issues Involved:
tells you that her father is suffering from heart disease z Professional Integrity: The apparent breach of
and needs surgery immediately to survive. She also professional integrity by both the bank manager
tells you that she has no insurance and the operation and colleague raises ethical concerns regarding their
will cost about 10 lakh. You are also aware of the fact adherence to the bank’s policies and principles.
that her husband is no more and that she is from a z Appropriate Use of Power and Resources: The
lower middle class family. You are empathetic about bank manager’s decision to utilize bank resources
her situation. However, apart from expressing your for personal reasons, albeit for a humanitarian cause,
sympathy, you do not have the resources to fund her. prompts ethical questions about the responsible use
A few weeks later, you ask her about the well-being of of power and resources.
her father and she informs you about his successful
z Confidentiality and Privacy: The bank manager’s
surgery and that he is recovering. She then confides
decision to release funds from a dormant account
in you that the bank manager was kind enough to
without the account holder’s knowledge raises
facilitate the release of 10 lakh from a dormant
concerns about confidentiality and privacy, potentially
account of someone to pay for the operation with a
violating the account holder’s rights.
promise that it should be confidential and be repaid
at the earliest. She has already started paying it back z Moral Obligation: The moral obligation to assist
and will continue to do so until it is all returned. someone in dire need is evident in the colleague›s
request for assistance and the bank manager›s
What are the ethical issues involved ?
decision to facilitate it.
Evaluate the behaviour of the bank manager from
z Compassion and Empathy: Compassion and empathy
an ethical point of view.
demonstrated by the bank manager reflect ethical
How would you react to the situation? values related to understanding and assisting others
Ans: during times of distress.
The presented case study sheds light on a critical z Impartiality: The bank manager’s involvement in the
ethical scenario intertwined with a life-and-death situation and his decision to facilitate the fund release
situation. It centers on a colleague grappling with the could be perceived as favoring one employee over
dire circumstances of her father’s life-threatening health others, raising questions about impartiality.
condition, necessitating a costly surgical procedure.
z Legal Compliance and Accountability: The actions
Amidst the urgency of the situation and the assistance
of both the colleague and the bank manager need to be
offered, this case brings ethical principles such as integrity, assessed against the rules and regulations governing
compassion, confidentiality, financial prudence, and legal nationalized banks in India, such as the Banking
considerations to the forefront of the discussion. Regulation Act, 1949, to ensure ethical conduct and
Stakeholders Involved: adherence to established standards.
z My Colleague: She is the central figure facing the life- Evaluation of the Bank Manager’s Behaviour:
threatening health crisis of her father and grappling
Arguments in Support of the Bank Manager’s
with the financial burden.
Behaviour:
z Her Father: He is the patient in dire need of the heart Moral Compassion and Kindness: The bank
surgery for survival. manager’s act reflects moral compassion and
z The Bank Manager: The manager plays a key role kindness, demonstrating genuine concern for a
in facilitating the release of funds from a dormant colleague in need.
account for the surgery and insists on confidentiality. Empathy for Colleague’s Plight: The manager’s
z The Unknown Account Holder: The dormant actions show empathy for the colleague’s
account holder’s funds are being utilized for the distressing situation, fostering a caring workplace
surgery without their knowledge or consent. environment.
z Me (Executive of the Bank and Witness): As an Humanitarian Consideration: This behavior
executive in the bank and a witness to the situation, I exemplifies humanitarian values, prioritizing the
am directly involved and face ethical dilemmas. well-being and life-saving needs of a colleague’s
z Medical Professionals: They are responsible for family member.
conducting the surgery and providing healthcare. Alleviating Suffering: The decision aims to
z The Bank as an Institution: The bank itself is alleviate the suffering of the colleague’s family,
implicated in the scenario since one of its employees, aligning with principles of reducing distress.
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Responsibility towards Bank: The bank done openly and in compliance with the bank’s policies
manager’s insistence on repayment reflects a sense and procedures, with a clear plan for repayment and
of responsibility towards the bank and adherence record-keeping.
to financial accountability. z Non-Precedent Setting: I would suggest that the
Arguments Against the Bank Manager’s Behaviour: bank manager and my colleague take steps to ensure
z Violation of Legal Norms: Using funds from a that this situation does not set a precedent within the
dormant account without the account holder’s organization. Clear guidelines should be established
knowledge potentially breaches legal norms and to address similar requests in the future, ensuring
banking regulations. For instance, this act could fairness and impartiality.
be seen as misappropriation, potentially falling z Monitoring and Follow-Up: I would advise monitoring
under section 409 of the Indian Penal Code, which the situation closely to ensure that the funds are
addresses trust breaches by public servants or repaid as promised. This would uphold the principle
those in similar roles. of financial responsibility and accountability.
z Breach of Professional Ethics: Using bank resources,
even for compassionate reasons, may be viewed as Conclusion
unprofessional and contrary to established ethical In navigating the ethical complexities of this situation,
standards. it is crucial to strike a balance between compassion and
z Confidentiality and Transparency Issues: Secrecy ethical integrity, emphasizing the significance of reflective
around the fund release raises ethical concerns about decision-making that encompasses both ethical and legal
transparency and accountability. dimensions.
z Precedent Setting: The behavior may set problematic 8. A landslide occurred in the middle of the night
precedents, leading to inconsistent decision-making on 20th July, 2023 in a remote mountain hamlet,
and perceptions of favoritism. approximately 60 kilometres from Uttarkashi. The
z Erosion of Trust: The perception of partiality could landslide was caused by torrential rains and has
resulted in large-scale destruction of property and
erode trust within the organization, contrary to
life. You, as District Magistrate of that area, have
principles of impartiality and fairness.
rushed to the spot with a team of doctors, NGOs,
My Reaction to the Situation: media and police along with numerous support staff
z Compassion and Empathy: I would first express to oversee the rescue operations. A man came running
my empathy and support to my colleague for her to you with a request for urgent medical help for his
father’s health crisis. It is crucial to acknowledge her pregnant wife who is in labour and is losing blood.
emotional distress and the challenging situation she You directed your medical team to examine his wife.
is facing. They return and convey to you that this woman needs
z Confidentiality Concerns: The use of funds from blood transfusion immediately. Upon enquiry, you
a dormant account without the account holder’s come to know that a few blood collection bags and
knowledge is ethically questionable and potentially blood group test kits are available in the ambulance
illegal. I would discuss the importance of adhering accompanying your team. Few people of your team
to legal and ethical standards regarding financial have already volunteered to donate blood. Being a
transactions. physician who has graduated from AIIMS, you know
z Legal Compliance: I would recommend that the that blood for transfusion needs to be procured only
through a recognized blood bank. Your team members
colleague and the bank manager seek legal advice to
are divided on this issue; some favour transfusion,
ensure that the actions taken are in compliance with
while some others oppose it. The doctors in the team
banking regulations and do not expose the bank or
are ready to facilitate the delivery provided they
individuals involved to legal risks.
are not penalized for transfusion. Now you are in a
z Alternative Solutions: I would explore alternative dilemma. Your professional training emphasizes on
solutions to address the financial needs of my colleague, prioritising service to humanity and saving lives of
such as fundraising efforts, seeking assistance from individuals.
charitable organizations, or exploring government
What are the ethical issues involved in this case?
healthcare schemes. These alternatives would aim to
Evaluate the options available to you, being District
alleviate the financial burden without compromising
ethical and legal principles. Magistrate of the area.
z Accountability and Transparency: I would Ans:
emphasize the importance of transparency and The case presents a dilemma where a pregnant woman
accountability within the organization. If a decision needs a blood transfusion to survive, but the blood source
is made to facilitate the release of funds, it should be is debated due to it not being from an official blood bank.

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The District Magistrate faces the ethical duty to save lives leadership by making a morally justifiable decision
versus the professional mandate of established protocols, under the given circumstances, setting a precedent
highlighting the tension between humanitarianism and for the entire team.
procedural ethics.
Evaluating the Available Options:
Stakeholders Involved and Their Interests: Option-1. Proceeding with Immediate Blood
z The Pregnant Woman: Her immediate concern is to Transfusion
receive the necessary medical attention to save her Pros:
life and the life of her unborn child. z Immediate action to save lives, demonstrating a
z Her Husband: He is concerned about the safety and commitment to humanitarian values.
well-being of his wife and unborn child. z Rapid response to the urgent medical situation,
z Medical Team: The medical professionals are potentially preventing fatalities.
dedicated to upholding medical ethics and their z Acknowledgment of the moral duty to prioritize life
professional training, which emphasizes saving lives. over procedural rules.
However, they also fear potential penalization for any Cons:
breach of medical protocols. z Risk of transmitting infectious diseases due to the
z Me (As the District Magistrate): I am in a challenging absence of blood screening typically conducted by
position, torn between adhering to established rules recognized blood banks.
and providing urgent humanitarian aid, reflecting the z Legal repercussions for violating established medical
ethical dilemma at the heart of this situation. protocols and potential penalties for the medical team.
z The Local Community and NGOs: They have a vested z Ethical concerns related to bypassing formal
interest in ensuring that emergency assistance is procedures, which might set a precedent for future
provided effectively and may advocate for immediate cases.
transfusion to save lives.
Option-2. Seeking Blood from a Recognized Blood
z Media: The media’s interest lies in reporting the Bank
incident accurately while potentially portraying the Pros:
DM’s decision in various lights, depending on the z Adherence to established medical protocols, ensuring
outcome. the safety and quality of the transfused blood.
Ethical Issues Involved: z Mitigation of potential legal and regulatory issues
z Moral Duty towards Immediate Response: An associated with blood transfusion.
ethical issue arises in the moral obligation to respond z Compliance with standard procedures, preventing
urgently to save the lives of both the mother and child, ethical dilemmas related to procedural breaches.
even if it entails bending established rules. Cons:
z Professional Accountability: An additional ethical z Loss of crucial time during the procurement of blood
concern is professional accountability among the from a recognized blood bank, which could lead to
doctors who wish to facilitate the delivery but fear life-threatening delays.
potential penalties for bypassing the established z Failure to utilize the immediate availability of
transfusion protocols. volunteers and blood collection materials.
z Team Dynamics and Decision-Making: The division z Potential negative public perception and media
within the team regarding blood transfusion reflects scrutiny for not taking immediate action in a life-
an ethical issue related to decision-making and threatening situation.
coordination during a crisis. Appropriate Action:
z Utilitarianism and Deontological Ethics: The z Coordinating with Medical Authorities: Collaborate
situation brings to the fore the classic debate between closely with the medical team on-site to assess the
utilitarian approach, which emphasizes the greater urgency of the situation and explore all available
good, and deontological approach, which focuses on options. This includes evaluating the feasibility of
rigid adherence to rules. obtaining blood from recognized sources, ensuring
z Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Using blood proper screening, and considering the potential risks
for transfusion that has not been procured from and benefits of immediate transfusion.
a recognized blood bank may breach legal and z Documenting the Decision-Making Process:
regulatory standards related to patient safety and Thoroughly document the decision-making process,
blood product quality. including consultations with medical professionals,
z Ethical Leadership: An ethical issue pertains to the communication with recognized blood banks, and
District Magistrate’s responsibility to exhibit ethical the rationale behind the chosen course of action.
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This documentation serves as vital evidence to Her unwavering commitment to her job has resulted in
justify the decision and protect against potential legal an imbalanced work-life dynamic, prompting a critical
repercussions. reassessment of established work ethics. Central to this
z Crisis Management Strategy: This situation is the ethical struggle to balance work and personal life,
underscores the need for an improved crisis fulfill family and societal obligations, and protect personal
management strategy that incorporates flexibility well-being.
in protocols for emergency situations. Developing Stakeholders Involved and Their Interests:
specific guidelines for exceptional cases, such as
z Rashika (Joint Secretary): As the Joint Secretary,
unavailability of blood from recognized blood banks,
Rashika’s decisions and actions have a direct impact
can help safeguard lives while maintaining ethical and on her career, family, and personal well-being.
legal standards.
z Rashika’s Family; Rashika’s family members,
Conclusion including her husband Vikram and their children
(aged 5 and 3), are directly impacted by her career
In conclusion, the ethical complexity of this case highlights decisions, work-life balance, and the choices she
the imperative of prioritizing the greater good, with a makes in managing her professional and personal life.
strong emphasis on the humanitarian aspect. This entails
z Domestic Helper: In her role as a domestic helper,
ensuring maximum safety and meticulous documentation her job security and work responsibilities are affected
to validate the emergency action while also upholding the by Rashika’s decisions.
moral duty to save lives in extraordinary circumstances.
z Mr. Suresh (Superior): In his capacity as Rashika’s
9. At 9 pm on Saturday evening, Rashika, a Joint Secretary, superior, Mr. Suresh relies on her to fulfill her
was still engrossed in her work in her office. Her professional duties and make contributions to the
husband, Vikram, is an executive in an MNC and organization.
frequently out of town in connection with his work. z Ministry (Organization): The Ministry’s functioning
Their two children aged 5 and 3 are looked after by and decision-making are directly impacted by
their domestic helper. At 9:30 pm her superior, Mr. Rashika’s work, making it a key stakeholder.
Suresh calls her and asks her to prepare a detailed z Society: As a part of society, there are expectations
note on an important matter to be discussed in a regarding responsible parenting, ethical professional
meeting in the Ministry. She realises that she will have conduct, and maintaining a work-life balance that
to work on Sunday to finish the additional task given affect Rashika’s choices.
by her superior. She reflects on how she had looked
forward to this posting and had worked long hours Ethical Issues Involved:
for months to achieve it. She had kept the welfare of z Personal Well-being: The toll Rashika’s work habits
people uppermost in discharging her duties. She feels take on her personal life and well-being brings up
that she has not done enough justice to her family and ethical concerns about the physical and mental health
she has not fulfilled her duties in discharging essential of employees in demanding roles.
social obligations. Even as recently as last month she z Family and Social Obligations: Rashika’s reflection
had to leave her sick child in the nanny’s care as she on her inability to fulfill her family and social duties
had to work in the office. Now, she feels that she must due to work-related commitments highlights ethical
draw a line, beyond which her personal life should questions about the prioritization of professional
take precedence over her professional responsibilities. success over personal responsibilities.
She thinks that there should be reasonable limits z Work-Life Balance: Rashika’s constant dedication to
to the work ethics such as punctuality, hard work, her work at the cost of her family life raises ethical
dedication to duty and selfless service. questions about maintaining a healthy work-life
Discuss the ethical issues involved in this case.
balance.
Briefly describe at least four laws that have
z Ethical Boundaries of Work Ethic: Rashika
been enacted by the Government with respect to contemplates setting reasonable limits to work ethics
such as punctuality, hard work, dedication to duty,
providing a healthy, safe and equitable working
and selfless service. This ethical issue questions the
environment for women.
extent to which professional responsibilities should
Imagine you are in a similar situation. What
encroach upon personal life and the need for ethical
suggestions would you make to mitigate such boundaries in work ethics.
working conditions?
z Women in Workforce: The case study underscores
Ans: the challenges women face in balancing professional
This case delves into the ethical dilemma faced by a and familial responsibilities, particularly in leadership
Joint Secretary, grappling with the demands of a high- roles, which hinders their career advancement in the
powered career while shouldering family responsibilities. workforce.

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Laws Enacted by the Government and cloud-based collaboration tools can greatly
z Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (Amended in 2017): enhance productivity and collaboration in remote
This act provides maternity benefits to female work settings.
employees, including paid maternity leave, z Counseling and Support Measures: Establish
prenatal and postnatal care, and nursing breaks. counseling services to assist employees with
The 2017 amendment extended the maternity work-life balance challenges, promoting better
leave from 12 to 26 weeks, promoting the health mental health and job satisfaction. For instance,
and well-being of women during pregnancy and companies like Microsoft offer counseling support
childbirth. through programs like “Microsoft Cares,” which
z Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace encompasses personal and work-related issues,
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013: contributing to the well-being of employees and
This law aims to prevent and address sexual
their families.
harassment at the workplace. z Responsible Leadership Promotion Measures:
It mandates the establishment of Internal Encourage responsible leadership to create a
Complaints Committees (ICCs) in organizations, supportive work culture and provide leadership
making it mandatory for employers to provide a development programs emphasizing work-life
safe working environment for women and address balance. IBM serves as an example of responsible
complaints promptly. leadership in organizations.
z Equal Remuneration Act, 1976: z Emergency Leave Provisions: Implement policies
This law prohibits discrimination in wages on the for emergency leaves to enable employees to
grounds of gender. address personal crises without compromising their
It ensures that women are paid equally for work
professional duties, using “The All India Services
of equal value as that of their male counterparts, (Leave) Rules, 1955” as a foundation.
promoting gender pay equity in the workplace.
Conclusion
z Factories Act, 1948 (Section 27, 66(1)(b), and 87(b)):
The case of Rashika serves as a compelling reminder that
Section 27: Section 27 of the law prohibits the
addressing work-life balance is not merely a personal
employment of women and children in any section
of a factory where cotton pressing takes place concern but a critical ethical and societal issue in today’s
while a cotton-opener is actively operating. professional landscape. It calls for a reevaluation of
established work norms and the implementation of
Section 66(1)(b): This section regulates women’s
inclusive policies that prioritize the holistic well-being of
employment hours in factories and permits work
individuals, recognizing that personal exigencies should
for women only between 6 AM and 7 PM.
not be sacrificed at the altar of professional success.
Section 87(b): This provision empowers
authorities to establish regulations that either 10. Vinod is an honest and sincere IAS officer. Recently,
prohibit or impose limitations on the employment he has taken over as Managing Director of the State
of women, adolescents, or children in specific Road Transport Corporation, his sixth transfer in
manufacturing processes or operations. the past three years. His peers acknowledge his vast
knowledge, affability and uprightness. The Chairman
Suggestions to Mitigate Such Working of the State Road Transport Corporation is a powerful
Conditions: politician and is very close to the Chief Minister. Vinod
z Establish Clear Boundaries: Set specific working comes to know about many alleged irregularities
hours, such as 9 AM to 5 PM, and communicate them of the Corporation and the high-handedness of the
clearly to your superiors to delineate when you are Chairman in financial Matters. A Board Member of the
available for work tasks and when personal time is Corporation belonging to the Opposition Party meets
needed. Vinod and hands over a few documents along with
z Flexible Work Arrangements: Consider options like a video recording in which the Chairman appears to
telecommuting or flexible hours, where possible, to be demanding bribe for placing a huge order for the
provide greater control over work timing and location, supply of QMR tyres. Vinod recollects the Chairman
fostering a healthier work-life balance. Runn, for expediting clearing of pending bills of QMR tyres.
instance, exemplifies workplace flexibility by Vinod confronts the Board Member as to why he is
enabling remote work and flexible hours for their shying away from exposing the Chairman with the
team members. so-called solid proof he has with him. The member
z Utilize Technology: Embrace modern technology informs him that the Chairman refuses to yield to his
tools for tasks, communication, and remote work, threats. He adds that Vinod may earn recognition and
facilitating efficient work and connectivity with public support if he himself exposes the Chairman.
colleagues regardless of physical location. For Further, he tells Vinod that once his party comes to
example, adopting video conferencing platforms power, Vinod’s professional growth would be assured.
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Vinod is aware that he may be penalized if he exposes Option-2 Whistle-blowing:
the Chairman and may further be transferred to a Pros:
distant place. He knows that the Opposition Party z Promotes Transparency: Whistle-blowing allows
stands a better chance of coming to power in the Vinod to expose the corruption and financial
forthcoming elections. However, he also realizes that irregularities within the State Road Transport
the Board Member is trying to use him for his own Corporation, promoting transparency.
political gains. z Potential Reforms: By revealing the misconduct,
As a conscientious civil servant, evaluate the Vinod may catalyze reforms within the Corporation,
options available to Vinod. leading to improved governance and accountability.
In the light of the above case, comment upon z Ethical Fulfillment: Whistle-blowing aligns with
the ethical issues that may arise due to the Vinod’s ethical responsibilities as a civil servant and
politicization of bureaucracy. demonstrates his commitment to the public interest.
Ans: z Encouraging Others: This action can encourage
other individuals to come forward with information
This case revolves around Vinod, an honest IAS officer,
on malpractices.
who becomes the Managing Director of the State Road
Transport Corporation amid allegations of corruption Cons:
involving the Chairman. With evidence in hand, Vinod z Risk of Identity Exposure: Inefficient handling of
faces an ethical dilemma: expose the Chairman and risk his the issues can lead to identity revelation, subsequently
career, or navigate the political landscape. This highlights subjecting Vinod to serious repercussions.
the ethical issues tied to bureaucracy’s politicization. z Legal Ramifications: Vinod may have to face legal
ramifications for breaching confidentiality.
Stakeholders Involved and their Interests:
z Uncertain Outcomes: The effectiveness of whistle-
z Vinod: His interests lie in maintaining his professional blowing in bringing about change or punishing
integrity while advancing in his career. wrongdoers is uncertain and may not yield immediate
z Chairman: His interests revolve around preserving results.
his position and the power associated with it. z Mental Stress: Vinod may experience mental stress
z Board Member from the Opposition Party: Aims due to the continuous fear of exposure and potential
to leverage the situation to score political points and repercussions.
potentially dethrone the Chairman, enhancing his Option-3 Cooperating with the Board Member:
party’s chances in the forthcoming elections.
Pros:
z Public: The public’s interest centers on seeing a z Increased Support: Cooperating with the Board
transparent and accountable governance system. Member may lead to support and protection from
Options Available to Vinod and Their a political group, potentially shielding Vinod from
retaliation.
Evaluation:
z Leverage for Reforms: Collaboration can give Vinod
Option-1 Confronting the Chairman:
leverage to push for reforms within the State Road
Pros:
Transport Corporation, aiming to curb irregularities
z Upholding Integrity: Confronting the Chairman
and promote transparency.
aligns with Vinod’s duty to uphold integrity and ethics
in his role as an IAS officer. z Access to Resources: Working with a political party
could provide Vinod access to resources, information,
z Potential for Reform: Exposing corruption can lead
and legal assistance to build a stronger case against
to systemic reforms within the State Road Transport
the Chairman.
Corporation, benefiting the organization and the
public. Cons:
z Ethical Dilemma: Collaborating with a political party
z Public Support: Vinod may earn recognition and for personal gain may compromise Vinod’s ethical
public support for his courage in fighting corruption, principles and integrity as a civil servant.
enhancing his reputation.
z Legal Risks: Involvement in political maneuvers
Cons: could expose Vinod to legal risks, potentially leading
z Retaliation Risk: Confronting the Chairman could to investigations and consequences for his actions.
result in retaliation, including threats to Vinod’s z Political Uncertainty: Depending on political
career, safety, or personal life. alliances can be uncertain, as outcomes in elections
z Political Maneuvering: The Chairman’s political may not always align with expectations, leaving Vinod
influence may lead to efforts to discredit Vinod’s in a vulnerable position.
claims or protect the Chairman’s position, making it Option-4 Internal Investigation
a challenging battle to win. Pros:
z Risk of isolation: Vinod might get isolated in his z Objective Approach: Conducting an internal
professional circle. investigation demonstrates Vinod’s commitment to

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due process and fairness, allowing for an unbiased Conclusion
examination of alleged irregularities.
In facing this complex ethical dilemma, Vinod must
z Evidence Gathering: An internal investigation remain steadfast in his role as a civil servant, upholding
provides an opportunity to collect concrete evidence, his ethical principles while prioritizing the public’s
ensuring a stronger case against the Chairman. welfare. This commitment can pave the way for greater
z Confidentiality: This approach maintains transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in the
confidentiality, reducing the immediate risk of identity bureaucracy, ultimately benefiting society at large.
exposure or retaliation. 11. You have just been appointed as Additional Director
General of Central Public Works Department. The
z Potential for Reform: If the investigation uncovers Chief Architect of your division, who is to retire in six
wrongdoing, it can lead to reforms within the months, is passionately working on a very important
Corporation, improving governance and accountability. project, the successful completion of which would earn
Cons: him a lasting reputation for the rest of his life. A new
z Time-consuming: Internal investigations can be lady architect. Seema, trained at Manchester School
of Architecture, UK joined as Senior Architect in your
time-consuming, potentially delaying actions against
division. During the briefing about the project, Seema
corruption. made some suggestions which would not only add
z Risk of Manipulation: There’s a risk of the value to the project, but would also reduce completion
investigation being manipulated, given the Chairman’s time. This has made the Chief Architect insecure
influential position. and he is constantly worried that all the credit will
z Potential Leaks: Information about the investigation go to her. Subsequently, he adopted a passive and
aggressive behaviour towards her and has become
may leak, putting Vinod at risk of identity exposure or disrespectful to her. Seema felt it embarrassing as
compromising the integrity of the process. the Chief Architect left no chance of humiliating her.
z Repercussions: If the Chairman becomes aware He would very often correct her in front of other
of the investigation, he may take countermeasures, colleagues and raise his voice while speaking to her.
potentially endangering Vinod’s career or personal This continuous harassment has resulted in her losing
safety. confidence and self- esteem. She felt perpetually
tensed, anxious and stressed. She appeared to be in
Ethical Issues Due to Politicization of Bureaucracy:
awe of him since he has had a long tenure in the office
z Conflict of Interest: Vinod’s predicament underscores and has vast experience in the area of her work. You
the pervasive conflict of interest in bureaucratic are aware of her outstanding academic credentials
settings, where personal and professional and career record in her previous organisations.
considerations clash amid increasing politicization. However, you fear that this harassment-may result
z Abuse of Power: The Chairman’s political connections in compromising her much needed contribution in
and the bribe demand reflect potential abuse of power this important project and may adversely impact her
in government institutions. emotional well-being. You have also come to know
from her peers that she is contemplating tendering
z Political Manipulation: The Board Member’s her resignation.
proposition to Vinod to expose the Chairman for What are the ethical issues involved in the above
political gain demonstrates how political manipulation case?
can infiltrate bureaucratic decisions, potentially What are the options available to you in order to
compromising the integrity of the process. complete the project as well as to retain Seema in
z Trust in Public Institutions: The allegations of the organization?
corruption and irregularities in the State Road What would be your response to Seema’s
Transport Corporation raise ethical concerns regarding predicament? What measures would you institute
the public’s faith in government organizations. to prevent such occurrences from happening in
your organization?
Way Forward Ans:
z Ethical Leadership: Vinod should lead by example,
demonstrating unwavering integrity to set an ethical In this scenario, a conflict has emerged between the Chief
Architect, deeply committed to a critical project, and
tone and inspire his team. Seema, a talented architect with innovative ideas. This
z Prudent Decision-making: Vinod should base his demands a thoughtful approach to navigate the ethical
choices on ethical civil service principles, emphasizing dilemmas at hand and find a balance that preserves
transparency and accountability in governance. Seema’s contributions while ensuring the project’s
success.
z Strengthening Institutional Mechanisms:
Implement robust frameworks to safeguard civil Stakeholders Involved and Their Interests:
servants from political interference and empower z Seema: Her interest lies in contributing effectively
them to prioritize societal well-being, exploring to the project, gaining recognition for her ideas, and
effective strategies for this purpose. working in a respectful and supportive environment.
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z Chief Architect: He is concerned about his reputation z Mediation can be time-consuming, potentially affecting
and wishes to ensure that his contributions to the project timelines.
project are acknowledged. z If confidentiality is breached during or after
z Me (As Additional Director General): I am mediation, it can lead to further issues and distrust
interested in successfully completing the project, in the workplace.
retaining valuable talent like Seema, and maintaining Option-2.Training and Sensitization: Conduct
a harmonious work environment. workshops and training sessions on workplace ethics,
z The Organization: The organization’s interest is in respectful communication, and conflict resolution to
achieving project success, fostering a culture of respect create a harmonious work atmosphere.
and inclusivity, and preventing workplace issues that Pros:
can affect productivity and employee retention. z Enhances the overall workplace culture by promoting
z Society at Large: Society benefits from efficient and respect and inclusivity.
ethical public works projects, making it crucial to z Provides a proactive approach to prevent future
address workplace issues that may impact project conflicts and incidents of harassment.
outcomes. z Sends a strong message about the organization’s
Ethical Issues Involved: commitment to ethical conduct.
z Workplace Harassment: The Chief Architect’s Cons:
aggressive and disrespectful behavior towards Seema, z It may take time to see the desired cultural changes.
including humiliation and constant public correction, z Some employees may resist or not fully engage in the
raises the issue of workplace harassment. training.
z Unfair Competition: The Chief Architect’s insecurity z Training alone may not resolve the existing conflict
and fear indicate a reluctance to recognize and between Seema and the Chief Architect.
appreciate the contributions of others. This unfair Option-3. Reassign Roles: Contemplating a reshuffling
competition undermines the principles of collaboration of roles could potentially defuse the tension while
and teamwork. preserving the project’s integrity.
z Gender Equality: The Chief Architect’s differential Pros:
treatment of Seema, possibly influenced by gender bias, z Provides a short-term solution to reduce conflict and
raises ethical concerns about gender discrimination in tension in the project.
the workplace. z Allows Seema to work without the constant harassment
z Suppression of Meritocracy: The Chief Architect’s from the Chief Architect.
efforts to impede Seema’s career development z Preserves the project’s integrity and Seema’s
undermine the principles of meritocracy and fairness. contributions.
z Abuse of Power: The Chief Architect’s use of his Cons:
senior position to belittle Seema reflects the concern of z May not address the root cause of the Chief Architect’s
abuse of power, fostering a hostile work environment.
insecurity and aggressive behavior.
z Failure to Uphold Organizational Values: The
z Could be seen as avoiding the issue rather than
Chief Architect’s behavior is inconsistent with the
confronting it directly.
values of professionalism, respect, and collaboration
that an organization like the Central Public Works z May require a reshuffling of responsibilities that could
Department should uphold. impact other team members or projects.
Options Available: My Response to Seema’s Predicament:

Option-1. Mediation and Conflict Resolution: Initiate z Personal Counselling and Supportive Guidance: I’d
mediation between Seema and the Chief Architect offer Seema personal counseling, creating a safe space
to address their issues and foster a conducive work for her to openly address her concerns and providing
environment. guidance on handling the challenging situation with
Pros: the Chief Architect.
z Promotes open communication and understanding
z Creation of Safe and Inclusive Workplace: I’d
between Seema and the Chief Architect.
reassure Seema that her contributions are highly
z Has the potential to resolve the conflict amicably,
leading to a more harmonious work environment. valued, and she will receive fair and respectful
treatment, fostering an environment conducive to her
z Provides a structured process for addressing
grievances and finding mutually agreeable solutions. professional growth.
Cons: z Confidential Reporting Mechanism: I’d establish a
z Success depends on the willingness of both parties to confidential reporting system for Seema, ensuring her
participate in mediation, which may not be guaranteed. protection and prompt attention to her concerns.

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Preventive Measures: were sitting in the stands. You purposefully walk
Following measures can help prevent such occurrences past them with your son and go home. Next day, you
find on social media, a video denigrating you, your
from happening in the future:
son and even your wife, stating that you engaged in
z Anti-Harassment Policies: Implement stringent
physical bullying of children on the sports field. The
policies aimed at curbing harassment and cultivating video became viral on social media. Your friends and
a workplace culture rooted in respect and inclusivity. colleagues began calling you to find out the details.
The Norwegian Working Environment Act serves One of your juniors advised you to make a counter
as an inspiration. video giving the background and explaining that
z Recognition of Merit: Promote a culture that nothing had happened on the field. You, in turn posted
celebrates meritocracy, valuing innovative a video which you have captured during the sporting
contributions from individuals at all levels within event, identifying the likely perpetrators who were
the organization, akin to the “Performance- responsible for your son’s predicament. You have also
Based Incentive Scheme” implemented in some narrated what has actually happened in the field and
made attempts to bring out the adverse effects of the
organizations.
misuse of social media.
z Mentorship Program: Establish a mentorship
Based on the above case study, discuss the ethical
initiative that encourages the exchange of knowledge issues involved in the use of social media.
and experience between senior and junior employees,
Discuss the pros and cons of using social media
fostering mutual respect and professional growth. by you to put across the facts to counter the fake
z Regular Feedback Mechanisms: Institute routine propaganda against your family.
feedback mechanisms, similar to the “360-Degree Ans:
Feedback” process to maintain a healthy working
environment, enabling the timely identification and In a rapidly digitizing world, the potent influence of social
resolution of issues before they escalate. media is undeniable. The given case study illustrates how
this influential tool can both exacerbate and potentially
Conclusion alleviate complex social issues. The case study paints a
This case underscores the importance of upholding vivid picture of a child’s struggle with bullying and the
workplace values, necessitating a multi-pronged approach subsequent use of social media to address the situation.
to effectively address Seema’s situation. By fostering a This scenario prompts ethical concerns surrounding
culture of respect and inclusivity, the team can be guided reputation, socialization, and the impact of digital
towards achieving successful project completion while platforms in today’s interconnected society.
maintaining a harmonious work atmosphere. Stakeholders Involved and Their Interests:
12. You hold a responsible position in a ministry in the
z The Family (Me, my wife, and my son): The primary
government. One day in the morning you received
a call from the school of your 11-year-old son that interest is to safeguard the family’s dignity, protect
you are required to come and meet the Principal. the child from bullying, and seek justice for the false
You proceed to the school and find your son in the allegations.
Principal’s office. The Principal informs you that z Classmates Responsible for Bullying: The classmates
your son had been found wandering aimlessly in the responsible for bullying may have varying interests,
grounds during the time classes were in progress. The ranging from potentially wanting to maintain their
class teacher further informs you that your son has
actions to feeling remorse and seeking reconciliation.
lately become a loner and did not respond to questions
in the class, he had also been unable to perform well z School Administration (Principal and Class
in the football trials held recently. You bring your son Teacher): The school administration, including
back from the school and in the evening, you along the Principal and the class teacher, is interested
with your wife try to find out the reasons for your in maintaining discipline within the school and
son’s changed behaviour. After repeated cajoling, effectively addressing the bullying issue. Moreover,
your son shares that some children had been making their interests lie in nurturing students who are
fun of him in the class as well as in the WhatsApp responsible digital citizens.
group of the students by calling him stunted, duh z Online Community: The online community is
and a frog. He tells you the names of a few children
interested in uncovering the truth behind the
who are the main culprits but pleads with you to let
allegations and advocating for responsible social
the matter rest. After a few days, during a sporting
event, where you and your wife have gone to watch media use.
your son play, one of your colleague’s son shows you z Friends and Colleagues: as they are interested
a video in which students have caricatured your son. in gaining insight into the situation and providing
Further, he also points out to the perpetrators who support to me and my family.
Appendix 287
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z Wider Society: The wider society is concerned about Cons:
issues related to bullying, cyberbullying, and the z Potential Escalation: Responding on social media
responsible use of social media. carries the risk of escalating the situation, as it may
lead to further online conflicts, negative comments,
Ethical Issues Involved in the Use of and harassment.
Social Media: z Dignity and Professional Stature: As a person
z Cyberbullying and Harassment: The initial ethical holding a responsible position in a government
issue arises from the children’s actions, where ministry, engaging in a social media confrontation
they are found to be engaged in cyberbullying and might not be seen as befitting of your professional
harassment of the protagonist’s son through social stature, potentially adversely affecting your image.
media platforms, causing emotional distress and z Unintended Consequences for the Perpetrators:
negatively affecting the child’s mental well-being. While using social media to identify the alleged
z Privacy and Consent: The publication of the video perpetrators may seem justifiable, it can also have
unintended consequences, potentially spiraling into a
without the consent of the protagonist, his son, and
larger issue that could involve their families as well,
other affected parties raises concerns about privacy
thereby raising legal and ethical concerns.
and consent.
z Spread of False Information: The case highlights Appropriate Action in this Regard:
the rapid spread of false information and rumors on z Report to Concerned Authorities: As a responsible
social media platforms, leading to misinformation and government official, the protagonist should consider
defamation. reporting the incidents of cyberbullying and
z Viral Shaming Culture: The widespread sharing harassment to the relevant school authorities and
of the video and subsequent public humiliation of education department to ensure that appropriate
the protagonist’s family on social media reflects the action is taken against the perpetrators within the
emergence of a harmful viral shaming culture, posing school environment.
concerns about reputation damage and psychological z Community Sensitization: To address the issue at a
well-being. broader level, the protagonist could work with school
authorities to organize awareness programs and
z Responsibility and Accountability: The protagonist’s
workshops on responsible and ethical use of social
decision to publicly identify and accuse the alleged
media, cyberbullying prevention, and mental health
perpetrators of bullying on social media raises
support for students.
questions of responsibility and accountability. While
z Encouraging Open Dialogue: Promote open
addressing the issue is important, it should be done in
communication between parents, teachers, and
a way that does not harm innocent parties or violate
students to create a supportive environment where
their rights.
children can discuss their concerns and experiences
Pros and Cons of Using Social Media to without fear of retribution.
Counter Fake Propaganda: z Personal Reflection and Self-Regulation: Encourage
the son to reflect on the situation, develop strategies
Pros:
for self-regulation in handling online interactions,
z Factual Clarification: Posting a counter video
and consider seeking professional help or counseling
on social media allows for immediate and factual
if needed.
clarification of the situation, ensuring that the truth
is presented clearly. Conclusion
z Awareness and Education: Using social media This case vividly illustrates the ethical complexities of
provides an opportunity to raise awareness about social media use in today’s interconnected world and
the adverse effects of cyberbullying and the misuse the urgent need for responsible online behavior, digital
of social media, educating the public on responsible literacy, and empathy. A proactive approach involving all
online behavior. stakeholders—parents, educators, and policymakers—
z Mental Peace: Addressing false propaganda on is imperative to navigate these challenges, fostering
social media can provide a sense of relief and mental awareness and promoting ethical online conduct for a
peace by setting the record straight and reducing the safer digital environment, where individuals’ dignity and
emotional distress caused by false accusations. well-being are upheld.
v v v

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CONTENTS

The TAO of Ethics�������������������������������������� 1-2 2.15 Prejudice.................................................................... 56

z Lgnores an accident victom.

z Feels sad but doesn't take effort.

z Sees a victim and acts promptly.

2 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

1.2 DEFINITIONS OF ETHICS FROM DIFFERENT SCHOLARS

1.3 THE ORIGIN OF ETHICS

Religion Traditions Family and Laws Conscience-

4 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Ethics and Human Interface 5

Scope of Ethics is concerned with 1.8 THE NATURE OF ETHICS

6 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Ethics and Human Interface 7

Hinduism Islam Christianity

Charity and Golden

8 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Ethics and Human Interface 9

Fig: Possible factors affecting integrity of a civil servant.

1.11 CONSEQUENCES OF ETHICS This unethical behaviour resulted in severe legal

10 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Ethics and Human Interface 11

Ethical Person z Recognizing the

1.12 DIMENSIONS OF ETHICS

Meta Ethics Normative Ethics Descriptive Ethics Applied Ethics

1.12.1 Descriptive Ethics  Example: In India, attitudes towards

12 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Moral Objectivism Moral Subjectivism/Moral Relativism Moral Nihilism

Meta-ethics is divided into two categories:

Ethics and Human Interface 13

HOW TO BE HOW TO ACT

Character focus Rule/Duty Focus Results Focus

Kantian Rule Act

14 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Ethics and Human Interface 15

16 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Ethics and Human Interface 17

18 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Consequentialistic Deontological Consequentialistic Deontological

Ethics and Human Interface 19

Liberal Ecological Environmental

the context of the environment and cannot function

20 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Ethics and Human Interface 21

Deontological Ethics (Duty-Based) Teleological Ethics (Result-Oriented)

22 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

z Application: Deontological approach is applied in z Application: Teleological approach is used by the

Ethics and Human Interface 23

24 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Ethics and Human Interface 25

1.14.2 Ethics In Public Relationship

Social Ethics Political Ethics Organisational Ethics International Ethics

z Respect and towards z Constitutionalism z Corporate Social z Respect to International

Fig: Ethics In Public Relationship

26 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Ethics and Human Interface 27

 Mahatma Gandhi and Abraham Lincoln were both

28 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

OECD and an Ethical Infrastructure

Comparison of Ethics in Public and Private Relationship

Separation of Public and Private Relationships

Ethics and Human Interface 29

30 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

on. tends to see most right-wing policies as positive.

The TAO of Ethics�� 1-2 2.15 Prejudice.................................................................... 56

1.2 DEFINITIONS OF ETHICS FROM DIFFERENT SCHOLARS

1.12.1 Descriptive Ethics Example: In India, attitudes towards

Mahatma Gandhi and Abraham Lincoln were both

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”–Winston S. Churchill

“Aptitude is the bridge between knowledge and accomplishment.” — John C. Maxwell

3.3 APTITUDE VERSUS SKILL, VALUES, ATTITUDE

3.4.3 Role of Aptitude in The Development 3.5 RELATIONSHIP OF APTITUDE