2014 · GS Paper 4 · Q10 · 20 marks
Suppose one of your close friends, who is also aspiring for civil services, comes to you for discussing some of the issues related to ethical conduct in public service. He raises the following points: (i) In the present times, when unethical environment is quite prevalent, individual attempts to stick to ethical principles may cause a lot of problems in one's career. It may also cause hardship to the family members as well as risk to one's life. Why should we not be pragmatic and follow the path of least resistance, and be happy with doing whatever good we can? (ii) When so many people are adopting wrong means and are grossly harming the system, what difference would it make if only a small minority tries to be ethical? They are going to be rather ineffective and are bound to get frustrated. (iii) If we become fussy about ethical considerations, will it not hamper the economic progress of our country? After all, in the present age of high competition, we cannot afford to be left behind in the race of development. (iv) It is understandable that we should not get involved in grossly unethical practices, but giving and accepting small gratifications and doing small favours increases everybody's motivation. It also makes the system more efficient. What is wrong in adopting such practices? Critically analyze the above viewpoints. On the basis of this analysis, what will be your advice to your friend?
In short
All four viewpoints mistake a short-term cost of integrity for a permanent law, so the friend should hold to ethics with prudence, records and allies. Ashok Khemka's integrity through more than 50 transfers shows honesty survives, and the 2018 amendment made bribe-giving a crime.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 299 words
(i) Least resistance
The risk is real, as Satyendra Dubey's murder in 2003 showed, but it also spurred the whistle-blower law that became the Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014; quiet compromise is Moral Escapism.
(ii) Minority is futile
Diffusion of Responsibility makes each honest act feel trivial, yet T.N. Seshan's firm enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct changed Indian elections.
(iii) Ethics hampers growth
Scrutiny can slow approvals, but the 2G and coal block cancellations (2012, 2014) [case] froze investment, while E. Sreedharan delivered the Delhi Metro on time and clean.
(iv) Small favours
Speed money sells the queue to those who can pay and normalises deviance; the 2018 amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act made bribe-giving a crime.
Fix red lines
Decide in advance what you will never do, as Ashok Khemka [officer] did through more than 50 transfers.
Protect through process
Record oral orders, as T.S.R. Subramanian (2013) [case] directed, so pressure goes on paper.
Allies and resilience
Work with honest colleagues, prepare the family and build Emotional Intelligence through Mission Karmayogi (2020) [scheme].
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This chapter in the exam
Civil Service Ethics: The Discussion Tradition5 questions
Asked in 3 of 14 sittings since 2013
- 2019Honesty and truthfulness are the hallmarks of a civil servant. Civil servants possessing these qualities are considered as the backbone of any strong organisation. While discharging their duties, they take various decisions. Some of these decisions turn out to be bonafide mistakes. Unless such decisions are wilfully taken and provide any personal gain, the officer cannot be held guilty. However, at times, such decisions may have unforeseen adverse consequences in the long run. Recently, there have been instances where civil servants have been prosecuted for bonafide mistakes. They have often been prosecuted and even imprisoned. The ethical fabric of civil servants has been adversely affected on account of these instances. How is this trend impacting the performance of public services? What measures can be taken to ensure that honest civil servants are not prosecuted for bonafide mistakes? Justify your answer.
- 2019In a modern democratic polity, there is the concept of political executive and permanent executive. Elected people's representatives form the political executive and bureaucracy forms the permanent executive. Ministers frame policy decisions and bureaucrats execute these. In the initial decades after independence, relationship between the permanent executive and the political executive were characterized by mutual understanding, respect and co-operation, without encroaching upon each others domain. However, in the subsequent decades, the situation has changed. There are instances of the political executive insisting upon the permanent executive to follow its agenda. Respect for and appreciation of upright bureaucrats has declined. There is an increasing tendency among the political executive to get involved in routine administrative matters such as transfers, postings etc. Under this scenario, there is a definitive trend towards 'politicization of bureaucracy'. The rising materialism and acquisitiveness in social life has also adversely impacted upon the ethical values of both the permanent executive and the political executive. What are the consequences of this 'politicization of bureaucracy'? Discuss.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2014 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.