2020 · GS Paper 4 · Q1(a) · 10 marks
Discuss the role of ethics and values in enhancing the following three major components of Comprehensive National Power (CNP) viz. human capital, soft power (culture and policies) and social harmony.
In short
Ethics and values strengthen Comprehensive National Power by making human capital trustworthy, soft power credible and society cohesive. India's Vaccine Maitri (2021) and the International Day of Yoga (2014) show values turning into global attraction, while fraternity under Article 51A(e) sustains social harmony.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 280 words
Character with skills
The National Education Policy 2020 makes ethical and constitutional values part of learning, producing a workforce others trust.
Work ethic
Honesty and discipline lower the cost of supervision and corruption, so the same skills yield more output.
Service ethic
India's ASHA workers, honoured with the WHO Director-General's Global Health Leaders Award in 2022, show duty-bound workers building resilience.
Culture
Joseph Nye defined soft power as attraction rather than coercion; the International Day of Yoga (UNGA, 2014) carries Indian culture worldwide.
Principled policies
Vaccine Maitri (2021), Operation Dost (2023) and the G20 theme "One Earth, One Family, One Future" turned Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam into diplomacy.
Fraternity
Ambedkar saw fraternity as the common brotherhood of all Indians, and Article 51A(e) makes promoting harmony a Fundamental Duty.
Trust
Tolerance prevents identity conflict; the violence in Manipur since 2023 shows how lost trust drains a nation's strength.
Fair institutions
Impartial police and courts make minorities stakeholders, turning diversity into strength.
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This chapter in the exam
Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions12 questions
Asked in 9 of 14 sittings since 2013
- 2026Shakespeare in Henry IV says, "The arms are fair when the intent of bearing them is just". What ethical implications does this have in governance?
- 2024"The concept of Just and Unjust is contextual. What was just a year back, may turn out to be unjust in today's context. Changing context should be constantly under scrutiny to prevent miscarriage of justice." Examine the above statement with suitable examples.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2020 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.