2021 · GS Paper 4 · Q9 · 20 marks
An elevated corridor is being constructed to reduce traffic congestion in the capital of a particular state. You have been selected as project manager of this prestigious project on your professional competence and experience. The deadline is to complete the project in next two years by 30 June, 2021, since this project is to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister before the elections are announced in the second week of July 2021. While carrying out the surprise inspection by inspecting team, a minor crack was noticed in one of the piers of the elevated corridor possibly due to poor material used. You immediately informed the chief engineer and stopped further work. It was assessed by you that minimum three piers of the elevated corridor have to be demolished and reconstructed. But this process will delay the project minimum by four to six months. But the chief engineer overruled the observation of inspecting team on the ground that it was a minor crack which will not in any way impact the strength and durability of the bridge. He ordered you to overlook the observation of inspecting team and continue working with same speed and tempo. He informed you that the minister does not want any delay as he wants the Chief Minister to inaugurate the elevated corridor before the elections are declared. Also informed you that the contractor is far relative of the minister and he wants him to finish the project. He also gave you hint that your further promotion as additional chief engineer is under consideration with the ministry. However, you strongly felt that the minor crack in the pier of the elevated corridor will adversely affect the health and life of the bridge and therefore it will be very dangerous not to repair the elevated corridor. (a) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to you as a project manager? (b) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by the project manager? (c) What are the professional challenges likely to be faced by the project manager and his response to overcome such challenges? (d) What can be the consequences of overlooking the observation raised by the inspecting team?
In short
The project manager should record his dissent, seek written orders, get an independent structural test and rebuild the three piers on a crashed schedule rather than overlook the crack. A hurried reopening without a fitness certificate lay behind the Morbi bridge collapse of October 2022, which killed 135 people.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 284 words
(i) CAPITULATE [Procedural-Evasive]
Obeying the Chief Engineer meets the deadline but is Conscience Laundering through Hierarchy.
(ii) CONFRONT [Empathetic-Humanitarian]
Going to the media is a Lone-Rebel Reading.
(iii) EVADE [Procedural-Evasive]
Seeking a transfer is Moral Escapism.
(iv) COMPROMISE [Compromised-Hybrid]
A cosmetic patch hides a material defect.
(v) RECONCILE ✓ [Balanced]
Record dissent, seek written orders, get an independent test, rebuild on a crashed schedule (recommended).
Overruled by superior
Record dissent and act on written orders, as T.S.R. Subramanian (2013) [case] advised.
Deadline and career pressure
Offer a crashed schedule; Durga Shakti Nagpal (2013) [officer] was reinstated after a documented stand.
Lives and liability
Collapses like Varanasi (2018) [current event] kill, and negligence invites Section 106 BNS prosecution.
Cost and trust
Later retrofitting costs more and teaches that warnings are negotiable.
This model answer is indicative and the model can make mistakes; please verify key facts independently.
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Public Sector and PSU Dilemmas4 questions
Asked in 4 of 14 sittings since 2013
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- 2023Vinod is an honest and sincere IAS officer. Recently, he has taken over as Managing Director of the State Road Transport Corporation, his sixth transfer in the past three years. His peers acknowledge his vast knowledge, affability and uprightness. The Chairman of the State Road Transport Corporation is a powerful politician and is very close to the Chief Minister. Vinod comes to know about many alleged irregularities of the Corporation and the high-handedness of the Chairman in financial matters. A Board Member of the Corporation belonging to the Opposition Party meets Vinod and hands over a few documents along with a video recording in which the Chairman appears to be demanding bribe for placing a huge order for the supply of QMR tyres. Vinod recollects the Chairman expediting clearing of pending bills of QMR tyres. Vinod confronts the Board Member as to why he is shying away from exposing the Chairman with the so-called solid proof he has with him. The member informs him that the Chairman refuses to yield to his threats. He adds that Vinod may earn recognition and public support if he himself exposes the Chairman. Further, he tells Vinod that once his party comes to power, Vinod's professional growth would be assured. Vinod is aware that he may be penalized if he exposes the Chairman and may further be transferred to a distant place. He knows that the Opposition Party stands a better chance of coming to power in the forthcoming elections. However, he also realizes that the Board Member is trying to use him for his own political gains. (a) As a conscientious civil servant, evaluate the options available to Vinod. (b) In the light of the above case, comment upon the ethical issues that may arise due to the politicization of bureaucracy.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2021 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.