2021 · GS Paper 4 · Q6(b) · 10 marks
"Integrity is a value that empowers the human being." Justify with suitable illustration.
In short
Integrity empowers by making a person whole, which brings fearlessness, credibility and the trust that turns into moral authority over institutions and society. Ashok Khemka's 2012 cancellation of the Vadra-DLF land mutation, in a career of 57 transfers, shows how integrity sustains courage under pressure.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 288 words
Integrity comes from the Latin integer, meaning whole: thoughts, words and deeds in harmony. That wholeness is a source of power, because it frees a person from fear and lends authority beyond office.
How Integrity Empowers the Individual
Freedom from fear
A person with nothing to hide cannot be blackmailed or bought; Gandhi drew from Satya the strength to face an empire without arms.
Moral courage
Ashok Khemka cancelled the mutation of a land deal between Robert Vadra's firm and DLF in 2012 and endured 57 transfers in 34 years of service.
Stature
Lal Bahadur Shastri's resignation as Railway Minister in 1956 cost him office but made him the consensus choice for Prime Minister in 1964.
Credibility as capital
E. Sreedharan's honesty won the Delhi Metro freedom from political interference, and its first phase finished ahead of schedule.
Institutional strength
T.N. Seshan's firm enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct made the Election Commission respected by every party.
Empowering citizens
An honest ration dealer or a truthful RTI reply lets the poorest citizen claim what is due.
Influence beyond life
Satyendra Dubey's 2002 complaint on highway corruption, which cost him his life in 2003, led to the Public Interest Disclosure resolution of 2004 and later the Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014.
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This chapter in the exam
Integrity5 questions
Asked in 5 of 14 sittings since 2013
- 2018State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services and bring out their importance.
- 2017One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be compromised. Explain with reference to a real life example.
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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.