2022 · GS Paper 4 · Q1(b) · 10 marks
Apart from intellectual competency and moral qualities, empathy and compassion are some of the other vital attributes that facilitate the civil servants to be more competent in tackling the crucial issues or taking critical decisions. Explain with suitable illustrations.
In short
Empathy lets civil servants see what a decision means to the citizen and compassion turns that insight into action, so policies built on intellect and morality actually work on the ground. S.R. Sankaran's enforcement of the bonded labour law and schools for Dalit children illustrate compassion in action.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 273 words
Seeing the real problem
Kozhikode Collector Prasanth Nair's Operation Sulaimani (2015) gave meal coupons to the hungry, a need no file had recorded.
Designing for the vulnerable
The 2020 lockdown forgot migrant workers until Shramik Special trains and a faster rollout of One Nation One Ration Card eased their plight.
Making officers reachable
Pamela Satpathy's "Friday Sabha" in Karimnagar gives women a forum to raise problems openly.
Serving the weakest
S.R. Sankaran enforced the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act and built residential schools for Dalit children, the spirit of Antyodaya.
Beyond the mandate
Armstrong Pame crowdfunded a 100 km road in 2012 for cut-off villages of Tousem, Manipur.
Cost of its absence
The Surajpur Collector was removed in 2021 after slapping a youth during the lockdown, showing how authority without compassion erodes trust.
Bounded by objectivity
Paul Bloom warns that empathy can favour one visible victim, so compassion must follow Gandhi's Talisman and point to the poorest.
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This chapter in the exam
Empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections3 questions
Asked in 3 of 14 sittings since 2013
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2022 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.