Previous Year Questions

                                                    Previous Year Questions

Section-I: Ethics

Essence, determinants and consequences of ethics in human action, dimensions of ethics, ethics in private and public relationships.

·         Explain the determinants and consequences of ethics in human action with suitable Examples. (2014)

·         Explain the essence of ethics in private and public relationships. (2014)

Ethics in public administration, status and problems

·         Explain public service reforms and the need for reforms in India. (2014)

·         What are the administrative problems faced by the people? How do you overcome these problems by effective administration? (Not more than 3OO words) 20 Marks – (2017)

Laws, rules, regulations and conscience as source of ethical guidance

·         Evaluate laws, rules and regulations and conscience as source of ethical guidance.  (2014)

·         What is the role of conscience as a source of ethical guidance in public administration? Explain with examples where following one's conscience led to ethical governance despite legality and political pressures. (150 words |10 marks) 2025

·         “Examine this statement with two examples — one where an act is legal but ethically questionable, and another where an act is ethical but illegal.” (150 words |10 marks) 2025

Ethical dilemmas in government and private institutions

·         Write a note about ethical dilemmas in government and private institutions.  [15 Marks] (2015)

·         Some employees in an organization have found that their organization is engaged in illegal activities, which they personally disapprove. Should they blow the whistle? Or should they follow orders from the top officials? Suggest measures to resolve such Ethical Dilemmas. (Not more than 3OO words) 20 Marks (2017)

Accountability and ethical governance

·         Explain the importance of accountability and ethical governance in public administration (2014).

Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance

·         Give the suitable suggestions for strengthening of ethical and moral values in Governance. (2014)

Ethical issues in international relations and funding

·         Critically analyze the ethical issues in International Relations.[15 Marks] (2015)

Corporate Governance

·         Explain the principles of Corporate Governance and discuss about any three Indian companies in relation to their best corporate practices. (Not more than 3OO words) 20 Marks (2017)

Concept of Public service; Philosophical basis of governance

·         Differentiate Gandhian concepts of Socialism to Marxian concept of socialism. (2014)

Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information

·         What is the  objective  of  the  Right  to  Information  Act?  Evaluate the  ethics underlying the provisions of this Act.          [20 Marks] (2015)

Codes of Ethics and Codes of Conduct

·         Critically analyze the need for ethical civil service code. (2014)

Citizen charters; Work culture; Quality of service delivery; Utilization of public fund; Challenges of corruption

·         Explain the essentials of information sharing and citizen charter in public service. (2014)

·         Describe codes of conduct and quality of service delivery are most important at present scenario in governance. (2014)

·         Appropriate utilization of public fund and challenges of corruption are burning issues at present in public administration. Critically evaluate. (2014)

Human values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers, administrators Role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values

·         Describe lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders help in inculcating human values with suitable illustrations. (2014)

·         Write a note on reformers and administrators who are role models for inculcating values. (2014)

·         Elucidate the human values and their types with special reference to Patanjali’s classification of virtues. [15 Marks]  (2015)

·         Explain the role of family, Society and Educational institutions in inculcating values. (Not more than 3OO words) 20 Marks (2017)

·         “Family and society shape an individual's ethical values.” Discuss how early social conditioning impacts ethical decision-making in public life with examples. (150 words |10 marks) 2025

Section-II: Integrity

Integrity

·         Explain integrity. Describe different types and significance of integrity. Describe how an individual can achieve personal integrity. [15 Marks] (2015)

·         Discuss the importance of integrity in public administration and suggest ways to uphold it in decision-making. Provide relevant examples to illustrate its role in ethical governance. (150 words |10 marks) 2025

·         “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” –  Abraham Lincoln - Discuss how this quote applies to civil services and ethical governance, highlighting its relevance in the conduct of public servants with suitable examples. (150 words |10 marks) 2025

Impartiality, Non- partisanship and Objectivity

·         Explain what is impartiality, non partisanship and objectivity in context to public service. How can impartiality and objectivity can be practiced by a civil servant for the upliftment of weaker section? [20 Marks] (2015)

·         Differentiate between the value of impartiality and non-partisanship in public administration. (Not more than 25O words) 15 Marks (2017)

Dedication to Public Service

·         Explain the factors which determine an employee’s dedication to public service. [15 Marks] (2015)

·         Critically evaluate dedication for economically weaker section in the context of Women Upliftment. (Not more than 15O words) 10 Marks (2017)

Empathy, Tolerance and Compassion towards the weaker sections

·         In Public administration, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker section help for better governance.  Evaluate with suitable example. (2014)

·         What is the difference between empathy, sympathy and compassion? Describe empathetic behaviour at work.[15 Marks] (2015)

·         Explain tolerance and compassion in Indian context. How effectively can tolerance and compassion be used by the respective authority in the process of decision making in public administration?[15 Marks] (2015)

·         Public servants need to be both fair and compassionate, but these can clash. Discuss this issue with examples. How can a balance be maintained for fair and ethical governance? (150 words |10 marks) 2025

·         “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” –Nelson Mandela. How does this quote emphasize the role of empathy and tolerance in public administration? Discuss its significance with examples of welfare policies aimed at weaker sections. (250 words |15 marks) 2025

Civil Service Values

·         Delineate the role of integrity and impartiality in public administration. (2014)

·         Critically explain Integrity, Impartiality and its significant role with reference to public administration. (Not more than 15O words) 10 Marks (2017)

·         Explain the values of tolerance, impartiality and objectivity in religious context. (Not more than 25O words) 15 Marks (2017)

·         Critically analyze the concept of dedication and objectivity in public administration. (Not more than 25O words) 15 Marks (2017)

·         “Excessive empathy can sometimes conflict with objectivity in decision-making.” Examine this dilemma with suitable examples. How can a public servant balance empathy with fairness and impartiality? (150 words |10 marks)  2025

 

Section-III: Aptitude

Attitude - Content, structure, function. Its relation with thoughts and behavior.

·         Explain the effect of values its relation with thoughts and behavior of the Administrator. (2014)

·         Explain attitude and its structure. Describe the main component models of attitude. (Not more than 15O words) 10 Marks (2017)

Moral and Political Attitudes

·         Explain political attitudes and factors influencing political attitudes. (Not more than 15O words) 10 Marks (2017)

Social influence and Persuasion

·         Trace the origin of Swadeshi Movement and its influence on the attitude of People in India. (2014)

·         Discuss Social influence on public service. (2014)

·         Explain the relationship between social influence and persuasion. (2014)

·         Explain social influence as fundamental feature of communication. [15 Marks] (2015)

·         What are the cognitive approaches to persuasion?     [15 Marks] (2015)

·         Explain dissonance and the less-leads-to-more effect.           [15 Marks] (2015)

·         What is persuasion? How can attitudes be changed using messages? (Not more than 15O words) 10 Marks (2017)

·         Explain Social influence by demand. (Not more than 25O words) 15 Marks(2017)

·         Discuss how public officials can use social influence and persuasion to promote responsible waste disposal and recycling. Provide examples of successful waste management initiatives driven by behavioural change. (150 words |10 marks) 2025

Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service

·         Aptitude and fundamental rules are most essential concepts of civil service Critically evaluate. (2014)

·         Explain fundamental values of civil services. [20 Marks] (2015)

·         Analyse the significance of both aptitude (skills, intelligence) and attitude (mindset, ethics) in civil services. Justify which is more important for effective governance with examples from public administration. (250 words |15 marks) 2025

Emotional intelligence and their utilities and application in administration and governance,

·         What is emotional intelligence? Explain its major components.[20 Marks] (2015)

·         What is emotional intelligence? Explain the utilities and applications of emotional intelligence in administration and governance.  (Not more than 3OO words) 20 Marks (2017)

·         Discuss the role of emotional intelligence in sports, focusing on its importance in handling pressure, teamwork and leadership. (150 words |10 marks) 2025

Contributions of Moral thinkers from India and the World

·         Critically consider the essence, determinants and consequences of human action with reference to J. S. Mill act utilitarianism, Charvaka and Karmayoga. (20M) (2015)

·         "My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness" says His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Elaborate the values that can be inculcated from his life and teachings, (Not more than 3OO words) 20 Marks (2017)

·         Select one Indian and one Western moral philosopher and discuss how their ethical ideas can be applied to modern public administration. (150 words |10 marks) 2025

Case Studies

You are an Officer in charge of authenticating the documents of people who lost their life support in a natural disaster. An illiterate senior citizen comes to meet you one day anticipating your support in getting the benefit proclaimed by the Government. After verifying the papers produced by him, you understand that they are not the documents as expected to be a beneficiary. You are not ready to reject his request because in reality he has no support for survival other than what he has lost in the disaster. This leads to a conflicting situation of either to support him or not. How do you resolve this situation? Explain. (Not more than 3OO words) 20 Marks (2017)

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You are the District Collector of a flood-prone region. Due to unexpected heavy rains, floods have devastated villages, displacing thousands. The government has allocated limited relief resources, including food, medical aid and rescue boats. However, you are faced with several challenges:

(a) Resource Shortage: The relief supplies are not enough to cover all affected areas equally.

(b) Political Pressure: Local politicians are pressuring you to prioritise aid for their constituencies.

(c) Media Scrutiny: News agencies are covering the relief efforts, questioning transparency in resource distribution.

        i.            How will you allocate limited resources fairly and efficiently? Will you yield to political pressure or ensure equitable distribution of aid?

      ii.            What steps will you take to maintain transparency and public trust in relief operations? (300 words | 20 marks) 2025

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You are a senior medical researcher developing a life-saving drug for a rare disease. Initial trials are promising, but the full testing process will take five more years before official approval. Meanwhile, thousands of terminally ill patients are desperate for treatment. Ethical dilemmas arise:

Some doctors urge compassionate use, arguing that patients have nothing to lose. Regulatory authorities insist on strict trials, fearing unknown long-term side effects. Pharmaceutical companies push for quick approval, seeing a major profit opportunity. Patient advocacy groups demand access, pressuring the government.

a)      Should experimental drugs be given to terminally ill patients before full approval? What ethical safeguards should be in place?

b)      How will you handle pressure from pharmaceutical companies while maintaining medical ethics?

c)      What role should government agencies play in balancing medical innovation with public safety? (300 words | 20 marks) 2025

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You are the Municipal Commissioner of a metropolitan city. As winter approaches, there has been a sharp increase in homeless deaths due to cold waves. Many homeless individuals, including migrant labourers, elderly and abandoned women, sleep on pavements. While the city has government-run night shelters, reports indicate they are underutilized due to poor awareness, social stigma, and unsafe conditions. Additionally, a few commercial groups are lobbying to clear footpaths to prevent ‘encroachments’ that affect their businesses. The media has begun questioning the administration’s accountability.

(a) How will you ensure immediate relief for the homeless while addressing long-term rehabilitation?

(b) How will you balance the economic concerns of businesses with the rights of vulnerable people? (300 words | 20 marks) 2025

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Meera, a District Magistrate, is overseeing an anti-encroachment drive to clear illegal settlements. While the action is legally mandated, she finds that many affected families are poor and have no alternative housing. Evicting them would cause immense suffering, but delaying the operation could result in legal consequences and accusations of favouritism.

 (a) Should Meera proceed strictly as per the law or consider a more empathetic approach?

(b) How can she balance legal duty with compassion?

(c) What long-term policy solutions can address such dilemmas? (300 words | 20 marks) 2025

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You are a KAS officer posted in your home district. Your father, a respected political leader, is under investigation for alleged misuse of public funds. As the head of the administration, you are expected to ensure a fair and unbiased inquiry. Your family expects loyalty, while the media and opposition parties accuse you of favouritism. Meanwhile, your junior officers are hesitant to take action due to your familial ties. The public is watching your response closely, as this case will impact the credibility of governance and public trust.

(a) How will you maintain objectivity and fairness while dealing with an inquiry involving your family?

(b) What steps will you take to ensure public trust and institutional integrity in your decision?

(c) How will you handle personal emotions and professional responsibilities in this situation? (300 words | 20 marks) 2025

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As the Police Commissioner of a metropolitan city, you have introduced an AI-based facial recognition system to enhance security and crime prevention. The system can track potential criminals and monitor public spaces in real time. However, concerns have emerged: civil rights activists argue that it violates privacy and may be used for mass surveillance; reports suggest that AI has biases, leading to wrongful identification of marginalized groups. Law enforcement officers support the system, claiming it has reduced crime. Tech companies and political leaders push for expanding AI use, citing national security.

(a) How will you ensure that AI-based policing remains ethical, unbiased, and respects individual privacy?

(b) What safeguards will you implement to prevent misuse of AI by law enforcement agencies?

(c) If the AI system incorrectly flags an innocent person as a criminal, what accountability measures should be in place? (300 words | 20 marks) 2025