Syllabus: GS 4 – Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
| What do you understand by ‘Values’ and ‘Ethics’? In what way is it important to be ethical along with being professionally competent? Explain with examples. | 2013 |
| It is often said that ‘politics’ and ‘ethics do not go together. What is your opinion in this regard? Justify your answer with illustration. | 2013 |
| “The good of an individual is contained in the good of all.” what do you understand by this statement? How can this principle be implemented in public life? | 2013 |
| All human beings aspire for happiness. Do you agree? What does happiness mean to you? Explain with examples. | 2014 |
| “Human beings should always be treated as ‘ends’ in themselves and never as merely `means’.” Explain the meaning and significance of this statement, giving its implications in the modern techno-economic society. | 2014 |
| What does ethics seek to promote in human life? Why is it all the more important in public administration? | 2014 |
| The current society is plagued with widespread trust-deficit. What are the consequences of this situation for personal well-being and for societal well-being? What can you do at the personal level to make yourself trustworthy? | 2014 |
| Differentiate between the following: Law and Ethics, Ethical management and Management of ethics, Discrimination and Preferential treatment, Personal ethics and Professional ethics | 2015 |
| What is meant by ‘environmental ethics’? Why is it important to study? Discuss any one environmental issue from the viewpoint of environmental ethics. | 2015 |
| Explain how ethics contributes to social and human well-being. | 2016 |
| The crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced to a narrow perception of the good life. Discuss. | 2017 |
| Without commonly shared and widely entrenched moral values and obligations, neither the law, nor democratic government, nor even the market economy will function properly. What do you understand by this statement? Explain with illustration in the contemporary times. | 2017 |
| What is meant by conflict of interest? Illustrate with examples, the difference between the actual and potential conflicts of interest. | 2018 |
| With regard to morality of actions, one view is that means are of paramount importance and the other view is that the ends justify the means. Which view do you think is more appropriate? Justify your answer. | 2018 |
| “Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common good.” – Tirukkural | 2018 |
| What is meant by the term ‘constitutional morality’? How does one uphold constitutional morality? | 2019 |
| 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. | 2020 |
| Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, it is better for us all.” -Erik Erikson | 2021 |
| It is believed that adherence to ethics in human actions would ensure in smooth functioning of an organization/system. If so, what does ethics seek to promote in human life? How do ethical values assist in the resolution of conflicts faced by him in his day-to-day functioning? | 2022 |
| Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.’-Potter Stewart. | 2022 |