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General Studies IV

You are heading the rescue operations in an area affected by severe natural calamity. Thousands of people are rendered homeless and deprived of food, drinking water and other basic amenities. Rescue work has been disrupted by heavy rainfall and damage to supply routes. The local people are seething with anger against the delayed limited rescue operations. When your team reaches the affected area, the people there heckle and even assault some of the team members. One of your team members is even severely injured. Faced with this crisis, some team members plead with you to call off the operations fearing threats to their life. In such trying circumstances, what will be your response? Examine the qualities of a public servant which will be required to manage the situation. (2019)

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Stakeholders In this situation, there are several key stakeholders that need to be considered. These include  the affected people in the area,  local government and police authorities,  the rescue team,  the medical staff providing aid,  NGOs and aid organizations providing assistance. Response Given the complexity of the situation, it is important to take a multi-pronged … Read more

What does the term ‘public servant’ mean? What are the public interest principles and procedures that civil servant must follow?

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A public servant can be described as an individual who works for the state and whose main duty is associated with the welfare of the public and society. The duties include providing service to the public in the form of protection, administration, or maintenance. The following principles and procedures must be followed by public servants: … Read more

[Solved] What does ‘accountability’ mean in the context of public service? What measures can be adopted to ensure individual and collective accountability of public servants?

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Accountability is the obligation of those holding power to take responsibility and be held answerable for their behavior and actions. Actions to ensure public officials’ individual and collective accountability Improve transparency about the viability of large projects: Make use of technology to digitize information relevant to important projects and set project deadlines. Clarify what citizens … Read more

[Solved] What do you understand by ‘probity’ in public life? What are the difficulties in practicing it in the present times? How can these difficulties be overcome?

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Probity is synonymous with impeccably strong virtues in public life. It goes far above financial integrity or non-corrupt behaviour. Probity requires public servants to refrain from abusing their position in any way. Difficulties in practising probity in present times Morally lax environment Political pressures on civil servants Seniors’ lack of support Risks to an honest … Read more

[Solved] “Non-performance of duty by a public servant is a form of corruption”. Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer.

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Public servants are expected to be dedicated to their jobs and failing to do so is considered a kind of corruption. Before concluding, the grounds for not executing the task must be considered. Arguments for: Not fulfilling duty is like hiding something from the public. Non-performance creates a sense of deceit, which is akin to … Read more

In our country, the migration of rural people to towns and cities is increasing drastically. This is causing serious problems both in the rural as well as in the urban areas. In fact, things are becoming really unmanageable. Can you analyze this problem in detail and indicate not only the socio-economic but also the emotional and attitudinal factors responsible for this problem? Also, distinctly bring out why— 1. Educated rural youth are trying to shift to urban areas; 2. Landless poor people are migrating to urban slums; 3. Even some farmers are selling off their land and trying to settle in urban areas taking up petty jobs. 4. What feasible steps can you suggest which will be effective in controlling this serious problem of our country?

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The allure of the benefits provided by cities draws people from rural areas to metropolitan areas. In addition, a lack of work prospects and social mobility in rural areas draws people from the poorest strata of society to cities. There is a widespread belief that people can make fortune in larger cities, which attracts people … Read more

As a senior officer in the Finance Ministry, you have access to some confidential and crucial information about policy decisions that the Government is about to announce. These decisions are likely to have far-reaching impact on the housing and construction industry. If the builders have access to this information beforehand, they can make huge profits. One of the builders has done a lot of quality work for the Government and is known to be close to your immediate superior, who asks you to disclose this information to the said builder. 1. What are the options available to you? 2. Evaluate each of these options and choose the option which you would adopt, giving reasons. (20 marks) (250 words)

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Case facts The builder is well-known for efficiency. The builder has a close relationship with the higher officer, who wishes to share information with him. Options available One option is to provide the information to the builder. It might be argued that the builder provided excellent service to the government and thus deserves to be … Read more