UPSC CSM 2024 — General Studies Paper IV (Full Question Paper)

The application of Artificial Intelligence as a dependable source of input for administrative rational decision-making is a debatable issue. Critically examine the statement from the ethical point of view.

“Ethics encompasses several key dimensions that are crucial in guiding individuals and organizations towards morally responsible behaviour.” Explain the key dimensions of ethics that influence human actions. Discuss how these dimensions shape ethical decision-making in the professional context.

“It is not enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it; and it is not enough to believe in it, one must act upon it.” In the present context, the major weapon industries of the developed nations are adversely influencing continuation of number of wars for their own self-interest, all around the world. What are the ethical considerations of the powerful nations in today’s international arena to stop continuation of ongoing conflicts?

Global warming and climate change are the outcomes of human greed in the name of development, indicating the direction in which extinction of organisms including human beings is heading towards loss of life on Earth. How do you put an end to this to protect life and bring equilibrium between the society and the environment?

“Learn everything that is good from others, but bring it in, and in your own way absorb it, do not become others.” — Swami Vivekananda. What does this quotation convey to you in the present context?

“Faith is of no avail in the absence of strength. Faith and strength, both are essential to accomplish any great work.” — Sardar Patel. What does this quotation convey to you in the present context?

“In law, a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics, he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so.” — Immanuel Kant. What does this quotation convey to you in the present context?

“The concept of Just and Unjust is contextual. What was just a year back, may turn out to be unjust in today’s context. Changing context should be constantly under scrutiny to prevent miscarriage of justice.” Examine the above statement with suitable examples.

“Mindless addiction to Form, ignoring the Substance of the matter, results in rendering of injustice. A perceptive civil servant is one who ignores such literalness and carries out true intent.” Examine the above statement with suitable illustrations.

The ‘Code of Conduct’ and ‘Code of Ethics’ are the sources of guidance in public administration. There is code of conduct already in operation, whereas code of ethics is not yet put in place. Suggest a suitable model for code of ethics to maintain integrity, probity and transparency in governance.

The soul of the new law, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is Justice, Equality and Impartiality based on Indian culture and ethos. Discuss this in the light of major shift from a doctrine of punishment to justice in the present judicial system.

“In Indian culture and value system, an equal opportunity has been provided irrespective of gender identity. The number of women in public service has been steadily increasing over the years.” Examine the gender-specific challenges faced by female public servants and suggest suitable measures to increase their efficiency in discharging their duties and maintaining high standards of probity.

Mission Karmayogi is aiming for maintaining a very high standard of conduct and behaviour to ensure efficiency for serving citizens and in turn developing oneself. How will this scheme empower the civil servants in enhancing productive efficiency and delivering the services at the grassroots level?

There is a technological company named ABC Incorporated which is the second largest worldwide, situated in the Third World. You are the Chief Executive Officer and the majority shareholder of this company. The fast technological improvements have raised worries among environmental activists, regulatory authorities, and the general public over the sustainability of this scenario. You confront substantial issues about the business’s environmental footprint. In 2023, your organization had a significant increase of 48% in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the levels recorded in 2019. The significant rise in energy consumption is mainly due to the surging energy requirements of your data centers, fuelled by the exponential expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI-powered services need much more computational resources and electrical energy compared to conventional online activities, notwithstanding their notable gains. Although there is already a commitment and goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, the challenge of lowering emissions seems overwhelming as the integration of AI continues to increase. To achieve a balance between innovation, profitability and sustainability, a strategic move is necessary that is in line with both business objectives and ethical obligations.

1. What is your immediate response to the challenges posed in the above case?
2. Discuss the ethical issues involved in the above case.
3. Your company has been identified to be penalized by technological giants. What logical and ethical arguments will you put forth to convince about its necessity?
4. Being a conscience being, what measures would you adopt to maintain balance between AI innovation and environmental footprint?

Raman is a senior IPS officer and has recently been posted as D.G. of a state. Among the various issues and problems/challenges which needed his immediate attention, the issue relating to recruitment of unemployed youth by an unknown terrorist group was a matter of grave concern. Unemployment was relatively high in the state, and the problem amongst graduates and those with higher education was much more grave, making them vulnerable and soft targets. In a review meeting, it came to light that a new terrorist group had emerged at the global level, launching a massive drive to recruit young unemployed people, with special focus on a particular community, to use them for militant activities. The State CID and Cyber Cell received a reliable intelligence tip that a large number of such unemployed youth had already been contacted by the terrorist outfit through social media and local communal organisations. Discrete inquiries revealed that many such youth were active for 6–8 hours a day on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, showing sympathy for the group’s messages, forwarding anti-national tweets, and propagating secessionist and extremist ideology.

1. What are the options available to Raman to tackle the above situation?
2. What measures would you suggest for strengthening the existing set-up to ensure that such groups do not succeed in penetrating and vitiating the atmosphere in the state?
3. In the above scenario, what action plan would you advise for enhancing the intelligence gathering mechanism of the police force?

Rohit is posted as SP (Special Operations) for the last one year in a district still affected by the naxalite problem. Over time, Rohit has established an excellent intelligence network to get real-time information on naxalite cadre movement, and cordon-and-search operations are being conducted to instill confidence in the public. Rohit, leading one of the contingents, got a message that about ten hardcore naxalites were hiding in a village with sophisticated weapons. His team laid a foolproof cordon and managed to overpower all the naxalites along with their automatic weapons. However, more than five hundred tribal women surrounded the village and started marching towards the target house, demanding the immediate release of the insurgents since they consider them their protectors. Rohit tried to contact his superior officer on radio and mobile phone but failed due to poor connectivity. Rohit was in a great dilemma since two of the apprehended naxalites were hardcore top insurgents with a bounty of ₹10 lakh each, also involved in a recent ambush on security forces. However, if he did not release them, the situation could get out of control, since the tribal women were aggressively charging towards them, and firing to control the situation could lead to valuable loss of civilian lives.

1. What are the options available with Rohit to cope with the situation?
2. What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Rohit?
3. Which of the options, do you think, would be more appropriate for Rohit to adopt and why?
4. In the present situation, what are the extra precautionary measures to be taken by the police in dealing with women protesters?

Sneha is a Senior Manager working for a big reputed hospital chain in a mid-sized city. She has been made in-charge of a new super speciality center that the hospital is building with state-of-the-art equipment and world class medical facilities. As head of the committee responsible for procurement, she has invited bids from all the interested reputed vendors dealing in medical equipment. She notices that her brother, a well-known supplier in this domain, has also sent his expression of interest. Since the hospital is privately owned, it is not mandatory for her to select only the lower bidder. She is also aware that her brother’s company is facing financial difficulties and that a big supply order would help him recover. At the same time, allocating the contract to her brother might bring charges of favouritism against her and tarnish her image. The hospital management trusts her fully and would support any decision of hers.

1. What should be Sneha’s course of action?
2. How would she justify what she chooses to do?
3. In this case, how is medical ethics compromised with vested personal interest?

With the summer heat being exceptionally severe this year, a district has been facing severe water shortage. The District Collector has been mobilizing subordinate officials to conserve remaining water reserves and prevent an acute drinking water crisis, running an awareness campaign along with strict measures against over-exploitation of ground-water. Vigilance teams tour villages to find farmers drawing water from deep borewells or the river reservoir for irrigation, which has agitated the farmers. A delegation of farmers meets the District Collector, complaining that while they are not allowed to irrigate their crops, big industries located near the river are drawing huge amounts of water through deep borewells for their industrial processes. The farmers allege the administration is anti-farmer and corrupt, bribed by the industry, and threaten a prolonged protest. At the same time, the industry cannot be closed, as this would leave a large number of workers unemployed.

1. Discuss all options available to the District Collector as a District Magistrate.
2. What suitable actions can be taken in view of mutually compatible interests of the stakeholders?
3. What are the potential administrative and ethical dilemmas for the District Collector?

Dr. Srinivasan is a senior scientist working for a reputed biotechnology company known for its cutting-edge research in pharmaceuticals. He is heading a research team working on a new drug aimed at treating a rapidly spreading variant of a new viral infectious disease. There is huge pressure on Dr. Srinivasan’s team to expedite the trials for the drug, since there is significant market demand and the company wants first-mover advantage. During a team meeting, some senior members suggest shortcuts to expedite the clinical trials and approvals — manipulating data to exclude negative outcomes, selectively reporting positive results, foregoing informed consent, and using compounds already patented by a rival company instead of developing their own. Dr. Srinivasan is not comfortable taking such shortcuts, yet he realises meeting the targets seems impossible without using these means.

1. What would you do in such a situation?
2. Examine your options and consequences in the light of the ethical questions involved.
3. How can data ethics and drug ethics save humanity at large in such a scenario?