UPSC CSM 2025 — General Studies Paper IV (Full Question Paper)

(a) In the present digital age, social media has revolutionised our way of communication and interaction. However, it has raised several ethical issues and challenges. Describe the key ethical dilemmas in this regard.

(b) “Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment but a product of civil education and adherance of the rule of law.” Examine the significance of constitutional morality for public servant highlighting the role in promoting good governance and ensuring accountability in public administration.

(a) Carl von Clausewitz once said, “War is a diplomacy by other means.” Critically analyse the above statement in the present context of contemporary geo-political conflict.

(b) Keeping the national security in mind, examine the ethical dilemmas related to controversies over environmental clearance of development projects in ecologically sensitive border areas in the country.

Given below are three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context?

(a) “Those who in trouble untroubled are, Will trouble trouble itself.” – Thiruvalluvar

(b) “The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.” – William James

(c) “The strength of a society is not in its laws, but in the morality of its people.” – Swami Vivekananda

(a) “For any kind of social re-engineering by successfully implementing welfare schemes, a civil servant must use reason and critical thinking in an ethical framework.” Justify this statement with suitable examples.

(b) What are the major teachings of Mahavir? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.

(a) “One who is devoted to one’s duty attains highest perfection in life.” Analyse this statement with reference to sense of responsibility and personal fulfilment as a civil servant.

(b) To achieve holistic development goal, a civil servant acts as an enabler and active facilitator of growth rather than a regulator. What specific measures will you suggest to achieve this goal?

(a) It is said that for an ethical work culture, there must be code of ethics in place in every organisation. To ensure value-based and compliance-based work culture, what suitable measures would you adopt in your work place?

(b) India is an emerging economic power of the world as it has recently secured the status of fourth largest economy of the world as per IMF projection. However, it has been observed that in some sectors, allocated funds remain either under-utilised or misutilised. What specific measures would you recommend for ensuring accountability in this regard to stop leakages and gaining the status of third largest economy of the world in near future?

Vijay was Deputy Commissioner of a remote district of a Hilly Northern State for the last two years. In the month of August, heavy rains lashed the complete state, followed by a cloudburst in the upper reaches of the said district. The damage was very heavy in the complete state, especially in the affected district. The complete road network and telecommunication were disrupted and buildings were damaged extensively. People’s houses were destroyed and they were forced to stay in the open. More than 200 people were killed and about 5,000 were badly injured. The Civil Administration under Vijay got activated and started conducting rescue and relief operations. Temporary shelter camps and hospitals were established to provide shelter and medical facilities to the homeless and injured. Helicopter services were pressed in for evacuating sick and old people from remote areas.

Vijay got a message from his hometown in Kerala that his mother was seriously sick. After two days, Vijay received the unfortunate message that his mother had expired. Vijay had no close relative except one elder sister, a US citizen staying there for several years. Meanwhile, the situation in the affected district deteriorated further due to resumption of heavy rains after a gap of five days. At the same time, continuous messages were coming on his mobile from his hometown to reach at the earliest for performing the last rites of his mother.

• (a) What are the options available with Vijay?
• (b) What are the ethical dilemma(s) being faced by Vijay?
• (c) Critically evaluate and examine each of these options identified by Vijay.
• (d) Which of the options, do you think, would be most appropriate for Vijay to adopt and why?

In line with the Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Indian Constitution, the government has a constitutional obligation to ensure basic needs – “Roti, Kapda aur Makan (Food, Clothes and Shelter)” – for the under-privileged. Pursuing this mandate, the district administration proposed clearing a portion of forest land to develop housing for the homeless and economically weaker sections of society.

The proposed land, however, is an ecologically sensitive zone densely populated with age-old trees, medicinal plants and vital biodiversity. Besides, these forests help regulate micro-climate and rainfall, provide habitat for wildlife, support soil fertility, prevent land/soil erosion, and sustain the livelihoods of tribal and nomadic communities.

Despite the ecological and social costs, the administration argues in favour of the proposal, highlighting that this initiative addresses fundamental human rights as a critical welfare priority. Besides, this inclusive housing development fulfils the government’s duty to uplift and empower the poor. Further, these forest areas have become unsafe due to wild-animal threats and recurring human-wildlife conflicts. Lastly, clearing forest zones may help curb anti-social elements allegedly using these areas as hideouts, thereby enhancing law and order.

• (a) Can deforestation be ethically justified in the pursuit of social welfare objectives like housing for the homeless?
• (b) What are the socio-economic, administrative and ethical challenges in balancing environmental conservation with human development?
• (c) What substantial alternatives or policy interventions can be proposed to ensure that both environmental integrity and human dignity are protected?

Subash is Secretary, PWD in the State Government. He is a senior officer, known for his competence, integrity and dedication to work. He enjoys the trust and confidence of the Minister Incharge of PWD and Programme Implementation. As part of his job profile, he is responsible for policy formulation and execution of infrastructure projects. Besides, he oversees the technical and administrative aspects relating to planning, designing and construction.

Subash’s Minister is an important Minister in the state, and significant growth in urban infrastructure development and road network has been registered during his tenure. He is very keen to launch an ambitious road construction project in the near future.

Subash is in regular touch with the Minister and is working out various modalities of the road construction project. Regular meetings, interactions and presentations are made by him to the Minister before a formal public announcement of the project is made. Subash’s only son Vikas is in the real estate business. His son, from his own sources, is aware that a mega road project is on the anvil and an announcement is expected anytime. He is very keen to know from his father the exact location of the upcoming project, knowing there would be a quantum jump in land prices in the vicinity. Buying land at this stage at cheaper prices would pay him rich dividends. He is pleading with his father day in and day out to share the location of the proposed project, assuring him he would handle the matter discretely since he normally keeps buying land as part of his business. Subash feels pressurised because of his son’s constant pleadings.

Another significant aspect of the matter pertains to extra/undue interest in the project shown by the Minister himself. The Minister’s nephew also runs a big infrastructure project company. In fact, the Minister has introduced his nephew to Subash and indicated that Subash should take care of the nephew’s business interest in the forthcoming project. The Minister has encouraged Subash to act fast, since early announcement and execution of the mega road project would enhance the Minister’s status in the party and public life.

In this backdrop, Subash is in a fix as to the future course of action.

• (a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.
• (b) Critically examine the options available to Subash in the above situation.
• (c) Which of the above would be most appropriate and why?

Rajesh is a Group A officer with nine years of service, posted as Administrative Officer in an Oil Public Sector undertaking. As an Administrative Officer, he is responsible for managing and coordinating various administrative tasks to ensure the smooth functioning of the office. He also manages office supplies, equipment, etc.

Rajesh is now sufficiently senior and is expecting his next promotion to JAG (Junior Administrative Grade) in the next one or two years. He knows that promotion is based on examination of ACRs/Performance Appraisal of the last few years (about five years) by a DPC (Departmental Promotion Committee), and an officer lacking the requisite grading of ACRs may not be found fit for promotion. Losing the promotion may entail financial and reputational loss and set back career progression. Though he puts his best effort into official duties, he is unsure of the assessment by his superior officer, and is now putting in extra effort so that he gets a thumping report at the end of the financial year.

As Administrative Officer, Rajesh regularly interacts with his immediate boss, who is his reporting officer for writing his ACR. One day the boss calls Rajesh and wants him to buy computer-related stationery on priority from a particular vendor. Rajesh instructs his office to initiate action for procuring these items. During the day, the dealing Assistant brings an estimate of Rupees Thirty-Five Lakhs covering all stationery items from the same vendor. It is noticed that, as per delegated financial powers under the GFR (General Financial Rules) applicable in that organisation, expenditure for office items exceeding Rupees Thirty Lakhs requires sanction of the next higher authority (the boss, in this case). Rajesh knows his immediate superior would expect all these purchases to be done at his level and may not appreciate a lack of initiative on his part. During discussions with his office, he learns of a common practice of splitting expenditure (where a large order is divided into a series of smaller ones) to avoid obtaining sanction from the higher authority. This practice is against the rules and may come to the adverse notice of Audit.

Rajesh is perturbed. He is unsure of taking a decision in the matter.

• (a) What are the options available with Rajesh in the above situation?
• (b) What are the ethical issues involved in this case?
• (c) Which would be the most appropriate option for Rajesh and why?

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Program (MGNREGA) was earlier known as the National Rural Employment Scheme (NREGA). It is an Indian social welfare programme aimed at fulfilling the ‘Right to Work’ provisions made in the Constitution. MGNREGA was launched in 2006 under the Rural Employment Sector by the Ministry of Rural Development.

The main objective of the programme is to give a legal guarantee of wage employment to adult members of rural households willing to do unskilled manual labour, subject to a maximum of 100 days per year for every household. Every rural household has the right to register under the scheme; a job card is issued to those registered, and a job-card holder can seek employment. The State Government shall pay 25% of the minimum wage for the first 30 days as compensatory daily unemployment allowance, and full wages for the remaining period of the year. MGNREGA work was undertaken by various Gram Panchayats.

You have been appointed as an Administrator Incharge of the District and given the responsibility of monitoring MGNREGA work undertaken by various Gram Panchayats. You are also given the authority to give technical sanctions to all MGNREGA works.

In one of the Panchayats in your jurisdiction, you notice that your predecessor has mismanaged the programme in terms of:

• (i) Money not disbursed to actual job-seekers.
• (ii) Muster Rolls of the labourers not properly maintained.
• (iii) Mismatch between the work done and payments made.
• (iv) Payments made to fictitious persons.
• (v) Job cards given without looking into the need of the person.
• (vi) Mismanagement of funds, and to some extent, siphoning of funds.
• (vii) Approved works that never existed.

• (a) What is your reaction to the above situation, and how do you restore the proper functioning of the MGNREGA Programme in this regard?
• (b) What actions would you initiate to solve the various issues listed above?
• (c) How would you deal with the above situation?

Ashok is Divisional Commissioner of one of the border districts of a North-Eastern State. A few years back, the military took over the neighbouring country after overthrowing the elected civil government. A civil war situation has been prevailing in the country, especially in the last two years. However, the internal situation deteriorated further due to rebel groups taking over control of certain populated areas near their own border. Due to intense fighting between the military and rebel groups, civilian casualties have increased manifold in the recent past.

In the meantime, one night, Ashok got information from the local police guarding the border check post that about 200-250 people, mainly women and children, were trying to cross over to our side of the border. There were also about 10 soldiers, with their weapons, in military uniform, part of this group who wanted to cross over. Women and children were crying and begging for help. A few of them were injured and bleeding profusely, needing immediate medical care. Ashok tried to contact the Home Secretary of the State but failed to do so due to poor connectivity, mainly because of inclement weather.

• (a) What are the options available with Ashok to cope with the situation?
• (b) What are the ethical and legal dilemmas being faced by Ashok?
• (c) Which of the options do you think would be more appropriate for Ashok to adopt, and why?
• (d) In the present situation, what are the extra precautionary measures to be taken by the Border Guarding Police in dealing with soldiers in uniform?