OnlyIAS - PRAHAAR - ETHICS

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.
0: Ethics
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PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics
Index
CHAPTER 1 ETHICS & HUMAN INTERFACE ............................................................................................................................. 6
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................................................. 6
SOURCES OF ETHICS........................................................................................................................................................................ 6
IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS .................................................................................................................................................................. 6
EVALUATION OF ETHICS ................................................................................................................................................................... 7
SCOPE OF ETHICS ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7
NATURE OF ETHICS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 8
DIMENSIONS OF ETHICS................................................................................................................................................................... 8
NORMATIVE ETHICS THEORIES ........................................................................................................................................................ 10
DETERMINANTS OF ETHICS ............................................................................................................................................................. 12
CHALLENGES TO ETHICS ................................................................................................................................................................. 12
ETHICS – IN PRIVATE & PUBLIC RELATIONSHIPS ................................................................................................................................. 12
RELATION BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ETHICS .............................................................................................................................. 16
MORALS..................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
HUMAN VALUES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 18
TYPES OF VALUES ......................................................................................................................................................................... 18
IMPORTANCE OF VALUES ............................................................................................................................................................... 18
ETHICS, MORALITY AND VALUES ...................................................................................................................................................... 19
ROLE OF FAMILY IN INCULCATION OF VALUES .................................................................................................................................... 19
ROLE OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN INCULCATION OF VALUES ........................................................................................................ 20
ROLE OF SOCIETY.......................................................................................................................................................................... 21
ETHICAL ISSUES IN NEWS ............................................................................................................................................................... 23
KEY TERMS.................................................................................................................................................................................. 28
PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS ......................................................................................................................................................... 29
CHAPTER 2 ATTITUDE .......................................................................................................................................................... 30
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................ 30
CHARACTERISTICS OF ATTITUDE ...................................................................................................................................................... 30
STRUCTURE/COMPONENTS OF ATTITUDE ......................................................................................................................................... 30
FORMATION OF ATTITUDE ............................................................................................................................................................. 31
FUNCTIONS OF ATTITUDE .............................................................................................................................................................. 31
INFLUENCE OF ATTITUDE ON BEHAVIOUR ......................................................................................................................................... 32
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOUR............................................................................................................................. 32
CATEGORIES OF ATTITUDE ............................................................................................................................................................. 33
MORAL ATTITUDE ........................................................................................................................................................................ 35
QUALITIES OF MORAL ATTITUDE..................................................................................................................................................... 35
IMPLICATION OF MORAL ATTITUDES................................................................................................................................................ 36
SOCIAL ATTITUDE ......................................................................................................................................................................... 36
PREJUDICE .................................................................................................................................................................................. 36
POLITICAL ATTITUDE ..................................................................................................................................................................... 37
DEMOCRATIC ATTITUDE ................................................................................................................................................................ 38
BUREAUCRATIC ATTITUDE .............................................................................................................................................................. 38
SOCIAL INFLUENCE ....................................................................................................................................................................... 41
NORMS ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 42
PERSUASION ............................................................................................................................................................................... 42
ADMINISTRATION AND THE PUBLIC .................................................................................................................................................. 45
KEY TERMS.................................................................................................................................................................................. 46
PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS ......................................................................................................................................................... 47
CHAPTER 3 APTITUDE .......................................................................................................................................................... 48
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................ 48
RELATIONSHIP OF APTITUDE WITH OTHER QUALITIES ........................................................................................................................... 48
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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ATTITUDE AND APTITUDE ................................................................................................................................ 49

APTITUDE FOR CIVIL SERVICES AND ITS ROLE ..................................................................................................................................... 49
FOUNDATIONAL VALUES FOR CIVIL SERVICES ..................................................................................................................................... 50
KEY TERMS ................................................................................................................................................................................. 51
PYQS ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 51
CHAPTER 4 INTEGRITY ......................................................................................................................................................... 53
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................ 53
TYPES OF INTEGRITY...................................................................................................................................................................... 53
IMPORTANCE OF INTEGRITY IN CIVIL SERVICES.................................................................................................................................... 54
SECOND ARC ON INTEGRITY ........................................................................................................................................................... 54
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HONESTY AND INTEGRITY ................................................................................................................................ 54
INTEGRITY PACT ........................................................................................................................................................................... 54
KEY TERMS.................................................................................................................................................................................. 56
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS ........................................................................................................................................................... 56
CHAPTER 5 IMPARTIALITY AND NON-PARTISANSHIP .......................................................................................................... 57
IMPARTIALITY .............................................................................................................................................................................. 57
IMPARTIALITY FOR CIVIL SERVANTS .................................................................................................................................................. 57
SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPARTIALITY....................................................................................................................................................... 57
NON-PARTISANSHIP ..................................................................................................................................................................... 58
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IMPARTIALITY AND NON-PARTISANSHIP .............................................................................................................. 58
SIGNIFICANCE .............................................................................................................................................................................. 58
NEUTRALITY ................................................................................................................................................................................ 59
KEY TERMS.................................................................................................................................................................................. 60
CHAPTER 6 OBJECTIVITY ...................................................................................................................................................... 61
IMPORTANCE OF OBJECTIVITY: (NOLAN COMMITTEE AND 2ND ARC) ...................................................................................................... 61
ANONYMITY ................................................................................................................................................................................ 62
DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE ..................................................................................................................................................... 63
TOLERANCE ................................................................................................................................................................................. 64
ACCEPTANCE ............................................................................................................................................................................... 65
EMPATHY AND COMPASSION ......................................................................................................................................................... 66
OTHER IMPORTANT VALUES ........................................................................................................................................................... 67
PERSEVERANCE ............................................................................................................................................................................ 68
COURAGE ................................................................................................................................................................................... 68
RESPONSIVENESS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 69
PRUDENCE .................................................................................................................................................................................. 70
TEMPERANCE: ............................................................................................................................................................................. 70
CONFIDENTIALITY ......................................................................................................................................................................... 71
OPENNESS .................................................................................................................................................................................. 71
SELFLESSNESS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 72
CHAPTER 7 EMOTIONS AND INTELLIGENCE ......................................................................................................................... 74
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................ 74
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ............................................................................................................................................................. 75
SALOVEY AND MAYER’S FOUR BRANCHES OF EI ................................................................................................................................. 75
COMPONENTS OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE..................................................................................................................................... 75
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EQ AND IQ .................................................................................................................................................. 76
IMPORTANCE OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ...................................................................................................................................... 77
IMPORTANCE OF EI IN CIVIL SERVICES/ADMINISTRATION ..................................................................................................................... 79
DEVELOPMENT OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE.................................................................................................................................... 80
CRITICISM OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE .......................................................................................................................................... 81
ROLE OF EI IN PUBLIC SERVICES ...................................................................................................................................................... 82

THREAT TO EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN PRESENT TIMES .................................................................................................................... 82
SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE .................................................................................................................................................................... 83
KEY TERMS ................................................................................................................................................................................. 84
CHAPTER 8 MORAL THINKERS AND PHILOSOPHERS OF THE WORLD ................................................................................... 86
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................ 86
WESTERN PHILOSOPHIES AND WESTERN THINKERS............................................................................................................................. 86
SOCRATES ................................................................................................................................................................................... 87
PLATO........................................................................................................................................................................................ 87
ARISTOTLE .................................................................................................................................................................................. 88
EMMANUEL KANT ........................................................................................................................................................................ 88
UTILITARIANISM........................................................................................................................................................................... 89
JEREMY BENTHAM........................................................................................................................................................................ 89
J S MILL ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 90
CONTRACTARIANISM..................................................................................................................................................................... 90
THOMAS HOBBES ......................................................................................................................................................................... 90
JOHN LOCKE ................................................................................................................................................................................ 91
ROUSSEAU .................................................................................................................................................................................. 91
CONTEMPORARY CONTRACTARIANISM ............................................................................................................................................. 92
JOHN RAWLS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 92
DESCRIPTIVE ETHICS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 92
APPLIED ETHICS ........................................................................................................................................................................... 92
INDIAN PHILOSOPHIES ................................................................................................................................................................... 92
INDIAN PHILOSOPHERS .................................................................................................................................................................. 95
BUDDHA..................................................................................................................................................................................... 95
KAUTILYA ................................................................................................................................................................................... 96
THIRUVALLUVAR .......................................................................................................................................................................... 96
SWAMI VIVEKANANDA .................................................................................................................................................................. 96
M K GANDHI .............................................................................................................................................................................. 97
AMARTYA SEN ........................................................................................................................................................................... 100
RABINDRANATH TAGORE ............................................................................................................................................................. 100
KABIR ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 101
ADMINISTRATORS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 101
ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP ............................................................................................................................................... 104
ADMINISTRATOR, MANAGER AND LEADER ...................................................................................................................................... 104
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MANAGER AND LEADERSHIP .......................................................................................................................... 104
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................................................................. 105
KEY WORDS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 105
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS ......................................................................................................................................................... 105
CHAPTER 9 ETHICS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ............................................................................................................... 107
BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ....................................................................................................................... 107
PRINCIPLES DIFFERENTIATING PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION FROM PRIVATE ADMINISTRATION ....................................................................... 107
ETHICAL ISSUES IN INDIAN ADMINISTRATION ................................................................................................................................... 108
ETHICAL DILEMMA IN GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS ...................................................................................... 109
LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS AND CONSCIENCE AS SOURCE OF ETHICAL GUIDANCE................................................................................. 111
CONSCIENCE AS SOURCE OF ETHICAL GUIDANCE.............................................................................................................................. 113
ACCOUNTABILITY AND ETHICAL GOVERNANCE .................................................................................................................................. 114
GOVERNANCE, GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ETHICAL GOVERNANCE ........................................................................................................ 116
ETHICAL ISSUES IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND FUNDING ............................................................................................................ 117
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE........................................................................................................................................................... 120
ETHICAL ISSUES IN NEWS ............................................................................................................................................................. 124
CHAPTER 10 PROBITY IN GOVERNANCE ............................................................................................................................ 129
WHAT IS PUBLIC SERVICES ........................................................................................................................................................... 129

PROBITY ................................................................................................................................................................................... 129
PHILOSOPHICAL BASIS OF GOVERNANCE AND PROBITY ...................................................................................................................... 129
APPROACHES IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF SERVICE DELIVERY ........................................................................... 130
TRANSPARENCY ......................................................................................................................................................................... 132
MECHANISM TO ENSURE PROBITY IN INDIA ..................................................................................................................................... 132
CORRUPTION............................................................................................................................................................................. 138
CORRUPTION LAWS IN INDIA ........................................................................................................................................................ 139
INSTITUTIONS FOR DEALING WITH CORRUPTION .............................................................................................................................. 140
HOW TO BRING PROBITY IN GOVERNANCE? .................................................................................................................................... 141
E-GOVERNANCE ........................................................................................................................................................................ 141
ETHICAL ISSUES IN NEWS ............................................................................................................................................................. 143
BALANCING DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION : .......................................................................................................... 145
KEY TERMS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 147
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS ......................................................................................................................................................... 147
CHAPTER 11 CURRENT AFFAIRS FROM ETHICAL POINT OF VIEW ....................................................................................... 148
RUSSIAN WAR AND COGNITIVE DISSONANCE OF DURING COVID-19 TREATMENT................................................................. 148
OPINION POLLS AND ETHICAL ISSUES .................................................................................................................................... 150
ETHICS OF METAVERSE ......................................................................................................................................................... 151
GLOBAL AGREEMENT ON ETHICS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE........................................................................................... 152
CUSTODIAL VIOLENCE ........................................................................................................................................................... 154
USE OF BULLDOZER AND PRINCIPLE OF NATURAL JUSTICE ................................................................................................... 155
DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES OF ACCUSED ............................................................................................................ 156
JOURNALISM .......................................................................................................................................................................... 157
REFUGEE CRISIS .................................................................................................................................................................... 158
INCREASE IN RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS .................................................................................................................. 159
ROLE OF BHAGWAT GITA IN ADMINISTRATION ..................................................................................................................... 160
HIJAB ROW ............................................................................................................................................................................ 162
BODILY RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND ABORTION LAW ................................................................................................................ 162
MARITAL RAPE AND CONJUGAL RIGHTS ............................................................................................................................... 164
EUTHANASIA.......................................................................................................................................................................... 165
ETHICS OF PHARMACEUTICAL ECOSYSTEM ........................................................................................................................... 166
MORAL DILEMMAS FACED BY SELF DRIVING CARS .............................................................................................................. 167
ETHICS OF WAR ..................................................................................................................................................................... 168
ETHICS OF EARLY EMBRYO RESEARCH ................................................................................................................................. 169
KEY TERMS............................................................................................................................................................................ 170
PYQS ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 170
CHAPTER 1 ETHICS & HUMAN INTERFACE

"A man without ethics is a wild beast loose upon this world." - Albert Camus
“In just about every area of society, there’s nothing more important than ethics.”- Henry Paulson
INTRODUCTION
● Ethics is a system of moral principles that is concerned with human conduct. It studies the norms or standards of
right and wrong used to judge actions; it studies what is morally right or wrong, just or unjust. In simple words ethics
refers to what is good and the way to get it, and what is bad and how to avoid it.
● In philosophy, ethics outlines the nature of the obligations that people have towards themselves and one another as
well as what is good for the individual and society.
SOURCES OF ETHICS
● Religion: It is one of the oldest foundations of ethical Origin of Ethics:
standards. It is the most important source of ethics as
religious teachings often prescribe what is right and • Ethics originated from the Greek word ‘ethos’
wrong and society subscribes to such norms. and the Latin ‘mores’ which mean ‘custom’,
● Legal System: Legal System of any country acts as a ‘ways of behaviour’, ‘human character’.
guiding source for human behaviour in the society. • Mackenzie defines ethics as “the study of what
● Human Conscience: Conscience helps a man to is right or good in human conduct” or the
differentiate between good and bad, and certain standards “science of the ideal involved in human life”.
for society are acceptable for all conscientious men.
● Culture: It is a pattern of those behaviours and values that are considered as ideal or within the acceptable limits
which are transferred from one generation to another. It is the culture that defines certain behaviour as acceptable and
others as unacceptable.
● Family Systems: Family system are traditional or cultural values that pertain to the family's structure, function, roles,
beliefs, attitudes, and ideals. Hence the family system becomes a source of ethics.
● Thinkers and Philosophers: They serve as role models for people and aid in societies quest for new virtues.
IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS
● Provides Moral Map: Ethics provides us with a moral map, a framework that we can use to find our way through
difficult issues.
● Help to Resolve Moral Issues: Ethics does provide good tools for thinking about moral issues. It doesn't always show
the right answer to moral problems, but it can eliminate confusion and clarify the issues.
● Ensures Individual as well as Social Good: Ethics is an attempt to guide human conduct and it is also an attempt to
help man in leading a good life by applying moral principles. It aims at individual good as well as social good, the
good of mankind as a whole.
● Attainment of Highest Good: "Summum Bonum" (The Highest Good - The Definitive Happiness) is the goal of
an ethical system.
● Resolves Ethical Dilemmas: Ethical values such as honesty, trustworthiness, responsibility help guide us along a
pathway to deal more effectively with ethical dilemmas.
● Frees from Bias and Prejudices: Application of moral principles and ethical values in our life helps to deconstruct
the wrong conceptions, attitude and helps to avoid bias and prejudices.
● Effective Decision Making: Ethics guides us to make right, just and inclusive decisions aimed at personal as well as
societal interest.
ABSENCE OF ETHICS LEADS TO

● Individual Level: Abusing behaviour, domestic violence, casteism, selfishness, cheating behaviour, unemphatic,
bystander apathy etc.
● Social Level: Acceptance of corruption, commodification of women, increased materialism, ends surpass means,
Drug addiction, violence, communalism, gender crimes, disrespect towards women, elders and disabled etc.
● Political Level: Criminalisation of politics and politicization of criminals, power abuse, power concentration,
defections, instability to government, violence, communalism, use of money and muscle power, abuse of constitution
etc
● Adherence to Human Rights: Lack of ethics has been the cause of wars & genocide many times in history.
● Bureaucratic Level: Corruption, Nepotism, trust deficit, punishment postings, red tapism, poor decisions, personal
gains, favoritism, conflict of interest, abuse of power, neglect of public welfare, poor implementation of schemes and
welfare programmes etc.
● International Level: Ceasefire violation, encroachment at border areas, cross-border terrorism, drug trafficking,
human trafficking, organized crime, safe tax havens, protectionism, Vaccine nationalism, nuclearization, conflict-war,
erodes legitimacy of international institutions etc.
● Accountability: Without ethics there is an erosion of accountability as shown by various countries.
● Environmental Level: Illegal deforestation, encroachment of natural water bodies, animal torture, illegal mining and
depletion of natural resources, wildlife crime etc.
EVALUATION OF ETHICS
Evaluation of Ethical conduct means to respect the rights of participants and ensure minimisation from the potential harm.
It can be done on the basis of:
● Free Will: A choice is evaluated for ethical or unethical, when it is chosen from available options freely. If someone
has only one choice, we cannot term it as ethical or unethical.
● Knowledge: We cannot exercise free will in an ethical manner, unless and until we have knowledge of its
consequences. Example- Baby’s action of destroying something is not unethical, because the baby does not have
knowledge of it.
● Fear: If someone tries to kill you and you kill him in self-defence, you’re acting under fear for your life. So, it’s
subject to legal scrutiny but not ethical scrutiny.
● Pathological Status: Husband suffering from schizophrenia mistreats his wife. This is not subject to ethical scrutiny
because he’s suffering from a mental disorder so he lacks the knowledge and free will.
● Habit: Since childhood, Japanese are trained to apologize profusely even for slightest mistake or discomfort caused
to another human.
● Value System: A fallen Samurai would prefer to commit ritual suicide rather than suffering torture by his enemies.
Because it is part of his Bushido honour code.
SCOPE OF ETHICS
● The scope of ethics indicates its subject matter. It includes whatever has reference to free human acts (voluntary
actions).
● Concern for something or someone other than ourselves, as well as our own interests and self-interest, lies at the core
of ethics.
● We can distinguish between human actions and the actions of humans. Human actions are those actions that are done
by humans consciously, deliberately and in view of an end.
● Actions of humans may not be wilfully, voluntarily, consciously and deliberately done but all the same they are done
by humans (e.g., sleeping, walking, etc.). In ethics we deal only with human actions.
● Ethics is concerned with political, sociological, cultural, psychical, economic, environmental, religious problems in
pursuit of the highest good. So, these problems have an additional place in the scope of ethics.
● With the emergence of new technology, the scope of ethics is widening to address new emerging issues related to
Artificial Intelligence, social media and OTT content regulation, Gene Editing etc.
NATURE OF ETHICS
● Ethics Exists in all Human Societies: Ethics arises in the course of the evolution of social, intelligent, long-lived
mammals who possess the capacity to recognize each other and to remember the past behaviour of others.
● Exclusively for Human Beings: The ethical norms do not apply to the behaviour of animals, birds, and insects. Only
human beings have the capacity to guide and regulate their behaviour.
● Ethics Standards differ from Society to Society: What is considered ethical behaviour in one society might be
considered unethical in another. Example- Abortion is a taboo in most of the countries. But it is fully ethical in
many other countries.
● Ethical Principles are Universal in Nature: These prescribe obligations and virtues for everybody in a society.
Ethics is important not only in business and politics but in every human endeavor.
● Ethics is a Normative Science: Unlike positive science, ethics deals with values. It evaluates standards or norms by
which we can judge human action to be right or wrong.
● Ethics is Different from Morality: Ethics does not teach how to lead a moral life. Ethics merely help us to justify
the right and good which leads us to achieve our goals.
● Ethics is a Science of Values: As it identifies the behaviours or kinds of activity that have the quality of moral
responsibility, ethics is a science of values.
DIMENSIONS OF ETHICS
There are 4 branches of ethics and they deal with following types of questions:
Branches Descriptions
What do people think is right?

● Descriptive Ethics is the study of people's beliefs about morality. It tries to explain the moral
and ethical practices and beliefs of certain societies and cultures.
● It deals with what people truly think (or are led to think) is right or bad, and as a result, it upholds
human activities that are acceptable or not acceptable or penalized by custom or law.
Descriptive ● Descriptive Ethics is the empirical investigation of people’s moral beliefs on the basis of law
Ethics and customs. It studies the history and evolution of Ethics and gives a record of certain taboos,
customs or conventions. Kohlberg’s theory of moral consciousness is an example of Descriptive
Ethics.
● It is a value-free approach to ethics. It does not make judgments about the morality of the
practices and beliefs but simply describes the practices observed in the different groups or
cultures.
What does "right" even mean?
● Metaethics, the subdiscipline of ethics concerned with the nature of ethical theories
and moral judgments.
● It investigates the origin and meaning of ethical concepts. It studies where our ethical principles
come from and what they mean. It tries to analyze the underlying principles of ethical values.
● Meta means about the things itself. So, Meta ethics is ethics about ethics i.e., Evaluation of
Ethics itself:
Meta-Ethics 1. What is meant by a wrong action?
2. Why is stealing immoral?
3. Why is charity moral?
● In case of Santhara practice by Jain, Meta ethics studies the reason for such beliefs more
profoundly.
● It deals with a question like, ‘What do we mean by “freedom” and “determinism” etc.
● For Ex- Moral objectivism, Moral nihilism, Moral subjectivism Moral relativism.
How should people act?
● Normative ethics is concerned with the norms, standards or criteria that define principles of
ethical behaviour. It is the study of what one should or should not do. Example-
1. “Murder is wrong.”
2. “Giving to charity is good, but not ethically mandatory.”
Normative 3. “Conflict of interest must be handled carefully.”
(Prescriptive) ● It is the study of ethical theories that prescribe how people ought to act and behave in society.
Ethics If someone deviates from established standards, there are provisions for punishment and the
justification for the same.
● It examines standards for the rightness and wrongness of actions and it is more concerned
with 'who ought one be' rather than the ethics of a specific issue.
● Example- Normative ethical theories are utilitarianism, deontology, and consequentialism.
How do we take moral knowledge and put it into practice?
● The applied dimension of Ethics is known as ‘Applied Ethics’ that falls within the broad field
of Ethics.
● Evans and Macmillan define applied ethics as “theories of ethics concerned with the
Applied Ethics
application of normative ethics to particular ethical issues.”
● In applied ethics, specific concerns in private and public life that involve moral judgment
are philosophically examined from a moral perspective.
● In applied ethics, using the conceptual tools of metaethics and normative ethics, one tries to
resolve these controversial issues.
● Example- Bioethics pertains to euthanasia, abortion or research on human embryos.
Business ethics includes good corporate governance, protection of whistleblowers etc.
EXAMPLES OF APPLIED ETHICS

Applied Ethics refers to the practical application of moral considerations. It is ethics with respect to real-world actions and
their moral considerations in the areas of private and public life, the professions, health, technology, law, and leadership.
It is concerned with the philosophical investigation of specific moral dilemmas in private and public life including moral
judgements.
Bioethics:
● Bioethics is the study of the ethical issues emerging from advances in biology and medicine. The field of bioethics
has addressed a broad swathe of human inquiry; ranging from debates over the boundaries of life
(Ex- abortion, euthanasia), surrogacy, the allocation of scarce health care resources (Ex- organ donation, health
care rationing), to the right to refuse medical care for religious or cultural reasons. The scope of bioethics expanding
with biotechnology, including cloning, gene therapy, life extension, human genetic engineering, Astro ethics and life
in space.
Business Ethics:
● Business Ethics refers to implementing appropriate business policies and practices with regard to arguably
controversial subjects. Some issues that come up in a discussion of ethics include corporate governance, insider
trading, bribery, discrimination, social responsibility, and fiduciary responsibilities.
● Its recent examples include Panama and Pandora papers which revealed how politicians and public figures created
offshore shell companies to hide money in tax havens.
Environmental Ethics:
● Environmental Ethics deals with the ethical problems surrounding environmental protection. It aims to provide ethical
justification and moral motivation for the cause of global environmental protection.
● Chipko movement: Uttarakhand High court judgment on river Ganga as an individual, National Green tribunal for
environmental justice. Example- Gene Crops.
International Ethics:
● It refers to upholding ethical values and application of ethical principles in international relations. It directs us to make
decisions and choices ethically in the international and global sphere. It helps to resolve some of the major international
problems, issues, and provide insight into international conflicts.
● Recent Example - Refugee crisis across the world due to Conflict in Syria, Yemen, Congo, Myanmar etc, Human
Rights violations of Rohingya in Myanmar, Human Rights violation Issues in the War torn Ukraine.
Media Ethics:
● Media ethics is concerned about the question of what is right or wrong, good or bad, acceptable or unacceptable about
the means and ways that the media collects and presents information and news.
● It tries to prevent any monopoly over information diffusion; upholds pluralism instead of the uniform gloss over media
content that is typically brought on by authoritarian regimes; maintains objectivity by providing different sides of an
issue, which empowers audiences to formulate their own judgments and increases levels of truthfulness in reporting.
● Issues of Media Ethics:
o Media trials, paid news, fake news, string operation, sensationalization, live telecast of combat operations etc.
o Recent TRP Scandals involving some media houses/TV channels of rigging TRP via some of their relationship
managers, underscore the need for media ethics.
o Media playing the role of courts by declaring someone a criminal even without trial. E.g. Aryan Khan drug case.
Digital Media Ethics:
● Digital media ethics deals with the ethical problems and ethics issues of digital news media. Ethical issues are
emerging out of digital media Plagiarism, digitally altering images or video, Using anonymous sources,
Omnidirectional imaging, digital intrusion and violation of privacy, fake news & rumors, deep fake etc.
Artificial Intelligence Ethics:
● According to the European Commission, ethics of AI
focuses on the ethical issues raised by the design,
development, implementation, and use of AI. It involves
issues like facial recognition bias, prejudices etc.
● Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI Issued by the
European Commission:
o Human Agency and Oversight: AI systems
should both act as enablers to a democratic and
flourishing and equitable society by supporting
the user’s agency.
o Transparency: AI systems should be based
upon the principle of explainability, encompass
transparency and communication of the
elements involved.
o Diversity, Non-discrimination and Fairness:
Involves avoidance of unfair bias,
encompassing accessibility, universal design
and stakeholder participation throughout the
lifecycle of AI systems apart from enabling
diversity and inclusion.
o Accountability: The requirement of accountability complements other requirements and is closely linked
to the principle of fairness.
NORMATIVE ETHICS THEORIES
UTILITARIANISM:
● Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that determines right and wrong by focusing on outcomes. It is a form of
consequentialism. It holds that the most ethical choice is the one that will produce the greatest good for the greatest
number.
● Ex - Death sentence to terrorists.
Limitations:
10
● It’s impossible to quantify, compare, or measure happiness or well-being. It does not account for things like
feelings and emotions, culture, or justice.
● Utilitarianism ignores the welfare of minorities such as LGBQs communalities.
o For Ex- If a particular act is enacted which is in the interests of common people but at the same time is
impinging on the rights of transgenders, Utilitarianism would defend it.
● In utilitarian ethics, there are no shades of grey—either something is wrong, or it is right.
● It cannot predict with certainty whether the consequences of our actions will be good or bad—the results of our
actions happen in the future.
● It also has trouble accounting for values like justice and individual rights. For example, a hospital has four people
whose lives depend upon receiving organ transplants ie, a heart, lungs, a kidney, and a liver.
● It justifies ends even at the cost of means. For example, stealing is unethical but if someone steals money to join a
school or for health treatment Utilitarianism considers it ethically correct action.
DEONTOLOGY:
● Deontology is a duty-based system of ethics which holds that some acts are intrinsically right or wrong regardless of
their consequences and that moral agents have duties to follow moral commands or rules regardless of their
consequences.
● Deontology is an ethical theory that uses rules to distinguish right from wrong. Deontology is often associated with
philosopher Immanuel Kant. Kant believed that ethical actions follow universal moral laws, such as “Don’t lie. Don’t
steal. Don’t cheat.”
● Unlike consequentialism, which judges actions by their results, deontology doesn’t require weighing the costs and
benefits of a situation.
o Example – As per the deontological approach a civil servant needs to follow the given rule and
regulations without thinking about the consequences.
Limitations:
● Rigidly following deontology can produce results that many people find unacceptable.
● As per this theory, there is no place for human inclinations, emotions and consequences. In some situations,
emotional intelligence (empathy) is required to bring harmony or achieve a greater good.
● It may produce consequences that can be unacceptable to most.
o Example - you should not lie, even if it (the lie) saves the lives of millions of people.
● One possible way of resolving this problem can be through an idea called Threshold Deontology, which says we
should always obey the rules unless in an emergency situation, at which point we should revert to a consequentialist
approach.
VIRTUE ETHICS
● Ethical actions ought to be consistent with certain ideal virtues that provide for the full development of our humanity.
● It is a character-based approach to morality developed by Aristotle and other ancient Greeks. It is the quest to
understand and live a life of moral character.
● Virtue ethics addresses not only the rightness or wrongness
Virtue and Vice
of individual actions, but also the characteristics and
behaviours that a good person should strive for. • A virtue is a morally good disposition to
think, feel, and act well in some domain of life.
● Virtue ethics holds that an action is only right if it is an
Similarly, a vice is a morally bad disposition
action that a virtuous person would carry out in the same
involving thinking, feeling, and acting badly.
circumstances and a virtuous person is a person who acts
virtuously. • Virtues are not everyday habits; they
are character traits, in the sense that they are
● According to Aristotle, by honing virtuous habits, people central to someone’s personality. A virtue is a
will likely make the right choice when faced with ethical trait that makes its possessor a good person,
challenges. and a vice is one that makes its possessor a bad
● Virtue ethics helps us understand what it means to be a person.
virtuous human being. And, it gives us a guide for living life
without giving us specific rules for resolving ethical
dilemmas.
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Limitations:
● It doesn't provide a clear decision model for making moral decisions.
● No single & definitive answer to what is to be done in moral dilemmas.
● Theory lacks focus when it comes to determining the types of actions that are morally acceptable and permitted from
the ones that should be avoided.
● Vast differences on what constitutes a virtue? Are the virtues the same for everyone? Different people, cultures, &
societies have different opinions on what counts as a virtue.
DETERMINANTS OF ETHICS
Determinants of Ethics are the sources from which an ethical standard arises.
Following are factors/determinants which determines whether human action is good or bad, ethical or unethical, just or
unjust –
● Religion: Every religion in the world advocates ethical living and lays down some ethical principles or standards.
Example- Law of Karma in Hinduism, Golden rule in Christianity, charity and equality in Islam etc.
● Culture: Culture along with the ancient religious texts also influences the ethical principles of a person. Culture acts
as prescriptions for correct and moral behaviour. Example- Caring and respecting elders is considered ethical in Indian
culture.
● Society: In any society, most people accept standards that are, in fact, ethical. But ethics is not doing "whatever
society accepts”. Standards of behaviour in society can deviate from what is ethical. An entire society can become
ethically corrupt. Nazi Germany is a good example of a morally corrupt society.
● Law: law often incorporates ethical standards. But laws can deviate from what is ethical, thus we cannot equate ethics
with the law. For instance, Good Samaritan Law which ensures help to injured persons in accidents also
incorporates ethical standards.
● Family and Teachers: Any child is like a clean slate in childhood. Its family and teachers play the most important
role in shaping their attitude, behaviours, and inculcating values in their children. But sometimes children can deviate
from the family teachings.
● Conscience: Conscience is a person's moral sense of right and wrong, viewed as acting as a guide to one's
behaviour. Example- Gandhiji withdrew the Non-cooperation movement after the violence in Chauri Chaura
incident.
● Role Models: Role models also can influence ethical values of individuals. Example- Lal Bahadur Shastri’s
simplicity, honesty, integrity, and compassionate behaviour appeals to followers even today.
● Constitution: Fairness, Justice, equality, non-discrimination, duty to protect the environment are some ethical values
provided in the Indian constitution.
● Judiciary:Judiciary also lays down ethical standards through the various judgements. Example- In the Sabarimala
temple case, The Supreme Court of India upheld the right to equality and allowed women to enter the temple and
worship the deity.
CHALLENGES TO ETHICS
● Situation Ethics: It is the kind of approach to morality we might expect from an existentialist, who tends to reject the
very idea of human nature or any nature or essence.
● Moral Relativism & Moral Objectivism: Moral relativists are those who deny the existence of universal moral
principles. Moral objectivism takes the position that there are objective moral truths that some actions are right for
all people at all times and that others are wrong for all people at all times.
● Moral Subjectivism: Moral subjectivism argues that in the sphere of human behaviour what is true for one individual
is not true for everyone else or even for anyone else.
● Psychological Egoism: It is a psychological theory according to which men are so constituted that they always act
in their selfish interest. It is not possible for them to act otherwise.
● Ethical Egoism: This is a form of hedonism which is a doctrine which proposes that one should maximize one’s
happiness and minimize one’s unhappiness.
● Doctrine of Determinism: It holds that the decisions and actions of human beings are causally determined by external
forces. Hence, men cannot be morally held responsible for their actions.
ETHICS – IN PRIVATE & PUBLIC RELATIONSHIPS
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● Human beings are social animals. So, we interact with each other and when we interact with each other we establish
some relations. Gandhi said “for achieving a nonviolent and truthful society, it is important to have good
relationships”.
● Relationships are based on four principles ie; Respect, Understanding, Acceptance, Appreciation.
ETHICS IN PRIVATE RELATIONSHIPS

● It refers to ethical values that a person follows/values in his/her personal life while dealing with various relations such
as family relations, friendship etc.
● There are no formal moral/ethical standards for private relationships, rather they are informal in nature and vary from
person to person.
● Following are some important values in a private relationship:
o Care: It means displaying kindness and concern for others, feeling loved and building strong
Relationships.
o Trust: Trust is that foundation upon which your relationship can survive the hardest of times. Lack of
trust is one of the reasons for relationships to fall apart.
o Truthfulness: It increases shared trust and fortifies the emotional ties in these partnerships.
o Mutual Respect: It helps to remain compassionate, committed, truthful and honest.
o Law of Integrity: Person shouldn’t lie and keep his promises.
o Gratitude: If anyone has helped, person should keep that in mind
o Loyalty: Loyalty to one’s partner and to the family members.
o Love: Loving all even if there are imperfections in them.
o Responsibility & Accountability: In private relationships, one is bestowed with various responsibilities
such as responsibility towards child, life partner, parents etc.
o Tolerance and Acceptance: Both Tolerance and Acceptance leads to less conflict and harmony in the
society, especially in a country like India where multiple religions, cultures, ideologies exist.
● Ethics in Private Relationship are generally directed by:
1. Individual Virtues: Virtues such as Truthfulness, Honesty are important factors in deciding ethics in Private
relationships.
2. Religion: Those who are religious and theist accept Divine commands and follow them in their personal life to
please God in order to attain salvation. Example - Ten Commandments (of Bible) is the source of guidance for
Christians for their behaviour with family, neighbors and society at large.
3. Social Norms: Some of the values are also learned from environmental factors that influence human beings such
as Family, peer groups, society etc. Example- Child learns from his parents – How one should behave with elders
in the family.
4. Law of Land: Some of the ethical principles are governed by legislations and constitutional values. Example-
not outraging the modesty of women is a Fundamental duty under Indian constitution.
● Importance of Ethics in Private Relationships:
1. Leads to Living a Good Life: Enables individuals to sail smoothly through the difficult time and lead a good life.
2. Right Decision Making: Enables us to make right decisions especially in the situation of conflict of interest.
3. Character Development: Adherence to good values such as honesty, integrity, equality etc help in character
development.
4. Ethical Lessons for Children: Ethical living in private relations especially within home influences the behaviour
of children, it works as first lessons of ethics for them.
5. Acceptance in Public Life: Ethics in personal relationships makes a personality more acceptable in public life.
6. More Tolerance for Imperfection: People used to have a high index of tolerance for imperfection in Private
relationships, because of mutual trust, love and dependence.
ETHICS IN PUBLIC RELATIONSHIP

● Public life is anything that is situated in, occurs in, and interacts with the public domain, whether in public places or
through the media.
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● It is intended for a large audience to consume and participate in rather than for a small or exclusive audience.
● Ethics in public relationships includes ethical values or moral standards followed by an individual in respect of
interactions and business dealings in his/her professional life.
● Ethics in public relationships are governed by power. Example- Relationship between three organs of government,
Relationship of a civil servant with citizens.
● Any framework of ethical behaviour must include the following elements:
o Codifying ethical norms and practices.
o Disclosing personal interest to avoid conflict between public interest and personal gain.
o Creating a mechanism for enforcing the relevant codes.
o Providing norms for qualifying and disqualifying a public functionary from office.
Sir M Visvesvaraya
● Before accepting the position of Dewan of Mysore, he invited all his relatives for dinner. He told them very
clearly that he would accept the prestigious office on the condition that none of them would approach him
for favors. Such things are unheard of these days. It is said that he used to have 2 sets of candles. One
privately purchased which he used for his private work and other, provided by the government which he
used only for the official work.
Lal Bahadur Shastri
● On a visit to a textile mill as Prime Minister, when the owner offered to give him expensive sarees, Shastri
insisted on buying and paying for only those he could afford. He also had an undue promotion for his
son overturned. After the Ariyalur train accident in 1956, Shastriji tendered his resignation to the PM while
claiming moral responsibility as a Railway minister.
NOLAN COMMITTEE: SEVEN PRINCIPLES IN PUBLIC LIFE

In honour of its first Chairman, Lord Nolan, the Committee on Standards in Public Life was occasionally referred
to as the Nolan Committee. The Committee has outlined the following seven principles of public life:
1. Selflessness: Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of public interest. They should not do
so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.
2. Integrity: It is the practice of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to moral
and ethical principles.
Example- Mahatma Gandhi and Abraham Lincoln were exemplary leaders who were famous for their
integrity. Both in times of crisis adhered with their values like Lincoln sticking to abolition of slavery and Gandhi
towards non-Violence.
3. Objectivity: It means taking decisions based upon established facts and figures rather than personal opinion or
bias.
Example- In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts or
recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
4. Accountability: Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must
submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
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Example– As Railway Minister under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri tendered his
resignation after a major railway accident in Mahabubnagar, Andhra Pradesh, in August 1956 when 112 people
died. Taking moral responsibility and accountability, he resigned but Nehru persuaded him to do otherwise.
5. Openness: Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions they take.
They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly
demands.
Example- Vinod Rai, former CAG turned the office of CAG into a powerful force for openness and transparency by
unearthing a 2G scam.
6. Honesty: It can be defined as “being trustworthy, loyal, fair and sincere”. An honest person is free of deceit,
is truthful and sincere and does not tell a lie. Example- Ashok Khemkha is known as crusader of honesty.
● Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to
resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
7. Leadership: Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
● IPS Officer Harsh Poddar’s innovative policing strategies have won him widespread acclaim. His unique ‘Youth
Parliament Championship’ created some two lakh young leaders against crime and terror in Maharashtra.
“A leader is someone who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way”- John C Maxwell
These seven principles are the most comprehensive statements of what constitutes ethical standards for holders of public
office and are of general applicability in every democracy.
We cannot say conclusively that standards of behaviour in public life have declined. We may state that public behaviour
is watched more closely than in the past, that the public continues to demand high standards, and that in public life, the
vast majority of people live up to those high expectations.
IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS IN PUBLIC RELATIONSHIP

Public Relationships are ones that are a result of one's profession (such as the civil service) or status in society (such as
that of prime minister or president). Ethics in public relations serve as a guide for one's actions, decisions, and behaviours.
● Moral Compass to Resolve Conflict of Interest: Developing a moral compass for navigating ethical dilemmas and
resolving conflict of interest.
● Effective and Balanced Decision Making: Helps for more fair and balanced decision making.
● Credibility of the Office/Institution/Organization: Ethical public relations call for upholding transparency when
dealing with any information, sensitive or not. Blurring fact and fiction can cause a serious rift in credibility and
tarnish a reputation of office/institution/organization.
● Trustworthy Relationship with People: An organization can build solid relationships with different stakeholders
through trust, which can be gained by always opting for the ethical approach. Following the Code of Ethics can help
to build the much-desired trust between organizations and the public.
● Minimum Level of Courtesy: It induces the sense of belongingness among the common masses. For instance,
Prashanth Nair (IAS) style of engaging with public at large earned him the title of ‘Collector bro’.
● Impartiality and Non-partisanship: Right to equality under Art 14 of the Indian Constitution encourages public
employees to avoid bias, nepotism, and other situations where there might be a conflict of interest. For instance, In
Janta Darbar (Public hearings) organized by various Chief Ministers, every citizen is allowed to raise their grievances
without any preferential treatment.
In recent times, there has been observed moral erosion of civil servants.
Reasons for Moral Erosion Effort to Correct it

● Lack of Accountability and Responsibility: If ● Increase Transparency: Effective laws which
anything goes well, there is no dearth of people requires civil servants to give reasons for their
to claim that they are the people behind that but official decisions.
if anything goes wrong, nobody is ready to take ● Whistle-blower’s Protection Law: To protect
responsibility. appropriate ‘public interest disclosures’ of wrong
doing by officials.
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● Sacrificing Ethics, Values, Integrity and ● Research and Studies: Public relations
Spiritualism: These things are sacrificed in professionals should study the academic research
comparison to the materialism & worldly and best practices of issues management to best
success. prepare themselves to engage in ethical issues.
● Social Acceptance: Society as a whole has ● Ethics Audits: To identify risks to the integrity of
started to accept the people who are corrupt. the most important processes Effective external and
Silence of good people is more dangerous than internal complaint and redress procedures.
the moral erosion of some people. ● Violation and Breaches of Code of Ethics: This
● Mega Administration, Slow Methodology and should invite sanction and punishment under the
Delay in Decision Making: There is growth of disciplinary rules.
each department and institutions both vertically ● Computerization and Digitization: Remove the
and horizontally. This has created confusion in middle layers in which people have to depend on
hierarchy leading to delay in decision making. bureaucrats for work
● Soft-Society, Tolerant Public Opinion and ● Setting CCTV: It creates fear that they are being
Politico-Business-Bureaucracy Nexus: Public watched.
don’t resent & tolerate the wrong doings. This
gives decision makers more liberty against not
doing such crimes in future.
RELATION BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ETHICS
Private Relation Public Relation
● In private relations, People expect intimacy, ● In public relations, respect, attention, power,
loyalty, love and affection. authority and materialistic benefits are expected.
● One involves people sharing similarity in the value ● one has to deal with people having completely
system. different temperament.
● Duties are voluntary, self-imposed and informal. ● Duties externally imposed and formally mentioned
Example- Standing by your friends or loved ones in codes. Example- All India civil service conduct
in the good and bad times, providing good facilities rules, prevention of corruption. Failure to oblige
to your children etc. If you fail, the relationship may usually ends the relationship.
remain intact.
How to Ensure that both Lives Remain Separate:

● Take decisions rationally and objectively based on facts and merits only.
● Go by code of conduct always when faced with dilemmas.
● Be impartial always and ensure that your actions are not only impartial but looks to be impartial too.
● When with family, spend quality time with them and don’t bring your office between you and them.
Why Tight Separation Isn’t Possible:
Private life does have bearing on the public life of a person and thus, the tight separation in Public and Private relationship
is not possible because of following reasons:
● Personal life often affects the work of the individual and affects her role in public spheres of life.
● Ethics in private relations helps in humanizing public relations and plays an important role in forming the moral system
of a person.
● If a person becomes bankrupt because of his lavish private lifestyle, then he is automatically ineligible from various
constitutional public posts in India. Because if such a financially distressed person is holding a public office, he is
more likely to accept bribes.
● Certain values like honesty, respect, empathy, trust, equality and efficiency etc which are considered to equally guide
our actions in both professional and private spheres.
Conclusion:
● There is a need for ethics in every profession, voluntary organization and civil society structure as these entities are
now vitally involved in the process of governance. Finally, there should be ethics in citizen behaviour because such
behaviour impinges directly on ethics in government and administration.
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MORALS
● Derived from the Latin word moralis, meaning “traditional customs”.
● Morals are the social, cultural and religious beliefs or values of an individual or group which tells us what is right or
wrong. Example- Do not cheat, always tell the truth etc.
● Morals are the principles that guide individual conduct within society.
WHY BE MORAL?
● Attainment of What is Best for a Person: In every human person there is a deep desire for good. Each man/woman
desires what is best for himself/herself.
● Helps to Live a Better Life: Morality is a lot like nutrition. While nutrition focuses on our physical health, morality
is concerned about our moral health.
● Broader Consensus: Morality aims to Constitutional Morality
provide us with a common point of view from
which we can come to agreement about what • Constitutional Morality means adherence to or being faithful
all of us ought to do. to bottom line principles of the constitutional values.
● Argument from Enlightened Self-Interest • It includes commitment to inclusive and democratic political
and Tradition: It is generally better to be process in which both individual and collective interests are
good rather than bad and to create a world satisfied.
and society that is good rather than a bad one. • The major elements of the constitutional morality in the
Traditions and laws have governed the context of Indian constitution are – Rule of law, right to
behaviour of human beings over the years equality, social justice, unity and integrity of nation, social
and urge human beings to be moral rather justice, secularism, individual liberty and freedom of
than immoral. expression etc.
● Morals Lead to Stability of Society: • The SC had relied on constitutional morality to allow entry of
Morality helps to wear out differences women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple under a 4-1
between individuals and various groups by majority verdict. In the Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India
promoting tolerance and acceptance of the SC struck down the archaic provision of Section 377 and
different viewpoints/ideologies etc. Morality upheld constitutional morality.
reduces conflict and ensures peace and
stability in the society.
● Morals and Ethics Form Grounds of Laws: Based on society’s ethics, laws are created and enforced by
governments to mediate our relationships with each other, and to protect its citizens.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ETHICS & MORALS

● “Morality describes what is, whereas Ethics describes what ought to be. Ethics and morals relate to “right” and
“wrong” conduct. While they are sometimes used interchangeably, they are different.
Ethics Morals
Origin ● Greek word "ethos" meaning ● The Latin word "Mos" means
"character". "custom".
What are they? ● The rules of conduct recognized in ● Principles or habits with respect to
respect to a particular class of human right or wrong conduct. While morals
actions or a particular group or also prescribe dos and don'ts, morality
culture. is ultimately a personal compass of
right and wrong.
Where do they ● Social system – External ● Individual – Internal
come from?
Flexibility ● Ethics are dependent on others for ● Usually consistent, although can change
definition, and it largely stays if an individual’s beliefs change.
universal. ● Example- views of homosexuality
change from individual to individual.
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● Example- truth, compassion, non-

violence etc.
Acceptance ● It is governed by professional and ● Morality connects with cultural norms.
legal guidelines within a particular
time and place.
● Thus, Morals often describes one's particular values concerning what is right and what is wrong. While ETHICS can
refer broadly to moral principles, one often sees it applied to questions of correct behaviour within a relatively narrow
area of activity. Ethics must trump personal morals for the greater good of maintaining the integrity of a system.
HUMAN VALUES
● Values can be defined as broad preferences concerning appropriate courses of actions or outcomes. As such, values
reflect a person's sense of right and wrong or what "ought" to be.
● It establishes a crucial aspect of one's self-concept and operates as a person's guiding principles.
● These are individual beliefs that motivate people to act one way or another. These values can be ethical/moral
values, religious values, political values, social or aesthetic values etc.
● Ethical decision-making often involves weighing values against each other and choosing which values to elevate.
Conflicts can result when people have different values, leading to a clash of preferences and priorities.
● Human values are the features that guide people to take into account the human element when one interacts with
another human.
TYPES OF VALUES
● Relative and Absolute Values:
o Relative values differ between people, and on a larger scale, between people of different cultures.
Example- Materialistic values are individual and society specific.
o An absolute value can be described as philosophically absolute and independent of individual and
cultural views, as well as independent of whether it is known or apprehended or not. Example- Non-
violence, equality, non-discrimination etc.
● Protected Values: It is one that an individual is unwilling to trade off no matter what the benefits of doing so may
be. Example- some people may be unwilling to kill another person, even if it means saving many other individuals.
● Sacred Values: Some values are considered sacred and are moral imperatives for those who believe in them. Sacred
values will seldom be compromised because they are perceived as duties. Example- for some people, their nation’s
flag may represent a sacred value, but for others, the flag may just be a piece of cloth.
● Intrinsic & Extrinsic Values: It is the value “in itself,” or “for its own sake,” or “in its own right.” Example- love,
truth, and freedom.
o It is the value of something based on such things as appearance or what it could be sold for, which may
not be its real value. Example – wealth, Fame etc.
● Personal & Community Values: The values that are prescribed by the individual alone, irrespective of his or her
social relationships, are termed as Personal values. Example - Dignity of Labour, Sensitivity, Cleanliness, Politeness,
Honesty, etc.
o The values which are regarded in the whole community are called Community values. Example –
caring & respecting elders.
IMPORTANCE OF VALUES
● Guides Human Behaviour: Values are the principles and fundamental convictions which act as general guide to
behaviour.
● Driving Force in Ethical Decision-Making: Values are universally recognized as a driving force in ethical decision-
making.
● Internal Reference for Good Living: Personal values provide an internal reference for what is good, beneficial,
important, useful, beautiful, desirable and constructive.
● Differentiate What is Right and Wrong: All values are effective, cognitive and directional aspects, they guide us
shape our priorities in deciding what is right and wrong.
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● Promotes Peace and Stability: Human values are a tool to manage human relations and a tool for peace when the
tension is high.
● Identification of the Goals : Value education helps us accurately identify our wants and goals, as well as how to go
about achieving them.
● Transcend Specific Actions and Situations: Values go beyond specific actions and situations. Ex- Obedience and
honesty. Example- are values that may be relevant at work or in school, in sports, business, and politics.
ETHICS, MORALITY AND VALUES

All ethics and morals are values but all values are not ethics, Such as –
● Bravery is a value but not an ethics and the people who are not brave cannot be
considered as unethical.
● Conservation is a value but not ethics in our society.
● Values provide direction in the determination of right versus wrong or good
versus bad.
● Punctuality is a value but also ethics in some countries like Japan. Hard work is a
value but not an ethic.
HOW TO BE HONEST WHEN THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS CORRUPT

● Maintain Personal Integrity: You must first practice integrity before you preach it to others. Be honest by conviction
and not by fear or by compulsion.
● Courage: Show courage to give your honest opinion to the bosses orally and verbally. Show courage to overrule your
subordinates.
● Inspire People: By being the change you want to see.
● Be Compassionate: To subordinates and support them during their tough times. Show emotional intelligence.
● Stand Alone: As the saying goes a truth will always remain a truth even if there is only one person claiming for it,
and no one is up to believing it. Always try to be that one person in your circle.
● Be a Leader: Don't develop the habit of passing the responsibility up or down.
● Suffer for Your Principles: Honesty is not without pain. Be always ready for transfers. A clear conscience is the
softest pillow.
ROLE OF FAMILY IN INCULCATION OF VALUES

“There is nothing called a self-made man. We are made up of
thousands of others”. -George Matthew Adams
“A man is usually the five closest to him”. -Jim Rohn

● A family is a social institution with the bond of common belief, religion, customs, culture, language and a way of life.
It carries on the heritage and traditions as legacies from the earlier generation to the next generation.
● First School of Value learning for Children: Family and parents act as a first school of value learning for children.
Values such as honesty, truth are passed onto children by them.
● Provide the Necessary Emotional Support: Such as caring and counselling to get him out of such negative thoughts.
● Democratic Parenting: It aids in the child's cognitive thinking growth so that he can make informed decisions now
and in the future.
● Family Provides an Informal Way of Learning: Love, compassion, self-sacrifice and values of sharing and caring
develop implicitly within a child. For instance, sharing their lunch boxes with their friends develops the spirit of
charity and brotherhood in them.
● Role Model for Children: Parents and family members are role models for children, and they often imitate the actions,
behaviour of them. Example- If family members treat women equally and respect them, children also are likely to do
the same in the future.
● Both Constructive and Destructive Role: Family can play both constructive and destructive roles in inculcating
values in children.
o Constructive Role: Example- action of helping senior citizens or blind persons to cross the road stems
from the value of respecting elders, taught by parents in childhood.
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o Destructive Role: Example- In our country, most of the people learn and develop a sense about the caste
system in their childhood in their families.
● Change in Values Taught by the Parents: Now focus has shifted on competition rather than cooperation, on
individualism rather than family and collectivism, on consumerism rather than gratification and sacrifice.
● Divergence Between Family and Individual Values: In recent times due to disintegration of traditional families,
technological explosion, peer influence, the role of family as a first value provider is declining.
ROLE OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN INCULCATION OF VALUES

“Intelligence plus character - that is the true goal of education.” – Martin Luther King
Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil. – C S Lewis
As per National Education Policy, education is regarded as the most potent tool to inculcate values in children. School
is a place where systematic learning takes place in the earlier year of life which enables the child to learn how to regulate
his behaviour in society.
● Important Role in Inculcating a Good Value System: Teachers and Schools/Colleges play a big role in it. As
Students spend more time in school and college, they learn how to behave in society.
● Education is the Most Powerful Agent of Inculcating Human Values: At all times, education has built on a value-
system, conducive to the development of physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual life.
● Etiquettes and Values are Imparted to Children – For instance, In the Japanese system, in the first four years
basic etiquettes and values are taught to children. Children are also taught to clean their toilets.
● Curriculum and Discipline of Moral Philosophy: School curriculums must have lessons on moral issues and a
subject of moral philosophy.
● Syllabus and Textbooks Also Shape Attitude of Children:
(a) World History: French revolution - liberty, equality, fraternity.
(b) Modern History: Gandhi’s train to Pretoria - Standing against injustice.
(c) Literature: It helps us understand the human nature and prevalent social values of a given era.
● Values of Sportsmanship, Team-Spirit: Opportunity to participate in various sports at the tender age help to develop
team spirit among students.
● Overall Personality Development: Education plays important role in all round development such as Inculcating
compassion, truth, mutual coexistence between different culture,
● Social Control: Values like obedience, respect, and discipline should be taught in schools. By encouraging kids to
be good students, productive future employees, and law-abiding citizens, schools promote uniformity.
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“The aim of the teacher should be to build character; human values enhance the learning capacity of children
through technology and build the confidence among children to be innovative and creative which in turn will
make them competitive to face the future." - APJ Abdul Kalam
“If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key
societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.” - APJ Abdul
Kalam
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VALUE EDUCATION

● Value-Based Education: It must be integral to the whole process of
education and basic human values need to be encouraged in the classroom • “A serious defect in the school
teaching. system is the absence of
provision for education in
● Deconstructing Wrong Values: Such as, gender bias, hatred, social, moral and spiritual
communalism or casteism learned by students can be deconstructed by values”. - Kothari Commission
inculcating rational approaches. (1964-66).
● Teachers Act as a Role Model for Students: A Teacher has to set a high • “Every effort must be made
standard of moral behaviour before the child and he/she is expected to therefore to teach students true
function not only as facilitator for acquisition of knowledge but also as moral values from the earliest
inculcator of values and transformer of inner being. stage of their educational life”. -
● Playful Learning for Inculcating Values: Teacher educators can involve Sri Prakasha Committee on
students in active games in the classroom to inculcate the values of fair Religious and Moral
play, honesty, courage, cooperation etc. Instruction.
● Holistic Approach: While committing to action for actualization of one’s
goals, every action needs to be analyzed in the light of universal values which are acceptable to the society.
● Technology and Value Education: Value Education is needed to train the future technocrats by making them fully
aware of both the constructive as well as destructive aspects of technology.
ROLE OF SOCIETY
● The society is a place of informal learning that guarantees inheritance to its members. It caresses the child with
love and sense of possessiveness and the child learns to value the social patterns and its philosophy. It’s a value but
not an ethics.
● The social tradition carries values of intimacy, language, love, equality, wishes to live, action, conduct, morality,
unity, attachment and jealousy. These are the obvious traits, which a child borrows from the members of the society.
● Man lives in society for his mental and Constructive Role of Society: Society can play an important role
intellectual development and Society
in development of individual’s personality. By widely upholding
preserves our culture and transmits it to
succeeding generations. Society brings ethical values it can encourage individuals to be ethical.
morality and ethics in individuals. Destructive Role of Society: Similarly, society may play a
● Society brings tolerance and national deciding role in developing a crime as a sub cultural phenomenon.
integration. If one is living in a surrounding If it does not disapprove the unethical behaviors/acts, it may lower
with people from a variety of caste, religion
the standards of ethics in the society and it may result into increase
and regional background, you develop
tolerance. in criminal activities.
● Society removes the evils of social
indifferences like caste through collective struggle.
● Political setup which may be either Democratic or autocratic transmits suitable values among citizens.
● Society imbibes conformity. A person is forced to mimic what his peers do. If they are smoking, he will smoke, if
they’re living in nuclear families, he too will feel separated from his joint family and so on.
● The child encounters many behavioural patterns and makes common causes with the peer groups; learns the value
of neighbourhood, unity in diversity, service to man is the service to God, co-operation and virtues comprehensively.
● Religion and culture are somewhat intertwined, and their moral standards are the most important influence in
instilling values through social channels.
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● Aesthetic senses, neighbourly relationship, emotional quotient and spiritual values are swiftly declining. The
national goals, democracy, socialism and secularism are side-tracked. Thus, the role of school, society and the teacher
need to be assigned afresh in the inculcation of values.
STRENGTH OF SOCIETY FOR VALUE INCULCATION

● Stability and Harmony: Society inculcates such values among people which match with those of the society.
Example - Society teaches young persons to respect its old traditions and customs.
● Diversity: It ensures inculcation of a variety of values and holistic development of individuals. It also gives choice
and freedom to individuals to choose their preferred values.
● Enforcement: Society also has formal as well as informal ways to incentivise adherence to some values whereas it
penalizes breach of certain values.
● Credibility: Many actors in the society enjoy sufficient credibility in people’s eyes and therefore have special impact
on values held by individuals. Example- Teachers, leaders, celebrities, religious leaders etc. have influence and their
teachings are accepted on face value.
REASONS FOR EROSION OF VALUES

● Materialism: Growing obsession with materialistic gains coupled with
rapid commercialisation is eroding values and ethics in society. Examples of Value Erosion
● Vacuum in the Social Cohesion and Stability: The vested interests,
• Chinese Expansionism
terrorism, disruption and excess attachment to worldly life have created
• Fake news and sensationalism
vacuum in the social cohesion and stability. Values are thus affected and
eroded gradually. • Drug Abuse
• Disrespecting elders and women
● Moral Degradation: The growing cynicism, gulf between rights and
• Greenwashing
duties, materialistic tendency, moral degradation and violence have
affected the powers of man’s wisdom.
● The Failure of Religious Leaders: Authorities tend to ignore environmental issues linked with religion, fearing that
they might hurt the religious sentiments.
● Social Media and Its Evil: Misuse of social media platforms, propagation of fake news, deep fake news are spread
through social media and are among the reasons for erosion of values.
● Bystanders Apathy: The bystander effect occurs when the presence of others discourages an individual from
intervening in an emergency situation. The greater the number of bystanders, the less likely it is for any one of them
to provide help to a person in distress.
● The Decline in Values: It has led to increased greed and corruption, exploitation and degradation of the environment.
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● Thus, chasing materialistic achievements only will not be sustainable in the long run. Without human dignity and
social harmony, higher economic growth can't bring peace and prosperity.
CONCLUSION
● Today, more than ever, the importance of ethics is felt in every sphere of human living. The situation in the present
world is characterized by an increasing rate in crime, violence, conflict etc.
● Along with it, the power of traditional religions to inspire moral conduct continues to decline. Terrorism, civil wars,
environmental pollution, misleading advertising, unfair wages, illegal gambling, forced prostitution, match-fixing so
many are plaguing the society.
● There seems to be hardly a few areas in life that remain untouched by growing demoralization. Thus, the relevance
and need of ethics is felt more than ever in our society today.
ETHICAL ISSUES IN NEWS
SC EASES NORMS FOR PASSIVE EUTHANASIA

● Passive Euthanasia: The act of withholding or withdrawing medical treatment, such as withholding or removing life
support, with the aim of letting a person die, is known as passive euthanasia.
● Active Euthanasia: In contrast, It entails an active intervention to end a person's life with drugs or an outside force,
like giving a deadly injection.
EUTHANASIA IN INDIA:
● The Supreme Court of India legalized passive euthanasia in 2018 in a landmark decision, citing the concept of a
"living will".
● It also established rules for "living wills" signed by terminally ill individuals who are aware of the likelihood that
they will enter a permanent vegetative state.
● The Court cited Article 21 of the Constitution, which states that Dignity in the process of dying is as much an
element of the right to life. An individual's sense of purpose in life is taken away when their dignity is violated near
the end of their life.
● The fundamental goal of the modifications made to the passive euthanasia regulations by the Indian Supreme Court
was to make the procedure simpler and quicker.
What Are the Major Guidelines Changes?
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Different Countries with Euthanasia:

● Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium permit assisted suicide as well as euthanasia for those who experience
"unbearable suffering" that is not likely to get any better.
● Switzerland forbids euthanasia but permits assisted suicide when a doctor or medical professional is present.
● Euthanasia and assisted suicide would be legal in Canada for mentally ill people by March 2023, but the decision has
drawn heavy criticism, and the implementation date may be postponed.
● In the United States, each state has its own set of laws. Some states, including Washington, Oregon, and Montana,
permit euthanasia.
PEOPLE'S RIGHT V/S ANIMAL'S RIGHTS

● The Supreme Court of India stated that a balance between human safety and animal rights must be maintained in
light of the increasing number of stray dog incidents.
● The court also stated that those who feed stray dogs could be held financially accountable for immunizing them and
covering costs if the animal attacks someone.
Why is it Important to Preserve a Balance Between Human and Animal Rights?

● To Address the Core Problem:
o The Rights of wild animals in society, which is controlled by humans, in general, and within the
parameters of the Indian Constitution, in particular, are raised even more by this issue.
o Ancient Hindu literature recognised the rights of animals, birds, and every other living thing. They also
believed that all living things descended from the same divine power as humans and hence deserved
respect, love, and care.
o India has a culture that values acceptance of all people and respect for all living things. Cows are revered
as sacred animals by Hindus.
● Animal Punishment Is Wrong:
o Some ancient societies used to punish animals for wrongs they had committed. But as the debate over
moral agency developed, it became clear that punishing animals was immoral since they lacked the
mental capacity to discriminate between right and wrong and that doing so would be ineffective.
o As a result, laws developed, and it was decided that animals (along with children and people who are
mentally ill) were the bearers of interests that needed to be protected by the law without any associated
duties.
o The current legal system punishes pet owners for any damage brought on by the careless treatment of
their animals.
Way Ahead :
● Animal rights are effectively supported by our court rulings and legislative regulations, although no rights are absolute.
Animal rights must be regulated, just like human rights.
● The urgent requirement is to achieve a balance between protecting humans' safety and wellbeing without sacrificing
the interests of animals. Animal cruelty must end.
● Humans ought to stop treating other creatures with patronizing condescension.
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960:
● "Prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals" is the legislative goal of the Act.
● Under Section 4 of the Act, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) was created in 1962.
● The penalties for animal cruelty and undue suffering are outlined in this Act. Animals and their various
varieties are defined by the Act.
● Discusses many types of cruelty, exceptions, and the killing of an animal in pain if any cruelty has been done
to it in order to end its suffering.
● Outlines the regulations for using animals in scientific experiments.
● The Act codifies the regulations governing the display of performing animals and penalties committed
against them.
● This Act specifies a 3-month statute of limitations after which no charges may be filed for any violations
of this Act.
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PERSPECTIVE - MOONLIGHTING CULTURE

● The term "moonlighting" describes the practice of working additional jobs beyond regular business hours.
● This second work is taken without the knowledge of the employer and is typically a weekend or evening job.
● When Americans started seeking for second occupations in addition to their usual 9-to-5 work to support their income,
the expression gained notoriety.
What Motivates the Employee Moonlighting What Concerns People the Most About
Culture? Moonlighting?
● Culture of Home-Based Work: Due to work ● Legal but Maybe Unethical: There is no general
from culture, employers could no longer evaluate legislation that forbids someone from doing more
the efficiency of their personnel using clock- than one job. An individual with similar types of
in/clock-out time sheets that encouraged more occupations, however, can cause confidentiality
people to moonlight. problems.
● To Have More Money to Spend: If their primary ● Inefficiency : Employees who are physically
job pays poorly and they need additional income exhausted from working long hours may be
to satisfy their needs. distracted, ineffective, and negligent in their work
● To Obtain More Work Experience: To develop duties as a result of their second job.
new abilities or pursue careers that more closely ● Utilization of Corporate Resources: Employees
align with their interests. that work a second job may utilize corporate
● To Avoid Boredom: To keep them occupied in resources, which raises operating costs.
their primary employment, employees may ● Health Compromise : Poor diet, insufficient sleep,
choose to moonlight in order to make use of the and lack of exercise can have an effect on employee
available free time. health.
Way Ahead
● To identify and mitigate hazards related to moonlighting, such as data leaking and daylighting (working on another
job during the working hours of the primary job), several firms have implemented tools and procedures.
● These personnel may be moonlighting or abusing the company's intellectual property, as evidenced by their actions
or by signs of data leaking.
● Employers may advise against working a second job out of worry for potential conflicts of interest, effects on primary
job performance, abuse of corporate resources, absenteeism, inattentiveness or exhaustion.
● Employees should have the option to moonlight unless doing so compromises the effectiveness and integrity of their
core job duties.
ETHICS OF INFLUENCER ENDORSEMENTS

● Endorsements are a type of advertising that makes use of well-known figures or celebrities that enjoy a high level of
public awareness, respect, or recognition.
● Advertisers and clients believe that a celebrity's endorsement or stamp of approval will positively affect consumer
behaviour.
● For instance, Sachin Tendulkar's endorsement of cookies and motorcycles may have an impact on young boys or kids
who look up to him as a role model.
India's Laws Against Deceptive Advertising
● The Centre has published endorsement rules for public figures and social media influencers that require them to
disclose any financial or material benefits they may receive from a brand or product they are endorsing on social
media.
● The 2019 Consumer Protection Act, which was passed to safeguard consumers against unfair business practices and
misleading advertising, is in line with the new regulations.
● Guidelines for the Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements,
2022, were released by the department of consumer affairs.
● These standards specify the requirements for legitimate advertisements as well as the obligations of manufacturers,
service providers, advertisers, and advertising agencies. Celebrities and product endorsers were also covered by these
rules.
● It declares that deceptive advertising is prohibited in all forms, formats, and media.
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● Influencers who fail to disclose their brand links risk a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh.
Who Needs to Disclose?
● People or organizations that, due to their authority, expertise, standing, or connections with their audience, have access
to and the ability to influence the buying decisions or opinions of their audiences regarding a good, service, brand, or
experience.
● An advantage or incentive could be considered a significant relationship, however this is not limited to: monetary or
other form of reward.
● Free goods with or without conditions, including unsolicited goods, discounts, and presents entries for contests and
sweepstakes.
ETHICS OF MIGRATION
● Human migration and mobility is a long-standing phenomenon that affects practically all societies worldwide. But
throughout time, things have evolved in a number of different ways.
Migration's Importance
● Demand and Supply for Labour: Migration fills in gaps in the supply and demand for labour, distributing skilled
labour, unskilled labour, and inexpensive labour in an effective manner.
● Skill Development: Through exposure to and engagement with the outside world, migration helps migrants increase
their knowledge and skills.
● Life Quality: Economic prosperity and more work opportunities are two factors that contribute to higher life quality.
● Economic remittances: Migrants' financial stability improves consumer spending and investments in health,
education, and asset building while serving as an insurance policy against threats to households back home.
● Social remittances: As migrants learn about new cultures, habits, and languages, their social lives are improved. This
fosters greater equality and tolerance as well as a stronger sense of brotherhood among all people.
Future Directions for Migration-Centric Policies
● Preventing migration may even be detrimental because it is essential to the process of human growth and is crucial to
reaching the Sustainable growth Goals.
● India must build institutional processes, policies, and strategies focused on migration in order to promote equitable
growth and development, lessen migration brought on by hardship, and improve its chances of eradicating poverty.
● The India Centre for Migration, a research institute affiliated with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), can play
a significant role in determining how to educate and orient those who want to migrate internationally.
● In order to play a more proactive role in educating and orienting the populace towards work, the Central Government
would also help the former.
● Immigration and immigration laws need to be more flexible to allow for an easier transfer of human capital.
● Furthermore, it's time to abandon outdated viewpoints that view immigration and movement exclusively as a means
of seeking safety and recognise the significance of migration for human advancement.
Conclusion
● Migration is caused by a number of variables, the most important of which are sociopolitical, economic, and
environmental. Understanding how this migration process benefits both the country of origin and the country of
destination is crucial, and this is why a more inclusive migration policy is required.
DOPING IN SPORTS
● Recently, the National Anti-Doping Bill was approved by Parliament.
● The use of illegal substances, pills, or therapies by athletes with the goal of enhancing sports performance is referred
to as "Doping".
● WADA's key initiatives include raising awareness of the health concerns associated with doping, researching the
practices, developing anti-doping tools, and creating testing procedures for doping detection.
Criteria For Doping Includes:
● It improves efficiency.
● It puts the athlete's health in danger.
● It goes against the spirit of the game.
● Problems related to doping
● The use of doping seems to be a factor in the frequent ill health effects and even early deaths experienced by athletes.
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● Children who experience delayed puberty and stunted growth.

● The use of steroids has been linked to sadness and, occasionally, suicidal thoughts.
Significant Clauses in the Bill:
● A statutory mandate: The National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports will be established as part of the bill, which
aims to boost anti-doping efforts in sport by providing a formal framework for the National Anti-Doping Agency, the
National Dope Testing Laboratory, and other dope testing laboratories.
o Legislation that establishes a legal foundation for outlawing doping in sports and implementing national
anti-doping initiatives.
o Investigation Anti-doping rule infractions are to be looked into, as well as anti-doping activities must be
planned, carried out, and monitored according to the legislation.
● Prohibition: The law forbids doping in sports by competitors, athlete support staff, and other individuals.
SOCIAL REFORM : A MATTER OF LAW OR ETHICS

● Recently, a hooch tragedy in Bihar claimed the lives of over 70 individuals. Bihar has banned alcohol for the past six
years. These catastrophes don't just occur in Bihar; they occasionally occur throughout much of India.
● It is debatable whether changing behaviour is a legal issue or merely an ethical one. Another crucial issue is whether
a state should restrict a person's freedom in the name of welfare.
● Using the information in this article, we will examine how the rule of law and ethical principles influence and guide
social behaviour.
Need For Law To Change Liquor Behavior:
● Obligation under the Constitution: The state or government is required by Article 47 of the Indian Constitution to
outlaw the use of narcotics and alcoholic beverages. It states that in order to promote public health, the state must
increase the bar for living conditions and nutrition.
● Moral Duties: The social contract thesis contends that the government has a moral duty to protect its citizens' welfare.
Justice theory In a country where men predominate, like India, others, especially family members, suffer as a result
of alcohol consumption habits. Therefore, it is justified to ban alcohol in order to secure justice for vulnerable groups
(females and children).
● Utilitarian Philosophy : The greatest good for the greatest number is possible, according to utilitarian philosophy, if
alcohol is prohibited. A single intoxicated person has a negative impact on the entire family.
Why Does The Law Fail In Some Cases?
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● Success of a law depends on a number of variables, including: how the legislation is presented and discussed.
Successful laws typically result from lengthy discussions including the greatest number of possible stakeholders.
o For instance, the law prohibiting the use of sati was passed in response to a long-standing request from
the community where it was being practiced, but laws that were passed hastily and without much debate
sometimes fail to have the desired effect. For instance, most states have passed anti-alcohol laws quickly
and without consulting key parties.
● Justification for a major factor in its success is law. For instance, the justification for anti-slavery laws was strong
since such practices were against humanity, leading to the abolition of slavery.
● Legal Feasibility: For instance, lockdown rules may be adopted because they are legal, whereas anti-corruption
measures fail because they are not legal.
● Implementation strategy: An operational plan that directs the process of putting a policy into effect is referred to as an
implementation strategy. There are six requirements for a law to be implemented successfully:
o Consistency and clarity in goals
o Validity of the motivation behind the law.
o Structuring of the implementation process.
o Officials' commitment to enforcing the law.
o Support from civil society.
o Persistence of socioeconomic conditions
KEY TERMS
Key Terms & Their Meanings
Terms Meaning
Moral Moral muteness occurs when people witness unethical behaviour and choose not to say
Muteness anything. It can also occur when people communicate in ways that obscure their moral beliefs
and commitments.
Moral Myopia Moral myopia refers to the inability to see ethical issues clearly. The term, coined by Minette
Drumwright and Patrick Murphy, describes what happens when we do not recognize the
moral implications of a problem, or we have a distorted moral vision. An extreme version of
moral myopia is called moral blindness.
Cognitive Bias People generally believe that they are mostly rational in their thinking, decisions, and actions.
But even the smartest and best educated people often commit cognitive errors as they make
financial, medical, personal and ethical decisions. These errors in thinking, also called
cognitive bias, affect all people in virtually every situation.
Bounded Bounded ethicality is the idea that our ability to make ethical choices is often limited or
Ethicality restricted because of internal and external pressures. For example, outside pressures, such
as the tendency to conform to the actions of those around us, can make it hard to do the right
thing. So can internal biases, such as the self-serving bias, which often causes us to
subconsciously favor ourselves at the expense of others.
Conformity The conformity bias is the tendency people have to behave like those around them rather
Bias than using their own personal judgment. For ex- When we see others succeed by cheating, it
makes us more likely to cheat as well.
Ethical Fading Ethical fading occurs when the ethical aspects of a decision disappear from view. This
happens when people focus heavily on some other aspect of a decision, such as profitability
or winning.
Moral It is the study of the brain’s role in moral judgment and decision-making. As a social science,
Cognition it involves understanding the rationalizations and biases that affect moral decision-making.
Moral cognition also involves the scientific study of the brain that is evolving along with
technology.
Role Morality It is the notion that people sometimes fail to live up to their own ethical standards because
they see themselves as playing a certain role that excuses them from those standards. For
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example, say a person views herself as a loyal employee of a company. In that role, she might
act unethically to benefit her employer in ways that she would never do to help herself.
Moral Moral absolutism asserts that there are certain universal moral principles by which all
Absolutism peoples’ actions may be judged. It is a form of deontology.
PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS
Previous Years Questions Year

1. Discuss the role of ethics and values in enhancing the following three major components of 2020
Comprehensive National Power (CNP) viz. human capital, soft power (culture and policies) and
social harmony.
2. “Education is not an injunction; it is an effective and pervasive tool for all round development of 2020
an individual and social transformation”. Examine the New Education Policy, 2020 (NEP, 2020) in
light of the above statement.
3. Distinguish between laws and rules. Discuss the role of ethics in formulating them. 2020
4. What are the basic principles of public life? Illustrate any three of these with suitable examples. 2019
5. What is meant by the term ‘constitutional morality’? How does one uphold constitutional morality? 2019
6. State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil service and bring out their 2018
importance.
7. What is meant by public interest? What are principles and procedures to be followed by the civil 2018
servants in public interest?
8. With regard to morality of actions, one view is that means are of paramount importance and the 2018
other view is that the ends justify the means. Which view do you think is more appropriate? Justify
your answer.
9. The crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced to a narrow perception of the good life. 2017
Discuss.
10. Explain how ethics contributes to social and human well-being. 2017
11. Law and ethics are considered to be the two tools for controlling human conduct so as to make it 2016
conductive to civilized social existence.
(a) Discuss how they achieve this objective.
(b) Giving examples, show how the two differ in their approaches.
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CHAPTER 2 ATTITUDE
"It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful
outcome." - William James
“Attitude is a psychological tendency that is expressed by evaluating a particular entity with some degree of
favour or disfavour.” - Eagly and Chaiken
“You can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference " - Winston Churchill
INTRODUCTION
● Attitude is an evaluation people make towards persons, objects, ideas or events. For Eg. An attitude of
reverence towards religion makes one follow its doctrine.
● Attitudes are the perspectives on a situation based upon the values held by a person or organisation.
● It is a psychological tendency of evaluating a particular object either in favour or disfavour.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ATTITUDE
● Psychological Construct: Attitude is a mental evaluation and predisposition.
● Learned and Acquired: Attitudes are acquired through socialisation.
● Relatively Stable: Attitudes are enduring and resistant to change.
● Evaluation and Judgement: Attitudes involve positive or negative appraisal.
● Influence Behaviour: Attitudes shape and predict behaviour.
● Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioural Components: Attitudes have thoughts, emotions, and actions.
● Subjective: Attitudes vary from person to person.
● Expressive and Communicative: Attitudes are expressed through cues.
● Context-Dependent: Attitudes can vary in different situations.
● Can Be Influenced and Changed: Attitudes can be influenced and modified.
STRUCTURE/COMPONENTS OF ATTITUDE
Attitude is made up of three main components: Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioural.
1. Cognitive: This component of attitude involves our thoughts and beliefs about something or someone. It's based on
the information we have gathered and our understanding of it. We form judgments and opinions based on what we
know.
o For example, if someone believes that snakes are dangerous, it means they have a cognitive attitude
towards snakes based on their knowledge or information.
2. Affective: The affective component of attitude deals with our emotions and feelings towards something or someone.
It's how we feel about a particular object, person, issue, or event. It can include emotions like fear, hate, pleasure, or
even love.
o For example, if someone is scared of spiders, it means they have an affective attitude of fear towards
spiders.
3. Behavioural: The behavioural component of attitude is about how our attitude influences our behaviour or actions.
It's the way we tend to act or behave based on our attitude.
o For example, if someone has a fear of snakes, their behavioural attitude might be to run away when they
see a snake.
Example:
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● Portugal’s football player Ronaldo sat down for his first pre-match press conference of the tournament before
Portugal's clash with Hungary, and noticed that two bottles of Coca-Cola were sitting directly in front of him. He
promptly removed the soft drinks from the view of the cameras and replaced them with a water bottle.
● In the given example, the cognitive component is the knowledge of Ronaldo that Coca Cola is bad for health.
The affective component is the feeling of disgust towards Coca Cola and the behavioural component is the removal
of the Coca Cola bottles.
FORMATION OF ATTITUDE
The following theories are used to explain the formation of attitude:
1. Classical or Pavlovian Conditioning: It involves pairing a previously neutral stimulus with an unconditioned
stimulus to elicit conditioned response.
Ivan Pavlov Discovered Classical Conditioning:
● He paired previously neutral stimulus (sound of bell, which did not elicit any response from dogs)
with unconditioned stimulus (dog’s food) to elicit conditioned response in dogs. Because of the
conditioned response, dogs produced saliva just by ringing bells.
o Example - Citizens develop a positive attitude towards civil servants who consistently work for the
betterment of people.
2. Instrumental Conditioning: According to this theory, positive outcomes strengthen behaviours while negative
outcomes suppress them.
o Example- A person who is continuously ostracised for smoking, eventually will quit smoking by
developing a negative attitude towards it.
3. Observational Learning: This theory says that a person modifies his behaviour/thought by observing the rewards
or punishments that others get.
o Example – Best employee awards are given in companies so as to change the attitude of the employees.
4. Genetic Factors: It plays an important role in shaping and developing attitude toward any thing or entity.
o Example - For certain food is more influenced by genetic factors.
5. Culture: Culture exerts enormous influence on an individual. Culture in itself includes religion, tradition, customs,
prohibitions, rewards and sanctions.
o Example - Maria's cultural upbringing instilled in her a strong sense of respect for elders, shaping her
behaviour to prioritise their opinions and seek their guidance in decision-making.
FUNCTIONS OF ATTITUDE
Following are the main functions of attitude:
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● Utilitarian/Instrumental Function: Utilitarian attitude leads to behaviour that optimises one’s interest. Positive
attitude towards objects that are associated with rewards and negative attitude towards those associated with
punishment.
o Example - Awards such as Bharat Ratna, Padma Bhusan, Padma Vibhusan etc are bestowed by the
government to develop a positive attitude in the citizens towards their respective works and social service.
● Knowledge Function: It enables one to understand the environment and be consistent in one’s ideas and thinking.
It desires for a predictable, stable world.
o Example - a person avoids visiting countries like Syria as he has knowledge that his life will be in danger
there.
● Ego Defensive Function: It protects an individual from acknowledging the basic truths about himself or harsh
realities of life. It helps an individual to psychologically isolate him from groups perceived as hostile or threatening.
o Example - You may not be able to play football like Messi. Instead of accepting this reality, you can
claim that you don't like football to maintain your self-image.
● Value Expressive Function: It helps to demonstrate one’s self-image to others. It expresses our basic values. It
helps in securing social approval for an individual
o Example - standing in solidarity with victims of injustice (even if one is not directly related to it) serves
the value expressive function.
● Function of Decision Making: Our decisions are based on how we evaluate situations. Attitude facilitates decision
making.
o Example - Attitude of alleviating poverty
● Self-Awareness Function: Attitudes can help people to approach things that are beneficial to them and avoid things
that are harmful to them.
o Example - Sarah's positive attitude towards healthy eating leads her to choose nutritious foods and avoid
harmful dietary habits.
● Social Adjustment Function: Attitudes help us in social adjustments. Attitudes help us in simplifying our perception
about the world and make it more manageable to us.
o Example - Michael's open-minded attitude allows him to adapt to diverse cultural perspectives,
facilitating social interactions and fostering understanding in a globalised world.
● Social Identity Function: It helps in displaying the information of attitude of an individual to others.
o Example - Celebrating Independence Day demonstrates the patriotic image to others.
INFLUENCE OF ATTITUDE ON BEHAVIOUR

● Attitude is defined as tendencies to behave in certain ways in social situations.
● But most recent researchers have found that not always people behave according to their attitude i.e there is
mismatch between attitude and expected behaviour.
● Attitude is a personal trait, whereas behaviour is a social trait.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOUR
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Attitude Behaviour
● Attitude is an internal component of our cognition ● Behaviour is the manifestation or exhibition of
(Knowledge or Information) such an attitude.
● Attitude refers to a person’s mental view, regarding the ● Behaviour implies the actions and conduct of
way he/she thinks or feels about someone or an individual or group towards other
something. persons.
● It is more personal. ● It is more social
● A person’s attitude is mainly based on the experiences ● The behaviour of a person is based on the
gained by him during the course of his life and situation and circumstances.
observations. ● Behaviour reflects one’s attitude as actions are
● Attitude reflects one’s emotions, opinions and thoughts. the reflection of our thoughts.
● Factors like environment, experiences, and moral values ● Attitudes, character traits, biological factors like
mainly influence attitudes. endocrine and nervous responses influence our
● Example-Someone can have an attitude of showing behaviour.
sympathy to poor people ● Example-This belief is an attitude and can be
shown in behaviour by practising compassion
by helping poor people.
CATEGORIES OF ATTITUDE
EXPLICIT ATTITUDE AND IMPLICIT ATTITUDE
● Explicit Attitude: Also referred to as the “Self Reported Attitude”. This Attitude is embedded in our conscious
cognition or in simple words, the person involved is aware of his/her Attitude.
● Implicit Attitude: Mostly governed by past memories, this Attitude is embedded in our unconscious cognition. It
arises unintentionally due to our experiences.
Explicit Attitude Implicit Attitude
● A person is aware of his attitudes. ● A person is unaware of implicit beliefs.
● It is formed consciously. ● It is a subconscious attitude.
● It is less spontaneous. ● It is more spontaneous.
● It reflects values, beliefs and desired responses. ● It reflects experiences based on social
conditioning.
● It is easy to self-report ● It is usually unknown to us.
● Example- positive attitude towards a product which ● Example- positive attitude towards products
was manufactured in an environment friendly manner. used by parents during childhood days.
OPINION AND ATTITUDE

● It is an individual’s thought or belief about something, whether good or bad. It can vary from person to person.
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o Example- There are conflicting opinions on the possession of Nuclear Weapons, Historical Responsibility
of Climate Change in the Western and Eastern World.
Opinion Attitude
● It is the expression of judgement. ● It is a predisposition to act in a certain way.
● It is restricted to verbal expression -spoken or ● Attitude is inferred from both verbal & non-verbal
written. expressions.
● It may or may not be based on facts or ● It is generated from own belief system
knowledge
● Opinion is generally advisable in nature to ● It is related to more to self like or dislike towards
others person, place, environment, etc.
● Example- An author expressing positive ● Example- The author having positive attitude about
opinion on democracy through an article. democracy by studying various forms of government.
BELIEF AND ATTITUDE

● It is being certain about something that exists or is true.
o Example- Theists believe in the existence of God while Atheists deny it.
Belief Attitude
● It is an idea that a person holds as true. ● It is a mental disposition that result in a particular
behaviour.
● It can arise from past experience, cultural & ● It arises out of values and beliefs, we hold internally.
societal norms or education.
● Changing belief can change attitude. ● Changing attitude can also lead to change in belief.
● Example- A person may have belief in a ● Example- The person will regularly pay obeisance
particular God. to that God.
VALUE AND ATTITUDE

● Values are deeply held beliefs and principles that guide individuals' behaviours and decision-making, reflecting what
is considered important and desirable in life.
o Example- A person's value of honesty compels him to always speak the truth, even when it is difficult
or uncomfortable.
Value Attitude
● It helps to guide our behaviour. ● It is the response that is the result of our values.
● It helps in deciding what is right and wrong. ● It is our likes, dislikes for things, people and objects.
● These are more or less permanent in nature. ● Attitudes are changeable with favourable
experiences.
● They represent a single belief that guides actions ● They represent several beliefs focused on a specific
and judgement across objects and situations. object or situation.
● It refers to personal belief or principles that guide ● It refers to personal feeling (negative, positive, or
behaviours and decision-making. neutral feeling) about persons, object, situation, or
environment
● Showcase a particular person’s moral ethics and ● Highlight a person’s behaviour through the
his/her overall character personality
● It is derived from social and cultural conventions. ● It is more of a personal experience.
● Example- A civil servant possessing the value of ● Example- The civil servant will have a positive
openness. attitude towards the RTI act.
SIMILARITY BETWEEN VALUE AND ATTITUDES

● Values and attitudes are two important variables influencing the cognitive process and behaviour.
● They are learned and acquired essentially from the same sources.
● They endure and are resistant to change.
● They have a reciprocal influence and are used interchangeably.
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MORAL ATTITUDE
● It is based on the moral conviction of what is right and wrong. It is associated with strong emotions. They are the
foundation of a moral life. So, if an individual is devoid of these attitudes his/her life will be devoid of morality and
if at all they will be present it would be accidental and therefore superficial and inconsistent.
● Moral attitudes are inclusive of Moral judgements (right and wrong) and depict the Values of a person.
o Socrates and Plato had Moral Attitudes in which they believed that it is better to suffer Injustice than to
do injustice.
o Gandhiji’s fundamental belief in Non violence as a tool to combat injustice.
● Not all attitudes are concerned with morality.
o Example - My attitude towards snakes has nothing to do with morality. But my attitude towards
democracy will have moral undertones.
● Activities like altruism, volunteerism, social service etc. emanate from a moral attitude.
● On the negative side, moral attitudes can be used to justify violent acts of terrorism. It is shaped by family, society,
religion, education etc.
o Example - Positive attitude for honour killing is justified on the grounds of saving the pride of the
family. Positive attitude towards live-in relationships is justified on the grounds of individuality and
freedom.
QUALITIES OF MORAL ATTITUDE

Moral attitude is neither permanent nor universal. There are many factors which shape moral attitudes. They are:
● Reverence: It is the attitude of great respect towards others. It is important in realising justice towards others, in
consideration for the rights of another, in limiting one’s lust for power. The irreverent and impertinent man cannot
submit to authority or abnegate himself.
● Faithfulness: It is the virtue of remaining loyal to someone or something and putting this loyalty into consistent
practice. The more faithful and consistent a person is, the more substantial he is and the more capable he will be of
becoming a vessel of moral values.
● Veracity: It implies truthfulness, fidelity or constancy and the awareness of responsibility. A person who lacks
truthfulness is crippled in his personality.
● Goodness: It flows from the conscious response of love. It is the basic attitude which helps in practising benevolence
and generosity.
● Awareness of Responsibility- A person with awareness of responsibility is one who has assimilated values in
him/herself. So, there is recognition of the presence of higher power and that should underpin decision making. This
leads to inquiry making before decision making and holding forth in face of fear or temptations.
● Motivation for Altruism: It motivates a person towards altruism, volunteerism and social service.
● Attached with Strong Emotions: Moral attitude is tied up with strong emotions. Hence, it prevents deviant behaviour
among normal people due to fear of social exclusion. Example-Rapes, child molestation, etc.
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IMPLICATION OF MORAL ATTITUDES
Positive Implications Negative Implications
● Tied up with strong emotions. Hence prevents ● People can use it to justify violence behaviour and
deviant behaviours due to fear of social lunacy and still society will accept it because moral
ostracization eg. child molestation, incest. attitude is strong emotions.
● Example- Motivates a person towards riots, genocide
and terrorism to justify religious, regional issues.
● Motivates a person towards Altruism, ● Since moral attitude is tied with strong emotions,
volunteerism, social service people don’t get along with those who don’t share their
moral attitude. Ex. Intolerance.
SOCIAL ATTITUDE
● It is the outlook of a person towards social entities like society, culture, organisations, institutions, etc.
● It is a behaviour pattern, a conditioned response or anticipatory tendency towards a social stimulus.
● It is shaped by personal experiences and observations.
● It can be learned predispositions.
o Example - Attitude of mainstream society towards the LGBTQ community.
ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE WEAKER SECTIONS

● A positive attitude towards poverty, deprivation, discrimination etc. implies empathy and caring nature of the
person. It signifies compassion towards the weaker and marginalised section.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR CIVIL SERVANT

● Compassionate Attitude: Civil servants must exhibit compassion towards weaker sections, using their power to uplift
them.
● Tolerance: Civil servants should be tolerant to cater to the needs of weaker sections.
● Familiarity with Fundamental Rights: Civil servants must be aware of marginalised citizens' fundamental rights.
● Sarvodaya and Antyodaya: Civil servants should work in the spirit of upliftment for all, especially the poorest.
● Proactive Empathy: Civil servants should develop an empathetic approach towards weaker sections.
● Avoiding Stereotypes and Prejudices: Civil servants must steer clear of biases and stereotypes in their treatment of
individuals.
o Example - IAS officer Amit Gupta’s initiative “Daliya Jalao” helped in the elimination of manual
scavenging in Badaun district of UP.
PREJUDICE
● It involves prejudgements that are usually negative about members of a group.
● It is a baseless and often negative attitude towards members of a group. It has a strong influence on how people behave.
● It is an assumption that is not supported by logic or personal experience. It is primarily dependent on the person's
membership in a social group.
● People holding prejudicial attitudes paint every member of the group as the same. It often translates into
discrimination.
o Examples - Prejudice that women can’t drive, Dalits don’t have merit, tribals are unhygienic etc.
HOW TO COUNTER PREJUDICE?

● Identify Cause and Source: Determine the origin of prejudice to address its root causes.
● Minimise Opportunities for Learning Prejudices: Reduce exposure to biased information or environments that
foster prejudice.
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● Emphasise broader social identity: Encourage considering a wider social identity, such as national or global, rather
than narrow group affiliations.
● Discourage Negative Behaviour: Discourage victims of prejudice from responding with negative behaviour.
● Increase Inter-Group Contact: Promote interactions between different groups to build trust and reduce mistrust.
● Education and Information Dissemination: Utilise education and dissemination of information to challenge
stereotypes and promote understanding.
● Holding Responsibility: Hold individuals accountable for their prejudice to generate internal reflection and conflict.
POLITICAL ATTITUDE
● It refers to the attitude of a person or group towards persons/institutions/events/issues related to political ideology.
● Political attitude is how a person feels about political parties, issues or its ideologies.
● It is important as people examine issues with particular angles because of their ideological predisposition.
TRAITS WHICH INFLUENCE OUR POLITICAL ORIENTATION
1. Extraversion: It is the energetic approach to the social and material world. It includes traits such as sociability,
activity, assertiveness & positive emotionality.
2. Agreeableness: It is a pro social trait. It includes traits such as altruism, tender-mindedness, trust and modesty.
3. Conscientiousness: It facilitates task and goal-oriented behaviour such as thinking before acting, following norms &
rules, planning, organising etc.
4. Emotional Stability: Emotional stability enables the person to develop an integrated and balanced way of perceiving
the problems of life. This organisational ability and structured perception helps one to develop reality-oriented
thinking, judgement and evaluation ability. It implies even temperedness
5. Openness to Experience: It describes breadth, depth, originality and complexity of an individual’s experiential life.
FACTORS WHICH AFFECT OUR POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES

● Religion: Religion shapes the moral attitude which in turn shapes our political attitude.
o Example - khilafat movement in pre-independence India.
● Age: In the general sense older people are conservative and young people are liberal and as such subscribe to particular
ideology.
o Example - Young people are more likely to back political parties who support individuality and freedom.
● Economic Status: Poor people align towards socialist ideology and rich people align towards capitalistic ideology.
o Example - Poor people are more likely to vote for parties who promise them subsidised food, healthcare,
education etc.
● Family: Children tend to emulate their parent’s ideology.
● Education: School’s ideology and syllabus plays an important role in shaping the ideology of students.
o Example - Chinese system of education supports communist ideology and hence they loathe democratic
countries.
● Caste: A person is likely to adopt the ideology which is supported by his caste.
o Example - Elections in India are still fought on caste lines. A politician is more likely to give a ticket to
a candidate belonging to a caste which has a majority in a given constituency.
● Ethnicity: People are often moved by the political ideology which supports their ethnicity.
o Example - Political Parties like DMK, Shiromani Akali Dal etc. base their political ideology on ethnicity.
● Social Media: In the age of IT, social media has become a prominent tool of propaganda influencing the political
ideologies of the people.
o Example - Political Parties use social media handles to attract Vote Bank.
● Psychological Factor: Some persons are more psychologically adapted to liberalism or conservatism than others. A
great tolerance for disorder is a requirement for being a liberal.
SIGNIFICANCE OF POLITICAL ATTITUDE

● It determines how people participate in the political process, whom they vote for and what political parties they
support.
● It represents a part of moral attitude.
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MAJOR TYPES OF POLITICAL IDEOLOGY

● Anarchism: It is against all forms of authority and rejects forceful notions of hierarchy. It calls for abolition of the
state, which it holds to be unnecessary and harmful.
● Authoritarianism: It rejects political pluralism. It employs strong central power to preserve its political status.
● Communism: The main objective of communists is the formation of society where there is common ownership and
means of production are owned by the common masses without the presence of social classes. It is based on Marxist
theory.
● Conservatism: Conservatives feel that men are neither good nor rational. They think that traditional political and
cultural institutions are needed to curb men’s base and destructive instincts. They feel that social welfare policies are
making the recipients dependent upon the government.
● Liberalism: Liberals aim at protecting and increasing individual’s freedom. They fear government’s overreach and
hence seek to restrict government’s power. Based on the right of individual choice, liberals promote contraception,
divorce, abortion and homosexuality.
● Fascism and Nazism: It is characterised by authoritarianism, ultranationalism, forcible suppression of opposition,
rigidity of society and economy. Nazism is a form of fascism with disdain for liberal and parliamentary democracy.
● Environmentalism: It is concerned with environment protection and improvement of ecology so that both humans
and animals can live peacefully in their environment.
● Feminism: It aims to establish political, economic, personal and social equality of the genders.
● Identity Politics: It is an intellectual and political strategy in which members of a certain race, religion, gender, social
class, or other distinguishing characteristics create political agendas based on problems that may have an impact on
their lives.
DEMOCRATIC ATTITUDE
● It gives space to difference of opinion and appreciates participation of stakeholders. In case of public service, it
ensures participation of people at various stages of policy formulation and implementation.
● It refers to those attitudes possessed by civil servants who promote the participation of people in decision making.
They promote the delegation of power or authority. In place of rule and regulation, there is more focus on compassion,
tolerance and inclusiveness. It has following characteristics:
o Decisions are based on popular opinion.
o Views of the majority is right
o Maximisation of satisfaction of the largest number of people.
o Supported by elected representatives
Merits Demerits
● It promotes the active participation of people. ● Decision making process will become slow and time
So, it will promote and strengthen the consuming.
democratic institution at the grass root level. ● There is difficulty to satisfy every section of society.
● It will make the governance system more Sometimes, such an attitude becomes a hindrance to
accountable as there is active participation of the development process.
people. ● Example- Delay in clearance of Mining and industrial
● There will be more transparency and efficient development project in Scheduled area, because of
public service delivery. mandatory consultation under Forest Act 2006.
BUREAUCRATIC ATTITUDE
● Bureaucratic attitude refers to a mindset or approach characterised by excessive adherence to rules, procedures, and
formalities within an organisational or institutional setting.
● This is an attitude strictly adhering to guidelines, rules and regulations. It is based on Neutrality, Objectivity,
Impartiality.
● Characteristics of Bureaucratic Attitude: Decisions strictly based on law, adhering to all rules and procedures,
lack of importance to public opinion, antagonise the elected representatives.
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Merits Demerit
● Strict compliance of standard operating ● Red tapism, as there is no urgency in achieving targets
procedure ● They are opposed to changes in the system, leading to
● Since consultation with the public is not stagnation
needed, decisions can be taken quickly. ● It is rigid; hence public service delivery may not be
● It is easier to fix responsibility for decisions effective
because of the hierarchical decision making ● Apathy towards common people as rule is supreme
process. and not citizens
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEMOCRATIC ATTITUDE AND BUREAUCRATIC ATTITUDE
Democratic Attitude Bureaucratic attitude

● It is based on participatory, humanistic and ● It reflects hierarchical discipline, implicit obedience to
flexible approaches and on bottom-up orders, top-down instructions, and rule bound
decision-making. approaches.
● It focuses more on accountability, people ● It focuses on strengthening and adhering to rules-
participation, transparency, the flexibility of procedure, top-down, and centralized decision-making.
law and public interest. ● Apathy towards common people as rule is supreme and
● It promotes the active participation of people not citizens
● Based on the values of Transparency, ● Based on Objectivity and Neutrality
Inclusiveness ● Example- Areas needing quicker decision making and
● Example- Institutions for public service there is a question of national security and Sovereignty
delivery like banks and PDS shops require of the country there is Need of bureaucratic attitude
democratic attitude.
BEHAVIOUR IN INDIAN SOCIETY

It is said that behaviour in Indian society is difficult to change. It is due to the following reasons:
● Rigid Beliefs and Practices: These practices have been shaped over centuries and as such are difficult to change. For
example, toilets are not constructed in the house as it is considered clean.
● Culture: The Cultural Evil has perpetuated the hierarchical system.
● Stereotypes and Prejudices: such as subjugation of women in the family.
● Resistance: Lack of Emotional Connection with the Government creates a barrier between the government and the
citizens, as such citizens resist change.
FACTORS AFFECT THE FORMATION OF A PERSON'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS SOCIAL PROBLEMS

● One’s Upbringing and Family: Upbringing and Family the most powerful source for formation of attitudes. The
parents, siblings provide information about various things.
o Example - A child grown in a family having a patriarchal outlook, most probably used to have a
prejudiced attitude towards women.
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● Beliefs and Practices of their Family: Family having orthodox thought, helped members to have an attitude of
superstition, biasedness based on caste, religion, tradition etc. Also, an inculcated intolerance view towards other
groups of people.
● One's Circumstances in which a Person is raised and lives: People who grow up poor have a whole different
perspective of social problems than people who were raised in relative luxury and ease.
● Direct Experience: A person who has faced racism in his life develops a negative attitude towards it.
o Example- Mahatma Gandhi being evicted from a train by a white man made him stand against apartheid
policies.
● Education System: Education system cultivates habits of analytical and critical thinking on the prevalent social
issues. It has shaped the attitude of common people to treat everyone with equality and abjure untouchability.
However, too much information oriented education has little scope for creativity, innovation and self-learning. Modern
day education also fails to inculcate moral values and discipline in the young minds that could enable them to become
better and more responsible human beings.
CHANGING BEHAVIOUR TO MAKE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS SUCCESSFUL. WHAT NEEDS TO

BE DONE?
Following can be done to change the behaviour of Indian people.
● Cultural and Societal Conventions must be used in the Campaign: For example, for successful implementation
of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, reference to our scriptures can be taken where women are worshipped as embodiments
of shakti.
● Reflection Sessions: Where government agents can pre-commit people to certain goals. For example, it can be used
in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan where Swachagrahis will pre-commit people to sanitation goals.
● Making People Realise Tangible Outcomes: by showing examples of people who have benefited from the program.
● Creating Emotional Connect Between the Citizens and the Government: The government's transparent
communication and active engagement foster an emotional connect with citizens, building trust and a sense of shared
responsibility for societal progress.
CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN

Recently, the National Commission for Women (NCW) informed that there was a rise of 46% in complaints of crimes
against women in the first eight months of 2021 over the corresponding period of last year.
REASONS FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION/CRIME AGAINST WOMEN

● Patriarchal Society: Indian society has always been solidly patriarchal. Now, as women refuse to subscribe to
traditional gender roles, as they seek to educate themselves, take up jobs outside the home, choose their own marriage
partners and as a result women face a patriarchal backlash.
● Attitudes: Across cultures, attitudes toward gender are likely to affect how male-female relationships are viewed, and
subsequently how the sexual offenders and the victims are viewed.
● Challenge to Social and Political Dominance of Men: There is equality of all individuals before the law. The surge
in attacks on women is an angry attempt by men to sustain the overwhelming social and political dominance they have
long enjoyed but the same is now challenged by modern notions of gender justice
● Images Portrayed by Advertisements and in Films: Bollywood films, aimed increasingly at a rapidly Westernising
middle class, portray romance and desire as inevitable byproducts of contemporary life, creating a further sense of
frustration among the unemployed young men who watch them.
● Lack of Infrastructure of Cities: The crumbling infrastructure of our cities also militates against women’s safety.
Streets lit dimly or not at all, bad or non-existent means of public transport, an incompetent and corrupt police form
all contribute to the insecurity and vulnerability of women.
STEPS TO CORRECT CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN

Legal Steps:
● Police should report every complaint related to females
● Establishment of a special cell for women to make investigation process faster and more intense
● A special man hunt drive on those under the lens
● Make teams including women officers in each one of them and put them on patrolling in all sensitive areas. Run a
24/7 helpline and position teams such that they can reach anywhere in district instantly
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● Training to be given to women for self defence

Social Action:
● Involvement of NGOs, Social activist, Women friendly associations and District mass campaign to be launched
towards gender sensitivity and equality
● Concept of community policing with women policing
● Public police relationship drive to rebuild the confidence of public
● Motivational and inspirational talks
● Advisory for hospitals for being of more sensitive towards rape victims
MORAL POLICING
Moral police is a term used to describe vigilante groups which act to enforce a code of morality in society. They take law
into their own hands and try to forcefully enforce discipline on people.
o Example- A youth in Kerala's Thrissur district was beaten to death by a mob after being found in the
house of a woman.
WHY IS IT HARMFUL?
● Leads to suppression of fundamental rights particularly of Vulnerable sections like women.
● As it is extrajudicial, it leads to anarchy
● It leads to disturbance of social harmony and peace.
● Faith on law get deteriorated and Intolerance index Increases in society
● Demand of instant justice rises
● It can result in Mob Lynching and may prove disastrous for the society.
WAYS TO STOP
● Improve policing and punish those who take law into their hands.
● Reforms in the criminal justice system are required in order to instill sensitivity and knowledge of constitutional
values in the administration.
● Mass awareness campaigns to educate and remove people of their rigid biases and to accept change.
● Increase policing near sensitive areas during Valentines day, near Pub areas, etc where moral policing mostly
happens.
● Community policing and volunteer groups to give support to people during sensitive times:
o This field helps us in understanding why a typical behaviour in humans like racism, war, ethnic cleansing,
terrorism, genocide, religious intolerance etc occur.
o According to social psychologists, human behaviour is function of both person and the situation
SOCIAL INFLUENCE
It refers to how individual thoughts, actions and feelings are influenced by social groups. It is a quality that can lead to
changes in a person's actions, attitudes, and feelings as a result of interactions with other people in society.
Ways in which Individuals Respond to Social Influences are:
1. Compliance: An individual is not fully convinced with the other person but shows agreement at the surface level.
o Example- In a conversation a person
makes a racist comment. The other
person is offended but says nothing.
Here, the other person merely shows
compliance.
2. Identify: In this case an individual idolises the other
influential person.
o Example- a college student drinks Pepsi
because his favourite celebrity endorses
it.
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3. Internalize: Here two individuals share the same belief system. In the example made for compliance if the other
individual too makes racist comments, it is the case for internalisation.
TYPES OF SOCIAL INFLUENCE

1. Normative Influence: An individual follows the crowd in order to be liked and accepted. By agreeing on common
beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviour, an individual increases his chance of acceptance and survival possibilities.
2. Informational Influence: An individual goes along with the crowd because he thinks that crowd knows more than
him.
● Two types of situations produce informational influence:
(i) Ambiguous Situations- when individuals don’t know what to do.
(ii) Crisis Situation- when an individual doesn’t have time to think what to do. For eg., during stampede.
Public Spirit
Context: Odisha Train Accident - Citizens Rush to Hospitals to Donate Blood
• The recent Train Accident in Odisha’s Balasore District claimed almost 200 lives and caused many injuries to
the people.
• Apart from the doctors and other hospital staff who worked non-stop, the society also came to be as one of the
helpers in the best way possible.
• The train accident has shown the humane side of villagers who queued up outside medical centers in large
numbers to donate blood. Some civil society groups also chipped in for the noble cause.
• As a result of this action by the public - there was more blood than it was needed.
PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL INFLUENCE

1. Reciprocity: People tend to give back what was received.
o Example - Reciprocating smiles between individuals.
2. Consistency: Generally, people try to be consistent with their previous actions, opinions and assertions.
3. Social Proof: People often decide what to do by looking at what similar others have done.
4. Liking: People are often influenced by those people whom they like.
5. Authority: People with power and authority tend to influence others.
6. Scarcity: Items and opportunities become more desirable when they are less accessible.
o Example - Use of slogans like limited edition or last week for sale have immediate effect.
NORMS
● These are group held beliefs about how members should behave in a given context.
● These are informal understandings that govern society’s behaviours.
o Example - Touching feet in Indian society is considered as a sign of respect.
PERSUASION
● It is an attempt to change a person’s attitude.
o Example - Swachha Bharat Mission focused on persuasion to change the behaviour of people regarding
cleanliness.
● Persuasion can also result in more submission and obedience.
● Persuasion refers to the process of changing the attitudes and behaviours of the target Group towards some event, idea,
object, or another person(s) in the intended direction, by using written or spoken words to convey information,
feelings, or reasoning, etc.
o Example -
▪ Disclosing income to avoid tax evasion.
▪ Beti Bachao Beti Padao – To change the attitude of people towards girl students
▪ Give it up Campaign to give up subsidy
▪ Celebration of Earth Day – To persuade global citizen against climate change
▪ Encourage extremists to leave path of violence in North Eastern and Naxal affected regions
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● It is a Receiver Centric Exercise. It is not what the source says, it is what the receiver understands.
● Four things are important in persuasion.
o The source (Persuader)
o The message
o The audience
o Channel/Medium
● Source Credibility: A source can be credible because he is
an expert and can be trusted. To access credibility, following
things are important i.e.
o Expertness (judged by the knowledge potential
of source)
o Trustworthiness (judged by finding out whether
the source has a vested interest).
o Example- Randip Guleria, AIIMS Director (a
credible source), was seen on TV persuading
people to take COVID-19 vaccine.
● Source Likeability: A source is likeable if he is similar and attractive. There is an implicit assumption that attractive
people are also intelligent. The primary factors that decide the attractiveness of the source include Physical Features:
o Communicative
o Versatility
o Attitudinal Similarity
o Example- advertisements rope in people with attractive personalities to make their products appealing.
● Power: It has the potential to change the behaviour of the target group in the intended direction despite their resistance.
● Power, Attractiveness and Credibility will cause behaviour change in different ways –
o Power – Compliance
o Attractiveness – Identification
o Credibility – Internalisation
TARES TEST
● TARES test acts as a guide for making and defending ethical
choices.
● test was developed by Baker and Martinson (2001) to focus on
five principles for ethical persuasion.
● This framework functions under the theory of utilitarianism,
which maintains that the results of an action are equally
important to the action itself when evaluating its ethicality.
● TARES is an acronym for truthfulness (of the message),
authenticity (of the persuader), respect (for the persuadee),
equity (of the persuasive appeal), and social responsibility (for
the common good).
MESSAGE IN PERSUASION
● Persuasion requires a message to be presented in vivid language and backed by data. The message should be such that
it establishes a common ground with target people. For example- Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas Slogan.
● Best results are obtained when the Persuasive message has both emotional and factual elements in it.
o Example - Selfie with Daughters to promote Beti Bachao and Beti Padhao, Government’s message
regarding Lock down during Corona, and later for Corona Vaccine.
● Message Discrepancy: It means the degree of inconsistency in the message the source should present to the target
group. The message should be such that it should be within the zone of acceptance of the target group.
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● Emotional Factor: The message should have emotional content in that. For example, to motivate someone to stay fit
or to quit smoking, one should not only cite scientific evidence to prove the point but can also convince using the fear
of deadly diseases or the joy of a healthy life.
● Fear Appeal: Mild and moderate appeals to fear generally work better than strong fear appeals. Strong fear appeals
produce defensive avoidance wherein the target group insulates itself from the message.
● Social Proof Technique: People tend to follow others more (bandwagon effect). This technique will involve you
telling the target population that other people are getting benefits from the suggested change, with empirical evidence.
For example, in campaigning against female foeticide the Haryana government is invoking the examples of some
female sportspersons who have won laurels: Babita Phogat (Wrestler), Rani Rampal, Navneeet Kaur (Hockey
Player).
● Scarcity: This involves letting people know that they stand to lose on a chance to get the benefits out of the proposed
change. For example, we often see the end of the season or hoardings like Hurry!! Limited offer.
● Targeting Values: People can manage their self-images by yielding to requests for action that fits or enhances their
identities.
AUDIENCE
● Audience Characteristics: Individuals are presented with logical arguments supported by relevant facts, they are
likely to be persuaded.
● Intelligence: refers to the information processing ability of an individual. Intelligent people because of their superior
critical thinking abilities are less likely to be influenced by appeals that are illogical or not supported by relevant facts.
However, when presented with appeals that have factual backing, they are likely to be convinced.
CHANNEL FACTOR
● Use the appropriate channel of communication.
o Example- Use of Street play is more effective to convey messages on social issues in the Villages.
FUNCTIONS OF PERSUASION
● Weaken the Current Attitude: When the audience has a contrasting attitude, persuasion can help in making the
audience less comfortable with the current attitude.
● Moral Conditioning: Persuasion can bring change in the social attitude of people. For example, regular
announcements to keep the station clean persuade people to change their behaviour.
● Minimise Resistance: When the audience has moderately opposed ideas, persuasion can move the audience towards
neutrality.
● Change Attitude: When the audience has no committed attitude, persuasion can help in changing the attitude.
● Intensify Attitude: When the audience has the same attitude, persuasion can amplify the current attitude.
● Gain Behaviour: When the audience is strongly in sync with the persuader, the final objective is to make the audience
act.
WAYS TO RESIST PERSUASION

● Attitude Inoculation: Just like a person who has been exposed to a weak virus becomes resistant to a disease, similarly
a person who has been exposed to counter argument develops resistance to persuasion.
● Forewarned: When a person is being forewarned of persuasion attempts, he develops psychological reactance that
motivates them to resist such attempts. Forewarning gives an opportunity to come up with counter arguments.
● Boomerang Effect: When a person develops a psychological reactance towards an attitude object, an attempt of
persuasion is countered with equally strong response.
o Example - during the COVID-19 pandemic medical staff were assaulted by the people as they had
developed a negative attitude towards disease treatment.
● Stockpile: A healthy person who is well read and is equipped with cognitive and social resources is able to
resist persuasion better.
HOW TO MAKE PERSUASION EFFECTIVE?

● Establish a Positive Rapport: by establishing a common ground.
● Emphasise the Advantages: Instead of trying to push for change, the persuader should point out the advantages.
● Storytelling: For thousands of years, we have been influenced by powerful stories.
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o Example-
o Triumphs of Truth in the Ramayana motivates us to speak truth only.
o Courage of Veer Kunwar Singh at the age of 80 years while fighting against the British during the 1857
revolt endorsed the view of self-confidence to deal with any hardship.
● Turn Objections into Opportunities: Persuader should agree with the audience’s objections and then illustrate them
how it can be overcome with proposed changes.
● Commitment: Prospect should be persuaded to commit to small action first. Once committed the prospect is most
likely to agree to a larger idea.
● Strong Feelings: Strong emotions can also be persuasive since they draw attention to themselves and stop listeners
from coming up with reasons not to obey.
● Reciprocity: When the prospect does something, it should be rewarded for changed behaviour/attitude.
o Example- political party in power releasing jobs vacancy just before the elections.
● Bandwagon Effect: It involves showing the target population, the benefits which people have got by adopting the
change.
● Scarcity: It involves letting people know what they are going to lose by not availing the opportunity.
● Low-Balling: It is a persuasion technique in which a product is offered at a lower price than it is intended to be
charged.
● Social Influence/Peer Pressure: It plays a very important role in Attitude formation and change, Removal of
Prejudice and Group Decision making.
● Praise: We are all made to feel special by praise. Do it more often.
o Example- With the Praise of Lord Hanuman, he got encouraged to bring Sanjeevani from the Hill.
ADMINISTRATION AND THE PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE MASSES

● Wide Cultural Gap between the administrators and the masses - as the administrators largely come from upper middle
class who deal with rural masses who are poor and illiterate
● Bureaucracy points that people are unaware of their rights.
● Administrators feel that people don’t have adequate knowledge of rules and regulations
● Civil servants complain that people try to pressurise them through politicians.
● They also complain that citizens don’t cooperate with them to bring change in the society.
WHY ARE PUBLIC OFFICIALS NOT ABLE TO PERSUADE THE TARGET GROUP?
● The reason for this is the presence of certain barriers: Semantics, Psychological and Physical Barriers. If the Public
Official can overcome those barriers, only then Persuasion will be successful.
● Power is the potential to change the behaviour of the target group in the intended direction despite their resistance.
● To overcome these barriers, District Magistrate can use various influence tactics such as involving Sarpanch to
overcome these barriers. Along with that, he/she must take feedback from the Target Audience to rectify any
shortcomings.
PUBLIC’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE ADMINISTRATORS

● Public complaints against the administrators regarding corruption, delay in disposal of cases, exploitation, favouritism
etc.
● Public is suspicious about the integrity of public officials.
● They feel that public officials are devoid of any human considerations
● They create scope for middle men who in turn exploit them.
Way Forward
HOW TO IMPROVE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PUBLIC AND ADMINISTRATION?

● Creating a public relations agency in the administration to serve as conduit between the public and the administration.
(C P Bhambri)
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● Public should shed its negative role and adopt a positive role- citizen’s support and cooperation is essential for the
success of any government program.
● In these times of rapid change, one of the major challenges of public administration is to adapt to changing situations.
● One of the defining features today, for example, is a constant pursuit of efficiency and efficacy in public expenditure.
● Administration should maintain constant contact with the public, especially those from the rural areas. (Hota
Committee)
● Social audit, which involves auditing of the project from the beneficiaries.
● Increasing accessibility to civil servants by making public meetings compulsory.
● Government action only produces optimal results when it is based on trustworthy data and innovative capacity.
● Economic, social and security problems highlight the importance of policy as a tool for change and progress.
● E-governance which helps in making the government reach the doorstep of the citizens.
● Citizen’s Charter to make the citizens aware about the quality of service they receive and grievance redressal
mechanism.
SUPREME COURT RECOGNISES SEX WORK AS A ‘PROFESSION’

● Context: The attitude of the police to sex workers is often brutal and violent.
● The Supreme Court’s Verdict:
1. Treat sex workers with dignity and prevent abuse, both verbal and physical.
2. Authorities have a duty to protect sex workers under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.
3. Sensitize police and law enforcement agencies about the rights of sex workers.
4. Strictly enforce Section 354C, IPC, which criminalises voyeurism, particularly against electronic media
broadcasting photos of sex workers and their clients under the guise of rescue operations.
5. Conduct surveys of shelter homes by state governments to identify cases of adult women being unlawfully
detained and expedite their release.
6. Organise workshops through legal services authorities to educate sex workers about their rights.
THE 'LAP-TOP' PROTEST BY STUDENTS AGAINST MORAL POLICING

Miscreants had allegedly cut off parts of a steel bench at a bus stop near the college to prevent boys and girls from sitting
together. The next day, a group of students posted pictures of them sitting on each other's laps on social media, and the
story went viral. Thus, the students protested at the lewd comments by the locals for sitting together. The attitude of both
the students and the locals were reflected through their acts.
KEY TERMS
Terms Meaning
Attitude Psychological tendency of evaluating a particular object either in favour or disfavour
Behaviour Way a person conducts oneself. Our behaviour is largely shaped by our Attitude. A positive Attitude
manifests in good Behaviour.
Opinion An individual’s thoughts or beliefs about something, whether good or bad. It can vary from person to
person.
Belief Being certain about something that exists or is true.
Prejudice Unreasonable dislike towards a particular person or a group of persons and preferences
Stereotype Preconceived notions about a specific group based on sex, gender identity, race and ethnicity,
nationality, age, socioeconomic status, language, and so forth.
Persuasion an attempt to bring about a change in the Attitude of a person.
Key Terms
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Classical or Pavlovian Conditioning; Instrumental Conditioning; Observational Learning; Utilitarian/Instrumental

function; Volunteerism and Social Service; Positive Attitude; Compassionate Attitude; Tolerance; Proactive Empathy;
Stereotypes and Prejudices; Anarchism; Authoritarianism; Communism; Conservatism; Liberalism; Fascism; Nazism;
Environmentalism; Feminism; Identity Politics; Normative/ Informative Influence; Reciprocity; Consistency
PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS
Previous Year Questions Year
1. Attitude is an important component that goes as input in the development of humans. How to build a 2021
suitable need for a public servant?
2. What do the following quotations mean to you? 2021
“Every work has to pass through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding. Those that persevere will
see the light, sooner or later.-Swami Vivekananda
3. A positive attitude is considered to be an essential characteristic of a civil servant who is often required 2020
to function under extreme stress. What contributes to a positive attitude in a person.
4. “Hatred is destructive of a person’s wisdom and conscience that can poison a nation’s spirit.’ Do you 2020
agree with this view? Justify your answer.
5. What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? How does it manifest itself in the public domain? 2019
6. With regard to the morality of actions, one view is that means is of paramount importance and the other 2018
view is that the ends justify the means. Which view do you think is more appropriate? Justify your
answer.
7. Young people with ethical conduct are not willing to come forward to join active politics. Suggest steps 2017
to motivate them to come forward.
8. Without commonly shared and widely entrenched moral values and obligations, neither the law, nor 2017
democratic government, nor even the market economy will function properly. What do you understand
by this statement? Explain with illustration in contemporary times.
9. How could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan? 2016
10. Our attitudes towards life, work, other people and society are generally shaped unconsciously by the 2016
family and the social surroundings in which we grow up. Some of these unconsciously acquired
attitudes and values are often undesirable in the citizens of a modern democratic and egalitarian society.
(a) Discuss such undesirable values prevalent in Today’s educated Indians (b) How can such
undesirable attitudes be changed and socioethical values considered necessary in public services be
cultivated in the aspiring and serving civil servants?
11. Two different kinds of attitudes exhibited by public servants towards their work have been identified as 2015
bureaucratic attitudes and democratic attitudes.
(a) Distinguish between these two terms and write their merits and demerits.
(b) Is it possible to balance the two to create a better administration for the faster development of our
country?
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CHAPTER 3 APTITUDE
“Aptitude without attitude is blind; and attitude without aptitude is lame” — Richard Marcel I.
"Genius is nothing but a greater aptitude for patience." —Benjamin Franklin.
INTRODUCTION
● Aptitude refers to the natural or acquired abilities that indicate an individual’s ability to develop proficiency in
certain areas. It indicates an individual’s potential for the future.
● It is a natural propensity for some particular skills to be learned successfully; these skills can then be improved upon
with the right information and instruction.
● It can be improved through training or formal intervention, but improvement may have limitations.
o Example- Sachin Tendulkar became a great cricketer because he has aptitude for cricket and was
provided necessary training. Other batsmen are not as good as him even after similar training because of
lesser aptitude than him.
CATEGORISATION OF APTITUDE
● Physical Aptitude: Physical characteristics for performing some tasks successfully. E.g. Armed forces require a
specific set of physical features, like physical stamina etc.
o Example- Usain Bolt has unusually long legs; Mr. Ian Thorpe, also known as Thorpedo, has unusually
large feet (Size 17).
● Mental Aptitude: Mental characteristics for performing some tasks successfully. It is regarded as important for all
types of services, more so for civil services.
o Example- A civil servant is required to have mental ability, magnanimity, rationality, compassion etc.
RELATIONSHIP OF APTITUDE WITH OTHER QUALITIES
APTITUDE AND SKILLS

● Aptitude is raw native talent that can be worked upon. On the other hand, Skill is acquired through training and
constantly upgraded. Aptitude is not skill but what is already there that can be nurtured. Skills are the abilities that can
be acquired by way of reading, observation, practice, and training, whereas aptitude is inborn and unique.
o Example- A person can acquire certain cricketing skills by training but will find it hard to become a
successful cricketer unless he has aptitude for the same.
APTITUDE AND INTEREST

● Interest is an individual’s preference for engaging in one or more specific activities relative to others while aptitude
is the potential to perform that activity. We are drawn to things out of interest, not because we are particularly skilled
at them.
o Example- Sushant Singh Rajput had interest in cosmology but aptitude for acting.
APTITUDE AND INTELLIGENCE

● Intelligence is generic and refers to a broad range of mental abilities, such as comprehension etc., whereas Aptitude
has narrow scope involving personal strengths & weaknesses and reflects specialised nature of that intelligence that
is directed towards something. Aptitude requires a degree of intelligence to do the job well.
o Example- Two people may have the same Intelligence Quotient (IQ) but may have different aptitude,
i.e. one to become doctor and another to become engineer.
APTITUDE AND ABILITY

● Aptitude indicates an individual’s potential, i.e. what an individual will be able to learn/do, whereas Ability presents
the evidence of what the individual is able to do now.
o Example- A person might have a good aptitude for acting, but presently able to find roles as supporting
artists only.
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APTITUDE AND VALUES

● In ethical perspective, aptitude represents
desired value in a person with respect to a Aptitude Achievement Ability
specific requirement. Example- Civil servants
should have some foundational values on which
they could evaluate things. These values are:
o Can be used to judge things.
o They can be goal oriented i.e social, political and economic justice and
o Means oriented i.e. empathy, integrity, discipline, impartiality etc.
APTITUDE, PROFICIENCY, AND ACHIEVEMENT:

● Proficiency is the ability to perform an activity with ease and precision. Achievement looks at the past - what has
been done, accomplished. Aptitude indicates an individual’s potential
o Ex- Michael Phelps has proficiency in swimming and because of this he has won 28 Olympic medals
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ATTITUDE AND APTITUDE

Parameter Attitude Aptitude
Definition It is a positive or negative or indifferent It is competency to do a certain kind of work.
feeling towards a person, object, event or
idea.
Function It defines how you work or proceed towards It defines how much potential you have to learn
a goal. specific skills to achieve a goal.
Association Associated with character or virtues and can Associated with competence or talent, e.g.
be negative, positive or neutral. quantitative aptitude, mental aptitude etc.
Nature Largely mental Mental as well as physical
Abilities and It is related to existing abilities and skills It is the potential ability to acquire skills, abilities and
skills with certain perceptions. knowledge.
Change Relatively permanent Changed and developed
Components Components of attitude include cognitive, Components of aptitude include attitude, skills, and
affective and behavioural. knowledge.
Modifications If an attitude is undesirable in a modern This can be changed and developed through training
society, it should be changed accordingly. and capacity building.
● Example- An administrator may have a good aptitude in resolving the communal issues (aptitude part) but may have
a negative attitude towards a particular community (attitude part) which will naturally influence his/her overall
decisions.
APTITUDE FOR CIVIL SERVICES AND ITS ROLE

● Aptitude in civil services helps to understand the role, its associated responsibilities and institutional environment
easily. Broadly, following kind of aptitude is desired in a civil servant:
● Communication Skills: A civil servant needs to have good communication and interpersonal skills as he/she will
have to bring different stakeholders on one platform for decision making.
o Example- Vikas Kumar Ujjwal, a Divisional Forest Officer in Jharkhand, took along the local community
and transformed the Maoist hit area into a tourist destination.
● Decision Making: Civil servants need an abundance of impromptu decision-making skills and critical thinking ability
to exercise discretion with conviction.
o Example- While facing problems and challenges every day such as high unemployment, insufficient
government spending, fast changing socio-economic scenarios.
● Stewardship: Since India is a resource deficit country, a civil servant needs to be an effective manager and responsible
protector of state resources.
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o Example- Purnea (Bihar) District Magistrate Rahul Kumar arranged for medical oxygen and
restarted a broken down oxygen plant in the city with his smart planning during the second wave of
COVID-19.
● Leadership Skills: Civil servants need to have leadership, organisational and collaboration skills as they are entrusted
with a diverse set of responsibilities such as decision making, policy implementation, etc.
o Example- J Meganatha Reddy, district collector in Tamil Nadu started Project Udhayam to build toilets
for differently-abled persons in their homes.
● Professionalism: High level of professionalism is required to maintain high standards of public administration as they
are the backbone of administration.
o Example- "Debo na Nebo na (won’t give won’t take) initiative" by District Administration Cachar
Silchar provides drop-boxes outside all government offices to stop corruption.
● Persuasive Skills: Skills of persuasion and negotiation with others are required as there might be resistance in the
society against changes or any new initiative.
o Example- Kiran Naik, a government college lecturer in Andhra Pradesh, visits remote villages and
persuades parents to get their children educated.
● Innovation: Since civil servants face diverse problems every day, they should be able to find innovative solutions to
these problems, challenges.
o Example- The authorities in East Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh roped in religious leaders,
NGOs and local influencers to counter vaccine hesitancy.
● Adaptability: because of focus on e-governance and the ever-changing nature of the digital world.
o Example SVAMITVA scheme aims to use Drone Surveying technology and a civil servant must have
a basic understanding of this technology.
● Inclusivity: India is a diverse country in terms of social status, income etc. and civil servants should be able to work
for every section of the society.
o Example- Recently, Chhattisgarh police inducted transgender persons as Constables in the State Police
Force.
● Optimism: Civil servants need to be optimistic which brings positivity and self-confidence in them to function under
extreme stress.
o Example- ‘Lunch with Collector’ initiative by IAS Officer Saurabh Kumar in Dantewada counters the
problems by helping local students to make the right career choice.
CONCLUSION
● Civil servants are an important institution of the government tasked with policy implementation and ensuring effective
governance and social justice. In addition to this, they provide advice to the political executives.
● Since, aptitude is an innate potentiality, therefore, one cannot develop an aptitude if it is completely absent from
one’s psychophysical system. To perform, these essential services above Aptitudes are essential for Civil servants.
FOUNDATIONAL VALUES FOR CIVIL SERVICES

● Values are individual principles or
qualities that guide judgement and
behaviour of a person or a group.
o Example- Mother Teresa
regarded empathy as the
highest value.
● Foundational Values are those values
that are basic and fundamental in
nature, determine the core identity of a
civil servant and are essential to achieve
the objectives or goals, such as
integrity, compassion etc.
● Additionally, they offer a normative
consensus regarding the privileges and
rights that citizens are entitled to.
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o Example- The foundational value of compassion led IAS Officer Prashant Nair to start the Compassionate
Kozhikode project.
EVOLUTION OF FOUNDATIONAL VALUES

● In India, Civil Service Values have evolved over years of tradition.
● Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and the All-India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 mentions values
like integrity and devotion to duty.
● The Draft Public Service Bill, 2007 enumerated values like allegiance to the ideals of the Constitution, good
governance to be the primary goal, apolitical functioning, objectivity, impartiality, accountability and transparency in
decision-making, merit-based selection of civil servants, avoidance of wastage in expenditure, etc.
● The 10th Report of Second Administrative Reforms Commission in addition to upholding the constitutional spirit
recommended values such as the highest standards of integrity and conduct; impartiality and non-partisanship;
objectivity; dedication to public service; and empathy and compassion towards the weaker sections.
● The Committee on Standards in Public Life (The Nolan Committee) defined seven guiding principles of behaviour
for public life in 1995, which are: Accountability, Selflessness, Integrity, Openness, Leadership, Honesty, and
Objectivity.
NEED OF FOUNDATIONAL VALUES

● Constitutional values: Civil servants are given discretionary and wide-ranging powers under the laws, rules and in
the absence of foundational values, there are chances of corruption and abuse of power defeating the objectives of the
Constitution.
● Public interest – A welfare state can only be established when civil servants keep public interest priority and function
upholding values such as objectivity, integrity, impartiality etc.
● Filling the gap– Actions of civil servants based on these values fill the gap left by the laws and make administration
more effective.
● Non-partisanship: Even if one fervently supports a political party's ideals, non-partisanship is defined by its refusal
to do so. Being nonpartisan means not adhering to the principles of any political party, group, or organisation.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH OF PEOPLE HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICES
The Supreme Court said that there is an unwritten rule for people holding public office that they exercise self-
restriction and not blabber things which are very disparaging or insulting to other countrymen.
● There has been no legislation all this while on the issue because there has always been a self-imposed restriction by
people holding responsible positions.
● Irrespective of what Article 19(2) may say, there is a constitutional culture in the country where there is an inherent
limitation or a restriction on what people holding responsible positions say.
Article 19(2) relates to the powers of the state to make laws imposing reasonable restrictions on the exercise
of the right to freedom of speech and expression in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of the country,
public order, decency, morality etc.
KEY TERMS
Aptitude, Skills, Interest, Intelligence, Ability, Values, Proficiency, Achievement, Competency, Stewardship,
Leadership, Professionalism, Persuasive Skills, Adaptability, Optimism, Inclusivity, Constitutional Values,
Non-Partisanship, Constitutional Culture.
PYQS

1.(a) Identify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant. Justify their inclusion 2021
in the matrix.
51
(b) Identify ten essential values that are needed to be an effective public servant. Describe the ways and
means to prevent unethical behaviour in the public servants.
2. What are the basic principles of public life? Illustrate any three of these with suitable examples. 2019
3. Examine the relevance of the following in the context of civil service: (a) Transparency (b) 2017
Accountability (c) Fairness and Justice (d) Courage of Conviction (e) Spirit of service
4.(a) Explain how ethics contributes to social and human well-being. 2016
(b) Why should impartiality and non-partisanship be considered as foundational values in public services,
especially in the present day socio-political context? Illustrate your answer with examples.
5.(a) “A mere compliance with law is not enough, the public servant also has to have a well-developed 2015
sensibility to ethical issues for effective discharge of duties.” Do you agree? Explain with the help of
two examples, where (i) an act is ethically right, but not legally and (ii) an act is legally right, but not
ethically.
(b) How do the virtues of trustworthiness and fortitude get manifested in public service? Explain with
examples
6. Two different kinds of attitudes exhibited by public servants towards their work have been identified as 2015
the bureaucratic attitude and the democratic attitude.
(a) Distinguish between these two terms and write their merits and demerits,
(b) Is it possible to balance the two to create a better administration for the faster development of our
country?
7. The current society is plagued with widespread trust-deficit. What are the consequences of this situation 2014
for personal well-being and for societal well-being? What can you do at the personal level to make
yourself trustworthy?
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CHAPTER 4 INTEGRITY
“Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, but knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.” -
Samuel Johnson
“Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain.” - Chris Karcher
INTRODUCTION
● Integrity means adopting similar standards or moral principles in similar situations across time. It is the quality of
being Honest, having strong Moral principles unwilling to change.
● It is a four-step Process:
Right course of
o Choosing a right course of conduct; Consistency
conduct
o Acting consistently with that choice, even if that is
inconvenient;
Integrity
o Openly declaring where one stands; and
o The results of one’s actions.
Results Open stand
■ Example- Senior IAS officer, Ashok Khemka has shown
professional integrity with consistency in his thought,
actions and has chosen a right course of conduct.
■ Example- Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi were exemplary leaders who were famous for their
integrity where both in times of crisis stuck to their values such as Abolition of slavery and Non- violence
respectively.
● Integrity includes:
o Soundness of moral principles
o Uprightness
o Honesty and sincerity
o Synchronisation between one’s thought, speech and actions
o Loyalty to rational principles
OTHER EXAMPLES ON INTEGRITY

● S.R. Sankaran (1934-2010) was Chief Secretary of Tripura and known for his contributions for the enforcement
of the Abolition of Bonded Labour Act of 1976, while facing severe pressure from different groups.
● Abraham Lincoln was a man of high Integrity and adhered to his principles even when he faced opposition. He said
“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that
I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he
goes wrong.”
● Satyendra Dubey lost his life in fighting against corruption in National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
● Ashok Khemka (IAS) upheld his Integrity despite being transferred 50 times in 26 years.
TYPES OF INTEGRITY
● Moral Integrity: It refers to consistency and honesty in the application of standards of morality or right and wrong;
used for judging others as well as oneself.
o Example- Buddha emphasised on the purity of ‘thoughts, words and deeds’ and showed unconditional
commitment to this ethical principle.
● Intellectual Integrity: Intellectual integrity is defined as recognition of the need to be true to one's own thinking and
to hold oneself to the same standards one expects others to meet. It requires one to overcome self-deception and
temptation and act in accordance with one’s truthful conscience.
o Example- Gandhi revoked Non-Cooperation Movement after the Chauri-Chaura incident etc.
● Professional Integrity: It refers to acting in accordance with professional values, standards and norms with
consistency and willingness; even in the face of criticism or allurements.
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o Example- Sanjiv Chaturvedi showed professional integrity during his tenure as the Chief Vigilance
Officer of AIIMS, Delhi and uncovered several large scams.
IMPORTANCE OF INTEGRITY IN CIVIL SERVICES

● Social Good: Civil Servants are provided with immense powers and responsibilities towards society. Their
impartiality and honesty is important for social good and development.
● Constitutional Obligation: To uphold and safeguard the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India is mentioned in
the Directive Principles of State Policy, thus it’s a constitutional as well as moral obligation.
● Fight Corruption: It is essential to counter the evil of corruption in public administration, which denies just rights to
many and also hinder our economic development.
● Community Needs: The actions of public servants have a direct bearing on the character of the community, thus they
should have integrity that prevents them from making wrong decisions which could harm the society.
● Managing Public Resources: They are responsible for managing public resources and money entrusted to them for
the benefit of the citizens. For instance, funds to be used for development have been raised through taxes and are used
for the provision of public goods.
● Good Governance: In order to provide good governance, enable personnel to perform their duties honestly, and
promote improved administration, integrity is crucial in the public sector. It is important for good governance and to
prevent failures which may occur due to resistance to accountability and transparency.
● Achievements of Goals: Civil servants have an important role to play in development and achievement of goals of
social, economic and political justice and equality of status and opportunity in society.
● Fair Treatment: To deal with the public and their affairs fairly, efficiently and sensitively to the best of his abilities
integrity in nature is important.
● No Misuse of Power: It ensures that civil servants do not misuse his/her official position to further his private interest,
for instance taking bribes by police to file an FIR.
● Performing Duties: A person of integrity does his/her duties with conscience. E.g. Policemen ordered the firing on
unarmed peaceful protesters. Honest policemen will obey the order. Policemen of integrity will refuse to fire.
SECOND ARC ON INTEGRITY

The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) prepared a detailed blueprint for revamping the public
administration system. It gave the following recommendations:
A Person must not: A Person must:
● Misuse official positions by using ● Fulfil his duties and obligations responsibly
information acquired in the course of his ● Act in a way that is professional and deserves and retains
duties. public confidence.
● Accept gifts or hospitality which might ● Make sure public money and resources are used efficiently.
compromise his judgements. ● Be transparent and open in his public dealings.
● Disclose information without authority. ● Comply with law and uphold the administrative justice
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HONESTY AND INTEGRITY
Honesty Integrity
Honesty is merely being truthful or standing by what Integrity is about consistency in conduct governed by an active
one says. adherence to one’s values and promises.
Honesty without integrity is possible. Integrity without honesty is not possible.
Example- Honesty means a person can lie and be Example- Integrity demands that a person should not lie in the
honest when he says he lied. first place and show a high standard of behaviour.
INTEGRITY PACT
● Integrity Pact is a vigilance tool that envisages an agreement between the prospective vendors/bidders and the buyer,
committing both the parties not to exercise any corrupt influence on any aspect of the contract.
● Its implementation is assured by Independent External Monitors (IEM) who are people of unimpeachable integrity.
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SIGNIFICANCE OF INTEGRITY PACT

● Faster processing of contracts.
● Improvement in the image and general perception of the company.
● Reduced lawsuits.
● Smoothens the procurement process, avoids litigation and arbitration.
RECENT CHANGES IN THE SOP BY CVC

Recently, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has amended the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on
adoption of “Integrity Pact” in government organisations for procurement activities.
● Restriction on IEM:
o IEM should be officials from government and PSUs who have retired from positions of the level of
Secretary to central government or equivalent pay scale.
o Retired armed forces officers from the rank equivalent of General may be considered.
● Appointment of IEM: The Ministry, department or organisation concerned has to forward a panel of suitable persons
to the CVC.
● Tenure: Tenure of IEM will be three years in an organisation.
CONCLUSION
● ‘Civil Service Conduct Rules’ recommends ‘absolute integrity’ for civil servants, irrespective of their department.
Integrity is critical in civil services to ensure good governance and allow a civil servant to perform his/her duties with
honesty.
COMPROMISED INTEGRITY
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of the 15th Civil Service Day held that bureaucrats should abandon
negativity and never compromise on the unity and integrity of the country. He urged officers to do everything,
even at local levels, for strengthening the unity and integrity of India.
● He also highlighted that traditionally the Hindus used to consider being cremated in the fire of sandalwood by the
banks of the Ganges to be pious. That same Hindu adapted to the electric crematorium without any hesitation. There
is no better example than this of the evolving mindset of society.
DOES A PRIME MINISTER HAVE A RIGHT TO PARTY?

● In a leaked video, Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin was seen dancing and singing with friends at a private
party.
● It triggered a debate among Finns about what level of reveling is appropriate for a prime minister, especially
considering neighbouring Russia’s attack on Ukraine. This triggered controversy on the private lives of the Prime
Minister and the maintenance of public image by functionaries.
HONESTY SHOPS
● Recently, ‘honesty shops’ were opened in nearly 15 schools in Kerala as part of the Student Police Cadet (SPC)
project.
● It focussed on some valuable lessons on trust, truth and integrity for students.
● There is no salesman at these counters and students can drop the money for each item at the collection box kept on a
table. They can walk in, choose the item of their choice and pay for it based on the price list displayed.
● Launched in 2008, the SPC project was conceived to inculcate better civic sense among students and mould them
as responsible youth who will react positively to the demands of society.
USE AND ABUSE OF OATH-TAKING

● Taking oath is an ethical virtue and perhaps also a device that demands from the oath- taker an intense allegiance
and firm commitment to norms and textualised principles that make political practices and the resultant social
order decent.
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● Oath-taking thus plays an important function in offering affirmation of public pronouncements and decisions
backed by the moral force of the oath.
KEY TERMS
Strong Moral Principles, Uprightness, Rational Principles, Moral Integrity, Intellectual Integrity, Professional
Integrity, Managing Public Resources, Integrity Pact, Honesty Shops, Intense allegiance
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

1. “Integrity is a value that empowers the human being.” Justify with suitable illustration. 2021
2. “In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. And if 2018
they do not have the first, the other two will kill you.” – Warren Buffett
3. One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be compromised. Explain with reference to a real life 2017
example.
4. “Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, but knowledge without integrity is dangerous and 2014
dreadful.” What do you understand by this statement? Explain your stand with illustrations from modern
day context.
5. What do you understand by the following terms in the context of public service? 2013
1. Integrity
2. Perseverance
3. Spirit of service
4. Commitment
5. Courage of conviction
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CHAPTER 5 IMPARTIALITY AND NON-PARTISANSHIP

IMPARTIALITY
● Impartiality is the quality of being fair, or
not being biased or partial towards
anything or anyone.
● It refers to the fact of not supporting one
person or a group more than the other. It
holds that decisions should be based on
objective standards, instead of on the basis
of bias, prejudice, or preferring the
advantage to one person or another for
unsuitable reasons.
Example:
● A judge cannot presume a person guilty
simply because he/she belongs to a
particular community or based on the
social media reports and has to follow due process of law.
● While allocating funds, an impartial civil servant would not favour his/her own village but allocate funds based on the
needs. This is to say that impartiality brings along objectivity.
● Universal Adult Franchise provided voting rights to all above the age of 18, without any partiality towards a group,
sex, caste, religion, or social status.
● Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (6th President of India and twice Lok Sabha Speaker), was the first ever Speaker to quit his
party on being Elected as a Speaker. He also conducted the proceedings so smoothly that not even once during his
tenure, opposition staged a walkout.
“It is wisest to be impartial. If you have health,

but are attached to it, you will always be afraid of losing it.
And if you fear that loss, but become ill, you will suffer.
Why not remain forever joyful in the Self?” - Paramhansa Yogananda
IMPARTIALITY FOR CIVIL SERVANTS

For civil servants, impartiality works at two different levels:
Political Executives: They derive their
● Political Impartiality: It implies serving governments of
authority from the people, by virtue of election.
different political persuasions equally well, irrespective of a
Their role is policy making.
civil servant’s own personal opinion.
Permanent Executives: They derive
● Public Impartiality: It implies that a civil servant carries out authority from technical and administrative
his responsibilities in fair, just, objective and equitable manner expertise. Their role is to implement policies
without discriminating against a particular individual or
and act as advisors to ministers.
interest.
SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPARTIALITY
● Right Action: In case of riots, communal violence or such a complex situation, a Civil Servant is able to take the right
action when he/she is free from any type of religious, political or social prejudices; upholds impartiality.
● Vested Interest: In a diverse country like India, minority voices can be suppressed if the civil servant becomes partial
towards the majority for vested interests. Civil servants have to safeguard the minorities.
● Welfare of the People: In the appraisal of subordinates, evaluation; review of schemes, programs; action taken report,
impartiality helps Civil Servants to present true picture which is ultimately helpful for the welfare of the public
● Upholding Values: Impartiality helps to uphold Equality, Liberty, Fraternity; thinking about the marginalised section
as much as about the rich ones.
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● Work Culture: Creation of positive & conducive work culture.

● Others: Keeping oneself free from nepotism, political-corporate nexus; corruption.
NON-PARTISANSHIP
● It refers to lack of affiliation towards any political party or ideology.
● Non-partisanship implies that the officer is to do his task without any fear of, or favour to any political party. The
values of the administrator will flow from the constitution not from the philosophy of any political party.
● Although the primary concern for the public service is “political partisanship”, other types of partisanships such as
support for an interest group etc. are also included in this.
Example:
● TN Seshan is remembered for his non-partisan role as Chief Election Commissioner.
● Former President of India, Mr. K. R. Narayanan underscored his non-partisanship by declining the United Front
Prime Minister’s recommendations to dismiss the BJP government of UP.
“Partisanship is our great curse. We too readily assume that everything has two sides and that it is our duty to be on
one or the other.” - James Harvey Robinson
NEED OF NON-PARTISANSHIP
● It brings credibility and trust among the public in the functioning of the public service.
● It ensures a neutral approach in politics and a solid commitment to the government.
● It aids in the development of a professional bureaucracy and preserves the public's perception of the civil service.
● It makes the civil servants gutsy, rather than merely capable, so that they can ask relevant questions with respect to
the policy, law etc.
● It ensures equality, justice among different sections of the society.
● It ensures the morale, effectiveness and efficiency of civil services, as the transfer, posting etc. are expected to be
based on merit alone rather than any extraneous factors.
METHOD TO ENSURE
● The Central Civil Services Conduct Rules, 1964 and All India Services Conduct Rules 1968 - which stipulate
certain guidelines for the Civil servant to perform the duty with full devotion; and shall not adopt dilatory tactics in
their dealings with the public.
● Code of Ethics, 1997- It was the first initiative to introduce the code of ethics for public servants in India, which was
considered a step towards better governance
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IMPARTIALITY AND NON -PARTISANSHIP
Non-Partisanship Impartiality
● It is a kind of attitude. ● It is a kind of behaviour in a particular situation.
● It deals with the relationship of civil servants with ● It deals with the relationship of civil servants not
political executives and thus a narrower concept. only with political executives, but people as well
It is political neutrality. and thus a broader concept.
SIGNIFICANCE
● Ensures objective and evidence-based advice to ministers.
● Ensuring legal and constitutional transition when
democratic process results in new administration
● Upholds credibility and trust in public with respect to the
functioning of the public service.
● Brings courage along with capability in the civil servant
● Ensures equality and justice among different sections of
the society and thus effective service delivery
Conclusion
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● To maintain compatibility and avoid conflicts between the bureaucracy and political leadership, non-partisanship is
indispensable. This has been proved time and again by civil servants of exemplary statute such as T.N. Seshan, Vinod
Rai etc who have brought various changes in election, auditing systems in India respectively.
NEUTRALITY
● It is the state of not taking sides on any issue, conflict, or situation.
● Neutrality is with specific reference to political neutrality, i.e. relationship between the civil servants and the political
executives.
● Neutrality refers to not being biassed in providing facts, feedback, opinions etc. to the political executives and
diligently carrying out tasks ordered by the political executives, irrespective of which political party is in power. In
the context of public administration, neutrality refers to political neutrality or non-partisanship. It indicates that you
are not owned or linked with any one group, party, or cause.
“There is no neutrality. There is only greater or lesser awareness of one’s bias.” - Phyllis Rose
TYPES OF NEUTRALITY
● Passive Neutrality: The civil servants will do anything that the political executive orders, but then he may end up
violating some legal/constitutional provisions. Hence it is undesirable as it leads to the idea of committed bureaucracy.
● Active Neutrality: Officers will do what the Constitution, laws, rules and office manuals say, without following any
particular party. Excess of this, sometimes might lead to civil services activism.
Committed Bureaucracy
● Negative Perspective: It implied politicised bureaucracy, where administrative system functions serve only
the narrow interest of the political party in power, e.g. administrative system of Nazi Germany.
● Positive Perspective: It implies that civil servants are committed to the objectives of the State, the
Constitution, the laws etc. and have faith in the programmes of the political executives, if they are aligned
with the objectives of the State, Constitution etc. Here they give technical advice to the political philosophy
of the ruling party.
NEUTRALITY OF CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES

Recent Context: In recent times, neutrality of various constitutional offices such as Governor (e.g. Maharashtra, West
Bengal), Speaker in the State Legislative Assemblies have come under the scanner of the Supreme Court on the grounds
of ‘Doctrine of Political Neutrality’.
Significance of Doctrine of Neutrality in the case of Constitutional Offices:
● Upholding constitutional trust that require neutrality in actions.
● The tilt of power vested in Constitutional offices in favour of any political party can disturb the political fairness in
the democracy.
● Presently, cooperative federalism is needed and absence of neutrality of constitutional offices creates conflict between
States and Centre, e.g., West Bengal and Central government.
CHALLENGES TO NEUTRALITY
● Lack of Independent Institutions: There is a lack of independent institutions for transferring, posting, and other
service conditions. As a result, the civil servants align with one or the other political party to get their favourite postings
and other perks.
● Secrecy: Secrecy in official functioning, as a result there develops a nexus between the political executive and civil
servants to fulfil their illegitimate gratifications.
● In-service and Intra-service Rivalry: In each government-service, there are various factions based on language,
religion, caste and region. To gain promotion and perks for their faction, they’d bend to the wills of politicians.
● Illegitimate Political Agendas: Wrong notion of committed bureaucracy, where the civil servants try to fulfil the
political agenda of a particular political party.
● Election and Corruption: Ministers need a lot of money to finance election campaigns, so they prefer a convenient
subordinate. Many don’t like an officer who gives free and frank advice.
WAY FORWARD
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● The political neutrality casts responsibility on the Constitutional offices to uphold the democratic principles of
fairness, toleration and independence of opinion and the conduct of persons holding these offices be such that there is
no political interference.
KEY TERMS
Key Terms
Impartiality, Non-partisanship, Bias, Active Neutrality, Passive Neutrality, Committed Bureaucracy
Previous Year Question Year

1. Should being impartial and non-partisan be considered as indispensable qualities to make a successful 2021
civil servant? Discuss with illustrations
2. Why should impartiality and non-partisanship be considered as foundational values in public services, 2016
especially in the present-day socio-political context? Illustrate your answer with examples.
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CHAPTER 6 OBJECTIVITY
“Objectivity does not mean detachment, it means respect, that is, the ability not to distort and to falsify.” - Erich
Fromm
● Objectivity is a mean value to achieve the end value of equality.

● It refers to adhering to facts rather than one’s own personal beliefs and feelings.
● The principle of objectivity implies that the decisions and actions should be based on observable phenomena and
should not be influenced by emotions, biases or personal prejudices. The idea of Objectivity is having a reason that is
free from personal preferences, feelings, and opinions.
Example:
● Drugs Controller General of India ensured sufficient data for approval of COVID-19 vaccine against public pressure.
● Awarding contracts, Making appointments and Giving Rewards based on Merit and not on the basis of Favouritism.
IMPORTANCE OF OBJECTIVITY: (NOLAN COMMITTEE AND 2 N D ARC)

● Used for building consensus among stakeholders on various issues.
o Example: Convincing slum dwellers near coastal areas during cyclones to relocate to safer places.
● Helps in maintaining situational awareness while discharging duties.
o Example: The objective during communal riots is to stop the riots first.
● To avoid interference of emotions into the judgement.
o Example: To avoid nepotism and favouritism in decisions.
● Helps in taking right decisions when confronted with ethical issues.
o Example: Rescuing vulnerable people during a disaster would be a priority.
● Scientific objectivity, also referred to as neutrality, is the capacity to assess something using a methodical and factual
methodology.
● Helps in inculcating honesty and impartiality among personnel.
o Example: In delivering ration under PDS decision would be based on the eligibility.
Objectivity Must Objectivity Must Not
● Provide information and advice based on evidence, ● Ignoring inconvenient facts or relevant
presenting facts and options. considerations when providing advice or making
● Decision based on the merit. decisions.
● Taking due account of expert and professional ● Avoiding actions that flow from the decisions
advice. taken.
● Both objectivity and fairness have the same goal to achieve equality but in unequal circumstances fairness will always
prevail over objectivity.
● Objectivity and empathy are at times in contradiction. Empathy is targeted towards individuals, while objectivity looks
at masses. So if a judge gives more weightage to empathy over “objectivity”, he may give lenient punishment to a
criminal. In the long run it’ll hurt the masses.
● Syrian refugees have been flooding Turkey and the EU for many months, but only after a child (Aylan Kurdi) is
drowned and images appear in main-stream media, all EU nations have become attentive. This is because of the
empathy of people towards an “individual child.”
HOW TO DEVELOP OBJECTIVITY?

● Transparency: Transparency with better implementation of RTI Act, which will ensure that the decisions are based
on facts rather than whims and fancies. Transparency and openness allow for the assurance of objectivity.
● Information Management System: It will ensure that any organisation keeps proper records and documents of
incidents, decisions, information etc. It will act as a check as well as provide vital input for decision-making.
● Training: Training imparts right guidance to the people who are delivering the services. This also ensures that public
servants know what all needs to be done.
● Critical Thinking: ASI began gold hunting in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, on order of a union minister who
believed in a ‘baba’. They showed lack of critical thinking by blindly following dictates of higher authority.
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● Right to Review Decisions: Within judicial / administrative procedure, there should be a mechanism for appellate
boards e.g. in taxation, land acquisition etc.
● Right to be Heard: Often officers don’t hear the complaint or opinion of people properly and just do the things that
are in their mind. Hence new schemes should have ‘social audit / public hearing’ components.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBJECTIVITY AND NEUTRALITY
Parameter Objectivity Neutrality (Passive Neutrality)

Basis of Decision Based on strong evidence May or may not be based on evidence (but
based on political executive’s order)
Functions Helps maintain equity and inclusivity Sometimes, they may have to implement
appeasement policies of the government,
despite knowing it.
Impact Will instil confidence in public and ensure Particular sections of the society might not
public cooperation approach civil servants (facing issues due to
policies of the govt.)
Policies of Past Policies beneficial for larger sections of the Policies might find a backseat
Governments society will be implemented irrespective of the
government of the day.
Implementation of Might lead to poor implementation of policies Ensures effective implementation of policies.
Policies in case of civil servant’s disagreement with the
govt of the day.
Significance of Objectivity for a Public Servant:
● Civil servants take decisions on the merit of the case and take account of expert and Professional advice. Provide
information and advice including the advice to ministers on the basis of evidence and accurately present opinions and
facts.
● Decisions based on merits and facts lead to an impartial decision making.
● This would ensure efficient use of resources and enhance the transparency in the public domain.
● Although objectivity is important, one must approach with caution and keep both the text and the context in mind in
order to come up with the best decision. Because of this, it is argued that pragmatism and objectivism should be
combined rather than using a pure form of objectivity.
Significance of Neutrality for a Public Servant:
● Offers professionalism and stability instead of resistance to change.
● Provides reassurance to the public that their present goals will be dutifully addressed by the government.
● Elected officials can rely on the commitment of civil servants.
● The officers themselves have strong morale as they anticipate recognition based on their abilities rather than political
affiliations.
● Enables the provision of unbiased and honest policy recommendations, utilising delegated legislative powers to
maximise resource utilisation.
CONCLUSION
The values of objectivity and neutrality are complementary to each other. They ensure effective implementation of
public policies in line with the government’s mandate “Sabka sath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas”.
ANONYMITY
Anonymity is strength of civil servants Civil servants are like fourth lion of the Ashoka emblem, which remains
invisible “yet makes its presence felt at all times.” - Narender Modi
● In terms of Public Service, it refers to staying behind the curtain. It is related to the concepts of Permanence and
Neutrality in civil services.
● It is necessary that civil servants (Permanent Executives) give advice freely and without fear (Neutrality) to the
Governments of different political parties.
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● It means that the civil servants work from behind the screen and avoid media limelight and public gaze. Civil servants
neither get credit for the success nor are blamed for the failure. It is the responsibility of the political executive.
Example:
● In the Mundhra deal scam (1957), Chagla commission held that “Minister T.T. Krishnamachari is
constitutionally responsible for the actions of his secretary (H.M.Patel) and he can’t take shelter behind them or
disown reasonability.” Consequently, the Minister resigned.
● Several Doctors, Paramedics and Medical Staff have Anonymously contributed to the fight against COVID-19
pandemic.
● It is said that Bureaucracy represents the Anonymous Fourth Lion in our National Emblem.
SHOULD CIVIL SERVANTS BE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR PUBLIC IMAGE?

Arguments in Favour
● Public image keeps them motivated to keep working for larger good.
● They are idealised by youth and should become moral leaders.
● Good public image ensures acceptance and appreciation from public in service delivery.
● Good public image creates a favourable working environment among colleagues to serve for betterment.
● Public image brings courage and ensures whistleblowing against corruption.
● Public image is sometimes useful for perception management and information dissemination, e.g. during COVID-19
Arguments Against
● Concern for public image may divert them for some other short-term goals and gains.
● Too much concern for public acceptance may lead to decisions in favour of public sentiments, ignoring rationality,
objectivity.
● Might lead to ignorance of hierarchies and disturbing the work culture.
● Undue heroism might dilute their neutrality and expose them to vulnerabilities.
● Against the features of anonymity and views expressed might be political in nature
WAY FORWARD
Civil servants of modern India cannot remain in the “ivory towers” but they have to make their presence felt. A good
public image might help them in removing negative apprehensions towards them, such as corruption, red tapism; but at
the same time too much concern for public image might lead to misplaced priorities.
DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE

“We should perform our duties diligently and piously, but without expectation of what the results will be.” -
Bhagavad Gita
● Dedication is the quality of being able to give or

apply one’s time, attention, energy or self, entirely
to a particular activity, person or cause. Willing to go
beyond duty.
● It is different from commitment, which is formally
obligated/bound, whereas dedication is commitment
with passion and is guided by a sense of duty,
inspired by some ideals.
● ‘Dedication to Public Service’ refers to keeping the Qualities of
public good above all which will ensure that a civil an Officer
Dedicated to
servant’s sense of duty is integrated with his official Public
responsibility. Services
Seeks neither
Example - 'Metro Man' E. Sreedharan. rewards nor Public welfare
above personal
Why is it needed? recognition for
interest
● It keeps them motivated to keep doing their job even efforts
if it is boring, unwanting, tedious.
● It is highly required as civil servants face difficult and different situations regularly.
● It brings empathy in civil servants towards their job and people.
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● Public service is highly important to realise the ideals of the Constitution, such as justice, equality etc.
TOLERANCE
“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”-Voltaire
“Civilization will reach only when it learns to value, diversity of character and idea”- Arthur C Clarke
“In the Practice Of Tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.” – Dalai Lama
● Tolerance refers to a fair, objective and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion,
nationality etc. differ from one's own.
● It is fostered by knowledge, openness, communication, and freedom of thought, conscience and belief.
● Tolerance is the ability to appreciate, tolerate others who have different beliefs than oneself, regardless of their race,
religion, ethnicity, or other characteristics.
o Example - The programme ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ has been initiated to celebrate the spirit of
national integration and to teach tolerance.
o Example - Bhasha Sangam, an initiative where students would be learning 22 Indian languages in their
schools.
Other Examples:
● S. R. Sankaran, IAS, was known as the People’s Man as he led to the Abolition of Bonded Labour and did a lot
for the welfare of marginalised communities.
● Kiran Bedi (1st woman IPS) transformed the Tihar jail from a ‘Human Zoo’ to a ‘Human Dwelling’ through her
Dedication towards Work.
Role of Tolerance at Different Levels:
Level Role
Individual Level Teaches one to respect others and not to impose our will on others.
Example- Beef may be prescribed for one community in the society but if it is part of someone’s
culture then it helps in broadening our perspective and thinking.
Societal Level Promotes peace.
Example- Imposition of Urdu in former East Pakistan led to division of Pakistan, whereas
linguistic tolerance has strengthened unity in India.
Government Level Increases legitimacy and provides a holistic view of various issues.
Example- Tribal Panchsheel has been largely beneficial in promotion of democracy in the
North-eastern region.
International Level Promotes peace and security.
Example- The lack of tolerance between Israel and Arab countries has led to frequent
conflicts in the region.
SIGNIFICANCE OF TOLERANCE
● Civil servants must provide equal service to all segments of our varied community, which is unattainable if they lack
tolerance.
● Upholds human rights, pluralism, democracy and rule of law, thus enables human development.
● Enables new inventions and removes the status quo in the society as it enables freedom of expression.
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● Upholds the moral worth of every individual as all individuals have equal moral worth according to John Stuart
Mill.
● Enables civil servants in public service as diverse societies like ours need service of all equally.
● The virtue of tolerance, which makes peace possible, helps to replace the culture of violence with a culture of peace.
● It accommodates people in society irrespective of their sexual orientation. Example - Acceptance of LGBTQ
community.
● Broadens the perspective of civil servants and upholds values like justice, impartiality and objectivity.
● A civil servant posted in a state other than his own, his tolerant aptitude, may face problem in adapting and dedicating
himself to the service of people
● Tolerance as virtue is important to pursue the high ideal of secularism enshrined in the constitution. Intolerance
would breed injustice and violence which are antidotes to a balanced development in a culturally diverse nation.
● Courage to Fight for Others' Rights –
Tolerance gives respect for others and hence
courage to fight for their rights like fight
against racial discrimination, LGBTQ
community, minority etc.
● Better Decision – Tolerance avoids impulsive
decisions. It buys time and helps in minimising
loss and damage. Allows healthy debate and
discussion to take place between different
sections and hence outcomes are democratic. In
times of peace, people have a chance to thrive
socially, economically and emotionally.
● Tolerance creates a society in which people can
feel valued and respected, and in which there is room for every person, each with their own ideas, thoughts and dreams.
● Tolerance allows individuality and diversity. It is more about mutual respect and the common good, and not about
who is right and who is wrong.
CONCLUSION
● Historically tolerance has been the central virtue of some of the greatest empires. Be it Asoka’s Dhamma or Akbar’s
Sul-i-kul, tolerance was a key principle.
● Being tolerant of each other and caring for each other is what makes us human. This is why we have believed tolerance
is important and an essential aspect of a healthy, livable society.
● In fact, it is the only way in which a country as diverse as India (Politically, religiously, economically) can function
and use each and every difference to make its people thrive rather than suffer.
ACCEPTANCE
“Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't
need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.”- Lao Tzu
● Acceptance refers to the assent of an individual or group to the reality of a situation or any condition (usually negative
and unpleasant) and recognising it without protest or trying to change it. Tolerance is not enough, it is the idea of
acceptance that accommodates diversities and makes a society inclusive.
Examples:
● Goddess Sita had shown acceptance in every crossroads of her life- princess of Mithila and wife of Lord Rama (joy),
and also 14 years exile (misery).
● Sports Players accept defeats and learn from those defeats.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TOLERANCE AND ACCEPTANCE

Parameter Tolerance Acceptance
Definition It is a permissive attitude towards differing It goes beyond tolerance and there is assent
opinion, attitude etc. and willingness to and recognition of differing opinions,
tolerate them. attitude etc.
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Attitude towards Dislike There is passive resignation and dislike may With acceptance, there is active effort to
continue to exist get rid of dislike
Example Akbar’s Ibadat Khana discussions The philosophy of Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam
EMPATHY AND COMPASSION

“Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another and feeling with the heart of another.
“ – Alfred Alder
“A devotee should feel universal empathy. A person is a perfect yogi who, by comparison to his own self, sees the true
equality of all beings, in both their happiness and their distress.” – Lord Krishna in the holy Bhagavad Gita
“I call him religious who understands the suffering of others.” Mahatma Gandhi
" Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another , listening with the ears of another and feeling with the heart of
another" Alfred Adler.
EMPATHY
● Empathy refers to the ability to imagine oneself in another's place and understand the others' feelings, desires, ideas
and actions or It is an act of perceiving, understanding, experiencing and responding to the emotional state and ideas
of another person.
● An empathetic point of view is achieved by setting aside our own interests, current disposition, and relation to the
agent and sympathizing with the effects of a person’s actions on those around him.
Three ways of looking at Empathy:
● Affective Empathy: The ability to share emotions of others.
● Cognitive Empathy: The ability to understand the emotions of others.
● Emotional Empathy: The ability to regulate one’s emotions.
NEED OF EMPATHY IN CIVIL SERVICES

● Lack of empathy leads to narrow understanding of others’ perspectives.
o Example - Gender related issues, discrimination faced by transgenders etc. which might lead to social
unrest.
● Empathy helps to understand the ground realities which will reflect in policy formulations and implementation.
o Example - Tribes have certain customary values which are contradictory to the rules of government. Here
empathy in public servants would act as saviour for the tribal population.
● Increasing the effectiveness of bureaucracy as they will not follow the rule rather follow the spirit behind the rules,
i.e. welfare of people.
● Empathy helps us understand others’ emotions and thus improves our emotional intelligence.
HOW TO INCULCATE EMPATHY?

● Sensitivity training through fieldwork, role playing games, perspective taking etc.
● Value system needs to be improved from early life by the family members and then in school.
● Emphasising the spirit of Sarvadharma Sambhav through interactions among different socio-cultural groups.
● Using art, culture and cinema. Example - Satyajit Ray’s “Pather Panchali” realistically portrays poverty and
rural India.
COMPASSION
“Compassion is at the root of a tree called Dharma.” Bhagavad Gita
● If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
● Compassion is the understanding or empathy for the suffering of others. More involved than simple empathy,
compassion commonly gives rise to 'an active desire to alleviate others' suffering'.
Empathy + Action = Compassion
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Importance of Compassion for Civil Servants:

● Civil Servants are agents of change and compassion motivates them to
help people and ensure welfare of people.
● Compassion improves the attitude of a civil servant with other positive
traits like generosity, kindness and understanding.
● It contributes to efficient service delivery through people-centric,
humane, accommodative administration.
● It makes civil servants responsive to the needs of citizens, especially those
in distress.
● Compassion also inculcates selflessness and spirit of service for country,
society and its people without any self-motive, which keeps civil servants
motivated.
● Compassion refers to a step further, where a person not only feels empathy but also a desire to help alleviate the
suffering of the other person. Thus, the emphasis here is on action and wanting to help.
COMPARATIVE ACCOUNT OF ANTIPATHY, APATHY, SYMPATHY, EMPATHY AND COMPASSION

Antipathy ● Negative emotions for the target group Example-If a hungry person approaches you for food,
(but not hate). you scold him rather than helping.
● Attempt to cause suffering and
discomfort to target group
Apathy ● Absence of attachment Example- If a hungry person approaches you for food,
● General behaviour of indifference, you remain indifferent to him/her.
disinterest with regards to the needs of
others.
Sympathy ● Acknowledgement of distress of others. Example-If a hungry person approaches you for food,
● Help provided is not based on what is you provide him/her cold drink, frooti etc, whereas that
required by others but on what the one person needs daal-roti.
thinks others require.
Empathy ● Detached attachment with person Example-If a hungry person approaches you for food,
● Help offered is as per the needs and the you provide him/her what he/she needs, i.e. daal-roti.
requirements of the distressed group
but orientation to help is somewhat less
active
Compassion ● Detached attachment with person Example- If a hungry person approaches you for food,
● Empathy + Active desire to alleviate you provide him/her daal-roti but also ensure that he/she
suffering of those in distress gets regular food and does not have to beg like this.
OTHER IMPORTANT VALUES
DISCIPLINE AND SINCERITY

“Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem
to all.” – George Washington.
“Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.” ― Confucius
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live
by them.” - John F. Kennedy
● Discipline in the organisation is adhering to the framework of standard operating procedure and following the
certain chain of command which is essential for the functioning of the organisation in a just manner.
● Sincerity is the quality of being Honest, Genuine, and Truthful in one's thoughts, actions, and communication with
others. It is a virtue that involves being Authentic, Transparent, and Straightforward in expressing oneself and in
dealing with others
● Discipline and sincerity are the characteristics features of the Civil Servants. Both values help to inculcate practices
essential for the implementation of government policy, schemes.
● A Disciplined and sincere civil servant shows courage and conviction in dealing with injustice in the society.
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● Discipline is the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, using punishment to correct
disobedience.
● Discipline and sincerity motivate civil servants to adhere to principles of the Code of Conducts.
Examples:
● Randhir Prasad, a 1974-batch Indian Police Service officer eliminated many criminal gangs during his tenure.
On the morning of 3 January 1991, robbers had conducted a heist in the Hirapur branch of the Bank of India. They
had taken control of the bank, tying up the bank staff present there. He rushed to the bank all alone to resolve the
situation. Taking on five armed robbers on his own, he battled gallantly until he was shot and killed, but not before he
saved the bank and the lives of the staff tied up there.
● Coming to office on time, avoiding corruption, taking decisions based on Objectivity, Compassion, Neutrality, etc.
● Ex. IAS Mahantesh – Mahantesh blew the whistle on several Co-operative housing scams in the city.
● It is sincere on part of the Government to not only highlight the contributions of the small Artists, Tribals and less
significant groups but also to recognise and Award them.
Discipline Sincerity
● Discipline refers to behaviour that portrays ● Sincerity is the absence of pretence, deceit, or hypocrisy
the ability to control self or others even in and the quality of acting on honest and genuine feelings
difficult situations, through obedience to or beliefs.
particular rules and standards. ● Sincerity prepares the mind for other virtues also. It
● It gives order to the organisation and a enables other values to grow strong and grow fast. It
predictable outcome, avoiding chaos and wins the hearts of others and enables a person to be
mismanagement. nearer to God.
● Discipline may or may not be internally ● Sincerity is action that is always premised on one’s own
driven and may even have externally set beliefs and values and thereby more likely to be
benchmarks internalised and positively reinforced.
PERSEVERANCE
“It always seems impossible until it is done.” -Nelson Mandela
“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.”-Walter Elliot
“Every work has to pass through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding. Those that persevere will see the light,
sooner or later.” -Swami Vivekananda
● Perseverance is the quality of continuing to pursue a goal or task despite challenges, obstacles, and setbacks. It
involves a combination of determination, persistence, and resilience in the face of difficulties or failures. It is an
important trait for achieving success in various fields. Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of
doing the hard work you already did.
Examples:
● Thomas Edison continued, despites failing over 1000 times, in the invention of the light bulb.
● Efforts that attempt to bring behavioural transformation (removal of open defecation, vaccine hesitancy) in the
society takes time and requires perseverance.
PERSEVERANCE AND CIVIL SERVANTS:

This quality gives the character a stability and conviction, which ensures that the ends are achieved despite the difficulties
that come in the path.
COURAGE
“Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success.” - Essay, 2019
“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practise any other virtue
consistently.” - Maya Angelou
● Mind is human’s greatest weapon because it tells us between danger and opportunities.
● Courage is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation with poise and the
moral conviction that underpins necessary and ethically correct action. Courage is not just physical bravery.
● Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practise any other virtue
consistently
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Example:
● Courage of Mansi Bariha from Odisha helped to rescue 6000 migrant workers from 30 kilns in TN during covid-
19 induced lockdown last year.
● Courage of Captain Vikram Batra during Kargil War.
● Mahatma Gandhi withdrew Non- Cooperation movement because of the Chauri Chaura incident
● Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidhyasagar stood against the odds and ill practices prevalent in
society
● Civil Services: Whistleblowing, withstanding pressure and adversities, raising voice against injustice.
o Narendra Kumar, the IPS officer of 2009 batch, fought with exemplary courage against the Mining Mafias in
Morena, Madhya Pradesh.
RELEVANCE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS

● The very essence of courage is being able to withstand and survive adversities.
● A civil servant’s duty is not restricted to complying with rules, regulations and orders but he has to meet uncertain
circumstances which requires him to move beyond established rules and take a call without fear of being punished or
prosecuted.
● For civil servants it is the urge of ‘public service’ which gives them enough courage to start and as they move on they
realise that it was really worth it.
● A civil servant is required to implement the orders of government without bias, with honesty and without fear or
favour.
● Courage is the virtue which helps in remaining ethical and rightful irrespective of the situations. This is really
essential for a civil servant to attain success.
● It is precisely in this area that a degree of a difference of opinion begins to emerge between the political executive and
the civil servants. But if that civil servant stands up in courage for what he/she believes is right then it will ensure
integrity not just for him/her but in the system too.
● For instance, Retired IAS officer Mahesh Zagade once met with such a situation while signing the tenders for new
road construction. After analysing all facts he came to the conclusion that it will be an unnecessary expenditure of
public money on the well built roads. It led to conflict between him and some regional political leaders, but he stood
firm courageously on the value of avoiding unnecessary expenditure of public money and rose victorious.
● Courage develops following attributes in the Civil Servants:
o Creates credibility: It helps a civil servant to be trustworthy and get lots of respect in the career because
honest and courageous people who stand up with integrity are really trusted by others.
o Leadership: This principle is articulation of the same idea as I referred to in the context of Mahatma
Gandhi’s Experiments with Truth.
o It improves work culture and motivates subordinate officers to be courageous and stand up for what they
believe.
o It helps in taking bold decisions. For instance, Whistleblowers need courage of conviction to disclose
information.
Conclusion
● Courage to stand up for what one believes is of great importance for civil servants in governance as it would have a
major impact on the everyday lives of the people and it ensures integrity by continuation of the policy of honesty in
the governance.
CASE STUDY
● Prakash Singh committee’s report has pointed to the fact that many civil servants abdicated their duty during the Jat
reservation stir in Haryana. When inquired of what made them run away from their call of duty, they replied being
afraid of taking a tough call for the want of courage.
● For civil servants it is the urge of ‘public service’ which gives them enough courage to start and as they move on they
realise that it was really worth it.
RESPONSIVENESS
“It seems to me that responsiveness is a better source for understanding what moral claims are and how they work
upon us.“ - Judith Butler
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● Responsiveness refers to the ability to respond quickly and appropriately to a situation, request, or stimulus.
● It refers to the quality of being attentive and responding to whatever new opportunities and challenges arises every
day and also to the emerging needs of the public.
Example:
● Shivdeep Waman Lande, the IPS officer of 2006 batch arrested many Criminals, worked towards women safety
and took on the Pharmaceutical Mafia, took strong action against eve teasers and has been very easily accessible to
the people. Received hundreds of messages everyday and he made sure that each message is attended to.
PRUDENCE
“It is a truth but too well known, that rashness attends youth, as prudence does old age.” – Cicero
“No other protection is wanting, provided you are under the guidance of prudence.” – Juvenal
● It refers to the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason. Wisdom, insight and knowledge are often
associated with prudence.
● Although prudence itself does not perform any actions, and is concerned solely with knowledge, all virtues are to be
regulated by it.
● Being prudent means making wise decisions based on principle and managing your practical affairs in a shrewd and
discreet manner.
● A prudent person tries to verify viral social media posts before reacting to them.
● Public Finance Management and Prudence – Government taking steps in fiscal consolidation, RBI Monetary policy
rates have prudent fiscal management as their objective.
● Lack of Prudent: We purchase something spontaneously and later realise we didn't really need it and should have
saved the money for something else.
Example:
● A professional shows prudence when she prioritises the quality of her work, upskills herself beforehand.
RELEVANCE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS

● Prudence is considered as the mother of all virtues. It plays a vital role in terms of guiding and regulating all the other
virtues. For example, courage in the pursuit of a foolish policy can lead to a catastrophe. For these reasons, prudence
is the charioteer of the virtues.
● Example- To tackle the issue of acute water shortage in Vadodara, Shalini Agarwal, IAS came up with an innovative
solution of setting up rainwater harvesting in schools in the state, which in turn helped 1.8 lakh students by saving 10
crore litres of water every year. Through the Varsha Kal Nidhi scheme, rainwater is collected from the terrace and
channelised through pipes towards a chamber in the ground. The chamber then filters and percolates the water in the
bore wells, ensuring direct groundwater recharge.
● Prudence provides practical knowledge and experience, while virtues provide the moral foundation for ethical
decision-making.
TEMPERANCE:
“Temperance is moderation in the things that are good and total abstinence from the things that are foul.” -
Frances E. Willard
● Temperance is a personality trait that refers to the ability to exercise Self-Control and Moderation in one's behaviour
and avoiding Impulsive Behaviour especially when it comes to indulging. Temperance allows individuals to
maintain balance and avoid extremes.
● Temperance is the virtue that helps us control our physical desire for pleasure.
● Temperance or moderation is especially important for public servants. It signifies the ability to control one’s anger,
emotions and desires.
● Temperance is nothing but controlling behaviour. It is needed for effective behaviour, especially dealing with Political
pressure, adverse working condition, Ethical dilemma and Conflict of Interest.
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● Self-restraint Moderation: It is generally characterised as the control over excess, and expressed through
characteristics such as chastity, modesty, humility, self-regulation, forgiveness and mercy; each of these involves
restraining an excess of some impulse, such as sexual desire, vanity, or anger.
Example:
● An individual not indulging in harmful/useless activities either due to peer pressure or even otherwise.
CONFIDENTIALITY
“Confidentiality is an ancient and well-warranted social value.” - Kay Redfield Jamison
“Confidentiality is a virtue of the loyal, as loyalty is the virtue of faithfulness.” - Edwin Louis Cole
“In intelligence work, there are limits to the amount of information one can share.
Confidentiality is essential.” - Gijs de Vries
“Confidentiality is the essence of being trusted.” - Billy Graham

● Confidentiality refers to the practice/assurance of keeping sensitive or classified information, data, or knowledge
private and preventing its disclosure to unauthorised individuals or unintended audience.
● It refers to maintaining or keeping secrecy of certain information, matters from the public view for larger public
interest.
Example:
● Section 8 of Right to Information Act, 2005 and Official Secrets Act provide for confidentiality in larger public
interest.
● Non-disclosure of the identity of the victims of sexual crimes: the identity is protected so that they are not subjected
to unnecessary ridicule, social ostracization and harassment.
Privacy and Confidentiality

Privacy Confidentiality
● Privacy is the state when an individual is free from ● Confidentiality refers to a state when it is intended
public interruption and intrusion. It is the right of or expected from someone to keep the information
every individual to be left alone in his personal secret.
matters because everybody has his personal life. ● It is a situation when information is kept secret
● It is a situation when a person is free from public from the reach of any other person.
interference. ● Confidentiality is about information.
● Privacy talks about a person. ● It protects the information from the range of
● Privacy restricts the public from accessing the unauthorised persons.
personal details about a person. ● In confidentiality some specified and trustworthy
● In privacy, everyone is disallowed from interfering people are allowed to have access to the
in the personal matters of a person. information.
● If the relationship between parties is a fiduciary. ● If the relationship between parties is a fiduciary.
Privacy is a right Confidentiality is an agreement.
Examples: Examples:
● Medical Examination ● Doctor-patient relationship
● Activities within home ● Financial institutions – customers
● Using a public bathroom ● Data gathered by the Government to be used with
Confidentiality
OPENNESS
“Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” -Louis D. Brandeis
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● Openness refers to the state of being Transparent, Inclusive, and Accessible. Openness promotes a Culture of
Trust, Accountability, and leads to social and economic development by increasing access to knowledge and
opportunities, enhancing innovation, and creating more inclusive societies.
● Nolan Report on Openness: Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions
that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest
clearly demands.
Examples:
● Development of Cowin Platform during Vaccination drive for Covid-19.
● RTI Act 2005 enacted to bring Openness in Administration.
● Jan Soochna Portal of Rajasthan Government promotes Openness
SELFLESSNESS
“We are formed and moulded by our thoughts.
Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act.” - Gautama Buddha
● Selflessness refers to the quality or state of being concerned more with the needs and well-being of others than
with one's own.
● Selflessness can manifest itself in many different ways, including acts of kindness, generosity, patriotism and
altruism.
● It is often associated with empathy, compassion, and a sense of social responsibility. Selflessness signifies serving
public interest and keeping it above self-interest.
● Selflessness literally means placing less importance on yourself than on others.
● Selfless service keeps the civil servant away from any kind of corruption. A selfless civil servant can maintain absolute
integrity because it is difficult to lure him/her by offering monetary or non-monetary gains to get some undue favour.
● Nolan Report on Selflessness: Holders of public office should act solely in terms of public interest. They should not
do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.
Example:
● Brave Soldiers of India laying off their lives for protecting their Motherland.
● Mother Teresa dedicated herself to the selfless service of the suffering and tortured humanity.
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
Context:
● Recently, the central government has informed the Supreme Court that the act of cohabitation and engaging in a sexual
relationship by same-sex individuals, which is now decriminalised, cannot be equated with the traditional Indian
family unit consisting of a husband, wife, and children born out of their union.
● This statement was made in response to pleas seeking recognition of same-sex marriage.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BY THE GOVERNMENT

Not in sync with Societal Morality and Indian Ethos:
● They assert that the definition of marriage inherently involves a union between two opposite-sex individuals,
which is deeply ingrained in social, cultural, and legal concepts of marriage.
● They emphasise the importance of preserving this definition without dilution through judicial interpretation.
Role of Legislature
● The government asserts that it is the legislature's responsibility to determine and enforce societal morality and public
acceptance based on Indian ethos. Any substantial changes to the legislative policy regarding marriage should be
addressed through the proper legislative process.
Impact on Children's Well-being
● The government contends that marriage and the family institution play vital roles in providing security, support, and
companionship within Indian society.
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● They argue that children raised in same-sex marriages would not have the same opportunities as those raised by
heterosexual couples. The affidavit suggests that the welfare and upbringing of children may be adversely affected in
such cases.
Legal Definition of Marriage
● The government highlights that the current legal framework in India recognizes marriage exclusively between a
biological man and a biological woman.
● Government pointed out various personal and codified laws that govern marriage in India and argued that the
legislative understanding of marriage is specific to opposite-sex unions.
Religious Aspect
● The government states that marriage holds religious significance for various communities in India. They emphasise
that marriage is considered a sacrament within different religious beliefs, but it is still envisioned as a union between
a biological man and a biological woman.
● They argue that altering the legislative policy to recognize same-sex marriage would go against religious and societal
norms deeply embedded in the country.
ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

Definition:
● Advocates for same-sex marriage argue that the concept of marriage lacks a precise definition. They believe that
marriage should be seen as a voluntary union of equals, where both parties maintain their autonomy and provide
emotional, financial, and sexual support to each other.
● They assert that the definition of marriage should not be limited by gender or sexuality.
Respecting:
● Supporters argue that the state has no legitimate interest in mandating whom individuals choose to marry. They claim
that the decision to enter into a marriage is deeply personal and intimate, and the law should not dictate choices of
partners or the nature of relationships. They believe that the state should respect and fulfil the rights of same-sex
couples, similar to heterosexual couples.
Promotes Equality:
● Legalizing same-sex marriage is seen as essential for promoting equality and combating discrimination. Advocates
argue that all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should have the right to marry and
have their relationships recognized under the law.
● Granting this right helps reduce discrimination and fosters social acceptance of the LGBTQIA community.
Harmless for Society:
● Supporters contend that legalizing same-sex marriage has no adverse effects on society or the institution of marriage.
They argue that allowing same-sex couples to marry does not harm heterosexual marriages or undermine the stability
of society.
Role of Judiciary:
● Advocates believe that courts play a crucial role in leading social change. They argue that the Supreme Court has a
duty to protect and promote fundamental rights, including the right to marriage.
● If the government fails to uphold these rights, it becomes the responsibility of the courts to ensure equality and justice
for all citizens.
Key Terms
Objectivity, Neutrality, Anonymity, Dedication to Public Service, Tolerance , Acceptance, Empathy, Compassion,
Antipathy, Apathy, Sympathy, Empathy, Sincerity, Perseverance, Courage

1. Discipline generally implies following the order and subordination. However, it may be counter- 2017
productive for the organisation. Discuss.
2. Examine the relevance of the following in the context of civil service: 2017
(a) Transparency (b) Accountability
(c) Fairness and Justice (d) Courage of Conviction
(e) Spirit of service
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CHAPTER 7 EMOTIONS AND INTELLIGENCE

“When awareness is brought to emotions, power is brought to our life.”-Tara Meyer Robson
“Anyone can become angry- that is easy, but to be angry with the right person at the right time and for the right
purpose – that is not within everyone’s power and that is not easy”.--- Aristotle
"What really matters for success, character, happiness and lifelong achievements is a definite set of emotional skills –
your EQ — not just purely cognitive abilities that are measured by conventional IQ tests." —Daniel Goleman.
INTRODUCTION
● Emotions are generally understood as intense feelings, favourable or unfavourable that are directed at someone or
something. Example- Happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, anger, surprise etc.
3 KEY ELEMENTS OF EMOTIONS

● Subjective Experience: These are the personal experiences of emotions that can vary. For Example - Anger, which
can range from mild annoyance to blinding rage.
● Physiological Response: It refers to the result of the autonomic nervous system’s reaction to the emotion we’re
experiencing. For Example - shifts in heartbeat, blood pressure etc.
● Behavioural Response: It can be referred to as the actual expression of the emotion. It is the outward signs of internal
reactions. For Example - Smile, laugh, frowned brows, etc.
Difference between Emotions and Feelings
● Even though both the terms are used similarly, feeling is used to refer to a person’s private emotional experience
or self-perception of a specific emotion.
● When an event occurs, one first responds automatically at a physical level even without awareness (emotion)
and then registers or evaluates this (feeling). Feelings are created by emotions.
● Example - When one sees a snake nearby, their heartbeat, breathing, perspiration (physiological arousal) might
increase immediately, causing the action of running away. Only later might one realise that the feeling they
experienced was fear.
CLASSIFICATION OF EMOTIONS
● Primary and Secondary Emotions: Primary emotions are the direct emotional reactions to a situation and come
first. A secondary emotion is an emotional response to a primary emotion.
o Example - If a person becomes sad because someone has said something hurtful, then sadness is primary emotion
and if that person is getting angry due to sadness, then anger is secondary emotion.
● Positive and Negative Emotions: Emotions like joy, interest, love etc. that are pleasurable to experience are called
positive emotions. They open up new possibilities and build up our personal resources. While negative emotions are
those that we do not find pleasurable to experience. Example - anger, distress etc.
o However, negative emotions can also be valuable and constructive sometimes. For Example - if anger is
channelised in the proper direction then it can bring good results.
CHARACTERISTICS OF EMOTIONS
● Response to an Event: Emotions are experienced in response to a particular internal or external, tangible or intangible
actions/events. This response involves physical arousal in the body - heart rate, blood pressure, perspiration, release
of hormones etc.
o Example - A speedy car coming towards us would increase our heartbeat and will cause fear.
● Motivation to Take Action: A motivation to take action is activated, i.e. seeking things and activities that provide
pleasure and avoiding those that give rise to pain or unpleasantness.
o Example - A person who has positive emotions (liking) towards ice-cream will purchase it.
● Role of Sensations and Thoughts: Emotions arise out of our sensations, perceptions and thoughts related to objects,
persons and situations.
o Example- The perception about Taliban rule in Afghanistan (based on the previous rule) is causing Afghan
people to leave the country.
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● Variation in Intensity: Emotions vary in their intensity.

o Example - Happiness can be experienced as pleasure and contentment at the lower end of the continuum whereas
excited and thrilled at the higher end of the continuum. Similarly, being irritated and upset are the milder forms
of anger whereas furious and enraged are high intensity anger feelings.
● Desirable or Undesirable: Emotions can be desirable or undesirable to an individual, depending on whether the said
event is perceived as ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ or performs an adaptive function for an individual.
o Example - Joy, love, interest etc. are positive and desired emotions and anger, distress, etc. are negative
emotions.
FUNCTIONS OF EMOTIONS
● Intrapersonal Functions: They help us guide our behaviour and make decisions, so that we can survive as well as
function as human beings.
o Example - Happiness promotes creative thinking and expands our focus to allow new ideas.
● Interpersonal Functions: Expression of emotions serves as an indication or signal to others about how one is feeling.
o Example - Showing sadness may stimulate others to show empathy or sympathy.
● Social and Cultural Functions: Emotions help in construction and maintenance of societies and cultures.
o Example- Emotions such as trust often act as a social glue that keeps groups together.
● Decision Making: Emotions make decision making swifter as options associated with strong negative emotions are
eliminated outrightly.
o Example- When buying clothes, a person can reject particular colours that he/she does not like.
Thus, to regulate our emotional response, action and intensity of our emotions and to ensure that emotions function in the
positive direction, we need a combination of emotions and intelligence, i.e. emotional intelligence.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
● Definition: Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the ability of the individual to identify one’s own emotions and those of
others, apply them in thought and action, regulate and manage them.
● In a nutshell, Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand and manage our own emotions and;
recognize, understand and influence the emotions of others. It is critical to manage our behaviour and decision
making. The term was coined by two researchers – Peter Salovey and John Mayer in 1990 but got popular in 1996
from Dan Goleman’s book ‘Emotional Intelligence'.
What is Intelligence?
● Intelligence is a set of cognitive abilities which allow us to acquire knowledge, to learn and to solve problems.
SALOVEY AND MAYER’S FOUR BRANCHES OF EI
Perceiving Emotions Reasoning with Emotions Understanding Emotions Managing Emotions

The first step in It involves the use of The emotions that we It is a key part of emotional
understanding emotions emotions to promote perceive can carry a wide intelligence. Regulating
is to accurately perceive thinking and cognitive variety of meanings. If emotions, responding
them. In many cases, this activity. It helps to prioritise someone is expressing angry appropriately and
might involve our attention and reaction; emotions, the observer must responding to the emotions
understanding nonverbal we respond emotionally to interpret the cause of their of others are all important
signals such as body things that garner our anger and what it might aspects of emotional
language and facial attention. mean. management.
expressions.
COMPONENTS OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

According to Daniel Goleman, five components of Emotional Intelligence are:
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● Self-awareness: It is the ability to form an accurate model of oneself, knowledge of one's strength and weaknesses
and understanding how to utilise one's strength and weaknesses to encash the opportunities that come in one's way. It
includes self-confidence, realistic self-assessment and self-deprecating sense of humour.
o Example - Sachin Tendulkar knew about his strength, i.e. cricket rather than any other occupation.
● Self-regulation: It is the ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts and behaviours effectively in different
situations. It includes trustworthiness and integrity; self-control; ability to adapt; openness to change etc.
o Example - If a person working in a company wants to take leave but the boss is angry at the moment,
then he/she has to regulate his/her emotions for some time to ask for leave.
o Example - Due to self-regulation, Gandhiji was able to handle the situation after the Chauri-Chaura
incident even after facing criticism.
● Internal Motivation: It refers to finding internal reasons to work beyond external rewards like money and status.
It includes strong passion for work, ability to counteract
disappointment that results from occasional failure and thrive
under adversity.
o Example - The COVID-19 pandemic has put
enormous stress on the doctors and they had to
find internal motivation to keep working for
patients.
o Example - The scarcity of sports infrastructure in
our country requires strong internal motivation
for Olympians, Paralympians etc.
● Empathy: Empathy refers to the ability to imagine oneself in
another's place and understand the others' feelings, desires,
ideas and actions. It is an act of perceiving, understanding,
experiencing and responding to the emotional state and ideas
of another person.
o Example- Tribes have certain customary values which are contradictory to the rules of government. Here,
empathy in public servants would act as saviour for the tribal population.
o Example- Because of Empathy, Nelson Mandela was able to recognise the common humanity in all
people, even in his enemies.
● Social Skills: It includes proficiency in handling relationships and building social networks, and the ability to find
common ground and to build rapport. It includes persuasiveness, tolerance, tactfulness, social memory etc.
o Example - When an angry mob is protesting for justice for a rape victim, a Civil Servant should be able
to get hold of public emotions and should be able to pacify them with his/her words.
o Example - Aligarh SSP Akash Kulhari walked unarmed into the crowd of protestors and appealed to
students to remain peaceful while recognising their right to protest.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EQ AND IQ

● Emotional Quotient (EQ) is a measure of one’s emotional intelligence, i.e. a measurement of one’s ability to
monitor his/her emotions, to cope with pressures and demands, and to control his or her thoughts and actions.
Emotional Quotient (EQ) Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
● Measure of a person's emotional intelligence. ● Score derived from one of several standardised tests
designed to assess an individual’s intelligence.
● Refers to a person’s ability to perceive, control, ● Refers to an individual’s abilities such as visual and
evaluate and express emotions. spatial processing, knowledge of the world, working
memory etc.
● A high EQ means someone is self-confident, self- ● A person with high IQ may be able to learn certain
aware and able to handle difficult emotional subjects very quickly and make connections between
experiences. ideas that others miss.
● Example - It will help in developing consensus ● Example - It will help to understand the policy and
around any government policy. requirements.
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● Thus, IQ can be imagined as an engine that can power a vehicle but EQ will act as the steering of that vehicle which
will give direction to IQ.
● Therefore, IQ alone is not enough for success. It can only get a person into a job but to be successful in the job, that
person needs to cooperate and collaborate with others where EQ plays an important role.
IMPORTANCE OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

IMPORTANCE OF EI IN PERSONAL LIFE
● Conflict Resolution: Emotionally intelligent people can
handle difficult individuals, groups of people, or tense
situations with diplomacy. EI helps us to handle ‘fight’ or
‘flight’ situations and find collaborative solutions.
● Mental Health: It helps us to manage our emotions, which
means that we can manage our stress. This keeps us protected
against depression and anxiety. Also, emotionally
intelligent people can handle pressure with ease.
● Decision Making: Researchers agree that the key to good
decision is the combination of both thinking and feeling in
one’s decisions. Positive mood and emotions help in better
decision making.
● Optimism: It helps to control our negative emotions and
provide a proper perspective of hope and possibility.
● Personal Growth: It has been found through research that
emotionally intelligent people achieve better results in
personal and professional life. They are flexible enough to
accept positive changes in their life.
● Motivation: Individuals with high emotional intelligence are highly motivated and they can easily adapt to the work
environment and navigate through occasional failures.
● Differentiate Between Needs and Wants: An emotionally intelligent mind is able to differentiate between things
that they need and things they want.
IMPORTANCE OF EI IN CIVIL SERVICES/ADMINISTRATION

● Role Clarity: Self-awareness about oneself reduces role ambiguity and intra-personal conflicts by enabling
individuals to have clarity regarding their personal and professional goals.
o Example - An emotionally intelligent civil servant would keep public interest above his/her personal
interest and is less likely to be involved in corruption.
● For Change: An Emotionally Intelligent person is more likely to try new things, take risks and face new challenges
without fear. This will help in finding innovative solutions to different problems.
● For Decision Making: EI helps in recognizing such emotions that are unrelated to any specific problem and not
allowing them to impact the final result.
● For Better Communication: An Emotionally Intelligent civil servant will be able to communicate policies better.
Also, the person will be able to foster a healthy relationship with subordinates.
● For Maintaining Balance in Life: EI helps a civil servant in managing his/her personal life as well as professional
life.
● Stress Management: EI enables one to manage emotions in anxiety-provoking situations and thus helps one in
maintaining one’s physical and mental wellbeing.
● Self-regulation: Civil Servants that are emotionally intelligent would regulate themselves and rarely verbally attack
others, make rushed or emotional decisions, stereotype people, or compromise their values.
o Example - Because of self-regulation a Civil Servant would have low greed and therefore low corruption,
such as Ashok Khemka.
● Objectivity and Impartiality: These are foundational values of Civil Services and emotional intelligence would
inculcate these values in a Civil Servant along with making him/her apolitical in the time of politicisation of
bureaucracy.
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o Example - An emotionally intelligent civil servant would ensure that his/her religion, caste, race,
political affiliation etc. does not influence his/her decision making.
● Motivation: EI helps a person in comprehending emotions of others, thus an emotionally intelligent civil servant can
motivate himself/herself and also his/her subordinates towards a particular goal.
o Example - Prashant Nair, District collector of Kozhikode started Compassionate Kozhikode, a
volunteer-driven project to provide various public services.
● Better Targeting of Policies: Empathy is essential to know emotions, moods and drives lifestyle, culture, problems,
inabilities of people at whom public policy is being targeted.
o Example - Armstrong Pame, understood the need of the people and enabled construction of 100 km
Peoples’ road in a historically unconnected region using social donations and resources collected.
o Example - Policies for differently-abled persons, women, transgender persons etc.
● Social Skills: Social skills of an emotionally intelligent civil servant enables him/her to improve interpersonal and
intergroup relationships by facilitating better communication within the organisation and between the individuals,
improves level of cooperation, trustworthiness and commitment.
o Example - A civil servant high on emotional intelligence will be able to solve difficult issues such as
IAS Officer OP Choudhary solved the problem of lack of availability of skilled labour with the
education initiative ‘Choo Lo Aasman’.
o Thus, EI plays an important role in effective handling of diverse challenges that Civil Servants face.
Daniel Goleman has even said, “80% of success at work depends on EI, while only 20% depends on IQ”.
QUALITIES OF AN EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT PERSON

A person with high EI has:
● Higher Integrity: A highly emotionally intelligent person would be aware of his/her inner self and the surrounding
environment. Therefore, there would be lesser mismatch and higher consistency in behaviour.
● Reduced Stress Level: Emotionally intelligent persons are able to better manage their emotions and therefore, hold
themselves in distress and emotionally challenged situations.
● Improved Communication: Emotionally intelligent people are more confident and positive because of self-
awareness and self-regulation and are able to better communicate and connect with others because of their social skills.
● Respect From and For Others: Emotionally intelligent people are able to make a favourable rapport among others
because of tactfulness, sensitivity, cooperativeness and good listening qualities.
● Empathetic: Emotionally intelligent people are also empathetic, because understanding others’ emotions and their
perspective is also essential for emotional intelligence.
● Responsibility: Emotionally intelligent people act in a responsible manner because of empathy and social skills.
● Dedication: Emotionally intelligent people are able to find motivation towards their task and therefore are dedicated
towards their task.
● Creativity: Emotionally intelligent people are able to move their feelings to a space where they can help to come up
with new ideas.
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IMPORTANCE OF EI IN CIVIL SERVICES/ADMINISTRATION
QUALITIES OF AN EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT ADMINISTRATOR

An emotionally intelligent administrator possesses following qualities:
● High Self-regard: Good leaders know about their strengths and capitalise on those strengths, as well as know
their weaknesses and try to fill those gaps.
o Example - Post-independence, Sardar Patel capitalised on his strengths for integration of Princely
states into India.
● Set an Example: Emotionally intelligent administrators set their targets and get them done. By doing this, they set
examples for others.
o Example - Pankaj Jain, the district collector of Katni in Madhya Pradesh could have sent his daughter to
a high-profile play school but sent her to Aanganwadi for play-schooling.
● Inspire a Shared Vision: Emotionally intelligent leaders are able to establish a connection with the masses with
their communication and social skills.
o Example - Former Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi gave the slogan “Garibi Hatao, Desh Bachao”
and recently the current Prime Minister Mr Modi has given the slogan “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas”.
● Stay Composed Under Pressure: Good leaders do not flare up and lose control in difficult situations.
o Example - President George W. Bush continued sitting with Florida school children even after being
alerted about the 9/11 attack. By not outwardly reacting, he bought himself space to think and time to
react.
● Maintain Balance in Life: An emotionally intelligent administrator is able to manage his/her own life well—
including stress, home life, fitness and diet. Then he/she can manage his/her professional life better.
o Example - Former US President Barack Obama maintained a work-life balance—spent time with
family, attended his daughter’s parent-teacher conferences in school, etc.
● Encourage Others: Emotionally intelligent administrators recognise the contributions of others. Rewarding people
for their contribution goes a long way in motivating them to be part of the team.
o Example - Recently a CISF personnel, who stopped a Bollywood star, was rewarded for doing his
duty.
● Leadership: Emotionally Intelligent administrators know how to work with others, use resources wisely, support and
credit their people and are able to lead from the front.
o Example- IAS officer Bhupesh Chaudhary (Mizoram) utilised MGNREGA, Mission for Integrated
Development of Horticulture and formed SHGs and cooperatives of farmers to increase the income of
chilli growing farmers by 14 times.
● Selflessness: Because of empathy and social skills, emotionally intelligent administrators are able to understand the
problems of others and show selflessness.
o Example - IAS officer, Nikunja Dhal serving as Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department,
Odisha resumed work merely 24hrs after his father’s death amid COVID-19 pandemic.
● Adaptability: Emotionally Intelligent administrators, because of their calmness, control over emotions etc. are able
to adapt to different and even challenging situations.
o Example- IAS officer Smita Sabharwal adapted to the financial crunch and launched a campaign—Fund
Your City—appealing to residents to help her build the infrastructure of Naxal-affected areas.
● Psychological Well-being: Emotional intelligence is positively correlated with higher life satisfaction, self-esteem
and lower levels of insecurity or depression.
CHALLENGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF EI IN ADMINISTRATION

● Although Emotional intelligence is an important aspect of administration but there have been instances which show
that there is lack of emotional intelligence in the administrators
● For Example - Surajpur (Chhattisgarh) District Collector Ranbir Sharma had slapped a boy who was outdoor
during lockdown, instances of corruption, nepotism etc.
Following are the Hindrance to the Development of EI in the Administration:
● Work Pressure: There is excessive work pressure on the bureaucracy which leads to development of “do whatever
it takes” approach.
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o Example- An army jawan was recently thrashed for not wearing a mask by Jharkhand police.
● Cultural Gap: There is also a cultural gap between the bureaucracy and public, which reduces the empathy,
understanding of the public among the bureaucracy and increases the communication gap between them.
o Example - Issue of migrant workers during COVID-19 lockdown where police officers were mainly
focused on implementation of lockdown.
● Use of Technology: Technology is being increasingly used in the administration now. However, technology lacks
emotions and becomes a hindrance in emotional intelligence.
o Example- A girl, Santoshi Kumari from Jharkhand died due to starvation because of denial of ration as
the family’s ration card was not linked with Aadhar card.
● Excessive Anonymity and Hierarchy: Anonymity is considered the strength of the bureaucracy. However, excessive
anonymity and hierarchy might sometimes lead to lack of motivation for taking up responsibility.
o Example - A government official can refuse to grant PDS benefits to a destitute (eligible but lacking
required documents) by making an excuse over want of order from higher officials.
● Lack of Training: Indian bureaucracy is largely trained on the technical part of the task but not on the emotional
intelligence. Also, there is reluctance/red tapism in changing the curriculum of training.
DEVELOPMENT OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
DEVELOPMENT OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN PERSONAL LIFE

Emotional Intelligence (EI) involves emotional skills such as empathy, self-control, accurate self-assessment,
sensitivity to the need of the situations etc., which can be learnt and are result of evolution throughout our life based on
how we face, observe and learn from our everyday experience.
● Practising Emotional Self-control: By practising emotional self-control one can avoid decisions based on
impulsive feelings and emotions and can control and restrain from negative actions.
o Example - While being angry, acting in a mature way by looking at the larger picture.
● Emotional Expression: Emotional expression provides incentive for desired behaviour from the recipient.
o Example - Child-friendly procedures are incorporated in the POCSO Act for making a child
comfortable with the investigation process.
● Self-evaluation: It helps one to know one’s emotions and reactions to different situations.
o Example - Analysing an act of anger would increase the understanding of the emotion and reaction.
● Observation: By observing others, one can comprehend the feelings of others.
o Example - It can be comprehended that someone is troubled by something if he/she is sad.
● Improving Communication: By improving expression through verbal and non-verbal cues communication can be
improved.
o Example - A mother holding a toy in hand and showing joyful expression would make the kid approach
the toy.
● Analysing the Impact: By analysing the impacts of one’s actions over others, one can fine tune the actions of self.
o Example - During COVID-19 first lockdown people were encouraged to provide relief material to
migrants travelling to their home.
● Openness: Being open to criticism increases patience, tolerance towards others, which increases social skills and helps
in keeping calm under adverse situations.
o Example - Gandhiji was open to criticism and therefore remained calm even in difficult situations.
● Entertaining New Ideas: Entertaining new ideas through literature and other sources increases the knowledge about
the public or any other object, which adds to empathy, social skills etc.
o Example - IAS probationers are taken to ‘Bharat Darshan’ to increase their understanding about the
culture and various other aspects of the country.
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DEVELOPMENT OF EI IN CIVIL SERVANTS/ADMINISTRATORS

● Improving Social Skills: Social skills can be improved by working on communication aspects and also by increasing
the knowledge about the society in which the civil servant is working.
o Example - Along with words, non-verbal expressions such as smile etc. would bring better response
from the recipient.
● Sensitivity Training: Sensitivity training through fieldwork, role playing games, perspective taking etc. increases the
empathy in the civil servant.
o Example - Rohini Bhajibhakare (District Collector of Salem District), who is a daughter of a marginal
farmer is known for people-centric governance.
● Channelisation of Emotions: It prevents the influence of the physical and mental environment of the civil servant on
the decision-making.
o Example - A Civil Servant showing too much enthusiasm (even with good intention) while awarding a
contract might put himself/herself on the radar of suspicion.
CRITICISM OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

● Manipulating Others: A person who is very good at judging and manipulating others emotions without integrity can
hide real emotions and disguise others with expression of other sets of emotions.
o Example - People on social media platforms manipulate other people by exploiting their emotions such
as distress, etc.
● Lack of Communication: Excessive regulation of emotions along with lower social skills might lead to lack of
communication with the recipient.
o Example - If a person (A) is not good in communication skills and does not show any emotion (such as
smile) while meeting someone (B), then that person (B) will have lesser interest in talking to person (A).
● EI has Little Predictive Value: The studies conducted on EI have shown that it adds little or nothing to the prediction
of some common outcomes.
● Confusing Skills with Moral Qualities: EI is a desirable moral quality rather than a skill. A well-developed EI is not
only an instrumental tool for accomplishing goals but as a dark side is a weapon for manipulating others.
● Tolerance Towards Injustice: If a person has excessive control over emotions then he/she can suppress his/her
emotions that might be inclined towards justice.
o Example - A person can control his/her emotion of pity when he/she scolds a poor person asking for
food.
● Lead to Irrational Decisions: Emotions are irrational. Emotions are unproductive. Emotions are subjective. Emotions
should never guide administrative actions.
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High EQ Low EQ
● Understand and Sense others' motivations and ● Easily stressed and impact others with the
inspire good work in them. effect of one’s own overwhelm.
● Create Safety for people to speak their mind, which ● Do not speak up or assert themselves, even in
avoids groupthink. situations where it is required.
● Can sense potential and new opportunities effectively ● Get defensive and argue for points without
better than others. listening to others.
● Resolve conflicts well and do not add to or escalate ● Hold a grudge that is hard to shake and feel
drama. misunderstood by others.
ROLE OF EI IN PUBLIC SERVICES

● “Emotional Intelligence” is the very marker that distinguishes routine management from outstanding leadership
and the marker that distinguishes dead organisations from living organisations. It has significant role in Public
services, which are as:
o Effective Communication: Emotionally intelligent people listen to other people and know how to
communicate effectively. An emotionally intelligent Civil Servant manages to execute policies
effectively through better communication with the public at large. Empathy and integrity takes
precedence over personal biases when one is emotionally sorted out.
o Better Coordination with Subordinates: The quality of EI makes a public servant more aware and
compassionate. Ego, pride or other negative emotions fail to creep in such personalities.
o Better Work-culture: An emotionally intelligent civil servant brings more energy to the system, thus
influencing the working attitude of each employee.
o Fosters Leadership: Self-awareness is at the core of everything. It describes the ability to not only
understand one’s strengths and weaknesses, but to recognize emotions and the effect they have on
oneself (public servant) and one’s team performance.
o Management of Disruptive Emotions: A civil servant while working in a high pressure environment
often becomes subject to political pressure, life threats etc. Only a public servant who is Emotionally
Intelligent would be able to handle such pressures without succumbing to anger, depression or
compromise.
o Help in Negotiations: Emotionally intelligent people can negotiate and resolve disagreements. This
characteristic is the heart of public service.
o Build Trust with People: Emotionally intelligent people listen to other people’s emotions and can
empathise with them. They act ethically and build trust through integrity and reliability.
o 360 Degree Leadership: Public administrators with high levels of emotional intelligence:
■ Lead Up -- build social capital with political superiors and elected officials;
■ Lead Down -- build social capital with lower-level staff;
■ Lead Across -- build social capital with peers;
■ Lead Out -- build social capital with stakeholders outside ministry like NGOs, academics, media, citizens
etc
CONCLUSION
● Emotionally intelligent people know how to deploy their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses.
● Thus, emotionally intelligent behaviour is a prerequisite for building bridges of mutual understanding and trust in
the Public Services.
THREAT TO EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN PRESENT TIMES

● Artificial Intelligence: There is increasing reliance on Artificial intelligence in the present time, which cannot
understand the cultural difference, emotional expressions etc. and also magnify biases in the algorithm.
o Example - Facial recognition technology used in the USA has been biased against people of colour and
has wrongfully matched people of different colour.
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● Excessive Politicisation: Because of excessive politicisation there is increasing public and political pressure on honest
officials and at the same time ‘yesmanship’ among politically aligned officials.
o Example - Archaeological Survey of India began gold hunting in Uttar Pradesh on the order of a Union
Minister who believed in a Baba.
● Social Media and Fake News: Because of social media and fake news there is less emphasis on rationality and people
tend to jump to the conclusion, increasing pressure on the officials to deliver quick results.
o Example - In the Ryan international school case, Gurugram, the police charged the bus driver to show
quick results, but he was later released after CBI took over the case.
● Online Games and Apps: Children and youth are wasting their precious time by engaging in Online games. Their
thinking processes are getting shaped in line with the characters of the Game.
o Example - ‘Blue Whale challenge’ has motivated many kids to take extreme steps in their life. Tik Tok
app which prompted people to make videos for the publicity only.
● Virtual Classes and Activities in School: During the Corona Period, engagement of students with the internet for
attending classes, has kept them away from the real world. This has been hindering the natural growth of EI among
children.
o Example - Group events, games are not being organised which could lead to suppression of values such
as teamwork, leadership, compassion etc.
● Rigid Laws: Strict code of conduct, rules that abide the bureaucrats to the decisions of ministers and they cannot
outrightly reject illegitimate demand.
o Example - Former Kerala Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson, an accused in the palmolein graft case had to
abide by the decision of the government to import about 15,000 tonnes of palmolein.
SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE
● Social Intelligence (SI) is the ability of a person to tune into other people’s emotions and read the subtle behavioural
cues to choose the most effective response in a given situation. It aids people to successfully build relationships and
navigate social environments.
KEY ELEMENTS OF SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE

● Verbal Fluency and Conversational Skills: A socially intelligent person can carry conversation with a wide variety
of people and is tactful and appropriate in what is said.
o Example - Swami Vivekananda was tactful in using “Sisters and brothers of America” in his speech in
Chicago.
● Knowledge of Social Roles, Rules and Scripts: Socially intelligent people can play various social roles, and are well
versed with informal rules or norms in the society.
o Example - Gandhiji was well aware about the social roles prescribed for women in pre-independence
India and therefore devised appropriate strategies for them to play a role in the freedom struggle.
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● Effective Listening Skills: Socially intelligent people are good listeners and show a positive attitude; therefore,
another person having interaction with them feels a good ‘connection’.
o Example - Former President K.R. Narayanan became the first public figure (as Vice-President) to shake
hands with an HIV-infected person and showed a positive attitude.
● Impression Management Skills: Socially intelligent people are good at making a balance between managing and
controlling their image and being reasonably authentic.
o Example - Chetan Singh Rathore, the Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru spoke to protesters and sung
the national anthem to pacify them.
HOW TO DEVELOP EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS

● Cognitive Intelligence (IQ) does not change with age or experience. However, with EQ, this is not the case.
Emotional competencies are learned and can be taught. The mastery of EQ skills evolve over a lifelong growth.
● Yoga Practice: Person can take help from exercise such as control over breathing to increase self-awareness and self-
management.
● Able to Work with Others: Every civil servant should be trained to develop his or her emotional intelligence, the
fact is that most of them aren’t being developed and it affects the organisations where they work negatively because
if you can’t handle your emotions well, you won’t be able to work well with others.
● Emotional Literacy: Person should improve his emotional literacy because if a person can’t label his emotional state
correctly, he can’t manage his emotions.
● Non-verbal Communication: Person should learn to interpret non-verbal communication such as facial and body
gestures.
● Training: Training through practice and feedback, civil servants can learn from their mistakes using real life examples
and reflection opportunities.
● Support: Coaching, encouragement and peer support can assist with lasting change and positive development of EI
competencies
● Experiential Learning: Emotional and behavioural changes require life activities which are primarily outside of the
traditional classroom and is commonly referred to as experiential learning.
● Learning Transfer: It refers to how people use what they learn in training for performance improvement. Learning
transfer seeks to reinforce and apply the information learned on the job immediately.
CONCLUSION
● Emotional intelligence is the single best predictor of performance in the workplace and the strongest driver of
leadership and personal excellence.
● These are instrumental tools for goal accomplishment.
LUCIUS QUINCTIUS CINCINNATUS

● Outgoing Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Jonson likened his exit to that of 5th Century BC Roman
emperor Cincinnatus, drawing reactions from commentators and historians given Cincinnatus’s rule as a dictator.
● Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus (519 BC to 438 BC) was a Roman emperor whose name is invoked to refer to an
honourable and principled figure.
● The story of Cincinnatus is about the Aequians, powerful enemies of Rome that were threatening to invade the city.
Unable to deal with the crisis, the Roman Senate decided to bring in Cincinnatus to fight off the attack. He had been
living a life away from power, and the senate was prepared to give him powers to exercise a dictatorship for securing
a victory.
● It is said when he learned of the call, Cincinnatus “left his plough standing in the field” and left to lead the Romans
to victory against the Aequians. However, 15 days later when his goal was accomplished, he went back to his farm
and let go of extraordinary power. Some accounts further say that he was again called for 21 days for warding off
another threat to Rome, and this time too, he went back to the farm after the job was done. Hence, Cincinnatus was
admired by the Romans for only holding on to his dictatorial powers for as long as was strictly necessary. Hence,
known for his Emotional Intelligence.
KEY TERMS
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Subjective Experience, Physiological Response, Behavioural Response, Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence,

Reasoning with Emotions, Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Empathy, Social Skills, Conflict Resolution, Role Clarity,
High Self Regard, Adaptability, Psychological well-being, Cultural Gap, Self-Evaluation, Management of Disruptive
Emotions, Experiential Learning, Learning Transfer
1. In the case of a crisis of conscience, does emotional intelligence help to overcome the same without 2021
compromising the ethical or moral stand that you are likely to follow? Critically examine.
2. What are the main components of emotional intelligence (EI)? Can they be learned? Discuss. 2020
3. A positive attitude is considered to be an essential characteristic of a civil servant who is often required 2020
to function under extreme stress. What contributes to a positive attitude in person?
4. "Emotional Intelligence is the ability to make your emotions work for you instead of against you". Do 2019
you agree with this view? Discuss.
5. How will you apply emotional intelligence in administrative practices? 2017
6. Anger is a harmful negative emotion. It is injurious to both personal life and work life. 2016
(a) Discuss how it leads to negative emotions and undesirable behaviours.
(b) How can it be managed and controlled?
7. What is ‘emotional intelligence’ and how can it be developed in people? How does it help an individual 2013
in taking ethical decisions?
Student’s Note:
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CHAPTER 8 MORAL THINKERS AND PHILOSOPHERS OF

THE WORLD
INTRODUCTION
● Philosophy is derived from the Greek word “Philosophia” which means love of wisdom. A human is a social being
who seeks to understand cause and effect relationships in nature and the society he lives. The person who is a
knowledge seeker through his curiosity is termed a philosopher.
WESTERN PHILOSOPHIES AND WESTERN THINKERS
Classification of Western Philosophies and thinkers from the Context of Ethics
NORMATIVE ETHICS
● Normative Theory: It involves arriving at moral standards that regulate right and wrong conduct. In a sense, it is
a search for an ideal litmus test of proper behaviour.
● Normative Standards: It sets normative standards for judging human acts as being ethical. They are championed by
Greek philosophers and the most important branches among them are as following:
VIRTUE ETHICS
● These are the theories that focus on the virtue of character, mind, and sense of honesty. They were championed
mainly by Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato.
● Virtue ethics shifts the analytical emphasis away from rule-based decision-making (of deontological ethics) or of
the consequences of an action (eg. in utilitarianism) towards the ethics of individuals and the ethics of human
character.
o Example - A Teleologist would argue that giving to a charity maximises well-being in society, and a
deontologist would argue that we have a duty to help others, a virtue ethicist would point to the fact
that helping others displays desirable virtues such as being charitable or benevolent.
VIRTUE ETHICS OFFERS A BETTER MOTIVE FOR THE ACTION THAN THAT OF DUTY BASED
ETHICS
● Saving a life of someone only out of the sense of duty seems to lack a better motivation like compassion and
kindness, which can be expected only from a person who has developed these virtues in him/her.
● It is also important to note that duty-based ethics somehow neglects some of the essential aspects of moral life,
namely the emphasis of being a good person leading a virtuous life.
ISSUES
● Lack of Moral Principles and Ethics: It lacks moral principles and ethics without specific principles cannot guide
us in deciding the moral choice of an action.
o Example - When someone steals money, what would be a morally right act in dealing with that person?
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● Difficulty in Determining the Morally Right Action: There is a lack of moral judgement in virtue ethics. A person
may be virtuous but he/she may still not be able to distinguish right action from wrong action especially if he/she is
not knowledgeable in a particular field.
o Example - Despite being a virtuous person, Sarah's lack of expertise in finance led her to make poor
investment decisions, highlighting the importance of knowledge and moral judgement in virtue ethics.
● Lack of Moral Judgment in Virtue Ethics: There can be situations in which virtues enter into conflict with one
another.
o Example - If a person comes across a dilemma of his/her friend being brought to trial and he/she is a
witness.
SOCRATES
● He was born in Athens in 470 BC and is popular for his dialogues and debates with public figures and authorities of
the time. This technique is termed Maieutics.
Socrates Philosophy:
● Scrutiny and Exploration: In the words of Socrates, “An unexamined life is not worth living, one should
question, accept and reject the facts.” By this philosophy, he builds a scientific temper which further paves for a
scientific revolution in Europe.
o Example - The recent trends of fake messages via social messaging sites often tend to create conflict
between communities in India. This is because of not examining the facts.
● Courage: It depicts freedom to speak of one’s mind, the ability to speak the truth, and objectivity.
o Example - A major chunk of the world believes in Chinese aggression but they fail to speak up due to
financial dependency on China.
● Ethics of Happiness: According to him the only virtue is knowledge and the only sin is ignorance. He valued
knowledge that can lead to an ethical life.
o Example - The death of V G Siddhartha (Owner of Cafe Coffee Day) shows money is not the source
of happiness but it's true knowledge.
● Conflicting Promise: In the case of conflicting promises one should follow a promise that has higher moral worth.
o Example - India had promised double digit growth in the 2018-20 budget and its constitution also
promises social nature. Thus during the pandemic the government prioritised the welfare of people over
its economic aims.
● Ideal Life: An ideal life should focus on self-development, especially the pursuit of goodness, virtue, justice,
integrity, and friendship. Valuing virtues like love, friendship, courage, truth takes an individual far more than
others due to his ideal values.
o Example - Sarah's commitment to cultivating virtues such as kindness, honesty, and integrity leads her
to lead a fulfilling life filled with meaningful relationships and personal growth.
● Individual-level: True knowledge is the basis of ethical life thus one should stay away from superstation, feudal
mindset, fake news, and misinformation.
o Example- Practices like mutilation, fake news like the corona virus spread by religious groups hamper
our journey towards an ethical life.
● Societal Level: Socrates' philosophy encourages critical thinking and questioning societal norms, promoting
intellectual discourse for the betterment of society.
o Example- Mahatma Gandhi's principles, such as nonviolent resistance and questioning unjust
authority, became a guiding force in India's struggle for independence.
● Governance Level: Socrates' philosophy emphasises the importance of wisdom, self-examination, and moral
integrity in governance for the benefit of the entire society.
o Example - When our government favours PM-Garib Kalyan Yojana of free food over Fiscal
responsibility highlights valuing morally high promise.
PLATO
He was a Greek philosopher and disciple of Socrates and a teacher to Aristotle.
Plato’s Philosophy:
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● Justice of Self: Every human being has three components mentioned below and they must prioritise knowledge over
others.
o Appetite: Act based on instinctive needs.These instinctive needs are food, sleep, attire, etc.
o Spirit: Act according to one’s honour.
o Knowledge: Act based on the power of critical thinking
● Justice of Society: For every society to function efficiently, each component should perform its duty. Such as:
o Artisan: Provide goods and service
o Soldiers: Defending the society
o Guardians: The rulers of the society
● Plato’s Republic: It was a utopia ruled by philosophers and their progeny who enjoy hereditary kingship. The
republic neither had private wealth nor private family. The children were raised by community and culture and
athletics were taught. Strict censorship over literature, drama, and music.
● Harmonious Functioning: Part should work for the whole and whole must benefit the parts.
ARISTOTLE
He was also a Greek philosopher and disciple of Plato.
Philosophies of Aristotle:
● Eudemonia: It signifies happiness. Eudemonia means

achieving the best conditions possible for oneself, in every
sense–not only happiness, but also virtue, morality, and a
meaningful life.
o Example- If you’re a parent, you should excel at
raising your children; if you’re a doctor, you should
excel at healing people and if you are a civil servant
you should work towards the welfare of the society.
● Ethical Being: He considered humans as social, political, and
also as ethical beings against the views of Sigmund Fred and
even Kautilya.
o Example- One has to focus on building character as PM recently on civil services day quotes “Sheelam
Param Bhushanam” (Character is the highest virtue).
● The Doctrine of GOLDEN Mean: He emphasised avoiding extreme actions like choosing courage against cowardice
and sloth.
o Example- One should not go against the constitution in highlighting their views with extreme protests
and on the other hand they should also not stay silent in case of exploitation. A legal constitutional battle
is a favourable middle path.
● Emphasis on Virtue: It is the character that determines ethicality and not actions, motives, and consequences. In
Bonafide errors people are generally forgiven due to their true intent and thus the act becomes ethical.
DENTOLOGY
● The basic premise of deontology states that we are obligated to act in accordance with a set of rules, principles,
and values regardless of outcomes. Its emphasis is on means rather than ends. Kant is the philosopher who
championed deontology.
EMMANUEL KANT
Kant’s Philosophy:
● Moral Rationalism: It dismissed the view of considering ends as a barometer to measure the ethicality of conduct.
According to him, it is the actions driven by motives that make any conduct ethical. I.e. Goodwill is the only
qualification for ethical conduct.
o Example- The Supreme Court in case of Sec 144 of IPC upheld its importance despite being detained
against universal values but it helps in maintaining public order in contingency situations.
● Selfless Action (NishkamaKarma): According to this action should be the end in itself.
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o Example- Charity is a Noble task, but when people do it to gain recognition the act cannot be called as
ethical as a means and end relation is created.
● Categorical Imperative: Some actions are of personal desires like working hard to buy a house or a car. But
categorical imperative asks one to work for a cause or do something irrespective of personal desire like taking care of
parents. There are four categorical imperatives:
o Don’t do to others what you don’t want others to do to you.
o Act according to maxima that can be established as a universal law.
o Don't use man as a means to an end.
o Human actions should benefit society.
TELEOLOGICAL APPROACH
“Telos” is the ancient Greek term for an end, fulfilment, completion, goal etc. Teleology is a philosophy that states that
consequences of one’s action are the ultimate judge to rightness or wrongfulness of the conduct.
Difference between Deontological and Teleological Theories:
Deontological Ethics (Duty-Based) Teleological Ethics (Result-Oriented)
● Focus on moral duties, not consequences ● Focus on the consequences of actions
● Prioritises intentions over outcomes ● Prioritises outcomes over intentions
● Moral duties are more important than moral value ● Moral value is more important than duties
● Individual's intentions play a crucial role ● Individual's intentions have no relevance
● Rightness of actions is prior to their goodness ● Goodness of actions determines their rightness
● Emphasises individual's moral status ● Emphasises the moral status of the action
● Moral duties have a negative formulation ● Moral duties have a positive formulation
● Personal interests have no relevance ● Equal consideration of personal and others' interests
● Actions are inherently moral or immoral ● Actions are evaluated based on consequences
Example Based on Deontological and Teleological Theories:
● Let us suppose a man kick’s a dog sleeping roadside. The dog cries and runs away. Moments later, a car comes
speeding along the road so fast that it would certainly have killed the dog if it had still been lying there.
● Deontological perspective says, the man's action was bad, since it is cruel to kick dogs but according to the
teleological perspective, his action was good, since it saved the dog's life.
Conclusion:
● Deontological approach is applied in the criminal justice system, which ensures that the punishment was
proportionate and appropriate to the crime committed. Whereas, the teleological approach is used by the courts
for the interpretation of any legislation, its purpose, direction or design.
UTILITARIANISM
● Utilitarianism promotes the action that brings maximum happiness to a maximum number of people. Two major
philosophers have contributed in this line.
JEREMY BENTHAM
He was Born in London. He is the earliest and chief expounder of Utilitarianism and is also called the founding Father of
Utilitarianism.
Bentham’s Philosophies:
● Pleasure and Pain Principle: The main aim of human life is to maximise pleasure and minimise pain.
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o Example - Utilitarianism promotes values like liberty, freedom of choice, and democracy. Thus we
observe migration and brain drain in India where maximum individuals are attracted towards
Bentham’s pleasure and pain principle.
● Ethical Egoism: It is always moral to promote one’s own good. What is good for an individual is good for society.
o Example - There are certain sects like Protestants in the West, Sindhis, and Agarwals in India who
believe in ethical egoism thus the communities opt for entrepreneurship.
J S MILL
John Stuart Mill was born in London and also worked as a civil servant in the East India Company.
Mill’s Philosophy:
● Social Utilitarianism: It supported utilitarianism but in such a way that an individual’s action should not bring harm
to society at large. i.e.- The pleasure of an individual should not bring displeasure to society.
o Example - There is a prevalence of “I-culture” in the west but in the East, there is “We-culture”. Based
on this difference China in the UN asked for a different definition for “Human rights” for the east and
the west endorsing the ethical altruism.
● Ethical Altruism: Here one’s ego is satisfied but it is subjected to the conditionality of not affecting others.
o Example- Donating a portion of one's wealth to a charitable cause, without seeking personal recognition,
exemplifies ethical altruism."
● Higher and Lower Pleasure: Mill distinguished between higher and lower pleasure. The pleasures that are
intellectual based were termed as higher pleasure and the ones associated with sensual pleasures are lower
pleasures.
o Example - Choosing hard work over sleep or entertainment can be considered as higher pleasure.
● An Upgrade from Bentham’s Utilitarianism: As per Bentham, an action is ethical if it produces the greatest good
to the greatest number of people. He termed this as quantitative utilitarianism. However Mill moved from this idea
and provided Qualitative utilitarianism which focuses on intellectual pleasure and considers such action to be ethical.
This distinction is also referred to as Rule Utilitarianism.
o Example - In governance, rule utilitarianism guides decision-making as policies are designed to
prioritise the qualitative well-being and intellectual fulfilment of citizens, aiming to maximise overall
happiness and societal progress.
● Ideas of Liberty: He was vocal about free speech and believed that people should be free to act however they wish
unless their actions cause harm to somebody else.
o Example - The dissemination of hate speech aimed at inciting violence posed a threat to national unity.
CONTRACTARIANISM
● According to the theory of Contractarianism, conduct is considered to be ethical if one adheres to the contract or
agreement made by two or more at some point in time. When such a contract exists between people and state it is
termed a social contract where the State governs the people with some duties and people also share some obligations
towards the State. This theory is championed by three philosophers.
THOMAS HOBBES
Thomas Hobbes's Philosophy:

● Human Nature: Human by nature is selfish, brutish, murderous, and self-preserving. Thus he cannot maintain peace
and stability; therefore people come together via contract to form a state or a government.
o Example - India currently has NPA (Non-Performing Assets) worth 11 crores. As per
Contractarianism, this act can be considered as unethical as a contract is broken by the people.
● State of Nature is a State of War: He also believed that human beings will engage in a fierce struggle for scarce
resources to fulfil their self-interest.
o Example - The government of India uses an online surveillance mechanism called NETRA. These
monitors all over activities for internal security. This shows the absence of absolute rights.
● Leviathan State: He calls for a leviathan state with the following provisions,
o Absolute power to govern.
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o People have no right to revolt against the state

o People do not have absolute rights
o State should lay emphasis on civic education and induce obedience among the citizens.
■ Example - The rule by Kim Jong-Un in North Korea can be considered as a nearest example of the modern
leviathan state.
JOHN LOCKE
John Locke's Philosophy:

● Liberty: Locke was a huge advocate of freedom and governance by consent. He distinguished between self regarding
and other-regarding actions, which should be a criterion for deciding whether to intervene or not. He considered
LIFE-LIBERTY-PROPERTY as the “Three Natural Rights” of every man.
o Example - Our founding fathers of the constitution initially believed in the philosophy of John Locke as
they had imbibed Right to property in constitution under Art 19 and Art 21 uphold Right to Life and
Liberty.
● On Patriarchy and Women: He also champions women’s rights and demands equal opportunities for them.
o Example - Labor reforms in India that aim to eliminate gender-based discrimination, ensuring equal
pay and opportunities for women in the workforce.
● On Property: Locke says that man has a natural right over property, and also says that nature is entirely at the
disposal of man for his comfort.
o Example - As per Locke if the Right to Property was a natural right why the percentage of average land
holding of farmers is below 2 hectares.
● Tolerance: Locke was an advocate of minority rights, and a heterogeneous society where people of different cultures
coexist.
o Example - Supporting equal opportunities for all regardless of their background.
ROUSSEAU
Rousseau's Philosophy
● Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains: One man
thinks he is master of others but remains more of a slave than they
are.
o Example- A child is born free but it is responsible to
its family (contribute to its sustenance and continuity),
school (adhere to prescribed curriculum), government
(abide by law of land), international law (immigration,
visas and citizenship) and order depicting chains.
● General Will: People are the ultimate in any democracy and
sovereignty lies within the people.
o Example- The recent defeat of Mr. Trump due to his
authoritarian governance shows people being ultimate in any democracy.
● Property: He rejected the idea of private wealth and supported that wealth should only fulfil a basic need. This shows
his inclination towards socialism.
o Example - Implementation of chakbandi under land reforms in India was to ensure that private wealth
accumulation should be limited, and land should be redistributed to ensure that everyone has access to
sufficient land for their basic needs.
● Education: He said education must be gained through nature rather than formal education i.e. through books.
o Example- Rabindranath Tagore’s Shantiniketan which is on the idea, to create a free and fearless
atmosphere for children to grow up in, in close contact with nature
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CONTEMPORARY CONTRACTARIANISM
● John Rawls is called the father of Contemporary Contractarianism and he is the most influential American
philosopher post Second World War.
JOHN RAWLS
John Rawls Philosophy:
● Equality: Every rich and poor should have equal rights that are basic like liberty, right to vote, and right to hold public
offices. These are called political rights in most nations.
o Example- One should respect others' political rights as per the equality principle. But we observe in the
media, Journalists questioning one’s right to protest during several protests.
● Differential Equality: Since some are rich (in advantage) and some are poor (disadvantage), hence due to difference
in position people enjoy different rights,
o Example- some societies term them as reservation while others term them as positive discrimination.
● Justice: It is the standard used in decision-making by considering facts and without any prejudices also called “Veil
of Ignorance”.
o Also called the Original Position.
o It is a hypothetical situation prior to the starting of society when people decide the principles on which
the society builds up.
o The principles are mainly set by the people who are unaware of the social position they occupy or
will occupy i.e.- people are unaware of being rich, poor, strong, weak, majority, minority, etc.
o This ensures Just and Fair principles to be developed as each individual contributes to the value by
considering even the worst case scenario.
■ Example - The concepts like Zero Budgeting; we use rudimentary form of Veil of Ignorance. We consider
the results of programs and policies to approve them for the next year without any prejudice.
DESCRIPTIVE ETHICS
● Descriptive ethics examines the actual beliefs and behaviours of people regarding what is right or wrong, which
can vary across societies and over time, making it also known as comparative ethics.
● Lawrence Kohlberg conducted the Heinz Dilemma experiment, focusing on the moral reasoning behind
individuals' decisions rather than the choices made, revealing the influence of social norms on their reasoning.
o For example, In India, Lord Hanuman worship is considered a spiritual experience but in the west
they call it monkey worship. This is because they are unable to reason about the importance of the animal
in texts like Ramayana.
APPLIED ETHICS
● Applied ethics is a branch of ethics which deals with application of ethical theories in real life situations and guides
people to achieve ethical conduct. This is generally used when an individual is in an ethical dilemma or with
respect to specific issues of public and private life.
● Some of the well-known branches of the applied ethics are:
o Environment Ethics: Quality of life vs. Economic development by exploiting the nature
o Media Ethics: Character assassination vs. making citizens informed on the crime.
o Medical Ethics: Patency on medicines vs. Right to live for human kind.
o Technological Ethics: Use of Darknet, Deep fakes, Mass trolling, etc.
INDIAN PHILOSOPHIES
IMPORTANT SCHOOLS OF HINDU PHILOSOPHY

Samkhya
● It is also called Sankhya enumerating number.
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● It preaches the philosophy of “Dvaita Vada” or dualism. It believes in the existence of matter (Prakriti) and soul
(Purusha) as two separate entities. The soul passes on to temporal bodies and at the end merges with subtle matter or
cosmic energy.
● Application: The theory highlights the inner conscience or soul that guides one's ethical conduct.
Yoga
● Yoga means union of yoking.
● It deals with values that help one with mental and physical abilities.
● It suggests Ashtanga-Yoga considering following steps:
o Yama = Restraint from ahimsa and falsehood.
o Niyama = Discipline
o Asana = Set of exercises for physical wellbeing
o Pranayama = Breath control
o Pratyahara = Control of senses
o Dharana = Awareness
o Dhyana = Concentrated meditation
o Samadhi = Soul releasing from Sansar
● Application: Yoga helps in the development of self and virtues. As it provides insight into self-awareness and
promotes discipline. The theme of the International Yoga Day 2021 is Yoga for Wellbeing indicating both physical
and mental wellbeing during Covid-19 and lockdown times.
Nyaya
● Nyaya signifies Rule.
● This philosophy emphasises “logic and epistemology”. It promotes the gain of knowledge through inference, and
true knowledge leading to the liberation of the soul.
● Application: It upholds true knowledge or wisdom that was also propounded by philosophers of virtue ethics. For
example, Buddha is considered to be the “Enlightened one” this is because he is said to understand the reason for
suffering i.e.- Desire. Thus he conquered his desire to establish logic and upholding Nyaya principles.
Mimamsa
● Mimamsa means critical reflection.
● It is the earliest Hindu school of philosophy that interprets Vedas and also provides philosophical justification.
According to the theory, one can attain salvation through Karma-Kanda (Ritualism).
● Application: Modern-day ritualism derives its justification from this school. We can also attribute this to
consumerism and materialism.
Vedanta
● The term Vedanta means conclusion, specifically the end of Vedas.
● As per the school of thought, Vedas are the true source of knowledge and one can attain salvation by seeking true
knowledge.
● It emphasised the path of Jnana (knowledge) for Moksha rather than ritualism and sacrifice to achieve moksha.
● Vivekananda’s interpretation of Vedanta philosophy
o Ethics: It is a code of conduct for a man to be good as his soul is pure. So emphasis was laid on intrinsic
purity of atman (soul).
o Religion: Religion offered a pathway to the eternal supreme i.e.- Atman merging with Paramatman.
o Education: He advocated education for character building of an individual and was in complete
agreement with methods and results of modern science.
● Application: The modern education system is inclined towards monetary benefits but the Vedas in a true sense had
holistic knowledge of life, health, recreation, and also economic principles.
ESSENCE OF RAMAYANA AND MAHABHARATA
Character Ethical Lessons
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Ram ● Governance: Prioritising the public over family

● Friendship: Treating Hanuman as a friend
● Marriage: Demonstrating loyalty towards his wife
● Social Contractarianism: Valuing the relationship with the public/subjects
Dasharatha and Kaikeyi ● Emotional Intelligence: Making decisions without being influenced by extreme
emotions
● Social Influence: Highlighting the importance of both positive and negative
social influences
Ravana ● Greed: Illustrating the consequences of excessive desire for power and lack of
ethical judgement
● Knowledge and Wisdom: Emphasising the importance of ethical
intellectualism
Bhishma ● Dharma: Upholding one's duty and righteousness
Arjun and Krishna ● Positive Thinking: Finding solutions and positivity in every situation
● Contractarianism: Understanding the importance of keeping one's word and
fulfilling obligations
● Teleological Ethics: Considering the consequences of actions to determine their
ethical nature
Shabari ● Dedication and Patience: Demonstrating unwavering dedication and patience

● Love, Satisfaction, and Happiness: Finding eternal happiness and satisfaction
in serving Lord Rama
● Equality and Respect: Lord Rama's equal treatment and respect towards
Shabari
Jatayu ● Responsibility: Fulfilling one's responsibilities despite knowing the limitations
LESSONS FROM THE RAMAYANA

● Truth Triumphs: The basic teaching of Ramayana is that no matter how powerful evil is, it will always be defeated
by Good. Truth always wins. A person should always have a noble heart and good values.
● Unity can Overcome any Difficulty in Life: The fruits of togetherness give the power to sail the ship when the tide
seems higher than the sky.
● Be Deeply Committed to your Duty: Besides being Sita’s husband, Ram was also the King of Ayodhya. And the
duty of the king is to keep his subjects happy. Hence, he had to abandon his wife for the sake of the masses after
they questioned her chastity. As a husband, he was duty bound towards his wife. But as a King, he had to think of
his subjects’ wishes ahead of his personal ones.
● Choose the Path of Righteousness: Vibhishana, younger brother of Ravana chose to not support his sibling in the
war against Ram. He knew his brother had committed a sin by abducting a woman.
● Remain humble no matter how powerful you become: Lord Hanuman had the power to single handedly fight
against Ravana’s army. But he chose to surrender to lord Rama’s divinity and let him do the needful.
● Treat everyone equally: Lord Rama treated everyone equally and that’s how he earned the love and respect among
everyone. When Shabari (the sage’s daughter) offered him the already tasted berry fruits he ate them without
giving a second thought. He was always kind and humble to people. We should toe in here to this quality. We should
always treat everyone with equality and should not discriminate on the basis of status, sex, age, or cast.
● Always keep good company: It is said that your company shapes you into the person you are. Ramayana too
emphasises the relevance of good company. Queen Kaikeyi, the third wife of Dashratha loved Rama more than her
own son but her handmaiden, Manthara poisoned her thoughts with negative feed, in result Kaikeyi asked for
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Rama’s fourteen years of exile. A negative person can brainwash all the good inside you that is why we should
always keep a healthy circle so that we become better with time.
ESSENCE OF BHAGAVAD-GITA
● Pleasure and Work: Do not let the fruit be the purpose of your actions, and therefore, you won’t be attached to not
doing your duty. It lays more weight on duty with commitment than with destination.
o Example-Some civil servants after getting into service get involved in a rat race of rewards, promotion,
and salary rather than focusing on public commitment.
● Emotional Intelligence: The awakened sages call a person wise when all his undertakings are free from anxiety about
results.
o Example- The recent death of Sushant Singh Rajput showed the importance of managing emotions
for society.
● Focus: We are kept away from our goals, not by obstacles but by a clear path to a lesser goal. The modern-day
distractions in the form of social media and materialism provide temporary pleasure but derail us from our
permanent goal completely.
● Selflessness: A gift is pure when it is given from the heart to the right person at the right time without expecting
anything in return.
o Example- The modern culture of huge donations and NGO establishment in the presence of the media
by influential people is not a selfless act.
● Truth alone Triumphs: There always will be bigger power watches and truth can never be hidden.
o Example- Skin colour is a biological phenomenon while Race is a social phenomenon. But western
rulers tried to mask this truth but Gandhi’s movement in South Africa against Apartheid at the end
proved race just being a social construct.
INDIAN PHILOSOPHERS
BUDDHA
● Gautama Buddha was an ascetic, a religious leader, and a teacher who lived in ancient India during the 6-5th
century BCE. His teachings laid the basis of Buddhist philosophy and traditions as well as Buddhism as a religion.
● Buddhist ethics are neither arbitrary standards invented by man for his own utilitarian purpose nor are they
arbitrarily imposed.
● Man-made laws and social customs do not form the basis of Buddhist ethics. It finds its foundation not on the
changing social customs but rather on the unchanging laws of nature.
● Morality in Buddhism: Buddhist morality judges an action good or bad based on the intention or motivation
from which it originates. Actions that have their roots in greed, hatred or selfishness are considered to be bad - called
Akusala Kamma. Actions which are rooted in the virtues of generosity, love and wisdom are meritorious and good -
called Kusala Kamma.
Three Essentials for Life That Buddhism Eight Fold Paths
Considers
● Wisdom (Prajna): It comes from the right ● Right Knowledge (or Views)
view, it leads to the right intention. ● Right Resolve
● Ethical conduct (Sila): The right view and ● Right Speech
intentions are guides to ethical conduct – ● Right Conduct (or Action)
right speech, right action, right livelihood
● Right Livelihood
and right effort.
● Right Effort
● Concentration (Samadi): Its focus is ‘self
– activity’ to have right mindfulness and ● Right Mindfulness, and
right concentration. When wisdom, ethics ● Right Meditation (or Concentration)
and concentration become a way of life; one
gains enlightenment.
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Four Noble Truths:

o The Truth of Suffering: No matter how much we struggle, we are unable to find the ultimate happiness
or satisfaction. Suffering is the common bond we share. Therefore suffering is the real truth of our
existence.
o Excess Desire: Cravings, Excess desires and ignorance about reality are the cause of suffering.
o The Truth about the end of Suffering: If desire is eliminated, then only the suffering would stop. This
stage when all desires are burned is called “nirvana” in Buddhism.
o The path for Ending Suffering: This path is called the eightfold path. It emphasises a middle path
between worldly pleasure and painful asceticism.
o Pancasila (Five Refrains): Buddhism invites Buddhists to adopt five precepts voluntarily in order to live
together in civilised communities with mutual trust and respect. These are – No killing, No stealing, No
lying, No sexual misconduct, and No intoxicants.
KAUTILYA
● Science of Wealth: Kautilya explained the science of wealth in his book Arthashastra ,where he explained the
political economy of the nation.
● Governance:
o King's happiness lies in the happiness of his subjects. His focus lies on the welfare state.
o “Yatha Raja Tatha Praja” highlighting the importance of honesty, efficiency, and accountability of the
King.
o Rajrishi Concept: An ideal leader is a combination of Raja and Rishi. Like a Raja, he is dynamic,
active, and has decision-making capacity. At the same time, like a sage, he should be able to connect
with the spiritual and higher level of the world by being wise, and should focus on philosophy. He
should possess the quality of inviting nature, self-restraint and spirit, intellect and intuition, enthusiasm.
o He advocated that science is a great source of power. He further believed that ‘power is strength and
it is the strength which changes the mind.
o In a war-like situation, both Kautilya and Machiavelli share the same reasoning. Both propagate that a
king should be closely involved in the science of war. Kautilya has proposed three types of war:
■ Open War: War fought between states
■ Concealed War: It is fought on the lines of guerrilla warfare
■ Silent War: It is fought continuously inside the kingdom itself so that the king’s power does not get diluted.
o He said corruption is natural in government as being selfish is human nature. One has to control
corruption.
THIRUVALLUVAR
● Truthfulness: Even a lie could be considered as truth if that lie is harmless and brings unquestionable benefits.
● God and Religion: Even if god and fate doesn’t want it, your true efforts will bear efforts.
● Forgiveness: Retaliation will be a momentary joy but patience and forgiveness will bring joy for life.
● Right Speech: Even fire burns will heal easily but burns from loose words will never be.
● Nation-State: A nation should work on five key elements: health, economy, defence, harvest and happiness.
● Application: Tiruvalluvar’s philosophy becomes the guiding light to the modern quest of revenge and vengeance
between the people, communities, and nation-states.Examples like atheist getting more success, Gandhi’s ability to
forgive people of their ignorance and eight fold path of Buddha stand on Tiruvalluvar’s policy.
SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
● Rationalism: He was a pioneer of the rationalist movement in India and a follower of Vedanta philosophy. He
desired the amalgamation of western and Indian philosophy for a happy life.
● Education: To awaken the people he established Ram-Krishna Mission and later Ram-Krishna Math. He
condemned blind spiritual beliefs and searched for rationality in religion.
● Brotherhood: Through his iconic speech at the World Parliament of Religions Conference he developed
brotherhood among the people of India and people of the globe.
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● Application: His ideas on brotherhood are more relevant today as the world has become a global village and people
of different backgrounds have come closer leading to racial and communal conflicts as recently seen in the Charlie
Hebdo case in France and George Floyd case in the USA.
M K GANDHI
IMPORTANT TEACHINGS OF MAHATMA GANDHI

● Power is of two kinds: Power based on love is more effective and lasting than power based on fear of punishment.
Love and tolerance have the potential to resolve conflicts and bring about peace, even in the midst of unrest and
turmoil. Constructive conversations with enemies can lead to peaceful resolutions, as every war eventually
concludes with a peace agreement.
● For Civil Servants: There should be a high Tolerance index while serving the society. It brings inclusiveness and
objectivity, Neutrality in decision making.
o Example- Acceptance for LGBTQ Community leads to bring them in the mainstream of development
by extending government’s welfare scheme
● An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind: Stubbornness has often fueled human conflicts throughout
history, but a better future lies in our ability to understand our opponents, practice diplomacy, and show compassion
to resolve disputes.
● We must become the change we want to see in the world: Mahatma Gandhi exemplified his ideals by sacrificing
his successful law practice, adopting a simple life, and leading the Salt March, inspiring millions to fight for freedom
without causing harm to the British.
TRUSTEESHIP
● Wealthy people should act as Trustees of trust that look after the welfare of the people.
● The idea of trusteeship makes it clear that wealth and resources, irrespective of who “owns'' these, must help
with the betterment of society and its entire people.
● It puts the onus of making this happen on those who have wealth. This is a direct manifestation of his philosophy
of non-violence i.e the wealthy must do it of their own accord, unforced by external pressure.
● The idea puts faith in human nature, that eventually people will do the right thing if you trust them.
● There is a lot of scepticism on the effectiveness of this approach to build an egalitarian society. But over the long
term, in the reality of the world we live in, this approach will be more sustainably effective.
RELEVANCE OF IDEA OF TRUSTEESHIP

● Prevailing Inequality: Recently, the Oxfam report titled “Inequality Kills’’ was released, the report pointed out a
stark income divide worsened by the Covid pandemic, globally and in India. Inequality contributes to the death of at
least one person every four seconds.
● Degrading Environment: the emission of greenhouse gases is affecting the global climate, and causing various
catastrophic disasters and diseases.
● Overexploitation of Natural Resources: Minerals, oil, gas and coal are non-renewable resources. Their use as
materials and energy sources leads to depletion of the Earth's reserves.
TRUSTEESHIP PROVIDES SOLUTIONS FOR VARIOUS CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY

● Sustainable consumption: Consume what is enough for the need without harming others.
● Dignity of labour: Ensuring decent minimum living wage and humane working conditions.
● Equitable distribution of wealth: Moral responsibility of the rich to take care of social welfare of the
underprivileged.
● Enrichment of human life: The core of Gandhian idea of trusteeship is the development, upliftment, and enrichment
of human life rather than a higher standard of living with scant respect for human and social values.
SARVODAYA
“The good of the individual is contained in the welfare of all. This is the core idea behind inclusive development.”
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● The concept of Sarvodaya revolved around universal upliftment of all and progress for all. It is a comprehensive,
social, economic, political, moral and spiritual philosophy. It lays great emphasis on moral and spiritual values. It
seeks to create new social and economic values. His philosophy can be witnessed from the following:
o Development of self-supported village networks where production’s main purpose is the consumption
of self.
o Promoting family relationships beyond blood relationships.
o Everyone should be equally represented and promote the value of liberty
o All people will be imbued with the spirit of love, fraternity, truth, non-violence and self-sacrifices.
Society will function on the basis of non-violence.
o There will be no party system and majority rule and society will be free from the evil of the tyranny
of the majority.
o Politics will not be the instrument of power but an agency of service.
o The gain to the individual would be small. The development of each quality depends upon every other.
If all the qualities are improved a little, then the individual would gain more.
● Gandhi advances the concept of Sarvodaya, which were the based on three basic principles:
o The good of the individual is contained in the good of all.
o A lawyer's work has the same value as the barber's in as much as all have the same right of earning their
livelihood from their work.
o A life of labour, i.e., the life of the tiller of the soil and the handicraftsman is the life worth living
SATYAGRAHA
Satyagraha: The origin of Satyagraha can be found in the Upanishads, and in the teachings of Buddha, Mahavira and
a number of other greats including Leo Tolstoy and John Ruskin.
● Gandhi emphasised the importance of pure means and ends, rejecting improper means for achieving proper ends.
● His method of nonviolent action, Satyagraha, involved exercising soul-force against injustice without inflicting
harm on others. It required continuous pursuit of truth, self-sacrifice, peace, and non-violence.
● Satyagraha goes beyond conflict resolution, emphasising the quality of relationships between individuals and requiring
strong will and determination.
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PILLARS OF SATYAGRAHA (ETHICAL ASPECTS) - THREE PILLARS OF SATYAGRAHA

● The Gandhian quest for peace rests on the foundation of non-violence.
● For conflict resolution Mahatma Gandhi used method of Satyagraha [insistence on truth or zeal for Truth] that has
three pillars:
● Sat-which implies openness, honesty, and fairness:
o Each person's opinions and beliefs represent part of the truth;
o In order to see more of the truth we must share our truths cooperatively; This implies a desire to
communicate and a determination to do so.
● Ahimsa-refusal to inflict injury on others:
o Ahimsa is dictated by our commitment to communication and to sharing our pieces of the truth.
o Violence shuts off channels of communication; The concept of Ahimsa appears in most major religions,
which suggests that while most people may not practise it, it is respected as an ideal;
o Ahimsa is an expression of our concern that our own and other's humanity be manifested and respected;
and We must learn to genuinely love our opponents in order to practise Ahimsa.
● Tapasya-willingness for self-sacrifice:
o A Satyagrahi must be willing to shoulder any sacrifice which is occasioned by the struggle which they
have initiated, rather than pushing such sacrifice or suffering onto their opponent
o The Satyagrahi must always provide a face-saving way out for the opponents.
o The goal is to discover a wider vista of truth and justice, not to achieve victory over the opponent.
USE OF SATYAGRAHA BY GANDHIJI

● Satyagraha has also been considered as a weapon of soul force to resist any kind of oppression. While Gandhi regarded
Satyagraha as a way of life, during the freedom struggle of India, Satyagraha was used as a weapon to resist the
authority of the state and to achieve various things for the general welfare of the people.
● The Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930, which was started with the breaking of the Salt Law at Dandi, and the
Quit India Movements were classic examples when Gandhi and his colleagues used Satyagraha as a weapon of the
soul force.
RELEVANCE OF SATYAGRAHA AT PRESENT

● For Dispute in the Industrial establishment: Satyagraha would be a viable alternative to other methods for the
peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts.
● To resolve war-like situations such as Russia – Ukraine war: The practice of the principles of truth and non-
violence in the smallest way possible, would definitely make a great contribution in bringing about peace and harmony.
● To mitigate corruption and race of materialism: In the present socio-economic political system, there is a dire
necessity to wean the individual away from the influence of wealth, luxuries and power
● The usefulness of truth and non-violence will always be relevant wherever the goal is prosperity, welfare and
development, because without truth and non-violence, there cannot be peace and without peace there cannot be
development.
GANDHI ON POLITICS
● He was against “Dharmic Politics” which brews on corruption, sectarianism, and communalism. He also said,
“Politics should not be instrumental in power but an agency of service.”
● Gandhi’s principal aim was to civilise modern politics from within, by eliminating resentment, hatred and coercion.
● His politics of non-violence was a method to mobilise collective power in a manner that attends to its own moral
education in an exemplary and innovative way.
● Gandhiji always derived politics from ethics or religion and considered politics as a work of the heart and not merely
of reason.
● He argued for a dedicated and committed political ethos, which did not accept the necessity of “dirty hands” in politics.
GANDHI’S ELEVEN VOWS

● Swadeshi ● Bread labour
● Remove untouchability ● Non-violence
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● Truth ● Non-possession
● No stealing ● Control on the palate
● Self-discipline ● Fearlessness
● Equality of all religion
GANDHI’S SEVEN SINS

● Gandhi mentioned these seven sins in his weekly “Young India”.
Type of Sins Recent Examples
Politics without principles ● The recent cases of defection in Karnataka.
● 233 of 539 MP’s of Lok Sabha have criminal cases against them.
Wealth without work ● The inflating prices of cryptocurrency have changed many fortunes.
● Current Rs 11 Lakh crore NPA in banks also shows the corrupt and
manipulative mindset of the people.
Pleasure without conscience ● The burning issue of marital rape on adolescents.
● Environmental plundering under the ambit of development
Knowledge without character ● Use of cyberspace to disrupt national infrastructure as observed in the 2021
Mumbai blackout.
● Recent cases of “Missing women” due to female feticide using ultrasound
tests.
Science without humanity ● Recent bombardment of missiles between Israel and Gaza Strip.
● Governments are not banning toxic drinks and cigars despite evidence of
cancer.
● The use of nuclear weapons over Japan in 1945 is an assault of science on
humanity.
Commerce without morality ● Google and Facebook recently tussled with the US Senate on privacy issues.
● Sexism in Bollywood songs and movies over the female body just to market
their content.
Religion without sacrifice ● Religious fundamentalism in all religions leading to communal tensions as
(Manavaseva= Madhava Seva) seen recently in France.
● Development of ritualism over bhakti.
● Application: Gandhi’s seven sins are very relevant in today’s context in the sphere of life from family, society, and
even at the government level.
AMARTYA SEN
● The Capability Approach: The government and oneself should focus on achieving the development of skills, values,
and morals for wellbeing rather than measuring on narrow grounds of monetary terms.
● Social Welfare: Government should address the problem of individual rights, minority aspirations for collective
growth and development.
● Human Development: He argued against Mahalanobis model that, instead of focusing on economic factors,
governments should focus on education, public health, food distribution system, and other social reforms.
● Application: His ideas have been compiled and the Human Development Index has been devised by the United
Nations to supplement economic growth parameters like GDP and GNP.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE
● Rabindranath Tagore was born in Calcutta on May 7, 1861.Bengali poet, novelist, and painter, who was highly
influential in introducing Indian culture to the west.
● Tagore on Education:
o Tagore envisioned a novel blending the ideas of the East and West. The spiritualism of Indian
philosophy and progressive outlook of the western people were blended together.
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o Tagore was a naturalist; nature is the best teacher to students. Nature will provide the student with
necessary situations to gain knowledge. No external pressure should be exerted upon the student to
learn anything. It is nature that will shape his behaviour and character.
o For the first time in the arena of Indian education, Tagore established a new mile-stone by rejecting the
book-centred education for students.
o According to Tagore, teaching should be practical and real but not artificial and theoretical.
Education should definitely increase the creative skill within a learner.
o Tagore laid great importance to the fine arts in his educational curriculum. Activities like, games,
dance, music, drama, painting etc and considered them as a part of the educational process.
o Tagore was aware about the rural poverty of our country. So, he wanted to eradicate it through
education. The practical training imparted in different crafts to the students will make them skilled
artisans in their field.
KABIR
● Sant Kabir Das was born in the city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. He was a 15th CEC mystic poet, saint and social
reformer and a great proponent of the Bhakti Movement.
● Kabir on Tolerance: Sant Kabir tried to unite communities of India mainly the Hindus and Muslim who constituted
the major chunk. He gave metaphors like “Both Hindus and Muslims are made of the same clay”. His teachings
become important in contemporary periods when religious tensions are brewing across the globe.
● Kabir on Wisdom: Kabir laid emphasis on development of wisdom. He elaborates them with his dohas as follows,
“If I tell the truth people rush to beat me, but if I lie they trust me”. This symbolises the need for oneself to attain
true knowledge. This is true even in modern times as people get offended by bitter truth but are ready to accept lies
and mediocracy to suit their views.
● Antagonist of Caste System and Evil Practices: Kabir was a great opponent of the caste system. He stressed that in
God’s creation all were equal. He advised his followers to give up such inhuman practices as untouchability, feelings
of high and low etc. He further opposed the worship of stone images, or even the worship of different gods and
goddesses and was against rituals and ceremonies in religion.
KABIR’S RELEVANCE TO CONTEMPORARY TIMES

● Kabir was strictly against the practice of hypocrisy and didn’t like people maintaining double standards. He always
preached people to be compassionate towards other living beings and practise true love. Which is somewhat missing
in present days.
● He urged the need to have company of good people that adhere to values and principles and emphasised that love was
the only medium which could bind the entire human kind in an unbreakable bond of fraternity. He advised all to
give up hatred and perpetuate love for one and all. Today’s world is bogged down by the excessive materialism of the
world.
● The deep seated economic inequalities of the world are leading to a simmering discontent across the world. Kabir’s
principles of compassionate ethics are relevant.
● Corruption is the deep seated problem in India which is eating away the vitals of the nation. The emphasis on honest
livelihood by Kabir if understood in the right spirit will provide a way of changing the individual perspective.
● Communalism is a lurking evil in the Indian societal context, the essential syncretism and universalism which are part
of Kabir can help in solving this issue to a certain extent.
ADMINISTRATORS
E SREEDHARAN
Also called Metro Man of India who worked towards redefining public transport in India.
● Perseverance: He was successful in developing Konkan Railways at the highest quality despite his disagreement
with the Railway Minister over the choice of gauges. He persuaded the minister with his diligence and perseverance.
● Equity: Delhi Metro is one of his successful ventures where he ensured affordable tickets for all and free travel for
women.
● Ethics of work culture: He says “Ethics in work is a compulsion, not an option”. He upheld punctuality,
professionalism, and competence as the cardinal principle of the work environment.
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T N SHESHAN
He was an IAS officer from Tamil Nadu Cadre who stamped his authority on the electoral system in India.
● Leadership: He identified several electoral malpractices ranging from inaccurate election rolls, booth capturing,
electioneering, etc. He then acted on all aspects strictly and set milestones for officers to come.
● Discipline: He was known for his strict adherence to the law. He ensured his support staff and politicians abide by the
rules. For instance, in 1994 he advised the PM to remove two sitting cabinet ministers for electoral malpractices. His
approach was often termed Zero delay and Zero deficiency approach.
● Innovative: He successfully started the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct during elections which today
has evolved as an important part of elections in India.
DR. T ARUN, IAS

● Innovative, Technocrat: He created an app which has been used to revive 198 water bodies in Puducherry
including ponds, lakes and a 206 km stretch of canals. The app ‘Neer Padhivu’, helps digitalise water bodies with
geotagging, unique ID numbers, GIS on ponds, with latitudes and longitudes coordinates.
● Environmentalist: The app updates the status of groundwater levels, moisture content of soil and size via remote
sensing satellites. The application has not only helped streamline the rejuvenation process but is also ensuring that
people don’t dirty or encroach the water bodies.
T BHOOBALAN, IAS
● Compassion: His multi-pronged approach to tackle the sharp rise in child marriages amid the pandemic and rescued
176 kids from being married off underage in one year from Bagalkot district
● Leadership: Working on understanding the severity of the issue, Bhoobalan created a task force comprising
government officials and school teachers.
S SEERAM SAMBASIVA
● Compassion: He set up the Udayam Charitable Society to establish and run shelter homes. One of his goals was to
provide shelter homes to the street dwellers under the state’s ‘Nammude Kozhikode’ project for development.
Through this initiative, close to 1,500 homeless were taken off the streets and transferred to various shelter homes in
the last 18 months.
● Dutifulness, Dedication to Service, Compassion: Additionally, the district administration also took the responsibility
of reuniting the homeless with their families, giving them skill training and employment opportunities.
● Humanity: Close to 1,000 inmates were provided meals and were groomed for their well-being through haircuts,
surgeries, counselling, medical check-ups, etc.
● Innovative, Compassion: The ones who did not have ID cards were given new ones and a literacy programme,
‘Jnanodayam’ and certification exams were also conducted to help them earn a steady income.
SHALINI AGARWAL
● Innovative Ideas: To tackle the issue of acute water shortage in Vadodara, she came up with an ingenious solution of
setting up rainwater harvesting in schools, which in turn helped lakh of students by saving 10 crore litres of water
every year.
● Varsha Kal Nidhi was launched in 2020 and through this initiative, rainwater is collected from the terrace and
channelised through pipes towards a chamber in the ground. The chamber then filters and percolates the water in the
bore wells, ensuring direct groundwater recharge.
● Leadership: “Various workshops, competitions and events were held across Vadodara where children became the
brand ambassadors and people were sensitised about the importance of conservation.
DR. ADARSH SINGH

● Organiser, Innovative Ideas: He used the lockdown to revive a dying river in the district by giving employment
who had lost their livelihoods due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
● Prudence: At a time when people were losing their jobs and getting impacted by severe pay cuts, Dr Adarsh used
the time to generate employment and also tackle an environmental crisis.
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● Leadership: They adopted measures such as sensitising villagers, eliminating encroachments, reducing garbage
dumping, and open defecation on the river bank. The district authorities also sensitised people about open defecation
and dumping garbage in the river.
ANUPAM SHARMA
● Innovative Approach: The forest department had planted about five lakh saplings, and each of them came
wrapped with a plastic bag.
● Environment Friendly: Working towards the cause of the environment, while on the other hand, about 5,000 kilos
of plastic waste had accumulated. This was led to utilising the 5000 kg of plastic waste to generate sustainable
employment opportunities for three villages in Maihar.
● Prudence: The biogas plant helps serve some needs of the Maa Sharda Devi Temple Management Committee’s
Old-Age Home where the biogas plant helps generate enough gas supply to prepare morning and evening tea for the
residents and also helps mitigate wet waste generated on the premises.
● Leadership: The aim was to help create employment opportunities for the villagers while also managing the plastic
waste generated efficiently.
DHARAM SINGH MEENA

● Environment Concern: The disappearance of natural springs in the Uttarakhand and Himalayan subcontinent is a
cause for concern. Divisional forest officer Dharam Singh Meena noticed this and decided to rectify the issue.
● Leadership: He and his team managed to revive 66 Himalayan springs in Tehri Garhwal to provide a sustainable
water supply that now helps over one lakh people across 23 villages.
DAMODAR GAUTAM SAWANG

● Technocrat, Innovative: Chosen as the India’s best DGP, he has introduced several technological reforms in Andhra
Police that makes filing FIRs, complaints and SOS requests easier and faster.
● Transparency, Accountability: The technological changes that were introduced helped in bringing about
transparency and also accountability amongst the departments. A new file management system that was introduced
by the officer helped in speedy investigations and also to the completion of 85 percent of cases.
● People Centric, User Friendly: A mobile application called AP Police Seva was launched and within five months,
2,64,000 FIR downloads were seen.
● Inclusive: Additionally, the Disha Mobile app for women was also launched which saw 12.57 lakh downloads within
five months.
DR. SANGRAM SINGH PATIL

● Compassion: The initiative launched by Superintendent of Police Dr Sangram Sigh Patil that has helped over 5000
members of the Gotti Koya tribal community gain better access to healthcare.
● Effective Resource Management: Since 2019, Dr Sangram has helped over 5,000 tribals from 100-odd hamlets in
the district, address various complaints including those of nutrition deficiency, haemoglobin, skin, and other related
ailments. With the help of this officer, medical help worth Rs 7 lakh has reached the tribal community members.
SANTHA SHEELA NAIR

● Santha Sheela Nair: An IAS officer of the 1973 batch, Nair is known as an administrator par excellence. She is
credited with saving Chennai city from a water crisis in the early 2000s when she made rainwater harvesting
compulsory with special tanks and pipes for the same in each household.
ARUNA SUNDARARAJAN
● Aruna Sundararajan: This Kerala cadre IAS officer was described by Forbes magazine as ‘an IAS officer who
thinks like a businesswoman’. As IT secretary she played a significant role in the development of e-governance in
Kerala. She also headed the Kudumbashree project, today which is a shining example of women’s empowerment,
creating sustainable employment prospects for working-class women.
SMITA SABHARWAL
● She is also known as the ‘People’s Officer’. She is India’s first lady IAS officer to be appointed to a Chief Minister’s
Office.
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● While serving as the Municipal Commissioner at Warangal, she introduced the “Fund your City” scheme where a
large number of public utilities like Foot over bridges, Traffic Junctions, Parks, Bus-stops, were constructed with
Public-Private Partnership.
RAJNI SEKHRI SIBAL

● Courage: As Director, Primary Education in the state, she withstood pressure from the government and exposed the
JBT recruitment scam.
● Integrity: In this scam, the teachers’ selection lists were changed to give jobs to those candidates who had paid bribes.
When asked to be a party to this fraud, Sibal locked and sealed the almirah containing the original list with thick cotton
bandages in the presence of her junior officers. She also asked them to sign the bandages in different places and take
photographs for proof.
D SUBBA RAO
A 1972 IAS officer, Subbarao was the 22nd Governor of the RBI.
● As RBI Governor, he brought about reforms for financial inclusion, financial literacy and organised village
outreach programmes.
● He even expounded a theory on the New Trilemma of Central Bankers, called the ‘Holy Trinity’ as against the
‘Impossible Trinity’ of Robert Mundell and Marcus Fleming.
● He was the first person to review Stephen Hawking’s celebrated book, ‘A Brief History of Time’.
Conclusion
● The actual transformation of ethical theories to one's value system takes place when one internalises the theories and
ideas of philosophers. One should strive to make ethics their way of life and aim for Summum Bonum or Chief
Good.
ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP

● Administration is defined as a process of working with and through others to accomplish the agreed goals efficiently.
It is largely concerned with the implementation of objective procedures, guidelines, policies etc. using existing tools
and structures.
● Leadership is concerned with direction and control of human and material resources to create value and to evolve
structures as per contemporary time and technology and thus outperform the defined goals and objectives.
o Example- While an administrator would have waited for the government to clear funds for road
construction, Armstrong Pame (leader) constructed a 100 km road through crowdfunding.
ADMINISTRATOR, MANAGER AND LEADER

● Administrator is a person who is responsible for forming the strategic vision of the organisation. An administrator
formulates organisational structure and focuses on long-term plans.
● Manager is a person who is responsible for translating the administrator’s vision into operating plans and directs,
supervises, personnel working in the formulated organisational structure.
● Leader is a person who guides and motivates others which might include managers at times. They are vision oriented
and provide a positive outlook to the team.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MANAGER AND LEADERSHIP

Parameter Manager Leadership
Outlook ● Passive outlook which is limited to stated ● Ambitious outlook; they initiate new
objective structure or procedures
Appointment ● They are generally appointed ● They can be appointed or can emerge
from within a group
Approach towards ● Impersonal, unidirectional approach ● Personal involvement, holistic vision
Goals towards goals towards goals
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People Management ● Low emotional involvement with people, ● Higher emotional involvement with
interaction is limited to specific roles people; at times, many invoke
assigned to people competitive and inspirational spirits to
yield best results
CONCLUSION
● Thinkers and philosophers through their theories and philosophies, provided a strong ethical and intellectual base to
extract rational values from it and their contribution is leading towards bringing more ethical perspective to the arena
of governance specifically and to the society in general
KEY WORDS
Normative Ethics; Virtue Ethics; Maieutics; Eudemonia; Sheelam Param Bhushanam; Selfless Action
(NishkamaKarma); Categorical Imperative; Deontology/ Teleology; Ethical egoism; Qualitative/ Quantitative
Utilitarianism; I-Culture- V-Culture; Contractarianism; Leviathan State; Three Natural Rights; Veil of Ignorance;
Capability Approach;
1. What does the quotation mean to you? “Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If 2020
not, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.” – Swami Vivekanand
2. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi 2020
3. “A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar 2020
conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.” – Socrates
4. What does the quotation mean to you? “An unexamined life is not worth living”. – Socrates 2019
5. What does the quotation mean to you? A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he 2019
becomes.” – M.K. Gandhi
6. What does the quotation mean to you?“Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the 2019
character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony
in the home, there is an order in the nation. When there is an order in the nation, there is peace in the
world” – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
7. “In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. And if they 2018
do not have the first, the other two will kill you.” – Warren Buffett. What do you understand by this
statement in the present-day scenario? Explain.
8. What does each of the following quotations mean to you in the present context? 2018
1. “The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject anything, is not whether it has any evil in it; but
whether it has more evil than good. There are few things wholly evil or wholly good. Almost everything,
especially governmental policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgement of
the preponderance between them is continually demanded. ”Abraham Lincoln ( 150 words)
2. “Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding. “ _ Mahatma Gandhi
3. “Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in the unblemished common good.” _ Tirukkural
9. “Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or 2017
very bad acts. It all depends on the principles which direct them.” – Napoleon Bonaparte. Stating
examples mention the rulers (i) who have harmed society and country, (ii) who worked for the
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development of society and country
10. “If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are 2017
three key societal members who can make a difference. They are father, mother, and teacher.” – A. P. J.
Abdul Kalam. Analyse.
11. Given are two quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. For each of these bring out what it means to 2015
you in the present context.
(a) “The weak can never forgive; forgiveness is the attribute of strong.”
(b) “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are
afraid of the light”
12. Given below are three quotations of great moral thinkers/philosophers. For each of these quotations, 2014
bring out what it means to you in the present context:
(a) “There is enough on this earth for everyone’s need but for no one’s greed.” Mahatma Gandhi.
(b) “Nearly all men can withstand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him
power.”—Abraham Lincoln.
(c) “I count him as a braver who overcomes his desires than he who overcomes his enemies.”—
Aristotle.
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CHAPTER 9 ETHICS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

● Public Administration encompasses all activities that aim to achieve or implement public policy.
● This encompasses both military and civil matters, such as the operations of courts and various specialised
government sectors including law enforcement, education, healthcare, public infrastructure development,
environmental conservation, social security, and more.
BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

● Neutral System: It refers to a politically neutral public administrative system functioning within a political
framework.
● Collective Will: Its primary focus is on the objectives of the state, the collective will of the people, public interests,
and adherence to laws.
● Policies Implementation: It is involved in both the formulation and implementation of policies.
● Executive Branch: While it exists across all branches of government, it is typically more concentrated within the
executive branch.
● Improving Life of the People: Its main purpose is to provide regulatory oversight and deliver services to the public,
aiming to improve quality of life.
● Emphasis on Public Sphere: It differs significantly from private administration, particularly in its emphasis on the
public in terms of goals and methods.
PRINCIPLES DIFFERENTIATING PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION FROM PRIVATE

ADMINISTRATION
● Administration occurs in both public and private institutional settings. While public administration is concerned
with government administration, private administration is concerned with administration of private business
organisations.
● Following are the four principles that differentiate public from private administration:
1. Principle of Uniformity Common and uniform laws and regulation
2. Principle of External Legislative body control government revenues and expenditure

Financial Control
3. Principle of Ministerial Accountable to its political masters and through them to people
Responsibility
4. Principle of Marginal Main objective of a business venture is profit; however, the objectives of public
Return administration cannot be measured in money terms.
NEED OF ETHICS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Public administration in India has been largely focused on political, legal and financial domains only, but the ethical
dimension is equally important, which can be understood from the following points:
● Public Resource Utilisation: Efficient and effective resource utilisation without corruption in India is important
because of resource deficit and ethics make a public administrator accountable to his/her actions.
● Social Justice: Ethical public administration is important to achieve the goal of social justice as envisaged under
Article 38 and other Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) of our Constitution. It ensures equality and equity
for vulnerable sections of the society.
● Resolve Dilemma: Public administration is becoming complex day-by-day and this creates frequent dilemmas for
public administrators. Ethics ensures public good is given priority and resolves ethical and value conflicts and
dilemmas.
● Decision Making: Public administrators take key decisions and when those decisions are based on objectivity,
fairness, justice and above the personal interest, they yield required results for the society.
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● Public Trust: Ethical public administration creates confidence and trust in the people towards the competence,
fairness, honesty, impartiality and sincerity of the public services.
● Social Capital: Ethical public administration ensures credibility in the eyes of the people and ensures civil society
cooperation and thus building social capital of the country.
● Sarvodaya/Antyodaya: Ethical public administration brings empathy, compassion for poor and vulnerable sections
of the society leading to better understanding of societal problems and thus finding their solutions.
o Example - Implementation of Bonded Labour Abolition Act by IAS officer S. Shankaran.
STATUS AND PROBLEMS OF ETHICS IN INDIAN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Provisions for Inculcating Ethics in Indian Administration
● Central Services Conduct Rules, 1964: The rules provide for do’s and don’ts for civil servants and require them to
maintain absolute integrity, devotion to duty and political neutrality while discharging their duties.
● All India Service Conduct Rules, 1968: These rules provide that the officials of IAS, IPS and IFoS should maintain
high ethical standards, integrity and honesty, political neutrality, promote principle of merit, fairness and
impartiality in the discharge of duties along with accountability and transparency.
● Code of Ethics, 1997: It was the first initiative to introduce code of ethics for public servants in India aiming for
better governance in India. However, it was not issued for public servants.
ETHICAL ISSUES IN INDIAN ADMINISTRATION

● Misuse of Discretionary Powers: Discretionary
powers are misused for personal gains and extend Observations of Second Administrative Reforms
favouritism in the administration and public welfare is Commission (ARC) with respect to Ethical Issues in
largely disregarded. Indian Administration:
● Undue Importance to Rules And Regulations: ● Corruption is a matter of concern particularly at the
Indian administration gives undue importance to cutting-edge levels of bureaucracy.
compliance of rules and regulations, which leads to ● Perceptible lack of commitment in public servants
excessive red-tapism and disregard of the justice, towards redressal of citizens' grievance.
fairness etc. and more focus on accountability rather
than responsibility in the administration. ● Red-tapism and unnecessary complex procedures
add to hardship of citizens.
● Poor Reward and Punishment Mechanism: Reward
and punishment is determined by favouritism and ● Government servants are rarely held to account and
political nexus disregarding merit in the complaints to higher authorities usually go unheeded.
administration. ● Attitude of many public functionaries is one of
● Lack of Communication: Indian administration is arrogance and indifference.
characterised by closed communication and limited ● Frequent transfer of officers reduces their
public contact. Rigid hierarchy within the effectiveness and also dilutes their accountability.
organisations further hinder communication. ● Nexus between politicians and bureaucrats.
● Negligence: A public official either does not perform
his professional responsibilities or performs them in a delinquent manner, causing damage to the state or community.
This is mostly because of the lack of interest that one has in one’s duties and responsibilities.
● Corruption: Bribery and corruption are seen as reward for performance of obligatory work and considered as
necessary evil greasing the wheels of the government departments.
o Example: India has been ranked 85th in Corruption Perception Index, 2021.
● Evasive Tendency: There is lack of initiatives on the part of administrators facing a difficult situation and the problem
is evaded by passing the task from one department to another.
● Patronage: Political patronage plays an important role in appointment of administrators, especially at the higher
levels.
o Example: Post-retirement assignments to senior officials to Regulatory and other bodies are largely done
on the basis of political patronage.
● Excessive Security: Article 311 of the Constitution provides excessive security to public servants and this reduces
the enforcement of accountability.
● Ill-Conceived Goals: When incentives are given for achievement of any goal but they promote a negative behaviour.
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o Example: The Bank Manager of Utkala Grameen Bank in Odisha insisted on physical verification of a
100-year-old lady for withdrawal of money from Jan Dhan Account.
● Nepotism: The practice of nepotism (the appointment of relations and/or friends to public positions, thereby ignoring
the merit principle), may lead to the downgrading of the quality of the public service.
● Lack of Compassion: Indifference towards the feelings or the convenience of individuals and by an obsession with
the binding and inflexible authority of departmental decisions, precedents, arrangements or forms, regardless of how
badly or with what injustice they work in individual cases.
● Overvaluing Outcomes: It is about giving more importance to the end result and not to the process.
o Example - Certifying a drug developed by a drug company, even if it has used unethical means.
● Lobbying: Various pressure groups convey huge political capital and they lobby for their interest. Sometimes these
demands may not be beneficial in the long-term but due to political pressure government/administrators have to fulfil
their demands.
o Example - Various political parties have given into the demands of loan waivers.
PROBLEMS OF ETHICS IN INDIAN ADMINISTRATION

● Lack of Ethical Literacy: It refers to inability to understand the ethical issues that are involved in any situation and
the decision is entirely based on the rule-books. This limits the understanding of the situation where cultural, social,
environmental etc. factors play major roles.
● Secrecy: In spite of RTI Act, 2005, there is greater secrecy in the Indian administration and even the information
sought under RTI Act is denied in the context of official secrecy.
● Societal Pressures: Irrational and unreasonable demands are made upon the officers by families, relatives, peers and
other close ones.
● Political Superiority: Bureaucrats are accountable to their political masters and they have to abide by their decisions,
even if they are not economically sound but based on the political exigencies and short-term goals.
● Lack of Grievance Redressal Mechanism: There is lack of organisation of public opinion regarding administrative
deficiencies, which is compounded by lack of awareness among people about their rights and entitlements and
grievance redressal mechanism against officials.
● Information Leaks: Sometimes officials have not been able to hold on to the sensitive information such as pending
tax increase, cost-cutting of staff etc. and this information is leaked into the public domain.
● Lack of Whistleblower Protection: Although Whistleblower Protection Act, 2014 is present there is victimisation
of whistleblowers and no penalty against any public servant victimising the complainant.
ETHICAL DILEMMA IN GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS
● Dilemma refers to a situation in which a problem is offering two possible solutions, neither of which is practically
acceptable.
● Ethical dilemma refers to a situation that necessitates a choice between a competing set of principles neither of which
is absolutely ethical.
o Example - A civil servant is approached by an old person, who is eligible under the public distribution
system but does not have required documents. This is a situation which puts the civil servant in an
ethical dilemma.
Three Essential Conditions for a Situation to be Ethical Dilemma:
Ethical Dilemma in Governance
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Public servants in India have to work under different sets of conditions such as resource crunch, political leadership,
different societal values etc. and under such situations they face multiple ethical dilemmas. These dilemmas include are
caused by the following relationships of Civil Servants:
● Civil Servants and Political Office holders;
● Civil Servants and Citizens; and
● Intra – Civil Service (Ministries, Departments and Agencies, that make up the Country’s or State’s Civil Service).
ETHICAL DILEMMAS FACED BY PUBLIC SERVANTS

Conflict of Interest
● It is a situation involving conflict between private interest and public interest when an individual is at a position of
power and trust.
o Example - Arun Jaitley did not handle
vodafone case because he had conflict of
interest as he was advisor to vodafone
earlier.
● Conflict between personal values and values of public
administration.
o Example - A public servant might be
against the use of Aadhar because of high
regard for the right to privacy, but might
have to use it for Public Distribution
Systems (PDS).
● Conflict between professional ethics and unjustified
demand by superiors.
o Example - A Public servant might be
against loan waivers but because of orders
of seniors will have to abide by the order.
● Various aspects of code of conduct, such as motivation versus not accepting rewards for performance of duty.
o Example - A Public servant might be of the opinion that small gifts act as a motivation to perform his/her
duty but that is against code of conduct.
● Professional Commitment versus Public Welfare.
o Example - A public servant denying government entitlements to a destitute due to lack of documentary
proofs.
RESOLVING ETHICAL DILEMMA IN GOVERNANCE

Ethical dilemma can be solved by keeping following key aspects in mind:
● Giving Priority to the Public Interest: Public
officials should prioritize the public's welfare over
their own self-interest when making decisions or
taking actions.
● Thorough Assessment: Ethical dilemmas should be
carefully evaluated by considering all available
options and selecting the decision that maximises the
well-being of the majority.
● Impartiality: Public servants should remain
unbiased when faced with ethical dilemmas and make
decisions without favouritism, similar to a neutral
referee.
● Fusion: Integrating individual, organisational, and
societal goals helps alleviate ethical dilemmas, as a
suitable choice can align with all these objectives.
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● The Rule of Law and Legality: The rule of law is essential in politics and society, and adhering to the principles of
legitimacy is crucial when exercising authority. The law sets the minimum ethical standard and aids decision-making
during ethical dilemmas.
ETHICAL CONCERNS IN PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS

● Business ethics applies to all aspects of a business conduct and is relevant for conduct of individuals and the entire
organisation. Although fundamentals remain the same, it varies from organisation to organisation. Individuals of an
organisation might find themselves in a conflicting situation.
o Example: An honest salesman might have to sell a defective medical product which might affect the
patient’s health.
It gives rise to a number of ethical concerns in a private organisation such as:
● Conflict of Interest arises when an individual is involved in multiple interests.
o Example - BCCI Ethics officer served a notice on Conflict of interest to Rupa Gurunath as the
President of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association as well as Director of India Cements Ltd (the parent
company of Chennai Super Kings). She has been found guilty of indirect conflict of interest for ICL's
close association with Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL).
● Excessive competition in the market often forces people for unethical practices like insider trading and
manipulation of share prices. It is also when personal interests take precedence over the organisational and the
share-holders’ interest.
● Nepotism and Favouritism are generally seen in employment and appointments in an organisation where caste, clan
or other identities overtake merit. This is also seen in the positions of board of directors.
● Integrity of the Audit Process is questioned when companies manipulate their business accounts in order to show
good financial health and maintain good credit ratings in the market and this is not brought to the public by audit
processes.
o Example - Yes Bank scam which highlighted the directors’ inability to unravel deviations.
● Lobbying in some countries is ethical. In India there is no law which defines Lobbying. Defence contracts are often
heated topics for the lobbying angles involved in the same. Lobbying in a regulated manner is often recommended by
experts.
● Cartelisation and Manipulation of Market by private business enterprises in order to displace new entrants in the
market or to earn higher profits.
o Example - Manipulation of prices by Arhartiyas in APMCs, tax evasion, insider trading etc.
LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS AND CONSCIENCE AS SOURCE OF ETHICAL GUIDANCE

● Laws are usually based on an ethical framework and aim to bring social order while controlling the immoral and
unethical behaviour of individuals in the society.
● Rules are elaborate frameworks that are usually framed with an aim to bring simplification, facilitation, convenience
etc. in the order to guide the behaviour of individuals or organisations.
o Example: Information Technology Act, 2000 is a law and Information Technology Intermediary
Guidelines Rules 2021 are framed to give effect to the law.
Difference between Laws and Rules:
Laws and rules may seem like overlapping terms, but there are some differences on which distinction can be made between
the two:
Parameter Rules Law

Objective Rules usually focus on individual good Law seeks to increase public good and serve
public interests
Framing Rules can be set by individuals, or by Laws are enacted only by those in exercise of
organisations sovereignty or government
Flexibility and Rules are more flexible and have lighter Laws are inflexible and carry stiff penalties
Violation consequences when broken including imprisonment and, in some cases,
death
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HOW LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE SOURCE OF ETHICAL GUIDANCE

● Regulating Discretionary Powers: Public servants have discretionary powers for governance, and that can be used
for personal benefit. Laws, rules and regulations regulate this power by laying specific ‘dos and don’ts’ for use of that
power.
o Example: Central Civil Services Conduct Rules, 1964 provides dos and don’ts for the civil servants to
prevent misuse of discretionary powers.
● Commanding Action and Inaction: Laws, rules and regulations act as positive and negative enablers and encourage
or prohibit action.
o Example: Prevention of Corruption Act prevents corruption and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act enables social audit.
● Fostering Social Justice: Laws, rules and regulations foster social justice by providing modern human rights, such
as equality, liberty etc.
o Example: Prevention of Civil Rights Act 1955 prohibits untouchability.
● Human Rights Protection: Laws, rules and regulations encourage empathy towards the needy and thus promotes
human rights protection.
o Example: Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2019 provides for Good Samaritans and protects them
against civil or criminal actions.
LIMITATIONS OF LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS AS SOURCE OF ETHICAL GUIDANCE

● Lack of Enforcement: Laws, rules and regulations demand official machinery for their enforcement, lack of which
might lead to unethical behaviour by individuals or organisations.
o Example - There are laws preventing crimes in the society, but still crimes are prevalent in the society.
● Evasive Tendency: Enactment of laws, rules and regulations may not translate into ethical behaviour from individuals
or organisations because of tendency of non-compliance.
o Example - People avoiding fines under
Motor Vehicle Amendment Act by
carrying their vehicle by hand.
● Finding Loopholes: Laws, rules and regulations might
not be able to envisage every possible scenario and
therefore people might find loopholes in them.
o Example - Tax evasion by finding
loopholes in the Income Tax Act.
● Negative Perception: Some laws, rules and regulations
might have negative perception among those who are
obliged to perform under them.
o Example - Corporate Social
Responsibility is perceived as additional
tax by some corporations.
● Lack of Social Maturity: Laws, rules and regulations might have good intentions, but the society might not be mature
enough to accept them.
o Example - Opposition to Triple Talaq law by some sections of Muslim society, opposition to the
Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala case by some sections of Hindu society.
● Cultural Evils: Laws, rules and regulations cannot always provide protection against social evils.
o Example - In spite of legal provisions for protection of women but still rapes/dowry cases are witnessed
in literate society like Kerala.
Conclusion
● Hence, laws, rules and regulations are external sources for ethics. However, an ethical society can be made by an
ethical conscience.
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CONSCIENCE AS SOURCE OF ETHICAL GUIDANCE

Difference between Conscience and Law:
Law Conscience
Law applies principles of morality outside human Conscience acts within human beings and checks the morality
beings of human actions.
Law states a general rule Conscience provides practical rules for specific action and
applies law and rules to that specific action.
Antecedent Conscience and Consequent Conscience:

● Antecedent Conscience: Antecedent Conscience is that which acts as a guide to future actions, prompting to do them
or avoid them.
o Example - A person stops at a red signal because of prospective remorse. In ethics, an antecedent
conscience which is a guide to our future actions is more important.
● Consequent Conscience: Consequent Conscience is that which is acting as a judge of our past actions and acts as a
source of our self-approval or remorse of the past actions.
o Example - A person jumps the red signal and then feels guilty.
CONSCIENCE AS A SOURCE OF ETHICAL GUIDANCE

Conscience is linked with morality and comes into picture when dealing with practical situations. It acts as a source of
ethical guidance in following manner:
● Resolving Ethical Dilemma: Conscience helps in taking correct decisions based on our ethical and moral principles
and thus helps in resolving ethical dilemmas.
● Avoiding Conflict of Interest: Conscience reminds of one’s inherent moral values and helps us avoid conflict of
interest.
o Example: A person known for professionalism would prefer professional values when faced with a
conflict of interest vis-à-vis his/her relatives.
● Guilt Consciousness: An individual who might have done something wrong feels pain or guilt emanating from his/her
conscience.
o Example: A biker breaking traffic rules might feel guilty after sometime because of his/her conscience
and might not break traffic rules next time.
● Repulsive Behaviour against Unethical Act: A person might show lower motivation and involvement in a situation
in which is against his/her conscience and thus he/she will be inclined to take ethically correct path.
o Example: A police officer might lack motivation to do lathicharge on a peaceful protest if that is against
his/her conscience.
IS CONSCIENCE AN ABSOLUTE GUIDE TO ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR? NO

Crisis of Conscience:
● Crisis of conscience is a situation when conscience fails to provide moral guidance to an individual in any specific
situation. Individuals lose the ability to get guidance from his moral sense about what is right and what is wrong.
o Example - If a police officer is administering a peaceful protest and suddenly asked to resort to strict
measures irrespective of the nature of protest. This makes the situation ambiguous and the officer is faced
with a crisis of conscience as his/her moral sense cannot guide him/her about right and wrong actions.
o During the recent Anti- Encroachment drive, Municipality officials have been ordered to forcefully
evict illegal shelters constructed by squatters on government land. The official observes that the
occupants are poor people who have small infants to take care of. In such cases the official has to choose
between his/her conscience of giving them time to vacate or follow government order and perform his
duty.
● Wrong Training of Conscience: Conscience develops with good habits but following wrong habits provides wrong
training to conscience and it does not provide us moral guidance.
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o Example - A person who has always lied will not be guided by his/her conscience to tell the truth.
● Impact of Morals/Cultures: Conscience also depends on the morals/cultures of the place and time.
o Example - A person’s conscience towards his behaviour towards females would not provide ethical
guidance if he has been brought up in a patriarchal environment.
● Impact of Societal Pressure: Conscience can be overtaken by societal or professional pressure.
o Example - People do not agree for inter-caste/inter-religion marriage for their children under societal
pressure, even if they want to agree.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND ETHICAL GOVERNANCE
ACCOUNTABILITY
The concept of holding public officials accountable involves a process through which their actions and choices are closely
examined to ensure that they fulfil their responsibilities, obligations, and job duties.
Accountability Encompasses Two Main Aspects
1. Answerability: This refers to the responsibility of the government, its agencies, and public officials to disclose
information about their decisions and actions, and to provide justifications for them to both the public and the
institutions entrusted with overseeing accountability.
2. Enforcement: This aspect suggests that either the public or the accountable institution has the authority to take
measures against the party that has acted inappropriately or to rectify the behaviour that has violated established
rules. Consequently, different accountability institutions may be responsible for either or both of these stages.
Need of Accountability
● Answerability: It prevents the public services from turning into tyrants as they are held answerable to their deeds and
misdeeds.
● Avoids Conflict of Interests: Setting accountability clearly demarcates the area of one’s actions where he or she is
required to act.
● Public Interest: The first and last beneficiary of public service is the public, as the public services are required to act
in the interest of the public and they are answerable for their actions.
● Justice & Equality: Promotes justice, equality, and egalitarianism because public servants are required to realise
these constitutional ideals and at the same time, they are answerable for their actions.
● Legitimacy to Public Services: Accountability promotes the loyalty to service as actions are carefully calculated and
keeps a check on arbitrary and ill-conceived actions and policies.
Ways of Ensuring Accountability
● Capacity building of Stakeholders to question the public officials about their discharging of official duties.
o Example - The concept of Social Audit under MGNREGA. Also, effective implementation of laws
like Prevention of Corruption Act should be ensured.
● By promoting transparency, through effective implementation of RTI in full earnest, especially the pro-active
disclosure, then public officials would be more careful to function strictly according to the spirit of the law and
constitution. Secondly, it would educate the people about their rights, entitlements and how to question their
fulfilment.
● The independence and effective role of judiciary is crucial for upholding the rule of law in India, thus various steps
like Memorandum of Procedure, e-courts among others should be promoted.
● The final expression of accountability in a democracy is through the medium of periodic elections which is an
instrument for punishing and rewarding the Government of the day, and therefore, serves as an ultimate instrument of
accountability. The electoral reforms and democratic maturity of people is the ultimate bulwark of accountability.
Types of Accountability
● Horizontal Accountability: It is the capacity of state institutions to check exploitations by other public agencies and
branches of the government.
Parliament, Judiciary, Lokpal, Comptroller and Auditor General, Central

External (Outside the Executive)
Vigilance Commission
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● Superior Officers: Reward and Punishment, disciplinary procedures,

Performance management system
Internal (Within the Executive)
● Internal audit
● Grievance redressal mechanism
● Vertical Accountability: These are the means through which standards of good governance are enforced by the
citizens, mass media and civil society on the bureaucrats. Parliament is also an important forum for vertical
accountability.
● Political Accountability: It refers to the accountability that is established in the form of individual ministerial
responsibility.
● Social Accountability: It is society driven horizontal accountability that relies on civic engagement and ordinary
citizens and civil society organisations participate directly or indirectly to enforce accountability of officials.
Institutions and Mechanisms that Promote Accountability
Outside the State: Vertical Within the State: Horizontal
● To the People through elections ● External (Outside the Executive) - Parliament, Judiciary, Lokayukta,
● Through RTI Act to Citizens CAG, CVC
● Citizen’ Oversight Committees ● Internal (Within the Executive)
● Civil Society/ Watchdog bodies o Superior officers
● Media o Rewards/Punishments
● Service Delivery Surveys o Disciplinary Procedures
● Citizen’s Charters o Performances Management System
● Integrity Pacts ● CBI/Police/Vigilance
● Citizen Report Cards ● Internal Audit
● Through Whistle Blower Act ● Grievances Redressal Mechanisms (Prevention Of Corruption Act,
Official Secrets Act)
● E- Governance mechanisms (Pragati, NeGP etc.)
Significance of Accountability in Governance

● Democratic Governance: Accountability ensures democratic governance in the country where officials are directly
or indirectly responsible to the people and not only to their superiors only.
● Public Trust: Accountability ensures officials are made answerable for their actions for any wrongdoing. This
improves public trust, confidence, cooperation and coordination in the government performance.
● Clarity: Accountability also requires clear specification of tasks to be performed, time frame for the task and also
financial and other resources available at disposal, against which an official is held accountable. This improves
governance.
● Administrative Irregularities: Accountability prevents administrative irregularities and improper implementation of
government policies and programmes and thus helps improve governance.
● Remedial Measures: Accountability ensures that officials are held liable for any wrongdoing and remedial action can
be taken.
● Transparency: Accountability ensures that officials take decisions more transparently in order to reduce absolute
accountability. This makes citizens stakeholders in governance.
● Feedback Mechanism: Accountability also generates a feedback mechanism that ensures that the feedback from
beneficiaries reach the decision-makers.
RESPONSIBILITY
● It means accountability to oneself, i.e. when the accountability turns inward. It is a moral concept, where a person
feels answerable to oneself for all his actions, even if it is not covered by any law.
● It is more enduring than accountability, because it is based on ethical reasoning, and the person would always do the
right thing, even if nobody is there to watch his action, as he holds himself answerable to oneself. Here the person
takes ownership of one’s actions and decisions.
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Difference between Accountability and Responsibility

● Responsibility refers to being in-charge of certain
duties which are expected to be performed by virtue of Authority: Power given to a
being in a certain post/position. Accountability is one person to act and make
step ahead. It includes answerability, i.e. being liable decisions within boundaries
for the outcomes achieved due to performance of the
duty. Therefore, accountability can be held on to a
person only after the task is done. Responsibility: Carrying out the
o Example - A judge is responsible for specific delegated tasks
delivering a judgement, but is not
accountable if the outcomes are not as
expected. A DM is both responsible as Accountability: Being liable for
well as accountable for ensuring actions and decisions
compliance with Right to Education in
her district.
● In individualistic terms, responsibility can also refer to
what one expects of oneself or the others. To be
morally responsible for something, is to be worthy of a particular kind of reaction, such as praise or blame in pursuance
of the act.
o Example - Helping a destitute is a responsibility of the affluent and empathetic. However, they cannot
be held accountable for not helping them. They can be condemned, if one wishes so.
GOVERNANCE, GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ETHICAL GOVERNANCE

● According to the UNDP, Governance is the exercise of political, economic and administrative authority to manage a
country’s affairs.
● According to the World Bank, Good Governance refers to the manner in which power is exercised in the management
of a country’s economic and social resources for development.
● Eight Principles of Good Governance by United Nations:
o Participation: People should be able to voice their opinion and become part of governance, including
men and women, vulnerable sections of society etc.
o Follow Rule of Law: Impartial enforcement of legal framework and full protection to human rights,
particularly those of minorities and vulnerable sections.
o Consensus Oriented: It requires mediation of different interests to meet the best interests of a
community.
o Transparent: It means enough information is provided to public in easily understandable form.
o Responsive: It means redressal of citizen grievances, citizen orientation, timely delivery of services etc.
o Effective and Efficient: It means that processes and institutions result in optimum utilisation of resources
at their disposal.
o Equitable and Inclusive: It ensures that different
sections feel that they have a stake in it and are not
excluded from the mainstream.
o Accountable: It acknowledges and assumes
responsibility for actions, products, decisions and
policies.
● Ethical governance is formulating, implementing and complying
with the policies, rules, laws and orders in an organisation in such
a manner that it does not merely concentrate on administrative
efficiency but uphold universal values such as truth, honesty,
integrity, dedication to duty etc.
IMPORTANCE OF ETHICAL GOVERNANCE

India is a country with a huge population and a comparative resource crunch. Therefore, ethical governance becomes
important for ensuring:
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● Social Justice: Constitution of India envisages social

justice for the people of India and ethical governance
ensures that inequalities are reduced in the society.
● Confidence of Public: Ethical governance based on truth
ensures transparency in the governance and ensures that
people’s trust is upheld along with cooperation and
coordination from the public.
o Example - Right to Information Act, 2005
uphold transparency in the governance of the
country.
● Upholding Basic Human Rights: Ethical governance
based on altruism and welfare ensures that citizens are
given basic human rights that they are entitled.
o Example - National Food Security Act ensures that the poor section of the society gets their right to
food.
● Upholding Universal Value System: Ethical governance based on objectivity and fairness absorbs the pressure of
nepotism and extends favours in the governance, appointment etc.
● Efficiency: Ethical governance based on integrity would ensure that the public money is spent for the purpose that it
is laid out for and thus reduces the chances of corruption in the governance.
● Compassion: Ethical governance based on compassion would ensure that poor and vulnerable sections and their
necessities are given especial importance in the governance.
o Example - Affordable rental housing scheme by government ensures housing for migrant workers at
affordable cost.
Ethical governance is a continuing process, starting with the administration and extending to all citizens. With transparency
and unwavering ethics, people will seek to earn the trust of those they partner with, forge lasting service relationships and
strengthen business over the long term.
ETHICAL ISSUES IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND FUNDING

International Ethics refers to a set of universal standards and values that guide and regulate the behaviours and
actions of nations in their international dealings. For instance, most countries uphold and protect basic human rights as
a set of fundamental principles.
SIGNIFICANCE OF INTERNATIONAL ETHICS

The significance of International Ethics can be understood through various roles it plays in international relations:
● Responsibility: Ethics ensures that affluent and developed countries contribute to the progress of Less Developed
Countries, making them accountable for human development in these nations as well. Example- The Paris Climate
Change Agreement and the concept of Common, But Differential Responsibilities in mitigating climate change.
● Humanitarian Ethics: Ethics guarantees that advancements in science, defense, and security, as well as cooperation
between countries in these areas, do not impede human rights. For instance, countries imposing restrictions on the
end-use of weapons through organisations like the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Australia Group,
and the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
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● Compassion: Ethics fosters compassion in international relations, prompting countries to stand in solidarity with each
other during challenging times. For example, countries collaborating through the COVAX Program to provide
COVID-19 vaccinations to impoverished nations.
● Peace and Harmony: Ethics ensures that global affairs are conducted in a manner that promotes peace, harmony,
and equality among nations. The establishment of the United Nations serves as an example of an effort to maintain
peace worldwide.
● Legitimacy: Ethics grants legitimacy to countries, but it can also revoke legitimacy based on their actions. The
Taliban in Afghanistan, for instance, lacks international legitimacy due to its violation of human rights.
● Human Rights Protection: Ethics drives countries to work towards safeguarding human rights rather than solely
pursuing their narrow national interests. Cooperation among nations in addressing refugee crises exemplifies this
commitment.
● Solutions to Global Problems: Ethics encourages countries to cooperate in addressing global problems rather than
pursuing short-term goals solely for their own interests. Cooperation among countries in combating terrorism
serves as an example.
● Business Ethics: Ethics ensures that multinational companies pay their fair share of taxes in the countries where they
operate, preventing them from evading taxes through offshore havens. Recent developments such as the Global
Minimum Tax deal and efforts to combat Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) reflect this concern.
● Racism: Ethics compels countries to work towards eradicating racism from their policies. An example of this is the
international pressure that led South Africa to end apartheid.
ETHICAL CONCERNS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

● Lack of Responsibility and Equity: Although climate change is a global phenomena and developed countries are
responsible for climate change, the impact of climate change would be on developing and Least Developed Countries.
o Example: Developed countries are not willing to take responsibility for climate change and are against
common but differentiated responsibility.
● Global Poverty: While people in richer countries enjoy a lavish lifestyle, people in poorer countries lack even the
basic human rights.
o Example: While there is considerable hunger in African countries, richer countries are known for food
wastages.
● Apathy Towards Third World: In difficult times countries look for their self-interest rather than on the global
interest.
o Example: Russia’s attack on Ukraine and China’s aggression towards Taiwan for self-strategic
interest are disturbing the supply chain. As a result, there is an increase in the price of commodities like
Crude oil.
● Terrorism: Terrorism is a challenge for humanity, especially in the age of social media but countries around the world
have not been able to agree on a basic definition of terrorism.
o Example: Comprehensive convention on counter-terrorism proposed by India has been pending in
the United Nations since 1996.
● Lack of Accountability: Global organisations have not been able to ensure accountability of powerful countries.
o Example: Chinese expansionism and refusing to abide by the award of Permanent Court of Arbitration
on South China dispute.
● Selfishness: Countries have often looked to work for their parochial selfish interests and not the global community.
o Example: Controlled production of crude oil by the OPEC countries, for higher market price of Crude
oil, Lack of Consensus on Patent Waiver for Covid -19 vaccines
● Lack of Universal Standards: Countries have often tended to protect their national interest and have moved away
from universal standards in working towards this.
o Example: China supporting Pakistan in United Nations listing of Masood Azhar
● Racism: Although global institutions have been working to end racism, it is still prevalent.
o Example: George Floyd case in USA, Megan Merkel’s child issue.
● Weakening Global Institutions: The global institutions still reflect the second world war era and therefore have been
weakening due to absence of reforms along with present realities.
o Example: WHO was criticised over the issue of tackling of COVID-19 in the initial period.
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ETHICAL ISSUES IN INTERNATIONAL FUNDING

International funding refers to the aid given by richer and advanced countries to poorer countries for developmental,
security and other purposes.
However, this aid presents following ethical issues:
● Subverting Sovereignty of Nations: While giving funding to the recipient countries donor agencies put several
conditions that are best decided by the people and governments of the countries.
o Example: IMF conditions on loans given to India during 1991 financial crisis.
● Exploiting Compulsion: Countries often exploit the compulsion of the recipient countries to further their own
interest.
o Example: China’s debt-trap diplomacy exploits infrastructure requirements of poorer countries.
● Funding to NGOs: Countries provide funding to NGOs to further their own interests.
o Example: Greenpeace protesting in India against Nuclear Power Plants.
● Clinical Trials: Pharma countries often conduct clinical trials in poorer countries and provide funding to recipient
countries for this, which is a violation of human rights.
● Neo-colonialism: Countries use their market-tactics and funding to promote neo-colonialism in the recipient countries
with the setting up of factories and creating dependence on them.
o Example: Multinational companies are alleged for promotion of western culture.
● Terror Financing: Many times, international funding has been channelised for terror funding and also black money
has been round tripped in the host country.
GLOBAL EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH INTERNATIONAL ETHICAL ISSUES

Issues and Global Efforts
Issues of Human Rights Violations:

● Political interventions frequently lead to Human Rights Violations.
● Terrorism: States use Terrorism as a tool of foreign policy and indulge in human rights violation. (For Example
- Pakistan (supporting LeT, JeM), Iran (supporting Hezbollah)).
● Refugee Issue: European nations are closing their borders to refugees fleeing war-torn areas.
Global Efforts
● Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): The 30 rights and freedoms include civil and political rights,
like the right to life, liberty, free speech and privacy and economic, social and cultural rights, like the right to
social security, health and education, etc.
● Human Rights Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
● Amnesty International: An international organisation of volunteers who campaign for human rights. This
organisation brings out independent reports on the violation of human rights all over the world.
● Efforts of countries like India and Bangladesh to provide shelters and aid for Rohingya refugees.
● Humanitarian approaches extended by the world to reduce hardship in Afghanistan related to food shortages and
other essential items.
● United Nations Peacekeeping Army are sent to establish Peace and harmony in the conflict zone.
Climate Change Issues:
● International Equity Concerns: Countries that are least responsible for climate change and have the least
economic capacity to fight the effects of climate change are the most affected ones. For example Marshall Islands.
● Issue of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities: There are issues in defining and differentiating the
responsibilities between present and future generations as well as developed and developing countries.
● Climate Sceptics don’t consider climate change to be real.
Global Efforts
● Commitment to strong climate action including the promotion of sustainable lifestyles based on mindful
consumption and reduction of waste.
● Financial tools adopted such as – Polluter Pay Principle, Carbon Tax, Energy Saving Certificates, green Bonds etc
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● Mission Innovation: It is a global initiative of 22 countries and the EU to accelerate global clean energy
innovation. Participating countries have committed to double their governments’ clean energy R&D investments
over 5 years.
● Decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions.
● Glasgow Climate Summit and Major countries disclosed their target of becoming Carbon Neutral. Ex, India will
become carbon neutral by 2070.
● Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): It refers to a market mechanism for achieving GHG emissions
reduction under the Kyoto protocol. It allows an industrialised/developed country with an emission-reduction
target under the Kyoto Protocol to implement an emission-reduction project in any of those developing countries
and earn tradable Certified Emission Reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent to one ton of CO2.
● Proposal made for Climate finance and Climate Finance Delivery Plan at the Glasgow summit.
● Focus on sources of Renewable Energy and Establishment of international institutions. Ex. International Solar
Alliance.
● Increasing Green Cover to create more Carbon sinks.
Other Issues:
Global commons are defined as those parts of the planet that fall outside national jurisdictions and to which all nations
have access.
● Zoonotic diseases like Covid-19
● Overfishing
● Accumulation of plastic waste
o Accumulation of Space debris
Global Efforts Panel set up by WHO to monitor Zoonotic diseases.
● International Cooperation for the development of Vaccines
● Framework for patent waiver on medicines, vaccines and other medical devices related to Zoonotic diseases such
as Covid-19
IPRs (Intellectual Property Rights):
● The developed countries are depriving the poor countries of accessing the new technologies (even life-saving
drugs) by the restrictive clauses of IPRs.
● It is essential to determine whether it is justifiable for a country to defend its IPRs on commercial grounds, or it
should share technology for the greater interest of humanity.
Global Efforts
● Guidelines set up by WTO regarding enforcement of IPRs.
● Invoking of Compulsory Licencing clauses in the case of emergency
Conclusion
International ethics is a set of universal values that governs the actions and behaviours of nation-states. In International
Relations, the state is called an Actor. Hence, all decisions should protect and further the national interests of the State
(Machiavellian Ethics) but it should also be seen as ethical.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
According to the Cadbury Committee, corporate governance is the “system by which companies are directed and
controlled.”
It is a set of systems, processes and principles which ensure that a company is governed in the best interest of all
stakeholders. It is about promoting corporate fairness, transparency and accountability.
IMPORTANCE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Good corporate governance benefits not only the company but also the environment around it in the following way:
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● Premium: Well governed companies across the world command a

premium of anywhere between 10 to 40 percent more than their not so
well governed counterparts.
● Foreign Investment: Good corporate practices based on transparency
and sound business principles attract foreign investment, which is much
more liberalised now.
● Weak Corporate Laws: A good firm-level governance often makes up
for weaknesses in a country’s corporate laws or the enforcement of such
laws as such organisations uphold the values such as integrity, fairness,
honesty, transparency etc.
● Vulnerable to Corruption: Often scandals and fraud within a company
become more likely where directors and senior management do not have
to comply with a formal governance code.
● Corporate Sustainability: Corporates that are run in
the best interests of all the stakeholders enjoy the trust
and confidence in the organisation and provide long-
term sustainability.
● Curbing Nepotism: Good corporate practices curb
nepotism and favouritism while valuing merit in
appointments.
● Internal Checks and Balances: Good corporate
practices better internal checks and balances to curb
mismanagement, conflict of interests, and misuse of
company resources.
ISSUES OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN

INDIA
● Collusion: Companies sometimes indulge in collusion with auditors to mislead the investors, regulators, board and
other stakeholders.
o Example: Satyam scandal, DHFL Case etc.
● Huge Risks: In some cases, the owners of the companies have taken huge risks in their private capacity and were
unable to pay.
o Example: V. Siddhartha in the case of Café Coffee Day.
● Promoter-Led Board: It is seen that the Board is chaired by promoters and this makes the board to serve at the wish
and command of the promoter-chairman.
o Example: Naresh Goyal in case of Jet Airways.
● Lack of Oversight: Although statutory changes have been made, the enforcement mechanism has not followed with
these changes which leads to poor oversight.
o Favouritism: Often lending institutions favour their closed ones to give loans, while overlooking
professional values such as integrity.
o Example: ICICI Bank, Chanda Kochar case.
● Lack of Independence: Independent directors are not given free hand in their working and are pressured by other
members of the board towards particular decisions.
o Example: Tata-Mistry case.
● Crony Capitalism: It is also an issue where closed ones receive mutually advantageous treatment.
o Example: Captive coal block allocation in Coal scams in early 2010s.
● Credit Rating Issues: Credit ratings agencies provide credit ratings to companies but they themselves suffer from
conflict of interest from non-rating business, lack of information availability etc.
o Example: Recent IL&FS crisis
EXISTING MEASURES TO ENSURE ETHICAL CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN INDIA
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● Companies Act, 2013: It regulates incorporation, formulation and functioning of companies in India. It makes
comprehensive provisions to govern all listed and unlisted companies in India. It empowers shareholders and
highlights higher values for corporate governance.
● The Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956: The Act aims to prevent undesirable transactions in securities by
regulating the business dealings.
● Competition Commission of India: CCI was established to promote and sustain competition culture and inspire
businesses to be fair, competitive and innovative. It aims to curb monopolistic tendencies in the working of the market.
● National Company Law Tribunal: Established under Companies Act, 2013, it deals with the corporate disputes of
civil nature. It is also the adjudicating authority under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
● Accounting Standards: These are issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India to bring much needed
structure to the financial reporting and mandates disclosure of accounting policies, cash-flow statements, construction
contracts, borrowing cost, related-party disclosures etc.
● Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Guidelines: SEBI being the regulatory authority, having
jurisdiction over listed companies, issues regulations, rules and guidelines to companies to ensure protection of
investors.
● Secretarial Standards: These are issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), an autonomous
body, that issues secretarial standards in terms of the provisions of the New Companies Act.
COMMITTEES RELATED TO CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN INDIA

Kumar Mangalam Birla Committee Report (2000)
● The report made certain mandatory recommendations for listed companies with a paid-up share capital of 3 crore
or more.
● These recommendations include:
o The board of directors should have an appropriate mix of executive and non-executive directors.
o The audit committee should consist of three independent directors.
o The establishment of a remuneration committee.
o The board should hold a minimum of four meetings per year.
o Shareholders should be provided with information regarding investments.
Naresh Chandra Committee Recommendations (2002)
● The committee presented its report on Corporate Governance and Audit in November 2002.
● The committee made the following recommendations:
o Certain non-audit services, such as valuation services and internal audit, should be prohibited for
audit clients.
o There should be compulsory rotation of auditors, with audit partners and at least fifty percent of the
team members being rotated every five years.
o Audit firms should provide an annual certification of independence to the Audit Committee or Board
of Directors before agreeing to the terms of the audit engagement.
Narayan Murthy Committee Recommendations (2002)
● The committee focused on the responsibilities of the audit committee, the quality of financial disclosure, and the
requirement for boards to assess and disclose business risks in annual reports.
● The key mandatory recommendations include:
o Strengthening the responsibilities of audit committees, including the requirement for at least one
member to be financially knowledgeable and another member to possess accounting or related
financial management proficiency.
o Improving the quality of financial disclosures, especially those related to related party transactions.
Uday Kotak Committee Recommendations
● The committee made several recommendations for corporate governance in top 500 listed companies, including:
o Separation of the roles of chairperson and CEO/MD.
o Imposing a maximum limit of eight directorships for an individual.
o Requiring at least half of the board members in listed companies to be independent directors.
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o Mandating minimum qualifications for independent directors and disclosing their relevant skills.
o Granting powers to SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) to provide immunity to whistle-
blowers.
o Suggesting that public sector companies should be governed by listing regulations rather than nodal
ministries.
o Enhancing disclosure requirements, such as full disclosure of fund utilization, auditor credentials, audit
fees, etc.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

According to the World Business Council for
Sustainable Development, Corporate Social Activities that can be taken up as CSR:
Responsibility is the continuing commitment by ● Promotion of Education
business to behave ethically and contribute to economic ● Eradication of extreme hunger and poverty
development while improving the quality of life of the ● Gender equity and women empowerment
workforce and their families as well as of the local
● Reducing child mortality and improving maternal
community and society at large.
health
Provision of Corporate Social Responsibility under ● Combating HIV-AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Companies Act, 2013:
● Environment sustainability
● Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 which ● Social Business projects
contains CSR provisions is applicable to companies: ● Employment enhancing vocational skills
o With an establishment of a ● Research across various fields such as science,
remuneration and more, or technology, medicine.
o A net worth of INR 500 crore and ● Incubators funded by the Centre or State or any state-
more, or owned companies.
o A net profit of five crore INR and more.
o The Act mandates companies to spend at Companies (CSR Policy) Amendment Rules, 2021
least 2% of their average net profit in ● Following activities have been excluded from CSR:
the previous three years on CSR
activities. ● Activities undertaken in normal course of business
excluded from CSR activities;
Significance for Corporate Social Responsibility ● Activities undertaken outside India;
● Moral Appeal: It appeals to companies to be good ● Contribution to political parties;
citizens on the lines of Gandhiji’s Trusteeship principle. ● Activities benefiting employees of company;
● Satisfaction: This proposes that companies should not ● Activities supported by the company on sponsorship
only look to satisfy their shareholders but other basis;
stakeholders who are directly or indirectly in the affairs
● Activities carried to fulfil statutory obligation.
and environment of the company.
● Engagement of external organization for design,
● Public Image: Companies that under CSR activities
evaluation permitted;
tend to enjoy brand value and good public image.
● Companies have to formulate an annual action plan
o Example: TATA Group of companies.
and submit to Board of the company
● Licence to Companies: CSR provides companies to ● Companies to ensure administrative overhead not to
gain the trust of local communities and ensures that the exceed 5% of total CSR expenditure;
resources are also allocated for the development of local
communities. ● Surplus cannot be utilized for other purposes
● Profitability: CSR activities increase profitability of ● Companies with CSR obligation of more than 10 crore
the company as ethical conduct exerts a growing 3 financial years to hire Independent agency to
influence on purchasing decisions of the customers. conduct impact assessment
● Competitive Advantage: Businesses that show how ● Mandatory disclosure of CSR projects on the website
they are more socially responsible than their
competitors tend to stand out.
● Morale Boost for Employees: CSR practices have a
significant impact on employee morale, as it reinforces
his confidence on Company’s empathy.
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● Consumers’ Trust - Many consumers actively seek out companies that support charitable causes. Therefore, CSR
attracts customers.
ISSUES WITH CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

● Poor Implementation: There is very little strategic thinking and innovation in implementation of CSR. The larger
goal of CSR is not understood, companies view it as only a charitable endeavour.
● Lack of Robust Policy: There is lack of long-term robust CSR policy which leads to failure in giving definitive
direction to CSR spending.
● Duplication of Activities: Duplication of activities by different corporate houses results in competitive approach
rather than collaborative approach.
● Viewed as Additional Corporate Tax: The CSR obligation is often viewed as a 2% tax, albeit spent by the firms
rather than given to the government.
● Skewed Pattern of Expenditure: Many CSR efforts are mainly driven by company’s operational perspective and
ease of implementation.
Way Forward
● Annual Awards: Annual awards for incentivizing companies to take up CSR activities be set up – one each for the
two categories of companies, large and small, as recommended by Anil Baijal Committee.
● Accountability: Companies should ensure that their CSR activities have clear objectives and monitorable targets,
which are diligently and stringently monitored.
● Collaboration: Companies should engage with local NGOs for understanding ground situations and also utilise their
expertise in that field.
● Greater Awareness: Greater awareness should be created, especially at Gram Sabha level to ensure that they get their
due share of social development in the company profits.
● Injeti Srinivas Committee Recommendations:
o Make CSR expenditure tax deductible.
o Allowing companies to carry forward unspent funds for three to five years.
o Aligning Schedule 7 of Companies Act, 2013 with the Sustainable Development Goals
o Balancing local area preferences with national priorities
o Introducing impact assessment studies for CSR obligation of 5 crore or more
o Registration of implementation agencies on MCA Portal.
o Developing a CSR exchange portal to connect contributors, beneficiaries and agencies
o Allowing CSR in social benefit bonds,
o Promoting social impact companies.
ALCOHOLISM IN INDIA
Context:
● In recent years deaths due to consumption of poisonous alcohol in States where alcohol is banned has become a serious
problem.
● At the same time, overall consumption of alcohol has also increased in the country questioning the direction of social
progress.
Ethical Concerns:
● Ethical dilemma arises in the relationship between the State and the individual regarding whether to prioritise the
protection of individual liberty and autonomy as guaranteed by Fundamental Rights or fulfil constitutional
responsibilities under Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) by intervening in public health matters.
o The consumption of alcohol is associated with various chronic health issues, social violence, and an
increase in road accidents.
● An aspect of this is regarding the balance between the revenue generated by the liquor business for the state
government and its duty to protect weak, vulnerable, and impressionable individuals.
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● Another ethical dilemma emerges in marketing products that have a harmful impact on individuals and families in
order to maximise profits, as opposed to following social responsibility to promote sensible drinking.
● There is a challenge in protecting jobs in the liquor industry while also addressing the growth of illegal liquor
businesses resulting from prohibition measures.
● Ethical considerations arise regarding the use of social norms or social pressure to protect relationships and families,
or allowing individuals to exercise personal discretion within certain limits.
● Societies have differing views on alcohol consumption, with some considering it a part of socio-religious rituals while
others advocate for abstinence.
Way Forward
● These ethical dilemmas highlight the need for thoughtful decision-making and balancing conflicting interests, such as
individual freedom, public health, social responsibility, and economic considerations.
● It requires considering the broader societal impact and striving for solutions that prioritise the well-being and interests
of individuals while upholding ethical principles and legal frameworks.
CHANGING WORK CULTURE

Observed Changes:
The work culture has undergone significant changes in recent times, influenced by various factors. These changes in work
culture are driven by various factors, including evolving workforce needs, technological advancements, and the impact of
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following are the major changes:
● Longer work hours
● Significant rise in Remote work
● Accelerated adoption of Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
● Technology-enabled monitoring
● Focus on employee well-being and mental health
● Shift towards remote collaboration and digital tools
● Need based interpersonal communication
Consequences
The above mentioned changes have given rise to new phenomena and trends. Here are some key shifts:
● Hustle Culture: The influence of the startup culture has had a spill-over effect on the overall work culture, resulting
in the emergence of hustle culture. This culture promotes and encourages employees, workers, or labourers to work
more than the standard hours. Work becomes a constant presence in their minds, even during their free time or
holidays.
● Quiet Quitting: The blurring of boundaries between work and home, coupled with longer work hours, has given rise
to the concept of quiet quitting. This refers to employees who only do the bare minimum at their job, such as leaving
work promptly at the end of their shift, demanding extra compensation for additional work, and establishing clear
work-life boundaries.
● Quiet Firing: Quiet firing has been a prevalent practice, particularly in large companies. It involves creating an
unpleasant work environment and subtly encouraging employees to quit by neglecting them through a lack of feedback
or resources.
● Moonlighting: The combination of remote work and technological advancements has led to an increase in
moonlighting, where individuals take on additional jobs or assignments without their employers' knowledge, outside
of their regular full-time job, often after office hours.
Ethical Concerns
● The rapid digitization of work processes brings about new ethical challenges. There are concerns about the impact
on individuals' well-being, including increased anxiety related to technology dependence and cyber security threats.
● The advancement of technology and the rise of hybrid work culture have led to a decline in the sense of community
among employees.
o This has also exacerbated issues like loneliness, posing ethical concerns related to the well-being and
social connection of individuals in the workplace.
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● Practices like Quiet Quitting and Quiet Firing hinder honest communication between employees and employers,
ultimately eroding trust within the organization.
o This raises ethical issues surrounding transparency, fairness, and mutual respect in the workplace. •
● Long working hours have been linked to detrimental health effects, such as increased risks of stroke and heart
disease.
● The rise of burnout and mental health concerns in the workplace is a pressing ethical matter.
Way Forward
● These ethical issues highlight the importance of creating a work culture that values human connection, trust, well-
being, and responsible use of technology to ensure a sustainable and healthy work environment.
● Balancing the benefits of digitalization with the need for privacy, security, and healthy technology usage becomes an
ethical consideration.
● There is a need to prioritize employee well-being and strike a balance between productivity and their physical and
mental health.
ETHICS OF PROTEST
Context
● Protests were witnessed at various places after the government launched the Agniveer Scheme for tri-services
recruitment. Aspirants were protesting against the short tenure of service and absence of pension benefits among
others.
● Previously on several occasions, public agitations have caused large scale damage to public property which in most
cases have never been recovered.
o Jat Agitation in Haryana, Gujjars Movement in Rajasthan, Patidar Stir in Gujarat and various protests in
the national capital itself are examples of absence of ethical conduct in the public arena.
Legal and Constitution Position
● Right to Protest is granted under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution. It gives the right to freedom of speech and
expression, the right to assemble peaceably and without arms, and the right to form associations and unions.
● According to the Supreme Court's ruling in Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sanghatan vs Union of India:
o The Constitution guarantees the fundamental right of people to engage in peaceful protests,
demonstrations, and other forms of expression under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b).
o Freedom of speech, the right to assemble and demonstrate through peaceful protests and agitations are
essential elements of democratic morality.
Check on the Right to Protest
● While citizens enjoy the freedom to protest, the Indian Constitution also provides for reasonable restrictions on this
right.
o Democracy is a system where the people rule, by the people and for the people, ensuring the active
participation of citizens in governance.
o Restrictions on rights under Article 19 can be imposed in the interests of India's sovereignty and integrity,
state security, friendly relations with other countries, public order, decency or morality, or in cases
related to contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to an offence.
o Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC) empowers a magistrate to issue an impartial
order imposing restrictions on movement, carrying arms, and unlawful assembly.
The Ethical Aspect
● Citizens have a fundamental duty of protecting public or private property and are expected to not resort to violence
during protest.
● Upholding of civic sense of the society as a whole is based on the observance of ethical behaviour by individual
members.
● It is also in observing our ever-cherished ideals of peaceful existence, well being for all and non violence.
POLICING ETHICS
Ethics in Policing
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● While ethics applies to various aspects of human life, the role of the police holds a distinct ethical and moral dimension
not found in most other occupations.
● Policing ethics encompasses various dimensions such as:
o The act of Protection of life and liberty brings scenarios where a police personnel has to balance the
freedom and restrictions at the same time.
■ Many times protesters are physically removed from the protest site by police officers and they sometimes get
hurt in the process.
o Complexity in decision-making
■ An ethical dilemma faced by police officers involves deciding whether to grant bail to habitual offenders or
keep them as undertrials in jail.
o Upholding Rule of law and maintaining order also puts the police in a tough situation.
o Emotional Intelligence
o Protection of Human Rights
o Police are expected to use Ethical Means to reach Ethical Ends.
o Political interference and politicization of the police at times obstructs the policing and sometimes puts
the resources of the police to misuse by those in power.
LAW VERSUS ETHICS: BILKIS BANO CASE

● This debate over law versus ethics came to the fore when in the famous Bilkis Bano case, the Gujarat government
released 11 criminals convicted of gang rape and murder, invoking the remission policy.
In the post-Godhara riots, Bilkis Bano, a five months pregnant lady was gang raped by neighbours on March 3, 2002,
after witnessing the murder of 15 members of her family including her three-year-old daughter.
● It is said that in a civilised society, laws should be based on ethical principles. However, in this case, the law was
followed strictly in its literal form, neglecting its spirit and raising concerns about its impact on society's ethics.
● The case of releasing convicts convicted of heinous crimes raised ethical concerns.
Key Terms
Voice of conscience, Conflict of Interest, Bureaucratic Morality, Ethical Dilemmas, Crisis of Conscience,
Accountability, Social Justice, Social Capital, Public Trust, Sarvodaya/Antyodaya, Ethical Literacy, Law, Rule,
Conscience, Guilt Consciousness, Social Maturity, Cultural Evils, Accountability, Responsibility.
1. What do you understand by the term ‘voice of conscience’? How do you prepare yourself to heed 2013
to the voice of conscience?
2. What does ethics seek to promote in human life? Why is it all the more important in Public 2014
Administration?
3. Public servants are likely to confront the issues of “Conflict of Interest”. What do you understand 2015
by the term “Conflict of Interest” and how does it manifest in the decision making by public
servants? If faced with the conflict-of-interest situation how would you resolve it? Explain with the
help of examples.
4. “Max Weber said that it is not wise to apply to public administration the sort of moral and ethical 2016
norms we apply to matters of personal conscience. It is important to realize that the state
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bureaucracy might possess its own independent bureaucratic morality.” Critically analyse this
statement.
5. Conflict of interest in the public sector arises when (a) official duties, (b) public interest, 2017
and (c) personal interest are taking priority one above the other. How can this conflict in
administration be resolved? Describe with an example.
6. Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in Public Administration. 2018
7. What is meant by 'crisis of conscience'? How does it manifest itself in the public domain? 2019
8. What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? Narrate one incident in your life when you were faced 2013
with such a crisis and how you resolved the same.
9. What does ‘accountability’ mean in the context of public service? What measures can be adopted 2014
to ensure individual and collective accountability of public servants?
10. At the international level, bilateral relations between most nations are governed on the policy of 2015
promoting one’s own national interest without any regard for the interest of other nations. This lead
to conflicts and tension between the nations. How can ethical consideration help resolve such
tensions? Discuss with specific examples.
11. Strength, peace and security are considered to be the pillars of international relations. Elucidate. 2017
12. “The will to power exists, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and principles of moral 2020
duty.’ Examine this statement in the context of international relations.
13. Corporate social responsibility makes companies more profitable and sustainable. Analyse. 2017
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CHAPTER 10 PROBITY IN GOVERNANCE

WHAT IS PUBLIC SERVICES
● It implies the delivery of goods and services by the government institutions to the public. It forms the interface
between the citizens and the administration.
● It is seen as amalgamation of legal and moral obligation of the government.
● It includes services such as healthcare, education, maintenance of law and order, public utility etc.
● Availability, affordability and accessibility forms the prime criteria for the success of public service.
PROBITY
● Probity literally means “the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.”
● It is more than avoiding corrupt or dishonest conduct, for it implies values such as impartiality, accountability and
transparency.
● It is regarded as strict adherence to code of ethics.
● In a democracy, probity espouses the principles of equality before law and respect for the rights and duties of leaders
towards their citizens.
PROBITY IN GOVERNANCE
● It is concerned with procedures, processes
and systems rather than outcomes.
● It is essential for an efficient and effective
system of governance and for socio-economic
development.
● Important requisites for ensuring probity in
governance are:
1. Effective laws, rules and regulations.
2. Effective and fair implementation of these
laws.
3. Absence of corruption.
PHILOSOPHICAL BASIS OF GOVERNANCE AND PROBITY

● Indian scriptures like Mahabharata, Ramayana, Arthashastra, Kural, Kadambari, Hitopadesha etc. are replete with
philosophical guidance to ensure probity.
● Chinese philosophers like Confucius, Lao Tse etc have also given maxims on ethical governance.
● Three eminent schools of ethics in Western philosophy are:
1. According to Aristotle, virtues like justice, generosity etc benefit the holder of the virtues as well as the society
to which he belongs.
2. Immanuel Kant makes the concept of duty central to morality. According to him, the knowledge of duty makes
a person respect the other person.
3. The utilitarian viewpoint is based on the greatest happiness of the greatest number.
● The concept of Good Governance as illustrated by the World Bank focuses on ethical and moral conduct of the
administrators.
● According to Max Weber, there should be complete separation between the property of the office and personal
property of the officer.
OBJECTIVE OF PROBITY IN GOVERNANCE

1. To ensure governance accountability.
2. Maintaining the highest level of integrity in government services.
3. To maintain public trust in the government's decision-making process.
4. To avoid the potential for fraud, misconduct and corruption.
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5. It is an essential and vital requirement for an efficient and effective system of governance and for socio-economic
development.
6. It is required to serve the motto of the Constitution. i.e. to provide Social, Political and economic justice to all. It
enhances faith in governance.
7. It helps address nepotism, Favoritism, Political partisanship. Public reposes more trust in governance and therefore it
facilitates participatory governance.
PRIVATE INTEREST
● It includes financial as well as non-financial components.
● It includes not only the personal, professional or business interests of the officer but also that of friends, relatives and
even rivals and enemies.
● It involves actual or potential financial gain or loss.
● It can involve property, shares, unpaid debts, some form of gifts or benefits like job opportunity or employment.
PUBLIC DUTY TO SERVE PUBLIC INTEREST

● A public servant has the responsibility to serve the interest of the entire community.
● The public office should not be used to serve the interest of a particular individual or community or for private gain.
CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH PROBITY IN GOVERNANCE

● Lack of Fair and Effective Implementation of Laws: It is the implementation of the law that tests its effectiveness
in addressing problems on the ground.
● Colonial Legacy: Due to ingrained culture of indiscipline resulting out of colonial legacy of bureaucracy/executive
functioning, those in authority can exercise power in an unchallenged way.
● Historical and Social Asymmetries of Powers in Society: Nearly 90% of the people work in the unorganized sector.
Two thirds of the remaining work in the organized sector and are employees of the state either directly or indirectly.
Such asymmetry of power reduces societal pressure to conform to ethical behavior.
● Culture of Corruption Ingrained in Society: It is so deeply entrenched that corruption is now considered a social
norm. Greed for Illegitimate Money, Over Centralisation is some of the reason for the culture of corruption.
● Lack of Transparency in the Working of Institutions: Due to the opaque working environment in the organization,
it is difficult to maintain probity in the governance of the Institutions.
IMPORTANCE OF CIVIL SERVICES TO GOVERNANCE

● Civil service is the executive branch of the government which excludes the army and the judiciary.
1. Strong binding character and presence throughout the country.
2. Effective policy making and regulation.
3. Coordination between government institutions.
4. Leadership at different levels of governance.
5. Service delivery at the cutting-edge level.
6. Continuity Provides continuity and change to the administration.
7. Implementing social and economic development programs, ensuring law and order etc.
APPROACHES IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF SERVICE DELIVERY
DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
● According to E Weidner, it is an action oriented and goal oriented administrative system. Emphasis is on
government influenced changes, i.e. progressive social, economic and political changes.
● Behavioral parameters for development administration are:
1. Change orientation
2. Result orientation
3. Citizen participatory orientation
4. Commitment to work
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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRADITIONAL PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT

ADMINISTRATION
Traditional Public Administration Development Administration

1. It is status quo oriented. 1. It is change oriented.
2. It is hierarchical and rigid. 2. It is flexible and dynamic.
3. It believes in centralisation. 3. It believes in decentralization.
4. There is not much involvement of people. 4. It stresses on people’s participation
NEW PUBLIC SERVICE

● It was formed in response to social and political turbulence which was observed in the USA during the 1960s, where
traditional public administration was unable to solve the problems.
● The seven broad principles which should be followed by government and administration to improve service
delivery are:
1. Serve citizens, not customers
2. Seek the public interest
3. Value the citizenship over entrepreneurship
4. Think strategically, act democratically
5. Recognise that accountability is not simple
6. Serve rather than steer
7. Value people, not just productivity
NEW PUBLIC MANAGEMENT (NPM)

● The focus of NPM is on 3Es i.e., Efficiency, Economy and Effectiveness.
● Salient Features
1. Thrust is on efficiency, management and performance appraisal.
2. Cost cutting.
3. Contracting out to foster competition.
4. Its management is characterized by output targets, limited term contracts, monetary incentives and freedom to
manage.
ENTREPRENEURIAL GOVERNMENT
● Osborne and Gaebler suggested a ten-point programme for Entrepreneurial government.
● Entrepreneurial Government:
1. Promote competition between diverse providers of goods and services.
2. Empower citizens by shifting control out of bureaucracy.
3. Measure performance through outcomes and not through inputs.
4. Is driven by mission and not by rules and regulations.
5. Redefine clients as customers and offer them choices.
6. Prevent problems rather than curing them.
7. Emphasis is not only on spending money but also spending them.
8. Embraces participatory management.
9. Prefer market mechanisms to bureaucratic mechanisms.
10. Stimulate public, private and voluntary sectors to solve community problems.
SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY

● According to this theory, people surrender some of their rights to a state or authority for protection of remaining
rights.
● The idea of self-government emanates from this concept.
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● Features
o The will and not the might is the basis of government.
o The value of justice or right or might is the basis of all political society.
TRANSPARENCY
● It is the openness of decision-making process and freedom of information to the public and
media.
About ● Resolution 59 of the UN General assembly of 1946 recognised freedom of information as an
integral part of freedom of expression.
● In Kulwal Vs Jaipur Municipal Corporation, the Supreme Court said that without the right
to information, freedom of speech and expression is futile.
● It leads to careful utilization of funds.
● Decision making becomes rational and objective.
● These empower citizens, foster their participation in public affairs, strengthen participatory
Advantages democracy and usher in people centric governance.
● Transparency of information is also seen as significant for motivating citizens to exercise ‘voice
power’. Voice power is defined as the capacity of citizens to pressurize the frontline officials in
ensuring effective delivery of services.
● It develops friendly relations between the public and the administrators.
Institutional Transparency is not just a means to fulfill certain functions but an end in itself.
Means to 1. Parliamentary controls.
Achieve 2. Legislative framework. Example - RTI.
Transparency 3. Ombudsman scheme. Example - Lokpal and Lokayukta
in 4. Independent judiciary
Administration 5. E-Governance
6. Free Press
Official Secrets Act (OSA):
● The presence of abundant discretion converts every legal matter into confidential matter.
● OSA broadly deals with two aspects:
o Spying or Espionage, and
o Disclosure of secret information of the government.
● However, the OSA does not define the secret information, the government follows the Manual
of Departmental Security Instructions, 1994 for classifying a document as secret.
Issues with RTI Act:
Respect to ● It is the law that gives an ordinary citizen the right to ask questions to the government. It is a
Transparency tool of participatory democracy which augments good governance and socio-eco service
in India delivery.
Whistleblower Protection Act:

● The act establishes a mechanism to receive complaints related to disclosure of allegations of
corruption or wilful misuse of power or discretion, against any public servant, and to inquire or
cause an inquiry into such disclosure.
● It allows any person, including a public servant, to make a public interest disclosure before a
Competent Authority, which is yet to be operationalized.
Conclusion ● Therefore, we can say that in a broad sense, Transparency refers not only to the level of
openness, accessibility and reliability of information but also to style of functioning and the
priorities accorded by the government in policy making.
MECHANISM TO ENSURE PROBITY IN INDIA
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RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT
● RTI was passed in 2005 that heralded an era of transparency from darkness of secrecy which
About creates elaborate machinery for the supply of information.
● It consists of Public Information Officers (PIOs), Asst. PIOs, Departmental Appellate
Authorities, State and Central Information Commissions.
● The definition of Public Authorities who are placed under obligation to provide information is
also wide.
● In normal course, information to an applicant is to be supplied within 30 days from the receipt
of application by the public authority.
Time Period o If information sought concerns the life or liberty of a person, it shall be supplied within 48
hours.
o In case the application is sent through the Assistant Public Information Officer or it is sent
to a wrong public authority, five days shall be added to the period of thirty days or 48 hours,
as the case may be.
Appellate ● It caters to the appeals against decisions of the Public Information Officer.
Authority o State Information Commission or the Central Information Commission (CIC): Their major
function is to listen to appeals against the order of the Appellate Authority.
Penalties ● The act contains provisions for penalties on those who fail to publish information in the
prescribed time limit.
1. Section 4 of the RTI Act requires suo motu disclosure of information by each public authority.
2. Section 8 (1) mentions exemptions against furnishing information under RTI Act.
3. Frivolous RTI applications have been filed in many cases and the information obtained have
been used to blackmail the government authorities.
Problems with
4. Incompatible Laws:
Working of the
o Some provisions of Indian Evidence Act (Sections 123, 124, and 162) provide to hold the
Act disclosure of documents.
o The Atomic Energy Act, 1912 provides that it shall be an offense to disclose information
restricted by the Central Government.
o The Official Secrets Act, 1923 provides that any government official can mark a document
as confidential so as to prevent its publication.
5. Huge pendency of cases: more than 2.2 lakh cases are pending at the Central and State
Information Commissions, which are the final courts of appeal under the law.
Following amendments have been made in the RTI ACT:
● Term:
Recent RTI o Earlier: The Chief Information Commissioner and other Information Commissioners was
set at five years or until they attain the age of 65 years.
Amendment
o Now: The Central government will have power to notify the term. It has been notified for
three years.
● Salary:
o Earlier: The salary of Chief Information Commissioner was equivalent to that of Chief
Election Commissioner and the salaries of other election commissioners was equivalent to
that of Election Commissioner.
o Now: The salaries and allowances will be determined by the Central government.
● Appointment:
o Earlier: The appointment was made by a three-member committee composed of the Prime
Minister, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a minister appointed by the Prime
Minister. Similar provision was there at the state level.
o Now: These powers have been delegated to the Central government.
● The Supreme Court adopted the RTI-friendly rules of the central government for itself. But
several high courts framed unfriendly rules, making it almost impossible to get any information.
● The Supreme Court ruled that no information about a government employee could be disclosed
unless the information seeker could prove that it was in public interest.
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● In the Subhash Agarwal Case, The Supreme Court declared the office of the Chief Justice
of India as a public authority under the RTI Act.
RTI and the o On the issue related to the appointment of judges, the Supreme Court held that only the
Judiciary names of the judges recommended by the Collegium for appointment can be disclosed, not
the reasons.
o RTI cannot be used as a tool of surveillance and that judicial independence has to be kept in
mind while dealing with transparency.
● Except for political strategy, other matters relating to finance and administration can be made
available to the public because political parties are public institutions, receiving money from the
RTI and public.
Political Parties ● Further, it is morally incorrect to remain aloof from RTI and demand other institutions to be
transparent.
• The act improved the life of the poor and the marginalized.
• The details of beneficiaries of government subsidized programmes were made public, which
Impact of the
helped in checking corrupt practices.
Act
• It has helped in exposing some of the biggest scams like the Adarsh Society scam,
Commonwealth games scam.
● Specific responsibilities for implementation of specific provisions should be clearly spelt out.
● Creation of mass awareness campaign at Central and state levels.
Way Ahead
● Training modules on RTI should be incorporated in the training institutes.
● Consensus on a common set of minimum rules for filing RTI from one state to another should
be developed.
Attendance of Village School Teacher in Banda District (UP), Volunteers from Delhi based
organizations like Kabir and Parivartan along with local workers filed RTI for attendance record of
Case Studies teachers. This resulted in quick action from the administration and regular teaching began in the
school.
WHISTLE BLOWING
● It is done by an employee where he finds that ethical rules are broken knowingly or unknowingly and there exists an
imminent danger to the company, consumers or the public.
● Whistleblowers are the best source of information on malpractices in any organization either public or private.
Arguments Against Whistle Blowing Arguments in Support of Whistle Blowing
● Violation of Organizational Culture: where ● Fosters Accountability: Which strengthens the
secrecy is maintained for several reasons. organization in the long run.
● Breakdown of Trust: Between the employer and ● Ethical: As it is for the greater good of the company,
the employee. consumers or the public.
● Unethical: If it is done solely to grab the attention. ● Moral Commitment: It is done for the moral
● Endanger the Existence of Organization or commitment to the law and society at large.
Institution: For Example- if sensitive data is ● Exposes Corruption : It also highlights the
leaked, it can cause threat to national security. corruptions and wrong doings.
CODE OF ETHICS
● It is a written set of guidelines issued by an organization to its employees to guide their conduct.
It contains general principles and values that the organization tries to achieve.
About
● There is no code of ethics prescribed for civil servants in India.
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● Generally, it Includes Values Such as:

o Integrity
o Impartiality
o Commitment to public service.
o Accountability.
o Devotion to duty.
o Exemplary behavior.
Three main purposes that the codes of ethics serve, which are as following:
(a) Codes assure people outside the profession or organization that they can expect a degree of
uniformity as relates to expectation of performance and moral conduct from employees of the
Purpose of profession or organization.
Code of Ethics (b) Codes assure individuals within the organization or profession that they can rely upon
and Conduct colleagues within the organization and profession to maintain a level of standards in exchange
for that individual conducting himself in adherence to the same principles upon which the others
are held.
(c) Codes serve as a notice that people outside of the organization or profession are not bound
by the code and, perhaps may be seen as adhering to lower standards pertaining to ethics.
Limitations of ● Code of Ethics may generate several limitations, some of which are as following;
Code of Ethics a. A code of ethics cannot provide guidance for every individual in every situation.
b. Ethical code through guidelines helps ensure public trust but cannot be enforced through
criminal or civil code.
c. Limited to the imagination of individuals.
d. Public service is a profession that must be governed by an inherent set of rules that do not
come from reading a specific code.
CODES OF CONDUCT
● It is a set of rules outlining expected behavior from members of the organization.
● In India, the Central government has issued conduct rules for government employees known as Central Civil Service
Conduct rules, 1964.
● Some of the Rules are:
1. Using the Best Judgment: Civil servants should act independently according to the rules and unmindful of any
external influences.
2. Written Orders: oral orders should be followed by written orders.
3. Integrity and Devotion: a civil servant should not only refuse bribes but also display intellectual honesty.
Devotion implies completing the work in prescribed time limits within expected quality limits.
4. Bar on Influence Peddling: rules prohibit civil servants from using their influence to secure jobs for their
family members.
5. Financial Propriety: civil servants are not allowed to organize subscriptions or donations. They are expected
to arrange their private finances prudently.
6. Observing social laws and cultural norms: For example, they should neither accept nor offer dowry.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CODE OF ETHICS AND CODE OF CONDUCT
Code of Ethics Code of Conduct

1. It covers broad guiding principles of good behavior 1. It is more precise and stipulates a list of acceptable and
and governance. unacceptable behaviors.
2. It is expected to be followed. 2. It is mandatory.
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3. It is generally applicable to culture, education, or 3. It is generally applicable to an individual's official or

religion. professional conduct.
4. It is a set of principles which influence judgment. 4. Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines that influence
5. Generally, Ethical standards are non-specific and employee’s actions.
are designed to provide a set of values or decision 5. Conduct standards generally provide a fairly set of
making. expectations about which actions are required,
6. It enables employees to make independent acceptable or prohibited.
judgements about the most appropriate course of 6. It enables employees to work in compliance with rules
action. and actions are guided by the codes.
SECOND ARC SUGGESTIONS ON ENSURING ETHICAL CONDUCT

● The Second Administrative Commission report (ARC) has suggested the following:
1. Partial state funding of elections.
2. Tightening of anti-defection law.
3. Tightening the provision of Prevention of Corruption Act.
4. Making corrupt public servants liable for paying damages.
5. Confiscation of illegally acquired property.
6. Speedy trials.
7. Creation of Lokpal at national, state and local level.
8. Deletion of Article 311 so that quick actions can be taken against delinquent public servants.
9. There should be measures to protect honest civil servants.
CITIZEN’S CHARTER
● It is an undertaking by a public institution to provide a certain level of service to its customers. It is the means of
solving day to day problems which citizens experience.
● It places the citizens at the center of administration instead of treating him as passive recipient
Principles of Citizen’s Charter Significance of Citizen’s Charter

1. Wide publicity on the standards of performance of 1. Citizens now have a clear understanding of service
public agencies. delivery standards which has helped in ensuring
2. Assured quality of services. accountability.
3. Access to information along with courtesy and 2. It has minimized the opportunities for corruption.
helpful attitude. 3. It makes the citizens aware of the intent of service
4. Choice of and consultation with citizens. providers.
5. Simplified procedures for receipt of complaints and 4. It incorporates citizen’s feedback in improving service
their quick redressal. delivery.
6. Provision of performance scrutiny with citizen’s 5. It ensures better service quality grievance redressal
involvement. mechanism.
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Challenges with Citizen Charter

● Lack of legal status which makes it toothless.
● Lack of awareness among the citizens.
● Limitation of resources particularly at the local level affects supply side.
● All the characters under the parent organization remain the same which overlooks the local issues.
● Lack of flexibility to change as per the evolving needs of the society.
● Issues with the standards delivered in absence of criteria to measure standards.
Way Ahead:
• Sevottam Model of Service Delivery: it is based on three factors viz., implementation of citizen’s charter,
implementation of grievance redressal system and service delivery capability.
• Updating Citizen Charter: with the changing times and Scenarios.
• Seven Step Model for Citizen Centricity: which has been suggested by second ARC. It creates a database on
consumer’s grievance and redressal, educates the public, considers the needs of the senior citizens and the disabled
while framing the charter.
WORK CULTURE
● It is regarded as a set of practices, values and shared beliefs within an organization and in its employees. It decides
the way employees interact with each other and how the organization functions.
● It is the product of the organization’s history, traditions, values and vision.
Characteristics of Healthy Work Culture:
1. There is respect for fellow workers.
2. Conflicts are minimum and are resolved after considering the underlying cause.
3. Impartiality in treatment of employees.
4. An employee is judged only by his work and nothing else.
5. Employee’s participation in the decision making process is improved.
6. Existing skills of the employees are enhanced through workshops, seminars etc.
WORK ETHICS
● It is the commitment to fulfill the official responsibilities with dedication, involvement and sincerity. It implies that
work is appreciated and not taken as a burden.
Characteristics of Ethical Work
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1. Values: like the blood nourishes the body, values nourish the organization.
2. Effective leadership: leaders set the tone that permeates the organization’s culture.
3. Balancing of stakeholders: so that mutual tension is resolved.
4. Integrity of process- where all the processes of the organization are aligned with its values, like recruiting, hiring,
promoting, marketing, sales etc.
5. Long term perspective- where the leadership is dedicated to strategic planning for the long term.
SERVICE DELIVERY
● Public Service Delivery is the most important aspect of good governance as it touches the lives of millions of people.
Through better public service delivery inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development can be achieved.
● It helps in achieving equity based governance as enshrined in our preamble.
Challenges:
1. E-Governance Index : India has been ranked 100th in the UN E-government survey 2020.
2. Focus on Service Providers: For years convenience of service providers and not the service receivers has been the
primary focus.
3. Complex Regulations: It has been marred with complex regulations, complicated forms, lack of information,
absence of performance standards, lack of accountability, corruption, incompetence etc.
4. Inefficiencies: At the grassroot or cutting-edge level.
Suggestions for Improvement:
● Treating people as participants and not as beneficiaries and giving them choices.
● Providing service with specified standards such as one-stop service, single window, automated service delivery etc.
● Creating a stable and conducive environment for the public servants to deliver results based on clarity of vision,
mission and objectives.
● Ensuring value for money and cost-effectiveness in service delivery.
● Promoting decentralization and strengthening rural and urban local bodies as grass root levels of self-institutions.
CORRUPTION
“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely”-Lord Acton
● It is the use of one’s position, status or resources directly or indirectly for personal benefits.
● It can be material gain or non-material like enhancement of power or prestige beyond what is legitimate for him.
● As per 2nd ARC report, there are two facets to corruption:
o The institution which is highly corrupt;
o Individuals who are highly corrupt.
● There is a need to work on public profiteering and also value to be attributed to the services rendered by officers.
Interlocking accountability is a process by which evaluation could be done easily and accountability ensured.
Types of Corruption:
Coercive Corruption Collusive Corruption
● Here the citizen is compelled to pay a bribe in ● There is collusion between the bribe giver and the
order to get the service. public servant.
● Citizens end up losing much more when they try ● Both of them benefit at the cost of society.
to resist corruption. ● For example, in awarding contracts for public works
● It can be in the form like delays, harassment, lost and procurement of goods & services, recruitment of
opportunity, loss or precious time and wages, employees etc.
and at times even potential danger of loss of life
or limb.
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Challenges Posed by Corruption:

● People benefitting from corruption try to maintain the status quo and resist any reform.
● Corruption discourages capital inflows and FDIs.
● It lowers productivity and reduces effectiveness of industrial policies.
● Countries with higher corruption have lower social investments like education, healthcare etc.
● It leads to inequality among the masses. The recent Oxfam’s report on inequality points towards this.
● Undermines ease of doing business
● Corruption in the public services sector carries high risks for conducting good businesses. Companies are likely to
receive unwanted red tapes, petty corruption, bribes for finalizing any procedures or deals.
● Corruption leads to the loss of legitimacy of the political systems and gives free hand to non-state actors. Example-
Left-wing extremism
Causes of Corruption:
● Santhanam committee identified the following causes of corruption in India:
o Government taking upon itself more than what it could manage by means of regulatory functions.
o Scope of discretion in the exercise of powers vested in the various categories of government servants.
o Cumbersome procedures in dealing with various matters in dealing with the public which were of importance
to citizens in their day-to-day life.
● Other Reasons:
o The Weak Legal Framework for Punitive Action: Because of ill-defined policies, weak regulatory
frameworks and large indiscretion among ministers and high public officials.
o Political Corruption: Due to the vast geographical area of a constituency, with more than two million voters in
many cases, a candidate has to spend huge money to contest the elections.
o Over-Regulation: combined with a weak state fosters corruption.
o Bureaucratic Red-Tapism and Abetting Corruption: This has been highlighted suitably by Robert Merton
as, “When the rule becomes more important than the game itself”.
o Rise of the Elites and the Post Liberalization Corruption: The mega corruption thrives because of a nexus
between big business, politician and bureaucrat as highlighted by Transparency International.
● Ways to Tackle Corruption:
o Strict Adherence of Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics: The code of conduct established for various
officials needs to be backed by a Code of ethics which needs to be imbibed internally by the officials. This will
ensure that there will be no need to coerce public officials to show ethical behavior.
o Effective Implementation of Institutional Measures: Strict and evolved implementation of the accountability
mechanisms be it effective laws, mechanisms, procedures and tools in accordance with the changing dynamics
of the requirements of the society is crucial.
o Use of Technology: Use of e-governance and ICT tools to build dynamic and continuous exchanges between
key stakeholders ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.
o Act Globally and Locally: Corruption is a global problem that requires global solutions. Keep citizens engaged
in corruption at local, national, international and global levels – in line with the scale and scope of corruption.
o Power of the People: Citizens also need to undergo attitudinal change and must refrain from bribing officials
through ‘speed money’ to get their work done faster.
Conclusion:
● If corruption levels in India are reduced to those in Scandinavian countries, GDP would increase by 1.5% and
investment would increase by 12%. If all overseas black money is brought back, India can pay back its debt.
CORRUPTION LAWS IN INDIA
INDIAN PENAL CODE, 1860

● Section 169 has provision for up to two years of imprisonment with fine for unlawfully buying or bidding property.
● A provision of prior sanction from the state or the Central government is required in order to prosecute a public
servant.
THE BENAMI TRANSACTIONS (PROHIBITION) ACT, 1988
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● It prohibits benami transactions (property in the false name of the other person who does not pay for it) except when
it is purchased in the wife's or unmarried daughter’s name.
● The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016
o Imprisonment has been extended up to seven years with fine.
o Furnishing false information is punishable by five years of imprisonment and fine.
o Initiating Officer may pass an order to continue holding property and may then refer the case to Adjudicating
Authority which will then examine evidence and pass an order.
o The Appellate Tribunal will hear appeals against orders of the Adjudicating Authority.
o The High Court can hear appeals against orders of the Appellate Tribunal.
PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT,1988

● It provides for penalties in relation to corruption by public servants and also for those who are involved in the
abetment of an act of corruption.
● Amendment of 2018 criminalized both bribe-taking by public servants as well as bribe giving by any person.
● Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002
● Money Laundering is the process of making money earned through illegitimate sources appear as legitimate.
● The act empowers the Enforcement Directorate to conduct money laundering investigations.
● It has provisions for rigorous imprisonment along with fines.
● Banking companies and financial intermediaries are obliged under the act to maintain record of financial transactions
of specified nature and value.
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013

● It provides for corporate governance and prevention of corruption and fraud in the corporate sector.
● The term 'fraud' has been given a broad definition and is a criminal offense under the Companies Act.
● In cases involving fraud specifically, the Serious Frauds Investigation Office (SFIO) has been set up under the
Ministry of Corporate Affairs, which is responsible for dealing with white collar crimes and offenses in companies.
● The SFIO conducts investigation under the provisions of the Companies Act.
INSTITUTIONS FOR DEALING WITH CORRUPTION
LOKPAL AND LOKAYUKTA

● Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 provided for the establishment of Lokpal at the Union level and Lokayukta at
the state level.
● They inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries.
● Jurisdiction of Lokpal includes the Prime Minister, Ministers, MPs, Group A, b, C and D officers and officials of the
Central government.
● It has powers of confiscation of assets or other benefits acquired through corrupt means.
Issues With Lokpal:
● Complete Exclusion of Judiciary: Which hampers the prospects of making judiciary accountable.
● No Full Authority to Investigate the Prime Minister: The act prohibits inquiry against the PM in certain cases
like atomic energy etc.
● Not Much Protection to Whistle-Blowers: Which acts as an impediment in drives against corruption.
● Delay in Appointment of Lokpal: For years appointment of Lokpal was delayed over technical issues.
CHIEF VIGILANCE COMMISSION

● The Central Vigilance Commission is the apex vigilance institution.
● The CVC was set up by the Government in 1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of
Corruption, headed by K. Santhanam.
● The CVC is independent of any Ministry or Department that is only accountable to Parliament.
● Following institutions, bodies, or a person can approach to CVC:
o Central government
o Lokpal
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o Whistle blowers
● It is empowered to inquire into offenses alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act,
1988 by certain categories of public servants.
● Its annual report gives the details of the work done by the commission and points to systemic failures which lead to
corruption in government departments.
Limitations
● It is treated as an advisory body with no power to register criminal cases.
● It lacks resources and powers to take action on cases of corruption.
CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

● The CBI was formed as the Special Police Establishment in 1941, to investigate cases of corruption in the
procurement during World War II.
● The CBI was formed by a resolution of the Home Affairs Ministry on the recommendations of Santhanam
Committee.
● Its important role is to prevent corruption and maintain integrity in administration. It works under the supervision of
the CVC.
● It investigates cases connected to infringement of economic and fiscal laws at the request of the department concerned
or in consultation with the concerned department.
● It investigates crimes of a serious nature, that have national and international ramifications, and committed by
professional criminals or organized gangs.
● It coordinates the activities of the various state police forces and anti-corruption agencies.
● It maintains crime statistics and disseminates criminal information.
● The CBI is India’s representative for correspondence with the INTERPOL.
Issues
● Lack of Independence- CBI is dependent on the home ministry for the staff.
● Political Interference- CBI has been termed as a caged parrot by the Supreme Court due to excessive interference
by the government.
● Dependence on the State Government: CBI needs consent of the state in question before starting the investigation.
Recently state of West Bengal withdrew the general consent given to the CBI
● Lack of Accountability: As CBI is outside the ambit of RTI.
● Prior Consent: Central government is required to start an investigation on officers of the level of Joint secretary and
above
HOW TO BRING PROBITY IN GOVERNANCE?

1. Bringing accountability and transparency in governance through RTI and digitizing the process.
2. Strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions as platform for citizen’s participation.
3. Making grievance redressal mandatory.
4. Bringing public participation in service delivery through PPP model.
5. Privatization of certain sectors where private firms have proven efficiency.
6. Imparting values-based training to officials.
7. Electoral reforms and strict adherence to guidelines and rules.
8. Strengthening of the ombudsman system for independent scrutiny.
9. Effective implementation of Citizen Charter.
10. Removing human to human contact with e-governance
11. Regularizing social audit.
E-GOVERNANCE
● It is the application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to the process of government
functioning to achieve simple, accountable, speedy, responsive and transparent governance.
● It represents a journey from passive information giving to active citizen’s involvement.
Why e-Governance?
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● ICT applications impact upon the structures of public administration systems. Technological advancements
facilitate the administrative systems by enabling:
1. Administrative Development; and
2. Effective Service Delivery
● Administrative Development: ICTs can be used and are being used now to give further impetus to the process.
They help in the following manners:
○ Automation of Administrative Processes
○ Paperwork Reduction
○ Improving quality of Services
○ Change in Administrative Culture by introducing transparency, accountability etc.
○ Elimination of Hierarchy
● Effective Service Delivery: ICTs play an important role in effectively delivering services to the people. ICTs ensure:
1. Transparency
2. Economic Development
3. Strategic Information System ie; making available all the aspects of information to the management.
4. Social Development
ISSUES WITH E-GOVERNANCE
Economic Social Technical

● Cost: It is one of the ● Digital Divide: It can ● Privacy: With citizens trusting their confidential
important factors occur between the information to the government, their privacy has to
which acts as a populations who have be protected from getting into the hands of third
hindrance in digital access to the digital parties who may misuse it.
access. facilities and those who ● Tampering of E-Governance System: As soon as
● Fraudulent lack it. the system is compromised and privileges are
Transactions: ● Resistance to Change: raised, the classified information of the E-
Government has to Among some groups of Governance mechanism becomes very much
ensure that citizens, government susceptible to illegal adjustments.
fraudulent employees and public ● Interoperability: A major design issue for
transactions don’t policy administrators integrated service delivery sites is how to capture
take place and at the can lead to laggards. data in a Web-based form and transfer it to an
same time the burden ● Management of agency’s systems for processing and sharing that
of excessive checks Change: The delivery information in a common format.
has to be avoided. of Government services ● Repudiation: Even the attacker can mount a
● Funding: It is the through the electronic refutation attack during the E-Governance
foremost issue in e- media including EDI, transaction, which is the ability of the user to reject
Governance Internet and other IT its performed transaction.
initiatives. The based technologies ● Disclosure of E-Governance Information: In case
projects that are part would necessitate of the compromised E-Governance system, the
of the e-governance procedural and legal undesirable information disclosure can take place
initiatives need to be changes in the decision very easily.
funded either and delivery making ● Denial of Service: In this technique, an attacker can
through the processes. It demands perform a Denial of Service (DoS) attack by flooding
Government sector or fundamental changes the E-Governance server with a request to consume
through the private such as employees need all of its resources so as to crash down the
sector. to be delegated more mechanism.
authority; De- layering ● Cyber Crimes: Advancement of science and
of the decision-making technology increases the rate of cybercrime. It is a
levels leads to re- threat to the transactions accomplished between
engineering and the Government and its Citizenry within the E-
appropriate sizing of Governance methodology.
the decision-making
machinery.
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EXAMPLE OF E-GOVERNANCE INITIATIVE IN INDIA:

● Digital India Initiatives: which is an umbrella program to prepare India for a knowledge-based transformation.
Some of the initiatives under the given initiatives are:
○ Agriculture: e-NAM- to link pan India agri-mandis digitally
○ Women: Naari portal for the empowerment of women
○ Child: Pencil for eliminating child labour
○ Science and Technology: Kiran for promoting women in science
○ Public: RTI
○ Election: SVEEP app for educating voters to participate in elections
○ Internet: NFON to trigger broadband revolution in rural areas
○ Mobile Seva: It provides government services to the people through mobile phones and tabs.
Conclusion:
● Probity in governance is an essential and vital requirement for an efficient and effective system of governance and
for socio-economic development. An important requisite for ensuring probity in governance is absence of corruption
and dealing with corruption is not limited to governance structure, but it pertains to every stakeholder involved in and
out of the system.
MEDIA ETHICS
● The Press Council of India, along with similar organisations around the world, has the responsibility of promoting
media standards by creating a code of conduct for it. It is commendable that our legislators refrained from entrusting
the council with the responsibility of "laying down" a code of behaviour.
Ethical Significance:
● A crucial element of democracy is freedom of the press. Public opinion is gathered and shaped by it. Parliamentary
democracy can only thrive under media scrutiny.
● The press's obligation to defend the interests of the people and the country has increased tremendously at a time when
the Indian economy is becoming more globally integrated, the media environment is drastically altering, and the
Indian press is also going international.
● The media of today has gained popularity in society and Governance has outgrown its role as the Fourth Estate..
● These standards include making sure that the news is accurate, using restrained and socially acceptable language to
ensure objectivity and fairness in reporting, and considering how the news will affect society, people, and institutions.
● Freedom of expression must be regulated and limited by society obligations and ethical standards even if it is
undeniably a fundamental right.
● Fundamentally, journalistic ethics are the voluntary self-control that journalists must exercise in order to protect and
advance the public's trust, uphold their own credibility, and avoid betraying the public's trust.
● Integrity and fairness; obligation to consult the subject of any critical reporting before publishing; obligation to correct
factual errors; obligation not to alter or misrepresent photographs.
Conclusion:
● The renowned journalist Mahatma Gandhi famously observed, "The only goal of journalism should be service. The
newspaper press is a powerful force, but just as an unchecked flood submerges the entire countryside and destroys
crops, so does an unchecked pen only serve to damage. The evidence is stronger if the control is external.
CORRUPTION AND CIVIL SERVICES IN INDIA
● Politicization of the Public Service: Opportunities for high degrees of corruption dramatically
rise when public service positions are given in exchange for political support or bartered for
What Causes bribes.
the High Level ● Lower Wages Than the Private Sector: Civil servants now receive lower pay than those
of Corruption employed in the private sector.
in the Civil ● Administrative Delays: The primary source of corruption is a delay in the clearing of files.
Service? ● Colonial Legacy of Unchallenged Authority: In a culture that exalts power, it is simple for
public servants to stray from moral behaviour.
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● Weak Law Enforcement: Several laws have been passed to combat the evil of corruption, but
their lax enforcement has made it difficult to do so.
● On Individuals and Public Life:
○ Judiciary corruption results in insufficient justice. And the offended parties might endure
consequences.
○ Due to a lack of evidence or even evidence that has been destroyed, a crime may be proved
with the benefit of the doubt.
○ The inquiry process has been ongoing for decades as a result of police corruption.
● Regard for Officials in Society:
What Effects ○ The people have less esteem for national leaders like the president or prime minister. The
Might main standard in social interactions is respect.
Corruption ○ People vote in elections because they respect the candidate and hope that the winner will
Have? raise their standard of living.
○ People will lose respect for politicians if they are corrupt, and they won't want to vote for
them if they are aware of this.
● Regarding the Economy:
○ A government official who must approve clearances for projects or industries delays the
procedure in order to profit financially and receive other illegal benefits.
○ Investments are delayed as a result, and industries take longer to launch and flourish.
○ Companies are reluctant to establish themselves in areas without good access to electricity,
water, and roads, which impedes the region's economic development.
● Civil Service Board: The government can reduce undue political interference by establishing
the Civil Service Board.
● Simplifying Disciplinary procedure: It is possible to prevent dishonest civil officials from
holding sensitive positions by streamlining the disciplinary procedure and stepping up
preventive vigilance inside the departments.
● Stress Value-Based Training: To preserve integrity in public life, it is crucial to stress value-
Way Ahead
based training to all government officials.
● Code of Ethics for civil officials: Based on the recommendations of the 2nd Administrative
Reforms Commission (ARC), a thorough Code of Ethics for civil officials was demanded and
should be a fundamental component of all training programmes.
● Reduce delays : In light of the significance of "good institutions" for "good governance," it
is necessary to re-engineer our institutions and streamline the procedures in order to reduce
delays and guarantee timely service delivery.
DARK PATTERN
● Dark Patterns are immoral UI/UX (user interface/user experience) interactions that are intended to deceive or fool
users into doing something against their will.
● Digital platforms violate users' rights to complete disclosure of the services they use and control over their browsing
experience by employing "dark patterns."
Ethical Concerns Associated with Dark Patterns:
● To their advantage, social networking businesses and large technology companies like Apple, Amazon, Skype,
Facebook, LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Google use sneaky or dubious techniques to degrade the user experience.
● Pop-up ads from Google-owned YouTube push users to join up for YouTube Premium while covering a video's last
few seconds with thumbnails from other videos.
● Users are harmed by dark patterns because they compromise their online experience and leave them more open to
financial and data theft by Big Tech companies.
● Dark patterns trick consumers, present online barriers, lengthen the completion of routine tasks, get them to sign up
for undesirable services or products, and coerce them into paying more money or disclosing more personal
information than they had originally meant.
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Way Ahead
● Dark and misleading patterns are not limited to cellphones and laptops.
● Internet users can select more user-friendly platforms that will respect their right to choice and privacy if they are
able to spot and distinguish dark trends in their daily life.
BALANCING DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

● The main causes of climate change and its consequences are changes caused by humans and the exploitation of
the natural world for economic gain.
● This is a result of the underlying assumption that while environmental regulations have been perceived as limiting
economic prosperity, development policies really encourage it.
● Therefore, it is necessary to strike a balance between economic development and environmental protection in order
to achieve sustainable development.
BALANCING DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION :
Developmental Factors Affecting the Sustainability Way Forward

of the Environment
● One of the main causes of preventable deaths Agenda 21, the UNCED's blueprint for sustainable
from natural disasters is the disregard for development, places a strong premium on the adoption
environmental standards. of "win-win" policies that take advantage of the
● Any effort to determine a region's risk from synergy between environmental protection, economic
natural disasters scientifically is hardly ever efficiency, and poverty reduction. The following
made in the correct spirit. actions can be taken to put this vision into action:
● Unrestricted quarrying and the haphazard ● Economic policies that are prudent may aid in
cutting of hills from slopes raise the danger of achieving environmental sustainability. Examples
landslides by escalating the likelihood of soil include the rationalization of price subsidies, the
erosion. clarity of property rights, and the facilitation of
● The connections between underdevelopment technology transfer.
and environmental degradation often get worse ● By rationalizing subsidies, you can save money,
as the population grows. increase productivity, and considerably reduce
● Additionally, poverty creates strong motivations pollution.
for having big families and encourages migration, ● Indigenous knowledge and understanding of big
which renders urban places unsustainable from ecosystems can be useful to regions and nations.
an environmental standpoint. ● The importance of integrating biodiversity issues
into global decision-making is highlighted by the
relationship between biodiversity and
environmental sustainability.
Conclusion
● Humanity's main goal and greatest struggle continue to be development. However, poverty, starvation, and
environmental degradation still exist on a worldwide scale despite the unheard-of economic and social development
made over the past century. Therefore, development objectives must be accomplished without violating
environmental laws.
ETHICS OF GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

● The economy and social order are supported invisibly by a good governance model. It is time for the world to
transition from its outdated models of governance to Governance 4.0, which was put forth at the World Economic
Forum's Davos Summit and focuses more on inclusive, long-term strategic thinking.
Significance of Ethical Global Governance
● Strategies for Long-Term Strategic Planning in Governance 4.0: Long-term strategic thinking must replace the
current short-term management under Governance 4.0.
● Environmental Aspect : Actions to combat climate change, stop biodiversity loss and environmental damage
brought on by human activity, and handle related issues like forced migration must be combined with a focus on
issues like the pandemic, socio economic crises, and people's mental health.
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● Companies to Assume Responsibilities: The previous top-down strategy and tunnel vision will be replaced with the
new model. The duties of each stakeholder in society must shift in the complicated, linked, and discontinuous
environment we live in.
● Changing Priorities: It is time to stop emphasizing a limited understanding of economics and short-term financial
concerns. Any new system of governance must instead be based on the premise that society and nature come first.
● New Leaders: Business executives that support environmental, social, and governance metrics as well as some
political leaders are among the many leaders eager to usher in a new era of governance.
○ Such trailblazing leaders who advocate for specific action to combat climate change and address social injustice
should be commended for acting outside of their narrow interests.
○ Today's best indicators of responsive and accountable governance assess how much a leader accepts stakeholder
duty over shareholder responsibility.
● Thus, It will be necessary for leaders to embrace a new, inclusive governance paradigm in order to address
global issues.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
● Corporate governance is the set of laws, customs, and procedures that regulate and control an organization, and is
essential to ensuring that enterprises are operated morally and in the best interests of their stakeholders.
Corporate Governance Principles
● Fairness: The board of directors is required to treat all stakeholders fairly and equally, including shareholders,
employees, vendors, and communities.
● Transparency: The board should notify shareholders and other stakeholders in a timely, accurate, and understandable
manner on issues like financial performance, conflicts of interest, and hazards.
● Risk Management: The board and management must identify all potential hazards and decide how to most
effectively control them.
● Responsibility: The board is in charge of regulating business operations and management decisions.
● Accountability: The board is responsible for evaluating a firm's capability, potential, and performance along with
the company leadership.
Ethical Issues Associated with the Corporate Governance:
● Separation of Ownership and Management: In family-run businesses, the division of ownership and management
continues to be a major obstacle for the majority of businesses, including some of the top ones in India.
● Conflict of Interest: The issue of managers potentially benefiting themselves at the expense of shareholders.
● Weak Board: There have been concerns regarding the board's ability to act in the shareholders' overall best interests.
● Independent Directors: Independent directors lack the ability to check the unscrupulous behavior of promoters since
they are partisan.
How Can Corporate Governance Be Improved in India?
● Better Boards have More Diversity: 'Diverse' in this sense refers to a wide range of characteristics, including
gender, ethnicity, aptitude, and experience.
● Effective and Rigorous Risk Management Policies: It should be adopted in order to improve decision-making and
get a deeper understanding of the risk-reward trade-offs that all corporations must make.
● Specialized Rules of the Organisation: An organization's board must have in place particular rules to direct
organizational behavior because it is ultimately responsible for all actions and decisions made by the company.
● Evaluation of the Board's Performance: By resolving the issues raised by board evaluations, boards should
strengthen their governance procedures.
● Facilitating Communication Between Shareholders and the Board: A contact person must be made available so
that shareholders can talk to them about any issue.
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KEY TERMS
Key Terms
Impartiality, Accountability and Transparency, Good Governance, Nepotism, Favoritism, Political Partisanship,
Participatory Governance, Colonial Legacy, Culture of Corruption, Service delivery, Effective policy making, Behavioral
parameters for development administration, Traditional Public Administration, Development Administration, 3Es i.e.,
Efficiency, Economy and Effectiveness, Entrepreneurial Government, Voice power, RTI, Lokpal and Lokayukta,
Official Secrets Act (OSA), Whistleblower Protection Act, Indian Evidence Act, Violation of Organizational Culture,
Moral Commitment, Integrity and Devotion, Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics, Citizen’s Charter, Coercive Corruption
and Collusive Corruption, e-Governance.
Previous Years Questions Year

1. Write a note on “Probity in public life”. 2022
2. What do you understand about the term ‘good governance’? How far have recent initiatives in terms of 2022
e-Governance steps taken by the State have helped the beneficiaries? Discuss with suitable examples.
3. There is a view that the official secrets act is an obstacle to the implementation of the Rights to 2019
Information act. Do you agree with this view? Discuss.
4. Explain the basic principles of citizens’ charter movement and bring out its importance. 2019
5. “The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’ empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the 2018
concept of accountability. Discuss.
6. Discipline generally implies following the order and subordination. However, it may be counter- 2017
productive for the organization.
7. Today we find that in spite of various measures like prescribing codes of conduct, setting up vigilance 2015
cells/commissions, RTI, active media and strengthening of legal mechanisms, corrupt practices are not
coming under control. A) Evaluate the effectiveness of these measures with justifications. B) Suggest
more effective strategies to tackle this menace.
8. Some recent developments such as introduction of RTI Act, media and judicial activism, etc., are proving 2015
helpful in bringing about greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of the government.
However, it is also being observed that at times the mechanisms are misused. Another negative effect is
that the officers are now afraid to make prompt decisions. Analyze this situation in detail and suggest
how this dichotomy can be resolved. Suggest how these negative impacts can be minimized.
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CHAPTER 11 CURRENT AFFAIRS FROM ETHICAL POINT

OF VIEW
RUSSIAN WAR AND COGNITIVE DISSONANCE OF DURING COVID -19 TREATMENT
Context
● People of Russia – Whether to support their country or lean towards humanism.
● Covid-19 treatment and medical Experts.
WHAT IS COGNITIVE DISSONANCE?

● It is Mental conflict or discomfort which occurs when a person holds conflicting beliefs or when actions contradict
their beliefs.
● Cognitive dissonance is a sense of internal anxiety that is experienced when a person holds two inconsistent
cognitions.
● In other words, Cognitive dissonance is when your behaviour is in contradiction to your belief system.
Examples
● People believe that drinking and smoking are injurious to health.
Still, they drink and smoke.
● Russian people have been facing Cognitive Dissonance whether to
support their country in these testing times or lean towards humanism
for understanding the plight of the Ukrainian people.
● Eating meat while also thinking of themselves as an animal lover who
dislikes the thought of killing animals.
● Purchasing a new car that is not fuel efficient, despite being
environmentally conscious.
● Telling a lie despite the person thinking of themselves as honest.
Causes
● Forced Compliance Behaviour: Sometimes one might find oneself
engaging in behaviour that is opposed to one's own beliefs due to
external expectations. This might involve going along with
something due to peer pressure, prior commitments or as one’s duty
● Making Decision: When faced with choices which involve conflicting beliefs, people often are left with feelings of
dissonance.
● Gaining New Information: Sometimes learning new
information can lead to feeling of cognitive dissonance. For
example, if you engage in a behaviour that you later learn is
harmful, it can lead to feelings of discomfort.
● Effort: Putting a great effort in achieving something, later
realise that the accomplishment was not really that special, then
it can cause serious cognitive dissonance.
● Change the Conflicting Action or Behaviour
● Reduce the Significance of the Conflicting Belief
SIGNS OF COGNITIVE DISSONANCE

● Feeling uncomfortable before doing something or making a
decision.
● Trying to justify or rationalise a decision that you've made or
an action you have taken
● Feeling embarrassed or ashamed about something you've done and trying to hide your actions from other people.
● Experiencing guilt or regret about something you've done in the past.
● Sense of internal anxiety that is experienced when a person holds two inconsistent cognitions.
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COPING WITH COGNITIVE DISSONANCE

● Changing Attitude
● Be open to new Information
● Question the value of Conflicting Cognitions
Case Study
A. Cognitive Dissonance among Medical Experts due to COVID-19
○ Recently, a number of medical experts wrote to health authorities to
stop the use of medications and diagnostics that are inappropriate for
the clinical management of COVID-19. This was the result of
persistent cognitive dissonance faced by doctors due to issues like:
▪ Use of Limited Efficacy Drugs with greater risks over its
benefits, violating the medical ethics of Beneficence (maximum
good).
▪ Doctors’ cognitive dissonance over use of unreliable drugs or wait for proper drugs availability.
▪ Use of High-cost drugs with no National Task Force endorsement and informed patient consent, i.e.,
violation of autonomy.
▪ Doctors’ cognitive dissonance due to price and inconsistency between CDSCO approved COVID-19 drugs
and drugs endorsed by National Task Force on Covid-19. Example- Itolizumab, a monoclonal antibody,
with a price of ₹32,000 for four vials was approved by CDSCO after trial over 30 patients.
● Increased Hospitalisation cost and black marketing during Covid-19, violating the medical ethics of
equality/equity as well as moral ideals like justice and proportionality. All this cognitive dissonance led to irrational
drug use, higher costs for patients and confusion within the medical community, leading to moral distress.
WAYS TO OVERCOME COGNITIVE DISSONANCE IN THIS SITUATION

● Coordination: Address the lack of coordination between the National Task Force on COVID-19 and Central Drug
Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
● Transparency: The drug’s approval should be more transparent, i.e., open and accessible for all to avoid misuse of
power and make citizens more aware.
● Objectivity: CDSCO should have more objectivity in drug’s approval to avoid hasty approval and ensure that the
efficacy of the drug is periodically monitored.
● Awareness: The medical professionals and citizens should be made aware of pros and cons of drugs to remove moral
distress and ensure informed consent.
B. Cognitive Dissonance among Russian People over War
o The Russian invasion of Ukraine highlighted the ambivalent attitude of many Russian people whether to support
their country in these testing times or lean towards humanism for understanding the plight of the Ukrainian
people. This has been due to Cognitive dissonance faced by people because of issues such as:
● Disinformation: It has become a primary vehicle of the war waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine,
leveraging entrenched narratives to convince Russians how its military forces carry out a “special military
operation” to liberate the people in Ukraine.
● State Censorship and Biassed Pollsters: Censorship over liberal voices and making a narrative in the favour of
Russia by the state run media, has been causing biassed opinions. Brainwashing through media censorship, state
propaganda, and disinformation are leading cognitive dissonance among the people.
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● Geopolitical Tensions: Cold war among world powers fumes feelings of chauvinism among common people. As a
result, people start thinking of their own country as a super aggressor and zero tolerance towards others.
● Use of Lethal Weapons causing death of innocent people in Ukraine. Mass killing and destruction of infrastructures
bringing thought of empathy towards humanism for understanding the plight of the Ukrainian people
● Way Forward
o International Cooperation to establish peace
o Compassionate view towards vulnerable sections
o Mutual Agreement for long lasting peace
o End of arm race
o Mutual respect for respective sovereignty
OPINION POLLS AND ETHICAL ISSUES

Context
• Issue with authenticity and transparency of Opinion polls for the recently conducted Assembly elections.
OPINION POLL
• An opinion poll is a pre-election survey to gather voters’ views on a range of election-related issues.
• On the other hand, an exit poll is conducted immediately after people have voted, and assesses the support for political
parties and their candidates. Since this exercise has become more of a ritual, it is required to connect such polling
directly to morality and democratic processes.
• Some opinion polls may be sponsored, motivated and biassed. Also, almost all polls are non-transparent,
providing little information on the methodology.
• With such infirmities, many “polls” amount to disinformation that can result in “undue influence”, which is an
“electoral offence” under IPC Section 171 (C). It is a “corrupt practice” under section 123 (2) of the RP Act. It is
unethical to release such data on the eve of an election since it can impact the mind of the voter.
ETHICAL ISSUES WITH THE OPINION POLLS

• Paid News: It is a very common action, therefore, it is highly possible that some opinion polls may be sponsored,
motivated and biased.
• Undue Influence: Opinion polls directly affect the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process. They are able to
influence electoral behaviour and distort electoral outcomes.
• Disinformation: Almost all polls are non-transparent, providing little information on the methodology. With such
infirmities, many “polls” amount to disinformation that can result in “undue influence”, which is an “electoral
offence” under IPC Section 171 (C). It is a “corrupt practice” under Section 123 (2) of the RP Act.
• Suspicious Affair: A survey getting some elections right is not proof of its credibility or robustness.
• Bandwagon Effect: The bandwagon effect claims that voters “jump on the bandwagon,” which means that if a party
is gaining in the polls, the party will gain additional support from the voters, and vice versa if the party is losing in
the polls.
• Issues with the Smaller Parties: It adversely impacts the small and new parties because the voter sees two things –
which is the party he likes and whether it is in a position to win.
• Vague and Excessive Claims: Pollsters make matters worse by making excessive claims, nothing short of black
magic.
• Less Focus on Methods: A general unwillingness on the part of polling agencies and the media to share even basic
methodological details about their polls compounds the problem.
• Based on Negligible Data: Due to this, the opinion polls do not reflect the actual figure. Also, they are telecast before
the elections only to benefit select political parties.
Way Forward
• Code of Conduct: There should be a Code of conduct for the Opinion Polls. Sampling frame, sample size and the
exact technique used to draw the sample; the social profile of the achieved sample to be disclosed.
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• Transparency: The ownership and track record of the organisation carrying out the survey, details of the sponsors
to be made in Public
• Effective Alternative Method: There is required efforts to explore alternatives to the present procedure of the
Opinion polls, alternatives that have been successfully used all over the world.
• Methodology: Raw vote shares reported in the survey and how they were converted into vote estimates and seats
forecast
Conclusion
• Opinion polls do not just reflect the opinions of people but influence them to create an aura of winnability.
• Analysing the vulnerability of voters to such influence, there is a crying need to regulate this to protect the sanctity
of India’s democracy. Once in place, such a mechanism would help the public tell the difference between a genuine
and rogue poll and incentivise transparent practices.
ETHICS OF METAVERSE
‘In the digital realm, code dictates life’. The time has come when life should dictate the code.
Context
• Recently, In Tamil Nadu a couple hosted India’s first wedding reception in Metaverse. The bride’s father had passed
away but attended and blessed the couple in a digital avatar at the wedding.
• Metaverse is a combination of multiple elements of technology, including virtual reality, augmented reality and video
where users "live" within a digitally enhanced surrounding.
ETHICAL ISSUES RELATED TO METAVERSE

• Biometric Data and Privacy: Virtual and augmented reality devices are set to provide users with access to the
metaverse but will track brain wave patterns and deduct user thought processes. This technology will offer companies
exciting new ways of engaging with consumers and predicting their behaviours but it also means that even more of
our intrinsically private and personal data can be gathered, stored, and kept on the blockchain forever.
• Protecting the Vulnerable: The vulnerable section, i.e., children, senior citizens and digitally unaware among others
are more vulnerable to the influences of the metaverse environment.
o Example - Hyper-reality experiences could trigger a sensory overload and induce fits or seizures in users who
have a disorder like epilepsy.
• Toxicity: Platforms like metaverse have become a breeding ground for toxicity, bullies and hate speech. People
vocalise opinions that they would never express in real life.
• Issues of Inequality in the Tech Industry: Inequality in digital space has created a new class of ‘haves’ and ‘have
nots’. As a result, the socio-economic divide has been aggravated. The prevalence of metaverse could create further
divide due to economic capacity, urban-rural gaps etc.
• Lack of Decentralisation: A centralised metaverse which is governed, owned, and operated by tech giants then the
problems such as data privacy, thefts, manipulations, and conditioning to favour some and not to favour some, will
come to rise.
• Misuse and Unfair Ownership of Data: In a seamless environment such as metaverse, it would be difficult to
implement the current consent based permission structure for private data resulting in muddled ownership of data and
increased vulnerability to misuse.
• Translation of Laws and Rights from Real to Digital Space: In the absence of a regulatory framework in the form
of laws, it is difficult to understand what are the Rights that will be protected and how will they be protected.
• Psychological Issues With Multiple Identities: Metaverse would enable the individual to create a digital identity
without the pushes and pulls of the society and the situation one is born in. This could create more identification with
the digital identity leading to issues like self-pity and dissatisfaction with oneself in reality.
Way Forward
• Regulatory Frameworks and Awareness: Preventing cyberbullying and sexual harassment and ensuring inclusivity
through community guidelines and privacy protections. Projects involving children or other vulnerable populations
should be given special consideration.
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• Consumer Centric Approach: All aspects of Metaverse to be examined thoroughly which affects the life of the
consumer legally, personally, socially and emotionally.
• Decentralisation: A democratised platform by all and for all will provide an environment of transparent and safe
digital space.
• Transparency in Data Collection: Ensuring that privacy policies specifically mention Metaverse data and how that
data will be used, shared, and protected.
• Tackling Inequality in the Tech Industry: For the metaverse to be inclusive, digital divide to be bridged by reducing
existing inequalities and creating digital environments where everyone can belong.
• Secure the Experience: Use the best security protocols and protection to ensure that malicious actors cannot alter or
harm users while they are in the VR experience.
o Example - A community member might get voted off the island if enough token holders think someone is not
operating in a way that adheres to the community guidelines.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES: ENGAGING IN THE METAVERSE
Ethical Skillset Appreciation for Universal Rights

Self-esteem/Sense of Security: Issue of insecurity Right to Equality: Equality in the Metaverse would
could get aggravated in the Metaverse as peer imply equal right to digital spaces and actions for
comparisons are more engaging and closer to reality. equally situated people (digitally).
Emotional Intelligence: It is important that the user Right to Freedom: Within the boundaries collectively
has emotional understanding of differences in their agreed by the platform and the participants, the user
experiences of the real world and the metaverse. should have all the freedom that they enjoy in real life
Flexibility/Adaptability: Engaging in the Right to Privacy: In this data driven ecosystem, the
Metaverse prerequisites intellectual and emotional Right to privacy is a sine – qua – non for fair and just
adaptability towards experiences. participation on the platform.
Regard for others: For Metaverse to be a Right to Security: It is the Right of the user and
community space, it is important that the users responsibility of the platform that every participant is
regard the existence of other users with respect secured from issues like emotional trauma, cybercrime,
digital abuse.
Understanding of digital etiquettes: Like real life, Right to non- participation/exit: The user needs to be
the digital life would also have social norms which accorded a ‘Right to Exit’ on lines of the ‘Right to be
extend beyond the rigid rules. Example - Not Forgotten’. This would entail ensuring non- usability of
intervening in digital spaces uninvited. the information generated and created by the user such
as their digital home, avatar etc.
Conclusion
In this dynamically evolving domain, to ensure that these principles are incorporated in both letter and spirit, the platforms,
developers and users will have to innovate continuously and proactively
GLOBAL AGREEMENT ON ETHICS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Context
• The United Nations adopted a historical text defining the common values and principles needed to ensure the healthy
development of artificial intelligence.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

• It is a branch of computer science that deals with creating computers or machines as intelligent as human beings. It
refers to the ability of the machines to perform human intelligence processes like thinking, perceiving, learning,
problem-solving and decision making.
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• “AI doesn’t have to be evil to destroy humanity – if AI has a goal and humanity just happens to come in the
way, it will destroy humanity as a matter of course without even thinking about it, no hard feelings.” Elon
Musk (On Emotionless AI)
AI Ethics
AI ethics is a system of moral principles and
techniques intended to inform the development
and responsible use of artificial intelligence
technology.
Ethical Challenges with AI
● Explainability: When AI systems go
misaligned, teams need to be able to trace
through a complex chain of algorithmic
systems and data processes to find out the
reason. Organisations using AI should be
able to explain the source data, resulting
data, what their algorithms do and why
they are doing that. AI needs to have a
strong degree of traceability to ensure that
if harms arise, they can be traced back to
the cause.
● Risk of Unemployment: The hierarchy of labour is concerned primarily with automation. Robotics and AI companies
are building intelligent machines that perform tasks typically carried out by low-income workers. For Example: self-
service kiosks to replace cashiers, fruit-picking robots to replace field workers, etc.
● Responsibility: Society is still sorting out responsibility when decisions made by AI systems have catastrophic
consequences, including loss of capital, health or life. Responsibility for the consequences of AI-based decisions
needs to be sorted out in a process that includes lawyers, regulators and citizens.
● Misuse: AI algorithms may be used for purposes other than those for which they were created. These scenarios should
be analysed at the design stage to minimise the risks and introduce safety measures to reduce the adverse effects in
such cases.
● Tech Addiction: Technological addiction is the new frontier of human dependency. AI has already become effective
at directing human attention and triggering certain actions. When used right, this could evolve into an opportunity to
nudge society towards more beneficial behaviour. However, in the wrong hands, it could prove detrimental.
● Discriminating Robots: AI systems are created by humans, who can be biased and judgemental. It can create AI
facial recognition and surveillance technology that discriminates against people of colour and minorities.
● Data Privacy Concerns: AI also presents serious data privacy concerns. The algorithm’s never-ending quest for data
has led to our digital footprints being harvested and sold without our knowledge or informed consent.
o Example - The case of Cambridge Analytica, in which such algorithms and big data were used to alter voting
decisions.
● AI Turning Against Humans: If artificial intelligence itself turned against humans then it will become catastrophic
for humanity.
o Example - If an AI system is asked to eradicate cancer in the world. After a lot of computing, it spits out a
formula that does, in fact, bring about the end of cancer by killing everyone on the planet.
Way Forward
● “Whole of Society” approach to AI governance will enable us to develop broad-based ethical principles, cultures
and codes of conduct. Given the global reach of AI, such a “Whole of society” approach must rest on a “Whole of
world” approach.
● Awareness among the Executives, data scientists, front-line employees and consumers all need to understand
policies, key considerations and potential negative impacts of unethical AI and fake data.
● Strike the right balance between AI promotion and AI governance.
● Executives need to architect AI systems to automatically detect fake data and unethical behaviour.
● Organisations need to invest in defensive measures rooted in open, transparent and trusted AI infrastructure.
Conclusion
● The world needs rules for artificial intelligence to benefit humanity.
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● The Recommendation on the ethics of AI is a major answer. Without ethical guard rails, AI will widen social and
economic rift, amplifying any innate biases at an irreversible scale and rate and lead to discriminatory outcomes.
CUSTODIAL VIOLENCE
Context
● Recent death of a father-son duo from Tamil Nadu, allegedly due to custodial violence, has sparked anger across
India.
● As per the report of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the number of deaths in police custody between
2001 and 2018 was 1,727. But only 810 cases were reported, 334 were charge-sheeted out of which just 26 policemen
were convicted.
CUSTODIAL VIOLENCE
Custodial violence primarily refers to violence in police and judicial custody. It includes death, rape and torture.
Justification of Torture in Certain Cases: Different
Perspectives
● Utilitarian View:
○ Believes that an act is right if it brings about the
greatest good for the greatest number.
○ Example - If someone has kidnapped a child and left
him/her to die somewhere. In this case, If torturing
someone is the only way to find out the whereabout
of the child, then it might be the right thing to do.
○ In similar cases, if torturing a terrorist uncovers a
plot, then it might save many lives.
● Categorical Imperative:
○ As per Immanuel Kant’s theory, not hurting
others is a categorical imperative, which all
human beings must follow throughout their lives.
○ Torture is unjustified as it consists of intentional
infliction of severe physical, mental or
emotional suffering on the other person.
○ Immanuel Kant also said one should never treat
people merely as instruments; and just as means
to one’s goals.
○ Example- There's a difference between a tape
recorder and a person. If you’re having trouble
getting information out of a tape recorder you can
pound on it or kick it. This may not be very
effective, but it isn’t immoral. But if you want to
get information out of a person, you should
convince them to tell you what you want to know.
● Human Rights Approach:
○ Torture of human beings consists of curtailment of individual autonomy. Given the moral importance of
autonomy, torture is also unjustifiable on this account.
○ It is sometimes also used to suppress independent thought and make people comply with the more accepted
beliefs of the society.
○ Torture treats the victim as a means to an end and not an end in themselves. It often explicitly dehumanise their
victims to make it easier to torture them. It violates the rights and human dignity of the victim, including the
legal right to remain silent when questioned.
● Consequentialist Arguments Against Torture:
○ Torture is a slippery slope: Each act of torture makes it easier to accept the use of torture in the future.
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○ Ineffective Tool: It is an ineffective interrogation tool as there is no guarantee that the person who is being
tortured will give the correct information because under torture a prisoner will eventually say anything to stop
the pain. More effective methods of interrogation that don’t involve torture are available.
▪ Also, if a suspect is tortured it may be impossible to prosecute them successfully as many countries' laws,
including India, excludes involuntary statements or confessions on the ground that such evidence is
inherently unreliable.
○ Torture Damages the Humanity: Those who carry out torture are likely to become brutalised by their acts, and
desensitised to humanity.
○ Institution: Torture damages the institution that carries it out. It damages the reputation and moral authority of
the institution. Its use is likely to produce internal dissent among the members and so damages the integrity of
the institution.
○ Use as Propaganda and the Non State Actors: Torture provides ‘the enemy‘ with something they can exploit
for propaganda.
▪ Example - Terrorist organisations like ISIS use state brutalities as an excuse to radicalise the youths to
pick up arms.
Way Forward
● Though, torture is unjustified from many ethical perspectives, but there may be situations when the unity and integrity
of the State is under threat or the lives of innocent people may be in danger.
● Under such situations, a law enforcement officer or a person with noble intentions might feel compelled to undertake
any means necessary to protect the country or to save their lives.
● It is important to note here that the actions of the officer in such a scenario are guided by the supreme value of
nationalism and Protecting lives. Thus, it would be unjustified to conclude that the person undertaking such an
action is ethically wrong.
● Thus, the issue of torture is complicated and needs to be discussed in public domain to evolve a consensus on the
same. The feedback of the states on the draft prevention of custodial torture bill will be the first step towards
developing consensus. Later, views of the civil society and legal and ethical experts should also be solicited.
● India should ratify the UN Convention Against Torture: It will mandate a systematic review of colonial rules,
methods, practices and arrangements for the custody and treatment of persons subjected to any form of arrest,
detention or imprisonment. It will also mean that exclusive mechanisms of redress and compensation will be set up
for the victim besides institutions such as the Board of Visitors.
● Police Reforms: Guidelines should also be formulated on educating and training officials involved in the cases
involving deprivation of liberty because torture cannot be effectively prevented till the senior police wisely anticipate
the gravity of such issues and clear reorientation is devised from present practices.
● Access to Prison: Unrestricted and regular access to independent and qualified persons to places of detention for
inspection should also be allowed. CCTV cameras should be installed in police stations including in the interrogation
rooms. Surprise inspections by Non-Official Visitors (NOVs) should also be made mandatory which would act as a
preventive measures against custodial torture which has also been suggested by Supreme Court in its landmark
judgment in the DK Basu Case in 2015.
● Implementation of Law Commission of India’s 273rd Report: The report recommends that those accused of
committing custodial torture – be it policemen, military and paramilitary personnel should be criminally prosecuted
instead of facing mere administrative action.
Conclusion
● Torture is always wrong, and it should always be illegal. Those who torture put themselves at risk of legal punishment.
But there may be cases where they can show good reasons why torture was necessary.
● Hence, custodial torture must always be done as per rule of law. It should be used as a tool in order to ensure safety
and security of citizens and nations.
USE OF BULLDOZER AND PRINCIPLE OF NATURAL JUSTICE

Context
● Recently, It has been alleged that the authorities riding bulldozers have razed buildings or house extensions built
"illegally" in neighbourhoods that recorded communal clashes recently in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Critics
have called these demolition drives a move to "bulldoze" a particular community. But officials defended their actions
as "routine exercises" against illegal constructions.
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● Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, Haryana have laws in place for the recovery of damages to the property during a
disturbance. From the administrative point of view, it may appear to be reasonable but it also endangers the
fundamental rights of citizens.
ISSUES OF ENCROACHMENT
● Constriction of the Public Space: Land is a scarce commodity, and when the unplanned, illegal structures are built
on public land it results in constriction of the public space like public roads. Pedestrians would suffer as people would
have fewer spaces to walk.
● Non-Enforcement of Strict Regulations: Regarding the public encroachment by the local authorities provides
encouragement to the public to take this issue lightly.
● Lack of Basic Amenities: Areas coming out of illegal construction lack basic amenities such as water, electricity,
sewage system leading to health issues.
● Issues of Law and Order: Unauthorised colonies also face issues of law and order, as access of police gets limited
due to temporary structure and constricted spaces.
● Vulnerable to Disasters: Disasters such as Fire, water logging on rainy days and extreme weather, etc.
● Unplanned Growth: The unplanned growth of city population and expansion of slum areas, cause difficulty in
expanding developmental work.
ETHICAL ISSUES OF ANTI-ENCROACHMENT DRIVE

● Hardship to Common People: The worst hit in the anti-encroachment exercise have been the pool of several
thousand workers whose livelihood vanished.
● Loss of Physical Asset: Anti encroachment drive causes destruction of physical structure, It leads to loss of wealth
and makes many people homeless.
● Loss for the Society: Children and old age people suffer a lot. Their school schedule gets disrupted and old age
people experience acute shortage of water, sanitation, medication etc.
JUSTIFYING THE DEMOLITIONS

● Punitive Action: Actions such as demolition of illegal structure, against an accused person can demotivate others to
act unlawfully or take law in his/her hand.
● Free Constricted Space: Anti encroachment drives pave the way for the availability of open space and the public
could get better life experiences. Many development projects have come to a halt due to the issue of land
encroachment on public land. Road widening would be a problem as it is occupied by religious structures. Pedestrians
would suffer as people would have fewer spaces to walk.
● Avoid Interfaith Tension: Illegal constructions are used to create religious structure. Later the same structure can
become a bone of contention among groups.
● Increase in Revenue of the Authority: Local and state authority can use the increased revenue post demolition in
the rehabilitation of needy people.
Way Forward
● Rehabilitation must be fixed according to the community or category of people being displaced which should ensure
them basic amenities
● Creating awareness among the lot about community right’s provision
● Compassionate ground to be adopted towards vulnerable section such as pregnant women, children, old age people
● Right to hearing and principles of natural Justice to be followed.
DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES OF ACCUSED

Context
• Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, Haryana have laws in place for the recovery of damages to the property during a
disturbance. From the administrative point of view, it may appear to be reasonable but it also endangers the
fundamental rights of citizens.
ETHICAL ISSUES IN DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES

● Fairness: It involves a procedural requirement. It is also known as substantial justice or fundamental justice/
Universal justice/fair play in action. Action should not be taken based on political vendetta.
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● Impartiality: The principles of natural justice should be free from bias and parties should be given a fair opportunity
to be heard and all the reasons and decisions taken by the court should be informed by the court to the respective
parties. Biassed implementation of laws not only violates the fundamental rights enshrined in Article 19 of the
Constitution (freedom of expression), but it also reflects the mentally of the executives by leaving the scope for
different interpretations.
● Restoration: Resorting to the destruction of the properties of alleged wrongdoers by means of bulldozing is clearly
against our constitutional ethos and the criminal justice system, as also in violation of the rights of accused persons.
● Violation of Right to Property: According to Article 300A- No person shall be deprived of his property save by
authority of law. However, actions which take away a person's property without accordance with an Act or Rules or
other statutory instrument passed by the central or state government, are violation of Right to Property.
● Absence of Law for Demolition: In any case, even if certain people are ordered to pay compensation under the rule
of law and their properties are attached to ensure payment is made, there is no provision in the law for the demolition
of properties.
● Neither the Parliament nor any State Legislative Assemblies, allow the demolition of property of those accused
of being involved in riots and damage to public/private property.
Conclusion
• Any country which doesn't want to be a dictatorship or a feudal monarchy has to follow the principles of natural
justice. These principles find their mention in the “Magna Carta” which argues in favour of the trinity of “hear,
interrogate and adjudicate.”
• The contentious practice of using bulldozers to pull down residential and commercial properties of persons
“suspected” goes against the spirit of impartial justice and results in irreparable harm to the residents of the area.
The consequence of rampant bulldozing without proper hearing will be faced by common people of another
community. These actions are short-lived but the scar has a lasting impact and raises questions about the justice
delivery mechanism in the country. It is important that the court should send a message indicating that the rule of
law firmly prevails in India.
JOURNALISM
Context
● Recently, the government has issued an advisory letter to the media on television coverage of the Ukraine-Russia
conflict and the recent violence in Delhi's Jahangirpuri.
● The objection pointed out that in the recent past, several satellite TV channels have carried out coverage of events
and incidents in a manner which appears to be unauthentic, misleading, sensational and using socially
unacceptable language and remarks, offending good taste and decency, and obscene and defamatory and
having communal overtones. These appear to be violative of the Programme Code and infringement of the
provisions of sub-section (2) of Section 20 of the Act.
● The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has blocked several YouTube news channels from India as well as
Pakistan for spreading “fake news”.
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF JOURNALISM

● Based on Gandhian Principle (Truth, Fairness, Humanity) & Utilitarian Principle (Minimising harm, Avoiding
Libel)
o Truth and Accuracy: Journalists cannot always guarantee ‘truth’ but getting the facts right is the cardinal
principle of journalism.
o Independence: Journalists must be independent voices. They should not act, formally or informally, on behalf
of special interests whether political, corporate or cultural. They should tell the audience of their political
affiliations, financial arrangements or other personal information that might constitute a conflict of interest.
o Fairness and Impartiality: Most stories have at least two sides. While there is no obligation to present every
side in every piece, stories should be balanced and add context. Objectivity is not always possible and may not
always be desirable.
▪ Example - In brutality or inhumanity, but impartial reporting builds trust and confidence.
o Humanity: Journalists should do no harm. Their reporting or broadcast may be hurtful, but they should be aware
of the impact of our words and images on the lives of others.
o Fairness: In addition to being independent, journalists should show impartiality and balance in their
reporting. Most news stories have more than one side, and journalists should capture this.
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o Avoiding Libel: This is a legal as well as a moral imperative for journalists. Journalists cannot print false
statements that damage a person’s reputation. In most jurisdictions, true statements cannot be libellous, so
journalists can protect themselves by rigorously checking facts.
o Proper Attribution: Journalists must never plagiarise. If they use information from another media outlet or
journalist, they need to attribute it to them.
o Harm Minimization: Journalists should follow the Utilitarian principle while showing news. Not every fact
that can be published should be published. If the amount of harm that could come to private individuals
particularly children—as a result of disclosure exceeds the public good that would come of it, then news outlets
might choose not to publish the story.
JOURNALIST ETHICS VIOLATION

● Publishing allegations by a single source without attempting to verify accuracy.
● Omitting facts provided to the journalist that would clearly lead the reader/viewer to a different conclusion.
● Calling for comment after normal business hours when there would have been time for the journalist to call earlier.
● Using editorial positioning of quotes to impact readers’ conclusions e.g., putting quotes critical of an organisation in
the lead paragraphs.
● Biases in ideology and focus on sensationalization of news to increase TRP.
● Media trial by the journalist. Example- Susant Singh Rajput case.
Conclusion
● There are scores of codes and statements to guide journalists in their important work of sharing information with the
public.
● Adhering to the Ethical guidelines brings transparency and accuracy in the information. It serves the core function of
the fourth pillar of democracy.
REFUGEE CRISIS
Context
● Recently some people from Sri Lanka came to Tamil Nadu as a refugee because of economic stress.
● In a recent incident, an Afghan Refugee posted a photo of food served at a US camp on Twitter and was met with
severe criticism combined with sympathy from some corners.
● People from Ukraine have been seeking shelter in different parts of Europe.
● The Chakma and Hajong refugees who once lived in the Chittagong hill tracts, most of which are located in
Bangladesh have been living as refugees in India for more than five decades.
● Rohingyas seeking shelter, safety from religious persecution in their own country
ABOUT REFUGEE
● According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a refugee is someone who has been forced to
flee his or her country because of persecution, war, or violence.
○ Example- Rohingyas seeking shelter, safety from religious persecution in their own country.
● The refugees also have an impact on the economy and society of their host nations. Large numbers of refugees can
have a devastating impact on the host nation.
● Large number of refugees actually lose their lives while trying to reach different countries which give them shelter.
They could be used by terrorist organisations, for sex or slave trade etc., thus denial of basic human rights leading to
disruption of global peace.
● It is often seen that immigrants are exploited for their cheap labour. Immigration sometimes also becomes a social or
political issue; racism is used to exploit feelings or as an excuse for current woes of the local population.
WHY ARE REFUGEE RIGHTS BECOMING A FAVOUR ON PART OF THE STATES?

● The core issue in this scenario stems from the lack of empathy within the public of the host nation and limited
resources at the ground level. These core reasons manifest themselves in following ways-
o Mistrust as a Norm: Lack of empathy with the refugees creates mistrust about the culture, situation, and
genuineness of their claim at asylum. This translates to a general policy of rejecting claims, making grant of
refuge a special favour.
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o Perception as an Economic Competitor: Limited opportunities combined with the image of a refugee as a
‘freeloader from the other nation’ creates a perception of them being unworthy of rights. This makes ‘grant
of rights’ a favour which is subject to collective sympathy.
o Viewed as a Security Threat: The mistrust combined with lack of awareness and misinformation creates fear
and makes the local population view refugees as a security threat. This indirectly increases the conditionalities
on grant of rights, thus making it more like a favour by states.
o Issue of Legal Enforcement Limits Enforceability of Rights: The limitation of international laws makes
refugee rights contingent upon the discretion and perception of the host country.
▪ Example - many European countries tend to be more sympathetic to LGBTQIA+ refugees when compared
to victims of war crimes in African countries.
o Limited Capacity of the Host: Fulfilment of all rights of refugees is dependent upon the capacity of resources
within the host countries.
▪ Example - in many developing countries Right to Housing cannot be fulfilled for the domestic population,
guaranteeing the same claim for refugees becomes difficult and hence becomes selective.
o Politicisation of the Issue: The image of the refugees, the associated fear psychosis, and political implications
of assimilating the refugees leads to politicisation of the issue. It leads to the creation of a political question-
‘Should we grant refuge?’. Deliberation on this question changes the context from ‘Right of the Refugee’ to
‘Decision of the state’. Absence of enforceability and ambiguity in the asylum-seeking process has made it
extremely discretionary in nature. This has led to the emergence of the idea of selective humanitarianism.
Way Forward
● Generating Awareness About Refugee Situations And Their Rights: Creating awareness about the situation would
translate to empathy for refugees and fading of the prevalence of fear against them. This may lead to more social
acceptance and faster assimilation.
● Making Objective Procedures and Authorities Accountable: The anxiety and uncertainty faced by the refugees
can be ameliorated to a large extent if procedures for granting asylum be made objective and clearly communicated.
Also, making the criteria objective could be a first step in holding the authorities accountable and thus moving towards
a rights-based approach.
● Creating an Effective Transition Mechanism: The resolution of the refugee issue remains complicated considering
its social, economic, and political implications and thus takes time. In this scenario, it becomes important that an
effective transition mechanism is created which can provide at least limited rights to refugees.
● Strengthening the System of Refugee Camps: The system of refugee camps has emerged as an effective solution
and hence should be adequately funded and managed.
● Adopting a Multilateral Approach: States have a limited capacity with regard to fulfilment of refugee rights. In
this context, it becomes important that the host country, the source country, the group of refugees and the entities
engaged on the ground like NGOs, social groups etc. come together for realisation of these rights.
● Integrating Efforts with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for making rights accountable. Nonfulfillment
of rights directly affects the realisation of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and strong institutions) and indirectly affects
other SDGs. Efforts should be made to make the authorities more accountable by linking refugee rights to the SDG
targets.
Conclusion
• The essence of resolution of the refugee crisis lies in the political economy of providing refuge (i.e., economic cost
of refuge and its socio-political implications) and the moral economy of asylum (the values and effects attached to
the internationally recognized principle of providing protection to refugees and extent of humanitarianism among the
host). Managing these two factors could render a long-term solution to this crisis.
INCREASE IN RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS

Context
● The Gujarat government has decided to include Shrimad Bhagavad Gita in the school syllabus for Classes 6-12.
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● Hijab Row: Recently, the government of Karnataka passed an order stating that students of pre-university colleges
will have to mandatorily wear the uniform prescribed by the college administrative board. In the absence of any
prescription, “clothes which disturb equality, integrity and public law and order” couldn’t be worn.
QUOTE
● "You see, spirituality has no religious overtones. The essence of spirituality is to make a person pure in his mind and
his thoughts. When I started reading our old scriptures, like the “Bhagavad Gita,” I found it was useful for day-to-
day life, so I started practising it. I consider it an administrative gospel, one that will help you in doing things like
running an organisation". - E. Sreedharan (Metro Man of India)
ETHICS OF BHAGAVAD GITA

● The ethics of Gita are anti-hedonistic. The Gita condemns Carvaka's hedonism. According to the Gita, moral life
consists in the regulation of base emotions and instincts. Hence, one must strive to conquer these. Bhagavadgita
means ‘The Lord’s song’, that is, the discourse of Lord Krishna to persuade the reluctant Arjuna to perform his
dharma.
● The Gita enjoins the performance of duties for the welfare of humanity (lokasamgraha) . The ideal aspirant has to
work for humanity in the spirit of perfect detachment, with no desire to reap the fruit. Just as a liberated ‘cave-dweller’
in Plato goes back into the cave to free others.
● Kant’s conception of the ‘kingdom of ends’ comes close to this. However, while Kant’s ethics is deontological the
ethics of Gita is teleological.
● Kant enjoins the renunciation of all feelings and emotions. But the Gita talks about renunciation of only base emotions
and passions. It does not negate love and compassion for the creatures. Selfishness shall be renunciated but selfless
humanism ought to be cultivated.
● The Gita’s classification of the specific duties in accordance with one’s capability and aptitude comes close to Plato’s
classification of duties for the different classes of men in an Ideal Republic. According to some critics, absolutely
disinterested action is a psychological impossibility. But, essentially the Gita recommends not the annihilation of all
desires but the merging of all desires in one profound supreme desire- the attainment of self-realisation or the Ideal.
ETHICS OF INTRODUCING BHAGAVAD GITA IN SCHOOL

● Directive of Daily Duties: In view of the fact that the Gita contains a long description of duties concurring to a
number of different natures of man, it must be admitted that it affords assistance in the understanding of daily duties.
● Leadership Development: Bhagavad Gita stresses on performance of Svadharma, i.e., own duty or dharma. When
leadership performs its duties in a righteous way, subordinates also recognize and revere the leadership and follow
the path of action.
● Motivation: Studies have highlighted that most of the reasons behind work related stress are related to mind such as
pressure of performance, relationships, media pressure etc. Bhagavad Gita focuses on mind and distinguishes between
subconscious and conscious actions to promote Sattva and divinity in all- removing jealousy and creating motivation
for work.
● Emotional Intelligence: Bhagavad Gita calls for Sthitaprajna, i.e., to acquire equanimity or calmness with firm
resolve. It can help administrators to have control over senses and build a steadfast resolve towards the
goals/objectives.
● Objectivity in Decision Making: Bhagavad Gita promotes Lok Samgraha, i.e., holding all together. It inspires
towards universal welfare (inclusive and sustainable development) through firmness of mind and preference to Shreya
over Preya, i.e. Goodness or Objectivity over pleasure or happiness. As verse 22 of Chapter 16 says – Those who are
free from the three gates to darkness endeavour for the welfare of their soul, and thereby attain the supreme goal.
ROLE OF BHAGWAT GITA IN ADMINISTRATION

Bhagwat Gita
• Bhagwat Gita is one of the earliest texts in any tradition to emphasise that it is important not to do one’s duty, but to
do in a certain kind of way i.e. detachment. The principle of world welfare provides the basis for assessing the nature
of an administrator’s duty in a changing world, even when faced with competing duties as in the case of moral
dilemmas.
• Gita’s virtue theory also emphasises virtues that are indispensable for righteous administration. Virtues such as
as –
○ Unagitated mind (anuvignamanas)
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○ Firm mindedness (Prajna pratisthita)

○ Disinterestedness (anapeksas, udasinas)
○ Contentment with one’s own duty (svakramaniratas)
○ Indifference to pleasure and pain
○ Being the same towards friend and enemy and towards honour and disgrace (samah satru ca mitra ca)
○ Leadership Development
○ Resolution of Ethical Dilemmas
○ Emotional Intelligence
• Through the concept of dharma, Gita also identifies the essential ideas and governing principles of our cultural life
and through karma yoga and Jnana yoga, also identifies a course of action for man’s search for eternal bliss which
is the source of truth and joy.
• One has the right to work, but never to the fruit of work:
○ The doer has the right to work.
○ The doer has no control on outcomes/fruits of action.
○ The doer has no control on the root cause of the fruits of action.
○ There is no choice to reveal inaction.
MESSAGE OF BHAGAVAD GITA

• The message of Bhagavad Gita is that either you can perform your actions with attachment or you can perform the
same without attachment by thinking that nature is performing the actions.
○ Good for Society and Individuals: Gita’s ethics have synthesised both social and individual interests. The
individual is not inconsiderable but his soul and the universal soul are not two separate entities. All distinctions
are the result of ignorance. The ultimate end is absolute perfection of the individual but this perfection can be
attained only through consolidation of society and God realisation
○ Theory of Division of Labour: Gita’s conception of the varna system is not only the equivalent of the modern
scientific division of labour but it is superior in some respects because man does not become entangled with his
actions because he fulfils his duty with the intention of God realisation. In this way, Gita has also achieved a
magnificent synthesis of spiritualism and social welfare.
○ Integrity in Actions: Central to the scripture, Bhagavad Gita promotes Nishkama Karma (detached
involvement) over Sakama Karma (attached involvement). Nishkama Karma or selfless actions will lead to
integrity by removing attachments, egoism or actions with personal gain in mind.
○ Synthesis of Enjoyment and Austerity: Gita’s theory of nishkama Karma Yoga is the supreme means not
only from the spiritual viewpoint but also from the practical and worldly viewpoints. It is itself an expert
synthesis of action and abstinence, enjoyment and asceticism.
○ Divinization of Passion: In spite of the ideal of detachment, Gita’s path is natural and integral. It preaches
the Divinization and transformation of passions and not their repression, as was Kant’s contention.
○ Directive of Daily Duties: In view of the fact that the Gita contains a long description of duties concurring to a
number of different natures of man, it must be admitted that it affords assistance in the understanding of daily
duties.
○ Based on Sound metaphysics: The ethics of Gita is based on sound metaphysics. Although it is theistic, it does
not encourage blind faith in any instance.
○ Determinism and freedom of will: Gita has synthesised determinism and freedom of will. It is God who
controls the result of action and the order of the world but in order to become a dynamic instrument of divine
action after understanding this order and complete self-submission to God, it is essential to act with
determination.
○ Resolution of Ethical Dilemmas: Nishkama Karma detaches individuals from the results of their action.
It can help administrators in resolving conflict between moral imperatives, especially dilemmas caused by
conflict between Self Interest and Public Benefit.
○ Universal Message of the Gita: The message of Gita is universally comprehensive and everlasting. In today’s
atomic age when human society is grievously endangered by excessive materialism some of the messages of the
Gita, like ‘nishkama karma yoga’ have assumed an ever greater importance. Gita treasures elements which
can faithfully serve as a motive to men of any society and any age. In India from ancient scholars like Samkara
and Ramanuja men like Gandhi, Tilak and Sri Aurobindo have been inspired by it.
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• Teachings of Bhagavad Gita can play an important role towards effective, accountable, and inclusive governance
by guiding public servants on ethical behaviour or conduct. It will help in overcoming decision-making issues and
create an ethical workplace.
HIJAB ROW
Context
● Recently, the Government of Karnataka passed an order stating that students of pre-university colleges will have to
mandatorily wear the uniform prescribed by the college administrative board. In the absence of any prescription,
“clothes which disturb equality, integrity and public law and order” couldn’t be worn.
ETHICAL ISSUES OF HIJAB

● Not an Essential Practice of Religion: Wearing a hijab is not an Essential practice of the Religion. It is a reflection
of culture rather than an accepted interpretation of Islam and it remains an alien imposition in large areas of the
Muslim world. The Supreme court in 2006, held that keeping a beard was not an essential part of Islamic practices
and argued that wearing of the hijab is an essential element of Islam, and its prohibition violates the students’
constitutionally guaranteed freedom of religion.
● Educational Institutions such as college spaces ought to be free of any public displays of religion.
● Against Right to Freedom: the compulsory wearing of Hijab is imposition of the religious tirade on the personal
freedom of women and girls.
● Reflection of Patriarchal Society: It is also seen as a form of patriarchal dominance. Promotes gender equality and
helps in women empowerment.
● Against uniform Dress Code: Wearing a symbol of religion is the disrespect of rules of dress code in the premises
of educational institutions.
WHY SHOULD IT BE ALLOWED?

● Against Equality: Ban is against the tenets of equality to all religions and is seen as a majoritarian suppression of
the minorities in a country.
● Issues of Privacy: Religious faith is a part of the fundamental right to privacy
● Against Secular Principle: Protest on choice of clothes is against the ethos of the Constitution and composite culture
of the country.
● Encourage Rift in Society: It leads to polarisation of the society by targeting a particular community.
INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE
• The German model recognises the value of including religious education in schools. Article 7 (3) of the German
constitution permits religious instruction in public schools; however, the participation in such classes is strictly
voluntary.
• In recognition of the growing religious diversity due to immigration, German states have started including Islamic
religious content in their schools.
Conclusion
● Religious sentiments should not prevail while taking decisions on such matters but it should be based on the
combination of rationality and modern views.
● Educational institutions should avoid the violation of the rights of individual students in the name of their right to
administer a school or college.
● Our daily lives require us to live together with people who look different from us, wear different clothing, and eat
different food. Why should those differences be shut out from educational spaces in particular.
● Our Constitution guarantees to everyone an inviolate “zone of freedom” in personal matters, as long as the effect of
this freedom does not cause harm, or discrimination, at a broader social level. However, an Essential Religious
Practices Test is required for Hijab as it was done for keeping a beard.
BODILY RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND ABORTION LAW

Context
• Recently, The Government has incorporated new rules under the “Medical Termination of Pregnancy
(Amendment) Act, 2021, which was passed in March 2021.
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ABOUT ABORTION
● Abortion is the deliberate termination of a pregnancy due to removing an embryo or foetus before it can survive
outside the uterus. An abortion that occurs spontaneously is also known as a miscarriage. When deliberate steps are
taken to end a pregnancy, it is called an induced abortion, or less frequently an “induced miscarriage”.
● Abortion considerations require deep reflection on law, convention, social and religious norms, family contexts,
emotions, and relationships.
UNICEF INDIA AND WORLD BANK DATA

● India has one of the highest numbers of maternal deaths. (45,000 maternal deaths every year or an average of one
maternal death every 12 minutes).
● Unsafe abortions are the third leading cause of maternal deaths in India.
● Reasons women give for wanting abortions, worldwide:
o Disruption of education or employment.
o lack of support from father.
o Poverty, unemployment or inability to bear children.
o Interrelation problems with husband or partner.
o Women’s feeling that she is too young to have a child.
ETHICAL ISSUES WITH ABORTION

● An Act of Taking Life: Since life begins at conception, abortion is akin to murder as it is the act of taking human
life. It is in direct defiance of the commonly accepted idea of the sanctity of human life.
● Issues of Medical Complication: An abortion can result in medical complications later in life. The chances of
miscarriage and other health issues also increases.
● Psychological Pain and Stress: Abortion frequently causes intense psychological pain and stress.
● Son Meta Preference: Abortion based on Sex determination mainly occurs because of preference of baby boy.
● Punishing Unborn Child: Abortion punishes unborn child who committed no crime, instead it is the perpetrator who
should be punished.
● Lack of Bodily Rights: Abortion concerns the autonomy and dignity of the pregnant woman herself. If a woman
who is pregnant wishes to stop being pregnant, it cannot be taken away from her.
● Issues of Self Determination: Attitudes to pregnancy are, however, intertwined with how society views sex, women,
and the fertile woman specifically. Pregnancy and birth are not trivial inconveniences, such as having a headache.
They constitute a major life event, which even when desired causes immense discomfort and disruption to many
women.
● History of Oppression of Women: Abortion is seen as a compromise with liberty, self respect, self right on body.
ARGUMENT IN FAVOUR OF ABORTION
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● Right of Women: A female is considered a moral person, she is entitled to rights, including the right to life. So,
abortion is deemed acceptable as the foetus is not a person. A list of criteria of personhood is identified, which
includes consciousness, reasoning, activity, communication and self-awareness. A foetus undeniably is incapable of
fulfilling these criteria.
● Priority of Female over Foetus: The mother, who is a person, has a right to life and it supersedes the rights of the
foetus to choose whether or not it remains connected to her body.
● To Avoid Unwarranted Pregnancy: Pregnancy is assumed to be a foreseeable consequence of heterosexual
intercourse, that too when there is no intention to ‘have a baby’. So, denying her the right to abort the child when she
was not planning for it, is unwarranted.
● Health Issues of the Foetus or Mother: Sometimes, delivering a baby could be life threatening to the mother, in this
case abortion of the foetus could be justified. It may be more ethical for a mother to have an abortion to defend herself
from the danger to her mental or physical health than continuing with the pregnancy.
● Gender Equality: The right to abortion is vital for gender equality. The right to abortion is vital for individual women
to achieve their full potential. Banning
abortion puts women at risk by forcing them to use illegal methods that may be more harmful.
Way Forward
● Adoption can be a viable option to abortion
● Free and Informed choice
● Bodily rights of women to be protected
● Rights of Self determination
● Securing Privacy of women
● Ensure better Medical facility
Conclusion
• The decision of whether or not to bear a child is central to a woman’s life, to her well-being and dignity. She ought
to be the one deciding it for herself.
• When the Government superintends that decision for her, she is being treated as less than a fully adult human
accountable for her own choices. We need to bestow much greater support to women who may want to conceive and
raise their children, but opting out of it for financial, psychological, health, or relationship reasons Criminalising
abortion does not stop abortions, it just makes abortion more unsafe.
• Above all, the right to life should always outweigh the right of an individual to equality or to control their own.
MARITAL RAPE AND CONJUGAL RIGHTS

Context:
● The Delhi High Court recently observed that while there can be no compromise with women's right to sexual
autonomy and any act of rape has to be punished.
● The court questioned as to why the exception from the offence of rape granted to a married couple had remained in
the legislature for several years. This exception remained in spite of the wide scope of Section 375 of Indian Penal
Code which included even a single act of “unwilling sex” as rape.
MARITAL RAPE
• Marital rape can be defined as any unwanted sexual intercourse or penetration obtained by force, threat of force, or
when the wife does not give consent.
Conjugal Rights
• Conjugal rights are rights created by marriage, i.e. right of the husband or the wife to the society of the other
spouse. The law recognises these rights— both in personal laws dealing with marriage, divorce etc, and in criminal
law requiring payment of maintenance and alimony to a spouse.
Ethical Issues
● Violation of the Right to Live with Human Dignity: Marital rape violates the right of a woman or wife to live her
life with human dignity. The right to live with human dignity forms a part of the right to life (a Fundamental Right)
under Article 21 in the Constitution of India.
● Issues of Sexual Privacy: In the case of the State of Maharashtra v. Madhukar Narayan, the Supreme Court held that
every woman is entitled to her sexual privacy and it is not open to any and every person to violate her privacy as and
whenever one wishes.
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● Right to Bodily Self-Determination: Every person has the right to make decisions regarding his/her body. Similarly,
the decision of a woman whether to have sex or not or to give consent is amongst the most individual decisions that
a lady holds for herself. It comes as a right to self-expression.
● Violation of the Right to Equality: Similarly, the differential treatment of rape and marital rape in India under
Section 375 of IPC and differential punishments awarded for both under Section 376 of IPC violates the right to
equality before the law (Article 14).
● Rape Not Ground for Divorce: As marital rape is not a ground for a divorce in any personal laws and even the
Special Marriage Act, 1954, It cannot be used as a ground for divorce and cruelty against the husband. Thus, the
women remain helpless and keep suffering in silence.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST CRIMINALIZING MARITAL RAPE

● Destabilise Marriage as an Institution: It may create absolute anarchy in families and destabilise the institution of
marriage and thereby destroy the family platform which upholds family values and helps in sustaining the country.
Indian society believes that marriage is a sacrament
● Misuse of Law: It may become an easy tool for harassing the husbands by misusing the law similar to the growing
misuse of Section 498A (harassment caused to a married woman by her husband and in-laws) of the IPC.
● Awareness is more Important: Merely criminalizing marital rape may not stop it as “moral and social awareness”
plays a vital role in stopping such an act.
● Burden of Proof: The concept of burden of proof is a complex issue. When marital rape would be considered a
crime, there will be a burden either on the wife to prove the offence or the husband to prove himself innocent and
therefore it will be very difficult to apply.
● Against Privacy: Some argue that making marital rape a crime would allow the State to interfere in the personal
affairs of individuals. This will be a violation of the right to privacy inherent in the Right to life guaranteed under
Article 21 in the Indian Constitution.
● Cultural Diversity: India has its unique problems due to various factors like literacy, lack of financial empowerment
of the majority of females, the mindset of the society, vast diversity, poverty, etc. and these should be considered
carefully before criminalizing marital rape.
Conclusion
• Marital rape is a complex issue that needs a deep and detailed discussion. Criminalizing marital rape will not merely
help. Rather there is a need for rectifying and filling the gaps in existing laws and doing away with archaic ones that
tend to function against the well-being of women and the society as a whole.
• Public consultation and discussion with all the stakeholders may be the way forward.
EUTHANASIA
Context:
● A nine-year-old boy died of a rare blood disease just within two hours after his mother had applied for his mercy
killing in court.
● A famous case, Aruna Shanbaug case, was heard in the Supreme Court (SC) and final judgement came in the year
2018 making the Right to die in a dignified way a part of Right to Life under Article 21.
● Only passive Euthanasia is allowed in India by the Supreme Court.
ABOUT EUTHANASIA
• Euthanasia is a controversial issue in medical ethics. It is defined as an act or practice of painlessly putting to death
or withdrawing treatment from a person suffering an incurable disease. Euthanasia is intentionally killing another
person to relive his or her suffering.
Arguments For Euthanasia
● Right to Self Determination: The essence of human life is to live a dignified life and to force the person to live in
an undignified way is against the person’s choice. Thus, it expresses the choice of a person which is a fundamental
principle. People have a right to self-determination, and thus should be allowed to choose their own destiny.
● End of Pain: Euthanasia provides a way to relieve the intolerably extreme pain and suffering of an individual. It
relieves the terminally ill people from a lingering death. Assisting a subject to die is a better option than continuing
to suffer.
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● Treatment for Others: In many developing and underdeveloped countries like India, there is a lack of funds. There
is a shortage of hospital space. So, the energy of doctors and hospital beds can be used for those people whose life
can be saved instead of continuing the life of those who want to die.
● Dignified Death: Article 21 of the Indian Constitution clearly provides for living with dignity. A person has a right
to live a life with at least minimum dignity and if that standard is falling below that minimum level then a person
should be given a right to end his life.
● Addressing Mental Agony: The motive behind this is to help rather than harm. It not only relieves the unbearable
pain of a patient but also relieves the relatives of a patient from the mental agony.
● Right Based Approach: People got an explicit right to die. Death is a private subject and if there is no harm done to
others then state and other people have no right to interfere (libertarian case)
ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE EUTHANASIA

• Weaken Society’s Respect for the Sanctity of Life: Human life is sacred. Human lives are special because God
created them. Human beings are made in God’s image. Therefore human life should be protected and preserved,
whatever happens
• Issues of Regulation: Accepting euthanasia would mean that some lives (those of the sick or disabled) are worth less
than others. It exposes vulnerable people to pressure to end their lives.
• Value of Life: Voluntary euthanasia could start on a slippery slope that may lead to involuntary euthanasia and the
killing of people who are thought undesirable.
• Non-harm – The Principle of Non- Violence: Hinduism and Buddhism regard all life as precious (not just human
life). They say that we should try to avoid harming living things and therefore this also rules out killing people, even
if they want to die. Euthanasia might not be in a person’s best interests.
• Issue of Care: Permitting euthanasia will lead to less good care for the terminally ill. It could undermine the
commitment of doctors and nurses to save lives.
• Discourage Medical Research: Allowing euthanasia could discourage the search for new modes of treatment for the
terminally ill.
Issues of Euthanasia
• Medical Ethics: Medical ethics call for nursing, caregiving and healing and not ending the life of the patient. In the
present time, medical science is advancing at a great pace making even the most incurable diseases curable today.
Thus instead of encouraging a patient to end his life, the medical practitioners have to encourage the patients to lead
their painful life with strength.
• Moral Wrong: Taking a life is morally and ethically wrong. The value of life can never be undermined.
• Vulnerable People Will Become More Prone to it: Groups that represent disabled people are against the legalisation
of euthanasia on the ground that such groups of vulnerable people would feel obliged to opt for euthanasia as they
may see themselves as a burden to society.
• Suicide v/s Euthanasia: When suicide is not allowed then euthanasia should also not be allowed. A person commits
suicide when he goes into a state of depression and has no hope from life. Similar is the situation when a person asks
for euthanasia. But such a tendency can be lessened by proper care of such patients and showing hope in them.
• X-Factor: Miracles do happen in our society especially when it is a matter of life and death, there are examples of
patients coming out of coma after years and we should not forget human life is all about hope.
Way Forward
● Achieving peace with God and pain control are nearly identical in importance for patients and bereaved family
members.
● The futile treatment that doesn't have any reasonable chance of doing good - other than keeping the patient from
dying could be stopped to lessen the agony of the family.
● At the same time, allowing voluntary euthanasia makes it easier to commit murder, since the perpetrators can disguise
it as active voluntary euthanasia. That must be avoided.
● We should look at the brighter side of it than thinking of it being abused.
ETHICS OF PHARMACEUTICAL ECOSYSTEM

Context
• The Supreme Court termed “immoral or illegal” the practice of pharmaceutical companies offering freebies to
doctors, saying it affects common people by driving up healthcare costs.
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• According to the IT Department, the Dolo-650 maker had distributed freebies of about Rs 1,000 crore to doctors
and medical professionals in exchange for promoting its products.
• These freebies also referred to as the “Doctors’ Commission” have always been a part of the system and pharma
companies have handed out gifts, in cash or kind, to medical professionals to prescribe their brand of drug.
CAN DOCTORS ACCEPT FREEBIES FROM PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES?

• As per the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, Medical practitioners
are disallowed from accepting emoluments in the form of inter alia gifts, travel facilities, hospitality, cash or monetary
grants.
• Acceptance of freebies could result in a range of sanctions under the regulations ranging from a “censure” for
incentives costing up to Rs 5,000 to removal from the Indian Medical Register or State Medical Register for periods
ranging from three months to one year.
Ethical Issues in Providing Freebies to Doctors
• Misleading the Patient: Doctors prescribe medicine brands that have offered them gifts or freebies.
• Unfair to the Patient: Owing to the cost incurred by the patients who purchase these medicines.
• Lack of Transparency: Such dealings between the doctors and the Pharmaceutical companies are done in secrecy.
• Against the Prescribed Laws and Norms: Defies the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and
Ethics) Regulations
ETHICS OF PHARMACEUTICAL ECOSYSTEM/MEDICAL ETHICS

• Medical ethics is concerned with the obligations of the doctors and the hospital to the patient along with other health
professionals and society. It is based on the following pillars:
○ Beneficence (doing good)
○ Non-maleficence (to do no harm)
○ Autonomy (giving the patient the freedom to choose freely, where they are able)
○ Justice (ensuring fairness)
• These four principles represent a framework for analysing the best action to take in a given situation.
International Case
• In countries like the United States, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, UK, etc, there are stringent laws in place to
reduce corruption in the pharma sector.
• The nexus between pharma firms and doctors continues to increase the sale of medicines.
• A study found that seven major pharma companies spent a total of Rs 34,186.95 crore on marketing in eight years,
which significantly increased the price of the drug.
Way Forward
• Although there are regulations in place that may get the licences of doctors revoked for violating the code outlined in
the IMC Regulations 2002, there is nothing to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for the benefits doctors
receive.
• Doctors getting gifts, travel facilities, cash or other monetary benefits, etc from pharmaceutical companies are
subjected to litigation, but pharma firms get away scot-free.
MORAL DILEMMAS FACED BY SELF DRIVING CARS

Context
• Despite the advances made in self-driving technology, there is still no car that is 100% fully autonomous today.
• While carmakers such as Tesla, General Motors, etc. have developed features such as pedestrian detection, lane
departure warnings, traffic sign recognition, and blind-spot detection, fully automated self-driving vehicles likely
won’t be ready any time before 2030.
PROS OF DRIVERLESS TECHNOLOGY

• Social Advantage: Driverless cars have the potential to transform society in positive ways. It can increase mobility
for senior citizens and the disabled for efficiency and convenience.
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• Road Safety: Higher levels of vehicle automation are also expected to increase road safety by reducing traffic
accidents and, ultimately, preventing them altogether. Many self-driving vehicles are equipped with advanced driver-
assistance systems, which prevent drivers from drifting out of their lanes or help them stop in time to avoid a crash
or reduce its severity.
• Protect Environment: Driverless technology can be beneficial for society by lowering carbon emissions and paving
the way for more sustainable ways of living.
CONS OF DRIVERLESS TECHNOLOGY

• Vehicle Malfunctions, for instance, can be a safety hazard for road users. Last year, Tesla came under investigation
after its vehicles operating on autopilot crashed into parked emergency vehicles.
• Vulnerable to Cyber-attacks: Since they are primarily software-driven products compared to traditional cars. As
they become increasingly dependent on software to operate, there are growing concerns that hacking and cyberattacks
could compromise the proper functioning of self-driving cars and pose a threat to both drivers and car manufacturers.
• Lack of Clear Regulations: To govern the self-driving car industry. The lack of regulatory clarity has legal
implications, including the issue of liability. It raises the question: When cars can operate themselves, are accidents
the responsibility of the manufacturer or the driver?
ETHICAL ISSUES INVOLVED IN SELF DRIVING CARS

• Testing of Self Driving Cars on Public Roads: Despite their potential to improve road safety, the testing of AVs
on public roads could put unwitting drivers at risk. This highlights the moral dilemma that carmakers, regulators, and
the public face: Does Automated Vehicles regulation create safer roads for people, or will it slow the adoption of
driverless technologies that can reduce traffic accidents?
• Ability of the Machines in Making Moral Decisions: While the introduction of autonomous vehicles may reduce
the number of road accidents, such events cannot be ruled out based on past records. In the event of a crash, ethical
decisions have to be made, which often puts people in a moral quandary, based on a study by researchers from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
• Absence of Consensus on Moral Code: Moral principles that guided drivers’ decisions varied from country to
country and men to women as both each viewed the situation differently from an ethical point of view.
Way Forward
• It is important to broaden the public discussion from a focus on the crash behaviour of vehicles to the many types of
social change that Automated Vehicle technology can be involved in. These include looking at factors such as
required levels of safety, the distribution of responsibilities between regulators and vehicle providers, and the trade-
offs between privacy and other interests.
• In particular, policymakers, carmakers, and the public will need to develop an agreement on compromises and
prioritisation among these ethical considerations.
ETHICS OF WAR
Context
• Just War Theory: The most famous way of ethically assessing war is to use ‘Just War Theory’; a tradition going
back to St. Augustine in the 5th Century and St. Thomas in the 13th Century.
○ Just War theory considers the reasons for going to war (Jus ad bellum) and the conduct of war (Jus in bello).
A war might be ethical but the means unethical, for instance, using landmines, torture, chemicals, drones, etc.
• Russia- Ukraine Conflict
ABOUT THE JUST WAR THEORY

• Just War theory sets out principles for a war to be ethical.
• The war must be:
○ Waged by a legitimate authority (usually states)
○ In a just cause
○ Waged with right intention.
○ Have a strong probability of success
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○ Be a last resort
○ Be proportional
• In addition, there are three principles for conduct in war:
○ Discrimination (distinguishing between enemy combatants and non-combatants)
○ Proportionality (the harms must be proportional to the gains)
○ Actions must be militarily necessary
CONSEQUENCES OF WAR
• Loss of Life and Cause of Misery.
• Mass Destruction of Property.
• Negatively Impacts the Economy and the Source of Livelihood of the people.
• Denial of Basic Human Rights.
The Idea of Military Ethics
• Military Ethics is an interdisciplinary study, incorporating concerns about the conduct of war, decisions on how
and when to engage in military operations, and issues relating to the moral psychology and care of those who
serve and of veterans of military service.
• Military Ethics focuses on the core values and moral principles that collectively govern the men and women serving
in the military forces of nations around the world, as members of what is sometimes termed the “military profession”
or “the profession of arms.”
WAY FORWARD - INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND CONVENTIONS

• The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are at the core of international humanitarian law, the
body of international law that regulates the conduct of armed conflict and seeks to limit its effects.
○ They specifically protect people who are not taking part in the hostilities (civilians, health workers and aid
workers) and those who are no longer participating in the hostilities, such as wounded, sick and shipwrecked
soldiers and prisoners of war.
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. The
declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 (General
Assembly resolution 217 A) as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations.
○ It is a document that acts like a global road map for freedom and equality – protecting the rights of every
individual, everywhere.
ETHICS OF EARLY EMBRYO RESEARCH

Context
• Embryonic stem cell research forces one to choose between two moral principles:
○ The duty to prevent or alleviate suffering.
○ The duty to respect the value of human life.
• To obtain embryonic stem cells, the early embryo has to be destroyed. This means destroying a potential human life.
But embryonic stem cell research could lead to the discovery of new medical treatments that would alleviate the
suffering of many people. So which moral principle should have the upper hand in this situation?
• The answer hinges on the view of the embryo. Does it have the status of a person or not?
ETHICAL ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF EARLY EMBRYO RESEARCH

• Embryo is not exactly a child yet, because unless it is embedded in the uterus wall, it will never have the chance to
develop into a baby.
• Every year fertility clinics create many embryos that are destroyed because they are made in surplus.
• Using cells from these surplus Embryos for research and developing medical treatments could help improve and
save people's lives, which is much better than throwing them away.
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ETHICAL ARGUMENTS AGAINST EARLY EMBRYO RESEARCH

• Potential to Develop into a Full Human: Hence, killing it during research would amount to killing a life.
• Religious Perception: It believes that Soul enters the body at the moment of conception. Human beings are not
things. Their lives must not be sacrificed against their will, even for the sake of good ends, like saving other people’s
lives.
Way Forward
• All Research on Stem Cells must be conducted in an ethical and scientifically responsible manner.
KEY TERMS
Key Terms
Cognitive Dissonance, Mental Conflict, Forced Compliance Behaviour, Conflicting Beliefs, Beneficence,
Confidentiality, Do no Harm, Bandwagon Effect, Consumer Centric approach, Digital etiquettes, Whole of Society
approach, Greatest good for the greatest number, Categorical Imperative, Compassionate Ground, Principles of
Natural Justice, Harm Minimization, Nishkama Karma, Non-Maleficence, Military Ethics, Just War Theory.
Commitment, Integrity and Devotion, Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics, Citizen’s Charter, Coercive Corruption
and Collusive Corruption, e-Governance.
PYQS
PYQs Year
1. Online methodology is being used for day-to-day meetings, institutional approvals in the administration 2022
and for teaching and learning in the education sector to the extent telemedicine in the health sector is
getting popular with the approvals of the competent authority. No doubt it has advantages and
disadvantages for both the beneficiaries and the system at large. Describe and discuss the ethical issues
involved in the use of online methods particularly to vulnerable sections of society.
2. The Russia and Ukraine war has been going on for the last seven months. Different countries have taken 2022
independent stands and actions keeping in view their own national interests. We are all aware that war
has its own impact on the different aspects of society, including human tragedy. What are those ethical
issues that are crucial to be considered while launching the war and its continuation so far? Illustrate with
justification the ethical issues involved in the given state of affair.
3. Impact of digital technology as a reliable source of input for rational decision making is a debatable issue. 2021
Critically evaluate with suitable examples.
4. “Refugees should not be turned back to the country where they would face persecution or human right 2021
violation.” Examine the statement with reference to the ethical dimension being violated by the nation
claiming to be democratic with open society.
5. “Education is not an injunction, it is an effective and pervasive tool for all round development of an 2020
individual and social transformation”. Examine the New Education Policy, 2020 (NEP, 2020) in light of
the above statement.
6. 'The current internet expansion has instilled a different set of cultural values which are often in conflict 2020
with traditional values.' Discuss.
7. Some recent developments such as introduction of RTI Act, media and judicial activism, etc., are proving 2015
helpful in bringing about greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of the government.
However, it is also being observed that at times the mechanisms are misused. Another negative effect is
that the officers are now afraid to make prompt decisions. Analyse this situation in detail and suggest
how this dichotomy can be resolved. Suggest how these negative impacts can be minimised
8. At the international level, the bilateral relations between most nations are governed on the policy of 2015
promoting one’s own national interest without any regard for the interest of other nations. This leads to
conflicts and tensions between the nations. How can ethical consideration help resolve such tensions?
Discuss with specific examples.
170

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PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.

DPP (Daily Prelims Program) DMP (Daily Mains Program)

Daily GS MCQs Practice Daily GS Mains Practice

Regular Mentorship Regular Mentorship

CSAT Module Expert Evaluation of All Tests

NCERT Module Answer + Essay Writing Classes

Batch Starts:- 26 June, 2023

60 days MAINS SPRINT 2023

14 PRAHAAR Redefined 3.0 (Hard Copy for Model Answers of PYQs

Note- Live Evaluation of Full length Test for Offline aspirants

Batch Starts:- 10 June, 2023

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ATTITUDE AND APTITUDE ................................................................................................................................ 49

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

ROLE OF EI IN PUBLIC SERVICES ...................................................................................................................................................... 82

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

WHAT IS PUBLIC SERVICES ........................................................................................................................................................... 129

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

CHAPTER 1 ETHICS & HUMAN INTERFACE

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

ABSENCE OF ETHICS LEADS TO

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

What do people think is right?

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

EXAMPLES OF APPLIED ETHICS

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

NORMATIVE ETHICS THEORIES

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

ETHICS – IN PRIVATE & PUBLIC RELATIONSHIPS

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

ETHICS IN PRIVATE RELATIONSHIPS

ETHICS IN PUBLIC RELATIONSHIP

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

NOLAN COMMITTEE: SEVEN PRINCIPLES IN PUBLIC LIFE

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS IN PUBLIC RELATIONSHIP

Reasons for Moral Erosion Effort to Correct it

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

RELATION BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ETHICS

Private Relation Public Relation

How to Ensure that both Lives Remain Separate:

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ETHICS & MORALS

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

● Example- truth, compassion, non-

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

ETHICS, MORALITY AND VALUES

HOW TO BE HONEST WHEN THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS CORRUPT

ROLE OF FAMILY IN INCULCATION OF VALUES

“A man is usually the five closest to him”. -Jim Rohn

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

ROLE OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN INCULCATION OF VALUES

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VALUE EDUCATION

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

STRENGTH OF SOCIETY FOR VALUE INCULCATION

REASONS FOR EROSION OF VALUES

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics

ETHICAL ISSUES IN NEWS

SC EASES NORMS FOR PASSIVE EUTHANASIA

PRAHAAR ReDEFINED 3.0: Ethics