GS4: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
by Brijesh C.Tripathi*
*About the Author: The author has teaching experience of more than 5 years in Delhi based premium institute and Mumbai based institutes for Civil Services Examinations. The author is alumnous of Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. The author has publications in civil services magazines and national level fortnightly magazines on developmental issues. The author has guided a pool of successful students in Civil Services Examination of 2013 with newly added General Studies paper 4 of Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude. This is in addition to past success with the optional of Public Administration and General Studies.Acknowledgements
I would like to thank all my students of General Studeis paper 4: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude bathces. It was feedback extended by Vijay Sharma, Madhukar Anand, Jay Waghmore, Ramdas Kale, Sachin, Smit Parmar, Abhijit, Himanshu Shekhar and Priyanka Rai Which has helped immensely in shaping the contours of the book. Madhav Purohit has helped in revising the Western thinker’s part which hopefully has been simplified. Bijal Chhadva has contributed to rewrite the part on Indian Thinkers. I am grateful to both Madhav and Bijal for their timely contribution.
I would like to thank Dhaval Jain for helping me in the process of resrecturing the content of the proposed book. I would like to thank Vikas Bhatt and Viraj Rane for helping me in the process of secletion and editing. Thanks Vikas and Viraj for encouraging me to write this piece. Without your constant support this book would never find its way to the students. Last but not the least, I owe responsibility for all errors in the book and nobody else can be attributed for this.
Brijesh Tripathi <>Re: Feedback for book writing
2 messages
Dhaval Jain<>
To: Brijesh Tripathi <>
Cc: "" <>, Jay Waghmare <>, Madhukar Anand <>, Ramdas Kale <>
Dear Sir,
Sorry for the late reply. Below are my humble suggestions:
1. The thinkers matter should be simplified by the use of pointers and boxes. I feel the language is also very academic. At the end of every thinker- 4/5 bullets on his key contribution will be very helpful. It will be helpful to group/segregate the thinkers as per their main thought processes. Clubbing of the thinkers helps in quick recollection and relation.
2. Case studies to be included - generally related to work environment/managerial roles - as these were the type of case studies asked in the paper (also provided in the sample paper). My personal understanding is that most case studies can be solved to reach the same answer. The difference is created by the structure which is followed to evaluate options and selecting the right. That process can be dealt in the book through examples.
3. If you observe the paper closely - most theory questions dealt with 'self-righteousness'. They were again and again evaluation how one in the current times deals with ethical dilemmas/desires/emotional difficulties etc. and still delivers the tasks at hand for the society/nation. That approach should be kept in mind with all the theory. Clear applications in one's day-today life should be highlighted. In a nut-shell it should be more action-oriented/application based.
4. I am a fan of your class notes related to good governance. Given the time limitation, I couldn't read the printed material on the same topics. I think the class notes are more than enough to cover the matter for both Mains and Interview.
5. I got an opportunity to go through Vajiram notes (not in detail though). One good thing I observed there was they had added a lot of diagrams (models, road-maps, characteristics) - which stick in mind and can be reproduced quickly in paper. We can take some inspiration from the same.
6. At the beginning of the book, it would be helpful if we attach an analysis of past year papers (it will be only 2013 in this case). This helps the person to take a clear view on his/her strategy.
7. For various aspects like Attitudes, Emotional Intelligence etc., the material can be pruned for quicker reading and revision. The application parts can be retained while the theory part can be pruned.
8. The paper asked very little from the good governance portion. But, I feel the detail we have in our notes should be kept intact as it helps other papers/optionals and even interview preparation.
Thanks,
Dhaval Jain
IAS Officer Trainee (89th Foundation Course)
Lal Bahadur Shashtri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA)
Mussoorrie, India
LinkedIn :http://in.linkedin.com/in/p10dhavalj
Discussion about the real field!!
The General Studies paper 4, 2013 was aimed at knowing the inside perspectives and attitudes of the candidate. The questions were divided into two parts. The first part, which has 8 questions tried to test theoretical understanding of ethics, morality, Emotional Intelligence and its application to the administrative situations which a candidate may face in his career. The second part has 6 case studies. The first few case studies were offering choices or alternatives to choose from to solve the case studies. Later on, the candidate was left at his/her own to solve case studies using inputs from methodology used in first few case studies by the UPSC.
The newly introduced paper demanded a mind with conviction which can make decisions without hesitation and apply theoretical inputs into the case studies and in other situations as being asked in few questions. The Theoretical part began with asking the difference between ‘values’ and ‘ethics’. It can be answered by writing definitions of both and by providing illustrations. Moreover it further demanded how being ethical is important for being professionally competent. It needs inputs from non-efficiency part of performance e.g. treating people with respect at the workplace. The second question was asking about foundational values of civil servants. This question can be answered by writing definition of each value, one or two extra points and one example. The third question asked about universal values and dynamic values. This question can be answered with inputs from universal values like equality, liberty, freedom and justice and dynamic values like people’s opinion about same sex marriages in last few decades. The example will be changed perception of parents in India towards their daughters in last few decades. The next question, dealing with Emotional intelligence needed a definition, and training in emotional intelligence. It further expected treatment of its characteristics like how being compassionate will help in ethical decision making. The question on ‘voice of conscience’ not only tested the theoretical understanding but at the same time demanded from the candidate to resolve crisis of conscience by giving one example from the real life.
Although, straight questions were not asked from the thinkers parts there were certain quotes which needed understanding of the thinker’s part. The Gandhi’s quote can be associated with sustainable development and eradication of corruption in public life. Lincoln’s quote tried to test candidate’s capability to understand how he has understood misuse of power. The quote from Aristotle dealt with self-discipline in life which can be associated with moral attitudes of reverence, truthfulness, duties and responsibilities. The next quote was taken from sarvodaya philosophy of jay Prakash narayan which believes in upliftment of all. It can also be asnswered by using J.S. Mill’s logic that maximum benefits of maximum people ensures benefits of individuals first then of the collective or community. The last quote was complex as it demanded to explain relationship between politics and ethics. The candidate should defend that politics and ethics go hand in hand most of time. The idea of dharma of upholding right applies to politics also as it applies to administrators and the citizens. The Gandhi, Nehru and Ambedkar all were supporter of ethical politics. But the difference was that Gandhi wanted religious ethics in politics but Nehru and Ambedkar supported secular ethics in politics.
The first case study pertaining to PIO, expected the candidate to perform his duty and protect public interest by furnishing the desired information under the RTI Act-2005. The real test was that how you without being influenced by your personal interest and your colleague’s interest dispense your duty. The virtue ethics will test your character as being honest or dishonest officer after you act in a particular manner. You will not be judged on basis of your past reputation. Although, the case study provided you choice to pick your course of action, you can deviate from it and come out of your own course of action. A note of attention, before, I go to the next case study; try to solve case study by first identifying the key problem. If possible try to break problem into parts for better understanding. Now make a stakeholder analysis of all those individuals, institutions and processes involved with the case studies. It will include administrators, aggrieved citizens, media, contractors, NGOs and any other stakeholder. Once this analysis is done try to look for alternatives which is in accordance of ethics and morality. Do not favour any stakeholder on basis of your personal basis. Follow the chronology of being lawful and being ethical. If both conditions are met that is the most appropriate course of action to follow.
The next case study, which was on the Bridge construction demanded from you not only protecting the public interest by protecting citizen’s life, but at the same time being lawful and perform your duties. The point I am trying to make is that it is not only the case that you take a right decision in tuned with law and ethics but you should also use democratic process of decision making. The case study on child labour demanded from the candidate to raise ethical issues like violating human dignity by making a child work when he/she is supposed to go the school. More over child is deprived of growing his personality in future. The second part of the case study expected you to use Kantian logic of duty and empathise and show compassionate behaviour to children and make active efforts to free them from the bondage. This kind of visualisation when you yourself feel like a child labour will help you to take action to correct the situation. For solving this case study choices were not given but you can follow the pattern given by the UPSC of evaluating plus and minus consequences of all possible alternatives and finally choosing the best one. The next case study wanted to test your intellectual integrity in capacity of being the Director of a premium institute. Your act can have implications for thousands of students future. Here again Kantian logic can be used along with intellectual integrity. The caste study on disclosure of information was easy as it needed invocation of ‘integrity pacts’ recommended by the second administrative reforms commission. The last case study again brings back the discussion asked in the theoretical segments of being ethical along with professionally competent. There should not be any confusion to to remove the person who is found guilty of sexual harassment at the workplace. But never forget to follow the steps of checking the facts by listening to the both parties.
In addition to this running discussion on the 2013 paper here are few more inputs on solving the case studies. The candidate should show Sensitivity to ethical issues, sometimes called "developing a moral imagination," or the awareness of the needs of others and that there is an ethical point of view. He/she should be able to recognise ethical issues and have ability to see the ethical implications of specific situations and choices. He/she should have ability to analyze and critically evaluate ethical dilemmas, including an understanding of competing values, and the ability to scrutinize options for resolution. The candidate should take ethical responsibility and show the ability to make a decision and take action. The candidate should have tolerance for ambiguity, or the recognition that there may be no single ideal solution to ethically problematic situations.
Framework of solving Case Studies
Hopefully this discussion will help you to follow the adequate process while solving the case studies: The rational problem-solving process includes identifying the problem, clarifying objectives, analysing alternatives, deciding on a solution, implementing the solution, and following through to ensure its effectiveness. To begin solving a problem, the current situation needs to be diagnosed to understand and define the problem as accurately as possible. Hasty assumptions often contribute to a failure to distinguish a problem’s symptoms from its sources.
The immediate and long-term effects of all alternative solutions on other people and situations should be considered. Effective action plans contain measurable criteria and time lines. Involving the people affected by the plan in the analysis of alternatives and in decisionmaking will build their commitment to its implementation. When evaluating action plan alternatives, benefits are weighed against possible negative consequences. Other considerations include probability of success; associated risk factors; potential money, time, and energy costs; and the possible reactions of those affected. Effective implementation of an action plan depends on the parties’ commitment to make it work. Commitment to the agreed-upon solution is usually gained when problems,