FOUNDATIONAL

VALUES
 ETHICS MODULE

FOUNDATIONAL VALUES

■ WHAT?
■ End oriented values
■ Means oriented values
■ Why are values important?
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■ Fosters public trust in government institutions and officials +

credibility of the civil service
■ Ensure accountability promoting transparency and reducing
corruption.
■ Ensure all our treated equally
■ Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of public service
delivery.
■ Values provide a moral compass that guides civil servants in
making ethical decisions, even in complex and challenging
situations.
■ Encourage professionalism
■ Promote respect towards colleagues and the public + fostering a
positive work environment and respectful interactions.
■ Maintain the Contribute to good governance.
ETHICS MODULE
 ETHICS MODULE
Academic research conducted by Hood (1991), Toonen
(2003) identifies three ‘families’ around which
primary values in public administration are as
follows:
■ Parsimony and economy à ensuring optimal and
efficient use of resource
■ Fairness, equity and rectitude à honesty and the
development of public trust in government.
■ Robustness, resilience and sustainability à
ensuring that public administration and government
are strong in the face of various pressures, but are
flexible enough to learn and adapt to changing
circumstances in order to maintain public confidence
Structure of the Public Values
ETHICS MODULE

Universe
 ETHICS MODULE

General social values:

1. Public sector's contribution to society: Common good,
altruism, sustainability, regime dignity.
2. Transformation of interests to decisions: Majority rule, user
democracy, protection of minorities.
3. Relationship between public administrators and politicians:
Political loyalty.
4. Relationship between public administrators and their
environment: Openness-secrecy, advocacy-neutrality,
competitiveness-cooperativeness.
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Organizational values:
5. Intra-organisational aspects of public
administration: Robustness, innovation, productivity,
self-development of employees.
6. Behaviour of public sector employees:
Accountability.
7. Relationship between public administration and the
citizens: Legality, equity, dialogue, user orientation
 ETHICS MODULE

In India
■ We have central civil services (conduct rules), 1964
■ There is also Public services bill, 2007
■ ARC-2 recommendation
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Central CS - conduct rule

■ Every Govt Servant shall at all times
– (i) Maintain absolute integrity
– (ii) Maintain absolute devotion
– (iii)Do nothing, which is unbecoming of a Govt servant
– (iv)commit to uphold supremacy of constitution and democratic
values
– (v)defend and uphold sovereignty and integrity of India, the
security of state, public order, decency and morality
– (vi)maintain high ethical standards and honesty
– (vii) maintain political neutrality
– (viii)promote principals of merit, fairness and impartiality in
discharge of duties
– (ix)maintain accountability and transparency
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All India Services

■ Preserving national unity and integrity
■ Neutrality and objectivity
■ Competence and professionalism
■ Integrity
■ Idealism
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Public Services Bill, 2007

■ Accountability: Public service providers are accountable to citizens for service
delivery.
■ Transparency: Ensure openness and clarity in processes and decisions.
■ Responsiveness: Services should meet the needs and demands of citizens promptly.
■ Equity and Fairness: Provide services fairly and without discrimination.
■ Quality and Efficiency: Maintain high standards and efficient use of resources.
■ Citizens' Rights: Recognize and protect the rights of citizens to receive timely and
effective services.
■ Public Participation: Encourage citizen involvement in service design and
evaluation.
■ Integrity: Uphold ethical behavior and prevent corruption.
■ Sustainability: Ensure services are sustainable and support long-term societal and
environmental health.
 ETHICS MODULE

ARC – 2 Report
■ Highest standard of probity, integrity and conduct
■ Objectivity
■ Impartiality and non partisanship
■ Commitment to citizens and public good
■ Empathy
SOME CODE OF ETHICS
OR VALUES..
 ETHICS MODULE

Principles of public life that should

apply to all in the public service
NOLAN COMMITTEE
■ Selflessness
■ Integrity
■ Objectivity
■ Accountability
■ Openness
■ Honesty
■ Leadership
 ETHICS MODULE

Does it take away ones

own moral autonomy?
No… if higher ethical principles demands these can be
overridden
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Virtues of civil servants-

Aristottle
■ Prudence
■ Justice
■ Fortitude
■ Temperance
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IMPORTANT VALUES
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Integrity
Consistently adhering to ethical standards and values,
demonstrating honesty, and maintaining a firm stance on
moral and ethical issues even when faced with challenges
or temptations
■ Doing the right thing even if nobody is looking
■ Intellectual integrity - commitment to thinking and
reasoning honestly, rigorously, and impartially.
■ Moral integrity - alignment of actions with moral and
ethical principles.
■ NON NEGOTIABLE + NON SELECTIVE
SAY
ACT

THINK INTEGRITY
 ETHICS MODULE

Why integrity?
■ DM is easier and consistent
■ Committed and satisfied
■ More retention
■ Better serve the public
■ Corruption is less
■ Regulation and competitiveness are enhanced
 ETHICS MODULE

Importance in Civil Services

■ Ensures public trust and reputation in government
institutions – Public confidence
■ Promotes accountability and transparency in actions and
decisions.
■ Upholds high ethical standards, preventing corruption and
misconduct.
■ Ensures fair and impartial treatment of all citizens.
■ Facilitates reliable and consistent service delivery.
■ Effectiveness of policy implementation.
■ Promote effective and ethical Leadership
■ Reduce corruption
■ DM is easier and consistent
 ETHICS MODULE

■ E. Sreedharan (India)
– Metro Man à Delhi Metro project.
– Maintained strict adherence to ethical practices,
ensuring the project was completed on time and
within budget, despite numerous challenges.
■ Lion of Lokayukta à Justice Venkatachala
– is best known for his tireless fight against the state's
illegal mining mafia
– Strengthened Lokayukta and gave confidence to
people
■ Santosh Hegde
 ETHICS MODULE

■ T.N. Seshan
– Brought credit and respect to the Election
Commission of India:
– Strengthening Electoral Integrity
– Asserting Institutional Independence
– Innovative Reforms
– Enforcing Election Laws
– Public Awareness
 ETHICS MODULE
Dis- Integrity?
■ Lack of Accountability and transparency
■ Weak enforcement of laws and regulations
■ Cultural Norms à societal or organizational norms
that tolerate or even encourage unethical behaviour
■ Political Interference
■ Lack of Training and Awareness
■ Inadequate compensation for civil servants
■ Complex Bureaucratic Processes + red tape
■ Moral weakness
 ETHICS MODULE

■ Coal Allocation Scam (2012): Irregularities in coal block

allocation led to massive losses to the exchequer due to
favoritism and lack of transparency.
■ Commonwealth Games Scam (2010): involved inflated
contracts and financial irregularities.
■ Adarsh Housing Society Scam (2010): Government
officials, politicians, and military officers obtained flats
fraudulently in Mumbai's Adarsh Housing Society, meant for
war widows and veterans.
■ Vyapam Scam (2013): Irregularities in entrance exams and
recruitment tests by MP Professional Examination Board.
■ 2G Spectrum Scam (2008): Collusion between government
officials and telecom companies led to massive losses in the
allocation of 2G spectrum licenses
 ETHICS MODULE

Impartiality
Commitment to equality and diversity
It is a principle of justice holding that decisions should
be based on objective criterial rather than on basis of
bias or prejudice
1. Political Impartiality
2. Public impartiality
■ Why important?
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Non Partisanship +
Neutrality
■ CS should remain non political in nature
■ Importance
■ challenges
 ETHICS MODULE

Importance:
■ Ensures impartial governance and upholds democratic principles.
■ Fosters Trust
■ Ensures equal treatment of all citizens, regardless of political affiliations.
■ Minimizes the influence of political agendas on decision-making
processes.
■ Enhances Legitimacy of government actions and policies.
■ Upholds the rule of law by ensuring consistent and impartial application.
■ Encourages civic engagement and participation in democratic processes.
■ Contributes to political stability and social cohesion by reducing
polarization.
■ Promotes Good Governance
 ETHICS MODULE

Challenges:
■ Political Pressure
■ Personal Bias
■ Complexity of Issues and competing interests
■ Resource Constraints
■ Conflicting Stakeholder Demands
■ Ethical Dilemmas
■ Legal Ambiguities
■ Cultural Norms may tolerate or even encourage partisan
behavior.
■ Changing Political dynamics or ideologies
 ETHICS MODULE

Aspect Non-Partisanship Neutrality

Being free from affiliation with Impartiality in all aspects of
Definition
any political party or ideology. public service.
Specifically applies to political
Applicatio Applies to all aspects of public
n
contexts (e.g., elections,
administration.
campaigning).
Ensures impartial service to the Ensures objectivity and fairness
Purpose
government of the day. in serving the public interest.

Civil servants refrain from Civil servants make decisions

Examples
engaging in political activities. based on merit and without bias.
 ETHICS MODULE

A civil servant should be politically neutral, not

value neutral. He should be committed to the
policies of the country, not to the politics of the
country. Substantiate
 ETHICS MODULE

■ Political Neutrality à not show allegiance to any political party

– Ensures impartiality + unbiased + fair administration + non-partisan.
– Importance à trust + efficiency etc…..
■ Value Commitment à Adherence to core ethical values and principles.
– Maintain high ethical standards à ensuires integrity, honesty, Empathy.
Etc… .
■ Commitment to Policies
– Ensures effective policy implementation + public welfare + continuity in
governance + Stability and consistency in public administration.
■ By Avoiding Commitment to Politics à influenced by political pressures
or agendas.
– Ensures independence + focus on service delivery + avoiding political
bias.
■ Conclusion: Maintains the credibility and effectiveness of civil service.
 ETHICS MODULE

Objectivity
Ability to judge fairly without bias or external
influence
■ Help to establish a legal rational civil services
■ Why important?
 ETHICS MODULE

■ Fair Decision-Making: Ensures equality and impartiality, treating

all citizens equally without bias.
■ Trust and Credibility
■ Professional Integrity à preventing corruption and undue
influence.
■ Consistency in Governance: Ensures uniform application of
policies, making government actions predictable.
■ Effective Policy Implementation as civil servants Relie on
evidence-based decision-making + Improving Public Services
■ Acts as a neutral arbiter in disputes, facilitating balanced
judgments and sustainable solutions.
■ Upholding the Rule of Law: Ensures compliance with legal
frameworks
 ETHICS MODULE

Challenges:
■ Personal Biases
■ Political Pressure
■ Conflicting Public Expectations due to diversity +
cultural difference
■ Complex Situations à where clear, objective solutions are
not easily identifiable.
■ Resource Constraints leading to potential compromises.
■ Information Overload
■ Remaining detached and objective in emotionally charged
situations can be challenging.
■ Conflict of personal and profession Interest
■ Ethical Dilemmas
 ETHICS MODULE

Tolerance
Attitude of mind that implies non judgmental
acceptance of different lifestyles or belief
■ Advantages
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■ Promotes Inclusivity
■ Fosters social harmony between diverse communities + reducing
conflict.
■ Supports Democratic Principles
■ Facilitates Effective and responsive Governance à by understand
and address diverse needs and concerns
■ Encourages Innovation and Problem-Solving by incorporating
diverse ideas and perspective
■ Builds Public Trust by valuing diversity and difference.
■ Aligns with other Ethical Standards like fairness empathy etc ,
respect, and justice, which are fundamental in civil services.
■ positive work environment + fostering collaboration
■ Integral to the protection and promotion of human rights
 Aspect Sympathy Empathy Compassion
ETHICS MODULE
Concern for the
Feelings of pity and The ability to sufferings or
Definition sorrow for someone understand and share misfortunes of others,
else's misfortune. the feelings of another. coupled with a desire
to help.
Moderate – High - involves feeling High – understand +
Emotional
understand others what another person is feel + desire to
Involvement
feeling/emotion feeling. alleviate it.
Recognizing and Experiencing others' Recognizing suffering
Perspective acknowledging others’ feelings as if they are and wanting to take
felling (Pain). your own. action to help.
Understanding a
Helping a friend who
Feeling sad for a friend friend's grief by
Example has lost their job find
who has lost their job. imagining yourself in
new opportunities.
their situation.
 ETHICS MODULE

Sympathy Empathy Compassion

Relation to "I want to help

"I feel for you." "I feel with you."
Others you."
May seem Can lead to May be
superficial if not emotional emotionally
Potential
followed by burnout if one taxing due to the
Downside
supportive over-identifies involvement in
actions. with others. others' suffering.
 ETHICS MODULE

■ Understanding diverse perspectives and challenges + build

trust
■ Communication à Facilitates sincere and sensitive
interactions, fostering trust.
■ Humanization: Ensures policies and services prioritize
alleviating suffering.
■ Social Cohesion
■ Conflict Resolution
■ Bias Mitigation
■ Social Justice
■ Sustainable Development
 ETHICS MODULE

■ Mother Teresa à Missionaries of Charity

■ Rosa Parks: "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement"
– African American activist
– Struggle against racial injustice
■ Oprah Winfrey: television star, philanthropist à used her
platform to promote empathy and compassion. Through her talk
show highlighted important social issues and helped improve
peoples life.
■ Nelson Mandela: Despite enduring 27 years of imprisonment,
Mandela emerged with a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation,
promoting unity and equality in post-apartheid South Africa. His
commitment to empathy and compassion helped pave the way for
a peaceful transition to democracy.
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■ Dr. H. Sudarshan:
– social worker and public health expert
– known for his work with the tribal communities in the forests of
Karnataka.
– Karuna Trust à healthcare services to marginalized
communities
■ Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty:
– Affordable cardiac care initiatives à made life-saving
treatments accessible to millions of people
■ Dr. Shivakumara Swami:
– "Walking God" or "Nadedaduva Devaru,"
– As the head of the Siddaganga Matha in Tumakuru
– Dedicated his life to providing free education, healthcare, and
food to thousands of underprivileged children regardless of
caste, creed, or religion.
 ETHICS MODULE

■ Governance
■ Probity in governance
■ Work culture
■ Strengthening Ethics in governance + RTI
■ Concept of public services – citizen charter
■ Utilization of public fund – corruption
■ Corporate Governance
■ Ethics in international relationship