Microthemes in UPSC Mains (GS 2013-2024)

Ethics
1.Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, Determinants and
Consequences of Ethics in - Human Actions; Dimensions
of Ethics; Ethics - in Private and Public Relationships.

Microthemes UPSC PYQs Year Marks

Applied Ethics “In Indian culture and value system, an equal opportunity has been provided
irrespective of gender identity. The number of women in public service has been
steadily increasing over the years.” Examine the gender specific challenges faced 2024 10
by female public servants and suggest to increase their efficiency in discharging
their duties and maintaining high standards of probity.
Gobal warming and climate change are the outcomes of human greed in the name
of development, indicating the direction in which extinction of organisms including
2024 10
human beings is heading towards loss of life on Earth. How do you put an end to this
to protect life and bring equilibrium between the society and the environment?
Impact of digital technology as a reliable source of input for rational decision
2021 10
making is a debatable issue. Critically evaluate with a suitable example.
Online methodology is being used for day-to-day meetings, institutional approv-
als in the administration and for teaching and learning in education sector to the
extent telemedicine in the health sector is getting popular with the approvals of the
2022 10
competent authority. No doubt it has advantages and disadvantages for both the
beneficiaries and system at large. Describe and discuss the ethical issues involved in
the use of online method particularly to vulnerable section of society.
Suppose the Government of India is thinking of constructing a dam in a moun-
tain valley bound by forests and inhabited by ethnic communities. What rational 2018 10
policy should it resort to in dealing with unforeseen contingencies?
The application of Artificial Intelligence as a dependable source of input for ad-
ministrative rational decision-making is a debatable issue. Critically examine the 2024 10
statement from the ethical point of view.
The current internet expansion has instilled a different set of cultural values
2020 10
which are in conflict with traditional values. Discuss.
What is meant by ‘environmental ethics’? Why is it important to study? Discuss
2015 10
any one environmental issue from the viewpoint of environmental ethics.

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Microthemes in UPSC Mains (GS 2013-2024)

Microthemes UPSC PYQs Year Marks

Consequences of Ethics Discuss the role of ethics and values in enhancing the following three major
components of Comprehensive National Power (CNP) viz. human capital, soft 2020 10
power(culture and policies), and social harmony.
Explain how ethics contributes to social and human well-being. 2016 10
Increased national wealth did not result in equitable distribution of its bene-
fits. It has created only some “enclaves of modernity and prosperity for a small 2017 10
minority at the cost of the majority.” Justify.
It is believed that adherence to ethics in human actions would ensure in smooth
functioning of an organization/system. If so, what does ethics seek to promote
2022 10
in human life? How do ethical values assist in the resolution of conflicts faced by
him in his day-to-day functioning?
The current society is plagued with widespread trust-deficit. What are the con-
sequences of this situation for personal well-being and for societal well-being? 2014 10
What can you do at the personal level to make yourself trustworthy?
Normative Ethics (Deontol- Human beings should always be treated as ‘ends’ in themselves and never as
ogy vs Teleology) merely ‘means’. Explain the meaning and significance of this statement, giving 2014 10
its implications in the modern techno-economic society.
With regard to morality of actions, one view is that means are of paramount
importance and the other view is that the ends justify the means. Which view 2018 10
do you think is more appropriate? Justify your answer.
Determinants of Ethics “The concept of Just and Unjust is contextual. What was just a year back, may
turn out to be unjust in today’s context. Changing context should be constantly
2024 10
under scrutiny to prevent miscarriage of justice.” Examine the above statement
with suitable examples.
Differentiate ‘moral intuition’ from ‘moral reasoning’ with suitable examples. 2023 10
Some people feel that values keep changing with time and situation, while oth-
ers strongly believe that there are certain universal and eternal human values. 2013 10
Give your perception in this regard with due justification.
Without commonly shared and widely entrenched moral values and obligations,
neither the law, nor democratic government, nor even the market economy
2017 10
will function properly. What do you understand by this statement? Explain with
illustration in the contemporary times.
Dimensions of Ethics “Ethics encompasses several key dimensions that are crucial in guiding individ-
uals and organizations towards morally responsible behaviour.” Explain the key
2024 10
dimensions of ethics that influence human actions Discuss how these dimen-
sions shape ethical decision-making in the professional context.
Essence of Ethics Distinguish between laws and rules. Discuss the role of ethics in formulating
2020 10
them.
It is often said that ‘politics’ and ‘ethics’ do not go together. What is your opin-
2013 10
ion in this regard? Justify your answer with illustrations.

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Microthemes in UPSC Mains (GS 2013-2024)

Microthemes UPSC PYQs Year Marks

Ethics in Private and Public In the context of defence services, ‘patriotism’ demands readiness to even lay
sphere down one’s life in protecting the nation. According to you, what does patriotism 2014 10
imply in everyday civil life? Explain with illustrations and justify your answer.
The crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced to a narrow perception of
2017 10
the good life. Discuss.
The good of an individual is contained in the good of all. What do you under-
2013 10
stand by this statement? How can this principle be implemented in public life?
What do you understand by ‘values’ and ‘ethics’? In what way is it important to
2013 10
be ethical along with being professionally competent?
What does ethics seek to promote in human life? Why is it all the more import-
2014 10
ant in public administration?
Term Based What do you understand by the following terms in the context of public service?
(5 terms x 3 marks each: a) Integrity b) Perseverance c) Spirit of service d) Com- 2013 15
mitment e) Courage of conviction f) Personal opinion
Differentiate between the following (200 words); a) Law and Ethics; b) Ethical
management and Management of ethics; c) Discrimination and Preferential 2015 10
treatment; d) Personal ethics and Professional ethics
Write short notes on the following in 30 words each : (i) Constitutional morality
(ii) Conflict of interest (iii) Probity in public life (iv) Challenges of digitalization (v) 2022 10
Devotion to duty
Examine the relevance of the following in the context of civil service: (a) Trans-
parency (b) Accountability (c) Fairness and justice (d) Courage of conviction (e) 2017 10
Spirit of service.

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Microthemes in UPSC Mains (GS 2013-2024)

Ethics
2. Human Values: Lessons from the Lives and Teachings of
Great Leaders, Reformers and Administrators; Role of family
society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

Microthemes UPSC PYQs Year Marks

Innovative Measures to We are witnessing increasing instances of sexual violence against women in the
Curb Sexual Violence country. Despite existing legal provisions against it, the number of such inci- 2014 10
dences is on the rise. Suggest some innovative measures to tackle this menace.
Role of Educational institu- “Education is not an injunction, it is an effective and pervasive tool for all-round
tions development of an individual and social transformation”.Examine the New Edu- 2020 10
cation Policy,2020 (NEP,2020) in light of the above statement.
Teachings of Great Leaders “Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may per-
form very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them.”
2017 10
– Napoleon Bonaparte. Stating examples mention the rulers (i) who have harmed
society and country, (ii) who worked for the development of society and country.
Discuss Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of seven sins. 2016 10
What are the main factors responsible for gender inequality in India ? Discuss
2020 10
the contribution of Savitribai Phule in this regard.
What teachings of Buddha are most relevant today and why? Discuss. 2020 10
What were the major teachings of Guru Nanak? Explain their relevance in the
2023 10
contemporary world.
Which eminent personality has inspired you the most in the context of ethical con-
duct in life? Give the gist of his/her teachings giving specific examples, describe how 2014 10
you have been able to apply these teachings for your own ethical development.
Value Based Questions “Corruption is the manifestation of the failure of core values in the society.” In your
2023 10
opinion, what measures can be adopted to uplift the core values in the society?
All human beings aspire for happiness. Do you agree? What does happiness
2014 10
mean to you? Explain with examples.
Social values are more important than economic values. Discuss the above
2015 10
statement with examples in the context of inclusive growth of a nation.

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Microthemes in UPSC Mains (GS 2013-2024)

Ethics
3.Attitude: Content, Structure, Function; its Influence
and Relation with Thought and Behaviour; Moral and
Political Attitudes; Social Influence and Persuasion.
Microthemes UPSC PYQs Year Marks
Attitude for Civil Servants A positive attitude is considered to be an essential characteristic of a civil ser-
vant who is often required to function under extreme stress. What contributes a 2020 10
positive attitude in person.?
Attitude is an important component that goes as input in the development of
2021 10
human beings. How to build a suitable attitude needed for a public servant?
Our attitudes towards life, work, other people and society are generally shaped
unconsciously by the family and social surroundings in which we grow up. Some
of these unconsciously acquired attitudes and values are often undesirable
in the citizens of modern democratic and egalitarian society. (a) Discuss such 2016 10
undesirable values prevalent in today’s educated Indians. (b) How can such
undesirable attitudes be changed and socio-ethical values be cultivated in the
aspiring and serving civil servants?
The Rules and Regulations provided to all the civil servants are same, yet there
is difference in the performance. Positive minded officers are able to interpret
the Rules and Regulations in favour of the case and achieve success, whereas 2022 10
negative minded officers are unable to achieve goals by interpreting the same
Rules and Regulations against the case. Discuss with illustrations.
Two different kinds of attitudes exhibited by public servants towards their work
have been identified as the bureaucratic attitude and the democratic attitude.
A) Distinguish between these two terms and write their merits and demerits. B) 2015 10
Is it possible to balance the two to create a better administration for the faster
development of our country?
Wisdom lies in knowing what to reckon with and what to overlook. An officer
being engrossed with the periphery, ignoring the core issues before him, is no
rare in the bureaucracy. Do you agree that such preoccupation of an administra- 2022 10
tor leads to travesty of justice to the cause of effective service delivery and good
governance? Critically evaluate.
Mindless addiction to Form, ignoring the Substance of the matter, results in ren-
dering of injustice. A perceptive civil servant is one who ignores such literalness
2024 10
and carries out true intent. Examine the above statement with suitable illustra-
tions.
Attitude for Individuals ‘Hatred is destructive of a person‘s wisdom and conscience that can poison a
2020 10
nation’s spirit. Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer.
Anger is a harmful negative emotion. It is injurious to both personal life and
work life. (a) Discuss how it leads to negative emotions and undesirable be- 2016 10
haviours. (b) How can it be managed and controlled?
What factors affect the formation of a person’s attitude towards social prob-
lems? In our society, contrasting attitudes are prevalent about many social
2014 10
problems. What contrasting attitudes do you notice about the caste system in
our society? How do you explain the existence of these contrasting attitudes?
Moral and Political Attitude Young people with ethical conduct are not willing to come forward to join active
2017 10
politics. Suggest steps to motivate them to come forward.
Organisational Attitude Discipline generally implies following the order and subordination. However, it
2017 10
may be counter-productive for the organisation. Discuss.
In the context of work environment, differentiate between ‘coercion’ and ‘un-
2023 10
due influence’ with suitable examples.
Social influence and per- How could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swatchh
2016 10
suasion Bharat Abhiyan?

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Microthemes in UPSC Mains (GS 2013-2024)

Ethics
4.Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities
and application in administration and governance.

Microthemes UPSC PYQs Year Marks

EI in Administration How will you apply emotional intelligence in administrative practices? 2017 10
EI X Crisis of Conscience In case of a crisis of conscience does emotional intelligence help to overcome
the same without compromising the ethical and moral stand that you are likely 2021 10
to follow? Critically examine.
EI: Concept and utility “Emotional Intelligence is the ability to make your emotions work for you in-
2019 10
stead of against you.” Do you agree with this view? Discuss.
What are the main components of emotional intelligence (EI) ? Can they be
2020 10
learned? discuss.
What is ‘emotional intelligence’ and how can it be developed in people? How
2013 10
does it help an individual in taking ethical decisions?
EQ vs IQ What really matters for success, character, happiness and lifelong achievements
is a definite set of emotional skills – your EQ- not just purely cognitive abilities
2023 10
that are measured by conventional IQ tests.” Do you agree with this view ? Give
reasons in support of your answer.

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Microthemes in UPSC Mains (GS 2013-2024)

Ethics
5.Contributions of Moral Thinkers and
Philosophers from India and World

Microthemes UPSC PYQs Year Marks

A.P.J. 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. 2017 10
they are father, the mother and the teacher.” – A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Analyse.
“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. 2022 10
They are the father, the mother and the teacher.” – Abdul Kalam.
“Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character.
When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When
2019 10
there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order
in the nation, there is peace in the world.”
Abraham Lincoln Nearly all men can withstand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character,
2013 10
give him power.—Abraham Lincoln
The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject any thing, 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 every thing, especially of governmental pol- 2018 10
icy, is an inseprarable compound of the two; so that our best judgement of the
preponderance between them is continually demand. - Abraham Lincoln.
Aristotle I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who overcomes his
2013 10
enemies.—Aristotle
Dalai Lama “Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.” Dalai Lama. 2022 10
“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until and unless we obtain peace
2021 10
within ourselves”

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Microthemes in UPSC Mains (GS 2013-2024)

Microthemes UPSC PYQs Year Marks

Erik Erikson “Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. We need each other,
2021 10
and the sooner we learn that it is better for us all” – Erik Erikson
Immanuel Kant “In law, a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics, he is
2024 10
guilty if he only thinks of doing so.” — Immanuel Kant
Jawaharlal Nehru “To awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened. Ones she is on
the move, the family moves, the village moves, the nation moves.” – Jawaharlal 2023 10
Nehru
John Rawls’s concept of Analyse John Rawls’s concept of social justice in the Indian context.
2016 10
social Justice
Kautilya Corruption causes misuse of government treasury, Administrative inefficiency
2016 10
and obstruction in the path of national Development. Discuss Kautilya’s views.
Mahatma Gandhi “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” –
2019 10
M.K.Gandhi
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service of others .” Mahatma
2020 10
Gandhi
“The weak can never forgive; forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” 2015 10
Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding. -Mahatma
2018 10
Gandhi
“The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand
2023 10
heads bowing in prayer.” – Mahatma Gandhi
There is enough on this earth for every one’s need but for no one’s greed. Ma-
2013 10
hatma Gandhi.
Plato We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is
2015 10
when men are afraid of the light.
Potter Stewart Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and
2022 10
what is right to do.’-Potter Stewart .
Sardar Patel “Faith is of no avail in the absence of strength. Faith and strength, both are
2024 10
essential to accomplish any great work.” — Sardar Patel
Socrates ”A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illu-
sion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing 2020 10
true.” – Socrates.
“An unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates 2019 10
Swami Vivekananda ”Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand do so. If not fold your
2020 10
hands, bless your brothers and let them go their own way.” – Swami Vivekanand
“Every work has got to pass through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding.
2021 10
Those that persevere will see the light, sooner or later” – Swami Vivekananda
“Learn everything that is good from others, but bring it in, and in your own way
2024 10
absorb it, do not become others.” — Swami Vivekananda
Do not hate anybody, because that hatred that comes out from you must, in the
long run, come back to you. If you love, that love will come back to you, com- 2023 10
pleting the circle.” – Swami Vivekanand.
Tirukkural Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common
2018 10
good. -Tirukkural

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Microthemes in UPSC Mains (GS 2013-2024)

Ethics
6.Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service,
Integrity, Impartiality and Non-partisanship, Objectivity,
Dedication to Public Service, Empathy, Tolerance
and compassion towards weaker-sections

Microthemes UPSC PYQs Year Marks

Empathy and compassion Apart from intellectual competency and moral qualities, empathy and compas-
sion are some of the other vital attributes that facilitate the civil servants to be
2022 10
more competent in tackling the crucial issues or taking critical decisions. Explain
with suitable illustrations.
Foundational values Identify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil ser-
2021 10
vant. Justify their inclusion in the matrix.
Identify ten essential values that are needed to be an effective public servant.
Describe the ways and means to prevent non-ethical behaviour in public ser- 2021 10
vants.
Indicate two more attributes which you consider important for public service.
2013 10
Justify your answer.
What do you understand by the term ‘public servant’? Reflect on the expected
2019 10
role of a public servant.
What are the basic principles of public life? Illustrate any three of these with
2019 10
suitable examples.
State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services
2018 10
and bring out their importance.

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Microthemes in UPSC Mains (GS 2013-2024)

Microthemes UPSC PYQs Year Marks

Impartiality and Non-Parti- Should impartial and being non-partisan be considered indispensable qualities
2021 10
sanship to make a successful civil servant? Discuss with illustrations.
Why should impartiality and non-partisanship be considered as foundational
values in public services, especially in the present day socio-political context ? 2016 10
Illustrate your answer with examples.
Integrity “Integrity is a value that empowers the human being’’. Justify with suitable
2021 10
illustration.
Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, but knowledge without in-
tegrity is dangerous and dreadful. What do you understand by this statement? 2014 10
Explain your stand with illustrations from the modern context.
One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be compromised. Explain with
2017 10
reference to a real life example.
Integrity X Intelligence X In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence
Energy and energy. And if they do not have the first, the other two will you. - Warren
2018 10
Buffett. What do you understand by this statement in the present-day scenario?
Explain.
Trustworthiness and For- How do the virtues of trustworthiness and fortitude get manifested in public
2015 10
titude service? Explain with examples.

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Microthemes in UPSC Mains (GS 2013-2024)

Ethics
7.Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public
Administration: Status and Problems; Ethical Concerns and
Dilemmas in Government and Private Institutions; Laws, Rules,
Regulations and Conscience as Sources of Ethical Guidance;
Accountability and Ethical Governance; Strengthening of
Ethical and Moral Values in Governance; ethical Issues in
International Relations and Funding; Corporate Governance

Microthemes UPSC PYQs Year Marks

Accountability and Ethical An independent and empowered social audit mechanism is an absolute must in
Governance every sphere of public service, including the judiciary, to ensure performance, 2021 10
accountability and ethical conduct. Elaborate.
Explain the term social capital. How does it enhance good governance? 2023 10
What do you understand by term ‘good governance’? How far recent initiatives
in terms of e-Governance steps taken by the State have helped the beneficia- 2022 10
ries? Discuss with suitable examples.
What do you understand by the terms ‘governance’, ‘good governance’ and
2016 10
‘ethical governance’?
What does ‘accountability’ mean in the context of public service? What mea-
sures can be adopted to ensure individual and collective accountability of public 2014 10
servants?

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Microthemes in UPSC Mains (GS 2013-2024)

Microthemes UPSC PYQs Year Marks

Public/Civil Service Values “Non-performance of duty by a public servant is a form of corruption” Do you
2019 10
agree with this view? Justify your answer (150 words, 10m)
In doing a good thing, everything is permitted which is not prohibited expressly
or by clear implication. Examine the statement with suitable examples in the 2018 10
context of a public servant discharging his/her duties.
Max Weber said that it is not wise to apply to public administration the sort of
moral and ethical norms we apply to matters of personal conscience. It is im-
2016 10
portant to realise that the State bureaucracy might possess its own independent
bureaucratic morality. Critically analyse this statement.
What is meant by public interest? What are the principles and procedures to be
2018 10
followed by the civil servants in public interest?
Corporate Governance Corporate social responsibility makes companies more profitable and sustain-
2017 10
able. Analyse.
In contemporary world, corporate sector’s contribution in generating wealth
and employment is increasing. In doing so, they are bringing in unprecedented
onslaught on the climate, environmental sustainability and living conditions
of human beings. In this background, do you find that Corporate Social Re- 2022 10
sponsibility (CSR) is efficient and sufficient enough to fulfill the social roles and
responsibilities needed in the corporate world for which the CSR is mandated?
Critically examine.
What do you understand by ‘moral integrity’ and ‘professional efficiency’ in the
2023 10
context of corporate governance in India ? Illustrate with suitable examples.
Conflict of interest Conflict of interest in the public sector arises when (a) official duties, (b) public
interest, and (c) personal interest are taking priority one above the other. How 2017 10
can this conflict in administration be resolved? Describe with an example.
Public servants are likely to confront with the issues of ‘Conflict of Interest’.
What do you understand by the term ‘Conflict of Interest’ and how does it
2015 10
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.
What is meant by conflict of interest? Illustrate with examples, the difference
2018 10
between the actual and potential conflicts of interest.
Laws, Rules, Regulations A mere compliance with law is not enough, the public servant also has to have a
and Conscience as Ethical well-developed sensibility to ethical issues for effective discharge of duties.” Do
2015 10
Guidance 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.
Is conscience a more reliable guide when compared to laws, rules and regula-
2023 10
tions in the context of ethical decision making ? Discuss.
Law and ethics are considered to be the two tools for controlling human con-
duct so as to make it conducive to civilized social existence. (a) Discuss how they
2016 10
achieve this objective. (b) Giving examples, show how the two differ in their
approaches.
The soul of the new law, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is Justice, Equality and
Impartiality based on Indian culture and ethos. Discuss this in the light of major 2024 10
shift from a doctrine of punishment to justice in the present judicial system.
What do you understand by the term ‘voice of conscience’? How do you prepare
2013 10
yourself to heed to the voice of conscience?
What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? How does it manifest itself in the public
2019 10
domain?
What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? Narrate one incident in your life when
2013 10
you were faced with such a crisis and how you resolved the same.
What is meant by constitutional morality? How does one uphold constitutional
2019 10
morality?

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Microthemes in UPSC Mains (GS 2013-2024)

Microthemes UPSC PYQs Year Marks

Ethical dilemmas in Public Besides domain knowledge, a public official needs innovativeness and creativity
Administration of a high order as well, while resolving ethical dilemmas. Discuss with a suitable 2021 10
example.
Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in Public Administration. 2018 10

Ethical Issues in Inter- ‘International aid’ is an accepted form of helping ‘resource-challenged’ nations.
national Relations and Comment on ‘ethics in contemporary international aid’. Support your answer 2023 10
funding with suitable examples.
‘The will to power exits, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and
principles of moral duty.’ Examine this statement in the context of international 2020 10
relations.
“It is not enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it; and it is not enough
to believe in it, one must act upon it” In the present context, the major weapon
industries of the developed nations are adversely influencing continuation of
2024 10
number of wars for their own self-interest, all around the world. What are the
ethical considerations of the powerful nations in today’s international arena to
stop continuation of ongoing conflicts?
“Refugees should not be turned back to the country where they would face
prosecution or human rights violation.” Examine the statement with reference
2021 10
to the ethical dimension being violated by the nation claiming to be democratic
with an open society.
At the international level, the bilateral relations between most nations are gov-
erned on the policy of promoting one’s own national interest without any regard
for the interest of other nations. This leads to conflicts and tensions between 2015 10
the nations. How can ethical consideration help resolve such tensions? Discuss
with specific examples.
Russia and Ukraine war has been going on for the last seven months. Different
countries have taken independent stands and actions keeping in view their own
national interests. We are all aware that war has its own impact on the different
2022 10
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.
Strength, peace and security are considered to be the pillars of international
2017 10
relations. Elucidate.

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Microthemes in UPSC Mains (GS 2013-2024)

Ethics
8.Probity in Governance: Concept of Public Service;
Philosophical Basis of Governance and Probity; Information
Sharing and Transparency in Government, Right to
information; Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s
Charters, Work Culture, Quality of Service Delivery, utilization
of Public Funds, Challenges of Corruption.Environment
Microthemes UPSC PYQs Year Marks
Challenges of Corruption It is often said that poverty leads to corruption. However, there is no dearth of
instances where affluent and powerful people indulge in corruption in a big way.
2014 10
What are the basic causes of corruption among people? Support your answer
with examples.
Whistle blower, who reports corruption and illegal activities, wrongdoing and
misconduct to the concerned authorities, runs the risk of being exposed to
grave danger, physical harm and victimization by the vested interests, accused 2022 10
persons and his team. What policy measures would you suggest to strengthen
protection mechanism to safeguard the whistle blower?
Citizen’s Charter Explain the basic principles of citizens’ charter movement and bring out its
2019 10
importance.
Codes of Ethics and Codes Discuss the Public Services Code as recommended by the 2nd Administrative
2016 10
of Conduct Reforms Commission.
Distinguish between “Code of ethics” and “Code of conduct” with suitable
2018 10
examples.
The ‘Code of Conduct and ‘Code of Ethics’ are the sources of guidance in public
administration. There is code of conduct already in operation, whereas code
2024 10
of ethics is not yet put in place. Suggest a suitable mode. for code of ethics to
maintain integrity, probity and transparency. governance.
Information Sharing and Some recent developments such as introduction of RTI Act, media and judicial
Transparency in Govern- activism, etc., are proving helpful in bringing about greater transparency and
ment X RTI accountability in the functioning of the government. However, it is also being
observed that at times the mechanisms are misused. Another negative effect is 2015 10
that the officers are now afraid to take prompt decisions. Analyze this situation
in detail and suggest how this dichotomy can be resolved. Suggest how these
negative impacts can be minimized.
The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’ empowerment alone, it
2018 10
essentially redefines the concept of accountability. Discuss.
There is a view that the official secrets act is an obstacle to the implementation
2019 10
of the Rights to Information act. Do you agree with the view? Discuss
Today we find that in spite of various measures like prescribing codes of con-
duct, setting up vigilance cells/commissions, RTI, active media and strength-
ening of legal mechanisms, corrupt practices are not coming under control. 2015 10
A) Evaluate the effectiveness of these measures with justifications. B) Suggest
more effective strategies to tackle this menace.

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Microthemes in UPSC Mains (GS 2013-2024)

Microthemes UPSC PYQs Year Marks

Probity in Governance ‘Probity is essential for an effective system of governance and socio-economic
2023 10
development.’ Discuss.
What do you understand by ‘probity’ in public life? What are the difficulties in
2014 10
practicing it in the present times? How can these difficulties be overcome?
What do you understand by probity in governance? Based on your understand-
2019 10
ing of the term, suggest measures for ensuring probity in government.
Utilization of public funds Effective utilisation of public funds is crucial to meet development goals. Critical-
ly examine the reasons for under-utilization and mis-utilisation of public funds 2019 10
and their implications.
There is a heavy ethical responsibility on the public servants because they occu-
py positions of power, handle huge amounts of public funds, and their decisions
2014 10
have wide-ranging impact on society and environment. What steps have you
taken to improve your ethical competence to handle such responsibility?
Quality of Service Delivery Mission Karmayogi is aiming for maintaining a very high standard of conduct
and behaviour to ensure efficiency for serving citizens and in developing oneself.
2024 10
How will this scheme empower the civil servants in enhancing productive effi-
ciency and delivering the services at the grassroots level?

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