Ethics and Human Interface PYQ | UPSC GS IV

2026

Section a · 1. · Paper Q2(a) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

An endangered tribe has developed a severe skeletal deformity. A university research has identified a mineral supplement as a possible remedy, though clinical trials are yet to be conducted. Should the District Magistrate (DM) use this research on the tribe? Discuss from the perspective of medical and administrative ethics.

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Section b · 2. · Paper Q2(b) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss how national security can be balanced with concerns of human rights.

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Section a · 3. · Paper Q4(a) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

Citing the serious adverse effects of long-term medication, a doctor convinces the family of a female patient for surgery. This led the patient to reluctantly consent for the surgery, though her original choice was to opt for medication. Explain the concepts of paternalism and beneficence by analysing the doctor's action.

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Section b · 4. · Paper Q4(b) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

Efficiency is doing things right, while effectiveness is doing the right thing. How do you strike a balance between the two to enhance productivity?

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5. · Paper Q5 · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

(a) Usually schools, working in remote areas, do not fully comply with government regulations. However, if the rules are enforced strictly, it would lead to most schools closing down. How should an administrator strike a balance between enforcement of rules and educational rights of children? (b) In international relations, ethical considerations are often subjugated to the strategic interests of nation-states. Discuss this from an ethical perspective.

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2025

Section a · 6. · Paper Q2(a) · 2025 · 10 marks

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

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Section a · 7. · Paper Q3(a) · 2025 · 10 marks · Solution

"Those who in trouble untroubled are, Will trouble trouble itself." - Thiruvalluvar

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Section c · 8. · Paper Q3(c) · 2025 · 10 marks · Solution

"The strength of a society is not in its laws, but in the morality of its people." - Swami Vivekananda

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Section a · 9. · Paper Q4(a) · 2025 · 10 marks

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

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Section b · 10. · Paper Q4(b) · 2025 · 10 marks

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

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Section a · 11. · Paper Q5(a) · 2025 · 10 marks

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

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Section b · 12. · Paper Q5(b) · 2025 · 10 marks

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

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2024

Section a · 13. · Paper Q2(a) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

"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 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?

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Section b · 14. · Paper Q2(b) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

Global warming and climate change are the outcomes of human greed in the name of development, indicating the direction in which extinction of organisms including 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? (Life).

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Section b · 15. · Paper Q3(b) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

"Faith is of no avail in the absence of strength. Faith and strength, both are essential to accomplish any great work." - Sardar Patel

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Section c · 16. · Paper Q3(c) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

"In law, a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics, he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so." - Immanuel Kant.

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Section a · 17. · Paper Q4(a) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

"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 under scrutiny to prevent miscarriage of justice." Examine the above statement with suitable examples

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Section b · 18. · Paper Q4(b) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

"Mindless addiction to Form, ignoring the Substance of the matter, results in rendering of injustice. A perceptive civil servant is one who ignores such literalness and carries out true intent." Examine the above statement with suitable illustrations.

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2023

Section b · 19. · Paper Q1(b) · 2023 · 10 marks

International aid is an accepted form of helping resource-challenged nations. Comment on ethics in contemporary international aid. Support your answer with suitable examples.

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Section a · 20. · Paper Q4(a) · 2023 · 10 marks

"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." Do you agree with the view? Give reasons in support of your answer.

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Section b · 21. · Paper Q4(b) · 2023 · 10 marks

Differentiate 'moral intuition" from 'moral reasoning' with suitable examples.

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Section a · 22. · Paper Q6(a) · 2023 · 10 marks

What were the major teachings of Guru Nanak? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.

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Section b · 23. · Paper Q6(b) · 2023 · 10 marks

Explain the term social capital. How does it enhance good governance?

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2022

Section a · 24. · Paper Q1(a) · 2022 · 10 marks

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 administrator leads to travesty of justice to the cause of effective service delivery and good governance? Critically evaluate.

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Section a · 25. · Paper Q2(a) · 2022 · 10 marks

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 negative minded officers are unable to achieve goals by interpreting the same Rules and Regulations against the case. Discuss with illustrations.

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Section b · 26. · Paper Q2(b) · 2022 · 10 marks

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 in human life? How do ethical values assist in the resolution of conflicts faced by him in his day-to-day functioning?

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2021

Section a · 27. · Paper Q1(a) · 2021 · 10 marks

Identify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant. Justify their inclusion in the matrix.

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Section b · 28. · Paper Q1(b) · 2021 · 10 marks

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 servants.

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Section a · 29. · Paper Q2(a) · 2021 · 10 marks

Impact of digital technology as a reliable source of input for rational decision making is a debatable issue. Critically evaluate with a suitable example.

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2020

Section a · 30. · Paper Q1(a) · 2020 · 10 marks

Discuss the role of ethics and values in enhancing the following three major components of Comprehensive National Power (CNP) viz. human capital, soft power (culture and policies) and social harmony.

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Section b · 31. · Paper Q1(b) · 2020 · 10 marks

"Education is not an injunction, it is an effective and pervasive tool for all-round development of an individual and social transformation". Examine the New Education Policy, 2020 (NEP, 2020) in light of the above statement.

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32. · Paper Q3 · 2020 · 10 marks · Solution

(а) What teachings of Buddha are most relevant today and why? Discuss. (b) "The will to power exists, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and principles of moral duty.' Examine this statement in the context of international relations.

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Section a · 33. · Paper Q5(a) · 2020 · 10 marks

What are the main factors responsible for gender inequality in India? Discuss the contribution of Savitribai Phule in this regard.

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Section b · 34. · Paper Q5(b) · 2020 · 10 marks

"The current internet expansion has instilled a different set of cultural values which are often in conflict with traditional values.' Discuss.

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2019

35. · Paper Q1 · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

(a) What are the basic principles of public life? Illustrate any three with suitable examples. (10 marks) (b) What do you understand by the term 'public servant'? Reflect on the expected role of public servant. (10 marks).

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2018

Section b · 36. · Paper Q3(b) · 2018 · 10 marks

"In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. And if they 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.

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Section a · 37. · Paper Q4(a) · 2018 · 10 marks

"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 context of a public servant discharging his/her duties.

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Section b · 38. · Paper Q4(b) · 2018 · 10 marks

With regard to the morality of actions, one view is that means is of paramount importance and the other view is that the ends justify the means. Which view do you think is more appropriate? Justify your answer.

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2017

39. · Paper Q3 · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

Young people with ethical conduct are not willing to come forward to join active politics. Suggest steps to motivate them to come forward. (150 Words, 10).

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40. · Paper Q4 · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

(a) One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be compromised. Explain with reference to a real life example. (150 Words, 10) (b) Corporate social responsibility makes companies more profitable and sustainable. Analyse. (150 Words, 10).

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41. · Paper Q7 · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

(a) The crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced to a narrow perception of the good life. Discuss. (150 Words, 10) (b) Increased national wealth did not result in equitable distribution of its benefits. It has created only some "enclaves of modernity and prosperity for a small minority at the cost of the majority." Justify. (150 Words, 10).

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42. · Paper Q8 · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

(a) Discipline generally implies following the order and subordination. However, it may be counter-productive for the organisation. Discuss. (150 Words, 10) (b) Without commonly shared and widely entrenched moral values and obligations, neither the law, nor democratic government, nor even the market economy will function properly. What do you understand by this statement? Explain with illustration in the contemporary times. (150 Words, 10).

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2016

Section a · 43. · Paper Q2(a) · 2016 · 10 marks · Solution

What do you understand by the terms 'governance', 'good governance' and 'ethical governance'?

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Section a · 44. · Paper Q5(a) · 2016 · 10 marks

Discuss how they achieve this objective.

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Section b · 45. · Paper Q5(b) · 2016 · 10 marks

Giving examples, show how the two differ in their approaches.

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Section a · 46. · Paper Q6(a) · 2016 · 10 marks

Discuss such undesirable values prevalent in Today's educated Indians.

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Section a · 47. · Paper Q7(a) · 2016 · 10 marks

Discuss how it leads to negative emotions and undesirable behaviors.

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Section b · 48. · Paper Q7(b) · 2016 · 10 marks

How can hit be managed and controlled?

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2015

49. · Paper Q1 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

(a) What is meant by 'environmental ethics'? Why is it important to study? Discuss any one environmental issue from the viewpoint of environmental ethics. (10) (b) Differentiate between the following (10 marks) (200 Words) (i) Law and ethics (ii) Ethical management and management of ethics (iii) Discrimination and preferential treatment (iv) Personal Ethics and Professional Ethics.

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50. · Paper Q7 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

At the international level, bilateral relations between most nations are governed on the policy of promoting one's own national interest without any regard for the interest of other nations. This leads to conflicts and tension between the nations. How can ethical consideration help resolve such tensions? Discuss with specific examples. (10 Marks).

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