7.1 Probity
-
Probity
Probity is the quality of adhering to strong moral principles such as honesty, integrity, uprightness, Good character and decency. It is an act of following the highest principles and ideals rather than merely avoiding corrupt or dishonest conduct.; Probity is confirmed integrity.; Probity in governance ensures that the system remains transparent, accountable, responsive,and open to scrutiny.; According to NCRCW…
-
Probity
Probity is crucial for Good Governance; Enhances Credibility of the state apparatus: Ensures procedural integrity, leading to efficient and effective system of governance and socio-economic development.; Ensures Institutional Integrity:Maintains ethicality and legality of institutions.It involves adopting an ethical and transparent approach, allowing the process to withstand scrutiny.; Minimises individual…
-
Probity
Measures taken by Government of India to ensure Probity in Governance; Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and CVC.; Right to Information Act, 2005 (The 2nd ARC considers RTI as the master key to good governance.); Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013; Whistle-blowers Protection Act, 2014; Prohibition of Benami Property Transaction Act, 1988 and amendments in 2016
-
Probity
Example(s); A Public Official with probity would act in the public interest, be transparent about their fffinancial dealings, and avoid conflicts of interest.; A Journalist who adheres to Probity would report the truth and be transparent about their sources of information. They would avoid sensationalism and bias, and ensure that their reporting is accurate and fact-based.
-
Probity
Quote(s); “Recognized probity is the surest of all oaths.” (Suzanne Curchod)
-
Probity
100+ Ethics Key Terms 51
7.2 Transparency
-
Transparency
Transparency is the practice of being open, clear, and honest in decision-making, communications, and operations, ensuring that actions can be easily understood and scrutinized.; Transparency refers to the availability of information to the general public and clarity about the functioning of governmental institutions.; Transparency is an important principle for promoting Honesty, Trust, and Accountability in all…
-
Transparency
Transparency as a tool for Good Governance; In a functional democracy, the government is obliged to keep its citizens informed. This helps citizens to hold their public officials accountable, which is key to just and good governance.; As per the 2nd ARC, transparency in a democracy allows bi-directional information flow which allows citizens to participate in governance.; It empowers the citizens to demand and get…
-
Transparency
Example(s); A social media platform that is transparent would publicly disclose its content moderation policies, so users know what is allowed and what is not.; A non-profit organisation that adheres to transparency would publish its annual report, which provides information about its activities, finances, and achievements over the past year.
-
Transparency
Quote(s); “A lack of transparency results in distrust and a deep sense of insecurity.” (Dalai Lama); “Transparency is the key to good-governance and e-governance is the only effective way of transparent governance.” (Narendra Modi)
7.3 Right to Information
-
Right to Information
RTI marks the era of beginning of light and end of the era of darkness.; Considered as the 5th pillar of democracy..; Objective is to secure access to information under public authorities.(Promote Transparency and Accountability.)
-
Right to Information
100+ Ethics Key Terms 52
7.6 Code of Conduct
-
Code of Conduct
A code of conduct is a set of guidelines or rules designed to define acceptable behaviors and responsibilities within a specific context, such as a workplace or profession.; A Code of Conduct may also address issues such as conflicts of interest, confidentiality, and compliance with laws and regulations.; Many organisations and professions have their own Codes of Conduct, which are often enforced through…
-
Code of Conduct
Example(s); The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has a Code of Conduct for its employees that outlines the ethical and professional standards to be followed.
-
Code of Conduct
100+ Ethics Key Terms 54
7.7 Conflict of Interest
-
Conflict of Interest
A ‘conflict of interest’ involves a conflict between the public duty and private interests of a public official, in which the public official has private-capacity interests which could improperly influence the performance of their official duties and responsibilities. (OECD); When an individual or organisation is faced with competing interests or loyalties that may interfere with their ability to act in a Fair…
-
Conflict of Interest
Quote(s); “The most difficult thing is to recognize that sometimes we too are blinded by our own incentives. Because we don’t see how our conflicts of interest work on us.” (Dan Ariely)
7.8 Coercion
-
Coercion
Using force, threats, or intimidation to compel someone to act against their free will, thereby voiding genuine consent.; Coercion involves forcing someone to act against their will through threats, pressure, or violence often resulting in the violation of personal freedoms.
-
Coercion
100+ Ethics Key Terms 55
-
Coercion
Example; Forcing an employee to sign a resignation letter under threat of job loss in India.; Coercion in political regimes, like the emergency period in India (1975-77), where opposition leaders were detained and citizens faced forced actions.
-
Coercion
Quote; “The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” (Albert Camus); “Coercion, after all, merely captures man. Freedom captivates him.” (Robert McNamara)
7.9 Undue Influence
-
Undue Influence
Undue influence occurs when someone uses their power to manipulate or control another person’s decision-making process, typically exploiting trust, vulnerability, or a relationship.; Improper use of power or position to dominate another’s will and gain unfair advantage, especially in relationships of trust.
-
Undue Influence
Example; A senior official pressuring a junior to approve a contract favoring relatives.; In corporate life, high-ranking officials pressuring subordinates into unethical actions for personal gain.
-
Undue Influence
Quote; “Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.” (John Steinbeck); “The greatest remedy for the ills of the people is not to impose influence but to provide them with the liberty to act.” (John Stuart Mill)
7.10 Corruption
-
Corruption
Corruption is derived from the Greek word “Corruptus” ;means Destruction or to Destroy.; Corruption is defined as the abuse of entrusted power for private gains.; Corruption is a form of dishonest or unethical behaviour that involves the abuse of power for personal gain.; Corruption can take many forms such as bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, fraud,etc.
-
Corruption
100+ Ethics Key Terms 56
-
Corruption
Quote(s); “Corruption is a cancer, a cancer that eats away at a citizen’s faith in democracy, diminishes the instinct for innovation and creativity.” (Joe Biden); Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi remarked in 1985 about corruption in the country that only 15 paise of every rupee meant for welfare of the downtrodden reaches them. Types of Corruption:
7.11 Coercive Corruption
-
Coercive Corruption
Coercive corruption involves forcing or threatening individuals to engage in corrupt practices, such as bribery, under duress or fear of harm.; Coercive corruption occurs when an individual in power uses threats, intimidation, or force to extract bribes or illicit favors, compelling others to comply against their will.
-
Coercive Corruption
100+ Ethics Key Terms 57
-
Coercive Corruption
Example; A government inspector threatens to shut down a small business unless the owner pays a bribe, leaving the owner with no real choice but to comply to avoid severe losses.; During election seasons, certain political parties or leaders may coerce voters through threats of violence, intimidation, or denial of government benefits to ensure their votes.
7.12 Collusive Corruption
-
Collusive Corruption
Collusive corruption occurs when two or more parties secretly collaborate to engage in corrupt practices, often to benefit mutually at the expense of others.; Collusive corruption involves two or more parties willingly collaborating to engage in corrupt acts, such as bribery or fraud, for mutual benefit, often bypassing rules or regulations.
-
Collusive Corruption
Example; A contractor and a government official agree to inflate project costs and split the excess funds, both benefiting from the arrangement at the public’s expense.; In corporate life, businesses colluding with government officials to rig bids or gain unfair advantages in procurement processes exemplifies collusive corruption.
7.13 Work Culture
-
Work Culture
Work culture can be defined as the way of life of people in an organisation. It is the totality of processes, Procedures and behaviour of people in organisation for achieving objectives of organisation.; It is the work culture which decides the way employees interact with each other and how organisations functions. Workplace culture can make or break an organisation.
-
Work Culture
100+ Ethics Key Terms 58
-
Work Culture
Determinants /Characteristics of Work Culture
-
Work Culture
Elements of Positive work Culture; Efficiency & economy of time as well as performances; Promptness(Quick response reduce cost overruns); Simplicity of rules and regulations; Flexibility in operations; Quality of service; Organisational Humanism; Goal orientation; Authority-Responsibility balance
-
Work Culture
Example(s); ISRO has a better work culture.; It is due to Autonomy, Responsibility, Patriotism, Leadership, Aspiration to be exemplary.; Ira Singhal(IAS) is the fffirst person to give a job to a transgender person full-time employment in a government office; thus making the Working environment more inclusive.
-
Work Culture
100+ Ethics Key Terms 59
-
Work Culture
Quote(s); ‘Being a great place to work is the difference between being a good company and a great company.’ (Brian Kristofek); “A hallmark of a healthy creative culture is that its people feel free to share ideas, opinions, and criticisms. Lack of candour, if unchecked, ultimately leads to dysfunctional environments.” (Ed Catmull); “Once you have an innovation culture, even those who are not scientists or engineers…
7.14 Quality of Service Delivery
-
Quality of Service Delivery
It is defined on the basis of the relationship between Expectation & Perception.; Characteristics
-
Quality of Service Delivery
Efficiency(Cost effectiveness); Responsibility; Endurance (Durability/Quality); Accessibility/Reachability; Effective Grievance redressal mechanism; Timeline; Likeness/Fitting/Suitability; Quality of service is different from Quality of product ; Product’s quality can be determined on the basis of certain traits but it is difficult to determine Quality of service as it is a Qualitative term. (In general, the…
-
Quality of Service Delivery
100+ Ethics Key Terms 60
-
Quality of Service Delivery
Example(s); Government has taken many steps to deliver quality of service such as PRAGATI, Digitisation, One nation one ration card, e-Filing of Income Tax Return etc ,UPI,e-RUPI etc.; Armstrong Pame constructed a 100 km road in a remote and underdeveloped area of the Manipur hills, by crowdfunding through social media and funds provided by businesses and local leaders.; Awanish Sharan(Chhattisgarh IAS Officer)…
-
Quality of Service Delivery
Quote(s); “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have little.” (Franklin D. Roosevelt); “The nation will find it very hard to look up to the leaders who are keeping their ears to the ground”. (Sir Winston Churchill); “Governance and public service delivery should be designed to make life easier for the people.”
7.15 Trustworthiness
-
Trustworthiness
Trustworthiness refers to the ability to be relied upon to act with honesty, integrity, and in the best interest of others, fostering confidence and reliability.; The quality of being Honest, Sincere, at all times which makes a person Reliable. Example(s); The rampant spread of Fake News and Rumours have reduced the trustworthiness of Social Media.; Providing truthful and precise information in reports or…
-
Trustworthiness
Quote(s); “No virtue is more universally accepted as a test of good character than trustworthiness.” (Harry Emerson Fosdick)
7.16 Discrimination
-
Discrimination
Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, often based on characteristics such as race, gender, or religion.
-
Discrimination
Example(s); Racial discrimination- Mahatma Gandhi was thrown out of the fffirst class compartment in a train due to his skin colour.; Caste based discrimination- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar faced discrimination in school as he belonged to the Mahar caste considered as untouchable.
-
Discrimination
100+ Ethics Key Terms 61
-
Discrimination
Quote(s); “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” (Nelson Mandela)
7.17 Preferential Treatment
-
Preferential Treatment
Preferential treatment is the practice of giving advantages or favorable treatment to certain individuals or groups, often at the expense of others.; It refers to the concession or the privilege granted to certain persons or groups of persons thereby making certain benefits more accessible to them. Example(s); Preferential treatment is given to persons with disability to help them access public facilities with…
7.18 Common Good
-
Common Good
The common good refers to the benefits or well-being of all members of a community or society, often achieved through collective effort and shared responsibility.; It refers to those facilities which benefit the society at large and are naturally shared by all the members of a community. Example(s); Public transportation and recreational facilities, the judicial system, civil liberties like the freedom of speech and…
7.19 Falsehood
-
Falsehood
A non-true or inaccurate statement or assertion can be termed as Falsehood. Intentionally or unintentionally the claim in the statement could be misleading or deceptive like lies, rumours, misconceptions, and misrepresentations. Example(s); Advertisers, many times, make false/exaggerated claims about their products in order to increase sales.; Nazi propaganda in Germany was built on deliberate falsehoods and…
-
Falsehood
100+ Ethics Key Terms 62
Ethics revision note: definition, example, quote or application
-
Citizen’s Charter
Citizens’ Charters initiative is a response to the quest for solving the problems which a citizen encounters, day in and day out, while dealing with the organisations providing public services.; The concept of Citizens’ Charter enshrines the trust between the service provider and its users.; A Citizen’s Charter is a document that outlines the commitments made by a government or public service provider to its…
-
Code of Ethics
A code of ethics is a set of guidelines or principles that outlines the ethical standards and expectations for behaviour of an individual, organisation, or profession.; It provides a framework for ethical decision-making and helps to promote integrity, professionalism, and accountability. Example(s); Medical Council of India (MCI) Code of Ethics and Regulations sets Ethical Standards for physicians in India…
Facts and figures for this syllabus heading.