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UPSC Mains PYQs

1053 questions

Every General Studies question since 2013, ready to attempt. Model answers arrive week by week.

Ethics and Human Interface

85 questions

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2019

  1. 2019 · GS4 · 10 marksThere is a view that the Official Secrets Act is an obstacle to the implementation of the Rights to Information Act. Do you agree with the view? Discuss (150 words)

2018

  1. 2018 · GS4 · 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.
  2. 2018 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat is mean by public interest? What are the principles and procedures to be followed by the civil servants in public interest?
  3. 2018 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat does this quotation mean to you in the present context “Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.” — Mahatma Gandhi
  4. 2018 · GS4 · 10 marksWith 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.
  5. 2018 · GS4 · 10 marksState the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services and bring out their importance.
  6. 2018 · GS4 · 10 marksSuppose the Government of India is thinking of constructing a dam in a mountain valley bond by forests and inhabited by ethnic communities. What rational policy should it resort to in dealing with unforeseen contingencies

2017

  1. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marksThe crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced to a narrow perception of the good life. Discuss.
  2. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marksDiscipline generally implies following the order and subordination. However, it may be counter-productive for the organization. Discuss.
  3. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marks“Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles with direct them.”-Napoleon Bonaparte. Stating examples mention the rulers (i) who have harmed society and country, (ii) who worked for the development of society and country.
  4. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marksIncreased 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.
  5. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marksStrength, peace and security are considered to be the pillars of international relations. Elucidate.
  6. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marksWithout 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.
  7. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marksYoung people with ethical conduct are not willing to come forward to join active politics. Suggest steps to motivate them to come forward

2016

  1. 2016 · GS4 · 10 marksAnger 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 behaviors. (b) How can hit be managed and controlled?
  2. 2016 · GS4 · 10 marksExplain how ethics contributes to social and human well-being.
  3. 2016 · GS4 · 10 marksLaw and ethics are considered to be the two tools for controlling human conduct so as to make it conducive to civilized social existence. (a) Discuss how they achieve this objective. (b) Giving examples, show how the two differ in their approaches.
  4. 2016 · GS4 · 10 marksDiscuss Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of seven sins.

2015

  1. 2015 · GS4 · 10 marksDifferentiate between the following (i) Law and ethics (ii) Ethical management and management of ethics (iii) Discrimination and preferential treatment (iv) Personal Ethics and Professional Ethics
  2. 2015 · GS4 · 10 marksAt the international level, bilateral relations between most nations are governed by the policy of promoting one’s own national interest without any regard for the interest of other nations. This lead to conflicts and tension between the nations. How can ethical consideration help resolve such tensions? Discuss with specific examples.
  3. 2015 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat is meant by ‘environmental ethics’? Why is it important to study? Discuss any one environmental issue from the viewpoint of environmental ethics.
  4. 2015 · GS4 · 10 marks“A mere compliance with law is not enough, the public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical issues for effective discharge of duties” Do 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.
  5. 2015 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat does this quotation mean to you in the present context. “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light”
  6. 2015 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat does this quotation mean to you in the present context. “The weak can never forgive; forgiveness is the attribute of strong.”
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