ARJUNA MOCK TEST-5

1
GENERAL STUDIES IV

Section-A (10 marks each and 150 words)

1. Explain in brief, what you understand by the following:

(a) Beliefs
(b) Values
(c) Norms
(d) Ethics
(e) Morals
2. Transparency and accountability is a prerequisite for trust in Indian civil
services. Define the terms in the statement and state the relationship between
them.
3. Examine the influence of the family on the formation of an individual's
character.
4. What is the importance of emotional intelligence in dealing with the
uncertainties and hardships caused by the Covid-19 pandemic?
5. How does social media shape one's moral and political attitudes?
6. Ethical dilemmas are commonly encountered by civil servants. Elaborate and
give examples.
7. Corruption challenges the establishment of an effective work culture and
impede the delivery of public services. Discuss.
8. What do you understand by the term crisis of conscience? How is it different
from the voice of conscience? Give examples.
9. Explain with examples how the Fundamental Duties can help in the promotion
of moral conduct by people?
10. Role models significantly influence and shape the moral development of
individuals in society; however, there is a concern that the current generation
lacks appropriate role models for imparting moral lessons. Discuss.
11. What do you understand by the term 'corporate governance'? Discuss the
ethical issues related to corporate governance and suggest measures to improve
ethical conduct in the corporate sector.
12. What are the principles of public life? Discuss their significance in the context
of ethical governance.
13. What are the major ethical issues in international relations? Suggest measures
to address these issues.

Section-B (20 marks each and 250 words)

14. You are the District Collector of Dima Hasao, a rural district grappling with
drought-like conditions due to insufficient rainfall. Access to drinking water has
become a challenge for the residents. You have learned that a neighboring village has
an adequate water supply, but the village head is unwilling to share it. The village
head argues that the water is exclusively for their village's use and sharing it would
result in scarcity for their community.
 ARJUNA MOCK TEST-5

1
As the District Collector of Dima Hasao, how will you tackle this situation?

What are the various alternatives at your disposal, and which course of action will you
choose to implement?

15. A girl who lost her mother, and father, an alcoholic, used to beat her up, is
trafficked by her one friend in school to Delhi. She calls up her grandmother and tells
about her whereabouts. The grandmother lodges a police complaint. Suppose you are
the police officer dealing with the case, then

a) Discuss the ethical issues in the case.

b) What would be your course of action to save the girl?

c) What remedial measures are needed to effectively tackle trafficking in India?

16. The government has launched several projects in a city under Smart City Mission.
A deadline has also been fixed for the completion of the projects by the state
government. The government has planned for a grand inauguration just before the
civic body elections to get support from electorates. The government has also started
giving advertisements in the city about the grand opening of the city as a smart city. It
has also generated lots of local media appeal and debates and discussions among
people.

The government asks you to supervise the project as a City Municipal Commissioner.
You take the stock of the situation. You ask your team to assess the projects’ status.
The team finds several irregularities in the projects including the poor quality of
materials and logistics. The irregularities are very serious like the projects’ designs
have not been adhered and there is manipulation of SOPs.

There seems to be nexus between local bodies members, officers, developers and
contractors. The projects are also running behind the deadline and it is not possible to
complete the projects as per the present deadline. The team suggests for taking strict
action against the project developers and contractors.

a) Discuss the ethical dilemmas in the case.

b) What will be your course of action as a City Municipal Commissioner?

c) What will you reply to the government regarding the inauguration of the Smart City
Mission? Also, give justification for our view.
 ARJUNA MOCK TEST-5

1
17. You have been shortlisted for the APSC Civil Services Personality Test I.e.
Interview. On the day of your interview, when your turn comes you enter the interview
hall with a calm and confident composure. On entering the board, you immediately
notice that a lady sitting next to the Chairman is your favourite professor from the
college from where you completed your graduation. You were very close to her and she
too was fond of you. In fact she had treated you like her own son. In the hall she too
notices you but neither smiles at you nor does her body language suggests anything
that shows she is familiar to you. The Chairman asks you to sit and the interview is
about to begin.

Do you think it is ethical to continue your interview with the same board?
Substantiate your answer.

18. You are the Principal of a famous government run residential school. Your son,
who is studying in 12th standard in your school is extremely poor in Mathematics.
Your wife is worried that if your son fails, he might slip into depression. You are also
afraid that his failure would bring a bad reputation to you. You have never pressurised
him to study though. Your son is good in other subjects and he is also a very good
athlete in the school who has won lots of awards and medals in various competitions.
Your wife is also worried that failing in 12th standard might encourage him to
discontinue his studies forever. In this regard, during ongoing board exams, your wife
requests you to allow him to cheat in the exam. She requests you to talk to
Mathematics teacher who is a family friend of yours to help your son during the exam.
As a Principal of the college, you can do this to help your son just pass the exam.

What are the options available to you? Evaluate each of these options and choose the
option that you would adopt, giving reasons.

19. “The basis of all systems social or political rests upon the goodness of man. No
nation is great or good because parliament enacts this or that, but because its men
are great and good.”- Swami Vivekanand.

Examine how ethics brings out the goodness of man in the above statement.