UPSC Mains – Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude (GS Paper IV)
1.
Recommended Books & Resources
|
Book / Resource |
Purpose / Details |
|
Lexicon Ethics (Shankar IAS) |
Comprehensive coverage of Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude concepts. Useful
for theory and case studies. |
|
Case Studies Practice |
Previous year UPSC case studies and
additional exercises. Develops problem-solving,
analytical, and decision-making skills. |
|
PIB / Government Reports / ARC Reports |
Real-life examples, governance
scenarios, policy implementations, ethical dilemmas. |
|
Current Affairs / The Hindu Editorials |
For examples on governance, corruption, transparency, social ethics. |
2.
GS Paper IV – Syllabus Overview
|
Section |
Key Topics |
|
Ethics & Human Values |
Integrity, honesty, empathy,
altruism, courage, selflessness, fairness, objectivity |
|
Attitude |
Understanding personal, social, and
emotional attitude; influence of attitude on behavior |
|
Emotional Intelligence |
Concepts: Self-awareness,
self-regulation, motivation, empathy, social skills |
|
Contributions of Moral Thinkers |
Thoughts and examples from
leaders/philosophers like Gandhi, Vivekananda, Buddha |
|
Probity in Governance |
Transparency, accountability,
ethical standards, Right to Information (RTI) |
|
Case Studies |
Practical ethical dilemmas in
administration; decision-making scenarios; moral conflicts |
3.
Strategy to Cover Ethics & Case Studies
Step
1: Understand Concepts – Lexicon Ethics
·
Read and understand definitions,
examples, and frameworks
·
Focus on values,
principles, integrity, impartiality, and probity
Step
2: Case Studies Practice
·
Solve previous
year UPSC case studies → Focus on structured answers
·
Practice ethical
reasoning:
1.
Identify ethical
issue
2.
Identify stakeholders
and impact
3.
Discuss possible
courses of action
4.
Suggest best
solution with justification
Step
3: Link with Governance & Current Affairs
·
Use real-life
examples from:
o RTI
cases
o Social
service initiatives
o Corruption
scandals / whistleblowing cases
o Disaster
management and administration
Step
4: Answer Writing Strategy
·
Structure
answers: Problem → Ethical Issues → Options → Analysis → Solution
·
Keep answers
concise, logical, and principled
·
Include examples
from government / social / international context
4.
Sample Questions – Ethics (Mains / Descriptive)
1.
What
is integrity? Discuss its importance in public administration.
o Introduction:
Definition of integrity
o Importance:
Trust, transparency, credibility, accountability
o Examples:
Civil service decisions, anti-corruption measures
o Conclusion:
Integrity as foundation of good governance
2.
A
government officer faces pressure to favor a local contractor despite rules.
How should they respond?
o Ethical
dilemma identification
o Stakeholders:
Contractor, public, government
o Possible
actions: Follow rules vs favor contractor
o Solution:
Uphold rules with justification
3.
Discuss
the role of emotional intelligence in effective governance.
o Introduction:
Definition of emotional intelligence
o Components:
Self-awareness, empathy, motivation, social skills
o Application:
Conflict resolution, policy implementation, team management
o Conclusion:
EI improves decision-making and citizen satisfaction
4.
Explain
the concept of ‘Probity in Governance’ with suitable examples.
o Introduction:
Meaning and significance
o Principles:
Transparency, accountability, impartiality
o Examples:
RTI, e-governance initiatives, ethical public service
o Conclusion:
Probity ensures ethical and efficient administration
5.
Case
Study Example:
A senior bureaucrat discovers a policy misimplementation affecting
poor farmers. They have the option to report it to higher authorities or remain
silent to avoid confrontation. Discuss the ethical course of action.
o Identify
ethical issue → Accountability vs risk
o Stakeholders
→ Farmers, government, bureaucracy
o Options
→ Report vs ignore
o Solution
→ Report objectively, suggest rectification measures
5.
Preparation Tips – Ethics & Case Studies
1.
Read
Lexicon Ethics thoroughly → Focus on principles, values,
and frameworks
2.
Practice
case studies → 2–3 per week for structured thinking
3.
Use
real-life examples → Governance, policy, social
work, international cases
4.
Answer
Writing Practice → 150–200 words per case study; follow structured approach
5.
Revise
frequently → Keep ethical principles and examples ready
6.
Mock
Tests → Solve previous year GS IV papers in 3 hours for time management
✅ Summary Table – Ethics & Case Studies
Preparation
|
Section |
Book / Source |
Strategy |
|
Ethics & Values |
Lexicon Ethics |
Concept clarity, examples,
applications |
|
Emotional Intelligence |
Lexicon Ethics, Case Studies |
Understand components, relevance to
administration |
|
Probity & Governance |
PIB / ARC Reports / Current Affairs |
Real-life examples, RTI,
e-governance initiatives |
|
Case Studies Practice |
Previous UPSC Mains, Shankar IAS
Case Studies |
Structured answers: Problem → Issues
→ Options → Analysis → Solution |
UPSC Mains – Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
(GS Paper IV)
1.
Recommended Books & Resources
|
Book / Resource |
Purpose / Details |
|
Lexicon Ethics (Shankar IAS) |
Comprehensive coverage of Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude concepts. Useful
for theory and case studies. |
|
Case Studies Practice |
Previous year UPSC case studies and
additional exercises. Develops problem-solving,
analytical, and decision-making skills. |
|
PIB / Government Reports / ARC Reports |
Real-life examples, governance
scenarios, policy implementations, ethical dilemmas. |
|
Current Affairs / The Hindu Editorials |
For examples on governance, corruption, transparency, social ethics. |
2.
GS Paper IV – Syllabus Overview
|
Section |
Key Topics |
|
Ethics & Human Values |
Integrity, honesty, empathy,
altruism, courage, selflessness, fairness, objectivity |
|
Attitude |
Understanding personal, social, and
emotional attitude; influence of attitude on behavior |
|
Emotional Intelligence |
Concepts: Self-awareness,
self-regulation, motivation, empathy, social skills |
|
Contributions of Moral Thinkers |
Thoughts and examples from
leaders/philosophers like Gandhi, Vivekananda, Buddha |
|
Probity in Governance |
Transparency, accountability,
ethical standards, Right to Information (RTI) |
|
Case Studies |
Practical ethical dilemmas in
administration; decision-making scenarios; moral conflicts |
3.
Strategy to Cover Ethics & Case Studies
Step
1: Understand Concepts – Lexicon Ethics
·
Read and understand definitions,
examples, and frameworks
·
Focus on values,
principles, integrity, impartiality, and probity
Step
2: Case Studies Practice
·
Solve previous
year UPSC case studies → Focus on structured answers
·
Practice ethical
reasoning:
1.
Identify ethical
issue
2.
Identify stakeholders
and impact
3.
Discuss possible
courses of action
4.
Suggest best
solution with justification
Step
3: Link with Governance & Current Affairs
·
Use real-life
examples from:
o RTI
cases
o Social
service initiatives
o Corruption
scandals / whistleblowing cases
o Disaster
management and administration
Step
4: Answer Writing Strategy
·
Structure
answers: Problem → Ethical Issues → Options → Analysis → Solution
·
Keep answers
concise, logical, and principled
·
Include examples
from government / social / international context
4.
Sample Questions – Ethics (Mains / Descriptive)
1.
What
is integrity? Discuss its importance in public administration.
o Introduction:
Definition of integrity
o Importance:
Trust, transparency, credibility, accountability
o Examples:
Civil service decisions, anti-corruption measures
o Conclusion:
Integrity as foundation of good governance
2.
A
government officer faces pressure to favor a local contractor despite rules.
How should they respond?
o Ethical
dilemma identification
o Stakeholders:
Contractor, public, government
o Possible
actions: Follow rules vs favor contractor
o Solution:
Uphold rules with justification
3.
Discuss
the role of emotional intelligence in effective governance.
o Introduction:
Definition of emotional intelligence
o Components:
Self-awareness, empathy, motivation, social skills
o Application:
Conflict resolution, policy implementation, team management
o Conclusion:
EI improves decision-making and citizen satisfaction
4.
Explain
the concept of ‘Probity in Governance’ with suitable examples.
o Introduction:
Meaning and significance
o Principles:
Transparency, accountability, impartiality
o Examples:
RTI, e-governance initiatives, ethical public service
o Conclusion:
Probity ensures ethical and efficient administration
5.
Case
Study Example:
A senior bureaucrat discovers a policy misimplementation affecting
poor farmers. They have the option to report it to higher authorities or remain
silent to avoid confrontation. Discuss the ethical course of action.
o Identify
ethical issue → Accountability vs risk
o Stakeholders
→ Farmers, government, bureaucracy
o Options
→ Report vs ignore
o Solution
→ Report objectively, suggest rectification measures
5.
Preparation Tips – Ethics & Case Studies
1.
Read
Lexicon Ethics thoroughly → Focus on principles, values,
and frameworks
2.
Practice
case studies → 2–3 per week for structured thinking
3.
Use
real-life examples → Governance, policy, social
work, international cases
4.
Answer
Writing Practice → 150–200 words per case study; follow structured approach
5.
Revise
frequently → Keep ethical principles and examples ready
6.
Mock
Tests → Solve previous year GS IV papers in 3 hours for time management
✅ Summary Table – Ethics & Case Studies
Preparation
|
Section |
Book / Source |
Strategy |
|
Ethics & Values |
Lexicon Ethics |
Concept clarity, examples,
applications |
|
Emotional Intelligence |
Lexicon Ethics, Case Studies |
Understand components, relevance to
administration |
|
Probity & Governance |
PIB / ARC Reports / Current Affairs |
Real-life examples, RTI,
e-governance initiatives |
|
Case Studies Practice |
Previous UPSC Mains, Shankar IAS
Case Studies |
Structured answers: Problem → Issues
→ Options → Analysis → Solution |
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