cse 2018 essay paper

[Download] UPSC Mains-2018 Essay Paper, Including Topicwise last 26 YEARS Essay Question Papers (1993-2018)

Instructions, section-a: 125 marks, section-b: 125 marks, analysis of essay-2018 paper.

• 1) India: Democracy, administration, Society, culture
• 2) Economy, Development
• 3) Education
• 4) Quote based, Philosophy, Ethics
• 5) Women empowerment
• 6) International issues, Internal Security
• 7) Science-Technology
• On 28th September 2018 , UPSC conducted the Essay paper for the civil services mains examination. Total Marks : 250 marks, Time duration : 3 hours.
• The essay must be written in the medium authorized in the admission certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this question-cum-answer (QCA) booklet in the space provided.
• No marks will be given for answers written in medium other than authorized one.
• Word limit, as specified, should be adhered to.
• Any page or portion of the page left blank, must be struck off clearly.

Write any one of the following essay in 1000-1200 words (125 marks)

• Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India. जलवायु परिवर्तन के प्रति सुनम्य भारत हेतु वैकल्पिक तकनीके.
• A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. एक अच्छा जीवन प्रेम से प्रेरित तथा ज्ञान से संचालित होता है.
• Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere. कही पर गरीबी, हर जगह की समृद्धि के लिए खतरा है.
• Management of Indian border dispute is a complex task. भारत के सीमा विवादों का प्रबंधन – एक जटिल कार्य.
• Customary morality cannot be a guide to modem file. रूढिगत नैतिकता आधुनिक जीवन का मार्गदर्शक नहीं हो सकती है.
• ‘The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values. ‘अतीत’ मानवीय चेतना तथा मूल्यों का एक स्थायी आयाम है.
• A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both जो समाज अपने सिद्धांतो के ऊपर अपने विशेशाधिकारो को महत्त्व देता है, वह दोनों से हाथ धो बेठता है.
• Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it. यथार्थ आदर्श के अनुरूप नहीं होता है, बल्कि उसकी पुष्टि करता है.

Which essay did you attempt or would have attempted? Share your major keypoints in the comments section!

Do you see any other patterns or connections with current affairs? Do share in the comments section!

Essay-list: Topic wise last 26 years (1993-2018)

Each year, along with essay paper, I also upload topicwise compilation of all essays asked since 1993. However, this time, I’ve further refined the internal classification of the topics. Here it goes:

1 India: Democracy, administration, Society, culture

1.1 india since independence.

• Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success? -2013
• In the context of Gandhiji’s views on the matter, explore, on an evolutionary scale, the terms ‘Swadhinata’, ‘Swaraj’ and ‘Dharmarajya’. Critically comment on their contemporary relevance to Indian democracy -2012
• Dreams which should not let India sleep. -2015
• Why should we be proud of being Indians? -2000
• Whither Indian democracy? -1995
• How far has democracy in India delivered the goods? -2003
• What we have not learnt during fifty years of independence. -1997
• What have we gained from our democratic set-up? -2001
• My vision of India in 2001 a.d. -1993

1.2 Federalism, Decentralization

• Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India. -2017
• Water disputes between States in federal India. -2016
• Cooperative federalism : Myth or reality. -2016
• Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic and developmental implication -2011
• Evaluation of panchayati raj system in India from the point of view of eradication of power to people. -2007
• Water resources should be under the control of the central government. -2004
• The language problem in India: its past, present and prospects. -1998

1.3 Administration

• How should a civil servant conduct himself? -2003
• Politics without ethics is a disaster. -1995
• The VIP cult is a bane of Indian democracy -1996
• Need for transparency in public administration -1996
• The country’s need for a better disaster management system. -2000
• Politics, bureaucracy and business – fatal triangle. -1994

1.4 Judiciary

• We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws. -2017
• Justice must reach the poor -2005
• Judicial activism and Indian democracy. -2004
• Judicial activism. -1997

1.5 Poverty, Social Justice

• The focus of health care is increasingly getting skewed towards the ‘haves’ of our society. -2009
• Food security for sustainable national development -2005
• Reservation, politics and empowerment. -1999

1.6 Indian Society, Culture and Values

• A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both. -2018
• Indian culture today: a myth or a reality? -2000
• Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values. -2000
• The composite culture of India. -1998
• The Indian society at the crossroads. -1994
• From traditional Indian philanthropy to the gates-buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm shift? -2010
• New cults and godmen: a threat to traditional religion -1996

1.7 Media, TV & Cinema

• Responsibility of media in a democracy. -2002
• Role of media in good governance -2008
• Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it? -2011
• How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets? -2007
• Is sting operation an invasion on privacy? -2014
• Mass media and cultural invasion. -1999
• The misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India. -1998

2 Economy, Development

2.1 growth vs development.

• Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere. -2018
• Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality. -2016
• Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare. -2016
• Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms. -2016
• Crisis faced in India – moral or economic. -2015
• Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country? -2014
• GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a country-2013
• Can capitalism bring inclusive growth? -2015
• Resource management in the Indian context. -1999
• Economic growth without distributive justice is bound to breed violence. -1993

2.2 Environment vs Development

• Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India. -2018
• Should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country? -2010
• Urbanisation and its hazards -2008
• Protection of ecology and environment is essential for sustained economic development. -2006
• Urbanization is a blessing in disguise. -1997
• Ecological considerations need not hamper development. -1993
• Globalization would finish small-scale industries in India. -2006
• Multinational corporations – saviours or saboteurs -1994
• Special economic zone: boon or bane -2008
• Is the criticism that the ‘Public-Private-Partnership’ (PPP) model for development is more of a bane than a boon in the Indian context, justified ?-2012

2.4 Sectors of Economy

• Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India. -2017
• BPO boom in India. -2007
• Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India? -2014
• Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death? -2009

3 Education

3.1 values in education.

• Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms. -2017
• Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil-2015
• Independent thinking should be encouraged right form the childhood. -2007
• Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress? -2014
• Irrelevance of the classroom. -2001
• Is the growing level of competition good for the youth? -2014
• Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education. -1996
• Is an egalitarian society possible by educating the masses ? -2008
• What is real education? -2005

3.2 Scheme implementation

• “Education for all” campaign in India: myth or reality. -2006
• Restructuring of Indian education system. -1995

3.3 Higher education

• Privatization of higher education in India. -2002
• Credit – based higher education system – status , opportunities and challenges -2011

4 Quote based, Philosophy, Ethics

4.1 character, honesty, ethics.

• Customary morality cannot be a guide to modem file. -2018
• Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed. -2016
• Character of an institution is reflected in its leader. -2015
• With greater power comes greater responsibility. -2014
• Words are sharper than the two-edged sword. -2014
• Attitude makes, habit makes character and character makes a man. -2007
• He would reigns within himself and folds his passions and desires and fears is more than a king. -1993

4.2 Knowledge

• ‘The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values. -2018
• A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. -2018
• There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. -2003
• Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. -1995

4.3 Compassion

• Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. -2017
• Compassion is the basic of all morality of the world -1993
• Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole. -2015
• Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)-2013

4.4 Truth and reality

• Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it. -2018
• Truth is lived, not taught -1996
• When money speaks, the truth is silent. -1995
• Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. -2002

4.5 Youth, Discipline

• Discipline means success, anarchy means ruin -2008
• Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret -1994
• If youth knew, if age could. -2002
• Youth culture today. -1999
• Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? -2014

4.6 Towards excellence

• Quick but steady wins the race. -2015
• Useless life is an early death. -1994
• Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. -1995
• The paths of glory lead but to the grave. -2002
• The pursuit of excellence. -2001

5 Women empowerment

5.1 @national politics.

• Greater political power alone will not improve women’s plight. -1997
• Women’s reservation bill would usher in empowerment for women in India. -2006
• The new emerging women power: the ground realities. -1995

5.2 @World / Quote type

• If women ruled the world -2005
• The hand that rocks the cradle -2005

5.3 Empowerment overall

• Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth. -2017
• If development is not engendered, it is endangered. -2016
• Whither women’s emancipation? -2004
• Empowerment alone cannot help our women. -2001
• Women empowerment: challenges and prospects. -1999

5.4 Compared to men

• Woman is god’s best creation. -1998
• Men have failed: let women take over. -1993
• Managing work and home – is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal ?-2012

6 International issues, Internal Security

6.1 globalization.

• Geography may remain the same ; history need not. -2010
• Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. -1994
• ‘globalization’ vs. ‘nationalism’ -2009
• National identity and patriotism -2008
• Globalizations and its impact on Indian culture. -2004
• The masks of new imperialism. -2003
• As civilization advances culture declines. -2003
• The implications of globalization for India. -2000
• My vision of an ideal world order. -2001
• India’s contribution to world wisdom. -1998
• The world of the twenty-first century. -1998
• Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role. -2010

6.2 International Org./ Bilateral

• Has the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world ? -2017
• Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities -1996
• The global order: political and economic -1993
• India’s role in promoting ASEAN co-operation. -2004
• Importance of Indo-US nuclear agreement -2006

6.3 Security

• Management of Indian border dispute is a complex task. -2018
• In the Indian context , both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating terrorism -2011
• Are we a ‘soft’ state ? -2009
• Good fences make good neighbours -2009
• Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? -2007
• Terrorism and world peace -2005
• True religion cannot be misused. -1997

7 Science-Technology

7.1 science and religion.

• Spirituality and scientific temper. -2003
• Science and Mysticism : Are they compatible ?-2012

7.2 Science and Education

• Modern technological education and human values. -2002
• Value-based science and education. -1999
• The march of science and the erosion of human values. -2001

7.3 Computer and internet

• ‘Social media’ is inherently a selfish medium. -2017
• Cyberspace and Internet : Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run -2016
• Increasing computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanized society. -2006
• The cyberworld: its charms and challenges. -2000
• Computer: the harbinger of silent revolution. -1993

7.4 Sci-Tech: others

• Technology cannot replace manpower. -2015
• Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation-2013
• The modern doctor and his patients. -1997
• The lure of space. -2004

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28 comments.

Sir.. How to tackle these philosophical qoutes im essay paper.. If not having the same as optional ?

Brother you can use Knowledge of philosophical thinkers and leaders from GS-4 like Plato, Aristotle, Kant etc and add some current issues to correlate your bookish knowledge with practical issues to develop an answer relevant to the topic. Also ensure that you do not deviate from the topic as it will only waste your time and energy without fetching any extra marks.

You don’t need to write the essay with the knowledge of your optional subject. Every topic, whether philosophical or issue-specific, needs to be written from a general point of view- what you think about the topic in question – should be written. Also, multiple dimensions and implications of the topic needs to be addressed – political, social, economic, cultural, environmental, international, etc. This is how you get marks. Not by writing some sophisticated language, or quoting too many thinkers or philosophers (a few can be mentioned but in a general manner). You will get marks by being yourself!

1. There is undercurrent Trend of International Relations Like NAM, Border Disputes Management (Doklam and others and initiatives like connecting North east India with Thailand through Myanmar). 2. Technology was again in question but this time it was not fear of technology rather use of Technology (alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India)

One of the essay in Part-B was a tweet by President Donald Trump

A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both

Section B ne hila ke rkh diya sirr

very good facility

I want to subscribe the mrunal.

Ans of alternative technologies for climate change resilient india

Hindi medium student available are mains and prelims test series pls help and how much charges.

M jst checking…I hope it will b helpful!

Do u have topic wise sorted question papers of mains ( Gs-1,Gs-2,Gs-3,Gs-4) upto 2018.

is this site is not available in hindi?

Was looking for such compilation of precious papers

I want material

Iwant to all the notes for upsc preparation

I want all notes for upsc mains

I wants notes gs ,easy ,

Thank you so much

Very useful sir…… A lot of thank such guidence….. ????

I want this type of notes

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Download : UPSC MAINS ESSAY 2018 Question Paper

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UPSC MAINS 2018 ESSAY Question PAPER – CLICK HERE

ESSAY PAPER: UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination – 2018

SECTION – A

Q.1) alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India

Q.2) A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge

Q.3) Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere

Q.4) Management of Indian border disputes – a complex task

SECTION – B

Q.1) Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life

Q.2) “The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values

Q.3) A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both

Q.4) Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it

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UPSC Topper 2018 Marks – Kanishak Kataria, Rank 1, Scores 55.36%

Last updated on September 27, 2023 by Alex Andrews George

UPSC Civil Services Exam is known for its low-scoring trends.

No wonder, Kanishak Kataria , secured All India Rank 1 by scoring 55.36 per cent marks. He scored 1121 out of 2025.

Table of Contents

Kanishak’s Marks Reveal Tough Standards in UPSC Civil Services Exam

In general, UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) is a low scoring exam – and is widely considered as one of the toughest exams to crack.

This is because while the vacancies are only less than 1000, the number of applicants is around 10,00,000.

Last year, a general category candidate just needed 49% marks to be in the final rank list .

Percentage required to be All India Rank 1? 55.36%

UPSC CSE 2025: Study Plan ⇓

(1) ⇒ UPSC 2025: Prelims cum Mains

(2) ⇒ UPSC 2025: Prelims Test Series

(3) ⇒ UPSC 2025: CSAT

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UPSC Topper 2018 Marks

Kanishak Kataria’s Marks – Break Up

• Essay Paper – 133/250
• General Studies Paper 1 – 98/250
• General Studies Paper 2 – 117/250
• General Studies Paper 3 – 117/250
• General Studies Paper 4 – 116/250
• Optional 1 (Mathematics) – 170/250
• Optional 2 (Mathematics) – 191/250

Written Total – 942/1750

Personality Test – 179/275

Final Total – 1121/2025

Marks of Rank 2 and Rank 3

Rank 2 and Rank 3 too were not far behind.

Akshat Jain, Rank 2 secured 1080 marks out of 2025 (53.33%) while Junaid Ahmed, Rank 3 secured 1077 out of 2025 (53.18%).

You can find the marks of other candidates who took the UPSC Civil Services Examination from the below links:

• UPSC CSE 2018 Topper Marks
• UPSC CSE 2018 – Marks of Candidates not recommended .

Previous UPSC Toppers’ Marks

• Durishetty Anudeep, UPSC Topper 2017 , scored 1126 out of 2025 (55.60 percent)
• Nandini K R, Rank 1 UPSC CSE 2016 , secured 1120 marks out of 2025 (55.30 percent).
• Tina Dabi, the topper of UPSC CSE 2015,  had got 1063 marks out of 2025 (52.49 percent).
• Ira Singal, All-India Rank 1 2014 , secured 1082 marks out of 2025 (53.34 percent).
• Gaurav Agrawal, All-India Rank 1 2013 , secured 975 marks out of 2025 (48.14 percent).

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About Alex Andrews George

Alex Andrews George is a mentor, author, and social entrepreneur. Alex is the founder of ClearIAS and one of the expert Civil Service Exam Trainers in India.

He is the author of many best-seller books like 'Important Judgments that transformed India' and 'Important Acts that transformed India'.

A trusted mentor and pioneer in online training , Alex's guidance, strategies, study-materials, and mock-exams have helped many aspirants to become IAS, IPS, and IFS officers.

Reader Interactions

April 19, 2019 at 1:58 pm

Sir what is cut off for general catogary candidate’s.

April 19, 2019 at 2:01 pm

I am working in a call center. I want to become IAS. How Should I prepare with Job? Please provide me suggestions and strategic

April 19, 2019 at 2:55 pm

join a institute go classes in the evening 2hrs study after work 6 hrs study weekend 9 hrs study whenever you have spare time stratergy:read -analyse- relate with other general studies- develop your view-revise

April 19, 2019 at 7:35 pm

I may not help you with strategies and plans but can only say no dream too big to for it …

April 19, 2019 at 7:26 pm

Sir Now I am studying inter 2nd year. What i should do to become IAS officer ?

Thanks Saiteja.

April 20, 2019 at 9:04 am

Nice in formation

May 31, 2019 at 9:26 am

Now I am studying engineering 1st year ,I want to become an ias how I can I prepare?please give suggestion sir

June 3, 2019 at 9:19 pm

Sir I am at 3rd yr of my b. Tech, I wanted to attempt my first IAS exam on next year, is any possibility or I have to wait till completion of graduation please help me

June 5, 2019 at 6:34 pm

wait until your results disclose coz u have to mention that u have passed ur graduation

June 26, 2019 at 11:37 am

I have passed class 12 exam by securing 85.4%.Is this right time to start prep of upsc right now.If yes then pls tell me the right direction.

June 30, 2019 at 8:32 pm

IN ACTUCLLY IT IS NOT BUT YOU CAN START MAKING YOUR TOPICS BETTER FROM RIGHT NOW LIKE G..K AND INDIAN HISTORY AND NCERT FOCUSE MATERIAL OF ENGLISH AND HISTORY ESPIACLY

June 30, 2019 at 3:08 pm

I am a btech first year Student in NIT, what is best approach for me to become IAS

July 8, 2019 at 6:06 pm

Hello sir,I am sapna and I want to try my bestest to become to become an IAS officer but ,I am a little bit of confuse since this year I have completed my 12th and I want to do graduation in parallel with IAS exam preparation so which should I prefer bsc or BA?? that will helpful for me.

March 10, 2021 at 9:33 am

Ba is most helpful if u want to choose history or sociology in mains as optional subjects

July 28, 2019 at 9:18 pm

I’m 28 yrs working in a private firm in my town… I m a newcomer.. I want to stop my work and prepare fulfledgedly for ips.

Am I eligible

August 20, 2019 at 11:30 am

Sir iam a student of hs 1st year i wanna be an IAS officer shall i start from today?

November 5, 2019 at 6:46 pm

Dear sir I have completes Ph.D degree in physics I would like to become a IAS. Currently I am working as a assistant professor in physics. My age is 32, I am belongs to schedule caste. Can I pass IAS exam? How much time I can write the exam? Could you please explain clearly. Thank you

August 17, 2020 at 6:23 pm

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Mains – 2018: General Studies Paper – 4 (ETHICS) UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam – 2018

Mains – 2018: general studies paper – 4 (ethics), upsccivil services mains exam – 2018.

Download Mains – 2018 Essay paper here

Download Mains – 2018 GS Paper -1 Here

Download Mains – 2018 GS Paper -2 Here

Download Mains – 2018 GS Paper – 3 Here

1.   (a) State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services and bring out their importance. (150 words)                                        

(b) Distinguish between “Code of ethics” and “Code of conduct” with suitable examples. (150 words)                                                                                         

2. (a) What is mean by public interest? What are the principles and procedures to be followed by the civil servants in public interest? (150 words)            

(b) “The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’ empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability. Discuss. (150 words) 

3. (a) What is mean by conflict of interest? Illustrate with examples, the difference between the actual and potential conflicts of interest. (150 words)          

(b) “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. (150 words)                                                                                                 

4. (a) “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. (150 words)  

(b) 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. (150 words)               

5. (a) Suppose 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 (150 words)                                                                                                   

(b) Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in Public Administration. (150 words)                                                                                               

6. What do each of the following quotations mean to you in the present context?

(a) “The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject anything, is not whether it has any evil in it; but whether it has more evil than good. There are few things wholly evil or wholly good. Almost everything, especially of governmental policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgement of the preponderance between them is continually demanded. ”Abraham Lincoln ( 150 words)                                                                                                                          (b) “Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding. “ _ Mahatma Gandhi (150 words)                                                                        

(c) “Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common good.” _ Tirukkural (150 words)                                                                   

 7. Rakesh is a responsible district level officer, who enjoys the trust of his higher officials. Knowing his honesty, the government entrusted him with the responsibility of identifying the beneficiaries under a health care scheme meant for senior citizens.

The criteria to be a beneficiary are the following: (a) 60 years of age or above. (b) Belonging to a reserved community. (c) Family income of less than 1 Lakh rupees per annum. (d) Post-treatment prognosis is likely to be high to make a positive difference to the quality of life of the beneficiary.

One day, an old couple visited Rakesh’s office with their application. They have been the residents of a village in his district since their birth. The old man is diagnosed with a rare condition that causes obstruction in the large intestine. As a consequence, he has severe abdominal pain frequently that prevents him from doing any physical labour. The couple has no children to support them. The expert surgeon whom they contacted is willing to do the surgery without charging any fee. However, the couple will have to bear the cost of incidental charges, such as medicines, hospitalization, etc., to the tune of rupees one lakh. The couple fulfils all the criteria except criterion ‘b’. However, any financial aid would certainly make a significant difference in their quality of life.

How should Rakesh respond to the situation? (250 words)                        

 8. As a senior officer in the Ministry, you have access to important policy decisions and upcoming big announcements such as road constructions projects before they are notified in the public domain. The Ministry is about to announce a mega road project for which the drawings are already in place. Sufficient care was taken by the planners to make use of the government land with the minimum land acquisition from private parties. Compensation rate for private parties was also finalized as per government rules. Care was also taken to minimize deforestation. Once the project is announced, it is expected that there will be a huge spurt in real estate prices in and around that area.

 Meanwhile, the Minister concerned insists that you realign the road in such a way that it comes closer to his 20 acres farmhouse. He also suggests that he would facilitate the purchase of a big plot of land in your wife name at the prevailing rate which is very nominal, in and around the proposed mega road project. He also tries to convince you by saying that there is no harm in it as he is buying the land legally. He even promises to supplement your savings in case you do not have sufficient funds to buy the land. However, by the act of realignment, a lot of agricultural lands has to be acquired, thereby causing a considerable financial burden on the government, and also the displacement of the farmers. As if this is not enough, it will involve cutting down of a large number of trees denuding the area of its green cover.

Faced with this situation, what will you do? Critically examine various conflicts of interest and explain what your responsibilities are as a public servant. (250 words)                                                                                                  

9. It is a State where prohibition is in force. You are recently appointed as the Superintendent of Police of a district notorious for illicit distillation of liquor. The illicit liquor leads to many death, reported and unreported, and causes a major problem for the district authorities. The approach till now had been to view it as a law and order problem and tackle it accordingly. Raids, arrest, police cases, and criminal trials – all these had only limited impact. The problem remains as serious as ever.

Your inspections show that the parts of the district where the distillation flourishes are economically, industrially and educationally backward. Agriculture is badly affected by poor irrigation facilities. Frequent clashes among communities gave boost to illicit distillation. No major initiatives had taken place in the past either from the government’s side or from social organizations to improve the lot of the people.

Which new approach will you adopt to bring the problem under control? (250 words)                                                                                                    

10. A big corporate house is engaged in manufacturing industrial chemicals on a large scale. It proposes to set upon the additional unit. Many states rejected its proposal due to the detrimental effect on the environment. But one state government acceded to the request and permitted the unit close to a city, brushing aside all opposition.

The unit was set up 10 years ago and was in full swing till recently. The pollution caused by the industrial effluents was affecting the land, water and crops in the area. It was also causing serious health problems to human beings and animals. This gave rise to a series of agitation thousands of people took part, creating a law and order problem necessitating stern police action. Following the public outcry, the State government ordered the closure of the factory.

The closure of the factory resulted in the unemployment of not only those workers who were engaged in the factory but also those who were working in the ancillary units. It also very badly affected those industry which depended on the chemicals manufactured by it.

As a senior officer entrusted with the responsibility of handling this issues, how are you going to address it? (250 words)                                                       

11.   Dr X is a leading medical practitioner in a city. He has set up a charitable trust through which he plans to establish a super-speciality hospital in the city to cater to the medical needs of all sections of the society. Incidentally, that part of the State had been neglected over the years. The proposed hospital would be a boon for the region. You are heading the tax investigation agency of that region. During an inspection of the doctor’s clinic, your officers have found out some major irregularities. A few of them are substantial which had resulted in considerable withholding of tax that should be paid by him now. The doctor is cooperative. He undertakes to pay the tax immediately. However, there are certain other deficiencies in his tax compliance which are purely technical in nature. If these technical defaults are pursued by the agency, considerable time and energy of the doctor will be diverted to issues which are not so serious, urgent or even helpful to the tax collection process. Further, in all probability, it will hamper the prospects of the hospital coming up.

There are two options before you:

1) Taking a broader view, ensure substantial tax compliance and ignore defaults that are merely technical in nature. 2) Pursue the matter strictly and proceed on all fronts, whether substantial or merely technical.

As the head of the tax agency, which course of action will you opt and why? (250 words)                                                                                                                     

12 . Edward Snowden, a computer expert and former CIA administrator, released confidential Government documents to the press about the existence of Government surveillance programmes. According to many legal experts and the US Government, his action violated the Espionage act of 1971, which identified the leak of State secret as an act of treason. Yet, despite the fact that he broke the law, Snowden argued that he had a moral obligation to act. He gave a justification for his “whistle blowing” by stating that he had a duty “to inform the public as to that which is done in there name and that which is done against them.” According to Snowden, the Government’s violation of privacy had to be exposed regardless of legality since more substantive issues of social action and public morality were involved here. Many agreed with Snowden. Few argued that he broke the law and compromised national security, for which he should be held accountable.

Do you agree that Snowden’s actions were ethically justified even if legally prohibited? Why or why not? Make an argument by weighing the competing values in this case (250 words )                                                         

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