CIVILS MAINS 2013
GENERAL STUDIES (PAPER-IV)
ITime Allowed Three Hours I IMaximum Marks 250 I
QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS
(Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions)
There are FOURTEEN questions divided in two Sections and printed both in HINDI and
in ENGLISH.
All questions are compulsory.
The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.
Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which
must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer Booklet in the
space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in medium other than the
authorized one.
Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.
Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be
clearly struck off.
Answer questions in NOT MORE than the word limit specified for each
in the parenthesis. Content of the answer is more important than its length.
SECTION-A
1. What do you understand by 'values' and 'ethics? In what way is it important to be
ethical along with being professionally competent? (150 words) 10
2. What do you understand by the following terms in the context of public
service? (250 words) 3 x 5=15
Integrity
Perseverance
Spirit of service
Commitment
Courage of conviction
Indicate two more attributes which you consider important for public service.
Justify your answer. (100 words) 10
3. Some people feel that values keep changing with time and situation, while others
strongly believe that there are certain universal and eternal human values. Give
your perception in this regard with due justification. (150 words) 10
4.What is 'emotional intelligence' and how can it be developed in people? How does it
help an individual in taking ethical decisions? (150 words) 10
5. What do you understand by the term 'voice of conscience? How do you prepare
yourself to heed to the voice of conscience? (150 words) 10
What is meant by 'crisis of conscience'? Narrate one incident in your life when
you were faced with such a crisis and how you resolved the same. (150words) 10
6.Given below are three quotations of great moral thinkers/philosophers. For each of
these quotations, bring out what it means to you in the present context:
"There is enough on this earth for every one's need but for no one's greed."
-Mahatma Gandhi (150 words) 10
"Nearly all men can withstand adversity, but if you want to test a man's
character, give him power."-Abraham Lincoln (150 words) 10
"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who overcomes his
enemies."-Aristotle (150 words) 10
7. "The good of an individual is contained in the good of all." What do you
understand by this statement? How can this principle be implemented in
public life? (150 words) 10
8. It is often said that 'politics' and 'ethics' do not go together. What is your opinion in
this regard? Justify your answer with illustrations. (150 words) IO
SECTION-B
In the following questions, carefully study the cases presented and then answer the questions
that follow
9. A Public Information Officer has received an application under RTI Act. Having
gathered the information, the PIO discovers that the information pertains to some of
the decisions taken by him, which were found to be not altogether right. There were
other employees also who were party to these decisions. Disclosure of the
information is likely to lead to disciplinary action with possibility of punishment
against him as well as some of his colleagues. Non-disclosure or part disclosure or
camouflaged disclosure of information will result into lesser punishment or no
punishment.
The PIO is otherwise an honest and conscientious person but this particular
decision, on which the RTI application has been flIed, turned out to be wrong. He
comes to you for advice.
The following are some suggested options. Please evaluate the merits and demerits
of each of the options
(i)The PIO could refer the matter to his superior officer and seek his advice and
act strictly in accordance with the advice, even though he is not completely in
agreement with the advice of the superior.
The PIO could proceed on leave and leave the matter to be dealt by his
successor in office or request for transfer of the application to another PIO.
The PIO could weigh the consequences of disclosing the information truthfully,
including the effect on his career, and reply in a manner that would not place
him or his career in jeopardy, but at the same time a little compromise can be
made on the contents of the information.
The PIO could consult his other colleagues who are party to the decision and
take action as per' their advice.
Also please indicate (without necessarily restricting to the above options) what you
would like to advise, giving proper reasons. (250 words) 20

10. You are working as an Executive Engineer in the construction cell of a Municipal
Corporation and are presently in-charge of the construction of a flyover. There are
two Junior Engineers under you who have the responsibility of day-to-day
inspection of the site and are reporting to you, while you are [mally reporting to the
Chief Engineer who heads the cell. While the construction is heading towards
completion, the Junior Engineers have been regularly reporting that all
construction is taking place as per design specifications. However, in one of your
surprise inspections, you have noticed some serious deviations and lacunae which,
in your opinion, are likely to affect the safety of the flyover. Rectification of these
lacunae at this stage would require a substantial amount of demolition and rework
which will cause a tangible loss to the contractor and will also delay completion.
There is a lot of public pressure on the Corporation to get this construction
completed because of heavy traffic congestion in the area. When you brought this
matter to the notice of the Chief Engineer, he advised you that in his opinion it is
not a very serious lapse and may be ignored. He advised for further expediting the
project for completion in time. However, you are convinced that this was a serious
matter which might affect public safety and should not be left unaddressed.
What will you do in such a situation? Some of the options are given below. Evaluate
the merits and demerits of each of these options and finally suggest what course of
action you would like to take, giving reasons. (250 words) 20
Follow the advice of the Chief Engineer and go ahead.
Make an exhaustive report of the situation bringing out all facts and analysis
along with your own viewpoints stated clearly and seek for written orders from
the Chief Engineer.
Call for explanation from the Junior Engineers and issue orders to the
contractor for necessary correction within targeted time.
Highlight the issue so that it reaches superiors above the Chief Engineer.
"Considering the rigid attitude of the Chief Engineer, seek transfer from the
project or report sick.
11. Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu is known for its manufacturing clusters on firecrackers and
matches. The local economy of the area is largely dependent on firecrackers
industry. It has led to tangible economic development and improved standard of
living in the area.
So far as child labour norms for hazardous industries like firecrackers industry are
concerned, International Labour Organization has set the minimum age as
18 years. In India, however, this age is 14 years.
The units in industrial clusters of firecrackers can be classified into registered and
non-registered entities. One typical unit is household-based work. Though the law
is clear on the use of child labour employment norms in registered/ non-registered
units, it does not include household-based works. Household-based work means
children working under the supervision of their parents/relatives. To evade child
labour norms, several units project themselves as household-based works but
employ children from outside. Needless to say that employing children saves the
costs for these units leading to higher profits to the owners.

On your visit to one of the units at Sivakasi, the owner takes you around the unit
which has about 10-15 children below 14 years of age. The owner tells you that in
his household-based unit, the children are all his relatives. You notice that several
children smirk, when the owner tells you this. On deeper enquiry, you figure out
that neither the owner nor the children are able to satisfactorily establish their
relationship with each other.
fa) Bring out and discuss the ethical issues involved in the above case.
fb) What would be your reaction after your above visit? (300 words)
12.You are heading a leading technical institute of the country. The institute is
planning to convene an interview panel shortly under your chairmanship for
selection of the post of professors. A few days before the interview, you get a call
from the Personal Secretary of a senior government functionary seeking your
intervention in favour of the selection of a close relative of the functionary for this
post. The PS also informs you that he is aware of the long pending and urgent
proposals of your institute for grant of funds for modernization, which are awaiting
the functionary's approval. He assures you that he would get these proposals
cleared.
fa) What are the options available to you?
25
fb) Evaluate each of these options and choose the option which you would adopt,
giving reasons. (250 words) 20
13. As a senior officer in the Finance Ministry, you have access to some confidential and
crucial information about policy decisions that the Government is about to
announce. These decisions are likely to have far-reaching impact on the housing and
construction indUStry. If the builders have access to this information beforehand,

they can make huge profits. One of the builders has done a lot of quality work for
the Government and is known to be close to your immediate superior, who asks you
to disclose this information to the said builder.
What are the options available to you?
Evaluate each of these options and choose the option which you would adopt,
giving reasons. (250 words) 20
14. You are the Executive Director of an upcoming Infotech Company which is making a
name for itself in the market.
Mr. who is a star performer, is heading the marketing team. In a short period of
one year, he has helped in doubling the revenues as well as creating a high brand
equity for the Company so much so that you are thinking of promoting him.
However, you have been receiving information from many corners about his attitude
towards the female colleagues; particularly his habit of making loose comments on
women. In addition, he regularly sends indecent SMS's to all the team members
including his female colleagues.
One day, late in the evening, Mrs. who is one of Mr. team members, comes to
you visibly disturbed. She complains against the continued misconduct of Mr.
who has been making undesirable advances towards her and has even tried to
touch her inappropriately in his cabin.
She tenders her resignation and leaves your office.
What are the options available to you?
Evaluate each of these options and choose the option you would adopt, giving
reasons. (250 words) 20