Ethics Case Studies cover aspects like ethics, integrity, aptitude, problem-solving, decision-making etc. Read to know more.
Ethics case studies are mainly about decision-making and problem-solving.
The reader will be presented with a situation and he will be asked to decide to solve the problem.
The factors involved may include ethics, but it may not be just about ethics. It can have social, economic, and political dimensions.
Case Study: Decision Making (Accident)
You are aspiring to become an IAS officer and you have cleared various stages and now you have been selected for the personal interview. On the day of the interview, on the way to the venue, you saw an accident where a mother and child who happen to be your relatives were badly injured. They needed immediate help.
What would you have done in such a situation? Justify your action. (UPSC CSE 2017)
Case Study: Conflict Resolution (Development vs Environment)
Nowadays, there is an increasing thrust on economic development all around the globe. At the same time, there is also an increasing concern about environmental degradation caused by development.
Many a time, we face a direct conflict between development activity and environmental quality.
It is neither feasible to stop or curtail the developmental process, nor it is advisable to keep degrading the environment, as it threatens our very survival.
Discuss some feasible strategies which could be adopted to eliminate this conflict and which could lead to sustainable development. (UPSC CSE 2014)
Case Study: Ethics vs Easy Path (Advice to Friend)
Suppose one of your close friends, who is also aspiring for civil services, comes to you to discuss some of the issues related to ethical conduct in public service. He raises the following points:-
(i) In the present times, when an unethical environment is quite prevalent, individual attempts to stick to ethical principles may cause a lot of problems in one’s career. It may cause hardship to the family members as well as risk to one’s life. Why should we not be pragmatic follow the path of least resistance, and be happy with doing whatever good we can?
(ii) When so many people are adopting wrong means and are grossly harming the system, what difference would it make if only a small minority tries to be ethical? They are going to be rather ineffective and are bound to get frustrated.
(iii) If we become fussy about ethical considerations, will it not hamper the economic progress of our country? After all, in the present age of high competition, we cannot afford to be left behind in the race for development
(iv) Understandably, we should not get involved in grossly unethical practices, but giving and accepting small gratifications and doing small favours increases everybody’s motivation.
It also makes the system more efficient. What is wrong with adopting such practices? Critically analyze the above viewpoints. Based on this analysis, what will be your advice to your friend? (UPSC CSE 2014)
Case Study: Problem Solving of a Social Issue (Migration)
In our country, the migration of rural people to towns and cities is increasing drastically. This is causing serious problems both in the rural as well as in the urban areas. Things are becoming unmanageable. Can you analyze this problem in detail and indicate not only the socio-economic but also the emotional and attitudinal factors responsible for this problem? Also, distinctly brings out why –
(a) educated youth are trying to shift to urban areas
(b) landless poor people are migrating to urban slums
(c) even some farmers are selling off the land and trying to settle in urban areas taking petty jobs.
What feasible steps can you suggest that will be effective in controlling this serious problem in our country? (UPSC CSE 2014)
Case Study: Decision Making (Order of Rescue in Flood)
There is a disaster-prone state having frequent landslides, forest fires, cloudbursts, flash floods earthquakes, etc. Some of these are seasonal and often unpredictable. The magnitude of the disaster is always unanticipated. During one of the seasons, a cloudburst caused devastating floods and landslides leading to high casualties. There was major damage to infrastructure like roads, bridges and power-generating units. This led to more than 100000 pilgrims, tourists and other locals trapped across different routes and locations. The people trapped in your area of responsibility include senior citizens, patients in hospitals, women and children, hikers, tourists, ruling parties, regional presidents along with their families, additional chief secretaries of the neighbouring state and prisoners in jail.
As a civil services officer of the state, what would be the order in which you would rescue these people and why? Give Justifications. (UPSC CSE 2015)
Case Study: Problem Solving (Policy Making)
Land needed for mining, dams and other large-scale projects is acquired mostly from Adivasis, hill dwellers and rural communities. The displaced persons are paid monetary compensation as per the legal provisions. However, the payment is often tardy. In any case, it cannot sustain the displaced families for long. These people do not possess marketable skills to engage in some other accusation. They end up as low-paid migrant labourers. Moreover, their development goes to industries, industrialists and urban communities whereas the costs are passed on to these poor helpless people. This unjust distribution of costs and benefits is unethical. Suppose you have been entrusted with the task of drafting a better compensation-cum-rehabilitation policy for such displaced persons, how would you approach the problem and what would be the main elements of your suggested policy? (UPSC CSE 2016)
Case Study: Problem Solving (NGO)
Saraswati was a successful IT professional in the USA. Moved by the patriotic sense of doing something for the country she returned to India. Together with some other like-minded friends, she formed an NGO to build a school for a poor rural community. The objective of the school was to provide the best quality modern education at a nominal cost. She soon discovered that she had to seek permission from several Government agencies. The rules and procedures were quite confusing and cumbersome. What frustrated her most was delays, the callous attitude of officials and the constant demand for bribes. Her experience and the experience of many others like her have deterred people from taking up social service projects. A measure of Government control over voluntary social work is necessary. But it should not be exercised in a coercive a corrupt manner. What measures can you suggest to ensure that due control is exercised but well-meaning, honest NGO efforts are not thwarted? (UPSC CSE 2016)
Case Study: Ethical Dilemma (Options and Reasons for Choice)
You are the Executive Director of an upcoming InfoTech Company which is making a name for itself in the market.
Mr. A, 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 SMSs to all the team members including his female colleagues.
One day, late in the evening, Mrs. X, who is one of Mr. A’s team members, comes to you visibly disturbed. She complains about the continued misconduct of Mr A, 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. (UPSC CSE 2014)
- What are the options available to you?
- Evaluate each of these options and choose the option you would adopt, giving reasons.
Case Study: Ethical Dilemma (Options and Reasons for Choice)
Suppose you are an officer in charge of implementing a social service scheme to provide support to old and destitute women. An old and illiterate woman comes to you to avail the benefits of the scheme. However, she has no documents to show that she fulfils the eligibility criteria. But after meeting her and listening to her you feel that she certainly needs support. Your enquirers also show that she is destitute and living in a pitiable condition. You are in a dilemma as to what to do. Putting her under the scheme without the necessary documents would be a violation of the rules. But denying her the support would be cruel.
a) Can you think of a rational way to resolve this dilemma? b) Give your reasons for it. (UPSC CSE 2016)
More Ethics Case Studies
- Ethics Case Study: Personal Ethics vs Professional Ethics
- Ethics Case Study: Change in Eligibility Criteria
- Ethics Case Study: Your Son In Trouble
- Ethics Case Study: Juvenile Justice Act and Heinous Crimes
- Ethical Dilemma: 10 Heartbreaking Case Studies
Ethics Course
The ClearIAS Ethics Course will help aspirants master Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.
This course will help candidates understand the difficult concepts connected with ethics case studies.
We will also train you with the right approach to write high-scoring answers.
Know more about the ClearIAS Ethics Course.
Ethics Case Studies: Conclusion
Case studies connected with ethics, integrity and aptitude cover diverse situations and scenarios.
While the major chunk of questions may be connected with solving ethical dilemmas, there can be other types of questions as well.
Through the lens of ethics case studies, the evaluator will judge your decision-making and problem-solving skills.
ClearIAS Ethics Course will help candidates learn the best methods to solve ethics case studies.
Leave a Reply