Vision IAS Test Series Reflections in UPSC 2025 GS4 (Ethics)

Q.No.

Section

Question

Vision IAS Mains Test Series (Year/Test Code/Q.No.)

1

Theoretical

In the present digital age, social media has revolutionised our way of communication and interaction. However, it has raised several ethical issues and challenges. Describe the key ethical dilemmas in this regard.

The rise of social media has increased the number of dopamine-chasing youngsters who want instant gratification. Do you agree with this view? Give reasons. ( 2024, Test 2356, Q 1(b)

3

Theoretical

Carl von Clausewitz once said, “War is a diplomacy by other means.” Critically analyse the above statement in the present context of contemporary geo-political conflict.

Discuss the ethical implications of war-induced displacement of refugees. How should countries balance national interest with their moral responsibility towards refugees? (2025, Test 2716, Q. No. 5 (b))

What are the principles that should be followed by a country while declaring war? Discuss in the context of Just War theory. (2025, Test Code 3622, Q. No. 2 (b))

War is never a lasting solution for any problem. Discuss with examples. (2025, Test Code 3626, Q No. 5 (b)

6

Theoretical

“The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.” – William James 

Discuss how attitude plays a crucial role in shaping our perceptions and interactions with the world.
(2024, Test 2370)

What factors lead to a positive attitude in a person? How does positive attitude enhance the effectiveness of civil servants in performing their duties?
(2024, Test 2931)

Discuss the significance of positive attitude in enabling public servants to navigate high-stress situations effectively. Also, suggest measures to cultivate and strengthen a positive attitude among them.
(2025, Test 3626)

8

Theoretical

“For any kind of social re-engineering by successfully implementing welfare schemes, a civil servant must use reason and critical thinking in an ethical framework.” Justify this statement with suitable examples. 

In addition to neutrality and non-partisanship, tolerance and inclusion are other important values that facilitate the civil servants to be more competent in a diverse country like India. Explain with suitable illustrations. (2024, Test 2366)

Why is compassion regarded as a foundational value for civil servants? Discuss with examples. (2025, Test 2698)

Discuss the importance of ethics for civil servants in India. (2025, Test 2698)

9

Theoretical

What are the major teachings of Mahavir? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.

What teachings of Vardhaman Mahavira are most relevant today and why? Discuss. (2025, Test 2716, Q6(a)

11

Theoretical

To achieve holistic development goal, a civil servant acts as an enabler and active facilitator of growth rather than a regulator. What specific measures will you suggest to achieve this goal?

What reforms are needed to strengthen civil services and equip them to better navigate the complexities of globalization? (2025, Test 2697, Q.5)

Discuss the significance of the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building in the promotion of good governance in India. (2025, Test 2700, Q.10)

12

Theoretical

It is said that for an ethical work culture, there must be code of ethics in place in every organisation. To ensure value-based and compliance-based work culture, what suitable measures would you adopt in your work place?

An ethical work culture not only drives positive organisational outcomes but also helps employees thrive. Discuss. (2025, Test 3624, Q 2a)

13

Theoretical

India is an emerging economic power of the world as it has recently secured the status of fourth largest economy of the world as per IMF projection. However, it has been observed that in some sectors, allocated funds remain either under-utilised or misutilised. What specific measures would you recommend for ensuring accountability in this regard to stop leakages and gaining the status of third largest economy of the world in near future? 

Discuss the ethical concerns associated with the use of public funds for advertisement and publicity campaigns. (2025, 3631, Q. 2(b))

The ethical utilization of public funds plays a crucial role in ensuring good governance and fostering the holistic development of society. Discuss the ethical principles that guide the effective utilization of public funds in India. (2025, 3628, Q. 1(a))

What ethical principles should govern the utilization of public funds? Discuss the moral implications of using taxpayer money to bail out large corporations. (2024, 2366, Q. 2(a))

18

Case Study

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Program, MGNREGA was earlier known as National Rural Employment Scheme, NREGA. It is an Indian Social Welfare Program that aimed at fulfilling the ‘Right to Work’ provisions made in the Constitution. MGNREGA was launched in 2006 under Rural Employment Sector by the Ministry of Rural Development.

Main objective of the program is to give legal guarantee of wage employment to the adult members of rural households who are willing to do unskilled manual labour work subject to a maximum of 100 days per year for every household. Every rural household has the right to register under the scheme, job card is issued to the registered, Job Card holder can seek employment; State Government shall pay 25% of minimum wage for the first 30 days as compensatory daily unemployment allowance to the families and of wage for remaining period of the year. MGNREGA work was undertaken by various Gram Panchayats.

You have been appointed as an Administrator Incharge of the District. You have been given the responsibility of monitoring MGNREGA work undertaken by various Gram Panchayats. You are also given the authority to give technical sanctions to all MGNREGA works.

In one of the Panchayats in your jurisdiction, you notice that your predecessor has mismanaged the Program in terms of:

(i) Money not disbursed to actual job-seekers.
(ii) Muster Rolls of the Labourers not properly maintained.
(iii) Mismatch between the work done and payments made.
(iv) Payments made to fictitious persons.
(v) Job Cards were given without looking into the need of person.
(vi) Mismanagement of funds and to the extent of siphoning of funds.
(vii) Approved works that never existed.

(a) What is your reaction to the above situation and how do you restore the proper functioning of MGNREGA Program in this regard?
(b) What actions would you initiate, to solve the various issues listed above?
(c) How would you deal with the above situation?

Lapses in Scheme implementation has been observed in case study given below: “Rahul Kumar, an IAS officer, is posted as the District Magistrate (DM) in a remote district of India. The district has a large population dependent on the Public Distribution System (PDS) for their essential food grains and other necessities. This year, due to administrative inefficiencies and delays in transportation, there has been a significant shortfall in the supply of ration to the PDS shops in ‘XYZ’ village of the district.
The village is reeling under the impact of a severe drought, making the PDS rations critical for survival. During a visit to XYZ, Rahul is confronted by a group of villagers expressing grievances about irregularities in the PDS system. They allege that the PDS shopkeeper, who is a close associate of a local politician, has been hoarding grains meant for distribution and selling them in the black market. Furthermore, accusations of favoritism are made, claiming the shopkeeper provides food grains only to those who support the politician.
Rahul’s inquiries reveal discrepancies between stock records and actual distribution. Upon further investigation, he confirms that some grains have indeed gone missing. However, Rahul discovers another layer of complexity. The shopkeeper has been using a portion of the hoarded grains to support an informal relief initiative in neighboring villages, which are outside the jurisdiction of this shop but are struggling due to the drought. These efforts have gained the shopkeeper strong local support.
While taking strict action against the shopkeeper would address the irregularities in XYZ and ensure justice for its villagers, it would also cut off the unofficial aid benefiting nearby villages. Ignoring the issue or delaying action could perpetuate injustice in XYZ and compromise the integrity of public institutions. Acting too aggressively could also escalate tensions, given the shopkeeper’s strong political backing and local popularity.
(a) What are the possible options available to Rahul Kumar to address the situation? Evaluate each of the option.
(b) What ethical dilemmas does Rahul face in this case?
(c) What course of action would you recommend to Rahul to ensure both immediate relief to affected villagers and the long-term integrity of the PDS system? (2025, 3608, Q.12)