Why is it important to analyse GS4 PYQs for UPSC CSE Mains GS4 preparation?
Analysing GS4 PYQs topic-wise is essential for effective preparation of the UPSC Mains Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude paper. A structured review of previous year questions helps aspirants identify recurring themes such as ethics theory, attitude, emotional intelligence, integrity, and case studies. This analysis enables candidates to align their answer-writing practice with UPSC’s expectations, understand the evolving demand of ethical dimensions in governance, and prioritize high-weightage topics. By studying GS4 PYQs systematically, aspirants can improve conceptual clarity, develop ethical reasoning, and enhance case study handling skills for the UPSC Mains examination.
| Main Topics/Chapters | Questions Count (2013-2025) |
|---|---|
| Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service | 14 |
| Attitude | 10 |
| Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers from India and World | 37 |
| Emotional Intelligence | 8 |
| Ethics and Human Interface | 39 |
| Probity in Governance | 25 |
| Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration | 33 |
GS4 PYQs: Direct Questions (2013-2025)(Excluding Case Studies)
| Topic | Year | Question |
|---|---|---|
| Ethical Dilemmas in Social Media | 2025 | 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. (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
| Laws vs Morality (Swami Vivekananda) | 2025 | “The strength of a society is not in its laws, but in the morality of its people.” – Swami Vivekananda |
| Ethical Implications of AI in Decision-Making | 2024 | The application of Artificial Intelligence as a dependable source of input for administrative rational decision-making is a debatable issue. Critically examine the statement from the ethical point of view. |
| Key Dimensions of Ethics, Ethical Decision-Making | 2024 | “Ethics encompasses several key dimensions that are crucial in guiding individuals and organizations towards morally responsible behaviour.” Explain the key dimensions of ethics that influence human actions. Discuss how these dimensions shape ethical decision-making in the professional context. |
| Ethics of Powerful Nations in International Conflicts | 2024 | “It is not enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it; and it is not enough to believe in it, one must act upon it.” In the present context, the major weapon industries of the developed nations are adversely influencing continuation of number of wars for their own self-interest, all around the world. What are the ethical considerations of the powerful nations in today’s international arena to stop continuation of ongoing conflicts? |
| Climate Change, Human Greed, Equilibrium between Society and Environment | 2024 | Global warming and climate change are the outcomes of human greed in the name of development, indicating the direction in which extinction of organisms including human beings is heading towards loss of life on Earth. How do you put an end to this to protect life and bring equilibrium between the society and the environment? |
| Major Teachings of Guru Nanak (Relevance) | 2023 | What were the major teachings of Guru Nanak? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world. |
| Ethics in Human Actions (Smooth Functioning), Ethical Values (Conflict Resolution) | 2022 | It is believed that adherence to ethics in human actions would ensure in smooth functioning of an organization/system. If so, what does ethics seek to promote in human life? How do ethical values assist in the resolution of conflicts faced by him in his day-to-day functioning? |
| Ethical Issues in Online Method (Vulnerable Sections) | 2022 | Online methodology is being used for day-to-day meetings, institutional approvals in the administration and for teaching and learning in education sector to the extent telemedicine in the health sector is getting popular with the approvals of the competent authority. No doubt it has advantages and disadvantages for both the beneficiaries and system at large. Describe and discuss the ethical issues involved in the use of online method particularly to vulnerable section of society. |
| Impact of Digital Technology on Rational Decision Making | 2021 | Impact of digital technology as reliable source of input for rational decision making is a debatable issue. Critically evaluate with suitable example. |
| Integrity as a Value that Empowers Human Being | 2021 | “Integrity is a value that empowers the human being.” Justify with suitable illustration. |
| Role of Ethics and Values in CNP (Human Capital, Soft Power, Social Harmony) | 2020 | Discuss the role of ethics and values in enhancing the following three major components of Comprehensive National Power (CNP) viz. human capital, soft power (culture and policies) and social harmony. |
| New Education Policy (NEP, 2020) in Light of Individual and Social Transformation | 2020 | “Education is not an injunction, it is an effective and pervasive tool for all round development of an individual and social transformation”. Examine the New Education Policy, 2020 (NEP, 2020) in light of the above statement. |
| Gender Inequality (Factors), Contribution of Savitribai Phule | 2020 | What are the main factors responsible for gender inequality in India? Discuss the contribution of Savitribai Phule in this regard. |
| Internet Expansion, Cultural Values, Conflict with Traditional Values | 2020 | The current internet expansion has instilled a different set of cultural values which are often in conflict with traditional values. Discuss. |
| Basic Principles of Public Life | 2019 | What are the basic principles of public life? Illustrate any three of these with suitable examples. |
| Crisis of Conscience’ (Meaning, Public Domain Manifestation) | 2019 | What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? How does it manifest itself in the public domain? |
| Conflict of Interest (Actual vs Potential) | 2018 | What is meant by conflict of interest? Illustrate with examples, the difference between the actual and potential conflicts of interest. |
| Crisis of Ethical Values (Narrow Perception of Good Life) | 2017 | The crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced to a narrow perception of the good life. Discuss. |
| Increased National Wealth, Unequitable Distribution | 2017 | Increased national wealth did not result in equitable distribution of its benefits. It has created only some “enclaves of modernity and prosperity for a small minority at the cost of the majority.” Justify. |
| Moral Values, Law, Democratic Government, Market Economy | 2017 | Without commonly shared and widely entrenched moral values and obligations, neither the law, nor democratic government, nor even the market economy will function properly. What do you understand by this statement? Explain with illustration in contemporary times. |
| Conflict of Interest in Public Sector (Resolution) | 2017 | Conflict of interest in the public sector arises when (a) official duties, (b) public interest, and (c) personal interest are taking priority one above the other. How can this conflict in administration be resolved? Describe with an example. |
| Max Weber (Bureaucratic Morality) | 2016 | “Max Weber said that it is not wise to apply to public administration the sort of moral and ethical norms we apply to matters of personal conscience. It is important to realize that the state bureaucracy might possess its own independent bureaucratic morality.” Critically analyse this statement. |
| Ethics and Social/Human Well-being | 2016 | Explain how ethics contributes to social and human well-being. |
| Environmental Ethics (Meaning, Importance, Issue) | 2015 | (a) What is meant by ‘environmental ethics’? Why is it important to study? Discuss any one environmental issue from the viewpoint of environmental ethics. |
| Differentiation (Law/Ethics, Ethical Management/Management of Ethics, Discrimination/Preferential Treatment) | 2015 | (b) Differentiate between the following: 1. Law and Ethics 2. Ethical management and Management of ethics 3. Discrimination and Preferential treatment |
| Personal Ethics and Professional Ethics (Differentiation) | 2015 | Differentiate between Personal ethics and Professional ethics. |
| Social Values vs Economic Values (Inclusive Growth) | 2015 | “Social values are more important than economic values.” Discuss the above statement with examples in the context of inclusive growth of a nation. |
| Conflict of Interest (Meaning, Manifestation, Resolution) | 2015 | Public servants are likely to confront issues of ‘Conflict of Interest’. What do you understand by the term ‘Conflict of Interest’ and how does it manifest in the decision-making by public servants? If faced with a conflict-of-interest situation, how would you resolve it? Explain with the help of examples. |
| Widespread Trust-deficit (Consequences, Personal Measures) | 2014 | The current society is plagued with widespread trust-deficit. What are the consequences of this situation for personal well-being and for societal well-being? What can you do at the personal level to make yourself trustworthy? |
| Sexual Violence Against Women (Innovative Measures) | 2014 | We are witnessing increasing instances of sexual violence against women in the country. Despite existing legal provisions against it, the number of such incidences is on the rise. Suggest some innovative measures to tackle this menace. |
| Patriotism in Everyday Civil Life | 2014 | In the context of defence services, ‘patriotism’ demands readiness to even lay down one’s life in protecting the nation. According to you, what does patriotism imply in everyday civil life? Explain with illustrations and justify your answer. |
| Happiness (Aspiration, Meaning) | 2014 | All human beings aspire for happiness. Do you agree? What does happiness mean to you? Explain with examples. |
| Eminent Personality, Ethical Conduct (Teachings, Application) | 2014 | Which eminent personality has inspired you the most in the context of ethical conduct in life? Give the gist of his/her teachings giving specific examples, describe how you have been able to apply these teachings for your own ethical development. |
| Ethics (Promotion in Human Life, Importance in Public Administration) | 2014 | What does ethics seek to promote in human life? Why is it all the more important in public administration? |
| Values’ and ‘Ethics’ (Meaning, Importance of Ethical and Professional Competence) | 2013 | What do you understand by ‘Values’ and ‘Ethics’? In what way is it important to be ethical along with being professionally competent? |
| Crisis of Conscience’ (Meaning, Personal Incident) | 2013 | 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. |
| “The good of an individual is contained in the good of all” (Implementation in Public Life) | 2013 | “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? |
| Changing vs Universal/Eternal Human Values (Perception) | 2013 | 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. |
| Topic | Year | Question |
|---|---|---|
| Thiruvalluvar Quote | 2025 | “Those who in trouble untroubled are, will trouble trouble itself.” – Thiruvalluvar |
| Altering Life by Altering Attitudes (William James) | 2025 | “The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.” – William James |
| Positive vs Negative Minded Officers (Interpreting Rules and Regulations) | 2022 | The Rules and Regulations provided to all the civil servants are same, yet there is difference in the performance. Positive minded officers are able to interpret the Rules and Regulations in favour of the case and achieve success, whereas negative minded officers are unable to achieve goals by interpreting the same Rules and Regulations against the case. Discuss with illustrations. |
| Suitable Attitude for a Public Servant (Development) | 2021 | Attitude is an important component that goes as input in the development of humans. How to build a suitable attitude needed for a public servant? |
| Positive Attitude in Civil Servants (Contributors) | 2020 | A positive attitude is considered to be an essential characteristic of a civil servant who is often required to function under extreme stress. What contributes a positive attitude in person? |
| Young People with Ethical Conduct in Active Politics (Motivation) | 2017 | Young people with ethical conduct are not willing to come forward to join active politics. Suggest steps to motivate them to come forward. |
| Undesirable Attitudes in Educated Indians (Change and Cultivation in Civil Servants) | 2016 | Our attitudes towards life, work, other people and society are generally shaped unconsciously by the family and the social surroundings in which we grow up. Some of these unconsciously acquired attitudes and values are often undesirable in the citizens of a modern democratic and egalitarian society. (a) Discuss such undesirable values prevalent in today’s educated Indians. (b) How can such undesirable attitudes be changed and socio-ethical values considered necessary in public services be cultivated in the aspiring and serving civil servants? |
| Social Influence and Persuasion (Swachh Bharat Abhiyan) | 2016 | How could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan? |
| Bureaucratic Attitude vs Democratic Attitude (Distinction, Balance) | 2015 | Two different kinds of attitudes exhibited by public servants towards their work have been identified as the bureaucratic attitude and the democratic attitude. (a) Distinguish between these two terms and write their merits and demerits. (b) Is it possible to balance the two to create a better administration for the faster development of our country? |
| Factors Affecting Attitude Formation, Contrasting Attitudes on Caste System | 2014 | What factors affect the formation of a person’s attitude towards social problems? In our society, contrasting attitudes are prevalent about many social problems. What contrasting attitudes do you notice about the caste system in our society? How do you explain the existence of these contrasting attitudes? |
| Topic | Year | Question |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Morality for Public Servants (Significance, Role in Good Governance/Accountability) | 2025 | Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment but a product of civil education and adherence of the rule of law.” Examine the significance of constitutional morality for public servants, highlighting the role in promoting good governance and ensuring accountability in public administration. (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
| Civil Servant using Reason/Critical Thinking in Ethical Framework for Welfare Schemes | 2025 | “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. (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
| Mission Karmayogi (Empowerment, Efficiency, Service Delivery) | 2024 | Mission Karmayogi is aiming for maintaining a very high standard of conduct and behaviour to ensure efficiency fox serving citizens and in turn developing oneself How will this scheme empower the civil servants in enhancing productive efficiency and delivering the services at the grassroots level? |
| Empathy and Compassion (Vital Attributes for Civil Servants) | 2022 | Apart from intellectual competency and moral qualities, empathy and compassion are some of the other vital attributes that facilitate the civil servants to be more competent in tackling the crucial issues or taking critical decisions. Explain with suitable illustrations. |
| Five Ethical Traits for Civil Servant Performance | 2021 | Identify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant. Justify their inclusion in the matrix. |
| Ten Essential Values for Public Servant, Preventing Non-ethical Behavior | 2021 | Identify ten essential values that are needed to be an effective public servant. Describe the ways and means to prevent non-ethical behavior in the public servants. |
| Impartiality and Non-partisanship (Indispensable Qualities) | 2021 | Should impartiality and being non-partisan be considered as indispensable qualities to make a successful civil servant? Discuss with illustrations. |
| Three Basic Universal Values for Civil Services | 2018 | State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services and bring out their importance. |
| Integrity (Complete Refusal to be Compromised) | 2017 | One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be compromised. Explain with reference to a real-life example. |
| Relevance of Values in Civil Service (Transparency, Accountability, etc.) | 2017 | Examine the relevance of the following in the context of civil service: (a) Transparency (b) Accountability (c) Fairness and Justice (d) Courage of Conviction (e) Spirit of service. |
| Impartiality and Non-partisanship (Foundational Values in Socio-political Context) | 2016 | Why should impartiality and non-partisanship be considered as foundational values in public services, especially in the present-day socio-political context? Illustrate your answer with examples. |
| Trustworthiness and Fortitude (Manifestation in Public Service) | 2015 | How do the virtues of trustworthiness and fortitude get manifested in public service? Explain with examples. |
| Integrity and Knowledge (Importance) | 2014 | Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, but knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful. What do you understand by this statement? Explain your stand with illustrations from the modern context. |
| Values/Attributes Important for Public Service (Justification) | 2013 | Values and Public Values; Importance of Values; Aptitude; Integrity; Impartiality and Non-partisanship; Objectivity; Dedication to Public Service; Empathy, Tolerance and Compassion towards the weaker-sections; Significance of Values for Civil Services. Indicate two more attributes that you consider important for public service. Justify your answer. |
| Topic | Year | Question |
|---|---|---|
| EQ vs IQ for Success/Happiness | 2023 | “What really matters for success, character, happiness and lifelong achievements is a definite set of emotional skills your EQ – not just purely cognitive abilities that are measured by conventional IQ tests.” Do you agree with this view? Give reasons in support of your answer. |
| Emotional Intelligence and Crisis of Conscience | 2021 | In case of crisis of conscience does emotional intelligence help to overcome the same without compromising the ethical or moral stand that you are likely to follow? Critically examine. |
| Hatred and Wisdom/Conscience | 2020 | Hatred is destructive of a person’s wisdom and conscience that can poison a nation’s spirit. Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer. |
| Components of Emotional Intelligence (EI) (Can they be learned?) | 2020 | What are the main components of emotional intelligence (El)? Can they be learned? Discuss. |
| Emotional Intelligence (Emotions Working for You) | 2019 | “Emotional Intelligence is the ability to make your emotions work for you instead of against you”. Do you agree with this view? Discuss. |
| Application of Emotional Intelligence in Administrative Practices | 2017 | How will you apply emotional intelligence in administrative practices? |
| Anger (Harmful Negative Emotion, Management) | 2016 | Anger is a harmful negative emotion. It is injurious to both personal life and work life. a) Discuss how it leads to negative emotions and undesirable behaviours. b) How can it be managed and controlled? |
| Emotional Intelligence’ (Meaning, Development, Ethical Decisions) | 2013 | What is ’emotional intelligence’ and how can it be developed in people? How does it help an individual in taking ethical decisions? |
| Thinker | Year | Question |
|---|---|---|
| Major Teachings of Mahavira (Relevance) | 2025 | What are the major teachings of Mahavira? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world. (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
| Swami Vivekananda Quote (Learning from Others) | 2024 | “Learn everything that is good from others, but bring it in, and in your own way absorb it, do not become others.” – Swami Vivekananda |
| Sardar Patel Quote (Faith and Strength) | 2024 | “Faith is of no avail in the absence of strength. Faith and strength, both are essential to accomplish any great work.” – Sardar Patel |
| Immanuel Kant Quote (Guilt in Law vs Ethics) | 2024 | “In law, a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics, he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so.” – Immanuel Kant |
| Mahatma Gandhi Quote (Kindness) | 2023 | “The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.” – Mahatma Gandhi |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Quote (Women’s Awakening) | 2023 | “To awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened. Once she is on the move, the family moves, the village moves, the nation moves.” – Jawaharlal Nehru |
| Swami Vivekananda Quote (Hatred and Love) | 2023 | “Do not hate anybody, because that hatred that comes out from you must, in the long run, come back to you. If you love, that love will come back to you, completing the circle.” – Swami Vivekananda |
| Moral Intuition vs Moral Reasoning (Differentiation) | 2023 | Differentiate ‘moral intuition’ from ‘moral reasoning’ with suitable examples. |
| Potter Stewart Quote (Right to Do vs Right Thing to Do) | 2022 | “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.” – Potter Stewart. |
| A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Quote (Corruption-free Nation, Societal Members) | 2022 | “If a country is to be corruption-free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother, and the teacher.” – Abdul Kalam. |
| Dalai Lama Quote (Judging Success) | 2022 | “Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.” – Dalai Lama. |
| Swami Vivekananda Quote (Perseverance, Difficulties) | 2021 | “Every work has got to pass through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding. Those that persevere will see the light, sooner or later.” – Swami Vivekananda |
| Dalai Lama Quote (Outer Peace, Inner Peace) | 2021 | “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until and unless we obtain peace within ourselves.” – Dalai Lama |
| Erik Erikson Quote (Interdependence) | 2021 | “Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, it is better for us all.” – Erik Erikson |
| Teachings of Buddha (Most Relevant Today) | 2020 | What teachings of Buddha are most relevant today and why? Discuss. |
| Swami Vivekananda Quote (Condemn None, Helping Hand) | 2020 | “Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand do so. If not, fold your hands, bless your brothers and let them go their own way.” – Swami Vivekananda |
| Mahatma Gandhi Quote (Finding Self in Service of Others) | 2020 | “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi |
| Socrates Quote (Morality on Relative Emotional Values) | 2020 | “A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.” – Socrates. |
| Socrates Quote (Unexamined Life) | 2019 | “An unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates |
| M.K. Gandhi Quote (Man is Product of his Thoughts) | 2019 | “A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes.” – M.K. Gandhi |
| A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Quote (Righteousness, Peace in the World) | 2019 | “Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world.” – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam |
| Abraham Lincoln Quote (Embrace or Reject, Evil vs Good) | 2018 | “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 government policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgment of the preponderance between them is continually demanded.” – Abraham Lincoln. |
| Mahatma Gandhi Quote (Anger and Intolerance) | 2018 | “Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.” – Mahatma Gandhi. |
| Tirukkural Quote (Falsehood for Common Good) | 2018 | “Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common good.” – Tirukkural |
| Warren Buffet Quote (Integrity, Intelligence, Energy for Hiring) | 2018 | “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 Buffet |
| Morality of Actions (Means vs Ends) | 2018 | With regard to the morality of actions, one view is that means are 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. |
| Napoleon Bonaparte Quote (Great Ambition and Principles) | 2017 | “Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them.” – Napoleon Bonaparte. |
| Rulers (Harmed Society vs Worked for Development) | 2017 | Stating examples, mention the rulers (i) who have harmed society and country, (ii) who worked for the development of society and country. |
| A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Quote (Father, Mother, Teacher) | 2017 | “If a country is to be corruption-free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother, and the teacher.” – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Analyse. |
| Mahatma Gandhi’s Concept of Seven Sins | 2016 | Discuss Mahatma Gandhi’s Concept of Seven Sins. |
| John Rawls’s Concept of Social Justice (Indian Context) | 2016 | Analyse John Rawls’s concept of social justice in the Indian context. |
| Quote on Forgiveness | 2015 | “The weak can never forgive; forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” |
| Quote on Fear of Darkness/Light | 2015 | “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” |
| Human Beings as ‘Ends’ and never as ‘Means’ | 2014 | “Human beings should always be treated as ‘ends’ in themselves and never as merely ‘means’.” Explain the meaning and significance of this statement. |
| Mahatma Gandhi Quote (Need vs Greed) | 2013 | “There is enough on this earth for everyone’s need but for no one’s greed.” – Mahatma Gandhi |
| Abraham Lincoln Quote (Testing Character with Power) | 2013 | “Nearly all men can withstand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” – Abraham Lincoln. |
| Aristotle Quote (Overcoming Desires vs Enemies) | 2013 | “I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who overcomes his enemies.” – Aristotle |
| Topic | Year | Question |
|---|---|---|
| War is a diplomacy by other means’ (Critically Analyse) | 2025 | 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. (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
| Ethical Dilemmas (Environmental Clearance, Developmental Projects, Border Areas) | 2025 | Keeping the national security in mind, examine the ethical dilemmas related to controversial orders of environmental clearance of developmental projects in ecologically sensitive border areas in the country. (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
| Devotion to Duty, Personal Fulfilment in Civil Servant | 2025 | “One who is devoted to one’s duty attains highest perfection in life.” Analyse this statement with reference to sense of responsibility and personal fulfilment in a civil servant. (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
| Civil Servant as Enabler/Facilitator of Growth vs Regulator (Measures) | 2025 | To achieve holistic development goals, 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? (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
| Just/Unjust Contextual, Form vs Substance | 2024 | “The concept of Just and Unjust is contextual. What was just a year back, may turn out to be unjust in today’s context. Changing context should be constantly under scrutiny to prevent miscarriage of justice.” Examine the above statement with suitable examples. Mindless addiction to Form, ignoring the Substance of the matter, results in rendering of injustice. A perceptive civil servant is one who ignores such literalnes and carries out true intent” Examine the above statement with suitable illustrations. |
| Code of Conduct’ and ‘Code of Ethics’ (Suggest Mode for Code of Ethics) | 2024 | “The ‘Code of Conduct’ and ‘Code of Ethics’ are the sources of guidance in public administration. There is code of conduct already in operation, whereas code of ethics is not yet put in place. Suggest a suitable mode for code of ethics to maintain integrity, probity and transparency in governance. |
| Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) (Justice, Equality, Impartiality) | 2024 | The soul of the new law, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is Justice, Equality and Impartiality based on Indian culture and ethos. Discuss this in the light of major shift from a doctrine of punishment to justice in the present judicial system. |
| Moral Integrity’ and ‘Professional Efficiency’ in Corporate Governance | 2023 | What do you understand by ‘moral integrity’ and ‘professional efficiency’ in the context of corporate governance in India? Illustrate with suitable examples. |
| Conscience vs Laws/Rules/Regulations (Ethical Decision-Making) | 2023 | Is conscience a more reliable guide when compared to laws, rules and regulations in the context of ethical decision-making? Discuss. |
| Wisdom, Periphery vs Core Issues, Travesty of Justice | 2022 | Wisdom lies in knowing what to reckon with and what to overlook. An officer being engrossed with the periphery, ignoring the core issues before him, is no rare in the bureaucracy. Do you agree that such preoccupation of an administrator leads to travesty of justice to the cause of effective service delivery and good governance? Critically evaluate. |
| Short Notes (Constitutional Morality, Conflict of Interest, Probity, Digitalization, Devotion to Duty) | 2022 | Write short notes on the following in 30 words each: (i) Constitutional morality (ii) Conflict of interest (iii) Probity in public life (iv) Challenges of digitalization (v) Devotion to duty. |
| Ethical Issues in War (Russia-Ukraine) | 2022 | Russia and Ukraine war has been going on for the last seven months. Different countries have taken independent stands and actions keeping in view their own national interests. What are the ethical issues crucial to be considered while launching the war and its continuation so far? Illustrate with justification. |
| Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) (Efficiency and Sufficiency) | 2022 | In contemporary world, corporate sector’s contribution in generating wealth and employment is increasing. In doing so, they are bringing in unprecedented onslaught on the climate, environmental sustainability and living conditions of human beings. In this background, do you think Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is efficient and sufficient enough to fulfill the social roles and responsibilities needed in the corporate work mandated? Critically examine. |
| Public Official (Innovativeness and Creativity, Ethical Dilemmas) | 2021 | Besides domain knowledge, a public official needs innovativeness and creativity of a high order as well, while resolving ethical dilemmas. Discuss with suitable example. |
| Ethical Dimension of Refugee Persecution | 2021 | Refugees should not be turned back to the country where they would face persecution or human right violation. Examine the statement with reference to ethical dimension being violated by the nation claiming to be democratic with open society. |
| Will to Power, Rationality, Moral Duty (International Relations) | 2020 | The will to power exists, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and principles of moral duty. Examine this statement in the context of international relations. |
| Laws vs Rules (Distinction, Role of Ethics) | 2020 | Distinguish between laws and rules. Discuss the role of ethics in formulating them. |
| Constitutional Morality’ (Meaning, Upholding) | 2019 | What is meant by the term ‘constitutional morality’? How does one uphold constitutional morality? |
| Dam Construction (Rational Policy for Unforeseen Contingencies) | 2018 | Suppose the Government of India is thinking of constructing a dam in a mountain valley bound by forests and inhabited by ethnic communities. What rational policy should it resort to in dealing with unforeseen contingencies? |
| Resolving Ethical Dilemmas in Public Administration | 2018 | Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in Public Administration. |
| Good Thing, Permitted if not Prohibited (Public Servant Duties) | 2018 | 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. |
| Public Interest (Meaning, Principles/Procedures for Civil Servants) | 2018 | What is meant by public interest? What are the principles and procedures to be followed by civil servants in public interest? |
| Corporate Social Responsibility (Profitability and Sustainability) | 2017 | Corporate social responsibility makes companies more profitable and sustainable. Analyse. |
| Strength, Peace, and Security (Pillars of International Relations) | 2017 | Strength, peace and security are considered to be the pillars of international relations. Elucidate. |
| Governance’, ‘Good Governance’, and ‘Ethical Governance’ (Understanding) | 2016 | What do you understand by the terms ‘governance’, ‘good governance’ and ‘ethical governance’? |
| Law and Ethics (Controlling Human Conduct) | 2016 | Law and Ethics are considered to be the two tools for controlling human conduct so as to make it conducive to civilized social existence. (a) Discuss how they achieve this objective. (b) Discuss how they achieve this objective. |
| Law Compliance vs Ethical Sensibility in Public Service | 2015 | A mere compliance with law is not enough, the public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical issues for effective discharge of duties. Do you agree? |
| Ethically Right/Legally Wrong vs Legally Right/Ethically Wrong | 2015 | Explain with the help of two examples, where (i) an act is ethically right, but not legally and (ii) an act is legally right, but not ethically. |
| Ethical Consideration in International Relations (National Interest Conflict) | 2015 | At the international level, the bilateral relations between most nations are governed on the policy of promoting one’s own national interest without any regard for the interest of other nations. This leads to conflicts and tensions between the nations. How can ethical consideration help resolve such tensions? Discuss with specific examples. |
| Accountability’ in Public Service (Measures to Ensure) | 2014 | What does ‘accountability’ mean in the context of public service? What measures can be adopted to ensure individual and collective accountability of public servants? |
| Ethical Responsibility on Public Servants (Steps to Improve Competence) | 2014 | There is a heavy ethical responsibility on the public servants because they occupy positions of power, handle huge amounts of public funds, and their decisions have wide-ranging impact on society and environment. What steps have you taken to improve your ethical competence to handle such responsibility? |
| Politics’ and ‘Ethics’ (Opinion) | 2013 | It is often said that ‘politics’ and ‘ethics do not go together. What is your opinion in this regard? Justify your answer with an illustration. |
| Voice of Conscience’ (Meaning, Preparedness) | 2013 | What do you understand by the term ‘voice of conscience’? How do you prepare yourself to heed to the voice of conscience? |
| Topic | Year | Question |
|---|---|---|
| Code of Ethics/Sound Ethical Work Culture (Measures) | 2025 | It is said that for a sound ethical work culture, there must be code of ethics in place in every organisation. To ensure value-based and work culture, what suitable measures would you adopt in your work place? (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
| India as Emerging Economy (Concerns, Recommendations) | 2025 | India is an emerging economic power of the world. For IMF’s Projection, India has recently secured the status of fourth largest economy of the world. At the same time, certain concerns have been observed in some sectors, including food security, energy, environment or instability. What recommendations would you make for emerging economy of the world in this regard to keep sustained and balanced growth? (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
| Gender-specific Challenges for Female Public Servants (Measures for Efficiency/Probity) | 2024 | In Indian culture and value system, an equal opportunity has been provided irrespective of gender identity. The number of women in public service has been steadily increasing over the vears Examine the gender-specific challenges faced by female public servants and suggest suitable measures to increase their officiency in discharging their duties and maintaining high standards of probity. |
| Corruption and Failure of Core Values (Measures to Uplift) | 2024 | “Corruption is the manifestation of the failure of core values in society.” In your opinion, what measures can be adopted to uplift the core values in society? |
| Coercion’ vs ‘Undue Influence’ (Differentiation in Work Environment) | 2023 | In the context of the work environment, differentiate between ‘coercion’ and ‘undue influence’ with suitable examples. |
| Probity (Essential for Effective Governance and Socio-economic Development) | 2023 | Probity is essential for an effective system of governance and socio-economic development. Discuss. |
| Social Capital’ (Meaning, Enhancement of Good Governance) | 2023 | Explain the term ‘social capital.’ How does it enhance good governance? |
| Good Governance’, e-Governance Initiatives (Help to Beneficiaries) | 2022 | What do you understand by the term ‘good governance’? How far recent initiatives in terms of e-Governance steps taken by the State have helped the beneficiaries? Discuss with suitable examples. |
| Whistleblower Protection (Policy Measures) | 2022 | Whistleblower, who reports corruption and illegal activities, wrongdoing, and misconduct to the concerned authorities, runs the risk of being exposed to grave danger, physical harm, and victimization by vested interests. What policy measures would you suggest to strengthen protection mechanisms to safeguard the whistleblower? |
| Independent and Empowered Social Audit Mechanism (Public Service, Judiciary) | 2021 | An independent and empowered social audit mechanism is an absolute must in every sphere of public service, including the judiciary, to ensure performance, accountability, and ethical conduct. Elaborate. |
| Public Servant’ (Meaning, Expected Role) | 2019 | What do you understand by the term ‘public servant’? Reflect on the expected role of a public servant. |
| Citizens’ Charter Movement (Basic Principles, Importance) | 2019 | Explain the basic principles of the citizens’ charter movement and bring out its importance. |
| Official Secrets Act vs RTI Act (Obstacle) | 2019 | There is a view that the Official Secrets Act is an obstacle to the implementation of the Right to Information Act. Do you agree with this view? Discuss. |
| Probity in Governance (Meaning, Measures for Ensuring) | 2019 | What do you understand by probity in governance? Based on your understanding of the term, suggest measures for ensuring probity in government. |
| Utilization of Public Funds (Under-utilization, Mis-utilization, Implications) | 2019 | Effective utilization of public funds is crucial to meeting development goals. Critically examine the reasons for under-utilization and mis-utilization of public funds and their implications. |
| Non-performance of Duty (Form of Corruption) | 2019 | “Non-performance of duty by a public servant is a form of corruption.” Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer. |
| “Code of ethics” and “Code of conduct” (Distinction) | 2018 | Distinguish between “Code of ethics” and “Code of conduct” with suitable examples. |
| RTI Act (Accountability Redefined) | 2018 | “The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’ empowerment alone; it essentially redefines the concept of accountability.” Discuss. |
| Discipline (Counterproductive for Organization) | 2017 | Discipline generally i lowing order and subordination. However, it may be counterproductive for the organization. Discuss. |
| Public Services Code (2nd ARC) | 2016 | Discuss the Public Services Code as recommended by the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission. |
| Corruption and Kautilya’s Views | 2016 | “Corruption causes misuse of government treasury, administrative inefficiency, and obstruction in the path of national development.” Discuss Kautilya’s views. |
| RTI, Media, Judicial Activism (Misuse, Fear to Take Decisions, Resolution) | 2015 | Some recent developments such as the introduction of the RTI Act, media and judicial activism, etc., are proving helpful in bringing about greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of the government. However, it is also being observed that at times these mechanisms are misused. Another negative effect is that officers are now afraid to take prompt decisions. Analyze this situation in detail and suggest how this dichotomy can be resolved. |
| Corrupt Practices (Effectiveness of Measures, Strategies to Tackle) | 2015 | Today we find that in spite of various measures like prescribing codes of conduct, setting up vigilance cells/commissions, RTI, active media, and strengthening of legal mechanisms, corrupt practices are not coming under control. (a) Evaluate the effectiveness of these measures with justifications. (b) Suggest more effective strategies to tackle this menace. |
| Probity’ in Public Life (Difficulties, Overcoming) | 2014 | What do you understand by ‘probity’ in public life? What are the difficulties in practicing it in the present times? How can these difficulties be overcome? |
| Causes of Corruption (Poverty, Affluent People) | 2014 | It is often said that poverty leads to corruption. However, there is no dearth of instances where affluent and powerful people indulge in corruption in a big way. What are the basic causes of corruption among people? Support your answer with examples. |
Conclusion:
A topic-wise analysis of GS4 PYQs for the UPSC Exam Mains is a strategic tool for mastering the Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude paper. It allows aspirants to decode UPSC’s ethical expectations, recognise repeatedly asked dimensions, and structure answers with greater clarity and relevance. By integrating GS4 PYQ analysis into regular preparation, candidates can bridge the gap between theoretical ethics and practical application, especially in case studies. Ultimately, a systematic review of previous year questions not only strengthens ethical reasoning but also enhances answer quality, consistency, and scoring potential in the UPSC Mains examination.
Explore the Latest GS Paper 4 Syllabus – UPSC Civil Services Exam
Get complete clarity on the updated UPSC GS Paper 4 syllabus for the Civil Services (Mains) Examination. Understand the structure and key themes of Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.