2023 · GS 3 · 10 marks
AI governance and data privacy
Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare?
Read question →READ THE QUESTION. RECOGNISE THE DEMAND.
UPSC Mains PYQs.
Thirteen years, organised by theme.
Search 1,043 questions across GS 1–4, including ethics case studies. Read them here, connect recurring demands and build an answer plan.
1043 questions · Page 10 of 44
2023 · GS 3 · 10 marks
Disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure
Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyze the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures.
Read question →2023 · GS 3 · 10 marks
Pollution and environmental governance
What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India?
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Crisis of Ethical Values
“Corruption is the manifestation of the failure of core values in the society.” In your opinion, what measures can be adopted to uplift the core values in the society?
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Term Based
Differentiate ‘moral intuition’ from ‘moral reasoning’ with suitable examples.
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Probity in Governance
‘Probity is essential for an effective system of governance and socio-economic development.’ Discuss.
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 20 marks
Ethical dilemmas and stakeholder reasoning
“You have just been appointed as Additional Director General of Central Public Works Department. The Chief Architect of your division, who is to retire in six months, is passionately working on a very important project, the successful completion of which would earn him a lasting reputation for the rest of his life. A new lady architect. Seema, trained at Manchester School of Architecture, UK joined as Senior Architect in your division. During the briefing about the project, Seema made some suggestions which would not only add value to the proje…
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Corporate Governance
What do you understand by ‘moral integrity’ and ‘professional efficiency’ in the context of corporate governance in India ? Illustrate with suitable examples.
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Mahatma Gandhi
“The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Ethical Issues in International Relations and funding
‘International aid’ is an accepted form of helping ‘resource-challenged’ nations. Comment on ‘ethics in contemporary international aid’. Support your answer with suitable examples.
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Laws, Rules, Regulations and Conscience as Ethical Guidance
Is conscience a more reliable guide when compared to laws, rules and regulations in the context of ethical decision making ? Discuss.
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 20 marks
Ethical dilemmas and stakeholder reasoning
“Vinod is an honest and sincere IAS officer. Recently, he has taken over as Managing Director of the State Road Transport Corporation, his sixth transfer in the past three years. His peers acknowledge his vast knowledge, affability and uprightness. The Chairman of the State Road Transport Corporation is a powerful politician and is very close to the Chief Minister. Vinod comes to know about many alleged irregularities of the Corporation and the high-handedness of the Chairman in financial matters. A Board Member of the Corporation belonging to …
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Teachings of Great Leaders
What were the major teachings of Guru Nanak? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 20 marks
Ethical dilemmas and stakeholder reasoning
“A landslide occurred in the middle of the night on 20th July, 2023 in a remote mountain hamlet, approximately 60kilometers from Uttarkashi. The landslide was caused by torrential rains and has resulted in large-scale destruction of property and life. You, as district magistrate of the area, have rushed to the spot with a team of doctors, NGOs, media and police along with numerous support staff to oversee the rescue operations. A man came running to you with a request for urgent medical help for his pregnant wife who is in labor and is losing b…
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Swami Vivekananda
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 Vivekanand.
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Jawaharlal Nehru
“To awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened. Ones she is on the move, the family moves, the village moves, the nation moves.” – Jawaharlal Nehru
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 20 marks
Ethical dilemmas and stakeholder reasoning
“You hold a responsible position in a ministry in the government. One day in the morning you received a call from the school of your 11-year-old son that you are required to come and meet the Principal. You proceed to the school and find your son in the Principal’s office. The Principal informs you that your son had been found wandering aimlessly in the grounds during the time classes were in progress. The class teacher further informs you that your son has lately become a loner and did not respond to questions in the class, he had also been un…
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Organisational Attitude
In the context of work environment, differentiate between ‘coercion’ and ‘undue influence’ with suitable examples.
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 10 marks
EQ vs IQ
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.
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 20 marks
Ethical dilemmas and stakeholder reasoning
“At 9 pm on Saturday evening, Rashika, a Joint Secretary, was still engrossed in her work in her office. Her husband, Vikram, is an executive in an MNC and frequently out of town in connection with his work. Their two children aged 5 and 3 are looked after by their domestic helper. At 9:30 pm her superior, Mr. Suresh calls her and asks her to prepare a detailed note on an important matter to be discussed in a meeting in the Ministry. She realises, that she will have to work on Sunday to finish the additional task given by her superior. She refl…
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Accountability and Ethical Governance
Explain the term social capital. How does it enhance good governance?
Read question →2023 · GS 4 · 20 marks
Ethical dilemmas and stakeholder reasoning
“You are working as an executive in a nationalized bank for several years. One day one of your close colleagues tells you that her father is suffering from heart disease and needs surgery immediately to survive. She also tells you that she has no insurance and the operation will cost about Rs. 10 lakh. You are also aware of the fact that her husband is no more and that she is from a lower middle class family. You are empathetic about her situation. However, apart from expressing your sympathy, you do not have the resources to fund her. A few we…
Read question →2022 · GS 1 · 15 marks
Secularism
Are tolerance, assimilation and pluralism the key elements in the making of an Indian form of secularism? Justify your answer.
Read question →2022 · GS 1 · 10 marks
Family
Explore and evaluate the impact of ‘Work From Home’ on family relationships.
Read question →The expanded collection is transcribed from the supplied theme-wise compilation. Original marks and wording are retained where available; consult the official paper if an extraction looks unclear.