Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude UPSC PYQ 2025

Rajesh is a Group-A officer with more than five years of service. He is posted as Administrative Officer in an Oil Public-Sector Undertaking. As an Administrative Officer he is responsible for managing and coordinating various administrative tasks to ensure smooth functioning of the office. He also manages office supplies and equipment.

Rajesh is now sufficiently senior and expects his next promotion to the JAG (Junior Administrative Grade) in the next one or two years. He knows that promotion is based on examination of ACRs/Performance Appraisals of the last five years or so by a DPC (Departmental Promotion Committee) and that an officer lacking requisite grading of ACRs may not be found fit for promotion. Losing promotion may entail financial and reputational loss and a set-back for career progression. Though he always puts his best effort into his duties, he is unsure of the assessment by his superior and is therefore putting in extra effort so that he gets a thumping report at the end of the financial year.

One day his reporting officer (who writes his ACR) calls Rajesh and wants him to buy computer-related stationery on priority from a particular vendor. Rajesh instructs his office to initiate action for procuring these items. During the day, the dealing assistant brings an estimate of ₹35 lakh covering all stationery items from the same vendor. As per the organisation’s GFR-based delegated financial powers, expenditure on office items exceeding ₹30 lakh requires sanction of the next higher authority (his boss in the present case). Rajesh knows his immediate superior would expect all these purchases to be done at his level and may not appreciate such ‘lack of initiative’. During discussions with colleagues he also learns of the common (but illegal) practice of splitting expenditure (dividing a large order into several small ones) to avoid obtaining sanction from higher authority. This practice is against the rules and may invite adverse audit comments.

Rajesh is perturbed; he is unsure about what decision to take.

Ashok is Divisional Commissioner of one of the border districts in a North-East State. A few years back, the military took over the neighbouring country after overthrowing the elected civil government. A civil-war situation has prevailed there, especially in the last two years, and the internal situation has further deteriorated due to rebel groups taking control of populated areas near our border. Intense fighting between the military and rebel groups has sharply increased civilian casualties in recent months.

One night Ashok receives information from the local police guarding the border check-post that about 200–250 people—mainly women and children—are trying to cross over to our side. About ten soldiers in military uniform, carrying weapons, are also among them. Women and children are crying and begging for help; a few are injured, bleeding profusely and need immediate medical care. Ashok tries to contact the State Home Secretary but fails, mainly because inclement weather has disrupted connectivity.

5 (a) "One who is devoted to one’s duty attains highest perfection in life." Analyse this statement in reference to the sense of responsibility and personal virtues expected from a civil servant.

5 (b) 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?