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GS Paper 4 Toppers' Copies

All questions · 57 questions

Open question 101
Q31 · 10 MARKS
4 ‘pont write VAY ] apes $e sory in Indi Vest giver 1 India ofte stments ari _ Seales a remains mand pear pb reforms, public service ow | AI factors in quality and accessibility, Criti “satiate subs rs interact w; y and accessibility, Critically Analyse m pee substandard detiy leraet with politico-administrative inefficiencies lo jmplemen ation be made fe cry of public services. How can policy design ar | mG S. ‘ sy design an Te culturally responsive to address rot sallenges?”
Topper: Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · 2025 · Page 23
Open question 102
Q32 · 10 MARKS
enna Perret abel lohile Onan —— eg f hybrid 9, “The rise of hybrid work models has redefined wo rkplace ethics. blurring the boundaries between persor Analyse the ethicé “lehallens hal autonomy and professional accountability.” Critically Se a HAG will »M remote and hybrid work arrangements, rd productivity with er oh Nexibility with fairness. trust with transparency, Mployee well-being in the evolving work culture? (10 marks
Topper: Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · 2025 · Page 25
Open question 103
Q33 · 10 MARKS
recncial accountability ee Information (RTI) Act are not merely tools of vreenstshld camer Ne instruments of participatory ethics that empower feenih aati ii soso Critically examine the effectiveness of both of Parency, accountability. and ethical governance.
Topper: Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · 2025 · Page 27
Open question 104
Q34 · 10 MARKS
“While international funding aims to promote development. humanitarian aid. and global cooperation. it often comes embedded with political agendas. conditionalities, and asymmetric power dynamics.” Critically examine the ethical challenges posed by international funding. How can global financial assistance be restructured to align with cthical principles of equity. dignity. and mutual respect?
Topper: Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · 2025 · Page 29
Open question 105
Q35 · 20 MARKS
You are the Divisional -rural underdeveloped states, Ml Railway Manager (DRM), Northern Railways, TALON, safety. and crisis management across one of India’s Politically “sensitive railway divisions. Delhi Railway diction. sees over 5 lakh passengers daily. responsible for the ope most congested and Station, under your juris It’s the pe ak summer Season. Due to extreme heatwaves. late trains, and repair delays oncastern routes, the station be i;, Comes overcrowded beyond its safe capacity. Hundreds of passengers. including women, infants. and oe are stranded an platforms for hours. with minimal facilities, water shortage, and ineffective announcements. Suddenly. a fake viral message circulates, claiming that a footbridge has collapsed. Within moments, PANIC chsues, people rush toward exits, and in the chaos, a stampede breaks out on Platform 12. The casualty count rises quickly. 17 people are declared dead, including 6 children and 3 elderly women. Dozens are critically injured. The majority of the deceased are Migrant workers and lower-income passengers from The tragedy sparks national outrage. TV channels broadcast horrific visuals of stampede victims, crying relatives, and bloodied platforms. Emotional videos show children searching for their parents in trauma wards. Your office had Sent to prior warnings in the past month requesting crowd control support and improvements to public a ss n ddress systems. They were ignored or delayed by higher bureaucratic channels. Now, as the face of local administration, the entire blame is being pinned on you in media briefings. All casualties are from general and unreserved compartments. The air-conditioned lounges and premium - class platforms remained unaffected. Accusations of class bias in infrastructure planning are going viral. Further, Several junior staff are emotionally broken. One 24-year-old RPF constable attempted suicide, blaming himself for not being able to stop the crowd. You're now being asked to send these same employees back on duty for handling crowd control the next day. Moreover, The father of a deceased girl demands to see her final moments via CCTV, sobbing at your feet. A local MP calls you, pressuring you to give preferential treatment to the victims from his constituency — ahead of others. You're being unofficially told by a senior officer in the Railway Board to “tone down” the language in your official report to protect “the image of Indian Railways”. You’re warned that exposing systemic lapses may lead to your transfer or forced retirement. There’s growing anger outside the hospital and the station, Families are protesting, and crowd control is deteriorating, However, you must ensure trains keep running, and no secondary. incident occurs — all with stretched manpower and emotionally broken teams. News channels are broadcasting real-time hospital footage of victims and sharing unverified family stories. You're asked whether you want to restrict media access temporarily inside railway premises — a move that may attract criticism of “gagging the press.” You have barely slept in 36 hours. and your junior team is collapsing from stress, (a) Identify and explain the key ethical issues and dilemmas in this situation. (b) Write in decreasing order of importance, your immediate actions. (ec) You are asked to submit your incident report to the Railway Board. What guiding values and principles should reflect in your Written communication? (d) Suggest long-term reforms that could prevent such tragedies in overcrowded railway stations in the future.
Topper: Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · 2025 · Page 31
Open question 106
Q36 · 20 MARKS
You are the Chief Compliance Commissioner at the National Startup Governance Board (NSGB)—a regulatory authority under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, tasked with ensuring cthical practices, board accountability. and investor transparency in India’s startup ecosystem. Five years ago, “LiduNow”, an ed-tech startup founded by an alumnus of a premier college OF India, was celebrated as a beacon of India’s digital future. With a bold Mission to democratize learning for rural students, it grew rapidly-— partnering with schools, onboarding millions of users, and securing, funding from global Investors, But today - EduNow is imploding under the Weight of governance failure, Auditors have resigned, citing withheld information, inflated revenues, and fabricated subscriber data. Several board members quit silently, without public explanation. Employees allege mass layoffs through WhatsApp, non-payment of dues. and Coercion to sign NDAs in exchange for exit compensation. A leaked internal report reveals Personal expenses of the founder were booked as business expenses. Related-party transactions with shell companies owned by family members, Manipulation of user metrics to secure higher valuations in funding rounds. Despite these. the founder retains full operational control and is preparing for a new fundraising round, even considering an IPO. Meanwhile, a 27-year-old EduNow sales executive dies by suicide, allegedly due to unethical sales pressure and denial of salary for six months. His handwritten note, now viral, reads, “I believed in the dream. But | was punished for asking for my salary. What future does honesty have?” Public anger is erupting. Parents, students, and employees feel betrayed. Investors are distancing themselves. The media is asking tough questions. You are called for an emergency press conference in 6 hours. (a) As the Chief Compliance Commissioner, list your top five immediate ethical decisions, (b) Suppose the founder be forced to resign, and you are given the charge. What systemic changes that you would introduce? (c) Should companies that deliver public services (like EduRise in education) be subject to stricter governance norms than typical startups? OR Should startups be exempt from the same governance norms as large listed companies to encourage growth?
Topper: Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · 2025 · Page 36
Open question 107
Q37 · 20 MARKS
You have recently been appointed as the Chairperson & Managing Director (CMD) of Bharatam Ajfoy | imited (BAL). a large but severely underperforming | Public Sector Undertaking (pst Vunder the Ministry of Heavy Industries. Once a | symbol of India’s industrial self-reliance. BAL is now sregalinn with Mounting operational losses, Outdated technology. 4 nmotivated funk lore Delay s in salary payments. Poor customer Satisfaction Multiple failed modernization atternpts BAL’s biggest plant is in g Tier-Il toys th: \ 4 AI heavily depends on the company for emplo d. ): eMplOv Ment an local econ My. Last week. an accidental furnace blast at BAL's facility injured 18 contr, i ~Mract Workers, 2 critically. The incident bre mught the comparry back land the media Spotlight, 'nggering Public protests led by injured workers” families demanding justice and Permanent jobs. Employees” unions threatening indefinite strike. blaming mismanagement and unsafe conditions. ocal politicians accusing you and previous leadership of criminal negligence, National media labeling BAL a “black hole for taxpayers” \ PIL has been filed in High Coun, demanding cither privatization or shutdown of the PSU to stop further waste of public money. The Ministry asks you to submit a revival plan within 10 days. but hints at disinvestment if no credible plan emerges. Workers want permanent employment for contract laborers. but BAL has no financial capacity to absorb them all. The Chief Safety Officer, in an internal report. reveals that preventive maintenance | | was ignored due to budget cuts. A private competitor has offered to acquire BAL. | promising better technology and full job security for current employees—but with no guarantee for contract workers. Your spouse. a journalist. is being pressured by her editor to cover “how you are the new face of PSU cortuption™ in an exposé. Your own conscience is shaken after Personally meeting the family of one injured worker who asked. “Would your child work in this fumace if it ran like this?” (a) Identify the ethical dilemmas, (b) What options are available before you? Write its merits and demerits (c) As CMD. what immediate and long-term steps will sou take to address I. The accident and its aftermath II. Public Trust III. Financial viability of the PSU (d) Do you recommend absorbing all contract workers into permanent roles | despite financial constraints? What would be sour response if this were a private company?
Topper: Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · 2025 · Page 41
Open question 108
Q38 · 20 MARKS
In recent years. or “finfluencers” on social: (formerly Twitter). These individuals. often with + avestm offer stock market tips, mutual fund suggestions, crypto inves more to millions of followers. ‘ sem. A rece However, this unregulated space has now become a serious comer oe me example involved 2 well-known finfluencer promoting @ new ly ips ib spike a “hidden gem.” Thousands of people invested in it. causing its Pr fl encer artificially “A few weeks later, the stock crashed, revealing that the fin ee had received undisclosed compensation from the company’s promoters 10 Promotional content — effectively making it a “pump and dump” scheme. This led to public uproar. loss of hard-eammed money by common people. and an erosion of trust in online financial content. The Securities and Exchange Board | of India (SEBI) initiated an investigation but faced challenges due to loopholes in current digital regulation frameworks. Meanwhile, several other finfluencers continue similar activities unchecked... You are an officer in the Ministry of Finance. asked to look into this growing menace and propose policy and ethical safeguards (a) Identify and evaluate the key ethical issues involved in this case. (b) What steps would you suggest to ensure that financial influencers act with accountability and integrity? How would you balance the need for regulation with the right to freedom of expression? (c) What role can digital platforms and social media companies play in promoting ethical content?
Topper: Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · 2025 · Page 46
Open question 109
Q39 · 20 MARKS
It i unprecedented heatwave, are overburdened with he occurred due to dehydratio You are the District Ma grid. the Energy Departn: prevent a total blackout, gistrate, Due lo excessive demé <<a: — the stale power Nent has order demand on It Your dis ed rotational power cuts across districts to regions OF Sectors receive contiy ict has been given discretion to prioritize which your team and are Presented what electricity during peak hours. You convene. MATHS stark choice: Ss loice: sere are three Main Sectors ¢, There are t sectors € ompeting for Lim; 1. Urban & Industrial Zone wh g for Limited Electricity: units and maternity anh rable hosts the city’s hospitals. including ICU rowing IT park and 3, S, Nas water filtration plants for the city. is home to a significant state reveal bi org employing 8.000 workers & contributes ve: Political visibilit 2. Rural Villages & Agricult: Lan as fans. and reffigerators, epics where Power is needed for irrigation pumps. even a few days. Then armers fear crop failure if irrigation is stalled for to heatillave ch ildren - cattle deaths and villagers sleeping outdoors duc: 7 reparing for, De ex: some under candlelight. Preparing for board and competitive exams. some 3. ye Slane Areas in Urban Periphery where power is needed for issues due to heat N are reporting rising cases of domestic violence and health p th t stress. Infants and elderly are at highest risk. Migrant laborers from these areas serve the city and the industrial belt Farmers” protests are growing, with slogans like “No power, no food”. A few have threatened suicide, reminiscent of a tragic incident last year. A viral video shows an elderly woman in a rural hamlet fanning her unconscious grandson due to heatstroke, saying, “The government gave us electricity on election day. Now where is it?” On the other hand, factory owners have warned of shutdowns and mass layoffs if power is cut for more than two days. The District Civil Surgeon pleads with you to not cut power to the city hospital: “One failed ventilator could mean ten deaths.”, Political representatives from both rural and urban areas are blaming each other. and you are accused of bias no matter what you decide. The State Power Minister subtly suggests. “We cannot afford negative media about failing industry. Make a practical choice.” Your subordinate suggests cutting power to slums. saying “They have no votes.” Your own elderly parents live in one of the villages. and are facing the same crisis. but you're told not to show “personal bias.” (a) What are the ethical issues and conflicting duties involved in this situation? (b) If you had to rank these three sectors in priority. how would you do it and why?; '. (c) Suppose a local TV channel offers you a platform to explain your decision. How would you communicate your choice ethically and transparently to a divided and emotionally charged public? (d) Suggest 3 long-term reforms to avoid such dilemmas in the future and ensure just distribution of scarce resources.
Topper: Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · 2025 · Page 51
Open question 110
Q40 · 20 MARKS
self doubt, and th; ovale i i him. has pinned all their hopes on hil nd suffers in silence—fearing that any ess, or WO! rse, defeat. 17. In a Tier-1 city. Aparna. days and most weekends. He spirit.” On the surface. she is succe: insomnia, anxiety. dismissed by peers as “just part In a small rented room in De has been preparing relentlessly { daily, battling financial pressure. risin repeated failure. His family back home it hard to sleep, avoids social interactions, a acknowledgment of stress would be perceived as weakn Meanwhile, Meena, a 42-year-old government school teacher in a small town. has been silently battling depression for the past two years. After losing her husban during the pandemic. she returned to work to support herchildren, but overwhelming responsibilities. lack of support. and workplace indifference pushed her further into emotional isolation. Despite bein rformance has: ga dedicated educator, her perfo declined, and colleagues whisper that she has “lost interest.” s—are united by an ns and geographie: ‘ ma, institutional These individuals—spread across professio' fuelled by social stig! invisible crisis: deteriorating mental health, neglect. and the glorification of hustle. (a) Identify the ethical issues surrounding mental health. (b) What attitudinal and behavioral strategies can be adopted to effect attitudinal change around mental health. especially in high-stress environments? (c) As a future civil servant. how would you act as a change agent in your sphere of influence to promote mental well-being while balancing administrative efficiency and empathy?
Topper: Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · 2025 · Page 56

GS Paper 4 Toppers' Copies

recncial accountability ee Information (RTI) Act are not merely tools of vreenstshld camer Ne instruments of participatory ethics that empower feenih aati ii soso Critically examine the effectiveness of both of Parency, accountability. and ethical governance.