2023 UPSC CSE Mains GS 4 PYQs

2023 UPSC CSE Mains General Studies Paper 4 PYQs

The UPSC Civil Services Mains 2023 General Studies Paper 4 is a cornerstone of the examination, focusing on Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude. This paper evaluates candidates’ understanding of ethical concepts, personal integrity, and public administration values. Key areas include foundational values for civil service (like integrity, impartiality, and empathy), ethical dilemmas, emotional intelligence, and the role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values. It also emphasizes public service ethics, accountability, and case studies to assess candidates’ practical application of ethical reasoning and decision-making.

This post provides a curated list of Previous Year Questions (PYQs) to help aspirants analyze the exam pattern, grasp core ethical principles, and enhance their ability to write well-structured, impactful answers. Practicing these 2023 General Studies Paper 4 PYQs will empower candidates to articulate their thoughts effectively and tackle real-life ethical challenges with confidence.

Ethics, Basic Theory, Emotional Intelligence

What do you understand by ‘moral integrity’ and ‘professional efficiency’ in the context of corporate governace in India? Illustrate with suitable examples.
Differentitate ‘moral intution’ from ‘from moral reasoning’ with suitable examples.
Is conscience a more reliable guide when compared to laws, rules and regulations in the context of ethical decision-making? Discuss.
“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.

Moral Thinkers & Philosophers

What does quotation convey to you in the present context?
“The Simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
What does quotation convey to you in the present context?
“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
What does quotation convey to you in the present context?
“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 will come back to you, completing the circle.”
— Swami Vivekananda
What were the major teachings of Guru Nanak? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.

Attitude, Family, Society & Educational Institutions

Case Study: Bullying through social media 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 unable to perform well in the football trials held recently. You bring your son back from school and in the evening, you along with your wife try to find out the reasons for your son’s changed behaviour. After repeated cajoling, your son shares that some children had been making fun of him in the class as well as in the WhatsApp group of the students by calling him stunted, dub and a fog. He tells you the names of a few children who are the main culprits but pleads with you to let the matter rest.

After a few days, during a sporting event, where you and your wife have gone to watch your son play, one of your colleague’s son shows you a video in which students have caricatured your son. Further, he also points out the perpetrators who were sitting in the stands. You purposefully walk past them with your son and go home. Next day, you find on social media, a video denigrating you, your son and even your wife, stating that you engaged in physical bullying of children on the sports field. The video became viral on social media. Your friends and colleagues began calling you to find out the details. One of your juniors advised you to make counter video giving the background and explaining that nothing had happened on the field. You, in turn posted a video which you have captured during the sporting event, identifying the likely perpetrators who were responsible for your son’s predicament. You have also narrated what has actually happened in the field and made attempts to bring out the adverse effects of the misuse of social media.

a. Based on the above case study, discuss the ethical issues involved in the use of social media.
b. Discuss the pros and cons of using social media by you to put across the facts to counter the fake propaganda against your family.

Work Culture

In the context of work environment, differentiate between ‘coercion’ and ‘undue influence’ with suitable examples.
Case Study: Harassment by insecure Chief Architect You have just been appointed as Additional Director General of Central Public Works Department. The Cheif 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 project, but would also reduce completion time. This has made the Chief Architect insecure and he is constantly worried that all the credit will go to her. Subsequently, he adopted a passive and aggressive behaviour towards her and has become disrespectful to her. He would very often correct her in front of other colleagues and raise his voice while speaking to her. This continuous harrassment has resulted in her losing confidence anf self-esteem. She felt perpetually tensed, anxious and stressed. She appeared to be in awaken of him since he has had a long tenure in the office and has vast experience in the area of her work.

You are aware of her outstanding academic credentials and career record in her previous organisations. However, you fear that this harassment may result in compromising her much needed contribution in this important project and may adversely impact her emotional well-being. You have also come to know from her peers that she is contemplating tendering her resignation.

a. What are the ethical issues involved in the above case?
b. What are the options available to you in order to complete the project as well as to retain Seema in the organization?
c. What would be your response to Seema’s predicament? What measures would you institute to prevent such occurences from happening in your organization?
Case Study: Work life balance for working woman At 9pm on Saturday evening, Rashmika, 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 reflects on how she had looked forward to this posting and had worked long hours for months to achieve it. She had kept the welfare of people uppermost in discharging her duties. She feels that she has not done enough justice to her family and she has not fulfilled her duties in discharging essential social obligations. Even as recently as last month she had to leave her sick child in the nanny’s care as she had to work in the office. Now, she feels that she must draw a line, beyond which her personal life should take precedence over her professional responsibilities. She thinks that there should be reasonable limits to the work ethics such as punctuality, hard work, dedication to duty and selfless service.

a. Discuss the ethical issues involved in this case.
b. Briefly describe at least four laws that have been enacted by the Government with respect to providing a healthy, safe and equitable working environment for women.
c. Imagine you are in a similar situation. What suggestions would you make to mitigate such working conditions?

Empathy, Tolerance & Compassion

Case Study: Emergency Blood donation for preg woman without testing A landslide occured in the middle of the night on 20th July, 2023 in a remote mountain hamlet, approximately 60 kilometres from Uttarkashi. The landslide was caused by torrential rains and has resulted in large-scale destruction of property and life. You, as District Magistrate if that 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 labour and is losing blood. You directed your medical team to examine his wife. They return and convey to you that this woman needs blood transfusion immediately. Upon enquiry, you come to know that a few blood collection bags and blood group test kits are available in the ambulance accompanying your team. Few people of your team have already volunteered to donate blood. Being a physician who has graduated from AIIMS, you know that blood for transfusion needs to be procured only through a recognized blood bank. Your team members are divided on this issue; some favour transfusion wile some others oppose it. The doctors in the team are ready to facilitate the delivery provided they are not penalized for transfusion. Now you are in a dilemma. Your professional training emphasizes on prioritising service to humanity and saving lives of individuals.

a. What are the ethical issues involved in this case?
b. Evaluate the options available to you, being District Magistrate of the area.
Case Study: Bank manager uses money from dormant account for father surgery You are working as an executive in a nationalised 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 weeks later, you ask her about the well-being of her father and she informs you about his successful surgery and that he is recovering. She then confides in you that the bank manager was kind enough to facilitate the release of Rs. 10 lakh from a dormant account of someone topay for the operation with a promise that it should be confidential and be repaid at the earliest. She has already started paying it back and will continue to do so until it is all returned.

a. What are the ethical issues involved?
b. Evaluate the behaviour of the bank manager from an ethical point of view.
c. How would you react to the situation?

Public Administration, problems, code of conduct, citizen character, ethical issues in international relations

Explain the term social capital. How does it enhance good government?
‘Probity is essential for an effective system of governace and socio-economic development.’ Discuss.
“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?
Case Study: Exposing corruption in transport corporation 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 Cheif 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 the Opposition Party meets Vinod and hands over a few documents along with a video recording in which the Chairman appears to be demanding bribe for placing huge order for thr supply of QMR tyres. Vinod recollects the Chairman expediting clearing of pending bills of QMR tyres. Vinod confronts the Board Member as to why he is shying away from exposing the Chairman with the so-called solid proof he has with him. The member informs him that the Chairman refuses to yield to his threats. He adds that Vinod may earn recognition and public support if he himself exposes the Chairman. Further, he tells would be assured. Vinod is aware that he may be transferred to a distant place. He knows that the Opposition Party stands a better chance of coming to power in the forthcoming elections. However, he also realizes that the Board Member is trying to use him for his own political gains.

a. As a conscientious civil servant, evaluate the options available to Vinod.
b. In the light of the above case, comment upon the ethical issues that may arise due to the politicization of bureaucracy.
international aid is an accepted form of helping ‘resource-challenged’ nations. Comment on ‘ethics in contemporary international aid’. Support your answer with suitable examples.