PAVAN KUMAR’S IAS 

Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude 
Test – II 
Case Studies 
 
Time: 90 Mts. Date: 31​st​ July          Max Marks: 130 
 
1.   ​Ethics in international relations and funding demand that it is the moral
responsibility of the rich countries to take care of the needs of their
poorer cousins. Historically western countries had become rich because
of their imperialist policies. In recent times, what we have witnessed is a
strange phenomenon of rich countries unwilling to take up even a
modicum of responsibility of poor countries when they face problems
(Unwillingness of the western world to accept Syrian refugees). Discuss
the ethical issues involved in this and come out with feasible solutions.
(25 marks)

2. You are working as HR manager in a private company. You are known

for your efficiency and honesty. Recently, a very close friend of yours,
who has lost both his parents and looking for a job after completing his
education from a charity college approaches you to provide him a job in
your company. He has required qualifications to fill a job post for which
the company has recently published an advertisement but he wants you to
choose him over others if there are more qualified persons so as to help
him overcome his difficulties in life. Many people who have applied for
this job are even more qualified than your friend. Your friend is reeling
under extreme poverty and this job can change his life for better. He has
come to you because you are the only person whom he knows in the city
and whom he trusts to help him in the hour of need. He also reminds you
gently and politely the promise you had made to him few years ago, to
help him find a job. (20 marks)

a) Is it ethical to recruit your friend to the job bypassing other qualified

aspirants? Justify ​
b) Is your friend justified in seeking favour from you knowing that he will
be snatching job from more qualified person than him? Justify.
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 3. You are in charge of rescue operations in a severely flood hit area.
Thousands of people are stranded in deep waters in their homes without
food and drinking water for 3-4 days. Because of rough topography and
heavy rainfall, the rescue operation is slow. When your men reach
stranded people, they heckle and assault your men out of anger. One of
your team members is severely injured in these fights. Your team
members request you to call off operation as they are scared of facing
angry people and also they are angry about the behaviour of those
stranded people. At the same time, media is writing negative news about
your efforts.
In such circumstances, how will you manage the situation? What the
options in front of you and discuss the merits and demerits of each option.
Also explain the reasons for selecting a particular option. (20 marks)

4. A seven storied multi-storey building which was illegally constructed

collapses and kills innocent workers – including women and children.
These workers were poor migrants from far away villages. The builder
was allowed to construct only three floors, but the builder has violated the
rules and raised four more floors. The government immediately
announced cash relief to aggrieved families. The builder is arrested and
put under court trial.
1. Who is responsible for the death of innocent workers? The builder or the
government officials?
2. Is it morally correct to give cash relief to the diseased families in this case?
Substantiate why. (20 marks)

5. In spite of best efforts by the government, programmes like Swatch

Bharat have not become as successful as they should have been. Some
say it is because of lack of funds, others point out to poverty, some others
think that it has got to do with the attitude of people in the country; they
point out that the same Indians when they go abroad strictly follow their
regulations and rules but when it comes to their country, they simply
become irresponsible. Discuss the ethical, social, moral, administrative
and attitudinal issues involved in the above and come out with practical
solutions. (25 marks)

6. As a senior officer in the Ministry of Public Works Department you have

access to important policy decisions and upcoming big announcements
such as road construction projects before they are notified in the public.
Your son is a land dealer and realtor. The Ministry is about to announce
a mega road project. Once it is announced, the land price in the vicinity
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would see a steep hike. You have access to maps and know the
dimensions of land to be acquired. Your son wants to know the complete
details and he is insisting you about this. He wants to buy the land at
present rates which is very cheap in and around the soon to be announced
project. He is trying to convince you by saying that he would purchase
land confidentially and there would be no problem in future for you. You
are aware that the Minister has already shared this information with his
children who are also into the land business. In fact, the minister has
asked you to do the same so that your son also makes huge profits. He has
tried to convince you by saying that his and your children are buying land
legally and there is no harm in it.
In this situation, what will you do? Critically examine various conflicts of
interests at play in this case study and explain what your responsibilities
are as a public servant? (20marks)