Acme Ai
A
अ
Ethics & Integrity
150 Words10 Marks

Q.Social values are more important than economic values. Discuss the above statement with examples in the context of inclusive growth of a nation.

Examiner Demand & Directive Blueprint: DiscussIntro: ~20–25 Words • Body: ~100 Words (3–4 dimensions) • Conclusion: ~20–25 Words

How to approach: Address all parts of the prompt systematically—covering positive dimensions, structural constraints, and a constructive Way Forward.

Practice & AI Tools for This Question

Wrote an answer to this PYQ? Check it with Vision AI in 3 mins or generate custom mind maps.

Introduction

Body Analysis

Inclusive growth implies that the benefits of economic progress are shared equitably across all sections of society. While economic values focus on efficiency, productivity, and wealth generation, social values emphasize justice, equality, empathy, and human dignity. For growth to be truly sustainable and inclusive, social values must guide and temper economic pursuits.

Significance of Social Values in Inclusive Growth

  • Promotion of Equality and Justice: Social values demand equal opportunities and the rectification of historical disadvantages, ensuring that marginalized groups are not left behind.
    • Example: India's affirmative action policies, such as reservations in education and public employment for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), prioritize social justice over pure market efficiency.
  • Fostering Empathy and Social Security: A society driven solely by economic values risks neglecting those who cannot actively participate in the market, such as the elderly, disabled, or destitute.
    • Example: Implementing universal pension schemes and food security programs (like the National Food Security Act) reflects the social value of compassion, protecting vulnerable populations from extreme poverty.
  • Sustainable Development and Environmental Ethics: Pure economic values often prioritize short-term profits over long-term ecological health. Social values emphasize intergenerational equity and environmental stewardship.
    • Example: Tribal communities protecting forest ecosystems (e.g., the Sacred Groves tradition) prioritize ecological harmony over commercial logging profits.
  • Human Resource Development: Investing in education and healthcare is a social obligation that simultaneously builds a stronger foundation for future economic growth.
    • Example: The Right to Education (RTE) Act ensures free and compulsory education, treating learning as a fundamental human right rather than a commercial service.

The Interplay: Balancing Social and Economic Values

While social values are paramount for equity, economic values are necessary to generate the resources required to fund social welfare. A nation cannot achieve inclusive growth without a robust economy, nor can it maintain stability if economic gains are concentrated in the hands of a few.

Conclusion

Economic growth is a means to an end, while human and social well-being is the ultimate goal. Prioritizing social values ensures that economic progress is ethical, compassionate, and truly inclusive, leading to a stable and harmonious nation.

Reviewed by Avinash Sir (Lead UPSC Faculty) & Acme AI Research Team • Updated Sep 2026

Question Specifications, Marking Rubric & Syllabus Mapping

Examination & YearUPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 2015 (Question 1)
Paper & Syllabus TopicGeneral Studies Paper II — Polity, Governance, Social Justice & IR → Ethics, Integrity & Public Service Aptitude
Marks, Word Limit & Ideal Time10 Marks • 150 Words • Ideal Writing Time: 7–8 Minutes
Directive Word & Core DemandDiscuss: Conduct a comprehensive, 360-degree exploration of the topic covering multiple perspectives.
Recommended Structure SplitIntro: ~20–25 Words • Body: ~100 Words (3–4 dimensions) • Conclusion: ~20–25 Words
AI Practice & Evaluation ToolsUpload Handwritten Answer for 3-Min Vision AI Evaluation | Generate Custom Answer & Mind Map

More UPSC Mains PYQs on Ethics & Integrity (GS2)

Build comprehensive topical mastery across Ethics, Integrity & Public Service Aptitude by practicing these related UPSC Mains questions.

View All Ethics & Integrity PYQs
2024 • GS415 Marks

There is a technological company named ABC Incorporated which is the second largest worldwide, situated in the Third World. You are the Chief Executive Officer and the majority shareholder of this company. The fast technological improvements have raised worries among environmental activists, regulatory authorities, and the general public over the sustainability of this scenario. You confront substantial issues about the business’s environmental footprint. In 2023, your organization had a significant increase of 48% in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the levels recorded in 2019. The significant rise in energy consumption is mainly due to the surging energy requirements of your data centers, fuelled by the exponential expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Al-powered services need much more computational resources and electrical energy compared to conventional online activities, notwithstanding their notable gains. The technology’s proliferation has led to a growing concern over the environmental repercussions, resulting in an increase in warnings. Al models, especially those used in extensive machine learning and data processing, exhibit much greater energy consumption than conventional computer tasks, with an exponential increase. Although there is already a commitment and goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, the challenge of lowering emissions seems overwhelming as the integration of Al continues to increase. To achieve this goal, substantial investments in renewable energy use would be necessary. The difficulty is exacerbated by the competitive environment of the technology sector, where rapid innovation is essential for preserving market standing and shareholders’ worth. To achieve a balance between innovation, profitability and sustainability, a strategic move is necessary that is in line with both, business objectives and ethical obligations. A. What is your immediate response to the challenges posed in the above case? B. Discuss the ethical issues involved in the above case. C. Your company has been identified to be penalized by technological giants. What logical and ethical arguments will you put forth convince about its necessity? D. Being a conscience being, what measures would you adopt to maintain balance between AI innovation and environment footprint?

Ethics & IntegrityView Answer
2024 • GS410 Marks

“Learn everything that is good from others, but bring it in, and in your own way absorb it, do not become others.” — Swami Vivekananda

Ethics & IntegrityView Answer
2024 • GS310 Marks

Mission Karmayogi is aiming for maintaining a very high standard of conduct and behaviour to ensure efficiency for serving citizens and in turn developing oneself. How will this scheme empower the civil servants in enhancing productive efficiency and delivering the services at the grassroots level ?

Ethics & IntegrityView Answer
2024 • GS410 Marks

Global warming and climate change are the outcomes of human greed in the name of development, indicating the direction in which extinction of organisms including human beings is heading towards loss of life on Earth. How do you put an end to this to protect life and bring equilibrium between the society and the environment?

Ethics & IntegrityView Answer
2024 • GS410 Marks

The soul of the new law, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is Justice, Equality and Impartiality based on Indian culture and ethos. Discuss this in the light of major shift from a doctrine of punishment to justice in the present judicial system. (150 words, 10 Marks)

Ethics & IntegrityView Answer
2024 • GS310 Marks

“In Indian culture and value system, an equal opportunity has been provided irrespective of gender identity. The number of women in public service has been steadily increasing over the years.” Examine the gender-specific challenges faced by female public servants and suggest suitable measures to increase their efficiency in discharging their duties and maintaining high standards of probity.

Ethics & IntegrityView Answer

Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Mains 2015 GS2 (Ethics & Integrity)

How should I structure the answer for this UPSC Mains 2015 GS Paper II question on Ethics & Integrity?

This 2015 GS Paper II question carries 10 marks with a 150-word limit and uses the "Discuss" directive. Address all parts of the prompt systematically—covering positive dimensions, structural constraints, and a constructive Way Forward. Follow the ideal word split (Intro: ~20–25 Words • Body: ~100 Words (3–4 dimensions) • Conclusion: ~20–25 Words) and aim to finish within 7–8 Minutes.

Which UPSC Mains syllabus topic does this 2015 question belong to?

This question is part of General Studies Paper II — Polity, Governance, Social Justice & IR under the syllabus module "Ethics, Integrity & Public Service Aptitude". You can explore all repeated questions from Ethics & Integrity in Acme AI's 3D PYQ Realm or filter all Ethics & Integrity PYQs on the Mains PYQ Directory.

How can I get my handwritten answer to this 2015 GS2 PYQ evaluated by AI?

Write your answer on standard UPSC margin sheets, scan it as a PDF or image, and click "Evaluate My Answer (AI)" on this page to open Acme AI's Vision Transformer evaluator (/upsc-answer-evaluation?subject=GS2). It evaluates your structure, directive alignment, diagrams/maps, and handwriting presentation in under 3 minutes with 99% human-examiner accuracy (20 free credits on signup).

Can I generate a custom mind map or Hindi model answer for this question?

Yes. Click "Generate Answer & Mind Map" on this page to open Acme AI's Answer Generator (/gen-ans) with this exact 2015 GS2 question pre-filled. You can generate custom topper-grade answers with embedded Mermaid flowcharts and mind maps in either English or Hindi.

AI-Powered Mains Mastery Suite

Turn Passive PYQ Reading into Active Answer Writing

Evaluate your handwritten UPSC Mains answers in 3 minutes with Vision AI or generate custom model answers with mind maps.

Vision Transformer AI • < 3 Mins20 Free Credits

AI UPSC Mains Answer Evaluation

Practice writing any PYQ on paper and upload your handwritten scan (PDF or image) for instant, rubric-aligned UPSC examiner feedback.

  • Direct Pixel Vision AI (Not Flat OCR): Evaluates your handwritten diagrams, maps, flowcharts, and spatial presentation
  • 99% Human-Examiner Accuracy: Pinpoints missing dimensions, directive-word drift, and value-addition opportunities
  • All Papers & 18 Optionals: Covers GS 1–4, Essay, Anthropology, PSIR, Sociology, Geography, History & more in English & Hindi
  • Annotated Copy + Topper Benchmark: Visual margin ticks, remarks, and matched topper copy comparisons
Instant Copy Checking (PDF / JPEG / HEIC)
Start Free• 20 Free Credits (No Card Required)
Trained on 15,000+ CopiesFlowcharts & Mind Maps

AI UPSC Answer Generator & Mind Maps

Generate topper-grade model answers for any UPSC PYQ, current affairs editorial, or mock question—complete with visual mind maps and flowcharts.

  • Embedded Mind Maps & Flowcharts: Automatically builds visual diagrams you can replicate in the exam hall for +1.5 extra marks
  • Strict Directive & Word Discipline: Calibrated for 150-word (10M), 250-word (15M), and 1000-word Essay structures
  • Committee, SC & Data Citations: Enriches body paragraphs with 2nd ARC, NITI Aayog, Constitutional Articles, and SDG hooks
  • Auto-Matched Topper Copies & PYQs: Every generated answer links to similar past UPSC questions and ranker scripts
Custom Model Answers in English & Hindi
Instant Generation• Topper-Grade Structure & Diagrams
Looking for a structured year-long Mains schedule?

Join the Acme Mains Program (AMP 2027 — 45 Tests) or 1-on-1 Personal Mentorship with Avinash Sir.