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Q.You are heading a leading technical institute of the country. The institute is planning to convene an interview panel shortly under your chairmanship for selection of the post of professors. A few days before the interview, you get a call from the Personal Secretary (PS) of a senior government functionary seeking your intervention in favour of the selection of a close relative of the functionary for this post. The PS also informs you that he is aware of the long pending and urgent proposals of your institute for grant of funds for modernization, which are awaiting the functionary’s approval. He assures you that he would get these proposals cleared. 1. What are the options available to you? 2. Evaluate each of these options and choose the option which you would adopt, giving reasons.

Examiner Demand & Directive Blueprint: Evaluate / AssessIntro: ~30–35 Words • Body: ~175 Words (4–5 sub-headings + diagram/data) • Way Forward: ~35–40 Words

How to approach: Structure the body into Tangible Achievements/Significance vs. Persistent Gaps/Challenges, followed by a forward-looking conclusion.

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Syllabus Point

  • Integrity & Impartiality in Public Service – Ensuring merit-based selection without external influence.
  • Conflict of Interest & Ethical Decision-Making – Balancing institutional interests with professional ethics.
  • Probity in Governance & Transparency – Preventing corrupt practices in public recruitment.

Introduction

This case involves a conflict between maintaining integrity in the selection process and potential institutional benefits tied to the approval of pending funding proposals. As the head of a premier technical institute, my responsibility is to uphold meritocracy, fairness, and transparency in the recruitment process while navigating pressure from influential external actors.

Body Analysis

Options Available:

Option 1: Accept the Influence and Select the Candidate as Requested

  • Merits:
    • Expedites the approval of the institute’s pending funding proposals, enabling much-needed modernization and development.
    • May foster a positive relationship with influential government functionaries, potentially resulting in further support or assistance for future projects.
    • Could help avoid potential repercussions or retaliation from the government functionary, which may affect the institute’s long-term interests.
  • Demerits:
    • Compromises the integrity and meritocratic standards of the selection process, setting a negative precedent within the institution.
    • Undermines trust in the institution’s selection process, potentially affecting morale among faculty and students.
    • Violates ethical principles of fairness, professionalism, and impartiality, potentially harming the institute's reputation.
    • May lead to long-term institutional damage if the selected candidate proves incompetent, affecting the quality of education and research at the institute.

Option 2: Politely Refuse the Request and Proceed with a Merit-Based Selection Process

  • Merits:
    • Upholds ethical principles of fairness, integrity, and transparency in the selection process, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to meritocracy.
    • Ensures that the most qualified candidate is selected based on their expertise and suitability, benefiting the institute academically and professionally.
    • Demonstrates moral courage, setting an example for colleagues and students regarding adherence to ethical standards in public service.
    • Protects the institution's long-term reputation, as the faculty is chosen based solely on competence and qualifications.
  • Demerits:
    • Risks delays or denial of the much-needed funding, which may hinder the institute’s progress and affect its ability to provide high-quality facilities.
    • Potentially strains relations with influential government functionaries, which may impact future institutional projects.
    • Could lead to administrative challenges if there are retaliatory actions or influence exerted by the functionary.

Option 3: Seek Clarification or Written Instructions from the Senior Government Functionary

  • Merits:
    • Puts the onus on the senior government official to clarify the request, providing a record of the intervention if any repercussions arise later.
    • May allow the official to reconsider their stance, understanding the implications of such an influence on the recruitment process.
    • Demonstrates transparency and willingness to communicate openly about ethical concerns, potentially reducing pressure on the institute.
  • Demerits:
    • Could strain the relationship with the functionary by creating an impression of non-compliance or questioning their authority.
    • May lead to unnecessary escalation, affecting the institute’s future interactions with the government.

Conclusion

Institutional integrity and merit-based recruitment build trust and excellence. Professionalism, ethical leadership, and transparency ensure sustainability while safeguarding credibility for future generations. Therefore, Option 2 is the most appropriate choice. Upholding the integrity of the academic selection process is paramount, and any compromise on merit for short-term financial gains would cause long-term damage to the institution's reputation and academic standards.

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 2013 (Question 4)
Paper & Syllabus TopicGeneral Studies Paper IV — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude → Ethics, Integrity & Public Service Aptitude
Marks, Word Limit & Ideal Time20 Marks • 250 Words • Ideal Writing Time: 11–12 Minutes
Directive Word & Core DemandEvaluate / Assess: Weigh the effectiveness, significance, and net impact of a phenomenon or policy measure.
Recommended Structure SplitIntro: ~30–35 Words • Body: ~175 Words (4–5 sub-headings + diagram/data) • Way Forward: ~35–40 Words
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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Mains 2013 GS4 (Ethics & Integrity)

How should I structure the answer for this UPSC Mains 2013 GS Paper IV (Ethics) question on Ethics & Integrity?

This 2013 GS Paper IV (Ethics) question carries 20 marks with a 250-word limit and uses the "Evaluate / Assess" directive. Structure the body into Tangible Achievements/Significance vs. Persistent Gaps/Challenges, followed by a forward-looking conclusion. Follow the ideal word split (Intro: ~30–35 Words • Body: ~175 Words (4–5 sub-headings + diagram/data) • Way Forward: ~35–40 Words) and aim to finish within 11–12 Minutes.

Which UPSC Mains syllabus topic does this 2013 question belong to?

This question is part of General Studies Paper IV — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude 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.

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