The APSC Combined Competitive (Main) Examination 2023 Paper-5 (General Studies-IV) focuses on ethics, integrity, and aptitude—core elements for effective public administration. This section of Assamino.com presents all nineteen compulsory questions printed in both English and Assamese, along with their answers and explanations.
Designed to help aspirants understand the structure, marking scheme, and ethical case studies of the APSC Mains exam, this resource is valuable for exam preparation and general knowledge enthusiasts interested in Assam’s civil service examination pattern.
GENERALSTUDIES-IV
( Paper-5 )
Full Marks: 250
Time: 3 hours
QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS
Please read each of the following instructions carefully
before attempting questions
There are NINETEEN questions printed in ENGLISH and ASSAMESE.
All questions are compulsory.
The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.
Answers to Question Nos. 1to 13 should be in 150 words each, whereas answers to
Question Nos. 14 to 19 should be in 250 words each.
SECTION-A
1. "Human behaviour builds on beliefs and values." Do you agree? Elaborate with examples. (150 words) 10 Marks
Yes, human behaviour fundamentally stems from beliefs and values that act as guiding principles. Beliefs represent what we consider true, while values determine what we deem important.
For instance, a person believing in equality will demonstrate inclusive behaviour, treating all individuals with respect regardless of caste, religion, or economic status. Similarly, someone valuing honesty will refuse to accept bribes even when facing financial difficulties.
Mahatma Gandhi's belief in non-violence shaped his entire freedom struggle methodology, inspiring millions to adopt peaceful resistance. Conversely, extremist ideologies demonstrate how distorted beliefs can lead to destructive behaviour.
In administrative context, an officer valuing integrity will resist political pressure and take impartial decisions, while one prioritizing personal gain may indulge in corruption. A teacher believing in transformative education will go beyond syllabus completion to develop critical thinking.
These examples clearly establish that beliefs and values form the cognitive framework that translates into observable actions, making them the foundation of human behaviour and character formation.
2. Explain the following components of Emotional Intelligence briefly:
(a) Self-awareness
(b) Self-regulation
(c) Internal motivation
(d) Empathy
(e) Social awareness
(150 words) 10 Marks
(a) Self-awareness: The ability to recognize and understand one's emotions, strengths, weaknesses, values, and their impact on others. A self-aware administrator acknowledges personal biases before making decisions.
(b) Self-regulation: Managing disruptive emotions and impulses, maintaining composure under pressure. For example, a district collector remaining calm during communal tensions and making rational decisions.
(c) Internal motivation: Drive to achieve beyond external rewards, commitment to goals for intrinsic satisfaction. Civil servants working diligently in remote postings despite minimal facilities exemplify this.
(d) Empathy: Understanding others' emotional perspectives and responding appropriately. A police officer showing sensitivity while dealing with crime victims demonstrates empathy.
(e) Social awareness: Reading emotional currents and power dynamics in groups and organizations. Understanding community sentiments before implementing controversial policies reflects social awareness.
These components collectively enable individuals to navigate interpersonal relationships effectively, make balanced decisions, and maintain professional effectiveness while preserving human connections.
3. Comment on the necessity of Old Age Home in a modern society. (150 words) 10 Marks
Old age homes reflect both societal failure and pragmatic necessity in modern context. Traditionally, joint family systems provided emotional and physical security to elderly. However, nuclear families, migration for employment, and changing lifestyles have disrupted this support system.
Old age homes become necessary when children are geographically distant or financially incapable of providing care, when elderly face abuse at home, or when they prefer independent living with peer companionship and professional medical support.
However, their proliferation indicates erosion of familial values and intergenerational bonding. The emotional isolation elderly experience in institutions cannot replace family warmth. Countries like Japan face this crisis severely despite advanced facilities.
The ideal approach involves preventive measures: promoting multigenerational housing, flexible work arrangements enabling eldercare, community-based support systems, and strengthening social security. When unavoidable, old age homes should provide dignity, quality healthcare, recreational activities, and regular family interaction.
Rather than accepting them as inevitable, society must work toward restoring elderly respect and inclusion while ensuring institutional care maintains humanity and compassion.
4. In quest of scientific and technological development, ethical values should not be neglected. Discuss it in the current context. (150 words) 10 Marks
Scientific advancement without ethical moorings poses existential threats to humanity. Current context presents multiple examples necessitating ethical vigilance.
Artificial Intelligence development raises concerns about privacy invasion, algorithmic bias, autonomous weapons, and job displacement. Without ethical frameworks, AI could perpetuate discrimination and threaten human agency.
Gene editing technologies like CRISPR offer disease eradication potential but also enable designer babies and eugenics, violating human dignity and equality principles.
Social media algorithms prioritize engagement over truth, spreading misinformation and polarization, demonstrating technology's value-neutral nature requiring ethical guidance.
Climate change, partly resulting from unchecked industrial development, exemplifies consequences of ignoring environmental ethics.
Surveillance technologies threaten privacy and civil liberties when deployed without ethical oversight, as seen in authoritarian regimes.
The COVID-19 vaccine development highlighted ethical dilemmas regarding equitable distribution versus profit maximization.
Therefore, scientific progress must be anchored in values like human dignity, justice, sustainability, and transparency. Regulatory frameworks, ethical committees, public participation, and scientist accountability mechanisms are essential to ensure technology serves humanity rather than endangering it.
5. What do you understand by Social Intelligence? Discuss its relation with Emotional Intelligence of an individual. (150 words) 10 Marks
Social Intelligence is the capacity to understand, navigate, and influence social situations effectively. It involves reading social cues, adapting behaviour appropriately, building relationships, and influencing others positively.
Social Intelligence complements and extends Emotional Intelligence. While EI focuses on understanding and managing personal emotions, Social Intelligence applies these capabilities in interpersonal contexts. EI provides the foundation—self-awareness and empathy—which Social Intelligence utilizes for effective social interaction.
For instance, an administrator with high EI recognizes personal stress affecting judgment, while Social Intelligence enables reading stakeholders' concerns and building consensus.
The relationship is symbiotic: Empathy (EI component) enables understanding others' perspectives, which Social Intelligence translates into appropriate communication strategies. Self-regulation (EI) prevents emotional outbursts, allowing Social Intelligence to maintain productive relationships.
However, they're distinct—one may understand emotions (EI) but struggle with complex social dynamics requiring political acumen, persuasion, and strategic relationship building (Social Intelligence).
Civil servants require both: EI for personal integrity and stress management, Social Intelligence for stakeholder management, negotiation, and collaborative governance, making them interdependent competencies.
6. If you were a District Commissioner of a district, what steps would you take to arrest the menace of drug addiction and alcoholism in the district? (150 words) 10 Marks
As District Commissioner, I would adopt a multi-pronged approach addressing supply, demand, and rehabilitation:
Supply Control: Strengthen enforcement through coordinated police action targeting trafficking networks, surprise inspections at suspected locations, and border surveillance. Use technology for intelligence gathering.
Demand Reduction: Launch comprehensive awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and villages highlighting health consequences. Engage recovered addicts as motivational speakers. Involve religious leaders and community influencers.
Youth Engagement: Create sports facilities, skill development centers, and recreational spaces providing constructive alternatives. Organize competitions and cultural events.
Rehabilitation: Establish accessible de-addiction centers with counseling services. Provide vocational training for recovered addicts ensuring livelihood. Create support groups for families.
Community Participation: Form village committees monitoring suspicious activities. Encourage parents, teachers, and community leaders as watchdogs.
Address Root Causes: Generate employment opportunities, particularly in vulnerable areas. Provide mental health services addressing underlying psychological issues.
Regular review meetings monitoring progress and adaptive strategies based on ground realities would ensure sustained impact.
7. Critically analyze the provisions of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 in tackling unfair means in public examination. (150 words) 10 Marks
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 represents significant legislative intervention addressing systemic examination malpractices.
Positive Aspects:
- Criminalization of paper leaks, impersonation, and organized cheating provides deterrence through stringent penalties including imprisonment and fines.
- Coverage of service providers like internet cafes and coaching centers prevents ecosystem support for malpractices.
- Clear definitions reduce interpretational ambiguities.
- Protection for whistleblowers encourages reporting.
Limitations:
- Implementation challenges in resource-constrained examination bodies requiring capacity building.
- Potential misuse against innocent students if safeguards inadequate.
- Deterrence alone insufficient without addressing systemic issues like examination body professionalization, examiner integrity, and administrative reforms.
- Technology-enabled cheating methods evolve faster than legislative responses.
- Doesn't address socio-economic pressures driving desperate measures.
Recommendations: Complement legislation with examination reforms including question bank digitization, biometric authentication, CCTV surveillance, transparent recruitment of examiners, swift investigation mechanisms, and addressing societal obsession with credentials over competence. Holistic approach combining punishment, prevention, and systemic strengthening required for effectiveness.
8. "Social media has not only endangered our social fabric, it has also led to an erosion of values." Examine the statement. (150 words) 10 Marks
The statement holds substantial validity though requires nuanced examination.
Endangering Social Fabric:
- Spreads misinformation and fake news causing communal tensions and mob violence.
- Creates echo chambers polarizing society and destroying dialogue.
- Cyberbullying and trolling cause psychological harm, particularly to youth.
- Reduces face-to-face interaction weakening genuine relationships.
Erosion of Values:
- Promotes superficiality valuing likes over substance.
- Encourages instant gratification undermining patience and perseverance.
- Privacy invasion normalizes surveillance culture.
- Glamorizes materialism and unrealistic lifestyles creating discontentment.
- Reduces attention spans affecting deep thinking.
Counter Perspective:
- Democratizes information access and voice.
- Enables social movements and accountability.
- Connects geographically separated families.
- Provides platforms for marginalized voices.
Conclusion: Social media is value-neutral technology; its impact depends on usage. While legitimate concerns exist, blanket condemnation overlooks positive potential. The solution lies in digital literacy, platform regulation, user responsibility, and conscious engagement rather than outright rejection, ensuring technology serves human values rather than undermining them.
9. You are the District Commissioner of a district. The Chief Medical and Health Officer informed you confidentially that a self-immolated girl during agitation died at 11 a.m. One lakh people gathered outside expecting her recovery. Situation is tense. You are in the hospital with SP and police force. What will you do? Describe with reasons. (150 words) 10 Marks
Immediate Actions:
1. Avoid Hasty Announcement: Withhold information temporarily to prevent immediate violent reaction in emotionally charged atmosphere.
2. Strategize Communication: Convene urgent meeting with SP, CMO, and senior officials. Plan staged, empathetic communication strategy through respected community leaders.
3. Security Deployment: Position adequate forces at strategic locations, hospitals, government buildings, and sensitive areas. Seek additional forces if necessary.
4. Identify Leaders: Request movement leaders to meet privately. Break news sensitively, acknowledging their cause's legitimacy and girl's sacrifice. Appeal for peace.
5. Staged Announcement: Allow leaders to inform crowd gradually with administrative support. Ensure medical team provides factual cause-of-death statement.
6. Address Crowd: Express personal grief, government's commitment to addressing grievances, and appeal for maintaining peace honoring deceased's sacrifice.
7. Facilitate Mourning: Make dignified funeral arrangements. Announce immediate inquiry and relief measures.
8. Follow-up: Ensure continuous engagement with stakeholders, expedite inquiry, and address underlying grievances preventing recurrence.
Reasoning: Transparent yet strategic communication balancing truth-telling with public safety, showing empathy while maintaining order.
10. You are the Commissioner of a Municipal Corporation. Officers and staff don't follow first-come, first-serve basis, instead pick favourites, and citizens suffer. Inspecting officers raise unnecessary objections if not bribed. What steps would you initiate to eradicate the menace? (150 words) 10 Marks
Systemic Reforms:
1. Digitalization: Implement online application system with automatic token generation, timeline tracking, and SMS updates eliminating human discretion in queue management.
2. Transparency Mechanisms: Display all applications with status on public portal. Mandate written reasons for rejections/delays.
3. Standard Operating Procedures: Establish clear, time-bound procedures with checklists for each service. Train staff and publish citizen charters.
4. Random Allocation: Implement software-based random assignment of applications to inspectors preventing nexus development.
5. Third-Party Audit: Engage external agencies for random verification of rejected applications identifying patterns of harassment.
6. Accountability: Install CCTV cameras, establish grievance redressal cells, and create anonymous complaint mechanisms. Swift action against corrupt officers.
7. Positive Incentives: Reward efficient, honest officers. Link performance to timely disposal without complaints.
8. Citizen Engagement: Conduct regular feedback surveys, public hearings, and citizen report cards.
9. Surprise Inspections: Personally conduct unannounced visits monitoring ground reality.
Follow-through with exemplary punishment for identified corrupt officials demonstrating zero-tolerance.
11. "The most important thing that you will ever wear is your attitude." (Jeff Moore) Comment on this. Can attitude be acquired or changed? (150 words) 10 Marks
The quote emphasizes attitude's supremacy over external attributes in determining success and fulfillment. Unlike temporary possessions, attitude is constant, influencing perception, behavior, and outcomes.
Attitude shapes how we interpret situations—optimists see opportunities in challenges while pessimists see obstacles in opportunities. A positive attitude in civil services ensures resilience during adversity, empathy during crisis, and innovation during constraints. It determines whether power corrupts or enables service.
Can attitude be acquired/changed?
Yes, absolutely. Attitude isn't innate but learned through:
Experience: Failures teaching resilience, successes building confidence.
Role Models: Observing inspiring leaders like Abdul Kalam transforming perspective.
Conscious Effort: Practicing gratitude, reframing negative thoughts, self-reflection.
Environment: Surrounding oneself with positive influences.
Learning: Reading, training programs, counseling.
However, change requires self-awareness, willingness, and sustained effort. The neuroplasticity of brain enables rewiring thought patterns. Many criminals rehabilitate, pessimists transform through therapy, demonstrating attitude malleability.
Therefore, continuously cultivating positive, growth-oriented, empathetic attitude is crucial personal development responsibility.
12. "Certainty of punishment is more effective than quantum of punishment."
(a) Discuss the above statement in the context of preventing corruption.
(b) Suggest some innovative reforms that can be brought in to make governance more transparent and people-centric.
(150 words) 10 Marks
Analyzing the Statement:
Certainty of punishment creates consistent deterrence. If corrupt officials know they'll inevitably face consequences, even moderate punishment deters effectively. Conversely, severe penalties with low detection rates encourage risk-taking. India's corruption persists despite stringent laws because conviction rates remain abysmally low, investigations lengthy, and powerful escape accountability.
Application to Corruption:
- Strengthen investigative agencies ensuring independence and resources.
- Fast-track special courts for corruption cases with time-bound disposal.
- Protect whistleblowers effectively.
- Use technology for surveillance and evidence gathering.
- Make examples of convicted officials through publicity.
Innovative Reforms:
1. Technology Integration: Blockchain for land records, AI-powered monitoring of procurement, digital payment trails.
2. Social Audit: Mandatory citizen participation in scheme monitoring.
3. Transparency Portals: Real-time disclosure of decisions, expenditure, and performance metrics.
4. Grievance Redressal: Single-window systems with escalation mechanisms.
5. Performance Metrics: Objective evaluation based on citizen feedback.
6. Participatory Planning: Involving citizens in budget allocation and priority setting.
7. Open Data: Proactive disclosure enabling informed citizenry.
13. Discuss ethical issues when big industrial houses try to influence government policies. Suggest measures to enhance transparency and accountability in delivery of services. (150 words) 10 Marks
Ethical Issues:
1. Conflict of Interest: Policies favoring specific industries over public welfare, like environmental clearances to polluting industries.
2. Unequal Access: Small businesses and marginalized sections lacking lobbying resources face disadvantage, violating equality principle.
3. Crony Capitalism: Resource allocation based on connections rather than merit, breeding corruption.
4. Democratic Deficit: Policy capture by wealthy interests undermines representative democracy and public interest.
5. Regulatory Capture: Industries influencing regulators meant to control them.
Measures for Transparency and Accountability:
1. Disclosure Requirements: Mandate public disclosure of industry meetings with policymakers, lobbying activities, and political donations.
2. Cooling-off Period: Prevent revolving door between government and industry.
3. Participatory Policymaking: Public consultations, stakeholder meetings ensuring diverse voices.
4. Independent Regulatory Bodies: Autonomous institutions with transparent appointment processes.
5. RTI Strengthening: Proactive disclosure of policy decisions and their rationale.
6. Ombudsman Mechanisms: Independent oversight of service delivery.
7. Citizen Charters: Clear service standards with accountability mechanisms.
8. Technology: E-governance reducing human discretion and enabling monitoring.
SECTION-B
14. Mr. Xis posted as the District Commissioner of Y district. Mr. Xis widely known for his passion and skill in executing the government development schemes. The government has decided to construct a big irrigation project in Y district to combat the drought situation which has been prevailing for years. The proposed works include diversion of rivulet, construction of RCC canals, culverts, small bridges, etc. This requires large-scale acquisition of residential and agricultural land. The landholders are opposing the land acquisition process. Mr. X has found that most of the people who will be affected by land acquisition process belong to marginal farmer category. In this scenario, as a civil servant, Mr. X must have to stick to the values of civil service. In this context-
(a) explain which will be the end-oriented values;
(b) explain which will be the means-oriented values. (250 words) 20 Marks
(a) End-Oriented Values (Consequences-based):
End-oriented values focus on outcomes and consequences of actions, evaluated by results achieved.
Development and Public Welfare: The irrigation project's ultimate goal is combating drought, improving agricultural productivity, and enhancing regional prosperity. This consequentialist approach justifies land acquisition as necessary sacrifice for greater good, potentially benefiting thousands suffering from water scarcity.
Economic Progress: Long-term economic development through improved irrigation infrastructure outweighs short-term displacement costs. Enhanced agricultural output, employment generation, and regional development justify current disruptions.
Utilitarian Calculation: Maximum happiness for maximum people—benefitting larger population from irrigation justifies hardship to fewer landholders.
However, Mr. X must ensure:
- Adequate, prompt compensation exceeding market value
- Rehabilitation packages including alternative land, employment, skill training
- Benefit-sharing mechanisms ensuring displaced persons gain from project outcomes
- Social infrastructure (schools, hospitals) in rehabilitation sites
(b) Means-Oriented Values (Process-based):
Means-oriented values emphasize methods employed, regardless of outcomes.
Justice and Fairness: Acquisition must follow due process, provide fair hearings, and ensure non-discriminatory treatment. Forcible acquisition violating rights contradicts justice principles.
Human Dignity: Treating marginal farmers with respect, acknowledging their emotional attachment to ancestral lands, involving them in decision-making honors human dignity beyond monetary compensation.
Transparency: Full disclosure of project details, environmental impact, compensation mechanism, and addressing concerns honestly.
Consent and Participation: Genuine consultation, incorporating feedback, and seeking informed consent rather than imposing decisions unilaterally.
Non-maleficence: Minimizing harm through careful planning, exploring alternatives reducing displacement, and ensuring vulnerable sections aren't disproportionately affected.
Mr. X must balance both value systems—pursuing developmental goals (ends) through ethical, just, and participatory processes (means), ensuring neither is sacrificed for the other.
15.You are posted as the Superintendent of Police in an Upper Assam district. Around 100 big and small tea gardens in the district signify the socio-economic system of the district. Recently a 'witch-hunting' incident took place in a very remote tea garden leading to death of an old woman followedby group clashes. From preliminary enquiry, you found that illiteracy and unemployment had been prominently visible. The inhabitants were not much benefitted from the government schemes and tea garden authority was not showing much interest for welfare of the labourers. In this context-
(a) how will you lead the investigation considering customs and values
of the society?
(b) how will you collaborate with civil administration and tea garden authority
for education and awareness of the people?
(c) what may be your ethical dilemma in nabbing the culprits?
(d) what may be your suggestions to eradicate the social evils like 'witchhunting'? (250 words) 20 Marks
(a) Investigation Considering Customs and Values:
Balance legal requirements with cultural sensitivity. Understand community beliefs triggering witch-hunting without legitimizing them. Engage anthropologists and social workers understanding local context. Interview community members non-judgmentally to identify superstition sources and instigators. Distinguish between orchestrators exploiting beliefs and followers acting from ignorance. Document evidence meticulously while respecting cultural sentiments where not conflicting with fundamental rights. Ensure investigation doesn't alienate entire community, focusing on perpetrators while supporting victims' families.
(b) Collaboration for Education and Awareness:
Civil Administration: Coordinate with District Commissioner for integrated development addressing unemployment and illiteracy—root causes of superstition. Implement livelihood programs and educational infrastructure.
Tea Garden Authority: Engage management ensuring CSR funds support education, healthcare, and cultural programs. Pressure them to improve living conditions and worker welfare.
NGOs and Civil Society: Partner with grassroots organizations having community trust for awareness campaigns, women's empowerment programs, and alternative conflict resolution mechanisms.
Educational Institutions: Establish schools, adult literacy programs, and science popularization initiatives.
Health Services: Deploy mobile medical units providing rational healthcare alternatives to superstitious practices.
(c) Ethical Dilemmas in Nabbing Culprits:
Legal vs. Social Justice: Stringent legal action necessary for deterrence but may create martyrs and community resentment if cultural context ignored.
Individual vs. Collective Responsibility: Entire community participated but not all equally culpable—balancing accountability with proportionality.
Immediate vs. Long-term Solutions: Swift arrests satisfy legal requirements but without addressing underlying causes, witch-hunting recurs.
(d) Suggestions to Eradicate Witch-Hunting:
1. Strengthen legal framework with specific anti-superstition laws
2. Economic development creating employment
3. Educational expansion with scientific temper promotion
4. Women's empowerment and leadership programs
5. Community-based protection committees
6. Rehabilitation support for accused "witches"
7. Engagement with traditional healers promoting rational practices
8. Media campaigns highlighting successful prosecutions
16) 'Tumakbasti' is a village on the extreme north-eastern side of India-Bangladesh border, where local residents cross the border to reach a town 'Moinabari' (just a IS-minute walk away) in Bangladesh to get even the basic necessities of a day-to-day living. The village lacks basic facilities like hospital, concrete
road, drinking water, school, police station and so on; the nearest Indian town falls about 100 km away from the village. The people of the village have no other option than to cross the border to get their health check-ups and necessary medicines. Often in an emergency, the people carry the patients on their shoulders across the border where Border Guards of Bangladesh stop them for security reasons which delay patients' treatment. Consider the following statements and answer the questions :
(a) The area falls under your jurisdiction of being a District Commissioner. What actions would you take in the above-described situation?
(b) A District Commissioner has authority to do many things and if she/he wants she/he can transform the village into a modern one. Howwill you act in this situation and what contribution will you make for the village?
(c) Bordering areas are too sensitive and cause security problems. Open border with Bangladesh has many of such implications including robbery, killing, smuggling, etc. How will you manage such security scenario?
(Answer in 250 words) 20 Marks
(a) Immediate Actions:
Emergency Healthcare: Establish primary health center with ambulance service, telemedicine facilities connecting to district hospital, and residential doctor with emergency medicines.
Border Coordination: Negotiate with Border Security Force and Bangladesh authorities for humanitarian corridor allowing medical emergencies with simplified procedures.
Basic Infrastructure: Fast-track drinking water supply through borewells/pipelines, construct all-weather road connecting to nearest town using rural development funds, establish police outpost, and deploy mobile connectivity towers.
Assessment: Conduct comprehensive survey understanding specific needs and constraints, engaging villagers in planning.
(b) Comprehensive Transformation:
Education: Establish residential school with quality teachers, provide scholarships, midday meals, and skill development programs.
Livelihood: Promote border haats enabling legal trade, support agriculture through irrigation, seeds, and training, and encourage handicrafts and border tourism.
Connectivity: Lobby for improved road connectivity, regular public transport, and digital infrastructure.
Administrative Presence: Establish sub-divisional office, bank branch, post office, and ration distribution center.
Community Development: Support cultural activities, sports facilities, and youth clubs.
Convergence: Coordinate central schemes like MGNREGA, PMAY, and Ayushman Bharat ensuring benefits reach villagers.
(c) Managing Security Scenario:
Institutional Coordination: Regular meetings with BSF, intelligence agencies, and Bangladesh counterparts. Establish joint patrolling and communication protocols.
Community Engagement: Involve villagers as partners in security, establish village defense committees, and provide employment in border infrastructure reducing smuggling temptation.
Infrastructure: Install surveillance technology, improve lighting, and create defined crossing points with checkpost facilities.
Intelligence Network: Develop local informant network, monitor suspicious activities, and maintain database of residents.
Balanced Approach: Address security without harassing genuine residents, simplify legitimate cross-border movement procedures, and ensure development accompanies security measures preventing alienation. Recognize that development is best security—prosperous, integrated communities resist anti-national activities better than militarized but neglected areas.
17. "According to Buddhism, for a man to be perfect there are two qualities that should develop equally-Compassion (Karuna) on one side and Wisdom (Panna) on the other side." Analyze. (250 words) 20 Marks
Buddhism's emphasis on balancing Compassion and Wisdom reflects profound understanding of human excellence requiring both heart and mind.
Compassion (Karuna):
Karuna represents selfless love, empathy, and desire to alleviate suffering. It prevents wisdom from becoming cold intellectualism devoid of human connection. Compassion ensures knowledge serves humanitarian purposes rather than selfish ends. In administrative context, compassionate officers understand citizens' struggles beyond files, showing empathy during crisis, implementing policies considering human impact, and acting as public servants rather than bureaucratic machines.
Wisdom (Panna):
Panna represents deep understanding of reality, discernment between right and wrong, and insight into causes and consequences. Wisdom prevents compassion from becoming misguided sentimentality leading to harmful outcomes. It enables distinguishing genuine need from manipulation, long-term welfare from temporary appeasement, and sustainable solutions from populist measures. Wise administrators analyze policy implications, anticipate consequences, and make informed decisions.
Need for Balance:
Compassion without Wisdom becomes emotional reactivity—a judge releasing dangerous criminal from sympathy, an administrator sanctioning populist but economically disastrous schemes, or a doctor prescribing harmful treatment from kindness without knowledge.
Wisdom without Compassion becomes ruthless pragmatism—technically sound but inhumane policies, efficient systems lacking human touch, or brilliant strategies causing collateral suffering.
Integrated Excellence:
Perfect individual combines both: understanding suffering deeply (compassion) and knowing how to address it effectively (wisdom). Civil servants need compassion to remain connected to citizens and wisdom to design implementable solutions. Teachers need compassion to understand student struggles and wisdom to guide effectively.
This Buddhist insight resonates universally—whether in governance, healthcare, education, or personal relationships, excellence requires balancing emotional intelligence with intellectual capability, empathy with effectiveness, and kindness with competence. Neither alone suffices; together they create transformative leadership and fulfilled living.
18. Nagen, who is a BPL category person, needs information about the budget of different development schemes in his village. He approached to the SPIO of the District Commissioner Officeand submitted an RTIapplication. He forgot to enclose the required fee and being partially literate, his application was full of grammatical mistakes. In total, it was not in any format but the content can be understood. The SPIO has seen the application but did not point anything to Nagen. On completion of 30 days, the information was denied stating that his application was not in format and required fee.
(a) How far is the reason of rejection of the application justified?
(b) What is the remedy available to Nagen to get these information?
(c) Whether the SPIO failed to discharge his duties as enshrined in the
RTIAct? If so, explain in detail.(250 words) 20 Marks
(a) Justification of Rejection:
The rejection is completely unjustified and illegal under the RTI Act, 2005.
Legal Position:
- Section 6(1) requires application in writing/electronic mode in official language without mandating specific format.
- The Act emphasizes substance over form, ensuring citizen-friendly access.
- Being BPL, Nagen is exempt from fees under Section 7(5).
- Grammatical mistakes are irrelevant if content is comprehensible.
- The SPIO had duty under Section 6(3) to render reasonable assistance if application had deficiencies.
The Supreme Court has consistently held that RTI provisions should be interpreted liberally favoring disclosure, not technical rejections denying transparency.
(b) Remedy Available to Nagen:
First Appeal: Under Section 19(1), Nagen can file appeal within 30 days to First Appellate Authority (senior officer in same department) challenging rejection. No fee required for BPL.
Second Appeal: If dissatisfied, appeal to State/Central Information Commission within 90 days under Section 19(3).
Fresh Application: Simultaneously submit fresh application explicitly mentioning BPL status and requesting assistance under Section 6(3).
Complaint: File complaint under Section 18 against SPIO for not providing reasonable assistance and wrongful rejection.
Legal Aid: Seek help from RTI activists, legal aid cells, or NGOs for drafting appeals.
(c) SPIO's Failure of Duties:
Yes, the SPIO grossly violated multiple provisions:
Section 5(1) Duty: Provide information to citizens.
Section 6(3) Violation: Failed to render reasonable assistance to applicant. Should have informed Nagen about perceived deficiencies and helped correct them instead of remaining silent.
Section 7(5) Violation: Ignored BPL exemption from fees.
Mala Fide Intent: Deliberately remaining silent about deficiencies indicates intention to deny information rather than facilitate access.
Penalty Provisions: Under Section 20(1), Information Commission can impose penalty up to Rs. 25,000 for:
- Refusing information without reasonable cause
- Not providing assistance
- Mala fide denial
The SPIO's conduct exemplifies administrative apathy undermining RTI's spirit. Such officials deserve exemplary punishment deterring similar violations, ensuring transparency mechanisms aren't sabotaged through procedural technicalities.
19.Moloypur, a remote district inhabited by a tribal population, is marked by extreme backwardness and economically underdeveloped. Agriculture is the . mainstay of the local population, though it is primarily subsistence level due to the very smalllandholdings. There is an insignificant industrial or mining activity. Even the targeted welfare programmes have inadequately benefitted the tribal population. In this scenario, the youths have begun to migrate to other States to supplement their family income. The plight of minor girls is that their parents are persuaded by labour contractors to send them to work in the construction sites in a nearby State. The unhygienic living and working conditions in these sites have caused serious health issues for the minor girls. NGOs in the districts of domicile and construction firms appear to be compromised and have not effectively espoused the twin issues of child labour and development of the area. You are appointed as the District Commissioner of Moloypur. Identify the ethical issues involved. Which specific steps will you initiate to ameliorate the conditions of minor girls of your district and to improve the overall economic scenario of the district?
(Answer in 250 words) 20 Marks
Ethical Issues:
1. Child Labor: Contractors exploiting minor girls violates Constitutional provisions (Article 24), Child Labour Act, and children's fundamental rights.
2. Human Trafficking: Contractors persuading parents amounts to trafficking for exploitation.
3. Systemic Failure: Inadequate welfare programme implementation denies tribals constitutional rights and State's protective obligations.
4. NGO Complicity: Compromised NGOs failing advocacy role violates trust and enables exploitation.
5. Parental Desperation: Extreme poverty forcing parents to send daughters reflects development model failure.
6. Health Violations: Unhygienic conditions violate occupational safety norms and right to health.
Steps for Minor Girls:
1. Rescue Operations: Coordinate with destination state authorities for immediate rescue and rehabilitation in Childcare Institutions.
2. Legal Action: Register cases under Child Labour Act, Trafficking Acts, and Juvenile Justice Act against contractors, employers, and complicit officials.
3. Counseling: Provide psychological support to rescued children and families.
4. Education: Ensure school enrollment with residential facilities, scholarships, and bridge courses.
5. Awareness: Extensive campaigns highlighting exploitation dangers, legal provisions, and education benefits.
6. Monitoring: Establish village-level vigilance committees tracking migration patterns.
Overall Economic Improvement:
1. Agricultural Enhancement: Promote land consolidation, irrigation, organic farming, and market linkages for sustainable agriculture.
2. Forest-based Livelihoods: Support sustainable NTFP collection, value addition, and marketing through cooperatives.
3. Skill Development: Establish ITIs and training centers for employable skills aligned with market demand.
4. Entrepreneurship: Facilitate SHGs, provide microfinance, and support tribal handicrafts and tourism.
5. Infrastructure: Improve connectivity, healthcare, education, and digital infrastructure.
6. Welfare Schemes: Ensure 100% coverage of MGNREGA, pensions, scholarships, and nutritional programs through door-to-door surveys.
7. Local Employment: Promote local industries, food processing, and bamboo-based enterprises creating employment.
8. Accountability: Conduct social audits, punish corrupt officials, and revitalize compromised NGOs or empower genuine grassroots organizations.
9. Participatory Planning: Involve tribal communities through Gram Sabhas in identifying priorities and implementation.
Holistic approach addressing immediate exploitation while tackling structural underdevelopment ensures sustainable transformation protecting vulnerable populations.
Disclaimer*: The questions and answers provided here are for educational and practice purposes only. While we have made every effort to ensure accuracy, candidates are advised to cross-check answers with authentic sources, textbooks, or official notifications for complete validity.