General Studies IV

Ethics, integrity and aptitude, with case studies. Filter by topic or year.

8 questions

2026 · Question 6 · Section A · 20 marks
1. (a) On the request of his Personal Assistant (PA), the District Magistrate (DM) stops the transfer of a schoolteacher who takes private tuition for his daughter diagnosed with learning disability. In this context, discuss the aspects of empathy versus compliance with rules.
  10 marks · 150 words
2. (b) Some moral philosophers argue that spending some of your resources—without significantly affecting your financial stability—to help other people who badly suffer is our moral duty and not merely a matter of charity. Justify this claim by explaining the distinction between duty and charity.
  10 marks · 150 words
- Emotional intelligence and empathy
- Integrity under political pressure
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) 2026, General Studies IV (opens in a new tab)
2025 · Question 3 · Section A · 30 marks
Given below are three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context?
1. (a) "Those who in trouble untroubled are, Will trouble trouble itself." — Thiruvalluvar
  10 marks · 150 words
2. (b) "The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes." — William James
  10 marks · 150 words
3. (c) "The strength of a society is not in its laws, but in the morality of its people." — Swami Vivekananda
  10 marks · 150 words
- Thinkers not tested recently
- Emotional intelligence and empathy
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) 2025, General Studies IV (opens in a new tab)
2023 · Question 4 · Section A · 20 marks
1. (a) "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.
  10 marks · 150 words
2. (b) Differentiate 'moral intuition' from 'moral reasoning' with suitable examples.
  10 marks · 150 words
- Emotional intelligence and empathy
- Thinkers not tested recently
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) 2023, General Studies IV (opens in a new tab)
2022 · Question 1 · Section A · 20 marks
1. (a) Wisdom lies in knowing what to reckon with and what to overlook. An officer being engrossed with the periphery, ignoring the core issues before him, is not rare in the bureaucracy. Do you agree that such preoccupation of an administrator leads to travesty of justice to the cause of effective service delivery and good governance? Critically evaluate.
  10 marks · 150 words
2. (b) Apart from intellectual competency and moral qualities, empathy and compassion are some of the other vital attributes that facilitate the civil servants to be more competent in tackling the crucial issues or taking critical decisions. Explain with suitable illustrations.
  10 marks · 150 words
- Integrity under political pressure
- Emotional intelligence and empathy
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) 2022, General Studies IV (opens in a new tab)
2022 · Question 11 · Section B · Case study · 20 marks · 250 words
Rakesh was working as Joint Commissioner in Transport Department of a city. As a part of his job profile, among others, he was entrusted with the task of overseeing the control and functioning of City Transport Department. A case of strike by the drivers' union of City Transport Department over the issue of compensation to a driver who died on duty while driving the bus came up before him for decision in the matter. He gathered that the driver (deceased) was plying Bus No. 528 which passed through busy and congested roads of the city. It so happened that near an intersection on the way, there was an accident involving the bus and a car driven by a middle-aged man. It was found that there was altercation between the driver and the car driver. Heated arguments between them led to fight and the driver gave him a blow. Lot of passerbys had gathered and tried to intervene but without success. Eventually, both of them were badly injured and profusely bleeding and were taken to the nearby hospital. The driver succumbed to the injuries and could not be saved. The middle-aged driver's condition was also critical but after a day, he recovered and was discharged. Police had immediately come at the spot of accident and FIR was registered. Police investigation revealed that the quarrel in question was started by the bus driver and he had resorted to physical violence. There was exchange of blows between them. The City Transport Department management is considering of not giving any extra compensation to the driver's (deceased) family. The family is very aggrieved, depressed and agitated against the discriminatory and non-sympathetic approach of the City Transport Department management. The bus driver (deceased) was 52 years of age, was survived by his wife and two school-college going daughters. He was the sole earner of the family. The City Transport Department workers' union took up this case and when found no favourable response from the management, decided to go on strike. The union's demand was two-fold. First was full extra compensation as given to other drivers who died on duty and secondly employment to one family member. The strike has continued for 10 days and the deadlock remains.
1. (a) What are the options available to Rakesh to meet the above situation?
  undefined marks
2. (b) Critically examine each of the options identified by Rakesh.
  undefined marks
3. (c) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Rakesh?
  undefined marks
4. (d) What course of action would Rakesh adopt to diffuse the above situation?
  undefined marks
- Emotional intelligence and empathy
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) 2022, General Studies IV (opens in a new tab)
2021 · Question 3 · Section A · 30 marks
What does each of the following quotations mean to you?
1. (a) "Every work has got to pass through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding. Those that persevere will see the light, sooner or later." — Swami Vivekananda
  10 marks · 150 words
2. (b) "We can never obtain peace in the outer world until and unless we obtain peace within ourselves." — Dalai Lama
  10 marks · 150 words
3. (c) "Life doesn't make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, it is better for us all." — Erik Erikson
  10 marks · 150 words
- Thinkers not tested recently
- Emotional intelligence and empathy
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) 2021, General Studies IV (opens in a new tab)
2021 · Question 4 · Section A · 20 marks
1. (a) Attitude is an important component that goes as input in the development of human being. How to build a suitable attitude needed for a public servant?
  10 marks · 150 words
2. (b) In case of crisis of conscience does emotional intelligence help to overcome the same without compromising the ethical or moral stand that you are likely to follow? Critically examine.
  10 marks · 150 words
- Emotional intelligence and empathy
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) 2021, General Studies IV (opens in a new tab)
2021 · Question 12 · Section B · Case study · 20 marks · 250 words
Pawan is working as an officer in the State Government for the last ten years. As a part of routine transfer, he was posted to another department. He joined in a new office along with five other colleagues. The head of the office was a senior officer conversant with the functioning of the office. As a part of general inquiry, Pawan gathered that his senior officer carries the reputation of being difficult and insensitive person having his own disturbed family life. Initially, all seem to go well. However, after some time Pawan felt that the senior officer was belittling him and at times unreasonable. Whatever suggestions given or views expressed by Pawan in the meetings were summarily rejected and the senior officer would express displeasure in the presence of others. It became a pattern of boss's style of functioning to show him in bad light highlighting his shortcomings and humiliating publically. It became apparent that though there are no serious work-related problems/shortcomings, the senior officer was always on one pretext or the other and would scold and shout at him. The continuous harassment and public criticism of Pawan resulted in loss of confidence, self-esteem and equanimity. Pawan realized that his relations with his senior officer are becoming more toxic and due to this, he felt perpetually tensed, anxious and stressed. His mind was occupied with negativity and caused him mental torture, anguish and agony. Eventually, it badly affected his personal and family life. He was no longer joyous, happy and contented even at home. Rather without any reason he would loose his temper with his wife and other family members. The family environment was no longer pleasant and congenial. His wife who was always supportive to him also became a victim of his negativity and hostile behaviour. Due to harassment and humiliation suffering by him in the office, comfort and happiness virtually vanished from his life. Thus it damaged his physical and mental health.
1. (a) What are the options available with Pawan to cope up with the situation?
  undefined marks
2. (b) What approach Pawan should adopt for bringing peace, tranquillity and congenial environment in the office and home?
  undefined marks
3. (c) As an outsider, what are your suggestions for both boss and subordinate to overcome this situation and for improving the work performance, mental and emotional hygiene?
  undefined marks
4. (d) In the above scenario, what type of training would you suggest for officers at various levels in the government offices?
  undefined marks
- Emotional intelligence and empathy
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) 2021, General Studies IV (opens in a new tab)

(a) On the request of his Personal Assistant (PA), the District Magistrate (DM) stops the transfer of a schoolteacher who takes private tuition for his daughter diagnosed with learning disability. In this context, discuss the aspects of empathy versus compliance with rules.

(b) Some moral philosophers argue that spending some of your resources—without significantly affecting your financial stability—to help other people who badly suffer is our moral duty and not merely a matter of charity. Justify this claim by explaining the distinction between duty and charity.

Given below are three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context?

(a) "Those who in trouble untroubled are, Will trouble trouble itself." — Thiruvalluvar

(b) "The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes." — William James

(c) "The strength of a society is not in its laws, but in the morality of its people." — Swami Vivekananda

(a) "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.

(b) Differentiate 'moral intuition' from 'moral reasoning' with suitable examples.

(b) Apart from intellectual competency and moral qualities, empathy and compassion are some of the other vital attributes that facilitate the civil servants to be more competent in tackling the crucial issues or taking critical decisions. Explain with suitable illustrations.

(a) What are the options available to Rakesh to meet the above situation?

(b) Critically examine each of the options identified by Rakesh.

(c) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Rakesh?

(d) What course of action would Rakesh adopt to diffuse the above situation?

What does each of the following quotations mean to you?

(a) "Every work has got to pass through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding. Those that persevere will see the light, sooner or later." — Swami Vivekananda

(b) "We can never obtain peace in the outer world until and unless we obtain peace within ourselves." — Dalai Lama

(c) "Life doesn't make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, it is better for us all." — Erik Erikson

(a) Attitude is an important component that goes as input in the development of human being. How to build a suitable attitude needed for a public servant?

(b) In case of crisis of conscience does emotional intelligence help to overcome the same without compromising the ethical or moral stand that you are likely to follow? Critically examine.

(a) What are the options available with Pawan to cope up with the situation?

(b) What approach Pawan should adopt for bringing peace, tranquillity and congenial environment in the office and home?

(c) As an outsider, what are your suggestions for both boss and subordinate to overcome this situation and for improving the work performance, mental and emotional hygiene?

(d) In the above scenario, what type of training would you suggest for officers at various levels in the government offices?