QUESTION 1(b)
GS4
10 marks
Why should impartiality and non-partisanship be considered foundational values in public services, especially in the present-day socio-political context? Illustrate with examples.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Explain why impartiality and non-partisanship are foundational today, with examples.
Why... IllustrateAnswer exactly what the question asks.
Demand-wise check
- 1Meaning: impartiality = treating all equally on merit; non-partisanship = serving any elected government without political bias≈30 words
- 2Why today: polarisation, identity politics, coalition and frequent government changes, social media pressure, trust deficit≈30 words
- 3Illustrations: fair conduct of elections, neutral law and order in riots, merit-based beneficiary selection≈30 words
- 4Limits: neutrality does not mean indifference to constitutional values≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
DefinitionsPresent contextWhy foundationalExamplesConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Treating the two values as identical
- Examples outside public service
Draw this
- Table: value → threat today → example of upholding it
Value addition
- RuleAll India Services (Conduct) Rules were amended in 2014 to add political neutrality and impartiality as explicit duties.AIS Conduct Rules, Rule 3(1A), 2014
- ExampleT.N. Seshan as CEC (1990-96) enforced the Model Code of Conduct impartially against all parties.Election Commission
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- G Sanjana · AIR 55 · Page 5 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Vidushi Singh · AIR 13 · Page 3 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- P Vibisha · Page 13 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Rishabh Yadav · Page 13 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
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