← All questionsGS4 · 2017 · Case Studies — Public Sector ·Case Studies — Public Sector
QUESTION 9
GS4
20 marks

You are an honest and responsible civil servant. You observe claims that ethical conduct may create personal and family difficulties, that a small ethical minority makes no difference when unfair practices are widespread, that ethical means may hinder developmental goals, and that small gifts can make the system more efficient. Examine these statements with their merits and demerits.

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14 min
250 words
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What the examiner wants

Examine: answer the exact PYQ as framed — “You are an honest and responsible civil servant. You observe claims that ethical conduct may create personal and family difficulties, that a small ethical minority makes no difference when unfair practices are widespread, that ethical means may hinder develop…” Treat each scoring limb separately instead of writing a general note on Case Studies — Public Sector.

ExamineGo into the details, test each point against evidence, and conclude on what it shows.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Map the stakeholders, facts, competing obligations and the ethical/public-interest conflict embedded in the case≈65 words
  2. 2Answer each explicit sub-question in the case and compare feasible options using legality, consequences, rights, fairness and integrity≈65 words
  3. 3Choose and justify an implementable course of action, including safeguards, accountability and follow-through≈65 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

Key facts and stakeholdersEthical/legal issuesRealistic options with consequencesReasoned choiceImplementation safeguards and accountability

Where marks usually go

  • Writing generally about Case Studies — Public Sector without directly resolving: “You are an honest and responsible civil servant.”
  • Under-developing the second scoring limb: “You observe claims that ethical conduct may create personal and family difficulties, that a small ethical minority makes no difference when unfair practices are widespread, t…”

Value addition

  • Stakeholder map + options-versus-values decision matrix
    → Draw it in the body, next to the point it supports.

Official source anchors

These are authoritative sources selected for this exact PYQ. Where a card is an official-domain anchor rather than a fact-level citation, verify the precise provision, definition or data point on the linked source before using it.