← All questionsGS4 · 2018 · Case Studies — Public Sector ·Eligibility Rules vs Compassion (Case)
QUESTION 7
GS4
20 marks

Rakesh is a responsible district level officer, who enjoys the trust of his higher officials. Knowing his honesty, the government entrusted him with the responsibility of identifying the beneficiaries under a health care scheme meant for senior citizens. The criteria to be a beneficiary are the following:1) 60 years of age or above.2) Belonging to a reserved community.3) Family income of less than 1 Lakh rupees per annum.4) Post-treatment prognosis is likely to be high to make a positive difference to the quality of life of the beneficiary. One day, an old couple visited Rakesh’s office with their application. They have been the residents of a village in his district since their birth. The old man is diagnosed with a rare condition that causes obstruction in the large intestine. As a consequence, he has severe abdominal pain frequently that prevents him from doing any physical labour. The couple has no children to support them. The expert surgeon whom they contacted is willing to do the surgery without charging any fee. However, the couple will have to bear the cost of incidental charges, such as medicines, hospitalization, etc., to the tune of rupees one lakh. The couple fulfils all the criteria except criterion ‘b’. However, any financial aid would certainly make a significant difference in their quality of life. How should Rakesh respond to the situation?

WRITE IN
14 min
250 words

What the examiner wants

Decide how Rakesh should handle a deserving elderly patient who fails one scheme criterion.

Case studyName the stakeholders and the issues, weigh the options, and say what you would do and why.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Stakeholders: elderly couple, Rakesh, scheme beneficiaries, government, taxpayers≈50 words
  2. 2Issues: rule of law vs compassion, fairness to eligible people, precedent, the purpose of the scheme≈50 words
  3. 3Options: reject outright (lawful, cold); bend rules (compassionate, illegal and unfair); help through other channels and flag the gap (lawful and humane)≈50 words
  4. 4Course: do not grant under this scheme; link to other aid (state schemes, Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi, CM relief fund, NGOs, hospital charity), recommend review of criteria≈50 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

FactsStakeholdersDilemmaOptions with pros and consChosen courseConclusion

Where marks usually go

  • Granting the benefit by ignoring the rule
  • Rejecting without trying other help

Draw this

  • Options table: action / merits / demerits

Value addition

  • SchemeSince October 2024, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY covers all citizens aged 70 and above regardless of income.Union Cabinet, 2024
  • ThinkerAristotle's equity: correcting the law where it fails because of its generality.Nicomachean Ethics

Mapped topper copies

Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.

Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.