← All questionsGS4 · 2021 · Case Studies — Private Sector ·Product Standards & Consumer Safety
QUESTION 11
GS4
20 marks

A reputed Indian food company develops an export product, later launches a similar product domestically after approval, and gains substantial market share. Random testing finds the domestic product varies from approval; investigation reveals products below domestic health standards and rejected export products being sold domestically.(a) What action should the competent authority take?(b) What course of action is available to the company to resolve the crisis and restore reputation?(c) Examine the ethical dilemma involved.

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14 min
250 words
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What the examiner wants

Examine: answer the exact PYQ as framed — “A reputed Indian food company develops an export product, later launches a similar product domestically after approval, and gains substantial market share. Random testing finds the domestic product varies from approval; investigation reveals products below do…” Treat each scoring limb separately instead of writing a general note on Product Standards & Consumer Safety.

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 Product Standards & Consumer Safety without directly resolving: “A reputed Indian food company develops an export product, later launches a similar product domestically after approval, and gains substantial market share.”
  • Under-developing the second scoring limb: “Random testing finds the domestic product varies from approval”

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.