GS "Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude" sample paper by UPSC

Sample Questions for paper 5 of Civil Services Mains i.e for the "Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude" paper has been released by UPSC. The sample paper consists mainly of case studies with other basic stuff  related to the terms in syllabus.

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SAMPLE QUESTION NO. 1  

What do you understand by ‘Ethical Human Conduct’? In what way is it important to be ethical along with being professionally competent?  

SAMPLE QUESTION NO. 2

What do you understand by the following terms? Point out their  specific relevance in public service;
(i) Intellectual integrity  (ii) Empathy  (iii) Perseverance  (iv) Spirit of service  (v) Commitment
Indicate two more attributes which you consider very important for  public servants. Justify your answer.

SAMPLE QUESTION NO. 3  

Which great Indian personality has inspired you the most as a role model and how have you been able to benefit in your own life by such an inspiration?

SAMPLE QUESTION NO. 4 ( CASE STUDY )  

You have been working with your team for almost a year. One of your subordinates Mr. A is very effective and hard working, he takes responsibility and gets things done. However, you have heard that Mr. A makes loose comments about women. Mrs X who is working under A, comes to you, she is visibly disturbed. She tells you that Mr. A has been making undue advances towards her and has even asked her to go out for dinner with him. She wants to give a written complaint seeking action against Mr. A. what would you do and why ?

SAMPLE QUESTION NO. 5 ( CASE STUDY )  

You have grown up with X, who has been your best friend since childhood. You have shared your joys and sorrows and have been each others confidante. Both of you are in your final year graduation and writing your final exams. In the exam you notice that your friend is copying and cheating a lot. What would you do and why?

SAMPLE QUESTION NO. 6 (CASE STUDY)  

You are posted as the Medical Superintendent of a District level Govt Hospital which caters to the need of poor patients from surrounding rural areas along with the local people from the district town.  As such the hospital has very good infrastructure and adequate equipment to cater to this need. It also receives sufficient funds to meet the recurring expenditure. Inspite of this there have been repeated complaints particularly from the patients which include the following  

1. Very poor maintenance and un-hygienic conditions in hospital premises.  
2. The hospital staff frequently demanding bribes from the patients for the services rendered.  
3. The negligent attitude of the Doctors resulting in times of casualties.  
4. Siphoning of a substantial stock of medicine by the staff and selling it out.  
5. Strong nexus between the senior Doctors of the hospital and the owners of local private nursing homes and testing labs as a result of  which the patients are strongly misled and dissuaded from availing  the hospital facilities and rather compelled to purchase costly  medicines from market and get medical tests and even operations  done from private medical houses.  
6. There also exist a notorious employee union which puts undue  pressure and resents any reformative step by the administration.  

Ponder over the situation and suggest effective ways to tackle each of  the above mentioned problem.  

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You can download it here: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B58-FFNzC2faMWZ6U2hyZGVXNDg/edit?usp=sharing

Natural Hazards & Disaster Management - GS 1&3

With Disaster Management mentioned in the heading of the syllabus in GS 3, it assumes more importance than earlier. 
Also, in GS1 syllabus "Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc" is there. 

The following document on "Natural Hazards and Disaster management"  by CBSE covers these topics pretty well and would suffice for these topics. Hope you find it useful.

Natural Hazards by divyamittalias

Measures taken by RBI to address Exchange Rate Volatility

The market perception of likely tapering of US Quantitative Easing has triggered outflows of portfolio investment, particularly from the debt segment. Consequently, the Rupee has depreciated markedly in the last six weeks. Countries with large current account deficits, such as India, have been particularly affected despite their relatively promising economic fundamentals. The exchange rate pressure also evidences that the demand for foreign currency has increased vis-a-vis that of the Rupee in part because of the improving domestic liquidity situation.

Against this backdrop, and the need to restore stability to the foreign exchange market, the following measures are announced:

1. The Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate is recalibrated with immediate effect to be 300 basis points above the policy repo rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF). Consequently, the MSF rate will now be 10.25 per cent.
2. Accordingly, the Bank Rate also stands adjusted to 10.25 per cent with immediate effect.
3. The overall allocation of funds under the LAF will be limited to 1.0 per cent of the Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) of the banking system, reckoned as Rs.75,000 crore for this purpose. 
4. The overall limit for access to LAF by each individual bank is set at 0.5 per cent of its own NDTL outstanding as on the last Friday of the second preceding fortnight.
5. Currently, banks are allowed to maintain their Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) prescribed by the RBI on an average daily basis during a reporting fortnight, with a minimum of 70 per cent of the required CRR on a daily basis. Effective from July 27, 2013, banks will be required to maintain a minimum daily CRR balance of 99 per cent of the requirement.

New GS syllabus - Part 1

 The book “India since Independence” by  Bipin Chandra et al is analysed below from the perspective of the new GS syllabus.

The GS- Paper 1 History part has included this new phrase in the syllabus: "Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country"

·         There are 4 chapters on Consolidation of India as a Nation i.e Chapters 7,8,9 & 10. These are a must-read as the term in the syllabus seems to have been picked from here itself..:)

·         Along with this, reorganization would also include formation of new states after 2000 i.e. Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and Uttarakhand. You need to study the reasons for their formation and the impact on polity, economy and social development. Other questions might relate to need for smaller states for better administration and the demands for further reorganization as seen in the case of UP etc.

From the syllabus perspective, other important chapters in this book are:

·         Chapter 12: Foreign Policy

·         Chapter 35 & 36: As Communalism word is mentioned in the new syllabus

·         Chapters 29,30 & 31: Land reforms is in the syllabus of GS-3 ( Pages 566-570 provide the gist)

·         Indian Economy chapters 25 to 28 can also be studied

·         Chapter 38 is also important from GS-1 perspective

It is better if you study the while book but I have mentioned the bare minimum ones which are absolutely essential.

Indian Foreign Policy - From Midnight to the Millennium

This is a very precise document on India's foreign policy from 1947 to 2009. It is a lecture delivered by Shri Shiv Shankar Menon, current National Security Advisor and ex-Foreign Secretary of India.

Indias Foreign Policy by divyamittalias

Parliament of India

These 2 documents quite comprehensively cover issues related to the Indian Parliament. One has been made by me from various sources while other is a document of the Rajya Sabha secretariat. Hope you find these useful.

Parliament Notes by divyamittalias

Parliament of India by divyamittalias

Physical Geography notes

These notes have been made from NCERT book on Physical Geography. Couple of important chapters have not been covered as they need to read directly from the book. You can supplement this with Goh Cheng Leong.
In addition for location , Geography through Maps book by K Siddhartha should be used along with any good Atlas.

New syllabus topics related to Physical geography are:

• Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including waterbodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
• Salient features of world’s physical geography

Physical Geography by divyamittalias

Book List for General Studies

Please post your doubts and suggestions in the comments section. 

History:

•  Spectrum Modern History
•  India’s struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra – some chapters
•  Modern History by Sumit Sarkar
•  Old NCERT Class XIIth history – Modern India
•  Brief notes from Advanced history by Chhabra

Culture

• Brief Notes from the internet on various painting styles, architecture, Literature , dances etc
• Some sites covered include India.gov.in; India year book chapter on culture
• Cultural institutions and their role in promoting and preserving culture
• Spectrum’s book on culture can also be used

Geography

• NCERT books on Physical Geography, Human geography and Indian physical geography of classes XI and XIIth
• Physical geography by Goh Cheong Leong for Prelims ( can be left)
• Indian Geography by Khullar – Make brief notes on topics not covered in NCERTs
• Geography through Maps  by K Siddhartha

Polity

• NCERT Class XI and XII books on Indian Constitution and Democracy at Work
• Constitution of India by  P M Baxi as reference
• Indian Constitution by  DD Basu ( Some people prefer Laxmikanth)
• Indian Parliament by Subhash Kashyap
• Notes from websites of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha
• India year book chapter on Polity

Foreign Policy & Economic Interaction with the world

• Websites of IDSA, World Politics Review, South Asia analysis
• Some selected articles from World Focus
• Brief notes on Indian foreign policy from any book on Foreign Policy
• MEA website for brief notes on Indian relations with other countries
• Speeches by Foreign Secy, Minister for External Affairs and other ex-ambassadors on MEA website and Public diplomacy blog
• For current happenings use any notes available in Rajinder Nagar before mains exam of Vajiram, Chokkalingam etc
• Wikipedia current happenings and Ongoing events on pages on months from January- October of the year of Mains exam
• Commerce ministry website for economic interaction of India including trade agreements etc
• WTO from RBI document on India’s stand at WTO

Science and Technology

• Books by NBT on Robotics and Nanotechnology
• Notes on various terms of Biotechnology from wikipedia; the terms can be seen from
• List of emerging technologies: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_emerging_technologies
• All scientific terms from wisegeek in areas of general interest to any common person and specifically Biotech, Gadgets, Nanotech etc
• New happenings in Science from Hindu, Indian Express, Zeenews and some other technology blogs
• Notes of coaching institutes before mains specifically Sriram and vajiram
• ISRO website
• For Defence , brief notes from http://www.livefistdefence.com/

Other National Events and General Knowledge

• PIB releases brief notes: pib.nic.in
• All government websites of various ministries and topics covered on main page; Ministries dealing with Agriculture, Women & Child development, Disabilities etc need to be focused on
• India year book – some important chapters and brief notes can be made
• Economic Survey – some chapters like Overview, International Trade and Human development are extremely important. Others can be brushed through
• Coverage of Indian express done as an addendum to Hindu notes available in the market (  coaching notes available in Rajinder Nagar before mains)

It is not that everything was done word to word and books read cover to cover; Only important things from these sources was identified and underlined or brief notes made for quick revision.

Notes from PIB

To make notes from PIB website ( pib.nic.in) is extremely important as it covers almost all news which are related to government and administration. Some questions like steps taken to check piracy etc are answered point-wise in the releases.

My sample notes can be seen and downloaded...Some of them the static things might be useful to you but you need to update them with happenings each day till mid-November.

PIB Notes by divyamittalias

Syllabus for GS

SYLLABUS FOR GENERAL STUDIES FOR CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

General Studies- I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.

Indian Heritage and Culture, History

·        Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

·        Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues

·        The Freedom Struggle - its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.

·        Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.

·        History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.

Society

Ø  Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.

Ø  Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Ø  Effects of globalization on Indian society

Ø  Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

Geography

• Salient features of world’s physical geography.
• Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)
• Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,
• Geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including waterbodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations

Constitution and Polity

ü  Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

ü  Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

ü  Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.

ü  Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries

ü  Parliament and State Legislatures - structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

ü  Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.

ü  Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

ü  Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.

ü  Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies

Governance and Social Justice

Ø  Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Ø  Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders

Ø  Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Ø  Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Ø  Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

Ø  Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.

Ø  Role of civil services in a democracy.

International Relations

ü  India and its neighborhood- relations.

ü  Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

ü  Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests

ü  Indian diaspora

ü  Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.

Economic Development

ü  Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

ü  Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

ü  Government Budgeting.

ü  Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers

ü  Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.

ü  Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.

ü  Land reforms in India.

ü  Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

ü  Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

ü  Investment models.

Technology, Bio diversity, Environment, Disaster Management

ü  Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

ü  Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

ü  Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

ü  Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

ü  Disaster and disaster management.

Security

ü  Linkages between development and spread of extremism.

ü  Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.

ü  Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention

ü  Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism

ü  Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate

General Studies- IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered.

Ø  Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

Ø  Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.

Ø  Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service , integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.

Ø  Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.

Ø  Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.

Ø  Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.

Ø  Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.

Ø  Case Studies on above issues.

You can download it here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/156536839/GS-Syllabus