Ethics Decoded by Ratan Jana ( Marks-116, GS Paper IV : AIR-548, CSE-2020)

How to make note in GS4 paper:

• Develop basic understanding on each topic of syllabus. ( You may refer Lukaman IAS study materials – class note available in market)
• Keep handy many examples you can. This will be illustrated through below example of objectivity.

Short note on Objectivity:

Introduction:

It means making decision based on rational application of minds, empirical evidence etc.

Body:

According to Nolan committee Objectivity, while carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

Example:

• Personal life:
  • When I was sports secretary in college, I chose a team based on objective criteria.
  • When our examination is knocking at our door, we concentrate more on studies and reduce interaction with friends.
  • District collector in making appointments needs to give priority to merit rather than other factors like the caste or background of the candidate.
• Historical based:
  • In spite of Ideological difference between Jawaharlal Nehru and B.R. Ambedkar, he appointed BR Ambedkar as Chairman of drafting committee solely based on merits.
• Current example:
  • Supreme Court in an unprecedented judgement, allow women in permanent commission in Army thus focusing on abilities and equalities of sex and doing away with biases.

Conclusion: Objectivity may not be an ethical solution in all cases; we must inculcate principle of fairness, justice, equity, etc while making decision.

• Keep certain case study example handy so that you can put it in your answer in case study related question.
• For example if question is asking for suggestion as a SP of police, what you will do to address the menace of drug addicts, petty theft etc. 

In this case you must quote: Community police succeed in Manipur Meira Paibi model may be replicated.

• In quotation based question give lot of example. ( UPSC gave 3 to 5 question every years ) :

Q. “Not everybody can be famous, but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service”- Martin Luther King:

Answer: Serving other makes a person look beyond self. Service to other leads to selflessness. It means doing something for someone else without expecting any reward or gain.

• To lose oneself in the service of others implies nothing but the sacrifice of egoism, self-centeredness, hatred and discrimination based on caste, creed & religion.
• It helps in development of values like kindness, compassion, Humanity and inspires intellect to fight for the cause of other.

Example:  

• The life of Martin Luther King was dedicated for the well-being and upliftment of others. He was dedicated to serving others and end racial inequality in the USA. 
• The life of Gandhi was dedicated for the Untouchable issue. 
• Baba Amte known for his work for the rehabilitation and empowerment of people suffering from leprosy. 
• Mr. Karimul Haq, popularly known as ‘Bike-Ambulance Dada’, turned his two-wheeler into an “ambulance” to hospitalize patients in remote areas of West Bengal. He has saved more 3500 lives of road accident victims and emergency patients. 
• People like Kailash Satyarthi have found greatness within themselves, only by losing themselves in the service of others. 
• Mother Theresa has often been referred to as an embodiment of compassion. Her selfless work for the poor and destitute till date is inspiring and spoken of.

Written By Ratan Jana (Marks-116,GS Paper IV :AIR-548,CSE-2020)