TYPES OF QUESTIONS ASKED & HOW TO HANDLE THEM in ETHICS
(IAS PCS Pathshala)
1. Quote based questions
2. Keyword based questions
3. Examples / from your life questions
4. Opinion/ Application based questions
A. Quote based questions How to address these questions?
1. “Be the change you want to see in the word” 1. Treat this Question as a mini philosophical
essay.
2. “An unexamined life is not worth living.”
2. Explain the meaning of the statement
3. Power corrupts but absolute power corrupts
absolutely 3. Identify who said it, if possible.
4. Why did he say it? Can you write 1,2,3, or 5
reasons why the author said it
B. Keyword based / Direct questions How to address these questions?
1. What are the main components of emotional 1. You must know at least the exact meaning of
intelligence (EI)? Can they be learned? (2020)? the words.
2. Explain the basic principles of citizens’ charter 2. You must define the term, as far as possible,
movement and bring out its importance (2019) with examples.
3. Distinguish between laws and rules. Discuss
the role of ethics in formulating them (2020)
C Examples / from your life questions How to address these questions?
1. Should impartial and being non-partisan be
considered as indispensable qualities to make a 1. Such questions are “time killers”
a successful civil servant? Discuss with
illustrations. (2021) 2. Most candidates have not prepared for these
questions or thought beforehand.
2. "One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal
to be compromised. Explain with reference to a
real life example. (150 Words) "
3. (b) What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’?
Narrate one incident in your life when you were
faced with such a crisis and how you resolved the
same. (150 words)
D. Opinion/ Application based questions How to address these questions?
1. "It is often said that ‘politics’ and ‘ethics do not 1. Personal opinion not asked. Well informed,
go together. What is your opinion in this regard? pre-existing, acceptable content has to be written
Justify your answer with illustration.”
2. "With regard to the morality of actions, one
view is that means is of paramount importance
and the other view is that the ends justify the
means. Which view do you think is more
appropriate? Justify your answer. (150 words) “
3. "Young people with ethical conduct are not
willing to come forward to join active politics.
Suggest
steps to motivate them to come forward.”
4. There is a view that the official secrets act is an
obstacle to the implementation of Rights to
Information act. Do you agree with this view?
Discuss.
