Ethics Class 01 - Jatin Gupta

INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS, INTEGRITY AND APTITUDE (05:05 PM)

TOPICS UNDER ETHICS IN GOVERNANCE (05:11 PM)

• Syllabus Points:
• Dimensions of ethical governance
• Code of ethics and code of conduct
• Probity in governance 
• Corruption and its related issues.
• Public service delivery
• Utilization of public funds.
• Corporate governance.
• Rules, regulations, and Laws in ethical decision making
• Ethics in International relations.
• Sources for Ethics in Governance:
• UPSC PYQs 2013 onwards.
• Class Notes.
• Toppers copies for reference. (Available on the VISION IAS Platform)
• VISION IAS Value Addition Material for Ethics.
• Ethics in Governance Report (Second Administrative Reforms Commission)
• Lexicon book
• For Examples, refer to the PM Awards for Excellence in Public Administration, Padma Awards, Indian Express Awards for Governance, Better India Website, Current Affairs, etc.

VALUES (05:47 PM)

• Values:
• Values are intrinsic beliefs of an individual or a group that guide and motivate one's behaviour, attitude, and actions.
• Every individual or community has a different set of values to which he or she gives importance some of the values are considered universal in nature and are held in high regard by different communities across the world.
• For Example, Truthfulness, Honesty, Courage, Helpfulness, and Compassion.
• Spatial and Temporal differences in Values:
• Values vary spatially and temporally.
• For Example, It may not be wrong to wear an undergarment printed with the national flag of the United States of America. Still, it may be considered as objectionable and disrespectful in India.
• Generally people are predisposed to adopt the values they are raised with.
• They also believe that those values are 'Right' because they are the values of their particular culture and may not necessarily apply to other cultures.
• Ethical decision-making often involves 'Weighing values against each other' and choosing which values should be elevated.

FOUNDATIONAL VALUES OF CIVIL SERVICES (06:02 PM)

• Foundational values are those values and principles that form the very basis of the functioning of any organisation.
• In other words, They form the core identity of an organization.
• They permeate the entire work culture of the organization from the top to the bottom.
• They are usually determined by the leadership of the organization and guide the internal and external behaviour of that organization.
• For Example, The discipline and punctuality of the Indian Armed forces, the employee centricity of the TATA's, Innovation, and risk-taking for Google.

SOURCES OF FOUNDATIONAL VALUES TO CIVIL SERVICES (06:19 PM)

• AIS Conduct Rules, 1968.
• Central Services Conduct Rules, 1964.
• Constitution of India.
• Historic events from the Freedom struggle.
• Judgements delivered by Constitutional courts.
• Views/Opinions of the Philosophers.
• Spiritual and religious texts.
• Laws legislated by the parliament and state legislatures.
• Public Services Code Bill, 2007.
• 'Nolan Committee Report' on Civil services values.
• UN's Code of Conduct for public officials.

SIGNIFICANCE OF FOUNDATIONAL VALUES TO THE CIVIL SERVICES (6:52 PM)

• Civil servants enjoy wide 'discretionary powers' and by following the foundational values they can limit the misuse of these powers at the expense of the public interest.
• By following and adopting the foundational values, we can reestablish the lost trust between the government and the citizens.
• They can help in ensuring uniformity and consistency in the decision-making and the actions of the civil servants.
• Civil servants often face ethical dilemmas during the course of their work and relying on foundational values can help them in resolving these dilemmas in a speedy and effective manner.
• Laying down the foundational values and following them diligently can help in achieving the desired objectives of the civil services and the idea of good governance.
• Often in society people have preconceived notions and values and civil servants must know how to overcome them by prioritizing the public interest. In such circumstances foundational values become handy.

SYMPATHY, EMPATHY, AND COMPASSION (7:09 PM)

• 'Sympathy' refers to a situation where an individual recognizes the pain and suffering of other individuals'
• Empathy on the other hand is putting oneself in the shoes of others as if it is one's pain.
• In Empathy an individual engages himself cognitively rather than only recognizing the pain superficially.
• Compassion means taking action to relieve the pain and suffering an individual is experiencing. 
• Compassion is a four-step process:
• 1) Being aware of someone's feelings or suffering.
• 2) To be moved emotionally by someone's suffering or feelings.
• 3) Developing a desire to resolve someone's suffering.
• 4) Taking necessary steps to resolve someone's suffering.
• Compassion shows the 'highest level of kindness' when a person is ready to endure pain for the sake of others.
• It requires a person to be self-aware and attentive to the needs of others and to be committed to the same.
• Quote:Dalai Lama says"Love and Compassion are necessities and not luxuries and without them, humanity can not survive."

SIGNIFICANCE OF COMPASSION IN CIVIL SERVICES (7:22 PM)

• All the other values are meaningless without 'Compassion'
• In fact, The very purpose of the civil service is to 'relieve the pain and suffering of others' which can not be achieved without compassion.
• To maintain the people's trust showing empathy and compassion is of utmost importance.
• We are often victims of stereotypes in society which can prevent us from effectively helping others, Such a situation may be overcome by inculcating empathy and compassion.
• Over a period of time civil servants become armchair advisors such attitudes can be kept in check by inculcating empathy and compassion.
• It can provide a purpose to go any length to address the problems of people.
• It can play a crucial role in ensuring citizen-centric administration.

INCULCATING COMPASSION IN CIVIL SERVANTS (7:42 PM)

• Organizing regular field visits for civil servants.
• Cultivating interests in the culture of others through activities such as Bharat Darshan, India Day, etc.
• Organizing role-play activities such as the one conducted at the National Police Academy.
• Organizing activities such as 'Janta Darbar' to get a first-hand perspective of the problems of the people.
• Organizing sensitivity training for civil servants throughout the course of their careers.

OBJECTIVITY (07:50 PM)

• Objectivity refers to making decisions on the basis of facts and figures and not as per an individual's preconceived notions and prejudices.
• It means not getting influenced by personal feelings and opinions.
• The opposite of objectivity is subjectivity, which means making decisions on the basis of one's biases.
• Lacking objectivity may often result in wrong policy decisions and justification of the same would become very difficult.

TOPIC FOR THE NEXT CLASS: FOUNDATIONAL VALUES FOR CIVIL SERVICES (To be Continued...)

Questions for practice

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1)

What do you understand by the term "Compassion", Mention the significance of it along with ways to inculcate them in civil servants.(250 Words/15 Marks)

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2)

Enlist five important foundational values of Civil services in India. What is the significance of defining the foundational values of the Civil Services (150 Words/10 Marks)

Q1.

What do you mean by the foundational values of civil services? Explain the significance of these values for civil servants with suitable examples. (150 Words/10 Marks)

(10 marks)

Q1: What do you understand by the term "Compassion"? Mention its significance along with ways to inculcate it in civil servants. (250 Words/15 Marks)

Compassion is the ability to recognize the pain or suffering of others and take concrete actions to alleviate it. Unlike sympathy or empathy, compassion requires active efforts to resolve the issues causing distress. It reflects the highest level of human kindness and commitment to the well-being of others.

Significance of Compassion in Civil Services:

1. Citizen-Centric Administration: Ensures focus on addressing citizens’ needs effectively.
2. Building Trust: Strengthens public confidence in governance by addressing grievances empathetically.
3. Addressing Stereotypes: Helps overcome biases and provides equitable service delivery.
4. Motivation for Service: Provides civil servants with a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
5. Resolution of Ethical Dilemmas: Guides decision-making in challenging situations, ensuring fairness.

Ways to Inculcate Compassion in Civil Servants:

1. Field Visits: Regular interactions with people to understand ground realities.
2. Sensitivity Training: Workshops to foster awareness of social and cultural diversity.
3. Role Play: Activities simulating real-life challenges faced by citizens.
4. Community Engagement: Participating in public welfare initiatives.
5. Institutional Mechanisms: Programs like Janta Darbars to directly interact with the public.

Compassion is not merely a personal virtue but a professional necessity for civil servants. It enhances their ability to deliver justice and welfare effectively, ensuring an inclusive and progressive administration.

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Q2: Enlist five important foundational values of Civil Services in India. What is the significance of defining these values? (150 Words/10 Marks)

Foundational Values of Civil Services in India:

1. Integrity: Adherence to ethical principles without compromise.
2. Objectivity: Decision-making based on facts, free from personal biases.
3. Empathy and Compassion: Understanding and addressing the needs of citizens.
4. Accountability: Being answerable for actions and decisions to the public.
5. Impartiality: Treating all citizens equally without discrimination.

Significance of Defining Foundational Values:

1. Guidance for Ethical Conduct: Acts as a moral compass for civil servants.
2. Uniformity in Administration: Ensures consistency and fairness in decision-making.
3. Resolving Ethical Dilemmas: Provides a framework to tackle complex challenges.
4. Building Public Trust: Enhances the credibility and legitimacy of governance.
5. Promoting Good Governance: Aligns civil servants’ actions with the ideals of democracy and welfare.

These values form the backbone of efficient, transparent, and citizen-oriented governance in India.

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Q3: What do you mean by the foundational values of civil services? Explain the significance of these values for civil servants with suitable examples. (150 Words/10 Marks)

Foundational Values of Civil Services refer to the core principles that guide civil servants' behavior and decision-making. These include values like integrity, impartiality, accountability, empathy, and dedication to public service.

Significance of Foundational Values:

1. Promoting Integrity: Ensures civil servants adhere to ethical standards. Example: T.N. Seshan’s electoral reforms exemplified integrity.
2. Building Trust: Public trust grows when civil servants act with transparency and impartiality.
3. Uniform Decision-Making: Provides consistency across policies and actions, avoiding arbitrariness.
4. Resolving Conflicts: Guides ethical decision-making in complex scenarios. Example: Ashok Khemka’s stance against corruption.
5. Public Welfare: Upholds citizen-centric governance by prioritizing public interest.

By adhering to these values, civil servants ensure effective governance and contribute to the nation’s progress.

50 one-liner questions with answers based on your notes:

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1. What are values?
   Values are intrinsic beliefs that guide and motivate one's behavior, attitude, and actions.

2. What is an example of universal values?
   Truthfulness, honesty, courage, helpfulness, and compassion.

3. How do values vary spatially and temporally?
   Values differ across cultures and change over time, e.g., wearing national flag prints is acceptable in the U.S. but objectionable in India.

4. What are foundational values of civil services?
   Core principles guiding the functioning and behavior of civil services, like integrity, impartiality, and accountability.

5. What permeates the work culture of an organization?
   Foundational values.

6. What determines the foundational values of an organization?
   Leadership and the organization's mission.

7. Name two sources of foundational values for civil services.
   AIS Conduct Rules, 1968, and the Constitution of India.

8. What report highlights civil service values?
   Nolan Committee Report.

9. What is sympathy?
   Recognizing the pain or suffering of others.

10. What is empathy?
    Putting oneself in another's shoes and engaging cognitively with their pain.

11. What is compassion?
    Taking action to relieve someone’s suffering.

12. What are the four steps of compassion?
    Awareness, emotional response, desire to resolve, and taking action.

13. Why is compassion important in civil services?
    It ensures citizen-centric administration and relieves people's suffering.

14. Who said, "Love and Compassion are necessities, not luxuries"?
    Dalai Lama.

15. What is objectivity?
    Making decisions based on facts and figures, avoiding biases.

16. What is the opposite of objectivity?
    Subjectivity.

17. What is the significance of foundational values in civil services?
    They ensure uniformity in decision-making and resolve ethical dilemmas.

18. What do civil servants often face during their work?
    Ethical dilemmas.

19. How can foundational values restore trust in governance?
    By limiting misuse of discretionary powers.

20. What does probity in governance mean?
    Adherence to ethical principles in public life.

21. What is the code of ethics?
    A prescriptive guide outlining ethical principles for individuals or organizations.

22. What is the code of conduct?
    Specific rules governing professional behavior.

23. What is corruption?
    Abuse of power for personal gain.

24. What is public service delivery?
    The process of providing services to citizens by the government.

25. What are the sources of ethics in governance?
    Constitution, AIS Conduct Rules, and Second Administrative Reforms Commission.

26. How can ethics improve governance?
    By promoting transparency, accountability, and fairness.

27. What does ethical decision-making involve?
    Weighing values against each other to determine the best course of action.

28. What is the role of laws in ethical decision-making?
    Providing a framework for fair and just decisions.

29. What are the dimensions of ethical governance?
    Accountability, transparency, and integrity.

30. What report emphasizes ethics in governance?
    Ethics in Governance Report by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission.

31. What can inspire ethical behavior in civil servants?
    Historical events from the freedom struggle.

32. How can civil servants develop compassion?
    Through field visits, sensitivity training, and role-play activities.

33. What is citizen-centric administration?
    An administration focused on addressing citizens' needs effectively.

34. How can stereotypes hinder governance?
    By creating biases that prevent equitable service delivery.

35. What is the relationship between empathy and compassion?
    Empathy involves understanding pain, while compassion involves action to resolve it.

36. What is the significance of punctuality in civil services?
    It reflects discipline and enhances efficiency.

37. What is meant by "weighing values"?
    Balancing conflicting values to make ethical decisions.

38. How do civil servants handle preconceived notions?
    By prioritizing public interest and relying on foundational values.

39. What is an example of a culturally specific value?
    Familial obedience in Indian society.

40. What is the AIS Conduct Rules, 1968?
    Rules governing the ethical conduct of civil servants.

41. What is utilitarianism in public service delivery?
    Maximizing benefits for the greatest number of people.

42. How does compassion address stereotypes?
    By promoting understanding and unbiased actions.

43. What is an ethical dilemma?
    A situation where conflicting moral principles make decision-making challenging.

44. What is the role of compassion in resolving ethical dilemmas?
    It prioritizes alleviating suffering.

45. What are discretionary powers?
    Powers allowing civil servants to make decisions within legal boundaries.

46. How can civil servants misuse discretionary powers?
    By prioritizing personal gain over public interest.

47. What is the difference between ethics and integrity?
    Ethics are external guidelines, while integrity is an internal quality.

48. Why is honesty important in governance?
    It builds trust and credibility.

49. What is corporate governance?
    Ethical management of businesses to balance stakeholder interests.

50. What ensures consistency in civil service actions?
    Adherence to foundational values.