← All questionsGS4 · 2015 · Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude ·Ethics Theory
QUESTION 3(a)
GS4
10 marks

A mere compliance with law is not enough; a public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical issues for effective discharge of duties. Do you agree? Explain with two examples: an act that is ethically right but not legally right, and an act that is legally right but not ethically right.

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7 min
150 words
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What the examiner wants

Explain the exact proposition in the PYQ — “A mere compliance with law is not enough; a public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical issues for effective discharge of duties. Do you agree? Explain with two examples: an act that is ethically right…” — using concept/chronology or mechanism, evidence on both sides where relevant, and a conclusion that answers the directive rather than merely describing Ethics Theory.

ExplainMake clear how and why it happens: causes, process, and an example for each point.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1For the prompt cue ‘A mere compliance with law is not enough; a public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical issues for eff’, directly answer: A mere compliance with law is not enough≈35 words
  2. 2For the prompt cue ‘A mere compliance with law is not enough; a public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical issues for eff’, directly answer: a public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical issues for effective discharge of duties≈35 words
  3. 3For the prompt cue ‘A mere compliance with law is not enough; a public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical issues for eff’, directly answer: Explain with two examples: an act that is ethically right but not legally right, and an act that is legally right but not ethically right≈35 words

Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.

Answer plan

Define/contextualise Ethics TheoryExplain mechanism/chronologyQuestion-specific evidence/examplesImplicationsConcise conclusion

Where marks usually go

  • For the prompt cue ‘A mere compliance with law is not enough; a public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical issu’, avoid a generic note on Ethics Theory; answer the actual wording/directive and the Ethics Theory proposition
  • For the prompt cue ‘A mere compliance with law is not enough; a public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical issu’, do not add examples around Ethics Theory unless they prove, qualify or rebut the proposition asked

Value addition

  • Provision/institution → issue → implication table
    → 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.