← All questionsGS4 · 2020 · Case Studies — Public Sector ·Arms Exports & Ethical Responsibility
QUESTION 8
GS4
20 marks

The Chairman of Bharat Missiles Ltd is asked to consider increasing production of indigenous anti-tank guided missiles for export to a friendly foreign country, alongside a national push to expand defence exports and finance indigenous weapons development.(a) As an arms exporter from a responsible nation, what ethical issues arise in arms trade?(b) List five ethical factors that should influence a decision to sell arms to foreign governments.

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14 min
250 words
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What the examiner wants

Explain: answer the exact PYQ as framed — “The Chairman of Bharat Missiles Ltd is asked to consider increasing production of indigenous anti-tank guided missiles for export to a friendly foreign country, alongside a national push to expand defence exports and finance indigenous weapons development. (a…” Treat each scoring limb separately instead of writing a general note on Arms Exports & Ethical Responsibility.

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

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Map the stakeholders, facts, competing obligations and the ethical/public-interest conflict embedded in the case≈65 words
  2. 2Answer each explicit sub-question in the case and compare feasible options using legality, consequences, rights, fairness and integrity≈65 words
  3. 3Choose and justify an implementable course of action, including safeguards, accountability and follow-through≈65 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

Key facts and stakeholdersEthical/legal issuesRealistic options with consequencesReasoned choiceImplementation safeguards and accountability

Where marks usually go

  • Writing generally about Arms Exports & Ethical Responsibility without directly resolving: “The Chairman of Bharat Missiles Ltd is asked to consider increasing production of indigenous anti-tank guided missiles for export to a friendly foreign country, alongside a n…”
  • Under-developing the second scoring limb: “(a) As an arms exporter from a responsible nation, what ethical issues arise in arms trade?”

Value addition

  • Stakeholder map + options-versus-values decision matrix
    → 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.