← All questionsGS4 · 2025 · Case Studies — Public Sector ·Conflict of Interest & Confidential Information
QUESTION PYQ 16
GS4
20 marks

Subash is Secretary, PWD in the State Government. He is a senior officer, known for his competence, integrity and dedication to work. He enjoys the trust and confidence of Minister Incharge of PWD and Programme Implementation. As a part of his job profile, he is responsible for policy formulation, execution of projects relating to infrastructure initiatives in the State. Besides, he oversees the technical and administrative aspects relating to planning, designing and construction etc. Subash’s Minister is an important Minister in the state and significant growth in urban infrastructure development and road network has been registered during his tenure. He is very keen for launching of ambitious road construction project in the near future. Subash is in regular touch with the Minister and is working various modalities of road construction project. Regular meetings, interactions and presentations are made by him to the Minister before a formal public announcement of the project is made by the Minister. Subash’s only son Vikas is in real estate business. His son from his own sources is aware that a mega road project is on the anvil and announcement in this regard is expected anytime. He is very keen to know from his father the exact location of the upcoming project. He knows that there would be quantum jump in the prices of land at the proposed location. Buying land at this stage at cheaper prices would pay him rich dividends. He is pleading with him (his father) day in and day out to share him location of the proposed project. He assured him that he would handle the matter discreetly as it would not attract any adverse notice as he in the normal course, keeps on buying land as a part of his business. He feels pressurised because of constant pleadings by his son. Another significant aspect of the matter pertained to the extra/undue interest in the above project by the Minister PWD. His nephew was also having big infrastructure project company. In fact, the Minister has also introduced his nephew to him and indicated to him to take care of his nephew’s business interest in the forthcoming project. The Minister encouraged him to act fast in the matter as early announcement and execution of mega road project would enhance his status in the party and public life. In the above backdrop, Subash is in a fix as to the future course of action.(a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.(b) Critically examine the options available to Subash in the above situation.(c) Which of the above would be most appropriate and why?

WRITE IN
14 min
250 words

What the examiner wants

In this Conflict of Interest & Confidential Information case (Subash is Secretary, PWD in the State Government. He is a senior officer, known for his competence,…), separate facts/constraints from the value conflict and resolve the explicit asks in order: Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.; then Critically examine the options available to Subash in the above situation.; then Which of the above would be most appropriate and why. Defend the preferred option against realistic alternatives.

Discuss · Critically examineAnswer exactly what the question asks.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case≈65 words
  2. 2Critically examine the options available to Subash in the above situation≈65 words
  3. 3Which of the above would be most appropriate and why?≈65 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

Facts/constraints in this caseStakeholdersDilemmasOption-by-option consequence/legal testPreferred actionSafeguards. Explicitly answer 3 sub-part(s)

Where marks usually go

  • Over-writing ‘Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.’ while reducing ‘Critically examine the options available to Subash in the above situation.’ to a token paragraph
  • Naming values without testing each feasible option for legality, affected stakeholders, consequences, implementation risk and reversibility

Value addition

  • Conflict of Interest & Confidential Information: stakeholder map beside a 4-column option matrix — option | legality/ethics | consequences | mitigation
    → Draw it in the body, next to the point it supports.

Verified value additions

These are verified official-source additions selected for this exact PYQ. Use only the point that strengthens your argument.