← All questionsGS4 · 2026 · Case Studies — Society ·Communal Conflict, Neutrality & Public Order
QUESTION 11
GS4
20 marks

Rajapuram is a border district. Jhara and Biru, its two major communities, are in continual conflict with each other over land, uneven resources and inadequate political representation. Violence has caused many deaths. Separate relief camps had to be created for the two communities. The situation is volatile and appears to be getting out of control. Rajan has been appointed the District Magistrate (DM) of Rajapuram and tasked to quickly get the situation under control. His immediate tasks include restoring administrative authority, reopening the highway and initiating peace talks. On taking over his appointment, Rajan realized that the inter-community rivalry had even seeped into the local administration and police. With functional neutrality being the immediate casualty, it had made both communities distrustful of the government. The neighbouring country could utilize the opportunity to spur insurgent activity and further aggravate the situation. Rajan favoured a controlled approach starting with opening the highway to restore food and medical supplies. He toyed with the idea of requisitioning CRPF units to help restore administrative control.(a) Discuss the ethical issues that need to be addressed in this case.(b) What are the options open to Rajan? Which option would ensure protection of his non-partisan image without compromising ethics?

WRITE IN
14 min
250 words

What the examiner wants

Restore humanitarian access and public order while rebuilding a visibly neutral administration in a polarized border district.

DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Issues: impartiality, protection of life, distributive grievance, biased institutions, trust, proportional force, humanitarian access and external-security risk≈50 words
  2. 2Immediate priorities: food/medical corridor, camp/civilian protection and neutral command≈50 words
  3. 3Options: compromised local force; central-force support; negotiated access; force-heavy curfew; mixed neutral task force plus peace process≈50 words
  4. 4Preferred approach: limited impartial reinforcement + humanitarian reopening + handling biased personnel + inclusive talks≈50 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

Immediate harmsInstitutional-bias problemOption matrixNeutral stabilizationTrust-building

Where marks usually go

  • Equating neutrality with passivity
  • Assuming CRPF deployment alone solves political/resource grievances

Value addition

  • Two-phase plan: stabilize neutrally → rebuild trust/representation
    → 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.