Shruti, an IAS officer from the 2022 batch, has a routine of reading the newspaper daily. One day, she came across a distressing article reporting a tragic incident in Old Rajinder Nagar. A basement in a local coaching institute was inundated following a burst drain during heavy rainfall.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Q7. Shruti, an IAS officer from the 2022 batch, has a routine of reading the newspaper daily. One day, she came across a distressing article reporting a tragic incident in Old Rajinder Nagar. A basement in a local coaching institute was inundated following a burst drain during heavy rainfall. This disaster resulted in the deaths of three UPSC aspirants and sparked widespread outrage among the student community. The tragedy has highlighted significant concerns about the hazardous conditions in coaching centers, particularly overcrowded basements. The incident brought back memories for Shruti, as she had previously studied in Old Rajinder Nagar. Despite her advancement to an officer, she noted that conditions in the area had not improved. Shortly after, Shruti received a call from Manasa, a close friend from her days in Rajinder Nagar. Manasa discussed the tragic event and invited Shruti to support the student community by joining a protest scheduled to take place in two days. Manasa implied that failing to attend the protest could result in the end of their friendship. Shruti, now caught between her professional responsibilities and personal connections, faces a challenging dilemma. As an officer committed to her duties and as someone with personal ties to the area, she must navigate the complexities of this situation. (20 M)
In the given circumstance answer the following:
• Identify the stakeholders and the ethical dilemmas involved in the case. What options are available to Shruti in addressing the situation? Evaluate the potential consequences of each option and recommend a course of action that aligns with ethical principles and professional duties.
• Identify the stakeholders and the ethical dilemmas involved in the case.
• What options are available to Shruti in addressing the situation? Evaluate the potential consequences of each option and recommend a course of action that aligns with ethical principles and professional duties.
* Difficulty Level: Medium*
Why the question: The case explores the moral conflict faced by a public servant when personal loyalty clashes with official duty in a situation involving public tragedy and emotional pressure. Key demand of the question: The question requires identifying all stakeholders and ethical dilemmas in Shruti’s case, then evaluating her possible options with ethical reasoning and recommending a balanced, principled course of action. Structure of the Answer: Introduction: Briefly mention the ethical tension between personal emotion and official responsibility in Shruti’s situation. Body: Identify major stakeholders like Shruti, her friend, student community, families, coaching institutions, and local authorities. Outline core dilemmas such as public duty vs private loyalty, neutrality vs activism, and moral concern vs professional code. Present options (joining protest, offering indirect support, advocating policy reform, or disengaging), evaluate consequences of each, and suggest the most ethically appropriate action based on duty, neutrality, and long-term impact. Conclusion: Summarise how Shruti can uphold both empathy and duty by initiating systemic change while maintaining professional integrity.
Why the question: The case explores the moral conflict faced by a public servant when personal loyalty clashes with official duty in a situation involving public tragedy and emotional pressure.
Key demand of the question: The question requires identifying all stakeholders and ethical dilemmas in Shruti’s case, then evaluating her possible options with ethical reasoning and recommending a balanced, principled course of action.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction: Briefly mention the ethical tension between personal emotion and official responsibility in Shruti’s situation.
• Identify major stakeholders like Shruti, her friend, student community, families, coaching institutions, and local authorities.
• Outline core dilemmas such as public duty vs private loyalty, neutrality vs activism, and moral concern vs professional code.
• Present options (joining protest, offering indirect support, advocating policy reform, or disengaging), evaluate consequences of each, and suggest the most ethically appropriate action based on duty, neutrality, and long-term impact.
Conclusion: Summarise how Shruti can uphold both empathy and duty by initiating systemic change while maintaining professional integrity.