How To Prepare UPSC Civil Services Mains Paper - V (GS - 4 - Ethics, ...

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How To Prepare UPSC Civil Services Mains Paper V (GS 4

Ethics, Aptitude and Integrity))
By INSIGHTS

IMPORTANT TERMS AND THEIR DEFINITIONS ETHICS RELATED

How to prepare GS 1 (i.e, Paper-II)
How to prepare GS 2 (i.e, Paper-III)
How to prepare GS 3 (i.e Paper IV)
UPSC has brought changes to the Civil Services Mains examination in both the pattern and the syllabus. We know
that now there are 4 General Studies Papers apart from one Essay and Optional paper each. Of these, new paper
on Ethics Aptitude and Integrity has been a headache for many aspirants as quality source is elusive even now
when the exam is nearing.
This article discusses preparation strategy for General Studies 4 (i.e Paper-IV -Ethics Aptitude and Integrity )
Before you start reading further, please remember the following important mantra given by the Almighty UPSC:
The questions are likely to test the candidates basic understanding of all relevant issues, and ability to analyze,
and take a view on conflicting socio- economic goals, objectives and demands. The candidates must give
relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.
This sentence is the guiding light for your preparation. You dont have to master the topics, all you need is BASIC
UNDERSTANDING and the ability to analyze. Basic understanding comes from reading and re-reading. Ability to
analyze what you have understood from reading comes from WRITING PRACTICE.
This article was tough to write as its new and sources for this article were difficult to find.
Sources for this article are diverse. Books published by Oxford, Cambridge university presses, Springer, Sage
publications have been referred. Britannica encyclopedia and IGNOU materials were of immense help too.
Many PDFs are of advanced nature. You dont have to read all the PDFs in toto. Read first few paragraphs to
understand the essence. Remember the above UPSC mantra.

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Question paper will have questions on theory and case studies.

Case studies will be covered every day as an article where you can write answers and get comments from fellow
aspirants.
I have given only links to sources. I am no authority to explain the topics.

STRATEGY

Ethics and Human

Interface

Lets start with basics:

Ethics A Very Basic
Introduction BBC Guide to
Ethics
Introduction to Ethics
Essence, determinants
and Consequences of
Ethics in human actions
What is Ethics? Cambridge University
Source Authentic and Good one (read this completely to get conceptual clarity)
Dimensions of ethics
Read Chapters One and Two from this book
Ethics in private and public relationships.
Ethics in private relationships Read chapter 3 in the link. Its in Google Books and the chapter has all pages. It is
very good with lots of case studies. If any IT guy can extract pages and covert them to PDF, please send me a
copy.
Ethics in Private Relationship Good one
Ethics in Public Relations
Human Values
Human values IGNOU Material
Lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators
You can read about them from school books or from website. Will provide a list later.
Role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

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Chapter Ten of this book. Google Books Value Education.

Attitude

Structure and Function

Source 1 Very Basic
Source 2 Structure
source 3 Functions
Source 4 Complex and Specialized (if you can understand! Page no. 38,39)
Its influence and relation with thought and behaviour
Source 1 Attitude and Behaviour
Source 2 Values, Attitudes and Behaviour
Source 3 Very Advanced
Moral and political attitudes
Source 1 Political Attitudes
Source 2 Moral Attitudes
Social influence and Persuasion
Source 1 Simple and Straight to the point. Good one.
Source -2 Very Advanced
Related Article
Attitude for Good Governance Read Section Two in Attitude for good governance and motivation.

Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service

Integrity
Critical Look at Integrity
Integrity and Transparency critical article
Impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and
compassion towards the weaker sections.
These are actually civil service values recommended by the second ARC in its report (10th Report, Chapter 16)

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Emotional intelligence

Concept
Source 1 Very Basic Excellent one.
Source 2 Conceptual clarity
Their utilities and application in administration and governance
Emotional Intelligence and Public Leadership
Emotional Intelligence in Bureaucracies

Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.

Ethics in the history of Indian Philosophy

Ethics in Contemporary Indian Philosophy
Ethics in the history of western philosophy
Ethics in Medieval Western Philosophy
Ethics in Greek Philosophy

Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration:

Status and problems

Public Service Values Status
Professionalism and Ethics in Public Service UN Document. Read only Chapter One and Conclusion. Problems
and Issues about Public service values is given in it.
Ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions
Ethical Concerns in Public Administration
Ethical Dilemma In this, read only Chapter One. It is written in foreign context but its applicability is universal.
Ethics in Public Administration Dont neglect this document because its written by a research scholar. It is simple
and lucid.
Laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance
Didnt get any credible source. I will post it when I get one.
Accountability and ethical governance
Ethical Governance in twenty first century This is culled from a costly and an authentic book. Read it to
understand the importance of ethics in governance.

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Ethics As element of Good Governance

Ethics and Governance T N Chaturvedi (he was CAG and Governor of Karnataka) His reflections are insightful.
Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance
Above PDFs reflect on this topic too.
Ethical issues in international relations and funding
Ethics in International Relations Taken from a reputed book and is a primary source on the topic.
Ethics in International Relations This is in relation to corporate responsibility. It covers some aspects of ethical
issues in funding mentioned in the syllabus.
Corporate governance
Corporate Governance Read it as it contains many new facts and ideas. (not so good, though)
Corporate Governance An Ethical Perspective It is critical article, a research paper.
News Report Economic Times
PPT Presentation IIT Bombay

Probity in Governance

This part of the syllabus is completely covered in the following book. It is written by two retired IAS officers of
Gujarat cadre. All the topics of this part of the syllabus and other topics of importance are covered in this book.
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination (Paper 5)
I am giving below PDFs to some topics taken from some UN sites, books and ministries websites.
Probity in Governance
Probity in Governance Excellent one It is published by Law Ministry and contains many concepts.
What is Probity in Governance Private context
Concept of public service
Probity in Governance Excellent one it defines whats public service.
Philosophical basis of governance and probity
Information sharing and transparency in government Right to Information
Articles on RTI from The Hindu, EPW will be posted.
The above mentioned book has a chapter on this topic.
Codes of Ethics
Codes of Ethics OECD

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Codes of ethics World Bank

Codes of Conduct
Refer the above mentioned book.
Citizens Charters
Citizens Chartes FAQs
Citizen Charter Handbook
Work culture
Quality of service delivery
Utilization of public funds Planning Commission PDF
challenges of corruption
This is basically a general topic. I will compile articles published on this topic in The Hindu (last year there were
many articles on this topic) and give links soon.
Source 1
Apart from the above book, the following book might be useful as it is written by a renowned author Ramesh Arora
(his books on Public Administration are well received)
Ethics in Governance Ramesh K Arora

A SMALL LECTURE again!?!

Note: You can skip this if you are already bored!

Until now we saw what books to read. Now the question is how to remember most of the things we read and how to
translate them into better answers.
A common mistake most of the aspirants commit is reading so many books for a single topic.This mistake
costs both your time and ability to remember things clearly and concisely.
Stick to a single source and read it again and again. Remember The Same Source. Avoid the temptation of
doing Research on a topic.
Always Remember UPSC tests Basic Understanding. Not mastery over a topic.
Make short notes on each topic. It is while making notes that readers tend to do RESEARCH and scout
various sources. Stick to one book even if you are not 100% satisfied with it.
Remember that old saying? Jack of all trades, master of NONE. If you try to do Research, most probably
your name wont appear in the Final List. I guarantee it.
For Paper-II (i.e GS-1) being thorough with Current Events plays a crucial role in enabling you to acquire
analytical skills.
Very Important Part In The Preparation

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Writing. Writing. Writing.

But what? One must practice answer writing to Previous year questions, or take a Mock Test. Whatever,
before you enter examination hall, you must have spent lot of time on answer writing.
Most Important Part In The Preparation
Revision. Revision. Re-Revision.
You do this and you appear for the Personality Test.
If you dont Revise what you read all these months you slightly miss the Personality Test, or You narrowly
miss appearing in the Final List.
Well, to sum up. To get the interview call all you need to do is: Read, Re-read the same source, Write and Revise.
Preparation for this paper can be finished in 20 days provided you are focused and determined.
Of course. Eat well, Sleep well and Keep a good health. If you get a running nose on the day of the exam, 2 hours
out of 3 hours goes in draining it and drying it.
Feel free to point out mistakes, improvements and suggestions. You can also share material if you have any so that
it benefits readers.
Disclaimer: This article is meant to be a blueprint or a road map for your preparation. Its not the one stop source
for complete preparation of this paper.
Copyright (C) INSIGHTS ACTIVE LEARNING

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