General Studies 2021 GS Paper IV 20 marks 150 words Compulsory Examine

GS Paper IV — Q5

(a) "Refugees should not be turned back to the country where they would face persecution or human right violation." Examine the…

(a)

"Refugees should not be turned back to the country where they would face persecution or human right violation." Examine the statement with reference to ethical dimension being violated by the nation claiming to be democratic with open society. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

(b)

Should impartial and being non-partisan be considered as indispensable qualities to make a successful civil servant? Discuss with illustrations. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a)

"शरणार्थियों को उस देश में वापस नहीं लौटाया जाना चाहिए जहाँ उन्हें उत्पीड़न अथवा मानवाधिकारों के उल्लंघन का सामना करना पड़ेगा।" खुले समाज और लोकतांत्रिक होने का दावा करने वाले किसी राष्ट्र के द्वारा नैतिक आयाम के उल्लंघन के संदर्भ में इस कथन का परीक्षण कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) 10 marks

(b)

क्या सफल लोक सेवक बनने के लिए निष्पक्ष और गैर-पक्षपाती होना अनिवार्य गुण माना जाना चाहिए? दृष्टांत सहित चर्चा कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) 10 marks

The question as printed in the 2021 General Studies paper

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Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

(a) Ethics of Non-Refoulement Turning back persecuted refugees breaches the customary international norm of non-refoulement and cosmopolitan ethics. It violates inalienable human dignity, compassion, and Rawlsian justice, which treats arbitrary borders as morally irrelevant behind the veil of ignorance. For a self-proclaimed democratic open society, this manifests an acute paradox: preaching universal human rights domestically while practicing exclusionary nationalism at its borders. Subordinating human survival to state sovereignty fundamentally erodes the ethical credibility and democratic ethos of an open society.

(b) Impartiality and Non-Partisanship in Civil Service Impartiality and non-partisanship are foundational to upholding the rule of law, public trust, and constitutional morality (Article 14). However, uncritical or passive neutrality can foster administrative inertia, impeding proactive social justice and responsive governance for marginalized sections. Therefore, functional indispensability lies in combining political detachment with constitutional commitment. As demonstrated by Sardar Patel’s civil servants during national integration and contemporary administrators in crisis and disaster management, a civil servant must remain politically non-partisan while being actively partisan toward constitutional values and public welfare.

What "Examine" is asking you to do

Test the proposition the question puts to you and return a finding on how far it holds. Examine stems carry a claim, or ask whether something has happened, and expect evidence weighed both ways before the extent is stated — often with remedial measures attached.

Structure that answers it

Restate the claim as the question frames it → evidence that supports it → evidence that undercuts it → the conditions under which it holds → verdict on how far it stands

Where marks are lost

Stopping at description. An examination has to reach a finding, and “examine with justification” means the extent must be stated, not implied.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS4 Ethical Dilemma & Administrative Values. (a) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion | (b) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Precise ethical reasoning with specific legal/administrative references and clear illustrations.

Key points expected

Define the ethical dimension of 'open society' vs. exclusion
Identify the specific human rights violation (persecution)
Contrast democratic ideals with actual state behavior
Conclude on the violation of public trust
Define impartiality and non-partisanship in the civil service context
Provide an illustration of a conflict of interest
Explain the link to public trust and administrative efficiency
Conclude on their indispensability for successful service

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

(a) Analyze the ethical contradiction of democratic nations violating refugee rights. 10 marks · 150 words

examine— intro → how/why with reasoning → evidence → conclusion
Must cover
- Define the ethical dimension of 'open society' vs. exclusion
- Identify the specific human rights violation (persecution)
- Contrast democratic ideals with actual state behavior
- Conclude on the violation of public trust
Loses marks
- Preaching values without analyzing the state's role
- Ignoring the 'democratic' context of the question
- Vague generalities without specific ethical reasoning
Earns more
- Reference to non-refoulement principle
- Mention of specific ethical frameworks (utilitarianism/deontology)
- Link to international humanitarian law
Extra mark
- Cite a specific Supreme Court judgment on refugee rights
- Reference to the 1951 Refugee Convention
(b) Evaluate the necessity of impartiality and non-partisanship for civil servants. 10 marks · 150 words

discuss— intro → 3-4 dimensions → example → balanced close
Must cover
- Define impartiality and non-partisanship in the civil service context
- Provide an illustration of a conflict of interest
- Explain the link to public trust and administrative efficiency
- Conclude on their indispensability for successful service
Loses marks
- Treating non-partisanship as absolute (ignoring political reality)
- Lack of concrete illustration or case study
- Focusing only on personal ethics, ignoring institutional impact
Earns more
- Mention of the 'Rule of Law' vs. 'Rule of Man'
- Reference to the 2nd Schedule of the Constitution
- Distinction between political neutrality and administrative bias
Extra mark
- Cite a specific case of political interference (e.g., transfer of officers)
- Reference to the Administrative Reforms Commission report

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