General Studies 2023 GS Paper IV 20 marks 250 words Compulsory Discuss

Q9

At 9 pm on Saturday evening, Rashika, a Joint Secretary, was still engrossed in her work in her office. Her husband, Vikram, is an executive in an MNC and frequently out of town in connection with his work. Their two children aged 5 and 3 are looked after by their domestic helper. At 9:30 pm her superior, Mr. Suresh calls her and asks her to prepare a detailed note on an important matter to be discussed in a meeting in the Ministry. She realises that she will have to work on Sunday to finish the additional task given by her superior. She reflects on how she had looked forward to this posting and had worked long hours for months to achieve it. She had kept the welfare of people uppermost in discharging her duties. She feels that she has not done enough justice to her family and she has not fulfilled her duties in discharging essential social obligations. Even as recently as last month she had to leave her sick child in the nanny's care as she had to work in the office. Now, she feels that she must draw a line, beyond which her personal life should take precedence over her professional responsibilities. She thinks that there should be reasonable limits to the work ethics such as punctuality, hard work, dedication to duty and selfless service. (a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in this case. (b) Briefly describe at least four laws that have been enacted by the Government with respect to providing a healthy, safe and equitable working environment for women. (c) Imagine you are in a similar situation. What suggestions would you make to mitigate such working conditions?

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

शनिवार की शाम 9 बजे संयुक्त सचिव रशिका अपने कार्यालय में अब भी अपने काम में व्यस्त थी। उसके पति विक्रम किसी बहुराष्ट्रीय कंपनी में कार्यपालक हैं और अपने काम के सिलसिले में अक्सर वे शहर से बाहर रहते हैं। उनके दो बच्चे 5 और 3 साल के हैं जिनकी देखभाल घरेलू सहायिका द्वारा होती है। रशिका के उच्च अधिकारी श्रीमान सुरेश ने उसे शाम 9:30 बजे बुलाया और उन्होंने मंत्रालय की बैठक में चर्चा होने वाले किसी जरूरी मुद्दे पर एक विस्तृत टिप्पणी तैयार करने के लिए कहा। उसे लगा कि उसके उच्च अधिकारी द्वारा दिए गए इस अतिरिक्त काम को पूरा करने के लिए उसे रविवार को काम करना होगा। वह स्मरण करती है कि कैसे वह इस पोस्टिंग के प्रति उत्सुक थी और इसे हासिल करने के लिए उसने कई महीने देर-देर तक काम किया था। उसने अपने कर्तव्यों के निर्वहन में लोगों के कल्याण को सर्वोच्च रखा था। उसे महसूस होता है कि उसने अपने परिवार के साथ पर्याप्त न्याय नहीं किया है और आवश्यक सामाजिक दायित्वों के निर्वहन में कर्तव्यों को पूरा नहीं किया है। यहाँ तक कि अभी पिछले महीने में उसे अपने बीमार बच्चे को आया की देखभाल में छोड़ना पड़ा था क्योंकि उसे दफ्तर में काम करना था। अब उसे लगता है कि उसे एक रेखा खींचनी चाहिए, जिसमें अपनी पेशेवर जिम्मेदारियों की तुलना में प्रथमतः निजी जिंदगी को महत्व मिलना चाहिए। वह सोचती है कि समय की पाबंदी, कड़ी मेहनत, कर्तव्य के प्रति समर्पण और नि:स्वार्थ सेवा जैसी कार्य नैतिकता की समुचित सीमाएँ होनी चाहिए। (a) इस मामले में शामिल नैतिक मुद्दों पर चर्चा कीजिए। (b) महिलाओं के लिए एक स्वस्थ, सुरक्षित और न्यायसंगत कार्य परिवेश मुहैया कराने के संदर्भ में सरकार द्वारा बनाए गए कम-से-कम चार कानूनों का संक्षेप में वर्णन कीजिए। (c) कल्पना कीजिए कि आप भी ऐसी ही स्थिति में हों। आप उक्त कामकाजी परिस्थितियों को हल्का करने के लिए क्या सुझाव देंगे?

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Directive word: Discuss

This question asks you to discuss. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'discuss' requires a balanced examination of ethical tensions in part (a), followed by descriptive precision in part (b) and practical recommendations in part (c). Allocate approximately 40% words to (a) as it carries the analytical weight, 30% each to (b) and (c). Structure: brief introduction framing the dilemma → systematic treatment of all three parts → conclusion synthesizing personal ethics with institutional reform.

Key points expected

  • For (a): Conflict between utilitarian public service ethics (greatest good) and deontological duties to family; tension between organizational loyalty and personal autonomy; gendered burden of care work violating Rawlsian justice and dignity
  • For (a): Analysis of 'reasonable limits' to constitutional values of Article 51A (fundamental duties) versus Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty)
  • For (b): Four specific laws—Maternity Benefit Act 1961 (amended 2017), Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2013, Equal Remuneration Act 1976, Factories Act 1948 (provisions on crèche and working hours)
  • For (c): Institutional suggestions—flexi-hours, job-sharing, crèche facilities, delegatory protocols; personal strategies—boundary-setting, time management, spousal negotiation; systemic advocacy—gender audits, workload rationalization
  • Integration point: Link part (c) suggestions to part (a) ethical framework and part (b) legal entitlements to demonstrate holistic thinking

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Demand-directive understanding20%4For (a), 'discuss' is executed through multi-framework ethical analysis (consequentialist, deontological, virtue ethics, feminist ethics); for (b), 'describe' yields precise statutory provisions with years; for (c), 'suggest' produces actionable, tiered recommendations (individual/institutional/systemic)Identifies ethical issues superficially; lists laws without key provisions; suggestions are generic or limited to one levelMisinterprets 'discuss' as opinion-giving; confuses laws; suggestions are impractical or unrelated to the case
Content depth & accuracy20%4For (a): cites specific tensions (public duty vs. parental care, professional ambition vs. marital obligations); for (b): accurate sections (e.g., Section 4 of POSH Act, Section 5 of Maternity Benefit Act); for (c): grounded in administrative realities (delegation protocols, flexi-time in government)Broadly correct ethical identification; laws mentioned with minor inaccuracies; suggestions partially relevant to civil service contextConfused ethical analysis; wrong laws or outdated provisions; suggestions ignore government service constraints
Structure & flow20%4Clear tripartite structure with visible transitions; each sub-part internally organized (e.g., (a) by ethical framework, (b) chronologically or thematically, (c) by level of intervention); word allocation respects 40:30:30 ratioAll parts present but boundaries blurred; some imbalance in word distribution; transitions weakParts merged haphazardly or one part missing; severe imbalance (e.g., 80% on (a)); no logical progression
Examples / case-law / data20%4For (a): references Vishaka guidelines (now POSH Act), B.P. Singhal case on dignity; for (b): specific amendments (2017 Maternity Benefit expansion to 26 weeks); for (c): cites DoPT circulars on flexible working hours, international practice (Nordic parental leave models)Mentions one or two relevant examples; laws cited without amendment context; suggestions lack precedentNo case-law or circulars; examples irrelevant or invented; complete absence of empirical grounding
Conclusion & analytical edge20%4Synthesizes that ethical administration requires institutionalized work-life balance, not individual sacrifice; critiques 'selfless service' as potentially exploitative; proposes 'ethics of care' (Gilligan) alongside 'ethics of justice' in public service; ends with forward-looking reform agendaRestates main points without synthesis; conclusion generic about 'balance needed'No conclusion or abrupt ending; conclusion contradicts analysis; purely personal opinion without ethical or policy grounding

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