General Studies 2025 GS Paper IV 20 marks 150 words Compulsory Suggest

Q6

(a) It is said that for an ethical work culture, there must be code of ethics in place in every organisation. To ensure value-based and compliance-based work culture, what suitable measures would you adopt in your work place ? (Answer in 150 words) 10 (b) India is an emerging economic power of the world as it has recently secured the status of fourth largest economy of the world as per IMF projection. However, it has been observed that in some sectors, allocated funds remain either under-utilised or misutilised. What specific measures would you recommend for ensuring accountability in this regard to stop leakages and gaining the status of third largest economy of the world in near future ? (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) ऐसा कहा जाता है कि नैतिक कार्य संस्कृति के लिए प्रत्येक संगठन में आचार संहिता होनी चाहिए। मूल्य-आधारित और अनुपालन-आधारित कार्य संस्कृति सुनिश्चित करने के लिए, आप अपने कार्यस्थल में कौन से उपयुक्त उपाय अपनायेंगे ? (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) (b) भारत विश्व की उभरती हुई आर्थिक शक्ति है क्योंकि आई.एम.एफ. के अनुमानानुसार हाल ही में इसने विश्व की चौथी सबसे बड़ी अर्थव्यवस्था का दर्जा हासिल किया है। तथापि यह देखा गया है कि कुछ क्षेत्रों में आवंटित धनराशि का या तो कम उपयोग किया जाता है अथवा उसका गलत उपयोग होता है। इस संबंध में जवाबदेही सुनिश्चित करने, लीकेज रोकने तथा निकट भविष्य में विश्व की तीसरी सबसे बड़ी अर्थव्यवस्था का दर्जा प्राप्त करने के लिए आप क्या विशिष्ट उपाय सुझाएंगे ? (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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Directive word: Suggest

This question asks you to suggest. 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 'suggest' requires actionable, practical recommendations rather than theoretical exposition. For part (a), spend ~75 words outlining specific measures for ethical work culture—code of ethics implementation, training mechanisms, whistleblower protection, and leadership modelling. For part (b), allocate ~75 words to fiscal accountability measures—PFMS integration, outcome-based budgeting, social audits, and digital tracking. Structure: brief context for each part → 2-3 concrete measures → forward-looking conclusion linking to India's $5 trillion economy goal.

Key points expected

Part (a): Measures for ethical work culture—written code of ethics, ethics training programs, whistleblower protection mechanisms, ethical leadership by example, and reward-punishment frameworks for compliance
Part (a): Distinction between value-based (internalized norms) and compliance-based (rule-following) cultures with integration strategies
Part (b): Specific accountability mechanisms for fund utilization—PFMS/DBT integration, outcome-based budgeting, real-time expenditure tracking, and geo-tagging of assets
Part (b): Institutional measures—CAG's performance audit, social audits (MGNREGA model), third-party impact assessments, and parliamentary committee oversight
Part (b): Linkage between fiscal accountability and India's progression to third largest economy—efficient capital expenditure, reduced leakages, and improved ease of doing business

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	4	Correctly interprets 'suggest' as demanding actionable, workplace-specific measures for (a) and policy-specific accountability mechanisms for (b); avoids drifting into generic description or analysis without recommendations	Partially understands 'suggest' but mixes recommendations with excessive background; some measures lack specificity or workplace/governance context	Misinterprets directive as 'discuss' or 'explain'; provides only theoretical concepts without concrete suggestions; fails to address both sub-parts
Content depth & accuracy	20%	4	Demonstrates nuanced understanding of ethics management (codes, training, leadership) and public financial management (PFMS, outcome budgeting, CAG audits); accurately links fiscal discipline to economic growth trajectory	Covers basic concepts correctly but lacks depth in distinguishing value-based vs compliance-based approaches or conflates routine audit with performance audit; superficial linkage to economic goals	Factual errors in describing accountability mechanisms; confuses ethics codes with conduct rules; irrelevant content on economic growth without fiscal governance connection
Structure & flow	20%	4	Clear demarcation between (a) and (b) with balanced word allocation (~75 words each); each part follows context-measures-synthesis structure; seamless transition from organizational ethics to national fiscal governance	Identifiable parts but uneven word distribution; some structural clarity but abrupt transitions or repetitive points; conclusion present but generic	Poorly demarcated parts with confused organization; one part dominates; missing introduction or conclusion; bullet points without coherent flow
Examples / case-law / data	20%	4	Cites specific Indian examples—Infosys ethics council model, TATA code of conduct for (a); PFMS savings of ₹2.7 lakh crore, MGNREGA social audit success, CAG's 2G/Coal block reports for (b); references IMF projection of India as 4th largest economy	General references to RTI, CVC, or CAG without specificity; mentions digital governance without PFMS/DBT naming; lacks concrete data on fund leakages or savings	No Indian examples; irrelevant foreign case studies; fabricated data; examples from (a) repeated in (b) without adaptation to fiscal context
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	4	Synthesizes both parts—ethical culture and fiscal accountability as twin pillars of governance for Viksit Bharat; explicitly connects reduced leakages to accelerated GDP growth and 3rd largest economy target; offers forward-looking insight on ethics-technology convergence	Separate conclusions for each part without synthesis; restates measures without analytical linkage; generic statement on 'good governance' without economic specificity	Missing conclusion; abrupt ending; contradictory final statements; no connection between organizational ethics and national economic goals

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