General Studies 2025 GS Paper IV 20 marks 250 words Compulsory Critically evaluate

Q7

Vijay was Deputy Commissioner of remote district of Hilly Northern State of the country for the last two years. In the month of August heavy rains lashed the complete state followed by cloud burst in the upper reaches of the said district. The damage was very heavy in the complete state especially in the affected district. The complete road network and telecommunication were disrupted and the buildings were damaged extensively. People's houses have been destroyed and they were forced to stay in open. More than 200 people have been killed and about 5000 were badly injured. The Civil Administration under Vijay got activated and started conducting rescue and relief operations. Temporary shelter camps and hospitals were established to provide shelter and medical facilities to the homeless and injured people. Helicopter services were pressed in, for evacuating sick and old people from remote areas. Vijay got a message from his hometown in Kerala that his mother was seriously sick. After two days Vijay received the unfortunate message that his mother has expired. Vijay has no close relative except one elder sister who was US citizen and staying there for last several years. In the meantime, the situation in the affected district deteriorated further due to resumption of heavy rains after a gap of five days. At the same time, continuous messages were coming on his mobile from his hometown to reach at the earliest for performing last rites of his mother. (a) What are the options available with Vijay? (b) What are the ethical dilemma being faced by Vijay? (c) Critically evaluate and examine each of these options identified by Vijay. (d) Which of the options, do you think, would be most appropriate for Vijay to adopt and why?

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

विजय पिछले दो वर्षों से देश के पहाड़ी उत्तरी राज्य के सुदूर जिले के डिप्टी कमिश्नर थे। अगस्त महीने में पूरे राज्य में भारी बारिश हुई और इसके बाद उक्त जिले के ऊपरी इलाकों में बादल फट गए। पूरे राज्य में विशेष कर प्रभावित जिले में बहुत भारी क्षति हुई। पूरा सड़क नेटवर्क और दूरसंचार बाधित हो गया। इमारतें बड़े पैमाने पर क्षतिग्रस्त हो गईं। लोगों के घर नष्ट हो गए और वे खुले में रहने को मजबूर हुए। 200 से अधिक लोग मारे गए और लगभग 5000 लोग बुरी तरह घायल हो गए। विजय के नेतृत्व में नागरिक प्रशासन सक्रिय हो गया और बचाव तथा राहत अभियान शुरू हो गया। बेघर और घायल लोगों को आश्रय एवं चिकित्सा सुविधाएं प्रदान करने के लिए अस्थायी आश्रय शिविर तथा अस्पताल स्थापित किए गए। दूरदराज के इलाकों से बीमार और बुजुर्ग लोगों को निकालने के लिए हेलीकॉप्टर सेवाएं शुरू की गईं। विजय को अपने गृहनगर केरल से संदेश मिला कि उनकी मां गंभीर रूप से बीमार हैं। दो दिन बाद विजय को दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण संदेश मिला कि उनकी मां की मृत्यु हो गई है। विजय का एक बड़ी बहन के अलावा कोई करीबी रिश्तेदार न था। उनकी बड़ी बहन अमेरिकी नागरिक थीं और पिछले कई वर्षों से वहीं रह रही थीं। इस बीच पांच दिनों के अंतराल के बाद फिर से शुरू हुई भारी बारिश के कारण प्रभावित जिले में स्थिति और खराब हो गई। वहीं, उनके मोबाइल पर अपने गृहनगर से मां का अंतिम संस्कार करने के लिए जल्द से जल्द पहुंचने के लगातार संदेश आ रहे थे। (a) विजय के पास कौन से विकल्प उपलब्ध हैं? (b) विजय को किन नैतिक दुविधाओं का सामना करना पड़ रहा है? (c) विजय द्वारा पहचाने गए प्रत्येक विकल्प का आलोचनात्मक मूल्यांकन और परीक्षण कीजिए। (d) आपके अनुसार विजय के लिए कौन सा विकल्प अपनाना सबसे उपयुक्त होगा और क्यों?

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Directive word: Critically evaluate

This question asks you to critically evaluate. 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 'critically evaluate' in part (c) demands balanced examination with judgment, while parts (a), (b), and (d) require enumeration, analysis, and justification respectively. Allocate ~20% words to (a) listing 3-4 options, ~25% to (b) identifying dilemmas using ethical frameworks, ~35% to (c) critically evaluating each option with pros/cons, and ~20% to (d) justifying the optimal choice with reasoning. Structure: brief context → systematic part-wise response → decisive conclusion.

Key points expected

  • For (a): Options include immediate departure for last rites, delegating rites to sister/others via digital means, postponing departure until situation stabilizes, or hybrid approach with brief absence
  • For (b): Dilemmas span Kartavya vs. Pitru Rna (duty vs. filial debt), Utilitarianism vs. Deontology, Public Service Code Rule 3 vs. personal ethics, and emotional vs. rational decision-making
  • For (c): Critical evaluation must weigh each option against disaster management protocols, emotional legitimacy, administrative continuity, and precedent value
  • For (d): Most appropriate option should prioritize constitutional duty while honoring mother through symbolic participation, citing IAS Conduct Rules and ethical precedence
  • Recognition that 200+ deaths and deteriorating conditions create non-derogable public duty under DM Act 2005
  • Reference to sister's US citizenship as practical constraint on alternative arrangements

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Demand-directive understanding20%4Demonstrates precise grasp that 'critically evaluate' in (c) requires systematic weighing of options against ethical-administrative criteria, not mere description; parts (a)-(d) are distinctly addressed with appropriate directive responses (enumerate, analyse, evaluate, justify)Addresses all parts but conflates 'evaluate' with 'list' or 'explain'; shows partial understanding of critical judgment requirement in (c)Misses directive variations across parts; treats entire question as single 'evaluate' task or ignores sub-part structure entirely
Content depth & accuracy20%4Accurately applies ethical frameworks (Kantian duty, utilitarianism, Indian ethics of Nishkama Karma/Pitru Rna), cites DM Act 2005 provisions, IAS Conduct Rules 3 & 4, and disaster management hierarchy principles; dilemmas are philosophically groundedMentions duty vs. family conflict superficially; limited framework application; generic reference to 'public service' without specific rules or ethical theoriesContent limited to emotional narration; no ethical frameworks, legal provisions, or administrative principles; confuses DC's role with political executive
Structure & flow20%4Clear four-part structure with explicit (a)-(d) labelling; seamless logical progression from options → dilemmas → evaluation → decision; integrated conclusion synthesizing all parts; maintains 250-word discipline with proportional allocationParts identifiable but poorly demarcated; some repetition between (b) and (c); conclusion generic without synthesisUnstructured narrative mixing all parts; no visible organization; exceeds word limit significantly or severely underwrites
Examples / case-law / data20%4Cites relevant precedents (e.g., IAS officers who prioritized duty during disasters like 2013 Uttarakhand floods, 2018 Kerala floods); references specific legal instruments (DM Act 2005 Section 34-35 on officer powers, All India Services Conduct Rules); may invoke Gandhian trusteeship or Kautilya's Arthashastra on ruler's dutyVague reference to 'some officers' or 'disaster situations' without specificity; no legal citationsNo examples, precedents, or legal references; purely hypothetical reasoning without grounding in administrative reality
Conclusion & analytical edge20%4Part (d) presents decisive, ethically defensible choice (typically: remain with video/remote participation in last rites) with sophisticated reasoning balancing constitutional oath, emotional resolution through alternative means, and long-term ethical precedent; acknowledges personal cost as integral to public serviceStates a choice without robust justification; conclusion merely restates evaluation without decisive commitmentAvoids making clear choice in (d); or makes arbitrary choice without ethical reasoning; conclusion absent or purely emotional

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