MAINS 2025 · GS IV · ETHICS

Vijay was Deputy Commissioner of a remote district of a hilly Northern State of the count…

Full UPSC Mains prompt below — written for reading, revision and search.

GS Paper IV 20 marks 250 words Ethics
Question

Write from the prompt.

Vijay was Deputy Commissioner of a remote district of a 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 messages 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 dilemmas 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?

Syllabus link: GS IV – Case Studies: Case Studies on the above issues.

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