UPSC Mains Aptitude & Foundational Values
Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Efficiency is doing things right, while effectiveness is doing the right thing. How do you strike a balance between the two to enhance productivity?

Identify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant. Justify their inclusion in the matrix.

Identify ten essential values that are needed to be an effective public servant. Describe the ways and means to prevent non-ethical behaviour in the public servants.

State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services and bring out their importance.

How do the virtues of trustworthiness and fortitude get manifested in public service? Explain with examples.

In the context of defence services, 'patriotism' demands readiness to even lay down one's life in protecting the nation. According to you, what does patriotism imply in everyday civil life? Explain with illustrations and justify your answer.

Indicate two attributes which you consider important for public service. Justify your answer.

Owing to paucity of time, a university professor generates a Ph.D. evaluation report using Artificial Intelligence and submits it with some modifications. Discuss this from the perspective of accountability and integrity.

"Integrity is a value that empowers the human being." Justify with suitable illustration.

"In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. And if they do not have the first, the other two will kill you." – Warren Buffett. What do you understand by this statement in the present day scenario? Explain.

One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be compromised. Explain with reference to a real life example.

"Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, but knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful." What do you understand by this statement? Explain your stand with illustrations from modern day context.

Should impartial and being non-partisan be considered as indispensable qualities to make a successful civil servant? Discuss with illustrations.

Why should impartiality and non-partisanship be considered as foundational values in public services, especially in the present day sociopolitical context? Illustrate your answer with examples.

"One who is devoted to one's duty attains highest perfection in life." Analyse this statement with reference to sense of responsibility and personal fulfilment as a civil servant.

Write a short note on - Devotion to duty

"Non-performance of duty by a public servant is a form of corruption". Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer.

On the request of his Personal Assistant (PA), the District Magistrate (DM) stops the transfer of a schoolteacher who takes private tuition for his daughter diagnosed with learning disability. In this context, discuss the aspects of empathy versus compliance with rules.

Apart from intellectual competency and moral qualities, empathy and compassion are some of the other vital attributes that facilitate the civil servants to be more competent in tackling the crucial issues or taking critical decisions. Explain with suitable illustrations.

Examine the relevance of following in the context of civil service. (a) transparency (b) accountability (c) fairness and justice (d) courage of conviction (e) spirit of service.

What do you understand by the following terms in the context of public service? (i) integrity (ii) perseverance (iii) spirit of service (iv) commitment (v) courage of conviction.