UPSC 2021 GS-IV · 10 marks · 150 words

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

What “Justify” demands

argue positively for the stated position with evidence, and meet the obvious objection.

The characteristic failure: presenting both sides neutrally when a defence was asked for.

What a top answer must contain

These are the checkable specifics from the marking standard for this question — the actual case, committee, datum or thinker, not an instruction to “give examples”.

  • Anchor in codified sources: 2nd ARC foundational values; proposed Civil Services Code
  • Five with justification each — e.g. integrity, objectivity, empathy, moral courage, accountability
  • Each trait needs a one-line operational test (how it would be observed), not just assertion
  • One live example per trait (e.g. moral courage — officer refusing illegal order) earns the top band

The band thresholds and the pre-scored sample answers behind this standard stay private — they are the calibration your copy is placed against.

Now write it, and find out what you actually scored

Attempt this question — typed or photographed — and it is marked against the standard above in under a minute: six parameter scores, a blunt verdict, and the points you missed. 50 free credits on signup, no card.

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