Pillar 4 - Case Studies - By Aditya Kalia Sir

Home Work

Prepare a list of standard ethical dilemmas from 5 Years of PYQP

Simply read and then prepare the list of Value v/s Values
Write one line about how to solve that value 1 v/s value 2

Make a List of Values from 5 Years of PYQP

One Line Defintion of this values - By Google Search
At max 2 line example of that value - By Google Search

Example : Values like honesty and integrity

Important Concepts for Case Studies to be understood beforehand

Ethical Dilemma

Ethical Dilemma occurs when people have to choose between morally correct choices

This paper will present Ethical Dilemmas to you, presented choices would not be unambiguously right or wrong.

Sometimes there are No Right or Wrong Answers. There you have to choose a course of action and then justify it

Hence Justification is more important than the choice itself. You have to justify your rationale

Thar Rationales is only right which is pragmatic

Examiner is more interested in why is it that you did something, rather than what u did

Example of Ethical Dilemma : Ethical Dilemma by Mathuradas in the movie Border

Public Trust

Public trust doctrine is a legal principle establishing that certain natural and cultural resources are preserved for public use.

Public trust gives legitimacy to the government

Conflict of Interests (Real, Apparent & Potential)

A conflict of interest occurs when an individual's personal interests – family, friendships, financial, or social factors – could compromise his or her judgment, decisions, or actions in the workplace

Real - Exist Karta Hai Apparent - Exist karta hai lekin abhi tak samne nahin aaya hai Potential - May exist as visible to third party

An actual/real conflict of interest involves a direct conflict between a public official's current duties and responsibilities and existing private interests.

A potential conflict of interest arises where a public official has private interests that could conflict with their official duties in the future.

Writing Approach

Thinking Process

Think about the stand you will take before starting to write the answers

Role Playing

You should think and act like you have “Skin in the Game”.

In any role playing the Doctrine of Public Trust should not be broken

Be Aware of your rights and duties in that post. Hence, as a role player, awareness makes you logical

Example : DM can only Impose Sec 144, Not the SP

Decision Making

It is important for us to take decisons, hence it is important for us to practise case studies as a civil servant. Case Studies practise will help you travel a journey from being a Critique to a Decision Maker

Make yourself a Decision Maker, You should translate yourself to the Case Study

In Decision Making, you have to choose between various competing values

Choices must be explainable

Think About Constraints → Take the Right Decision → Be Real and Pragmatic

It is Sahin v/s Sabke Liye Accha

Writing Style

It should be like conversing with someone. in this case the examiner

Cohernce

There should be a Flow of Answers in the thought

Coherence of thoughts and ideology in every part of the answer should be seen

Flow of Argument → There should be No Disconnect → i.e No Inconsistency in your answers

Conviction

Answers should be written with conviction

Aisa Nahi Lagna Chahiye ki Likh Raha Hai par karega kuch aur

Important Note

Leave the Idea that all stakeholders will be Satisfied. Someone or the other would either be unhappy or be dissatisfied

Once you identify the demerits, then you can work to address them either in the medium term or long term - This Part will get you marks

Structure of a Case Studies Answer - Detailed

Introduction :

Give Insights to Examiner about what is to come

Tell the Examiner in Introduction that why do you think this question has been asked or what is the inspiration behind this question

For Examples

In Light of some constitutional value
or some feature of our economy

Step 1 - Identify Facts of the Case

Identify the facts of the Case

Step 2 - Identify Stakeholders & their Interests ( Symbol : *) {Most Important Part}

Identify the stakeholders and their interests.

First Stakeholder: is the State, which is represented by the young Civil Servant (the Decision-maker)

Second Stakeholder: Young civil servant against whom the complaint has been logged. (To prove the innocence)

Third Stakeholder: Mafia, the musclemen, corrupt office staff. (to continue illegal mining, and to exploit the tribals).

Fourth Stakeholder: Tribal people

Identify if there are any conflicts between the interests of the stakeholders.

Step 3 - Identify conflicts between Interests of Statements (Symbol : #)

Here it is NOT conflict of Interests. It is general conflict between two peoples interests, it is more of a Conflicting Interests

Ethical Dilemma can be between

Actions
Ideologies

The interest of the State is to prevent illegal mining

The interest of the public (tribals) vs. Personal interest (musclemen)

Identifying the ethical dilemma (value v/s value)

Step 4 - Possible Courses of Actions on the basis of Value Conflicts according to Step 3

To identify the course of action

The course of action must be argumentatively presented

That is, it must argue not just the demerits or reasons for not choosing the rejected courses of action, but also identify the possible demerits of the chosen course of action

Once you identify the demerits, then you can work to address them either in the medium term or long term - This Part will get you marks

Step 5 - Choose your Supposedly Taken Path

Put the Raionale of your choice

More Importantly recognise the demrits of your choice***

and put in word that you will recognise it later

Step 6 - Conclusion

My actions courage, perseverance, commitment to constitutional values, etc

Strcuture of a Case Studies Answer - Summary (For Revision)

Introduction - Tell the examiner that why this question has been asked

Step 1 - Identify the Facts of the case. (Underline)

Step 2 - Identify Stakeholder & their Interests. (* with Number)

Step 3 - Identify Conflicts between Interests (#)

Step 4 - Identify Possible Course of Action on the basis of Interests in Step 3

Step 5 - Choose one Possible Course of Action with a good Rationalise

Step 6 - Recognise & Write the Demerits of your choice

Concusion - Actions, Courage, Perseverance, Commitment to Constitutional Values

Case Study 1 : Water Crisis for a Mayor in Colombo

India Team in South Africa - Water Conservation Issue

There should be no Panic in any case

Doctrine of Public Trust :

With the Decision, it is also important that in what way the Decision is taken

Case Study 2 : While going for UPSC Interview, you come across an accident and your close relative is bleeding. You take her to hospital or you go to the interview

Call Ambulance

Depends on how close the relative or that person is

First Priority is Interview

When You are going for the Interview : you have earned the right to be interviewed by upsc

upsc is bound to give me oppurtunity for that

Awareness of my Rigths & Doctrine of Public Duty

Section 144 :

Case Study 3 : Young Civil Servant, Tribal Mafia, Local Tribe, Muscle Man

Prioritise the case of Illegal Mining

Trust and Govt Deficit be reduced

Priority is : Illegal Mining

Expose Designs

I will prepare a response and submit it to the better judgment of SC ST Tribunal

Answer Must reflect convinving trust, to uphold public trust

You cant say illiterate tribals

Give Practical & Pragmatic Solutions