(a) What are the basic principles of public life ? Illustrate any three of these with suitable examples. (b)…

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• Section 4(2) of the RTI Act makes proactive (suo motu) disclosure a standing duty of every public authority, so openness does not wait for an application. The Right to Information Act, 2005, Section 4(2) — DoPT ↗“It shall be a constant endeavour of every public authority to take steps in accordance with the requirements of clause (b) of sub-section (1) to provide as much information suo motu to the public at regular intervals through various means of communications, including internet, so that the public have minimum resort to the use of this Act to obtain information.”
• Nolan principles (UK Committee on Standards in Public Life, 1995): selflessness means acting solely in the public interest; integrity means accepting no obligation that could improperly influence one's work and seeking no private gain for self, family or friends. The Seven Principles of Public Life — GOV.UK, Committee on Standards in Public Life ↗“Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. 1.2 Integrity Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.”
• Rule 3(1A) of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, inserted in 2014, lists the values every member must maintain: integrity, political neutrality, merit, fairness, impartiality, accountability, transparency, responsiveness to weaker sections and courtesy. All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, Rule 3 as amended (incl. DoPT notification of 6.08.2014) — copy hosted by the High Court of Tripura ↗“Every member of the Service shall maintain:- (i) high ethical standards, integrity and honesty; (ii) political neutrality; (iii) promoting of the principles of merit, fairness and impartiality in the discharge of duties; (iv) accountability and transparency; (v) responsiveness to the public, particularly to the weaker section; (vi) courtesy and good behavior with the public.”
• Rule 3(2B) of the AIS (Conduct) Rules (2014) requires members to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and democratic values, maintain integrity, and take decisions solely in public interest using public resources efficiently and economically. All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, Rule 3 as amended (incl. DoPT notification of 6.08.2014) — copy hosted by the High Court of Tripura ↗“(i) commit himself to and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and democratic values; (ii) defend and uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of State, public order, decency and morality; (iii) maintain integrity in public service; (iv) take decisions solely in public interest and use or cause to use public resources efficiently, effectively and economically;”
• The 2nd ARC's 4th Report (Ethics in Governance) recommended that public service values be defined for all public servants and that whistle-blowers be protected, as summarised by Mizoram's personnel department. Presentation on the 2nd ARC and its recommendations (4th Report: Ethics in Governance) — Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms, Government of Mizoram ↗“Office of Ethics Commissioner suggested (A-nn) Office of Profit (A-nn) Public Service Values for all public servants should be defined (A) National Judicial Council (A) Sanction for prosecution (NA) Protection to whistle-blowers (A)”
• Kautilya's Arthashastra: in the happiness of his subjects lies the king's happiness, and in their welfare his welfare; what pleases the subjects, not himself, he must treat as good. Kautilya's Arthashastra, R. Shamasastry's English translation (Internet Archive) ↗“In the happiness of his subjects lies his happiness; in their welfare his welfare; whatever pleases himself he shall not consider as good, but whatever pleases his subjects he shall consider as good.”