(a) Identify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant. Justify their inclusion in the matrix. (b) 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.
Approach · directive: “identify / justify / describe”
What it asks · (a) Choose five ethical traits for a civil servant's performance matrix and justify each; (b) list ten essential values of an effective public servant and describe ways to prevent unethical behaviour.
The question has 4 parts — answer each
- (a) Identify five ethical traits on which a civil servant's performance can be plotted
- (a) Justify the inclusion of each trait in the matrix
- (b) Identify ten essential values needed to be an effective public servant
- (b) Describe the ways and means to prevent non-ethical behaviour in public servants
Open with · Kautilya tested ministers through allurements and posted each by the trait proved; a performance matrix should likewise plot observable ethical conduct, not just output.
Cover
- (a) Traits: integrity, impartiality, objectivity, empathy and accountability; score each on observable indicators such as complaints, reasoned orders, grievance-redress time and audit compliance.
- (a) Why these: integrity secures trust; impartiality and objectivity ensure fair, evidence-based decisions; empathy reaches the vulnerable; accountability keeps power answerable.
- (b) Ten values: integrity, impartiality, non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, compassion, tolerance, accountability and transparency.
- (b) Rules and institutions: conduct rules, codes of ethics, citizen's charters, RTI, social audit, vigilance bodies, Lokpal and Lokayuktas, and protection for whistle-blowers.
- (b) Systems: e-governance and clear procedures to reduce discretion, asset declarations, rotation of sensitive posts, and prompt, proportionate punishment.
- (b) Building values: induction and in-service ethics training, leadership by example, recognition of honest officers and mentoring.
- Anchors: Kautilya posted ministers by tested trait and rotated department heads; Nolan objectivity and accountability; CCS (Conduct) Rules values; 2nd ARC Ethics in Governance.
Close with · Kautilya's warning that officials handling revenue will taste it shows why the matrix needs a system that selects for values, removes temptation and rewards honesty.
Add value (verified)
- Mission Karmayogi (Cabinet approval, 2 September 2020) is delivered through the Integrated Government Online Training (iGOT) Karmayogi platform for civil-service capacity building. Cabinet approves "Mission Karmayogi" - National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) — PIB, 2 September 2020 ↗“The Programme will be delivered by setting up an Integrated Government Online Training-iGOTKarmayogi Platform”
- Kautilya's Arthashastra (Book I) tested ministers through allurements and posted each by the trait proved: those pure under religious allurement to the courts, those pure under monetary allurement to revenue collection. Kautilya's Arthashastra, Book I (trans. R. Shamasastry, 1915) — text hosted by Prof. Frances W. Pritchett (Columbia University) ↗“Of these tried ministers, those whose character has been tested under religious allurements shall be employed in civil and criminal courts ( dharmasthanyakantaka sodhaneshu ); those whose purity has been tested under monetary allurements shall be employed in the work of a revenue collector and chamberlain”
- Kautilya's Arthashastra (Book II) prescribed several temporary heads for each department, since a servant handling revenue will taste it as surely as the tongue tastes honey: the classical case for rotation of sensitive posts. Kautilya's Arthashastra, Book II (trans. R. Shamasastry, 1915) — text hosted by Prof. Frances W. Pritchett (Columbia University) ↗“Each department shall be officered by several temporary heads. Just as it is impossible not to taste the honey or the poison that finds itself at the tip of the tongue, so it is impossible for a government servant not to eat up, at least, a bit of the king's revenue.”
- The CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 now list public service values as duties: high ethical standards and honesty, political neutrality, merit, fairness and impartiality, accountability and transparency, responsiveness to the weaker section, and courtesy. Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 (updated 27 February 2015), Rule 3 — Department of Personnel and Training ↗“(vi) maintain high ethical standards and honesty; (vii) maintain political neutrality; (viii) promote the principles of merit, fairness and impartiality in the discharge of duties; (ix) maintain accountability and transparency; (x) maintain responsiveness to the public, particularly to the weaker section; (xi) maintain courtesy and good behaviour with the public;”
- The Nolan principles (UK Committee on Standards in Public Life) define objectivity as deciding impartially, fairly and on merit on the best evidence, and accountability as submitting to the scrutiny necessary. The Seven Principles of Public Life — Committee on Standards in Public Life, GOV.UK ↗“1.3 Objectivity Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias. 1.4 Accountability Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.”
- The 2nd ARC's 4th Report (Ethics in Governance) recommended that public service values be defined for all public servants, a National Judicial Council, and protection to whistle-blowers. The 2nd ARC and its recommendations (4th Report, Ethics in Governance) — Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms, Government of Mizoram ↗“PM and CM should shoulder responsibility in ensuring Code of Ethics 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)”
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2021, GS Paper IV — paper ↗. Approach: Minimalist IAS, checked 1 Oct 2026 (how we verify) — UPSC publishes no model answers. ·
Model answer · 421 words (UPSC limit 150) · Minimalist IAS
Kautilya tested ministers through secret allurements and posted each by the trait proved: those found pure under monetary temptation to revenue collection, those pure under religious temptation to the courts. A modern performance matrix should likewise plot conduct, not just output.
(a) Five ethical traits to plot a civil servant's performance
- Integrity: honesty in word, decision and deed. Plotted through vigilance complaints, audit objections and asset returns; included because high output from a dishonest officer is itself suspect.
- Impartiality: equal treatment whatever the caste, creed, party or wealth. Plotted through complaint patterns and orders reversed on appeal; included because equality is delivered at the counter.
- Objectivity: decisions on evidence and reasons. Plotted through speaking orders and use of data; included because the Nolan principles ask officials to decide "impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence".
- Empathy: sensitivity to the poor, the disabled and the remote. Plotted through grievance-redress time and field visits; included because welfare fails when a citizen becomes a file number.
- Accountability: owning outcomes and accepting scrutiny. Plotted through timely RTI replies, settled audit paras and met deadlines; included because it makes the other four visible rather than claimed.
(b) Ten essential values of an effective public servant
- Honest: integrity, objectivity, impartiality and non-partisanship.
- Humane: dedication to public service, empathy, compassion and tolerance.
- Answerable: accountability and transparency.
- Now codified: the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 make most of them duties for central civil servants, including "political neutrality", "merit, fairness and impartiality" and responsiveness "particularly to the weaker section".
(b) Ways and means to prevent non-ethical behaviour
- Define values: the 2nd ARC's 4th Report, Ethics in Governance, urged that public service values be defined and whistle-blowers protected.
- Cut discretion: e-governance, clear procedures and annual asset declarations shrink the space for rent-seeking.
- Rotate sensitive posts: Kautilya wanted each department run by "several temporary heads", so no one settles into a revenue seat.
- Expose to scrutiny: RTI, social audit, citizen's charters, vigilance bodies, and the Lokpal and Lokayuktas.
- Punish swiftly: prompt, proportionate penalties with no shelter for the well connected; certainty deters more than severity.
- Train and reward: online training on the iGOT platform of Mission Karmayogi (2020), seniors who model the standard, and public recognition of honest officers.
Kautilya warned that an official handling revenue can no more avoid tasting it than the tongue can avoid honey. The matrix measures character; only a system that selects for values, removes temptation and rewards honesty makes integrity the easier path.
Written by Minimalist IAS from facts checked at source (how we verify) — a little fuller than exam length, so every part of the question is covered; in the hall, keep the structure and trim the detail. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.