The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) General Studies Paper 4, often referred to as GS 4, is a significant component of the Civil Services Examination in India. This paper focuses on ethics, integrity, and aptitude, aiming to assess candidates’ ethical and moral reasoning, decision-making abilities, and their understanding of governance-related issues. The 2022 GS 4 Solved Question Paper serves as a crucial resource for aspirants, providing insights into the exam’s structure, the type of questions asked, and exemplary answers. Through a comprehensive analysis of this paper, candidates can refine their preparation strategies, enhance their ethical understanding, and cultivate the aptitude necessary for serving the nation with integrity and excellence in administrative roles.
Q: 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. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Approach
The question wants us to write in detail about the importance of empathy and compassion as integral values for civil servants.
- The introduction can be written by briefly rephrasing the question.
- The body can be divided into 2 major parts:
- Discuss the importance of empathy
- Discuss the importance of compassion
Note: add relevant examples for the same.
- You can give references of important personalities also.
- Conclusion: based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
ANSWER
Mahatma Gandhi believed that empathy and compassion were the foundation of effective public service. He emphasized the importance of listening to citizens and understanding their concerns and needs. He believed that civil servants should be able to put themselves in the shoes of those they serve, and that this understanding was essential for developing policies and programs that were responsive to the needs of the people.
Apart from intellectual competence and moral qualities, a civil servant can better peerform her role by:
- Understanding people’s needs: Empathy and compassion help civil servants to understand the needs of the people they serve, especially those who are marginalized or vulnerable.
- Building trust: When civil servants show empathy and compassion towards people, it helps to build trust and strengthen relationships between the government and citizens.
- Better decision making: Empathy enables civil servants to consider the impact of their decisions on individuals and communities, leading to better decision-making.
- Improving service delivery: By understanding people’s experiences, civil servants can improve service delivery, making it more efficient and effective.
- Fostering inclusivity: Empathy and compassion can help civil servants to promote inclusivity and diversity, ensuring that all individuals and communities are represented and included in decision-making.
- Caring for others: Compassion allows civil servants to genuinely care for the well-being of the people they serve, particularly those who are facing difficult situations or are in need of assistance.
- Humanizing public service: Compassion can help to humanize public service, reminding civil servants that their work is about serving real people with real needs, rather than just completing tasks.
- Providing assistance: Compassion motivates civil servants to provide assistance to those who need it, even if it requires going above and beyond their regular duties.
- Alleviating suffering: Civil servants with compassion are more likely to work towards alleviating suffering and promoting the dignity of all individuals, particularly those who are vulnerable or marginalized.
In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, Indian civil servants worked tirelessly to provide support and assistance to citizens. For instance, IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe, who was then serving as the Commissioner of Nashik Municipal Corporation, personally visited COVID-19 patients in hospitals and isolation centers to boost their morale and ensure they were receiving proper care.
Hence, empathy and compassion are crucial attributes for civil servants in the Indian context, allowing them to better serve the diverse needs of the population and make a positive impact on society.
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