General Studies-IV (GS-IV) paper i.e. ethics, integrity and aptitude is regarded as one of the most complex papers of UPSC CSE. It requires a good understanding and insurmountable patience while studying. One needs to undertake a different approach while attempting the paper since it theory as well as application-based case study questions. It is these very Ethics case studies that make ethics complex and tactical.
Fear not when Eden IAS is here! Eden IAS has a special course for this very special subject with the name “Ethics GS4”. The instructor of this course is Mr. Tirthankar Roychowdhary. Sir is a commendable educator with an experience of more than 15 years.
Ethics GS4 Foundation course:
It is a 10 week-long course spreading over 50 classes. Each of these classes will be of 3 hours duration. Mr. Tirthankar Roychowdhary has curated four booklest which comprehensively and intensively covers the entire syllabus of GS-IV paper. These booklets are:
- Glossary for Ethics
- Theoretical Framework
- 70 Thinkers & Thoughts
Ethics case studies UPSC
The best part is that these booklets are more than enough. One need not read the traditional Ethics study material such as Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude, Human Values – IGNOU material, Santosh Ajmera & Nanda Kishore Reddy’s Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude –
A Short Introduction to Ethics by Dr. S.N. Singh or Arihant’s Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude. If one goes through these four booklets thoroughly, then you can ace ethics with grace.
Special emphasis on Ethics case studies UPSC:
Case studies have a weightage of 120 marks out of 250. So, it becomes integral to attempt them and fetch handsome marks from the examiner. The last booklist has over 100 case studies including startup case studies, deontological case studies or business case studies.
As per Mr. Roychowdhary, there are multiple approaches to case studies. But he recommends a specific approach called the “10-step generic approach”.
Step 1: Lay out the integral facts given in the question.
Step 2: Identify the stakeholders and categorize them into primary/specific stakeholders and other/generic stakeholders.Here, the process of ethical mapping commences.
Step 3: Identify the interests of these stakeholders.
Step 4: Next step is to identify the interests of the stakeholders that tend to clash with each other. This is called “conflict of interests”.
Step 5: Interests always have an underlying value. The next step is to identify these very values. There is not a clash of interests but a clash of values. This is known as “ethical dilemma”.
Step 6: Laying down all the situations of ethical dilemma or ethical paradox.
Step 7: List down the options that can be potential solutions to the case study. If the options are already given, then analyze their merits and demerits. Here, the process of ethical mapping ends.
Step 8: Pick an appropriate option from the aforementioned ones. This is called “ethical judgment”.
Step 9: Morally reason and henceforth, justify your ethical judgment.
Step 10: Use a quote or 2-3 lines to give a nice conclusion to your case study.
Hence, this course will guide you in the right direction for Ethics case studies UPSC and you will end up clearing the exam with flying colors.
