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 pubic servants. UPSC IAS Mains 2021 General Studies (Paper – 4)

The 10 essential values needed to be an effective public servant are:  

  1. Integrity: Consistency in value system, thoughts and conduct. 
  2. Objectivity: Impartial decision making. 
  3. Leadership: Ability to lead subordinate towards desired goal 
  4. Openness: Being transparent and open to scrutiny. 
  5. Responsiveness: Addressing the demands of public. 
  6. Empathy: Feeling and acting towards elevating pain of public. 
  7. Selflessness: Action should not be self-oriented rather other oriented. 
  8. Honesty: Being Fair, trustworthy and sincere. 
  9. Accountability: Assuming responsibility and answerability for actions. 
  10. Courage: Ability to do what is required even if the odds are against.

Ways and means to prevent non-ethical behaviour in public servants

  1. Effective laws, rules and regulations that unambiguously define do’s and don’ts along with a mechanism for quick action for unethical conduct.  
  2. Cutting down on discretionary power and minimizing direct contact between citizen customer and service provider to reduce rent seeking opportunities.  
  3. Effective use of transparency and accountability tools like RTI, social audits, e-governance etc. Providing adequate protection to whistle-blowers is also necessary. 
  4. Better personnel management: Selection of candidates with high ethical competence and awakened conscience, promotions based on performance and Periodic training. 
  5. Proper rewards and punishment mechanism in terms of performance-based bonus that encourage hard work and discourage non-ethical conduct. 

The union of these essential values and these reforms can make public servants more effective and public oriented. 



POSTED ON 29-08-2023 BY ADMIN
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