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Ethics case studies in upsc civil service exam is a test for your ethical values. Your aptitude and attitude will be judged from your way for approach in ethics case studies. So approaching ethics case studies and answering your actions in ethics case studies becomes very important.

How to approach/answer Ethics case studies?

  1. Understand the question demands.
  2. Analyse the layers and levels of ethical dilemmas.
  3. Printout various dilemmas in case study.
  4. Point out possible actions in that particular case.
  5. Brief the Pros and cons of each actions available.
  6. Finalize your best action and justify it.

We will explain it with a case study example given to our IASTODAY users. Dont just start writing immediately after reading a case studies. There will be different layers in good case studies. So take time to read atleast twice as reading again will enlighten new ways.

Consider a ethics case study provided in our MASTER 2020 daily answer writing series

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Q:  From your childhood, your dream was to become an IPS officer. You actively told your friends and teachers that you will become IPS officer.

Once you graduated from a top IIT with excellent academic record ,You got a dream job in renowned Multinational Company (MNC). In the meanwhile you wrote prelims examination but was not able to clear that time.You made it a secret as your family is extremely poor and there is due education loan & liability to relatives for donations. They do not understand whats IPS or MNC. All they want is better life.
Your professors ,friends and relatives advised you to join MNC. They argued about the uncertainty in getting post and afterwards. They added that IPS is corrupt and there is little you can do here with your talent & skinny body.
If you go for MNC, there is bond & chances of getting age over is high.Also MNC offers immediate benefits whereas pursuing dream will make your parents live below poverty line till you clear exam.
What will you do? Justify your action.            (answer in 250 words)
So, How will you approach such a question? try writing it in a plain paper before reading our sample guidance for approach below.

Done? Now we can proceed to next:

What is there in your first part? From our years of experience in reviewing answers, 90% of aspirants repeats or rewrite question in their own words in first part. This is not a recommended approach.
What do you understand from this case study? What are the ethical dilemmas? Start pointing out based on your understandings.

Eg:

  1. Following my dream V/s family responsibility
  2. Stable career at MNC v/s unpredictability of exam
  3. Following heart instinct v/s following well-wishers advise
  4. Allegation about corrupt IPS v/s elite life as IPS.
  5. Bond in MNC v/s age over for exam.
  6. Self-satisfaction v/s family satisfaction.

Such a starting gives better impression about your understanding than general repetition of issues in case study. 

Next step is your actions? What will you do? Rather than writing in a stretch, analyse the possible options in front of you.

  1. Joining MNC by accepting job offer.
  2. Rejecting offer from MNC and prepare for exam.
  3. Joining MNC after negotiating Bond conditions (as I have excellent academics) and continues preparation with job.
  4. Searching for other job and keep preparing for exam.

You wrote these in your answer? Compare now.

These steps makes better. Still there is more things expected as per 250 words demanded.  Try to understand the merits and demerits of each options. Restructure above points with those aspects too.

See a sample below for body part of the answer.

  1. Joining MNC by accepting job offer.

Pros: will clear my liabilities, Family will be happy & fulfilled responsibilities to family.

Cons: Never gets self-satisfaction, possible depression and mental suffering for leaving dream.

  1. Rejecting offer from MNC and prepare for exam.

Pros: Self-satisfaction pursuing dream, more chances of clearing exam.
Cons: Failure as a family man, Uncertainty in exam, No money for education, leaving parents in utter distress due to my action, Family unhappy.

  1. Joining MNC after negotiating Bond conditions (as I have excellent academics) and continues preparation with job.

Pros: Can solve economic issues in short term, Can full fill my dream in long term as I can pay compensation to company later.

Cons: Chances of low perks and promotions due to negotiations.

  1. Searching for other job and keep preparing for exam.

Pros: Dream remains safe, Freedom without bond, solving financial problems eventually with low salary.

Cons: No assurance of job, extra pressure on finding a job, No money for family and education if getting job delayed.

Now you covered all options and merits. Now you can come to a conclusion with your final action. Which one will you opt from these options?

Showcase your creativity. Here is the final model answer for you.

Ethics-case-study-model-approach-example

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