UPSC Ethics Syllabus – Mains GS Paper 4 Syllabus PDF

The UPSC Ethics syllabus covers a wide range of topics that revolve around the concept of ethics in public administration.This GS Paper-IV aims to assess the candidate’s understanding of ethical principles, moral values, and their ability to apply ethical considerations in various situations.

UPSC General Studies Paper 4: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

The Ethics paper in the UPSC Mains examination is part of the General Studies Paper IV (GS Paper IV). It is designed to evaluate the ethical and moral dimensions of a candidate’s personality and decision-making abilities. The paper aims to assess how a candidate is likely to behave in different professional and public service situations.

The questions may adopt a case study approach to evaluate these aspects.

UPSC Ethics Syllabus

The Ethics Syllabus in the UPSC Mains examination is crucial for assessing a candidate’s character, values, and ethical decision-making abilities. It emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior in public administration and the civil services. Aspirants are expected to approach this paper with a strong understanding of ethical concepts and their practical application in the context of public service.

Structure of UPSC Ethics Syllabus

The UPSC Mains Examination Ethics paper, also known as General Studies Paper IV or GS Paper IV, is designed to assess the ethical and moral dimensions of a candidate’s personality and their ability to apply ethical considerations in various situations. The structure of the UPSC Ethics paper typically follows this pattern:

Section-A: Ethics and Human Interface (125 marks)

• Understanding ethics in human interactions.
• Emotional intelligence and its application in administration and governance.
• Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers to ethical thought.
• Dimensions of ethics and values in public administration.
• Ethical issues in international relations and funding.

Section-B: Attitude (125 marks)

• Attitude: Content, structure, function, its influence, and relation with thought and behavior.
• Moral and political attitudes.
• Social influence and persuasion.
• Personal and professional ethics.
• Emotional intelligence and its components.

Case Studies: In addition to the direct concept-related questions, the paper includes case studies that test the candidate’s application of ethical principles and values to real-life situations. These case studies involve decision-making in complex and practical scenarios, where the candidate is required to demonstrate their ethical judgment, integrity, and aptitude for problem-solving.

The total marks allotted to the UPSC Ethics paper are 250 marks, and it is mandatory for all candidates to attempt all the questions. The paper aims to evaluate not only the candidate’s theoretical knowledge of ethics but also their ability to apply ethical considerations in practical scenarios.

Candidates are expected to provide well-reasoned, balanced, and coherent answers to the questions. The answers should reflect a strong ethical foundation and an understanding of the principles and values that govern public administration. Clarity of thought, critical thinking, and a comprehensive understanding of the subject are essential for scoring well in the UPSC Ethics paper.