Q.1 Which of the following best defines 'integrity' in public service?
Following the rules strictly without considering outcomes
Adhering to moral and ethical principles consistently
Focusing only on achieving targets
Avoiding conflicts with superiors at all costs
Explanation - Integrity involves consistent adherence to moral and ethical principles, not merely following rules or pleasing superiors.
Correct answer is: Adhering to moral and ethical principles consistently
Q.2 A civil servant faces a situation where obeying a superior's directive conflicts with public interest. What should be their priority?
Obey the superior regardless of consequences
Follow the directive but report secretly
Prioritize public interest and ethical responsibility
Delay action to avoid responsibility
Explanation - Ethical responsibility and public interest take precedence over blind obedience in civil services.
Correct answer is: Prioritize public interest and ethical responsibility
Q.3 Which of the following is a key attribute of emotional intelligence relevant to public administration?
Technical expertise
Self-awareness and empathy
Strict discipline
Authority over subordinates
Explanation - Emotional intelligence includes self-awareness, empathy, and managing interpersonal relationships effectively.
Correct answer is: Self-awareness and empathy
Q.4 In decision-making, what does the 'utilitarian approach' emphasize?
Maximizing benefits for the largest number of people
Following traditional rules and norms
Prioritizing personal values
Seeking approval from authority
Explanation - Utilitarianism focuses on the greatest good for the greatest number when making ethical decisions.
Correct answer is: Maximizing benefits for the largest number of people
Q.5 Which of the following is a hallmark of ethical leadership?
Exerting strict control over subordinates
Making decisions solely based on profit
Demonstrating fairness, transparency, and accountability
Avoiding conflict at all costs
Explanation - Ethical leaders emphasize fairness, transparency, and accountability in their actions.
Correct answer is: Demonstrating fairness, transparency, and accountability
Q.6 Corruption in public service primarily erodes:
Economic efficiency only
Public trust and institutional credibility
Legal frameworks only
Personal wealth of officials
Explanation - Corruption undermines citizens’ trust in institutions and damages governance, beyond just economic loss.
Correct answer is: Public trust and institutional credibility
Q.7 Which of the following demonstrates moral courage in civil service?
Reporting unethical practices despite personal risk
Following superior’s instructions blindly
Maintaining status quo to avoid criticism
Ignoring minor ethical violations
Explanation - Moral courage is taking ethical action even when it involves personal risk.
Correct answer is: Reporting unethical practices despite personal risk
Q.8 Impartiality in public service requires that a civil servant:
Favors those who help career growth
Treats all citizens and stakeholders fairly without bias
Avoids controversial decisions
Defers all decisions to political authorities
Explanation - Impartiality involves fairness and objectivity, avoiding favoritism or personal bias.
Correct answer is: Treats all citizens and stakeholders fairly without bias
Q.9 Which of the following best illustrates transparency in governance?
Decision-making processes and rationale are openly communicated
Officials share information only when asked
Policies are kept confidential to prevent criticism
Public is informed selectively to manage perception
Explanation - Transparency means openness in processes and decision-making, enhancing accountability.
Correct answer is: Decision-making processes and rationale are openly communicated
Q.10 Which ethical principle emphasizes treating others as you would like to be treated?
Utilitarianism
Deontological ethics
Golden Rule
Rights-based ethics
Explanation - The Golden Rule focuses on empathy and reciprocity, a core principle in ethics.
Correct answer is: Golden Rule
Q.11 Which of the following is a major challenge in implementing ethical governance?
Lack of technological infrastructure
Conflicts of interest and personal biases
Excessive law enforcement
Strong public oversight
Explanation - Personal biases and conflicts of interest hinder the consistent application of ethical principles in governance.
Correct answer is: Conflicts of interest and personal biases
Q.12 Accountability in public administration primarily ensures that officials:
Act in alignment with legal and ethical standards
Work faster to complete tasks
Gain public popularity
Focus only on financial management
Explanation - Accountability ensures that officials are responsible for their actions legally, ethically, and administratively.
Correct answer is: Act in alignment with legal and ethical standards
Q.13 In ethical reasoning, the 'deontological approach' emphasizes:
Outcome-based decisions
Duty and adherence to rules regardless of consequences
Maximizing happiness for the majority
Flexibility based on situation
Explanation - Deontological ethics focuses on duties and rules rather than outcomes when making moral decisions.
Correct answer is: Duty and adherence to rules regardless of consequences
Q.14 Which of the following best illustrates public service motivation?
Working to achieve personal fame
Serving citizens and contributing to social welfare
Maximizing salary benefits
Avoiding accountability
Explanation - Public service motivation involves commitment to public interest and societal welfare above personal gains.
Correct answer is: Serving citizens and contributing to social welfare
Q.15 Conflict of interest occurs when:
A civil servant has personal interests that may influence official decisions
Officials strictly follow rules
Citizens disagree with policies
Policies are delayed for administrative reasons
Explanation - A conflict of interest arises when personal interests compromise professional judgment or integrity.
Correct answer is: A civil servant has personal interests that may influence official decisions
Q.16 Which of the following reflects ethical use of discretion by a civil servant?
Favoring friends when allocating resources
Following rules but considering fairness and public interest
Avoiding responsibility in controversial situations
Seeking approval for all minor decisions
Explanation - Ethical discretion balances rules with fairness, justice, and public interest.
Correct answer is: Following rules but considering fairness and public interest
Q.17 Which of these is an important quality for maintaining ethical standards under pressure?
Compliance with only superior directives
Integrity and moral courage
Avoidance of all responsibilities
Focus solely on personal safety
Explanation - Ethical standards require integrity and courage to act correctly even under pressure or risk.
Correct answer is: Integrity and moral courage
Q.18 Which principle of ethics emphasizes fairness and equality in distribution of resources?
Justice as fairness
Utilitarianism
Golden Rule
Deontology
Explanation - Justice as fairness advocates equitable treatment and distribution of benefits and burdens in society.
Correct answer is: Justice as fairness
Q.19 Which of the following best demonstrates accountability in office?
Regularly reporting work outcomes to the public
Delegating all responsibilities to subordinates
Making decisions secretly
Avoiding challenging tasks
Explanation - Accountability involves openness and being answerable for actions and decisions to stakeholders.
Correct answer is: Regularly reporting work outcomes to the public
Q.20 Transparency is important in governance because it:
Reduces opportunities for corruption and enhances trust
Helps officials avoid work
Ensures secrecy in sensitive matters
Increases bureaucratic control
Explanation - Transparent governance allows scrutiny, reduces corruption, and builds citizen trust.
Correct answer is: Reduces opportunities for corruption and enhances trust
Q.21 Which of the following best illustrates ethical dilemma in administration?
Choosing between two conflicting moral principles
Following instructions from superiors
Completing tasks within deadlines
Managing routine office work
Explanation - An ethical dilemma arises when a choice must be made between two equally compelling ethical principles.
Correct answer is: Choosing between two conflicting moral principles
Q.22 Professional ethics in civil service primarily aims at:
Ensuring compliance with legal rules only
Promoting public interest, integrity, and accountability
Maximizing personal gains
Avoiding public scrutiny
Explanation - Professional ethics in administration emphasizes serving the public interest with integrity and responsibility.
Correct answer is: Promoting public interest, integrity, and accountability
Q.23 Which of the following is a personal virtue relevant to ethical decision-making?
Impatience
Honesty and self-discipline
Opportunism
Indifference to rules
Explanation - Personal virtues like honesty, self-discipline, and fairness guide ethical decisions and actions.
Correct answer is: Honesty and self-discipline
Q.24 In ethical administration, neutrality requires:
Being apolitical and impartial while implementing policies
Ignoring citizen grievances
Following only the ruling party’s directives
Avoiding administrative responsibilities
Explanation - Neutrality ensures unbiased and fair implementation of policies, irrespective of political considerations.
Correct answer is: Being apolitical and impartial while implementing policies
Q.25 Which ethical principle emphasizes that actions are morally right if they fulfill one’s duties?
Deontology
Utilitarianism
Virtue ethics
Ethical relativism
Explanation - Deontology is duty-based ethics where adherence to moral obligations determines the rightness of actions.
Correct answer is: Deontology