UPSC Mains GS 4 Syllabus
The General Studies Paper 4 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination examines candidates’ knowledge and understanding of ethics, integrity, and aptitude. This syllabus is designed to assess the moral and ethical dimensions of decision-making, public service values, integrity, accountability, and ethical governance. It covers topics such as ethics and human interface, emotional intelligence, attitude, moral and political philosophies, integrity in public and private relationships, ethical concerns in governance, corporate governance, and ethical issues in international relations. Understanding the GS4 syllabus equips candidates with the ability to navigate complex ethical dilemmas, demonstrate integrity, and make informed decisions as responsible public servants, ensuring ethical practices in governance and upholding the highest standards of moral conduct.
For detailed trend analysis and topic-wise questions of GS4 Ethics click here
General Studies 4: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
- Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships.
- Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
- Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
- Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
- Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
- Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
- Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
- Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
- Case Studies on above issues.
It is important to note that the syllabus for the UPSC Civil Services Examination is vast, and candidates are expected to have a comprehensive understanding of the topics mentioned above. In addition to the syllabus, candidates should also focus on developing critical thinking and analytical skills to effectively answer questions in the GS4 paper.
