Topic: Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct,
6. Many European countries have prescribed ethical codes for public servants whereas India has prescribed codes of conduct for them. What reasons can account for this difference of approach? Analyse. (250 words)
Reference: James S. Bowman, From Codes of Conduct to Codes of Ethics: The ASPA case
All India Services Conduct Rules
Why this question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper IV.
Key demand of the question:
One has to analyse the reasons responsible for India to have only prescribed codes of conduct for the public servants in contrary to the prescribed ethical codes for them.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Explain what you understand by ethical codes of conduct.
Body:
To start with explain and analyse the underlying reasons that have led to this difference of approach. Explain that Codes of ethics apply to the culture, education, and religion of a whole society. Thinking of Indian polity, we can regard the provisions included in the Directive Principles of the Constitution as forming an ethical political code. Codes of conduct generally cover an individual’s official or professional conduct. Discuss the Indian scenario of public services more elaborately, weigh the pros and cons.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of it.
