Q6. “Conflict of interest, if unmanaged, erodes institutional integrity more than outright corruption.” Evaluate the statement. Suggest safeguards to mitigate such conflicts. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: InsightsIAS
Why the question
Rising concerns over ethical governance, regulatory capture, and declining public trust have brought focus on managing conflicts of interest in public institutions.Key Demand of the question
The question requires evaluation of the relative impact of conflict of interest vis-à-vis corruption on institutional integrity. It also demands suggesting concrete safeguards to prevent and manage such conflicts effectively.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Briefly define conflict of interest and link it with institutional integrity in governance context.Body
- Evaluation of statement: Show how unmanaged conflict of interest can be more insidious than corruption in eroding institutional credibility.
- Counter dimension: Briefly indicate limits of the statement by highlighting seriousness of corruption as well.
- Safeguards: Suggest key institutional, legal, and ethical mechanisms to mitigate conflicts of interest.
Conclusion
Provide a forward-looking remark on strengthening ethical governance through transparency and accountability mechanisms.
