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How To Prepare UPSC Civil Services Mains

Paper V (GS 4 Ethics, Aptitude and
Integrity))
by INSIGHTS[1] September 30, 2013
IMPORTANT TERMS AND THEIR DEFINITIONS ETHICS RELATED[2]
How to prepare GS 1[3] (i.e, Paper-II)[4]
How to prepare GS 2[5] (i.e, Paper-III)[6]
How to prepare GS 3 (i.e Paper IV)[7]
UPSC has brought changes to the Civil Services Mains examination[8] in both the pattern
and the syllabus. We know that now there are 4 General Studies Papers[9] apart from one
Essay and Optional paper each. Of these, new paper on Ethics Aptitude and Integrity has
been a headache for many aspirants as quality source is elusive even now when the exam
is nearing.
This article discusses preparation strategy for General Studies 4 (i.e Paper-IV -Ethics
Aptitude and Integrity )
Before you start reading further, please remember the following important mantra given
by the Almighty UPSC:
The questions are likely to test the candidates basic understanding of all relevant issues,
and ability to analyze, and take a view on con icting socio- economic goals, objectives and
demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.
This sentence is the guiding light for your preparation. You dont have to master the
topics, all you need is BASIC UNDERSTANDING and the ability to analyze. Basic
understanding comes from reading and re-reading. Ability to analyze what you have
understood from reading comes from WRITING PRACTICE[10].

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This article was tough to write as its new and sources for this article were dif cult to nd.
Sources for this article are diverse. Books published by Oxford, Cambridge university
presses, Springer, Sage publications have been referred. Britannica encyclopedia and
IGNOU materials were of immense help too.
Many PDFs are of advanced nature. You dont have to read all the PDFs in toto. Read rst
few paragraphs to understand the essence. Remember the above UPSC mantra.
Question paper[11] will have questions on theory and case studies.
Case studies will be covered every day as an article [12]where you can write answers and
get comments from fellow aspirants.
I have given only links to sources. I am no authority to explain the topics.

STRATEGY
Ethics and Human Interface
Lets start with basics:
Ethics A Very Basic Introduction BBC Guide to Ethics[13]
Introduction to Ethics[14]
Essence, determinants and Consequences of Ethics in human actions
What is Ethics? Cambridge University[15]
Source[16] Authentic and Good one (read this completely to get conceptual clarity)
Dimensions of ethics
Read Chapters and from this book
Ethics in private and public relationships.
Ethics in private relationships Read chapter in the link. Its in Google Books and the
chapter has all pages. It is very good with lots of case studies. If any IT guy can extract
pages and covert them to PDF, please send me a copy.
Ethics in Private Relationship[17] Good one
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Ethics in Public Relations[18]

Human Values
Human values IGNOU Material[19]
Lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and
administrators
You can read about them from school books or from website. Will provide a list later.
Role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Chapter of this book. Google Books Value Education.
Attitude
Structure and Function
Source 1[20] Very Basic
Source 2[21] Structure
source [22] Functions
Source Complex and Specialized (if you can understand! Page no. 38,39)
Its in uence and relation with thought and behaviour
Source 1[23] Attitude and Behaviour
Source 2 [24] Values, Attitudes and Behaviour
Source 3[25] Very Advanced
Moral and political attitudes
Source 1[26] Political Attitudes
Source 2[27] Moral Attitudes
Social in uence and Persuasion
Source 1[28] Simple and Straight to the point. Good one.

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Source [29]-2 Very Advanced

Related Article
Attitude for Good Governance Read Section Two in Attitude for good governance
and motivation[30].
Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service
Integrity
Critical Look at Integrity[31]
Integrity and Transparency critical article[32]
Impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public
service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.
These are actually civil service values recommended by the second ARC in its report (10th
Report, Chapter 16)[33]
Emotional intelligence
Concept
Source 1 [34] Very Basic Excellent one.
Source 2[35] Conceptual clarity
Their utilities and application in administration and governance
Emotional Intelligence and Public Leadership[36]
Emotional Intelligence in Bureaucracies[37]
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration:
Status and problems
Public Service Values Status[38]

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Professionalism and Ethics in Public Service UN[39] Document. Read only Chapter One
and Conclusion. Problems and Issues about Public service values is given in it.
Ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions
Ethical Concerns in Public Administration[40]
Ethical Dilemma [41] In this, read only Chapter One. It is written in foreign context but
its applicability is universal.
Ethics in Public Administration[42] Dont neglect this document because its written by
a research scholar. It is simple and lucid.
Laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance
Didnt get any credible source. I will post it when I get one.
Accountability and ethical governance
Ethical Governance in twenty rst century[43] This is culled from a costly and an
authentic book. Read it to understand the importance of ethics in governance.
Ethics As element of Good Governance [44]
Ethics and Governance T N Chaturvedi[45] (he was CAG and Governor of Karnataka)
His re ections are insightful.
Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance
Above PDFs re ect on this topic too.
Ethical issues in international relations and funding
Ethics in International Relations [46] Taken from a reputed book and is a primary source
on the topic.
Ethics in International Relations [47] This is in relation to corporate responsibility. It
covers some aspects of ethical issues in funding mentioned in the syllabus.
Corporate governance
Corporate G[48]overnance Read it as it contains many new facts and ideas. (not so good,
though)

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Corporate Governance An Ethical Perspective[49] It is critical article, a research paper.

News Report Economic Times[50]
PPT Presentation[51] IIT Bombay
Probity in Governance
This part of the syllabus is completely covered in the following book. It is written by two
retired IAS of cers of Gujarat cadre. All the topics of this part of the syllabus and other
topics of importance are covered in this book.
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination (Paper
5) [52]
I am giving below PDFs to some topics taken from some UN sites, books and ministries
websites.
Probity in Governance
Probity in Governance Excellent one [53] It is published by Law Ministry and contains
many concepts.
What is Probity in Governance Private context[54]
Concept of public service
Probity in Governance Excellent one [55] it de nes whats public service.
Philosophical basis of governance and probity
Information sharing and transparency in government Right to Information
Articles on RTI from The Hindu, EPW will be posted.
The above mentioned book has a chapter on this topic.
Codes of Ethics
Codes of Ethics OECD [56]
Codes of ethics World Bank [57]
Codes of Conduct

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Refer the above mentioned book[58].

Citizens Charters
Citizens Chartes FAQs[59]
Citizen Charter Handbook[60]
Work culture
Quality of service delivery
challenges of corruption
This is basically a general topic. I will compile articles published on this topic in The
Hindu (last year there were many articles on this topic) and give links soon.
Source 1[61]
Apart from the above book, the following book might be useful as it is written by a
renowned author Ramesh Arora (his books on Public Administration are well received)
Ethics in Governance Ramesh K Arora[62]
A SMALL LECTURE again!?!
Note: You can skip this if you are already bored!
Until now we saw what books to read. Now the question is how to remember most of the
things we read and how to translate them into better answers.
A common mistake most of the aspirants commit is reading so many books for a single
topic.This mistake costs both your time and ability to remember things clearly and
concisely.
Stick to a single source and read it again and again. Remember The Same Source.
Avoid the temptation of doing Research on a topic.
Always Remember UPSC tests Basic Understanding. Not mastery over a topic.
Make short notes on each topic. It is while making notes that readers tend to do
RESEARCH and scout various sources. Stick to one book even if you are not 100%
satis ed with it.
Remember that old saying? Jack of all trades, master of NONE. If you try to do
Research, most probably your name wont appear in the Final List. I guarantee it.
For Paper-II (i.e GS-1) being thorough with Current Events plays a crucial role in
enabling you to acquire analytical skills.

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Very Important Part In The Preparation

Writing. Writing. Writing.[63]
But what? One must practice answer writing to Previous year questions, or take a
Mock Test. Whatever, before you enter examination hall, you must have spent lot of
time on answer writing.
Most Important Part In The Preparation
Revision. Revision. Re-Revision.
You do this and you appear for the Personality Test.
If you dont Revise what you read all these months you slightly miss the Personality
Test, or You narrowly miss appearing in the Final List.
Well, to sum up. To get the interview call all you need to do is: Read, Re-read the same
source, Write and Revise.
Preparation for this paper can be nished in 20 days provided you are focused and
determined.
Of course. Eat well, Sleep well and Keep a good health. If you get a running nose on the
day of the exam, 2 hours out of 3 hours goes in draining it and drying it.
Feel free to point out mistakes, improvements and suggestions. You can also share material if
you have any so that it bene ts readers.
Disclaimer: This article is meant to be a blueprint or a road map for your preparation. Its
not the one stop source for complete preparation of this paper.
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21. http://insightsonindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/attitude-structure.pdf
22. http://www.psychlotron.org.uk/resources/social/AS_AQB_social_attitudes_function.pdf
23. http://www.simplypsychology.org/attitudes%20and%20behaviour.pdf
24. http://web.psych.utoronto.ca/psy320/Required%20readings_ les/4-1.pdf
25. http://web.psych.utoronto.ca/psy320/Required%20readings_ les/4-1.pdf
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/0205082386.pdf
27. http://www.ewtn.com/library/THEOLOGY/FUNMOR.HTM
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31. http://insightsonindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/critical-look-at-integrity.pdf
32. http://insightsonindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/integrity-transparency-un.pdf
33. http://arc.gov.in/10th/ARC_10thReport_Ch16.pdf

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34. http://insightsonindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/emotional-intelligence-basics.pdf
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36. http://insightsonindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/emotional-intelligence-and-publicleadership.pdf
37. http://insightsonindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/emotional-intelligencein-bureaucracies.pdf
38. http://insightsonindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/public-service-values-good-one.pdf
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