UPSC Mains 2018 GS Paper 4 Q1b: model answer
Distinguish between “Code of ethics” and “Code of conduct” with suitable examples.
What the question wants
Distinguish a code of ethics from a code of conduct with examples.
How to structure it
Definitions, differences, examples, link.
- Code of ethics
- Code of conduct
- Differences
- Examples
How to think it through
Ethics: broad principles/values guiding judgment (integrity, impartiality)—aspirational; e.g., Nolan principles, ICAI? , medical Hippocratic, 2nd ARC proposed. Conduct: specific rules of behaviour, enforceable, prohibitions; e.g., AIS Conduct Rules 1968 (gifts above limit, political activity, accepting private employment), CCS Conduct Rules 1964. Differences: nature (values vs rules), scope (grey areas vs specified), enforceability (moral vs disciplinary), approach (aspirational vs compliance). Link: ethics inspires, conduct enforces.
Model answer
A code of ethics tells a doctor to put the patient first. A code of conduct tells him not to accept gifts from drug companies above a set value. One gives the why; the other gives the what.
Code of ethics
- A set of broad values and principles that guide judgment.
- Examples: the Nolan Principles of public life; the values in the 2nd ARC's proposed Public Services Code; the Hippocratic Oath for doctors.
Code of conduct
- A set of specific rules of behaviour, with penalties for breach.
- Examples: the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, which regulate gifts, political activity, private business and asset declarations; the Model Code of Conduct for elections.
Key differences
- Nature: values versus rules.
- Scope: ethics covers grey areas; conduct covers specified situations.
- Enforcement: ethics relies on conscience and culture; conduct relies on disciplinary action.
How they work together
- A code of ethics explains the rules; a code of conduct enforces the minimum.
- India has conduct rules but no formal code of ethics for civil servants yet.
Rules can stop a wrong act; only values can inspire a right one.
Draw: A two-column comparison table: ethics and conduct across nature, scope, enforcement and flexibility.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
code of ethics, code of conduct, values vs rules, aspirational vs compliance, Nolan Principles, Hippocratic Oath, AIS Conduct Rules 1968, gifts, political activity, asset declaration, Model Code of Conduct, grey areas, enforcement.
Where most answers lose marks
- Giving examples only of one code.
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Fresh examples from current affairs
Supreme Court: no prior approval under Section 17A needed to probe a bribe demand
In a judgment of 16 October 2026, a Supreme Court Bench of Justices S.V.N. Bhatti and N.V. Anjaria held that investigating a bribe demand by a public servant does not need prior approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Asking for a bribe, the court said, is not part of discharging official duties.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Sections 7, 7A, 17A and 19 of the PC Act. · Mains GS-II/GS-IV: honest officers versus accountability.
19 Oct 2026Learn the concept
Question text as printed in the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) question paper. The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.
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