UPSC Mains 2025 GS4 Q9: model answer
Subash is Secretary, PWD in the State Government. He is a senior officer, known for his competence, integrity and dedication to work. He enjoys the trust and confidence of Minister Incharge of PWD and Programme Implementation. As a part of his job profile, he is responsible for policy formulation, execution of projects relating to infrastructure initiatives in the State. Besides, he oversees the technical and administrative aspects relating to planning, designing and construction etc.
Subash’s Minister is an important Minister in the state and significant growth in urban infrastructure development and road network has been registered during
his tenure. He is very keen for launching of ambitious road construction project in the near future.
Subash is in regular touch with the Minister and is working various modalities of road construction project. Regular meetings, interactions and presentations are made by him to the Minister before a formal public announcement of the project is made by the Minister. Subash’s only son Vikas is in real estate business. His son from his own sources is aware that a mega road project is on the anvil and announcement in this regard is expected anytime. He is very keen to know from his father the exact location of the upcoming project. He knows that there would be quantum jump in the prices of land in the vicinity. Buying land at this stage at cheaper prices would pay him rich dividends. He is pleading with him (his father) day in and day out to share him location of the proposed project. He assured him that he would handle the matter discretely as it would not attract any adverse notice as he in the normal course, keeps on buying land as a part of his business. He feels pressurised because of constant pleadings by his son.
Another significant aspect of the matter pertained to the extra/undue interest in the above project by the Minister PWD. His nephew was also having big infrastructure project company. In fact, the Minister has also introduced his nephew to him and indicated to him to take care of his nephew’s business interest in the forthcoming project. The Minister encouraged him to act fast in the matter as early announcement and execution of mega road project would enhance his status in the party and public life.
In the above backdrop, Subash is in a fix as to the future course of action.
(a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.
(b) Critically examine the options available to Subash in the above situation.
(c) Which of the above would be most appropriate and why?
What the question wants
Identify conflicts of interest and confidentiality issues; examine options for Subash and choose the right one.
How to structure it
Intro: an honest officer pressed by his son and his minister. Body: (a) Ethical issues (confidentiality, conflict of interest, integrity vs loyalty); (b) Options (share location with son, help the nephew, refuse quietly but do nothing else); (c) Best course: Option 4. Conclusion: Honesty and courage protect both the project and the officer's name.
- 1(a) Ethical issues (confidentiality, conflict of interest, integrity vs loyalty)
- 2(b) Options (share location with son, help the nephew, refuse quietly but do nothing else)
- 3(c) Best course: Option 4
Model answer
Subash, an officer known for integrity, is pressed from two sides: his son wants inside information and his minister wants favours for a nephew.
(a) Ethical issues
- Confidentiality: sharing the project's location would be misuse of official information; Rule 11 of conduct rules bars unauthorised communication.
- Conflict of interest: family gain from public office (son); political patronage (minister's nephew).
- Integrity vs loyalty: love for son and trust of minister vs duty to the public.
- Fairness: landowners would lose to insider buyers; other bidders would lose to the nephew.
(b) Options
- Share location with son: family gain, but illegal and a betrayal of trust. Rejected.
- Help the nephew: pleases the minister, but corrupts procurement. Rejected.
- Refuse quietly but do nothing else: keeps him clean personally but leaves risks unaddressed.
- Refuse firmly, safeguard the process and document: may annoy son and minister and risk transfer, but upholds law.
(c) Best course: Option 4
- Tell his son clearly that he cannot share any information; ask him not to buy land in the region for now.
- Declare the potential conflict in writing to the Chief Secretary and recuse from land-related decisions if his son's business may be affected.
- Tell the minister politely that tendering will follow GFR and CVC norms through open e-tendering.
- Speed up the formal announcement and notify land acquisition promptly to shrink the window for speculation.
Honesty and courage protect both the project and the officer's name. An officer is trusted not because he never faces pressure, but because he does not bend to it.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
conflict of interest insider information CCS Conduct Rules recusal open tendering courage of conviction
Where most answers lose marks
- Ignoring the minister's nephew angle.
- Suggesting resignation as the first option.
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 question paper: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/GENERAL-STUDIES-PAPER-IV-QP-CSM-25-010925.pdf The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.