Public

Practical
Ethical Service UPSC Ethics Exam
Key Quote Key Principles Examples in
Framework Application Relevance
India
in India

Promotes
empathy,
1. Four Noble Truths integrity, and
(addressing suffering) mindfulness in 1. District
2. Noble Eightfold governance. collector
Provides a
Path (Right View, Public prioritizing
framework for
Intention, Speech, servants relief for flood
discussing
Action, Livelihood, address victims
compassion,
“Do not dwell in the Effort, Mindfulness, societal (Compassion).
integrity, and
past, do not dream Concentration) suffering (e.g., 2. Ensuring
systemic impact in
of the future, 3. Five Precepts (non- poverty) transparency in
Buddhism case studies on
concentrate the mind harm, honesty, etc.) through Swachh Bharat
poverty, corruption,
on the present 4. Karma (intentional compassionate funds (Right
or environmental
moment.” (Buddha) action) policies like Speech).
ethics. Aligns with
5. Compassion MGNREGA, 3. Designing
constitutional values
(Karuna) and Loving- ensure sustainable
of justice and
Kindness (Metta) transparency policies like
fraternity.
6. Middle Path via RTI, and afforestation
(balance) balance (Middle Path).
7. Interdependence development
with
sustainability.

Encourages
policies
reducing
1. Critique of
inequality, 1.
Capitalism (anti-
such as Implementing
exploitation)
progressive MGNREGA
2. Class Struggle
taxation or PM for rural poor
(social justice) Useful for analyzing
Garib Kalyan (Collectivism).
“From each 3. Alienation case studies on
Yojana. Public 2. Enforcing
according to his (restoring dignity) economic disparities,
servants labor laws for
Karl Marx ability, to each 4. Collectivism labor rights, or
prioritize fair wages
according to his 5. Historical systemic reforms,
marginalized (Anti-
needs.” Materialism (systemic emphasizing social
groups Alienation).
change) justice and equity.
through 3. Supporting
6. Abolition of Private
affirmative land reforms in
Property
action and tribal areas
7. Solidarity with the
ensure (Solidarity).
Oppressed
equitable
resource
distribution.

Guides public
1. Mediating
servants to
communal
promote
disputes
1. Ahimsa (non- peace,
peacefully in
violence) transparency,
Comparative Table of Ethical Teachings for Public Service in India

Notes

 Indian Context: Each framework aligns with India’s constitutional values of justice,
equality, and fraternity, making them relevant for UPSC Ethics exam essays and case
studies.

 Practical Application: Examples focus on Indian schemes like MGNREGA, PM

 Limitations: Marx’s radical ideas (e.g., revolution) and Kant’s absolutism may
require pragmatic adaptation in India’s democratic context. Jainism’s strict non-
violence may need balancing with practical governance needs.