UPSC Mains GS -4 Case Studies

Case Studies

You are posted as the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation in a major North Indian city located along the Yamuna River. The river is the city’s lifeline, providing water for domestic, industrial, and agricultural needs. Over the years, however, the Yamuna has become heavily polluted due to untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and religious offerings. A recent National Green Tribunal report has criticised your corporation for failing to meet sewage treatment targets and for allowing illegal industrial discharges.

On assuming office, you discover that several textile and dyeing units are secretly releasing untreated waste into the river at night. Many sewage treatment plants under your jurisdiction are either non-functional or operating far below capacity, partly due to corruption in maintenance contracts. Religious organisations continue to immerse idols and floral offerings into the river, citing cultural tradition, and have mobilised public sentiment against any restrictions.

Environmental activists are running a campaign that is gaining national attention, while the local media have started linking rising cases of skin ailments and loss of aquatic life directly to the state of the river. Political leaders, however, advise you to go slow on enforcement until after the upcoming elections, warning that strict action against industries or religious groups may provoke unrest. Meanwhile, the government has directed you to prepare a detailed action plan for river rejuvenation.

1. Identify and discuss the ethical issues involved in this case.
2. How would you balance environmental duty with political and cultural pressures?
3. How would you ensure accountability in industrial compliance and transparency in sewage treatment operations?
4. Suggest key measures for sustainable river management and state the ethical values that should guide you.

Answer –

Model Answer (UPSC Mains GS-4)

    A . Ethical Issues Involved

• Environmental Ethics – Protection of Yamuna as a shared natural resource.
• Public Health Concerns – Preventing diseases caused by contaminated water.
• Corruption in Governance – Misuse of public funds in STP maintenance.
• Corporate Irresponsibility – Industries releasing effluents illegally.
• Cultural vs Ecological Values – Balancing traditions with environmental responsibility.
• Political Pressure vs Neutrality – Ensuring fairness despite electoral concerns.
• Transparency and Accountability – Citizens’ right to information on water quality.

    B . Balancing Environmental Duty with Political and Cultural     Pressures

• Constitutional Mandate: Article 21 (Right to clean environment) and Article 48A (State’s duty to protect environment).
• Cultural Accommodation: Provide eco-friendly alternatives such as artificial ponds for idol immersion and composting of floral offerings.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Involve religious leaders, NGOs, and media in awareness campaigns.
• Administrative Neutrality: Resist undue political influence while remaining consultative and empathetic.

    C . Ensuring Accountability and Transparency

• Industries: Online effluent monitoring, surprise inspections, strict penalties.
• STPs: Third-party audits, GIS dashboards, e-tendering for contracts.
• Transparency: Monthly publication of water quality, citizen oversight committees.

  D . Sustainable River Management

 Short Term – Repair STPs, strict checks on illegal discharges, regulate religious practices.
Medium Term – CETPs for industries, solid waste management, CSR participation.
Long Term – Riverfront green buffers, climate resilience planning, citizen-driven “My Yamuna, My   Responsibility” campaigns.

Ethical Values to be Followed

• Integrity – Resisting corruption.
• Courage of Conviction – Acting despite political pressure.
• Compassion – Protecting health and livelihoods.
• Respect for Culture – Harmonising faith with environment.
• Accountability & Transparency – Open governance for public trust.
• Sustainability – Intergenerational equity in resource use.

Conclusion

As Commissioner, my responsibility is to protect both the river and the people. By adopting firm enforcement, transparent governance, and culturally sensitive alternatives, the Yamuna can be rejuvenated. Upholding constitutional duties and ethical principles will ensure long-term ecological and social justice.

How to Approach Case Studies in UPSC Mains (GS-4 Ethics)

Case studies in UPSC Mains GS-4 test not only knowledge but also integrity, decision-making, and balance of values. Many aspirants lose marks because they either write generic points or ignore the ethical dimension.

Here are some tips:

1. Understand the Context

• Always start by identifying stakeholders – citizens, environment, industries, religious groups, political leadership, administration, and future generations.
• Map their interests and ethical dilemmas.

2. Identify Ethical Issues Clearly

• Go beyond legality. Ethics is about what ought to be done, not just what is permitted.
• Frame issues in terms of values: transparency, accountability, compassion, fairness, environmental ethics, etc.

3. Balance Competing Interests

• The examiner wants to see how you handle conflict of values.
• Show a balanced approach – for example, respecting culture while protecting ecology.

4. Give Practical and Realistic Solutions

• Avoid “ideal” but impractical answers.
• Suggest feasible measures like community awareness, monitoring systems, or stakeholder engagement.

5. Conclude with Ethical Principles

• Always end with reference to Constitutional values, Gandhian ethics, or universal human values.

Importance of Ethics Case Studies in UPSC Mains

• In GS Paper 4 (Ethics), case studies carry 50% of total marks.
• Well-written answers here can significantly boost your rank in UPSC Civil Services Examination.
• Ethics paper is considered a “rank booster” because marks vary widely depending on answer quality.

Strategy for UPSC Aspirants – How to Write GS-4 Case Study Answers

1. Structure your answer – Break into headings: Ethical Issues, Options, Analysis, Way Forward.
2. Use examples – Cite constitutional provisions, Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas, or relevant committees.
3. Keep balance – Neither be too idealistic nor too compromising.
4. Time management – Practice writing 250-word answers in under 8 minutes.
5. Daily practice – Pick 1 case study and write a structured answer every day.

Final Words for Aspirants

The UPSC Mains GS-4 paper is not about rote learning but about your ability to apply ethical principles in real-life governance situations. Questions like the Yamuna River case show the complexity of public administration – balancing environment, politics, and culture.

If you practice structured writing, connect your answers with Constitutional values and ethics, and provide innovative yet practical solutions, you can score very high in this paper. Remember:

1. 👉 Ethics is not just about clearing UPSC Mains, it is about becoming the kind of civil servant India truly needs.