Practice UPSC CSAT previous year questions from 2011–2026 classified underAdministrative Ethics. Review the original question, four options, correct answer and explanation for every PYQ.
12 questions • 2011–2026
You have differences of opinion regarding the final report prepared by your subordinate that is to be submitted urgently. The subordinate is justifying the information given in the report. You would
The keyed response preserves A and C. Both involve taking responsibility for an urgently required report rather than simply arguing with the subordinate.
You are competing with your batch-mate for a prestigious award to be decided based on an oral presentation. Ten minutes are allowed for each presentation. You have been asked by the committee to finish on time. Your friend, however, is allowed more than the stipulated time period. You would
The keyed response preserves A and D. Both directly object to unequal treatment in the competition; the official key records both.
You are handling a priority project and have been meeting all the deadlines and are therefore planning your leave during the project. Your immediate boss does not grant your leave citing the urgency of the project. You would
The keyed response preserves C and D. The appropriate route is to challenge the decision through proper authority rather than bypassing sanction or feigning illness.
As a citizen you have some work with a government department. The official calls you again and again; and without directly asking you, sends out feelers for a bribe. You want to get your work done. You would
The keyed response preserves B and C: continue through the lawful process and seek help from a higher officer rather than paying a bribe; the official key records both.
Given below are eight items. Each item describes a situation and is followed by four possible responses. Indicate the response you find most appropriate. Choose only one response for each item. The responses will be evaluated based on the level of appropriateness for the given situation. Please attempt all the items. There is no penalty for wrong answers for these eight items.
You have been asked to give an explanation for not attending an important official meeting. Your immediate boss who has not informed you about the meeting is now putting pressure on you not to place an allegation against him/her. You would
The situation involves pressure by the immediate boss and a need to explain an official lapse. Escalating the matter to the top boss provides a formal channel for resolving the issue.
Given below are eight items. Each item describes a situation and is followed by four possible responses. Indicate the response you find most appropriate. Choose only one response for each item. The responses will be evaluated based on the level of appropriateness for the given situation. Please attempt all the items. There is no penalty for wrong answers for these eight items.
A local thug (bad element) has started illegal construction on your vacant plot. He has refused your request to vacate and threatened you of dire consequences in case you do not sell the property at a cheap price to him. You would
Illegal construction and threats should be handled through the lawful authority rather than negotiation with the offender.
Given below are eight items. Each item describes a situation and is followed by four possible responses. Indicate the response you find most appropriate. Choose only one response for each item. The responses will be evaluated based on the level of appropriateness for the given situation. Please attempt all the items. There is no penalty for wrong answers for these eight items.
You have to accomplish a very important task for your Headquarters within the next two days. Suddenly you meet with an accident. Your office insists that you complete the task. You would
The accident affects your ability to complete the task; informing Headquarters allows it to decide whether to extend the deadline or reassign the work.
Given below are eight items. Each item describes a situation and is followed by four possible responses. Indicate the response you find most appropriate. Choose only one response for each item. The responses will be evaluated based on the level of appropriateness for the given situation. Please attempt all the items. There is no penalty for wrong answers for these eight items.
You are an officer-in-charge for providing basic medical facilities to the survivors of an earthquake affected area. Despite your best possible effort, people put allegations against you for making money out of the funds given for relief. You would
Allegations involving public relief funds should be subject to an impartial enquiry while relief work continues.
Given below are eight items. Each item describes a situation and is followed by four possible responses. Indicate the response you find most appropriate. Choose only one response for each item. The responses will be evaluated based on the level of appropriateness for the given situation. Please attempt all the items. There is no penalty for wrong answers for these eight items.
You have been made responsible to hire boats at a short notice to be used for an area under flood. On seeing the price mentioned by the boat owners you found that the lowest price was approximately three times more than the approved rate of the Government. You would
The situation is an emergency, but the quoted price is substantially above the approved rate. The matter should be referred through the competent government channel rather than accepting or threatening.
Given below are eight items. Each item describes a situation and is followed by four possible responses. Indicate the response you find most appropriate. Choose only one response for each item. The responses will be evaluated based on the level of appropriateness for the given situation. Please attempt all the items. There is no penalty for wrong answers for these eight items.
You are the officer-in-charge of a village administering distribution of vaccine in an isolated epidemic hit village, and you are left with only one vaccine. There is a requirement of that vaccine from the Gram Pradhan and also a poor villager. You are being pressurized by the Gram Pradhan to issue the vaccine to him. You would
A neutral medical assessment of urgency avoids political pressure and bases allocation on medical need.
Given below are eight items. Each item describes a situation and is followed by four possible responses. Indicate the response you find most appropriate. Choose only one response for each item. The responses will be evaluated based on the level of appropriateness for the given situation. Please attempt all the items. There is no penalty for wrong answers for these eight items.
You have taken up a project to create night-shelters for homeless people during the winter season. Within a week of establishing the shelters, you have received complaints from the residents of the area about the increase in theft cases with a demand to remove the shelters. You would
The complaints should be taken seriously and investigated while the shelter project continues; an enquiry addresses both public safety and the humanitarian objective.
Given below are eight items. Each item describes a situation and is followed by four possible responses. Indicate the response you find most appropriate. Choose only one response for each item. The responses will be evaluated based on the level of appropriateness for the given situation. Please attempt all the items. There is no penalty for wrong answers for these eight items.
You, as an administrative authority, have been approached by the daughter-in-law of an influential person regarding harassment by her in-laws on account of insufficient dowry. Her parents are not able to approach you because of social pressures. You would
The official response should not depend on the parents' ability to approach the authority. Calling the in-laws for an explanation initiates direct administrative intervention while keeping the matter within a formal process.
Attempt questions one by one with UPSC-style marking and immediate explanations.