MPPSC Mains PYQs

The number of old age homes in India is rising due to various social reasons:

1. Changing Family Dynamics

• Smaller Families: With nuclear families becoming more common, elderly parents often find themselves living alone, unable to rely on children for care.

2. Urbanization

• Migration for Jobs: Young people move to cities for work, leaving elderly parents in rural areas, leading to the need for institutional care.

3. Economic Pressures

• Financial Independence: As elderly people live longer, many require professional care that families may not afford or be able to provide at home.

Conclusion

These factors—smaller family structures, urban migration, and financial constraints—are driving the increasing demand for old-age homes in India.

Functions of the World Bank

The World Bank plays a vital role in supporting global development by providing financial assistance to developing countries.

1. Providing Loans

• Financial Support: The World Bank offers loans to countries for building infrastructure, such as roads, schools, and hospitals, which help improve living standards.

2. Promoting Economic Development

• Poverty Reduction: It funds projects aimed at reducing poverty, improving healthcare, and enhancing education in developing nations.

3. Technical Assistance

• Expert Advice: The World Bank provides technical expertise and advice to help countries design and implement effective policies and projects.

4. Research and Data

• Global Insights: It conducts research to provide data and analysis on global economic trends, helping governments make informed decisions.

In conclusion, the World Bank’s functions support sustainable development and help reduce poverty worldwide.

Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Civil Servants in the Present Scenario

Civil servants often face difficult ethical dilemmas that challenge their personal values and professional duties. These dilemmas arise due to conflicts between public expectations, political pressures, and personal integrity.

1. Balancing Professional Judgment and Political Influence

• Conflict of Interests: Civil servants must balance their professional judgment with political pressures. For instance, a government official might be pressured to support a policy that conflicts with their ethical standards or the best interests of the public. A common example is when civil servants are asked to overlook environmental concerns for short-term economic gains.

2. Corruption and Bribery

• Temptations of Corruption: Civil servants are often offered bribes or illegal incentives in exchange for favors. Rejecting such offers requires immense personal integrity, as accepting them can lead to career advancement, but it would violate ethical standards.

3. Confidentiality vs. Public Right to Know

• Transparency vs. Secrecy: Civil servants are often faced with situations where they must decide whether to disclose sensitive information. For example, revealing corruption in their department might be morally right but could harm national security or public trust.

4. Resource Allocation

• Equitable Distribution: Civil servants must ensure resources are allocated fairly, even when political pressure demands favoritism toward certain groups or regions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, civil servants today face numerous ethical dilemmas that test their ability to maintain integrity while fulfilling their duties. Balancing these challenges requires a strong commitment to ethical standards and public service values.

Corruption has many harmful effects on societies, economies, and governments. It undermines development and harms citizens in multiple ways. Here are some of the major ill-effects:

1. Economic Damage

• Hinders Growth: Corruption leads to misallocation of resources. Public funds that should be used for essential services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure are often diverted for personal gain. This slows economic progress.
• Increases Costs: Bribery and kickbacks in business transactions increase costs for companies, making products and services more expensive for consumers.

2. Undermines Trust in Institutions

• Loss of Faith: When people see corruption in government and law enforcement, they lose trust in these institutions. This reduces public participation and weakens democracy. In some countries, this leads to political instability.

3. Social Inequality

• Deepens Poverty: Corruption often results in government programs intended to help the poor being siphoned off by corrupt officials, leaving vulnerable communities without the support they need.

4. Encourages Criminal Activity

• Increases Crime: Corruption can make it easier for criminals to evade justice, which leads to a rise in crime and insecurity in society.

Conclusion

In summary, corruption harms every level of society—economically, socially, and politically. Addressing corruption is crucial for sustainable development and a healthy society, as the UNODC emphasizes.