An ethical dilemma is a complex situation that often involves an apparent conflict between moral imperatives, in which to obey one would result in transgressing the other. Ethical dilemma arises because ethical standards are not codified, and disagreements about proper behaviour often occur. For civil servants, ethical dilemmas tend to arise from three critical relationships Le. civil servants and political office holders; civil servants and citizens; and intra-civil service (between ministries, departments and agencies of the state). These dilemmas could broadly fall into following categories:

• Personal Cost ethical dilemmas, arising from situations in which compliance with ethical conduct results in a significant personal cost to the civil servant, for example, jeopardising held position, injuring valued relationships etc.
• Right vs Right ethical dilemmas, arising from situations of two or more conflicting sets of bona fide ethical values, for example, civil servant’s responsibility of being open and accountable to citizens versus that of adhering to oath of secrecy/confidentiality etc.
• Conjoint ethical dilemmas, arising from situations in which a conscientious civil servant is exposed to a combination of the aforementioned ethical dilemmas.

A strategy to deal with ethical dilemmas must include following key elements:

• Democratic accountability of administration: The civil servants should subordinate themselves to political authority, to carry out all ‘orders’ from the ‘top’, as long as they are as per law. They should show a spirit of ‘neutrality’ in their official capacity and dealings; and keep at bay their own personal preferences in the performance of their duties and responsibilities.
• Principle of legality: The civil servants should manifest a spirit of constitutionalism in their exercise of authority. All power must be exercised in the name and general interest of the people and guided by an ‘articulate’ system of rules and laws.
• Professional integrity: It should act as a source of ‘internal self-control’ in administrative conduct, based on ethical standards and criteria shared and respected by civil servants. It should be seen as a matter of personal and professional honour and prestige, in a culture of ethics, and not simply an externally imposed obligation. Also, a ‘Code of Ethics for Public Servants’ can be brought to complement this.
• Responsiveness to citizens: It entails consultation in governance and promotion of a kind of ‘Communicative Ethic’, in social affairs. The civil society not only furnishes the State, with needs and demands, but also valuable sources of information, feed-back criticism and evaluation of performance. Along with these elements, it is imperative that a civil servant listens to his or her conscience or Inner voice to guide him or her In resolving ethical dilemmas. The talisman given by Gandhiji can provide the guiding light in this respect.