Answer: There are increasing expectations in countries across the world that the government and its various organs maintain high ethical standards and integrity in governance. In response, countries have made significant progress in terms of developing effective Civil Service Ethics, Codes of Conduct, transparency measures, Ethics and Integrity systems, and anti-corruption agencies. It is public servants’ responsibility to maintain and strengthen the public’s trust and confidence in government, by demonstrating the highest standards of professional competence, efficiency and effectiveness, upholding the Constitution and the laws, and seeking to advance the public good at all times. However, as a necessary prerequisite for internalising integrity and ethics in democratic governments and the Civil Service, it is not only public servants but also common citizens that play a key role:

• Dealing with officials: All citizens in their official dealings with public bodies, civil servants, and public officials should observe a number of responsibilities of good citizenship. For example, honest reporting of crimes or stating facts in the courts of law etc.
• Serving as role models: Citizens such as celebrities, sportspersons etc. also play a role in institutionalizing and guiding ethical conduct in the society. For example, Amitabh Bachchan’s contribution in eradication of Polio from the country and moving out of Pan Masala advertisements keeping the public interest in mind.
• Grassroot empowerment: In the rising culture of Sarpanch Pati, it is the local people of the Gram Sabha itself who have to come out in protest so that women empowerment and decentralization become effective.
• Saving precious resources: Considering the fact that India is fighting for acute resources, it is the responsibility of every citizen to come up with efficient habits. For example, replacing flood irrigation by micro-irrigation techniques, conserving electricity, using renewable sources of energy, etc.
• Behavioural change: In the light of rising preventable deaths in India, citizenship participation becomes imperative. For instance, behavioural change is an important aspect of Swachha Bharat Abhiyan.
• Constitutional Duties: Fundamental duties have also been created considering the argument that with rights come responsibilities. So, it is the fundamental duty of every citizen to preserve India’s integrity and uphold constitutional tenets of an inclusive and cohesive society.

High standards of ethical conduct and good governance therefore aren’t just a prerogative of public servants alone but also require a careful balancing of citizens’ rights and duties. In the event of a citizen’s failure to comply with these requirements, a government organisation may impose an administrative penalty, usually in the form of a withdrawal of a service provided by the organisation, for a limited period of time.