Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction

• Briefly define the term “fortitude” and explain its general significance in personal and professional contexts.
• State the importance of fortitude as a foundational virtue for civil servants in India.
• Outline how fortitude enables civil servants to demonstrate other virtues effectively.

2. Role of Fortitude in the Civil Services

• Rationality and Objectivity
  • Fact: Civil servants must make decisions based on facts and evidence, especially in critical situations. Fortitude ensures that decisions are made without personal bias or fear, even in challenging scenarios.
  • Example: In disaster management, civil servants use fortitude to stay objective when deciding on resource allocation and response strategies.
• Non-partisanship
  • Fact: Civil servants need mental strength to remain neutral and impartial, especially in politically sensitive situations.
  • Example: During election duties, civil servants must remain unbiased, acting according to the law and without favoring any political party.
• Integrity
  • Fact: Upholding integrity requires standing firm in the face of pressure, which fortitude enables.
  • Example: Satyendra Dubey, an IES officer, displayed fortitude by exposing corruption in a highway project, even at great personal risk.
• Accountability
  • Fact: Civil servants must accept responsibility for their actions. Fortitude helps them acknowledge mistakes and take corrective actions.
  • Example: Satish Dhawan took responsibility for the failure of ISRO’s SLV-3 mission, showing leadership and accountability under pressure.
• Commitment to Service
  • Fact: Fortitude helps civil servants maintain high morale and continue their service despite challenges.
  • Example: During the COVID-19 pandemic, civil servants showed immense fortitude in providing essential services and managing relief efforts.
• Tolerance and Perseverance
  • Fact: Fortitude strengthens tolerance, helping civil servants deal with differing opinions, and fosters perseverance in the face of adversity.
  • Example: Civil servants, facing frequent transfers and intense stress, continue their duties with resilience, driven by fortitude.
• Leadership
  • Fact: Fortitude enables civil servants to lead effectively, maintaining the confidence and motivation of their team in difficult times.
  • Example: A civil servant displaying fortitude can inspire their team during crises, helping them stay focused on goals and objectives.

3. Conclusion

• Summarize how fortitude is essential for civil servants to function effectively and uphold the virtues of integrity, objectivity, impartiality, and commitment.
• Reinforce the idea that fortitude underpins all other virtues in public service, ensuring efficient governance and a stable, responsive administration.

Relevant Facts 

Rationality and Objectivity

• Fact: Civil servants must make decisions based on evidence and facts, particularly in crises, with emotional strength to remain objective.
  • Example: In disaster management, fortitude helps in making swift and unbiased decisions.

Non-partisanship

• Fact: Civil servants need fortitude to maintain impartiality in politically charged environments.
  • Example: Civil servants on election duty must perform their tasks without favoritism.

Integrity

• Fact: Fortitude strengthens a civil servant’s moral resolve to uphold ethics even under pressure.
  • Example: Satyendra Dubey stood against corruption in the highway project, exemplifying integrity despite threats.

Accountability

• Fact: Civil servants demonstrate accountability by owning up to mistakes and taking corrective actions, which requires emotional courage.
  • Example: Satish Dhawan took responsibility for ISRO’s SLV-3 failure, displaying accountability.

Commitment to Service

• Fact: Fortitude sustains civil servants’ motivation and commitment, especially in the face of challenges like pandemics or natural disasters.
  • Example: Civil servants played a crucial role in COVID-19 relief, driven by fortitude to serve despite hardships.

Tolerance and Perseverance

• Fact: Fortitude allows civil servants to endure tough working conditions and maintain a positive attitude in dealing with public issues.
  • Example: Civil servants face challenges like transfers and stress but persevere due to fortitude.

Leadership

• Fact: Fortitude is key to leadership, allowing civil servants to inspire and lead by example during difficult situations.
  • Example: A civil servant demonstrating fortitude during crises can boost team morale and ensure continued service delivery.

By following this roadmap, you can create a well-structured and fact-based answer that highlights the relevance of fortitude in civil services.