The Ethics paper in UPSC Mains is a decisive rank-booster and often the game-changer in a candidate’s attempt. While GS papers-I, II, III have relatively compressed scoring ranges, Ethics offers scope to score 110+ with clarity, values, and practical reasoning. It reflects your administrative maturity, decision-making ability, and moral compass — qualities vital for a civil servant.
ETHICS CAN DECIDE YOUR ATTEMPT:
A good Ethics score can significantly offset average marks in other papers and elevate your final rank. Toppers frequently credit their selection or top rank to strong Ethics performance, making it the most underrated yet crucial paper in determining your attempt’s outcome.
Understanding Ethics syllabus and pattern:
Section -I for 130 Marks. Each question carries 10 Marks.
Section-II for 120 Marks. Each Case study for 20 Marks.
TOPPER STRATEGIES:
Let’s analyze the strategies adopted by toppers such as Anudeep Durishetty (AIR 1, 2017), Junaid Ahmad (AIR 3, 2018), Srushti Deshmukh (AIR 5, 2018), and recent toppers such as A Madhu (AIR 544, CSE 2024).
- Develop a Strong Conceptual Base:
“Ethics is not about memorizing definitions — it’s about developing a value system.” — Anudeep Durishetty
How to do this:
- Begin with syllabus keywords such as integrity, honesty, compassion, empathy, transparency, tolerance.
- Define it in one line.
- Write an example from real life.
- Mark a known quote if possible.
- Connect it with governance and public administration.
Books Suggested by Toppers:
Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
La Excellence Class Notes
Second ARC reports (Chapters on Ethics in Governance)
Example:
Integrity: The quality of being honest and possessing high moral standards.
Example: E. Sreedharan’s unbending integrity during the Delhi Metro project.
- Make an Ethics Diary with such handy notes.
- Use Real-Life Examples with Personal Twist:
“Examples are your biggest weapon in Ethics.” — Junaid Ahmad
Instead of abstractions, toppers use real-life examples along with personal spin to explain:
- Incidents in life (e.g., how IAS officer Armstrong Pame constructed a road in Manipur)
- Government programs and policy instances (e.g., Mission Karmayogi, Lokpal Act)
- Ethical global leaders (e.g., Gandhi’s law of non-violence)
- Your personal stories (how you reacted to peer pressure or supported a friend)
- Draw diagrams relevant to the syllabus and update them with new concepts. Example Social Intelligence is such new term appearing in the Ethics Jargon.
Tips on making a list of examples:
Maintain a distinct diary for ethical incidents, news dilemmas, and motivating episodes
Classify them as per values such as integrity, compassion, courage, tolerance
Tip: Apply example concepts even in theory answers — this is a high-return practice followed by nearly every topper.
- Case Study Approach:
“Case studies test your practicality, integrity, and emotional intelligence — not bookish knowledge.” — Srushti Deshmukh
Toppers’ method of answering case studies:
- State facts of the case
- Identify ethical dilemmas
- List stakeholders
- Mention all possible options
- Evaluate pros and cons of each option
- Suggest the best ethical course of action
- Conclude with justification, citing constitutional values or public interest.
Case studies if well written can fetch you very good score. The present day case studies are looking similar in the way they are asked. But if you write similar structure and approach for every casestudy, then you might make the paper monotonous.
You can refer Topper’s copies and see the approach they adopted in all 6 case studies and incorporate their approach into yours.
Illustrative Example:
Case Study:
You are a district collector under pressure from a minister to illegalize land allotment to a private firm.
Dilemmas:
- Loyalty to minister vs duty to law
- Personal career risk vs public interest
Stakeholders:
You, minister, private firm, public, government
Options:
- Obey illegal order
- Refuse respectfully quoting rules
- Report issue to superior authority
- Best Ethical Response:
- Refuse respectfully quoting legal provisions, and report the matter through appropriate channels, keeping public interest paramount and ensuring rule of law.
Pro Tip:
Apply models such as Gandhian Talisman, 4-V model (Values, Virtue, Vision, Voice), and constitutional values.
4.Adopt a Value-Enriched Writing Style:
Topper’s secrets:
- Start answers with clear definitions.
- Quote examples right after concepts.
- Apply ethical theories where appropriate (Deontology, Utilitarianism, Virtue Ethics)
- Use quotations sparingly (3-5 good quotes are sufficient)
Example of a good quote:
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Anudeep Durishetty’s advice: Conclude answers with a positive, forward-looking assertion of alignment with constitutional morality.
5. Regular Practice and Mock Tests
Topper-trusted practice routines:
- Spend 30-45 minutes a day on answer writing.
- Try one theory answer and one case study answer every day.
- Take Ethics test series (La Excellence Shiksha is a good option)
- Study toppers’ answer sheets from coaching institute websites.
Why it matters:
Toppers always credit 110+ marks to answer writing practice that trained them in structure, concision, and value inclusion.
Final Words: What Makes Ethics a High-Scoring Paper?
Ethics rewards:
- Clarity of thought
- Humane, practical solutions
- Administrative maturity
- Constitutional values
- Rich, relevant examples
If done sincerely, it can be your Mains’ best-scoring paper and a crucial determinant of your final rank. As Garima Lohiya aptly put it, “It’s a test of your character and your vision of good governance, not mere bookish knowledge.”
For more such preparation strategies, you can read here: https://laex.in/category/preparation-strategy/
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