20 marks
250 words
Case study
During a flood, you are in charge of distributing limited relief material. A minister’s office instructs you to prioritise a particular village that is politically important, while an equally affected but poorer village gets nothing. Time and supplies are short. How will you handle the situation?
Decoding the directive: “Case study”
Apply the method under resource scarcity and time pressure — fairness and need-based criteria are the crux.
What UPSC is really asking
Tests fairness, courage and practical administration under pressure. Identify stakeholders, the dilemma (political instruction vs. need-based equity), options, and a transparent, need-based allocation you can defend.
Dimensions the examiner expects
Cover these dimensions
- Stakeholders — both villages, minister, you, disaster victims at large
- Dilemma — political pressure vs. equitable, need-based relief
- Options — obey, refuse, or adopt transparent need-based criteria for all
- Chosen action — allocate by assessed need; document; communicate criteria
- Values — impartiality, non-partisanship, compassion, transparency
Concepts & keywords to name
Use the right vocabulary
- Impartiality & non-partisanship — treating citizens equally
- Equity vs. equality — allocation by need
- Transparency — publishing the criteria used
- Administrative courage under pressure
Common mistakes to avoid
Don’t do this
- Simply obeying the political instruction
- Refusing without offering a workable, fair alternative
- Ignoring the practical constraints of time and supplies
Quick hints before you write
Structuring tips
- Propose objective, need-based criteria and apply them to both villages.
- Show how transparency protects you and the victims.
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