Ethics in public relationships of a public servant

Published on 01 Nov 2025

• Ethical behaviours

• Integrity and transparency: Upholding honesty and transparency in all official dealings and communication with the public.

• Example: Providing accurate and complete information about government programs without misrepresentation.

• Impartiality and fairness: Ensuring that decisions are not influenced by personal interests or biases and treating all citizens equitably.

• Example: Adjudicating a dispute between two parties without showing favouritism to either side.

• Accountability: Taking responsibility for actions and decisions, and being open to scrutiny and feedback from the public.

• Example: Accepting responsibility for a mistake made in the administration and taking corrective measures.

• Respect for rights and dignity: Respecting the rights, dignity, and privacy of individuals when collecting data or interacting with the public.

• Example: Maintaining confidentiality when handling sensitive personal information of citizens.

• Civic engagement: Actively participating in civic activities, encouraging public participation, and fostering community involvement.

• Example: Organizing mass contact programs to seek public opinion on difficulties faced by them in receiving government services.

• Unethical behaviours

• Corruption and bribery: Engaging in corrupt practices or accepting bribes to favour certain individuals or businesses.

• Example: Accepting money or gifts in exchange for expediting government permits or contracts.

• Nepotism and favouritism: Granting special treatment or benefits to family members, friends, or acquaintances in violation of fair practices.

• Example: Hiring a close relative for a government position without considering their qualifications and experience.

• Misuse of public resources: Using public funds or resources for personal gain or unauthorized purposes.

• Example: Using government-issued vehicles for personal errands instead of official duties.

• Discrimination: Treating individuals differently based on their gender, religion, or other protected characteristics.

• Example: Denying government services to the people of a certain caste.

• Secrecy and lack of transparency: Withholding information from the public without valid reasons or concealing actions that should be disclosed.

• Example: Keeping public records confidential without proper legal justification.

Ethical behaviour ensures that public servants act in the best interests of the public, and uphold the rule of law. The ethical conduct of public servants is essential for maintaining trust and confidence in government institutions.

Tags:
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Keywords:
Ethics in public relationships of a public servant Ethics in Public Relationships Ethics in Public life Integrity transparency Impartiality fairness Accountability dignity Civic engagement Corruption bribery nepotism favouritism Discrimination secrecy lack of transparency Misuse of public resources

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 4

Topics:
Ethics and Integrity