Why is Integrity Crucially Important for an IAS Officer?

Why is Integrity crucially important for an IAS Officer? Integrity is an essential virtue that plays a significant role in developing the character of individuals, particularly for Civil Servants like IAS officers. Do you want to know Why is Integrity crucially important for an IAS Officer? Here We Discuss points that will help you to prepare for UPSC.

What is Integrity?

Integrity refers to adherence to moral and ethical principles, emphasizing the strength of one’s character, including honesty, among other virtues. It reflects an individual’s fundamental values and entails a voluntary commitment to morally, spiritually, and ethically uphold principles and values without compromising.

Why is Integrity important for Civil Servants, specifically IAS officers?

It is understood that an IAS officer must not compromise their ethics and integrity. Only an IAS officer with strong moral integrity can administer justly.

IAS officers are responsible for formulating and implementing government policies. Only individuals with absolute integrity and an unbiased mindset can serve society and ensure justice for all.

How Does UPSC assess the Integrity of IAS aspirants?

It is not surprising that the Civil Services Exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission includes a General Studies Paper IV – Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude, which carries 250 marks.

What does UPSC focus on to assess a candidate’s integrity?

UPSC is a reputable government body known for selecting capable and unbiased candidates with strong integrity. They focus on various aspects, including:

1. How candidates answer the Mains Papers: Candidates’ ideologies and their perspectives on national and international developments reflect in their answers across various papers, including General Studies and the Essay Paper. The choice of the optional subject also provides UPSC with insights into candidates’ thinking patterns.

2. Loaded questions: UPSC employs loaded questions that may trap candidates into answering with a “yes” or “no,” leaving little room for a middle ground. Candidates must maintain their composure while answering such questions, demonstrating a crucial aspect of integrity.

3. The Interview: The UPSC Interview, also known as the Personality Test, assesses candidates’ complete personalities. Integrity, along with other qualities, is evaluated during this phase. The manner in which candidates answer questions in both the Mains and Interview sheds light on their moral, ethical, spiritual, and artistic values and principles. It also reveals their sense of responsibility towards society on personal and professional platforms.

Therefore, only an IAS officer with strong integrity can effectively administer society without bias or prejudice. Such administrators contribute to a corruption-free functioning of the government.