The Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude section of the UPSC syllabus is designed to assess a candidate's ethical competence and moral integrity. This crucial segment examines various dimensions of ethics, including the essence of ethical behavior, approaches to ethical study from Indian and Western perspectives, and the impact of ethics in public and economic life. It emphasizes the importance of values and ethics in government, the role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values, and the foundational values essential for civil services.

The syllabus also covers emotional intelligence, its theories, and its significance in the workplace and civil services. It covers the attitudes of thinkers, leaders, and administrators, and the components and functions of attitude formation. Furthermore, it explores public administration ethics, corporate governance, environmental ethics, and the ethical issues surrounding biotechnology, animal rights, child labor, and aging.

Candidates are expected to understand the principles of probity in governance, including public service concepts, transparency, accountability, and combating corruption. The section also addresses applied ethics in various fields, including euthanasia, surrogacy, sports, media, and business, providing a comprehensive understanding of ethical challenges and dilemmas faced in public and private life.

Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

Basic Values

• Dimensions of Ethics
• Essence of Ethics
• Approaches of Ethical Study: Indian and Western Perspectives
• Basic Concepts: Ethics, Morality, and Value
• Ethics in Public and Economic Life
• Freedom and Discipline
• Duties and Rights
• Virtue Ethics
• Consequences of Ethics in Human Actions

Values and Ethics in Government

• Contribution of Family in Value Education
• Human Values: Socialization, Individual Personality, Values and Skills, Fundamental and Instrumental Values, Democratic Values
• Role of Ethical Values in Governance and Society
• Significance of Values in Civil Services
• Contribution of Society and Educational Institutions in Inculcating Values
• Aesthetic Values
• Values in Work Life and Professional Ethics

Aptitude and Foundational Values of Civil Services

• Essential Aptitude for Civil Servants
• Foundational Values: Neutrality, Anonymity, Accountability, Integrity, Humility, Adaptability, Perseverance, Impartiality and Non-Partisanship, Tolerance and Compassion for the Weaker Sections
• Contribution to Society

India & World Thinkers/Leader/Administrators Attitude

• Components of Attitude: Affective, Cognitive, Behavioral
• Functions of Attitude: Adjustive, Ego-Defensive, Value-Expressive, Knowledge
• Attitude Formation Model
• Impact of Beliefs and Values
• Social Influence
• Persuasion Tactics and Tools
• Moral and Political Attitude Formation

Emotional Intelligence

• Theories Linked to Emotional Intelligence
• Cultivability of Emotional Intelligence
• Emotional Competencies:
  • Self-Awareness: Grasping Emotions and Precise Self-Evaluation
  • Self-Management: Handling Internal States, Urges, and Assets
  • Social Awareness: Accurately Perceiving Individuals and Collectives
  • Relationship Management: Eliciting Favorable Reactions in Others
• Significance in the Workplace and Civil Services

Values & Ethics in Public Administration

• Ethical Concerns in Public and Private Institutions
• Ethical Dilemmas
• Laws, Rules, and Regulations as Sources of Ethical Guidance
• Accountability and Ethical Governance
• Strengthening Ethical and Moral Values in Governance
• Moral Judgements in International Relations
• Ethical Relations in Funding International Relations
• Concept of Moral Responsibility
• Ethics in Working of International Organizations
• Corporate Governance and Business Ethics

Probity in Governance

• Public Service Concept
• Philosophical Foundation of Governance and Integrity
• Sharing Information, Transparency, and Right to Information
• Weaknesses in RTI and Suggestions for Enhancement
• Significance of Vigilant Citizens
• Information Sharing and Participation
• Importance of Code of Ethics and Codes of Conduct
• Citizen Charter: Elements and Steps in Crafting
• Work Culture Concept and Enhancement Methods
• Quality of Service Delivery
• Efficient Utilization of Public Funds
• Challenges in Fund Allocation and Parliamentary Oversight on Expenditure
• Corruption in India: Extent, Nature, and Countermeasures
• Integrity in Public Life
• Revealing Corruption: Initiatives by Civil Society and the Role of the Whistleblower Act
• Addressing Corruption: Government's Role and Governance Institutions
• Combatting Corruption: Diverse Strategies and Their Effectiveness

Applied Ethics

• Euthanasia Debate: Social and Ethical Perspective, Various Arguments
• Surrogacy: Ethical Aspects
• Ethics and Athletics: Sportsmanship, Doping, Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Commercialization
• Media Ethics: Media's Function, Moral Challenges, Influence on Legal Proceedings, Bias, Digital Media, Paid News

Business Ethics

• Ethical Business Conduct within Organizations
• Intersection of Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Environmental Ethics

• Linkage between Ethics and Environment
• Theories Related to Environmental Ethics
• Role of Individual

Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

• Stem Cell, Cloning, Designer Babies

Animal Ethics

• Research, Pets, Cruelty

Ethical Aspects in Child Labour and Treating Minors as Adults

• Children's Rights, Juvenile Justice System, Challenges

Ethics Concerning Aging

• Moral Dilemmas, Challenges

Ethics in Relationships - Public and Private

• Moral Values in Private Relationships
• Ethical Guidelines in Public Relationships
• Interconnection Between Private and Public Relationships