GS 4 Ethics Syllabus - Latest Topic-wise UPSC Ethics Syllabus | Download GS 4 Syllabus PDF

What is Ethics Syllabus UPSC?

The GS 4 Syllabus is largely independent of the syllabus of other General Studies papers. However, it may slightly overlap the Governance and Social Justice topics from the General Studies II Syllabus of UPSC CSE mains paper. The GS Paper 4 Syllabus includes-

1. Ethics
2. Integrity
3. Aptitude

The total marks of the GS Paper 4 are 250, and candidates will get 3 hours for this exam. The official GS 4 Syllabus is given below. 

Ethics Integrity and Aptitude Syllabus

There are 20 questions in the UPSC CSE General Studies-IV Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude. Section A of the Ethics Syllabus includes topics around the theory. In contrast, section B of the GS 4 includes case studies. 

GS 4 Syllabus

Below, we have mentioned the UPSC GS 4 Syllabus in detail. It is recommended that aspirants understand all the topics covered in the GS Paper 4 Syllabus before starting their preparation.

UPSC Ethics Syllabus PDF

We recommend that candidates keep a printout of the UPSC GS 4 syllabus PDF during their preparation, so they don't miss out on important topics. Below we have provided a direct link to download the Ethics UPSC Syllabus PDF.

GS Paper 4 Syllabus PDF

The PDF contains all the topics to be covered before the exam. Carefully read the syllabus and enlist subtopics for each topic mentioned in the syllabus.

Important Topics from UPSC Ethics Syllabus

Here, we have mentioned the important topics from UPSC GS 4 Syllabus that candidates must give extra focus on during the preparation. However, candidates are recommended cover all the topics as question trends can vary.

• The fundamental notions of ethics-definitions and terminologies
• Morality, political attitudes, social impact, and their connection to ethics.
• Different aspects of ethics
• Form and function of ethical conceptions
• Ethics determinants and consequences on human conduct
• concepts of attitude, integrity, and impartiality
• Ethics in public administration
• concept of emotional intelligence, its application, governance, and management.
• Workplace culture and corruption challenges.
• Probity in governance, philosophical foundations of governance, and the Concept of probity.

Aspirants can also download Ethics Notes for UPSC to cover all the important topics of the GS 4 Syllabus. 

Ethics GS 4 Syllabus Trend Analysis

Below, we have mentioned the number of questions for each section of the GS paper 4 syllabus. It would help the candidates to question trends and help them to prepare accordingly.

Structure of GS Paper 4 for UPSC Mains

This is one of the most unpredictable paper and the questions asked from the GS 4 syllabus varies from year to year. The following are the important features of this paper:

• It consists of 12 questions and is divided into two sections. Before 2018 a total of 14 questions were asked in the Ethics paper. With time the number of questions has been reduced, and the complexity has increased.
• The GS 4 has 250 marks, and the questions carry 10/20 marks each.
• The word limit for the 10 marks question is 150 words, and the 20 marks question is within 250 words.
• There are two types of questions asked in this paper
• Direct Concept related, which tests the understanding of ethical issues, and concepts related to aptitude and integrity (125 marks)
• Case Studies test the application of those concepts in various situations involving the candidate and pressure groups, politicians, the public and other people (125 marks)

How to prepare Ethics Syllabus for UPSC?

It is one of the most scoring papers in the UPSC CSE Mains exam. However, without an effective strategy and robust study plan, you won't be able to crack this paper. That's why we have mentioned some effective strategies that would help to cover the UPSC GS paper 4 syllabus efficiently.

• Try to define and write about 100-150 words for each micro topic- compassion, integrity, probity, honesty, etc. You can use this in answer writing for different topics of the GS4 syllabus.
• You need to conceptualize the topics covered in the ethics syllabus. Make UPSC ethics notes on topics that are part of integrity and ethics.
• See Code of Conduct, RTI, citizen's charter, and Probity in governance reports.
• Remember thinkers' quotes and apply them to the required situation.
• Solve the CSAT decision-making questions.
• Case studies on the topics mentioned above are required. You need to keep yourself in the shoes of an administrator and think about what you have done in a certain situation.
• Go through the UPSC Previous Year Question Papers.
• Choose the highly recommended UPSC Books for preparation.

Best Books to Cover Ethics Syllabus UPSC

Candidates need to have the below-mentioned UPSC ethics books while covering the GS Paper 4 and Ethics syllabus for UPSC.

1. Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude - G Subba Rao & P N Roy Chowdhury
2. Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude for IAS General Studies Paper IV - Niraj Kumar
3. Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude - M Karthikeyan
4. Ethics in Governance: Innovations, Issues, and Instrumentalities - Ramesh K Arora
5. ARC Reports
6. Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude - Santosh Ajmera & Nanda Kishore Reddy

Answer Writing Strategy for GS 4 Syllabus

UPSC mentioned that credit would be given to answers with succinct, coherent and exact expressions. Hence to write the best answer for questions asked from GS 4 syllabus, the candidate must make a note of the following answer structure:

• Introduction: Define keywords in the question stem/ Highlight the ethical issue involved in the question stem.
• Body: There is confusion among students as to how to structure and write the answer. Should they write the answer in paragraphs or pointwise? What matters most is the format and the logical flow (coherence) between the lines. The body of the answer shall include
• Theory/Thinker: You must identify a suitable thinker or theory for the given question. Include the ethical theory related to the question/ethical challenges in your answer. You may also include diagrams or figures to convey the lengthy matter in a simple visible expression.
• Example: Remember! No ethics syllabus answer can be the best or complete without supporting your point with suitable examples. Hence, It is always advisable to quote relevant examples even when the question has not asked you to write examples. If the question explicitly mentions giving examples, you should support your point or argument with relevant examples.
• Solution: The civil services aspirants are expected to provide solutions to the problem in question, resolve the ethical issue/dilemma, or provide the best alternative ethical course of action.
• Conclusion: You should summarize in just a few lines but not more than 30 words. 

Case Studies from UPSC Ethics Syllabus

Section B of the Ethics syllabus for UPSC contains case studies-related questions. Ethics case studies are different from theory-type questions. Case studies may require the candidate to imagine himself as an officer to solve the given case. For example, "What would you do if you were a DM or an SDM of a district…."

Structure of the Answer for Case study Type questions 

• Step 1: Read the case study carefully and determine its ethical issues.
• Step 2: Enlist the ethical issues that you have found out, for example, lack of empathy, conflict of interest or lack of accountability etc.
• Step 3: Identify and list all possible alternative choices- because a problem can be resolved in many ways. The critical aspect here is that you will have to weigh each choice's positive and negative sides in some case studies to arrive at the best choice.
• Step 4: Choose the best solution or choice or course of action. The best choice should be one that promotes maximum happiness of the maximum number of people and upholds virtue ethics, constitutional values, spirit, or principles of natural justice.