Ethics Chapter 4: Aptitude And Founditional Values For Civil Services Part 1 | Testbook (2024)

Welcome to the first part of our discussion on Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Services.

Let's dive deeper into each of these aspects.

PART A
A closer look at Aptitude and Civil Service Values
Starting with the Basics
Aptitude refers to an individual's inherent or natural talent to learn a specific skill or ability through appropriate training. It can be both mental and physical.

• Civil service aptitude
• Intellectual aptitude
• Moral aptitude
• Emotional aptitude

The Clash between Attitude and Aptitude

• Attitude refers to the feelings or views one holds towards a person, object, event, or idea, while aptitude is the ability to do a certain kind of work. Both can be developed over time.
• Attitude is often linked with character traits and virtues, while aptitude is connected with competence.
• Attitude shapes character, virtues, and moral values, while aptitude determines the development of desired skills to perform a task.
• While attitude is purely mental, aptitude can be both mental and physical.

The Value System

Values are the standards that guide our judgement. For instance, political neutrality is a value intrinsic to civil service.

Here are some values that form the foundation of civil service ethics:
•Impartiality
•Objectivity
•Dependability of administrative operations
•Transparency
•Service-mindedness
•Responsibility
Foundational values of civil services, as per the 2nd ARC report:
Integrity
Objectivity
Commitment to public service
Empathy
Impartiality and Non-Partisanship
Compassion and tolerance towards weaker sections
The Role of Integrity

Integrity is about doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. It is a personal choice that involves a consistent and uncompromising commitment to moral, ethical, spiritual, and artistic values and principles. It encourages us to be socially conscious, accept responsibility, and strive for truth and justice.

Integrity demands self-discipline and willpower to resist temptations. Its greatest reward is peace of mind and true dignity. It's worth noting that integrity is not inherent. It is developed over time, based on the development of key personality traits, especially during early childhood. The maintenance of personal integrity depends on our values and the moral choices we make.

Civil servants are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and morality. This requires self-sacrifice, rising above individualism and 'hedonism' to foster a sense of public duty. An exemplary civil servant not only obeys the law but also strives for a moral government.

Integrity in a civil servant entails values such as honesty, sympathy, empathy, compassion, fairness, self-control, and duty. This enables them to uphold high personal and professional standards in all circ*mstances. Honesty requires truthfulness, freedom from deception and fraud, and fair and straightforward conduct. Sympathy enables a person to be deeply affected and concerned about the well-being of others, to imagine their suffering and be moved by their experiences, especially those who need assistance. Compassion is a form of spirituality, a way of living and walking through life.

The 'Civil Service Conduct Rules' mandate 'absolute integrity' for civil servants. Every civil servant is expected to ensure the integrity of all government servants under their control and not only be honest but also have the reputation of being so. Breach of trust is termed as lack of integrity and the apex court has ruled that in such a matter, the civil servant should be removed from service. Possession of disproportionate assets, even temporary defalcation of public money is termed as a lack of integrity. Honesty, faithful discharge of duty, promptness and courtesy, observance of government policies, and general good conduct strengthen 'integrity' in civil services.

For those considering a career as an IAS officer, you can check theUPSC Eligibility Criteriafor more details.