UPSC CSE 2026 · PYQ · Public Administration / Ethics / Case Study · medium
In a multi-ethnic district where both economic competition and historical grievances frequently led to community tensions, a flashpoint has arisen with a Government decision to allocate land for a waste management facility near a tribal hamlet, sparking protests by the tribal community, which claimed that the land was sacred and critical to their cultural identity. At the same time, urban residents and local industries supported the project, citing severe solid waste challenges and health concerns due to lack of a proper disposal site. The conflict has escalated with road blockades, social media campaigns, and allegations of police excesses. As a responsible Government official, you are tasked with resolving the situation through mediation, ensuring a sustainable outcome that balances environmental needs, tribal rights, and urban public health. Consider the following statements with reference to the above:
1. A successful conflict resolution process must begin with acknowledging the cultural concerns of the protesting tribal community before discussing technical alternatives.
2. The Government should move ahead with the project without delay to address urban health concerns, which outweigh the sentiments of a small group.
3. Creating a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform — including tribal leaders, environmental experts, and municipal representatives — to build mutual understanding and help de-escalate tensions.
4. Conducting an independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and sharing findings transparently with both sides to facilitate evidence-based decision-making.
Which of the statements given above would contribute to the resolution process?
A.1, 3 and 4 only✓ Correct
B.2, 3 and 4 only
C.1 and 2 only
D.1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation
A genuinely sustainable and democratic resolution requires recognising and respecting the cultural and constitutional rights of tribal communities (Statement 1), creating inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogue (Statement 3), and basing decisions on transparent evidence through independent assessments such as an ESIA (Statement 4) — all of which align with principles of natural justice, participatory governance, and constitutional protections for tribal communities. Statement 2 is unethical and procedurally wrong because dismissing tribal concerns as merely the 'sentiments of a small group' violates Articles 14, 21, 244, the Forest Rights Act 2006, and PESA 1996, and would likely escalate rather than resolve tensions; majoritarian utilitarianism cannot override constitutional rights. Therefore statements 1, 3 and 4 only would contribute to the resolution.
💡 Practice unlimited UPSC CSE PYQs + AI-tracked progress on each topic. Sign up free →
More Public Administration / Ethics / Case Study questions