UPSC CSE 2026 · PYQ · Public Administration / Ethics / Case Study · medium
Ms. X is a mid-level civil service official working in the urban development department of a major city. Recently, she was involved in approving a contract for a public infrastructure project — a new community park. During the approval process, she received a piece of confidential information indicating that one of the shortlisted contractors had a history of poor workmanship and allegations of corruption in other cities, though nothing had been legally proven. The Head of the Department, Mr. Y, advised her not to disclose this information to the project committee or the public because it could delay the project and damage the city's reputation. However, Ms. X believed that withholding such information compromised transparency and public trust. What amongst the following should Ms. X do now?
1. Immediately disclose the information to the project committee and the public
2. Recommend removing the contractor from the shortlist to protect the project's integrity
3. Propose a 'limited disclosure' to an oversight committee, while keeping the information confidential from the public for the time being
Select the answer using the code given below:
A.1 and 2 only
B.3 only✓ Correct
C.2 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Since the allegations against the contractor are not legally proven, immediate full disclosure to the public (statement 1) could constitute defamation and violate principles of natural justice. Unilaterally recommending removal of the contractor (statement 2) would also be premature and procedurally improper without proper verification through due process. The most balanced ethical course is statement 3 — proposing a 'limited disclosure' to an internal oversight or vigilance committee, which preserves due process, allows competent authority to verify the allegations, maintains procedural integrity, protects the contractor's rights against unverified allegations, and at the same time ensures that the decision-makers are properly informed, safeguarding public trust and project quality. Hence option (b) — only statement 3 — is the correct course of action.
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