Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude 10- Vocabulary flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts discussed across the lecture on ethics, integrity, neutrality, objectivity, empathy, tolerance, and public service.

Integrity

A foundational civil service value that requires honesty, uprightness, and refusal to engage in corruption; doing what is right even when unseen.

Impartiality

Fair treatment of all citizens and stakeholders; not bending rules to favor the powerful or yield to political pressure.

Nonpartisanship

Neutrality toward political parties; the civil servant’s loyalty is to the public and the system, not to any party.

Neutrality

Art of remaining politically neutral and unaffected by shifts in governance; serving the system and the public interest.

Cultural/class congruence

Social alignment between political elites and administrative class; agreement on core social values to enable neutrality.

Shared belief system

A common framework of values and goals that politicians and civil servants operate under.

Committed bureaucracy

A bureaucracy that prioritizes nation-building and development, moving beyond mere compliance to policy formulation and implementation.

Impersonality

The principle that civil servants should be neutral, not policymaking actors, and should maintain anonymity to uphold objectivity.

Triple chain of accountability

Civil servants are accountable to ministers; ministers are accountable to the legislature; the legislature is accountable to the people.

Objectivity

Decision-making based on truth, facts, and evidence, free from personal bias, emotion, or external pressures.

Evidence-based decision making

Relying on data, analysis, cost-benefit studies, and expert consultation rather than gut feelings.

Max Weber’s rational-legal bureaucracy

Governance based on rules and formal procedures rather than personal whim or favoritism.

Steel frame of India

Metaphor for the civil service as the foundational, principled backbone of governance; neutrality and professionalism are its lifeblood.

Nolan Principles

Seven standards of public life: Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty, Leadership.

Courage of conviction

The ability to stand by one’s principles and resist improper pressure, even at personal or career risk.

Perseverance

Never giving up; maintaining consistent effort over time despite obstacles or setbacks.

Spirit of service

A selfless commitment to public welfare, prioritizing the public good over personal gain.

Dedication

Deep commitment to public service, going beyond clocking in to make a meaningful impact.

Red tape

Excessive conformity to rules and formalities that hinder action and initiative.

Political interference

Pressure from political actors to influence decisions, contracts, or appointments for partisan reasons.

Corruption

Graft or unethical use of power for private gain, undermining public trust and effective governance.

Empathy

Seeing the world from another person’s perspective; understanding their feelings and experiences.

Sympathy

Feeling sorry for someone’s situation without experiencing their pain or taking action.

Compassion

Empathy in action; willingness to take steps to alleviate others’ suffering and improve their conditions.

Tolerance

Valuing diversity, rejecting discrimination, and promoting inclusive, peaceful coexistence.

Religious tolerance

Respect for diverse religions and peaceful coexistence among different faith communities.

Intellectual tolerance

Respecting different viewpoints and engaging with opposing ideas through reasoned argument.

Active listening

Listening to understand, not merely to respond; essential for empathy, tolerance, and effective public service.

RTI (Right to Information)

A mechanism for transparency and accountability, enabling public access to information about government actions.

LBSNAA (Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration)

India’s premier training institute for civil servants; emphasizes professionalism, ethics, and governance.