Technology, Ethics, and Accountability in Public Service

✍️ A UPSC Blog by Suryavanshi IAS

“Mistakes reveal gaps in systems; disasters reveal gaps in conscience.” – Suryavanshi J.K.

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📍 Two Incidents, One Lesson: The Thin Line Between Error and Ethics

🚍 Kerala Jackfruit Incident (Governance + Ethics)

A driver of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) failed a routine breathalyser test—not because he was drunk, but because he had eaten too much jackfruit. When three more drivers failed the same test, the machine itself was tested. Upon consuming jackfruit, even the official conducting the test showed a false alcohol reading.

➡️ Issue: Breathalysers, crucial for public safety, malfunctioned due to natural food intake.

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🚗 Delhi Drunk Driving Tragedy (Law + Ethics)

On 9th July, a 40-year-old man allegedly under the influence of alcohol ran over 5 sleeping migrant workers in South Delhi. The incident occurred around 1:45 a.m. and all victims—poor, vulnerable migrants from Rajasthan—died on the spot.

➡️ Issue: Gross negligence, violation of traffic laws, and absence of night patrolling mechanisms.

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📘 UPSC Prelims Linkages

Both cases relate to:

• Polity & Governance: Public service rules, traffic law enforcement

• Science & Tech: Reliability of technological tools in public duty

• Ethics: Moral accountability, responsibility of drivers

• Current Affairs: Real-world incidents testing institutional response

🔹 UPSC Prelims PYQs (Relevant Examples)

Polity (2019):
Consider the following statements about the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)...
→ Importance of institutional response to human rights violations like Delhi incident.

Science (2021):
Which of the following can cause a false positive in detection-based devices?
→ Understanding limitations of breathalysers is a science + policy overlap.

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📚 UPSC Mains Integration

✳️ GS Paper II: Governance, Accountability, and Law

Question (2022): “Institutional accountability is the cornerstone of public service delivery.” Discuss with examples.

Suggested Answer (Using This Incident):

• Jackfruit incident shows technological dependence without verification can misfire.

• Delhi case highlights lack of deterrence mechanisms and legal loopholes for high-profile offenders.

• Both demand reforms in real-time monitoring, transparent testing, and citizen safety policies.

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⚖️ GS Paper IV: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

Case Study Idea (Inspired by Kerala Incident):
You're a transport officer. A bus driver fails an alcohol test. He claims innocence and demands a blood test. Three more fail. Public transport is at risk, and passengers are waiting. What will you do?

Points to Include:

• Immediate suspension pending medical test

• Blood test to verify results

• Cross-verification of equipment

• Duty to ensure public safety without bias

Real PYQ (2021): What does ‘accountability’ mean in public service? How is it enforced?

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🧠 Essay Paper Linkage

Topic Example: "Technology and Ethics: Can one substitute the other in public life?"

Use Kerala as a case of tech failure requiring human judgment, and Delhi as a case of ethical failure needing legal enforcement.

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✅ Conclusion: A Dual Message

🔹 In Kerala, an honest driver almost lost his dignity due to flawed tech.
🔹 In Delhi, reckless privilege took five innocent lives.

Both underline why UPSC officers must blend:

• Ethical reasoning

• Scientific temper

• Administrative firmness

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📍 Final Thought by Suryavanshi J.K.

“Technology without ethics is dangerous. Ethics without enforcement is powerless. UPSC trains you to uphold both.”

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📌 Prepare with Suryavanshi IAS

• 📚 Targeted Prelims + Mains coaching

• 🧾 Ethics case study drills

• 🔍 PYQ-based answer writing modules

• 🌐 Online & Offline classes (Lucknow Centre)

🌐 Website: suryavanshiias.blogspot.com
📞 WhatsApp: 6306446114
📍 Centre: 638/20(K-344), Rahul Vihar, Near Tulsi Car Care, Lucknow 226015