Model Answer

Gandhi believed that a good objective cannot justify unethical methods. The quote highlights that the moral value of an outcome depends significantly on the means adopted to achieve it.

Meaning of the Quote

1. Ethical means are as important as desirable outcomes.
2. Wrong methods can undermine even a noble objective. e.g: Using fabricated evidence to punish a guilty person.
3. Integrity requires consistency between values and actions.
4. Long-term trust cannot be built through dishonest shortcuts.

Relevance in Public Administration

1. Rule of law requires officials to follow due process even under pressure. e.g: Fair investigation before punitive action.
2. Transparency prevents manipulation for achieving administrative targets.
3. Impartiality requires benefits to be distributed through fair procedures. e.g: Transparent selection of welfare beneficiaries.
4. Accountability prevents public interest from becoming an excuse for arbitrary action.

Civil servants must combine desirable outcomes with legality, integrity and procedural fairness. Ethical governance requires not merely doing the right thing, but doing it in the right way. Pure ends ultimately require legitimate and ethical means.