Public service, the bedrock of a just society, demands unwavering trustworthiness and fortitude from its practitioners. These virtues are essential for navigating the complexities of governance and upholding the public interest.

Trustworthiness in Public Service

Trustworthiness, rooted in honesty and integrity, forms the foundation of public service. As Kant's deontological ethics suggests, actions should be guided by moral duty and universalizable principles.

• Transparency and Accountability: Public servants must operate with transparency, ensuring accountability for their decisions.
  • Example: The Right to Information Act, 2005, empowers citizens to access government information, fostering accountability.
• Impartiality and Objectivity: Decisions should be based on merit and evidence, free from personal biases or external pressures.
  • Example: Justice K. S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) and Anr. vs Union Of India And Ors on 24 August, 2017 upheld the right to privacy as a fundamental right, demonstrating the judiciary's commitment to impartiality.
• Probity in Financial Matters: Financial integrity is paramount. Public funds must be managed responsibly and ethically.
  • Example: The Central Vigilance Commission investigates corruption cases, promoting financial probity in government.

Fortitude in Public Service

Fortitude, the courage to uphold principles in the face of adversity, is crucial for effective governance. This aligns with Aristotle's virtue ethics, emphasizing the development of virtuous character traits.

• Resistance to Undue Influence: Public servants must resist external pressures and maintain their integrity.
  • Example: Ashok Khemka, an IAS officer, faced numerous transfers for exposing land scams, demonstrating fortitude in upholding ethical conduct.
• Whistleblowing for Public Interest: Exposing wrongdoing, even at personal risk, is a critical aspect of fortitude.
  • Example: Satyendra Dubey, an engineer, exposed corruption in the National Highways Authority of India projects, showcasing courage in public service.
• Resilience in Challenging Circumstances: Public servants must persevere through difficult situations and maintain their commitment to service.
  • Example: The frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated resilience and dedication in serving the public amidst challenging circumstances.

Trustworthiness and fortitude are indispensable virtues for public servants, ensuring ethical governance and fostering public trust. These virtues must be actively cultivated and reinforced through institutional mechanisms and ethical leadership to build a more just and equitable society.