(i) Constitutional Morality

Constitutional morality implies upholding the values enshrined in the Constitution—justice, equality, liberty, and rule of law—especially in challenging situations. It requires prioritizing constitutional principles over societal or political pressures.
Example: Supreme Court’s decriminalization of homosexuality (Navtej Singh Johar case) upheld constitutional morality over popular morality.

(ii) Conflict of Interest

It arises when personal or financial interests clash with official duties, leading to biased decisions or ethical compromise. Avoiding such situations maintains public trust in governance.
Example: An officer awarding a government contract to a relative’s firm without recusal is a clear conflict of interest.

(iii) Probity in Public Life

Probity means integrity, uprightness, and transparency in performing public functions. It ensures that decisions are taken impartially and in public interest.
Example: Former Election Commissioner T.N. Seshan’s reforms reflect probity by resisting political interference and enforcing electoral rules strictly.

(iv) Challenges of Digitalization

Digitalization improves governance but creates ethical and administrative challenges like data breaches, exclusion due to digital divide, and algorithmic bias.
Example: Exclusion of poor beneficiaries from PDS due to Aadhaar authentication failures reflects the risk of blind digital dependency.

(v) Devotion to Duty

Devotion to duty means performing one’s role with sincerity, discipline, and prioritizing public interest over personal comfort or risk.
Example: Civil servants working round-the-clock during COVID-19, often at personal risk, exemplified true devotion to duty.