Later on Sunday, 24 August 2025, in the 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM slot, candidates wrote General Studies Paper IV, also known as the Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude paper. Often deemed the most introspective of all, GS‑IV delves into values, moral reasoning, and real-world dilemmas faced in public service

Key Areas & Format

This high-stakes, highly subjective paper evaluates aspirants across multiple dimensions:

• Ethics & Human Interface: Nature, determinants, and consequences of ethics; ethics in personal vs. public life.
   

• Attitude & Emotional Intelligence: Understanding structure of attitudes, their influence, and application in administration.
   

• Foundational Civil Service Values: Integrity, impartiality, empathy, tolerance, and compassion.
   

• Philosophical Foundations: Insights from moral thinkers, lessons for public administration.
   

• Public Administration Ethics: Accountability, ethical dilemmas, value frameworks, balance between rules and conscience.
   

• Probity & Governance: Transparency, RTI, Citizens’ Charters, codes of conduct, work culture, anti-corruption frameworks.
   

• Case Studies: Application-based scenario evaluations to test ethical reasoning and decision-making.

Paper Structure:

• 12 questions in two sections
   

• Section A: 6 questions with subparts (approx. 150‑word answers)
   

• Section B: 6 case-study-based questions (~250‑word responses each)

Why GS-IV Holds Weight

More than mere definitions, GS-IV demands the ability to introspect, analyze ethical quandaries, and offer balanced, human-centered solutions. It showcases a candidate’s moral maturity and readiness for leadership.

Following are the questions from the paper:- Click Here to Download UPSC MAINS 2025 GENERAL STUDIES 04