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Rajesh is a Group A officer with nine years of service. He is posted as Administrative Officer in an Oil Public Sector undertaking. As an Administrative Officer he is responsible for managing and coordinating various administrative tasks to ensure smooth functioning of office. He also manages office supplies, equipment etc. Rajesh is now sufficient senior and is expecting his next promotion in JAG (Junior Administrative Grade) in the next one or two years. He knows that promotion is based on examination of ACRs/Performance Appraisal of last few years (5 years or so) of an officer by a DPC (Departmental Promotion Committee) and an officer lacking requisite grading of ACRs may not be found fit for promotion. Consequences of losing promotion may entail financial and reputational loss and set-back for career progression. Though he also puts his best efforts in official discharge of his duties, yet he is unsure of assessment by his superior officer. He is now putting extra efforts so that he gets thumping report at the end of financial year. As Administrative Officer, Rajesh is regularly interacting with his immediate boss, who is his reporting officer for writing his ACR. One day he calls Rajesh and wants him to buy computer-related stationery on priority from a particular vendor. Rajesh instructs his office to initiate action for procuring these items. During the day, the dealing Assistant brings an estimate of Rupees Thirty Five Lakhs covering all stationery items from the same vendor. It is noticed that as per delegated financial powers, as provided in the GFR (General Financial Rules) as applicable in that Organisation, expenditure for office items exceeding Rupees Thirty Lakhs requires sanction of the next higher authority (boss in the present case). Rajesh knows that immediate superior would expect all these purchases should be done at his level and may not appreciate such lack of initiative on his part. During discussions with office, he learns that common practice of splitting of expenditure (where large order is divided into a series of smaller ones) is followed to avoid obtaining sanction from higher authority. This practice is against the rules and may come to the adverse notice of Audit. Rajesh is perturbed. He is unsure of taking decision in the matter.

What are the ethical issues involved in this case?

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CSE 2025 (Prelims) CSAT Official Paper (25-May-2025)

The core ethical issues are:

  • Conflict of Interest: Rajesh’s personal interest (securing a good ACR for promotion) is in direct conflict with his professional duty to uphold financial propriety.
  • Integrity and Honesty: Splitting the expenditure is a deliberately deceptive practice designed to circumvent rules.
  • Accountability: Bypassing the proper channels undermines the chain of command and institutional accountability.
  • Moral Courage: The situation tests Rajesh’s courage to stand up for what is right, even at the risk of displeasing a superior and jeopardizing his career progression.

Answered By:

Harsh Raj

Harsh Raj is a successful government exam expert, having cleared multiple stages of SSC CGL, IBPS PO, CDS, RRB NTPC, and Delhi Police SI exams himself and mentored more than 5000 students through direct mentorship. His expertise is in creating well researched content, especially MCQs, which have been directly asked by relevant commissions in multiple exams.

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