Polity & Governance2026
Ms. X is a mid-level civil service official working in the urban development department of a major city. Recently, she was involved in approving a contract for a public infrastructure project - a new community park. During the approval process, she received a piece of confidential information indicating that one of the shortlisted contractors had a history of poor workmanship and allegations of corruption in other cities, though nothing had been legally proven. The Head of the Department, Mr. Y, advised her not to disclose this information to the project committee or the public because it could delay the project and damage the city's reputation. However, Ms. X believed that withholding such information compromised transparency and public trust. What amongst the following should Ms. X do now?
- Immediately disclose the information to the project committee and the public
- Recommend removing the contractor from the shortlist to protect the project's integrity
- Propose a 'limited disclosure' to an oversight committee, while keeping the information confidential from the public for the time being
Select the answer using the code given below:
Explanation
The correct option is 3 only. Proposing a 'limited disclosure' to an oversight committee allows Ms. X to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability while also managing the potential repercussions of full public disclosure. This approach balances the ethical obligation to protect public interest with the need to maintain project timelines and city reputation, as it allows for oversight by a specialized body that can assess the contractor’s past issues without causing unnecessary public alarm or project delays. This reflects a nuanced understanding of governance and public administration principles central to UPSC examination preparation.