UPSC Prelims 2026
Question 76 of 100
76
Question 76
GS Paper-1 • 2 Marks
Mr. X, a senior officer, was overseeing a critical vaccination programme during a pandemic. He found that a private service provider responsible for vaccine distribution was compromising on quality to make profits. Despite immense pressure to manage the issue due to vested interests, he raised his voice based on the principles of public administration which he learnt during various training programmes attended across his career. He reported the issue to the appropriate vigilance authority and halted the contract to ensure citizen welfare.

Which one among the following principles of public administration was most strongly demonstrated by Mr. X's actions ?

Options

A
a) Esprit de corps
B
b) Equity
C
c) Accountability
Correct Answer
D
d) Delegation

📖Detailed Explanation

Answer: (c)

Explanation:
Accountability in public administration means that public officials are answerable for their actions, decisions, and the oversight of public resources or programs. By identifying the quality compromise, refusing to give in to vested interests, reporting the issue to the vigilance authority, and taking decisive action to protect citizen welfare, Mr. X strongly enforced compliance, transparency, and responsibility.

While his actions indirectly protected the equity of healthcare delivery, his operational step of enforcing standards, reporting to vigilance, and answering to the public interest is a textbook demonstration of administrative accountability.
76 / 100

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