For any kind of social re-engineering by successfully implementing welfare schemes, a civil servant must use reason and critical thinking in an ethical framework." Justify this statement with suitable examples.

Q4 (a) For any kind of social re-engineering by successfully implementing welfare schemes, a civil servant must use reason and critical thinking in an ethical framework.” Justify this statement with suitable Eg:s. (Answer in 150 words) – 10 marks

Approach: Start with a brief definition of social re-engineering as the ethical transformation of entrenched social practices through rational, inclusive policies. In the body, explain how reasoning ensures evidence-based, transparent, and fair governance, while critical thinking questions stereotypes, balances values, and innovates inclusive solutions. Substantiate with examples like MNREGA, DBT, Swachh Bharat, and RTI. Conclude by emphasizing that for civil servants, reason ensures rationality, critical thinking ensures wisdom, and ethics ensures morality

Social re-engineering refers to the ethical transformation of entrenched social structures, attitudes, and institutions through rational policies, welfare schemes, and reforms aimed at ensuring justice, equality, inclusivity, and human dignity.

It involves using reason and critical thinking to change regressive practices (e.g., caste bias, gender discrimination) and promote values of the Constitution like liberty, equality, and fraternity.

Reasoning in ethical framework helps in social re-engineering

(Logical, evidence-based decision-making)

Prevents arbitrariness. Ensures evidence-based targeting.
- Eg: MNREGA identifies genuine households through surveys.
Ensures justice. Upholds fairness and equality.
- Eg: Reservation based on Ambedkar’s reasoned arguments of social democracy.
Balances values: Reconciles conflicting goals.
- Eg: Land Acquisition Act balances development with rehabilitation rights.
Promotes inclusivity: Focuses on vulnerable groups.
- Eg: Poshan Abhiyaan targets malnourished women and children.
Reasoning drives behavior change: It encourages long-term mindset shift.
- Eg: Swachh Bharat used IEC campaigns for sanitation habits.
Curbs corruption: Ensures transparency and accountability.
- Eg: DBT prevents leakages through rational digital transfers.

Critical thinking in ethical framework helps in social re-engineering

Questions stereotypes: Breaks regressive traditions ethically.
- Eg: Abolition of untouchability promoted equality in the Constitution.
Ensures fairness: Policies reach deserving sections.
- Eg: Reservation system designed for historically disadvantaged groups.
Weighs consequences: Avoids short-term populism.
- Eg: DBT rationally curbed leakages in welfare distribution.
Balances values. Reconciles rights with duties.
- Eg: Land laws integrate development goals with rehabilitation justice.
Enables innovation. Finds creative, ethical solutions.
- Eg: Swachh Bharat used behavior campaigns, not only toilets.
Builds trust. Enhances accountability and transparency.
- Eg: RTI Act empowered citizens through rational disclosure mechanisms.

Ways of Using Reason and Critical Thinking in Ethical Framework

Evidence-based decision-making: Use reason to analyze data, cost–benefit, and feasibility of welfare schemes. (Utilitarian ethics: ensuring “greatest good of the greatest number”).
- Eg: Allocating resources to drought-prone areas after analysing rainfall and crop data.
Balancing rules with compassion: Apply critical thinking to go beyond rigid legalism when rules conflict with justice. (Virtue ethics: empathy, fairness, prudence).
- Eg: Relaxing documentation norms for widows or disaster victims to access welfare benefits.
Resolving ethical dilemmas: Use reasoning tools like Stakeholder Analysis and Consequence Analysis. (Deontological Ethics)
- Eg: Ensuring fair rehabilitation of tribals in dam projects while upholding development goals.
Promoting transparency and accountability: Reason ensures decisions are justifiable; ethics ensures they are communicated honestly. (Values: integrity, probity, accountability.
- Eg: Publishing beneficiary lists of PM Awas Yojana to prevent corruption.
Innovating for inclusion: Critical thinking allows the design of context-specific solutions.
- Eg: Adding ramps and audio aids in ration shops to serve differently-abled citizens.

Critical thinking and reasoning can be applied through an administrator’s ethical attitude, empathy, and moral courage. Perspective-taking and emotional intelligence anticipate citizen needs. Utilitarianism, Kantian duty, and virtue ethics guide fair decisions. Using data, audits, and technology ensures schemes like MNREGA or DBT achieve inclusive social re-engineering.