Public Service Ethics & Integrity MCQs with Answer
Which principle is a cornerstone of public service ethics?
a) Personal gain
b) Integrity
c) Favoritism
d) Nepotism
What is the primary purpose of a code of ethics in public service?
a) To encourage political affiliations
b) To provide guidelines for ethical conduct
c) To promote personal interests
d) To increase bureaucratic complexity
Which of the following best defines integrity in public service?
a) Acting in the public interest with honesty and fairness
b) Using personal connections for promotions
c) Keeping public information confidential for personal benefit
d) Following orders without question
Which ethical principle is violated when a public servant accepts bribes?
a) Transparency
b) Accountability
c) Conflict of interest
d) Corruption
What is the best way to handle a conflict of interest in public service?
a) Ignore it
b) Disclose and manage it appropriately
c) Use it for personal gain
d) Hide it from the public
Which public service value ensures that officials are responsible for their actions?
a) Accountability
b) Secrecy
c) Patronage
d) Discretion
Why is transparency important in public service?
a) It increases government secrecy
b) It ensures public trust and prevents corruption
c) It promotes nepotism
d) It reduces efficiency
What does whistleblowing in public service mean?
a) Reporting unethical or illegal activities within an organization
b) Supporting corrupt practices
c) Ignoring workplace misconduct
d) Using public office for personal benefit
Which of the following is an example of unethical behavior in public service?
a) Equal treatment of all citizens
b) Favoring relatives in hiring decisions
c) Enforcing anti-corruption laws
d) Promoting merit-based recruitment
Which legal framework is often used to address ethical misconduct in public service?
a) Anti-Corruption Laws
b) Trade Agreements
c) Taxation Laws
d) Corporate Regulations
What is the role of an ombudsman in public service?
a) Investigating complaints against government misconduct
b) Promoting political campaigns
c) Implementing tax policies
d) Suppressing public dissent
Which of the following is a key factor in promoting ethical decision-making in public service?
a) Secrecy
b) Public scrutiny and oversight
c) Personal favoritism
d) Political loyalty
Which type of misconduct involves using government resources for personal benefit?
a) Fraud
b) Transparency
c) Loyalty
d) Meritocracy
Which ethical principle ensures that public servants treat all citizens fairly?
a) Equality
b) Partisanship
c) Nepotism
d) Discretion
Why should public servants avoid accepting gifts from private entities?
a) It can create a conflict of interest
b) It improves relationships with businesses
c) It increases their social status
d) It is legally required
What is an ethical way to handle confidential government information?
a) Sharing it with friends for advice
b) Keeping it secure and disclosing only when legally required
c) Selling it for profit
d) Using it for personal advantage
Which of the following is a violation of ethical standards in public service?
a) Following legal regulations
b) Engaging in insider trading
c) Reporting fraud
d) Upholding the public interest
What is the main reason for implementing ethics training in public service?
a) To teach employees how to bypass laws
b) To strengthen ethical awareness and decision-making
c) To reduce work efficiency
d) To encourage bureaucratic complexity
Which of the following best promotes ethical governance?
a) Political favoritism
b) Strong accountability mechanisms
c) Ignoring legal requirements
d) Secret decision-making
Why is ethical leadership important in public service?
a) It promotes integrity and public trust
b) It increases corruption opportunities
c) It allows for unchecked power
d) It reduces efficiency in decision-making
What should a public servant do if they witness unethical behavior?
a) Report it through proper channels
b) Ignore it to avoid trouble
c) Participate in it for personal gain
d) Cover it up to protect colleagues
Which of the following promotes a culture of integrity in public service?
a) Transparency and accountability
b) Nepotism and favoritism
c) Political bias
d) Ignoring ethical concerns
What does the term “ethical dilemma” mean in public service?
a) A situation where choosing the right action is difficult due to conflicting values
b) A clear-cut decision with only one possible outcome
c) A problem that has no consequences
d) A situation that requires bribery
Which of the following is a key component of an ethical workplace culture?
a) Encouraging open discussions on ethical issues
b) Rewarding unethical behavior
c) Suppressing reports of misconduct
d) Ignoring conflicts of interest
Which ethical principle ensures that public servants do not misuse public funds?
a) Accountability
b) Secrecy
c) Favoritism
d) Political allegiance
Why is fairness crucial in public service?
a) It ensures equal treatment and builds trust in institutions
b) It allows biased decision-making
c) It benefits only government officials
d) It encourages political corruption
Which of the following is considered ethical behavior in public service?
a) Providing equal opportunities regardless of background
b) Accepting bribes for favors
c) Manipulating public funds
d) Engaging in political discrimination