Answer:

Introduction

Personal ethics refer to an individual’s moral principles and values that guide his behavior in personal relationships and everyday life. Professional ethics, on the other hand, are the standards of conduct and moral values specific to a particular profession or workplace.

Body

Differences between personal and professional ethics

Ethical challenges faced by civil servants

• Upholding constitutional values: Balancing personal beliefs with constitutional mandates such as equality, justice, and secularism can be challenging, especially in controversial issues like reservations based on caste.
• Transparency and Accountability: Civil servants must balance their duty to be transparent and accountable with the need for confidentiality and discretion. This can be challenging when personal beliefs lead to preferences for secrecy or excessive disclosure.
• Political Neutrality: Civil servants are expected to remain politically neutral and serve the government of the day regardless of their personal political beliefs. This can be challenging when their personal convictions clash with government policies.
• Non-discrimination and Equality: Civil servants are obligated to treat all citizens equally. However, biases can inadvertently affect decision-making, such as when an immigration officer harbors prejudices against certain nationalities.
• Public Health and Safety: Civil servants working in public health or safety roles must make decisions that prioritize the well-being of the population. Personal beliefs, such as religious or cultural values, may clash with scientifically supported policies, like vaccination programs.
• Serving diverse interests: Civil servants must cater to different social, cultural, and religious groups while formulating policies that cater to the needs and aspirations of all citizens, without discriminating against any particular group.

Conclusion

Overall, complex ethical challenges are faced by civil servants when attempting to balance their personal beliefs with their professional obligations. Addressing these challenges requires a strong commitment to integrity, professionalism, and adherence to ethical principles in public service.

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