Prelims 2026 · Polity and Constitution · Question 51
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.<br/><br/>Which one among the following principles of public administration was most strongly demonstrated by Mr. X's actions?<br/>
Answer
Accountability
Mr. X enforced answerability in a public programme by reporting wrongdoing to vigilance authorities and stopping a compromised contract to protect citizens. That most strongly reflects accountability, not team spirit (esprit de corps), fairness in general (equity), or transfer of authority (delegation).