Examples of Honesty, Integrity and probity and Comparison among them with examples
Title: Understanding Honesty, Integrity, and Probity: Key Values for UPSC Aspirants
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) plays a pivotal role in appointing bureaucrats who would helm the highest echelons of the Indian administration. To accomplish this responsibility, UPS considers not just the candidates’ academic knowledge but also their personal value system. The candidates are assessed on their commitment to key virtues such as honesty, integrity, and probity. By understanding and embracing these traits, UPSC aspirants can greatly enhance their prospects both in the examination and their future careers.
1. Honesty
In the simplest of terms, honesty means being truthful and sincere. It is refraining from dishonest behaviors, such as stealing or lying. An honest person is consistent in their actions, intentions, and values. As a civil servant, honesty would imply an uncompromising adherence to truth in all professional and personal dealings.
An inspiring example of honesty in Indian context would be Mr. Armstrong Pame, an IAS officer from Manipur. In a region marred by corruption, he displayed uncommon honesty by using his own funds and donations to construct a 100 km road connecting Tamenglong district with Peren district in Nagaland. His dedication and honest approach won him widespread acclaim and he was aptly named the ‘Miracle Man’.
2. Integrity
Integrity translates into being upright, whole, and undivided. It means consistently standing by one’s core beliefs and values, regardless of the circumstances. Integrity is a step beyond honesty, as it requires moral courage to uphold one’s values, irrespective of the potential consequences.
One of the most luminary examples of integrity in the Indian administration is Mr. T. N. Seshan, the former Chief Election Commissioner. He displayed remarkable integrity by initiating comprehensive electoral reforms in the face of stiff resistance and ensured free and fair elections. He adhered to his values of impartiality and transparency, transforming the election commission from a lackadaisical department into one of the most respected institutions of India.
3. Probity
Probity is synonymous with integrity but it further emphasizes uprightness, honesty, and decency in the public sphere specifically. It is about following ethical standards and principles at the workplace, implying a strong moral rectitude.
Take the instance of the late IPS officer Mr. Julio Ribeiro. He is widely known for his uncompromising probity and dedication to public service. Despite numerous threats, he tirelessly fought against corruption and organized crime during his tenure, thereby creating a safer society for everyone. His reputation for probity was legendary and continues to be a guiding light for the next generation.
Comparison and Convergence of Honesty, Integrity, and Probity
While these three concepts are interconnected, there are slight differences in their connotations. Honesty is the virtue of being truthful and forthright and serves as the foundation of trustworthy relationships. Integrity goes a step beyond, requiring the steadfast commitment to uphold ethical and moral principles. Probity, meanwhile, emphasizes integrity specifically in terms of professional or public behavior, highlighting strong moral rectitude and decency.
However, regardless of these nuanced differences, all three principles converge on one key aspect: the necessity of steadfast commitment to ethical and moral principles. They dictate that an individual’s actions should consistently reflect these principles, irrespective of any personal or professional pressures.
Thus, all of these virtues are integral to a successful career in civil services. As the custodians of public trust, civil servants must embody these values, ensuring ethical conduct and moral responsibility at all times. To excel as the future administrators of India, UPSC aspirants should strive to incorporate honesty, integrity, and probity into their core value system, making these virtues a part of their innate nature. As the adage goes, character indeed determines destiny.
