Now Reading: Ethics series links journalism, civil service to truth and duty
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Ethics series links journalism, civil service to truth and duty
The Indian Express's UPSC Ethics Simplified series on 11 October 2026 explores the ethical responsibilities common to journalists and civil servants, drawing on the philosophies of Gandhi, Plato, Aristotle and Immanuel Kant. The article uses the newspaper's own investigation into the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, which struck off more than 13 crore names across 30 states and Union territories since June 2025, to frame the discussion.
The series notes that two Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, had repeatedly raised questions internally about the process. It argues that impartiality does not mean indifference to wrongdoing, and that courage in both journalism and civil service must be guided by evidence and sound judgement. The article is part of a regular column aimed at UPSC aspirants.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The column uses The Indian Express's own reporting on the ECI to ground abstract philosophy in a live controversy, showing readers how ethical frameworks apply to real decisions. By naming the two Election Commissioners who raised internal objections, the piece subtly reinforces that dissent occurred within the institution itself, not only outside it. The series' pedagogical frame limits its reach to UPSC aspirants, but the choice of example signals that the newspaper regards the voter roll clean-up as a matter of professional conscience, not just procedure. Readers are left to consider whether the ethical balance the column advocates, courage tempered by evidence, is being achieved in practice.
The series itself offers no next step beyond the examination context, but the unresolved tension between the EC's public action and internal dissent remains the story's open question.
Source: indianexpress.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
