What if the Ethics paper is actually about you—and not just about what you read in your UPSC prep guidebooks? Each year, the Ethics paper of the UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam offers more than just a test for aspirants. It offers a moment of reflection on our ethical foundations, pushing us to inquire into the most basic — yet most important — questions related to our lives: past, present, and future. UPSC can trigger an epiphany among aspirants through its exam : that this subject isn’t just about scoring marks. Deeper analysis of the questions tell us that it is about seeking deeper truths. It calls on candidates not to approach it as mere aspirants, but as seekers—those who can distinguish between information and knowledge, altruism and management, results and the daily rigmarole of life.Since 2013, the paper has consistently encouraged this introspection. It reminds us that ethics isn’t a checklist—it’s a journey. It expects us to grasp the underlying wisdom and conduct that form the essence of human existence.This year, the overarching framework appears to be KBC: Knowledge, Behaviour, and Competency — a holistic model aimed at cultivating not just ethical awareness but ethical action.To meet these expectations, aspirants must go beyond textbook definitions. A strong grasp of Universal Values, Morality, Ethical Dilemmas, Decision-Making, Ethical Theories, and the spirit of the Indian Constitution—“We the people…”—is essential.But knowledge alone isn’t enough.It is interesting how the ethics paper suggests candidates to dive into the ocean of human thought, drawing on timeless philosophical wisdom—from Schopenhauer’s haunting question, “Who am I?” to Swami Vivekananda’s rousing speech, “Sisters and Brothers of America…” And that’s not all. It asks aspirants to align their values, emotions and reasoning with the enduring concerns of philosophers. All this in a way that these are not just academic ideas but personal anchors which help us reveal our true selves. There is another important dimension here to address and that is ‘ethics’ must not remain in the abstract. The paper demands that aspirants also view values through the eyes of the common man—examining their relevance, utility, and impact in real life. The relationship between ethics and environment, between individual and society, must be part of the answer-writing framework.To summarise, Part A, the theory section of the UPSC Mains 2025 Ethics paper was a comprehensive test of both the aspirants’ knowledge and their personal perspectives on a wide range of ethical issues, both directly and indirectly. It covered key concepts such as ethical dilemmas, ethical decision-making, accountability, constitutional morality, social media ethics, good governance, war ethics, diplomacy, geo-politics, and environmental ethics. There was a clear emphasis on developmental ethics and the application of emotional intelligence—particularly focusing on self-awareness, self-management, motivation, adaptability to change, and maintaining a positive attitude. Aspirants were also challenged to view ethics not merely as compliance, but as a conscious choice, and to reflect on the real impact of values and ethics through the lens of reason and welfare. The paper drew inspiration from philosophical principles like non-violence, peace, and prosperity, along with spiritual ideas such as “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and Supreme Consciousness. It touched upon themes of duty, fulfillment, containment, and a purpose-driven life, invoking ideals like “work is worship.”Story continues below this adAdditionally, it explored the role of values in leadership, the importance of being a role model, and the need to bridge the gap between values and competency. Topics like ethical governance, understanding right and wrong behaviour, and the economic aspects of ethics—including human greed and human dependability—were also central, making the section a nuanced and layered exploration of ethics in both theory and real-world application. It is important to note that while some themes were drawn directly from the syllabus, others reflected contemporary issues and evolving ethical challenges.If aspirants approach this subject with sincerity and humility—truly integrating values into their way of thinking—then knowledge naturally evolves into competency. This includes emotional intelligence, decision-making, problem-solving, communication, listening, and collaboration: the soft skills that anchor ethical living in the real world.Part B of the paper reinforces this idea. It asks aspirants to see the interconnectedness—not just within the syllabus, but within themselves and their relationship with society. A closer look at the case studies reveals that the larger themes being questioned included border-area humanitarian challenges, personal and professional duties, environmental concerns conflicting with development or welfare, conflict of interest, rules versus pressure from seniors in the workplace, and corruption in government welfare schemes.Ultimately, ethical behaviour is not separate from who we are—it is an expression of our core. The way we write, speak, and act must reflect the values we claim to uphold. In doing so, we move closer to becoming transformational leaders—not just in our careers but in life.Story continues below this adThis paper is more than a test. It shapes us into more sentient, aware, and reasonable individuals. And perhaps its most powerful reminder is this: “Lux in intimo est”—the light is within.(The writer is the author of ‘Being Good’, ‘Aaiye, Insaan Banaen’, ‘Kyon’ and ‘Ethikos: Stories Searching Happiness’. He teaches courses on and offers training in ethics, values and behaviour. He has been the expert/consultant to UPSC, SAARC countries, Civil services Academy, National Centre for Good Governance, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Competition Commission of India (CCI), etc. He has PhD in two disciplines and has been a Doctoral Fellow in Gandhian Studies from ICSSR. His second PhD is from IIT Delhi on Ethical Decision Making among Indian Bureaucrats. He writes for the UPSC Ethics Simplified (concepts and caselets) fortnightly.)Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on UPSC section of The Indian Express on Instagram and X.Story continues below this adFor your queries and suggestions write at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com.