Answer: According to the Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index, India was ranked 85th out of 180 countries, with a score of 40 out of 100. This score indicates that India has a significant amount of corruption in its public sector. 

To create a culture of ethical conduct among civil servants, it is essential to establish foundational values that can be upheld and enforced. These values should promote accountability, integrity, transparency, and respect for the rule of law. 

Foundational values can be established to strengthen and uphold ethical conduct among civil servants: 

• Integrity: Civil servants must consistently demonstrate utmost integrity to ensure fair, unbiased, and impartial decision-making. Upholding honesty and ethical conduct, they should never exploit their position for personal gain.  

• Example: Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 prohibits bribery and other forms of corruption by public servants. 

• Objectivity: Objectivity helps in impartial and unbiased decision-making, ensuring equal treatment of citizens, fostering officials' accountability, and establishing public trust in the civil service.  

• Example: All-India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, mandates that civil servants be impartial and unbiased in their decision-making. 

• Accountability: It is vital to ensure public servants prioritize the public interest, maintain honesty and transparency in decision-making, foster trust between citizens and their government, and ensure responsible use of public funds.  

• Example: Public Servants (Inquiries) Act, 1850, requires civil servants to answer any questions or inquiries relating to their official duties.  

• Professionalism: Professionalism helps to uphold the utmost standards of integrity and ethical behavior, particularly in publicly funded services. It cultivates citizens' trust by demonstrating the competence and reliability of civil servants. 

• Example: All-India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, prohibits civil servants from engaging in activities that could be perceived as a conflict of interest.  

• Responsiveness: Responsive is needed for efficient government operations, public safety, and timely service delivery to citizens. They play a vital role in combating corruption, fostering public trust, and instilling confidence in the government. 

• Example: Public Services Delivery Guarantee Act, 2011, requires civil servants to provide timely responses to requests made by citizens and organizations.  

Providing civil servants with proper training and support is crucial to equip them with the necessary skills and resources for fulfilling their duties ethically and responsibly. By establishing these foundational values, organizations and government agencies can cultivate an environment that promotes ethical conduct while deterring corruption and misconduct.