Ethics and Moral Values are a crucial part of the General Knowledge & Reasoning section for India Post recruitment exams. Whether you’re preparing for Postal Assistant (PA), Sorting Assistant (SA), Postman, or MTS exams, understanding ethical principles helps in both the exam and your postal career.
Why Ethics & Moral Values Matter in India Post
Postal employees handle public trust and confidential information.
Ethical conduct ensures fair service and public satisfaction.
India Post emphasizes integrity, transparency, and responsibility in daily work

Here are the complete four sets of 25 Ethics and Moral Values MCQs each, with answers and brief explanations, designed for UPSC, SSC, RRB, and Postal exam preparation:
ETHICS & MORAL VALUES – COMPLETE QUESTION SETS
SET – 1
The word “Ethics” is derived from which Greek word?
a) Ethos b) Ethicon c) Ethica d) Ethnic
Ans: a) Ethos
Ethos means character, custom, or habit in Greek.Which is NOT a component of professional ethics?
a) Integrity b) Accountability c) Self-interest above all d) Confidentiality
Ans: c) Self-interest above all
Professional ethics promotes service above self.Morality is the science of:
a) Virtues only b) Vices only c) Both virtues and vices d) Neither virtues nor vices
Ans: c) Both virtues and vicesWhich of the following is a principle of ethics?
a) Deception b) Justice c) Envy d) Oppression
Ans: b) JusticeIntegrity means:
a) Doing right only when someone is watching
b) Consistency between values and actions
c) Breaking rules for personal gain
d) Avoiding hard decisions
Ans: b) Consistency between values and actionsWhich stage in moral development is about obeying authority and avoiding punishment?
a) Conventional b) Post-conventional c) Pre-conventional d) Principled
Ans: c) Pre-conventionalA code of ethics is:
a) Legally enforceable b) A moral guide for conduct
c) A uniform dress code d) A tax policy
Ans: b) A moral guide for conductTruthfulness in advertisement is part of:
a) Marketing ethics b) Labour law c) Financial reporting d) Consumerism only
Ans: a) Marketing ethicsWhich is NOT a universal human value?
a) Compassion b) Honesty c) Hatred d) Respect
Ans: c) HatredIn business, the “grey area” refers to:
a) Moral clarity b) Overlapping of ethics and law
c) Purely illegal acts d) Marketing zone
Ans: b) Overlapping of ethics and lawEthics can be best described as:
a) Science of money b) Study of religion
c) Study of right and wrong human conduct d) Study of punishments
Ans: c) Study of right and wrong human conductWhich of these is a personal value?
a) Punctuality b) Power c) Corruption d) Manipulation
Ans: a) PunctualityReliability means:
a) Being liked by all b) Being truthful
c) Being dependable for tasks d) Being powerful
Ans: c) Being dependable for tasksConflict of interest occurs when:
a) Your personal interest competes with official duty
b) Two people argue in a meeting
c) You work in conflict zone d) Competition exists between companies
Ans: a) Your personal interest competes with official dutyProfessional competence means:
a) Knowing your work and doing it well b) Avoiding responsibility
c) Knowing people in power d) Strictly following orders only
Ans: a) Knowing your work and doing it wellWhich is an example of distributive justice?
a) Fairness of salary distribution b) Fairness of trial procedure
c) Fairness of election conduct d) Truthfulness in media
Ans: a) Fairness of salary distributionIf you are honest, you will:
a) Gain temporary benefits b) Avoid breaking traffic rules only
c) Build trust over time d) Never be criticized
Ans: c) Build trust over timeGood morale in a team leads to:
a) Higher absenteeism b) Low productivity
c) Positive work atmosphere d) Retaliation
Ans: c) Positive work atmosphereWhich is an ethical trait in public service?
a) Transparency b) Nepotism c) Bribery d) Harassment
Ans: a) TransparencyTeamwork requires:
a) Isolation b) Cooperation c) Competition only d) Self-promotion
Ans: b) CooperationLocus of control measures:
a) Sense of fashion b) Belief about control over one’s fate
c) Communication skill d) Debt repayment capacity
Ans: b) Belief about control over one’s fateEthical dilemma means:
a) Easy decision-making b) No choice available
c) Choosing between conflicting moral principles d) Choosing cheapest method
Ans: c) Choosing between conflicting moral principlesWorkplace respect involves:
a) Only greeting seniors b) Respecting self, colleagues, and environment
c) Agreeing with everyone d) Ignoring juniors
Ans: b) Respecting self, colleagues, and environmentWhich civil service value promotes fair decisions?
a) Impartiality b) Favouritism c) Bias d) Dishonesty
Ans: a) ImpartialityPost-conventional stage in moral development is based on:
a) Self-interest b) Social expectations
c) Universal ethical principles d) Punishment avoidance
Ans: c) Universal ethical principles
SET – 2
What is the primary function of ethics in public administration?
a) To maximize profits
b) To guide actions based on right and wrong
c) To make laws biding
d) To ensure popularity
Ans: b) To guide actions based on right and wrongWhich term refers to the ability to keep promises and uphold commitments?
a) Fidelity b) Justice c) Autonomy d) Beneficence
Ans: a) FidelityWhich of the following is NOT a stage of moral development?
a) Pre-conventional b) Conventional c) Environmental d) Post-conventional
Ans: c) EnvironmentalEthics that applies specifically to professional practice is called:
a) Business ethics b) Personal ethics
c) Professional ethics d) Social ethics
Ans: c) Professional ethicsWhich principle states that no harm should be done to others?
a) Beneficence b) Autonomy c) Non-maleficence d) Justice
Ans: c) Non-maleficenceWhich quality is most important to have to build trustworthiness?
a) Honesty b) Popularity
c) Creativity d) Wealth
Ans: a) HonestyAn ethical system that judges actions by their consequences is called:
a) Deontological ethics b) Virtue ethics
c) Consequentialism d) Absolutism
Ans: c) ConsequentialismWhich code outlines expected employee behavior within an organization?
a) Personal code b) Code of ethics
c) Code of conduct d) Criminal code
Ans: c) Code of conductWhen one’s actions are consistently aligned with personal values and ethics, they have:
a) Integrity b) Ambiguity
c) Hypocrisy d) Dishonesty
Ans: a) IntegrityRespect in the workplace includes:
a) Listening actively to others
b) Ignoring opinions of colleagues
c) Silent disagreement
d) Being competitive
Ans: a) Listening actively to othersWhich of the following best describes ‘empathy’?
a) Ignoring others’ feelings
b) Understanding and sharing feelings of others
c) Controlling others’ actions
d) Disagreeing politely
Ans: b) Understanding and sharing feelings of othersWhich value encourages working collaboratively to achieve common goals?
a) Teamwork b) Independence
c) Self-promotion d) Secrecy
Ans: a) TeamworkThe term “ethical dilemma” implies:
a) Clear right and wrong
b) A decision between multiple right options
c) A situation with no moral conflict
d) Conflict between two ethical principles
Ans: d) Conflict between two ethical principlesA person with a high “locus of control” believes:
a) Fate determines life b) They control their own destiny
c) Others control their fate d) Random events control life
Ans: b) They control their own destinyIntegrity at the workplace results in:
a) Increased absenteeism b) Decreased productivity
c) Trust and respect c) Distrust
Ans: c) Trust and respectEthics overlaps with what other system to form “grey areas”?
a) Spirituality b) Law
c) Politics d) Economics
Ans: b) LawWhich is not an ethical principle?
a) Justice b) Honesty c) Exploitation d) Loyalty
Ans: c) ExploitationWhat role does accountability play in ethics?
a) Avoids responsibility
b) Punishes mistakes only
c) Holds individuals answerable for actions
d) Covers up mistakes
Ans: c) Holds individuals answerable for actionsWhich concept explains treating everyone fairly according to the rules?
a) Procedural justice b) Distributive justice
c) Social justice d) Economic justice
Ans: a) Procedural justiceWhich of the following is a professional ethical breach?
a) Confidentiality b) Nepotism
c) Timeliness d) Diligence
Ans: b) NepotismTruthfulness in marketing is important because:
a) It influences purchase decisions honestly
b) It exaggerates product features
c) It ignores customer needs
d) It hides product defects
Ans: a) It influences purchase decisions honestlyWhich of the following values promotes unity and mutual respect?
a) Conflict b) Cooperation
c) Individualism d) Disrespect
Ans: b) CooperationEthics in decision-making requires considering:
a) Profit only b) Laws only
c) Rights and consequences d) Personal preferences only
Ans: c) Rights and consequencesWhich value is concerned with truthfulness and transparency?
a) Honesty b) Greed
c) Concealment d) Fraud
Ans: a) HonestyAn ethical leader is expected to demonstrate:
a) Selfishness b) Integrity and accountability
c) Dishonesty d) Manipulation
Ans: b) Integrity and accountability
SET – 3
What describes ‘virtue ethics’?
a) Focus on rules b) Focus on consequences
c) Focus on character and virtues d) Focus on laws
Ans: c) Focus on character and virtuesWhich term means acting with fairness and equity?
a) Justice b) Greed c) Corruption d) Nepotism
Ans: a) JusticeWhich is a universal value?
a) Integrity b) Corruption
c) Dishonesty d) Theft
Ans: a) IntegrityEthical behavior at workplace promotes:
a) Suspicion among colleagues
b) Trust and cooperation
c) Secrecy and competition
d) Conflict
Ans: b) Trust and cooperationWhich of these is part of ethical communication?
a) Deception b) Transparency
c) Concealment d) Manipulation
Ans: b) TransparencyWhich of the following is a key element of corporate social responsibility?
a) Profit maximization only
b) Ethical treatment of stakeholders
c) Ignoring community welfare
d) Avoiding regulations
Ans: b) Ethical treatment of stakeholdersAn ethical code provides:
a) Guidelines for moral behavior
b) Legal statutes
c) Financial directives
d) Tax rules
Ans: a) Guidelines for moral behaviorWhich principle means doing good and benefiting others?
a) Beneficence b) Justice
c) Non-maleficence d) Autonomy
Ans: a) BeneficenceWhat does ‘autonomy’ mean in ethics?
a) Controlling others
b) Self-determination and freedom of choice
c) Obeying orders blindly
d) Ignoring others’ decisions
Ans: b) Self-determination and freedom of choiceWhat is the meaning of ‘ethical relativism’?
a) Ethics are fixed and universal
b) Ethics depend on culture and context
c) Ethics are irrelevant
d) Ethics depend on laws only
Ans: b) Ethics depend on culture and contextWhich is NOT an ethical challenge at the workplace?
a) Conflicts of interest
b) Nepotism
c) Accountability
d) Bribery
Ans: c) AccountabilityWhich is true about ethical leadership?
a) Leaders should model ethical behavior
b) Leaders should only maximize profits
c) Leaders should ignore employee concerns
d) Leaders should bend rules
Ans: a) Leaders should model ethical behaviorEthical rules often conflict with:
a) Personal interests
b) Legal obligations
c) Universal values
d) Cultural norms
Ans: a) Personal interestsWhat helps resolve ethical dilemmas?
a) Reflection and consultation
b) Ignoring the issue
c) Choosing the easiest option
d) Following others blindly
Ans: a) Reflection and consultation“Respect for persons” ethical principle involves:
a) Recognizing dignity and rights
b) Disregarding others’ feelings
c) Exploiting weaknesses
d) Enforcing obedience
Ans: a) Recognizing dignity and rightsWhich of the following is an ethical principle for fair treatment?
a) Justice b) Bias c) Prejudice d) Nepotism
Ans: a) JusticeAccountability in ethics means:
a) Avoiding blame b) Taking responsibility for one’s actions
c) Shifting blame d) Ignoring rules
Ans: b) Taking responsibility for one’s actionsWhat should be the foundation of ethical decision-making?
a) Personal gain b) Social norms alone
c) Moral principles and reason
d) Popular opinion
Ans: c) Moral principles and reasonWhich value is essential for building trust in public service?
a) Honesty b) Self-interest
c) Opportunism d) Deceit
Ans: a) HonestyEthical behavior supports:
a) Corruption
b) Social welfare
c) Dishonesty
d) Injustice
Ans: b) Social welfareWhich of these is critical for ethical communication?
a) Concealing facts b) Honesty
c) Distortion d) Manipulation
Ans: b) HonestyIn case of conflict between law and ethics, an ethical person will:
a) Follow the law blindly
b) Choose ethical obligations if lawful
c) Avoid decisions
d) Ignore ethics
Ans: b) Choose ethical obligations if lawfulWhich type of justice involves fairness in resource allocation?
a) Distributive justice b) Procedural justice
c) Restorative justice d) Retributive justice
Ans: a) Distributive justiceWhen is ethical reasoning important?
a) When decisions affect others
b) For personal choices only
c) Not necessary in organizations
d) Only when punished
Ans: a) When decisions affect othersWhich of the following is NOT an ethical value?
a) Respect b) Loyalty c) Dishonesty d) Empathy
Ans: c) Dishonesty
SET – 4
Which of the following statements about ethics is true?
a) Ethics are always legally binding
b) Ethics deal with what is morally right or wrong
c) Ethics ignore social values
d) Ethics promote corruption
Ans: b) Ethics deal with what is morally right or wrongWhat is the relationship between ethics and law?
a) They are always the same
b) Laws are minimum standards; ethics often represent higher standards
c) Ethics replace law
d) Law ignores ethics completely
Ans: b) Laws are minimum standards; ethics often represent higher standardsThe principle of “justice” requires:
a) Treating equals unequally
b) Fair and equal treatment
c) Favoritism in decisions
d) Ignoring fairness
Ans: b) Fair and equal treatmentWhat is meant by “professional ethics”?
a) Ethics of employees in an organization
b) Rules set by law
c) Personal opinions
d) None of these
Ans: a) Ethics of employees in an organizationIntegrity in the workplace means:
a) Compromising moral values
b) Aligning actions with moral values
c) Hiding mistakes
d) Neglecting responsibilities
Ans: b) Aligning actions with moral valuesWhich is a characteristic of ethical communication?
a) Transparency b) Misleading
c) Concealment d) Ambiguity
Ans: a) TransparencyWhat is the role of empathy in ethics?
a) Understanding and sharing others’ feelings
b) Ignoring emotions
c) Being indifferent
d) Focusing on self only
Ans: a) Understanding and sharing others’ feelingsWhich value helps in maintaining discipline at the workplace?
a) Punctuality b) Dishonesty
c) Laziness d) Negligence
Ans: a) PunctualityEthical decision-making involves:
a) Considering benefits and harms to all stakeholders
b) Ignoring consequences
c) Only following orders
d) Avoiding responsibility
Ans: a) Considering benefits and harms to all stakeholdersA conflict of interest occurs when:
a) Personal interests interfere with professional duty
b) There is no disagreement
c) Everyone agrees
d) No stake is involved
Ans: a) Personal interests interfere with professional dutyWhich among the following is a key ethical challenge?
a) Transparency b) Accountability
c) Corruption d) Cooperation
Ans: c) CorruptionWhat is “moral courage”?
a) Fear of consequences
b) Willingness to stand for ethical principles even under pressure
c) Avoiding risk
d) Conforming to others
Ans: b) Willingness to stand for ethical principles even under pressureWhich of these promotes ethical behavior?
a) Rewards for ethical actions
b) Punishment for ethical actions
c) Ignorance of ethics
d) Encouraging shortcuts
Ans: a) Rewards for ethical actionsWhich of these best describes “ethical leadership”?
a) Self-centered leadership
b) Leadership guided by high ethical standards
c) Corrupt leadership
d) Authoritarian leadership
Ans: b) Leadership guided by high ethical standardsWhich is an example of procedural justice?
a) Transparent hiring process
b) Equal distribution of bonuses
c) Ignoring complaints
d) Favoritism in promotion
Ans: a) Transparent hiring processRespect for diversity means:
a) Accepting and valuing differences
b) Ignoring differences
c) Promoting discrimination
d) Enforcing uniformity
Ans: a) Accepting and valuing differencesWhich human value encourages putting others’ needs before self?
a) Altruism b) Greed
c) Selfishness d) Envy
Ans: a) AltruismAn ethical culture in the workplace:
a) Discourages misconduct
b) Encourages secrecy
c) Promotes favoritism
d) Tolerates dishonesty
Ans: a) Discourages misconductEthical values play a vital role in:
a) Enhancing team spirit
b) Encouraging laziness
c) Promoting conflict
d) Ignoring rules
Ans: a) Enhancing team spiritWhich of these is NOT part of ethics?
a) Honesty b) Deceit c) Fairness d) Respect
Ans: b) DeceitWhat is the key to ethical persuasion?
a) Truthfulness b) Manipulation
c) Deception d) Coercion
Ans: a) TruthfulnessWhich is an example of ethical behavior?
a) Reporting accurate data
b) Lying to customers
c) Ignoring safety rules
d) Bribing officials
Ans: a) Reporting accurate dataWhich value is essential for transparency?
a) Honesty b) Concealment
c) Deception d) Fraud
Ans: a) HonestyEthical standards are enforced by:
a) Social groups and professional bodies
b) Only the government
c) The media only
d) None of these
Ans: a) Social groups and professional bodiesWhat is the ultimate goal of ethics?
a) To build a just and fair society
b) To gain money at any cost
c) To promote power
d) To avoid work
Ans: a) To build a just and fair society