Conflict of Interest

noun phrase

/ˈkɒn.flɪkt əv ˈɪn.trɪst/

A situation in which a public official's personal interests — financial, familial, or social — potentially compromise, or appear to compromise, their ability to perform official duties impartially and in the public interest; the mere existence of such a conflict, even without actual wrongdoing, is considered ethically problematic in public service

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

A senior IAS officer whose spouse holds shares in a company bidding for a government contract must recuse herself from the tender evaluation process to avoid the conflict of interest that would otherwise compromise public trust in the procurement system.

Synonyms

vested interestpersonal biaspartialityinstitutional biascompeting interest

Antonyms

disinterestednessimpartialityrecusalarms-length transaction

🌱 Word Family

conflict of interest (n phrase), conflict (n/v), interest (n), interested party (n phrase)

🔡 Root

Latin conflictus = collision (confligere = to strike together) + Latin inter-esse = to be between/to matter (inter = between + esse = to be)

📜 Etymology

The concept crystallised in Anglo-American public administration law in the 20th century; India's Prevention of Corruption Act (1988) and All India Services (Conduct) Rules (1968) operationalise the principle; the Central Vigilance Commission's guidelines on recusal of officials from decisions affecting their relatives address conflict of interest directly

🧠 Memory Hook

CONFLICT + INTEREST: when SELF-interest CONFLICTS with PUBLIC interest — your wallet and your duty are pulling in opposite directions

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Mains 2022 · GS4 · 10 marks — Ethics in Public Administration
Mains 2018 · GS4 · 10 marks — Conflict of Interest / Ethics
Mains 2017 · GS4 · 10 marks — Conflict of Interest / Civil Service Ethics
Mains 2015 · GS4 · 10 marks — Conflict of Interest

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Conflict of Interest” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

🧭 Ethics & Integrity 📖 Seen in: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude — Complet... 📋 Also in Key Terms

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