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2026 Ethics Watch List: 5 issues from 2025 that can test you even in 2026

UPSC Ethics: From debates that shook workplaces to dilemmas that tested values, 2025 was a year of ethical challenges. As we step into 2026, these issues continue to demand answers, offering crucial lessons for aspirants and professionals alike. Here’s our list — don’t forget to share yours.

4 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Dec 31, 2025 11:08 AM IST

Check out our list of ethical issues of 2025 which may be probable case studies in 2026. (AI Generated Image)

The year 2025 was a year of many ethical issues, which took the form of debates and also tested the grounds of governance, justice, and individual morality. Most of these ethical issues will remain relevant even as we step into 2026. What the solutions to these problems will be, and how successful the strategies, if any, to address them will be, only time will tell. But some of them will definitely form potential case studies where your ethics will be tested.

We list five such ethical issues from 2025 that may require your answers as case studies in 2026.

#1 IndiGo ethics alert: A reminder for 2026 to put customers first

The recent IndiGo crisis created by multiple factors in aviation breaks our slumber with a fundamental question: Who is a customer, and what is customer service in the aviation sector? Companies sometimes forget that the quality of service is driven in part by the behaviour of the service provider. Usually service providers fail because they do not realise that customer service is not lip service but ethics in action.

Will 2026 bring the customer-service provider relation in ethical prism?

#2 Social Media Governance vs. Free Speech: An ethical debate that doesn’t fade

Debates persist about regulating harmful online content without infringing on free expression — an ethical dilemma as digital platforms grapple with misinformation, harassment, and platform liability amid public scrutiny. While social media influencers, loved or hated, will continue to be the most-watched content creators, the debate is increasingly taking shape as a question of ethical case studies in 2026.

We should all be prepared to answer: Does being an influencer equate to ‘Free Thinking’ without the core values?

#3 Environmental Ethics 2026: The duty that can’t wait

Climate and environmental challenges, including water security, air pollution, and resource depletion, highlight ethical duties toward sustainability and equitable access to natural resources for present and future generations. What may seem like a cliché topic is, in fact, the most important subject of discussion in 2025 and a major concern for 2026.

What should worry us is how prepared we are to address all climate-related issues in 2026.

#4 The 70–90 hour debate : Productivity vs. Pressure

When the news headlines reported that the Chief Manager of Bank of Baroda died by suicide, what it read in sub-texts was that an important ‘balance’ was missing from his life. A few months ago, when Infosys founder, Narayan Murthy talked about working seventy hours a week to fulfill the dream of a developed India, a debate erupted across the country about working hours. The chairman of Larsen & Toubro, SN Subrahmanyan, even said that if it were up to him, he would like to see his employees in the office even on Sundays—and not just for seventy hours, but for ninety hours a week. This debate has impacted the work-life balance of every employee who leaves for the office at 8 a.m. and returns home around 8 or 9 p.m.—a twelve-hour workday. And even at home, WhatsApp and phone calls keep him connected to the office.

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Time to think: What is the link between work-life balance and work ethics?

#5 Stray dogs, tough choices: Balancing safety and compassion in 2026

India’s handling of stray dogs raises deep ethical questions about balancing public safety with humane treatment. Recent Supreme Court orders and debates around relocation, sterilisation, and shelter infrastructure highlight the dilemma between animal welfare principles and citizen safety concerns. As part of the larger debate on human-animal conflict, this issue will continue to test our ethical frameworks even in 2026.

Ponder ethically: Can compassion bridge the gap between humans and animals?

There are definitely ethical issues related to Artificial Intelligence, gender, deepfakes & misinformation, corruption, and much more. Prepare your list and share it with us. Let’s find answers to the topics on your ethics list in the UPSC Essentials special series, Ethics Simplified, in 2026. Please send your suggestions to manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com

Manas Srivastava

Manas Srivastava leads the UPSC Essentials section of The Indian Express (digital). He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than five years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called ‘Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik’ and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called ‘LIVE with Manas’.His talks on ‘How to read a newspaper’ focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University’s Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women’s Studies by the Women’s Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on ‘Psychological stress among students’ at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More