Published Paper Details:

The landscape of higher education is increasingly defined by complex moral and ethical challenges. This quantitative study investigates the moral dilemmas faced by university students in Lucknow, focusing specifically on the impact of educational level (undergraduate versus postgraduate) and residential status (hosteller versus day scholar). Recognizing a critical gap in contemporary moral education, this research aims to systematically measure ethical decision-making patterns. A descriptive survey method was utilized, selecting a sample of 200 students from Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University using a simple random sampling technique. Data was collected via the self-constructed University Student Moral Dilemma Scale (USMDS), which measures 70 situational statements across three dimensions: Academic & Digital Integrity, Societal & Professional Responsibility, and Interpersonal Relations. Statistical analysis, employing Mean, Standard Deviation, and independent t-tests, revealed no significant differences in moral dilemmas based on educational level across all three dimensions. However, while residential status did not significantly impact Academic & Digital Integrity, hostellers demonstrated a significantly higher degree of Societal & Professional Responsibility and Interpersonal Relations compared to day scholars. These findings suggest that the independent living environment of hostels fosters distinct social and interpersonal ethical frameworks. The study provides vital educational implications for curriculum planners and administrators to integrate targeted moral education interventions tailored to the contextual realities of student life.