UPSC Mains 2025 Management Optional Paper II questions

39 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Management Optional PYQs

1. A train is scheduled to arrive at a station at a random time between 09:00 AM and 09:30 AM. The actual arrival time is equally likely to be any moment within this interval. (i) Define a suitable probability density function (PDF). (ii) What is the probability that the train will arrive before 09:13 AM? (iii) Find the expected arrival time and the variance of the arrival time. (iv) Given that the train has not arrived by 09:11 AM, what is the expected arrival time?

   10 marks

2. Determine the required sample size for estimating the true weight cereal container from a population of N = 5000. Based on the past records variance of weight is 121 grams and this estimate should be within 2-5 grams of the true average weight with 99% confidence. Will there be a change in the size of the sample if we assume population to be infinite? If so, explain by how much? (Table enclosed) 10 AREAS UNDER THE STANDARD NORMAL DISTRIBUTION The entries in this table are the probabilities that a standard normal variate is between 0 and Z (the shaded area)

3. A manufacturing facility specializing in Sheet Metal Production has implemented a Statistical Quality Control Program to monitor and improve process performance. As a part of this initiative, an Engineer has recorded the number of visible surface defects identified on 20 sequential metal sheets, each representing one production unit. The data collected during this inspection phase are given below: heet Defect Using the above information: (i) Determine the Center line (CL), Upper control limit (UCL) and Lower control limit (LCL). (ii) Plot the appropriate Control Chart and interpret the result.

4. Defect Using the above information: (i) Determine the Center line (CL), Upper control limit (UCL) and Lower control

5. Plot the appropriate Control Chart and interpret the result.

   10 marks

6. A Tech Solutions is a mid-sized IT consulting company specializing in automated HR and payroll systems for small business. The company has successfully digitized most of its operations, relying heavily on its internal computer systems for payroll processing and report generations. However, despite its automation efforts, the 'computer system has experienced periodic failures. Over the past 20 months, the computer system has broken down as indicated in the table below: Number of Number of months that Breakdowns Breakdown occurred a Pk pe 5 Each breakdown results in an average loss of due to time delay and technical service expenses. As a preventive measure, company is considering a monthly service contract for preventive maintenance. If they sign up for the contract, the average number of breakdowns is expected to decrease to per month, and the contract would cost ¥3300/- per month. Based on the given information, advise that the company should go for contract for preventive maintenance or not?

7. Each breakdown results in an average loss of ¥4500/- due to time delay and technical service expenses. As a preventive measure, company is considering a monthly service contract for preventive maintenance. If they sign up for the contract, the average number of breakdowns is expected to decrease to 1 per month, and the contract would cost ¥3300/- per month. Based on the given information, advise that the company should go for contract for preventive maintenance or not?

   10 marks

8. Critically analyse the advantages of E Governance for Government, Public and Business giving suitable examples.

   10 marks

9. The electrical power demand of TATA Power Corporation from 2018 to 2024, measured in megawatts, is provided below. Using the data, forecast the demand for the year 2025 by fitting and plotting the linear trend line. Electrical Power Demand (Megawatts)

10. In a study to evaluate the effectiveness of two different animal feeds, researchers recorded the weight gains (in kilograms) of animals after fed each type of feed. [Feed A 45 48 47 50 46 49 47 a8 (i) If the two samples are considered independent, can we conclude that Feed B is more effective than Feed A at the 0-025 level of significance? (ii) Also examine the case if the same set of eight animals received both feeds, and test at the 0-01 level of significance. (Table enclosed)

    15 marks

11. The first column lists the number of degrees of freedom (v). The headings of the other columns give probabilities (P) for t to exceed the entry value. Use. symmetry for negative ¢ values.

12. Techline Pvt. Ltd. is a consumer electrics manufacturing concern producing three models of Smart Devices: X, Y and Z. The company operates under the constraints of two key resources, viz. raw materials and labor hours. Each week, the availability of raw materials is restricted to 800kg, while labor availability is limited to 600 hours. To maximize profit, the company needs to decide, how many units of each product to manufacture weekly without exceeding the available resources. The relevant details for each product are provided below: Product Raw Material Labor Hours Profit contribution per unit (Kg) per unit (Hours) per unit (%)

13. Formulate this scenario as a Linear Programming Problem (LPP), and solve it for optimal product mix. (ii) Based on the optimal solution, analyze the situation if the company wants to introduce a New product W, requiring 2 kg of raw materials and 2 hours of labor hours per unit. Its estimated profit contribution is =35/- per unit. Should the company include this new product in its production mix?

    20 marks

14. A company has an annual demand of 1600 units for an item, whose unit cost is ~70/-. The annual holding cost comprises 18% for interest charges, 1% for insurance, 1-5% allowances for obsolescence of unit cost and ~2-50 for building overheads, 3-40 for damage loss, and €7-0 miscellaneous costs. Placing each order costs the company %100/-. (i) Calculate Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) and the total costs of stocking the units. (ii) If the supplier of the items will only deliver batches of 250 units, how is the total variable cost influenced? (iii) If the supplier relaxes their order size requirements, as the company has limited storage space it can stock a maximum of 100 units at any time. What would be the optimal ordering policy and associated costs?

15. Consider the following aggregate planning problem for four months: So eee The forecasted demand for the next four months is 300, 400, I 225 and 475 units respectively. Shortages are not permitted. The initial inventory is 50 units, and the carrying cost is per unit per month. Provide the aggregate plan for this problem.

16. The forecasted demand for the next four months is 1300, 1400, 1225 and 1475 units respectively. Shortages are not permitted. The initial inventory is 50 units, and the carrying cost is €1-60 per unit per month. Provide the aggregate plan for this problem.

    15 marks

17. The warehouse owner of Quick Industries is considering a new computer system for accounting and inventory control. A computer vendor sent the following information about the system installation: Activity Activity Immediate Time (Days) Identification description Predecessor} Most Most Most optimistic likely pessimistic Selection of Input/output A System Design Monitoring Computer system Testing and (i) Draw the network diagram for this information. Identify the Critical Path and expected project completion time. (ii) Calculate the probability that the project will be completed in 61 days. (iii) When the company wants to be 95% sure that the system will be installed by a certain date, how many days prior to that should it start the work?

18. "Expert Systems play a significant role in Organisations." Discuss it giving at least four benefits of Expert Systems.

    10 marks

19. Elaborate the different components of Expert Systems giving suitable examples.

    10 marks

20. "Information Resource Management is a strategic plan of an organisation." Elaborate.

    10 marks

21. What are the important components that must be considered for imple- mentation of Information Resource Management.

    5 marks

22. Explain the fundamental role of Information Systems in business and organisations.

23. State at least eight evaluation factors for an excellent information system.

    10 marks

24. "Have various Chambers of Commerce and other Industry Associations played their desired role effectively?" Critically examine.

    10 marks

25. What is meant by 'Strategic intent'? Give brief explanation of each of these concepts: (i) Stretch (ii) Leverage (iii)

    10 marks

26. Define Turnaround strategies. Discuss conditions for turnaround strategies. Also discuss types of turnaround actions.

27. Critically evaluate India's foreign trade since independence and identify constraints in India's Exports Growth.

28. Elucidate the conceptual framework of e-business. Identify the significant changes it has brought to business processes.

29. "Small-Scale Industries play a vital role in the growth of economic activities of a country." Explain giving examples.

    10 marks

30. How can Government initiatives expedite the growth and success of small-scale industries? Discuss.

    5 marks

31. "Government should not enter into business activities." Do you agree? Explain with examples.

    10 marks

32. "Privatisation of Industries has not achieved its objectives." Give your critical comments.

    10 marks

33. "Consumer Protection Act 2019 (CPA) has changed the business scenario in India." Do you agree? Describe at least eight features of CPA giving suitable examples.

34. Define Strategic Alliances. Discuss the reasons for strategic alliances. Also discuss types of strategic alliances with suitable examples.

    15 marks

35. Define Mergers and Acquisitions. Discuss the types of mergers and acquisitions. Also discuss the important issues in mergers and acquisitions with suitable examples.

    15 marks

36. What do you understand by BCG Matrix? Describe the four Quadrants of it and also discuss its Strategic Implications and Limitations with suitable examples.

37. Explain Joint Venture with suitable examples. Discuss the Life Cycle of a Joint Venture.

    15 marks

38. What is Foreign Direct Investment? Describe with suitable examples the different factors that influence Foreign Direct Investment.

    15 marks

39. Elucidate the concept of Foreign Exchange Risks and Exposure. Discuss the techniques included in Managing Foreign Exchange Risks with suitable examples.