UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 — Management Optional Paper I: Question Paper | Plutus IAS

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09 Sep UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 — Management Optional Paper I: Question Paper | Plutus IAS

Posted at 09 Sep 2026 in UPSC by
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The questions below are from Management Optional Paper I of UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 (held 2026-08-30) — the actual paper, which is public government content. This page carries the questions for reference and revision; model answers for this paper are not published here.

Official paper (PDF): upsc.gov.in.

  1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) Do you think that the traditional roles of managers are still relevant in today's digital and remote work environment ? Critically comment with examples. (b) What kind of organisational readiness, from the human resource management perspective, is required for a successful implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Human Resource (HR) functions ? Identify the possible ethical challenges that Artificial Intelligence (AI) implementation may bring. How can organisations balance process efficiency along with ethical considerations ? (c) Why do you think cultural diversity is important in organisations ? What strategies can be adopted by a global consulting firm to manage cultural diversity effectively ? Explain. (d) An organisation is in the process of implementing a new initiative which is required to meet the emerging global challenges, but the employees are resisting the change. Suggest some suitable strategies that management should adopt to implement the change successfully. (e) “Ethical management is essential for long-term organisational success.” Critically evaluate the statement with examples.
  2. How do core management processes influence each stage of the value chain ? How can misalignment between them reduce overall organizational effectiveness ? Illustrate your answer by giving suitable examples. (b) What are the relevant competencies required for effective performance by an expatriate manager in an international assignment ? If there is more than one candidate who is technically competent, what behavioural parameters would you consider to identify the right candidate for an expatriate assignment ? Discuss. (c) What are the key impacts of automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on recruitment and selection processes ? “Along with several advantages of automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recruitment and selection processes, there are some complexities as well.” Discuss.
  3. Analyze how a Multinational Corporation can design its global management structures to support continuous innovation in both developed and emerging markets. (b) (i) What leadership styles, according to you, are more effective in an innovation-driven organisation ? (ii) “Leaders often switch between different leadership styles.” Do you agree ? Discuss. (c) What is the relationship between Organisational Culture and the successful implementation of a Performance Management System ? Discuss with suitable examples.
  4. Do modern management approaches represent a true evolution or just a modification of classical theories ? Justify your answer with examples. (b) How has the growing service sector, especially the Information Technology (IT) sector, impacted trade unions in India ? Discuss in the light of the challenges that trade unions are facing today. (c) A company in the Information Technology (IT) sector is moving from a traditional structure to become a virtual organisation. What design changes are required in the new organisational structure and why? Support your answer with examples.
  5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) Analyse the impact of adopting historical cost and fair value methods on the reliability and relevance of financial information, especially during periods of market fluctuations and economic uncertainty. (b) Examine the causes, consequences and management of corporate distress. Evaluate restructuring strategies for organisational recovery and sustainability. (c) Discuss the role of Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics in strengthening managerial decision-making, improving performance evaluation and enhancing strategic control in management accounting. (d) A local bakery brand offers high-quality products at competitive prices, yet experiences low customer retention. What could be the possible reasons for low customer retention? Suggest suitable solutions to improve customer retention. (e) Using a company operating in the Retail sector, analyze the differences and similarities between Customer Relationship Marketing (CRM) and Holistic Marketing. Through examples, explain how CRM strategies work together with a Holistic Marketing approach to enhance the customer experience and contribute to the long-term success of business. 10

Questions reproduced from the official paper for study purposes; verify on the exam-conducting body’s official website.

Related — other papers of this exam

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