UPSC Mains MANAGEMENT-PAPER-II 2025

33 Questions • 400 Marks • With Detailed Model Answers

1
10 Marksmedium

1. (a) 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?
MathematicsStatistics
2
10 Marksmedium

1. (b) 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)

StatisticsResearch Methodology
3
10 Marksmedium

1. (c) 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 :

Sheet No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Defect Counts 5 6 4 4 6 7 0 6 5 3 1 4 5 3 6 4 3 1 3 4

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.
Operations ManagementQuality Management
4
10 Marksmedium

1. (d) 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 Breakdowns Number of months that Breakdown occurred
0 4
1 8
2 6
3 2

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?

Operations ManagementDecision Making
5
10 Marksmedium

1. (e) Critically analyse the advantages of E Governance for Government, Public and Business giving suitable examples.

Public AdministrationInformation Technology
6
15 Marksmedium

2. (a) 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.

Year Electrical Power Demand (Megawatts)
2018 94
2019 99
2020 100
2021 110
2022 125
2023 162
2024 142
StatisticsBusiness Analytics
7
15 Markshard

2. (b) 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 48
Feed B 51 53 52 55 50 52 54 33
  • (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)
StatisticsResearch Methodology
8
20 Markshard

2. (c) 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 800 kg, 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 per unit (Kg) Labor Hours per unit (Hours) Profit contribution per unit (₹)
X 6 5 80
Y 4 4 60
Z 2 3 40
  • (i) 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 ?
Operations ResearchManagement Science
9
15 Marksmedium

3. (a) 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 ?
Operations ManagementSupply Chain Management
10
15 Marksmedium

3. (b) Consider the following aggregate planning problem for four months :

Regular time Overtime Subcontracting
Production capacity/month 900 units 300 units 200 units
Production cost/unit ₹6/- ₹8/- ₹9/-

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.

Operations ManagementProduction Planning
11
20 Markshard

3. (c) 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 Identification Activity description Immediate Predecessor Time (Days)
Most optimistic Most likely Most pessimistic
A Selection of Computer Model - 5 7 9
B Input/output System Design A 6 8 16
C Monitoring System Design A 5 9 13
D Computer Hardware Assembly B 16 21 26
E Development of main Programs B 11 19 27
F Input/output routines development C 9 10 17
G Database Creation E 5 9 13
H Installation of the system D, F 2 3 4
I Testing and Implementation G, H 7 8 9
  • (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?
Project ManagementOperations Management
12
10 Marksmedium

4. (a) (i) "Expert Systems play a significant role in Organisations." Discuss it giving at least four benefits of Expert Systems.

Information TechnologyArtificial Intelligence
13
10 Marksmedium

4. (a) (ii) Elaborate the different components of Expert Systems giving suitable examples.

Information TechnologyArtificial Intelligence
14
10 Marksmedium

4. (b) (i) "Information Resource Management is a strategic plan of an organisation." Elaborate.

Information ManagementStrategic Management
15
5 Marksmedium

4. (b) (ii) What are the important components that must be considered for implementation of Information Resource Management.

Information ManagementOrganizational Change
16
5 Marksmedium

4. (c) (i) Explain the fundamental role of Information Systems in business and organisations.

Information TechnologyBusiness Management
17
10 Markseasy

4. (c) (ii) State at least eight evaluation factors for an excellent information system.

Information TechnologyBusiness Management
18
10 Marksmedium

5. (a) "Have various Chambers of Commerce and other Industry Associations played their desired role effectively?" Critically examine.

EconomicsBusiness Environment
19
10 Marksmedium

5. (b) What is meant by 'Strategic intent'? Give brief explanation of each of these concepts:

  • (i) Stretch
  • (ii) Leverage
  • (iii) Fit
Strategic ManagementBusiness Strategy
20
10 Marksmedium

5. (c) Define Turnaround strategies. Discuss conditions for turnaround strategies. Also discuss types of turnaround actions.

Strategic ManagementCorporate Finance
21
10 Marksmedium

5. (d) Critically evaluate India's foreign trade since independence and identify constraints in India's Exports Growth.

EconomicsInternational Trade
22
10 Marksmedium

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

Information TechnologyBusiness Management
23
10 Marksmedium

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

EconomicsIndustrial Policy
24
5 Marksmedium

6. (a) (ii) How can Government initiatives expedite the growth and success of small-scale industries? Discuss.

Industrial PolicyEconomics
25
10 Marksmedium

6. (b) "Government should not enter into business activities." Do you agree? Explain with examples.

EconomicsPublic Policy
26
10 Marksmedium

6. (c) "Privatisation of Industries has not achieved its objectives." Give your critical comments.

EconomicsIndustrial Policy
27
15 Marksmedium

“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.

LawBusiness Environment
28
15 Marksmedium

7. (a) Define Strategic Alliances. Discuss the reasons for strategic alliances. Also discuss types of strategic alliances with suitable examples.

Strategic ManagementInternational Business
29
15 Marksmedium

7. (b) Define Mergers and Acquisitions. Discuss the types of mergers and acquisitions. Also discuss the important issues in mergers and acquisitions with suitable examples.

Strategic ManagementCorporate Finance
30
20 Marksmedium

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

Strategic ManagementMarketing
31
15 Marksmedium

8. (a) Explain Joint Venture with suitable examples. Discuss the Life Cycle of a Joint Venture.

Strategic ManagementInternational Business
32
15 Marksmedium

8. (b) What is Foreign Direct Investment? Describe with suitable examples the different factors that influence Foreign Direct Investment.

International BusinessEconomics
33
20 Marksmedium

8. (c) Elucidate the concept of Foreign Exchange Risks and Exposure. Discuss the techniques included in Managing Foreign Exchange Risks with suitable examples.

International FinanceRisk Management