UPSC PYQPrelims 2026

Civil Services Examination · Question 53

Read the following passage and answer the item that follows. Your answer should be based solely on the passage. Passage: Previous waves of customer-service technology, including email and those pesky voice menus, stoked concerns of job losses, only for them to fail to materialise. AI could yet prove different. And if it does, its effects may be salutary. Human agents could be freed up to spend more time on creative and rewarding tasks, like using feedback to make products and services better—and thereby spend less time listening to irate customers! Which of the following conclusions, made on the basis of the given passage, is/are correct? 1. The advent of new customer-service technology had invariably sparked fears about job losses. 2. Often it is found that instead of job losses, alternative channels for employee engagement are discovered while certain tasks are replaced by technology. 3. The advent of technology inevitably leads to stressful outcomes. Select the answer using the code given below.

  1. 1 and 3
  2. 2 only
  3. 3 only
  4. 1 and 2
Show answer & explanation

Answer: (D) 1 and 2

Explanation

Previous waves stoked job-loss fears that did not materialise (1), and technology can free humans for other rewarding work (2). The passage says the effects may be salutary, not stressful (3). (Provisional answer; verify with the official key.)