..........are referred to as inseparable twins of management.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Planning and Controlling
Option (1) Staffing and Planning — Incorrect. Staffing fills the jobs with the right people. It is not paired with planning in this way.
Option (2) Planning and Controlling — Correct. Planning and controlling are inseparable twins of management, that is, they cannot be separated. Planning sets the standards. Controlling checks the actual work against these standards. Without a plan there is nothing to control, and a plan without control is meaningless.
Option (3) Planning and Implementation — Incorrect. Implementing the plan is only one step of the planning process. It is not a separate function of management.
Option (4) Directing and Organising — Incorrect. Both are functions of management, but they are not called twins.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Relationship between Planning and Controlling Planning and controlling are inseparable twins of management. A system of control presupposes the existence of certain standards. These standards of performance which serve as the basis of controlling are provided by planning. Once a plan becomes operational, controlling is necessary to monitor the progress, measure it, discover deviations and initiate corrective measures to ensure that events conform to plans. Thus, planning without controlling is meaningless. Similarly, controlling is blind without planning. If the standards are not set in advance, managers have nothing to control. When there is no plan, there is no basis of controlling.” |
Note: The same/similar question has been asked in different years by NTA as per the details given below:
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| – | 16-05 S1 15-05 S1 | – | – | – |