2026 · GS Paper 3 · Q16 · 15 marks
What is agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Explain its working. Describe its applications with suitable examples. Discuss the advantages, risks and challenges associated with agentic AI systems. (Answer in 250 words)
In short
Agentic AI is AI that pursues a goal autonomously by planning steps, using tools and acting in a loop, with uses from coding to grievance tracking but risks of compounding errors, hijacking and unclear accountability. India's AI Governance Guidelines of November 2025 frame the oversight it needs.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 290 words
Reasoning core
A large language model breaks the goal into sub-tasks and decides the next action.
Tools and memory
It calls APIs, browsers or databases, stores context, and repeats the loop until the goal is met; several agents can also split a task among themselves.
Work and services
Coding agents such as GitHub Copilot's coding agent write and test software, while browser agents like OpenAI's Operator fill forms and make bookings end to end.
Public good
Agents can track a farmer's grievance across departments, schedule patient follow-ups, or detect and isolate cyber intrusions automatically.
Advantages
Round-the-clock productivity, multi-step workflows without human hand-offs, faster service delivery, and scale for India's Digital Public Infrastructure.
Risks
Errors compound across steps, prompt injection can hijack an agent, and autonomous actions blur who is accountable.
Challenges
Personal data handling under the DPDP Act, 2023, job displacement in routine services, high compute cost and a lack of testing standards.
This model answer is indicative and the model can make mistakes; please verify key facts independently.
Practise this question
1Get the answer sheet
Sized for this question.
2Write your answer
Timed, by hand.
3Get it marked
Your score and what to fix.
This chapter in the exam
IT5 questions
Asked in 5 of 14 sittings since 2013
- 2024What is the technology being employed for electronic toll collection on highways? What are its advantages and limitations? What are the proposed changes that will make this process seamless? Would this transition carry any potential hazards?
- 2023Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare?
All 5 questions, sorted by sub-topic, with model answers and practice.
Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.