Finite groups with simple or $p$-nilpotent maximal subgroups

Abstract

Let $p$ be a prime number. When $p$ is odd, we study finite groups in which every maximal subgroup is either non-abelian simple or $p$-nilpotent, as well as those in which every maximal subgroup is either non-abelian simple or $p$-decomposable. We prove that every non-simple, non-solvable group satisfying the first condition is $p$-nilpotent, and every non-simple, non-solvable group satisfying the second condition is $p$-decomposable. In addition, we determine the possible occurrence of non-abelian simple maximal subgroups in these cases. These results provide a substantial partial answer to two questions posed by V.S. Monakhov and I.N. Tyutyanov in the Kourovka Notebook concerning the non-abelian composition factors of such groups. For non-abelian simple groups, we determine those satisfying the corresponding conditions within the alternating and sporadic families. The case of simple groups of Lie type is left open. Finally, for $p=2$, we obtain a complete classification of the non-solvable finite groups whose maximal subgroups are either non-abelian simple or $2$-nilpotent.