UPSC PYQs: Reasoning

Review complete published questions grouped by subject: Reasoning.

44 published questions

Other qualifying subject groups

Questions

X receives three different coins chosen from denominations 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20; their total is m. Is a ₹5 coin included? Statement I: m is not prime. Statement II: the sum of the digits of m exceeds 5.2026 · Prelims CSAT · Analytical Ability, Reasoning · Data sufficiency
For two distinct real numbers x and y, can we determine which is larger? Statement I: x² < y < 1. Statement II: y < √x < 1.2026 · Prelims CSAT · Analytical Ability, Reasoning · Data sufficiency
For integers x and y, is x even? Statement I: x²y² is even. Statement II: 1+x²+y² is odd.2026 · Prelims CSAT · Analytical Ability, Reasoning · Parity data sufficiency
X contains odd numbers, Y contains even numbers, and every member of T comes from X or Y. Is every member of T from Y? I. The sum of any two members of T is even. II. For any p,q in T, (p−1)q is even.2026 · Prelims CSAT · Analytical Ability, Reasoning · Parity data sufficiency
Integers x,y,z are each greater than 1. Is x prime? I. xy²=116. II. xz=261.2026 · Prelims CSAT · Analytical Ability, Reasoning · Data sufficiency
How many arrangements can be made from the letters of QUEUE if Q must always be immediately followed by U?2026 · Prelims CSAT · Logical Reasoning, Reasoning · Permutations
Eight people P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W sit around a circle. P and R are adjacent to Q; T and R are adjacent to S; U and W are adjacent to V; S and W are opposite. Moving clockwise from P, R occurs before T. How many people does Q pass clockwise before meeting W?2026 · Prelims CSAT · Logical Reasoning, Reasoning · Circular seating
A fixed 6×10 rectangular tabletop has two non-overlapping blue rectangles, each 2.5×8, each touching two adjacent outer edges; the rest is white. How many distinct above-view patterns are possible?2026 · Prelims CSAT · Logical Reasoning, Reasoning · Spatial arrangement
A 15-character string follows a repeating pattern of a and b and is shown with two unknown characters at positions 7 and 8. The consistent repeating block is abbab. What are positions 7 and 8?2026 · Prelims CSAT · Logical Reasoning, Reasoning · Pattern recognition
A cube is cut by planes, pieces remaining unmoved. After the third cut all resulting pieces are identical. Which cannot be the total number of pieces after a fourth planar cut?2026 · Prelims CSAT · Logical Reasoning, Reasoning · Spatial cutting
P,Q,R,S,T have ranks1–5. P=4, R=1, Q≠5, S≠2, T≠3. I. If S=3 then T=2. II. If Q=3 then T=5. Which are correct?2026 · Prelims CSAT · Logical Reasoning, Reasoning · Ranking
Two five-segment rods carry matching colour positions labelled P1–P5 and Q1–Q5, with P1 matching Q3, P4 matching Q1 or Q2, and Q4 matching P3 or P5. If Q3 and Q5 are adjacent, are these possible? I. Q3 is in the middle. II. P2 is at an extreme.2026 · Prelims CSAT · Logical Reasoning, Reasoning · Arrangement
Seven persons A–G use cars X,Y,Z. A and two others use X; only E travels with G; C uses Z; B does not use Y; A and B are in different cars. Which are correct? I. Nobody travels alone. II. D is the only person with F. III. C is the only person with B.2026 · Prelims CSAT · Logical Reasoning, Reasoning · Grouping
Statements X,Y,Z,W obey: if X is false then Z is false; if Y is false then W is true; if W is true then X is false. I. If X is true, Y is true. II. If Z is true, Y need not be true. Which are correct?2026 · Prelims CSAT · Logical Reasoning, Reasoning · Conditional logic
P has a son and a daughter. S is T's mother and R's spouse. Q and R are P's children. How is Q related to S?2026 · Prelims CSAT · Logical Reasoning, Reasoning · Blood relations
Every red is blue; every blue is green; every green is yellow. P: every blue is yellow. Q: every red is green. R: every red is yellow. Which follow?2026 · Prelims CSAT · Logical Reasoning, Reasoning · Syllogism
Seven identical-looking cubes include one lighter cube; the other six have equal weight. Using a balance scale, what is the minimum worst-case number of weighings needed to identify the lighter cube?2026 · Prelims CSAT · Logical Reasoning, Reasoning · Balance puzzle
Facing east, a person walks4 km, turns right for3 km, turns left for2 km, then turns left for3 km. What are the straight-line distance from the start and final facing direction?2026 · Prelims CSAT · Logical Reasoning, Reasoning · Directions
If ZERO is coded as ADSN by alternately shifting letters +1,−1,+1,−1, how is STOP coded?2026 · Prelims CSAT · Logical Reasoning, Reasoning · Coding-decoding
S1: Environmental protection is an existential necessity because degradation affects climate. S2: Scientific consensus is incomplete on the extent of human contribution to climate change. S3: Environmental activism includes climate alarmism/extremism that climate-change deniers often focus on. Which relations are correct? 1. S3 is a counterpoint to S1. 2. S3 is unconnected to S1/S2. 3. S2 could help explain the dynamic in S3.2026 · Prelims CSAT · Logical Reasoning, Reasoning · Statement relationships
Match relationship with communication style: A cricket captain–team; B judge–lawyers; C Vice Chancellor–Deputy Registrar; D peers/coworkers. Styles: 1 informal & firm, 2 informal & open-ended, 3 formal & open-ended, 4 formal & firm.2026 · Prelims CSAT · Communication Skills, Reasoning · Communication styles
Match communication tools to purpose: A Memorandum; B Flyer; C Bcc; D Minutes. Purposes: 1 record decisions, 2 inform confidentially, 3 intimate a directive, 4 disseminate non-targeted information.2026 · Prelims CSAT · Communication Skills, Reasoning · Communication tools
For interpersonal conflict among culturally diverse office staff, which directives are most appropriate? 1. Require staff to practise each group's cultural-marker activities. 2. Let conflicts resolve naturally over time. 3. Encourage staff to understand one another's perspectives.2026 · Prelims CSAT · Communication Skills, Reasoning · Interpersonal conflict
Match communication barriers to examples: A Semantic; B Cognitive; C Organisational; D Affective. Examples: 1 lack of feedback, 2 misunderstanding a word, 3 fear of social stigma, 4 information overload.2026 · Prelims CSAT · Communication Skills, Reasoning · Communication barriers
For an on-location questionnaire assessing feasibility of a family-oriented vacation resort near a mountain lake, which information should be included? 1. Family size. 2. Budget. 3. Number of earners. 4. Food allergies/diet restrictions.2026 · Prelims CSAT · Communication Skills, Reasoning · Questionnaire design
Regarding circular letters: 1. They are usually addressed to a group. 2. They typically contain customized non-standard content. 3. They are appropriate for confidential employee appraisal/increment notices. 4. They are less cost-effective than individually tailored letters. Which are correct?2026 · Prelims CSAT · Communication Skills, Reasoning · Circular letters
Consider: I. If A≤B>C E>F≥G=H, then B is always greater than E. II. If P>Q=R≥S=T≤U=V>W, then S is always less than V. Which statement(s) is/are correct?2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Logical Reasoning · Inequalities
Let P=+, Q=−, R=× and S=÷. Which sequence of symbols inserted in 60 _ 15 _ 3 _ 20 _ 4 makes the result 20?2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Logical Reasoning · Coding arithmetic
Find X and Y in the sequence: January, January, December, October, X, March, October, Y, September.2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Logical Reasoning · Sequence pattern
PQR and PPT are three-digit numbers and PS is a two-digit number; P,Q,R,S,T are distinct non-zero digits. If PQR−PS=PPT, Q=3 and T<6, how many possible ordered pairs (R,S) exist?2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Logical Reasoning · Digit puzzle
Fill the five blanks in AB_CC_A_BCCC_BBC_C so that the resulting letter sequence follows the intended pattern.2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Logical Reasoning · Letter series
P is brother of Q and R. S is R's mother and T is P's father. Consider: I S and T are a couple; II Q is T's son; III T is Q's father; IV S is P's mother; V R is T's daughter; VI P is S's son. How many are definitely true?2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Logical Reasoning · Blood relations
If NO is coded as 210, NOT as 4200 and NOTE as 21000, how is NOTES coded?2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Logical Reasoning · Coding-decoding
If FRANCE is coded 654321 and GERMANY is coded 9158437, how is YEMEN coded?2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Logical Reasoning · Coding-decoding
A five-digit number PQRST has all distinct digits and T≠0. P=3T, S=Q+4 and Q=R+3. How many such five-digit numbers are possible?2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Logical Reasoning · Digit constraints
Data sufficiency: With 10 minutes left, football team P trails Q by 3 goals. Does P win? I. P scores 4 goals in the last 10 minutes. II. Q scores 4 goals in the entire match.2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Analytical Ability · Data sufficiency
Data sufficiency: For natural numbers p and q, is (p+q)²−4pq positive? I. p q.2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Analytical Ability · Data sufficiency
A phone is stolen and exactly one of P, Q and R is guilty. P says: 'I did not steal it; Q did.' Q says: 'R did not steal it; I did not.' R says: 'I did not steal it; I do not know who did.' With no rule about who is truthful, who stole it?2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Logical Reasoning · Truth and statements
Teams P, Q and R each play one another once. A win gives 2 points, a draw 1 and a loss 0. Each team scores exactly one goal in the tournament. Final points are P=3, Q=2, R=1. Consider: I. P–Q was a 0–0 draw. II. R scored its goal against Q. Which are correct?2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Logical Reasoning · Tournament reasoning
Seven places are linked by roads AB, AC, CD, DE, BF, EG and FG. A is 6 km south of B; A is 10 km west of C; D is 5 km east of E; C is 6 km north of D; F is 9 km west of B; F is 12 km north of G. What distance is covered travelling from D to F along the available roads?2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Logical Reasoning · Spatial reasoning
In a code, 64 is written as 343 and 216 as 729. How is 512 written?2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Logical Reasoning · Coding pattern
What is the smallest one-digit number with exactly four distinct factors? Statement I: 2 is one of its factors. Statement II: 3 is one of its factors. Which data-sufficiency option is correct?2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Logical Reasoning · Data sufficiency
P,Q,R,S are distinct non-zero digits and PP × PQ = RRSS, with P≤3 and Q≤4. What is Q? Statement I: R=1. Statement II: S=2. Which data-sufficiency option is correct?2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Logical Reasoning · Data sufficiency
How is Q related to P? Statement I: P has two sisters R and S. Statement II: R's father is the brother of Q. Which data-sufficiency option is correct?2025 · Prelims CSAT · Reasoning, Logical Reasoning · Blood relations