Syllogisms, statements and conclusions, assumptions and arguments: previous-year questions
88 real UPSC Prelims questions (2011–2026) with the official answer and a clear explanation. 17 of them came in the last five papers.
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Geeta : Naresh has become a better boxer since he started meditation.
Radha : Impossible. A boxer's most important asset is his aggressiveness.
Radha's statement reflects her belief that
Answer (a) & explanation
Radha believes meditation makes a person less aggressive (a). Step 1: read Radha's words. She says it is "impossible" that meditation made Naresh a better boxer, because a boxer's most important asset is aggressiveness. Step 2: for her reasoning to work, she must believe meditation reduces aggression. That is her hidden belief, option (a). Step 3: test the others. Option (b) is wrong: if meditation had no effect, it could not make him worse, and she would not call improvement "impossible" for that reason. Option (c) is wrong: she says nothing about his past. Option (d) is wrong: she does not deny he meditates.
Tip: to find someone's belief, ask: "What must they think for their argument to make sense?"
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
All good athletes want to win and all athletes who want to win eat a well-balanced diet; therefore all athletes who do not eat a well-balanced diet are bad athletes.
The best conclusion from this statement is that
Answer (b) & explanation
No athlete who skips a balanced diet is a good athlete (b). Step 1: write the chain. Good athlete → wants to win → eats a balanced diet. Step 2: if something always leads to a result, then no result means no cause. So an athlete who does not eat a balanced diet cannot be a good athlete. That is option (b). Step 3: test the others. Option (a) is not supported: bad athletes might also want to win. Option (c) reverses the chain: eating well does not prove someone is good. Option (d) also reverses it: wanting to win does not prove someone is good.
Tip: "If A then B" also means "if not B then not A". It does not mean "if B then A". Reversing the arrow is the most common logic trap.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Examine the following statements :
- 1. Lady's finger is tastier than cabbage.
- 2. Cauliflower is tastier than lady's finger.
- 3. Cabbage is not tastier than peas.
The conclusion that can be drawn from these statements is that
Answer (d) & explanation
Cauliflower is tastier than cabbage (d). Step 1: put the clear comparisons in a line. Cauliflower > lady's finger (statement 2). Lady's finger > cabbage (statement 1). So cauliflower > lady's finger > cabbage. That gives option (d) directly. Step 2: what about peas? Statement 3 says cabbage is not tastier than peas, so peas are at least as tasty as cabbage. We do not know where peas stand against lady's finger or cauliflower. Step 3: so (a) and (b) are not certain, and (c) is not certain either, because peas might be equal to cabbage.
Tip: "not tastier than" means "less than or equal to". It does not fix an exact position.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Consider the following statements followed by two conclusions :
Statements : Some men are great. Some men are wise.
Conclusion I : Men are either great or wise.
Conclusion II : Some men are neither great nor wise.
Which one of the following is correct ?
Answer (d) & explanation
Neither conclusion is valid (d). Step 1: "Some men are great" and "Some men are wise" tell us only about some men. They say nothing about the rest. Step 2: test conclusion I: "Men are either great or wise." This would mean every man is at least one of the two. The statements do not say that. So I fails. Step 3: test conclusion II: "Some men are neither great nor wise." This might be true, but it is not certain: perhaps every man is great or wise. So II fails too. Options (a), (b) and (c) fail.
Tip: "some" gives no information about the others. A valid conclusion must be certain, not just possible.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Consider the following statements :
- 1. Some claim to have seen UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects).
- 2. Life on other heavenly bodies is considered to be a possibility.
- 3. Voyage to space is now an established fact.
From the above statements, it may be concluded that
Answer (d) & explanation
Nothing definite can be said about UFOs (d). Step 1: weigh each statement. Statement 1 is only a claim that some people have seen UFOs. Statement 2 says life elsewhere is only a possibility. Statement 3 is about human space travel, not UFOs. Step 2: none of these tells us what UFOs are or where they come from. Step 3: test the others. Option (a), saying UFOs are heavenly bodies, is not supported. Option (b), saying they come from other worlds, is a guess. Option (c), about more intelligent species, is not mentioned at all.
Tip: claims and possibilities cannot be joined into a definite conclusion. When statements are weak, the safe answer is often "nothing definite".
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
A society consists of only two types of people — fighters and cowards. Two cowards are always friends. A fighter and a coward are always enemies. Fighters are indifferent to one another. If A and B are enemies, C and D are friends, E and F are indifferent to each other, A and E are not enemies, while B and F are enemies.
Which of the following statements is correct ?
Answer (b) & explanation
A, E and F are fighters (b). Step 1: use the rules. Two cowards are always friends. A fighter and a coward are always enemies. Fighters are indifferent to each other. Step 2: E and F are indifferent, so both are fighters. Step 3: B and F are enemies, and F is a fighter, so B is a coward. Step 4: A and B are enemies, and B is a coward, so A is a fighter. Check: A and E are both fighters, so they are not enemies. That fits. Options (a), (c) and (d) contradict these steps.
Tip: start with the relationship that fixes both people at once. Here "indifferent" can only mean two fighters.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
"Price is not the same thing as value. Suppose that on a day the price of everything viz., coal, bread, postage stamps, a day's labour, the rent of houses, etc. were to double. Prices then would certainly rise, but values of all things except one would not."
The writer wants to say that if prices of all things were doubled
Answer (d) & explanation
Only the value of money is halved (d). Step 1: understand the claim. If every price doubles, things still trade for the same amounts against each other: a loaf still costs as many hours of labour as before. So their real values do not change. Step 2: the "one" thing whose value changes is money: one rupee now buys only half as much. Step 3: test the others. Option (a) is wrong: it misses the exception the writer mentions. Options (b) and (c) are wrong: values of goods neither double nor halve.
Tip: price is value measured in money. If all prices rise together, it is money that has lost value; this is what inflation means.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
A question paper must have a question on one of the eight poets : A, B, C, D, E, F, G or H. The first four belong to the medieval period while the rest are considered modern poets. Generally, modern poets figure in the question paper in alternate years. Generally those who like H like G also; and those who like F like E also. The paper-setter does not like to ask about F as he has written a book on F, but he likes F. Last year, the paper contained a question on A. On the basis of the information given, this year's paper is most likely to contain a question on
Answer (b) & explanation
E is the most likely poet (b). Step 1: last year's paper had A, a medieval poet. Modern poets "generally" come in alternate years, so this year a modern poet is likely: E, F, G or H. Options (a) C is ruled out, as C is medieval. Step 2: the setter likes F but will not ask about F, as he wrote a book on F. So (c) is ruled out. Step 3: "those who like F like E also". The setter likes F, so he likely likes E too, and will choose E. Option (d) H is wrong: nothing says he likes H or G.
Tip: in "most likely" puzzles, use every "generally" rule to narrow choices, then pick the option the clues point to, not one that is merely possible.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Consider the following statements:
- 1. A primary group is relatively smaller in size.
- 2. Intimacy is an essential characteristic of a primary group.
- 3. A family may be an example of a primary group.
In the light of the above statements, which one of the following is true?
Answer (d) & explanation
(d) is correct. Step 1: statement 2 says intimacy is essential to a primary group. So members of every primary group know each other intimately: (d) follows. Step 2: (a) is wrong: statement 3 says a family 'may be' an example of a primary group, not that all families are. (b) reverses this: nothing says every primary group is a family. Step 3: (c) is wrong: statement 1 says primary groups are relatively small, but a small group need not be primary; without intimacy, it is not. So (a), (b) and (c) fail.
Tip: 'essential characteristic' means every member of the category has it; that gives a safe 'all' conclusion. 'May be' and 'relatively' never do.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Geeta is older than her cousin Meena. Meena's brother Bipin is older than Geeta. When Meena and Bipin visit Geeta, they like to play chess. Meena wins the game more often than Geeta. Based on the above information, four conclusions, as given below, have been made. Which one of these logically follows from the information given above?
Answer (d) & explanation
'Meena is the youngest' is correct (d). Step 1: Geeta is older than Meena: Geeta > Meena. Bipin is older than Geeta: Bipin > Geeta. So the order is Bipin > Geeta > Meena, and Meena is youngest. Step 2: (b) is wrong: Bipin, not Geeta, is the oldest. Step 3: (a) is wrong: we only know Meena wins more than Geeta; nothing is said about Bipin's results. (c) is wrong: Geeta's feelings about losing are never mentioned. So (a), (b) and (c) fail.
Tip: separate facts (ages) from extra details (chess). Conclusions about feelings or unstated results are guesses, not logical conclusions.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Directions: each item describes a situation and is followed by four possible responses. Indicate the response you find most appropriate. There is no penalty for wrong answers for these items. You are the head of your office. There are certain houses reserved for the allotment to the office staff and you have been given the discretion to do so. A set of rules for the allotment of the houses has been laid down by you and has been made public. Your personal secretary, who is very close to you, comes to you and pleads that as his father is seriously ill, he should be given priority in allotment of a house. The office secretariat that examined the request as per the rules turns down the request and recommends the procedure to be followed according to the rules. You do not want to annoy your personal secretary. In such circumstances, what would you do ?
Answer (a) & explanation
(a) and (c) are both correct (UPSC accepted both; no negative marking). Step 1: you made the allotment rules public, and your office has applied them and refused the request. Step 2: (c) agreeing with the office note shows you follow your own rules without favouritism. (a) explaining the decision to him personally is also fair and keeps a good working relationship. Step 3: (b) allotting the house to win his loyalty is favouritism. (d) sitting on the file avoids a decision and is poor administration.
Tip: for these interpersonal items, pick the response that is lawful, honest and fixes the real problem through proper channels. Avoid options that give in to pressure, show favouritism or dodge a decision.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
While travelling in a Delhi-registered commercial taxi from Delhi to an adjacent city (another State), your taxi driver informs you that as he has no permit for running the taxi in that city, he will stop at its Transport Office and pay the prescribed fee of ₹ forty for a day. While paying the fee at the counter you find that the transport clerk is taking an extra fifty rupees for which no receipt is being given. You are in a hurry for your meeting. In such circumstances, what would you do ?
Answer (a) & explanation
(a) and (c) are both correct (UPSC accepted both; no negative marking). Step 1: the clerk is taking an extra Rs. 50 with no receipt, which is plain corruption. Step 2: (a) asking him on the spot to return the money, or (c) noting the details and reporting it later when you have time, both act against it. Step 3: (b) saying it is only the driver's business, and (d) treating it as normal, both let corruption continue. A good citizen does not ignore it because he is in a hurry.
Tip: for these interpersonal items, pick the response that is lawful, honest and fixes the real problem through proper channels. Avoid options that give in to pressure, show favouritism or dodge a decision.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
A person lives in a far off village which is almost two hours by bus. The villager’s neighbour is a very powerful landlord who is trying to occupy the poor villager’s land by force. You are the District Magistrate and busy in a meeting called by a local Minister. The villager has come all the way, by bus and on foot, to see you and give an application seeking protection from the powerful landlord. The villager keeps on waiting outside the meeting hall for an hour. You come out of the meeting and are rushing to another meeting. The villager follows you to submit his application. What would you do ?
Answer (c) & explanation
(c) and (d) are both correct (UPSC accepted both; no negative marking). Step 1: a poor villager has travelled far and waited an hour for protection from a powerful landlord. His complaint is urgent. Step 2: (d) quickly taking his application and asking key questions, or (c) handing it to a senior officer to resolve, both ensure action today. Step 3: (a) asking him to wait two more hours is unkind and delays protection. (b) sending him to a junior officer passes the buck and may leave him unheard.
Tip: for these interpersonal items, pick the response that is lawful, honest and fixes the real problem through proper channels. Avoid options that give in to pressure, show favouritism or dodge a decision.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
There is a shortage of sugar in your District where you are the District Magistrate. The Government has ordered that only a maximum amount of 30 kg sugar is to be released for wedding celebrations. A son of your close friend is getting married and your friend requests you to release at least 50 kg sugar for his son’s wedding. He expresses annoyance when you tell him about the Government’s restrictions on this matter. He feels that since you are the District Magistrate you can release any amount. You do not want to spoil your friendship with him. In such circumstances, how would you deal with the situation ?
Answer (b) & explanation
(b) and (c) are both correct (UPSC accepted both; no negative marking). Step 1: there is a sugar shortage and a government limit of 30 kg per wedding. Your friend wants 50 kg. Step 2: (b) refusing and strictly following the rule, and (c) showing him the government order and persuading him to accept 30 kg, both obey the rule; (c) also tries to save the friendship. Step 3: (a) releasing extra sugar misuses your office. (d) sending him to another authority dodges your own responsibility.
Tip: for these interpersonal items, pick the response that is lawful, honest and fixes the real problem through proper channels. Avoid options that give in to pressure, show favouritism or dodge a decision.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
You are in-charge of implementing the Family Planning programme in an area where there is a strong opposition to the present policy. You want to convince the residents of the need for keeping small families. What would be the best way of communicating this message ?
Answer (a) & explanation
(a) and (c) are both correct (UPSC accepted both; no negative marking). Step 1: people strongly oppose the policy, so you must win them over. Step 2: (a) explaining calmly how small families improve health and living standards, and (c) offering incentives to adopt family planning, both give people good reasons to agree. Step 3: (b) late marriage and spacing are related ideas but do not directly address keeping families small. (d) using people who were sterilised may meet the same hostility and does not explain the benefits.
Tip: for these interpersonal items, pick the response that is lawful, honest and fixes the real problem through proper channels. Avoid options that give in to pressure, show favouritism or dodge a decision.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
You are a teacher in a University and are setting a question paper on a particular subject. One of your colleagues, whose son is preparing for the examination on that subject, comes to you and informs you that it is his son’s last chance to pass that examination and whether you could help him by indicating what questions are going to be in the examination. In the past, your colleague had helped you in another matter. Your colleague informs you that his son will suffer from depression if he fails in this examination. In such circumstances, what would you do?
Answer (b) & explanation
(b) and (c) are both correct (UPSC accepted both; no negative marking). Step 1: a colleague asks you to leak exam questions for his son. This would break the trust placed in you as a paper-setter. Step 2: (b) politely refusing, and (c) refusing while explaining that it would violate the university's trust, both protect the exam's fairness. Step 3: (a) helping him because he once helped you is a serious breach of duty. (d) reporting him at once is harsher than a first, emotional request needs; a clear refusal is enough.
Tip: for these interpersonal items, pick the response that is lawful, honest and fixes the real problem through proper channels. Avoid options that give in to pressure, show favouritism or dodge a decision.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
As a citizen you have some work with a government department. The official calls you again and again; and without directly asking you, sends out feelers for a bribe. You want to get your work done. You would...
Answer (b) & explanation
(b) and (c) are both correct (UPSC accepted both; no negative marking). Step 1: the official is hinting at a bribe but has not asked directly. You want your work done honestly. Step 2: (b) ignoring the hints and pressing your application, or (c) asking a senior officer for help, both refuse the bribe and keep your case moving. Step 3: (a) paying a bribe is a crime under the Prevention of Corruption Act. (d) a formal complaint based only on hints is hard to prove and may delay your work.
Tip: for these interpersonal items, pick the response that is lawful, honest and fixes the real problem through proper channels. Avoid options that give in, run away from duty or act without hearing the facts.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Consider the following statements:
- 1. All X-brand cars parked here are white.
- 2. Some of them have radial tyres.
- 3. All X-brand cars manufactured after 1986 have radial tyres.
- 4. All cars are not X-brand.
Which one of the following conclusions can be drawn from the above statements?
Answer (b) & explanation
(b) is correct. Step 1: statement 1 says all X-brand cars parked here are white. Statement 2 says some of them (these parked X-brand cars) have radial tyres. Step 2: so some white X-brand cars with radial tyres are parked here: (b) follows. Step 3: (a) is wrong: the statements cover only X-brand cars; other white or non-white cars may be parked too. (c) is wrong: nothing says non-X-brand cars cannot have radial tyres. (d) is wrong: no data on how many cars were made before 1986. So (a), (c) and (d) fail.
Tip: watch what 'them' refers to. Linking statement 2 to statement 1 gives the answer directly.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Consider the following statements: The Third World War, if it ever starts will end very quickly with possible end of civilization. It is only the misuse of nuclear power which will trigger it. Based on the above statement, which one of the following inferences is correct?
Answer (a) & explanation
'Nuclear power will be used in the Third World War' is correct (a). Step 1: the statement says it is 'only the misuse of nuclear power' that will trigger the war. So if the war happens, nuclear power must have been misused, that is, used. Step 2: (b) is wrong: the statement says 'possible end of civilization', not certain end. (c) is wrong: it blames misuse, not the growth of nuclear power. Step 3: (d) is wrong: the statement says 'if it ever starts', leaving the war possible. So (b), (c) and (d) fail.
Tip: 'only X will trigger Y' means 'if Y, then X happened'. Also watch soft words like 'possible'; options that make them certain go too far.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Consider the following statements:
- 1. All artists are whimsical.
- 2. Some artists are drug addicts.
- 3. Frustrated people are prone to become drug addicts.
From the above three statements it may be concluded that
Answer (b) & explanation
'Some drug addicts are whimsical' is correct (b). Step 1: statement 1 says all artists are whimsical. Statement 2 says some artists are drug addicts. Step 2: those artists who are drug addicts are still artists, so they are whimsical. Therefore at least some drug addicts are whimsical. Step 3: (a) does not follow: the statements never say artists are frustrated. (c) fails: being 'prone to' addiction is not the same as all frustrated people being addicts. (d) fails: nothing links whimsical people to frustration. So (a), (c) and (d) fail.
Tip: draw circles: put the 'artists' circle fully inside 'whimsical', then let 'drug addicts' overlap artists. The overlap sits inside 'whimsical'.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.