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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Consider the following statements:
- 1. All machines consume energy.
- 2. Electricity provides energy.
- 3. Electrically operated machines are cheap to maintain.
- 4. Electrically operated machines do not cause pollution.
Which one of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements?
Answer (d) & explanation
(d) is correct. Step 1: statements 3 and 4 give two advantages of electric machines: they are cheap to maintain and do not cause pollution. So electric machines are preferable to use. Step 2: (a) is wrong: statement 1 says all machines use energy, not that all use electricity. (b) is wrong: 'electricity provides energy' does not mean it is the only form of energy. Step 3: (c) is wrong: nothing tells us how many machines run on electricity, so 'most' cannot be inferred. So (a), (b) and (c) fail.
Tip: 'X provides energy' does not mean 'only X provides energy'. Inferences that add 'all', 'only' or 'most' need direct support.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Examine the following statements:
- 1. Either A and B are of the same age or A is older than B.
- 2. Either C and D are of the same age or D is older than C.
- 3. B is older than C.
Which one of the following conclusions can be drawn from the above statements?
Answer (d) & explanation
'A is older than C' is correct (d). Step 1: statement 1 means A is the same age as B or older: A ≥ B. Statement 2 means D ≥ C. Statement 3 says B > C. Step 2: join them: A ≥ B > C, so A is definitely older than C (d). Step 3: (a) fails because A and B may be the same age. (b) fails because nothing links B and D. (c) fails because C and D may be the same age. So only (d) is certain.
Tip: turn 'either the same age or older' into the sign ≥. Then chain the signs. A conclusion is certain only if every link holds; one 'may be equal' breaks a strict 'older than'.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Examine the following statements:
- 1. None but the rich can afford air travel.
- 2. Some of those who travel by air become sick.
- 3. Some of those who become sick require treatment.
Which one of the following conclusions can be drawn from the above statements?
Answer (d) & explanation
(d) is correct. Step 1: 'None but the rich can afford air travel' means only the rich travel by air. So every air traveller is rich: (d). Step 2: (b) is wrong: only some air travellers become sick, not all. Step 3: (a) and (c) are wrong: nothing says all rich people travel or fall sick; the statements are about air travellers, a part of the rich. So (a), (b) and (c) fail.
Tip: 'None but X' = 'only X' = 'everyone who does this is X'. It never means every X does it. Draw the 'air travellers' circle inside the 'rich' circle and the answer is clear; the 'some… sick' circle only overlaps.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Examine the following statements:
- 1. Only those who have a pair of binoculars can become the members of the birdwatcher's club.
- 2. Some members of the birdwatcher's club have cameras.
- 3. Those members who have cameras can take part in photo-contests.
Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the above statements?
Answer (b) & explanation
'All members have binoculars' is correct (b). Step 1: 'Only those who have binoculars can become members' means every member must have binoculars. So (b) follows directly. Step 2: (a) reverses it: having binoculars does not make you a member; it only makes you eligible. Step 3: (c) fails: statement 3 says members with cameras can take part in photo-contests, but it never says only members take part; outsiders may join too. Since (b) follows, (d) also fails.
Tip: 'Only X can be Y' means 'every Y is X', not 'every X is Y'. Turning the sentence round is the most common trap in these questions.
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 have differences of opinion regarding the final report prepared by your subordinate that is to be submitted urgently. The subordinate is justifying the information given in the report. You would...
Answer (a) & explanation
(a) and (c) are both correct (UPSC accepted both; no negative marking). Step 1: the report is urgent and you disagree with it. You need a quick, correct result. Step 2: (a) convincing the subordinate with reasons settles the issue and helps him learn. (c) revising the report yourself ensures it goes out correct and on time. Step 3: (b) sending it back to 'reconsider' wastes time when he is already defending it. (d) simply telling him not to justify the mistake is bossy and solves nothing.
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.
During the last summer vacation, Ankit went to a summer camp where he took part in hiking, swimming and boating. This summer, he is looking forward to a music camp where he hopes to sing, dance and learn to play the guitar. 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
'Ankit likes to sing and dance' is the key (d). Step 1: Ankit 'hopes to sing, dance and learn to play the guitar' at a camp he is 'looking forward to'. Looking forward to singing and dancing suggests he likes them. Step 2: (a) is wrong: his parents are never mentioned. (b) is wrong: we cannot compare his liking for music with outdoor activities; he enjoyed both camps. Step 3: (c) is wrong: two summers do not prove he goes every summer. So (a), (b) and (c) fail. Note: (d) is itself a mild inference, but it is the closest to the facts.
Tip: choose the conclusion that needs the fewest extra assumptions. 'Every', 'prefers' and new people are signs of overreach.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
You are competing with your batch-mate for a prestigious award to be decided based on an oral presentation. Ten minutes are allowed for each presentation. You have been asked by the committee to finish on time. Your friend, however, is allowed more than the stipulated time period. You would...
Answer (a) & explanation
(a) and (d) are both correct (UPSC accepted both; no negative marking). Step 1: you are being treated unequally: your time is limited, your rival's is not. Step 2: (a) a complaint to the chairperson is the proper, formal way to raise discrimination. The key also accepts (d), a protest, as a firm stand against unfairness. Step 3: (b) refusing to hear the committee shuts out dialogue. (c) withdrawing gives up your chance and leaves the unfairness in place.
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.
Ten new TV shows started in January — 5 sitcoms, 3 drama and 2 news magazines. By April, only seven of the new shows were still on, five of them being sitcoms. 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 (c) & explanation
'At least one discontinued show was a drama' is correct (c). Step 1: 10 shows began; 7 were still on, and 5 of those were sitcoms. So all 5 sitcoms survived, and 3 shows were stopped, all from the 3 dramas and 2 news magazines. Step 2: there are only 2 news magazines, so at least one of the 3 stopped shows must be a drama. Step 3: (a) and (b) cannot be fixed; the survivors could be 2 dramas or 1 drama and 1 news show, or 2 news shows. (d) talks about viewers' choices, which the data does not show. So (a), (b) and (d) fail.
Tip: 'at least' answers often come from counting: if 3 items must come from a group where one type has only 2, the other type must appear.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
You are handling a time-bound project. During the project review meeting, you find that the project is likely to get delayed due to lack of cooperation of the team members. You would...
Answer (a) & explanation
(a) and (b) are both correct (UPSC accepted both; no negative marking). Step 1: the project is time-bound and is slipping because the team is not cooperating. Step 2: (b) finding out why they are not cooperating lets you fix the root cause. (a) a clear warning makes it plain that non-cooperation must stop. Step 3: (c) asking for new team members wastes time and avoids leadership. (d) asking for an extension accepts the delay instead of solving it.
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: "Though quite expensive, television is not a luxury item, as one can learn many things through television". Which one of the following is a valid inference from the above statements?
Answer (d) & explanation
'Television is not a luxury item' is correct (d). Step 1: the statement plainly says television 'is not a luxury item' although it is expensive. That is a direct, valid inference. Step 2: (a) is wrong: 'though quite expensive' actually shows that expensive things are not always luxuries. (b) is wrong: one example (TV) does not prove a rule about all learning items. Step 3: (c) is wrong: the statement says one 'can learn many things' through TV, which does not make TV essential for learning. So (a), (b) and (c) fail.
Tip: the safest inference restates what is said. Options that turn one example into a rule ('all') or 'can help' into 'essential' go too far.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
You are the chairperson of a state sports committee. You have received a complaint and later it was found that an athlete in the junior age category who has won a medal has crossed the age criteria by 5 days. You would...
Answer (a) & explanation
(a) and (d) are both correct (UPSC accepted both; no negative marking). Step 1: an athlete was found 5 days over the age limit after winning a medal. You must act fairly and follow due process. Step 2: (a) asking the screening committee to explain how the error happened, and (d) taking the views of the sports committee, both gather facts before a decision. Step 3: (b) taking the medal back at once skips due process. (c) a court affidavit cannot change the athlete's real age.
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.
Examine the following statements:
- 1. I watch TV only if I am bored.
- 2. I am never bored when I have my brother's company.
- 3. Whenever I go to the theatre, I take my brother along.
Which one of the following conclusions is valid in the context of the above statements?
Answer (d) & explanation
(d) is correct. Step 1: 'I watch TV only if I am bored' means: if I watch TV, I am bored. Its valid flip (contrapositive) is: if I am not bored, I do not watch TV. That is (d). Step 2: (a) reverses the rule; being bored does not force me to watch TV. Step 3: (b) is wrong: the statements say I am never bored with my brother, not that boredom makes me seek him. (c) is wrong: being without my brother does not prove I am bored, and even boredom does not force TV. So (a), (b) and (c) fail.
Tip: 'A only if B' means 'if A then B'. The safe conclusion is 'if not B then not A'; never reverse it to 'if B then A'.
'only if' puts the condition after the arrow: P only if Q means P → Q.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
You are handling a priority project and have been meeting all the deadlines and are therefore planning your leave during the project. Your immediate boss does not grant your leave citing the urgency of the project. You would...
Answer (c) & explanation
(c) and (d) are both correct (UPSC accepted both; no negative marking). Step 1: your leave was refused because the project is urgent, though you have met all deadlines. Step 2: (d) telling the boss honestly that the refusal is not justified, and (c) asking a higher authority to reconsider, are both honest and within the rules. Step 3: (a) going on leave without sanction breaks service rules. (b) pretending to be sick is dishonest and can lead to disciplinary action.
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.
Only six roads A, B, C, P, Q and R connect a military camp to the rest of the country. Only one out of A, P and R is open at any one time. If B is closed so is Q. Only one of A and B is open during storms. P is closed during floods. In the context, which one of the following statements is correct?
Answer (b) & explanation
'During storms at least one road is open' is correct (b). Step 1: the rule says 'only one of A and B is open during storms'. So in a storm exactly one of these two roads is open, which means at least one road is open. Step 2: (a) and (c) state exact numbers of open roads (three). The rules never fix these numbers; for example, during floods P is closed, but the others depend on unknown choices. Step 3: (d) says all roads close during calamities, but the storm rule already keeps one road open. So (a), (c) and (d) fail.
Tip: in rule puzzles, prefer options that come straight from a rule. Exact counts usually need information the question does not give.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
You are involved in setting up a water supply project in a remote area. Full recovery of cost is impossible in any case. The income levels in the area are low and 25% of the population is below poverty line (BPL). When a decision has to be taken on pricing you would...
Answer (c) & explanation
(c) and (d) are both correct (UPSC accepted both; no negative marking). Step 1: full cost recovery is impossible, incomes are low and 25% of people are BPL. A fair price must protect the poor but still recover some cost. Step 2: (c) free water for BPL and a fixed charge for others, and (d) charges by use with lower rates for BPL, both do this; (d) also discourages waste. Step 3: (a) free water for all recovers nothing and invites waste. (b) a one-time fee with free use does the same.
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.
Examine the following statements:
- 1. None but students are the members of the club.
- 2. Some members of the club are married.
- 3. All married persons are invited for dance.
Which one of the conclusions can be drawn from the above statements?
Answer (b) & explanation
'All married students are invited' is correct (b). Step 1: statement 3 says all married persons are invited for dance. So any married student, being a married person, is invited: (b) follows. Statement 1 tells us club members are all students, and statement 2 confirms that some of them are married. Step 2: (a) is wrong: unmarried students are not covered by the dance rule. Step 3: (c) is wrong: only some members are married, not all. Since (b) follows, (d) fails.
Tip: apply the 'all' statement to any subgroup that fits it. 'All married persons' covers married students, but says nothing about students who are not married.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
You have taken up a project to create night shelters for homeless people during the winter season. Within a week of establishing the shelters, you have received complaints from the residents of the area about the increase in theft cases with a demand to remove the shelters. You would
Answer (b) & explanation
UPSC's key lists (b) and (c), with no negative marking. Step 1: residents complain about thefts and want the night shelters removed. Step 2: (b) assuring an enquiry takes their complaint seriously, and (c) asking them to consider the humanitarian purpose explains why the shelters matter for homeless people in winter. Both keep the shelters running while addressing concerns. Step 3: (d) ignoring the complaint damages trust. (a) only redirects residents to the police without any action of your own.
Tip: for these interpersonal items, pick the response that is lawful, honest and keeps the public work going. Avoid options that give in to pressure, pass the buck or abandon duty.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Consider the following three statements:
- 1. Only students can participate in the race.
- 2. Some participants in the race are girls.
- 3. All girl participants in the race are invited for coaching.
Which one of the following conclusions can be drawn from the above statements?
Answer (c) & explanation
All participants are students is correct (c). Step 1: 'Only students can participate' means every participant is a student. That is option (c), drawn directly. Step 2: check (a). Only girl participants are invited for coaching; boys who participate may not be. So 'all participants are invited' goes too far. Step 3: check (b). Not every student takes part in the race, and only girl participants are invited, so 'all students are invited' is also wrong. So (a), (b) and (d) fail.
Tip: 'only A can do B' means 'everyone who does B is A'. Turn 'only' into 'all ... are' and the answer pops out.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
You, as an administrative authority, have been approached, by the daughter-in-law of an influential person regarding harassment by her in-laws on account of insufficient dowry. Her parents are not able to approach you because of social pressures. You would
Answer (a) & explanation
UPSC's key lists (a) and (d), with no negative marking. Step 1: a woman reports dowry harassment by influential in-laws. Dowry demands are crimes under the Dowry Prohibition Act and Section 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (formerly 498A IPC). Step 2: (a) calling the in-laws for an explanation acts at once, and (d) helping her lodge a police complaint starts legal protection. Step 3: (b) telling her to adjust leaves her in danger. (c) waiting for her parents ignores her own complaint; she is an adult entitled to act.
Tip: for these interpersonal items, pick the response that is lawful, honest and keeps the public work going. Avoid options that give in to pressure, pass the buck or abandon duty.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
The following item consists of four statements. Of these four statements, two cannot both be true, but both can be false. Study the statements carefully and identify the two that satisfy the above condition.
- 1. All animals are carnivorous.
- 2. Some animals are not carnivorous.
- 3. Animals are not carnivorous.
- 4. Some animals are carnivorous.
Answer (a) & explanation
Statements 1 and 3 are correct (a). Step 1: we need two statements that cannot both be true but can both be false. Step 2: 'All animals are carnivorous' (1) and 'Animals are not carnivorous', meaning none are (3), cannot both be true. But if only some animals eat meat, both are false. So 1 and 3 fit. Step 3: check the other pairs. 1 and 2 are exact opposites: one must be true. 3 and 4 are also exact opposites. 2 and 4 can both be true. So (b), (c) and (d) fail.
Tip: 'All' and 'None' are contraries: never both true, can both be false. 'All' and 'Some not' are contradictories: exactly one is true.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.