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.
How often UPSC asks this
Questions per year, counted from the official papers.
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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 trains are run by diesel engine.
- 2. Some trains are run by diesel engine.
- 3. No train is run by diesel engine.
- 4. Some trains are not run by diesel engine.
Answer (c) & explanation
Statements 1 and 3 are correct (c). Step 1: we need two statements that cannot both be true but can both be false. Step 2: 'All trains are run by diesel' (1) and 'No train is run by diesel' (3) clash, so they cannot both be true. If only some trains use diesel and others are electric, both are false. So 1 and 3 fit. Step 3: check others. 1 and 4 are exact opposites: one must be true. 2 and 3 are also exact opposites. 1 and 2 can both be true. So (a), (b) and (d) fail.
Tip: this is the same pattern as the question before. Learn it once: All vs None is always the answer to 'cannot both be true, can both be false'.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Consider the following argument: "In order to be a teacher one must graduate from college. All poets are poor. Some Mathematicians are poets. No college graduate is poor." Which one of the following is not a valid conclusion regarding the above argument?
Answer (b) & explanation
Option (b) is the conclusion that is not valid. Step 1: chain the facts. Teacher → college graduate → not poor. Poets are poor, so poets are not teachers (d is valid) and teachers are not poor (c is valid). Step 2: some mathematicians are poets, and those poets are not teachers, so some mathematicians are not teachers (a is valid). Step 3: nothing tells us whether any teacher is a mathematician or not. So 'some teachers are not mathematicians' cannot be concluded: (b) is not valid.
Tip: write each statement as an arrow and follow the chain. A conclusion is valid only if every link is given; if a link is missing, it does not follow.
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 been asked to give an explanation for not attending an important official meeting. Your immediate boss who has not informed you about the meeting is now putting pressure on you not to place an allegation against him/her. You would
Answer (a) & explanation
UPSC's key lists two responses (a) and (b), and these items carried no negative marking. Step 1: the boss did not inform you, and now pressures you to hide this. Step 2: (a) sending a written reply that states the facts, and (b) explaining the situation to the top boss in person, both keep to the truth without making accusations beyond the facts. Step 3: (c) is wrong: admitting a fault that is not yours is dishonest. (d) is wrong: blaming the coordinator shifts responsibility unfairly.
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.
A local thug (bad element) has started illegal construction on your vacant plot. He has refused your request to vacate and threatened you of dire consequences in case you do not sell the property at a cheap price to him. You would
Answer (b) & explanation
UPSC's key lists (b) and (d), with no negative marking; (b) is the best response. Step 1: a thug is building illegally on your plot and threatening you. Step 2: going to the police (b) is the lawful and safe course; the police must act against encroachment and criminal intimidation. Step 3: (a) selling cheap gives in to the threat and rewards crime. (c) neighbours may help but cannot enforce the law. (d) negotiating a higher price, also in the key, avoids conflict but still yields to an illegal demand, so (b) is the safer answer to mark.
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.
You have to accomplish a very important task for your Headquarters within the next two days. Suddenly you meet with an accident. Your office insists that you complete the task. You would
Answer (a) & explanation
UPSC's key lists (a) and (c), with no negative marking. Step 1: you are injured, but the task for Headquarters is important. Step 2: (a) asking for an extension keeps you responsible for the task with a realistic timeline, and (c) suggesting an alternate person ensures the work gets done on time. Both keep the task alive. Step 3: (b) only reports inability without a solution. (d) staying away abandons the task and leaves Headquarters stranded.
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.
You are an officer in-charge for providing basic medical facilities to the survivors of an earthquake affected area. Despite your best possible effort, people put allegations against you for making money out of the funds given for relief. You would
Answer (a) & explanation
UPSC's key lists (a) and (c), with no negative marking; (a) is the best response. Step 1: you are working hard on earthquake relief, but people allege you are misusing funds. Step 2: (a) letting an enquiry be set up shows transparency and clears your name through a fair process. (c) not being distracted lets the relief work continue for survivors. Step 3: (b) asking to be replaced and (d) stopping work both hurt the survivors who need help now.
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.
You have been made responsible to hire boats at a short notice to be used for an area under flood. On seeing the price mentioned by the boat owners you found that the lowest price was approximately three times more than the approved rate of the Government. You would
Answer (b) & explanation
UPSC's key lists (b) and (d), with no negative marking. Step 1: a flood is an emergency, and boats are needed now, but the lowest price is about three times the approved rate. Step 2: (b) accepting the lowest price saves lives without delay; emergency rules allow this with proper recording. (d) warning owners that exploiting a disaster may cost them their licence can bring the price down quickly. Step 3: (a) a fresh call for prices and (c) waiting for Government approval both lose precious time while people are stranded.
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.
You are the officer-in-charge of a village administering distribution of vaccine in an isolated epidemic hit village, and you are left with only one vaccine. There is a requirement of that vaccine from the Gram Pradhan and also a poor villager. You are being pressurised by the Gram Pradhan to issue the vaccine to him. You would
Answer (b) & explanation
UPSC's key lists (b) and (d), with no negative marking. Step 1: there is only one vaccine, two people need it, and the Gram Pradhan is using pressure. Step 2: (b) and (d) both arrange a second dose from another area's distributor, so both people get vaccinated. Option (b), arranging for the poor villager from outside while the local dose goes by need, resists undue pressure. Step 3: (a) leaves both unprotected during an epidemic. (c) delays care and passes the decision to someone else.
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.