Passage

Directions for the following 6 (six) items : Read the information given below and answer the six items that follow. A, B, C and D are students. They are studying in four different cities, viz., P, Q, R and S (not necessarily in that order). They are studying in Science college, Arts college, Commerce college and Engineering college (not necessarily in that order), which are situated in four different States, viz., Gujarat, Rajasthan, Assam and Kerala (not necessarily in that order). Further, it is given that— (i) D is studying in Assam (ii) Arts college is located in city S which is in Rajasthan (iii) A is studying in Commerce college (iv) B is studying in city Q (v) Science college is located in Kerala

Which one of the following statements is correct regarding Engineering college?

(a) C is studying there.
(b) B is studying there.
(c) It is located in Gujarat.
(d) D is studying there. ✓ UPSC's answer

Why the answer is (d)

• From (ii) and (v), Arts is in S (Rajasthan) and Science is in Kerala, leaving Commerce and Engineering for cities P and R in Gujarat and Assam.

• From (i), D is in Assam. Since Science is in Kerala and Arts is in Rajasthan, D cannot be in Science or Arts.

• From (iii), A is in Commerce. Since D is in Assam and A is in Commerce, we must determine if D is in Commerce or Engineering.

• If D were in Commerce, A would also be in Commerce, which is impossible as each student is in a different college. Thus, D is not in Commerce.

• Therefore, D must be in Engineering. Since D is in Assam, Engineering college is located in Assam.

• Consequently, the statement that D is studying in Engineering college is correct.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) C is studying there.: C is studying in Commerce college, not Engineering, as A is in Commerce and D is in Engineering, leaving B and C for Arts and Science.
(b) B is studying there.: B is studying in city Q, which corresponds to either Arts or Science, not Engineering, as Engineering is in Assam where D is studying.
(c) It is located in Gujarat.: Engineering college is located in Assam, not Gujarat, because D is in Assam and D is in Engineering.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2018, held on 3 June 2018. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.