UPSC Prelims 2020 CSAT Paper — 80 Questions with Answers

CSAT Paper II of the 2020 Preliminary examination, held on 4 October 2020. 80 questions · 200 marks · qualifying at 33%. The questions broke down as Basic Numeracy 31, Comprehension 25, Mental Ability 11, Data Interpretation 7, Logical Reasoning 6.

  1. Q1 Which one of the following is best implied in the passage?
    Comprehension· medium
  2. Q2 On the basis of the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. State should have some institutions to ensure its appropriate role in a digital society. 2. State should ensure that private parties do not violate the citizens' right to…
    Comprehension· medium
  3. Q3 Which one of the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?
    Comprehension· medium
  4. Q4 Which one of the following statements best implies the suggestion given by the author of the passage?
    Comprehension· medium
  5. Q5 With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Biotechnology regulation is an evolving process. 2. Participation of people is needed in policy decisions regarding biotechnology regulation. 3. Biotechnology regulation should…
    Comprehension· medium
  6. Q6 Which one of the following statements best implies the crux of the passage?
    Comprehension· medium
  7. Q7 How many zeroes are there at the end of the following product? 1 × 5 × 10 × 15 × 20 × 25 × 30 × 35 × 40 × 45 × 50 × 55 × 60
    Basic Numeracy· medium
  8. Q8 Let XYZ be a three-digit number, where (X + Y + Z) is not a multiple of 3. Then (XYZ + YZX + ZXY) is not divisible by
    Basic Numeracy· medium
  9. Q9 Let p, q, r and s be natural numbers such that p - 2016 = q + 2017 = r - 2018 = s + 2019 Which one of the following is the largest natural number?
    Basic Numeracy· easy
  10. Q10 How many five-digit prime numbers can be obtained by using all the digits 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 without repetition of digits?
    Basic Numeracy· easy
  11. Q11 In the sum ⊗ + 1⊗ + 5⊗ + ⊗⊗ + ⊗1 = 1⊗⊗ for which digit does the symbol ⊗ stand?
    Mental Ability· medium
  12. Q12 If you have two straight sticks of length 7·5 feet and 3·25 feet, what is the minimum length can you measure?
    Basic Numeracy· medium
  13. Q13 A simple mathematical operation in each number of the sequence 14, 18, 20, 24, 30, 32, ... results in a sequence with respect to prime numbers. Which one of the following is the next number in the sequence?
    Mental Ability· medium
  14. Q14 One page is torn from a booklet whose pages are numbered in the usual manner starting from the first page as 1. The sum of the numbers on the remaining pages is 195. The torn page contains which of the following numbers?
    Basic Numeracy· medium
  15. Q15 Consider the following arrangement that has some missing letters : abab_b_bcb_dcdcded_d The missing letters which complete the arrangement are
    Mental Ability· medium
  16. Q16 Let A3BC and DE2F be four-digit numbers where each letter represents a different digit greater than 3. If the sum of the numbers is 15902, then what is the difference between the values of A and D?
    Mental Ability· medium
  17. Q17 Two Statements S1 and S2 are given below followed by a Question : S1 : There are not more than two figures on any page of a 51-page book. S2 : There is at least one figure on every page. Question : Are there more than 100 figures in that book? Which one of…
    Data Interpretation· medium
  18. Q18 Consider the following data : | | Average marks in English | Average marks in Hindi | | :--- | :---: | :---: | | Girls | 9 | 8 | | Boys | 8 | 7 | | Overall average marks | 8·8 | x | What is the value of x in the above table?
    Data Interpretation· medium
  19. Q19 A family of two generations consisting of six members P, Q, R, S, T and U has three males and three females. There are two married couples and two unmarried siblings. U is P's daughter and Q is R's mother-in-law. T is an unmarried male and S is a male. Which…
    Logical Reasoning· medium
  20. Q20 If in a particular year 12th January is a Sunday, then which one of the following is correct?
    Mental Ability· medium
  21. Q21 With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Relying on foreign investment in the long run is not an economically sound policy. 2. Policies must be undertaken to reduce volatility in foreign private investment. 3…
    Comprehension· medium
  22. Q22 With reference to the above passage, which of the following could be the most rational and practical implications for India? 1. Inter-linking of rivers should be undertaken. 2. A network of dams and canals should be built across the country for proper…
    Comprehension· medium
  23. Q23 With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Lower tax rates in a country invariably translate into greater investments in higher education. 2. Investment in the education of children ensures their economic freedom. 3…
    Comprehension· medium
  24. Q24 What is the most logical and crucial message conveyed by the passage?
    Comprehension· medium
  25. Q25 With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Rich cities only can ensure sustainable delivery of water. 2. Sustainable delivery of water in cities means much more than supplying water to households. Which of the above…
    Comprehension· medium
  26. Q26 With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Structural and rural transformation is impossible when farms are mainly small and marginal. 2. A good price incentive can trigger investments in agriculture. 3. India needs to…
    Comprehension· medium
  27. Q27 Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message of the passage?
    Comprehension· medium
  28. Q28 Two Statements S1 and S2 are given below with regard to four numbers P, Q, R and S followed by a Question : S1 : R is greater than P as well as Q. S2 : S is not the largest one. Question : Among four numbers P, Q, R and S, which one is the largest? Which one…
    Data Interpretation· medium
  29. Q29 Two Statements S1 and S2 are given below followed by a Question : S1 : n is a prime number. S2 : n leaves a remainder of 1 when divided by 4. Question : If n is a unique natural number between 10 and 20, then what is n? Which one of the following is correct…
    Data Interpretation· medium
  30. Q30 Two Statements S1 and S2 are given below with regard to two numbers followed by a Question : S1 : Their product is 21. S2 : Their sum is 10. Question : What are the two numbers? Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above Statements and the…
    Data Interpretation· easy
  31. Q31 A man walks down the backside of his house straight 25 metres, then turns to the right and walks 50 metres again; then he turns towards left and again walks 25 metres. If his house faces to the East, what is his direction from the starting point?
    Logical Reasoning· easy
  32. Q32 Two Statements are given followed by two Conclusions : Statements : All numbers are divisible by 2. All numbers are divisible by 3. Conclusion-I : All numbers are divisible by 6. Conclusion-II : All numbers are divisible by 4. Which of the above Conclusions…
    Logical Reasoning· easy
  33. Q33 Two Statements are given followed by two Conclusions : Statements : All cats are dogs. All cats are black. Conclusion-I : All dogs are black. Conclusion-II : Some dogs are not black. Which of the above Conclusions logically follows/follow from the two given…
    Logical Reasoning· easy
  34. Q34 Consider the following sequence of numbers : 5 1 4 7 3 9 8 5 7 2 6 3 1 5 8 6 3 8 5 2 2 4 3 4 9 6 How many odd numbers are followed by the odd number in the above sequence?
    Mental Ability· easy
  35. Q35 A is 16th from the left end in a row of boys and V is 18th from the right end. G is 11th from A towards the right and 3rd from V towards the right end. How many boys are there in the row?
    Logical Reasoning· medium
  36. Q36 Three Statements S1, S2 and S3 are given below followed by a Question : S1 : C is younger than D, but older than A and B. S2 : D is the oldest. S3 : A is older than B. Question : Who among A, B, C and D is the youngest? Which one of the following is correct…
    Data Interpretation· medium
  37. Q37 How many integers are there between 1 and 100 which have 4 as a digit but are not divisible by 4?
    Mental Ability· medium
  38. Q38 Let x, y be the volumes; m, n be the masses of two metallic cubes P and Q respectively. Each side of Q is two times that of P and mass of Q is two times that of P. Let u = m / x and v = n / y. Which one of the following is correct?
    Basic Numeracy· medium
  39. Q39 The average age of a teacher and three students is 20 years. If all the three students are of same age and the difference between the age of the teacher and each student is 20 years, then what is the age of the teacher?
    Basic Numeracy· easy
  40. Q40 A person bought a car and sold it for ₹ 3,00,000. If he incurred a loss of 20%, then how much did he spend to buy the car?
    Basic Numeracy· easy
  41. Q41 Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message of the passage?
    Comprehension· medium
  42. Q42 With reference to the above passage, which of the following is/are the most rational and practical implication/implications? 1. India's Public Distribution System should be monitored by the Union Government. 2. Girls should be encouraged to delay marriage and…
    Comprehension· medium
  43. Q43 Which of the following are the most rational inferences that can be made from the passage? 1. Farmers' income will be higher with pulse cultivation than with paddy cultivation. 2. Pulse cultivation causes less pollution as compared to paddy cultivation. 3…
    Comprehension· medium
  44. Q44 With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. High risks involved in holding maximum water in reservoirs are due to our over-dependence on hydropower projects. 2. Storage capacity of dams should not be fully used before or…
    Comprehension· medium
  45. Q45 Which of the following is/are the most rational and logical inference/inferences that can be made from the passage? 1. It is essential to rethink and redefine the economic role of the State in the quest for development. 2. India has not made effective…
    Comprehension· medium
  46. Q46 With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. India's economy needs to be greatly integrated with global economy so as to create large number of jobs and to sustain its growth momentum. 2. Economic liberalization would…
    Comprehension· medium
  47. Q47 A shop owner offers the following discount options on an article to a customer : 1. Successive discounts of 10% and 20%, and then pay a service tax of 10% 2. Successive discounts of 20% and 10%, and then pay a service tax of 10% 3. Pay a service tax of 10%…
    Basic Numeracy· medium
  48. Q48 The letters from A to Z are numbered from 1 to 26 respectively. If GHI = 1578 and DEF = 912, then what is ABC equal to?
    Logical Reasoning· medium
  49. Q49 What is the missing term @ in the following? ACPQ : BESU :: MNGI : @
    Mental Ability· medium
  50. Q50 What is the largest number among the following?
    Basic Numeracy· easy
  51. Q51 What is the greatest length x such that 3 1/2 m and 8 3/4 m are integral multiples of x?
    Basic Numeracy· easy
  52. Q52 Consider the following data : Year | Birthrate | Death rate 1911–1921 | 48·1 | 35·5 1921–1931 | 46·4 | 36·3 1931–1941 | 45·2 | 31·2 1941–1951 | 39·9 | 27·4 1951–1961 | 41·7 | 22·8 1961–1971 | 41·1 | 18·9 1971–1981 | 37·1 | 14·8 For which period was the…
    Data Interpretation· easy
  53. Q53 The recurring decimal representation 1·272727... is equivalent to
    Basic Numeracy· easy
  54. Q54 What is the least four-digit number when divided by 3, 4, 5 and 6 leaves a remainder 2 in each case?
    Basic Numeracy· easy
  55. Q55 In adult population of a city, 40% men and 30% women are married. What is the percentage of married adult population if no man marries more than one woman and no woman marries more than one man; and there are no widows and widowers?
    Basic Numeracy· medium
  56. Q56 What is the remainder when 51 × 27 × 35 × 62 × 75 is divided by 100?
    Basic Numeracy· medium
  57. Q57 A sum of ₹ 2,500 is distributed among X, Y and Z in the ratio 1/2 : 3/4 : 5/6. What is the difference between the maximum share and the minimum share?
    Basic Numeracy· easy
  58. Q58 For what value of n, the sum of digits in the number (10ⁿ + 1) is 2?
    Basic Numeracy· easy
  59. Q59 In a class, there are three groups A, B and C. If one student from group A and two students from group B are shifted to group C, then what happens to the average weight of the students of the class?
    Basic Numeracy· easy
  60. Q60 How many different sums can be formed with the denominations ₹ 50, ₹ 100, ₹ 200, ₹ 500 and ₹ 2,000 taking at least three denominations at a time?
    Mental Ability· medium
  61. Q61 Which one of the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?
    Comprehension· medium
  62. Q62 Which one of the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?
    Comprehension· medium
  63. Q63 With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Governments often provide inefficient and costly subsidies for technologies that may not be ready in the near future. 2. India's commitment of reducing emissions by 33% by 2030…
    Comprehension· medium
  64. Q64 With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Genome editing does not require the transfer of genes from one plant to another. 2. Through genome editing, the chosen genes can be altered precisely in a manner akin to the…
    Comprehension· medium
  65. Q65 In the context of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message of the passage?
    Comprehension· medium
  66. Q66 What is the most logical inference from the above passage?
    Comprehension· medium
  67. Q67 How many different 5-letter words (with or without meaning) can be constructed using all the letters of the word 'DELHI' so that each word has to start with D and end with I?
    Mental Ability· easy
  68. Q68 A bottle contains 20 litres of liquid A. 4 litres of liquid A is taken out of it and replaced by same quantity of liquid B. Again 4 litres of the mixture is taken out and replaced by same quantity of liquid B. What is the ratio of quantity of liquid A to that…
    Basic Numeracy· medium
  69. Q69 The average score of a batsman after his 50th innings was 46·4. After 60th innings, his average score increases by 2·6. What was his average score in the last ten innings?
    Basic Numeracy· medium
  70. Q70 As a result of 25% hike in the price of rice per kg, a person is able to purchase 6 kg less rice for ₹ 1,200. What was the original price of rice per kg?
    Basic Numeracy· easy
  71. Q71 A person X can complete 20% of work in 8 days and another person Y can complete 25% of the same work in 6 days. If they work together, in how many days will 40% of the work be completed?
    Basic Numeracy· easy
  72. Q72 A car travels from a place X to place Y at an average speed of v km/hr, from Y to X at an average speed of 2v km/hr, again from X to Y at an average speed of 3v km/hr and again from Y to X at an average speed of 4v km/hr. Then the average speed of the car for…
    Basic Numeracy· medium
  73. Q73 Consider the following statements : 1. The minimum number of points of intersection of a square and a circle is 2. 2. The maximum number of points of intersection of a square and a circle is 8. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
    Mental Ability· medium
  74. Q74 A man takes half time in rowing a certain distance downstream than upstream. What is the ratio of the speed in still water to the speed of current?
    Basic Numeracy· medium
  75. Q75 How many pairs of natural numbers are there such that the difference of whose squares is 63?
    Basic Numeracy· medium
  76. Q76 Which one of the following will have minimum change in its value if 5 is added to both numerator and the denominator of the fractions 2/3, 3/4, 4/5 and 5/6?
    Basic Numeracy· medium
  77. Q77 A digit n > 3 is divisible by 3 but not divisible by 6. Which one of the following is divisible by 4?
    Basic Numeracy· medium
  78. Q78 If 1 litre of water weighs 1 kg, then how many cubic millimetres of water will weigh 0·1 gm?
    Basic Numeracy· easy
  79. Q79 A vessel full of water weighs 40 kg. If it is one-third filled, its weight becomes 20 kg. What is the weight of the empty vessel?
    Basic Numeracy· easy
  80. Q80 A frog tries to come out of a dried well 4·5 m deep with slippery walls. Every time the frog jumps 30 cm, slides down 15 cm. What is the number of jumps required for the frog to come out of the well?
    Basic Numeracy· medium

Question paper and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanations: UPSC Answer Check. Practise this paper with a timer →