P, Q, R, S and T are ranked 1 to 5 (not necessarily in that order). The rank of P is 4, the rank of Q is not 5, the rank of R is 1, the rank of S is not 2, the rank of T is not 3. Then which of the following is/are correct? I. If the rank of S is 3, then that of T is 2. II. If the rank of Q is 3, then that of T is 5. Select the answer using the code given below.
- (a) I only
- (b) II only
- (c) Both I and II
- (d) Neither I nor II ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• P = 4 and R = 1, so Q, S and T share ranks 2, 3 and 5.
• Q ≠ 5 gives Q = 2 or 3; S ≠ 2 gives S = 3 or 5; T ≠ 3 gives T = 2 or 5.
• I: if S = 3, then Q = 2 (Q cannot be 5) and T = 5. T is not 2, so I is not correct.
• II: if Q = 3, then S = 5 and T = 2. T is not 5, so II is not correct. Hence neither: (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) I only
- If S = 3, T must be 5, not 2.
- (b) II only
- If Q = 3, T must be 2, not 5.
- (c) Both I and II
- Both conditional statements give the wrong rank for T.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.