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)
• Given: P=4, R=1. Remaining ranks for Q, S, T are 2, 3, 5.
• Constraints: Q≠5, S≠2, T≠3.
• Analyze Statement I: If S=3, remaining ranks for Q and T are 2 and 5. Since Q≠5, Q must be 2 and T must be 5. Thus, T is 5, not 2. Statement I is false.
• Analyze Statement II: If Q=3, remaining ranks for S and T are 2 and 5. Since S≠2, S must be 5 and T must be 2. Thus, T is 2, not 5. Statement II is false.
• Since both statements are incorrect, the correct option is (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) I only
- Statement I is false because if S is 3, T must be 5, not 2.
- (b) II only
- Statement II is false because if Q is 3, T must be 2, not 5.
- (c) Both I and II
- Both statements are false, so this option is incorrect.
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.