UPSC Insta–DART (Daily Aptitude and Reasoning Test) 13 Sep 2025

Considering the alarming importance of CSAT in UPSC CSE Prelims exam and with enormous requests we received recently, InsightsIAS has started Daily CSAT Test to ensure students practice CSAT Questions on a daily basis. Regular Practice would help one overcome the fear of CSAT too.We are naming this initiative as Insta– DART – Daily Aptitude and Reasoning Test. We hope you will be able to use DART to hit bull’s eye in CSAT paper and comfortably score 100+ even in the most difficult question paper that UPSC can give you in CSP-2021. Your peace of mind after every step of this exam is very important for us.

Looking forward to your enthusiastic participation (both in sending us questions and solving them on daily basis on this portal).

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• Question 1 of 5 1. Question A man takes (2/3) of the time in rowing a certain distance downstream than upstream. What is the ratio of the speed in still water to the speed of current? (a) 3 : 1 (b) 4 : 1 (c) 5 : 1 (d) 6 : 1 Correct Answer: (c) Solution: Given that, Time taken downstream = (2/3) time taken upstream Let, Speed of boat = B km/hr Speed of stream = S km/hr Distance covered = D km Now, Downstream = (B + S) km/hr Upstream = (B – S) km/hr D/(B + S) = (2/3) × D/(B – S) …..(GIVEN) 3(B − S) = 2(B + S) ⇒ B = 5S Thus B/S = 5/1 Therefore the required ratio = 5 : 1 Hence option (c) is correct Incorrect Answer: (c) Solution: Given that, Time taken downstream = (2/3) time taken upstream Let, Speed of boat = B km/hr Speed of stream = S km/hr Distance covered = D km Now, Downstream = (B + S) km/hr Upstream = (B – S) km/hr D/(B + S) = (2/3) × D/(B – S) …..(GIVEN) 3(B − S) = 2(B + S) ⇒ B = 5S Thus B/S = 5/1 Therefore the required ratio = 5 : 1 Hence option (c) is correct

#### 1. Question

A man takes (2/3) of the time in rowing a certain distance downstream than upstream. What is the ratio of the speed in still water to the speed of current?

Answer: (c)

Given that,

Time taken downstream = (2/3) time taken upstream

Speed of boat = B km/hr

Speed of stream = S km/hr

Distance covered = D km

Downstream = (B + S) km/hr

Upstream = (B – S) km/hr

D/(B + S) = (2/3) × D/(B – S) …..(GIVEN)

3(B − S) = 2(B + S) ⇒ B = 5S

Thus B/S = 5/1

Therefore the required ratio = 5 : 1

Hence option (c) is correct

Answer: (c)

Given that,

Time taken downstream = (2/3) time taken upstream

Speed of boat = B km/hr

Speed of stream = S km/hr

Distance covered = D km

Downstream = (B + S) km/hr

Upstream = (B – S) km/hr

D/(B + S) = (2/3) × D/(B – S) …..(GIVEN)

3(B − S) = 2(B + S) ⇒ B = 5S

Thus B/S = 5/1

Therefore the required ratio = 5 : 1

Hence option (c) is correct

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Between 5 PM and 6 PM the minute hand of a clock will be ahead of the hour hand by 8 minutes at (a) 5: 30 PM (b) 5: 36 PM (c) 5: 40 PM (d) 5: 44 PM Correct Answer : B Explanation: If the minute hand is 8 minutes ahead of the hour hand, it means the angle between the two hands is 48°. Let the required time be 5:x pm The minute hand will travel 6x° while hour hand will travel (560 + x)1/2 = (150 + x/2)° According to available information : 6x – 150 – x/2 = 48 12x – 300 – x = 96 11x = 396 x = 396/11 = 36 Required time is 5:36 pm Incorrect Answer : B Explanation: If the minute hand is 8 minutes ahead of the hour hand, it means the angle between the two hands is 48°. Let the required time be 5:x pm The minute hand will travel 6x° while hour hand will travel (560 + x)1/2 = (150 + x/2)° According to available information : 6x – 150 – x/2 = 48 12x – 300 – x = 96 11x = 396 x = 396/11 = 36 Required time is 5:36 pm

#### 2. Question

Between 5 PM and 6 PM the minute hand of a clock will be ahead of the hour hand by 8 minutes at

• (a) 5: 30 PM

• (b) 5: 36 PM

• (c) 5: 40 PM

• (d) 5: 44 PM

Answer : B

Explanation: If the minute hand is 8 minutes ahead of the hour hand, it means the angle between the two hands is 48°. Let the required time be 5:x pm The minute hand will travel 6x° while hour hand will travel (560 + x)1/2 = (150 + x/2)° According to available information : 6x – 150 – x/2 = 48 12x – 300 – x = 96 11x = 396 x = 396/11 = 36 Required time is 5:36 pm

Answer : B

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Despite employing nearly half of India’s workforce, the agricultural sector contributes less than one-fifth of the national GDP. This stark imbalance reflects a crisis of low productivity, disguised unemployment, and shrinking profitability. While the Green Revolution helped India achieve food security, it did not ensure income security for farmers. In fact, the over-dependence on procurement of cereals, combined with stagnant crop diversification and poor value addition, has kept farm incomes volatile. The recent rise in Minimum Support Prices (MSP) has provided some relief, but benefits are unevenly distributed, concentrated in a few states and crops. Unless the focus shifts from production-centric policies to farmer-centric income strategies, agrarian distress will continue to be a recurring challenge in India’s economic landscape. Which one of the following statements best reflects the corollary to the above passage? (a) India’s farm policies have historically emphasized food security at the cost of farmer welfare. (b) The Green Revolution was a complete failure in improving Indian agriculture. (c) Increasing MSP for cereals is the only way to ensure farmer prosperity. (d) Farmers should shift entirely away from cereal cultivation to high-value crops. Correct Answer: (a) Explanation: Option (a) is correct because the passage highlights that the Green Revolution ensured food security but not income security, and that policy emphasis has remained production-centric, not farmer-centric. This clearly implies that food security came at the expense of farmer welfare. Option (b) is incorrect because the passage acknowledges that the Green Revolution succeeded in achieving food security, though not income stability. Calling it a “complete failure” is extreme. Option (c) is incorrect because MSP increases are noted as partial relief, benefiting only a few states and crops, not as a comprehensive solution. Option (d) is incorrect since the passage does not advocate for “entirely” abandoning cereals; it stresses diversification and income strategies, not complete replacement. Incorrect Answer: (a) Explanation: Option (a) is correct because the passage highlights that the Green Revolution ensured food security but not income security, and that policy emphasis has remained production-centric, not farmer-centric. This clearly implies that food security came at the expense of farmer welfare. Option (b) is incorrect because the passage acknowledges that the Green Revolution succeeded in achieving food security, though not income stability. Calling it a “complete failure” is extreme. Option (c) is incorrect because MSP increases are noted as partial relief, benefiting only a few states and crops, not as a comprehensive solution. Option (d) is incorrect since the passage does not advocate for “entirely” abandoning cereals; it stresses diversification and income strategies, not complete replacement.

#### 3. Question

Despite employing nearly half of India’s workforce, the agricultural sector contributes less than one-fifth of the national GDP. This stark imbalance reflects a crisis of low productivity, disguised unemployment, and shrinking profitability. While the Green Revolution helped India achieve food security, it did not ensure income security for farmers. In fact, the over-dependence on procurement of cereals, combined with stagnant crop diversification and poor value addition, has kept farm incomes volatile. The recent rise in Minimum Support Prices (MSP) has provided some relief, but benefits are unevenly distributed, concentrated in a few states and crops. Unless the focus shifts from production-centric policies to farmer-centric income strategies, agrarian distress will continue to be a recurring challenge in India’s economic landscape.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the corollary to the above passage?

• (a) India’s farm policies have historically emphasized food security at the cost of farmer welfare.

• (b) The Green Revolution was a complete failure in improving Indian agriculture.

• (c) Increasing MSP for cereals is the only way to ensure farmer prosperity.

• (d) Farmers should shift entirely away from cereal cultivation to high-value crops.

Answer: (a)

Explanation: Option (a) is correct because the passage highlights that the Green Revolution ensured food security but not income security, and that policy emphasis has remained production-centric, not farmer-centric. This clearly implies that food security came at the expense of farmer welfare. Option (b) is incorrect because the passage acknowledges that the Green Revolution succeeded in achieving food security, though not income stability. Calling it a “complete failure” is extreme. Option (c) is incorrect because MSP increases are noted as partial relief, benefiting only a few states and crops, not as a comprehensive solution. Option (d) is incorrect since the passage does not advocate for “entirely” abandoning cereals; it stresses diversification and income strategies, not complete replacement.

Answer: (a)

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question With reference to the passage, the following assumptions have been made: I. Shifting from food-centric to income-centric agricultural policies can help mitigate agrarian distress. II. High productivity automatically translates into stable and equitable farmer incomes. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid? (a) I only (b) II only (c) Both I and II (d) Neither I nor II Correct Answer: (a) Explanation: Assumption I is valid. The passage explicitly notes that “unless the focus shifts from production-centric policies to farmer-centric income strategies, agrarian distress will continue.” This suggests that income-oriented reforms are essential to address the crisis. Assumption II is invalid. The passage points out that although productivity rose after the Green Revolution, income volatility persists due to cereal dependence, lack of diversification, and unequal MSP coverage. Hence, productivity does not automatically ensure income stability. Therefore, only Assumption I is valid, making option (a) the correct answer. Incorrect Answer: (a) Explanation: Assumption I is valid. The passage explicitly notes that “unless the focus shifts from production-centric policies to farmer-centric income strategies, agrarian distress will continue.” This suggests that income-oriented reforms are essential to address the crisis. Assumption II is invalid. The passage points out that although productivity rose after the Green Revolution, income volatility persists due to cereal dependence, lack of diversification, and unequal MSP coverage. Hence, productivity does not automatically ensure income stability. Therefore, only Assumption I is valid, making option (a) the correct answer.

#### 4. Question

With reference to the passage, the following assumptions have been made: I. Shifting from food-centric to income-centric agricultural policies can help mitigate agrarian distress. II. High productivity automatically translates into stable and equitable farmer incomes.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

• (a) I only

• (b) II only

• (c) Both I and II

• (d) Neither I nor II

Answer: (a)

Explanation: Assumption I is valid. The passage explicitly notes that “unless the focus shifts from production-centric policies to farmer-centric income strategies, agrarian distress will continue.” This suggests that income-oriented reforms are essential to address the crisis. Assumption II is invalid. The passage points out that although productivity rose after the Green Revolution, income volatility persists due to cereal dependence, lack of diversification, and unequal MSP coverage. Hence, productivity does not automatically ensure income stability. Therefore, only Assumption I is valid, making option (a) the correct answer.

Answer: (a)

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question India is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, with 22 scheduled languages and hundreds of regional dialects. This diversity is both a cultural strength and a policy challenge. On the one hand, multilingualism enriches literature, art, and social identity. On the other, it complicates the formulation of a unified education policy, national media strategy, and administrative efficiency. The dominance of English and Hindi in higher education and employment opportunities often marginalizes speakers of regional languages, leading to a sense of exclusion. Balancing the preservation of linguistic heritage with the practical need for a common medium of communication remains a delicate task. A failure to address this balance risks eroding cultural plurality, while overemphasis on diversity may fragment national integration. Which one of the following statements best reflects the corollary to the above passage? (a) Language diversity is a major obstacle to India’s economic growth. (b) A careful balance between unity and plurality is essential in language policy. (c) The promotion of English alone can solve the challenges of linguistic diversity. (d) Regional languages should be prioritized even if national integration suffers. Correct Answer: (b) Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The passage does not link language diversity directly to economic growth, but to education, media, and integration. Option (c) is incorrect: The dominance of English is presented as a source of exclusion, not a solution. Option (d) is incorrect: The passage warns against overemphasis on diversity leading to fragmentation. Option (b) is correct: The passage stresses the need to preserve cultural plurality while also maintaining national unity, showing that balance is the central corollary. Incorrect Answer: (b) Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The passage does not link language diversity directly to economic growth, but to education, media, and integration. Option (c) is incorrect: The dominance of English is presented as a source of exclusion, not a solution. Option (d) is incorrect: The passage warns against overemphasis on diversity leading to fragmentation. Option (b) is correct: The passage stresses the need to preserve cultural plurality while also maintaining national unity, showing that balance is the central corollary.

#### 5. Question

India is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, with 22 scheduled languages and hundreds of regional dialects. This diversity is both a cultural strength and a policy challenge. On the one hand, multilingualism enriches literature, art, and social identity. On the other, it complicates the formulation of a unified education policy, national media strategy, and administrative efficiency. The dominance of English and Hindi in higher education and employment opportunities often marginalizes speakers of regional languages, leading to a sense of exclusion. Balancing the preservation of linguistic heritage with the practical need for a common medium of communication remains a delicate task. A failure to address this balance risks eroding cultural plurality, while overemphasis on diversity may fragment national integration.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the corollary to the above passage?

• (a) Language diversity is a major obstacle to India’s economic growth.

• (b) A careful balance between unity and plurality is essential in language policy.

• (c) The promotion of English alone can solve the challenges of linguistic diversity.

• (d) Regional languages should be prioritized even if national integration suffers.

Answer: (b)

Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The passage does not link language diversity directly to economic growth, but to education, media, and integration. Option (c) is incorrect: The dominance of English is presented as a source of exclusion, not a solution. Option (d) is incorrect: The passage warns against overemphasis on diversity leading to fragmentation. Option (b) is correct: The passage stresses the need to preserve cultural plurality while also maintaining national unity, showing that balance is the central corollary.

Answer: (b)

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