UPSC Insta–DART (Daily Aptitude and Reasoning Test) 16 Dec 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 With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: Mere existence of laws and punitive mechanisms cannot curb corruption without institutional independence. II. Ethical leadership and public participation are essential components of sustainable good governance. III. Corruption can be fully eradicated if offenders are severely punished. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid? (a) I only (b) I and II only (c) II and III only (d) All three Correct Answer: (b) Explanation: • Assumption I is valid: The passage states that “laws may exist in abundance, yet without transparency and accountability they remain paper guarantees,” clearly implying that independence and implementation matter more than mere legislation. • Assumption II is valid: The author highlights “ethical leadership and civic vigilance” as essential for preventing corruption, making this assumption accurate. • Assumption III is invalid: The author argues against relying solely on punishment, emphasizing prevention through institutional reform instead. Hence, only I and II are valid — making (b) the correct answer. Incorrect Answer: (b) Explanation: • Assumption I is valid: The passage states that “laws may exist in abundance, yet without transparency and accountability they remain paper guarantees,” clearly implying that independence and implementation matter more than mere legislation. • Assumption II is valid: The author highlights “ethical leadership and civic vigilance” as essential for preventing corruption, making this assumption accurate. • Assumption III is invalid: The author argues against relying solely on punishment, emphasizing prevention through institutional reform instead. Hence, only I and II are valid — making (b) the correct answer.

#### 1. Question

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

• Mere existence of laws and punitive mechanisms cannot curb corruption without institutional independence. II. Ethical leadership and public participation are essential components of sustainable good governance. III. Corruption can be fully eradicated if offenders are severely punished.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

• (a) I only

• (b) I and II only

• (c) II and III only

• (d) All three

Answer: (b)

Explanation: • Assumption I is valid: The passage states that “laws may exist in abundance, yet without transparency and accountability they remain paper guarantees,” clearly implying that independence and implementation matter more than mere legislation. • Assumption II is valid: The author highlights “ethical leadership and civic vigilance” as essential for preventing corruption, making this assumption accurate. • Assumption III is invalid: The author argues against relying solely on punishment, emphasizing prevention through institutional reform instead. Hence, only I and II are valid — making (b) the correct answer.

Answer: (b)

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question A jogger running at 9 km/h is 240 metres ahead of the engine of a 120 metres long train running at 45 km/h in the same direction. In how much time will the train pass the jogger? (a) 3.6 sec (b) 18 sec (c) 36 sec (d) 72 sec Correct Answer: C Solution: Speed of train = 45 km/h = (45 × 1000) / 3600 = 12.5 m/s Speed of jogger = 9 km/h = (9 × 1000) / 3600 = 2.5 m/s Relative speed (since both are moving in same direction) = 12.5 − 2.5 = 10 m/s Distance to be covered = (240 + 120) = 360 m Time = Distance / Speed = 360 / 10 = 36 seconds Hence, the correct answer is (c) 36 sec. Incorrect Answer: C Solution: Speed of train = 45 km/h = (45 × 1000) / 3600 = 12.5 m/s Speed of jogger = 9 km/h = (9 × 1000) / 3600 = 2.5 m/s Relative speed (since both are moving in same direction) = 12.5 − 2.5 = 10 m/s Distance to be covered = (240 + 120) = 360 m Time = Distance / Speed = 360 / 10 = 36 seconds Hence, the correct answer is (c) 36 sec.

#### 2. Question

A jogger running at 9 km/h is 240 metres ahead of the engine of a 120 metres long train running at 45 km/h in the same direction. In how much time will the train pass the jogger?

• (a) 3.6 sec

• (b) 18 sec

• (c) 36 sec

• (d) 72 sec

Answer: C

Solution: Speed of train = 45 km/h = (45 × 1000) / 3600 = 12.5 m/s Speed of jogger = 9 km/h = (9 × 1000) / 3600 = 2.5 m/s

Relative speed (since both are moving in same direction) = 12.5 − 2.5 = 10 m/s

Distance to be covered = (240 + 120) = 360 m

Time = Distance / Speed = 360 / 10 = 36 seconds

Hence, the correct answer is (c) 36 sec.

Answer: C

Solution: Speed of train = 45 km/h = (45 × 1000) / 3600 = 12.5 m/s Speed of jogger = 9 km/h = (9 × 1000) / 3600 = 2.5 m/s

Relative speed (since both are moving in same direction) = 12.5 − 2.5 = 10 m/s

Distance to be covered = (240 + 120) = 360 m

Time = Distance / Speed = 360 / 10 = 36 seconds

Hence, the correct answer is (c) 36 sec.

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question In a 500 m race, the ratio of the speeds of two contestants A and B is 3 : 4. A has a start of 140 m. Who wins and by what distance? (a) A wins by 20 m (b) A wins by 40 m (c) B wins by 40 m (d) B wins by 60 m Correct Answer: A Solution: Let speed of A = 3x and speed of B = 4x. A starts 140 m ahead, so A runs only (500 − 140) = 360 m while B runs full 500 m. Time taken by A to finish = 360 / (3x) = 120 / x Distance covered by B in that time = 4x × (120 / x) = 480 m. Thus, when A finishes, B has run 480 m, meaning B is 500 − 480 = 20 m behind A. Hence, A wins by 20 m. Therefore, option (a) is correct. Incorrect Answer: A Solution: Let speed of A = 3x and speed of B = 4x. A starts 140 m ahead, so A runs only (500 − 140) = 360 m while B runs full 500 m. Time taken by A to finish = 360 / (3x) = 120 / x Distance covered by B in that time = 4x × (120 / x) = 480 m. Thus, when A finishes, B has run 480 m, meaning B is 500 − 480 = 20 m behind A. Hence, A wins by 20 m. Therefore, option (a) is correct.

#### 3. Question

In a 500 m race, the ratio of the speeds of two contestants A and B is 3 : 4. A has a start of 140 m. Who wins and by what distance?

• (a) A wins by 20 m

• (b) A wins by 40 m

• (c) B wins by 40 m

• (d) B wins by 60 m

Answer: A

Solution: Let speed of A = 3x and speed of B = 4x. A starts 140 m ahead, so A runs only (500 − 140) = 360 m while B runs full 500 m.

Time taken by A to finish = 360 / (3x) = 120 / x Distance covered by B in that time = 4x × (120 / x) = 480 m.

Thus, when A finishes, B has run 480 m, meaning B is 500 − 480 = 20 m behind A.

Hence, A wins by 20 m. Therefore, option (a) is correct.

Answer: A

Solution: Let speed of A = 3x and speed of B = 4x. A starts 140 m ahead, so A runs only (500 − 140) = 360 m while B runs full 500 m.

Time taken by A to finish = 360 / (3x) = 120 / x Distance covered by B in that time = 4x × (120 / x) = 480 m.

Thus, when A finishes, B has run 480 m, meaning B is 500 − 480 = 20 m behind A.

Hence, A wins by 20 m. Therefore, option (a) is correct.

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question A runs twice as fast as B. If A gives B a start of 50 m, how long should the race be so that both reach the finishing point at the same time? (a) 100 m (b) 150 m (c) 200 m (d) 250 m Correct Answer: A Solution: Let speed of B = x, then speed of A = 2x. Let race length = D m. Time taken by A = D / 2x Time taken by B = (D − 50) / x Since both reach at the same time: D / 2x = (D − 50) / x Multiply both sides by 2x: D = 2(D − 50) D = 2D − 100 D = 100 m Hence, the winning post must be 100 m away. So, option (a) 100 m is correct. Incorrect Answer: A Solution: Let speed of B = x, then speed of A = 2x. Let race length = D m. Time taken by A = D / 2x Time taken by B = (D − 50) / x Since both reach at the same time: D / 2x = (D − 50) / x Multiply both sides by 2x: D = 2(D − 50) D = 2D − 100 D = 100 m Hence, the winning post must be 100 m away. So, option (a) 100 m is correct.

#### 4. Question

A runs twice as fast as B. If A gives B a start of 50 m, how long should the race be so that both reach the finishing point at the same time?

Answer: A

Solution: Let speed of B = x, then speed of A = 2x. Let race length = D m.

Time taken by A = D / 2x Time taken by B = (D − 50) / x

Since both reach at the same time: D / 2x = (D − 50) / x

Multiply both sides by 2x: D = 2(D − 50) D = 2D − 100 D = 100 m

Hence, the winning post must be 100 m away. So, option (a) 100 m is correct.

Answer: A

Solution: Let speed of B = x, then speed of A = 2x. Let race length = D m.

Time taken by A = D / 2x Time taken by B = (D − 50) / x

Since both reach at the same time: D / 2x = (D − 50) / x

Multiply both sides by 2x: D = 2(D − 50) D = 2D − 100 D = 100 m

Hence, the winning post must be 100 m away. So, option (a) 100 m is correct.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question A train travelling at a speed of 75 mph enters a tunnel 3½ miles long. The train itself is ¼ mile long. How long will it take for the train to pass completely through the tunnel — from the moment the front enters to the moment the rear emerges? (a) 2.5 min (b) 3 min (c) 3.2 min (d) 3.5 min Correct Answer: B Solution: Total distance to be covered = length of tunnel + length of train = 3.5 + 0.25 = 3.75 miles Speed of train = 75 miles/hour Time = Distance / Speed = 3.75 / 75 = 0.05 hours Convert to minutes → 0.05 × 60 = 3 minutes Hence, the correct answer is (b) 3 min. Incorrect Answer: B Solution: Total distance to be covered = length of tunnel + length of train = 3.5 + 0.25 = 3.75 miles Speed of train = 75 miles/hour Time = Distance / Speed = 3.75 / 75 = 0.05 hours Convert to minutes → 0.05 × 60 = 3 minutes Hence, the correct answer is (b) 3 min.

#### 5. Question

A train travelling at a speed of 75 mph enters a tunnel 3½ miles long. The train itself is ¼ mile long. How long will it take for the train to pass completely through the tunnel — from the moment the front enters to the moment the rear emerges?

• (a) 2.5 min

• (c) 3.2 min

• (d) 3.5 min

Answer: B

Solution: Total distance to be covered = length of tunnel + length of train = 3.5 + 0.25 = 3.75 miles

Speed of train = 75 miles/hour

Time = Distance / Speed = 3.75 / 75 = 0.05 hours Convert to minutes → 0.05 × 60 = 3 minutes

Hence, the correct answer is (b) 3 min.

Answer: B

Solution: Total distance to be covered = length of tunnel + length of train = 3.5 + 0.25 = 3.75 miles

Speed of train = 75 miles/hour

Time = Distance / Speed = 3.75 / 75 = 0.05 hours Convert to minutes → 0.05 × 60 = 3 minutes

Hence, the correct answer is (b) 3 min.

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