UPSC Insta–DART (Daily Aptitude and Reasoning Test) 19 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 report has 10 sheets, each with 75 lines, and each line has 80 characters. It is retyped into sheets of 50 lines with 50 characters per line. The approximate percentage change in number of sheets is a) 120 b) 140 c) 160 d) 180 Correct Answer : (b) Explanation : Total volume initially = 10 × 75 × 80 = 60,000 characters. Let the new number of sheets be n. New volume per sheet = 50 × 50 = 2,500 characters. Since volume is same: 60,000 = 2,500n ⇒ n = 24 sheets. Increase in sheets = 24 − 10 = 14. Percentage increase = (14/10) × 100 = 140%. Hence, option (b). Incorrect Answer : (b) Explanation : Total volume initially = 10 × 75 × 80 = 60,000 characters. Let the new number of sheets be n. New volume per sheet = 50 × 50 = 2,500 characters. Since volume is same: 60,000 = 2,500n ⇒ n = 24 sheets. Increase in sheets = 24 − 10 = 14. Percentage increase = (14/10) × 100 = 140%. Hence, option (b).

#### 1. Question

A report has 10 sheets, each with 75 lines, and each line has 80 characters. It is retyped into sheets of 50 lines with 50 characters per line. The approximate percentage change in number of sheets is

Answer : (b) Explanation : Total volume initially = 10 × 75 × 80 = 60,000 characters. Let the new number of sheets be n. New volume per sheet = 50 × 50 = 2,500 characters. Since volume is same: 60,000 = 2,500n ⇒ n = 24 sheets. Increase in sheets = 24 − 10 = 14. Percentage increase = (14/10) × 100 = 140%. Hence, option (b).

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Two pipes A and B can fill a tank. A fills one-fourth of the tank, B fills the remaining. Total time = 35 min. If B fills one-fourth and A fills remaining, total time = 25 min. Find time (in minutes) taken by A and B together to fill the tank. (a) 40/3 (b) 14 (c) 12 (c) 12 Correct Answer: (a) Explanation: Let A take a mins, B take b mins. Case 1: A fills 1/4 ⇒ a/4; B fills 3/4 ⇒ 3b/4. Total = a/4 + 3b/4 = 35 → a + 3b = 140. Case 2: B fills 1/4 ⇒ b/4; A fills 3/4 ⇒ 3a/4. Total = b/4 + 3a/4 = 25 → b + 3a = 100. Solve: From b + 3a = 100 ⇒ b = 100 − 3a. Substitute in a + 3b = 140: a + 3(100 − 3a) = 140 ⇒ a + 300 − 9a = 140 ⇒ −8a = −160 ⇒ a = 20. Then b = 100 − 60 = 40. Combined rate = 1/20 + 1/40 = (2 + 1)/40 = 3/40. ⇒ Time = 1 ÷ (3/40) = 40/3 minutes. Hence, option (a) is correct. Incorrect Answer: (a) Explanation: Let A take a mins, B take b mins. Case 1: A fills 1/4 ⇒ a/4; B fills 3/4 ⇒ 3b/4. Total = a/4 + 3b/4 = 35 → a + 3b = 140. Case 2: B fills 1/4 ⇒ b/4; A fills 3/4 ⇒ 3a/4. Total = b/4 + 3a/4 = 25 → b + 3a = 100. Solve: From b + 3a = 100 ⇒ b = 100 − 3a. Substitute in a + 3b = 140: a + 3(100 − 3a) = 140 ⇒ a + 300 − 9a = 140 ⇒ −8a = −160 ⇒ a = 20. Then b = 100 − 60 = 40. Combined rate = 1/20 + 1/40 = (2 + 1)/40 = 3/40. ⇒ Time = 1 ÷ (3/40) = 40/3 minutes. Hence, option (a) is correct.

#### 2. Question

Two pipes A and B can fill a tank. A fills one-fourth of the tank, B fills the remaining. Total time = 35 min. If B fills one-fourth and A fills remaining, total time = 25 min. Find time (in minutes) taken by A and B together to fill the tank.

Answer: (a) Explanation: Let A take a mins, B take b mins. Case 1: A fills 1/4 ⇒ a/4; B fills 3/4 ⇒ 3b/4. Total = a/4 + 3b/4 = 35 → a + 3b = 140. Case 2: B fills 1/4 ⇒ b/4; A fills 3/4 ⇒ 3a/4. Total = b/4 + 3a/4 = 25 → b + 3a = 100. Solve: From b + 3a = 100 ⇒ b = 100 − 3a. Substitute in a + 3b = 140: a + 3(100 − 3a) = 140 ⇒ a + 300 − 9a = 140 ⇒ −8a = −160 ⇒ a = 20. Then b = 100 − 60 = 40. Combined rate = 1/20 + 1/40 = (2 + 1)/40 = 3/40. ⇒ Time = 1 ÷ (3/40) = 40/3 minutes. Hence, option (a) is correct.

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question P and Q can complete a handmade carpet in 12 days and 15 days respectively. The contract amount is ₹8,000. They work together for 3 days and then R joins, who alone can finish the carpet in 20 days. What amount is paid to R? a) ₹960 b) ₹1,000 c) ₹1,100 d) ₹1,120 Correct Answer: (c) Explanation: Work in 1 day: P = 1/12, Q = 1/15, R = 1/20. P + Q in 1 day = 1/12 + 1/15 = (5 + 4)/60 = 9/60 = 3/20. In 3 days, done = 3 × (3/20) = 9/20. Remaining work = 1 − 9/20 = 11/20. P + Q + R in 1 day = 1/12 + 1/15 + 1/20 = (5 + 4 + 3)/60 = 12/60 = 1/5. Time for remaining 11/20 = (11/20) ÷ (1/5) = 11/4 days. R’s contribution = (1/20) × (11/4) = 11/80 of total work. R’s share = (11/80) × ₹8,000 = ₹1,100. Hence, option (c) is correct. Incorrect Answer: (c) Explanation: Work in 1 day: P = 1/12, Q = 1/15, R = 1/20. P + Q in 1 day = 1/12 + 1/15 = (5 + 4)/60 = 9/60 = 3/20. In 3 days, done = 3 × (3/20) = 9/20. Remaining work = 1 − 9/20 = 11/20. P + Q + R in 1 day = 1/12 + 1/15 + 1/20 = (5 + 4 + 3)/60 = 12/60 = 1/5. Time for remaining 11/20 = (11/20) ÷ (1/5) = 11/4 days. R’s contribution = (1/20) × (11/4) = 11/80 of total work. R’s share = (11/80) × ₹8,000 = ₹1,100. Hence, option (c) is correct.

#### 3. Question

P and Q can complete a handmade carpet in 12 days and 15 days respectively. The contract amount is ₹8,000. They work together for 3 days and then R joins, who alone can finish the carpet in 20 days. What amount is paid to R?

Answer: (c) Explanation: Work in 1 day: P = 1/12, Q = 1/15, R = 1/20. P + Q in 1 day = 1/12 + 1/15 = (5 + 4)/60 = 9/60 = 3/20. In 3 days, done = 3 × (3/20) = 9/20. Remaining work = 1 − 9/20 = 11/20. P + Q + R in 1 day = 1/12 + 1/15 + 1/20 = (5 + 4 + 3)/60 = 12/60 = 1/5. Time for remaining 11/20 = (11/20) ÷ (1/5) = 11/4 days. R’s contribution = (1/20) × (11/4) = 11/80 of total work. R’s share = (11/80) × ₹8,000 = ₹1,100. Hence, option (c) is correct.

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Two pipes can fill a cistern in 8 hours and 12 hours respectively, while a third pipe can drain it in 24 hours. All three are opened together when the cistern is 3/8 full. How long to fill it completely? (a) 3 hours 30 minutes (b) 3 hours 36 minutes (c) 3 hours 42 minutes (d) 3 hours 45 minutes Correct Answer : D Solution: Let total work = LCM(8, 12, 24) = 24 units. Rate of pipe 1 = 24/8 = 3 u/h. Rate of pipe 2 = 24/12 = 2 u/h. Rate of drain = 24/(−24) = −1 u/h. Net rate = 3 + 2 − 1 = 4 u/h. Already 3/8 full → remaining = 1 − 3/8 = 5/8 of 24 = 15 units. Time = 15/4 = 3.75 hours = 3 hours 45 minutes. ∴ It takes 3 hours 45 minutes. Incorrect Answer : D Solution: Let total work = LCM(8, 12, 24) = 24 units. Rate of pipe 1 = 24/8 = 3 u/h. Rate of pipe 2 = 24/12 = 2 u/h. Rate of drain = 24/(−24) = −1 u/h. Net rate = 3 + 2 − 1 = 4 u/h. Already 3/8 full → remaining = 1 − 3/8 = 5/8 of 24 = 15 units. Time = 15/4 = 3.75 hours = 3 hours 45 minutes. ∴ It takes 3 hours 45 minutes.

#### 4. Question

Two pipes can fill a cistern in 8 hours and 12 hours respectively, while a third pipe can drain it in 24 hours. All three are opened together when the cistern is 3/8 full. How long to fill it completely?

• (a) 3 hours 30 minutes

• (b) 3 hours 36 minutes

• (c) 3 hours 42 minutes

• (d) 3 hours 45 minutes

Answer : D

Solution: Let total work = LCM(8, 12, 24) = 24 units. Rate of pipe 1 = 24/8 = 3 u/h. Rate of pipe 2 = 24/12 = 2 u/h. Rate of drain = 24/(−24) = −1 u/h. Net rate = 3 + 2 − 1 = 4 u/h. Already 3/8 full → remaining = 1 − 3/8 = 5/8 of 24 = 15 units. Time = 15/4 = 3.75 hours = 3 hours 45 minutes. ∴ It takes 3 hours 45 minutes.

Answer : D

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Truth, by its very nature, is universal and impartial—it transcends personal biases, social positions, and cultural identities. To say that “truth has no colour” is to affirm that truth is not confined to one race, ideology, or point of view. It cannot be altered by prejudice or hidden under appearances. However, human beings often perceive truth through the lens of their own experiences, which may distort or fragment its essence. The challenge lies in distinguishing objective reality from subjective interpretation. A society that respects truth as colourless fosters justice, equality, and trust, while one that paints truth in the shades of power or interest risks division and conflict. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational message conveyed by the author of the passage? (a) Truth belongs to one community or ideology and cannot be universal. (b) Human beings must recognize truth as impartial, beyond prejudice and identity. (b) Human beings must recognize truth as impartial, beyond prejudice and identity. (d) Truth has to be redefined in every age and culture. Correct Answer: (b) Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The passage explicitly denies that truth belongs to any one group. Option (c) is incorrect: The passage warns that human perceptions distort truth, but does not equate truth itself with subjectivity. Option (d) is incorrect: The passage stresses universality, not the constant redefinition of truth. Option (b) is correct: The passage’s central idea is that truth has “no colour,” meaning it is universal and impartial, and societies must recognize this to sustain justice and trust. Incorrect Answer: (b) Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The passage explicitly denies that truth belongs to any one group. Option (c) is incorrect: The passage warns that human perceptions distort truth, but does not equate truth itself with subjectivity. Option (d) is incorrect: The passage stresses universality, not the constant redefinition of truth. Option (b) is correct: The passage’s central idea is that truth has “no colour,” meaning it is universal and impartial, and societies must recognize this to sustain justice and trust.

#### 5. Question

Truth, by its very nature, is universal and impartial—it transcends personal biases, social positions, and cultural identities. To say that “truth has no colour” is to affirm that truth is not confined to one race, ideology, or point of view. It cannot be altered by prejudice or hidden under appearances. However, human beings often perceive truth through the lens of their own experiences, which may distort or fragment its essence. The challenge lies in distinguishing objective reality from subjective interpretation. A society that respects truth as colourless fosters justice, equality, and trust, while one that paints truth in the shades of power or interest risks division and conflict.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational message conveyed by the author of the passage?

• (a) Truth belongs to one community or ideology and cannot be universal.

• (b) Human beings must recognize truth as impartial, beyond prejudice and identity.

• (d) Truth has to be redefined in every age and culture.

Answer: (b)

Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The passage explicitly denies that truth belongs to any one group. Option (c) is incorrect: The passage warns that human perceptions distort truth, but does not equate truth itself with subjectivity. Option (d) is incorrect: The passage stresses universality, not the constant redefinition of truth. Option (b) is correct: The passage’s central idea is that truth has “no colour,” meaning it is universal and impartial, and societies must recognize this to sustain justice and trust.

Answer: (b)

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