UPSC Insta–DART (Daily Aptitude and Reasoning Test) 22 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).

#### Quiz-summary

0 of 5 questions completed

Questions:

#### Information

Best of Luck! 🙂

You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.

Quiz is loading...

You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.

You have to finish following quiz, to start this quiz:

0 of 5 questions answered correctly

Your time:

Time has elapsed

You have reached 0 of 0 points, (0)

#### Categories

• Not categorized 0%

• Question 1 of 5 1. Question In any society, the legitimacy of governance depends not merely on laws or administrative efficiency but on the moral authority of those who exercise power. When public officials demonstrate fairness, humility, and a commitment to the common good, institutions gain credibility and function smoothly. However, when leaders prioritise partisan interests, rhetoric, or personal ambition over ethical conduct, even well-designed systems begin to erode from within. Citizens gradually lose confidence, compliance weakens, and resentment replaces cooperation. Sustainable governance, therefore, requires a leadership ethos grounded in responsibility and moral courage. Without this ethical foundation, no amount of bureaucratic reform or technological upgrade can restore public trust. Q1. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and crucial message of the passage? (a) Ethical conduct of leaders is central to sustaining public trust and institutional legitimacy. (b) Good governance depends primarily on advanced technology and institutional redesign. (c) Public cooperation can be ensured only through strict laws and enforcement. (d) Leaders must avoid political communication to maintain administrative neutrality. Correct Answer: (a) Explanation: Option (a) is correct because the passage repeatedly highlights that ethical leadership—fairness, humility, and commitment to public welfare—is the key to institutional credibility and long-term governance stability. Option (b) is incorrect: the passage explicitly states that reforms or technology alone cannot compensate for lack of ethics. Option (c) is incorrect because the passage emphasizes trust, not coercion, as the basis for cooperation. Option (d) is incorrect—the passage does not oppose communication but warns against prioritising partisan or self-interested motives over ethics. Incorrect Answer: (a) Explanation: Option (a) is correct because the passage repeatedly highlights that ethical leadership—fairness, humility, and commitment to public welfare—is the key to institutional credibility and long-term governance stability. Option (b) is incorrect: the passage explicitly states that reforms or technology alone cannot compensate for lack of ethics. Option (c) is incorrect because the passage emphasizes trust, not coercion, as the basis for cooperation. Option (d) is incorrect—the passage does not oppose communication but warns against prioritising partisan or self-interested motives over ethics.

#### 1. Question

In any society, the legitimacy of governance depends not merely on laws or administrative efficiency but on the moral authority of those who exercise power. When public officials demonstrate fairness, humility, and a commitment to the common good, institutions gain credibility and function smoothly. However, when leaders prioritise partisan interests, rhetoric, or personal ambition over ethical conduct, even well-designed systems begin to erode from within. Citizens gradually lose confidence, compliance weakens, and resentment replaces cooperation. Sustainable governance, therefore, requires a leadership ethos grounded in responsibility and moral courage. Without this ethical foundation, no amount of bureaucratic reform or technological upgrade can restore public trust.

Q1. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and crucial message of the passage?

• (a) Ethical conduct of leaders is central to sustaining public trust and institutional legitimacy.

• (b) Good governance depends primarily on advanced technology and institutional redesign.

• (c) Public cooperation can be ensured only through strict laws and enforcement.

• (d) Leaders must avoid political communication to maintain administrative neutrality.

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Option (a) is correct because the passage repeatedly highlights that ethical leadership—fairness, humility, and commitment to public welfare—is the key to institutional credibility and long-term governance stability. Option (b) is incorrect: the passage explicitly states that reforms or technology alone cannot compensate for lack of ethics. Option (c) is incorrect because the passage emphasizes trust, not coercion, as the basis for cooperation. Option (d) is incorrect—the passage does not oppose communication but warns against prioritising partisan or self-interested motives over ethics.

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question With reference to the passage, consider the following assumptions: I. Institutions function effectively when leaders uphold values of fairness and responsibility. II. Absence of ethical leadership can weaken public confidence even in efficient administrative systems. 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: (c) Explanation: Assumption I is valid: the passage clearly states that fairness and moral responsibility of leaders enhance the credibility and smooth functioning of institutions. Assumption II is also valid because it explicitly argues that without ethical leadership, even efficient administrative structures eventually lose public trust. Thus, both assumptions logically follow from the passage. Incorrect Answer: (c) Explanation: Assumption I is valid: the passage clearly states that fairness and moral responsibility of leaders enhance the credibility and smooth functioning of institutions. Assumption II is also valid because it explicitly argues that without ethical leadership, even efficient administrative structures eventually lose public trust. Thus, both assumptions logically follow from the passage.

#### 2. Question

With reference to the passage, consider the following assumptions:

I. Institutions function effectively when leaders uphold values of fairness and responsibility. II. Absence of ethical leadership can weaken public confidence even in efficient administrative systems.

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: (c)

Explanation:

Assumption I is valid: the passage clearly states that fairness and moral responsibility of leaders enhance the credibility and smooth functioning of institutions. Assumption II is also valid because it explicitly argues that without ethical leadership, even efficient administrative structures eventually lose public trust. Thus, both assumptions logically follow from the passage.

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question In public debates on development, economic expansion is often celebrated as a marker of national success. However, the everyday realities of many citizens reveal a more complex picture. High growth rates may coexist with uneven access to healthcare, poor educational outcomes, and declining environmental quality. When economic benefits accumulate disproportionately among the affluent, social mobility weakens and public trust erodes. Furthermore, rapid industrialisation without ecological safeguards can deplete natural resources and aggravate climate vulnerabilities. Thus, the true measure of development must go beyond aggregate growth figures and reflect whether progress is inclusive, equitable, and environmentally sustainable. A nation advances not merely by producing more, but by ensuring that prosperity strengthens human well-being across generations. Q. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical, rational, and crucial message conveyed by the passage? (a) Economic growth must be judged in terms of inclusiveness and sustainability, not merely output. (b) Industrialisation should be slowed down to prevent environmental damage. (c) Growth automatically improves health and education outcomes for all citizens. (d) High-income groups deserve a larger share of economic gains due to higher productivity. Correct Answer: (a) Explanation: Option (a) is correct because the passage clearly argues that development must be evaluated through equity, inclusiveness, and environmental sustainability, not just GDP or output. Option (b) is incorrect: the passage does not advocate slowing industrialisation, but ensuring ecological safeguards. Option (c) is incorrect: the passage explicitly states that growth can coexist with poor human development outcomes. Option (d) is incorrect because the passage critiques unequal distribution rather than endorsing it. Incorrect Answer: (a) Explanation: Option (a) is correct because the passage clearly argues that development must be evaluated through equity, inclusiveness, and environmental sustainability, not just GDP or output. Option (b) is incorrect: the passage does not advocate slowing industrialisation, but ensuring ecological safeguards. Option (c) is incorrect: the passage explicitly states that growth can coexist with poor human development outcomes. Option (d) is incorrect because the passage critiques unequal distribution rather than endorsing it.

#### 3. Question

In public debates on development, economic expansion is often celebrated as a marker of national success. However, the everyday realities of many citizens reveal a more complex picture. High growth rates may coexist with uneven access to healthcare, poor educational outcomes, and declining environmental quality. When economic benefits accumulate disproportionately among the affluent, social mobility weakens and public trust erodes. Furthermore, rapid industrialisation without ecological safeguards can deplete natural resources and aggravate climate vulnerabilities. Thus, the true measure of development must go beyond aggregate growth figures and reflect whether progress is inclusive, equitable, and environmentally sustainable. A nation advances not merely by producing more, but by ensuring that prosperity strengthens human well-being across generations.

Q. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical, rational, and crucial message conveyed by the passage?

• (a) Economic growth must be judged in terms of inclusiveness and sustainability, not merely output.

• (b) Industrialisation should be slowed down to prevent environmental damage.

• (c) Growth automatically improves health and education outcomes for all citizens.

• (d) High-income groups deserve a larger share of economic gains due to higher productivity.

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Option (a) is correct because the passage clearly argues that development must be evaluated through equity, inclusiveness, and environmental sustainability, not just GDP or output. Option (b) is incorrect: the passage does not advocate slowing industrialisation, but ensuring ecological safeguards. Option (c) is incorrect: the passage explicitly states that growth can coexist with poor human development outcomes. Option (d) is incorrect because the passage critiques unequal distribution rather than endorsing it.

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question With reference to the passage, the following assumptions have been made: I. Inequitable distribution of economic gains weakens social mobility and public trust. II. High economic growth necessarily guarantees improvements in human well-being. 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 directly states that when economic benefits are concentrated among the affluent, social mobility declines and public trust weakens. Assumption II is invalid because the passage argues the opposite—that growth can occur alongside poor health, poor education, and environmental decline, meaning it does not automatically ensure well-being. Hence, only Assumption I is valid. Incorrect Answer: (a) Explanation: Assumption I is valid: the passage directly states that when economic benefits are concentrated among the affluent, social mobility declines and public trust weakens. Assumption II is invalid because the passage argues the opposite—that growth can occur alongside poor health, poor education, and environmental decline, meaning it does not automatically ensure well-being. Hence, only Assumption I is valid.

#### 4. Question

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

I. Inequitable distribution of economic gains weakens social mobility and public trust. II. High economic growth necessarily guarantees improvements in human well-being.

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 directly states that when economic benefits are concentrated among the affluent, social mobility declines and public trust weakens. Assumption II is invalid because the passage argues the opposite—that growth can occur alongside poor health, poor education, and environmental decline, meaning it does not automatically ensure well-being. Hence, only Assumption I is valid.

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question A dishonest shopkeeper claims to sell sugar at cost price but uses faulty weights. Question: What percentage of the claimed weight does the customer actually receive? Statements: He gains 11.11% profit on every sale. When he claims to give 1 kg of sugar, he actually gives only 900 g. Which one of the following is correct with respect to the Question and the Statements? (a) Statement I alone is sufficient to answer the Question (b) Statement II alone is sufficient to answer the Question (c) Both statements together are required to answer the Question (d) Either Statement I alone or Statement II alone is sufficient to answer the Question Correct Answer: (d) Solution: From Statement 2: Claimed weight = 1 kg = 1000 g. Actual weight given = 900 g. So the customer receives (900 / 1000) × 100 = 90% of the claimed weight. Hence, Statement 2 alone clearly answers the question. From Statement 1: Let the cost price of sugar be Rs 1 per kg. He “sells” 1 kg (by claim) at Rs 1. Let actual weight given be x kg. Then cost to shopkeeper = x × 1 = x. Selling price = Rs 1. Profit% = [(1 − x)/x] × 100. Given profit% = 11.11% = 1/9 (approximately). So (1 − x)/x = 1/9 ⇒ 9(1 − x) = x ⇒ 9 − 9x = x ⇒ 9 = 10x ⇒ x = 0.9 kg. Thus, the customer actually receives 0.9 kg = 900 g out of 1 kg claimed → 90% of the claimed weight. So Statement 1 alone is also sufficient. Therefore, either Statement 1 alone or Statement 2 alone is sufficient → option (d). Incorrect Answer: (d) Solution: From Statement 2: Claimed weight = 1 kg = 1000 g. Actual weight given = 900 g. So the customer receives (900 / 1000) × 100 = 90% of the claimed weight. Hence, Statement 2 alone clearly answers the question. From Statement 1: Let the cost price of sugar be Rs 1 per kg. He “sells” 1 kg (by claim) at Rs 1. Let actual weight given be x kg. Then cost to shopkeeper = x × 1 = x. Selling price = Rs 1. Profit% = [(1 − x)/x] × 100. Given profit% = 11.11% = 1/9 (approximately). So (1 − x)/x = 1/9 ⇒ 9(1 − x) = x ⇒ 9 − 9x = x ⇒ 9 = 10x ⇒ x = 0.9 kg. Thus, the customer actually receives 0.9 kg = 900 g out of 1 kg claimed → 90% of the claimed weight. So Statement 1 alone is also sufficient. Therefore, either Statement 1 alone or Statement 2 alone is sufficient → option (d).

#### 5. Question

A dishonest shopkeeper claims to sell sugar at cost price but uses faulty weights.

Question: What percentage of the claimed weight does the customer actually receive?

Statements:

• He gains 11.11% profit on every sale.

• When he claims to give 1 kg of sugar, he actually gives only 900 g.

Which one of the following is correct with respect to the Question and the Statements?

• (a) Statement I alone is sufficient to answer the Question

• (b) Statement II alone is sufficient to answer the Question

• (c) Both statements together are required to answer the Question

• (d) Either Statement I alone or Statement II alone is sufficient to answer the Question

Answer: (d)

Solution: From Statement 2: Claimed weight = 1 kg = 1000 g. Actual weight given = 900 g.

So the customer receives (900 / 1000) × 100 = 90% of the claimed weight. Hence, Statement 2 alone clearly answers the question.

From Statement 1: Let the cost price of sugar be Rs 1 per kg. He “sells” 1 kg (by claim) at Rs 1.

Let actual weight given be x kg. Then cost to shopkeeper = x × 1 = x. Selling price = Rs 1.

Profit% = [(1 − x)/x] × 100. Given profit% = 11.11% = 1/9 (approximately).

So (1 − x)/x = 1/9 ⇒ 9(1 − x) = x ⇒ 9 − 9x = x ⇒ 9 = 10x ⇒ x = 0.9 kg.

Thus, the customer actually receives 0.9 kg = 900 g out of 1 kg claimed → 90% of the claimed weight.

So Statement 1 alone is also sufficient.

Therefore, either Statement 1 alone or Statement 2 alone is sufficient → option (d).

Answer: (d)

Solution: From Statement 2: Claimed weight = 1 kg = 1000 g. Actual weight given = 900 g.

So the customer receives (900 / 1000) × 100 = 90% of the claimed weight. Hence, Statement 2 alone clearly answers the question.

From Statement 1: Let the cost price of sugar be Rs 1 per kg. He “sells” 1 kg (by claim) at Rs 1.

Let actual weight given be x kg. Then cost to shopkeeper = x × 1 = x. Selling price = Rs 1.

Profit% = [(1 − x)/x] × 100. Given profit% = 11.11% = 1/9 (approximately).

So (1 − x)/x = 1/9 ⇒ 9(1 − x) = x ⇒ 9 − 9x = x ⇒ 9 = 10x ⇒ x = 0.9 kg.

Thus, the customer actually receives 0.9 kg = 900 g out of 1 kg claimed → 90% of the claimed weight.

So Statement 1 alone is also sufficient.

Therefore, either Statement 1 alone or Statement 2 alone is sufficient → option (d).

• Official Facebook Page HERE

• Follow our Twitter Account HERE