UPSC Insta–DART (Daily Aptitude and Reasoning Test) 23 Aug 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 All pages from page 31 onwards were added. A mistake occurred as one page number ($) was added twice. The incorrect total came out to be 6320. The number $ satisfies: Statement 1: $ is an odd number and a perfect square Statement 2: $ leaves remainder 1 when divided by 3 and 4 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the Statements and the Question? (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Correct Answer: (c) Explanation: Pages 1 to 30 = 30×31/2 = 465 True total = 6320 + 465 = 6785 Find n such that n(n+1)/2 = 6785 Try n = 116 ⇒ 116×117/2 = 6786 So actual sum = 6786, but got 6785 ⇒ $ = 1 Check statements: 1 is odd and a perfect square ⇒ Statement 1 is correct 1 mod 3 = 1, 1 mod 4 = 1 ⇒ Statement 2 is also correct Correct answer: (c) Both 1 and 2 Incorrect Answer: (c) Explanation: Pages 1 to 30 = 30×31/2 = 465 True total = 6320 + 465 = 6785 Find n such that n(n+1)/2 = 6785 Try n = 116 ⇒ 116×117/2 = 6786 So actual sum = 6786, but got 6785 ⇒ $ = 1 Check statements: 1 is odd and a perfect square ⇒ Statement 1 is correct 1 mod 3 = 1, 1 mod 4 = 1 ⇒ Statement 2 is also correct Correct answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

#### 1. Question

All pages from page 31 onwards were added. A mistake occurred as one page number ($) was added twice. The incorrect total came out to be 6320. The number $ satisfies:

Statement 1: $ is an odd number and a perfect square Statement 2: $ leaves remainder 1 when divided by 3 and 4

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

• (a) Only 1

• (b) Only 2

• (c) Both 1 and 2

• (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

Pages 1 to 30 = 30×31/2 = 465 True total = 6320 + 465 = 6785 Find n such that n(n+1)/2 = 6785 Try n = 116 ⇒ 116×117/2 = 6786 So actual sum = 6786, but got 6785 ⇒ $ = 1

Check statements:

• 1 is odd and a perfect square ⇒ Statement 1 is correct

• 1 mod 3 = 1, 1 mod 4 = 1 ⇒ Statement 2 is also correct

Correct answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

Pages 1 to 30 = 30×31/2 = 465 True total = 6320 + 465 = 6785 Find n such that n(n+1)/2 = 6785 Try n = 116 ⇒ 116×117/2 = 6786 So actual sum = 6786, but got 6785 ⇒ $ = 1

Check statements:

• 1 is odd and a perfect square ⇒ Statement 1 is correct

• 1 mod 3 = 1, 1 mod 4 = 1 ⇒ Statement 2 is also correct

Correct answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Urban air pollution in India has reached critical levels, with major cities regularly exceeding safe limits for particulate matter. While vehicular emissions and industrial activity are major contributors, seasonal crop residue burning and construction dust also play significant roles. Government responses, including stricter emission standards, public transport expansion, and temporary bans on certain activities, have had limited long-term impact due to poor enforcement and lack of coordinated planning. Public awareness is rising, but lifestyle changes and community participation remain insufficient. Lasting improvement will require integrated policies combining regulation, urban planning, clean energy adoption, and citizen engagement, ensuring that short-term measures are aligned with long-term sustainability goals. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage? (a) Strict punitive measures alone can permanently resolve India’s air pollution crisis. (b) Technological innovation is irrelevant without public participation and regulatory enforcement. (c) Citizen involvement, coupled with strong policy and planning, is essential for lasting air quality improvement. (d) Crop residue burning is the sole cause of India’s urban air pollution. Correct Solution: (c) Explanation: The passage emphasizes that multiple causes contribute to pollution and that lasting improvement depends on integrated policies involving government and citizens. • A is incorrect – enforcement alone is insufficient. • B is incorrect – while tech needs participation, planning and regulation are equally important. • D is incorrect – pollution is multi-source, not solely from crop burning. Incorrect Solution: (c) Explanation: The passage emphasizes that multiple causes contribute to pollution and that lasting improvement depends on integrated policies involving government and citizens. • A is incorrect – enforcement alone is insufficient. • B is incorrect – while tech needs participation, planning and regulation are equally important. • D is incorrect – pollution is multi-source, not solely from crop burning.

#### 2. Question

Urban air pollution in India has reached critical levels, with major cities regularly exceeding safe limits for particulate matter. While vehicular emissions and industrial activity are major contributors, seasonal crop residue burning and construction dust also play significant roles. Government responses, including stricter emission standards, public transport expansion, and temporary bans on certain activities, have had limited long-term impact due to poor enforcement and lack of coordinated planning. Public awareness is rising, but lifestyle changes and community participation remain insufficient. Lasting improvement will require integrated policies combining regulation, urban planning, clean energy adoption, and citizen engagement, ensuring that short-term measures are aligned with long-term sustainability goals.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?

• (a) Strict punitive measures alone can permanently resolve India’s air pollution crisis.

• (b) Technological innovation is irrelevant without public participation and regulatory enforcement.

• (c) Citizen involvement, coupled with strong policy and planning, is essential for lasting air quality improvement.

• (d) Crop residue burning is the sole cause of India’s urban air pollution.

Solution: (c)

Explanation: The passage emphasizes that multiple causes contribute to pollution and that lasting improvement depends on integrated policies involving government and citizens. • A is incorrect – enforcement alone is insufficient. • B is incorrect – while tech needs participation, planning and regulation are equally important. • D is incorrect – pollution is multi-source, not solely from crop burning.

Solution: (c)

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: Air quality management requires a combination of regulatory action, technological solutions, and public cooperation. Temporary bans and seasonal restrictions are enough to achieve long-term air quality improvement. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Correct Solution: (a) Explanation: • Statement 1 is correct – the passage calls for integrated approaches involving regulation, technology, and community participation. • Statement 2 is incorrect – it clearly states temporary measures alone have limited long-term impact. Incorrect Solution: (a) Explanation: • Statement 1 is correct – the passage calls for integrated approaches involving regulation, technology, and community participation. • Statement 2 is incorrect – it clearly states temporary measures alone have limited long-term impact.

#### 3. Question

Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

• Air quality management requires a combination of regulatory action, technological solutions, and public cooperation.

• Temporary bans and seasonal restrictions are enough to achieve long-term air quality improvement.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

• (a) 1 only

• (b) 2 only

• (c) Both 1 and 2

• (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: (a)

Explanation: • Statement 1 is correct – the passage calls for integrated approaches involving regulation, technology, and community participation. • Statement 2 is incorrect – it clearly states temporary measures alone have limited long-term impact.

Solution: (a)

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question In recent years, investigative journalism in India has faced increasing constraints from defamation suits, sedition charges, and strategic lawsuits filed by powerful interests. While the press enjoys constitutional protection, the slow pace of legal proceedings and the high cost of defence often compel journalists to retract or soften reports. Such pressures foster self-censorship, especially in smaller media houses lacking legal resources. Internationally, some democracies have enacted anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) laws to protect journalists from harassment through litigation. In India, however, the absence of similar safeguards leaves critical reporting vulnerable, threatening the press’s role as a watchdog of democracy. Which one of the following statements best reflects the central idea of the above passage? (a) Weak legal protection allows litigation to be used as a tool to suppress critical journalism. (b) Defamation laws are outdated and should be abolished entirely. (c) Journalists must avoid sensitive topics to ensure professional safety. (d) Indian media lacks professional ethics in investigative reporting. Correct Solution: (a) Explanation: • The passage focuses on how lawsuits and lack of safeguards create pressure that undermines press freedom. • Options (b), (c), and (d) are not supported — the issue is legal vulnerability, not abolishing all laws, avoiding topics, or ethics failures. Incorrect Solution: (a) Explanation: • The passage focuses on how lawsuits and lack of safeguards create pressure that undermines press freedom. • Options (b), (c), and (d) are not supported — the issue is legal vulnerability, not abolishing all laws, avoiding topics, or ethics failures.

#### 4. Question

In recent years, investigative journalism in India has faced increasing constraints from defamation suits, sedition charges, and strategic lawsuits filed by powerful interests. While the press enjoys constitutional protection, the slow pace of legal proceedings and the high cost of defence often compel journalists to retract or soften reports. Such pressures foster self-censorship, especially in smaller media houses lacking legal resources. Internationally, some democracies have enacted anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) laws to protect journalists from harassment through litigation. In India, however, the absence of similar safeguards leaves critical reporting vulnerable, threatening the press’s role as a watchdog of democracy.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the central idea of the above passage?

• (a) Weak legal protection allows litigation to be used as a tool to suppress critical journalism.

• (b) Defamation laws are outdated and should be abolished entirely.

• (c) Journalists must avoid sensitive topics to ensure professional safety.

• (d) Indian media lacks professional ethics in investigative reporting.

Solution: (a)

Explanation: • The passage focuses on how lawsuits and lack of safeguards create pressure that undermines press freedom. • Options (b), (c), and (d) are not supported — the issue is legal vulnerability, not abolishing all laws, avoiding topics, or ethics failures.

Solution: (a)

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: Absence of protective legal frameworks can lead to self-censorship in journalism. Anti-SLAPP laws in other democracies have completely eliminated harassment of journalists. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Correct Solution: (a) Explanation: • Statement 1 is valid: The passage clearly links lack of safeguards to self-censorship. • Statement 2 is invalid: While other democracies have such laws, the passage does not claim they have completely eliminated harassment. Incorrect Solution: (a) Explanation: • Statement 1 is valid: The passage clearly links lack of safeguards to self-censorship. • Statement 2 is invalid: While other democracies have such laws, the passage does not claim they have completely eliminated harassment.

#### 5. Question

Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

• Absence of protective legal frameworks can lead to self-censorship in journalism.

• Anti-SLAPP laws in other democracies have completely eliminated harassment of journalists.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

• (a) 1 only

• (b) 2 only

• (c) Both 1 and 2

• (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: (a)

Explanation: • Statement 1 is valid: The passage clearly links lack of safeguards to self-censorship. • Statement 2 is invalid: While other democracies have such laws, the passage does not claim they have completely eliminated harassment.

Solution: (a)

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