UPSC Insta–DART (Daily Aptitude and Reasoning Test) 24 Oct 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 In recent years, India has produced millions of graduates every year, yet the employment opportunities available to them have not kept pace. A significant proportion of these graduates remain either unemployed or underemployed, working in jobs that do not require their level of education. This paradox of rising educational attainment alongside persistent unemployment highlights a mismatch between the skills imparted by the education system and the demands of the labour market. While education is celebrated as a pathway to upward mobility, without structural reforms in both curricula and job creation, it risks producing frustration rather than prosperity. Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message conveyed by the passage? (a) The unemployment crisis in India is caused solely by the lack of adequate higher educational institutions. (b) Educational expansion without matching skill-oriented reforms and job creation leads to unemployment and frustration. (c) India’s labour market does not require higher education graduates for its economic growth. (d) The Government must restrict the number of students admitted to universities to reduce unemployment. Correct Answer: (b) Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The problem is not the lack of institutions but the mismatch between skills and jobs. Option (b) is correct: The passage explicitly argues that without reforms in curricula and job creation, education may generate “frustration rather than prosperity.” This shows the central issue lies in the mismatch. Option (c) is incorrect: The passage does not claim higher education is unnecessary; it argues for aligning it with labour market needs. Option (d) is incorrect: Restricting admissions is not suggested; instead, the solution lies in structural reforms. Hence, (b) captures the critical message. Incorrect Answer: (b) Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The problem is not the lack of institutions but the mismatch between skills and jobs. Option (b) is correct: The passage explicitly argues that without reforms in curricula and job creation, education may generate “frustration rather than prosperity.” This shows the central issue lies in the mismatch. Option (c) is incorrect: The passage does not claim higher education is unnecessary; it argues for aligning it with labour market needs. Option (d) is incorrect: Restricting admissions is not suggested; instead, the solution lies in structural reforms. Hence, (b) captures the critical message.

#### 1. Question

In recent years, India has produced millions of graduates every year, yet the employment opportunities available to them have not kept pace. A significant proportion of these graduates remain either unemployed or underemployed, working in jobs that do not require their level of education. This paradox of rising educational attainment alongside persistent unemployment highlights a mismatch between the skills imparted by the education system and the demands of the labour market. While education is celebrated as a pathway to upward mobility, without structural reforms in both curricula and job creation, it risks producing frustration rather than prosperity.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message conveyed by the passage?

• (a) The unemployment crisis in India is caused solely by the lack of adequate higher educational institutions.

• (b) Educational expansion without matching skill-oriented reforms and job creation leads to unemployment and frustration.

• (c) India’s labour market does not require higher education graduates for its economic growth.

• (d) The Government must restrict the number of students admitted to universities to reduce unemployment.

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

• Option (a) is incorrect: The problem is not the lack of institutions but the mismatch between skills and jobs.

• Option (b) is correct: The passage explicitly argues that without reforms in curricula and job creation, education may generate “frustration rather than prosperity.” This shows the central issue lies in the mismatch.

• Option (c) is incorrect: The passage does not claim higher education is unnecessary; it argues for aligning it with labour market needs.

• Option (d) is incorrect: Restricting admissions is not suggested; instead, the solution lies in structural reforms. Hence, (b) captures the critical message.

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

• Option (a) is incorrect: The problem is not the lack of institutions but the mismatch between skills and jobs.

• Option (c) is incorrect: The passage does not claim higher education is unnecessary; it argues for aligning it with labour market needs.

• Option (d) is incorrect: Restricting admissions is not suggested; instead, the solution lies in structural reforms. Hence, (b) captures the critical message.

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: I. Education in itself cannot guarantee upward mobility unless complemented by employment opportunities. II. The present system of education in India is not adequately aligned with the skill demands of the economy. 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 states that “while education is celebrated as a pathway to upward mobility, without reforms… it risks producing frustration rather than prosperity.” This means education alone cannot ensure mobility. Assumption II is valid: The passage highlights the mismatch between “skills imparted by the education system” and “labour market demands,” clearly supporting this assumption. Thus, both assumptions are correct → (c). Incorrect Answer: (c) Explanation: Assumption I is valid: The passage states that “while education is celebrated as a pathway to upward mobility, without reforms… it risks producing frustration rather than prosperity.” This means education alone cannot ensure mobility. Assumption II is valid: The passage highlights the mismatch between “skills imparted by the education system” and “labour market demands,” clearly supporting this assumption. Thus, both assumptions are correct → (c).

#### 2. Question

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: I. Education in itself cannot guarantee upward mobility unless complemented by employment opportunities. II. The present system of education in India is not adequately aligned with the skill demands of the economy.

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 states that “while education is celebrated as a pathway to upward mobility, without reforms… it risks producing frustration rather than prosperity.” This means education alone cannot ensure mobility.

• Assumption II is valid: The passage highlights the mismatch between “skills imparted by the education system” and “labour market demands,” clearly supporting this assumption. Thus, both assumptions are correct → (c).

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question A Question is given followed by two Statements I and II. Consider the Question and the Statements. Question: What are the values of p and q where p and q are natural numbers? Statement-I: p : q = 3 : 2. Statement-II: LCM(p, q) = 30. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above Question and the Statements? a) The Question can be answered by using one of the Statements alone, but cannot be answered using the other Statement alone b) The Question can be answered by using either Statement alone c) The Question can be answered by using both the Statements together, but cannot be answered using either Statement alone d) The Question cannot be answered even by using both the Statements together Correct Answer: c Explanation From Statement 1: p = 3k, q = 2k for some k ∈ N. Not sufficient alone. From Statement 2: many pairs have LCM 30 (e.g., (6,30),(10,15),…). Not sufficient alone. Combining: LCM(3k, 2k) = 6k = 30 ⇒ k = 5 ⇒ (p, q) = (15, 10). Hence both statements together are sufficient. Incorrect Answer: c Explanation From Statement 1: p = 3k, q = 2k for some k ∈ N. Not sufficient alone. From Statement 2: many pairs have LCM 30 (e.g., (6,30),(10,15),…). Not sufficient alone. Combining: LCM(3k, 2k) = 6k = 30 ⇒ k = 5 ⇒ (p, q) = (15, 10). Hence both statements together are sufficient.

#### 3. Question

A Question is given followed by two Statements I and II. Consider the Question and the Statements. Question: What are the values of p and q where p and q are natural numbers? Statement-I: p : q = 3 : 2. Statement-II: LCM(p, q) = 30. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above Question and the Statements?

• a) The Question can be answered by using one of the Statements alone, but cannot be answered using the other Statement alone

• b) The Question can be answered by using either Statement alone

• c) The Question can be answered by using both the Statements together, but cannot be answered using either Statement alone

• d) The Question cannot be answered even by using both the Statements together

Answer: c Explanation

From Statement 1: p = 3k, q = 2k for some k ∈ N. Not sufficient alone. From Statement 2: many pairs have LCM 30 (e.g., (6,30),(10,15),…). Not sufficient alone. Combining: LCM(3k, 2k) = 6k = 30 ⇒ k = 5 ⇒ (p, q) = (15, 10). Hence both statements together are sufficient.

Answer: c Explanation

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Let number N be a two-digit prime number. Statement I: N leaves a remainder 1 when divided by 6 and N<30. Statement II: The units digit of N is 2 more than its tens digit. Question: What is the value of N? Which one of the following is correct in respect of the Statements and the Question? (a) Statement I alone is sufficient to answer the question. (b) Statement II alone is sufficient to answer the question. (c) Both Statement I and Statement II together are sufficient to answer the question. (d) Either statement I or statement II alone is sufficient to answer the question. Correct Answer: C Solution: Statement I: Two-digit primes <30 with N≡1 (mod 6): {13,19} ⇒ not unique. Statement II: Let N=10t+(t+2). Prime options: 13, 79 ⇒ not unique. Together: Intersect {13,19} with {13,79} ⇒ N=13. Hence both together are required. Incorrect Answer: C Solution: Statement I: Two-digit primes <30 with N≡1 (mod 6): {13,19} ⇒ not unique. Statement II: Let N=10t+(t+2). Prime options: 13, 79 ⇒ not unique. Together: Intersect {13,19} with {13,79} ⇒ N=13. Hence both together are required.

#### 4. Question

Let number N be a two-digit prime number. Statement I: N leaves a remainder 1 when divided by 6 and N<30. Statement II: The units digit of N is 2 more than its tens digit. Question: What is the value of N? Which one of the following is correct in respect of the Statements and the Question?

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

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

• (c) Both Statement I and Statement II together are sufficient to answer the question.

• (d) Either statement I or statement II alone is sufficient to answer the question.

Answer: C Solution: Statement I: Two-digit primes <30 with N≡1 (mod 6): {13,19} ⇒ not unique. Statement II: Let N=10t+(t+2). Prime options: 13, 79 ⇒ not unique. Together: Intersect {13,19} with {13,79} ⇒ N=13. Hence both together are required.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question How many natural numbers are there that give a remainder of 12 when 1500 is divided by these natural numbers? a) 11 b) 12 c) 13 d) 14 Correct Answer: C Solution. Remainder 12 ⇒ divisible part = 1500 − 12 = 1488. Factorise 1488 = 2⁴ × 3 × 31 ⇒ total factors = (4+1)(1+1)(1+1) = 20. Valid divisors must be > 12. Factors ≤ 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 (7 factors). So required count = 20 − 7 = 13. Incorrect Answer: C Solution. Remainder 12 ⇒ divisible part = 1500 − 12 = 1488. Factorise 1488 = 2⁴ × 3 × 31 ⇒ total factors = (4+1)(1+1)(1+1) = 20. Valid divisors must be > 12. Factors ≤ 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 (7 factors). So required count = 20 − 7 = 13.

#### 5. Question

How many natural numbers are there that give a remainder of 12 when 1500 is divided by these natural numbers?

Answer: C Solution. Remainder 12 ⇒ divisible part = 1500 − 12 = 1488. Factorise 1488 = 2⁴ × 3 × 31 ⇒ total factors = (4+1)(1+1)(1+1) = 20. Valid divisors must be > 12. Factors ≤ 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 (7 factors). So required count = 20 − 7 = 13.

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