UPSC Insta–DART (Daily Aptitude and Reasoning Test) 26 Feb 2026

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 person rented a room. The charge was ₹300 per day for the first 3 days, ₹250 per day for the next 5 days, and ₹200 per day thereafter. A one‑time maintenance fee of ₹150 was also charged. If his total payment was ₹3,100, how many days did he stay? (a) 10 days (b) 11 days (c) 12 days (d) 13 days Correct Answer: (c) Explanation: Fixed fee + First 3 days = 150 + (3 × 300) = 150 + 900 = 1,050 Next 5 days = 5 × 250 = 1,250 So for 8 days total = 1,050 + 1,250 = 2,300 Remaining = 3,100 − 2,300 = 800 After 8 days, rent = 200/day ⇒ 800 ÷ 200 = 4 days Total days = 8 + 4 = 12 days. Incorrect Answer: (c) Explanation: Fixed fee + First 3 days = 150 + (3 × 300) = 150 + 900 = 1,050 Next 5 days = 5 × 250 = 1,250 So for 8 days total = 1,050 + 1,250 = 2,300 Remaining = 3,100 − 2,300 = 800 After 8 days, rent = 200/day ⇒ 800 ÷ 200 = 4 days Total days = 8 + 4 = 12 days.

#### 1. Question

A person rented a room. The charge was ₹300 per day for the first 3 days, ₹250 per day for the next 5 days, and ₹200 per day thereafter. A one‑time maintenance fee of ₹150 was also charged. If his total payment was ₹3,100, how many days did he stay?

• (a) 10 days

• (b) 11 days

• (c) 12 days

• (d) 13 days

Answer: (c) Explanation: Fixed fee + First 3 days = 150 + (3 × 300) = 150 + 900 = 1,050 Next 5 days = 5 × 250 = 1,250 So for 8 days total = 1,050 + 1,250 = 2,300 Remaining = 3,100 − 2,300 = 800 After 8 days, rent = 200/day ⇒ 800 ÷ 200 = 4 days Total days = 8 + 4 = 12 days.

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Modern democratic societies often assume that the legitimacy of authority comes solely from the consent of the governed. Yet, consent is not always a sufficient guarantee of justice. People may willingly endorse institutions or leaders that curtail liberty in the name of security or nationalism. When obedience becomes habitual, freedom is reduced to a ritual rather than a reality. Paradoxically, democracies can breed conformity as easily as autocracies if citizens cease to exercise critical judgment. Which one of the following statements best reflects the corollary to the above passage? (a) Democratic systems are inherently superior to all other forms of government. (b) Popular consent alone does not ensure that a political system remains just or free. (c) Security and nationalism are always opposed to liberty. (d) Citizens should reject authority whenever it demands obedience. Correct Answer: (b) Explanation: Option (b) is correct. The passage shows that people may consent to unjust or freedom-curtailing authority and that habitual obedience can hollow out liberty. The logical corollary is that consent by itself is not a sufficient safeguard for justice or freedom. Option (a) is incorrect. The passage is critical of democratic complacency, not celebratory. Option (c) is incorrect. The passage does not claim security or nationalism are always opposed to liberty; it says they can be used to justify curtailment. Option (d) is incorrect. The passage does not argue for rejecting authority as such, only for exercising critical judgment. Incorrect Answer: (b) Explanation: Option (b) is correct. The passage shows that people may consent to unjust or freedom-curtailing authority and that habitual obedience can hollow out liberty. The logical corollary is that consent by itself is not a sufficient safeguard for justice or freedom. Option (a) is incorrect. The passage is critical of democratic complacency, not celebratory. Option (c) is incorrect. The passage does not claim security or nationalism are always opposed to liberty; it says they can be used to justify curtailment. Option (d) is incorrect. The passage does not argue for rejecting authority as such, only for exercising critical judgment.

#### 2. Question

Modern democratic societies often assume that the legitimacy of authority comes solely from the consent of the governed. Yet, consent is not always a sufficient guarantee of justice. People may willingly endorse institutions or leaders that curtail liberty in the name of security or nationalism. When obedience becomes habitual, freedom is reduced to a ritual rather than a reality. Paradoxically, democracies can breed conformity as easily as autocracies if citizens cease to exercise critical judgment.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the corollary to the above passage?

• (a) Democratic systems are inherently superior to all other forms of government.

• (b) Popular consent alone does not ensure that a political system remains just or free.

• (c) Security and nationalism are always opposed to liberty.

• (d) Citizens should reject authority whenever it demands obedience.

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

• Option (b) is correct. The passage shows that people may consent to unjust or freedom-curtailing authority and that habitual obedience can hollow out liberty. The logical corollary is that consent by itself is not a sufficient safeguard for justice or freedom.

• Option (a) is incorrect. The passage is critical of democratic complacency, not celebratory.

• Option (c) is incorrect. The passage does not claim security or nationalism are always opposed to liberty; it says they can be used to justify curtailment.

• Option (d) is incorrect. The passage does not argue for rejecting authority as such, only for exercising critical judgment.

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

• Option (a) is incorrect. The passage is critical of democratic complacency, not celebratory.

• Option (c) is incorrect. The passage does not claim security or nationalism are always opposed to liberty; it says they can be used to justify curtailment.

• Option (d) is incorrect. The passage does not argue for rejecting authority as such, only for exercising critical judgment.

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: Citizens have a responsibility to exercise independent and critical judgment in a democracy. Political legitimacy based only on popular approval can coexist with injustice. Democracies automatically prevent conformity and unthinking obedience. 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 warns that when citizens cease to exercise critical judgment, freedom becomes hollow — clearly implying such judgment is necessary. Assumption II is valid. The passage explicitly states that people may willingly endorse liberty-curtailing institutions, showing that consent can coexist with injustice. Assumption III is invalid. The passage says democracies can breed conformity as easily as autocracies, directly contradicting this assumption. Hence, option (b) is correct. Incorrect Answer: (b) Explanation: Assumption I is valid. The passage warns that when citizens cease to exercise critical judgment, freedom becomes hollow — clearly implying such judgment is necessary. Assumption II is valid. The passage explicitly states that people may willingly endorse liberty-curtailing institutions, showing that consent can coexist with injustice. Assumption III is invalid. The passage says democracies can breed conformity as easily as autocracies, directly contradicting this assumption. Hence, option (b) is correct.

#### 3. Question

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

• Citizens have a responsibility to exercise independent and critical judgment in a democracy.

• Political legitimacy based only on popular approval can coexist with injustice.

• Democracies automatically prevent conformity and unthinking obedience.

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 warns that when citizens cease to exercise critical judgment, freedom becomes hollow — clearly implying such judgment is necessary.

• Assumption II is valid. The passage explicitly states that people may willingly endorse liberty-curtailing institutions, showing that consent can coexist with injustice.

• Assumption III is invalid. The passage says democracies can breed conformity as easily as autocracies, directly contradicting this assumption.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

• Assumption I is valid. The passage warns that when citizens cease to exercise critical judgment, freedom becomes hollow — clearly implying such judgment is necessary.

• Assumption II is valid. The passage explicitly states that people may willingly endorse liberty-curtailing institutions, showing that consent can coexist with injustice.

• Assumption III is invalid. The passage says democracies can breed conformity as easily as autocracies, directly contradicting this assumption.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question In many political systems, decisions acquire legitimacy once they reflect the preference of a numerical majority. Over time, this principle has been extended beyond choosing governments to settling questions of policy, culture, and even rights. Yet history offers several instances in which widely supported measures were later judged to be deeply unjust. Laws once passed with overwhelming approval have been repealed or struck down after their human costs became visible. Interestingly, such reversals rarely occur because the arithmetic of numbers changes, but because the standards by which those numbers are judged are reconsidered. Which one of the following statements best reflects the corollary to the above passage? (a) Majority opinion is the most reliable guide to moral and political truth. (b) Laws should never be changed once they are passed by a majority. (c) Numerical support alone is not a sufficient test of justice. (d) Political stability requires that majority decisions be obeyed without question. Correct Answer: (c) Explanation: Option (c) is correct. The passage shows that many laws once backed by majorities were later seen as unjust and reversed not because numbers changed but because standards of judgment did. This implies that majority support by itself does not guarantee justice. Option (a) is incorrect. The passage directly undermines this idea. Option (b) is incorrect. The passage talks about reversals and reassessment. Option (d) is incorrect. The passage is not arguing for blind obedience to majority decisions. Incorrect Answer: (c) Explanation: Option (c) is correct. The passage shows that many laws once backed by majorities were later seen as unjust and reversed not because numbers changed but because standards of judgment did. This implies that majority support by itself does not guarantee justice. Option (a) is incorrect. The passage directly undermines this idea. Option (b) is incorrect. The passage talks about reversals and reassessment. Option (d) is incorrect. The passage is not arguing for blind obedience to majority decisions.

#### 4. Question

In many political systems, decisions acquire legitimacy once they reflect the preference of a numerical majority. Over time, this principle has been extended beyond choosing governments to settling questions of policy, culture, and even rights. Yet history offers several instances in which widely supported measures were later judged to be deeply unjust. Laws once passed with overwhelming approval have been repealed or struck down after their human costs became visible. Interestingly, such reversals rarely occur because the arithmetic of numbers changes, but because the standards by which those numbers are judged are reconsidered.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the corollary to the above passage?

• (a) Majority opinion is the most reliable guide to moral and political truth.

• (b) Laws should never be changed once they are passed by a majority.

• (c) Numerical support alone is not a sufficient test of justice.

• (d) Political stability requires that majority decisions be obeyed without question.

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

• Option (c) is correct. The passage shows that many laws once backed by majorities were later seen as unjust and reversed not because numbers changed but because standards of judgment did. This implies that majority support by itself does not guarantee justice.

• Option (a) is incorrect. The passage directly undermines this idea.

• Option (b) is incorrect. The passage talks about reversals and reassessment.

• Option (d) is incorrect. The passage is not arguing for blind obedience to majority decisions.

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

• Option (a) is incorrect. The passage directly undermines this idea.

• Option (b) is incorrect. The passage talks about reversals and reassessment.

• Option (d) is incorrect. The passage is not arguing for blind obedience to majority decisions.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: Moral and legal standards can evolve over time. Some injustices can be supported by large sections of society. Justice is always defined by the will of the majority. 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 notes that laws are reversed when “standards by which those numbers are judged are reconsidered,” implying evolving standards. Assumption II is valid. The passage explicitly refers to “widely supported measures” later judged unjust. Assumption III is invalid. The entire passage challenges this idea. Thus, option (b) is correct. Incorrect Answer: (b) Explanation: Assumption I is valid. The passage notes that laws are reversed when “standards by which those numbers are judged are reconsidered,” implying evolving standards. Assumption II is valid. The passage explicitly refers to “widely supported measures” later judged unjust. Assumption III is invalid. The entire passage challenges this idea. Thus, option (b) is correct.

#### 5. Question

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

• Moral and legal standards can evolve over time.

• Some injustices can be supported by large sections of society.

• Justice is always defined by the will of the majority.

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 notes that laws are reversed when “standards by which those numbers are judged are reconsidered,” implying evolving standards.

• Assumption II is valid. The passage explicitly refers to “widely supported measures” later judged unjust.

• Assumption III is invalid. The entire passage challenges this idea.

Thus, option (b) is correct.

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

• Assumption I is valid. The passage notes that laws are reversed when “standards by which those numbers are judged are reconsidered,” implying evolving standards.

• Assumption II is valid. The passage explicitly refers to “widely supported measures” later judged unjust.

• Assumption III is invalid. The entire passage challenges this idea.

Thus, option (b) is correct.

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