UPSC Insta–DART (Daily Aptitude and Reasoning Test) 26 Nov 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 man started from home at 16:10 hours and drove to a village, arriving there when the village clock indicated 16:40 hours. After staying for 5 minutes, he drove back by a different route of length 1.5 times the first route at a rate three times as fast, reaching home at 17:15 hours. As compared to the clock at home, the village clock is (a) 10 minutes slow (b) 5 minutes slow (c) 10 minutes fast (d) 5 minutes fast Correct Answer: (a) Given that, He started at 16:10 and reached home at 17:15. He stayed in the village for 5 minutes. The return route is 1.5 times the onward route, and the return speed is three times the onward speed. Now, Let onward speed be S km/h and onward distance be D km. Total time taken = 17:15 − 16:10 = 1 h 5 min = 65 min. Total travelling time = 65 − 5 = 60 min. Return time = (1.5D)/(3S) = 0.5 × (D/S). So, total travelling time = (D/S) + 0.5(D/S) = 1.5(D/S) = 60 min ⇒ D/S = 40 min. Exact arrival time on home clock = 16:10 + 40 min = 16:50. Village clock showed 16:40, i.e., 10 minutes slow. Hence option (a) is correct. Incorrect Answer: (a) Given that, He started at 16:10 and reached home at 17:15. He stayed in the village for 5 minutes. The return route is 1.5 times the onward route, and the return speed is three times the onward speed. Now, Let onward speed be S km/h and onward distance be D km. Total time taken = 17:15 − 16:10 = 1 h 5 min = 65 min. Total travelling time = 65 − 5 = 60 min. Return time = (1.5D)/(3S) = 0.5 × (D/S). So, total travelling time = (D/S) + 0.5(D/S) = 1.5(D/S) = 60 min ⇒ D/S = 40 min. Exact arrival time on home clock = 16:10 + 40 min = 16:50. Village clock showed 16:40, i.e., 10 minutes slow. Hence option (a) is correct.

#### 1. Question

A man started from home at 16:10 hours and drove to a village, arriving there when the village clock indicated 16:40 hours. After staying for 5 minutes, he drove back by a different route of length 1.5 times the first route at a rate three times as fast, reaching home at 17:15 hours. As compared to the clock at home, the village clock is

• (a) 10 minutes slow

• (b) 5 minutes slow

• (c) 10 minutes fast

• (d) 5 minutes fast

Answer: (a)

Given that,

He started at 16:10 and reached home at 17:15. He stayed in the village for 5 minutes. The return route is 1.5 times the onward route, and the return speed is three times the onward speed.

Let onward speed be S km/h and onward distance be D km.

Total time taken = 17:15 − 16:10 = 1 h 5 min = 65 min.

Total travelling time = 65 − 5 = 60 min.

Return time = (1.5D)/(3S) = 0.5 × (D/S).

So, total travelling time = (D/S) + 0.5(D/S) = 1.5(D/S) = 60 min ⇒ D/S = 40 min.

Exact arrival time on home clock = 16:10 + 40 min = 16:50.

Village clock showed 16:40, i.e., 10 minutes slow.

Hence option (a) is correct.

Answer: (a)

Given that,

He started at 16:10 and reached home at 17:15. He stayed in the village for 5 minutes. The return route is 1.5 times the onward route, and the return speed is three times the onward speed.

Let onward speed be S km/h and onward distance be D km.

Total time taken = 17:15 − 16:10 = 1 h 5 min = 65 min.

Total travelling time = 65 − 5 = 60 min.

Return time = (1.5D)/(3S) = 0.5 × (D/S).

So, total travelling time = (D/S) + 0.5(D/S) = 1.5(D/S) = 60 min ⇒ D/S = 40 min.

Exact arrival time on home clock = 16:10 + 40 min = 16:50.

Village clock showed 16:40, i.e., 10 minutes slow.

Hence option (a) is correct.

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question The monthly income of Anita and Beena are in the ratio 4 : 5. Question: What is the ratio of their monthly savings? Statement I: Beena saves 20% of her income. Statement II: The expenditures of Anita and Beena are in the ratio 6 : 7. Statement III: The difference in their monthly savings is ₹4,000. Which one of the following is correct? (a) Statements I and II together are sufficient to answer the question. (b) Statements I and III together are sufficient to answer the question. (c) Statements II and III together are sufficient to answer the question. (d) All three statements are required to answer the question. Correct Answer: (a) Explanation: Let incomes be: Anita : Beena = 4x : 5x Statement I: Beena saves 20% of income ⇒ Expenditure = 80% of 5x = 4x ⇒ Beena’s savings = 5x − 4x = 1x Statement II: Expenditure ratio Anita : Beena = 6 : 7 Beena’s expenditure = 4x ⇒ Anita’s expenditure = (6/7) × 4x = 24x / 7 Anita’s income = 4x ⇒ Anita’s savings = 4x − (24x/7) = (4x7 − 24x)/7 = (28x − 24x)/7 = 4x / 7 Now: Savings ratio = Anita : Beena = (4x/7) : x = 4 : 7 Thus, I and II together are sufficient Statement III is not required to compute ratio. Incorrect Answer: (a) Explanation: Let incomes be: Anita : Beena = 4x : 5x Statement I: Beena saves 20% of income ⇒ Expenditure = 80% of 5x = 4x ⇒ Beena’s savings = 5x − 4x = 1x Statement II: Expenditure ratio Anita : Beena = 6 : 7 Beena’s expenditure = 4x ⇒ Anita’s expenditure = (6/7) × 4x = 24x / 7 Anita’s income = 4x ⇒ Anita’s savings = 4x − (24x/7) = (4x7 − 24x)/7 = (28x − 24x)/7 = 4x / 7 Now: Savings ratio = Anita : Beena = (4x/7) : x = 4 : 7 Thus, I and II together are sufficient Statement III is not required to compute ratio.

#### 2. Question

The monthly income of Anita and Beena are in the ratio 4 : 5.

Question: What is the ratio of their monthly savings?

Statement I: Beena saves 20% of her income. Statement II: The expenditures of Anita and Beena are in the ratio 6 : 7. Statement III: The difference in their monthly savings is ₹4,000.

Which one of the following is correct?

• (a) Statements I and II together are sufficient to answer the question.

• (b) Statements I and III together are sufficient to answer the question.

• (c) Statements II and III together are sufficient to answer the question.

• (d) All three statements are required to answer the question.

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Let incomes be: Anita : Beena = 4x : 5x

Statement I: Beena saves 20% of income ⇒ Expenditure = 80% of 5x = 4x ⇒ Beena’s savings = 5x − 4x = 1x

Statement II: Expenditure ratio Anita : Beena = 6 : 7 Beena’s expenditure = 4x ⇒ Anita’s expenditure = (6/7) × 4x = 24x / 7

Anita’s income = 4x ⇒ Anita’s savings = 4x − (24x/7) = (4x7 − 24x)/7 = (28x − 24x)/7 = 4x / 7*

Now: Savings ratio = Anita : Beena = (4x/7) : x = 4 : 7

Thus, I and II together are sufficient

Statement III is not required to compute ratio.

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Let incomes be: Anita : Beena = 4x : 5x

Statement I: Beena saves 20% of income ⇒ Expenditure = 80% of 5x = 4x ⇒ Beena’s savings = 5x − 4x = 1x

Statement II: Expenditure ratio Anita : Beena = 6 : 7 Beena’s expenditure = 4x ⇒ Anita’s expenditure = (6/7) × 4x = 24x / 7

Anita’s income = 4x ⇒ Anita’s savings = 4x − (24x/7) = (4x7 − 24x)/7 = (28x − 24x)/7 = 4x / 7*

Now: Savings ratio = Anita : Beena = (4x/7) : x = 4 : 7

Thus, I and II together are sufficient

Statement III is not required to compute ratio.

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Two statements are given below followed by a question: S1: The number is greater than one. S2: The number has 3 factors. Question: What is the number if it is a positive integer < 11? Which one of the following is correct with respect to above? (a) S1 alone is sufficient to answer the Question (a) S1 alone is sufficient to answer the Question (c) S1 and S2 together are sufficient to answer the Question, but neither S1 alone nor S2 alone is sufficient to answer the Question (d) S1 and S2 together are not sufficient to answer the Question Correct Answer: D Solution The number is greater than one. So, possible numbers will be: 2, 3……10 Thus, there is no unique solution. Therefore, S1 alone is not sufficient to answer the question. From S2: The number has 3 Factors. 4 and 9 are such numbers, which have only 3 factors. Thus, there is no unique solution. Therefore, S2 alone is not sufficient to answer the question. From S1 and S2: Even on combining S1 and S2, we are not able to find a unique solution. Therefore, S1 and S2 together are not sufficient to answer the question Incorrect Answer: D Solution The number is greater than one. So, possible numbers will be: 2, 3……10 Thus, there is no unique solution. Therefore, S1 alone is not sufficient to answer the question. From S2: The number has 3 Factors. 4 and 9 are such numbers, which have only 3 factors. Thus, there is no unique solution. Therefore, S2 alone is not sufficient to answer the question. From S1 and S2: Even on combining S1 and S2, we are not able to find a unique solution. Therefore, S1 and S2 together are not sufficient to answer the question

#### 3. Question

Two statements are given below followed by a question:

S1: The number is greater than one.

S2: The number has 3 factors.

Question: What is the number if it is a positive integer < 11?

Which one of the following is correct with respect to above?

• (a) S1 alone is sufficient to answer the Question

• (c) S1 and S2 together are sufficient to answer the Question, but neither S1 alone nor S2 alone is sufficient to answer the Question

• (d) S1 and S2 together are not sufficient to answer the Question

Answer: D

Solution

The number is greater than one. So, possible numbers will be: 2, 3……10

Thus, there is no unique solution. Therefore, S1 alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

From S2: The number has 3 Factors. 4 and 9 are such numbers, which have only 3 factors. Thus, there is no unique solution.

Therefore, S2 alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

From S1 and S2: Even on combining S1 and S2, we are not able to find a unique solution.

Therefore, S1 and S2 together are not sufficient to answer the question

Answer: D

Solution

The number is greater than one. So, possible numbers will be: 2, 3……10

Thus, there is no unique solution. Therefore, S1 alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

From S2: The number has 3 Factors. 4 and 9 are such numbers, which have only 3 factors. Thus, there is no unique solution.

Therefore, S2 alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

From S1 and S2: Even on combining S1 and S2, we are not able to find a unique solution.

Therefore, S1 and S2 together are not sufficient to answer the question

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question A father said to his son, “8 years ago, I was 4 times as old as you were. 8 years from now, I will be twice your age.” What is the difference in their present ages? (a) 20 years (b) 22 years (c) 24 years (d) 26 years Correct Answer: C Let son’s present age = x Father = x + d 8 years ago: x + d − 8 = 4(x − 8) → x + d − 8 = 4x − 32 → d = 3x − 24 … (1) 8 years ahead: x + d + 8 = 2(x + 8) → x + d + 8 = 2x + 16 → d = x + 8 … (2) Equating (1) and (2): 3x − 24 = x + 8 ⇒ 2x = 32 ⇒ x = 16 Then d = x + 8 = 24 Incorrect Answer: C Let son’s present age = x Father = x + d 8 years ago: x + d − 8 = 4(x − 8) → x + d − 8 = 4x − 32 → d = 3x − 24 … (1) 8 years ahead: x + d + 8 = 2(x + 8) → x + d + 8 = 2x + 16 → d = x + 8 … (2) Equating (1) and (2): 3x − 24 = x + 8 ⇒ 2x = 32 ⇒ x = 16 Then d = x + 8 = 24

#### 4. Question

A father said to his son, “8 years ago, I was 4 times as old as you were. 8 years from now, I will be twice your age.” What is the difference in their present ages?

• (a) 20 years

• (b) 22 years

• (c) 24 years

• (d) 26 years

Let son’s present age = x Father = x + d

8 years ago: x + d − 8 = 4(x − 8) → x + d − 8 = 4x − 32 → d = 3x − 24 … (1)

8 years ahead: x + d + 8 = 2(x + 8) → x + d + 8 = 2x + 16 → d = x + 8 … (2)

Equating (1) and (2): 3x − 24 = x + 8 ⇒ 2x = 32 ⇒ x = 16 Then d = x + 8 = 24

Let son’s present age = x Father = x + d

8 years ago: x + d − 8 = 4(x − 8) → x + d − 8 = 4x − 32 → d = 3x − 24 … (1)

8 years ahead: x + d + 8 = 2(x + 8) → x + d + 8 = 2x + 16 → d = x + 8 … (2)

Equating (1) and (2): 3x − 24 = x + 8 ⇒ 2x = 32 ⇒ x = 16 Then d = x + 8 = 24

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Read the following two passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only. Rivers are often viewed only as sources of water for irrigation, drinking, or hydropower, but their geographical role extends far beyond this. A river sustains entire ecosystems, recharges groundwater, transports fertile silt that renews floodplains, and shapes human settlements through centuries of interaction. However, excessive damming, pollution, and sand mining disrupt these natural processes. When a river’s flow is artificially altered, it affects not only aquatic biodiversity but also agriculture, soil fertility, and the livelihoods that depend on periodic flooding and silt deposition. Sustainable river management, therefore, requires recognising rivers as living systems that maintain a delicate balance between ecological function and human need. Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message conveyed by the author of the passage? (a) Rivers should be used primarily for hydropower generation to meet energy needs. (b) Human intervention in river systems should aim to balance ecological sustainability with economic benefits. (c) River pollution and dam construction should be completely banned to preserve biodiversity. (d) Agricultural development depends exclusively on maintaining a river’s natural flow. Correct Answer: (b) Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The passage explicitly criticises viewing rivers merely as utilitarian sources of water or energy, warning that such a narrow view disrupts natural processes. Option (b) is correct: The author’s main argument is that sustainable management “requires recognising rivers as living systems” and maintaining “a balance between ecological function and human need.” This captures both environmental and economic dimensions, reflecting a pragmatic and balanced message. Option (c) is incorrect: The author does not advocate an absolute ban but calls for moderation and sustainability in human intervention. Option (d) is incorrect: Although agriculture benefits from natural river processes, the passage does not claim exclusivity. Other factors like rainfall, soil type, and human management also matter. Hence, option (b) best summarises the critical message. Incorrect Answer: (b) Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The passage explicitly criticises viewing rivers merely as utilitarian sources of water or energy, warning that such a narrow view disrupts natural processes. Option (b) is correct: The author’s main argument is that sustainable management “requires recognising rivers as living systems” and maintaining “a balance between ecological function and human need.” This captures both environmental and economic dimensions, reflecting a pragmatic and balanced message. Option (c) is incorrect: The author does not advocate an absolute ban but calls for moderation and sustainability in human intervention. Option (d) is incorrect: Although agriculture benefits from natural river processes, the passage does not claim exclusivity. Other factors like rainfall, soil type, and human management also matter. Hence, option (b) best summarises the critical message.

#### 5. Question

Read the following two passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Rivers are often viewed only as sources of water for irrigation, drinking, or hydropower, but their geographical role extends far beyond this. A river sustains entire ecosystems, recharges groundwater, transports fertile silt that renews floodplains, and shapes human settlements through centuries of interaction. However, excessive damming, pollution, and sand mining disrupt these natural processes. When a river’s flow is artificially altered, it affects not only aquatic biodiversity but also agriculture, soil fertility, and the livelihoods that depend on periodic flooding and silt deposition. Sustainable river management, therefore, requires recognising rivers as living systems that maintain a delicate balance between ecological function and human need.

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

• (a) Rivers should be used primarily for hydropower generation to meet energy needs.

• (b) Human intervention in river systems should aim to balance ecological sustainability with economic benefits.

• (c) River pollution and dam construction should be completely banned to preserve biodiversity.

• (d) Agricultural development depends exclusively on maintaining a river’s natural flow.

Answer: (b)

Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The passage explicitly criticises viewing rivers merely as utilitarian sources of water or energy, warning that such a narrow view disrupts natural processes. Option (b) is correct: The author’s main argument is that sustainable management “requires recognising rivers as living systems” and maintaining “a balance between ecological function and human need.” This captures both environmental and economic dimensions, reflecting a pragmatic and balanced message. Option (c) is incorrect: The author does not advocate an absolute ban but calls for moderation and sustainability in human intervention. Option (d) is incorrect: Although agriculture benefits from natural river processes, the passage does not claim exclusivity. Other factors like rainfall, soil type, and human management also matter. Hence, option (b) best summarises the critical message.

Answer: (b)

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