UPSC Insta–DART (Daily Aptitude and Reasoning Test) 29 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).

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• Question 1 of 5 1. Question In global governance, the language is similar, but the intentions behind it are not always the same. States publicly endorse human rights, international law, and multilateral cooperation, yet often violate these principles when strategic or economic interests are at stake. Powerful countries may selectively invoke international norms to criticise rivals while overlooking similar violations by allies. Smaller states, meanwhile, may comply with global rules not only out of conviction but also due to dependence on aid, trade, or security guarantees. This gap between rhetoric and practice does not render moral commitments meaningless; rather, it reveals the constant tension between ideal principles and power politics. The task before the international community is to strengthen mechanisms that hold all states accountable, so that norms are not merely tools of convenience but genuinely shape behaviour in a fair and consistent manner. Which one of the following statements best reflects the corollary to the above passage? (a) International norms are irrelevant because states always act only in self-interest. (b) Power politics must completely replace moral principles in foreign policy. (c) Strengthening fair and consistent accountability mechanisms is essential to make international norms meaningful. (d) Smaller states should ignore global rules to protect their sovereignty. Correct Answer: (c) Explanation: Option (c) is correct: The passage clearly concludes that the challenge is to strengthen mechanisms of accountability so that norms are applied fairly and consistently, rather than selectively. Option (a) is incorrect: The passage explicitly rejects the idea that moral commitments are meaningless; it says they remain important despite tensions. Option (b) is incorrect: The passage calls for reconciling power and principle, not replacing norms with pure power politics. Option (d) is incorrect: The passage does not advocate norm-breaking by smaller states; it stresses fair application of norms to all states. Incorrect Answer: (c) Explanation: Option (c) is correct: The passage clearly concludes that the challenge is to strengthen mechanisms of accountability so that norms are applied fairly and consistently, rather than selectively. Option (a) is incorrect: The passage explicitly rejects the idea that moral commitments are meaningless; it says they remain important despite tensions. Option (b) is incorrect: The passage calls for reconciling power and principle, not replacing norms with pure power politics. Option (d) is incorrect: The passage does not advocate norm-breaking by smaller states; it stresses fair application of norms to all states.

#### 1. Question

In global governance, the language is similar, but the intentions behind it are not always the same. States publicly endorse human rights, international law, and multilateral cooperation, yet often violate these principles when strategic or economic interests are at stake. Powerful countries may selectively invoke international norms to criticise rivals while overlooking similar violations by allies. Smaller states, meanwhile, may comply with global rules not only out of conviction but also due to dependence on aid, trade, or security guarantees. This gap between rhetoric and practice does not render moral commitments meaningless; rather, it reveals the constant tension between ideal principles and power politics. The task before the international community is to strengthen mechanisms that hold all states accountable, so that norms are not merely tools of convenience but genuinely shape behaviour in a fair and consistent manner.

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

• (a) International norms are irrelevant because states always act only in self-interest.

• (b) Power politics must completely replace moral principles in foreign policy.

• (c) Strengthening fair and consistent accountability mechanisms is essential to make international norms meaningful.

• (d) Smaller states should ignore global rules to protect their sovereignty.

Answer: (c)

Explanation: Option (c) is correct: The passage clearly concludes that the challenge is to strengthen mechanisms of accountability so that norms are applied fairly and consistently, rather than selectively. Option (a) is incorrect: The passage explicitly rejects the idea that moral commitments are meaningless; it says they remain important despite tensions. Option (b) is incorrect: The passage calls for reconciling power and principle, not replacing norms with pure power politics. Option (d) is incorrect: The passage does not advocate norm-breaking by smaller states; it stresses fair application of norms to all states.

Answer: (c)

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: I. Selective application of international norms undermines their credibility and effectiveness. II. It is possible to design institutions that constrain powerful states as well as weak ones. 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 highlights that powerful states invoke norms selectively and that this gap between rhetoric and practice is a problem—implying that such selectivity weakens the legitimacy and effectiveness of those norms. Assumption II is also valid: The passage calls for strengthening mechanisms that hold all states accountable, which presupposes that institutions can, at least in principle, be designed to apply constraints even to powerful states. Hence, both Assumptions I and II are valid. Incorrect Answer: (c) Explanation: Assumption I is valid: The passage highlights that powerful states invoke norms selectively and that this gap between rhetoric and practice is a problem—implying that such selectivity weakens the legitimacy and effectiveness of those norms. Assumption II is also valid: The passage calls for strengthening mechanisms that hold all states accountable, which presupposes that institutions can, at least in principle, be designed to apply constraints even to powerful states. Hence, both Assumptions I and II are valid.

#### 2. Question

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: I. Selective application of international norms undermines their credibility and effectiveness. II. It is possible to design institutions that constrain powerful states as well as weak ones.

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 highlights that powerful states invoke norms selectively and that this gap between rhetoric and practice is a problem—implying that such selectivity weakens the legitimacy and effectiveness of those norms. Assumption II is also valid: The passage calls for strengthening mechanisms that hold all states accountable, which presupposes that institutions can, at least in principle, be designed to apply constraints even to powerful states. Hence, both Assumptions I and II are valid.

Answer: (c)

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question As societies become more urban and technologically driven, the pace of life accelerates and human interactions grow increasingly transactional. Digital platforms offer unprecedented connectivity, yet many people report heightened loneliness and emotional detachment. Virtual communication often replaces deeper, face-to-face relationships, weakening the sense of belonging that once emerged from neighbourhoods, shared rituals, and collective experiences. Sociologists argue that without meaningful human connections, individuals struggle to find purpose, and communities lose the trust that enables cooperation. Even as material comforts increase, a deficit of empathy and shared identity can fuel anxiety, polarization, and social fragmentation. Rebuilding social bonds through genuine engagement and shared spaces is therefore essential for healthy, resilient societies. Which one of the following statements best reflects the corollary to the above passage? (a) Strengthening real, meaningful human connections is essential to prevent social fragmentation. (b) Digital communication can fully replace traditional forms of social bonding. (c) Loneliness is purely a personal failing unrelated to societal structures. (d) Increasing material prosperity automatically improves emotional well-being. Correct Answer: (a) Explanation: Option (a) is correct because the passage concludes that rebuilding meaningful human connections is necessary to sustain emotional well-being and community resilience. Option (b) is incorrect: the passage suggests digital communication often weakens deeper relationships. Option (c) is incorrect: loneliness is shown as a structural outcome of modern life, not merely personal failure. Option (d) is incorrect: the passage clearly states that material prosperity does not guarantee emotional or social health. Incorrect Answer: (a) Explanation: Option (a) is correct because the passage concludes that rebuilding meaningful human connections is necessary to sustain emotional well-being and community resilience. Option (b) is incorrect: the passage suggests digital communication often weakens deeper relationships. Option (c) is incorrect: loneliness is shown as a structural outcome of modern life, not merely personal failure. Option (d) is incorrect: the passage clearly states that material prosperity does not guarantee emotional or social health.

#### 3. Question

As societies become more urban and technologically driven, the pace of life accelerates and human interactions grow increasingly transactional. Digital platforms offer unprecedented connectivity, yet many people report heightened loneliness and emotional detachment. Virtual communication often replaces deeper, face-to-face relationships, weakening the sense of belonging that once emerged from neighbourhoods, shared rituals, and collective experiences. Sociologists argue that without meaningful human connections, individuals struggle to find purpose, and communities lose the trust that enables cooperation. Even as material comforts increase, a deficit of empathy and shared identity can fuel anxiety, polarization, and social fragmentation. Rebuilding social bonds through genuine engagement and shared spaces is therefore essential for healthy, resilient societies.

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

• (a) Strengthening real, meaningful human connections is essential to prevent social fragmentation.

• (b) Digital communication can fully replace traditional forms of social bonding.

• (c) Loneliness is purely a personal failing unrelated to societal structures.

• (d) Increasing material prosperity automatically improves emotional well-being.

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Option (a) is correct because the passage concludes that rebuilding meaningful human connections is necessary to sustain emotional well-being and community resilience. Option (b) is incorrect: the passage suggests digital communication often weakens deeper relationships. Option (c) is incorrect: loneliness is shown as a structural outcome of modern life, not merely personal failure. Option (d) is incorrect: the passage clearly states that material prosperity does not guarantee emotional or social health.

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: I. Emotional well-being is closely linked to meaningful, trust-based social relationships. II. Excessive reliance on virtual interactions can erode a community’s sense of shared identity. 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 because the passage directly states that individuals struggle to find purpose without meaningful human connections. Assumption II is valid as well: the passage argues that digital and transactional interactions weaken belonging, trust, and shared identity. Thus, both assumptions logically follow from the passage. Incorrect Answer: (c) Explanation: Assumption I is valid because the passage directly states that individuals struggle to find purpose without meaningful human connections. Assumption II is valid as well: the passage argues that digital and transactional interactions weaken belonging, trust, and shared identity. Thus, both assumptions logically follow from the passage.

#### 4. Question

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

I. Emotional well-being is closely linked to meaningful, trust-based social relationships. II. Excessive reliance on virtual interactions can erode a community’s sense of shared identity.

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 because the passage directly states that individuals struggle to find purpose without meaningful human connections. Assumption II is valid as well: the passage argues that digital and transactional interactions weaken belonging, trust, and shared identity. Thus, both assumptions logically follow from the passage.

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question If an office observes all Sundays and only the first and third Saturdays as holidays, what is the maximum number of possible working days in any month? (a) 26 (b) 25 (c) 24 (d) 23 Correct Answer: (b) Solution: To get the maximum number of working days, we consider a month with 31 days and minimum holidays. In 31 days: → 31 ÷ 7 = 4 full weeks + 3 extra days → So, there are at least 4 Sundays. Depending on the starting day, there may be a 5th Sunday. For maximum working days, assume only 4 Sundays, and only 2 Saturdays off (1st & 3rd Saturdays). Total holidays = 4 Sundays + 2 Saturdays = 6 holidays ⇒ Working days = 31 − 6 = 25 Incorrect Answer: (b) Solution: To get the maximum number of working days, we consider a month with 31 days and minimum holidays. In 31 days: → 31 ÷ 7 = 4 full weeks + 3 extra days → So, there are at least 4 Sundays. Depending on the starting day, there may be a 5th Sunday. For maximum working days, assume only 4 Sundays, and only 2 Saturdays off (1st & 3rd Saturdays). Total holidays = 4 Sundays + 2 Saturdays = 6 holidays ⇒ Working days = 31 − 6 = 25

#### 5. Question

If an office observes all Sundays and only the first and third Saturdays as holidays, what is the maximum number of possible working days in any month?

Answer: (b)

Solution: To get the maximum number of working days, we consider a month with 31 days and minimum holidays.

In 31 days: → 31 ÷ 7 = 4 full weeks + 3 extra days → So, there are at least 4 Sundays. Depending on the starting day, there may be a 5th Sunday.

For maximum working days, assume only 4 Sundays, and only 2 Saturdays off (1st & 3rd Saturdays). Total holidays = 4 Sundays + 2 Saturdays = 6 holidays ⇒ Working days = 31 − 6 = 25

Answer: (b)

Solution: To get the maximum number of working days, we consider a month with 31 days and minimum holidays.

In 31 days: → 31 ÷ 7 = 4 full weeks + 3 extra days → So, there are at least 4 Sundays. Depending on the starting day, there may be a 5th Sunday.

For maximum working days, assume only 4 Sundays, and only 2 Saturdays off (1st & 3rd Saturdays). Total holidays = 4 Sundays + 2 Saturdays = 6 holidays ⇒ Working days = 31 − 6 = 25

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