UPSC Insta–DART (Daily Aptitude and Reasoning Test) 31 Jan 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).

#### Quiz-summary

0 of 5 questions completed

Questions:

#### Information

Best of Luck! 🙂

You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.

Quiz is loading...

You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.

You have to finish following quiz, to start this quiz:

0 of 5 questions answered correctly

Your time:

Time has elapsed

You have reached 0 of 0 points, (0)

#### Categories

• Not categorized 0%

• Question 1 of 5 1. Question Set A contains all the odd numbers between 101 and 151, both inclusive. Set B contains all the odd numbers between 221 and 271, both inclusive. What is the difference between the sum of the elements of set A and that of set B? (a) 2520 (b) 2880 (c) 3000 (d) 3120 Correct Answer: (d) Set A: {101, 103, 105, …, 151} → Set of 26 consecutive positive odd numbers Set B: {221, 223, 225, …, 271} → Set of 26 consecutive positive odd numbers Difference between the 1st terms = 221 − 101 = 120, between 2nd terms also 120, and so on. Each term in set B is 120 more than the corresponding term in set A. So, total difference = 26 × 120 = 3120. Hence option (d) is correct. Incorrect Answer: (d) Set A: {101, 103, 105, …, 151} → Set of 26 consecutive positive odd numbers Set B: {221, 223, 225, …, 271} → Set of 26 consecutive positive odd numbers Difference between the 1st terms = 221 − 101 = 120, between 2nd terms also 120, and so on. Each term in set B is 120 more than the corresponding term in set A. So, total difference = 26 × 120 = 3120. Hence option (d) is correct.

#### 1. Question

Set A contains all the odd numbers between 101 and 151, both inclusive. Set B contains all the odd numbers between 221 and 271, both inclusive. What is the difference between the sum of the elements of set A and that of set B?

Answer: (d) Set A: {101, 103, 105, …, 151} → Set of 26 consecutive positive odd numbers Set B: {221, 223, 225, …, 271} → Set of 26 consecutive positive odd numbers Difference between the 1st terms = 221 − 101 = 120, between 2nd terms also 120, and so on. Each term in set B is 120 more than the corresponding term in set A. So, total difference = 26 × 120 = 3120. Hence option (d) is correct.

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question A student must respond to 10 of the 12 questions in an exam. It is required to answer 4 questions from section A and 5 questions from section B. If there are the same number of questions in both sections, in how many ways can the student attempt the paper? (a) 180 (b) 240 (c) 270 (d) 300 Correct Answer: (c) Solution: Given that, Total questions = 12, student must answer = 10 Same number of questions in both sections So section A = 6 questions and section B = 6 questions It is required to answer 4 from A and 5 from B, i.e. total = 9 So 1 more question must be answered from the remaining questions Now, Ways to choose 4 from A = 6C4 = 15 Ways to choose 5 from B = 6C5 = 6 Remaining questions after this: In A remaining = 6 − 4 = 2 In B remaining = 6 − 5 = 1 Total remaining = 3 Ways to choose 1 more = 3C1 = 3 Total ways = 15 × 6 × 3 = 270 Hence, option (c) is correct. Incorrect Answer: (c) Solution: Given that, Total questions = 12, student must answer = 10 Same number of questions in both sections So section A = 6 questions and section B = 6 questions It is required to answer 4 from A and 5 from B, i.e. total = 9 So 1 more question must be answered from the remaining questions Now, Ways to choose 4 from A = 6C4 = 15 Ways to choose 5 from B = 6C5 = 6 Remaining questions after this: In A remaining = 6 − 4 = 2 In B remaining = 6 − 5 = 1 Total remaining = 3 Ways to choose 1 more = 3C1 = 3 Total ways = 15 × 6 × 3 = 270 Hence, option (c) is correct.

#### 2. Question

A student must respond to 10 of the 12 questions in an exam. It is required to answer 4 questions from section A and 5 questions from section B. If there are the same number of questions in both sections, in how many ways can the student attempt the paper?

Answer: (c)

Given that,

Total questions = 12, student must answer = 10 Same number of questions in both sections So section A = 6 questions and section B = 6 questions

It is required to answer 4 from A and 5 from B, i.e. total = 9 So 1 more question must be answered from the remaining questions

Ways to choose 4 from A = 6C4 = 15 Ways to choose 5 from B = 6C5 = 6

Remaining questions after this: In A remaining = 6 − 4 = 2 In B remaining = 6 − 5 = 1 Total remaining = 3

Ways to choose 1 more = 3C1 = 3

Total ways = 15 × 6 × 3 = 270

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Answer: (c)

Given that,

Total questions = 12, student must answer = 10 Same number of questions in both sections So section A = 6 questions and section B = 6 questions

It is required to answer 4 from A and 5 from B, i.e. total = 9 So 1 more question must be answered from the remaining questions

Ways to choose 4 from A = 6C4 = 15 Ways to choose 5 from B = 6C5 = 6

Remaining questions after this: In A remaining = 6 − 4 = 2 In B remaining = 6 − 5 = 1 Total remaining = 3

Ways to choose 1 more = 3C1 = 3

Total ways = 15 × 6 × 3 = 270

Hence, option (c) is correct.

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question What is the least number that should be added to the product 456*7 to make it a perfect square? (a) 1 (b) 36 (c) 121 (d) 196 Correct Incorrect

#### 3. Question

What is the least number that should be added to the product 456*7 to make it a perfect square?

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question A number becomes one-fourth of its original value when 15 is subtracted from it. What is three-fourths of that number? (a) More than 15 (b) Less than 15 (c) Equal to 15 (d) Cannot be determined Correct Answer: (c) Solution: Given that, Let the original number be x. According to the question, x − 15 = x/4 Now, x − x/4 = 15 3x/4 = 15 x = 20 Now, Three-fourths of the number = 3/4 × 20 = 15 Hence, option (c) is correct. Incorrect Answer: (c) Solution: Given that, Let the original number be x. According to the question, x − 15 = x/4 Now, x − x/4 = 15 3x/4 = 15 x = 20 Now, Three-fourths of the number = 3/4 × 20 = 15 Hence, option (c) is correct.

#### 4. Question

A number becomes one-fourth of its original value when 15 is subtracted from it. What is three-fourths of that number?

• (a) More than 15

• (b) Less than 15

• (c) Equal to 15

• (d) Cannot be determined

Answer: (c)

Solution:

Given that,

Let the original number be x.

According to the question,

x − 15 = x/4

x − x/4 = 15 3x/4 = 15

Three-fourths of the number = 3/4 × 20 = 15

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Answer: (c)

Solution:

Given that,

Let the original number be x.

According to the question,

x − 15 = x/4

x − x/4 = 15 3x/4 = 15

Three-fourths of the number = 3/4 × 20 = 15

Hence, option (c) is correct.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question The discourse on global energy transition often centers on the rapid substitution of fossil fuels with renewable technologies. While this technological shift is imperative for climate stability, it frequently overlooks the socio-economic dimensions specific to developing nations. In these economies, fossil fuel industries are not merely energy sources but deeply embedded socio-economic ecosystems providing livelihoods and fiscal stability. Consequently, a transition framework that prioritizes speed over equity risks exacerbating regional inequalities. Unlike the post-industrial transitions of the West, emerging economies must navigate decarbonization while simultaneously addressing energy poverty and industrialization imperatives. Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message of the passage? (a) Developing nations should delay their energy transition until they achieve industrial parity with the West. (b) The primary obstacle to energy transition in developing economies is the lack of renewable technology. (c) A just energy transition in emerging economies requires balancing decarbonization with livelihood security and development goals. (d) Fossil fuel industries in developing nations are too economically vital to be replaced by renewable alternatives. Correct Answer: (c) Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The passage argues for a nuanced approach (navigating decarbonization alongside development), not a complete delay of the transition. Option (b) is incorrect: The passage focuses on “socio-economic dimensions” and “livelihoods,” not a lack of technology. Option (c) is correct: The passage explicitly contrasts the “speed” of transition with “equity” and emphasizes that emerging economies must address “energy poverty and industrialization” while decarbonizing. This captures the central balance discussed. Option (d) is incorrect: This is an extreme interpretation. The passage acknowledges fossil fuels are “deeply embedded,” but suggests the framework of transition needs to be equitable, not that replacement is impossible. Incorrect Answer: (c) Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The passage argues for a nuanced approach (navigating decarbonization alongside development), not a complete delay of the transition. Option (b) is incorrect: The passage focuses on “socio-economic dimensions” and “livelihoods,” not a lack of technology. Option (c) is correct: The passage explicitly contrasts the “speed” of transition with “equity” and emphasizes that emerging economies must address “energy poverty and industrialization” while decarbonizing. This captures the central balance discussed. Option (d) is incorrect: This is an extreme interpretation. The passage acknowledges fossil fuels are “deeply embedded,” but suggests the framework of transition needs to be equitable, not that replacement is impossible.

#### 5. Question

The discourse on global energy transition often centers on the rapid substitution of fossil fuels with renewable technologies. While this technological shift is imperative for climate stability, it frequently overlooks the socio-economic dimensions specific to developing nations. In these economies, fossil fuel industries are not merely energy sources but deeply embedded socio-economic ecosystems providing livelihoods and fiscal stability. Consequently, a transition framework that prioritizes speed over equity risks exacerbating regional inequalities. Unlike the post-industrial transitions of the West, emerging economies must navigate decarbonization while simultaneously addressing energy poverty and industrialization imperatives.

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

• (a) Developing nations should delay their energy transition until they achieve industrial parity with the West.

• (b) The primary obstacle to energy transition in developing economies is the lack of renewable technology.

• (c) A just energy transition in emerging economies requires balancing decarbonization with livelihood security and development goals.

• (d) Fossil fuel industries in developing nations are too economically vital to be replaced by renewable alternatives.

Answer: (c) Explanation:

• Option (a) is incorrect: The passage argues for a nuanced approach (navigating decarbonization alongside development), not a complete delay of the transition.

• Option (b) is incorrect: The passage focuses on “socio-economic dimensions” and “livelihoods,” not a lack of technology.

• Option (c) is correct: The passage explicitly contrasts the “speed” of transition with “equity” and emphasizes that emerging economies must address “energy poverty and industrialization” while decarbonizing. This captures the central balance discussed.

• Option (d) is incorrect: This is an extreme interpretation. The passage acknowledges fossil fuels are “deeply embedded,” but suggests the framework of transition needs to be equitable, not that replacement is impossible.

Answer: (c) Explanation:

• Option (a) is incorrect: The passage argues for a nuanced approach (navigating decarbonization alongside development), not a complete delay of the transition.

• Option (b) is incorrect: The passage focuses on “socio-economic dimensions” and “livelihoods,” not a lack of technology.

• Official Facebook Page HERE

• Follow our Twitter Account HERE