UPSC Insta–DART (Daily Aptitude and Reasoning Test) 4 Aug 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
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 Consider the following question and the statements that follows: Question: What is the average age of five family members? Statement 1: The ages are five consecutive even numbers. Statement 2: The sum of their ages is 210. (a) Statement-1 is sufficient (b) Statement-2 is sufficient (c) Both the statements together are sufficient (d) Both the statements are not sufficient Correct Answer: (b) Solution Statement 1 alone: We don’t know which even numbers ⇒ not sufficient. Statement 2 alone: Average = sum ÷ count = 210 ÷ 5 = 42 ⇒ sufficient. Statement-2 is sufficient. Incorrect Answer: (b) Solution Statement 1 alone: We don’t know which even numbers ⇒ not sufficient. Statement 2 alone: Average = sum ÷ count = 210 ÷ 5 = 42 ⇒ sufficient. Statement-2 is sufficient.
#### 1. Question
Consider the following question and the statements that follows:
Question: What is the average age of five family members?
Statement 1: The ages are five consecutive even numbers. Statement 2: The sum of their ages is 210.
• (a) Statement-1 is sufficient
• (b) Statement-2 is sufficient
• (c) Both the statements together are sufficient
• (d) Both the statements are not sufficient
Answer: (b)
Solution
Statement 1 alone: We don’t know which even numbers ⇒ not sufficient.
Statement 2 alone: Average = sum ÷ count = 210 ÷ 5 = 42 ⇒ sufficient.
Statement-2 is sufficient.
Answer: (b)
Solution
Statement 1 alone: We don’t know which even numbers ⇒ not sufficient.
Statement 2 alone: Average = sum ÷ count = 210 ÷ 5 = 42 ⇒ sufficient.
Statement-2 is sufficient.
• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Let the digits A, B, and C form a three-digit number ABC. The sum of ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CAB, and CBA (i.e., all 6 permutations) is always divisible by: (a) 9 (b) 222 (c) 333 (d) 666 Correct Answer: B Solution: List all permutations of ABC: ABC = 100A + 10B + C ACB = 100A + 10C + B BAC = 100B + 10A + C BCA = 100B + 10C + A CAB = 100C + 10A + B CBA = 100C + 10B + A Add all: Group by digit positions: Hundreds place: 100A (twice) → 2×100A = 200A 100B (twice) = 200B 100C (twice) = 200C → Total = 200(A + B + C) Tens place: 10B, 10C, 10A, 10C, 10A, 10B = two of each → 20(A + B + C) Units place: C, B, C, A, B, A = two of each → 2(A + B + C) Now total sum: =200(A+B+C)+20(A+B+C)+2(A+B+C)=(200+20+2)(A+B+C)=222(A+B+C) So the sum is always divisible by 222 Incorrect Answer: B Solution: List all permutations of ABC: ABC = 100A + 10B + C ACB = 100A + 10C + B BAC = 100B + 10A + C BCA = 100B + 10C + A CAB = 100C + 10A + B CBA = 100C + 10B + A Add all: Group by digit positions: Hundreds place: 100A (twice) → 2×100A = 200A 100B (twice) = 200B 100C (twice) = 200C → Total = 200(A + B + C) Tens place: 10B, 10C, 10A, 10C, 10A, 10B = two of each → 20(A + B + C) Units place: C, B, C, A, B, A = two of each → 2(A + B + C) Now total sum: =200(A+B+C)+20(A+B+C)+2(A+B+C)=(200+20+2)(A+B+C)=222(A+B+C) So the sum is always divisible by 222
#### 2. Question
Let the digits A, B, and C form a three-digit number ABC. The sum of ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CAB, and CBA (i.e., all 6 permutations) is always divisible by:
Solution:
List all permutations of ABC:
• ABC = 100A + 10B + C
• ACB = 100A + 10C + B
• BAC = 100B + 10A + C
• BCA = 100B + 10C + A
• CAB = 100C + 10A + B
• CBA = 100C + 10B + A
Group by digit positions:
Hundreds place:
• 100A (twice) → 2×100A = 200A
• 100B (twice) = 200B
• 100C (twice) = 200C
→ Total = 200(A + B + C)
Tens place:
• 10B, 10C, 10A, 10C, 10A, 10B = two of each → 20(A + B + C)
Units place:
• C, B, C, A, B, A = two of each → 2(A + B + C)
Now total sum:
=200(A+B+C)+20(A+B+C)+2(A+B+C)=(200+20+2)(A+B+C)=222(A+B+C)
So the sum is always divisible by 222
Solution:
List all permutations of ABC:
• ABC = 100A + 10B + C
• ACB = 100A + 10C + B
• BAC = 100B + 10A + C
• BCA = 100B + 10C + A
• CAB = 100C + 10A + B
• CBA = 100C + 10B + A
Group by digit positions:
Hundreds place:
• 100A (twice) → 2×100A = 200A
• 100B (twice) = 200B
• 100C (twice) = 200C
→ Total = 200(A + B + C)
Tens place:
• 10B, 10C, 10A, 10C, 10A, 10B = two of each → 20(A + B + C)
Units place:
• C, B, C, A, B, A = two of each → 2(A + B + C)
Now total sum:
=200(A+B+C)+20(A+B+C)+2(A+B+C)=(200+20+2)(A+B+C)=222(A+B+C)
So the sum is always divisible by 222
• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Gross Capital Formation (GCF) in agriculture reflects the level of investment made in the sector—such as on irrigation, machinery, storage, and infrastructure. Despite agriculture employing over 40% of India’s workforce, the share of GCF in agriculture as a percentage of total GCF has been declining over the past decade. This trend indicates a growing neglect of capital investment in the sector. While subsidies on inputs like fertilizer and electricity continue to rise, long-term capital formation—crucial for enhancing productivity and sustainability—lags behind. Experts suggest that unless policy shifts toward incentivising capital creation through public and private investment, Indian agriculture will struggle to modernise and remain vulnerable to climate shocks and low returns. Which one of the following statements best reflects the central argument of the passage? (a) Rising input subsidies are the most effective way to boost agricultural productivity. (b) Declining investment in capital formation is a key obstacle to agricultural modernisation. (c) Agricultural employment must be reduced to achieve higher capital formation. (d) Climate shocks can be prevented by increasing fertilizer and electricity subsidies. Correct Answer: (b) Declining investment in capital formation is a key obstacle to agricultural modernisation. Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The passage critiques the rising input subsidies and contrasts them with underinvestment in capital. Option (b) is correct: This is the core argument of the passage. It highlights the falling GCF in agriculture and the risks it poses to modernisation and resilience. Option (c) is incorrect: The passage mentions agricultural employment but does not link employment reduction to capital formation. Option (d) is incorrect: Climate shocks are mentioned as risks, but increasing subsidies is not presented as a preventive solution. Incorrect Answer: (b) Declining investment in capital formation is a key obstacle to agricultural modernisation. Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The passage critiques the rising input subsidies and contrasts them with underinvestment in capital. Option (b) is correct: This is the core argument of the passage. It highlights the falling GCF in agriculture and the risks it poses to modernisation and resilience. Option (c) is incorrect: The passage mentions agricultural employment but does not link employment reduction to capital formation. Option (d) is incorrect: Climate shocks are mentioned as risks, but increasing subsidies is not presented as a preventive solution.
#### 3. Question
Gross Capital Formation (GCF) in agriculture reflects the level of investment made in the sector—such as on irrigation, machinery, storage, and infrastructure. Despite agriculture employing over 40% of India’s workforce, the share of GCF in agriculture as a percentage of total GCF has been declining over the past decade. This trend indicates a growing neglect of capital investment in the sector. While subsidies on inputs like fertilizer and electricity continue to rise, long-term capital formation—crucial for enhancing productivity and sustainability—lags behind. Experts suggest that unless policy shifts toward incentivising capital creation through public and private investment, Indian agriculture will struggle to modernise and remain vulnerable to climate shocks and low returns.
Which one of the following statements best reflects the central argument of the passage?
• (a) Rising input subsidies are the most effective way to boost agricultural productivity.
• (b) Declining investment in capital formation is a key obstacle to agricultural modernisation.
• (c) Agricultural employment must be reduced to achieve higher capital formation.
• (d) Climate shocks can be prevented by increasing fertilizer and electricity subsidies.
Answer: (b) Declining investment in capital formation is a key obstacle to agricultural modernisation.
Explanation:
• Option (a) is incorrect: The passage critiques the rising input subsidies and contrasts them with underinvestment in capital.
• Option (b) is correct: This is the core argument of the passage. It highlights the falling GCF in agriculture and the risks it poses to modernisation and resilience.
• Option (c) is incorrect: The passage mentions agricultural employment but does not link employment reduction to capital formation.
• Option (d) is incorrect: Climate shocks are mentioned as risks, but increasing subsidies is not presented as a preventive solution.
Answer: (b) Declining investment in capital formation is a key obstacle to agricultural modernisation.
Explanation:
• Option (a) is incorrect: The passage critiques the rising input subsidies and contrasts them with underinvestment in capital.
• Option (b) is correct: This is the core argument of the passage. It highlights the falling GCF in agriculture and the risks it poses to modernisation and resilience.
• Option (c) is incorrect: The passage mentions agricultural employment but does not link employment reduction to capital formation.
• Option (d) is incorrect: Climate shocks are mentioned as risks, but increasing subsidies is not presented as a preventive solution.
• Question 4 of 5 4. Question With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: I. Long-term agricultural productivity depends on sustained capital investment. II. A higher share of capital formation in agriculture would reduce the sector’s vulnerability to external shocks. 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) Both I and II Explanation: Assumption I is valid: The passage explicitly states that capital formation is crucial for enhancing productivity and sustainability, making this a directly supported assumption. Assumption II is also valid: The passage mentions that low investment leaves agriculture vulnerable to climate shocks. This implies that higher capital formation could mitigate such vulnerabilities. Thus, both assumptions are logically derived from the text. Incorrect Answer: (c) Both I and II Explanation: Assumption I is valid: The passage explicitly states that capital formation is crucial for enhancing productivity and sustainability, making this a directly supported assumption. Assumption II is also valid: The passage mentions that low investment leaves agriculture vulnerable to climate shocks. This implies that higher capital formation could mitigate such vulnerabilities. Thus, both assumptions are logically derived from the text.
#### 4. Question
With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
I. Long-term agricultural productivity depends on sustained capital investment. II. A higher share of capital formation in agriculture would reduce the sector’s vulnerability to external shocks.
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) Both I and II
Explanation:
• Assumption I is valid: The passage explicitly states that capital formation is crucial for enhancing productivity and sustainability, making this a directly supported assumption.
• Assumption II is also valid: The passage mentions that low investment leaves agriculture vulnerable to climate shocks. This implies that higher capital formation could mitigate such vulnerabilities.
Thus, both assumptions are logically derived from the text.
Answer: (c) Both I and II
Explanation:
• Assumption I is valid: The passage explicitly states that capital formation is crucial for enhancing productivity and sustainability, making this a directly supported assumption.
• Assumption II is also valid: The passage mentions that low investment leaves agriculture vulnerable to climate shocks. This implies that higher capital formation could mitigate such vulnerabilities.
Thus, both assumptions are logically derived from the text.
• Question 5 of 5 5. Question In recent years, the Indian banking system has witnessed a surge in non-performing assets (NPAs), much of it stemming from large corporate loan defaults. While public attention often focuses on small borrowers, it is the willful default by powerful business groups that has led to significant erosion of banking capital. These defaults not only burden taxpayers—through repeated bank recapitalisation—but also distort credit allocation, making it harder for genuine businesses and MSMEs to access finance. Addressing this issue requires more than stricter recovery mechanisms; it demands reforms in corporate governance, greater transparency in loan disbursal, and accountability of both lenders and borrowers. Without systemic reform, the cycle of reckless lending and strategic default will continue to undermine financial stability. Which one of the following statements best reflects the central idea conveyed by the passage? (a) Loan defaults by small borrowers are the main cause of India’s banking crisis. (b) The solution to rising NPAs lies only in aggressive loan recovery by enforcement agencies. (c) Corporate governance reforms and accountability are essential to prevent strategic defaults by big borrowers. (d) Public sector banks should stop lending to large corporate houses altogether. Correct Answer: C Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The passage explicitly states that large corporate defaults are the primary concern, not small borrowers. Option (b) is incorrect: The author clearly says that stricter recovery alone is not enough; systemic reform is needed. Option (c) is correct: This captures the central message—that corporate governance, transparency, and accountability are crucial to breaking the cycle of willful default. Option (d) is incorrect: The passage does not suggest a blanket ban on corporate lending but rather calls for reforms to ensure responsible borrowing and lending. Incorrect Answer: C Explanation: Option (a) is incorrect: The passage explicitly states that large corporate defaults are the primary concern, not small borrowers. Option (b) is incorrect: The author clearly says that stricter recovery alone is not enough; systemic reform is needed. Option (c) is correct: This captures the central message—that corporate governance, transparency, and accountability are crucial to breaking the cycle of willful default. Option (d) is incorrect: The passage does not suggest a blanket ban on corporate lending but rather calls for reforms to ensure responsible borrowing and lending.
#### 5. Question
In recent years, the Indian banking system has witnessed a surge in non-performing assets (NPAs), much of it stemming from large corporate loan defaults. While public attention often focuses on small borrowers, it is the willful default by powerful business groups that has led to significant erosion of banking capital. These defaults not only burden taxpayers—through repeated bank recapitalisation—but also distort credit allocation, making it harder for genuine businesses and MSMEs to access finance. Addressing this issue requires more than stricter recovery mechanisms; it demands reforms in corporate governance, greater transparency in loan disbursal, and accountability of both lenders and borrowers. Without systemic reform, the cycle of reckless lending and strategic default will continue to undermine financial stability.
Which one of the following statements best reflects the central idea conveyed by the passage?
• (a) Loan defaults by small borrowers are the main cause of India’s banking crisis.
• (b) The solution to rising NPAs lies only in aggressive loan recovery by enforcement agencies.
• (c) Corporate governance reforms and accountability are essential to prevent strategic defaults by big borrowers.
• (d) Public sector banks should stop lending to large corporate houses altogether.
Answer: C
Explanation:
• Option (a) is incorrect: The passage explicitly states that large corporate defaults are the primary concern, not small borrowers.
• Option (b) is incorrect: The author clearly says that stricter recovery alone is not enough; systemic reform is needed.
• Option (c) is correct: This captures the central message—that corporate governance, transparency, and accountability are crucial to breaking the cycle of willful default.
• Option (d) is incorrect: The passage does not suggest a blanket ban on corporate lending but rather calls for reforms to ensure responsible borrowing and lending.
Answer: C
Explanation:
• Option (a) is incorrect: The passage explicitly states that large corporate defaults are the primary concern, not small borrowers.
• Option (b) is incorrect: The author clearly says that stricter recovery alone is not enough; systemic reform is needed.
• Option (c) is correct: This captures the central message—that corporate governance, transparency, and accountability are crucial to breaking the cycle of willful default.
• Option (d) is incorrect: The passage does not suggest a blanket ban on corporate lending but rather calls for reforms to ensure responsible borrowing and lending.
• Official Facebook Page HERE
• Follow our Twitter Account HERE