UPSC CSE Prelims CSAT (Paper II) previous year questions on Data Interpretation (Quantitative Ability), asked from 2011–2026, with answers. There are 40 questions in this post. Attempt each question, then click Show Answer to check.
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1] In a recruitment process, the selection of candidates is based on their performance in three components. The weightages of the components 1, 2 and 3 are 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5, respectively. Use the data given below and find the cutoff score if exactly three candidates are to be selected: [2026/70]
| Candidate | Score in component 1 | Score in component 2 | Score in component 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
| 2 | 4 | 6 | 5 |
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| 4 | 9 | 4 | 3 |
| 5 | 8 | 8 | 2 |
(a) 5.1
(b) 5.2
(c) 5.3
(d) 5.4
Show Answer
Ans: (a) 5.1
2] Consider the following table:
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Who is the fastest run scorer in the Test Match? [2021/45]
(a) A
(b) B
(c) C
(d) D
Show Answer
Ans: (b) B
3] Consider the following data:
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For which period was the natural growth rate maximum? [2020/52]
(a) 1911 – 1921
(b) 1941 – 1951
(c) 1961 – 1971
(d) 1971 – 1981
Show Answer
Ans: (d) 1971 – 1981
Directions for the following 3 (three) items:
The following three items are based on the graph given below which shows imports of three different types of steel over a period of six months of a year. Study the graph and answer the three items that follow.
The figures in the brackets indicate the average cost per ton over six months period.
4] By how much (measured in thousands of tons) did the import of sheet steel exceed the import of coil steel in the first three months of the year? [2018/11]
(a) 11
(b) 15
(c) 19
(d) 23
Show Answer
Ans: (c) 19
5] What was the approximate total value (in $) of sheet steel imported over the six months period? [2018/12]
(a) 45,555
(b) 50,555
(c) 55,550
(d) 65,750
Show Answer
Ans: (c) 55,550
6] What was the approximate ratio of sheet steel and scrap steel imports in the first three months of the year? [2018/13]
(a) 1: 1
(b) 1.2: 1
(c) 1.4: 1
(d) 1.6: 1
Show Answer
Ans: (b) 1.2: 1
7] Consider the following graph
Which one of the following statements is not correct with reference to the graph given above? [2018/61]
(a) On 1st June, the actual progress of work was less than expected.
(b) The actual rate of progress of work was the greatest during the month of August.
(c) The work was actually completed before the expected time.
(d) During the period from 1st April to 1st September, at no time was the actual progress more than the expected progress.
Show Answer
Ans: (d) During the period from 1st April to 1st September, at no time was the actual progress more than the expected progress.
8] For a sports meet, a winners’ stand comprising three wooden blocks is in the following form:
There are six different colours available to choose from and each of the three wooden blocks is to be painted such that no two of them has the same colour. In how many different ways can the winners’ stand be painted? [2018/62]
(a) 120
(b) 81
(c) 66
(d) 36
Show Answer
Ans: (a) 120
Direction for the following 2 (two) items
Consider the following graph in which the birthrate and death rate of a country are given and answer the two items that follow.
9] Looking at the graph, it can be inferred that from 1990 to 2010? [2018/63]
(a) population growth rate has increased
(b) population growth rate has decreased
(c) growth rate of population has remained stable
(d) population growth rate shows no trend
Show Answer
Ans: (d) population growth rate shows no trend
10] With reference to the above graph, consider the following statements considering 1970 as base year:
1. Population has stabilized after 35 years.
2. Population growth rate has stabilized after 35 years.
3. Death rate has fallen by 10% in the first 10 years.
4. Birthrate has stabilized after 35 years.
Which of the above are the most logical and rational statements that can be made from the above graph? [2018/64]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 2 and 4
Show Answer
Ans: (d) 2 and 4
11] Average hourly earnings per year (E) of the workers in a firm are represented in figures A and B as follows:
From the figures, it is observed that the [2018/65]
(a) values of E are different
(b) ranges (i.e., the difference between the maximum and the minimum) of E are different
(c) slopes of the graphs are same
(d) rates of increase of E are different
Show Answer
Ans: (c) slopes of the graphs are same
12] Consider the following figures A and B:
The manufacturing cost and projected sales for a product are shown in the above figures A and B respectively. What is the minimum number of pieces that should be manufactured to avoid a loss? [2018/67]
(a) 2000
(b) 2500
(c) 3000
(d) 3500
Show Answer
Ans: (a) 2000
13] Consider the following graphs. The curves in the graphs indicate different age groups in the populations of two countries A and B over a period of few decades:
With reference to the above graphs, which of the following are the most logical and rational inferences that can be made?
1. Over the last two and a half decades, the dependency ratio for country B has decreased.
2. By the end of next two and a half decades, the dependency ratio of country A will be much less than that of country B.
3. In the next two decades, the work-force relative to its total population will increase in country B as compared to country A.
Select the correct answer using the code given below. [2018/71]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Ans: (c) 1 and 3 only
14] The graph given below indicates the changes in key policy rates made by the Central Bank several times in a year:
Which one of the following can be the most likely reason for the Central Bank for such an action? [2018/73]
(a) Encouraging foreign investment
(b) Increasing the liquidity
(c) Encouraging both public and private savings
(d) Anti-inflationary stance
Show Answer
Ans: (d) Anti-inflationary stance
Directions for the following 2 (two) items:
The following table gives the GDP growth rate and Tele-density is data of different States of a country in a particular year. Study the table and answer the two items that follow.
15] With reference to the above table, which of the following is/are the most logical and rational inference! inferences that can be made? [2018/74]
1. Higher per capita income is generally associated with higher Tele-density.
2. Higher GDP growth rate always ensures higher per capita income.
3. Higher GDP growth rate does not necessarily ensure higher Tele density.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Show Answer
Ans: (c) 1 and 3
16] With reference to the above table, the following assumptions have been made:
1. Nowadays, prosperity of an already high performing State cannot be sustained without making further large investments in its telecom infrastructure.
2. Nowadays, a very high Tele-density is the most essential condition for promoting the business and economic growth in a State.
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid? [2018/75]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Ans: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
17] The following graph indicates the composition of our tax revenue for a period of two decades:
With reference to the above graph, which of the following is/are the most logical and rational inference/inferences that can be made?
1. During the given period, the revenue from Direct Taxes as percentage of gross tax revenue has increased while that of Indirect Taxes decreased.
2. The trend in the revenue from Excise Duty demonstrates that the growth of manufacturing sector has been negative during the given period.
Select the correct answer using the code given below. [2018/76]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Ans: (a) 1 only
18] An automobile owner reduced his monthly petrol consumption when the prices went up. The price-consumption relationship is as follows:
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If the price goes up to 80 per litre, his expected consumption (in litres) will be [2015/10]
(a) 30
(b) 28
(c) 26
(d) 24
Show Answer
Ans: (a) 30
19] The graph below depicts the earnings of A and B over the period 2000 to 2010:
From the graph, which one of the following can be concluded? [2015/52]
(a) On the average A earned more than B during this period
(b) On the average B earned more than A during this period.
(c) The earnings of A and B were equal during this period.
(d) The earnings of A were less as compared to B during this period.
Show Answer
Ans: (a) On the average A earned more than B during this period
20] Year-wise variation of the price of a certain commodity is shown in the following graph:
The price of the commodity in the year 1990 [2015/58]
(a) must have been Rs. 10/-
(b) must have been Rs. 12/-
(c) must have been anywhere between Rs. 10/- and Rs. 20/-
(d) is higher than that in the year 1991
Show Answer
Ans: (c) must have been anywhere between Rs. 10/- and Rs. 20/-
Directions for the following 4 (four) items:
The following graph shows the average profit of two fruit-sellers A and B in thousands (O per year from the year 1995 to 2000. Consider the graph and answer the 4 (four) items that follow
21] In which year is the average profit of A and B same? [2014/34]
(a) 1995
(b) 1996
(c) 1997
(d) 1998
Show Answer
Ans: (b) 1996
22] What is the difference between the average profit of B and A in the year 1998? [2014/35]
(a) Rs.- 100
(b) Rs. – 1,000
(c) Rs. + 600
(d) Rs. – 300
Show Answer
Ans: (c) Rs. + 600
23] How much more average profit did A make in the year 2000 than in the year 1999? [2014/36]
(a) Rs 200
(b) Rs 1,000
(c) Rs 1,500
(d) Rs 2,000
Show Answer
Ans: (d) Rs 2,000
24] What is the trend of the average profit of B from the year 1997 to the year 2000? [2014/37]
(a) Non-increasing
(b) Non-decreasing
(c) Steady
(d) Fluctuating
Show Answer
Ans: (b) Non-decreasing
25] The following table gives population and total income of a city for four years:
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Which one of the following statements is correct in respect of the above data? [2014/41]
(a) Population increased by 5% or more every year
(b) Income increased by 10% or more every year
(c) Per capita income was always above Rs. 5,000.
(d) Per capita income was highest in 1994.
Show Answer
Ans: (c) Per capita income was always above Rs. 5,000.
Direction for the following 5 (live) items:
Study the two figures given below and answer the five items that follow:
Figure 1 : Number of Professors in selected disciplines in a University by sex
Figure 2: Age of Physics Professors
26] How many Physics professors belong to the age group 35 — 44? [2013/52]
(a) 18
(b) 16
(c) 14
(d) 12
Show Answer
Ans: (b) 16
27] Which one of the following disciplines has the highest ratio of males to females? [2013/53]
(a) Physics
(b) Mathematics
(c) Chemistry
(d) Economics
Show Answer
Ans: (a) Physics
28] What percentage of all Psychology professors are females? [2013/54]
(a) 40%
(b) 50%
(c) 60%
(d) 70%
Show Answer
Ans: (c) 60%
29] If the number of female Physics professors in the age group 25 – 34 equals 25% of all the Physics professors in that age group, then what is the number of male Physics professors in the age group 25-34? [2013/55]
(a) 9
(b) 6
(c) 3
(d) 2
Show Answer
Ans: (a) 9
30] If the Psychology professors in the University constitute 2% of all the professors in the University, then what is the number of professors in the University? [2013/56]
(a) 400
(b) 500
(c) 600
(d) 700
Show Answer
Ans: (b) 500
31] Consider the following information regarding the performance of class of 1000 students in four different tests:
If a student scores 74 marks in each of the four tests, in which one of the following tests is her performance the best comparatively? [2012/46]
(a) Test I
(b) Test II
(c) Test III
(d) Test IV
Show Answer
Ans: (b) Test II
Directions for the following 2 (two) items:
The following pie charts show the break-up of disease categories recorded in the patients from two towns, Town A and Town B. Pie charts plot the disease Categories as percentage of the total number of patients. Based on these, answer the two items that follow the charts.
32] Which of the two towns has a higher number of persons with Diabetes? [2011/14]
(a) Town A
(b) Town B
(c) Same in Town A and Town B
(d) No inference can be drawn
Show Answer
Ans: (d) No inference can be drawn
33] What can we say about persons with more than one disease from these graphs? [2011/15]
(a) There are likely to be persons with more than one disease in Town A.
(b) There are likely to be persons with more than one disease in Town B.
(c) There are likely to be persons with more than one disease in both Towns A and B.
(d) No inference can be drawn.
Show Answer
Ans: (b) There are likely to be persons with more than one disease in Town B.
34] Consider the four age pyramids given below namely A, B, C and D representing four different countries.
Which one of them indicates the declining population? [2011/12]
(a) A
(b) B
(c) C
(d) D
Show Answer
Ans: (c) C
35] The following figure has four curves namely A, B, C and D, Study the figure and answer the item that follows. Which curve indicates the exponential growth? [2011/13]
(a) A
(b) B
(c) C
(d) D
Show Answer
Ans: (c) C
36] Consider the following Velocity-Time graph. It shows two trains starting simultaneously on parallel tracks.
With reference to the above graph, which one of the following statements is not correct? [2011/16]
(a) Train B has an initial acceleration greater than that of Train A.
(b) Train B is faster than Train A at all times.
(c) Both trains have the same velocity at time to’
(d) Both trains travel the same distance in time to units.
Show Answer
Ans: (d) Both trains travel the same distance in time to units.
37] Consider the following distance – time graph. The graph shows three athletes A, Band C running side by side for a 30 km race.
With reference to the above graph consider the following statements:
1. The race was won by A.
2. B was ahead of A up to 25 km mark.
3. C ran very slowly from the beginning. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [2011/23]
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Ans: (b) 1 and 2 only
Directions for the following 3 (Three) items:
Read the passage given below, study the graph that follows and answer the three items given below the figure.
During a party, a person was exposed to contaminated water. A few days later, he developed fever and loose motions. He suffered for some days before going to a doctor for treatment. On starting the treatment, he soon became better and recovered completely a few days later. The following graph shows different phases of the person’s disease condition as regions A, B, C, D and E of the curve.
38] Which region/regions of the curve correspond/corresponds to incubation phase of the infection? [2011/31]
(a) A only
(b) B only
(c) B and C
(d) No part of the curve indicates the incubation phase
Show Answer
Ans: (a) A only
39] Which region of the curve indicates that the person began showing the symptoms of infection? [2011/32]
(a) A
(b) B
(c) C
(d) D
Show Answer
Ans: (b) B
40] Which region of the curve indicates that the treatment yielded effective relief? [2011/33]
(a) C
(b) D
(c) E
(d) The curve does not indicate the treatment
Show Answer
Ans: (c) E
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