CSATTopicsLogical ReasoningNon-Verbal Reasoning

LOGICAL REASONING

Non-Verbal Reasoning — UPSC CSAT Previous Year Questions

Practice UPSC CSAT previous year questions from 2011–2026 classified underNon-Verbal Reasoning. Review the original question, four options, correct answer and explanation for every PYQ.

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Non-Verbal Reasoning

15 questions • 2011–2026

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Question 1

UPSC CSAT 2026Figure / Spatial Reasoning

A cut on a solid object divides the object into two parts where the new surfaces thus produced are plane. On the other hand, one single cut can be used to cut more than one object at a time. In an experiment, the total number of pieces produced by applying n cuts is denoted by x_n. The experiment is performed on a solid cube where pieces remain unmoved after each cut. In this experiment, if after the third cut, the pieces are identical, then which of the following is not a possible value for x_4?

A16

B12

View Answer & Explanation+

Correct AnswerA

Explanation

With three cuts producing identical pieces, the fourth cut can at most double the relevant number of pieces and the geometry constrains the attainable totals. The value 16 is not attainable under these conditions. Hence A.

Question 2

UPSC CSAT 2026Figure / Spatial Reasoning

Two identical straight rods are painted in five distinct colours so that each of them gets divided into five equal parts along the length. In one of them, the portions are marked P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 (not necessarily in that order) whereas in the other, they are marked Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 and Q5 (not necessarily in that order). When the rods are kept parallel to each other side by side, P1 and Q5 match, P4 matches Q1 or Q2, and Q4 matches P3 or P5. If Q3 and Q5 are adjacent, which of the following is/are possible? I. Q3 is marked at the middle portion of the straight rod. II. P2 is marked at one of the extreme portions of the straight rod. Select the answer using the code given below.

AI only

BII only

CBoth I and II

DNeither I nor II

View Answer & Explanation+

Correct AnswerC

Explanation

Checking the allowed colour-position constraints shows that both the middle placement of Q3 and an extreme placement of P2 can occur in valid arrangements. Hence C.

Question 3

UPSC CSAT 2015Figure / Spatial Reasoning

PASSAGE

Figure options on PDF page 8

Question visual/mnt/data/ocr2015/page-08.jpg

Four cardboard pieces of specific shapes are shown in the following figure. Which one of the following figures given can be formed by joining these pieces together?

AFigure option A — see the original figure on PDF page 8.

BFigure option B — see the original figure on PDF page 8.

CFigure option C — see the original figure on PDF page 8.

DFigure option D — see the original figure on PDF page 8.

View Answer & Explanation+

Correct AnswerD

Explanation

Only option D can be assembled from the four given cardboard pieces without changing their shapes.

Question 4

UPSC CSAT 2013Figure / Spatial Reasoning

Question visualRefer to the original question visual.

Consider the following figures 1, 2, 3 and 4. In the figures from 1 to 4 above, two symbols are shown to change their position in a regular direction. Following the same sequence, which one of the following will appear at the fifth stage?

AFigure (a) — exact figure in visual asset

BFigure (b) — exact figure in visual asset

CFigure (c) — exact figure in visual asset

DFigure (d) — exact figure in visual asset

View Answer & Explanation+

Correct AnswerB

Explanation

The two symbols continue their regular positional movement; the fifth-stage arrangement matches option (b).

Question 5

UPSC CSAT 2013Figure / Spatial Reasoning

PASSAGE

Problem figures and answer figures are shown as a sequence of triangle figures containing a circle-like symbol and an arrow. The exact problem and answer figures are reproduced in the visual asset.

Question visualProblem figures: 4 triangle/circle-arrow arrangements. Answer figures: (a)-(d). Exact figures in visual asset.

In accordance with the same sequence, which one of the four answer figures should appear as the fifth figure?

AFigure (a) — exact figure in visual asset

BFigure (b) — exact figure in visual asset

CFigure (c) — exact figure in visual asset

DFigure (d) — exact figure in visual asset

View Answer & Explanation+

Correct AnswerC

Explanation

Tracking the triangle orientation, circle position and arrow direction through the four problem figures gives the fifth-stage figure shown in option (c).

Question 6

UPSC CSAT 2013Figure / Spatial Reasoning

PASSAGE

Problem figures and answer figures are shown as a sequence of triangle figures containing a circle-like symbol and an arrow. The exact problem and answer figures are reproduced in the visual asset.

Question visualProblem figures: 4 triangle/circle-arrow arrangements. Answer figures: (a)-(d). Exact figures in visual asset.

In accordance with the same sequence, which one of the four answer figures should appear as the fifth figure?

AFigure (a) — exact figure in visual asset

BFigure (b) — exact figure in visual asset

CFigure (c) — exact figure in visual asset

DFigure (d) — exact figure in visual asset

View Answer & Explanation+

Correct AnswerB

Explanation

The line positions and arrow directions follow a repeating transformation; the next arrangement is option (b).

Question 7

UPSC CSAT 2013Figure / Spatial Reasoning

PASSAGE

Three views of a cube with faces numbered 1 to 6: View 1 shows top 1, front 6, right 4. View 2 shows top 3, front 1, right 2. View 3 shows top 3, front 5, right 6. The question's answer cube marks faces A and B; exact cube drawing is in the visual asset.

Question visualExact three cube views and answer cube are shown in visual asset.

A cube has six numbers marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 on its faces. Three views of the cube are shown. What possible numbers can exist on the two faces marked A and B, respectively?

A2 and 3

B6 and 1

C1 and 4

D3 and 1

View Answer & Explanation+

Correct AnswerC

Explanation

Using the three cube views to determine opposite/adjacent faces, the pair that can occupy A and B in the shown orientation is 2 and 3.

Question 8

UPSC CSAT 2013Figure / Spatial Reasoning

PASSAGE

Seven circular figures form a sequence. Figures 1–6 show clockwise/anticlockwise arrows around an inner circle/square. Figure 7 is missing. Exact problem and answer figures are in the visual asset.

Question visualExact figures 1–6 and answer choices (a)–(d) are shown in visual asset.

Consider the following figures. Which one of the following figures would logically come in the 7th position indicated above by a question mark?

AFigure (a) — exact figure in visual asset

BFigure (b) — exact figure in visual asset

CFigure (c) — exact figure in visual asset

DFigure (d) — exact figure in visual asset

View Answer & Explanation+

Correct AnswerD

Explanation

The inner shape and the arrow arrangement alternate in a regular sequence; the seventh figure matches option (d).

Question 9

UPSC CSAT 2012Figure / Spatial Reasoning

Question visualOriginal problem and answer figures are on uploaded question-paper page 26; the four answer figures are graphical.

The elements of the problem figures given below are changing with a certain rule as we observe them from left to right. According to this rule, which of the following would be the next figure if the changes were continued with the same rule?

AFigure A: triangular marker at upper-left with a horizontal line near the bottom.

BFigure B: triangular marker at upper-right with an upward-slanting line.

CFigure C: triangular marker at upper-left with a vertical line near the right side.

DFigure D: triangular marker at upper-left with a horizontal line near the bottom.

View Answer & Explanation+

Correct AnswerD

Explanation

The marker and line change position/orientation in a repeating progression; the keyed continuation is the fourth displayed answer figure (D).

Question 10

UPSC CSAT 2012Figure / Spatial Reasoning

Question visualOriginal cube-net figure is on uploaded question-paper page 28.

Six squares are coloured, front and back, red (R), blue (B), yellow (Y), green (G), white (W) and orange (O) and are hinged together as shown in the figure given below. If they are folded to form a cube, what would be the face opposite the white face?

View Answer & Explanation+

Correct AnswerC

Explanation

Following the adjacency of the hinged net when folded into a cube, the face opposite W is B.

Question 11

UPSC CSAT 2012Figure / Spatial Reasoning

Question visualOriginal three cube views are on uploaded question-paper page 28.

Three views of a cube following a particular motion are given below. What is the letter opposite to A?

View Answer & Explanation+

Correct AnswerA

Explanation

Comparing the three orientations and tracking adjacent faces shows that H is opposite A.

Question 12

UPSC CSAT 2012Figure / Spatial Reasoning

Question visualOriginal 3×3 matrix and four answer figures are on uploaded question-paper page 28.

Which one of the figures shown below occupies the blank space (?) in the matrix given above?

AFigure A: shaded upper-right quadrant.

BFigure B: shaded upper-left quadrant.

CFigure C: shaded lower-left quadrant.

DFigure D: shaded lower-right quadrant.

View Answer & Explanation+

Correct AnswerD

Explanation

The shaded quadrant follows the row/column progression of the matrix; the missing cell requires the lower-right shaded quadrant, option D.

Question 13

UPSC CSAT 2011Figure / Spatial Reasoning

What is the minimum number of different colours required to paint the figure given above such that no two adjacent regions have the same colour?

View Answer & Explanation+

Correct AnswerA

Explanation

The adjacency structure can be coloured with three colours, and fewer than three cannot colour adjacent regions distinctly.

Question 14

UPSC CSAT 2011Figure / Spatial Reasoning

Consider the following figures. What is the missing number?

D10

View Answer & Explanation+

Correct AnswerC

Explanation

The numerical relationship in the displayed paired figures yields 9 for the missing value.

Question 15

UPSC CSAT 2011Figure / Spatial Reasoning

Consider the following figure and answer the item that follows. What is the total number of triangles in the above grid?

A27

B26

C23

D22

View Answer & Explanation+

Correct AnswerC

Explanation

Counting triangles by side length gives 12 of side 1, 7 of side 2, 3 of side 3, and 1 large triangle: 12+7+3+1 = 23.

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