LOGICAL REASONING

Statement & Conclusion — UPSC CSAT Previous Year Questions

Practice UPSC CSAT previous year questions from 2011–2026 classified underStatement & Conclusion. Review the original question, four options, correct answer and explanation for every PYQ.

19Total PYQs
2011–2026Years
1Subtopics

Statement & Conclusion

19 questions • 2011–2026

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Question 1
UPSC CSAT 2026Statement, Assumption & Conclusion

There are four statements X, Y, Z and W. Their relations are as follows: If X is incorrect, then so is Z; if Y is incorrect, then W is correct; if W is correct, then X is incorrect. Which of the following is/are correct? I. If X is correct, then so is Y. II. If Z is correct, then it is not necessary that Y is correct. Select the answer using the code given below.

AI only
BII only
CBoth I and II
DNeither I nor II
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerA
Explanation

Contraposition gives Z correct ⇒ X correct. Also Y incorrect ⇒ W correct ⇒ X incorrect, so X correct ⇒ Y correct. Thus I is true. Z correct forces Y correct, so II is false. Hence A.

Question 2
UPSC CSAT 2025Statement, Assumption & Conclusion

A mobile phone has been stolen. There are 3 suspects P, Q and R. They were questioned knowing that only one of them is guilty. Their responses are as follows: P: I did not steal. Q stole it. Q: R did not steal. I did not steal. R: I did not steal. I do not know who did it. Who stole the mobile phone?

AP
BQ
CR
DCannot be concluded
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerA
Explanation

Under the intended truth/lie convention, P is the guilty person. The booklet does not explicitly state that convention, so this item is interpretive.

Question 3
UPSC CSAT 2016Statement, Assumption & Conclusion
PASSAGE

A ate grapes and pineapple; B ate grapes and oranges; C ate oranges, pineapple and apple; D ate grapes, apple and pineapple. After taking fruits, B and C fell sick.

A ate grapes and pineapple; B ate grapes and oranges; C ate oranges, pineapple and apple; D ate grapes, apple and pineapple. After taking fruits, B and C fell sick. In the light of the above facts, it can be said that the cause of sickness was:

AApple
BPineapple
CGrapes
DOranges
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerD
Explanation

The common fruit eaten by B and C is oranges. It is therefore the only listed fruit that both affected persons ate while the other fruits do not fit the overlap.

Question 4
UPSC CSAT 2016Statement, Assumption & Conclusion
PASSAGE

Consider the following statements: 1. The rate of population growth is increasing in the country 2. The death rate is declining faster in the country compared to birth rate 3. The birth rate is declining faster in the country compared to death rate 4. Rural-urban migration is taking place regularly in the country

Consider the following statements: 1. The rate of population growth is increasing in the country 2. The death rate is declining faster in the country compared to birth rate 3. The birth rate is declining faster in the country compared to death rate 4. Rural-urban migration is taking place regularly in the country Which one of the following conclusions may be true in the light of the above facts?

AThe rate of population growth is increasing due to rural-urban migration
BThe rate of population growth is increasing due to decline in death rate only
CThe rate of population growth is increasing due to increase in birth rate only
DThe rate of population growth is increasing due to faster decline in death rate than in birth rate
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerD
Explanation

If population growth is increasing while the death rate is declining faster than the birth rate, the gap between births and deaths can widen. That supports option D; rural-urban migration and an increase in birth rate are not established.

Question 5
UPSC CSAT 2016Statement, Assumption & Conclusion

Consider the following statement: “We shall go either for a picnic or for trekking”. Which of the following, if true, would falsify this claim?

AWe go for a picnic but not for trekking
BActivities such as picnic and trekking are encouraged by the health authorities
CWe go for trekking and not for picnic
DWe do not go either for picnic or for trekking
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerD
Explanation

The stated 'either ... or' claim asserts that at least one of the two activities will occur. Doing neither directly contradicts that claim.

Question 6
UPSC CSAT 2016Statement, Assumption & Conclusion

There were 50 faculty members comprising 30 males and the rest females. No male faculty member knew music, but many of the female faculty members did. The Head of the institution invited six faculty members to a tea party by draw of lots. At the party it was discovered that no member knew music. The conclusion is that:

Athe party comprised male faculty members only
Bthe party comprised only those female faculty members who could not give renderings in music
Cthe party comprised both male and female faculty members
Dnothing can be said about the gender composition of the party
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerD
Explanation

Knowing that none of the six knew music does not determine their genders: they could all be males, all be females who do not know music, or a mixture. Hence no definite gender composition follows.

Question 7
UPSC CSAT 2016Statement, Assumption & Conclusion
PASSAGE

Consider the following statements: 1. Either A and B are of the same age or A is older than B 2. Either C and D are of the same age or D is older than C 3. B is older than C

Consider the following statements: 1. Either A and B are of the same age or A is older than B 2. Either C and D are of the same age or D is older than C 3. B is older than C Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the above statements?

AA is older than B
BB and D are of the same age
CD is older than C
DA is older than C
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerD
Explanation

Statement 1 means A is at least as old as B. With B older than C, A must be older than C. The other choices are not necessarily implied.

Question 8
UPSC CSAT 2015Statement, Assumption & Conclusion
PASSAGE

The mangrove food-chain statement on PDF page 20.

Which among the following is the most logical inference of the above statement?

ACoastal areas cannot have food chains without mangroves.
BMangroves are an essential component of all marine ecosystems.
CMangroves have a crucial role in some of the coastal food chains.
DThe composition of marine flora and fauna is largely determined by mangroves.
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerC
Explanation

The statement traces a food chain beginning with mangrove leaf litter; it supports a crucial role in some coastal food chains, not a universal claim about all marine ecosystems.

Question 9
UPSC CSAT 2015Statement, Assumption & Conclusion
PASSAGE

Liberty statement on PDF page 20.

“By liberty I mean the eager maintenance of that atmosphere in which men have the opportunity to be their best selves.” Which one of the following expresses the view implied in the above statement?

ALiberty is the absence of restraint on human action.
BLiberty is what law permits people to perform.
CLiberty is the ability to do what one desires.
DLiberty is the maintenance of conditions for the growth of human personality.
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerD
Explanation

The statement defines liberty positively as maintaining conditions in which people can develop their capacities, matching option D.

Question 10
UPSC CSAT 2014Statement, Assumption & Conclusion

A question paper must have a question on one of the eight poets: A, B, C, D, E, F, G or H. The first four belong to the medieval period while the rest are considered modern poets. Generally, modern poets figure in the question paper in alternate years. Generally those who like H like G also; and those who like F like E also. The paper-setter does not like to ask about F as he has written a book on F, but he likes F. Last year, the paper contained a question on A. On the basis of the information given, this year’s paper is most likely to contain a question on

AC
BE
CF
DH
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerB
Explanation

Modern poets are expected in alternate years; after A last year, the remaining constraints make E the keyed choice.

Question 11
UPSC CSAT 2014Statement, Assumption & Conclusion

The number of deaths among the army personnel is 8 in 1000, but among the civilian population it is 20 per 1000. Which one of the following inferences can be drawn from this statement?

AIt is better to join the army.
BThe relationship is fortuitous.
CQuality of Life Index is very high within the armed forces.
DThe groups cannot be compared due to their heterogeneity.
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerD
Explanation

The two groups differ in composition, so the mortality rates cannot by themselves support a direct comparison of quality or desirability.

Question 12
UPSC CSAT 2014Statement, Assumption & Conclusion

Given the statement: “Buses are the cause of more accidents than cars, and trucks cause fewer accidents than buses”, which of the following conclusions can we draw?

AThere are more buses on the road than trucks.
BCar drivers are more careful than bus drivers.
CTruck drivers are more skilled than either car or bus drivers.
DNone of the above.
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerD
Explanation

Accident frequency alone does not establish the number of vehicles or driver skill/carefulness, so none of A–C follows.

Question 13
UPSC CSAT 2014Statement, Assumption & Conclusion

“If political leadership fails to emerge, there is likelihood of military taking over power in developing countries. Radical student groups or labour may try to raise revolution but they are not likely to compete with the military. Military intervention, rule, and withdrawal from politics is closely related to a society’s level of political development”. In the context of political development, the assumption in the above passage is that

Apolitical leadership is not an effective instrument.
Bmilitary fills in political vacuum.
Cmilitary intervention is inevitable for development.
DNone of the above.
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerB
Explanation

The passage assumes that when political leadership is absent, the military can fill the resulting political vacuum.

Question 14
UPSC CSAT 2012Statement, Assumption & Conclusion

Consider the following statement: “Though quite expensive, television is not a luxury item, as one can learn many things through television.” Which one of the following is a valid inference from the above statement?

AAll expensive things are regarded as luxury.
BAll essential things for learning are not luxury.
CTelevision is essential for learning.
DTelevision is not a luxury item.
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerC
Explanation

The statement explicitly asserts that television is not a luxury item; that is the only direct inference among the options.

Question 15
UPSC CSAT 2012Statement, Assumption & Conclusion

During the last summer vacation, Ankit went to a summer camp where he took part in hiking, swimming and boating. This summer, he is looking forward to a music camp where he hopes to sing, dance and learn to play the guitar. Based on the above information, four conclusions, as given below, have been made. Which one of these logically follows from the information given above?

AAnkit’s parents want him to play the guitar.
BAnkit prefers music to outdoor activities.
CAnkit goes to some type of camp every summer.
DAnkit likes to sing and dance.
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerD
Explanation

The passage directly says Ankit hopes to sing and dance at the music camp. The other conclusions add information not given.

Question 16
UPSC CSAT 2012Statement, Assumption & Conclusion

Consider the following statement: “Though quite expensive, television is not a luxury item, as one can learn many things through television.” Which one of the following is a valid inference from the above statement?

AAll expensive things are regarded as luxury.
BAll essential things for learning are not luxury.
CTelevision is essential for learning.
DTelevision is not a luxury item.
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerD
Explanation

The statement directly says television is not a luxury item; that is the valid inference.

Question 17
UPSC CSAT 2012Statement, Assumption & Conclusion

Examine the following statements: 1. I watch TV only if I am bored. 2. I am never bored when I have my brother’s company. 3. Whenever I go to the theatre I take my brother along. Which one of the following conclusions is valid in the context of the above statements?

AIf I am bored, I watch TV.
BIf I am bored, I seek my brother’s company.
CIf I am not with my brother, then I watch TV.
DIf I am not bored, I do not watch TV.
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerD
Explanation

“I watch TV only if I am bored” means watching TV implies being bored. By contraposition, if I am not bored, I do not watch TV.

Question 18
UPSC CSAT 2012Statement, Assumption & Conclusion

Consider the following statement: “The Third World War, if it ever starts, will end very quickly with the possible end of civilization. It is only the misuse of nuclear power which will trigger it.” Based on the above statement, which one of the following inferences is correct?

ANuclear power will be used in the Third World War.
BThere will be no civilization left after the Third World War.
CThe growth of nuclear power will destroy civilization in the long run.
DThe Third World War will not take place.
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerA
Explanation

The statement links the triggering of the war to misuse of nuclear power. It does not assert that civilization certainly ends, nor that the war will not occur; A is the intended inference.

Question 19
UPSC CSAT 2012Statement, Assumption & Conclusion

Consider the following statements: 1. All machines consume energy. 2. Electricity provides energy. 3. Electrically operated machines are cheap to maintain. 4. Electrically operated machines do not cause pollution. Which one of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements?

AAll machines are run by electric energy.
BThere is no form of energy other than electricity.
CMost machines are operated on electric energy.
DElectrically operated machines are preferable to use.
View Answer & Explanation+
Correct AnswerD
Explanation

The statements establish that electrically operated machines are cheap to maintain and do not cause pollution; therefore they are preferable to use among the options.

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