UPSC CSAT 2026 Question Paper
Explore the complete solved question paper for UPSC CSAT 2026 featuring 80 solved questions with bilingual (English & Hindi) explanations, official answer key, and subject weightage breakdown.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Thermal power stations in Delhi were required to summarily shut down.
- CNG supplies had to be assured once diesel vehicles were prohibited from plying.
- The Supreme Court banned the use of coal across the National Capital Region.
Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
The passage explicitly states: "When diesel buses were stopped, CNG supply had to be assured." This directly validates Statement 2.
Statement 1 is incorrect because thermal power plants were required to "clean up or shut down"—shutting down was one option, not a mandatory summary action. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Supreme Court banned pet coke, while the Delhi Government banned coal (later extended to NCR).
Therefore, only Statement 2 is correct, making Option 3 the correct answer.
Which of the following conclusions is/are valid?
- Only a serious offence as categorised by the revised JJ Act, justifies the transfer of a case to the adult judicial system.
- The JJ Act, 2021, categorises an offence as a serious offence based on the maximum sentence it carries, rather than on the minimum sentence.
Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
The passage clearly states that heinous offences (with a minimum punishment of seven years) allow trying adolescents as adults. The 2021 amendment introduced serious offences (no minimum, but maximum of seven years or more), which activists believe does not merit transfer to adult courts.
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Only heinous offences, not serious offences, justify transfer to the adult judicial system according to the passage.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The 2021 JJ Act categorises a serious offence based on maximum sentence (seven years or more) when no minimum sentence exists.
- Therefore, only Statement 2 is valid, making Option 2 the correct answer.
Which of the following inferences is/are correct?
- The source of the energy we consume is the key to the battle for cleaner air.
- Bans are effective where the will is strong and the people are convinced that such bans are for the greater good of society.
- There is judicial approval for a policy that intervenes fiscally to facilitate benevolent pricing for cleaner fuel.
Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
The passage evaluates statements based on explicit textual evidence.
- Statement 1 is Correct: The passage opens: "The key source of the battle for clean skies and clear lungs is the fuel we burn"—directly confirming energy source as key to cleaner air.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The passage emphasizes "people need alternatives for a ban to be effective" (citing CNG availability, cost feasibility)—not public will or conviction.
- Statement 3 is Correct: "The Supreme Court agreed that fiscal measures were needed to keep clean fuel cheaper than dirty fuel"—explicit judicial approval for fiscal intervention.
- Therefore, only 1 and 3 are correct, making Option 3 the correct answer.
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Which of the following conclusions are correct?
- In the breakaway phase, economic progress is slow for the technology followers.
- In the catch-up phase, leaders stagnate and followers, therefore, close the gap between them and the leaders.
- In the fine-tuning phase, technology is exhausted, as it were, and both leaders and followers attempt to extract leftover benefits, leading to more or less similar per capita income levels.
- Industrial technology followed scavenging, which preceded hunting, which itself was followed by farming.
Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
Evaluate each statement against the passage:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The passage states per capita income is "unchanged" for technology followers in the breakaway phase, meaning zero progress, not slow progress.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The passage says followers "adopt the new technology and close their per capita income gap" during catch-up; it does not state that leaders stagnate.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The passage explicitly describes the fine-tuning phase as one where "participants try to extract the remaining benefits from an increasingly exhausted technology" with similar per capita incomes.
- Statement 4 is Correct: The chronological sequence given is: Scavenging (3 MYA) → Hunting (1 MYA) → Farming (12,000 years ago) → Industrial technology (200 years ago), matching the statement perfectly.
- Therefore, only statements 3 and 4 are correct, making Option 1 the correct answer.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Hugh Grant was watching, from the Royal Box, the men's semifinal match on Centre Court between Flavio Cobolli and Novak Djokovic.
- The phrase 'unexpected ace' in the context uses a term from the game of tennis to highlight Hugh Grant's somewhat uncharacteristic act of catching 'forty winks'; an act that is viewed with opprobrium.
- Grant subjects the demands of society to the wisdom of his body.
Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
The passage evaluates each statement:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Passage clearly states Hugh Grant watched the men's singles quarterfinals, not semifinals.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: While 'unexpected ace' uses tennis terminology, the act is praised ("deserves empathy," "elegant case for surrender"), not viewed with opprobrium (harsh criticism).
- Statement 3 is Correct: Passage explicitly states Grant surrendered to "the body's quiet wisdom over society's relentless performance metrics"—prioritizing bodily limits over societal demands.
- Therefore, only Statement 3 is correct, making Option 2 the correct answer.
Which one among the following statements most appropriately reflects the point of view of the given passage?
Detailed Explanation:
The passage states AI's effects "may be salutary" (beneficial) because human agents could be "freed up to spend more time on creative and rewarding tasks" like using feedback to improve products—thereby enhancing their workplace value through redirection to more fulfilling roles.
Option 1 contradicts the passage (humans would still do creative tasks). Option 2 focuses only on redundancy, missing the author's optimistic core message. Option 4 is incorrect—the passage explicitly notes previous technologies also "stoked concerns of job losses."
Therefore, Option 3 accurately captures the passage's central argument about enhanced human value through task redirection, making Option 3 the correct answer.
Which of the following conclusions is/are correct?
- All landlords essentially have some goodness trapped within them.
- The common grazing grounds of a village are intended for use by the cattle of that village.
- Landlords who believe in tradition tend to be more concerned about their tenants.
- Winds later in the day tend to be cooler post the hot winds of the morning.
Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
The passage explicitly states that Rai Sahib held to the old values and believed that any landlord who didn't look after his tenants was less than human. This directly supports the conclusion that landlords who believe in tradition tend to be more concerned about their tenants.
Statement 1 is incorrect—the passage contrasts Rai Sahib with selfish Zamindars, implying not all landlords have goodness. Statement 2 is incorrect—cattle from nearby villages came to graze, not just from that village. Statement 4 is incorrect—the passage states there was cool freshness in the morning, but the rest of the day would be scorching hot (not cooler).
Therefore, only conclusion 3 is correct, making Option 3 the correct answer.
Which of the following conclusions, made on the basis of the given passage, is/are correct?
- The advent of new customer-service technology had invariably sparked fears about job losses.
- Often it is found that instead of job losses, alternative channels for employee engagement are discovered while certain tasks are replaced by technology.
- The advent of technology inevitably leads to stressful outcomes.
Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
The passage states previous customer-service technologies (email, voice menus) "stoked concerns of job losses" and mentions AI continuing this pattern, supporting the claim of invariable fears.
- Statement 1 is Correct: The passage explicitly confirms that new customer-service technology has consistently sparked job loss fears.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Earlier job loss fears "failed to materialise" and AI may free agents for "creative and rewarding tasks"—technology replaces tasks while opening alternative engagement channels.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The passage describes AI's effects as "salutary" (beneficial) with workers shifting to rewarding tasks—contradicting the claim of inevitable stressful outcomes.
- Therefore, only Statements 1 and 2 are correct, making Option 4 the correct answer.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Radical action can also be attributed to mild surrender where one acts against societal expectations.
- Submitting to one's limitations, given the effect of age and other factors, ought not to be conflated with laziness.
- 'Leading man' usually refers to one who plays the lead role in a movie; in this instance the implication is that Hugh Grant is performing the role of not an action hero, but that of a resting one!
Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
The passage describes Hugh Grant's nap as "quietly radical" and a "surrender to limits... to the body's quiet wisdom over society's relentless performance metrics," supporting Statement 1. It explicitly states this surrender was "Not to laziness, but to limits," mentioning the "crushing weight of being a 64-year-old man," validating Statement 2.
The passage concludes that "The perpetually sleep-deprived discovered a leading man, not of action, but of rest." Since Hugh Grant is an actor known for playing leading roles, the author cleverly repositions him as a "resting hero" rather than an action hero, confirming Statement 3.
Therefore, all three statements accurately reflect the passage's content and tone, making Option 3 the correct answer.
Which of the following statements is/are not correct?
- Tech-savvy farmers will drive the AgTech companies of the future.
- The development of advisory services by the government programmes for the use of AI tools in agriculture would be helpful.
- In the US and Europe, AI tools have replaced traditional agricultural practices.
- The integration of large datasets for use in real-time agronomic analysis is already a reality.
Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
The passage identifies limited penetration of AI tools among tech-savvy farmers in India, while the US and Europe use generative AI for precision farming at scale—augmenting, not replacing traditional practices.
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The passage does not claim tech-savvy farmers will drive AgTech companies; it only notes current limited penetration among them.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The passage explicitly recommends disseminating AI-based advisory services through government programmes as helpful.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: AI tools in the US and Europe provide precision farming insights; the passage does not state they have replaced traditional agricultural practices.
- Statement 4 is Correct: The passage confirms generative AI tools integrate large datasets to provide real-time agronomic insights in the US and Europe.
- Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are incorrect, making Option 1 the correct answer.
Which of the following statements are not correct?
- The landholdings of Rai Sahib were currently not being used for farming.
- Temperamentally, Rai Sahib was as greedy as other landlords.
- It cannot be ascertained that Rai Sahib could have made some money by leasing out the grazing land.
- It may be asserted that Rai Sahib valued his tenants and wanted to protect their livelihood.
Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
The question asks which statements are not correct.
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The passage mentions only a specific common grazing ground, not all landholdings of Rai Sahib—overgeneralization.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The passage explicitly contrasts Rai Sahib with selfish Zamindars, noting he held to old values—opposite of greedy.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The passage states farmers offered a good price to lease the land—we can clearly ascertain he could have made money.
- Statement 4 is Correct: The passage affirms Rai Sahib valued his tenants, believing landlords must look after them to remain human.
- Therefore, statements 1, 2, and 3 are not correct, making Option 4 the correct answer.
Which of the following reflect the intent of the writer in the above passage?
- To evolve methodologies for objective analysis of the two viruses
- To establish the epidemiological similarities and differences between the two viruses
- To offer a better understanding of the remedies of HMPV when analysed in conjunction with SARS-CoV-2 Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
The passage contrasts HMPV and SARS-CoV-2 to show that HMPV is not a novel threat like COVID-19 was. It highlights key differences: HMPV has been known for decades, shows strong seasonality, causes milder illness, and rarely leads to deaths or long-term symptoms—unlike SARS-CoV-2.
Statement 1 is incorrect—the passage describes existing knowledge, not methodologies for analysis. Statement 2 partially captures the intent (establishing differences), but no option offers "2 only." Statement 3 is incorrect—the passage does not discuss remedies or treatment frameworks.
Therefore, since none of the given statements accurately reflect the writer's intent in isolation or combination, Option 4 is the correct answer.
Which of the following statements reflect the logical and rational inferences that can be drawn from the passage?
- HMPV has, historically, had longer documentation of studies when compared with SARS-CoV2
- The two viruses are different from each other and this results in markedly different outcomes amongst those affected.
- Long-term impacts of the two viruses are dissimilar and this is an important differentiator between them.
- One of the common factors between the two viruses is seasonal specificity. Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
Evaluate each statement against passage evidence:
- Statement 1 is Correct: HMPV has been studied "for decades" and is "well-studied," while SARS-CoV-2 was "truly novel" in 2019—clearly longer documentation for HMPV.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Passage states "different severity of symptoms" and "affected population segments do not fully overlap"—fundamental differences result in markedly different outcomes.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Passage explicitly notes symptoms differ "particularly over the long term" and HMPV has "no long-term post-viral symptoms"—making long-term impact a key differentiator.
- Statement 4 is Incorrect: Passage states "strong seasonality seen in HMPV, unlike SARS-CoV-2"—seasonality is a difference, not a common factor.
- Therefore, statements 1, 2, and 3 are valid inferences, making Option 2 the correct answer.
Which of the following assumptions is/are valid?
- Deflation strategies can be used to make manufacturers appear to be doing better than they actually are.
- When input and output prices are both deflated against a single input price, it is referred to as 'double deflation'.
Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
Double deflation uses separate deflators for input and output prices. The passage explicitly states that if India uses the same deflator for both inputs and outputs (instead of double deflation), falling oil prices would make manufacturers appear more productive than they actually are.
- Statement 1 is Valid: Using a single deflator when input prices fall can overestimate real value added, making manufacturers appear better than reality.
- Statement 2 is Invalid: Double deflation means deflating inputs and outputs separately, not using a single input price for both.
- Therefore, only Statement 1 is valid, making Option 1 the correct answer.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Parents are not encouraging enough when it comes to children playing sport.
- Participation in sporting activities can help develop life skills.
- Sport as a way of life can help evolve the very nature of society itself.
Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
The passage must be analyzed for direct support of each statement.
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The passage mentions parents observing that children are inactive, not that parents lack encouragement—this inference is unsupported.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The passage explicitly states "from sport you can learn time management, fitness, teamwork, coordination"—these are life skills.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The passage concludes: "sport is seen as a way of life—a path to building a healthier, happier society"—clearly indicating sport can reshape society itself.
- Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option 2 the correct answer.
Which one of the following statements is not correct?
Detailed Explanation:
The passage mentions art forms from four states: Bengal's Pattachitra paintings, Assam's bamboo crafts, Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur paintings, and Madhya Pradesh's tribal sculpture. Only two are paintings—Pattachitra and Thanjavur—while bamboo crafts and tribal sculpture are not paintings.
Options B, C, and D accurately reflect the passage: stepping into Kalagram is likened to another world, Angans are called "living galleries," and thematic zones are inspired by iconic temples like Dakshineshwar Kali Temple and Brahma Mandir.
Therefore, Option 1 incorrectly states four paintings were mentioned, making it the correct answer (as the question asks for the incorrect statement).
Which of the following conclusions are valid?
- Sport is more than just games; it is a way of life.
- Sport can help mitigate the problems of seclusion among the young.
- Earning laurels in sport can help one secure a job on the basis of an assigned quota.
- Standard corporate sector skills cannot be learnt through sport.
Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
The passage explicitly states sport should be "seen as a way of life" (validates Statement 1) and that sport can "help tackle" problems of youth being "inactive and rarely leaving the house" (validates Statement 2, addressing seclusion).
The opening line acknowledges "getting jobs through a sports quota" as a reality of sport, even though it emphasizes sport offers more than this alone (validates Statement 3). However, the passage lists "time management, teamwork, coordination" as learnings from sport—these are standard corporate skills—so Statement 4 (claiming these cannot be learnt through sport) directly contradicts the passage and is invalid.
Therefore, statements 1, 2, and 3 are valid conclusions, making Option 4 the correct answer.
Which of the following conclusions is/are valid?
- Though SARS-CoV-2 and HMPV are similar viruses with somewhat different epidemiology, the former became a pandemic because it was novel and people had not been exposed to it in the past.
- The two viruses have fundamentally different impacts on human populations and should not therefore be dealt with in a similar manner. Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
The passage states HMPV and SARS-CoV-2 belong to "two very different virus families with fundamentally different characteristics and epidemiology."
- Statement 1 is Invalid: Calling them "similar viruses" directly contradicts the passage's assertion of fundamental differences.
- Statement 2 is Valid: The passage confirms different characteristics, epidemiology, severity, affected populations, and long-term impacts—supporting that they should not be dealt with similarly.
- Therefore, only Statement 2 is valid, making Option 2 the correct answer.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Real value should not change in the instance of static output cost and unchanged quantities against falling oil prices.
- Deflators are to be used separately for inputs and outputs, and this is a practice universally adopted by all economies.
Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
The passage clarifies that under double deflation, if oil prices fall while output prices and quantities remain constant, real value added should remain unchanged—not merely "real value" as Statement 1 claims.
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: It states "real value" instead of "real value added," misrepresenting the passage's specific reference to deflation methodology.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The passage states "most countries" use double deflation, and explicitly mentions India uses a single deflator—proving the practice is not universal.
- Therefore, neither statement is correct, making Option 4 the correct answer.
Which of the following conclusions are valid?
- Seven Sanskriti Angans, representing different regions of India, had been showcased in Kalagram.
- Regional artistry was recognised via the inspiration drawn from iconic temples.
- India's ancient history had been crafted by the contemporary craftsmanship of 230 artisans into creations to behold.
- Art forms from all regions of India had been showcased in these living galleries.
Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
The passage states that Kalagram featured seven meticulously crafted Sanskriti Angans representing India's diverse regions, and that these thematic zones were inspired by iconic temples like Dakshineshwar Kali Temple and Brahma Mandir, showcasing regional artistry.
- Statement 1 is Valid: Seven Sanskriti Angans representing different regions of India were explicitly mentioned in the passage.
- Statement 2 is Valid: Regional artistry was recognized through zones inspired by iconic temples, as stated in the passage.
- Statement 3 is Invalid: The passage says artisans shaped India's ancient history into creations, not that they crafted ancient history itself—this overstates the text.
- Statement 4 is Invalid: Only examples from Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh are given; the passage does not claim all regions were represented.
- Therefore, only statements 1 and 2 are valid, making Option 1 the correct answer.
UPSC CSAT 2026 Questions Paper - Subject-wise Question Distribution
UPSC CSAT 2026 Question Paper - FAQs & Analysis
Q1 How many total questions were asked in UPSC CSAT 2026?
Q2 What is the subject-wise question breakdown for UPSC CSAT 2026?
- CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test): 80 questions (100%)