UPSC CSE Prelims Paper 2 (CSAT) Mock Test - 1 Free Online Test 2026

Option (a) is correct as the passage mentions, “Sustainable Development Goals Index celebrates rich countries while turning a blind eye to the damage they are causing. It violates the principle of “strong sustainability,” which holds that good performance on development indicators cannot legitimately substitute for destructive levels of ecological impact.” Thus, even high scores don’t necessarily ensure high levels of sustainability.

Option (b) is incorrect as the passage only mentions the “rich countries”. So, to specifically assume them to be Nordic countries would be out of the scope of the passage.

Option (c) is incorrect. The opening lines of the passage, “In effect, the Sustainable Development Goals Index celebrates rich countries while turning a blind eye to the damage they are causing” clearly highlights the issue with SDG indicators. It implies that a country can score well in SDG development indicators even when it causes environmental damage. However, this is not the crux of the passage.

Option (d) is incorrect as the passage merely talks about the issues with SDG indicators and stops short of suggesting measures to address the problem. This option could have been a good practical suggestion, but it is not the central message.

Statement 1 is correct. The passage mentions, “There is a needfor the sensitization ofstudents, teachers, and staff in all educational institutions, from primary schools to universities, on understanding and accepting queer and transgender folks.” It clearly implies that every stakeholder i.e. students, teachers and staff is not adequately sensitized about transgender persons, which is why the author mentioned the need for sensitization of all stakeholders. So this is a correct statement.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The passage nowhere talks about any Act before the said Act. So we cannot assume whether there was any law before the said Act or not. The passage also nowhere compares the said Act with any other Act in force. So this is an incorrect statement.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The passage mentions, “'India has taken a step in the right direction by enacting the Transgender Persons Act, which speaks of a trans-inclusive education system wherein transgender students learn with other students without fear of discrimination, neglect, or harassment.” It implies the removal of difficulties in the education sector. The passage is silent on other sectors like employment, reservation, marriage, etc. So here we cannot assume about other sectors. So, this is an incorrect statement.

Option (a) is correct. The passage mentions, “While infrastructure is essential for creating safe and inclusive places, we cannot underplay the importance of changing mindsets.” This implies while infrastructure is needed, attitudinal change is also a must. Here, infrastructure can include legal infrastructure as well. So this option aptly captures the crux of the passage.

Option (b) is incorrect. The passage mentions, “We cannot underplay the importance of changing mindsets.” It highlights the role of overall attitude and mindset in empowering transgender persons. The passage also mentions, “India has taken a step in the right direction by enacting the Transgender Persons Act, which speaks of a trans-inclusive education system wherein transgender students learn with other students without fear of discrimination, neglect, or harassment.” It implies with proper implementation of said Act, we can improve the conditions of transgender persons. But the answer option talks about ensuring a better world for the transgender even without good infrastructure. The very first line of the passage says, “While infrastructure is essential for creating safe and inclusive places....” Hence, this answer option goes against the fact stated in the passage. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

Option (c) is incorrect. The passage mentions, “India has taken a step in the right direction by enacting the Transgender Persons Act, which speaks of a trans-inclusive education system wherein transgender students learn with other students without fear of discrimination, neglect, or harassment.” It implies that the Act will help transgender in their empowerment. There is nothing wrong with this part. But the option does not mention people’s mindsets, which is duly emphasised upon by the author. So this is not the best crux. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

Option (d) is incorrect. The passage mentions, “There is a need for the sensitization of students, teachers, and staff in all educational institutions, from primary schools to universities, on understanding and accepting queer and transgender folks. ” It implies that the stakeholders in the education sector need to be better sensitized about transgender persons. However, the statement talks about India in general. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

Decreasing a price by 10%, then by 20%, and then by 30% is equivalent to taking 90% of a price, then taking 80% of the remaining price, and then taking 70% of that. That, in turn, is equivalent to multiplying the price by 0.90, then by 0.80, and then by 0.70.
For simplicity's sake, assume the initial price was Rs. 100. Then we can calculate the final price as follows:
Final price = 100 × 0.9 × 0.8 × 0.7
= Rs. 50.40
So, we essentially discounted the original price by Rs.49.60, which is 49.6%.

The best way to do this is to start with 100 and calculate the result.
The final number will be as follows: [(100 × 1/6) ÷ 1/7] × 7/10
= (100/1) × (1/6) × (7/1) × (7/10)
= 245 /3
= 
So, the final number will be of the original number which is 245/3 %.

We are given:

• M is 35% of N → So, M = 35/100 × N = 7/20 × N

• L is 25% of N → So, L = 25/100 × N = 1/4 × N

We are asked: What percent of M is L?

Step 1: Divide L by M

L / M = (1/4 × N) ÷ (7/20 × N)
= (1/4) ÷ (7/20)
= (1/4) × (20/7)
= 20 / 28
= 5 / 7

Step 2: Convert to percentage

(5/7) × 100 = 500/7 %

N is 75% of Y
So, N = (3/4) Y
X is 40% of N
So, X = (2/5) N = (2/5) (3/4) Y
= (3/10) Y
Statement 1: N is a multiple of 5, and X = (2/5) N. It means that X must be an integer, positive or negative.  
Statement 2: Y is a multiple of 4, and X = (3/10) Y. It means that X may or may not be an integer.
Using both statements together: X must be an integer, positive or negative.  
So, we cannot tell for sure whether X is a positive integer or not.

Let the percentage of the total votes secured by Party D be x%, then the percentage of total votes secured by Party R will be (x - 12)%.
As there are only two parties contesting in the election, the sum total of the votes secured by the two parties should sum up to 100% as there are no invalid votes.
So, x + (x -12) = 100
or 2x - 12 = 100
or 2x = 112
or x = 56%
Thus, Party D got 56% of the total votes.
So, Party R will get (56 -12)%, i.e. 44% of the total votes.
According to the question,
44% of the total votes = 132,000
Or (44/100) of the total votes = 132,000
So, Total votes = 132000 x (100/44) = 300,000
The margin by which Party R lost the election = 12% of the total votes = 12% of 300,000
= (12/100) x 300,000 = 36,000
Hence, option (c) is correct.

Let the maximum marks be “x”.
Candidate who gets 42% marks, gets 12% of the maximum marks more than the passing marks.
So, Pass percentage = (42 - 12)% of x = 30% of x
Candidate who gets 20% marks, fails by 10 marks.
So, Pass percentage = 20% of x + 10
So, 30% of x = 20% of x + 10
Or 30% of x - 20% of x = 10
Or 10% of x = 10
Or x = (10/10) x 100 = 100
Therefore, maximum marks = 100
Hence, option (b) is correct.

Let the amount of flower-nectar needed be x kg. Flower-nectar contains 50% water. So, flower-nectar contains 50% of non-watery part. Honey contains 15% water. So, amount of non-watery part in the honey will be 85%.
When processing flower-nectar into honeybees' extract, only the water is lost during processing.
Hence, the non-watery part in flower-nectar should be equal to the non-watery part in honey.
∴ 50% of the Amount of flower-nectar needed = 85% of the Amount of honey
Or 0.5 × x = 0.85 × 1 kg
Or x = (0.85/0.5) × 1 kg = 1.7 kg
Therefore, the amount of flower-nectar needed is 1.7 kg.
Hence, option (b) is correct.

80% of the men are less than or equal to 50 years old. So, 20% of the men are above the age of 50 years. 20% of these men play football.
Therefore, 20% of 20%, i.e.  4% of the total men are football players above the age of 50 years. 20% of the men are football players.
Therefore, 16% of the men are football players below or equal to the age of 50 years.
Therefore, the percentage of football players below or equal to the age of 50 years = (16/20) × 100 = 80%
Hence, option (c) is correct. 

Seats in executive class = 10% of 500 = 50
So, seats in chair car = 500 - 50 = 450
Total booked seats = 85% of 500 = 425
Seats booked in executive class = 96% of 50 = 48
Therefore, seats booked in chair car = 425 - 48 = 377
Empty seats in chair car = 450 - 377 = 73
Thus, option (b) is correct.

1. P = 110, R = 100

   • Sum: 110 + 100 = 210 ✓

   • Difference: 110 − 100 = 10. Is 10 equal to “r percent of 100”? Well, 10 is 10 percent of 100, so r = 10 % works perfectly. ✓

2. P = 30, R = 180

   • Sum: 30 + 180 = 210 ✓

   • Difference: 30 − 180 = −150. For that to be “r percent of 180,” you would need r = (−150 ÷ 180) × 100, which is about −83.33 %. In other words, r would be negative, which is not the usual interpretation of “r percent.” So this option forces r to be negative.

3. P = 3000, R = 3200

   • Sum: 3000 + 3200 = 6200, which is not 210. ✗

Since only the first pair (P = 110, R = 100) satisfies both “P + R = 210” and “difference is r percent of R” with a nonnegative r, the answer is:

P = 110, R = 100.

Quantity of boric acid in 100 cc solution = 80% of 100 cc = 80 cc
Quantity of water in 100 cc solution = 100 cc - 80 cc = 20 cc
Let x cc of water be added to get the concentration of 50%.
So, (80)/(100 + x) = 50/100
or (80)/(100 + x) = 1/2
or 80 × 2 = (100 + x)
or x = 160 - 100 = 60 cc
Thus, 60 cc of water must be added.
Hence, option (d) is correct.

Alternate method:
Concentration of boric acid in 100 cc solution = 80% of 100 cc = 80 cc
Quantity of water in 100 cc solution = 100 cc - 80 cc = 20 cc
Here we are adding water.
So, amount of boric acid is fixed.
When water is added to the solution, boric acid reduces to 50% of the solution.
Thus, 50% of the solution contains 80 cc.
So, 100% of the solution contains 160 cc.
Amount of water to be added in the solution = 160 cc - 100 cc = 60 cc
Hence, option (d) is correct.

Let B’s salary be Rs. 100.
Then A’s salary = Rs. 125
Required percentage = [(125 - 100)/125] x 100 = (25 /125) x 100 = 20%
Thus, B's salary is lower than A's salary by 20%.
Hence, option (b) is correct.

Option (a) is incorrect. The option states that separating the transport and tourism policy is not suitable for the society and the environment. However, the main discussion in the passage is not about separating these two policies, but about how to integrate them for reducing pollution. Also, to say that separating them will be detrimental will not be correct as the passage does not mention anything related to it. So, this is not the crucial message in the passage.

Option (b) is incorrect. This option talks about the indispensability of the transport sector for the tourism sector. However, the passage does not mention any information of this nature. There is no mandatory dependence of the tourism industry on the transport sector. Therefore, this is not the correct crucial message of the passage.

Option (c) is incorrect. This option mentions that poor public transport infrastructure is the cause of pollution and economic issues of rural inhabitants. However, this is a mere inference/assumption not based on any information in the passage. There is no discussion of public transport or economic issues faced by rural folks in the passage. Therefore, this is not the correct crucial message of the passage.

Option (d) is correct. This option captures the real essence of the passage. The lines “ Transport planning and tourism policy hcn’e to be integrated to achieve joint environmental and social objectives”, reflect the crucial message conveyed by the passage.

Option (a) is correct. This is the correct option because it mentions the core idea of the passage. The lines “To fight pesticide resistance .... several principles must be adhered to for delaying the emergence of resistance or cwoiding it entirely. These principles include pesticide rotation or switching, avoiding unnecessary pesticide applications, using non-chemical control techniques, and leaving untreated refuges where susceptible pests can sunnve ” properly captures the essence of the given option.

Option (b) is incorrect. The option states one of the probable consequences of long-term pesticide resistance, namely food insecurity. However, this is not the main theme of the passage as food insecurity is not discussed in the passage. So, to say that this is the central idea is not correct.

Option (c) is incorrect. This option is beyond the scope of the passage, because the lines “To fight pesticide resistance and based on a knowledge of the genetics of the development of pesticide resistance, several principles must be adhered to for delaying the emergence of resistance or cn’oiding it entirely” only mention about knowledge of genetics to fight pesticide resistance. However, it would be incorrect to infer that it is impossible to develop pesticides without the knowledge of the genetics of pests. Therefore, this is not the central idea of the passage.

Option (d) is incorrect. This option is beyond the scope of the passage because there is no discussion of bio-pesticides in the passage. This option is a practical policy implication, but not the central idea of the passage.

Inference 1 is incorrect. This option is not correct because the option mentions the cost of packaging. However, there is no discussion in the passage about the cost implications of nano packaging. So, this option is beyond the scope of the passage and hence is not a correct inference.

Inference 2 is correct. This assumption is correct as can be seen in the lines "There is a need to undertake further toxicological and migration studies to ensure safe development of nanotechnologies in the food packaging industry”. It shows that the current understanding of the impact of nanotechnology on the packaging is limited. So there is a need for further studies. Therefore, this assumption statement is correct.

Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct. The lines “Plants provide the raw material for industries producing pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, perfumes, and fragrance flavour imparting biochemical. Therefore, there is an urgent need for conservation, sustainable utilization, and management of plant genetic resources of the region to meet the growing requirements of food, fodder, fibre, health, water, and other needs ” show that plants are used in these processes. So, option (a) is correct.

Statements 3 and 5 are incorrect. The options for the prevention of soil erosion and air pollution are correct in general. However, they are not covered in the passage and the answer has to be based on the information given in the passage. Hence, these statements are not correct.

Assumption 1 is incorrect. The lines “ World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that about 80% of the developing country’s population still relies on traditional medicines, mostly plant drugs, to help meet their health care needs” merely talks about developing countries. Assuming that developed nations are mainly dependent on chemical-based medicines would not be correct. So, this assumption is not correct.

Assumption 2 is incorrect. The lines, “Therefore, there is an urgent need for conservation, sustainable utilization, and management ofplant genetic resources of the region to meet the growing requirements oj food, fodder, fibre, health, water, and other needs” show that conservation of plant genetic resources is required. However, we cannot assume from this that many plant genetic resources are getting extinct. So, this is an incorrect assumption.

Statement 1 is correct. As the passage mentions, "When physical activity is used as a break from academic learning time, post engagement effects include better attention, increased on-task behaviours, and improved academic performance." The closing lines, “Further, after-school physical activity programs shown to mediate improvements in academic performance, as well as the allocation of neural resources underlying performance on a working memory task” also reinforce the author’s stand. Thus, the author assumes that frequent physical activity breaks help in academic performance.

Statement 2 is correct. The opening lines clearly mention that post engagement (engagement in a physical activity) effects include better attention, increased on-task behaviours, and improved academic performance. Hence the assumption given in this statement is correct.

Option (a) is incorrect. The passage doesn't mention the monotonicity of the student's life. It is beyond the scope of the passage.

Option (b) is incorrect. The passage doesn't mention the benefits of physical activity concerning physical development. It is centred on the cognitive benefits of physical activity.

Option (c) is correct. The passage mentions, “ When physical activity is used as a break, from academic learning time, post engagement effects include better attention, increased on-task behaviours, and improved academic performance." Thus, physical activity improves attention and as well as the allocation of neural resources underlying performance on a working memory task.

Option (d) is incorrect. The passage doesn't mention the relation between physical activity and social skills and is thus beyond the scope of the passage.

Number of characters in one line = 65
Number of characters in one sheet = Number of lines × Number of characters per line = 55 × 65
Total number of characters in the report = Number of sheets × Number of characters in one sheet = 20 × 55 × 65 = 71500 
If the report is retyped, then new sheets have 65 lines, with 70 characters per line.
Number of characters in one sheet = 65 × 70
Number of sheets required = (Total number of characters)/(Number of characters in one sheet if retyped)
= 71500/(65 × 70) = 15.71
Hence, 16 sheets will be required if report is retyped.
Reduction in number of sheets = (20 - 16) = 4
Percentage reduction = (4/20) × 100 = 20%
Hence, option (a) is correct.

The person can buy 50 oranges or 40 mangoes.
Let the price of one orange be Rs. x.
Total amount the person has = 50 × x = Rs. 50x
Cost of 40 mangoes = 50x So, cost of one mango = 50x/40 = Rs. 1.25x
Amount retained for taxi fare = 10% of 50x = Rs. 5x
20 mangoes bought for 20 × 1.25x = Rs. 25x
Money left with the person = 50 x - (Taxi fare) - (Cost of 20 Mangoes) = 50x - 5x - 25x = Rs. 20x
One orange costs Rs. x.
Therefore, 20 oranges can be bought with Rs. 20x.
Thus, the person purchased 20 oranges.
Hence, option (d) is correct.

1. Out of every 100 employees, 40 are men and 60 are women.

2. Men earning more than 425 000: 75% of 40 = 30 men.

3. Total earning more than 425 000: 45% of 100 = 45 employees.

4. Therefore women earning more than 425 000 = 45 – 30 = 15.

5. So women earning 425 000 or less = 60 – 15 = 45.

6. Fraction of women earning 425 000 or less = 45/60 = 3/4.

Option (a) is correct. The passage mentions, "Suicides which happen due to coercion and threat of violence are not truly suicides, they are murders committed by all of us. " It implies that in many cases all of us, i.e. society provokes someone to such an extent that the person commits suicide. Not every suicide is provoked by society, but those involving coercion and threat of violence are provoked by society. Therefore, this is the correct option.

Option (b) is incorrect. The passage nowhere mentions that society is the only reason behind suicides. So this is an incorrect statement.

Option (c) is incorrect. The passage nowhere mentions that society promotes suicide in order to maintain its supremacy over individuals. This is entirely beyond the scope of this passage. So this is an incorrect statement.

Option (d) is incorrect. This option is incorrect because options (b) and (c) are already incorrect as explained above.

According to the passage, the "loving the talk of death" as a means of retribution is mentioned as a representation of insensitivity in human beings. Raising a voice against injustice, on the other hand, is portrayed as an essential step towards preventing such tragedies, not as an insensitive act.

Inference 1 is correct. The given option is correct as it is based on the lines “But importantly, this association was true only when the adults in those neighbourhoods also did not have strong shared norms about preventing crime and violence”. This shows that increase in children’s brain activity in response to viewing emotional faces on screen occurs only when adults in the neighbourhood also had weak attitudes towards preventing violence. This shows a correlation between adult behavior and children’s brain activity. Hence, this statement is correct.

Inference 2 is correct. The lines “But neighbours may help protect children from these effects on the brain when they can build positive social norms about looking out for one another and preventing violence”, show that neighbour also plays a critical role in the socialization of children besides family. They too could help in building positive values in children. So, this inference is correct.

Option (a) is correct. This option best captures the essence. The lines "Children growing up in more disadvantaged neighbourhoods - meaning those with poor housing quality, more poverty and lower levels of employment and education - show observable increases in brain activity when viewing emotional faces on a screen. But importantly, this association was true only when the adults in those neighbourhoods also did not have strong shared norms about preventing crime and violence”. All these lines show that neighbourhood and their sense of shared values can impact the brain development of the child. So, this is the best crux of the passage.

Option (b) is incorrect. This option seems to be correct. However, this is not based on the information in the passage. As per the passage, poverty in the neighbourhood negatively impacts children only when the adults are also inclined to commit crime and violence. So, this option is not the crux.

Option (c) is incorrect. This option in general seems to be correct but there is no discussion in the passage about how education can be a tool for imparting positive values to children. The passage is about the importance of neighbourhood and its impact on the brain development of the child. So, this option is not correct.

Option (d) is incorrect. This option is beyond the scope of the passage as it does not delve into suggesting policy measures for children living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. So, this option is not the crux.

40% of the boys is same as half of the girls, and there are 20 girls.
So, 40% of boys = 20/2 = 10
Therefore, 100% of boys = (10/40%) × 100% = 25
Therefore, total number of boys = 25
Thus, total number of students = 25 + 20 = 45
Hence, option (b) is correct.