Consider the sequence given below:
4/12/95, 1/1/96, 29/1/96, 26/2/96, ....
What is the next term of the series?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (b) 25/3/96
Each date is 28 days after the one before. 26 February 1996 plus 28 days is 25 March, because 1996 is a leap year and February has 29 days.
- 4 December 1995 to 1 January 1996: 27 days to the end of December + 1 = 28 days.
- 1 January to 29 January: 28 days; 29 January to 26 February: 2 + 26 = 28 days.
- 1996 is divisible by 4, so February 1996 has 29 days.
- 26 February + 28 days: 3 days to 29 February, then 25 more — 25 March 1996.
Remember · In date sequences, find the constant gap in days and watch for leap years when crossing February.
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2018, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·