Directions for the following 3 (three) items: Read the following information and answer the three items that follow:
Six students A, B, C, D, E and F appeared in several tests. Either C or F scores the highest. Whenever C scores the highest, then E scores the least. Whenever F scores the highest, B scores the least.
In all the tests they got different marks; D scores higher than A, but they are close competitors; A scores higher than B; C scores higher than A.
If F stands second in the ranking, then the position of B is
Answer & explanation
Answer: (c) Fifth
If F is second, C must be first, and then E is last. Places 3, 4 and 5 go to D, A and B in that order (D above A, A above B), so B is fifth.
- Either C or F is first; F is second, so C is first.
- C first → E is sixth (least).
- D, A and B fill places 3–5 with D above A and A above B.
- Order: C, F, D, A, B, E — B is fifth.
Remember · Apply the 'either–or' rule first; it fixes the top and bottom, leaving a short chain to slot in.
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2019, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·