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 B scores the least, the rank of C will be
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) Second or third
If C were first, E would be last; B is last, so F is first. D and A are close competitors — adjacent, with D just above A — and C is above A, so C must be above the D–A pair. With E free to go anywhere in places 2–5, C is second or third.
- B last means C is not first (C first would force E last), so F is first.
- Places 2–5 hold C, D, A and E; D is just above A (close competitors) and C is above A.
- C cannot sit between D and A, so C is above D.
- Possible orders: F, C, D, A, E, B / F, C, E, D, A, B / F, E, C, D, A, B.
- C is second or third.
Remember · 'Close competitors' means adjacent ranks; treat such a pair as one block when listing arrangements.
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). ·