Three Statements S1, S2 and S3 are given below followed by a Question:
- S1.C is younger than D, but older than A and B.
- S2.D is the oldest.
- S3.A is older than B.
- Question: Who among A, B, C and D is the youngest?
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above Statements and the Question?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) S1 and S3 together are sufficient to answer the Question.
S1 puts D above C and C above both A and B, so the youngest is A or B. S3 settles that pair: A is older than B, so B is the youngest. S2 adds nothing S1 did not already give.
- S1: D > C > A and D > C > B, so the youngest is A or B — S1 alone is not enough.
- S2 only repeats that D is the oldest, so S1 and S2 together still leave A or B.
- S2 and S3: A > B, but C's position is unknown — C could be youngest.
- S1 and S3: D > C > A > B, so B is the youngest.
Remember · Find what each statement leaves open, then pick the statement that closes exactly that gap.
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2020, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·