What is the missing term @ in the following?
ACPQ: BESU :: MNGI: @
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) NPJM
Going from ACPQ to BESU, the four letters move forward by 1, 2, 3 and 4 places. Applying the same shifts to MNGI gives N, P, J and M.
- A → B (+1), C → E (+2), P → S (+3), Q → U (+4).
- M + 1 = N, N + 2 = P, G + 3 = J, I + 4 = M.
- The missing term is NPJM.
Remember · In letter analogies, write the shift for each position separately; the shifts often run 1, 2, 3, 4.
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). ·