If 'ZERO' is written as 'CHUR', then how is 'PLAYER' written?

Answer: (d) SODBHU

Each letter moves 3 places forward in the alphabet: Z → C, E → H, R → U, O → R. Moving each letter of PLAYER 3 places forward gives SODBHU.

1. Z + 3 = C (wrapping round after Z), E + 3 = H, R + 3 = U, O + 3 = R, so ZERO → CHUR.
2. PLAYER: P + 3 = S, L + 3 = O, A + 3 = D, Y + 3 = B, E + 3 = H, R + 3 = U.
3. So PLAYER is written as SODBHU.

Remember · In letter coding, find the shift for each letter (remember the wrap-around after Z); a constant shift applies letter by letter.

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2023, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). · Report an error