P, Q, R, S and T are ranked 1 to 5 (not necessarily in that order). The rank of P is 4, the rank of Q is not 5, the rank of R is 1, the rank of S is not 2, the rank of T is not 3. Then which of the following is/are correct?
- I.If the rank of S is 3, then that of T is 2.
- II.If the rank of Q is 3, then that of T is 5.
Select the answer using the code given below.
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) Neither I nor II
With P = 4 and R = 1, the ranks 2, 3 and 5 remain for Q, S and T, and only two orders fit the conditions: (Q, S, T) = (2, 3, 5) or (3, 5, 2). In each case the 'then' part of the statement is the opposite of what actually happens.
- P = 4, R = 1, so Q, S, T share ranks 2, 3 and 5.
- Q ≠ 5 → Q is 2 or 3; S ≠ 2 → S is 3 or 5; T ≠ 3 → T is 2 or 5.
- Q = 2: then T ≠ 3 forces T = 5 and S = 3.
- Q = 3: then S ≠ 2 forces S = 5 and T = 2.
- S = 3 happens only with T = 5, so I is wrong; Q = 3 happens only with T = 2, so II is wrong.
- ✗ I S = 3 occurs only in the order Q = 2, S = 3, T = 5, so T is 5, not 2.
- ✗ II Q = 3 occurs only in the order Q = 3, S = 5, T = 2, so T is 2, not 5.
Remember · List all arrangements that satisfy the restrictions; there are usually very few, then test each 'if…then' against them.
Question and answer: UPSC's provisional GS Paper II (2026, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·