Data interpretation & sufficiency

Answer: (c) Either Statement-1 alone or Statement-2 alone is sufficient to answer the Question

Each statement on its own places Seema 35th from the bottom (31 + 4, or 37 − 2). In a class of 40 that is 40 − 35 + 1 = 6th from the top, so either statement alone is enough.

1. Statement-1: Priya is 31st from the bottom and 4 ranks below Seema, so Seema is 31 + 4 = 35th from the bottom.
2. Rank from top = 40 − 35 + 1 = 6. Statement-1 alone answers the Question.
3. Statement-2: Ena is 37th from the bottom and 2 ranks above Seema, so Seema is 37 − 2 = 35th from the bottom — again 6th from the top.
4. Each statement alone is sufficient.

• ✗ (a) Statement-1 alone gives Seema's rank (6th from the top).
• ✗ (b) Statement-2 alone also gives 6th from the top.
• ✓ (c) Either statement alone fixes Seema at 35th from the bottom, i.e. 6th from the top.
• ✗ (d) Combining is not needed, since each statement alone is enough.

Remember · Rank from top + rank from bottom = total + 1. In data sufficiency, test each statement alone before combining.

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2021, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink · Report an error

Answer: (c) Both Statement-1 and Statement-2 are required to answer the Question — UPSC also accepted (d)

Statement-2 gives C > A > D, and Statement-1 adds that A and D are heavier than B and E; only together do they show that C is the heaviest of the five. UPSC's final key accepted both (c) and (d), because when both statements are required it is also true that neither alone is sufficient.

1. Statement-1: A and D are heavier than B, E and F, but C is never compared with anyone, and 'the heaviest' may be someone outside the list — so it cannot name the heaviest of A, B, C, D, E.
2. Statement-2: C > A > D, but B and E are not compared with C — not sufficient alone.
3. Together: C > A > D, and A, D > B, E, so C is heavier than all the others — C is the heaviest.
4. Both statements are required (c). That also makes 'neither statement alone is sufficient' (d) true, and UPSC accepted both.

• ✗ (a) Statement-1 never places C, so it cannot settle who is heaviest among the five.
• ✗ (b) Statement-2 says nothing about B and E relative to C.
• ✓ (c) Combining gives C > A > D, with A and D both heavier than B and E, so C is the heaviest.
• ✓ (d) Since both statements are needed, neither alone is sufficient — literally true, and accepted by UPSC.

Remember · In data sufficiency, 'both are required' also means 'neither alone suffices' — watch for overlapping options.

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2021, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink · Report an error

Answer: (b) B

Speed of scoring is runs per ball over the whole match. B scores 55 runs off 97 balls (about 0.57 a ball), ahead of A (75 off 175), C (35 off 125) and D (25 off 105).

1. Fastest scorer = highest total runs ÷ total balls across both innings.
2. A: (61 + 14) ÷ (99 + 76) = 75 ÷ 175 ≈ 0.43 runs per ball.
3. B: (5 + 50) ÷ (12 + 85) = 55 ÷ 97 ≈ 0.57.
4. C: 35 ÷ 125 = 0.28; D: 25 ÷ 105 ≈ 0.24.
5. B has the highest rate, so B is the fastest run scorer.
6. Check: only B scores more than half a run per ball (55 > 97 ÷ 2).

Remember · Compare ratios of totals, not innings by innings; a simple benchmark (here half a run per ball) often settles it.

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2021, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 1 Oct 2026 (how we verify). Permalink · Report an error

Answer: (b) Statement-2 alone is sufficient to answer the Question

Knowing the third Saturday is the 17th fixes every date: Saturdays fall on the 3rd, 10th and 17th, so the 14th is a Wednesday. The last day being a Wednesday does not help without knowing how many days the month has.

1. Statement-2: the third Saturday is the 17th, so Saturdays fall on the 3rd, 10th and 17th.
2. The 14th is 4 days after Saturday the 10th — a Wednesday. Statement-2 alone answers the Question.
3. Statement-1: the last day is a Wednesday, but the month may have 28, 29, 30 or 31 days, so the 14th could be Wednesday, Tuesday, Monday or Sunday — not sufficient.
4. So Statement-2 alone is sufficient.

• ✗ (a) Without the month's length, the last day being Wednesday leaves four possibilities for the 14th.
• ✓ (b) Saturday the 17th means Saturday the 10th, so the 14th is a Wednesday.
• ✗ (c) Statement-1 is not needed.
• ✗ (d) Statement-2 alone is sufficient.

Remember · A dated weekday fixes the whole month; a 'last day' clue also needs the month's length.

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2021, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink · Report an error

Answer: (c) 108°

Everything other than water is 100 − 70 = 30%, so p = 30 (the 16% for proteins is not needed). Its sector angle is 30% of 360°, i.e. 108°.

1. Proteins + water + other dry elements = 100%, so proteins + other dry elements = 100 − 70 = 30%; p = 30.
2. Central angle = 30% of 360° = 0.3 × 360° = 108°.
3. Check: water's sector is 70% of 360° = 252°, and 252° + 108° = 360°.

Remember · Pie-chart angle = percentage × 3.6°; use the complement when that is quicker.

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2021, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink · Report an error