UPSC Prelims PYQ › Quantitative Aptitude › Data Interpretation
Data Interpretation — UPSC CSAT Paper II Quantitative Aptitude previous year questions
20 free solved previous year questions on Data Interpretation, papers from 2012 to 2026, drawn from UPSC CSAT, UPSC CDS, covering questions of the kind UPSC asks in CSAT Paper II. Every answer key has been checked again against published sources and solved independently, and each explanation is written fresh.
Read all 20 questions with answers
- #1UPSC CSAT 2026In a recruitment process, the selection of candidates is based on their performance in three components. The weightages of the components 1, 2 and 3 are 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5, respectively. Use the data given below and find the cut-off score if exactly three candidates are to be selected:Candidate | Score in component 1 | Score in component 2 | Score in component 31 | 5 | 4 | 62 | 4 | 6 | 53 | 3 | 2 | 84 | 9 | 4 | 35 | 8 | 8 | 2
- A5.1
- B5.2
- C5.3
- D5.4
Answer: (A) 5.1Explanation
Weighted score = 0.2 × (comp 1) + 0.3 × (comp 2) + 0.5 × (comp 3).
Candidate 1: 1.0 + 1.2 + 3.0 = 5.2.
Candidate 2: 0.8 + 1.8 + 2.5 = 5.1.
Candidate 3: 0.6 + 0.6 + 4.0 = 5.2.
Candidate 4: 1.8 + 1.2 + 1.5 = 4.5.
Candidate 5: 1.6 + 2.4 + 1.0 = 5.0.
The top three scores are 5.2, 5.2 and 5.1. Exactly three are selected if the cut-off is 5.1.
Answer: option (a).Source: UPSC CSAT 2026 Paper II (Set A); answer key checked by independent computation and against UPSC's provisional key
- #2UPSC CSAT 2022A pie chart gives the expenditure on five different items A, B, C, D and E in a household. If B, C, D and E correspond to 90 degrees, 50 degrees, 45 degrees, and 75 degrees respectively, then what is the percentage of expenditure on item A?
- A112/9
- B125/6
- C155/9
- D250/9
Answer: (D) 250/9Explanation
B + C + D + E = 90 + 50 + 45 + 75 = 260 degrees.
A = 360 - 260 = 100 degrees.
Percentage = 100/360 x 100 = 250/9 %.
Answer: option (d).Source: UPSC CSAT 2022 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #3UPSC CSAT 2021Consider the following Table:Players | Runs scored in First Innings | Balls faced in First Innings | Runs scored in Second Innings | Balls faced in Second InningsA | 61 | 99 | 14 | 76B | 05 | 12 | 50 | 85C | 15 | 75 | 20 | 50D | 13 | 55 | 12 | 50Who is the fastest run scorer in the Test Match?
- AA
- BB
- CC
- DD
Answer: (B) BExplanation
Fastest scorer means best overall runs per ball over both innings.
A: 75/175 = 0.43; B: 55/97 = 0.57; C: 35/125 = 0.28; D: 25/105 = 0.24.
B has the highest rate.
Answer: option (b).Source: UPSC CSAT 2021 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #4UPSC CSAT 2020Consider the following data:Year | Birth rate | Death rate1911-1921 | 48.1 | 35.51921-1931 | 46.4 | 36.31931-1941 | 45.2 | 31.21941-1951 | 39.9 | 27.41951-1961 | 41.7 | 22.81961-1971 | 41.1 | 18.91971-1981 | 37.1 | 14.8For which period was the natural growth rate maximum?
- A1911 - 1921
- B1941 - 1951
- C1961 - 1971
- D1971 - 1981
Answer: (D) 1971 - 1981Explanation
Natural growth = birth rate - death rate.
For the options: 12.6, 12.5, 22.2 and 22.3 respectively.
1971-1981 has the highest value.
Answer: option (d).Source: UPSC CSAT 2020 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #5UPSC CSAT 2015 · key correctedThe proportion of expenditure on various items by two families A and B are represented in the following Bar Charts:Family A (total expenditure Rs. 20,000 per month): Food 50% | Other items 30% | Education 20%Family B (total expenditure Rs. 10,000 per month): Food 10% | Other items 60% | Education 30%From these charts, we can conclude that
- AFamily A spent more money on food than Family B.
- BFamily B spent more money on food than Family A.
- CFamily A and Family B spent the same amount on food.
- DThe expenditure on food by Family A and Family B cannot be compared.
Answer: (A) Family A spent more money on food than Family B.Explanation
Family A food = 50% of Rs. 20,000 = Rs. 10,000.
Family B food = 10% of Rs. 10,000 = Rs. 1,000 (the chart shows Rs. 10,000 total for B).
So Family A spent more on food than Family B.
Answer: option (a).Source: UPSC CSAT 2015 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #6UPSC CSAT 2014The following table shows the marks obtained by two students in different subjects:Subject | Student A Marks | Maximum | Student B Marks | MaximumEnglish | 60 | 100 | 80 | 150Psychology | 70 | 100 | 70 | 100History | 30 | 100 | 60 | 100Sanskrit | 50 | 50 | 15 | 25The difference in the mean aggregate percentage marks of the students is
- A2.5%
- B13.75%
- C1.25%
- DZero
Answer: (D) ZeroExplanation
A: total 60+70+30+50 = 210 out of 100+100+100+50 = 350, so 60%.
B: total 80+70+60+15 = 225 out of 150+100+100+25 = 375, so 60%.
Both have the same aggregate percentage, so the difference is zero.
Answer: option (d).Source: UPSC CSAT 2014 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #7UPSC CSAT 2014The following table gives population and total income of a city for four years:Year | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995Population (in lakhs) | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23Income (in crores of Rs.) | 1010 | 1111 | 1225 | 1345Which one of the following statements is correct in respect of the above data?
- APopulation increased by 5% or more every year.
- BIncome increased by 10% or more every year.
- CPer capita income was always above Rs.5,000.
- DPer capita income was highest in 1994.
Answer: (C) Per capita income was always above Rs.5,000.Explanation
Population growth: 21/20 = 5%, but 22/21 is about 4.8%, so (a) fails. Income growth: 1345/1225 is about 9.8%, so (b) fails.
Per capita income = income x 10^7 / (population x 10^5) = 5050, 5290, 5560, 5850 for the four years.
All exceed 5,000 and the highest is in 1995, so (c) holds and (d) fails.
Answer: option (c).Source: UPSC CSAT 2014 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #8UPSC CSAT 2013Study the two figures given below.Figure 1 (number of professors in a University, by sex):Discipline | Male | FemalePhysics | 32 | 8Mathematics | 28 | 8Chemistry | 16 | 22Botany | 10 | 14Psychology | 4 | 6Economics | 24 | 8Figure 2 (age of Physics professors): 25-34 years = 30%; 35-44 years = 40%; 45-59 years = 20%; 60-65 years = 10%.How many Physics professors belong to the age group 35-44?
- A18
- B16
- C14
- D12
Answer: (B) 16Explanation
Physics professors = 32 + 8 = 40.
35-44 age group is 40% of them: 0.4 x 40 = 16.
Answer: option (b).Source: UPSC CSAT 2013 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #9UPSC CSAT 2013Study the two figures given below.Figure 1 (number of professors in a University, by sex):Discipline | Male | FemalePhysics | 32 | 8Mathematics | 28 | 8Chemistry | 16 | 22Botany | 10 | 14Psychology | 4 | 6Economics | 24 | 8Figure 2 (age of Physics professors): 25-34 years = 30%; 35-44 years = 40%; 45-59 years = 20%; 60-65 years = 10%.Which one of the following disciplines has the highest ratio of males to females?
- APhysics
- BMathematics
- CChemistry
- DEconomics
Answer: (A) PhysicsExplanation
Male : female is 32/8 = 4 (Physics), 28/8 = 3.5 (Mathematics), 16/22 = 0.73 (Chemistry), 24/8 = 3 (Economics).
Physics has the highest ratio.
Answer: option (a).Source: UPSC CSAT 2013 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #10UPSC CSAT 2013Study the two figures given below.Figure 1 (number of professors in a University, by sex):Discipline | Male | FemalePhysics | 32 | 8Mathematics | 28 | 8Chemistry | 16 | 22Botany | 10 | 14Psychology | 4 | 6Economics | 24 | 8Figure 2 (age of Physics professors): 25-34 years = 30%; 35-44 years = 40%; 45-59 years = 20%; 60-65 years = 10%.What percentage of all Psychology professors are females?
- A40%
- B50%
- C60%
- D70%
Answer: (C) 60%Explanation
Psychology has 4 male and 6 female professors, 10 in all.
Females = 6/10 = 60%.
Answer: option (c).Source: UPSC CSAT 2013 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #11UPSC CSAT 2013Study the two figures given below.Figure 1 (number of professors in a University, by sex):Discipline | Male | FemalePhysics | 32 | 8Mathematics | 28 | 8Chemistry | 16 | 22Botany | 10 | 14Psychology | 4 | 6Economics | 24 | 8Figure 2 (age of Physics professors): 25-34 years = 30%; 35-44 years = 40%; 45-59 years = 20%; 60-65 years = 10%.If the number of female Physics professors in the age group 25-34 equals 25% of all the Physics professors in that age group, then what is the number of male Physics professors in the age group 25-34?
- A9
- B6
- C3
- D2
Answer: (A) 9Explanation
Physics professors in 25-34 = 30% of 40 = 12.
Females there = 25% of 12 = 3, so males = 12 - 3 = 9.
Answer: option (a).Source: UPSC CSAT 2013 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #12UPSC CSAT 2013Study the two figures given below.Figure 1 (number of professors in a University, by sex):Discipline | Male | FemalePhysics | 32 | 8Mathematics | 28 | 8Chemistry | 16 | 22Botany | 10 | 14Psychology | 4 | 6Economics | 24 | 8Figure 2 (age of Physics professors): 25-34 years = 30%; 35-44 years = 40%; 45-59 years = 20%; 60-65 years = 10%.If the Psychology professors in the University constitute 2% of all the professors in the University, then what is the number of professors in the University?
- A400
- B500
- C600
- D700
Answer: (B) 500Explanation
Psychology professors = 4 + 6 = 10, which is 2% of the total.
Total = 10 / 0.02 = 500.
Answer: option (b).Source: UPSC CSAT 2013 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #13UPSC CSAT 2012Consider the following information regarding the performance of a class of 1000 students in four different tests:Test | I | II | III | IVAverage marks | 60 | 60 | 70 | 80Range of marks | 30 to 90 | 45 to 75 | 20 to 100 | 0 to 100If a student scores 74 marks in each of the four tests, in which one of the following tests is her performance the best comparatively?
- ATest I
- BTest II
- CTest III
- DTest IV
Answer: (B) Test IIExplanation
Compare her marks with the average, relative to how wide the range is.
Test II has the narrowest range (30 marks) and 74 is only 1 mark below the top score of 75, so she is far above its average of 60.
In the other tests the top score is 90, 100 and 100, so 74 is less impressive.
Answer: option (b).Source: UPSC CSAT 2012 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #14UPSC CDS 2023A grouped frequency distribution is given below:Weekly wages in Rs. | Number of workers2050-2550 | 52550-3050 | 103050-3550 | k3550-4050 | 84050-4550 | 24550-5050 | 10If average weekly wages earned by a worker is Rs.3520 then what is the value of k?
- A10
- B12
- C15
- D20
Answer: (C) 15Explanation
Use class mid-points 2300, 2800, 3300, 3800, 4300, 4800.
Sum of f x m = 90500 + 3300k, and total workers = 35 + k.
Setting 90500 + 3300k = 3520(35 + k) gives 220k = 3300, so k = 15.
Answer: option (c).Source: UPSC CDS 2023 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #15UPSC CDS 2023A grouped frequency distribution is given below (the same distribution as the previous item, where the average weekly wage is Rs.3520 so that k is fixed):Weekly wages in Rs. | Number of workers2050-2550 | 52550-3050 | 103050-3550 | k3550-4050 | 84050-4550 | 24550-5050 | 10What is the median (approximate value) of the distribution?
- ARs.3,263
- BRs.3,383
- CRs.3,413
- DRs.3,483
Answer: (B) Rs.3,383Explanation
From the previous item k = 15, so N = 50 and N/2 = 25.
Cumulative frequencies are 5, 15, 30, so the median class is 3050-3550.
Median = 3050 + (25-15)/15 x 500 = 3050 + 333.3 = about 3383.
Answer: option (b).Source: UPSC CDS 2023 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #16UPSC CDS 2022The table below gives the age-wise population percentage of a city:Age Group | PercentageBelow 30 years | 14.0030-34.99 | 29.7535-39.99 | 26.2540-44.99 | 045-49.99 | 18.5050 years and above | 11.50The number of persons below the age of 40 years is 10.5 lakhs.What is the total population of the city (in lakhs)?
- A21
- B18
- C15
- D12
Answer: (C) 15Explanation
Persons below 40 years = 14 + 29.75 + 26.25 = 70% of the population.
So 70% of the total = 10.5 lakhs.
Total = 10.5 x 100/70 = 15 lakhs.
Answer: option (c).Source: UPSC CDS 2022 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #17UPSC CDS 2022Using the same data as the previous question (age-wise population table; total population 15 lakhs; below 30 years = 14.00%): if the ratio of taxpayers to other persons in the same age group below 30 years is 1 : 2, then what is the number of taxpayers (in lakhs) in that age group?
- A0.4
- B0.7
- C0.85
- D1.05
Answer: (B) 0.7Explanation
Persons below 30 years = 14% of 15 lakhs = 2.1 lakhs.
Taxpayers form 1 part out of 1 + 2 = 3 parts.
Taxpayers = 2.1/3 = 0.7 lakh.
Answer: option (b).Source: UPSC CDS 2022 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #18UPSC CDS 2022The expenditure (in lakhs of rupees) of a company for the years 2011 to 2017 is as under:Year | Expenditure2011 | 13.82012 | 15.42013 | 10.42014 | 13.12015 | 15.82016 | 17.22017 | 19.4How many times the increase in expenditure in a year exceeded by more than 15% as compared to previous year?
- A2
- B3
- C4
- D5
Answer: (A) 2Explanation
Year-on-year changes: 2012 +11.6%, 2013 -32.5%, 2014 +26.0%, 2015 +20.6%, 2016 +8.9%, 2017 +12.8%.
Only 2014 and 2015 exceed 15%.
The count is 2.
Answer: option (a).Source: UPSC CDS 2022 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #19UPSC CDS 2022The expenditure (in lakhs of rupees) of a company for the years 2011 to 2017 is as under:Year | Expenditure2011 | 13.82012 | 15.42013 | 10.42014 | 13.12015 | 15.82016 | 17.22017 | 19.4In which year, the percentage increase in expenditure is maximum as compared to its previous year?
- A2012
- B2014
- C2015
- D2017
Answer: (B) 2014Explanation
Percentage changes are 11.6% (2012), 26.0% (2014), 20.6% (2015) and 12.8% (2017); 2013 and 2016 are lower.
The largest rise is 26.0% in 2014, because the base 10.4 is small.
Answer: option (b).Source: UPSC CDS 2022 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #20UPSC CDS 2022The budget allocations represented in a pie diagram under five different heads A, B, C, D and E are respectively 40%, 18%, 9%, 25% and 8%. The total budget allocation is Rs. 300.4 lakhs.How much less amount is allocated to A and C together as compared to B, D and E together?
- ARs. 3.004 lakhs
- BRs. 4.005 lakhs
- CRs. 6.008 lakhs
- DRs. 8.010 lakhs
Answer: (C) Rs. 6.008 lakhsExplanation
A + C = 40 + 9 = 49%, while B + D + E = 18 + 25 + 8 = 51%.
The difference is 2% of 300.4 lakhs.
2% of 300.4 = 6.008 lakhs.
Answer: option (c).Source: UPSC CDS 2022 question; answer key checked by independent computation
Want all the Data Interpretation questions?
143 more questions on this topic, plus mock tests, revision and progress tracking, are in the full practice set. One payment of ₹499.
Get full access – ₹499 Already have a code? Unlock here