UPSC Prelims PYQ › Quantitative Aptitude › Percentage, Profit & Loss
Percentage, Profit & Loss — UPSC CSAT Paper II Quantitative Aptitude previous year questions
20 free solved previous year questions on Percentage, Profit & Loss, papers from 2019 to 2026, drawn from UPSC CSAT, 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 2026A person saves 10% of his salary every month. If his salary increases by 12% and the expenditure increases by 10%, then what will be the change in his saving per month?
- A20% increase
- B30% increase
- C03% decrease
- D02% decrease
Answer: (B) 30% increaseExplanation
Take salary = 100.
Saving = 10, so expenditure = 90.
New salary = 112. New expenditure = 90 × 1.10 = 99.
New saving = 112 – 99 = 13.
Change in saving = (13 – 10) ÷ 10 × 100 = 30%.
Saving has risen, so it is a 30% increase.
Answer: option (b).Source: UPSC CSAT 2026 Paper II (Set A); answer key checked by independent computation and against UPSC's provisional key
- #2UPSC CSAT 2025The price (p) of a commodity is first increased by k%; then decreased by k%; again increased by k%; and again decreased by k%. If the new price is q, then what is the relation between p and q?
- Ap(10^4 - k^2)^2 = q x 10^8
- Bp(10^4 - k^2)^2 = q x 10^4
- Cp(10^4 - k^2) = q x 10^4
- Dp(10^4 - k^2) = q x 10^8
Answer: (A) p(10^4 - k^2)^2 = q x 10^8Explanation
Each up-then-down pair multiplies the price by (1 + k/100)(1 - k/100) = 1 - k^2/10^4.
Two such pairs give q = p(1 - k^2/10^4)^2 = p(10^4 - k^2)^2 / 10^8.
Hence p(10^4 - k^2)^2 = q x 10^8.
Answer: option (a).Source: UPSC CSAT 2025 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #3UPSC CSAT 2025The petrol price shot up by 10% as a result of the hike in crude oil prices. The price of petrol before the hike was 90 per litre. A person travels 2200 km every month and his car gives a mileage of 16 km per litre. By how many km should he reduce his travel if he wants to maintain his expenditure at the previous level?
- A180 km
- B200 km
- C220 km
- D240 km
Answer: (B) 200 kmExplanation
Old spend = (2200/16) x 90 = 12375. New price = 99 per litre.
Petrol affordable at the same spend = 12375/99 = 125 litres, which covers 125 x 16 = 2000 km.
Reduction = 2200 - 2000 = 200 km.
Answer: option (b).Source: UPSC CSAT 2025 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #4UPSC CSAT 2024P's salary is 20% lower than Q's salary which is 20% lower than R's salary. By how much percent is R's salary more than P's salary?
- A48.75%
- B56.25%
- C60.50%
- D62.25%
Answer: (B) 56.25%Explanation
Take R = 100. Then Q = 80 and P = 64.
R exceeds P by 36, which is 36/64 of P.
36/64 x 100 = 56.25%. Answer: option (b).Source: UPSC CSAT 2024 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #5UPSC CSAT 2024A number is mistakenly divided by 4 instead of multiplying by 4. What the percentage change in the result due to this mistake?
- A25%
- B50%
- C72.75%
- D93.75%
Answer: (D) 93.75%Explanation
Let the number be n. Correct result 4n, mistaken result n/4.
Change = 4n - n/4 = 15n/4, taken against the correct 4n.
(15/4)/4 = 15/16 = 93.75% (a decrease). Answer: option (d).Source: UPSC CSAT 2024 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #6UPSC CSAT 2024In an examination, 80% of students passed in English, 70% of students passed in Hindi and 15% failed in both the subjects. What is the percentage of students who failed in only one subject?
- A15%
- B20%
- C25%
- D35%
Answer: (B) 20%Explanation
Failed English = 20%, failed Hindi = 30%, failed both = 15%.
Failed English only = 20 - 15 = 5%; failed Hindi only = 30 - 15 = 15%.
Failed in exactly one = 5 + 15 = 20%. Answer: option (b).Source: UPSC CSAT 2024 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #7UPSC CSAT 2024A person buys three articles P, Q and R for Rs 3,330. If P costs 25% more than R and R costs 20% more than Q, then what is the cost of P?
- ARs 1,000
- BRs 1,200
- CRs 1,250
- DRs 1,350
Answer: (D) Rs 1,350Explanation
Let Q = x. Then R = 1.2x and P = 1.25 x 1.2x = 1.5x.
Total = x + 1.2x + 1.5x = 3.7x = 3330, so x = 900.
P = 1.5 x 900 = 1,350. Answer: option (d).Source: UPSC CSAT 2024 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #8UPSC CSAT 2022The increase in the price of a certain item was 25%. Then the price was decreased by 20% and then again increased by 10%. What is the resultant increase in the price?
- A5%
- B10%
- C12.5%
- D15%
Answer: (B) 10%Explanation
Multiply the factors: 1.25 x 0.80 x 1.10 = 1.10.
The final price is 110% of the original.
Net increase = 10%.
Answer: option (b).Source: UPSC CSAT 2022 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #9UPSC CSAT 2022When 70% of a number x is added to another number y, the sum becomes 165% of the value of y. When 60% of the number x is added to another number z, then the sum becomes 165% of the value of z. Which one of the following is correct?
- Az < x < y
- Bx < y < z
- Cy < x < z
- Dz < y < x
Answer: (A) z < x < yExplanation
First: y + 0.7x = 1.65y gives y = 0.7x/0.65 = 1.077x, so y > x.
Second: z + 0.6x = 1.65z gives z = 0.6x/0.65 = 0.923x, so z < x.
Hence z < x < y.
Answer: option (a).Source: UPSC CSAT 2022 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #10UPSC CSAT 2022Two candidates X and Y contested an election. 80% of voters cast their vote and there were no invalid votes. There was no NOTA (None of the above) option. X got 56% of the votes cast and won by 1440 votes. What is the total number of voters in the voters list?
- A15000
- B12000
- C9600
- D5000
Answer: (A) 15000Explanation
With no NOTA, Y got 44%, so the margin is 56% - 44% = 12% of votes cast.
12% of votes cast = 1440, so votes cast = 12000.
This is 80% of the voters, so voters = 12000/0.8 = 15000.
Answer: option (a).Source: UPSC CSAT 2022 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #11UPSC CSAT 2021In a class, 60% of students are from India and 50% of the students are girls. If 30% of the Indian students are girls, then what percentage of foreign students are boys?
- A45%
- B40%
- C30%
- D20%
Answer: (D) 20%Explanation
Take 100 students: 60 Indian, 40 foreign, 50 girls.
Indian girls = 18, so foreign girls = 50 - 18 = 32.
Foreign boys = 40 - 32 = 8, which is 8/40 = 20% of foreign students.
Answer: option (d).Source: UPSC CSAT 2021 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #12UPSC CSAT 2021A pie diagram shows the percentage distribution of proteins, water and other dry elements in the human body. Given that proteins correspond to 16% and water corresponds to 70%. If both proteins and the other dry elements correspond to p%, then what is the central angle of the sector representing p on the pie diagram?
- A54°
- B96°
- C108°
- D120°
Answer: (C) 108°Explanation
Other dry elements = 100 - 16 - 70 = 14%.
p = 16 + 14 = 30% (equivalently 100 - 70).
Central angle = 30% of 360 = 108 degrees.
Answer: option (c).Source: UPSC CSAT 2021 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #13UPSC CSAT 2021If the price of an article is decreased by 20% and then the new price is increased by 25%, then what is the net change in the price?
- A0%
- B5% increase
- C5% decrease
- DCannot be determined due to insufficient data
Answer: (A) 0%Explanation
Final price = P x 0.8 x 1.25 = P.
The price returns to the original, so net change is 0%.
Answer: option (a).Source: UPSC CSAT 2021 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #14UPSC CSAT 2021P scored 40 marks more than Q in an examination. If Q scored 10% less marks than P, then how much did Q score?
- A360
- B380
- C400
- D420
Answer: (A) 360Explanation
Q = 0.9P and P = Q + 40.
So 0.1P = 40, P = 400 and Q = 360.
Answer: option (a).Source: UPSC CSAT 2021 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #15UPSC CSAT 2020A person bought a car and sold it for Rs. 3,00,000. If he incurred a loss of 20%, then how much did he spend to buy the car?
- ARs.3,60,000
- BRs.3,65,000
- CRs.3,70,000
- DRs.3,75,000
Answer: (D) Rs.3,75,000Explanation
Selling price = 80% of cost price.
Cost = 3,00,000 / 0.8 = Rs. 3,75,000.
Answer: option (d).Source: UPSC CSAT 2020 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #16UPSC CSAT 2020A shop owner offers the following discount options on an article to a customer:1. Successive discounts of 10% and 20%, and then pay a service tax of 10%2. Successive discounts of 20% and 10%, and then pay a service tax of 10%3. Pay a service tax of 10% first, then successive discounts of 20% and 10%Which one of the following is correct?
- A1 only is the best option for the customer.
- B2 only is the best option for the customer.
- C3 only is the best option for the customer.
- DAll the options are equally good for the customer.
Answer: (D) All the options are equally good for the customer.Explanation
Each option multiplies the price by 0.9, 0.8 and 1.1 in some order.
Multiplication is commutative, so each gives 0.792 of the price.
All options are equally good.
Answer: option (d).Source: UPSC CSAT 2020 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #17UPSC CSAT 2020In adult Population of a city, 40% men and 30% women are married. What is the percentage of married adult population if no man marries more than one woman and no woman marries more than one man; and there are no widows and widowers?
- A33 1/7%
- B34%
- C34 2/7%
- D35%
Answer: (C) 34 2/7%Explanation
Married men = married women: 0.4M = 0.3W, so M = 3W/4.
Married persons = 2 x 0.3W = 0.6W; adults = 7W/4.
Percentage = 0.6/(1.75) = 240/7 = 34 2/7%.
Answer: option (c).Source: UPSC CSAT 2020 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #18UPSC CSAT 2020As a result of 25% hike in the price of rice per kg, a person is able to purchase 6 kg less rice for Rs. 1,200. What was the original price of rice per kg?
- ARs.30
- BRs.40
- CRs.50
- DRs.60
Answer: (B) Rs.40Explanation
Let old price be x: 1200/x - 1200/(1.25x) = 6.
This gives 1200/x x 0.2 = 6, so x = 40.
Check: 30 kg earlier and 24 kg now, a drop of 6 kg.
Answer: option (b).Source: UPSC CSAT 2020 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #19UPSC CSAT 2019When a runner was crossing the 12 km mark, she was informed that she had completed only 80% of the race. How many kilometres was the runner supposed to run in this event?
- A14
- B15
- C16
- D16.5
Answer: (B) 15Explanation
12 km is 80% of the race.
Race length = 12 / 0.8 = 15 km.
Answer: option (b).Source: UPSC CSAT 2019 question; answer key checked by independent computation
- #20UPSC CSAT 2019A and B are two heavy steel blocks. If B is placed on the top of A, the weight increases by 60%. How much weight will reduce with respect to the total weight of A and B, if B is removed from the top of A?
- A60%
- B45.5%
- C40%
- D37.5%
Answer: (D) 37.5%Explanation
Take A = 100; with B on top the total is 160.
Removing B reduces the weight by 60.
Reduction relative to the total = 60/160 = 37.5%.
Answer: option (d).Source: UPSC CSAT 2019 question; answer key checked by independent computation
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