2026 CSAT, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2026 · CSAT

Question 26: Reading Comprehension

Passage · as printed by UPSC
Passage beginning “When SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in…”Passage beginning “When SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in…”

Which of the following conclusions is/are valid?

  1. 1.Though SARS-CoV-2 and HMPV are similar viruses with somewhat different epidemiology, the former became a pandemic because it was novel and people had not been exposed to it in the past.
  2. 2.The two viruses have fundamentally different impacts on human populations and should not therefore be dealt with in a similar manner.

Select the answer using the code given below.

a1 only
b2 only
cBoth 1 and 2
dNeither 1 nor 2

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

The passage stresses that the two viruses come from unrelated families, behave in basically different ways, and also differ in severity, long-term effects and the groups they affect. Statement 2 follows: with such different impacts, handling them alike is not warranted. Statement 1 contradicts the passage by calling them similar viruses with somewhat different epidemiology; the novelty of SARS-CoV-2 is mentioned, but it is paired with a false claim of similarity.

  • 1. The passage says the viruses are fundamentally different, not similar.
  • 2. Very different impacts support treating them differently.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.

    What you needed to know: The passage says the viruses are fundamentally different, not similar.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: Very different impacts support treating them differently.

Only (b) is left. This one needs every statement.

This follows UPSC’s provisional key; the final key could change it.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: 1 calls the viruses similar, against the passage.
  • (b) Right: 2 follows from the fundamental differences the passage stresses.
  • (c) Wrong: 1 is false.
  • (d) Wrong: 2 is a valid conclusion.

Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.