UPSC Prelims 2026 · CSAT
Question 80: Basic Numeracy
A shopkeeper employs a delivery boy and gives him a motorcycle for home delivery. For every delivery, the boy is given ₹5. At the end of the day, he also gets ₹2 for every kilometre of the distance covered in the day. The boy wants to earn more than ₹500 a day, but does not want to travel more than 100 km. Which of the following numbers of deliveries would definitely meet his target?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
Earnings are 5 × deliveries + 2 × kilometres. The distance is not given for any number of deliveries; it can be anything up to 100 km. With 80 deliveries he gets 400 and needs more than 50 km; with 85, 425 and more than 37.5 km; with 90, 450 and more than 25 km. A short distance would leave him at or below 500 for any of these, so none is guaranteed. The data are insufficient.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: 80 deliveries need more than 50 km, which is not assured.
- (b) Wrong: 85 deliveries need more than 37.5 km, which is not assured.
- (c) Wrong: 90 deliveries need more than 25 km, which is not assured.
- (d) Right: the distance is unknown, so no number of deliveries is guaranteed.
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.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.