Analytical Arrangements
38 UPSC CSE (Prelims) Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability previous year questions (PYQs) from 9 papers, 2017 to 2026, with answers and worked solutions.
About this chapter
- Difficulty: 2 easy · 26 moderate · 10 hard.
- Most-asked subtopics: Matrix and Distribution Puzzles (14), Ordering and Ranking (14), Linear and Circular Seating (5).
- Updated 29 August 2026.
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#1HardLinear and Circular Seating
#2ModerateOrdering and Ranking
#3HardOrdering and Ranking
#4ModerateGrouping and Selection
- Set · 2 questionsThe plan of an office block for six officers A, B, C, D, E and F is as follows : Both B and C occupy offices to the right of the corridor (as one enters the office block) and A occupies on the left of the corridor. E and F occupy offices on opposite sides of the corridor but their offices do not face each other. The offices of C and D face each other. E does not have a corner office. F’s office is further down the corridor than A’s, but on the same side.
#5ModerateLinear and Circular Seating
#6ModerateLinear and Circular Seating
- Set · 6 questionsA, B, C and D are students. They are studying in four different cities, viz., P, Q, R and S (not necessarily in that order). They are studying in Science college, Arts college, Commerce college and Engineering college (not necessarily in that order), which are situated in four different States, viz., Gujarat, Rajasthan, Assam and Kerala (not necessarily in that order). Further, it is given that— (i) D is studying in Assam (ii) Arts college is located in city S which is in Rajasthan (iii) A is studying in Commerce college (iv) B is studying in city Q (v) Science college is located in Kerala
#7ModerateMatrix and Distribution Puzzles
#8ModerateMatrix and Distribution Puzzles
#9ModerateMatrix and Distribution Puzzles
#10ModerateMatrix and Distribution Puzzles
#11ModerateMatrix and Distribution Puzzles
#12ModerateMatrix and Distribution Puzzles
#13HardGrouping and Selection
#14ModerateMatrix and Distribution Puzzles
#15ModerateOrdering and Ranking
#16ModerateOrdering and Ranking
#17EasyOrdering and Ranking
#18ModerateMatrix and Distribution Puzzles
#19ModerateMatrix and Distribution Puzzles
#20ModerateOrdering and Ranking
#21HardLinear and Circular Seating
- Set · 3 questionsA, B, C, D, E, F and G are Lecturers from different cities—Hyderabad, Delhi, Shillong, Kanpur, Chennai, Mumbai and Srinagar (not necessarily in the same order) who participated in a conference. Each one of them is specialized in a different subject, viz., Economics, Commerce, History, Sociology, Geography, Mathematics and Statistics (not necessarily in the same order). Further 1. Lecturer from Kanpur is specialized in Geography 2. Lecturer D is from Shillong 3. Lecturer C from Delhi is specialized in Sociology 4. Lecturer B is specialized in neither History nor Mathematics 5. Lecturer A who is specialized in Economics does not belong to Hyderabad 6. Lecturer F who is specialized in Commerce belongs to Srinagar 7. Lecturer G who is specialized in Statistics belongs to Chennai
#22ModerateMatrix and Distribution Puzzles
#23ModerateMatrix and Distribution Puzzles
#24ModerateMatrix and Distribution Puzzles
#25EasyMatrix and Distribution Puzzles
- Set · 3 questionsEight railway stations A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are connected either by two-way passages or one-way passages. One-way passages are from C to A, E to G, B to F, D to H, G to C, E to C and H to G. Two-way passages are between A and E, G and B, F and D, and E and D.
#26ModerateRoute and Network Puzzles
#27HardRoute and Network Puzzles
#28HardRoute and Network Puzzles
- Set · 3 questionsSix students A, B, C, D, E and F appeared in several tests. Either C or F scores the highest. Whenever C scores the highest, then E scores the least. Whenever F scores the highest, B scores the least. In all the tests they got different marks; D scores higher than A, but they are close competitors; A scores higher than B; C scores higher than A.
#29ModerateOrdering and Ranking
#30ModerateOrdering and Ranking
#31HardOrdering and Ranking
- Set · 2 questionsS1 : Twice the weight of Sohan is less than the weight of Mohan or that of Rohan. S2 : Twice the weight of Rohan is greater than the weight of Mohan or that of Sohan.
#32ModerateOrdering and Ranking
#33ModerateOrdering and Ranking
#34ModerateOrdering and Ranking
#35HardOrdering and Ranking
#36HardLinear and Circular Seating
#37ModerateOrdering and Ranking
#38HardMatrix and Distribution Puzzles