Data Interpretation MCQs for UPSC Prelims

510 practice questions covering Data Interpretation, organised into 6 topics. 510 questions include a written explanation; 54 are from previous year papers. Pick a topic below, or try the samples first.

Practice by topic

Caselets & Mixed Data

94 questions with answers

Tables

93 questions with answers

Pie Charts

84 questions with answers

Line Graphs

83 questions with answers

Bar Graphs

82 questions with answers

Data Sufficiency

78 questions with answers

Sample questions

Q1
Previous year question medium
The following pie charts show the break-up of disease categories recorded in the patients from two towns, Town A and Town B. The pie charts plot the disease categories as a percentage of the total number of patients in each town (categories: Diabetes, High BP, Obesity, Heart Disease, Others). Based on these, which of the two towns has a higher number of persons with Diabetes? (a) Town A (b) Town B (c) Same in Town A and Town B (d) No inference can be drawn
  1. A Town A
  2. B Town B
  3. C Same in Town A and Town B
  4. D No inference can be drawn
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - No inference can be drawn

The pie charts give only the percentage of patients in each disease category, not the actual number of patients in each town. To compare the absolute number of diabetic persons, we would need the total number of patients in Town A and Town B, which is not provided. A higher percentage in one town can still mean fewer people if its total patient count is smaller. Therefore no inference about the actual number can be drawn.
Q2
Previous year question easy
A 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?
  1. A 54°
  2. B 96°
  3. C 108°
  4. D 120°
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - 108°

The three components must total 100%. With proteins at 16% and water at 70%, other dry elements account for 100 - 16 - 70 = 14%. Then p = proteins + other dry elements = 16 + 14 = 30%. The central angle for 30% of a pie is 0.30 x 360 = 108 degrees, option (c). Option (a) 54 degrees corresponds to 15%, option (b) 96 degrees to about 26.7%, and option (d) 120 degrees to 33.3% - none matches the 30% sector.
Q3
Previous year question easy
A graph shows the average profit of two fruit-sellers A and B in thousands (Rs.) per year from the year 1995 to 2000. Approximate values read from the graph (in thousands of rupees):
Year199519961997199819992000
A3.04.05.03.44.06.0
B4.04.04.04.05.05.4
What is the trend of the average profit of B from the year 1997 to the year 2000?
  1. A Non-increasing
  2. B Non-decreasing
  3. C Steady
  4. D Fluctuating
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - Non-decreasing

B's values from 1997 to 2000 are 4, 4, 5, 5.4. The sequence never falls: it stays the same from 1997 to 1998, then rises in 1999 and again in 2000. A series that never decreases (some steps flat, some rising) is called non-decreasing. It is not steady because it does change, and not fluctuating because it never goes down.
Q4
Previous year question medium
In a survey regarding a proposed measure to be introduced, 2878 persons took part of which 1652 were males. 1226 persons voted against the proposal of which 796 were males. 1425 persons voted for the proposal. 196 females were undecided. How many males were undecided?
  1. A 31
  2. B 227
  3. C 426
  4. D 581
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - 31

Total undecided = total participants minus those against minus those for = 2878 - 1226 - 1425 = 227. Of the undecided, 196 are females, so males undecided = 227 - 196 = 31.
Q5
Previous year question hard
A question is given followed by two Statements I and II. Consider the Question and the Statements and mark the correct option. Question: Let P, Q, R, S be distinct non-zero digits. If PP x PQ = RRSS, where P <= 3 and Q <= 4, then what is Q equal to? Statement I: R = 1. Statement II: S = 2. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above Question and the Statements?
  1. A The Question can be answered by using one of the Statements alone, but cannot be answered using the other statement alone.
  2. B The Question can be answered by using either Statement alone.
  3. C The Question can be answered by using both the Statements together, but cannot be answered using either Statement alone.
  4. D The Question can be answered even without using any of the Statements.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - The Question can be answered even without using any of the Statements.

Write PP = 11P and RRSS = 1100R + 11S = 11(100R + S). Dividing the equation PP x PQ = RRSS by 11 gives P x (10P + Q) = 100R + S. Since R and S are non-zero digits, 100R + S is at least 101. Test the allowed values of P (P at most 3): P = 1 gives at most 1 x 14 = 14; P = 2 gives at most 2 x 24 = 48; both are too small. P = 3 gives 3 x (30 + Q) = 90 + 3Q, which reaches 101 only if Q is at least 11/3, so Q = 4 (since Q is at most 4). Check: 33 x 34 = 1122, so R = 1 and S = 2, all digits distinct. Q = 4 is forced by the conditions in the question itself, so neither statement is required. The question can be answered even without using any of the statements. The official UPSC key confirms option (d).
Q6
Previous year question easy
Study the data from two figures, given here as tables, and answer the item that follows. Number of professors in selected disciplines in a University, by sex:
DisciplineMaleFemale
Physics328
Mathematics288
Chemistry1622
Botany1014
Psychology46
Economics248
Age of Physics professors (from a pie chart):
Age groupShare of Physics professors
25-34 years30%
35-44 years40%
45-59 years20%
60-65 years10%
What percentage of all Psychology professors are females?
  1. A 40%
  2. B 50%
  3. C 60%
  4. D 70%
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - 60%

For Psychology, male professors are 4 and female professors are 6, so the total is 10. The percentage of females is (6 / 10) x 100 = 60%.

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