NDA English · 18 questions · 2017 to 2026
NDA One-word substitution and word usage previous year questions with solutions
Word meaning, one-word substitution and foreign phrases are a new line in the English paper: absent until 2024, five questions a sitting in 2025 as bare word-meaning items, then substitution pairs and Latin phrases in 2026. Every question UPSC has set on it since 2017, solved. Grouped by the method each needs, newest first; open a question for its answer and worked solution.
UPSC's instruction: Given below are some foreign phrases followed by four alternatives to each. Select the most appropriate alternative which provides the correct meaning of the foreign phrase used in English.
5.1 Word meaning: choosing the definition (10)5.2 One-word substitution: pairs to verify (3)5.3 Foreign phrases used in English (5)
5.1 Word meaning: choosing the definition
1. NDA 2025 (II)
Infelicity:
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) An inappropriate remark
Method. 'infelicity' = an inappropriate remark or expression
Collins: infelicity, something inappropriate, esp. a remark or expression; also unhappiness. Option b.
2. NDA 2025 (II)
Corollary:
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Something that naturally follows
Method. 'corollary' = a natural consequence
OALD: corollary, a direct or natural consequence or result of something. Option c.
3. NDA 2025 (II)
Quandary:
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) Situation in which you are confused about what to do
Method. 'quandary' = state of perplexity about what to do
OALD: quandary, a state of not being able to decide what to do in a difficult situation. Option a.
4. NDA 2025 (II)
Presumption:
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) Opinion formed before having all the facts
Method. 'presumption' = belief taken as true without full proof
Collins: presumption, an assumption or belief that something is true without proof. Option d (opinion formed before all the facts are known) is closest; b is the opposite, c contradicts 'without proof', a is a forecast, not a presumption. Option a/d overlap slightly, d is nearer the dictionary sense.
5. NDA 2025 (II)
Smug:
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) Too confident about one’s own achievements
Method. 'smug' = irritatingly self-satisfied
OALD: smug, showing too much satisfaction with your own achievements or situation. Option a; b describes obsequious.
6. NDA 2025 (I)
Cynosure:
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) Person or thing that attracts a lot of attention
Method. 'cynosure' = centre of attention
OALD: cynosure, a person or thing that is the centre of attention or admiration. Option b matches; the others describe a catalyst, a replica and a native/inhabitant.
7. NDA 2025 (I)
Coeval:
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) Person of roughly the same age
Method. 'coeval' = of the same age or period
Collins: coeval, a contemporary; of the same age or period. Option a matches; b is a collaborator, c a chauffeur, d an enumerator.
8. NDA 2025 (I)
Retrogression:
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Return to earlier state
Method. 'retrogression' = going back to an earlier state
OALD: retrogression, the act of returning to an earlier or worse state. Option c; a would be a slump, b is not a sense of the word.
9. NDA 2025 (I)
Imprest:
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) Money used to manage small expenses
Method. 'imprest' = advance of money for petty expenses
Collins: imprest, a fixed sum advanced to an employee or department for small expenses (the imprest system of petty cash). Option b.
10. NDA 2025 (I)
Turgid:
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Swollen or distended
Method. 'turgid' = swollen, distended
OALD/Collins: turgid, swollen and distended (as by fluid); also, of language, pompous. Option c; 'excited or upset' is no sense of turgid.
5.2 One-word substitution: pairs to verify
11. NDA 2026 (II)
Read the following pairs:
Identify the pairs wherein the one word substitution is correctly stated and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
Identify the pairs wherein the one word substitution is correctly stated and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
Figure: table (ruled grid, italic headers): (blank) | Group of words | One-word substitution; I. | One who studies handwriting | Graphologist; II. | One who draws maps | Cartographer; III. | One who studies flags | Vexillologist
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) I, II and III
Method. judging each one-word substitution pair
I: graphologist studies handwriting. II: cartographer draws/makes maps. III: vexillologist studies flags. All three are correct, so d.
12. NDA 2026 (II)
Read the following pairs:
Identify the pair(s) wherein the one word substitution is correctly stated and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
Identify the pair(s) wherein the one word substitution is correctly stated and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
Figure: table (ruled grid, italic headers): (blank) | Group of words | One-word substitution; I. | One who knows everything | Omnipotent; II. | One who is all powerful | Omniscient; III. | One who abandons religious faith | Apostate
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) III only
Method. judging each one-word substitution pair as printed
As printed, I pairs 'one who knows everything' with omnipotent, but that is omniscient; II pairs 'all powerful' with omniscient, but that is omnipotent: both swapped, so wrong. III: apostate = one who abandons religious faith − correct. Only III, so c.
13. NDA 2026 (I)
Read the following pairs:
Identify the pairs wherein the one-word substitution is correctly stated and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
Identify the pairs wherein the one-word substitution is correctly stated and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
Figure: table (two columns, no rules, italic headers): (blank) | Group of words | One-word substitution; I. | Decayed with usually a very bad or disgusting smell | Putrid; II. | Humorous in a clever and often ironic way | Wry; III. | In a state of tremulous excitement | Aflutter
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) I, II and III
Method. judging each one-word substitution pair
I: putrid = decayed and foul-smelling (OALD) − correct. II: wry = showing dry, ironic humour (OALD/Collins) − correct. III: aflutter = in a state of nervous, tremulous excitement − correct. All three hold, so d.
5.3 Foreign phrases used in English
14. NDA 2026 (II)
Ipso facto
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) By the fact itself
Method. 'ipso facto' = by that very fact
Latin ipso facto, literally 'by the fact itself' (OALD: by that very fact). Option c; 'in fact' (b) is the sense of de facto, not this phrase.
15. NDA 2026 (II)
Via media
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) A middle way
Method. 'via media' = a middle course
Latin via media, 'middle way', a compromise between two extremes (OALD/Collins). Option d.
16. NDA 2026 (II)
Quid pro quo
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Something given in exchange for something else
Method. 'quid pro quo' = something given in return
Latin 'something for something': a favour or advantage given in return for another (OALD). Option c; a is status quo, b is ergo.
17. NDA 2026 (II)
A posteriori
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) Based on reasoning from known facts or empirical evidence
Method. 'a posteriori' = reasoning from observed facts
Collins: a posteriori, reasoning from effects to causes or from observed facts, based on experience, as opposed to a priori. Option b; a is ab initio.
18. NDA 2026 (II)
Modus operandi
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) Method of operating
Method. 'modus operandi' = method of operating
Latin, 'way of operating': a particular way or method of doing something (OALD; abbreviated MO). Option b.