S1: Our Constitution reminds us of the necessity of representation in a large democracy.
S6: Elections have today become the most visible symbol of the democratic process.
P: This is why elections become important.
Q: Therefore representatives are elected by the people.
R: Whenever we think of India as a democracy, our mind invariably turns to our successful elections.
S: All citizens cannot participate in taking every decision.
NDA English · 17 questions · 2017 to 2026
NDA Ordering sentences in a passage previous year questions with solutions
About one question in forty in the English paper: a passage with its first and last sentences fixed and four middle sentences to order. Set in 2018 and 2019, absent until 2025, then back in both sittings with school history and civics prose. 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: In this section each item consists of six sentences of a passage. The first and sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The middle four sentences in each have been jumbled up and labelled as P, Q, R and S. You are required to find the proper sequence of the four sentences.
12.1 How the question is set, and the method: read S1 and S6 first, then lock the opener and the closer (2)12.2 Pronouns, demonstratives and repeated nouns: what each sentence points back to (3)12.3 Time sequence: dates, periods and the life of a thing (4)12.4 Connectors and enumeration: from the general statement to its examples, reasons and conclusion (3)12.5 The 2018 format: sentence fragments inside the passage frame (5)
12.1 How the question is set, and the method: read S1 and S6 first, then lock the opener and the closer
1. NDA 2025 (I)
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) S Q P R
Method. General statement, 'Therefore', 'This is why'
Locked: S (all citizens cannot participate in every decision) then Q ('Therefore representatives are elected'), then P('This is why elections become important'), then R (our mind turns to elections), then S6 (elections the most visible symbol). S Q P R. (a) starts with Q, a 'Therefore' with no premise; (b) and (c) put P or R before the elections are shown to matter.
2. NDA 2019 (I)
S1: The British rule in India has brought about moral, material, cultural and spiritual ruination of this great country.
S6: We are not to kill anybody but it is our dharma to see that the curse of this Government is blotted out.
P: I regard this rule as a curse.
Q: Sedition has become my religion.
R: Ours is a non-violent battle.
S: I am out to destroy this system of Government.
The proper sequence should be
S6: We are not to kill anybody but it is our dharma to see that the curse of this Government is blotted out.
P: I regard this rule as a curse.
Q: Sedition has become my religion.
R: Ours is a non-violent battle.
S: I am out to destroy this system of Government.
The proper sequence should be
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) P S Q R
Method. Statement of view, then resolve, then creed, then method
Logic: P('I regard this rule as a curse') follows S1's ruination; S ('I am out to destroy this system') follows from it; Q ('Sedition has become my religion') states the creed; R ('Ours is a non-violent battle') leads straight into S6 ('We are not to kill anybody'). P S Q R. (a) S P R Q ends on Q, cutting R from S6 and putting the resolve before the reason.
12.2 Pronouns, demonstratives and repeated nouns: what each sentence points back to
3. NDA 2025 (II)
S1. In many countries, there are millions of people who are underprivileged and deprived
S6. In the past forced labour was imposed by landlords, money-lenders, and other wealthy persons
P. Both of these are prohibited under the Constitution of India
Q. One such form of exploitation in our country has been begar or forced labour without payment
R. The marginalised are often subjected to exploitation by their fellow human beings
S. Another closely related form of exploitation is buying and selling of human beings and using them as slaves
S6. In the past forced labour was imposed by landlords, money-lenders, and other wealthy persons
P. Both of these are prohibited under the Constitution of India
Q. One such form of exploitation in our country has been begar or forced labour without payment
R. The marginalised are often subjected to exploitation by their fellow human beings
S. Another closely related form of exploitation is buying and selling of human beings and using them as slaves
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) R Q S P
Method. General statement, example forms, 'Both of these' closes
Locked: R (the marginalised are exploited) after S1; Q ('One such form') and S ('Another closely related form') in that order; P('Both of these') after the two forms are named; S6 ('In the past forced labour was imposed by landlords …') follows. R Q S P. (a) and (d) start with Q, 'One such form' with nothing to refer to; (c) starts with P, 'Both of these' with nothing named.
4. NDA 2025 (I)
S1: Although all sources of energy ultimately come from natural processes, non-renewable resources cannot be replaced naturally at the rate they are being used.
S6: The sustainable use of natural resources in a manner that provides the maximum benefit of these resources to humans over a period of time can be termed as conservation.
P: This will increase the time and cost of mining and once these resources are used up they cannot be replaced.
Q: Hence, we must remember that though our country is rich in mineral deposits these resources are short-lived.
R: Extraction of these ores through the process of mining will soon become difficult and very expensive because these minerals have to be mined from greater depths over time.
S: Mineral resources can be said to be finite and non-renewable.
S6: The sustainable use of natural resources in a manner that provides the maximum benefit of these resources to humans over a period of time can be termed as conservation.
P: This will increase the time and cost of mining and once these resources are used up they cannot be replaced.
Q: Hence, we must remember that though our country is rich in mineral deposits these resources are short-lived.
R: Extraction of these ores through the process of mining will soon become difficult and very expensive because these minerals have to be mined from greater depths over time.
S: Mineral resources can be said to be finite and non-renewable.
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) S Q R P
Method. 'This' (P) needs R as antecedent; 'Hence' (Q) follows S
Locked pairs: S (minerals are finite) then Q ('Hence … resources are short-lived'); R (extraction becomes difficult and costly) then P('This will increase the time and cost of mining'), where 'This' refers to the rising difficulty in R. P ends with 'cannot be replaced', which leads to S6 on conservation. S Q R P. (b) and (d) put P before R, leaving 'This' with nothing to refer to; (a) ends on S, the general statement.
5. NDA 2025 (I)
S1: The South African Constitution was inaugurated in December 1996.
S6: A special constitutional court enforces the rights enshrined in the Constitution.
P: Its creation and promulgation took place at a time when South Africa still faced the threat of a civil war after the dissolution of the Apartheid Government.
Q: The South African Constitution says that its “Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa.”
R: Apropos, it forbids discrimination on the grounds of “race, gender, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth”.
S: The Bill of Rights grants perhaps the most extensive range of rights to the citizens.
S6: A special constitutional court enforces the rights enshrined in the Constitution.
P: Its creation and promulgation took place at a time when South Africa still faced the threat of a civil war after the dissolution of the Apartheid Government.
Q: The South African Constitution says that its “Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa.”
R: Apropos, it forbids discrimination on the grounds of “race, gender, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth”.
S: The Bill of Rights grants perhaps the most extensive range of rights to the citizens.
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) P Q S R
Method. Pronoun chain: 'Its' (P) -> Constitution; 'The Bill of Rights' Q then S; 'it' (R) -> Bill of Rights
Locked: P('Its creation and promulgation') follows S1 at once; Q introduces the Bill of Rights; S ('The Bill of Rights grants …') follows; R ('Apropos, it forbids discrimination') gives an instance of those rights, leading to S6 (court enforces the rights). P Q S R. (a) and (b) start with Q or S before the Constitution's history; (c) puts R's 'it' before the rights are described.
12.3 Time sequence: dates, periods and the life of a thing
6. NDA 2025 (II)
S1. Al-Biruni was born in 973, in Khwarizm in present-day Uzbekistan
S6. He arrived in Ghazni as a hostage, but gradually developed a liking for the city
P. In 1017, when Sultan Mahmud invaded Khwarizm, he took several scholars back to his capital, Ghazni: Al-Biruni was one among them
Q. He was well versed in several languages; Syriac, Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, and Sanskrit
R. Khwarizm was an important centre of learning, and Al-Biruni received the best education available at the time
S. However he did not know Greek, although he was familiar with the works of Plato and other Greek philosophers
S6. He arrived in Ghazni as a hostage, but gradually developed a liking for the city
P. In 1017, when Sultan Mahmud invaded Khwarizm, he took several scholars back to his capital, Ghazni: Al-Biruni was one among them
Q. He was well versed in several languages; Syriac, Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, and Sanskrit
R. Khwarizm was an important centre of learning, and Al-Biruni received the best education available at the time
S. However he did not know Greek, although he was familiar with the works of Plato and other Greek philosophers
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) R Q S P
Method. Chronology of a life; S6 follows the capture (P)
Locked: R (Khwarizm, his education) follows S1 (birth there); Q (languages), then S ('However' he did not know Greek) after Q; P(taken to Ghazni in 1017) precedes S6 ('He arrived in Ghazni as a hostage'). R Q S P. (a) starts with Q and S; (c) puts the 1017 capture before his education; (d) puts the capture before the languages and 'However' loses its contrast.
7. NDA 2025 (II)
S1. Vijayanagara or ‘city of victory’ was the name of both a city and an empire
S6. They remembered it as Hampi, a name derived from that of the local mother goddess, Pampadevi
P. In its heyday it stretched from the river Krishna in the north to the extreme south of the Indian peninsula
Q. Although it fell into ruin in the seventeenth-eighteenth centuries, it continued to live in the memories of the people who inhabited the Krishna-Tungabhadra doab
R. In 1565 the city was sacked and subsequently deserted
S. The Empire was founded in the fourteenth century
S6. They remembered it as Hampi, a name derived from that of the local mother goddess, Pampadevi
P. In its heyday it stretched from the river Krishna in the north to the extreme south of the Indian peninsula
Q. Although it fell into ruin in the seventeenth-eighteenth centuries, it continued to live in the memories of the people who inhabited the Krishna-Tungabhadra doab
R. In 1565 the city was sacked and subsequently deserted
S. The Empire was founded in the fourteenth century
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) S P R Q
Method. Founding, extent, fall, afterlife; 'They' in S6 = people
Locked: S (founded in the fourteenth century), P(heyday extent), R (sacked in 1565), Q ('Although it fell into ruin … continued to live in the memories of the people'); S6 ('They remembered it as Hampi') follows from 'the people'. S P R Q. (b) places Q's afterlife before the heyday; (c) and (d) start before the empire is founded.
8. NDA 2025 (II)
S1. Liberalisation and globalisation freed India’s economy from the low GDP trap that had impeded India’s progress
S6. Today India has transformed into one of the largest economies of the world
P. India’s 3 pc rate of growth and a set of emergent circumstances led to a balance of payment crisis in the early 1990s
Q. Ease of business was ensured, and the requirement for import licences, and production quotas, were removed
R. Apart from these measures India also took a loan from the IMF to tide over the crisis, but after 1993, India has not taken another loan from the IMF
S. In a landmark budget in 1991, responding to the emergent crisis, India delicenced many industries and liberalised its economic policies
S6. Today India has transformed into one of the largest economies of the world
P. India’s 3 pc rate of growth and a set of emergent circumstances led to a balance of payment crisis in the early 1990s
Q. Ease of business was ensured, and the requirement for import licences, and production quotas, were removed
R. Apart from these measures India also took a loan from the IMF to tide over the crisis, but after 1993, India has not taken another loan from the IMF
S. In a landmark budget in 1991, responding to the emergent crisis, India delicenced many industries and liberalised its economic policies
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) P S Q R
Method. Cause (crisis), response (budget), details, further measure
Locked: P(the crisis) then S ('responding to the emergent crisis'); Q (ease of business, licences removed) explains the delicensing in S; R ('Apart from these measures … loan from the IMF′) comes after the measures. P S Q R, then S6 (today's economy). (a) starts with Q before the crisis and the budget; (b) puts the budget before the crisis it answers; (c) starts with R, 'these measures' with none stated.
9. NDA 2025 (I)
S1: India, at present, has one of the largest road networks in the world.
S6: It passes through Howrah, Delhi and Amritsar and terminates in Kabul (Afghanistan).
P: The importance of roads has been recognised in India since the ancient times.
Q: The Grand Trunk Road was built by Sher Shah Suri across the Indo-Gangetic plain, from Chittagong (Bangladesh) to Peshawar (Pakistan).
R: Kings such as Ashoka and Chandragupta built roads for easy transportation of goods and people.
S: Construction of roads continued as an important activity in the late medieval period.
S6: It passes through Howrah, Delhi and Amritsar and terminates in Kabul (Afghanistan).
P: The importance of roads has been recognised in India since the ancient times.
Q: The Grand Trunk Road was built by Sher Shah Suri across the Indo-Gangetic plain, from Chittagong (Bangladesh) to Peshawar (Pakistan).
R: Kings such as Ashoka and Chandragupta built roads for easy transportation of goods and people.
S: Construction of roads continued as an important activity in the late medieval period.
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) P R S Q
Method. Chronological order; 'It' in S6 = Grand Trunk Road
Locked: S6 ('It passes through Howrah, Delhi and Amritsar') needs Q (the Grand Trunk Road) immediately before it. Chronology: P(ancient importance), R (Ashoka, Chandragupta), S (late medieval), Q (Sher Shah). P R S Q. (a) and (c) put Q before R or S, against chronology and ahead of its turn; (b) puts S (late medieval) before P and R (ancient).
12.4 Connectors and enumeration: from the general statement to its examples, reasons and conclusion
10. NDA 2025 (II)
S1. Sufism is an English word coined in the Nineteenth Century
S6. It may also have been suffa, the platform outside a place of Islamic worship
P. Historians have understood this term in several ways
Q. According to some scholars, it is derived from suf, meaning wool
R. Others derive it from safa, meaning purity
S. The word used for Sufism in Islamic texts is tasawwuf
S6. It may also have been suffa, the platform outside a place of Islamic worship
P. Historians have understood this term in several ways
Q. According to some scholars, it is derived from suf, meaning wool
R. Others derive it from safa, meaning purity
S. The word used for Sufism in Islamic texts is tasawwuf
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) S P Q R
Method. Definition then 'this term', 'some … others' pair, 'also' (S6)
Locked: S (the word is tasawwuf) before P('this term' = tasawwuf); P announces several derivations; Q ('some scholars … suf') and R ('Others … safa') are a pair, Q first; S6 ('It may also have been suffa') adds a third. S P Q R. (a) puts S after Q and R; (d) R first, 'Others' with no 'some'.
Second reading: P Q S R (c), with 'this term' = Sufism and R's 'it' = tasawwuf. Rejected: it splits the some/others pair and S interrupts the derivations; key b argued on tasawwuf as the antecedent of 'this term' and the lock Q-R.
11. NDA 2025 (I)
S1: National highways connect one state with another and are of national importance.
S6: These road systems are also known as primary road systems and are laid and operated under the supervision of the National Highway Authority of India.
P: They are important because whereas they constitute merely two per cent of the total road networks, they nevertheless carry 40 per cent of the total road traffic.
Q: The road infrastructure of the country is therefore crucial, and their construction and maintenance is of critical importance.
R: They bear the load of traffic because these roads connect long distances and pass through major cities and towns.
S: Since they cover the length and breadth of the nation and connect cities and towns, these highways are the primary facilitators of trade and connectivity.
S6: These road systems are also known as primary road systems and are laid and operated under the supervision of the National Highway Authority of India.
P: They are important because whereas they constitute merely two per cent of the total road networks, they nevertheless carry 40 per cent of the total road traffic.
Q: The road infrastructure of the country is therefore crucial, and their construction and maintenance is of critical importance.
R: They bear the load of traffic because these roads connect long distances and pass through major cities and towns.
S: Since they cover the length and breadth of the nation and connect cities and towns, these highways are the primary facilitators of trade and connectivity.
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) P R S Q
Method. 'therefore' (Q) is the conclusion, so it comes last; P-R pair; S is the final reason
Reading: P('They are important because … two per cent … 40 per cent') answers S1's 'of national importance'; R ('They bear the load of traffic') follows the 40 per cent figure; S adds the further reason (trade and connectivity); Q ('is therefore crucial') draws the conclusion and S6 ('These road systems …') follows. P R S Q. (b) and (d) put R or Q before P, though R needs P's traffic figure; (c) P R Q S puts a new 'Since …' reason after the conclusion.
Second reading: P R Q S (c) is not absurd, with S6 following 'primary facilitators'. Key a argued on 'therefore' last.
12. NDA 2019 (I)
S1: We do not know what to do with our knowledge.
S6: In the course of time they may rule over us altogether.
P: For example, we are unable to manage our machines.
Q: We already find it difficult to do without machines.
R: Machines should be fed properly and waited upon attentively; otherwise they refuse to work or cause destruction.
S: Science has given us superhuman powers, which we do not use properly.
The proper sequence should be
S6: In the course of time they may rule over us altogether.
P: For example, we are unable to manage our machines.
Q: We already find it difficult to do without machines.
R: Machines should be fed properly and waited upon attentively; otherwise they refuse to work or cause destruction.
S: Science has given us superhuman powers, which we do not use properly.
The proper sequence should be
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) S P R Q
Method. General statement, then example, then explanation, then consequence
Locked: S states the general point (powers we misuse); P('For example, we are unable to manage our machines') must follow it; R explains the difficulty ('Machines should be fed …'); Q ('difficult to do without machines') leads to S6 ('they may rule over us'). S P R Q. (d) S R P Q puts the explanation R before the example P that raises the machines.
12.5 The 2018 format: sentence fragments inside the passage frame
13. NDA 2018 (I)
S1: The Subsidiary Alliance system was extremely advantageous to the British.
S6: They controlled the defence and the foreign relations of the protected ally.
P: They could now maintain a large army at the cost of Indian states
Q: if any war occurred in the territories
R: either of the British ally or of the Britishers
S: This enabled them to fight wars far away from their own territories
The proper sequence should be
S6: They controlled the defence and the foreign relations of the protected ally.
P: They could now maintain a large army at the cost of Indian states
Q: if any war occurred in the territories
R: either of the British ally or of the Britishers
S: This enabled them to fight wars far away from their own territories
The proper sequence should be
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) P S Q R
Method. Fixed pair: 'This' (S) needs P as antecedent; fragments Q-R continue S
Locked: P then S ('This enabled them' refers to the large army maintained). Q ('if any war occurred in the territories') and R ('either of the British ally or of the Britishers') are fragments that complete S, so they follow S: P S Q R, then S6 on control of defence. (a) P Q R S puts the fragments before the sentence they complete; (c) starts with the fragment Q after S1; (d) starts with 'This' with no antecedent.
14. NDA 2018 (I)
S1: In reality, by signing a Subsidiary Alliance, an Indian state virtually signed away its independence.
S6: In fact, the Indian ruler lost all vestiges of sovereignty in external matters.
P: of maintaining diplomatic relations
Q: It lost the right of self defence
R: with its neighbours
S: and of settling its disputes
The proper sequence should be
S6: In fact, the Indian ruler lost all vestiges of sovereignty in external matters.
P: of maintaining diplomatic relations
Q: It lost the right of self defence
R: with its neighbours
S: and of settling its disputes
The proper sequence should be
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Q P S R
Method. Fragment chain: 'It lost the right of … of maintaining … and of settling … with its neighbours'
Locked: Q opens with 'It' (the state) and 'the right of'; P('of maintaining diplomatic relations') and S ('and of settling its disputes') are its parallel objects, P before S; R ('with its neighbours') closes both. Q P S R. (a) starts with P, a fragment after S1; (b) starts with R; (d) puts R before P, leaving P('of maintaining diplomatic relations') dangling after 'neighbours'.
15. NDA 2018 (I)
S1: A mighty popular Revolt broke out in Northern and Central India in 1857.
S6: Millions of peasants, artisans and soldiers fought heroically and wrote a glorious chapter.
P: Sepoys, or the Indian soldiers of the Company’s army
Q: but soon engulfed wide regions and involved the masses
R: and nearly swept away the British rule
S: It began with a mutiny of the
The proper sequence should be
S6: Millions of peasants, artisans and soldiers fought heroically and wrote a glorious chapter.
P: Sepoys, or the Indian soldiers of the Company’s army
Q: but soon engulfed wide regions and involved the masses
R: and nearly swept away the British rule
S: It began with a mutiny of the
The proper sequence should be
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) R S P Q
Method. Fragment continuing S1: R completes S1's sentence; S-P-Q is the next sentence
Locked: R ('and nearly swept away the British rule') extends S1 ('A mighty popular Revolt broke out … in 1857 and nearly swept away the British rule'). Then S+P is one sentence ('It began with a mutiny of the Sepoys …'), and Q ('but soon engulfed wide regions …') continues it. R S P Q. (b) and (d) start with fragments P or Q; (c) puts R between 'a mutiny of the' and its noun.
16. NDA 2018 (I)
S1: The Indian Civil Service gradually developed into one of the most efficient and powerful civil services in the world.
S6: though these qualities obviously served British, and not Indian interests.
P: and often participated in the making of policy
Q: independence, integrity and hard work
R: They developed certain traditions of
S: Its members exercised vast power
The proper sequence should be
S6: though these qualities obviously served British, and not Indian interests.
P: and often participated in the making of policy
Q: independence, integrity and hard work
R: They developed certain traditions of
S: Its members exercised vast power
The proper sequence should be
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) S P R Q
Method. Fragment chain: S 'Its members', P 'and …', R 'They … traditions of', Q 'independence, integrity and hard work'
Locked: S ('Its members' = the ICS) comes straight after S1; P('and often participated …') continues S. R ('They developed certain traditions of') takes its list from Q ('independence, integrity and hard work'), and S6 ('though these qualities …') points back to Q. S P R Q. Any option starting with P, Q or R begins with a fragment.
17. NDA 2018 (I)
S1: The ruin of Indian handicrafts was reflected in the ruin of the towns and cities which were famous for their manufactures.
S6: Centres were developed and laid waste.
P: Dacca, Surat, Murshidabad and many other rising industrial
Q: ravages of war and plunder, failed to
R: survive British conquest
S: Cities which had withstood the
The proper sequence should be
S6: Centres were developed and laid waste.
P: Dacca, Surat, Murshidabad and many other rising industrial
Q: ravages of war and plunder, failed to
R: survive British conquest
S: Cities which had withstood the
The proper sequence should be
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) S Q R P
Method. Fragment chain: S 'Cities which had withstood the' + Q + R; P + S6 'Centres …'
Locked: S ('Cities which had withstood the') + Q ('ravages of war and plunder, failed to') + R ('survive British conquest') make one sentence. P('Dacca, Surat … rising industrial') then runs into S6 ('Centres …'), P last. S Q R P. (a) and (d) start with fragments; (c) puts P before Q, splitting 'failed to' from 'survive'. Source S6 as printed.
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