Topic Carbon
Asked 4 times across 2 UPSC exams over 5 years (2018–2023), peaking in 2023.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 2 of 4 PYQs
- Most asked in 2023
- Recurs across 3 years (2018–2023)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2018 → NDA 2021
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (4 of 4) are since 2016.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CDS2023
Which one of the following statements is correct about diamond and graphite ?
- A Diamond and graphite have similar physical and chemical properties.
- B Diamond is hard but graphite is smooth and slippery. ✓
- C Diamond and graphite are both non-conductors of electricity.
- D Both diamond and graphite have similar structures.
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
NDA2023
Which among the following statements with respect to carbon is/are correct ?
- Carbon forms the basis for all living organisms and many things we use
- Carbon shows tetra-valency and the property of catenation
- Carbon forms covalent bonds with itself and other elements
- Carbon forms compounds containing triple and tetra bonds between carbon atoms
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- A 1 only
- B 1 and 2 only
- C 1, 2 and 3 ✓
- D 2 and 4
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
NDA2021
Which one of the following materials is not an allotrope of carbon ?
- A Diamond
- B Graphene
- C Fly ash ✓
- D Fullerene
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
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