Topic Catalysis
Asked 5 times across 2 UPSC exams over 11 years (2015–2026), peaking in 2015.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 3 of 5 PYQs
- Most asked in 2015
- Recurs across 5 years (2015–2026)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CAPF 2015 → CDS 2016
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (4 of 5) 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.
CDS2026
Consider the following statements
- Concentrated H₂SO₄ is used as a dehydrating agent in esterification reaction
- The hydrophilic part of soap is oil and it dissolves in water
- Nickel is used as a catalyst in converting vegetable oil into fuel
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
- A 1, 2, 3 and 4
- B 1 and 2 only
- C 2 and 3 only
- D 1 and 3 only ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
CDS2024
Which of the following catalytic systems is used for the reduction of unsaturated hydrocarbon to saturated hydrocarbon?
- A Copper and H2
- B Iron and H2
- C Zinc and H2
- D Nickel and H2 ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
CAPF2022
Hydrogenation of alkenes can be carried out in the presence of
- A copper
- B zinc
- C aluminium
- D nickel ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
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