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Topic Chemical elements
Asked 3 times across 2 UPSC exams over 31 years (1992–2023), peaking in 2023.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 2 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2023
- Recurs across 2 years (1992–2023)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1992 → CDS 2023
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (2 of 3) are since 2016.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CDS2023
Which one among the following are the correct symbols for the elements gold, tin and lead, respectively ?
- A Ga, Sb, Pb
- B At, Sn, Le
- C Au, Sn, Pb ✓
- D Au, Sb, Pb
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
CDS2023
What is the total number of naturally occurring elements ?
- A 114
- B 94 ✓
- C 86
- D 82
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
CSE1992
Which one of the following is an element?
- A Ruby
- B Sapphire
- C Emerald
- D Diamond ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
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