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Topic Covalent bonding
Asked 4 times across 2 UPSC exams over 4 years (2020–2024), peaking in 2020.
Key insights
- Most tested in NDA — 3 of 4 PYQs
- Most asked in 2020
- Recurs across 4 years (2020–2024)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
NDA 2020 → ESE 2024
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.
ESE2024
Consider the following statements regarding the characteristics of covalent compounds and covalent solids
- Covalent compounds are soluble in paraffins
- Covalent solids do not form closed-packet structures because the covalent bonds are very strong and rigid
- The simplest covalent structure is that of diamond which is fairly open and empty and far from close-packed
Which of the above statements are correct?
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 1 and 3 only
- C 2 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3 ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Engineering › Mechanical
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
What is the total number of covalent bonds in methanol ?
- A 3
- B 4
- C 5 ✓
- D 6
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
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