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Topic Kinematics
Asked 20 times across 4 UPSC exams over 12 years (2014–2026), peaking in 2025.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 10 of 20 PYQs
- Most asked in 2025
- Recurs across 8 years (2014–2026)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2014 → NDA 2021 → CAPF 2024 → GEO 2025
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (18 of 20) 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
An object is launched horizontally from a height of 45 m above the ground with a speed of 10 m/s. The time at which the object will hit the ground is : (Take g = 10 m/s²)
- A 6 s
- B 4 s
- C 3 s ✓
- D 2 s
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
NDA2026
The position vector of a particle is given by r = √3 t² î + √2t ĵ + √5 k̂. Which one of the following statements is correct?
- A The force acting on the particle is parallel to the instantaneous momentum of the particle.
- B The force acting on the particle is perpendicular to the instantaneous momentum of the particle.
- C The particle experiences zero force.
- D The force acting on the particle is not parallel to the instantaneous momentum of the particle. ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
CDS2025
A motorcycle has initial velocity of 5 m/s. After 3 seconds, the velocity is 7 m/s. The displacement of the motorcycle in 3 seconds is :
- A 21 m
- B 18 m ✓
- C 36 m
- D 6 m
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
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