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Topic Periodic classification
Asked 3 times across 2 UPSC exams over 6 years (2019–2025), peaking in 2025.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 2 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2025
- Recurs across 3 years (2019–2025)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2019 → GEO 2024
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (3 of 3) 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.
CDS2025
Which one of the following is a metalloid ?
- A Germanium ✓
- B Coke
- C Iodide
- D Sugar
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
GEO2024
Which one of the following blocks of elements is called 'Representative elements' ?
- A s-block elements only
- B f-block elements only
- C d-block elements only
- D p-block elements together with s-block elements ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
CDS2019
Consider the following statement : "Atomic number of an element is a more fundamental property than its atomic mass." Who among the following scientists has made the above statement ?
- A Dmitri Mendeleev ✓
- B Henry Moseley
- C J.J. Thomson
- D Ernest Rutherford
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
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