XAT 2023 Question Paper with Solutions: 63 Questions, Answer Key & Section-wise Analysis

XAT 2023 previous year paper: 63 questions with answer key and detailed solutions, section-wise breakdown and free sample questions.

Paper breakdown

63 questions · 63 marks. Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR): 19 · General Knowledge (GK): 17 · Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI): 14 · Decision Making (DM): 13

Free sample questions from XAT 2023 Question Paper

Question 1 · Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) · 2023 MCQ

Arrange the following into a meaningful sequence:
1. I’m not sure when I rst became aware of the Singularity.
2. In the almost half century that I've immersed myself in computer and related technologies, I've sought to understand the meaning and purpose of the continual upheaval that I have witnessed at many levels.
3. Gradually, I've become aware of a transforming event looming in the rst half of the twenty rst century.
4. I'd have to say it was a progressive awakening.
5. Just as a black hole in space dramatically alters the patterns of matter and energy accelerating toward its event horizon, this impending Singularity in our future is increasingly transforming every institution and aspect of human life, from sexuality to spirituality.

A.
3,1,2,4,5
B.
1,3,4,5,2
C.
4,3,1,5,2
D.
1,2,3,4,5
E.
4,1,2,3,5

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a meaningful sequence (para-jumble) question, recognizable by the task of arranging disjointed sentences into a coherent, logically flowing paragraph.

Step 1: Identify the opening sentence. Sentence 1 introduces the main topic ("I'm not sure when I first became aware of the Singularity") and sets a personal, reflective tone without relying on unresolved pronouns.

Step 2: Look for immediate logical connections. Sentence 3 ("Gradually, I've become aware...") directly builds on the uncertainty in Sentence 1 by describing the nature of this awareness as a gradual process.

Step 3: Sentence 4 ("I'd have to say it was a progressive awakening") further elaborates on the "gradual" awareness mentioned in Sentence 3, acting as a clarifying reflection. This forms a tight 1-3-4 chain.

Step 4: Sentence 5 uses an analogy ("Just as a black hole...") to describe the "impending Singularity" introduced in Sentence 3, expanding on its transformative impact on human life.

Step 5: Sentence 2 provides the broader chronological context ("In the almost half century...") and serves as a concluding reflection on the author's long-term quest to understand this upheaval, wrapping up the paragraph.

Answer: B (1, 3, 4, 5, 2)

Question 2 · Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) · 2023 MCQ

Common Description: More people signed up for Harvard’s online courses in a year, for example, than have attended the university in its 377 years of existence. In the same spirit, there are more unique visits each month to the WebMD network, a collection of health websites, than to all the doctors working in the United States. In the legal world, three times as many disagreements each year amongst eBay traders are resolved using ‘online dispute resolution’ than there are lawsuits led in the entire US court system. On its sixth birthday, the Hu ngton Post had more unique monthly visitors than the website of the New York Times, which is almost 164 years of age. The British tax authorities use a fraud-detection system that holds more data than the British Library(which has copies of every book ever published in the UK). In 2014, the US tax authorities received electronic tax returns from almost 48 million people who had used online tax preparation software rather than a tax professional to help them. The architectural rm Gramazio& Kohler used a group of autonomous ying robots to assemble a structure out of 1500 bricks. The consulting rm Accenture has 750 hospital nurses on its staff, while Deloitte, founded as an audit practice 170 years ago, now has over 200,000 professionals and its own full-scale corporate university set in a 700,000-square-foot campus in Texas. The author of the above paragraph is trying to conclude something by citing different pieces of evidence.
What could the author be trying to prove?

A.
How new organizational forms are emerging
B.
How automation is taking away jobs traditionally done by humans.
C.
How professionals are getting replaced by technology
D.
How old rms are dying.
E.
What old rms can do to survive.

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a "main idea" or "author's intent" reading comprehension question, recognizable because it asks what the author is "trying to prove" by citing different pieces of evidence.

Step 1: Analyze the evidence provided. The passage lists multiple examples: Harvard online courses vs. physical attendance, WebMD visits vs. doctors, eBay online dispute resolution vs. lawsuits, Huffington Post vs. NYT, British tax fraud detection vs. British Library, online tax prep vs. tax professionals, autonomous robots, Accenture's nurses, and Deloitte's corporate university.

Step 2: Identify the common thread. All examples contrast traditional, linear, or physical institutions with new, digital, or technologically enabled systems that operate at a massive scale.

Step 3: Evaluate the options.

Option A ("How new organizational forms are emerging") perfectly captures this shift. Online courses, digital networks, ODR, and corporate universities are all new organizational forms.
Option B and C focus narrowly on "automation taking away jobs" or "professionals getting replaced". While mentioned in one or two examples, they do not cover WebMD visits, Huffington Post, or Deloitte's growth.
Option D ("How old firms are dying") is contradicted by the Deloitte example, which is 170 years old and thriving.
Option E ("What old firms can do to survive") is not discussed; the passage describes a trend, not prescriptive advice.

Answer: A

Question 3 · Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) · 2023 MCQ

When facing various challenges, people in today’s digital world heavily rely on private, online information-seeking behaviour. Individuals who experience depression will often attempt to understand their predicament and seek remedy by searching the Internet for depression-related information and treatment. A recent report says that there exists evidence of many searches comprising the word depression, during and just after the elections, in country Y. So, it can be concluded that the election is experienced by many people in country Y as a truly psychologically traumatizing event—and as such as being potentially depressionogenic.
Which of the following statements MOST seriously weakens the conclusion drawn in the passage?

A.
Election is a festival in some countries, people happily choose their leader by casting votes.
B.
A survey in country Y shows that an election can cause a signi cant increase in the average level of depression.
C.
Depression-related advertisements are on the rise during and just after the election in country Y.
D.
Many people do not use the Internet in country X.
E.
Per day sale of anti-depression drugs is constant across the years in country Y.

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a "Weaken the Argument" question in Critical Reasoning. The argument relies on a causal link between two correlated events (elections and depression searches). To weaken it, we must show that the correlation does not imply causation, or that there is an alternative explanation for the observed data.

Step 1: Deconstruct the Argument.

Premise 1: People search online for depression info when they are depressed.

Premise 2: There was a spike in searches for "depression" during/after elections in Country Y.

Conclusion: Elections are psychologically traumatizing and cause depression.

Step 2: Identify the Assumption.

The argument assumes that the intent behind the search was genuine personal distress caused by the election. It ignores other reasons why people might search for a specific keyword.

Step 3: Evaluate Options to find the Weakener.

Option A: Discusses other countries. Irrelevant to Country Y.

Option B: Supports the conclusion by confirming elections increase depression.

Option C: States that depression-related advertisements increased during this period. If ads were running, people might click/search due to marketing exposure rather than internal psychological trauma. This provides an alternative cause for the spike in searches, breaking the link between "search volume" and "personal trauma."

Option D: Discusses Country X. Irrelevant.

Option E: Constant drug sales might suggest stable clinical depression, but online searching is a broader behavior. While it weakens slightly, Option C directly attacks the mechanism of the evidence (the search itself) by offering a more immediate alternative explanation for the specific data point cited. In critical reasoning, an alternative cause for the specific evidence is a stronger weakener than general statistical stability which might have lag effects. However, let's re-evaluate C vs E.

Re-evaluation:

Option C suggests the searches were driven by ads. If I see an ad for "Depression Help," I might click it out of curiosity or because it appeared, not because I am depressed. This directly undermines the premise that "Search = Depression."

Option E says drug sales are constant. This implies the clinical prevalence didn't change. But the argument is about "psychologically traumatizing event" leading to "seeking remedy." One can seek info without buying drugs immediately.

Option C is the classic "Alternative Explanation" trap breaker. The rise in searches is explained by supply-side factors (ads) rather than demand-side factors (trauma).

Answer: C

Question 4 · General Knowledge (GK) · 2023 MCQ

Who has been appointed as the Chief Justice of India in November 2022?

A.
Justice U. U. Lalit
B.
Justice Dhananjay(D.Y) Chandrachud
C.
Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya
D.
Justice Yashwant(Y.V.) Chandrachud
E.
Justice N. V. Ramana

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a direct factual recall question about recent judicial appointments in India, recognizable by the specific date "November 2022" and the title "Chief Justice of India".

Step 1: Recall the timeline of recent Chief Justices of India (CJI). Justice U.U. Lalit served as CJI from August 2022 to November 2022.

Step 2: Identify the successor. Justice Dhananjay (D.Y.) Chandrachud took the oath as the 50th Chief Justice of India on November 9, 2022.

Step 3: Eliminate distractors. Justice Y.V. Chandrachud was the 16th CJI (and father of D.Y. Chandrachud). Justice N.V. Ramana preceded U.U. Lalit.

Answer: Justice Dhananjay(D.Y) Chandrachud.

Question 5 · General Knowledge (GK) · 2023 MCQ

Which institution published the cartoon book titled Raju& The Forty Thieves- A Booklet on Modus Operandi of Financial Fraudsters?

A.
The Punjab National Bank
B.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India
C.
The Ministry of Finance, Government of India
D.
The Reserve Bank of India
E.
The State Bank of India

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a factual recall question about institutional publications for financial awareness.

Step 1: Identify the specific publication: "Raju & The Forty Thieves - A Booklet on Modus Operandi of Financial Fraudsters".

Step 2: Recall which institution is mandated with customer protection and awareness in the banking sector. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regularly publishes such educational materials to safeguard the public.

Step 3: Verify that the RBI's consumer education department released this specific cartoon booklet to simplify fraud awareness for the general public, distinguishing it from commercial banks or other ministries.

Answer: The Reserve Bank of India

Question 6 · General Knowledge (GK) · 2023 MCQ

Identify the sectors into which the Indian economy is divided, for the calculation of GDP?

A.
Agriculture, Manufacturing and Services
B.
Government, Private and Social
C.
Agriculture, Manufacturing and E-commerce
D.
Agriculture, Defence, Information Technology and Manufacturing
E.
Primary and non-primary

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a factual recall question about the macroeconomic classification of the Indian economy for GDP calculation.

Step 1: Recall how the National Statistical Office (NSO) classifies economic activities for GDP estimation.

Step 2: The three broad sectors are Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary.

Step 3: Map these formal terms to their common industry representations:

Primary sector $\to$ Agriculture (and allied activities, mining).
Secondary sector $\to$ Manufacturing (and construction, utilities).
Tertiary sector $\to$ Services (IT, banking, retail, transport).

Step 4: Evaluate the options. "Agriculture, Manufacturing and Services" directly corresponds to the Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary sectors.

Answer: A

Question 7 · Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) · 2023 MCQ

Suppose Haruka has a special key

△

in her caculator called delta key:
Rule 1: If the display shows a one-digit number, pressing delta key

△

replace the displayed number with twice its value.
Rule 2: If the display shows a two-digits number, pressing delta key

△

replace the displayed number with the number sum of two digits.
Suppose Haruka enters the value 1 and then presses delta key

△

repeated.
After pressing the key for 68 times, what will be the displayed number?

A.
7
B.
4
C.
10
D.
2
E.
8

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a Pattern Puzzle / Cyclic Operation question. We need to simulate the operation until a cycle is detected, then use modular arithmetic to find the state after 68 steps.

Step 1: Simulate the first few steps starting from 1.

Start: 1

Press 1: Rule 1 (1-digit) $\to 1 \times 2 = 2$ . Display: 2

Press 2: Rule 1 (1-digit) $\to 2 \times 2 = 4$ . Display: 4

Press 3: Rule 1 (1-digit) $\to 4 \times 2 = 8$ . Display: 8

Press 4: Rule 1 (1-digit) $\to 8 \times 2 = 16$ . Display: 16

Press 5: Rule 2 (2-digits) $\to 1 + 6 = 7$ . Display: 7

Press 6: Rule 1 (1-digit) $\to 7 \times 2 = 14$ . Display: 14

Press 7: Rule 2 (2-digits) $\to 1 + 4 = 5$ . Display: 5

Press 8: Rule 1 (1-digit) $\to 5 \times 2 = 10$ . Display: 10

Press 9: Rule 2 (2-digits) $\to 1 + 0 = 1$ . Display: 1

Step 2: Identify the cycle.

After 9 presses, we are back to 1.

The sequence of displayed numbers after each press is:

$n = 1 : 2$

$n = 2 : 4$

$n = 3 : 8$

$n = 4 : 16$

$n = 5 : 7$

$n = 6 : 14$

$n = 7 : 5$

$n = 8 : 10$

$n = 9 : 1$

$n = 10 : 2$ (Cycle repeats)

The cycle length is 9. The values repeat every 9 presses.

The sequence is: $2, 4, 8, 16, 7, 14, 5, 10, 1$ .

Step 3: Calculate the position in the cycle for 68 presses.

We need the value after 68 presses.

Find $68 (mod 9)$ .

$68 = 7 \times 9 + 5$ .

Remainder is 5.

This means the 68th press results in the same value as the 5th press.

Step 4: Retrieve the 5th value.

From our list:

1st: 2

2nd: 4

3rd: 8

4th: 16

5th: 7

Wait, let me re-check the options. Options are 7, 4, 10, 2, 8.

My calculated answer is 7. Option A is 7.

Let me re-read the question carefully.

"Haruka enters the value 1 and then presses delta key repeated. After pressing the key for 68 times..."

Let's re-simulate carefully.

Initial: 1

Press 1: $1 \to 2$

Press 2: $2 \to 4$

Press 3: $4 \to 8$

Press 4: $8 \to 16$

Press 5: $16 \to 1 + 6 = 7$

Press 6: $7 \to 14$

Press 7: $14 \to 1 + 4 = 5$

Press 8: $5 \to 10$

Press 9: $10 \to 1 + 0 = 1$

Press 10: $1 \to 2$

Cycle is indeed 9.

$68 \equiv 5 (mod 9)$ .

The 5th term is 7.

Why is the provided current_answer null? And why did I think B?

Let's check the options again.

A: 7

B: 4

C: 10

D: 2

E: 8

My calculation gives 7. So Answer is A.

Let me double check the "Sum of two digits" rule.

"If the display shows a two-digits number... replace... with the number sum of two digits."

Yes, $16 \to 7$ . $14 \to 5$ . $10 \to 1$ .

Is it possible the cycle starts later?

Sequence: 2, 4, 8, 16, 7, 14, 5, 10, 1, 2...

It returns to 1, which was the initial state before any press.

So the state after press 9 is 1.

The state after press 10 is 2.

So $V a l u e (n) = V a l u e (n - 9)$ .

$V a l u e (68) = V a l u e (68 - 9) = \dots = V a l u e (5)$ .

$V a l u e (5) = 7$ .

Answer is 7.

Wait, looking at the options provided in the prompt JSON:

"options": ["7", "4", "10", "2", "8"]

If the answer is 7, it corresponds to the first option.

Let me check if I made an arithmetic error.

$1 \times 2 2$

$2 \times 2 4$

$4 \times 2 8$

$8 \times 2 16$

$16 + 7$

$7 \times 2 14$

$14 + 5$

$5 \times 2 10$

$10 + 1$

Cycle: 2, 4, 8, 16, 7, 14, 5, 10, 1. Length 9.

$68/9 = 7$ rem $5$ .

5th item is 7.

Answer is 7.

Question 8 · Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) · 2023 MCQ

Five students appeared for an examination. The average mark obtained by these ve students is 40. The maximum mark of the examination is 100, and each of the ve students scored more than 10 marks.
However, none of them scored exactly 40 marks.
Based on the information given, which of the following MUST BE true?

A.
At least, three of them scored a maximum of 40 marks
B.
At least, three of them scored more than 40 marks
C.
At least, one of them scored exactly 41 marks
D.
At most, two of them scored more than 40 marks
E.
At least, one of them scored less than 40 marks

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is an averages and constraints problem, recognizable by the fixed average, strict boundaries, and the requirement to find what MUST be true.

Step 1: 5 students, average = 40. Total sum = $5 \times 40 = 200$ .

Step 2: Constraints: Max mark = 100. Each student scored > 10. None scored exactly 40.

Step 3: We need to find which statement MUST be true. Let's test the options by trying to construct counterexamples.

Step 4: Test Option E: "At least, one of them scored less than 40 marks".

Step 5: Assume the opposite: ALL 5 students scored MORE than 40 marks.

Step 6: Since none scored exactly 40, and marks are integers, "more than 40" means each student scored at least 41.

Step 7: If all 5 scored at least 41, the minimum possible sum would be $5 \times 41 = 205$ .

Step 8: But the actual sum is exactly 200. Since $205 > 200$ , it is impossible for all 5 students to have scored more than 40.

Step 9: Therefore, at least one student MUST have scored less than 40. Option E is definitely true.

Step 10: (Quick check of others: We can have scores 11, 41, 41, 41, 66. Here 4 scored > 40, so B is not MUST. We can have 11, 12, 13, 100, 64. Here 3 scored < 40, so D is not MUST. C and A are easily falsified).

Answer: At least, one of them scored less than 40 marks

Question 9 · Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) · 2023 MCQ

The addition of 7 distinct positive integers is 1740. What is the largest possible “greatest common divisor” of these 7 distinct positive integers?

A.
42
B.
60
C.
74
D.
140
E.
None of the above.

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a Maximizing GCD with Fixed Sum question. We need to maximize the GCD $g$ of 7 distinct positive integers $a_{1}, \dots, a_{7}$ such that $\sum a_{i} = 1740$ .

Step 1: Express the integers in terms of their GCD.

Let the GCD be $g$ . Then each integer $a_{i}$ can be written as $a_{i} = g \cdot k_{i}$ , where $k_{i}$ are distinct positive integers.

Since $g$ is the greatest common divisor, $g cd (k_{1}, \dots, k_{7}) = 1$ . (Though for maximization, we primarily care about the sum constraint first).

Step 2: Use the sum constraint.

$\sum_{i = 1}^{7} a_{i} = 1740$

$\sum_{i = 1}^{7} g \cdot k_{i} = 1740$

$g \cdot (\sum_{i = 1}^{7} k_{i}) = 1740$

Let $S_{k} = \sum_{i = 1}^{7} k_{i}$ .

Then $g \cdot S_{k} = 1740$ .

This implies $g$ must be a divisor of 1740.

Step 3: Minimize $S_{k}$ to maximize $g$ .

To maximize $g$ , we must minimize $S_{k}$ .

The $k_{i}$ are distinct positive integers. To minimize their sum, we should choose the smallest possible distinct positive integers: $1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7$ .

Minimum $S_{k} = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 = \frac{7 \times 8}{2} = 28$ .

So, $S_{k} \geq 28$ .

Consequently, $g = \frac{1740}{S _{k}} \leq \frac{1740}{28}$ .

Step 4: Calculate the upper bound for $g$ .

$1740/28 \approx 62.14$ .

So, $g \leq 62$ .

Step 5: Check divisors of 1740 less than or equal to 62.

First, factorize 1740.

$1740 = 10 \times 174 = 10 \times 2 \times 87 = 20 \times 3 \times 29 = 2^{2} \cdot 3 \cdot 5 \cdot 29$ .

We need a divisor $g$ of 1740 such that $g \leq 62$ and $S_{k} = 1740/ g$ can be formed by sum of 7 distinct positive integers.

Note: If we pick a specific $g$ , $S_{k}$ is fixed. We must ensure there exist 7 distinct positive integers summing to $S_{k}$ .

The condition for existence is simply $S_{k} \geq 28$ . (Since any sum $\geq 28$ can be formed by distinct positive integers, e.g., start with 1..7 and add the excess to the largest number).

So we just need the largest divisor of 1740 that is $\leq 62$ .

Let's list divisors of 1740 near 62.

Divisors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 29, 30, ...

Next ones:

$1740/29 = 60$ . So 60 is a divisor.

$1740/30 = 58$ . So 58 is a divisor? No, $1740/58 = 30$ . Yes.

Is there a divisor between 60 and 62?

Check 61: Prime? $1740/61 \approx 28.5$ . No.

Check 62: $1740/62 \approx 28.06$ . No.

So the largest divisor $\leq 62$ is 60.

Step 6: Verify if $g = 60$ works.

If $g = 60$ , then $S_{k} = 1740/60 = 29$ .

Can we find 7 distinct positive integers summing to 29?

Min sum is 28 ( $1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7$ ).

We need sum 29. Just increase the largest term by 1: $1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8$ .

Sum = 29. Distinct? Yes.

$g cd (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8) = 1$ .

So the numbers are $60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 480$ .

GCD is 60. Sum is $60 (29) = 1740$ .

Answer: 60.

Question 10 · Decision Making (DM) · 2023 MCQ

Common Description: During the oods of 2018-2019, a group of philanthropists led by Niyabuddin, wished to open free food centre for the needy. Their motto was that “no human should be hungry.” Nothing gives more satisfaction to the philanthropists than to see the hungry eat to the fullest.
Post Covid-19, the group started a food centre by the name Win Borne Life Care Food(WBLCF) in a small town called Palakkad. The centre started gaining popularity as the number of people enjoying free meals increased over time. Initially, WBLCF offered a standardized menu consisting of idli, upma, puttu for breakfast, curd rice for lunch, and idli or upma for supper. Six women were employed by WBLCF to prepare all the meals. As the number of diners increased, they started expecting a variety in the menu. At WBLCF, not all the diners eat"free": while two-thirds of diners get free food, one-third would donate some amount to a transparent charity box kept at the entrance. For example, a man donated Rs. 500 after consuming two idlis, and a woman approached Niyabuddin and inquired about donating 10 kilogrammes of rice. Those who could not afford to donate, were often seen prostrating worshipfully in front of the charity box. Some caring individuals made monetary donation while others donated rice, fruits and vegetables to WBLCF. Further, the centre received enquiries from many locals on how they could contribute to the cause.
As the centre was lauded for its philanthropic work by people of the town, Niyabuddin intended to replicate the initiative in the nearby districts. However, he is concerned about the cost that goes into running the centre.
Almost 75 percent of the donated amount goes into buying the cooking ingredients, while the rest goes into paying salaries, operations and maintenance costs. From the following, choose the MOST important challenge that Niyabuddin has to overcome to sustain WBLCF.

A.
Getting enough nances and donations
B.
Paying salaries to employees
C.
Attracting enough diners
D.
Having enough cooks and employees
E.
Preparing only local dishes for diners

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a sustainability and root-cause analysis question, recognizable because it asks for the "MOST important challenge" to sustain and replicate an NGO initiative.

Step 1: Identify the core constraint. The passage explicitly states that Niyabuddin is concerned about the cost of running the centre and replicating it.

Step 2: Analyze the cost structure. "Almost 75 percent of the donated amount goes into buying the cooking ingredients, while the rest goes into paying salaries, operations and maintenance costs."

Step 3: Evaluate the options. All operational challenges (salaries, cooks, attracting diners, menu variety) are downstream effects of the primary constraint: funding. Without a steady stream of finances and donations, the centre cannot buy ingredients, pay salaries, or expand.

Answer: Getting enough finances and donations.

Question 11 · Decision Making (DM) · 2023 MCQ

Common Description: During the oods of 2018-2019, a group of philanthropists led by Niyabuddin, wished to open free food centre for the needy. Their motto was that “no human should be hungry.” Nothing gives more satisfaction to the philanthropists than to see the hungry eat to the fullest.
Post Covid-19, the group started a food centre by the name Win Borne Life Care Food(WBLCF) in a small town called Palakkad. The centre started gaining popularity as the number of people enjoying free meals increased over time. Initially, WBLCF offered a standardized menu consisting of idli, upma, puttu for breakfast, curd rice for lunch, and idli or upma for supper. Six women were employed by WBLCF to prepare all the meals. As the number of diners increased, they started expecting a variety in the menu. At WBLCF, not all the diners eat"free": while two-thirds of diners get free food, one-third would donate some amount to a transparent charity box kept at the entrance. For example, a man donated Rs. 500 after consuming two idlis, and a woman approached Niyabuddin and inquired about donating 10 kilogrammes of rice. Those who could not afford to donate, were often seen prostrating worshipfully in front of the charity box. Some caring individuals made monetary donation while others donated rice, fruits and vegetables to WBLCF. Further, the centre received enquiries from many locals on how they could contribute to the cause.
As the centre was lauded for its philanthropic work by people of the town, Niyabuddin intended to replicate the initiative in the nearby districts. However, he is concerned about the cost that goes into running the centre.
Almost 75 percent of the donated amount goes into buying the cooking ingredients, while the rest goes into paying salaries, operations and maintenance costs. Niyabuddin realised that on some days the food was wasted while on other days diners went back hungry.
He sought advice from a consultant friend on how to reduce wastage. The consultant suggested the following:
1. Launch a mobile app so that diners can pre-inform their arrival to WBLCF.
2. Ask diners who enjoy free meal to distribute excess food to hungry on streets
3. Ask diners to eat less as it is good for health
4. Preach people to eat less
5. Ration amount of food to be served to the diners
Which of the above ideas will not be consistent with the core ethos of WBLCF?

A.
2, 3& 5
B.
3, 4& 5
C.
1, 3& 4
D.
2, 3& 4
E.
1, 2& 3

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is an ethos-alignment and constraint evaluation question, recognizable because it asks which ideas are "not consistent with the core ethos of WBLCF".

Step 1: Define the core ethos. The motto is "no human should be hungry," and the centre provides free food to the needy with dignity, letting them "eat to the fullest."

Step 2: Evaluate each suggestion against this ethos.

Suggestion 1 (mobile app): Consistent. It helps with planning and reduces waste without compromising dignity.
Suggestion 2 (distributing excess food): Consistent. It redirects waste to the hungry, perfectly aligning with the motto.
Suggestion 3 (ask diners to eat less): Inconsistent. It shifts the burden to the needy and contradicts the goal of letting them "eat to the fullest."
Suggestion 4 (preach people to eat less): Inconsistent. Same reason as 3; it is paternalistic and violates the core mission of alleviating hunger.
Suggestion 5 (ration amount of food): Inconsistent. Rationing directly conflicts with the promise that "no human should be hungry" and denies diners the satisfaction of eating to their fill.

Step 3: Identify the inconsistent options: 3, 4, and 5.

Answer: 3, 4 & 5

Question 12 · Decision Making (DM) · 2023 MCQ

Common Description: During the oods of 2018-2019, a group of philanthropists led by Niyabuddin, wished to open free food centre for the needy. Their motto was that “no human should be hungry.” Nothing gives more satisfaction to the philanthropists than to see the hungry eat to the fullest.
Post Covid-19, the group started a food centre by the name Win Borne Life Care Food(WBLCF) in a small town called Palakkad. The centre started gaining popularity as the number of people enjoying free meals increased over time. Initially, WBLCF offered a standardized menu consisting of idli, upma, puttu for breakfast, curd rice for lunch, and idli or upma for supper. Six women were employed by WBLCF to prepare all the meals. As the number of diners increased, they started expecting a variety in the menu. At WBLCF, not all the diners eat"free": while two-thirds of diners get free food, one-third would donate some amount to a transparent charity box kept at the entrance. For example, a man donated Rs. 500 after consuming two idlis, and a woman approached Niyabuddin and inquired about donating 10 kilogrammes of rice. Those who could not afford to donate, were often seen prostrating worshipfully in front of the charity box. Some caring individuals made monetary donation while others donated rice, fruits and vegetables to WBLCF. Further, the centre received enquiries from many locals on how they could contribute to the cause.
As the centre was lauded for its philanthropic work by people of the town, Niyabuddin intended to replicate the initiative in the nearby districts. However, he is concerned about the cost that goes into running the centre.
Almost 75 percent of the donated amount goes into buying the cooking ingredients, while the rest goes into paying salaries, operations and maintenance costs. Niyabuddin wanted to conserve local recipes that can be used to prepare mouth-smacking dishes for the diners.
Which of the following could be the BEST way to conserve local recipes?

A.
Hold a weekly competition for the best local dish and get it judged and documented by local volunteers
B.
Request a lady once a week in Palakkad to cook food at WBLCF on voluntary basis and document the recipes
C.
Tie up with one of food delivery partners to help them document the recipes
D.
Tie-up with the chef of the best restaurant in Palakkad to document recipes
E.
Ask free diners to contribute towards one recipe for a dish and give them the responsibility to document it

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a stakeholder alignment and sustainable operations question, recognizable because it asks for the "BEST way" to achieve a goal within an NGO context.

Step 1: Identify the core ethos of WBLCF. It relies on community goodwill, volunteerism, and local engagement.

Step 2: Evaluate the options against this ethos.

Option A (weekly competition with local volunteers) actively engages the community, leverages free volunteer labor, and systematically documents recipes. It is sustainable and inclusive.
Option B (one lady once a week) is too narrow and may not capture diverse recipes.
Option C (food delivery partners) misaligns with the NGO's non-commercial, community-focused nature.
Option D (best restaurant chef) introduces commercial bias and may not reflect authentic local home-cooked recipes.
Option E (asking free diners to document) places an unfair burden on the needy and lacks systematic quality control.

Answer: Hold a weekly competition for the best local dish and get it judged and documented by local volunteers.

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