CDS 2026 (I) General Knowledge, question 23

Topic: Chemistry

Answers by SolvedPaper. UPSC has not released the official answer key for this paper yet. We will update it when they do.

Q23

Consider the following statements :

  1. Concentrated H2SO4H_{2}SO_{4} is used as a dehydrating agent in esterification reaction.

  2. The hydrophilic part of soap is oil and it dissolves in water.

  3. Nickel is used as a catalyst in converting vegetable oil into fat.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

  1. (a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
  2. (b) 1 and 2 only
  3. (c) 2 and 3 only
  4. (d) 1 and 3 onlyCorrect answer

Solution.

Answer: (d) 1 and 3 only

  1. Statements 1 and 3 are correct.
  2. Concentrated sulphuric acid assists esterification as an acid catalyst and dehydrating agent; nickel catalyses hydrogenation of unsaturated vegetable oils.
  3. Statement 2 reverses the soap molecule’s roles: the ionic head is hydrophilic, while the hydrocarbon tail associates with oil.