Aarav, Bala, Chandini, Devi, and Esther are sitting on a bench. Aarav is sitting next to Bala, while Chandini is sitting next to…

Question

Aarav, Bala, Chandini, Devi, and Esther are sitting on a bench. Aarav is sitting next to Bala, while Chandini is sitting next to Devi. Devi is not sitting with Esther, who occupies the left end of the bench. Chandini is positioned second from the right. Aarav is seated to the right of both Bala and Esther, and he is also sitting next to Chandini.

Based on this information, at which position is Aarav sitting?

1. A. Between Bala and Devi
2. B. Between Bala and Chandini (Correct answer)
3. C. Between Esther and Devi
4. D. Between Chandini and Esther

Correct Answer

Option B — Between Bala and Chandini

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Between Bala and Chandini.

Key Points

• Five seats. *Esther occupies the left end* → seat 1. *Chandini is second from the right* → seat 4.
• *Aarav is next to Chandini*, so Aarav is at seat 3 or seat 5.
• *Chandini is next to Devi*, so Devi is at seat 3 or seat 5 as well.
• *Aarav is seated to the right of both Bala and Esther*, so Bala must be to Aarav's left — which forces Aarav to seat 3, Bala to seat 2, and Devi to seat 5.
• Final order: Esther, Bala, Aarav, Chandini, Devi. Aarav therefore sits between Bala and Chandini.

Additional Information

• The arrangement also satisfies the remaining condition — *Devi is not sitting with Esther* — since Devi is at seat 5 and Esther at seat 1.
• Fix the absolutely-placed people first (an end seat, or 'second from the right'), then apply the relative conditions; the ambiguity usually collapses in one or two steps.

*Ministry of Papers worked solution. The Commission has not yet published the official key for this paper; this answer will be reconciled with it on release.*