PPSC Sub Inspector Past Papers – 24 Solved MCQs with Explanations

PPSC does not publish past papers — the Commission says so in its own FAQ. Every set circulating online, including this one, is memory-based or modelled on the published paper pattern. What matters is not whether the exact question appeared, but whether you can answer that level of question in under a minute.

The Sub Inspector (BS-14) paper is the most-asked PPSC police paper in Punjab. It is 100 MCQs, 100 marks, 90 minutes, with a weightage structure that catches people out: English and Computer are worth 40 marks each, and General Knowledge only 20. Most candidates prepare backwards.

Paper Pattern — Where the Marks Actually Are

English — 40 Marks (Q1–Q40)

Q1. Choose the correct synonym of “Candid”.

1. Secretive
2. Frank
3. Cautious
4. Rude

Key point: Candid means honest and direct. Secretive is the opposite.

Q2. Choose the correct antonym of “Scarce”.

1. Rare
2. Plentiful
3. Limited
4. Costly

Key point: Scarce means in short supply; the antonym is plentiful.

Q3. He is senior ____ me in the department.

1. than
2. to
3. from
4. of

Key point: Latin comparatives — senior, junior, superior, inferior, prior, preferable — take “to”.

Q4. One-word substitution: “A person who speaks many languages”.

1. Linguist
2. Polyglot
3. Bilingual
4. Orator

Key point: A polyglot speaks several languages; a linguist studies language.

Q5. Identify the correctly punctuated sentence.

1. The officer said “I will file the report tomorrow”.
2. The officer said, “I will file the report tomorrow.”
3. The officer said; “I will file the report tomorrow”.
4. The officer said “I will file the report tomorrow,”

Key point: Comma before the quotation, full stop inside the closing quote.

Q6. Choose the correct spelling.

1. Committe
2. Commitee
3. Committee
4. Comittee

Key point: Committee — double m, double t, double e.

Q7. The idiom “to bury the hatchet” means:

1. To hide evidence
2. To make peace
3. To dig a grave
4. To start a quarrel

Key point: It means to end a conflict.

Q8. Choose the correct passive: “The police arrested the suspect.”

1. The suspect was arrested by the police.
2. The suspect is arrested by the police.
3. The suspect has arrested by the police.
4. The suspect arrested the police.

Key point: Simple past active takes “was + past participle” in the passive.

Q9. Choose the correct synonym of “Benevolent”.

1. Cruel
2. Kindly
3. Harsh
4. Strict

Key point: Benevolent means well-meaning and generous.

Q10. Choose the correct antonym of “Frugal”.

1. Thrifty
2. Economical
3. Extravagant
4. Careful

Key point: Frugal means sparing with money; extravagant is its opposite.

Q11. She is married ____ a doctor.

1. with
2. to
3. for
4. of

Key point: Married takes “to”.

Q12. One-word substitution: “A place where books are kept”.

1. Museum
2. Library
3. Gallery
4. Archive

Key point: A library is where books are kept for reading and borrowing.

Q13. Choose the correct spelling.

1. Neccessary
2. Necesary
3. Necessary
4. Necessery

Key point: Necessary — one c, double s.

Q14. The idiom “to turn a deaf ear” means:

1. To listen closely
2. To ignore
3. To become deaf
4. To speak loudly

Key point: It means to refuse to listen.

Q15. Choose the correct sentence.

1. He do not know the answer.
2. He does not know the answer.
3. He does not knows the answer.
4. He not know the answer.

Key point: Third person singular takes “does not” + base verb.

Q16. Choose the correct passive: “They are building a new bridge.”

1. A new bridge is being built by them.
2. A new bridge was built by them.
3. A new bridge is built by them.
4. A new bridge has built by them.

Key point: Present continuous passive needs “is being + past participle”.

Q17. Choose the correct synonym of “Diligent”.

1. Lazy
2. Hardworking
3. Careless
4. Slow

Key point: Diligent means showing steady effort.

Q18. Choose the correct antonym of “Ancient”.

1. Old
2. Historic
3. Modern
4. Antique

Key point: Ancient means very old; modern is its opposite.

Q19. He insisted ____ going alone.

1. for
2. to
3. on
4. at

Key point: Insist takes the preposition “on”.

Q20. One-word substitution: “One who loves mankind”.

1. Philanthropist
2. Misanthrope
3. Egoist
4. Patriot

Key point: Philanthropist loves and helps humanity; a misanthrope dislikes it.

Q21. Choose the correct spelling.

1. Maintainance
2. Maintenance
3. Maintanance
4. Maintenence

Key point: Maintenance — “mainten” + “ance”.

Q22. The idiom “once in a blue moon” means:

1. Very often
2. Very rarely
3. At night
4. During an eclipse

Key point: It means something that happens extremely rarely.

Q23. Choose the correct synonym of “Zeal”.

1. Indifference
2. Enthusiasm
3. Anger
4. Fear

Key point: Zeal means great energy or enthusiasm for a cause.

Q24. Choose the correct antonym of “Barren”.

1. Dry
2. Fertile
3. Empty
4. Bare

Key point: Barren land cannot grow crops; fertile land can.

Q25. She is afraid ____ dogs.

1. from
2. of
3. with
4. to

Key point: Afraid takes the preposition “of”.

Q26. One-word substitution: “Government by the people”.

1. Monarchy
2. Democracy
3. Autocracy
4. Oligarchy

Key point: Democracy — rule by the people.

Q27. Choose the correct spelling.

1. Seperate
2. Separete
3. Separate
4. Saperate

Key point: Separate — “separa” + “te”. The “-parate” part is the one people misspell.

Q28. The idiom “to let the cat out of the bag” means:

1. To release an animal
2. To reveal a secret
3. To escape danger
4. To start a fight

Key point: It means to reveal something that was meant to be hidden.

Q29. Choose the correct synonym of “Abandon”.

1. Keep
2. Forsake
3. Protect
4. Follow

Key point: To abandon is to give up or leave behind — forsake.

Q30. Choose the correct antonym of “Transparent”.

1. Clear
2. Visible
3. Opaque
4. Bright

Key point: Transparent lets light through; opaque does not.

Q31. He died ____ cholera.

1. from
2. of
3. by
4. with

Key point: Deaths from disease take “of”: died of cholera.

Q32. One-word substitution: “A speech made without preparation”.

1. Oratory
2. Extempore
3. Debate
4. Monologue

Key point: An extempore speech is delivered without prior preparation.

Q33. Choose the correct spelling.

1. Accomodation
2. Accommodation
3. Acommodation
4. Accomoddation

Key point: Accommodation — double c, double m.

Q34. The idiom “to beat about the bush” means:

1. To search in a forest
2. To avoid coming to the point
3. To work hard
4. To hunt animals

Key point: It means to talk around a subject instead of addressing it.

Q35. Choose the correct synonym of “Vigilant”.

1. Careless
2. Watchful
3. Sleepy
4. Relaxed

Key point: Vigilant means keeping careful watch.

Q36. Choose the correct antonym of “Optimist”.

1. Dreamer
2. Pessimist
3. Realist
4. Idealist

Key point: An optimist expects good outcomes; a pessimist expects bad ones.

Q37. He is ____ honest man.

1. a
2. an
3. the
4. no article

Key point: “Honest” begins with a vowel sound, so it takes “an”.

Q38. One-word substitution: “A person who cannot be corrected”.

1. Incorrigible
2. Illegible
3. Invincible
4. Indelible

Key point: Incorrigible means not able to be reformed. Illegible = cannot be read.

Q39. Choose the correct spelling.

1. Definately
2. Definitely
3. Definitly
4. Defenitely

Key point: Definitely — from “definite” + “ly”.

Q40. Choose the correct sentence.

1. The news are good today.
2. The news is good today.
3. The news were good today.
4. The news have been good today.

Key point: “News” looks plural but is an uncountable singular noun.

I.T. and Computer — 40 Marks (Q41–Q80)

Q41. Ctrl + C is used to:

1. Cut
2. Copy
3. Close
4. Create

Key point: Ctrl+C copies the selection to the clipboard.

Q42. Ctrl + V is used to:

1. Paste
2. Print
3. Preview
4. Protect

Key point: Ctrl+V pastes the clipboard contents.

Q43. Ctrl + X is used to:

1. Copy
2. Cut
3. Close
4. Clear

Key point: Ctrl+X cuts — it removes the selection and copies it.

Q44. Ctrl + S is used to:

1. Select all
2. Save
3. Send
4. Search

Key point: Ctrl+S saves the current document.

Q45. Ctrl + Z is used to:

1. Redo
2. Undo
3. Zoom
4. Zip

Key point: Ctrl+Z undoes the last action; Ctrl+Y redoes it.

Q46. Ctrl + B in MS Word is used for:

1. Bold
2. Bullet
3. Border
4. Background

Key point: Ctrl+B makes text bold; Ctrl+U underlines; Ctrl+I italicises.

Q47. In MS Excel, the cell reference of the active cell appears in:

1. The status bar
2. The formula bar
3. The name box
4. The ribbon

Key point: The Name Box shows the address; the formula bar shows the contents.

Q48. Which MS Excel function adds a range of cells?

1. COUNT()
2. SUM()
3. ADD()
4. TOTAL()

Key point: SUM() adds values; COUNT() counts them.

Q49. 1 kilobyte equals:

1. 1000 bytes
2. 1024 bytes
3. 1024 kilobytes
4. 100 bytes

Key point: In binary measurement 1 KB = 1024 bytes.

Q50. 1 gigabyte equals:

1. 1,000 megabytes
2. 1,024 megabytes
3. 1,024 kilobytes
4. 1,000 bytes

Key point: 1 GB = 1024 MB in binary measurement.

Q51. RAM stands for:

1. Read Access Memory
2. Random Access Memory
3. Rapid Access Module
4. Real Active Memory

Key point: RAM is volatile working memory — it clears when power is off.

Q52. ROM stands for:

1. Random Output Memory
2. Read Only Memory
3. Rapid Online Module
4. Real Optical Memory

Key point: ROM is non-volatile memory that retains data without power.

Q53. CPU stands for:

1. Central Processing Unit
2. Computer Personal Unit
3. Central Program Utility
4. Control Processing Unit

Key point: The CPU executes instructions and controls other components.

Q54. Which of these is an input device?

1. Monitor
2. Printer
3. Keyboard
4. Speaker

Key point: Input devices send data into the computer; monitors and printers are output.

Q55. Which of these is an output device?

1. Mouse
2. Scanner
3. Monitor
4. Keyboard

Key point: A monitor displays output; the others are input devices.

Q56. In email, the “Cc” field is used to:

1. Send a hidden copy
2. Send a visible copy
3. Attach files
4. Set priority

Key point: Cc sends a visible copy; Bcc sends a hidden one.

Q57. The “Bcc” field in email is used to:

1. Send a visible copy
2. Send a hidden copy
3. Block the sender
4. Reply to all

Key point: Bcc keeps recipients hidden from each other.

Q58. Email that is unwanted and bulk-sent is called:

1. Draft
2. Spam
3. Trash
4. Forward

Key point: Spam is unsolicited bulk email.

Q59. URL stands for:

1. Uniform Resource Locator
2. Universal Reading Link
3. Uniform Reference Line
4. User Resource Log

Key point: A URL is the address of a resource on the web.

Q60. HTTP stands for:

1. HyperText Transfer Protocol
2. High Transfer Text Program
3. HyperText Transit Path
4. Host Transfer Protocol

Key point: HTTP is the protocol used to transfer web pages; HTTPS is its secure version.

Q61. Which of these is an operating system?

1. MS Word
2. Windows
3. Google Chrome
4. Adobe Reader

Key point: Windows is system software; the others are application software.

Q62. The file extension .docx indicates:

1. A spreadsheet
2. A Word document
3. A presentation
4. An image

Key point: .docx is a Word document; .xlsx is Excel; .pptx is PowerPoint.

Q63. The file extension .xlsx indicates:

1. A Word document
2. A spreadsheet
3. A presentation
4. A PDF

Key point: .xlsx is an Excel spreadsheet.

Q64. PDF stands for:

1. Portable Document Format
2. Personal Data File
3. Printed Document Form
4. Public Document File

Key point: PDF keeps formatting fixed across devices — the standard for gazettes and result cards.

Q65. Which shortcut opens the Find feature?

1. Ctrl + F
2. Ctrl + H
3. Ctrl + G
4. Ctrl + D

Key point: Ctrl+F finds, Ctrl+H replaces, Ctrl+G goes to a location.

Q66. Which shortcut prints a document?

1. Ctrl + P
2. Ctrl + S
3. Ctrl + O
4. Ctrl + N

Key point: Ctrl+P prints; Ctrl+O opens; Ctrl+N creates new.

Q67. A folder is used to:

1. Delete files
2. Organise and store files
3. Print files
4. Compress files

Key point: Folders group related files — the basis of electronic record keeping.

Q68. Deleted files on Windows normally go to the:

1. Clipboard
2. Recycle Bin
3. Taskbar
4. Desktop

Key point: The Recycle Bin holds deleted files until emptied; Shift+Delete bypasses it.

Q69. A computer virus is:

1. A hardware fault
2. A malicious program
3. A network cable
4. A backup file

Key point: A virus is malicious software that replicates and damages data.

Q70. A firewall is used to:

1. Speed up the internet
2. Filter network traffic for security
3. Store backups
4. Print documents

Key point: A firewall blocks unauthorised network access.

Q71. Which of these is a cloud storage service?

1. MS Paint
2. Google Drive
3. Notepad
4. Calculator

Key point: Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox are cloud storage services.

Q72. “Electronic record keeping” primarily means:

1. Storing paper in a cabinet
2. Storing records in digital form
3. Recording phone calls
4. Writing letters by hand

Key point: It means creating, organising and retrieving records digitally, with backups and access control.

Q73. Which key refreshes a web page?

1. F1
2. F3
3. F5
4. F12

Key point: F5 refreshes; F12 opens developer tools; F1 opens help.

Q74. Which of these is a search engine?

1. Windows
2. Google
3. Excel
4. Outlook

Key point: Google is a search engine; the others are software applications.

Q75. Wi-Fi is a technology for:

1. Wired networking
2. Wireless networking
3. Printing
4. Storage

Key point: Wi-Fi provides wireless network connectivity.

Q76. A backup means:

1. Deleting old files
2. A copy of data kept for recovery
3. Installing software
4. Formatting a drive

Key point: A backup is a duplicate of data used to restore it after loss.

Q77. Ctrl + A is used to:

1. Select all
2. Add
3. Align
4. Attach

Key point: Ctrl+A selects all content in the document or window.

Q78. Which file extension indicates a presentation?

1. .docx
2. .xlsx
3. .pptx
4. .txt

Key point: .pptx is a PowerPoint presentation.

Q79. In MS Word, Ctrl + U is used for:

1. Undo
2. Underline
3. Upload
4. Update

Key point: Ctrl+U underlines the selected text.

Q80. A password should ideally be:

1. Your name
2. The word “password”
3. A mix of letters, digits and symbols
4. Your birth date

Key point: Strong passwords mix character types and are not personal details.

General Knowledge — 20 Marks (Q81–Q100)

Q81. Bolan Pass is located in which province of Pakistan?

1. Punjab
2. Sindh
3. Balochistan
4. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Key point: Bolan Pass connects Balochistan to the Kachhi plain.

Q82. Fundamental Rights in the 1973 Constitution are contained in:

1. Articles 8 to 28
2. Articles 10 to 30
3. Articles 5 to 20
4. Articles 15 to 40

Key point: Fundamental Rights run from Article 8 to Article 28.

Q83. The Battle of Samugarh was fought in:

1. 1605
2. 1658
3. 1707
4. 1761

Key point: 1658 — Aurangzeb defeated Dara Shikoh in the war of succession.

Q84. Donbass is a disputed region between:

1. Russia and Ukraine
2. Russia and Georgia
3. Armenia and Azerbaijan
4. Serbia and Kosovo

Key point: Donbass is in eastern Ukraine; Nagorno-Karabakh is the Armenia–Azerbaijan dispute.

Q85. Which is the largest planet in the solar system?

1. Saturn
2. Jupiter
3. Neptune
4. Earth

Key point: Jupiter is largest; Saturn is second and is the common distractor.

Q86. The head of district administration in Pakistan is the:

1. DCO
2. Deputy Commissioner
3. Tehsildar
4. SP

Key point: The Deputy Commissioner heads district administration; the SP heads district police.

Q87. If 15% of a number is 45, the number is:

1. 250
2. 280
3. 300
4. 320

Key point: 45 × 100 ÷ 15 = 300.

Q88. The national animal of Pakistan is the:

1. Snow leopard
2. Markhor
3. Chinkara
4. Urial

Key point: The Markhor. The snow leopard is the national predator.

Q89. The national bird of Pakistan is the:

1. Eagle
2. Chukar partridge
3. Falcon
4. Peacock

Key point: The Chukar partridge is the national bird.

Q90. How many provinces does Pakistan have?

1. Three
2. Four
3. Five
4. Six

Key point: Four: Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Q91. The largest dam of Pakistan by volume is:

1. Mangla
2. Tarbela
3. Warsak
4. Diamer-Bhasha

Key point: Tarbela on the Indus is the largest earth-filled dam.

Q92. K2 is located in which mountain range?

1. Himalaya
2. Karakoram
3. Hindu Kush
4. Sulaiman

Key point: K2 lies in the Karakoram range; Nanga Parbat is in the Himalaya.

Q93. Pakistan joined the United Nations on:

1. 14 August 1947
2. 30 September 1947
3. 1 January 1948
4. 23 March 1948

Key point: 30 September 1947 — a frequently tested date.

Q94. The first Prime Minister of Pakistan was:

1. Khawaja Nazimuddin
2. Liaquat Ali Khan
3. Muhammad Ali Bogra
4. Chaudhry Muhammad Ali

Key point: Liaquat Ali Khan served from 1947 until his assassination in 1951.

Q95. The present Constitution of Pakistan came into force on:

1. 23 March 1956
2. 8 June 1962
3. 14 August 1973
4. 25 March 1969

Key point: The 1973 Constitution took effect on 14 August 1973.

Q96. The ratio of 45 minutes to 2 hours is:

1. 3:8
2. 1:3
3. 2:5
4. 3:7

Key point: 2 hours = 120 minutes, so 45:120 = 3:8.

Q97. The average of 10, 20, 30 and 40 is:

1. 20
2. 25
3. 30
4. 35

Key point: Sum = 100, divided by 4 = 25.

Q98. The largest city of Pakistan by population is:

1. Lahore
2. Karachi
3. Faisalabad
4. Islamabad

Key point: Karachi; Islamabad is the capital but not the largest city.

Q99. Pakistan’s national language is:

1. English
2. Urdu
3. Punjabi
4. Sindhi

Key point: Urdu is the national language; English remains an official language.

Q100. The founder of Pakistan is:

1. Allama Iqbal
2. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
3. Liaquat Ali Khan
4. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan

Key point: Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah — the first Governor-General as well.

Full Answer Key (100 Questions)

How to Actually Score 60+

Complete Preparation Path

• PPSC Intelligence Officer Past Papers — 53 solved questions, same format
• PPSC Transport Sub Inspector Past Papers — 53 more questions
• PPSC Tehsil Sports Officer Past Papers — the newest BS-16 paper
• English Grammar MCQs – 100 Questions — covers the 40-mark section
• Synonyms & Antonyms MCQs – 100 Questions
• English Prepositions MCQs
• 100 Computer MCQs for PPSC & NTS — the other 40-mark section
• Pakistan Studies MCQs for PPSC
• Pakistan Affairs MCQs
• Everyday Science – 100 Practice MCQs
• Basic Mathematics MCQs – 100 Solved
• Current Affairs MCQs – October 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PPSC Sub Inspector paper pattern?

100 MCQs, 100 marks, 90 minutes. English carries 40 marks, I.T. and Language Comprehension 40, and General Knowledge 20.

Are these official PPSC Sub Inspector past papers?

No. PPSC states in its FAQ that it does not provide past papers. These questions are original practice items built to the published paper pattern and mark weightage.

Is there negative marking?

Reported at −0.25 per wrong answer in PPSC MCQ papers. Confirm from your own advertisement, because it has varied between cases.

How many marks are needed to pass?

PPSC’s qualifying threshold for the objective paper is commonly reported at 40 percent, with an aggregate requirement after interview. Verify from your advertisement.

Which section should I prepare first?

English. It is 40 marks, entirely learnable vocabulary and grammar, and it appears in every PPSC post you will ever apply for.

Bottom Line

Twenty-four practice questions with explanations, modelled on the real weightage: English 40, I.T. 40, GK 20. If you do nothing else, spend two weeks on English vocabulary and one week clicking through MS Office. That is 80 marks before you touch a single Pakistan Studies book — and it is the opposite of what most candidates do.