Circular Seating Reasoning Puzzle for IBPS PO — Lata, Isha, Vikram, Tanvi, Pooja, Esha, Bhavna
2026-07-04
Hard · 8 clues · 7 people
IBPS PO · SBI PO · RBI Grade B
The puzzle
Lata, Isha, Vikram, Tanvi, Pooja, Esha, Bhavna — sit around a round table, all facing the centre — work out the seating order clockwise. Using the clues below, work out the arrangement.
- Lata does NOT sit next to Esha.
- Lata does NOT sit next to Tanvi.
- Isha does NOT sit next to Vikram.
- Tanvi does NOT sit next to Esha.
- Isha does NOT sit next to Tanvi.
- Vikram does NOT sit next to Pooja.
- Vikram sits 2nd to the left of Lata (all facing the centre).
- Tanvi does NOT sit next to Bhavna.
Question: Determine the arrangement.
Reveal the answer
Answer: Bhavna, Vikram, Tanvi, Pooja, Esha, Isha, Lata (clockwise around the table).
Pos 1BhavnaPos 2VikramPos 3TanviPos 4PoojaPos 5EshaPos 6IshaPos 7Lata
- Start: 720 distinct seatings (up to rotation) of 7 people around the table.
- Clue 1 — "Lata does NOT sit next to Esha." leaves 480 possibilities.
- Clue 2 — "Lata does NOT sit next to Tanvi." leaves 288 possibilities.
- Clue 3 — "Isha does NOT sit next to Vikram." leaves 216 possibilities.
- Clue 4 — "Tanvi does NOT sit next to Esha." leaves 120 possibilities.
- Clue 5 — "Isha does NOT sit next to Tanvi." leaves 56 possibilities.
- Clue 6 — "Vikram does NOT sit next to Pooja." leaves 48 possibilities.
- Clue 7 — "Vikram sits 2nd to the left of Lata (all facing the centre)." leaves 1 possibility. The surviving clockwise order is Bhavna, Vikram, Tanvi, Pooja, Esha, Isha, Lata.
- Clue 8 — "Tanvi does NOT sit next to Bhavna." leaves 1 possibility. The surviving clockwise order is Bhavna, Vikram, Tanvi, Pooja, Esha, Isha, Lata.
- Exactly one seating (up to rotation) survives every clue: Bhavna, Vikram, Tanvi, Pooja, Esha, Isha, Lata clockwise.
How to crack circular seating puzzles faster
- Circular seating has no fixed start — anchor any person first, then place others relative to them.
- "Immediately to the left" in a circle means clockwise-adjacent (when facing the centre).
- "Opposite" in an even-N circle means exactly halfway around the table.
- Draw a rough circle and mark positions as you deduce — visual elimination is faster than mental tracking.
FAQ
What is the seating order in this circular arrangement?
The order clockwise is: Bhavna, Vikram, Tanvi, Pooja, Esha, Isha, Lata. In circular seating, all relative positions are preserved regardless of where you start — the relationship between neighbours is what matters.
How do you solve circular seating arrangement puzzles?
Start by fixing one person, then place others using relative clues (immediately left, opposite, between). In a circle, 'left' means clockwise-adjacent when facing the centre. Work outward from the anchored person.
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