Circular Seating Reasoning Puzzle for IBPS PO — Lata, Isha, Vikram, Tanvi, Pooja, Esha, Bhavna
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).
- Start: 720 distinct seatings (up to rotation) of 7 people around the table. Fix Bhavna at seat 1 and count clockwise — only rotations of the same seating differ.
- Clue 7 — "Vikram sits 2nd to the left of Lata (all facing the centre)." narrows it to 120 possibilities. Table (clockwise from Bhavna): Bhavna · _ · _ · _ · _ · _ · _
- Clue 1 — "Lata does NOT sit next to Esha." narrows it to 72 possibilities. Table (clockwise from Bhavna): Bhavna · _ · _ · _ · _ · _ · _
- Clue 2 — "Lata does NOT sit next to Tanvi." narrows it to 36 possibilities. Table (clockwise from Bhavna): Bhavna · _ · _ · _ · _ · _ · _
- Clue 3 — "Isha does NOT sit next to Vikram." narrows it to 20 possibilities. Table (clockwise from Bhavna): Bhavna · _ · _ · _ · _ · _ · _
- Clue 4 — "Tanvi does NOT sit next to Esha." narrows it to 8 possibilities. Table (clockwise from Bhavna): Bhavna · _ · _ · _ · _ · _ · _
- Clue 5 — "Isha does NOT sit next to Tanvi." narrows it to 2 possibilities. Table (clockwise from Bhavna): Bhavna · _ · _ · _ · _ · _ · _
- Clue 6 — "Vikram does NOT sit next to Pooja." ⇒ Lata → seat 7, Isha → seat 6, Vikram → seat 2, Tanvi → seat 3, Pooja → seat 4, Esha → seat 5 (1 possibility left). Table (clockwise from Bhavna): 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.
Learn the method for this puzzle type
This post is one worked example. The topic page for circular seating arrangement carries the full method, the clue-wording table, the mistakes that cost marks and more practice questions.
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