Letter series XYZ UVW RST OPQ – UGC NET Question

The groups descend in blocks of three letters: XYZ (24–26), UVW (21–23), RST (18–20) and OPQ (15–17). Each starting letter reduces by 3 positions (24, 21, 18, 15). The next starting position should be 12, corresponding to L, and the next block is LMN (12–14). Hence LMN is the only group that continues the pattern of moving each block three letters earlier in the alphabet.

Option A:
Option A, LMN, is correct because it begins at L, which is 3 letters before O, and forms the next three-letter block in descending order. It respects the length of the groups and the step size of −3 for the starting letter. This makes LMN a perfect fit for the series.

Option B:
Option B, KLM, starts too early at K, corresponding to a step of −4 from O, not −3. This over-adjustment does not match the observed behaviour of the series. As such, KLM cannot be considered correct.

Option C:
Option C, NOP, reverses the direction by moving forward after OPQ instead of backward. It also overlaps with OPQ by reusing O and P in a way that contradicts the blockwise descent. Therefore NOP does not align with the series rule.

Option D:
Option D, MNO, starts at M, which is 2 letters before O, not 3 letters before O. It breaks the fixed interval between the initial letters of successive blocks. Because it ignores the −3 step pattern, MNO is not a valid continuation.