Which of the following is wrongly spelt ?

The correct spelling is Deceive, so option A, 'Decieve', is the wrongly spelt word. The general rule is 'i before e, except after c', and deceive is the exception: the 'ei' comes after 'c', so it must be written 'ei'. Aspirants who apply the rule mechanically write 'Decieve' and miss this.

Checking the others:

• Believe (B) is correct: 'ie' follows 'l', not 'c', so the general rule holds.
• Relieve (C) is correct: same pattern as believe.
• Belief (D) is correct: the classic 'ie' spelling, with no 'c' before it.

The core concept is orthography, which appears in UPPSC Prelims English and vocabulary questions. For Mains, clean spelling and language matter in essay and general English answers, so small errors cost marks.

Trap: Students apply 'i before e' to every word and either pick deceive as correct or overlook the 'c' exception. Learn the exception group: receive, perceive, deceive, conceive, ceiling.