UPSC CSAT 2025, Qualifying Marks, Full Form, Question Papers

CSAT, or General Studies Paper 2, is a component of the Civil Services Prelims examination conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission in India. The UPSC Civil Services exam is a highly competitive and prestigious examination used to recruit candidates for various positions in the Indian government, such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services.

CSAT 2025 will take place on 25th May 2025 in the afternoon shift. It is a 200 marks paper in which candidates need to score at least 33% to qualify for the Mains exam.

What is CSAT in UPSC?

The CSAT was introduced in 2011 as a part of the Preliminary examination, which is the first stage of the three-stage selection process. UPSC Prelims consists of two papers: Paper I and Paper II. Paper I tests a candidate’s knowledge and understanding of general studies topics, including subjects like history, geography, economics, polity, and current affairs. Paper II, the CSAT, assesses the candidate’s aptitude in areas like logical reasoning, analytical ability, comprehension, decision-making, and problem-solving.

CSAT Full Form

CSAT stands for “Civil Services Aptitude Test.” The introduction of CSAT was a significant change in the pattern of the Civil Services Preliminary examination. It aimed to assess candidates not only on their knowledge of subjects but also on their aptitude and reasoning abilities.

CSAT Qualifying Marks

The minimum qualifying marks to successfully clear the UPSC CSAT paper is fixed at 33% by the Union Public Service Commission. It is a 200 marks paper in which candidates need to score at least 66 marks to qualify.

Check the following table to know about the UPSC CSAT paper in brief.

CSAT Syllabus

The CSAT syllabus covers a range of topics from Maths, Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension. Candidates are advised to prepare thoroughly across all the areas mentioned in the UPSC CSAT syllabus presented below to ensure a well-rounded preparation for this paper.

CSAT Study Material

Check out the postal courses available at Vajiram and Ravi to study for CSAT 2025 exam. It includes workbooks on Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, Comprehension, and Logical Reasoning.

CSAT Question Paper

CSAT is a time-bound exam. Practising CSAT questions with previous year’s papers helps you develop effective time management skills, ensuring that you allocate the right amount of time to each section and question. UPSC CSAT question papers provide insight into the actual exam pattern, format, and types of questions asked. This familiarity helps reduce exam anxiety and boosts your confidence on the day of the exam.

• UPSC CSAT Question Paper 2024
• CSAT Question Paper 2023
• UPSC CSAT Previous Year Paper (2022)
• CSAT Question Paper 2021
• CSAT Question Paper 2020
• CSAT Question Paper 2019
• CSAT Question Paper 2018
• CSAT Question Paper 2017
• CSAT Question Paper 2016

CSAT 2024 Answer Key

By going through the CSAT answer key, you can understand the pattern of questions asked and the level of difficulty. This information helps you tailor your preparation strategy to match the actual exam requirements.

CSAT 2024 Answer Key (Set-Wise)

Books for CSAT UPSC

Some of the recommended books to prepare for the UPSC CSAT paper are listed here:

• “Analytical Reasoning” by M.K. Pandey
• “A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning” by R.S. Aggarwal
• NCERT textbooks for Mathematics (class 6 to 10)
• “General Studies Paper II for UPSC Preliminary Examination” by Tata Mcgraw Hill
• “CSAT Manual” by Pearson
• “Cracking the CSAT Paper” by Arihant Experts

How to Prepare for UPSC CSAT Exam?

Preparing for the UPSC CSAT exam requires a focused and strategic approach. Here are some steps you can follow to prepare effectively:

• Understand the Syllabus: Start by thoroughly understanding the CSAT syllabus. This will help you identify the topics you need to cover and ensure that you don’t miss any important areas.
• Create a Study Plan: Develop a comprehensive study plan that allocates sufficient time to each topic. A well-structured plan will help you cover the entire syllabus and manage your time effectively.
• Study Material Selection: Choose reliable and recommended study materials, including textbooks, reference books, and online resources. Stick to a few trusted sources rather than trying to cover too many materials.
• Practice Regularly: The CSAT is about testing aptitude and reasoning abilities. Regular practice is crucial. Solve practice questions, mock tests, and UPSC previous year question papers to enhance your problem-solving skills.
• Focus on Fundamentals: Build a strong foundation in basic numeracy, logical reasoning, comprehension, and decision-making. Strong fundamentals will help you tackle a wide range of questions.
• Improve Reading and Comprehension Skills: Since the CSAT includes reading comprehension, work on improving your reading speed and comprehension abilities. Practice reading different types of passages and answering questions based on them.
• Logical and Analytical Skills: Work on improving your logical reasoning and analytical thinking. Practice solving puzzles, analogies, coding-decoding, and other related problems.
• Time Management: Since the CSAT is time-bound, practice solving questions within a stipulated time frame. This will help you manage time effectively during the actual exam.