{"id":1455,"date":"2026-03-14T10:10:58","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T04:40:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=1455"},"modified":"2026-03-14T11:25:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T05:55:52","slug":"csat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/csat\/","title":{"rendered":"UPSC CSAT 2026, Qualifying Marks, Full Form, Question Papers"},"content":{"rendered":"

CSAT, or General Studies Paper 2,<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\r\n

CSAT 2026 will take place on 24th May 2026 in the afternoon shift<\/strong>. It is a 200 marks paper in which candidates need to score at least 33% to qualify for the Mains exam<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

What is CSAT in UPSC?<\/h2>\r\n

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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\r\n

CSAT Full Form<\/h2>\r\n

CSAT stands for \"Civil Services Aptitude Test<\/strong>.\" 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.<\/p>\r\n

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For thorough and effective preparation, candidates can enroll in Vajiram and Ravi<\/span><\/span>\u2019s PowerUp CSAT Test Series 2026<\/strong><\/a>, which is designed to enhance conceptual understanding and exam readiness.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/article>\r\n

CSAT Qualifying Marks<\/h2>\r\n

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

Check the following table to know about the UPSC CSAT paper in brief.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Parameters<\/strong><\/td>\r\nDetails<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
CSAT Full Form<\/td>\r\nCivil Services Aptitude Test<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Also Known as<\/td>\r\nUPSC Prelims GS Paper 2<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Total Marks<\/td>\r\n200<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Number of Questions<\/td>\r\n80<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Minimum Qualifying Marks<\/td>\r\n66 Marks<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Negative Marking in CSAT<\/td>\r\n1\/3rd<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n

CSAT Syllabus 2026<\/h2>\r\n

The CSAT syllabus<\/a> 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.<\/p>\r\n

\"CSAT<\/p>\r\n

CSAT Study Material<\/h2>\r\n

Check out the postal courses available at Vajiram and Ravi<\/a> to study for CSAT 2026 exam. It includes workbooks on Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, Comprehension, and Logical Reasoning.<\/p>\r\n

CSAT Question Paper<\/h2>\r\n

CSAT is a time-bound exam. Practising CSAT questions<\/a> 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.<\/p>\r\n