The UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) selects candidates for top roles like IAS, IPS, and IFS. The Preliminary stage includes General Studies Paper 1 and the CSAT (Paper 2), introduced in 2011 to test reasoning, decision-making, and comprehension skills.
The CSAT is qualifying in nature, you must score at least 33% to pass, though it doesn’t count toward the final merit. It has 80 questions for 200 marks to be solved in 2 hours, making it an essential step in clearing Prelims.
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The UPSC CSAT, officially known as General Studies Paper 2, is a key part of the IAS Preliminary exam. It’s designed to assess a candidate’s reasoning ability, analytical thinking, decision-making skills, and overall mental aptitude. While the CSAT syllabus includes topics from maths and reasoning, it’s relatively lighter compared to the more content-heavy GS Paper 1.
UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025 includes:
Important Notes:
| Syllabus PDF | Download Link |
|---|---|
| CSAT Syllabus for UPSC PDF in English | Download PDF |
| CSAT Syllabus for UPSC PDF in Hindi | Download PDF |
| Maths Syllabus for UPSC Prelims CSAT PDF | Download PDF |
| Reasoning Syllabus for UPSC Prelims CSAT PDF | Download PDF |
The UPSC CSAT Paper, officially known as Prelims General Studies Paper 2, is held on the same day as GS Paper 1. Both papers follow an objective format. The CSAT carries a total of 200 marks. You can refer to the table below for a detailed breakdown of the CSAT exam pattern.
| Paper Type | Objective |
|---|---|
| Number of Questions | 80 |
| Negative Marking | Yes (1/3rd of the max marks for the question) |
| Time Allotted | 2 Hours |
| Language of CSAT Paper | English or Hindi |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Nature of Paper | Qualifying (min 33% i.e. UPSC CSAT Passing Marks are 66) |
Correct Answers: Each correct response earns 2.5 marks.
Incorrect Answers: One-third of the marks (approximately 0.83) are deducted for every wrong answer.
Question Format: All questions are objective type (multiple-choice).
Unattempted Questions: No marks are deducted for questions left unanswered.
For UPSC IAS Prelims, the CSAT (GS Paper 2) is now a qualifying paper. Earlier, both GS Paper 1 and CSAT were counted for Mains selection, but since 2015, only GS Paper 1 decides cut-off. To clear CSAT, you must score 33% (66/200 marks). While it doesn’t affect your merit, failing it will end your chances—making it a crucial step in the exam.
Candidates can refer these books for UPSC CSAT Preparation.
| Book Name | Publisher / Author | Description |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies Paper-II for UPSC Preliminary Examination | McGraw Hill | Covers the entire CSAT syllabus with detailed previous years’ analysis and 15 model test papers |
| Analytical Reasoning | M.K. Pandey | Enhances analytical reasoning with sections on logic and rule-based reasoning |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand) | Strong fundamentals in reasoning with numerous solved examples |
| The Mantra of CSAT (Paper II) | GKP / Gautam Puri | Simplified coverage of the entire syllabus aligned with the latest CSAT pattern |
| Cracking the CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) Paper-2 | Arihant Publications | Full syllabus coverage, chapter-wise theory, 3 solved papers, and 5 mock sets with detailed explanations |
| High School English Grammar and Composition | Wren & Martin | Comprehensive grammar and composition (43 grammar chapters + 44 composition chapters) |
Candidates can look at some tips that might help them in preparation.
Practice 4–5 reading comprehensions daily and build your vocabulary to improve understanding. Focus equally on logical reasoning and data interpretation by strengthening numerical and calculation skills. Manage your time wisely, giving balanced attention to General Studies I and CSAT (General Studies II). Since some questions are lengthy, also work on improving your writing speed.
The subject-wise trend analysis of the CSAT Exam from 2011 to 2020 offers valuable insights into how the paper has evolved over the years. By studying these trends, candidates can better understand which topics have been consistently emphasized and how the question distribution has shifted. This helps in identifying high-priority areas and tailoring your preparation accordingly.
Take a look at the table below to see how many questions were asked from each topic in the CSAT paper across different years. It’s a smart way to focus your efforts where they matter most.
| Year | Math & Basic Numeracy | Logical & Analytical Reasoning | Reading Comprehension | Decision Making | Data Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 11 | 17 | 39 | 8 | 5 |
| 2012 | 3 | 28 | 40 | 9 | 0 |
| 2013 | 11 | 21 | 33 | 6 | 9 |
| 2014 | 20 | 23 | 31 | 0 | 6 |
| 2015 | 30 | 18 | 30 | 0 | 2 |
| 2016 | 31 | 21 | 28 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 28 | 22 | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 0 | 14 |
| 2019 | 32 | 18 | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 42 | 12 | 26 | 0 | 0 |
Candidates can refer to the UPSC CSAT Previous Year Papers for practice.
| CSAT Previous Year Question Papers | PDF Link |
|---|---|
| UPSC CSAT General Studies Paper-II 2022 | Download PDF |
| UPSC CSAT General Studies Paper-II 2021 | Download PDF |
| UPSC CSAT General Studies Paper-II 2020 | Download PDF |
| UPSC CSAT General Studies Paper-II 2019 | Download PDF |
| UPSC CSAT General Studies Paper-II 2018 | Download PDF |
| UPSC CSAT General Studies Paper-II 2017 | Download PDF |
| UPSC CSAT General Studies Paper-II 2016 | Download PDF |
| UPSC CSAT General Studies Paper-II 2015 | Download PDF |
| UPSC CSAT General Studies Paper-II 2014 | Download PDF |
Recommended Reads:
While CSAT is officially qualifying (33% marks required), if you barely clear it, your focus and preparation may tilt towards GS Paper I. Many candidates fail prelims only because they underestimate CSAT, so balancing both is crucial.
Direct repetition is rare, but UPSC often recycles question patterns (e.g., logical reasoning structures, RC themes, or math concepts). Practicing past papers helps identify these recurring trends.
For most candidates, the Reading Comprehension (RC) section takes the longest. RC passages are lengthy, and questions demand careful interpretation. Managing time between RC, Maths, and Reasoning is a key strategy.
Yes. The paper is designed for all backgrounds. With smart preparation in reasoning, comprehension, and basic arithmetic (up to Class 10 level), even non-maths students can comfortably clear the qualifying cutoff.
Absolutely. Since you need only 66 marks, attempting around 35–40 accurate questions is usually enough. A selective attempt strategy focusing on strong areas (like RC or reasoning) often works better than trying to cover everything.
Authored by, Shivam Singh
Competitive Exam Strategist
Shivam specializes in breaking down complex academic and technical concepts into engaging, student-friendly formats. From curriculum-aligned blogs to explainer content, his goal is to make learning both accessible and enjoyable.
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