UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025: Download Subject wise Syllabus PDF for GS Paper 2

UPSC CSAT is referred to as UPSC GS Paper 2. It is a part of UPSC CSE Prelims exam. The paper has sections - Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, and Logical Reasoning. The questions are asked to assess your Interpersonal skills, Logical reasoning and analytical ability, Decision-making and problem-solving and General mental ability. You get questions of class 10 level in Basic numeracy and Comprehension.

The quantitative Aptitude section has the maximum weightage with 35+ questions in the last few years in UPSC Prelims CSAT. In the Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning section, you can expect 20+ and 10+ questions.

All the questions will be of objective type. You have to attempt 80 questions in 2 hours. To qualify this paper, you need to score 33%. Your marks in this paper will not be counted for the merit list. Note that, there is a negative marking of ⅓ for each wrong answer.

CSAT is introduced in UPSC Prelims in the year 2011. Since then, the exam pattern and syllabus have been the same. Though it is a qualifying paper, it is mandatory to appear in the exam to move to UPSC CSE Mains round.

CSAT Book for UPSC	CSAT Previous Year Papers	CSAT Study Notes

Ques. Is UPSC CSAT difficult?

Ans. Yes. Because of qualifying nature of UPSC CSAT, the difficulty level of the paper is “Moderate to Difficult”.

Ques. What should I study in CSAT for UPSC?

Ans. You need to cover all the questions from the topics data interpretation, data sufficiency, analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, syllogism, logical connectives, assumption/inference/conclusion, blood relations, direction, non-verbal reasoning, Venn diagrams, missing numbers,etc.

Table of Contents

CSAT Subject wise Syllabus
1.1 CSAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
1.2 CSAT Reasoning Syllabus
1.3 CSAT Comprehension Syllabus
CSAT Topic-wise Weightage
CSAT Preparation Strategy
FAQs

UPSC CSAT Subjectwise Syllabus 2025: Download Topic-wise PDF

We have provided UPSC CSAT Subjectwise syllabus PDF below. You are advised to download the PDF and stick to the syllabus during preparation days.

UPSC CSAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2025

Numeracy	Mental Ability	Data Interpretation
Rules of Divisibility Rational Numbers & Ordering Decimal Fractions Simplification Square Roots & Cube Roots Numerical System Averages Set Theory Indices and Surds Remainder theorem Ratio and Proportion L.C.M and H.C.F Percentage	Boats & Streams Pipes & Cisterns Simple Interest & Compound Interest Partnership Profit & loss Time and Work Trains Speed and Distance Permutations & Combinations Probability Allegation & Mixtures Mensuration & Area	Data Interpretation Table Chart Bar Chart Calendar Problems on Ages Clock Eligibility Test Pie Chart

UPSC CSAT Reasoning Syllabus 2025

Analytical Ability	Logical Reasoning
Alphabet Test Analogy Series Classification Direction Sense Test Coding and Decoding Seating Arrangement Blood Relations	Arithmetical Reasoning Inserting the missing character Cause & Effect Analytical Reasoning Cubes & Dice Syllogism Punch lines

UPSC CSAT Comprehension Syllabus 2025

Important Topics for Reading Comprehension
Situation Reaction Test Reading Comprehension Statement & Course of Action Statement & Conclusions	Deriving Conclusion Statement & Arguments Summary of the passage

UPSC CSAT Topic-wise Weightage

Based on previous year paper analysis, we have provided UPSC CSAT topic-wise weightage analysis for UPSC Prelims from 2014 to 2023.

Year	Reading Comprehension	Quantitative Aptitude	Logical Reasoning / Decision-making	Total Questions
2023	26	44	10	80
2022	27	35	18	80
2021	27	36	17	80
2020	25	40	15	80
2019	30	26	24	80
2018	26	31	23	80
2017	30	23	27	80
2016	27	25	28	80
2015	30	21	29	80
2014	32	15	33	80

Preparation Strategy

UPSC CSAT Preparation Strategy 2025

Start preparing for CSAT at least 6 months before the UPSC CSE Prelims exam.
Go through CSAT syllabus and exam pattern and keep the topics from syllabus with you while preparing for the exam.
Select recommended books only to prepare for UPSC CSAT exam. NCERT books of class 10th are good to start with.
Make a timetable so that you cover most of the topics from all the subjects.
Solve UPSC CSAT Mock Tests during your preparation days to track your performance.
Practice questions from various sources including books, previous year papers and mock tests.
Note down important formulas and keep revising them while solving the questions.
To score good marks try to solve questions of Basic Numeracy from all the books which are recommended to class 10th students.

Relevant Links
UPSC Prelims Syllabus	UPSC Exam Date	UPSC Current Affairs
UPSC Cutoff	UPSC Exam Pattern	UPSC Prelims Preparation Tips

Keep track of your performance on covered topics. UPSC toppers recommend to stick to limited sources of study material. Do not start any random topic from any random source. It will lead to confusion. Keep practising all types of questions from various study sources.

FAQs

UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025 FAQs

Ques. Is there negative marking in UPSC Prelims CSAT?

Ans. Yes. There is a negative marking of ⅓ of the total marks in UPSC CSAT.

Ques. What questions are asked in CSAT UPSC?

Ans. In UPSC CSAT paper, questions are asked from General Mental Ability, Analytical Reasoning, and English (Reading Comprehension).

Ques. Is UPSC CSAT Math tough?

Ans. The level of questions in UPSC CSAT Maths section is of class 10th level. But, in the past few years, the difficulty level of the paper is kept “Moderate to Difficult”.

Ques. How important is the CSAT paper for UPSC Prelims?

Ans. CSAT is also known as UPSC GS Paper 2. It is a part of the UPSC CSE Prelims exam. Though it is a qualifying paper, but it is mandatory to score 33% in this paper to qualify for UPSC CSE Mains.

Ques. How can I clear CSAT in first attempt?

Ans. Yes. Though UPSC CSAT is a difficult paper, you can clear the exam in 1st attempt. You need to study from relevant study material. Focus on the UPSC CSAT syllabus and pattern while preparing for the exam.