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CSAT, or General Studies Paper 2, is a crucial part of the Civil Services Preliminary Examination, conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India. The UPSC Civil Services exam is a highly competitive and esteemed assessment designed to select candidates for elite roles in the Indian government, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services.

CSAT 2026 is scheduled for May 24, 2026, in the afternoon session. It is a 200-mark paper, requiring candidates to secure at least 33% to advance to the Mains examination.

Also Read: UPSC Calendar 2026

What is CSAT in UPSC?

Introduced in 2011, the CSAT is part of the Preliminary examination, the initial phase of the three-stage selection process. The UPSC Prelims comprises two papers: Paper I and Paper II. Paper I assesses a candidate’s understanding of general studies topics, including history, geography, economics, governance, and current events. Paper II, known as CSAT, tests a candidate’s abilities in logical reasoning, analytical thinking, comprehension, decision-making, and problem-solving.

CSAT Full Form in UPSC

CSAT stands for “Civil Services Aptitude Test.” Its inclusion marked a pivotal shift in the Civil Services Preliminary examination pattern, aiming to evaluate candidates not only on their subject knowledge but also on their aptitude and logical capabilities.

Also Read: UPSC Rank-wise Post

UPSC CSAT 2026 Overview

UPSC Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) 2026, also known as General Studies Paper II, is a qualifying exam within the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. An overview of UPSC CSAT 2026 is given below:

UPSC CSAT Pattern 2026

UPSC CSAT pattern 2026 is given below:

CSAT Qualifying Marks 2026

UPSC has set the minimum qualifying threshold for the CSAT paper at 33%. In this 200-mark paper, candidates must score at least 66 marks to qualify.

CSAT Syllabus 2026

UPSC CSAT syllabus encompasses various topics, including Mathematics, Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension. Candidates are advised to prepare comprehensively across all areas outlined in the UPSC CSAT syllabus to ensure thorough readiness for the exam.

• Comprehension
• Interpersonal skills, including communication skills;
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
• Decision-making and problem-solving
• General mental ability
• Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. – Class X level) 

CSAT PYQs Last 5 Years

The CSAT is a time-constrained exam. Practising with previous years’ question papers helps candidates hone effective time management skills, ensuring optimal allocation of time to each section and question. Familiarity with UPSC CSAT question papers provides insight into the exam’s structure, format, and question types, reducing anxiety and boosting confidence on exam day.

Books for CSAT UPSC 2026

Here are some recommended books to prepare for the UPSC CSAT paper:

• “Analytical Reasoning” by M.K. Pandey
• “A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning” by R.S. Aggarwal
• NCERT Mathematics textbooks (Classes 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

Also Read: UPSC Toppers List 2025

How to Prepare for UPSC CSAT 2026 Exam?

Preparing for the UPSC CSAT exam demands a focused and strategic approach. Follow these steps for effective preparation:

1. Grasp the Syllabus: Begin by thoroughly understanding the CSAT syllabus to identify key topics and ensure comprehensive coverage.
2. Develop a Study Plan: Create a structured study plan that allocates sufficient time to each topic, allowing for efficient syllabus coverage and effective time management.
3. Select Quality Study Materials: Choose reliable resources, including textbooks, reference books, and online materials. Focus on a few trusted sources rather than overwhelming yourself with too many.
4. Practice Consistently: Since CSAT tests aptitude and reasoning, regular practice is essential. Solve practice questions, mock tests, and previous years’ UPSC question papers to sharpen problem-solving skills.
5. Strengthen Fundamentals: Develop a solid foundation in basic numeracy, logical reasoning, comprehension, and decision-making to tackle a wide range of questions effectively.
6. Enhance Reading and Comprehension Skills: As CSAT includes reading comprehension, improve reading speed and understanding by practising various passage types and answering related questions.
7. Boost Logical and Analytical Abilities: Strengthen logical reasoning and analytical skills by solving puzzles, analogies, coding-decoding, and similar problems.

Best UPSC CSAT Books

Best book for UPSC  CSAT is given below as recommended by toppers:

• “A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning” by R.S. Aggarwal
• NCERT textbooks for Mathematics (classes 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
• IAS HUB CSAT Book

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UPSC CSAT 2026 FAQs

Q1. What are the Qualifying Marks for the UPSC CSAT Paper?-

Candidates need to score a minimum of 33% to qualify for the CSAT. 

Q2. How many Questions to attempt in CSAT?

There is no fixed number of questions one should attempt to clear the CSAT paper, as it depends on the accuracy level and the mark assigned to each question. Make sure to attempt enough questions to cross the minimum qualifying score of 33% in Paper II (CSAT).

Q3. When was CSAT introduced in UPSC?

CSAT was introduced as part of the UPSC Civil Services Examination in the year 2011. Before the introduction of CSAT, the Preliminary examination consisted of a single paper that primarily tested candidates' knowledge of General Studies

Q4. How to Calculate UPSC CSAT Score?

Multiply the number of correct answers by 2.5 (to get your marks for correct answers). Multiply the number of incorrect answers by 0.83 (to get the marks deducted for incorrect answers). Subtract the marks deducted for incorrect answers from the marks earned for correct answers.