UPSC CSAT Exam Analysis 2025 is available now, download PDF . It will include a detailed topic-wise review of the CSAT 2025 paper, number of comprehension and reasoning questions, difficulty level, and trends from the last 5 years to assess performance and plan preparation
theIAShub | 26 May, 2025 | 5376 | 0 |
The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination Paper II (CSAT) was conducted on May 25, 2025, in the afternoon session (2:30 PM to 4:30 PM) across various centers in India. The exam once again proved that, despite being qualifying in nature, it cannot be taken lightly. This CSAT 2025 analysis presents a comprehensive topic-wise breakdown, highlights question trends, and summarizes the overall difficulty level faced by aspirants across the country. It serves as a valuable guide for understanding UPSC’s evolving pattern and refining strategies for future attempts.
UPSC 2025 Prelims GS Paper I Download PDF
UPSC 2025 Prelims CSAT Download PDF
The UPSC Prelims CSAT Paper 2025 was conducted on 25th May 2025 in the afternoon session, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. This paper, known as the Civil Services Aptitude Test, plays a vital role in the preliminary stage of the Civil Services Examination. Although it is a qualifying paper, candidates must secure at least 33% marks (i.e., 66 out of 200) to move on to the next stage. The paper included a total of 80 questions, and many test-takers reported that this year’s CSAT was more time-consuming and complex than previous years, particularly due to the high number of reading comprehension passages and challenging reasoning items.
As per the detailed subject-wise breakdown of the CSAT 2025 paper, the section on Reading Comprehension had the highest number of questions (29), and it was marked moderate to difficult by most aspirants. Numerical Ability came next with 34 questions, rated moderate, while Reasoning Ability had 17 questions and was slightly easier in comparison. Candidates who managed to attempt 55 to 65 questions accurately were considered to be in the safe zone. Time management and precision were crucial in handling this year’s paper due to its tricky and lengthy nature.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Good Attempt | Difficulty Level |
| Reasoning Ability | 17 | 14-15 | Moderate |
| Reading Comprehension | 29 | 22-24 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Numerical Ability | 34 | 25-28 | Moderate |
| Total | 80 | 55-65 | Moderate to Difficult |
The UPSC Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) 2025 was held at various exam centers across India on May 25, 2025, during the afternoon shift (2:30 PM to 4:30 PM). The UPSC CSAT 2025 exam was of moderate difficulty level and time taking, like previous years. Candidates said the paper was manageable but needed careful reading and thinking. The questions focused on testing reading skills, logic, and problem-solving abilities.
Also Read: UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 PDFs
| Section | Topics Covered | No. of Questions (Approx.) | Difficulty Level |
| Reading Comprehension | Passages on social issues, environment | To be updated | Moderate |
| Logical Reasoning | Puzzles, seating arrangements, syllogisms | To be updated | Moderate |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Arithmetic, percentages, data interpretation | To be updated | Moderate |
| Decision Making | Situational judgment and ethics scenarios | To be updated | Moderate |
| Analytical Reasoning | Pattern recognition, analytical reasoning | To be updated | Moderate |
| Miscellaneous | Interdisciplinary topics | To be updated | To be updated |
Also Read: UPSC Prelims Paper 2025 GS 1 and CSAT
The CSAT exam has steadily changed in difficulty and emphasis over the last five years, particularly in comprehension and reasoning. CSAT was once regarded by many applicants as a qualifying exam, but due to its growing complexity, it is now a possible elimination in the preliminary round. Key trends in topic weightage and difficulty from 2020 to 2024 are shown below:
| Year | Reading Comprehension | Quantitative Aptitude | Logical Reasoning & Puzzles | Data Interpretation | Decision Making | Overall Difficulty |
| 2024 | 27–30 questions – Long and inference-based | 22–24 – Tricky arithmetic and ratios | 12–14 – Venn, seating, blood relations | 4–5 – Graphs, multi-step | 3–4 | Moderate to Difficult |
| 2023 | 25–27 – Moderate length, tricky options | 20–23 – Time & work, SI/CI | 14–16 – Pattern-based, coding-decoding | 3–4 | 3 | Moderate |
| 2022 | 25 – Balanced, direct and inferential mix | 25–28 – Calculation-heavy | 10–12 – Logical sequences, assumptions | 3–5 | 2–3 | Moderate |
| 2021 | 30+ – Very lengthy, complex comprehension | 18–20 – Some tough calculations | 12–15 – Puzzles dominant | 3 | 2 | Difficult |
| 2020 | 25–27 – Simple but tricky | 26–28 – Heavy on arithmetic | 10–12 – Basic logic | 3–4 | 4–5 – Ethical scenarios | Moderate |
The UPSC CSAT Exam, which was conducted in the afternoon on May 25, 2025, is expected to confirm how difficult Paper II is. Candidates will likely be tested on accuracy, time management, and conceptual clarity, along with challenging quantitative aptitude problems and lengthy, inference-based reading comprehension passages. While there may be fewer but still important decision-making questions, logical reasoning and data interpretation are expected to continue receiving their usual weight, requiring strong analytical thinking. The pattern over the last five years suggests a gradual shift toward a more difficult and analytical paper, necessitating thorough and comprehensive preparation from candidates. It will be risky to treat the CSAT as merely a qualifying exam; regular practice in every area will be necessary to meet the qualifying cutoff and move forward with confidence in the Civil Services Examination.
The Quantitative Aptitude section in the UPSC CSAT 2025 exam, conducted on May 25, 2025, was generally considered to be of moderate difficulty.
Yes, in CSAT 2025, the Logical Reasoning section focused more on coding-decoding, directions, and syllogisms, while puzzles and seating arrangements were fewer. Data Interpretation questions were minimal or absent, marking a noticeable shift from previous years.
Will be updated soon after the exam
Yes, the overall difficulty of the CSAT paper has increased over the years. Recent exams have featured more complex and time-consuming questions, particularly in quantitative aptitude and reasoning sections, requiring deeper conceptual understanding and analytical skills. This trend underscores the importance of thorough preparation, even though CSAT is a qualifying paper.
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