CSAT Full Form - Civil Services Aptitude Test, Check Details

In the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025, the CSAT Full Form stands for the Civil Services Aptitude Test. It is an essential component of the UPSC selection process, conducted alongside the GS paper at the preliminary stage. This paper serves as a qualifying round, requiring candidates to secure a minimum of 33% marks out of 200.

While marks obtained in the UPSC CSAT paper do not contribute to the merit list or prelims cut-off, qualifying for this exam is mandatory for candidates to proceed to the UPSC Mains. Candidates must meet the CSAT cut-off to be shortlisted for the next stage.

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What is CSAT Full Form?

The Civil Service Aptitude Test stand Full Form for CSAT. This examination plays a crucial role in the UPSC recruitment process for UPSC CSE 2025 and Indian Forest Service officers. The UPSC CSAT exam was introduced in 2011 to assess aspirants' analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal abilities.

The UPSC conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) examination in three stages, with the prelims being the initial stage, followed by the mains, and finally, the interview rounds.  Until 2014, this paper's score significantly influenced the UPSC Prelims cut-off since it was included in the calculation. However, it was subsequently transformed into a qualifying exam, requiring candidates to achieve a minimum qualifying score of 66.67 marks out of 200.

Candidiate can check UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025 Here!

CSAT Full Form in Hindi

CSAT Full Form in Hindi is “सिविल सर्विसेज एप्टीट्यूड टेस्ट”। यह भारतीय संघ लोक सेवा आयोग (UPSC) द्वारा आयोजित किया जाता है और इसे सामान्य अध्ययन २ भी कहा जाता है। UPSC CSAT सिविल सेवा परीक्षा के प्रारंभिक चरण में शामिल होता है। इस परीक्षा में उम्मीदवारों की ज्ञान, समझ, तार्किक क्षमता, और सामान्य अंकगणित और आंकड़ा व्याख्या क्षमताओं का मूल्यांकन किया जाता है । उम्मीदवारों को अगले चरण में बढ़ने के लिए CSAT पेपर में 66.67 अंक प्राप्त करने होंगे।

What is UPSC CSAT 2025?

The UPSC CSAT, or Civil Services Aptitude Test, is an examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission of India as a part of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and the Indian Forest Service Prelims exam. UPSC CSAT 2025 serves as the second paper in the preliminary stage of the exam. This paper will be held on 25 May 2025 from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM and will consist of 80 multiple-choice questions. The target for candidates is to achieve 66.67 marks out of 200 in the UPSC CSAT paper; otherwise, they will not be shortlisted for UPSC Mains 2025, even if they cross the cut-off in the GS paper.

Also Read: UPSC CSAT Marks Calculator

Is CSAT Compulsory for UPSC?

Yes, CSAT is compulsory for all candidates appearing in UPSC Prelims. The UPSC notification clearly states that if any candidate does not appear for both GS and CSAT papers, then he or she will be disqualified. No candidate will be considered for the UPSC CSE Mains and UPSC IFoS mains exams if they leave the CSAT exam. Furthermore, this exam has a negative marking of 1/3rd for each incorrect answer. This means that for correct answers, candidates will get 2.5 marks each , and for each incorrect answer, 0.83 marks will be deducted. Therefore, candidates are advised to attempt this paper with caution and avoid guesswork. Remember, the goal is to obtain simply 66.67 marks out of 200.

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CSAT Full Form in Other Indian Languages

UPSC CSAT, or the Civil Services Aptitude Test, is known by various names in Indian languages. While the paper is only available in Hindi and English languages, native aspirants know CSAT by various names as given below:

Importance of CSAT in the UPSC Civil Services Examination

The UPSC CSAT holds significant importance in the selection process for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) exams. While the CSAT scores do not affect the final merit list or the Prelims cut-off, it serve as a mandatory qualifying exam. Candidates must secure at least 33% (66.67 marks out of 200) to be eligible for the Mains stage. Importantly, failing to meet the CSAT cut-off will disqualify candidates from progressing to the Mains regardless of how well they perform in the General Studies (GS) paper. Therefore, success in the CSAT paper is equally crucial for candidates. 

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