UPSC CSAT 2025, Full Form, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Exam Date

UPSC CSAT 2025 exam is scheduled for the second shift of May 25, 2025. It is conducted as the part of UPSC CSE Prelims exam, which comprises the General Studies and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), also referred to as the GS II test. The UPSC CSAT 2025 paper will consist of 80 multiple-choice questions, carry a total of 200 marks, and have a duration of 2 hours. Candidates must secure at least 33% (66 marks) to qualify for this paper, and even though the CSAT test is qualifying, it is important to prepare well due to its tricky and hard level in the last few years. Students who have a clear understanding of the UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025 can focus their efforts on the most important topics, boosting their chances of scoring well. Keep reading to learn more!

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What is CSAT in UPSC Exam?

CSAT, or Civil Services Aptitude Test, is a crucial component of the UPSC Civil Services and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Prelims exam. Candidates who score below 33% marks in this paper are not considered for the next stage i.e. Mains exam of either or exams even if they clear the cut-off in Paper 1. This paper is usually known as GS Paper 2 and is conducted after GS Paper 1.

UPSC CSAT Full Form 

The UPSC CSAT full form is the Civil Services Aptitude Test. It is part of the UPSC Civil Services Prelims, introduced in 2011. Also known as UPSC Prelims GS Paper II, it tests reasoning, numerical aptitude, and English comprehension. Initially, the CSAT score contributed to the cutoff, but since 2014, it has been a qualifying paper. Candidates now need to score at least 33% (66.67 marks out of 200) to pass.

UPSC CSAT 2025

The highly competitive UPSC CSE Exam is held in India to select candidates for several civil services posts. The Civil Services Aptitude Test, or CSAT, was created in 2011 to assess a candidate's aptitude, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making skills, and comprehension capacity. UPSC CSAT 2025 will be held on May 25th. The table below summarizes the CSAT Exam Pattern 2025:

UPSC CSAT 2025 Date 

The UPSC CSAT 2025 is scheduled for 25th May 2025 and will be conducted in the afternoon shift of the UPSC Civil Services Prelims. General Studies Paper II, also known as CSAT will be held from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. The CSAT paper is qualifying in nature and assesses reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and comprehension skills. There will be a 3-hour break between the two shifts, giving candidates time to rest and prepare for the CSAT paper.

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UPSC CSAT 2025 Syllabus

It is essential to comprehend the UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025 thoroughly since it is structured into many sections that evaluate distinct talents. Every segment concentrates on a distinct domain, including but not limited to mathematics, reasoning, analysis, decision-making, problem-solving, and understanding. The CSAT 2025 syllabus may be broken down topic wise so that you can focus on each subject separately and prepare thoroughly. The UPSC CSAT 2025 paper's syllabus includes the following major topics -

• 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);

Mathematics Syllabus for UPSC CSAT 2025

The mathematics subject of the UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025 is intended to assess your numerical proficiency and problem-solving abilities. To increase your accuracy and speed and make sure you can do mathematical questions quickly during the test, regular practice is crucial. Among the important subjects are:

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Reasoning Syllabus for UPSC CSAT 2025

The reasoning part of the UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025 assesses your logical and analytical thinking skills.  Your advantage in this paper will come from having a solid understanding of the CSAT 2025 syllabus for the reasoning part. CSAT reasoning covers a wide range of subjects, including:

Books for CSAT 2025

Here’s a list of some of the useful books for UPSC CSAT 2025 preparation:

• Class VI to Xth NCERT Mathematics textbooks
• CSAT Manual by Pearson
• General Studies Paper II for UPSC Preliminary Examination by Tata Mcgraw Hill
• UPSC CSAT Wallah - 10 Previous Years Solved Questions (2014-23) with 4 Mock Tests and Quick Revision Formulas This book also provides mock tests, an extensive collection of solved questions from the last ten years, and short revision formulas to help you study for the examination.
  • Publisher: PWONLYIAS

• UPSC CSAT Wallah - PWONLYIAS UPSC Wallah CSAT Combo Set of 3 This combination pack is particularly tailored for the Civil Services Exam and includes major topics with numerous practice problems and clear explanations.
  • Publisher: PWONLYIAS

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UPSC CSAT Preparation Tips

Although passing the UPSC Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) requires preparation, you may succeed if you use the appropriate strategy and methods. Find out more with this simple-to-follow manual created with UPSC CSAT Preparation in mind.

Step 1: Recognising the Structure of the Exam Developing a successful UPSC CSAT study plan starts with understanding the UPSC Exam Pattern paper and the kinds of questions that are commonly repeated. Therefore, you must first comprehend the CSAT Paper Pattern before beginning your CSAT preparation for the UPSC.

Step 2: Using the Appropriate Study Materials It should put quality above quantity. For your reference, compile a list of dependable CSAT books, past exam papers, and reputable websites. Regarding coaching, you can review the CSAT courses offered by Physics Wallah.

Step 3: Consistent Practice and Mock Exams The adage "Practice makes perfect" is quite accurate when it comes to CSAT UPSC preparation. Frequent completion of problem sets and participation in practice exams facilitates quicker problem solving and increased accuracy on test day.

Step 4: Organising Your Schedule Your ability to effectively manage your time will determine how likely you are to pass the CSAT Paper. Allocate time periods for every topic based on your comprehension and comfort level. Always record how long it takes you to complete each component of the practice. Making a schedule for your UPSC preparation can assist you in organising your time for the CSAT and other UPSC CSE exam papers.

Step 5: Prioritise Mental Abilities and Logical Reasoning The CSAT focuses a lot of emphasis on topics involving mental aptitude and logical thinking. The easiest way to get ready for this section is to solve reasoning exercises, puzzles, and riddles from different sources. The secret is to comprehend and use the reasoning. Regular practice with an emphasis on these areas can greatly improve your chances of scoring well. You can assess your degree of CSAT readiness for the UPSC 2025 Exam by beginning to solve the CSAT Reasoning Questions in the article that is linked.

Step 6: Enhance Reading Skills The CSAT's reading comprehension part requires rapid reading and understanding. The CSAT reading comprehension section covers about half of the test with readings covering a variety of subjects. Improve your reading comprehension, concentrate on grasping the main ideas of the texts, and practice answering all kinds of questions. Make it a habit to read every day and make an effort to comprehend the primary idea and structure of the articles you read.

Step 7: Maintain Your Health and Reduce Stress Finally, but just as importantly, maintaining your emotional and physical well-being is crucial while you're getting ready. A balanced diet, consistent exercise, and enough sleep will improve your performance significantly.

Prepare for the UPSC CSAT exam with ease by exploring the guidance program at Physics Wallah!