UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus 2026

UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus 2026: The Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) question paper of the UPSC Prelims exam tests candidates on multiple skills critical for administrative roles. Reading comprehension holds an important place in the UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2026, assessing candidates' ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written text. Read on to learn the UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension syllabus.

UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2026 Overview

• Analytical and logical reasoning abilities.
• Reading comprehension skills.
• Decision-making and problem-solving competencies.

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UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus 2026 PDF Download

The UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus 2026 covers passages from various topics to test your understanding, interpretation, and analytical skills in English. The official PDF for the 2026 syllabus will be released by UPSC at a later date. Until then, you can refer to the previous year’s CSAT Reading Comprehension syllabus PDF for your preparation. This will help you get an idea of the types of passages and questions asked in the exam. We will update this page with the latest 2026 syllabus PDF as soon as it is available.

UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus 2025 PDF

UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Complete Syllabus

The UPSC notification does not provide an elaborate syllabus for this section; it simply mentions 'Comprehension' and 'Interpersonal skills, including communication skills. Based on the previous year's question, it has been observed that the comprehension section evaluates understanding and inference from a given passage. UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus 2026 will have Passages, a mix of short and long passages, covering topics from philosophy, sociology, economics, environment, and current affairs. Based on the passages, questions may test:

• The primary idea or theme.
• Author’s tone and intent.
• Inferences and conclusions.
• Contextual meanings of words or phrases.
• Logical flow or coherence of ideas.

Section Wise Weightage of Topics in UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus

Historically, reading comprehension constitutes around 30-40% of the CSAT Paper II. With approximately 20-25 questions dedicated to this section, performing well in reading comprehension can significantly influence your overall score. Here is the analysis of the 2025 CSAT paper:

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Recommended Books for UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus

1. CSAT Paper II: Reading Comprehension, Latest Edition by Ashok Kumar Singh & Nagendra Pratap.
2. High School English Grammar And Composition by Wren & Martin.
3. "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis: For improving vocabulary.
4. CSAT Paper-II Manual by Tata McGraw Hill: A comprehensive guide tailored to the UPSC syllabus.
5. UPSC CSAT Wallah 10 Previous Years Solved Questions with 4 Mock Tests and Quick Revision Formulas For Civil Services Exam
6. PWONLYIAS UPSC Wallah CSAT Combo Set of 3 For Civil Services Exam (Latest Edition)

Other Resources for UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus

• Newspapers and Magazines: Regularly read editorials, opinion pieces, and articles from reputable newspapers like The Hindu and The Indian Express, or magazines like Frontline.
• Online Articles and Blogs: Explore online platforms such as Medium, BBC News, or reputable blogs that cover a wide range of topics.
• Previous Years' Question Papers: Analysis of previous years' question papers to understand the pattern, types of questions asked, and the level of difficulty.

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Strategic Preparation For UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension

• Build Vocabulary: Enhance your vocabulary by reading extensively from a variety of sources, such as newspapers, magazines, and literary works.
• Develop Skimming and Scanning Skills: Learn to skim through the passage quickly to get a general idea of the content and identify the main points. Practice scanning for specific information by quickly glancing through the passage to locate relevant details.
• Focus on Main Ideas: Pay attention to the main ideas and arguments presented in the passage. Identify the author's central thesis or argument, supporting evidence, and any counter arguments presented.
• Analyse Passage Structure: Understand the structure of the passage, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Pay attention to transitions between ideas and the overall flow of the passage.
• Improve Reading Speed: Work on improving your reading speed without compromising comprehension. Set a timer while practicing passages to simulate exam conditions and gradually increase your reading speed.
• Practice Inference and Critical Analysis: Practice answering questions that require inference and critical analytical skills. These questions often ask you to analyse the author's tone, purpose, and implications of the passage.
• Use Context Clues: Use context clues to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases. Pay attention to the surrounding text and the overall context of the passage to determine the meaning of difficult words.
• Mock Tests: Take mock tests regularly to assess your progress and familiarise yourself with the exam format.
• Review and Analyze Mistakes: After completing practice tests, review your answers to identify any mistakes or areas of weakness. Analyse why you got certain questions wrong and learn from your errors.

Want guidance for the CSAT syllabus? Explore PW UPSC Courses!