UPSC Prelims Calculator Usage Rules 2025
UPSC Prelims calculator usage rules are provided here for the 2025 exam. Candidates can go through to find out whether calculator usage is allowed in UPSC Prelims 2025 or not.
Deeksha Dixit28 Apr, 2025
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UPSC Prelims Calculator Usage Rules 2025: As candidates prepare for the UPSC Prelims, the first stage of the selection process, they must familiarize themselves with the guidelines issued by the Union Public Service Commission. These rules are mandatory for all candidates to follow on the exam day, 25 May 2025.
Among these guidelines are the 'UPSC Prelims Exam Calculator Usage Rules'. UPSC strictly prohibits the use of calculators inside the exam hall during the IAS Prelims exam. Candidates should be aware that the UPSC has established specific criteria regarding calculator usage during the exam, as detailed below.UPSC Prelims Calculator Usage Rules 2025
The UPSC Prelims calculator usage rules clearly state that candidates are not allowed to use any type of calculator in the objective-type papers. This means that they cannot carry the calculator on the UPSC Prelims exam day. The reason is that the UPSC Prelims has two papers: GS I and GS II (CSAT), both objective-type in nature.Therefore, while appearing in either of these papers, candidates cannot take calculators with them. Be it a scientific (non-programmable type) or programmable type calculator, candidates cannot take it inside the exam hall on the UPSC Prelims exam day as per the rules.
Can We Use Calculators in the UPSC CSAT Exam?
No, as per the UPSC Prelims Exam calculator usage rules, candidates cannot use the calculator on the UPSC CSAT question paper. The UPSC CSAT has numerical questions that can be answered by manual calculations if sufficient practice has been done by candidates. UPSC clearly mentions this in the instructions during the admit card downloading stage for the UPSC Prelims exam: candidates must not carry a scientific non-programmable calculator or any other type of calculator inside the exam hall during either the GS or CSAT paper.How to Practice For UPSC CSAT 2025 Without a Calculator?
This question commonly bothers candidates, as the CSAT paper has a minimum of 40% of questions that require calculations out of a total of 80. Reading comprehension does not require calculation, but to answer questions about mathematical aptitude, such as percentages, candidates need to do calculations. Experts suggest candidates should develop the habit of solving CSAT questions without using the calculator during the initial preparation phase itself by using these tips:- Practice 10th-grade-level mathematical calculations without looking at the calculation.
- Solve as many CSAT mock tests as possible within the 2-hour time limit in exam-like conditions.
- Learn square roots and cube roots till 25 and tables till 40 for CSAT calculation.
- Practice formulas and tricks to learn them by heart for the exam day.
- Train the brain for quick calculation by developing the habit of calculation, such as multiplying or dividing in the brain in daily life.
Are Calculators Allowed In UPSC Mains?
Yes, candidates are allowed to carry a calculator during the UPSC Mains exam. Here are guidelines related to calculator usage in the UPSC CSE exam:- Candidates are permitted to use scientific (non-programmable) calculators at the conventional, i.e., essay-type examination.
- Programmable -type calculators are strictly prohibited even in the UPSC Mains exam, and if any candidate is found to be using such calculators, it would be considered an unfair practice.
- Candidates must bring their own calculator, and loaning or interchanging during exams in the examination hall is not allowed.
- Candidates are not permitted to bring calculators for answering objective-type papers.
UPSC Prelims Calculator Usage Rules 2025 FAQs
Is UPSC allowing calculators in the Prelims 2025 exam?
No, calculators are not allowed in the UPSC Prelims exam.
Is calculator use allowed in the CSAT Prelims?
No, the calculator is prohibited in the CSAT paper of UPSC Prelims.
Is the calculator allowed in the UPSC accounts optional?
Yes, UPSC allowed the calculator in Mains exam, including accounts optional.
Is pencil allowed in UPSC Prelims?
Yes, candidates can carry the pencil if allowed by the invigilator during the UPSC Prelims exam for rough calculation.
Which calculator is allowed in the UPSC CSE exam?
The scientific non programmable calculator is allowed in the Mains stage of the UPSC CSE exam.
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