The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) conducts the Haryana Civil Services (HCS) Examination to select eligible candidates for key administrative posts like DSP, ETO, DFSC, and Tehsildar. A crucial part of this journey is the HCS CSAT 2025 paper (Paper II of the Preliminary Exam), which is qualifying in nature but vital for moving forward in the selection process.
This comprehensive guide focuses exclusively on HCS CSAT 2025, including the exam pattern, syllabus, qualifying criteria, preparation tips, and access to previous year question (PYQ) papers.
HCS CSAT 2025 Overview
The HCS Prelims 2025 examination consists of two papers: Paper 1 – General Studies and Paper 2 – CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test). Paper 1 is merit-based and plays a crucial role in determining the candidate’s selection for the Mains stage, while Paper 2 is qualifying in nature, requiring a minimum of 33% marks to clear. Both papers are conducted in offline mode with a duration of 2 hours each.
| Component | Details |
| Paper 1 | General Studies (Merit-based) |
| Paper 2 | CSAT (Qualifying – Minimum 33%) |
| Mode | Offline |
| Language | Hindi & English |
| Duration | 2 hours per paper |
Also Read: HCS Syllabus
What is HCS CSAT?
The HCS CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) is Paper 2 of the HPSC HCS Preliminary Examination, designed to test candidates’ comprehension, reasoning, and numerical aptitude. Though it is qualifying in nature, scoring at least 33% (i.e., 66 out of 200) is mandatory to have your Paper 1 (General Studies) evaluated.
HCS CSAT Exam Pattern 2025
The HCS CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) is the HPSC HCS Preliminary Examination, designed to test candidates’ comprehension, reasoning, and numerical aptitude. The exam is conducted in offline mode using pen and paper and consists of a total of 100 questions, each carrying 1 mark, making the paper worth 100 marks in total.
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Name | HPSC HCS CSAT 2025 |
| Paper | Paper II – Civil Services Aptitude Test |
| Type | Objective (MCQ) |
| Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks for each wrong answer |
Also Read: HCS Prelims PYQ Book solved
HCS CSAT Syllabus 2025 – Paper II (Civil Services Aptitude Test)
The HPSC HCS CSAT Paper II is a qualifying paper in the Preliminary Examination, designed to test candidates’ aptitude in various analytical and comprehension skills. The syllabus is structured to assess mental ability, reasoning, numerical skills, and reading comprehension.
Comprehension
This section evaluates candidates’ ability to read, interpret, and draw conclusions from given passages. Passages are usually sourced from various fields such as social issues, science & technology, philosophy, economy, environment, etc.
- Understanding the central theme and message of the passage
- Drawing inferences and distinguishing facts from opinions
- Recognizing author’s tone, intent, and style
- Vocabulary-based questions – synonyms, antonyms, meaning of phrases
- Grammatical and logical coherence
Reasoning and Analytical Ability
This section tests logical thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills.
- Logical Reasoning – Deductive reasoning, statement-conclusion, cause-effect relationships
- Analytical Reasoning – Data arrangement, pattern matching, ranking & ordering
- Coding-Decoding – Alphanumeric series, symbol-based coding
- Syllogisms – Categorical statements and conclusions
- Number & Letter Series – Identifying patterns in sequences
- Blood Relations – Puzzle-based questions on family hierarchy
- Analogies – Word, number, and symbolic analogies
- Puzzles – Grid-based puzzles, seating arrangements
- Decision Making – Ethical and situational judgment questions (generally without penalty for wrong answers)
Basic Numeracy
Based on Class 10th level Mathematics, this section tests fundamental numerical skills and problem-solving ability.
- Number System – Whole numbers, integers, rational numbers
- Percentages – Increase/decrease, population-related problems
- Averages – Weighted and simple average
- Profit and Loss – Discount, mark-up, cost price & selling price
- Time and Work – Efficiency, work-sharing problems
- Time, Speed and Distance – Relative speed, trains, boats & streams
- Ratio and Proportion – Direct and inverse proportion
- Simple and Compound Interest – Interest calculation over time, growth problems
Data Interpretation (DI)
This section tests the ability to interpret and analyze data presented in various formats.
- Pie Charts – Percent distribution and comparison
- Bar Graphs – Vertical/horizontal representation and analysis
- Line Graphs – Trend analysis over time
- Tables – Tabular data extraction and comparison
- Caselets – Paragraph-based numerical data followed by questions
Also Read: HCS Prelims Syllabus
HCS CSAT Qualifying Marks
In the HPSC HCS Preliminary Examination, Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature. This means that while it is mandatory to clear, its marks are not counted towards the final merit for shortlisting candidates for the Mains exam. To qualify in this paper, candidates must secure at least 33%, which equates to 66 marks out of 200.
| Component | Details |
| Paper | CSAT (Paper II) |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Qualifying Percentage | 33% |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | 66 out of 200 |
| Nature of Paper | Qualifying only (Not for Merit) |
| Importance | Mandatory to qualify for Mains |
How to Prepare for HCS CSAT 2025
The HCS CSAT is a qualifying paper, but it plays a crucial role in determining whether a candidate’s Paper I (General Studies) will be evaluated. Despite being qualifying in nature, many aspirants struggle to clear it due to underestimation or lack of structured preparation. Here’s a comprehensive preparation strategy to help you clear the CSAT with confidence.
Understand the Syllabus & Exam Pattern
- Know the four core areas: Comprehension, Reasoning, Basic Numeracy, and Data Interpretation.
- Paper has 100 questions (200 marks) and you need 33% (66 marks) to qualify.
- Negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer.
Focus on Comprehension & Reasoning
- Read daily editorials and practice Reading Comprehension (RC) passages.
- Solve reasoning topics like puzzles, syllogisms, coding-decoding, etc.
Master Basic Numeracy
- Revise Class 10-level Maths (e.g., percentages, ratios, averages).
- Practice daily and use shortcut tricks to improve speed.
Practice Data Interpretation
- Solve DI sets from pie charts, tables, bar graphs, etc.
- Focus on speed and accuracy in calculations.
Take Regular Mock Tests
- Attempt full-length mock tests in a 2-hour setting.
- Analyze mistakes and improve weak areas.
Solve Previous Year Papers
- Understand question trends and improve confidence.
- Helps manage time and identify common question types.
HCS CSAT Previous Year Papers Download PDFs
Practicing HCS CSAT Previous Year Papers is crucial for understanding the pattern, difficulty level, and types of questions asked in the HPSC HCS CSAT (Paper II) exam. These papers help build accuracy, speed, and confidence, especially in sections like comprehension, reasoning, and numeracy.
| Year | Paper | Download Link |
| 2023 | CSAT (Paper 2) | Download PDF |
| 2022 | CSAT (Paper 2) | Download PDF |
| 2021 | CSAT (Paper 2) | Download PDF |
Conclusion
While the HCS CSAT is a qualifying paper, it should not be taken lightly. Many candidates get eliminated simply because they fail to score the minimum 66 marks. A structured preparation plan focusing on comprehension, reasoning, and basic math will help you easily clear this paper.
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HCS CSAT FAQs
Is the HCS CSAT counted in the final merit list of HPSC HCS?
No, the HCS CSAT is not counted in the final merit list of the HPSC HCS Preliminary Examination. It is a qualifying paper, which means that candidates only need to secure the minimum required marks (33%) to move on to the Mains stage.
What is the syllabus for HCS CSAT 2025?
The HCS CSAT 2025 syllabus includes topics under four major sections: Comprehension, Reasoning and Analytical Ability, Basic Numeracy, and Data Interpretation. Comprehension involves reading passages and answering related questions. Reasoning includes logical reasoning, puzzles, syllogisms, and coding-decoding.
How many questions are there in the HCS CSAT exam and is there negative marking?
The HCS CSAT exam comprises 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions, making a total of 200 marks. Each question carries 2 marks. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. The duration of the exam is 2 hours, and it is conducted in offline mode using pen and paper.
How should I prepare for the HCS CSAT 2025 effectively?
To prepare effectively for the HCS CSAT 2025, candidates should focus on regularly practicing reading comprehension, improving reasoning ability through puzzles and logical exercises, and revising Class 10-level mathematics for topics like ratios, percentages, and averages.
