UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025 for Civil services aptitude test or CSAT forms the paper 2 of the Civil services preliminary exam. It is of 200 marks and comprises 80 questions i.e. 2.5 marks per question. 

The paper checks the reasoning, quantitative and decision making abilities of the aspirant. Although qualifying in nature, the paper is extremely crucial for aspirants since failure in scoring 33% of the total i.e. 66.66 marks may result in the aspirant failing the preliminary stages itself. The questions will be of multiple choices, objective type. 

It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does not appear in both the papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination.

Here UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025, UPSC CSAT syllabus topic wise, UPSC CSAT Syllabus PDF download, what topics are covered in UPSC CSAT Exam, CSAT topic wise weightage, UPSC reasoning CSAT syllabus have been discussed.

UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025 Overview

Following is a brief summary of topics covered in UPSC CSAT Exam:

UPSC CSAT Syllabus Quantitative Analysis

Quantitative Analysis is a scoring area in CSAT as it involves less subjectivity. A strong understanding of this section ensures clarity and better preparation for the exam. Here is the topic-wise syllabus:

• Percentage
• Ratio and Proportion
• Profit and Loss
• Compound Interest
• Data Interpretation
• Age and Partnership
• Time and Work
• Time, Speed, and Distance
• Pipes and Cistern
• Boats and Stream
• Probability
• Mixtures and Allegations
• Number System
• Average
• Mensuration
• HCF and LCM

UPSC CSAT Syllabus Reasoning

The reasoning section tests logical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Below is the detailed topic-wise syllabus:

• Alphanumeric Series
• Coding and Decoding
• Continuous Letter Series
• Analogy
• Direction Sense
• Blood Relation
• Ranking and Order
• Syllogism
• Sitting Arrangement Puzzles
• Clock
• Calendar
• Dice
• Counting Figures
• Images
• Analytical Reasoning

One needs to align their preparation as per the syllabus. Below a broad topic wise breakdown has been provided for making your CSAT preparation easy.  

UPSC CSAT Syllabus PDF Download | Updated 2024 Exam Topics

Candidates preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSAT) can easily access the official syllabus by following these steps:

1. Visit the official UPSC website: www.upsc.gov.in.
2. Go to the Active Examinations section.
3. Click on the UPSC CSE Exam Notification and locate the detailed syllabus link.

Also Read: UPSC Syllabus

For your convenience, the topic-wise detailed syllabus is provided below.

UPSC CSAT Topic Wise Weightage Of Each Subject Explained

The broad breakup over the years comes out to be:

Subject Wise Weightage in UPSC CSAT 2024

UPSC CSAT 2025 Most Important Topics to Focus On

To excel in the UPSC CSAT 2025, it is essential to identify and prioritize the key topics in each section of the syllabus. Below is a detailed breakdown of the most important areas to focus on for preparation.

Reading Comprehension

This section evaluates a candidate’s ability to understand and interpret written text. Key focus areas include:

• Central idea and purpose of the passage
• Inference and conclusions
• Tone of the passage
• Synonyms/Antonyms (context-based)

Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability

Logical reasoning tests critical thinking and analytical skills. Important topics are:

• Syllogisms (logical deductions)
• Statements and assumptions
• Cause and effect
• Puzzles and seating arrangements
• Coding-decoding
• Blood relations
• Clocks and calendars
• Venn diagrams

Quantitative Aptitude

Quantitative aptitude helps assess numerical ability and problem-solving skills. Key topics include:

• Number systems (HCF, LCM, divisibility)
• Percentages, ratios, and proportions
• Profit and loss
• Simple and compound interest
• Time, speed, and distance
• Averages and mixtures
• Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables)

Decision-Making and Problem-Solving

This section evaluates candidates’ ability to make ethical and logical decisions in practical scenarios. Important areas include:

• Ethical dilemmas in real-life situations
• Selecting the most appropriate option from given scenarios
• Decision-making under constraints

Data Interpretation and Sufficiency

This section tests the candidate’s ability to analyze and interpret data accurately. Focus areas include:

• Interpretation of bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs, and tables
• Finding trends, averages, percentages, and ratios
• Data sufficiency questions (checking if data provided is adequate to solve a problem)

How to Prepare for UPSC CSAT Exam 2025?

The UPSC CSAT Exam 2025 requires a strategic approach to ensure efficiency and accuracy. Below are the essential steps to prepare effectively.

UPSC CSAT Exam Preparation Tips

• Practice Passages from Diverse Areas
  Focus on passages related to topics like economy, environment, philosophy, and social issues to enhance reading comprehension skills.
• Develop Speed-Reading Skills
  Learn to read quickly without compromising on comprehension to manage time effectively in the exam.
• Focus on Clarity of Concepts
  Build a strong foundation in basic concepts, especially in mathematics, logical reasoning, and reading comprehension.
• Solve Past Year Questions
  Analyze previous years’ question papers to understand trends and frequently asked topics.
• Revise School-Level Mathematics (Up to Class 10)
  Revisit fundamental mathematical concepts to handle questions on quantitative aptitude with ease.
• Practice Mental Calculations
  Work on improving speed and accuracy by practicing mental math techniques regularly.
• Use Logical Reasoning and Prioritize Options
  Apply logical reasoning skills and choose options based on ethics and efficiency when solving decision-making questions.
• Solve Questions Under Time Constraints
  Practice solving mock tests and exercises within a set time limit to simulate the real exam environment.
• Focus on Identifying Patterns and Relationships Quickly
  Sharpen analytical skills by identifying patterns and relationships in reasoning and data interpretation questions.
• Review Basic Grammar Rules
  Brush up on basic grammar rules to handle comprehension and related questions effectively.

Key Focus Areas for UPSC CSAT Exam

The bulk of questions in the UPSC CSAT exam come from:

• Reading Comprehension
• Logical Reasoning
• Quantitative Aptitude

Time Management for CSAT Exam

Effective time management is crucial:

• Practice solving questions within the time limit during preparation to ensure you can attempt all sections in the exam.

Important Note for CSAT Exam

While the CSAT is qualifying in nature, it should not be underestimated. Many candidates fail to clear it despite performing well in Paper I. To avoid this, regular practice, consistency, and mock tests are essential for success.

UPSC CSAT Exam 2025 FAQs

What is the CSAT paper in the UPSC exam?

The CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) is Paper II of the UPSC Prelims. It checks your skills in basic reasoning, comprehension, and mathematics. You need to score at least 33% to qualify, but the marks don’t count toward your final rank.

What kind of topics does the CSAT cover?

The CSAT focuses on: Reading comprehension, Logical reasoning and problem-solving, Basic math, including percentages, ratios, and time-distance problems, Decision-making questions, Interpreting data from tables, graphs, and charts.

It’s less about rote learning and more about practical skills.

Is it hard to clear the CSAT paper?

It depends. If you’re comfortable with reading, reasoning, and maths, you’ll find it manageable. But if maths or English isn’t your strong suit, it might take extra practice. Since it’s qualifying, the key is consistent preparation.

How can I prepare effectively for the CSAT?

Practice reading comprehension to improve speed and understanding. Brush up on basic school-level math concepts. Solve puzzles and reasoning problems to sharpen your analytical skills. Attempt mock tests to get familiar with the format and manage time better. Go through past years’ papers to spot patterns and common question types.

How is the CSAT paper structured?

The CSAT paper is 2 hours long and has 80 multiple-choice questions. It’s worth 200 marks in total. Be mindful of negative marking, getting an answer wrong deducts one-third of the marks for that question.