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CSAT
CSAT is Prelims Paper II — qualifying at 33%, but a paper that ends candidacies every year when it is assumed to be easy. It tests comprehension, logical reasoning, basic numeracy and decision-making. The section that…
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23Study articles
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2 Oct 2026Latest update
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What's covered
CSAT is Prelims Paper II — qualifying at 33%, but a paper that ends candidacies every year when it is assumed to be easy. It tests comprehension, logical reasoning, basic numeracy and decision-making.
The section that actually decides outcomes is comprehension, not mathematics, because it carries the most marks and rewards careful reading over speed. The quantitative half needs a small set of topics done reliably rather than a wide syllabus done shakily. Two full timed papers will tell you more about your standing than a month of topic-wise practice.
Topic notes, worked examples, formula sheets and practice sets are all collected here.
Official UPSC CSE syllabus
UPSC Syllabus for CSAT
Preliminary Examination — Paper II (CSAT, qualifying at 33%)
- 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.
Source: Official UPSC Civil Services Examination notification — Preliminary & Main Examination syllabus.
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Foundations · CSAT
Notes & guides at a glance
Side-by-side: the most recent revision-ready Study Notes and the deeper Study Guides on CSAT. Numbered so you can scan in seconds.
Study Notes
All study notes →- 01Difference Between Mass and Weight: Definitions, Units and Comparison Table
- 02Difference Between Plant Cell and Animal Cell (With Comparison Table and Diagram)
- 03Gujarat PCS 2026 Prelims (Set A): Answer Key & Detailed Solutions (All 200 Questions)
- 04UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2026 CSAT Paper-II Download [PDF – SET A, B, C and D]
- 05How to Clear CSAT in 3 Months: A Complete Strategy
- 06CSAT Cut-off Trends 2011–2026: Year-wise Analysis
- 07Decision Making Questions in CSAT: Types & Strategy
- 08Probability & Permutation-Combination in CSAT
- 09Blood Relations & Directions Questions in CSAT
- 10CSAT Previous Year Papers (2011–2026): Topic-wise Analysis
Everything in CSAT
All CSAT pieces
The complete index of all 23 pieces filed under CSAT, newest first. It includes the highlights above.
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