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The UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 Preliminary Stage CSAT Paper-II (Civil Services Aptitude Test) was conducted on Sunday, 24 May 2026 from 14:30 to 16:30 IST, in the afternoon shift after the morning General Studies Paper-I. Download the official question papers as a free PDF below.
UPSC Prelims 2026 CSAT Paper-II: Detailed Answer Key & Solutions to All 80 Questions
Paper Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Examination | Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 |
| Paper | CSAT Paper-II (Civil Services Aptitude Test) |
| Date | Sunday, 24 May 2026 |
| Shift | Afternoon (14:30 to 16:30 IST) |
| Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 80 |
| Maximum Marks | 200 (2.5 marks per question) |
| Negative marking | 1/3rd (0.833 mark per wrong answer) |
| Qualifying threshold | 33% — 66 / 200 marks |
| Nature | Qualifying only (does not count toward Prelims cut-off) |
| Series | A, B, C, D (content identical; option-order shuffled) |
| This PDF | Series D, English version |
| File size | ~13.6 MB |
| Conducting body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
What CSAT Tests
CSAT Paper-II is designed to test the analytical and reasoning aptitude expected of a civil servant, distinct from the static-knowledge focus of GS Paper-I. The 80 questions are distributed across the following areas (proportions vary year to year):
- Comprehension — English reading passages with inference, central-idea, and tone questions (~28-32 questions)
- Quantitative Aptitude — arithmetic, percentages, ratios, time-speed-distance, profit-loss (~15-20 questions)
- Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability — sequences, syllogisms, coding-decoding, blood relations (~15-20 questions)
- Data Interpretation — tables, bar/pie charts, line graphs (~5-8 questions)
- Decision Making & Problem Solving — situational ethics-style questions (~3-5 questions, no negative marking on these)
- General Mental Ability — basic numeracy, classes 8-10 level (~3-5 questions)
Direct PDF Download
Also see:
- UPSC Prelims 2026 GS Paper-I — Free PDF Download — the morning-shift General Studies paper
- UPSC Prelims 2026 GS Paper-I — Detailed Answer Key — all 100 questions with reasoning
- UPSC Prelims 2026 CSAT Paper-II: Detailed Answer Key & Solutions to All 80 Questions
- UPSC Prelims 2026 Exam Analysis — subject distribution, cut-off forecast, trends
- CSAT Quantitative Aptitude Complete Guide — Paper-II strategy, formulas, 60-day plan
- UPSC 2025 Prelims Paper Analysis — every 2025 question explained
- UPSC Result 2026 + Toppers + Cut-off
- UPSC Syllabus 2026 — complete Prelims + Mains syllabus map
How to Use This Paper for Practice
- Print on A4 single-side and attempt under exam conditions: 2 hours, no notes, no calculator
- Use a stopwatch — CSAT speed pressure is the single biggest reason candidates fail to clear the 66-mark threshold
- Mark only the questions you are confident about on the first pass; revisit borderline ones in the last 20 minutes
- Score honestly using a reliable answer key: +2.5 for correct, -0.833 for wrong, 0 for un-attempted
- If you score below 80, prioritise comprehension and decision-making (your highest-yield zones) over quantitative-heavy practice
Related UPSC Resources
- UPSC Prelims 2026 GS Paper-I — Free PDF Download — the morning-shift General Studies paper
- UPSC Prelims 2026 GS Paper-I — Detailed Answer Key — all 100 questions with reasoning
- UPSC Prelims 2026 CSAT Paper-II: Detailed Answer Key & Solutions to All 80 Questions
- UPSC Prelims 2026 Exam Analysis — subject distribution, cut-off forecast, trends
- CSAT Quantitative Aptitude Complete Guide — Paper-II strategy, formulas, 60-day plan
- UPSC 2025 Prelims Paper Analysis — every 2025 question explained
- UPSC Result 2026 + Toppers + Cut-off
- UPSC Syllabus 2026 — complete Prelims + Mains syllabus map
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the UPSC Prelims 2026 CSAT Paper-II held?
Sunday, 24 May 2026, from 14:30 to 16:30 IST — the afternoon shift on the same day as GS Paper-I (morning, 09:30 to 11:30).
Is CSAT a qualifying paper or does it count toward the cut-off?
CSAT Paper-II is qualifying only. Aspirants must score at least 33% (66 out of 200) to be considered for the Mains stage. CSAT marks do not add to the GS Paper-I cut-off — only the GS-I score is used to rank candidates for Mains.
How many questions are in the CSAT Paper-II?
80 questions, 2.5 marks each, total 200 marks. Negative marking is 1/3 mark per wrong answer (0.833 marks deducted). Decision-making questions carry no negative marking.
Is this the official UPSC question paper?
Yes — this is the genuine UPSC CSAT Paper-II, Series D (English version), as administered on 24 May 2026. Series A, B, C, D are content-identical; only the option order is shuffled.
Is this PDF really free?
Yes, completely free. No signup, no email, no paywall. Share the link freely with your study group.
What’s the qualifying mark for CSAT?
66 out of 200 (33%). Even if you score full marks in GS Paper-I, you will be disqualified from Mains if you fail to clear the 66-mark CSAT threshold.
Where is the GS Paper-I PDF?
Available at the dedicated UPSC Prelims 2026 GS Paper-I PDF download page.
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