🏛️ UPSC CSAT 2026 – Complete Guide by EverythingIAS 🚀 Your one-stop platform for smart, simplified & exam-oriented UPSC preparation The Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) is the qualifying gatekeeper of the UPSC Preliminary Examination.While its marks are not added to the final merit, failing CSAT means elimination from Prelims ❌ At EverythingIAS, we focus on clarity over clutter and strategy over overload. This post is designed to give aspirants a crystal-clear, copyright-free, and student-friendly overview of CSAT 2026—perfect for revision, social media sharing, and serious preparation. CSAT PYQ Analysis is the most reliable way to understand the real trend of the UPSC CSAT paper. By analysing previous year questions topic-wise, aspirants can clearly identify high-weightage areas in Maths and Logical Reasoning and prepare strategically for UPSC Prelims. 📌 UPSC CSAT 2026: Exam Pattern (Quick & Clear) 🔍 Feature 📊 Details 📝 Paper General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) 🎯 Total Marks 200 ❓ Total Questions 80 MCQs ⏳ Duration 2 Hours (120 Minutes) ✅ Correct Answer +2.5 Marks ❌ Wrong Answer –0.83 Marks 🌐 Medium Hindi & English 🎯 Qualifying Marks 33% (66.67 Marks) ⚠️ EverythingIAS Tip: CSAT is not about attempting all questions — it’s about selective accuracy. Year Maths 🔢 English 📖 Reasoning 🧠 2014 15 32 33 2015 15 30 35 2016 24 27 29 2017 21 29 30 2018 31 26 23 2019 26 30 24 2020 40 25 15 2021 35 27 18 2022 34 27 19 2023 39 27 14 2024 37 27 16 2025 33 29 18 📘 CSAT 2026: Detailed Syllabus Explained Simply UPSC tests whether a future administrator can think logically, calculate accurately, read critically, and decide wisely. 🧠 1️⃣ Logical Reasoning & Mental Ability 🔹 Logical & Analytical Reasoning Syllogisms Coding–Decoding Blood Relations Direction Sense Seating Arrangement (Linear & Circular) Puzzles 🔹 Critical Reasoning Statement & Assumptions Cause & Effect Logical Conclusions 🔹 Non-Verbal Reasoning Mirror & Water Images Paper Folding Figure Classification Dice & Cube Problems 📌 EverythingIAS Focus: High-return topics with repeated UPSC patterns. Topic 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Total Time & Work – 1 2 1 – – 1 1 1 1 2 10 Integer – – – 1 4 1 – 1 4 – 1 12 Number System 1 2 7 3 3 7 11 11 11 17 14 87 Divisibility & Remainder – – – 2 – 1 4 3 3 6 3 22 Profit & Loss 1 – 1 1 1 1 2 – 1 – 2 10 Partnership – – – – – – – – – – 1 1 Percentage 1 2 5 1 1 4 3 4 3 – 2 26 Problem on Age – 1 – – – 2 – 1 1 – 1 6 Linear Equation – – – – – – – – – – 1 1 Average – – 2 3 – 2 4 1 1 – 1 14 Algebra – – – – – – – – – – 1 1 Data Sufficiency – – – – – 1 2 1 – 5 7 16 Cube & Cuboid – – 1 – – – – – – 2 1 4 Permutation 1 – – 1 2 2 2 2 6 3 – 19 Probability – – – 1 1 – – – – 2 – 4 Mensuration 1 – 4 1 1 – 1 1 1 2 – 12 Interest (SI/CI) 1 – – – 1 – – – – 1 – 3 Speed–Time–Distance 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 – – 13 Mixture & Alligation – 1 1 1 – – 1 – 1 – – 5 Number Series – – – – – 2 1 2 – – – 5 Progression – – – 1 – – – 1 – – – 2 Ratio & Proportion – 1 – 1 – 2 1 3 – – – 8 Data Interpretation 6 4 – – 14 – 1 2 – – – 27 Simplification 1 – – 1 – – 3 – – – – 5 Geometry – 1 – – 1 – 1 – – – – 3 Elementary Statistics – – – 1 – – – – – – – 1 🔢 2️⃣ Basic Numeracy (Class X Level) 📈 Most feared yet most scoring section 🔹 Number System Divisibility Rules LCM & HCF Remainder Theorem Fractions & Decimals 🔹 Arithmetic Percentages Ratio & Proportion Averages Profit & Loss Simple & Compound Interest 🔹 Time-Based Maths Time, Speed & Distance (Trains & Boats) Time & Work Pipes & Cisterns 🔹 Geometry & Mensuration Lines, Angles & Triangles Area & Volume (2D & 3D Shapes) 📌 EverythingIAS Tip: Concept clarity + daily practice = CSAT confidence. Topic 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Total Missing Term 1 – – – 1 1 1 2 – – – 6 Puzzle 12 17 18 11 11 2 1 1 2 2 1 78 Series – 2 – – 1 – – 1 3 1 4 12 Venn Diagram 2 1 – – – 1 – – – 1 1 6 Clock 2 1 1 2 – 1 – 1 3 – 1 12 Calendar 1 – – 1 – 3 1 2 1 1 2 12 Direction & Distance 2 1 3 – – 2 1 2 2 – 1 14 Statements & Conclusions / Inference / Argument 5 5 2 5 – 2 1 – – 1 2 23 Syllogism – 1 – 2 – 1 1 3 2 – 1 11 Coding–Decoding – – 1 1 2 – 1 1 – 1 1 8 Blood Relation – – – 2 – 1 1 – 2 1 2 9 Classification – – – – – – – – – 1 – 1 Coded Inequalities – – – – – – – – – 1 – 1 Data Sufficiency – – – – – 1 2 3 1 2 – 9 Arrangement & Pattern – – 1 1 – 2 2 1 – 2 – 9 Order & Ranking 2 3 1 3 1 5 2 – 1 – – 18 Seating Arrangement 1 – 1 1 – – – – 2 – – 5 📊 3️⃣ Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency 🔹 Data Interpretation Pie Charts Bar Graphs Line Graphs Tables 🔹 Data Sufficiency Decide whether given data is sufficient to answer the question 📌 EverythingIAS Insight: Many aspirants lose marks here due to overthinking. 📖 4️⃣ English Comprehension 🧾 Backbone of CSAT 🔹 Skills Tested Central Theme Author’s Tone Logical Inference Argument Flow ⚠️ Vocabulary is secondary — logic and understanding are primary. 🏛️ 5️⃣ Decision-Making & Administrative Skills 🔹 Decision-Making & Problem-Solving Real-life administrative situations Choosing the most ethical & practical option 🔹 Interpersonal Skills Social awareness Communication effectiveness 📌 EverythingIAS Approach: Think like an administrator, not a student. 📊 CSAT 2025 Trend (Guidance for 2026 Aspirants) 🔍 Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult🎯 Nature: Qualifying but highly eliminative 📘 Section-Wise Weightage Section Questions Weightage 🔢 Quantitative Aptitude 34 42.5% 📖 Reading Comprehension 29 36.3% 🧠 Logical Reasoning 17 21.2% ✅ Safe Attempt Strategy Section Ideal Attempts Quantitative Ability 25–28 Reading Comprehension 22–24 Reasoning 14–15 ⭐ Overall 55–65 Questions 🚀 EverythingIAS Pro-Tips for CSAT 2026 ✅ Never ignore CSAT — even GS toppers fail here📅 Practice CSAT every week, not at the end🎯 Focus on Quant + RC + Reasoning🎯 Aim for accuracy, not maximum attempts⚡ Use shortcuts, elimination & smart guessing⏱️ Leave time-consuming traps 🌐 Why Choose EverythingIAS? ✨ UPSC-focused, plagiarism-free content✨ Simplified explanations with exam relevance✨ Perfect for self-study aspirants✨ Ideal for Prelims + Mains foundation✨ Designed for clarity, revision & confidence EverythingIAS = Everything UPSC Needs, Nothing You Don’t. 📌 Coming Soon on EverythingIAS Topic-wise CSAT importance list 3-Month CSAT study plan Daily CSAT practice sets CSAT mock test strategy 👉 Stay connected with EverythingIAS for smart UPSC preparation 💫
