This article discusses the UPSC CSAT Notification in detail and covers related topics like What is CSAT, the CSAT eligibility criteria, Exam Pattern, where to start your preparation from, detailed topic-wise syllabus bifurcation and other topics related to CSAT.
What is CSAT in UPSC?
The Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), officially referred to as the General Studies Paper-II, constitutes a crucial part of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Preliminary Examination in India. As an integral part of this prestigious examination, CSAT serves as a qualifying test, wherein candidates MUST clear a predetermined minimum cut-off to proceed to the UPSC Mains examination stage of the selection process.
The CSAT evaluates candidates’ aptitude and proficiency in various areas that are essential for civil service roles. It is designed to judge candidates’ comprehension, analytical and logical reasoning, decision-making, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, among others. By evaluating candidates across these domains, the CSAT aims to identify individuals with these competencies who can excel in the diverse and demanding roles within the civil services.
Administered alongside the General Studies Paper-I, which focuses on topics such as current affairs, history, geography, economics, and polity, the CSAT complements the broader spectrum of knowledge assessed in the Civil Services Preliminary Examination. While both papers contribute to the overall evaluation of candidates’ suitability for civil service positions, the CSAT specifically focuses more on aptitude and reasoning abilities, thereby offering a comprehensive assessment of candidates’ potential to excel in administrative and managerial capacities.
In essence, the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) acts as an important assessment tool within the UPSC Civil Services Examination framework, serving to gauge candidates’ aptitude and reasoning abilities essential for administrative roles. By qualifying the CSAT, candidates demonstrate their readiness to advance to the further stages of the examination, thereby inching closer to the realization of their aspirations to serve the nation through the esteemed civil services.
THE GOAL IS TO CLEAR THE CUT-OFF NOT ACE THE EXAM.
CSAT Eligibility
According to the UPSC CSAT Notification 2024 the eligibility criteria of the CSAT exam is mentioned as below:
| Nationality | Indians Only |
| Educational Qualification | Graduate (UG) |
| Number of Attempts | General- 6 SC/ST- Unlimited OBC and PwBD- 9 |
| Age Limit | 21-32 years |
| Age Relaxation | OBC – 3 years SC/ST – 5 years PwBD – 10 years |
UPSC 2024 Exam Date
According to the UPSC CSAT Notification 2024, below mentioned dates are deemed important.
| Date Of Notification | 14th February 2024 |
| Exam Registration Commencement Date | 14th February 2024 |
| Last Date To Fill The Application | 5th March 2024 till 6PM |
| UPSC CSE Mains Exams | 20th September 2024 |
UPSC Admit Card 2024
The admit cards for the UPSC 2024 examination will be released on the official website of Union Public Service Commission.
Follow the below mentioned steps to download the admit card.
- Go to http://www.upsc.gov.in which is the official website of UPSC.
- Find the Admit Cards section and click on it.
- Click on the E-Admit Cards for various examinations of UPSC link.
- Enter all the required details like DOB, Roll Number/Registration ID
- Download and Save the Admit Card.
CSAT Exam Pattern
The duration of the UPSC CSAT exam is 2 hours comprising of a total of 80 questions for 200 marks. Each correct answer is awarded 2.5 marks and each wrong answer attracts a penalty of 0.83 marks. There is no penalty on the un-attempted questions. The candidates appearing for the exam have to clear the minimum cut-off of 66 marks in order to be considered eligible for UPSC Mains examination.
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Total Marks | 200 Marks |
| Correct Answer | +2.5 Marks |
| Wrong Answer | -0.83 Marks |
| Un-attempted Question | No Marking |
| Language of Exam | English and Hindi |
| Qualifying Marks | 66 Marks |
Syllabus of CSAT
According to the UPSC CSAT Notification 2024 the major areas that will be accessed in the exam are Basic Numeracy, Comprehension, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability, Interpersonal Skills, Decision Making & Problem-Solving Skills and General Mental Ability.
Basic Numeracy
- Number System
- Divisibility Rules
- Remainder Theorem
- Square Roots & Cube Roots
- Surds & Indices
- Ratio & Proportion
- Percentages
- Averages
- Decimal Fractions
- HCF & LCM
- Simplification
- Set Theory
General Mental Ability
- Time and Work
- Mixtures and Allegations
- SI-CI
- Permutation and Combination
- Pipes and Cisterns
- Mensuration
- Time, Speed and Distance
- Boats and Streams
- Partnership
- Geometry
- Algebra
Comprehension
- Reading Comprehensions
- Vocabulary
- Inferences and Conclusions
- Summary
- Evaluation
- Critical Thinking
Data Interpretation
- Charts
- Venn Diagrams
- Mathematical Puzzles
- Seating Arrangement
- Case lets
Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability
- Coding Decoding
- Analogy
- Series
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Ranking
- Statement and Assumption
- Statement and Arguments
- Cause and Effect
- Punch Lines
- Clocks
- Calendars
- Cubes and Dice
Interpersonal Skills
- Effective Communication
- Emotional Intelligence
- Problem Solving
Decision Making and Problem-Solving Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Analysis
- Judgement
- Conclusions and Arguments
- Intelligent Problem Assessment
- Analytical Reasoning
- Effective Resolution
CSAT Preparation for UPSC
To kickstart your preparation for the upcoming CSAT 2024 examination, you must focus on the approach that encompasses various strategies aimed at honing skills and maximizing performance. Being committed to the basics, conducting self-assessment, analyzing mistakes, practicing past year papers and diligent practice through mock tests will act as a catalyst in taking one’s preparation to an advanced level.
Strengthening The Foundation
To embark on this journey, aspirants should prioritize laying a robust foundation in calculations, reasoning, and comprehension. This demands ample time and effort to master basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and logical reasoning skills. Without proficiency in these core areas, moving forward through the complexities of CSAT becomes a hectic task. By prioritizing constant improvement of these foundational skills, candidates can build a solid platform for themselves and perform phenomenally in the examination.
Self-Assessment
Another thing that is equally important in the process is self-assessment, wherein the aspirants evaluate their strengths and weaknesses to devise a strong study plan. Recognizing areas of strengths and weaknesses allows candidates to allocate resources, time, and effort efficiently, focusing more on weaker areas and simultaneously maintaining proficiency in stronger ones. This transformative approach helps aspirants to tailor their study plan to their specific needs, maximizing the effectiveness of their study regimen.
Analyzing Previous Year Papers
Pattern analysis emerges as another important component of the CSAT preparation, with aspirants scrutinizing previous years’ question papers to discern recurring trends and themes. By studying the format, question types, and difficulty levels of past year papers, aspirants gain valuable insights into the nuances of the exam. This analytical exercise provides aspirants with the advantage to anticipate potential challenges and tailor their preparation accordingly, boosting confidence and preparedness.
Conceptual Understanding
Conceptual understanding forms the very foundation of effective problem-solving in CSAT. Merely cramming the formulas is not enough to stand out from the crowd; candidates must delve deeper to comprehend the underlying reasoning governing numerical problems and data interpretation. By imbibing an understanding of these concepts, aspirants equip themselves with the flexibility to apply multiple methodologies to solve diverse set of questions, thereby honing their problem-solving prowess.
Appearing for Mock Tests
A cornerstone of CSAT preparation is the rigorous practice of mock tests, which serves to simulate the conditions of the actual exam. Mock tests provide candidates with invaluable opportunities to judge their performance under timed conditions, improving their speed and accuracy. Moreover, exposure to a diverse range of question types ensures comprehensive preparation across all facets of the CSAT syllabus, lowering the risk of encountering unfamiliar challenges on the exam day.
To conclude, preparing for the UPSC CSE CSAT demands a disciplined and systematic approach that includes various strategies aimed at optimizing performance and developing essential skills. By prioritizing the mastery of fundamentals, conducting thorough self-assessment, understanding patterns from past year papers, and diligent practice through mock tests, aspirants can enhance their readiness and maximize their chances of success in this exam. Through dedication, perseverance, and strategic preparation, aspiring civil servants can navigate the complexities of the CSAT with confidence, paving the way for a successful career in public service.
Where to prepare from for CSAT?
As an aspirant, one would want to get quality study content with 24*7 doubt-solving assistance now that the UPSC CSAT Notification for 2024 is out. We at iQuanta have got this covered. From conducting live classes thrice a week, providing 300+ pre-recorded conceptual videos covering topics across Mathematics, reasoning and comprehension, to providing previous year CSAT papers with detailed solutions that can be taken as a mock. Peer to peer learning and mentorship & motivation are added advantages of enrolling in iQuanta’s CSAT course.
