UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025: Topic-Wise Syllabus for Maths and Reasoning

Explore the detailed UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025 with topic-wise coverage for Maths and Reasoning. Know key areas like Arithmetic, Algebra, Data Interpretation, Logical Puzzles, and more to boost your CSAT preparation.

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The UPSC CSAT Paper is the second paper of the Preliminary Examination held by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for Civil Services. Though qualifying in nature, the CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) is instrumental in shortlisting candidates for the Mains exam. Hence, a proper knowledge of the UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025, particularly the topic-wise distribution of Maths and Reasoning, is necessary for aspirants seeking to clear prelims confidently.
In this article, we present a detailed overview of the UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025, with an emphasis on Mathematics and Reasoning, along with preparation tips and weightage analysis.

UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025

The UPSC announcement is given simultaneously with the CSAT syllabus. The difficulty level of CSAT questions has dramatically grown according to patterns from the previous year. The best technique to get passing grades on this paper is to analyze the UPSC CSAT Syllabus subjects and develop a strong plan for effectively covering them.

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	UPSC Civil Services (Prelims) Exam 2025
Paper	CSAT – General Studies Paper II
Mode of Examination	Offline (Pen and Paper)
Duration	2 Hours
Total Marks	200 Marks
Total Questions	80 Questions
Minimum Qualifying Marks	33% (i.e., 66 marks out of 200)
Nature of Paper	Qualifying Only
Negative Marking	Yes (⅓ marks deducted for wrong answers)

UPSC CSAT Topic Wise Syllabus 2025

There are 80 questions from the UPSC CSAT Syllabus worth 200 marks in the Prelims, covering a range of technical subjects. The official CSAT Syllabus aims to evaluate applicants’ analytical and mental aptitude abilities. All applicants must receive at least 33% of the possible points to pass the CSAT, a prerequisite for the preliminary stage. UPSC CSAT Syllabus Topic Wise has been discussed below.

UPSC CSAT Math Syllabus 2025

The UPSC CSAT Math’s Syllabus presents many challenges for candidates for the CSE branch of the exam. It’s because the themes and subtopics included in this area have not been explicitly stated by UPSC Exam. However, after reviewing all of the UPSC CSAT Previous Year Papers, our experts have compiled a list of topics to study from the two main maths syllabus for UPSC Prelims CSAT themes, namely:

Basic Numeracy
General Mental Ability

UPSC CSAT Math’s Syllabus	Important Topics for Maths
General studies paper 2Basic numeracy (class-x level)	Number System L.C.M & H.C.F Rational Numbers & Ordering Decimal Fractions Simplification Square Roots & Cube Roots Surds & Indices Ratio & proportion Percentages Averages Set theory Divisibility Rules Remainder Theorem
General Mental Ability	Partnership Profit & Loss Time and Distance Trains Time & work Work & Wages Boats & Streams Pipes & Cisterns Simple Interest & Compound Interest Allegation & Mixtures Mensuration & Area Permutations & Combinations Probability Geometry

UPSC Reasoning Syllabus 2025

UPSC’s official release of the CSAT Reasoning Syllabus lacked specifics. However, we have also broken down the reasoning syllabus for UPSC CSAT into two sections, namely

Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
Data Sufficiency and Data Interpretation

Reasoning Syllabus for CSAT	Important Topics for Reasoning
Logical Reasoning And Analytical Ability (LR & AA)	Analogy Classification Series Coding-Decoding Blood Relation Direction Sense Test Logical Venn Diagram Alphabet Test Seating Arrangement Mathematical Operations
Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency (DI & DS)	Table Chart Pie Chart Bar Chart Arithmetical Reasoning Inserting the missing character Eligibility Test Number Ranking and Time Sequence Test Clock Calendar Problems on Ages Cubes & Dice Syllogism Statement & Arguments Statement & Course of Action Statement & Conclusions Deriving Conclusion Assertion & Reason Punch Lines Situation Reaction Test Cause & Effect Analytical Reasoning Mathematical puzzles & patterns

UPSC CSAT Trend Analysis (2011-2024)

The Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) was introduced in 2011 as General Studies Paper II in the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. It initially had the same weightage (200 marks) as Paper I and was counted in the merit list. From 2015, it was turned into a qualifying paper—only 33% (66 marks out of 200) was needed to qualify.
Although a qualifying paper, CSAT has frequently been the cut-off point, particularly for humanities aspirants. Let us examine the trend from 2011 to 2024.

CSAT Policy Changes (2011–2024)

Year	Policy Update
2011	CSAT introduced as GS Paper II (with 200 marks counted for merit)
2014	Controversy on English comprehension without Hindi translation
2015	Made qualifying in nature (minimum 33% marks required)
2017+	Increasing difficulty in Quant and Reasoning sections
2021	Sharp rise in difficulty, especially in Maths and Logical Reasoning
2023	Moderate-difficult paper; comprehension-based elimination returned
2024	Continued trend of tough numeracy + reasoning; comprehension remained vital

UPSC CSAT Question Trend (2011–2024)

Section	2011–2014 (Merit-Based)	2015–2019 (Qualifying Phase I)	2020–2024 (Elimination Phase II)
Reading Comprehension	30–35 Questions	25–30 Questions	25–30 Questions
Quantitative Aptitude	25–30 Questions	20–25 Questions	25–30 Questions
Logical/Analytical Reasoning	10–15 Questions	15–20 Questions	15–20 Questions
Data Interpretation	2–5 Questions	3–5 Questions	3–5 Questions
Decision Making	5–8 Questions	5–6 Questions (No Negative)	0–5 Questions

CSAT Difficulty Level Analysis (Year-Wise Snapshot)

Year	Overall Difficulty	Dominating Section	Elimination Rate High?
2011	Moderate	Comprehension	No
2014	Moderate-Hard	RC + Reasoning	Yes (Controversy)
2015	Easy-Moderate	Comprehension	No
2018	Moderate	RC + Reasoning	Yes
2021	Hard	Quantitative Aptitude	YES (Very High)
2022	Moderate-Hard	Quant + Reasoning	Yes
2023	Moderate	Comprehension	Medium
2024	Moderate-Hard	Quant + RC	High

UPSC CSAT Preparation Strategy

Aspiring candidates often wonder about the preparation process for the UPSC CSAT 2025 syllabus. Before anything else, it is important to be familiar with the Civil Services Aptitude Test Subject Wise Questions Weightage so that you can cover the entire Civil Services Aptitude Test curriculum for the UPSC Prelims 2025.To prepare for the UPSC CSAT curriculum for each subject, follow the preparation advice provided here.

UPSC CSAT English Preparation

In the English section of the UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2025, only Reading Comprehension questions are presented to applicants. To succeed, you must, nevertheless, abide by the following advice:

- To increase your vocabulary and linguistic proficiency, read fundamental elementary to advanced-level English grammar books like Wren & Martin, PC Das, etc.
- Make it a practice to read three to four lengthy pieces daily, and attempt to construct your responses in your own words.
- Make it a habit to regularly learn new words, idioms, and phrases, as well as synonyms and antonyms, from editorials, newspapers, and magazines.

UPSC CSAT Math’s Preparation

Candidates must respond to maths questions from the UPSC CSAT syllabus that correspond to the 10th grade. See the advice on getting ready below.

To make it easier to answer questions about fundamental arithmetic and number ordering in the UPSC, make it a habit to practise basic maths from NCERT books from the eighth to the tenth grade.
To adequately comprehend the difficulty level and weighting, try to solve the maths problems from the UPSC CSAT sample test papers.
For rapid calculations, practise fundamental multiplication and division charts up to 50 and work on square and cube root tables up to 30.

UPSC CSAT Reasoning Preparation

Candidates for the UPSC CSAT Reasoning exam will need to provide answers to questions from three categories, including problem-solving, data sufficiency, and logical and analytical reasoning. Let’s look at some pertinent advice below.

Practice reasoning from different sources specially previous year questions for developing a fundamental understanding of logical reasoning concepts.

Solve UPSC CSAT Previous Year Papers

Try to answer questions from UPSC CSAT Previous Year Papers once you have briefly covered the UPSC CSAT syllabus. You will gain a better knowledge of the topics that are covered year after year, their difficulty, weight, and the most often asked questions.

Attempt UPSC CSAT Mock Tests

Candidates must begin taking test series in addition to answering previous UPSC CSAT question papers. Start preparing for the CSAT by practising the most recent UPSC Prelims Test Series sample exams. It will assist you in identifying your strengths and weaknesses and help you take your preparation to the next level.

UPSC CSAT Syllabus FAQs

What is CSAT in UPSC syllabus?

The full form of CSAT is the Civil Services Aptitude Test. It was introduced in the year 2011 as a part of the UPSC Civil Services Exam (Preliminary) to test the analytical skills, reasoning ability and aptitude of IAS aspirants.

How difficult is CSAT in UPSC?

CSAT is a qualifying examination, where candidates are required to score a minimum of 33% to qualify it. As per the initial reactions of the candidates, the CSAT Paper-II was moderate to difficult.