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The CSAT room

CSAT comprehension, the part that fails people.

Short UPSC-style passages on governance, economy, environment, science and society, each with 1 to 3 questions: the most logical inference, the crux, the assumption, the corollary. Real CSAT marking: +2.5, −0.83.

CSAT pattern, marking & dates ↓

Today’s CSAT comprehension set →Solved CSAT comprehension PYQs →

Featured for CSATCSAT Comprehension Set: Fiscal Transfers, Mangroves and Expert AdviceThree short UPSC CSAT-style passages with six questions on inference, assumption, crux and statement validity. Attempt in exam mode: +2.5 for a right answer, −0.83 for a wrong one.Read · 5 min

About the CSAT

Checked October 2026 · official site

UPSC CSAT (Prelims General Studies Paper II) · Union Public Service Commission
CSE 2027 Prelims: 23 May 2027 (notification expected 13 January 2027, per the UPSC calendar). CSAT is the afternoon paper.

Questions80 MCQs, 4 options
Duration2 hours
Total marks200 (2.5 per question)
To qualify33% (66 marks)
ComprehensionAbout 23–29 questions a year

Pattern

SectionQsTime
Reading comprehension (English passages)about 23–29no fixed split
Basic numeracy and data interpretationabout 30–35no fixed split
Logical reasoning and analytical abilityabout 15no fixed split
Decision making, interpersonal and communication skillsa fewno fixed split

Marking

  • +2.5 for a correct answer
  • −0.83 (one-third of 2.5) for a wrong answer
  • Blank answers carry no penalty; marking two options counts as wrong
  • Qualifying only: you need 33%, and the marks don’t count in the Prelims ranking

How reading is tested

  • About 23 to 29 comprehension questions a year (26 in 2023, 27 in 2024, 29 in 2025, 23 from 11 passages in 2026, per coaching analyses).
  • Passages are short, about 100 to 400 words, with 1 to 3 questions each.
  • Themes: governance, economy, agriculture, environment and climate, science and technology, law, society and ethics.
  • Question types: the most logical or rational inference, the crux or central message, the assumption the passage makes, the logical corollary, and which statements are valid.
  • Recent papers have made the passages denser and the inference questions harder, not the passages longer.

Prepare with GRADFLIX

  1. Do one CSAT set a day: three short passages, timed or untimed.
  2. For every wrong answer, read why each option is right or wrong, not just the key.
  3. Work through the solved CSAT comprehension PYQs from 2020 onwards before the mocks.
  4. Keep a list of trap options you fell for (too broad, extreme, outside the passage).

CSAT: common questions

Is CSAT qualifying?

Yes. You need 33%, which is 66 of 200 marks. CSAT marks aren’t added to your Prelims ranking, but failing CSAT means GS Paper I isn’t evaluated.

What is the CSAT marking scheme?

80 questions of 2.5 marks each. A wrong answer loses one-third of the question’s marks (0.83). A blank answer loses nothing.

How many comprehension questions come in CSAT?

Recent papers have had about 23 to 29 comprehension questions, roughly a third of the paper, which makes reading the single biggest scoring area for most aspirants.

What kind of passages come in CSAT comprehension?

Short passages, usually 100 to 400 words, on governance, economy, environment, science, law and society, with questions on the most logical inference, the crux, assumptions and corollaries.

Is GRADFLIX CSAT practice part of the UPSC plan?

Yes. The UPSC plan unlocks answers and explanations for both the UPSC essays and the CSAT comprehension sets. Solved CSAT PYQs are free.

Dates and patterns can change. Always confirm on the official website.