Topics Covered: UPSC CSAT Maths Syllabus, UPSC CSAT Maths PYQs, UPSC CSAT Maths Important Topics, UPSC CSAT Maths Books and Resources, UPSC CSAT Maths Concepts, UPSC CSAT Maths Questions.

UPSC CSAT Maths is a subject that most aspirants fear. To excel in UPSC CSAT Maths, a solid understanding of concepts, an understanding of the types of questions asked in previous years and an extensive practice of questions is essential. 

Below, we’ll provide valuable insights to help you prepare effectively for UPSC CSAT maths.

But first, let’s briefly review the UPSC CSAT exam pattern to understand the weightage of the maths section.

UPSC CSAT Pattern

Here is the UPSC CSAT pattern:

UPSC CSAT Pattern
Number of Questions80
Total Marks200
Per Question Marks2.5
Time2 Hours
Negative Marking1/3rd, i.e. 0.83 marks
Qualifying Marks33%, i.e. 66 marks
Sectional TimingNo
Mode of ExamOffline (Pen and Paper)
Paper TypeObjective
Paper LanguageEnglish and Hindi

Maths for UPSC CSAT

  • Questions
    • UPSC CSAT consists of 80 questions, out of which 25 to 45 questions are asked from Maths.
  • Total Marks
    • Each question is worth 2.5 marks, so 25-45 questions mean 62.5 to 112.5 marks out of 200.
  • Time Allotment
    • You have 2 hours to complete the UPSC CSAT paper. There is no sectional timing for the Maths section.
  • Negative Marking
    • There’s a 1/3th (0.83 marks) penalty for each incorrect answer.
UPSC CSAT
Free E-Book
  • Syllabus
  • Important Topics
  • Trend Analysis
  • Strategy

UPSC CSAT Maths Syllabus

As per the official notification of UPSC Civil Services, UPSC CSAT maths syllabus is:

  • General mental ability
  • Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc. (Class X level)
  • Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. (Class X level)

We have analysed the UPSC CSAT Maths previous year’s questions to list down the detailed syllabus.

UPSC CSAT Maths
Distribution of Questions
Topic 2024202320222021202020192018201720162015
Percentage5147292336
Ratio and Proportion3014220346
Profit and Loss2011233110
Compound Interest0100000000
Data Interpretation00001014003
Ages & Partnership1111020111
Time & Work2111100120
Time, Speed, and Distance0021213232
Pipes & Cistern0001000001
Boats & Stream0000100010
Probability0100001210
Permutation and Combination01173322316
Alligation Mixture0011300000
Number System192215131885651
Average1013320320
Mensuration 2D, 3D0210302130
HCF & LCM2110300030
Number Series3223134002
Total38433836453235253028

Based on the above PYQ analysis, here is the UPSC CSAT maths syllabus:

  • Percentage
  • Ratio and Proportion
  • Profit and Loss
  • Compound Interest
  • Data Interpretation
  • Ages & Partnership
  • Time & Work
  • Time, Speed, and Distance
  • Pipes & Cistern
  • Boats & Stream
  • Probability
  • Permutation and Combination
  • Alligation Mixture
  • Number System
  • Average
  • Mensuration 2D, 3D
  • HCF & LCM
  • Number Series
UPSC CSAT
Free E-Book
  • Syllabus
  • Important Topics
  • Trend Analysis
  • Strategy

Important Topics of UPSC CSAT Maths

The most important topics for UPSC CSAT maths are:

  • Number System
  • HCF and LCM
  • Percentage
  • Profit and Loss
  • Ratio and Proportion
  • Age and Partnership
  • Time and Work
  • Time, Speed and Distance
  • Average
  • Mensuration 2D and 3D
  • Permutation and Combination
  • Probability
  • Number Series

Maths Books for UPSC CSAT

Here are the best books and resources to prepare for the maths section of the UPSC CSAT exam.

UPSC CSAT Maths
Recommended Books
BookAuthorPublisher
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations R.S. AgarwalOswal Publishers
Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh VermaRajesh VermaArihant Publications

UPSC CSAT Maths Previous Year Questions

Here are the topic-wise UPSC CSAT maths PYQs:

UPSC CSAT Maths
Previous Year Questions
Number SystemHCF and LCMPercentageProfit and Loss
Ratio and ProportionAge and PartnershipTime and WorkTime, Speed & Distance
AverageMensuration 2D and 3DPermutation and CombinationProbability
Number Series
UPSC CSAT
Free E-Book
  • Syllabus
  • Important Topics
  • Trend Analysis
  • Strategy

Free Material of UPSC CSAT Maths

Here are the topic-wise UPSC CSAT maths concepts:

UPSC CSAT 
Maths Free Material
Number SystemHCF and LCMPercentageProfit and Loss
Ratio and ProportionAge and PartnershipTime and WorkTime, Speed & Distance
AverageMensuration 2D and 3DPermutation and CombinationProbability
Number Series

Practice Questions of Maths for UPSC CSAT

After understanding the concepts of each maths topic, it’s crucial to practice a wide range of exam-level questions to:

  • Reinforce your conceptual understanding.
  • Gain exposure to diverse question types and problem-solving techniques.
  • Identify areas for improvement.
  • Develop effective time management strategies.
  • Enhance your problem-solving skills.
  • Boost your confidence for the actual exam.

Here are the topic-wise UPSC CSAT maths practice questions:

UPSC CSAT 
Maths Practice Questions
Number SystemHCF and LCMPercentageProfit and Loss
Ratio and ProportionAge and PartnershipTime and WorkTime, Speed & Distance
AverageMensuration 2D and 3DPermutation and CombinationProbability
Number Series
UPSC CSAT
Free E-Book
  • Syllabus
  • Important Topics
  • Trend Analysis
  • Strategy

Conclusion

We hope this information will help you get a complete picture of the maths section of the UPSC CSAT exam. By understanding the exam pattern, identifying key maths topics, learning concepts, and practicing exam-level questions, you can effectively prepare for this crucial section. Once you’ve mastered maths, it’s time to move on to the other UPSC CSAT exam subjects—English and Reasoning.