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UPSC CSAT is a qualifying paper in which you need to score at least 66 marks out of 200. One of the most effective ways to prepare for the CSAT paper is by analyzing and understanding the UPSC CSAT previous years’ question papers. 

This helps you identify the most important topics, types of questions, the difficulty level and the changing trends of the CSAT paper so you can tailor your UPSC CSAT preparation accordingly. 

Fill out the form below to download the UPSC CSAT previous year question papers with detailed explanations in PDF format.

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UPSC CSAT Previous Year Papers Book

EduTap has created a comprehensive book containing the solved UPSC CSAT previous year papers.

Download your UPSC CSAT previous year papers book for free by filling out the form above. 

Now that you can access previous years’ question papers with answers, it’s time to analyze the  UPSC CSAT PYQs to understand the exam’s difficulty level and identify important topics.

UPSC CSAT Previous Years Question Papers Analysis

Below, we have explained the distribution of questions in the UPSC CSAT paper across Maths, Reasoning and English in the previous 10 years.

UPSC CSAT
Distribution of Questions
Number of Questions
Subject2024202320222021202020192018201720162015
Maths38433836453235253028
Reasoning15111517101820252222
English27262727253025302830
Total80808080808080808080

UPSC CSAT Maths PYQ Analysis

Below, you can see the distribution of questions amongst topics of Maths for the CSAT papers of 2015 to 2024. This will help you identify the topics that are most important, moderately important and least important.

UPSC CSAT 
Distribution of Questions in Maths
Topic2024202320222021202020192018201720162015
Percentage5147292336
Ratio and Proportion3014220346
Profit and Loss2011233110
Compound Interest0100000000
Data Interpretation00001014003
Ages & Partnership1111020111
Time & Work2111100120
Time, Speed, and Distance0021213232
Pipes & Cistern0001000001
Boats & Stream0000100010
Probability0100001210
P&C01173322316
Alligation Mixture0011300000
Number System192215131885651
Average1013320320
Mensuration 2D, 3D0210302130
HCF & LCM2110300030
Number Series3223134002
Total38433836453235253028

Most Important Topics for CSAT Maths

Based on the above table, the most important topics for 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

Other Key Takeaways

  • The weightage of maths questions has steadily increased over the years. From 28/80 questions in 2015, the number of questions asked from maths in 2023 went up to 43. In 2024 it came down to 38. What this means for you is that around 50% of the CSAT paper comprises of maths questions and you must prepare accordingly.
UPSC CSAT
Free E-Book
  • Syllabus
  • Important Topics
  • Trend Analysis
  • Strategy

UPSC CSAT Reasoning PYQ Analysis

Below, you can see the distribution of questions amongst topics of Reasoning for the CSAT papers of 2015 to 2024. This will help you identify the topics that are most important, moderately important and least important.

UPSC CSAT 
Distribution of Questions in Reasoning
Topic2024202320222021202020192018201720162015
Alphanumeric Series1221010000
Coding & Decoding2101102100
Continues Letter Series0101110000
Analogy0001102000
Direction Sense2012120031
Blood Relation0120110251
Ranking & Order3212351312
Syllogism2023110100
Sitting Arrangement + Puzzle00310081188
Clock22010211
Calendar2113130000
Dice0000003001
Counting Figure0000001000
Cube & Cuboid1100031110
Images0000002002
Analytical Reasoning0200000438
Total15111517101820252222

Most Important Topics for CSAT Reasoning

Based on the above table, the most important topics for CSAT Reasoning are:

  • Syllogism
  • Blood Relation
  • Direction Sense
  • Alphabetical and Alphanumeric Series
  • Coding and Decoding
  • Calendar
  • Clock
  • Continuous Letter Series
  • Ranking and Order

Other Key Takeaways

  • The weightage of reasoning questions has steadily decreased over the years. From 22 out of 80 questions in 2015, the number of questions asked from reasoning in 2023 went down to just 11. In 2024, 15 questions were asked.
UPSC CSAT
Free E-Book
  • Syllabus
  • Important Topics
  • Trend Analysis
  • Strategy

UPSC CSAT English PYQs Analysis

Below, you can see the distribution of questions amongst topics of English for the CSAT papers of 2015 to 2024.

UPSC CSAT 
Distribution of English Questions
Passage level 2024202320222021202020192018201720162015
Level 1* Passage922625151814281419
Level 2* Passage18412210124224
Level 3* Passage0090003003
Level 4* Passage0000004034
Total27262727253025302830

*Level 1 passages are the ones that consist of only 1 question. Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 passages consist of 2,3 and 4 questions, respectively.

Most Important Topics for CSAT English 

Based on the above table, the most important topics for CSAT English are:

  • Reading Comprehension
    • Assumption
    • Inference
    • Conclusion

Other Key Takeaways

  • The weightage of English comprehension questions has varied from 25 to 32. An aspirant can attempt about 70% of these questions with 100% accuracy.
UPSC CSAT
Free E-Book
  • Syllabus
  • Important Topics
  • Trend Analysis
  • Strategy

UPSC CSAT Difficulty Level

The difficulty level of the UPSC CSAT paper has varied over years. Below, we have provided the subject-wise difficulty level of the questions asked in the previous years.

UPSC CSAT Math Difficulty Level

The table below contains the bifurcation of easy, moderate, and difficult questions of CSAT maths from 2015 to 2024.

UPSC CSAT
Maths Difficulty Level
2024202320222021202020192018201720162015
Total questions38433836453235253028
Difficulty
Level
Easy Questions78131517141010139
Moderate Questions1821169181311121011
Difficult Questions131491210514378

Key Takeaways

  • Easy and moderate questions constitute more than 50% of the questions asked in CSAT maths.

UPSC CSAT Reasoning Difficulty Level

The table below contains the bifurcation of easy, moderate, and difficult questions of CSAT reasoning from 2015 to 2024.

UPSC CSAT
Reasoning Difficulty Level
2024202320222021202020192018201720162015
Total questions15111517101820252222
Difficulty
Level
Easy Questions44595678158
Moderate Questions8386510138712
Difficult Questions3422020902

UPSC CSAT English Difficulty Level

The table below contains the bifurcation of easy, moderate, and difficult questions of CSAT English from 2015 to 2024.

UPSC CSAT
English Difficulty Level
2024202320222021202020192018201720162015
Total questions27262727253025302830
Difficulty
Level
Easy Questions410712810910811
Moderate Questions1188912128121111
Difficult Questions128126588898

Key Takeaways

  • Level 1 passages (containing 1 question) are usually easier, these can be attempted with 80-90% accuracy.
  • Level 4 passages (containing 4 questions) should be targeted first as more questions can be attempted.
UPSC CSAT
Free E-Book
  • Syllabus
  • Important Topics
  • Trend Analysis
  • Strategy

Conclusion

Familiarizing yourself with USC CSAT previous year question papers (PYQs) is an essential step. PYQs offer invaluable insights into the exam format, past trends, frequently tested topics, and overall difficulty level. This knowledge empowers you to:

  • Identify your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to pinpoint areas where you need more focus and tailor your preparation accordingly. 
  • Select resources that align with the exam’s specific content and format, ensuring you’re studying the most relevant material.
  • Identify any shifts in exam pattern or content, ensuring your preparation is up-to-date and relevant to the current exam requirements.
  • Practice actual exam questions, improving your time management strategies and overall exam confidence.

By incorporating PYQs into your preparation, you’ll gain a competitive edge and increase your chances of qualifying the UPSC CSAT exam.