UPSC Prelims 2026 CSAT (Paper-II) was conducted on 1 June 2026. Coaching institute estimates suggest the qualifying cut-off will fall between 88–92 marks out of 200 (minimum 33% required = 66.67 marks). Reading Comprehension passages were longer and more analytical than previous years.
Why it matters for exams
CSAT Paper-II is qualifying but over 12,000 candidates failed to clear it in 2025. The 2026 paper included 5 RC passages (up from 4), covering Environment, Technology, and Governance themes — all relevant to UPSC GS Paper-I as well.
Key facts for revision
- 01CSAT cutoff is fixed at 33% = 66.67 marks out of 200; estimated actual paper difficulty requires 88–92 to be safe.
- 02Reading Comprehension had 5 passages this year — Environment policy, AI governance, Urban infrastructure.
- 03Quantitative Aptitude focused on Ratio, Work, and Basic Algebra — 30% of the paper.
- 04Logical & Analytical Reasoning (Syllogisms, Directions, Arrangements) formed 35% of questions.
- 05No question from Data Interpretation appeared in CSAT 2026 — break from 2023–2025 trend.
- 06Total 80 questions, 2.5 marks each, negative marking -0.83 per wrong answer.
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