If you're preparing for UPSC Prelims 2026, analyzing the CSAT 2025 Question Paper is your best starting point. This detailed analysis helps you understand the actual trends, difficulty levels, and important topics especially in Mathematics and Reasoning.
Let’s dive into how CSAT 2025 was structured, what was new, and how you should plan your strategy accordingly.
Video Solution of UPSC CSAT 2025 Question Paper
UPSC CSAT 2025 Free Download
We’re providing students with all CSAT 2025 resources for free:
Here’s the official breakdown of the 80 questions in the CSAT 2025 Paper:
Section
No. of Questions
Quantitative Aptitude (Mathematics)
34
Logical Reasoning
17
Reading Comprehension
29
Total
80
Key Insight: Maths and Reasoning together contributed 63% of the paper making them crucial for qualifying the CSAT.
Number System (The Most Important Topic)
25 questions were asked from the Number System topic, a clear indication of its growing importance.
Over the last 5 years, the weightage of the Number System has increased significantly. This trend proves that students must master Number System concepts to stand a strong chance of clearing UPSC CSAT.
To help you revise better, we’ve uploaded a separate Number System PDF with all the questions asked in CSAT 2025.
Difficulty Level of Maths & Reasoning (51 Questions)
Here’s the difficulty analysis of the 51 questions from Maths + Reasoning:
Difficulty Level
No. of Questions
Easy
12
Moderate
26
Tough
11
Very Tough
2
Most questions were of moderate difficulty, followed by easy ones. Very tough questions were minimal but could trick unprepared students.
New Question Types Introduced in CSAT 2025
This year, UPSC introduced some new question patterns to test deeper understanding:
Value Based Comparison Questions (Set-A, Que. No. 75, 76 & 77)
Candidates were required to:
Find Value I
Find Value II
Compare them: (a) Value-I > Value-II (b) Value-I < Value-II (c) Value-I = Value-II (d) Relationship cannot be established
Data Sufficiency: New Option Added (Set-A, Que. No. 68, 69, 73 & 74)
A completely new answer option was introduced: "The question can be answered even without using any of the statements." This change made it trickier and required analytical thinking over mechanical solving.
This format is more conceptual and time sensitive, a clear message from UPSC that they want thinking candidates, not crammers.
Summary of Key Learnings from CSAT 2025
Reading Comprehension was logical and not easy.
Maths questions required deep understanding, not formulas.
Reasoning was logic based but simple.
Number System emerged as a high weightage, high return area.
Time management was crucial.
UPSC is now testing conceptual clarity and adaptability more than ever.
Ideal for These Aspirants
This CSAT 2025 Paper Analysis is especially useful for:
UPSC CSAT 2026 Aspirants.
Non maths or Arts background students.
Those struggling with formulas.
Anyone confused about how to start CSAT preparation.
How to Prepare CSAT 2026 (Post Analysis Strategy) ?
Solve CSAT PYQs from 2020 to 2025.
Focus on mastering the Number System.
Practice logic driven questions in Reasoning and Maths.
Avoid formula cramming understand the “why” behind the concept.
Use the UNGIST CSAT 2026 Book.it’s formula free, concept focused and practice oriented.
The CSAT 2025 paper was a reminder that UPSC values clarity, consistency and logical thinking. With 63% of the paper from Maths and Reasoning, out of that 25 questions from Number System only which shows it's time to shift your focus towards practice driven & concept based preparation.
Start now. Free Download UPSC CSAT Study Material:
