The Union Public Service Commission – Civil Services Aptitude Test (UPSC CSAT) is a national-level competitive preliminary test, that is administered once in an academic session by the UPSC recruitment board. The UPSC CSAT is not a recently introduced examination. It has been taking place every year for the past decade now. The candidates who successfully pass the exam, move on to the next stages of the recruitment process. This examination is indeed designed to measure an individual’s analytical ability, reasoning skills, and other aptitude qualities.       

The official notification for the UPSC CSAT exam was released on 14th February 2024. The Preliminary Examination for Recruitment to the Civil Service posts mentioned in the government brochure will be held on the 26th of May 2024. As stated, it will be administered by the UPSC board under the norms published by the Department of Personnel & Training.

All candidates are advised to carefully read the Civil Services Examination-2024 Rules along with all the Appendices and Annexures, in addition to this Examination Notice which is derived from those Rules. One should be well versed with any changes that may have occurred since the previous Examination Rules.

Candidates can view information about the UPSC CSAT positions salary structure and more here. Every year, the Union Public Service Commission administers the UPSC CSAT Exam for several subordinate services.

UPSC CSAT Highlights

UPSC CSAT 2023- Exam Summary

Organization

Union Public Service Commission

Posts Name

Indian Administrative Service
Indian Foreign Service
Indian Police Service
Indian Audit and Accounts Service
Indian Civil Accounts Service
Indian Corporate Law Service
Indian Defence Accounts Service
Indian Defence Estates Service
Indian Information Service
Indian Postal Service
Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service
Indian Railway Protection Force Service
Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes)
Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax)
Indian Trade Service, (Grade III)
Indian Railway Management Service
Armed Forces HQ Civil Service (Section Officer’s Grade)
Civil Service (DANICS)
Police Service (DANIPS)
Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS)
Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS)

Vacancy

To Be Notified

Exam Date

Prelims – 26th May 2024
Mains – 20th September 2024

Application Mode

Online

Exam Mode

Offline / Pen & Paper

Recruitment Process

Prelims Mains Personal Interview

Education Qualification

Graduation passed or equivalent from a recognized University

Age Limit

21 – 32 years

Salary

INR 56100 – INR 250,000

Official website

https://www.upsc.gov.in/

UPSC CSAT Important Dates

Important events

Date

UPSC CSAT Notification 2023

14th February 2024

Registration Start

14th February 2024

Registration Ends

5th March 2024

UPSC CSAT Admit Card release

To Be Notified

UPSC CSAT Exam Date

Prelims – 16th June 2024
Mains – 20th September 2024

UPSC CSAT Answer Key (Prelims)

To Be Notified

UPSC CSAT Result (Prelims)

To Be Notified

UPSC CSAT Score Card if applicable

To Be Notified

UPSC CSAT Vacancies

The exact classification of post-wise vacancies hasn’t yet been updated on the official web portal. The concluding final vacancies might be undergoing alteration. This can be so after obtaining a firm number of finalized vacancy lists from Cadre Controlling Authorities. Prior reservations will be made available for candidates belonging to ST, SC, OBC, and the financially Weaker Sections. Persons with Benchmark Disabilities will have access to beneficiary schemes which will be fixed by the Government norms.

Post Name

Vacancy 

 Group ‘A’ Posts

Indian Administrative Service

Yet to be released

Indian Foreign Service

Yet to be released

Indian Police Service

Yet to be released

Indian Audit and Accounts Service 

Yet to be released

Indian Civil Accounts Service

Yet to be released

Indian Corporate Law Service

Yet to be released

Indian Defence Accounts Service

Yet to be released

Indian Defence Estates Service

Yet to be released

Indian Information Service, Junior Grade

Yet to be released

Indian Postal Service

Yet to be released

Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service

Yet to be released

Indian Railway Protection Force Service

Yet to be released

Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes)

Yet to be released

Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) 

Yet to be released

Indian Trade Service, (Grade III)

Yet to be released

 Group ‘B’ Posts

Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, (Section Officer’s Grade)

Yet to be released

Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service (DANICS),

Yet to be released

Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service (DANIPS), Group ‘B’

Yet to be released

Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS), Group ‘B’ 

Yet to be released

UPSC CSAT Vacancy Trends

An 11.52 lakh applicant pool successfully qualified for the UPSC CSE Mains 2022 examinations, with 13090 of those applicants qualifying to move on to stage II.

Year

Number of Vacancies for Various Posts in Civil Services

2009

580

2010

965

2011

880

2012

1037

2013

1000

2014

1291

2015

1129

2016

1079

2017

980

2018

782

2019

896

2020

796

2021

712

2022

1022

UPSC CSAT Eligibility

In the recent notice, UPSC CSAT Eligibility Criteria 2023 was disclosed. They have remained the same as the last academic session. To be qualified for the UPSC CSAT 2023 exam, a candidate must meet the stated eligibility requirements. Here are the three parameters:

Age

The age of the aspirant should be between 21-32 years as of 1st February 2023. However, like certain exams where the reserved category candidates are allowed to claim certain reservations, according to the Indian government norms, here, such is also permitted.

Allowed upper age relaxation for different categories are as below:

Category

Allowed age relaxation (+ upper age limit)

 SC/ ST

 5 years

 OBC

 3 years

 PwBD + Unreserved

 5 years

 PwBD + OBC

 10 years

 PwBD + SC/ ST

 10 years

 Ex-Servicemen

 5 years

Qualification

  • To be eligible for UPSC CSAT 2023, a candidate must have graduated from a recognised institution or a deemed university.
  • Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree from a university that has been approved by the national or state legislature, created by law, or proclaimed to qualify as a university under section 3 of the UGC Act of 1956.
  • Candidates may also take the preliminary exam, the results of which are pending.
  • Candidates who have taken the final year of their bachelor’s degree and are awaiting their results, as well as those who plan to take these qualifying exams, may also apply for the UPSC CSAT 2023 if they submit their documentation of qualification with their Mains exam application.

Nationality / Citizenship

To live up to the nationality requirements, the applicant must be:

  • An Indian citizen or residing in India for a given stipulated period of years.
  • For IFS, IAS, and IPS, only candidates with Indian nationality can apply.

For other services candidates can be-

  • An Indian citizen.
  • An immigrant from Bhutan
  • An immigrant from Nepal
  • A Tibetan refugee who has immigrated to India to permanently settle over here.
  • Citizens of Indian origin who immigrated from Burma, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and East African nations like Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, or Vietnam to permanently settle in India.

 

UPSC CSAT Application Process

The UPSC CSAT exam conducting board finished accepting applications on 21st February 2023 after the formal release of the official notification for UPSC CSAT ’23-2024.

The written UPSC CSAT Prelim examination is set to happen on the 28th of May 2023.

Note: Keeping in mind the COVID-19 scenario that had been prevailing in India, the official authority of UPSC CSAT cancelled the second session of UPSC CSAT in 2022. They mentioned that the admission process would be done through a PI round & medical test only. 

Application fees

Categories

Application Fees

General category Candidates

INR 100/-

SC/ST/PWD/Ex-Servicemen/ Women Applicants

Nil

Application Steps

  • Visit the UPSC main webpage as stated.
  • Students have to register themselves. Click on the ‘Register’ button. The registration process can only be completed using a Government-issued photo ID or an Aadhaar card.
  • In the next step, candidates must enter the required details such as educational details, address, personal details, email ID, and phone number.
  • For the students to access important information, they will need to upload scanned copies of relevant documents and set a password for their account.
  • Registered email ID and password should be used to log in to the respective account.
  • Apply for the UPSC CSAT 2023 exam by clicking on ‘Apply Now.’
  • Information about the student will be collected from their profile during registration, and they will not be able to edit it.
  • Applicants can pay the fee through different modes of payment available.
  • Candidates must print a copy of the same.

UPSC CSAT Admit Card

The UPSC CSAT Admit Card 2024 will possibly be available about 3-5 days before the date of the exam which is yet to be formally announced. Those who enrol for the UPSC CSAT Exam 2024 by the deadline will receive an electronic admissions card, hall ticket, or call letter. This information can be found on the UPSC CSAT portal. The admit card will contain necessary data like Name, Date of Birth, Exam Centre, Registration Number, etc.

To know how to download the UPSC CSAT Admit Card, follow the steps:

  • Step 1. Visit the official website of UPSC.
  • Step 2. On the first display, click on the “ADMIT CARDS” link.
  • Step 3. It will redirect you to the regional official websites. Click on your region.
  • Step 4. Candidates can download the admit card for the UPSC-CSAT’23 written examination.
  • Step 5. Fill in your valid credentials followed by your DOB to acquire the admit card.
  • Step 6. Take a print of the downloaded UPSC admit card and keep a physical copy of the admit card.

Admit Card Details

a.        Candidate’s Name

b.       Enrolment Number

c.        Roll Number

d.       Date of Birth

e.        Father’s Name

f.         Test Centre as per the choice mentioned when filling out the form

g.       Full Address of Exam Centre

h.       Photo of candidate

i.          Signature of candidate

Rules that need to be addressed on the UPSC CSAT admit card:

1.         The applicants should reach the test centre early to the time slot stated in the admit card.

2.       No candidate is allowed entry after the entry closing time.

3.        The following needs to be brought to the exam centre: 2 copies of their latest coloured passport-size photograph, A minimum of one valid image-bearing identity proof in ORIGINAL (Aadhar Card, PAN card, Voter ID Card, Driving License, Passport, or other ID Proof given the by Government), Sanitary Mask. Hand sanitiser (Small bottle). Transparent water bottle and Printout of the COVID-19 Self Declaration type given the Admission Certificate.

Exam Centre Details

For the current academic session, there has been no official notification regarding the exam centres for UPSC CSAT ’24-2025.

Candidates can check the below UPSC 2022-‘23 exam centres to have an overall idea:

Preliminary Examination

AGARTALA

GORAKHPUR

PATNA

AGRA

GURGAON

PORTBLAIR

AHMEDABAD

GWALIOR

PRAYAGRAJ (ALLAHABAD)

AIZAWL

 HYDERABAD

PUDUCHERRY

 AJMER

IMPHAL

PUNE

ALIGARH

 INDORE

RAIPUR

ALMORA (UTTARAKHAND) 

ITANAGAR

RAJKOT

ANANTHAPURU

JABALPUR

RANCHI

AURANGABAD (MAHARASHTRA)

JAIPUR

 SAMBALPUR

BAREILLY

JAMMU

 SHILLONG

BENGALURU

JODHPUR 

SHIMLA

BHOPAL

JORHAT

SILIGURI

BILASPUR (CHHATISGARH)

KOCHI

SRINAGAR

CHANDIGARH

KOHIMA

SRINAGAR (UTTARAKHAND)

CHENNAI

KOLKATTA

SURAT

COIMBATORE

KOZHIKODE (CALICUT)

THANE

CUTTACK

LEH

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

DEHRADUN

LUCKNOW

TIRUCHIRAPALLI

DELHI

LUDHIANA

TIRUPATI

DHARAMSHALA (HIMACHAL PRADESH)

MADURAI 

UDAIPUR

DHARWAR

MANDI (HIMACHAL PRADESH)

VARANASI

DISPUR

MUMBAI

VELLORE

FARIDABAD

MYSURU

VIJAYAWADA

GANGTOK

 NAGPUR 

VISHAKHAPATNAM

GAUTAM BUDDHA NAGAR

NASIK

WARANGAL

GAYA

NAVI MUMBA

GHAZIABAD

PANAJI (GOA)  

Mains Examination

AHMEDABAD

DELHI

 PATNA

AIZAWL

DISPUR (GUWAHATI)

PRAYAGRAJ (ALLAHABAD)

BENGALURU

HYDERABAD

RAIPUR

BHOPAL

JAIPUR

RANCHI

CHANDIGARH

JAMMU

SHILLONG

 CHENNA

KOLKATA

SHIMLA

CUTTACK

LUCKNOW

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

DEHRADUN

MUMBAI

VIJAYAWADA

UPSC CSAT Exam Pattern

The Selection process of Civil Services consists of the following two stages:

  • CSAT Prelims Examination (Objective Type): It is for the selection of applicants for the CSAT (Mains) Examination
  • CSAT Mains Examination (Written and PI): This is the final selection of qualified applicants for the various UPSC posts.

Tier

Type of question for Online CBT

Prelims

Objective Multiple Choice

Mains

Objective Multiple Choice + PI round

UPSC CSAT Exam Pattern: Tier I

Paper

No of Questions

Total Marks 

Duration

1 General Studies – I

100

200

2 Hours

2 General Studies – II (CSAT)

80

200

2 Hours
  • The question papers will be of MCQ (multiple choice questions) type
  • Each paper of the prelims round will be two hours duration. 
  • The CSAT General Studies Paper-II Preliminary Exam will be a qualifying paper with qualifying marks set at 33%.
  • The question papers will be set in dual languages namely Hindi and English.

For each question for which the candidate provided an incorrect answer, one-third of their marks will be deducted as a penalty.

UPSC CSAT Mains Exam Pattern

Question Paper A and Paper B of the Mains exam are both eliminating in nature. The pattern for the same is stated below.

Paper

Subject

Total Marks 

Duration

Paper-A 

One of the Indian Language

300 Marks

3 Hours

Paper-B

English

300 Marks

3 Hours

Paper-I

Essay

250 Marks

3 Hours

Paper-II

General Studies-I 

250 Marks

3 Hours

Paper-III

General Studies -II

250 Marks

3 Hours

Paper-IV

General Studies -III

250 Marks

3 Hours

Paper-V

General Studies -IV

250 Marks

3 Hours

Paper-VI

Optional Subject – Paper 1

250 Marks

3 Hours

Paper-VII

Optional Subject – Paper 2

250 Marks

3 Hours

Total 

1750 Marks

UPSC CSAT Interview

The personal interview round will constitute a total of 275 marks, and the test is not of an arduous cross-examination, but of a natural conversation that is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate.

One has got to try and do well in all the rounds of the UPSC CSAT Examination. Candidates must also carefully check the exam pattern and syllabus on the official website.

UPSC CSAT Syllabus

To qualify for a position in the Public Service Commission, applicants must pass all the rounds as has been stated before.

So now, let’s say one decides to apply for the exam. Henceforth, one will need to prepare oneself. Thereby now, this syllabus structure comes to play a pivotal role.

During the exam preparation, – the syllabus, exam pattern, and previous year questions are indeed of immense help. It is certainly needed by an examine. Thus, updated UPSC CSAT syllabus topics are covered ahead. Therefore, aspirants of UPSC CSAT‘23 can utilize this during their preparations.

The detailed examination syllabus for each level can be found below at which all can take a look. All candidates should read the syllabus carefully before preparing for the UPSC CSAT 2023 exam.

UPSC CSAT Prelims Syllabus

Paper

Syllabus

Paper 1 

Current affairs include events of global importance.  
Indian History and INM.  
Global Geography, Social, Economic Geography of India.  
Indian politics and governance is a highly comprehensive field, covering several important topics
The Indian constitution, political system, public policy, rights issues, etc.
There is also a lot of importance on the economic and social development.
Environmental ecology.

Paper 2 

To solve a comprehension passage;  
Interpersonal skillset analysis
Communication skill analysis;  
Logical reasoning
Analytical ability;  
Decision-making and problem-solving;  
General mental ability;  
Basic numerical problems (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.)
The interpretation of given data (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.

UPSC CSAT Syllabus for Mains Examination

Paper

Subject

Syllabus

Paper 1 

Essay

Candidates are expected to write essays on various topics. They will need to keep close to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion and to express them concisely. Credit points will be awarded for an effective and exact expression.

Paper 2 

General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, World History and Geography and Society.

India as a cultural estate.
Indian history until the present.
The Freedom movements.
Post-independence reformation of the Indian subcontinent.  
Indian Society includes many salient features; its diversity, the role of women’s organizations, population, and associated issues, etc.
Effects of globalization on Indian society.  
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.  Key features of global geography.
Importance of Geophysical phenomena.

PAPER-III 

General Studies- II: Indian Governance, Indian Constitution, Indian Polity, India’s Social Justice and Her International Relations. 

This paper is to test a candidate’s attitude and approach to integrity, integrity in public life, and their life’s problem-solving approach. The topics would roughly include Social and Political Ethics Human Interface and Attitude: content, structure, and function. Moral values for Public Services, behavioural integrity, consistent impartiality. Emotional intelligence concepts. Social inputs of philosophers from across India and the world.   Specialized Case Studies.

PAPER-IV 

General Studies- IV: general ethics, and Aptitude

This paper is to test a candidate’s attitude and approach to integrity, integrity in public life, and their life’s problem-solving approach. The topics would roughly include Social and Political EthicsHuman Interface and Attitude: content, structure, and function. Moral values for Public Services, behavioural integrity, consistent impartiality. Emotional intelligence concepts. Social inputs of philosophers from across India and the world.   Specialized Case Studies.

PAPER-VI & PAPER VII

Optional Subject Papers I & II 

Applicants may choose any subject as their optional paper from the government subject list.

UPSC CSAT Results and Cutoffs

Candidates can verify their UPSC CSAT marks after the release of the Written exam Scorecard 2023. The total marks acquired by the candidate will be used to determine the candidate’s proceeding to the UPSC CSAT exam’s stage 2.

Following are the given steps to download the UPSC CSAT Result 2023:

  • Go to the official website.
  • The home page of the UPSC will open.
  • Check for the Results section that is visible on the top of the UPSC board.
  • Check for UPSC CSAT Exam Result 2023. Click on it.
  • To enter the valid credential details of the Registration and Password.
  • Click the submit button.
  • Now UPSC CSAT Result 2023 PDF will be downloaded.
  • Save the PDF for future reference.

UPSC CSAT Cutoffs

The preliminary exam of the Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Aptitude Test (UPSC CSAT) is a small part of the Civil Services Examination (CSE). Qualifying strictly depends if a candidate clears the exam and secures a percentile of 33% only. All those who clear this cutoff move on to the next stages of the recruitment procedure.

The UPSC CSAT cut-off Marks 2023 going to be released by the officials for the candidates soon after the completion of the application process.

UPSC CSAT Salary Structure

UPSC (Officers) Salary Overview 2023

Pay Commission

Pay Grade (INR 50K+ to 2.5 lahks)

Pay Matrix

Differs for various posts

Allowances

Transport Hand Area Other allowances (as applicable).

The Union Public Service Commission has a wide range of salary structures, with an average salary of Rs. 50K to 2.5 L per month. This number can vary depending on the post but is generally in the range of Rs. 8-10 lakh/annum for an astounding officer.

Posts

Remuneration/Payment Scale

Main Salary

Special secretary-cum-director in the State Secretariat

10

Rs. 56,100

Undersecretary in State Secretariat

10

Rs. 56,100

Assistant Secretary in Central Secretariat

10

Rs. 56,100

Additional district magistrate in District Administration

11

Rs. 67,700

Deputy Secretary in State Secretariat

11

Rs. 67,700

Under-Secretary in Central Secretariat

11

Rs. 67,700

District Magistrate in District Administration

12

Rs. 78,800

Joint Secretary in State Secretariat

12

Rs. 78,800

Deputy Secretary in Central Secretariat

12

Rs. 78,800

District Magistrate in District Administration

13

Rs. 1,18,500

Special secretary-cum-director in State Secretariat

13

Rs. 1,18,500

Director in Central Secretariat

13

Rs. 1,18,500

Divisional Commissioner in District Administration

14

Rs. 1,44,200

Secretary-cum-commissioner in State Secretariat

14

Rs. 1,44,200

Joint Secretary in Central Secretariat

14

Rs. 1,44,200

Divisional Commissioner in District Administration

15

Rs. 1,82,200

Principal Secretary in State Secretariat

15

Rs. 1,82,200

Additional Secretary in State Secretariat

15

Rs. 1,82,200

Chief Secretary in State Secretariat

17

Rs. 2,25,000

Secretary in Central Secretariat 

17

Rs. 2,25,000

Cabinet Secretary of India

18

Rs. 2,50,000

The perks and beneficial allowances paid to candidates for employment are also quite significant. These include both beneficial elements, such as pay and benefits, as well as non-beneficial elements, such as office space and leave entitlements.

Check Out Other Exams – 

 

FAQs

How should I start my preparation for UPSC CSAT 2023?

Preparing for the UPSC CSAT 2023 examination would require first understanding the test pattern and syllabus. Then, one should make a timetable and study routine and follow it daily. Revision of the entire syllabus will help make all concepts clear. Finally, solving previous year’s question papers will give an idea of what kind of paper is to be expected on the actual examination.

Is there a negative marking in the UPSC CSAT 2023 exam? 

For each correct answer, 2.5 marks will be rewarded; on the other hand, for each incorrect answer, 0.83 marks will be deducted.

Does the UPSC CSAT Exam 2023 have an interview? 

Yes, candidates do have to undergo the personal interview process after qualifying for the UPSC CSAT 2023 prelim and mains exam.     

Can I apply for UPSC CSAT 2023 after graduation? 

The eligibility criteria to apply for UPSC CSAT 2023 pertain to three major points.
Age Limit: UPSC CSAT has set the age limit for the applying candidates between 21-32 years.
Nationality: Candidates have to be an Indian or a resident of an Indian province for a stipulated period.
Qualification: Anyone who has completed graduation or equivalent from a recognized University stands eligible.

What is the exam date of UPSC CSAT 2023? 

For the current academic session, the official notification regarding the exam date for UPSC CSAT Prelims’23-2024 is 28th May 2023.

What are the passing marks in UPSC CSAT 2023?  

The UPSC CSAT 2023 Exam is yet to be conducted. Considering the current academic session, there has been no official notification regarding the cut-offs for UPSC CSAT ’23-2024. The UPSC CSAT cut-off Marks 2023 going to be released by the officials for the candidates soon after the completion of the application process.
But generally, qualifying strictly depends if a candidate clears the exam and secures a percentile of 33% only. All those who clear this cutoff move on to the next stages of the recruitment procedure.