The UPSC CSAT Question Paper 2025, officially known as General Studies Paper II, is a qualifying yet critical component of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Held on May 25, 2025, in the second shift (2:30 PM to 4:30 PM), this paper evaluates a candidate’s aptitude, comprehension, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Although aspirants must only secure 33% (66 out of 200 marks) to qualify, the CSAT can be a decisive factor in advancing to the UPSC Mains. This article covers everything you need to know about the CSAT Question Paper 2025, including the CSAT Question Paper 2025 PDF download link, answer key, and analysis tips.
UPSC CSAT Question Paper 2025 Overview
The Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), officially termed General Studies Paper II, is a mandatory paper conducted as part of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. While it is qualifying in nature, the CSAT plays a crucial role in screening candidates for the Mains stage.
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Name | Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025 |
| Paper Name | General Studies Paper II (CSAT) |
| Date | 25 May 2025 |
| Shift | Afternoon (2:30 PM – 4:30 PM) |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
UPSC CSAT Question Paper 2025 PDF Link
Candidates appearing for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination can now access the CSAT Question Paper 2025 PDF and the unofficial CSAT Answer Key 2025 from the links provided below. Practicing with the actual CSAT paper helps aspirants assess the question pattern, improve accuracy, and enhance time management skills.
| CSAT Question Paper 2025 & CSAT Answer Key 2025 | |
|---|---|
| UPSC CSAT Question Paper 2025 PDF | Click here |
| UPSC CSAT Answer Key 2025 PDF | Click here |
Please note that the official UPSC CSAT Answer Key 2025 will be released only after the entire examination process concludes, including the Prelims, Mains, Personality Test, and Final Results.
Download UPSC CSAT Previous Year Question Papers PDF [2020–2024]
Aspirants preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination can significantly benefit from practicing CSAT previous year question papers PDF. These papers offer valuable insights into the exam pattern, difficulty level, and types of questions asked over the years. Solving them improves problem-solving speed, accuracy, and confidence — key elements for qualifying the CSAT paper.
| Year | CSAT Previous Year Question Papers PDF |
| 2024 | Download CSAT Question Paper 2024 |
| 2023 | Download CSAT Question Paper 2023 |
| 2022 | Download CSAT Question Paper 2022 |
| 2021 | Download CSAT Question Paper 2021 |
| 2020 | Download CSAT Question Paper 2020 |
How to Download CSAT Question Paper 2025 from UPSC Website
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) releases the official CSAT Question Paper 2025 (General Studies Paper II) along with the answer keys a few weeks after the Civil Services Preliminary Examination is conducted. Candidates can easily download the PDF for free from the official UPSC website. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
- Visit the Official UPSC Website
- Open your browser and go to https://www.upsc.gov.in
- Go to the “Examinations” Section
- On the homepage, locate the top menu bar.
- Hover your cursor over the “Examinations” tab.
- Click on “Answer Keys”
- From the dropdown menu under “Examinations,” click on “Answer Keys.”
- Find the CSAT 2025 Entry
- On the Answer Keys page, scroll through the list.
- Look for the link titled:
“Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025 – General Studies Paper II (CSAT)”
- Download the PDF
- Click on the relevant link to open the CSAT 2025 Question Paper PDF.
- The file typically includes all four sets: Set A, Set B, Set C, and Set D.
- Save the File for Offline Use
- Once the PDF opens, click on the download icon (usually at the top-right corner of your browser window).
- Save it to your device for future reference.
Conclusion
The CSAT Question Paper 2025 remains a pivotal component of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Despite being qualifying in nature, its increasing complexity over the years has made it a crucial filter in the selection process. Accessing and analyzing the official PDF, solving CSAT previous year question papers (2020–2024), and reviewing both unofficial and official answer keys can significantly boost your chances of clearing this paper with confidence.
CSAT Question Paper 2025 FAQs
Is the CSAT Question Paper 2025 qualifying or merit-based?
The CSAT Question Paper 2025 is qualifying in nature. Candidates need to secure a minimum of 33% (66 marks) to qualify, but it is crucial for clearing the UPSC Preliminary exam.
Can I find previous year CSAT Question Paper PDFs along with the 2025 paper?
Yes, aspirants can download CSAT Previous Year Question Papers PDF (2020–2024) along with the CSAT Question Paper 2025 to improve preparation and understand the exam pattern.
How important is practicing the CSAT Question Paper 2025 for UPSC prelims preparation?
Practicing the CSAT Question Paper 2025 helps improve time management, problem-solving skills, and accuracy, which are essential for qualifying the prelims and progressing to the Mains.
Are unofficial answer keys available for the CSAT Question Paper 2025?
Yes, reputed coaching institutes release unofficial answer keys for the CSAT Question Paper 2025 soon after the exam, which can be used for initial self-assessment before the official keys are released.
