UPSC Prelims 2025 Paper Analysis: ‘This is one of the toughest CSAT papers set in recent years,' says expert

Indian Express

27-05-2025

Since 2023, UPSC has noticeably raised the difficulty level of the CSAT, and the 2025 paper was no exception. In fact, to say the least, it is one of the toughest CSAT Papers that UPSC has set in recent years. The length and breadth in which UPSC has tested the candidates this time in CSAT makes one thing pretty evident, and that is: CSAT is not a qualifying paper, it is an eliminating paper.
While aspirants may be tempted to compare CSAT 2023 with this year's paper, such comparisons aren't particularly productive. What truly matters are the key takeaways from the current paper that can inform preparation for next year's exam. Here are the five most important observations and takeaways from CSAT 2025 that will be valuable for future aspirants.
In the CSAT Paper, UPSC focuses on 3 major areas, viz. Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Reading Comprehension. However, the individual weightage of each section is not fixed and is up to the discretion of the UPSC. In CSAT 2025, UPSC asked as many as 35 questions from Quantitative Aptitude and 29 questions from English Reading Comprehensions leaving only 16 questions for Logical Reasoning. Those who solely depended on Logical Reasoning and English Reading Comprehension would have found it tough to attempt the questions to reach a minimum of 1/3 marks required to qualify for the CSAT.
Moreover, it has become a usual trend in the Comprehensions that they are open to interpretation, and different people might have different answers, which makes such questions a bit volatile. For the upcoming attempts, it is strongly advisable that every aspirant should focus on all the 3 pillars of the examination, to tackle the unpredictability of the UPSC.
This year, the questions from the Quantitative Aptitude section were pretty lengthy. Even if an aspirant knows about the topic, it would take considerable time to solve such questions. Earlier, UPSC used to ask direct questions, but now it has started focusing more on the 'how many' part. Let us understand this with the help of a question asked by UPSC in CSAT 2025.
Q. The 5-digit number PQRST (all distinct digits) is such that T ≠ 0. P is thrice T. S is greater than Q by 4, while Q is greater than R by 3. How many such 5-digit numbers are possible?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
In the above question, you have to find out the number of 5-digit numbers that are possible subject to the conditions of the question. Such questions can be solved only by making different cases, assuming different values of P, Q ,R, S and T and that's a time consuming process.
So, even if an aspirant has read Quantitative Aptitude, it is imperative now to solve the questions quickly and focus on the speed as well, given the fact that the length of the solutions is increasing.
There was a time when a lot of questions in CSAT could be solved by direct shortcuts. In 2025, there was limited scope and utility of the shortcuts that are usually given in the standard books. UPSC, in CSAT 2025, focused more on the basic understanding of the candidates. Let us have a look at a question from CSAT 2025 in this context:
Q. A solid cube is painted yellow on all its faces. The cube is then cut into 60 smaller but equal pieces by making the minimum number of cuts.
I. The minimum number of cuts is 9.
II. The number of smaller pieces which are not painted on any face is 6.
A. I only
B. II only
C. Both I and II
D. Neither I nor II
Usually, in the past years, the questions from cubes and dice could be solved using the famous shortcuts. However, this year, the question was such that no shortcut can be used in this question. If you know the basics of cube-cutting and if you've understood how a cube is to be cut into smaller pieces, then only you could attempt such questions.
For the aspirants of 2026, you have sufficient time to focus on the basics from scratch. It is advisable to reduce the reliance over the shortcuts and focus more on the standard processes.
The first advice given to every UPSC Aspirant is to rely on PYQs. UPSC CSAT 2025 was no different. There were multiple questions in the exam that were based on the PYQs, with just a change of value or some language. The core point being, if you have done the PYQs diligently, it would be easier for you to quickly pick up the logic in the exam hall.
Q. What comes at X and Y respectively in the following sequence?
January, January, December, October, X, March, October, Y, September
A. July, May
B. July, April
C. June, May
D. June, April
The above question was asked by UPSC in CSAT 2025. A similar question was asked by UPSC in previous years; the only difference was that, in place of months, the question had numbers, but the underlying logic was the same.
Q. What is X in the sequence 1, 3, 6, 11, 18, X, 42?
A. 26
B. 27
C. 29
D. 30
The above series, asked in CSAT 2025, is based on the prime numbers. In the past, on multiple occasions, UPSC has asked a series on similar logics.
To drive home the point, it is useful and imperative for an aspirant to diligently practice the PYQs.
As mentioned in the beginning: CSAT is not a qualifying paper, it is an eliminating paper. The current pattern of UPSC CSAT not only requires the knowledge, but also demands accuracy, speed, and nerve-holding in pressure situations. To solve 55+ questions of such nature in 120 minutes (though there are 80 Questions in CSAT but you need not attempt all of them) with speed and accuracy would require a lot of practice. Formula Sheets, Trick Sheets and all the quick fix approaches are no longer a sure-shot way to sail through the CSAT Paper. CSAT, akin to GS, is a full-fledged paper.
An unpopular view to look at it might be: From Polity, Geography, History, etc., you might be getting 12-18 questions from each subject. But in CSAT, you get 80 questions.
For future aspirants, based on the current trend, here is a word of caution and disclaimer: CSAT is not a last moment paper to prepare. Please do incorporate it in your study plan from the beginning.
(About our Expert: Mudit Gupta has been a mentor and faculty for the UPSC Civil Services exam for 10 years with expertise in CSAT, Polity, International Relations, and Current Affairs. He is known to break complex concepts into simpler ones that allow UPSC aspirants to develop a grip over the subject matter.)
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