CSAT FOUNDATION COURSE

CSAT, or the Civil Services Aptitude Test, was introduced by the UPSC in 2011 as part of a revamped Civil Services Examination pattern. Its primary purpose is to assess whether candidates have the critical skills needed to excel as civil servants. This paper isn’t about testing your knowledge of facts or events—it’s designed to evaluate your thinking ability, decision-making skills, problem-solving aptitude, and general mental sharpness. Essentially, it’s a way for the UPSC to gauge if you have the mindset required to handle the complex challenges of public service. CSAT is the second paper of the preliminary stage of the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE). While it’s only qualifying in nature, meaning you need to score just 33% to pass, it plays a vital role in determining your progress to the next stage: the Mains examination.

Overview of the CSAT Paper

  • Number of Questions: 80

  • Duration: 2 hours

  • Marks per Question: 2.5 marks

  • Negative Marking:

    0.83 marks deducted for each incorrect answer (1/3rd of marks for a correct answer)

  • No Deduction:

    There are no negative marks for unanswered questions.

  • Qualifying Marks:

    Aspirants must obtain at least 33% of the total marks (i.e.66 marks out of the proposed 200) in the exam in order to qualify for UPSC Mains.

CSAT Syllabus for UPSC Prelims 2025

CSAT paper assesses the Candidate's ability in the following fields:

  • Comprehension

  • Interpersonal skills including communication skills.

  • Logical reasoning and analytical ability.

  • Decision-making and problem solving.

  • General mental ability.

  • Basic numeracy

    (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. – Class X level)

CSAT Foundation Course for UPSC Prelims 2025

This course is structured in such a way that aspirants can address their problems. It will assist them to secure 67 marks in General Studies-II Paper as per their requirements. It is highly useful for those aspirants who have problems with Mathematics or English Comprehension. It builds the base and teaches shortcuts as well for the fastest way to solve the questions.

Key Highlights of the CSAT Course

CSAT fOUNDATION COURSE png
  • Total Class Hours: 60 hours+.

  • Test Series: 20 full-length CSAT tests which would be having:

    Complete test discussion.
    One-to-one mentorship session for personalized guidance.

  • Course Delivery:

    Mode: Classroom-training and Live Interactive Online classes.

  • Complete Coverage: Topics in accordance with the syllabus of UPSC.

  • High-Quality Study Material: Specially designed material for CSAT preparation.

  • E-Test Platform:

    Online tests can be taken with all useful traits of simpler navigating and marking questions for sorting for afterward.
    After giving the test, and batch-wise rankings.

Why Choose This CSAT Course?

This course is tailored to meet the specific needs of aspirants and ensures that:
  • Students grasp the essential concepts required for CSAT.
  • They build speed and accuracy through rigorous practice.
  • Individual attention is provided through mentorship and test discussions. 

With dedicated classroom teaching, a robust test series, and personalized mentorship, this course provides the perfect foundation to help aspirants confidently clear the CSAT paper and advance to the UPSC Mains Examination.

FAQs : CSAT Foundation Course

1. What is CSAT?

The Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) is a part of the UPSC Preliminary Examination designed to test an aspirant's analytical abilities, logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and reading comprehension skills. It is a qualifying paper, and candidates must score at least 33% to clear this section.

2. How can I attend classes?

The course offers both online and offline learning options:

Offline Classes: Join classroom sessions conducted at our institute, ensuring a focused learning environment.

Online Classes:  Students can attend live classes, access recorded sessions, and take online tests using the Believers IAS Mobile Application. To get started, students need to register on the app by providing their mobile number and name.

Click here to download the app

3. Does this course include a test series?

Yes, the course includes a comprehensive test series:

  • 20+ Full-Length CSAT Tests designed to simulate the UPSC exam pattern.
  • Complete Test Discussions to understand mistakes and improve performance.
  • One-to-One Mentorship Sessions for personalized guidance and feedback.

4. What are the key features of the course?

The CSAT Foundation Course includes:

  • Batch Size: Limited to 25 students to ensure individual attention.
  • Total Class Hours: 60+ hours of interactive sessions.
  • Test Series: 20+ full-length CSAT tests with detailed discussions.
  • Personalized Mentorship: One-to-one mentorship sessions for tailored guidance.

Comprehensive Coverage: All topics related to quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and reading comprehension,

5. What study materials will be provided?

Students will receive:

  • Complete study materials tailored for CSAT preparation.
  • Access to online resources, including recorded sessions and practice questions.

Handouts and worksheets for additional practice.