The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) successfully conducted the UPSC Prelims 2026 on May 24, with the General Studies Paper 1 and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) Paper 2 held in back-to-back sessions. In this article, we provide comprehensive access to the UPSC CSAT Question Paper 2026, complete with direct download links for all question sets.
UPSC CSAT Question Paper 2026 Out
While the UPSC CSAT paper is qualifying in nature—requiring a minimum of 33% to clear—strategic preparation is essential for success. Aspiring candidates can utilize these question papers to analyze the latest UPSC trends, understand topic-wise weightage, and decode the examination pattern observed this year.
CSAT- Paper 2 (Civil Services Aptitude Test) Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Total Questions | 80 |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Marks per correct answer | +2.5 |
| Negative Marking | -0.833(1/3rd of 2.5 marks) |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Nature | Qualifying (minimum 33% = 66.67 marks required) |
| Medium | English & Hindi |
Download UPSC CSAT 2026 Question Paper (PDF)
The UPSC CSAT 2026 exam featured four distinct sets: A, B, C, and D. The curriculum covered essential areas including reading comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, general mental ability, basic numeracy, and data interpretation. You can download the official PDFs for all sets from the repository below.
| Sets | Question Paper PDF |
| UPSC CSAT 2026 Question Paper Set A | Download PDF |
| UPSC CSAT 2026 Question Paper Set B | |
| UPSC CSAT 2026 Question Paper Set C | |
| UPSC CSAT 2026 Question Paper Set D | Download PDF |
Explore Related Resources-
UPSC CSAT Answer Key 2026
Candidates can verify their performance using the detailed answer keys provided below, which have been curated and reviewed by the subject matter experts at StudyIQ.
| UPSC CSAT Paper 2 Answers |
|||
| Q1- B | Q21- C | Q41- C | Q61- A |
| Q2- B | Q22- C | Q42- B/D | Q62- D |
| Q3- B | Q23- B | Q43- B | Q63- C |
| Q4- D | Q24- D | Q44- B | Q64- D |
| Q5- B | Q25- C | Q45- A | Q65- A |
| Q6- B | Q26- D | Q46- C | Q66- D |
| Q7- A | Q27- C | Q47- B | Q67- A |
| Q8- B | Q28- D | Q48- A | Q68- B |
| Q9- C | Q29- B | Q49- A | Q69- D |
| Q10- B | Q30- B | Q50- A | Q70- D |
| Q11- D | Q31- D | Q51- A | Q71- C |
| Q12- A | Q32- B | Q52- B | Q72- C |
| Q13- D | Q33- D | Q53- C | Q73- D |
| Q14- C | Q34- C | Q54- A | Q74- A |
| Q15- B | Q35- D | Q55- D | Q75- B |
| Q16- A | Q36- D | Q56- B | Q76- A |
| Q17- A | Q37- D | Q57- C | Q77- A |
| Q18- B | Q38- B | Q58- A | Q78- D |
| Q19- B | Q39- C | Q59- B | Q79- B |
| Q20- C | Q40- D | Q60- D | Q80- C |
How to Download UPSC CSAT 2026 Question Paper PDF?
Follow these straightforward steps to download your UPSC CSAT 2026 Question Paper and Answer Key PDF:
- Visit the official website of UPSC at upsc.gov.in
- Click on the “Examination” section on the homepage
- Look for “Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026”
- Click on the “Question Paper” link
- Select your desired Set (A/B/C/D)
- The PDF open in a new tab — click “Download” to save it.
FAQs
How many questions are there in UPSC CSAT 2026?
The examination consisted of 80 objective-type questions, with a maximum score of 200 marks.
Is CSAT a qualifying paper?
Yes, the CSAT (General Studies Paper 2) is a qualifying paper. Candidates are required to secure a minimum of 33% (66 marks) to pass the aptitude section.
What is the negative marking in UPSC CSAT 2026?
The UPSC implements a negative marking scheme for incorrect answers, where 1/3rd of the marks assigned to each question (approximately 0.833 marks) are deducted for every wrong response.
Recommended Reads
- UPSC Principal and Vice Principal Previous Year Question Papers: Download PDF
- UPSC Principal & Vice Principal Syllabus 2026: Revised Exam Pattern & PDF
- UPSC Principal and Vice Principal Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 828 Vacancies
- UPSC CAPF AC Answer Key 2026 Released at upsc.gov.in, Download Response Sheet PDF
- UPSC CAPF AC Question Paper 2026 (19 July): Download Paper 1 & 2 PDF & Exam Analysis
- UPSC CAPF AC Admit Card 2026 Released: Direct Link to Download Hall Ticket @upsconline.gov.in
Never miss another exam update!
Get the fastest exam results, recruitment news, and educational guides delivered directly to your phone.