One app for all your study abroad needs
The Civil Services Aptitude Test or otherwise known as CSAT consists of two papers: General Studies Paper and General Ability Test. For the purpose of evaluation, all aspiring candidates must appear in both Papers of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination. If a candidate does not appear in both papers, they will be disqualified. CSAT was first introduced in 2011 as part of the UPSC Civil Services Exam (Preliminary) to assess IAS aspirants’ analytical skills, reasoning ability, and aptitude. If you are a UPSC aspirant and want to know about the CSAT syllabus, then you are at the right place to be because, in this blog, we will be detangling all the information about the CSAT syllabus. So read this blog till the very end to know about the CSAT syllabus for 2021.
This Blog Includes:
Also Read: CSAT Exam
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2021
The UPSC CSE Prelims 2021 are due to take place on June 27, 2021. On the same day, both the General Studies Paper and the CSAT will be held. Between the two articles, there is a chasm. As a result, students are encouraged to plan in such a way that they can effectively solve each article. Here are a few key points to remember about the Prelims that every candidate should be aware of:
| Exam Pattern | CSAT General Studies Paper-I | CSAT General Studies Paper-II |
| Number of Questions | 100 | 80 |
| Total Marks | 200 | 200 |
| Type of questions | Objective | Objective |
| Mode of paper | Offline/Pen-Paper mode | Offline/Pen-paper mode |
| Negative Marking | The question earned a third of the total marks available. | The question earned a third of the total marks available. |
| Date of Exam | 27th June 2021(Shift-1) | 27th June 2021(shift-2) |
Also Read: Civil Service Exam
CSAT Syllabus
As mentioned in the previous part of the blog that the CSAT exam has two papers:
- CSAT General Studies Paper 1
- CSAT General Studies Paper 2
Let us see a detailed syllabus guide for the CSAT exams 2021.
Syllabus for General Studies Paper 1
- General Science
- General issues on Environmental
- Economic and Social Development
- Indian Polity and Governance
- Indian and World Geography
- History of India
- Current Affairs
Syllabus for General Studies Paper 2
- Decision making and problem-solving
- General mental ability
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Comprehension
- Basic numeracy such as numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc. (Class X level)
- Data Interpretation such as charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. (Class X level).
Also Read: PSC Exams
Topic Wise CSAT Syllabus for GS-I
| General Science | Materials, Nano Technology and Robotics Defence Nuclear Technology Intellectual Property Rights and Other Miscellaneous Issues Biotechnology Science & Technology in India Space IT and Communication |
| Economy | Basic Concepts Economic Measurements Money & Banking Public Finance in India Planning Open Economy Economic Sectors Government Schemes and Programmes |
| Geography | General Geography Geomorphology Oceanography Climatology Bio Geography Human and Economic Geography Indian Geography World Regional Geography Ecology & Environment Biodiversity Environmental Pollution Climate Change Environmental Governance Resource Degradation and Management |
| Polity | Citizenship Fundamental Rights Directive Principles of State Policy Fundamental Duties Evolution of the Consitution Salient Features of Indian Constitution Union & Its Territory System of Governance Local Government UT and Special Areas Judiciary Constitutional & Non-Constitutional Bodies Union Executive Union Legislature State Executive State Legislature Political Dynamics (Political Parties, Election, Pressure Groups) Governance International Relations |
| Art and Culture | Numismatics Performing Arts Religion and Literature National and Regional Festivals Architecture Sculpture Paintings Pottery Tradition |
| History | Ancient History Pre-Historic Times Indus Valley Civilization Rig Vedic Period Later Vedic Period Jainism Buddhism Mahajanpadas Mauryan Period Post-Mauryan Period Gupta Period Harshwardhana Period Sangam Period (South-Indian Dynasties) Medieval History Afghans, Rajputs & Mughals Establishment of North-Indian Empire The Mughal Empire Marathas and the Other Indian States The decline of the Mughal Empire Vijaynagar Empire Major Dynasties of Early Medieval India (Pratiharas, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas) Cholas and South-Indian Kingdoms Early Muslim Invasions The Delhi Sultanate Modern History Development of PressSocio-Religious Reforms Peasant Movements Revolutionary Nationalism Indian National Movement-I (1905-1918) Indian National Movement-II (1918-1929) Indian National Movement-III (1930-1947) Governors-General and Viceroys of India Constitutional Development of Indian Advent of Europeans British Expansion Administration before 1857 Economic Policies of the British Impact of British Administration Revolt of 1857 Administrative Changes after 1857 Development of Civil Services Development of Education |
Geography for UPSC Preparation
How To Prepare for UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2021?
Here are some tools and pointers to help you plan for the UPSC Prelims or CSAT Syllabus:
- Read the CSAT syllabus extensively and develop a study plan to ensure that you cover every aspect of the syllabus.
- Read NCERT books of relevant subjects (History, Polity, Economy, Geography, Art& Culture) from 8th to 12th grade to strengthen your foundation and get the basic concepts of General Studies correct for the prelims or CSAT exam 2021.
- Read some regular current affairs analysis and monthly magazine analysis to stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in current affairs.
Check out How to Become an IPS Officer?
This brings us to the end of this blog on CSAT Syllabus for the UPSC Prelims or CSAT exams 2021. For more such informative reads and latest updates on different entrance exams and their schedule, syllabus, exam patterns, etc, stay in touch with Leverage Edu.
15,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today.
