UPSC CSAT 2026

The UPSC Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), commonly known as Paper II of the UPSC CSE Prelims, is a qualifying paper conducted once a year (Mostly May / June) by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Earlier, scoring 66+ marks out of 200 in CSAT was considered manageable. But things have changed. Since 2022, the difficulty level of CSAT has increased sharply. Today, CSAT has turned into a major rejection paper, with even math and engineering graduates finding it difficult to clear.

At Aptitude360, we often remind our students of one simple truth - CSAT can’t be taken lightly anymore. Strong basics, regular practice, and the right problem-solving approach are now essential. Hence, we advise you to start early, prepare smartly, respect the paper, and CSAT will not stop you from clearing UPSC Prelims.

UPSC CSAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria:

The CSAT, known as Paper II of the Civil Services Examination, does not have a separate eligibility criterion. The eligibility conditions for CSAT are the same as those for the UPSC CSE, as prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

UPSC CSE 2026 Nationality Eligibility Criteria: If you are applying for UPSC CSE 2026, you must be one of the following:

1. An Indian citizen, or
2. A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
3. A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who has migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, or East African countries and holds an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.

UPSC CSAT 2026 Age Limit:

You must be at least 21 years old and not more than 32 years old as on the cut-off date specified in the UPSC CSE 2026 notification.

UPSC CSAT 2026 Age Relaxation (Category-wise):

Educational Qualification for UPSC CSE:

To apply for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, you need a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or a UGC-approved deemed university. If you still are in the final year of graduation, you may apply for the Prelims, but you must produce proof of passing the degree examination before the Mains.

**No minimum marks, no stream restriction, and distance/open degrees from recognized institutions are accepted