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UPSC Prelims 2026 Answer Key — CSAT Paper 2

Check your CSAT Paper 2 answers, calculate your score instantly, and verify your qualifying status against the 33% threshold. Compare answers across top coaching institutes.

CSAT Qualifying Status Check

Total Marks

200

80 Questions x 2.5 marks

Qualifying Threshold

33%

66.67 / 200 marks

Negative Marking

-0.833

1/3 of 2.5 per wrong answer

Important: CSAT is Qualifying Only

Your CSAT score is not added to the merit list. Only your GS Paper 1 score determines your Prelims rank. However, if you score below 66.67 marks in CSAT, your GS Paper 1 will not be evaluated at all. You need to answer at least 27 questions correctly (with zero wrong answers) to safely qualify.

80

Questions

2 hrs

Duration

200

Total Marks

66.67

Qualifying Marks

CSAT Answer Key Comparison — All 80 Questions

Compare CSAT Paper 2 answer keys from leading coaching institutes. Questions where institutes disagree are highlighted for your reference.

Q. No.UnlockIASInstitute AInstitute BInstitute CConsensus
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Answer keys will be updated here after the exam. Showing Q1-Q80.

CSAT Paper 2 Subject Areas

Comprehension

Passage-based questions testing reading comprehension, inference, and analysis

Approx. 25-30 questions

Logical Reasoning

Syllogisms, arrangements, coding-decoding, blood relations, and puzzles

Approx. 15-20 questions

Analytical Ability

Statements & assumptions, conclusions, arguments, and course of action

Approx. 8-12 questions

Data Interpretation

Tables, charts, graphs — extracting and computing data from visual formats

Approx. 10-15 questions

Decision Making

Situational judgment and ethical decision-making scenarios

Approx. 5-8 questions

Basic Numeracy

Number systems, order of magnitude, ratios, percentages, and basic math

Approx. 5-10 questions

Calculate Your CSAT Score Instantly

Enter your answers and get your score, qualifying status, and subject-wise breakdown in seconds. Know exactly where you stand before the official results.

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CSAT Scoring Quick Reference

ScenarioCorrectWrongUnattemptedNet ScoreStatus
Safe Qualify40202083.34Qualified
Borderline30104066.67Just Qualified
At Risk28153757.51Not Qualified
Minimum Correct (0 wrong)2705367.50Qualified

Formula: Net Score = (Correct x 2.5) - (Wrong x 0.833). Qualifying mark = 66.67 (33% of 200).

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Frequently Asked Questions — CSAT Paper 2

What is the qualifying marks for CSAT Paper 2 in UPSC Prelims 2026?
CSAT Paper 2 is qualifying in nature. You need to score at least 33% of the total marks, which is 66.67 out of 200, to qualify. Your CSAT score is NOT added to the GS Paper 1 merit list — it is purely a qualifying paper.
How is the CSAT Paper 2 score calculated?
CSAT Paper 2 has 80 questions worth 2.5 marks each (total 200 marks). There is a negative marking of 0.833 marks (one-third of 2.5) for each wrong answer. Unanswered questions carry no penalty. Your net score = (Correct x 2.5) - (Wrong x 0.833).
What happens if I don't qualify in CSAT?
If you fail to score 66.67 marks (33%) in CSAT Paper 2, your GS Paper 1 answer sheet will NOT be evaluated. You will be considered disqualified from Prelims regardless of your GS score. This is why CSAT, though qualifying, must be taken seriously.
When will the official UPSC CSAT answer key be released?
UPSC does not release an official answer key immediately after the exam. Coaching institutes release their answer keys within hours to a few days. The official UPSC answer key is released only after the final result declaration, usually months later.
Why do different coaching institutes have different answers for CSAT questions?
CSAT questions, especially in comprehension and logical reasoning, can sometimes have ambiguous answer options. Different institutes may interpret passage-based questions differently. Our comparison tool helps you see where institutes agree and disagree, giving you a consensus answer.
What are the main topics covered in CSAT Paper 2?
CSAT Paper 2 covers six areas: Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability, Data Interpretation, Basic Numeracy (numbers, order of magnitude, etc.), Decision Making, and General Mental Ability. Comprehension typically carries the highest weightage at 30-40% of the paper.
Can I use a calculator in CSAT Paper 2?
No, calculators or any electronic devices are strictly prohibited in the UPSC Prelims examination hall. All calculations in CSAT must be done manually. The questions are designed to be solvable without a calculator using mental math and approximation techniques.
How accurate is the UnlockIAS CSAT answer key?
Our CSAT answer key is prepared by subject-matter experts and cross-verified with multiple coaching institute keys. We aggregate answers from leading institutes and highlight disputed questions so you get the most reliable evaluation possible.