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Download UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus 2024

PWOnlyIAS April 18, 2024 07:49 4009 0

Learn about the strategies, recommended books, and weightage analysis of the marks for the UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension syllabus for 2024.

Download UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus 2024

The UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension 2024 syllabus includes important strategies, recommended books, exam pattern and FAQs. Let’s explore all you need to know!

UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension 2024

The UPSC CSE Prelims paper usually consists of two sections: General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT). Paper-I covers topics like history, geography, economics, and current affairs, while CSAT tests aptitude and comprehension skills. Both papers are objective type with multiple-choice questions.

Preparing for the CSAT is crucial due to its increasing difficulty level in recent years. As the competition intensifies, mastering aptitude and comprehension skills becomes essential to ensuring clearing the qualifying cutoff and advancing to the next stage of the UPSC exam.

General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) paper is a qualifying type (minimum 33%). It’s important to know that if you fail the CSAT, regardless of how well you score in General Studies Paper 1, you won’t make it to the Prelims merit list, and you’ll be out of the competition.

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UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Exam Pattern

Paper name GS Paper II (CSAT)
Questions 80 – Objective Type
Marks 200 Marks
Qualifying Marks Minimum 33%
Marks per questions 2.5 marks per question
Negative Marking or 0.83 negative marks for every wrong  answer
Duration of Exam 2 Hours
Languages English and Hindi

In the CSAT paper, Reading Comprehension is given the highest weight when compared to all other categories. The question weightage for comprehension ranges from 25 to 30 each year. A complete detail of the Reading Comprehension syllabus is provided here. Read the blog for more details!

Overview Of UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus

The overall syllabus for General Studies Paper II (CSAT) is given below as per UPSC notifications:

  1. Comprehension
  2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills; 
  3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability; 
  4. Decision making and problem solving; 
  5. General mental ability
  6. Basic numeracy – Class X Level (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude), Data interpretation – Class X Level (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc)

UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus 2024

The GS Paper II (CSAT) Reading Comprehension Section is regarded as one of the simpler but most time-consuming sections of the UPSC IAS Prelims Exam. This portion can be among the highest scoring areas for candidates in the IAS Prelims Exam if it is well- practiced. The following topic-wise reading comprehension syllabus assesses the candidate’s comprehension, interpretation, and analysis of textual material:

  1. Reading Passages: One or more reading passages will be given to you during comprehension examinations. This section may cover a broad variety of subjects, such as science, literature, social issues, history, economics, and more.
  2. Understanding and Interpretation: The main goals of comprehension are to evaluate your comprehension of the passages’ content and your ability to make sense of the information that is given.
  3. Inference: You can be asked to make judgments or inferences in response to comprehension questions based on the details in the passage. Your ability to draw logical conclusions and go beyond the material that is presented is put to the test.
  4. Vocabulary: A few of the questions can assess your knowledge of the terms used in the passage. This may entail determining the meaning of particular words or phrases in light of the paragraph.
  5. Contextual Understanding: You may be evaluated on your comprehension of the passage’s context and purpose by answering comprehension questions. Understanding the author’s perspective, tone, theme, and central idea are all part of this.
  6. Main Concepts and Supporting Facts: You might be asked to list the passage’s primary ideas and points, along with any facts that help to bolster them.
  7. Sequencing: In certain questions, you can be asked to put the facts, concepts, or events in the passage in a logical order.
  8. Author’s Goals: You may be asked to determine the author’s goals in penning the given passage. This includes figuring out if the writer wants to entertain, convince, educate, or debate.
  9. Comparisons: Answers to comprehension questions might ask you to weigh and contrast several elements that are discussed in the passage.
  10. Critical Assessment: You might be asked to assess the information in the passage in a critical manner in certain questions. This entails evaluating the veracity of sources and the arguments they present.
  11. Summarization: You might be asked to give a brief synopsis of the passage or a few chosen passages on certain assessments.
  12. Information Application: You might be asked how the details in the text relate to issues or circumstances that arise in the actual world.

UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Strategies for Success

  1. Read Regularly: Read actively  from diverse sources like newspapers, magazines, and novels to broaden vocabulary and understand different writing styles.
  2. Skimming: Practice skimming to grasp the main idea quickly and scanning to find specific information, saving time during exams.
  3. Retention through Text Organization: understand the text structure by paying attention to headings, subheadings, and paragraph organization for better comprehension and retention.
  4. Solve PYQ’s: Practice solving reading comprehension (RC) questions from previous year’s question papers (PYQ) within a specific time frame. This will help you understand the typical structure and format of RC passages in exams.
  5. Make Note: Take notes to summarize important details, highlight significant passages, and reinforce understanding, which can be helpful for reference later.
  6. Join Test Series: Join good test series to improve your reading skills and score.

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Despite the moderate level of comprehension required by UPSC, candidates often lose 30-40 valuable points in comprehension. These marks decide the difference between “being selected” and “having to reapply next year.” Here is a list of magazines and books that every UPSC CSAT aspirants to go for:

1. Refer to Newspapers and Magazines:

  • Read newspapers every day, paying particular attention to the editorials – The Hindu and Indian Express magazines, Frontline, or Yojana.
  • Watch talking shows like LSTV and RSTV – You can get better at language.

2. Books to Follow:

  • “How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT” by Arun Sharma.
  • “CSAT Paper II: Reading Comprehension, 6th Edition” by Ashok Kumar Singh & Nagendra Pratap
  • “Proficiency in Reading Comprehension” by Ajay Singh.
  • “Reading Comprehension GMAT Prep Guide” by Manhattan Prep Publishing.

Marks Weightage Of UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus

Based on the review of previous year exam questions, the UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension syllabus has an acceptable amount of weight as per allocated topics. Both intellectual and practical questions are raised in this analysis. Below is a full breakdown of how reading comprehension questions are weighted every year from 2011 to 2023:

Exam Year Number of Reading Comprehension Questions
2011 39
2012 40
2013 33
2014 31
2015 30
2016 28
2017 30
2018 26
2019 30
2020 26
2021 27
2022 27
2023 27

A well-thought-out plan can assist the CSAT applicants in solving the high-level questions in the comprehension section. Completing the prelims test series and practicing past comprehension questions from UPSC previous year question papers will help candidates score better. Participating in mock tests also helps them comprehend the question pattern better.

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

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Download UPSC CSAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus FAQs

Class 12 grades have no bearing on UPSC CSAT. You must have a bachelor's degree in the relevant field from any accredited university to be eligible for civil service employment.

A thorough study plan, previous year question practice, mock exams, and persistent attempts to increase understanding of diverse subjects are all necessary for passing the UPSC CSAT exam.

Active reading, expanding vocabulary through consistent practice, and exposure to a variety of books are all crucial for acing the CSAT comprehension exam.

Numerous skills are evaluated in UPSC CSAT exams, such as decision-making, logical thinking, problem-solving, communication abilities, intellectual aptitude, and, of course, reading comprehension. Every year, the CSAT includes 25-30 questions on comprehension, which is the subject with the highest significance.

To improve your comprehension skills, read diverse topics actively and solve comprehension passages from a variety of sources, such as government reports, legal documents, and newspapers, regularly.
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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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