Kashmiri has been recognised as an official Indian Language and hence Kashmiri Literature is counted as an optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services exam. The Candidates choosing Kashmiri Literature as their Optional Subject must be fluent in reading and writing Kashmiri as the examination demands to be written in Kashmiri only (Persian/Perso-Arabic script). In this article, we will have a detailed look at the UPSC Kashmiri Literature syllabus, exam pattern and preparation tips.

• There are two papers for the Kashmiri Literature Optional Subject in the UPSC Mains examination.
• Both the Optional Papers for Kashmiri Literature need to be written in Kashmiri only in the UPSC Mains Examination.

Candidates must be aware of all necessary details of the UPSC Kashmiri Literature syllabus and exam pattern. So, make sure you read this article till the end.

UPSC Kashmiri Literature Syllabus

• The written examination for the UPSC Mains Kashmiri Literature Exam is divided into two exams: Optional Subject Paper-I and Optional Subject Paper-II.
• Both the optional papers are further divided into Section A and Section B. The syllabus for the exam consists of various topics under these sections.

Topics included in the UPSC Kashmiri Literature Syllabus are as mentioned in the table below:

UPSC Kashmiri Literature Syllabus For Optional Paper 1

Have a look at the UPSC Kashmiri Optional Syllabus for Paper 1 below (Answers must be written in Kashmiri):

Section A

• Genealogical relationship of the Kashmiri language: Various Theories
• Areas of Occurence and Dialects (Geographical/Social)
• Phonology and Grammar:
  • Vowel and Consonant system
  • Nouns and Pronouns with various case inflections
  • Verbs: Various types and Tenses
• Syntactic Structure:
  • Simple, Active and Declarative Statements
  • Coordination
  • Relativisation

Section B

• Kashmiri literature in the 14th century (Socio-cultural and intellectual background with special reference to Lal Dyad and Sheikhul Alam)
• Nineteenth century Kashmiri literature (development of various genres: Vatsun, Ghazal and Mathnavi)
• Kashmiri literature in the first half of the twentieth century (with special reference to Mahjoor and Azad and other various literary influences)
• Modern Kashmiri literature (with special reference to the development of the Short Story, Drama, Novel and Nazm)

UPSC Kashmiri Literature Syllabus For Optional Paper 2

Have a look at the UPSC Kashmiri Optional Syllabus for Paper 2 below (Answers must be written in Kashmiri):

Section A

• Intensive study of Kashmiri poetry up to the nineteenth century:
  • Lal Dyad
  • Sheikhul Aalam
  • Habba Khatoon
• Kashmiri poetry: 19th Century
  • Mahmood Gami (Vatsans)
  • Maqbool shah (Gulrez)
  • Rasool Mir (Ghazals)
  • Abdul Ahad Nadim (N’at)
  • Krishanjoo Razdan (Shiv Lagun)
  • Sufi Poets (Test in Sanglaab, published by the Deptt. of Kashmiri, University of Kashmir)
• Twentieth century Kashmiri poetry (text in Azich Kashir Shairi, published by the Deptt. of Kashmiri, University of Kashmir)

4. Literary Criticism and Research Work: Development and various trends

Section B

• An Analytical Study of the short story in Kashmiri
  • Afsana Majmu’a, published by the Deptt. of Kashmiri, University of Kashmir
  • Kashur Afsana Az, published by the Sahitya Akademi
  • Hamasar Kashur Afsana, published by the Sahitya Akademi

The following short story writers only: Akhtar Mohi-ud Din, Kamil, Hari Krishan Kaul, Hraday Kaul Bharti, Bansi Nirdosh, Gulshan Majid

• Novel in Kashmiri:
  • Mujrim by G. N. Gowhar
  • Marun - Ivan Ilyichun, (Kashmiri version of Tolstoy’s), The Death of Ivan Ilyich (published by Kashmiri Deptt.)
• Drama in Kashmiri:
  • Natuk Kariv Band by Hari Krishan Kaul
  • Qk Angy Natuk, ed. Motilal Keemu, published by the Sahitya Akademi
  • Razi Oedipus, tr. Naji Munawar, published by the Sahitya Akademi
• Kashmiri Folk Literature:
  • Kashur Luki Theatre by Mohammad Subhan Bhagat,published by the Deptt. of Kashmiri, University of Kashmir
  • Kashiry Luki Beeth (all volumes) published by the J&K Cultural Academy

UPSC Kashmiri Optional Syllabus PDF

The available PDF covers the entire syllabus for the Kashmiri optional subject within the UPSC examination. It has been meticulously structured to support an efficient and productive preparation approach for the Kashmiri optional paper. Prospective candidates are welcome to utilize the provided link to acquire the PDF, which presents the well-organized and easily understandable UPSC Kashmiri optional syllabus.

UPSC Kashmiri Literature Optional Exam Pattern

Kashmiri Literature optional subject is important for the mains examination stage of the UPSC Civil Services exam. Check below the exam pattern of the UPSC Mains examination for Kashmiri Literature optional subject:

• There will be two papers for Kashmiri Literature (or any other selected optional subjects) in UPSC Mains Examination.
• Both the papers of the Kashmiri Literature optional subject will be of 250 marks each, which totals up to 500 marks.
• All papers including both the Kashmiri Literature optional subject papers are subjective
• There is no negative marking.
• Both the Kashmiri Literature optional subject papers are supposed to be written in Kashmiri language only.

Check out the detailed UPSC Civil Services Exam Pattern here.

How To Prepare For UPSC Kashmiri Literature Optional Syllabus?

Kashmiri Literature as well as other optional subjects need special attention and preparation than other subjects. It is difficult to find good guidance and resources for these subjects. That is why it is important to plan the preparation and act on it efficiently so that candidates can cover the entire syllabus in the available time. Only then, the candidates will be able to stand a chance of getting selected in the UPSC Civil Services Exam Merit List and get shortlisted for the available posts.

Here are some tips that may help candidates while preparing for the Kashmiri Literature Subject are:

• Candidates must read all the primary texts and come up with their own interpretations, criticisms and analyses. First-hand reading is the most important method of preparing for the Kashmiri Literature Optional Subject.
• Candidates should use the UPSC Kashmiri syllabus PDF provided by Testbook to keep track of all the material that they have finished reading.
• Keep track of similarities and differences among the themes in the texts and try to draw relationships between them.
• Consider understanding the time period of the literature and the impact of the current socio-political scenario over those texts.
• Pay special attention to the grammar rules of those languages and scripts.
• Use reference books to understand other people’s perspectives on those same works of literature.

Best Books For UPSC Kashmiri Literature

It is important that candidates prepare for the exam from reliable sources and good study material. We have curated a collection of the best books to study for Kashmiri Literature as well as other subjects in the UPSC Civil Services Exam. Take a look at them below:

Now that you have a fair idea about the syllabus and exam pattern of the exam, you can start your preparation now. Download the Testbook App now and access the best online learning resources curated by experts. Happy Learning!