UPSC Sanskrit Syllabus

Sanskrit is one of the oldest known languages and is also the mother of many Indian Languages. This language is generally considered difficult but it is mainly because it is less popular now. Once you get a hold of grammar, it can be learnt just as easily. The Union Public Service Commission releases the UPSC Sanskrit optional syllabus every year through their official exam recruitment notification. Candidates need to stay up-to-date with the latest notifications and that’s why this article would outline the UPSC Sanskrit syllabus for students’ reference.

Sanskrit Literature is one of the less chosen optional subjects in the UPSC Civil Services Exam and the competition is low which makes scoring in this subject relatively easy. Candidates wanting to choose Sanskrit Literature as their optional subject should go through this article before applying.

UPSC Sanskrit Optional Syllabus For Paper 1

As per the official UPSC sanskrit syllabusfor Paper 1, there will be three questions as indicated in the question paper which must be answered in Sanskrit. The remaining questions shall be answered either in Sanskrit or in the medium of examination opted by the candidate.

Given below is a detailed syllabus for UPSC Sanskrit Literature Paper 1:

Section A

• Significant features of the grammar, with particular stress on Sanjna, Sandhi, Karaka, Samasa, Kartari and Karmani vacyas (voice usages) (to be answered in Sanskrit)
• Main characteristics of Vedic Sanskrit language, Prominent feature of classical Sanskrit language, Contribution of Sanskrit to linguistic studies
• General Knowledge of :—
  • Literary history of Sanskrit
  • Principal trends of literary criticism
  • Ramayana
  • Mahabharata
• The origin and development of literary geners of:
  • Mahakavya
  • Rupaka (drama)
  • Katha
  • Akhyayika
  • Campu
  • Khandakavya
  • Muktaka Kavya

Section B

• Essential of Indian Culture with stress on:
  • Purusãrthas
  • Samskãras
  • Varnãsramavyavasthã
  • Arts and Fine Arts
  • Technical Sciences
• Trends of Indian Philosophy
  • Mïmansã
  • Vedãnta
  • Nyaya
  • Vaisesika
  • Sãnkhya
  • Yoga
  • Bauddha
  • Jaina
  • Carvãka
• Short Essay (in Sanskrit)
• Unseen passage with the questions (to be answered in Sanskrit)

UPSC Sanskrit Optional Syllabus For Paper 2

As per the official UPSC Sanskrit syllabus for Paper 2, the Question from Group 4 is to be answered in Sanskrit only. Questions from Groups 1, 2 and 3 are to be answered either in Sanskrit or in the medium opted by the candidate.

Given below is a detailed syllabus for UPSC Sanskrit Literature Paper 2:

Section A

General study of the following groups:

Group 1

• Raghuvamsam - Kalidasa
• Kumarasambhavam - Kalidasa
• Kiratarjuniyam - Bharavi
• Sisupalavadham - Magha
• Naisadhiyacaritam - Sriharsa
• Kadambari - Banabhatta
• Dasakumaracaritam - Dandin
• Sivarajyodayam - S.B. Varnekar

Group 2

• Isãvãsyopanisad
• Bhagavadgitã
• Sundarakanda of Valmiki’s Ramayana
• Arthasastra of Kautilya

Group 3

• Svapanavasavadattam - Bhasa
• Abhijnanasakuntalam - Kalidasa
• Mricchakatikam - Sudraka
• Mudraraksasam - Visakhadatta
• Uttararamacaritam - Bhavbhuti
• Ratnavali - Sriharshavardhana
• Venisamharam - Bhattanarayana

Group 4 - Short Notes in Sanskrit on the following:

• Meghadutam - Kalidasa
• Nitisatakam - Bhartrhari
• Pancatantra
• Rajatarangini - Kalhana
• Harsacaritam - Banabhatta
• Amarukasatakam - Amaruka
• Gitagovindam - Jayadeva

Section B

Questions from Groups 1 & 2 are to be answered in Sanskrit only. Questions from Groups 3 and 4 are to be answered either in Sanskrit or in the Medium opted by the candidate.

Group 1

• Raghuvamsam - Canto I, Verses 1 to 10
• Kumarasambhavam - Canto I, Verses 1 to 10
• Kiratarjuniyaue - Canto I, Verses 1 to 10

Group 2

• Isavasyopanisad - Verses 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 15 and 18
• Bhagavatgita II Chapter Verses 13 to 25
• Sundarakandam of Valmiki Canto 15, Verses 15 to 30 (Geeta Press Edition)

Group 3

• Meghadutam - Verses 1 to 10
• Nitisatakam - Verses 1 to 10 (Edited by D.D. Kosambi Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Publication)
• Kadambari - Sukanasopadesa (only)

Group 4

• Svapnavasavadattam Act VI
• Abhijnansakuntalam Act IV Verses 15 to 30 (M.R. Kale Edition)
• Uttararamacaritam Act I Verses 31 to 47 (M.R. Kale Edition)

Check the detailed UPSC Mains Syllabus here.

The provided UPSC Sanskrit optional syllabus PDF encompasses all the topics which will be asked in the UPSC examination. It is thoughtfully organized to facilitate efficient and effective preparation for the Sanskrit optional paper. Aspirants can access the link below to download the PDF containing the UPSC Sanskrit Optional Syllabus in a structured and comprehensible manner.

UPSC Sanskrit Literature Exam Pattern

The UPSC Civil Services Examination also features subjects other than Sanskrit Literature in the Mains Exam for optional subject Paper. You can check the exam pattern of the UPSC Mains examination for Sanskrit Literature optional subject below:

• There will be two papers for Sanskrit Literature or other Optional Subjects in UPSC Mains Examination.
• Both the papers of the Sanskrit Literature Optional Subject will be 250 marks each, which totals up to 500 marks.
• All papers including both the Sanskrit Literature Optional Subject Papers are subjective.
• There is no negative marking.
• Both the Sanskrit Literature Optional Subject Papers are supposed to be written in Sanskrit only.

Tips To Prepare For UPSC Sanskrit Syllabus

Since the UPSC IAS Exam is one of the most difficult exams to crack in the world, the Optional Subject choice comes as an opportunity for the candidates to score better marks. The candidates of UPSC Sanskrit syllabus have an added benefit of a very less number of candidates choosing this optional subject. Every year only close to 100 candidates take this optional subject. Fewer candidates increase the chance of success. You may follow these tips and tricks to score even more marks in UPSC Sanskrit Literature and boost your chances to feature in UPSC Civil Services Exam Merit List and get shortlisted for the available posts:

• Consistency and discipline is the key. One must study every day and regularly.
• Start with Optional Subject UPSC Sanskrit Literature for UPSC Preparation.
• Read all the prescribed texts at least three times each.
• Interpret the texts as you would, rather than picking up on other people’s interpretations.
• Try to associate the texts with the socio-political and cultural context of the time it was written in.
• Try to find its relevance in current times.
• Also, find references to what other critics have said about the same texts.

We hope that you have gone through the UPSC Sanskrit optional syllabus thoroughly. You can download the Testbook App now and access the best online learning resources curated by experts for UPSC and several other government examinations’ information, resources and preparation material. Happy Learning!