Sanskrit Syllabus UPSC Mains Exam

Sanskrit Syllabus Paper-I

There will be three questions  as indicated in the question paper which must be answered in Sanskrit. The remaining questions must be answered either in Sanskrit or in the medium of examination opted by the candidate.

Section-A

1. Significant features of the grammar, with particular stress on Sanjna, Sandhi, Karaka, Samasa, Kartari and Karmani vacyas (voice usages) (to be answered in Sanskrit).
2. (a) Main characteristics of Vedic Sanskrit language.

(b) Prominent features of classical Sanskrit language.

(c) Contribution of Sanskrit to linguistic studies.

3. General Knowledge of→–

(a) Literary history of Sanskit,

(b) Principal trends of literary criticism

(c) Ramayana,

(d) Mahabharata

(e) The origin and development of literary geners of→

• Mahakavya
• Rupaka (drama)
• Katha
• Akhyayika
• Campu
• Khandakavya
• Muktaka Kavya.

Section-B

4. Essentials of Indian Culture with stress on
5. a) Purusarthas-
6. b) Samskaras-
7. c) Varnasramavyavastha
8. d) Arts and fine arts
9. e) Technical sciences
10. Trends of Indian Philosophy
11. a) Mimansa
12. b) Vedanta
13. c) Nyaya
14. d) Vaisesika
15. e) Sankhya
16. f) Yoga
17. g) Bauddha
18. h) Jaina
19. i) Carvaka
20. Short Essay in Sanskrit
21. Unseen passage with the questions, to be answered in Sanskrit.

Sanskrit Syllabus Paper-II

Question from Group 4 is to be answered in Sanskrit only. Question from Groups 1, 2 and 3 are to be answered either in Sanskrit or in the medium opted by the candidate.

Section-A

General study of the following groups→–

Group 1 a) Raghuvamsam-Kalidasa

1. b) Kumarasambhavam-Kalidasa
2. c) Kiratarjuniyam-Bharavi
3. d) Sisupalavadham-Magha
4. e) Naisadhiyacaritam-Sriharsa
5. f) Kadambari-Banabhatta
6. g) Dasakumaracaritam -Dandin
7. h) Sivarajyodayam-S.B. Varnekar

Group 2 a) Isavasyopanisad

1. b) Bhagavadgita
2. c) Sundarakanda of Valmiki’s   Ramayana
3. d) Arthasastra of Kautilya

Group 3 a) Svapnavasavadattam- Bhasa

1. b) Abhijnanasakuntalam- Kalidasa
2. c) Mrcchakatikam-Sudraka
3. d) Mudraraksasam-Visakhadatta
4. e) Uttararamacaritam- Bhavabhuti
5. f) Ratnavali-Sriharshavardhana
6. g) Venisamharam- Bhattanarayana

Group 4 Short notes in Sanskrit on the following→–

1. a) Meghadutam-Kalidasa
2. b) Nitisatakam-Bhartrhari
3. c) Panchtantra-
4. d) Rajatarangini-Kalhana
5. e) Harsacaritam-Banabhatta
6. f) Amarukasatakam-Amaruka
7. g) Gitagovindam-Jayadeva

Section-B

Questions from Groups 1 & 2 are to be answered in Sanskrit only. (Questions from Groups 3 & 4 are to be answered in Sanskrit or in the medium opted by the candidate).

This Section will require first hand reading of the following selected texts →–

Group 1 (a) Raghuvansam-Canto I, Verses 1 to 10

(b) Kumarasambhavam-Canto I, Verses 1 to 10

(c) Kiratarjuniyam-Canto I, Verses 1 to 10

Group 2 (a) Isavasyopanisad-verses-1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 15 and 18

(b) Bhagavatgita II chapter verses 13 to 25

(c) Sundarakandam of Valmiki Canto 15, Verses 15 to 30 (Geeta Press Edition)

Group 3 (a) Meghadutam-verses 1 to 10

(b) Nitisatakam-Verses 1 to 10 (Edited by D.D. Kosambi Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Publication)

(c) Kadambari-Sukanasopadesa (only)

Group 4 (a) Svapnavasavadattam Act VI

(b) Abhijnansakuntalam Act IV verses 15 to 30

(M.R. Kale Edition)

(c) Uttararamacaritam Act 1 verses 31 to 47

(M.R. Kale Edition)