UPSC Civil Services Mains exam syllabus: Sanskrit

Paper I

Section A

There will be three questions 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.

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 features of classical Sanskrit language.

Contribution of Sanskrit to linguistic studies.

General Knowledge of:

Literary history of Sanskit,

Principal trends of literary criticism,

Ramayana,

Mahabharata

The origin and development of literary genres of:

Mahakavya

Rupaka (drama)

Katha

Akhyayika

Campu

Khandakavya

Muktaka Kavya.

Section B

Essentials of Indian Culture with stress on:

Purusarthas

Samskaras

Varnasramavyavastha

Arts and fine arts

Technical sciences

Trends of Indian Philosophy

Mimansa

Vedanta

Nyaya

Vaisesika

Sankhya

Yoga

Bauddha

Jaina

Carvaka

Short Essay in Sanskrit

Unseen passage with the questions, to be answered in Sanskrit.

Paper II

Section A

General study of the following groups:

Group 1

Raghuvamsam - Kalidasa

Kumarasambhavam - Kalidasa

Kiratarjuniyam - Bharavi

Sisupalavadham - Magha

Naisadhiyacharitam - Sriharsa

Kadambari - Banabhatta

Dasakumaracharitam - Dandin

Sivarajyodayam - S.B. Varnekar

Group 2

Isavasyopanisad

Bhagavadgita

Sundarakanda of Valmiki’s Ramayana

Arthasastra of Kautilya

Group 3

Svapnavasavadattam - Bhasa

Abhijnanasakuntalam - Kalidasa

Mrichakatikam - Sudraka

Mudraraksasam - Visakhadatta

Uttararamacharitam - Bhavabhuti

Ratnavali - Sriharshavardhana

Venisamharam - Bhattanarayana

Group 4

Short notes in Sanskrit on the following (answers must be written in Sanskrit only):

Meghadutam - Kalidasa

Nitisatakam - Bhartrhari

Panchtantra

Rajatarangini - Kalhana

Harsacharitam - Banabhatta

Amarukasatakam - Amaruka

Gitagovindam - Jayadeva

Section B

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

Group 1

Raghuvansam - Canto I, Verses 1 to 10

Kumarasambhavam - Canto I, Verses 1 to 10

Kiratarjuniyam - 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 1 verses 31 to 47 (M.R. Kale Edition)