Maithili is one of the optional literature paper in IAS Exam. It consists of two papers, i.e. (Paper I and II) carries 250 marks each, in a total of 500 marks. This paper is considered an easy one, for aspirants who are well versed with the Maithili language and are familiar with the grammatical aspects too! It is considered an easy ride for northeastern candidates who are native Maithili speakers and have a hold on the general aspects of the language. This article provides you with the latest UPSC Maithili Literature Syllabus for IAS Mains 2021. Download the complete syllabus PDF from here.
UPSC Maithili Syllabus – Paper I
History of Maithili Language and its Literature (Answer to be written in Maithili)
Part A – History of Maithili Language
- Place of Maithili in Indo-European language family.
- Origin and development of Maithili language. (Sanskrit, Prakrit, Avhatt, Maithili)
- Periodic division of Maithili Language. (Beginning, Middle era, Modern era)
- Maithili and its different dialects.
- Relationship between Maithili and other Eastern languages (Bengali, Asamese, Oriya )
- Origin and development of Tirhuta Script.
- Pronouns and Verbs in Maithili Language.
Part B – History of Maithili Literature
- Background of Maithili Literature (Religious, economic, social, and cultural).
- Periodic division of Maithili literature.
- Pre-Vidyapati Literature.
- Vidyapati and his tradition.
- Medieval Maithili Drama (Kirtaniya Natak, Ankia Nat, Maithili dramas written in Nepal .
- Maithili Folk Literature (Folk Tales, Folk Drama, Folk Stories, Folk Songs).
- Development of different literary forms in modern era
- Prabandh-kavya
- Muktak-kavya
- Novel
- Short Story
- Drama
- Essay
- Criticism
- Memoirs
- Translation
- Development of Maithili Magazines and Journals
UPSC Maithili Syllabus – Paper II
Answers must be written in Maithili. The paper will require first-hand reading of the prescribed texts and will test the critical ability of the candidates.
Part A
- Vidyapati Geet-Shati – Publisher: Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi (Lyrics – 1 to 50)
- Govind Das Bhajanavali – Publisher: Maithili Acadamy, Patna (Lyrics – 1 to 25)
- Krishnajanm – Manbodh
- Mithilabhasha Ramayana – Chanda Jha (only Sunder-Kand)
- Rameshwar Charit Mithila Ramayan – Lal Das (only Bal-kand)
- Keechak-Vadh – Tantra Nath Jha.
- Datta-Vati – Surendra Jha ‘Suman’ {only 1st and 2nd Cantos}.
- Chitra-Yatri
- Samakaleen Maithili Kavita – Publisher: Sahitaya Akademi, New Delhi .
Part B
- Varna Ratnakar – Jyotirishwar (only 2nd Kallol)
- Khattar Kakak Tarang – Hari Mohan Jha
- Lorik–Vijaya-Manipadma
- Prithvi Putra – Lalit
- Bhaphait Chahak Jinagi – Sudhanshu ‘Shekhar’ Choudhary
- Kriti Rajkamlak – Publisher: Maithili Acadamy, Patna (First Ten Stories only)
- Katha–Sangrah – Publisher: Maithili Acadamy, Patna
UPSC Maithili Syllabus 2021 – PDF Download