UPSC Sanskrit Syllabus 2020 For IAS Mains | PDF Download

Sanskrit Literature Syllabus For UPSC 2020

IAS Exam has one of the optional literature paper as Sanskrit. It has two papers (1 & 2), each of 250 marks summing up to 500 for the paper. This paper proves to be a scoring subject for aspirants who are well versed & acquainted with the Sanskrit language. Having knowledge of the grammatical aspects of the language is also important. It is easy to crack this optional subject for those who are native Sanskrit speakers and familiar with it. This article provides you with the latest Sanskrit literature optional syllabus for UPSC IAS Mains 2020.

UPSC Mains 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 genres of:

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

Section B

4. Essentials of Indian Culture with stress on

a) Purusarthas-
b) Samskaras-
c) Varnasramavyavastha
d) Arts and fine arts
e) Technical sciences

5. Trends of Indian Philosophy

a) Mimansa
b) Vedanta
c) Nyaya
d) Vaisesika
e) Sankhya
f) Yoga
g) Bauddha
h) Jaina
i) Carvaka

6. Short Essay in Sanskrit

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

UPSC Mains 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
b) Kumarasambhavam-Kalidasa
c) Kiratarjuniyam-Bharavi
d) Sisupalavadham-Magha
e) Naisadhiyacaritam-Sriharsa
f) Kadambari-Banabhatta
g) Dasakumaracaritam -Dandin
h) Sivarajyodayam-S.B. Varnekar

Group 2 

a) Isavasyopanisad
b) Bhagavadgita
c) Sundarakanda of Valmiki’s   Ramayana
d) Arthasastra of Kautilya

Group 3

a) Svapnavasavadattam- Bhasa
b) Abhijnanasakuntalam- Kalidasa
c) Mrcchakatikam-Sudraka
d) Mudraraksasam-Visakhadatta
e) Uttararamacaritam- Bhavabhuti
f) Ratnavali-Sriharshavardhana
g) Venisamharam- Bhattanarayana

Group 4 

Short notes in Sanskrit on the following:-

a) Meghadutam-Kalidasa
b) Nitisatakam-Bhartrhari
c) Panchtantra-
d) Rajatarangini-Kalhana
e) Harsacaritam-Banabhatta
f) Amarukasatakam-Amaruka
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)

Also, Check Other UPSC IAS Optional Subject’s Syllabus

Facts about the Sanskrit Language

Sanskrit is the language which runs through the blood of Hinduism. All religious and ancient scriptures, manuscripts and texts are written and formulated in Sanskrit. Age old hymns, verses and songs on deities can be found preached, practised and written in Sanskrit in its truest form.

The ancient Vedic culture and the gurukul tradition imbibed Sankrit through their life. Sanskrit was not just a language, and it was a way of living for many in ancient India. Apart from Hinduism, Sanskrit is also part of Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. These three religions originated and branched from Hinduism alone, so it is quite natural to find the Sanskrit connection in all of them.

The language contains the best form of entirety in itself. It is complete in all respects and is imbibed with the best way to express views and ideas in the spoken form, written form, expression in other forms of arts, poetry, crossing over emotions, etc. Generating any form of emotion or idea and giving it life through the language is beautifully comprehended with the rich spread of vocabulary in the language form.

The route taken by the language through which it traversed from the deities to the common man on the Earth is well established over centuries. Brahma used the language to communicate with his sages, and this communication was kept intact likewise with other celestial deities as well.

Slowly, the sages started conversing in the language with their disciples which further continued for many ages to come. This is the journey of the language starting from the celestial deities to the folks on Earth.
The earliest form of mention about the language is in Rig Veda. The hymns and scriptures in the Vedic literature were earlier in the verbose form, mostly through word-of-mouth form from sages through their disciples and continuing though forthcoming generations.

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