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Indian Civil Service Exams (CSE) Syllabus - UPSC Exams

UPSC Exams Indian Civil Services Syllabus for Main Exams: Sanskrit

Paper-I

There will be three questions, 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

Significant features of the grammar, with particular stress on Sanjna, Sandhi, Karaka, Samasa, Kartari and Karmani vacyas (voice usages) (to be answered in Sanskrit).
(a) Main characteristics of Vedic Sanskrit language.
(b) Prominent features of classical Sanskrit language.
(c) Contribution of Sanskrit to linguistic studies.
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

Essentials of Indian Culture with stress on
a) Purusarthas-
b) Samskaras-
c) Varnasramavyavastha
d) Arts and fine arts
e) Technical sciences
Trends of Indian Philosophy
a) Mimansa
b) Vedanta
c) Nyaya
d) Vaisesika
e) Sankhya
f) Yoga
g) Bauddha
h) Jaina
i) Carvaka
Short Essay in Sanskrit
Unseen passage with the questions, to be answered in Sanskrit.

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

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

Group 2

Isavasyopanisad
Bhagavadgita
Sundarakanda of Valmiki’s Ramayana
Arthasastra of Kautilya

Group 3

Svapnavasavadattam- Bhasa
Abhijnanasakuntalam- Kalidasa
Mrcchakatikam-Sudraka
Mudraraksasam-Visakhadatta
Uttararamacaritam- Bhavabhuti
Ratnavali-Sriharshavardhana
Venisamharam- Bhattanarayana

Group 4

Short notes in Sanskrit on the following:-

Meghadutam-Kalidasa
Nitisatakam-Bhartrhari
Panchtantra-
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 & 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

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)