Loading…
Loading…
Two papers (Paper VI and Paper VII of the Main Examination), 250 marks each, three hours each. Complete syllabus as notified by UPSC; reproduced without changes.
NOTE (i).—A candidate may be required to answer some or all the Questions in the language concerned. NOTE (ii).—In regard to the languages included in the Eighth Schedule to Constitution, the scripts will be the same as indicated in Section II (B) of Appendix I relating to the Main Examination. NOTE (iii).—Candidates should note that the questions not required to be answered in a specific language will have to be answered in the language medium indicated by them for answering papers on Essay, General Studies and Optional Subjects.
History of Language and Literature.
[Answers must be written in Bengali]
1. The chronological track from Proto Indo-European to Bangla (Family tree with branches and
approximate dates).
2. Historical stages of Bangla (Old, Middle, New) and their linguistic features.
3. Dialects of Bangla and their distinguishing characteristics.
4. Elements of Bangla Vocabulary.
5. Forms of Bangla Literary Prose—Sadhu and Chalit.
6. Processes of language change relevant for Bangla :
Apinihiti (Anaptyxis), Abhishruti (umlaut), Murdhanyibhavan (cerebralization), Nasikyibhavan
(Nasalization), Samibhavan (Assimilation), Sadrishya (Analogy), Svaragama (Vowel insertion) —Adi
Svaragama, Madhya Svaragama or Svarabhakti, Antya Svaragama, Svarasangati (Vowel harmony),
y—shruti and w—shruti.
7. Problems of standardization and reform of alphabet and spelling, and those of transliteration and
Romanization.
8. Phonology, Morphology and Syntax of Modern Bangla.
(Sounds of Modern Bangla, Conjuncts; word formations, compounds; basic sentence patterns.)
1. Periodization of Bangla Literature : Old Bangla and Middle Bangla.
2. Points of difference between modern and pre-modern Bangla Literature.
3. Roots and reasons behind the emergence of modernity in Bangla Literature.
4. Evolution of various Middle Bangla forms ; Mangal Kavyas, Vaishnava lyrics, Adapted narratives
(Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata) and religious biographies.
5. Secular forms in middle Bangla literature.
6. Narrative and lyric trends in the nineteenth century Bangla poetry.
7. Development of prose.
8. Bangla dramatic literature (nineteenth century, Tagore, Post-1944 Bangla drama).
9. Tagore and post-Tagoreans.
10. Fiction, major authors :
Bankimchandra, Tagore, Saratchandra, Bibhutibhusan, Tarasankar, Manik ).
11. Women and Bangla literature : creators and created.
Prescribed texts for close study
[Answers must be written in Bengali]
1. Vaishnava Padavali (Calcutta University)
Poems of Vidyapati, Chandidas, Jnanadas, Govindadas and Balaramdas.
2. Chandimangal Kalketu episode by Mukunda (Sahitya Akademi).
3. Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya Lila by Krishnadas Kaviraj (Sahitya Akademi).
4. Meghnadbadh Kavya by Madhusudan Dutta.
5. Kapalkundala by Bankimchandra Chatterjee.
6. Samya and Bangadesher Krishak by Bankimchandra Chatterjee.
7. Sonar Tari by Rabindranath Tagore.
8. Chhinnapatravali by Rabindranath Tagore.
9. Raktakarabi by Rabindranath Tagore.
10. Nabajatak by Rabindranath Tagore.
11. Grihadaha by Saratchandra Chatterjee.
12. Prabandha Samgraha, Vol. 1, by Pramatha Choudhuri.
13. Aranyak by Bibhutibhusan Banerjee.
14. Short stories by Manik Bandyopadhyay : Atashi Mami, Pragaitihasik, Holud-Pora, Sarisrip,
Haraner Natjamai, Chhoto-Bokulpurer Jatri, Kustharogir Bou, Jakey Ghush Ditey Hoy.
15. Shrestha Kavita by Jibanananda Das.
16. Jagori by Satinath Bhaduri.
17. Ebam Indrajit by Badal Sircar.
Source: UPSC Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE dated 04.02.2026 (Civil Services Examination, 2026), Section III, Part B: Syllabi. Always check the current year’s official notification before you begin preparation.