Punjabi Literature
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.
Paper I 250 marks
Answers must be written in Punjabi in Gurumukhi script
Section A
(a) Origin of Punjabi Language; different stages of development and recent development in Punjabi
Language; characteristics of Punjabi phonology and the study of its tones; classification of vowels and
consonants.
(b) Punjabi morphology; the number-gender system (animate and inanimate), prefixes, affixes and
different categories of Post positions; Punjabi word formation; Tatsam. Tad Bhav. forms; Sentence
structure, the notion of subject and object in Punjabi; Noun and verb phrases.
(c) Language and dialect : the notions of dialect and idiolect: major dialects of Punjabi : Pothohari, Majhi,
Doabi, Malwai, Paudhi; the validity of speech variation on the basis of social stratification, the distinctive
features of various dialects with special reference to tones Language and script; origin and development of
Gurumukhi; Suitability of Gurumukhi for Punjabi.
(d) Classical background : Nath Jogi Sahit.
Medieval Literature : Gurmat, Suti, Kissa and Var : janamsakhis.
Section B
(a) Modern trends Mystic, romantic, progressive and neomystic (Vir Singh, Puran Singh, Mohan Singh,
Amrita Pritam, Bawa Balwant, Pritam Singh Safeer, J. S. Neki).
Experimentalist (Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, Ravinder Ravi, Ajaib Kamal).
Aesthetes (Harbhajan Singh, Tara Singh). Neo-progressive (Pash, Jagtar, Patar).
(b) Folk Literature Folk songs, Folk tales, Riddles, Proverbs.
Epic (Vir Singh, Avtar Singh Azad, Mohan Singh).
Lyric (Gurus, Sufis and Modern Lyricists-Mohan Singh, Amrita Pritam, Shiv Kumar,
Harbhajan Singh).
(c) Drama (I.C. Nanda, Harcharan Singh, Balwant Gargi, S.S. Sekhon, Charan Das Sidhu).
Novel (Vir Singh, Nanak Singh, Jaswant Singh Kanwal, K.S. Duggal, Sukhbir, Gurdial
Singh, Dalip Kaur Tiwana, Swaran Chandan).
Short Story (Sujan Singh, K. S. Virk, Prem Parkash, Waryam Sandhu).
(d) Socio-cultural Sanskrit, Persian and Western.
Literary influences;
Essay (Puran Singh, Teja Singh, Gurbaksh Singh).
Literary Criticism (S.S. Sekhon, Attar Singh, Kishan Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Najam Hussain Sayyad).
Paper II 250 marks
Answers must be written in Punjabi in Gurumukhi script
This paper will require first-hand reading of the texts prescribed and will be designed to test the candidate’s
critical ability.
Section A
(a) Sheikh Farid The complete Bani as includedin the Adi Granth.
(b) Guru Nanak Japu Ji. Baramah. Asa di Var.
(c) Bulleh Shah Kafian
(d) Waris Shah Heer
Section B
(a) Shah Mohammad Jangnama (Jang Singhante Firangian)
Dhani Ram Chatrik Chandan Vari
(Poet) Sufi Khana
Nawan Jahan
(b) Nanak Singh Chitta Lahu
(Novelist) Pavittar Papi
Ek Mian Do Talwaran
(c) Gurbaksh Singh Zindagi-di-Ras
(Essayist) Nawan Shivala
Merian Abhul Yadaan.
Balraj Sahni Mera Roosi Safarnama
(Travelogue) Mera Pakistani Safarnama
(d) Balwant Gargi Loha Kutt
(Dramatist) Dhuni-di-Agg
Sultan Razia
Sant Singh Sekhon Sahityarth
(Critic) Parsidh Punjabi Kavi
Punjabi Kav Shiromani.
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.