Urdu 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
Answer must be written in Urdu
Section A
Development of Urdu Language
(a) Development of Indo-Aryan
(i) Old Indo-Aryan
(ii) Middle Indo-Aryan
(iii) New Indo-Aryan.
(b) Western Hindi and its dialects Brij Bhasha Khadi Boli, Haryanavi, Kannauji, Bundeli—Theories about
the origin of Urdu language.
(c) Dakhani Urdu—origin and development, its significant linguistic features.
(d) Social and Cultural roots of Urdu language— and its distinctive features.
Script, Phonology, Morphology, Vocabulary.
Section B
(a) Genres and their development :
(i) Poetry: Ghazal, Masnavi, Qasida, Marsia, Rubai Jadid Nazm.
(ii) Prose : Novel, Short Story, Dastan, Drama, Inshaiya, Khutoot, Biography.
(b) Significant features of : (i) Deccani, Delhi and Lucknow schools, (ii) Sir Syed movement, Romantic
movement, Progressive movement, Modernism.
(c) Literary Criticism and its development with reference to Hali, Shibli, Kaleemuddin Ahmad, Ehtisham
Hussain, Ale-Ahmad Suroor.
(d) Essay writing (covering literary and imaginativetopics).
Paper II 250 marks
Answer must be written in Urdu
This paper will require first hand reading of the texts prescribed and will be designed to test the candidate's
critical ability.
Section A
1. Mir Amman Bagho-Babar
2. Ghalib Intikhab-e-Khutoot-e Ghalib
3. Mohd. Husain Azad Nairang-e-Khayal
4. Prem Chand Godan
5. Rajendra Singh Bedi Apne Dukh Mujhe Dedo
6. Abul Kalam Azad Ghubar-e-Khatir
Section B
1. Mir Intikhab-e-Kalam-e-Mir (Ed. Abdul Haq.)
2. Mir Hasan Sahrul Bayan
3. Ghalib Diwan-e-Ghalib
4. Iqbal Bal-e-Jibrail
5. Firaq Gul-e-Naghma
6. Faiz Dast-e-Saba
7. Akhtruliman Bint-e-Lamhat
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.