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UPSC Punjabi Literature Syllabus For IAS Mains 2024, Download PDF

Punjabi Literature is one of the 23 language options you can choose for the UPSC mains examination. It is mentioned in the UPSC syllabus section as “Literature of any of the following languages”. This article provides you with all the important details of Punjabi literature to help you score well in this subject. We describe in short, what the Punjabi literature syllabus covers, its importance, and how to prepare effectively. We will also provide smart tips and resources to help you do your best in the exam. UPSC Punjabi Literature is the best choice for the UPSC IAS Mains exam if you are good at Punjabi or have a strong interest in the language. Also learning Punjabi literature gives you a deep understanding of Punjab’s culture and literary history. The subject is divided into two papers: Paper I and Paper II. Each paper has 250 marks, making a total of 500 marks for both papers.

UPSC Punjabi Syllabus

The UPSC Civil Services Examination has three stages: preliminary, mains, and interview. For the UPSC IAS Exam, candidates must select one optional Subject. It has a considerable impact on the ranking of candidates. Current statistics indicate that the success rate of Literature disciplines is increasing with time.

Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language that serves as the state’s lingua franca. It’s also popular in Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana, as well as sections of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. It is one of India’s official languages, written in Gurumukhi and the Persian-derived Shahmukhi script.

This article provides you with complete information regarding the UPSC Odia Literature Syllabus that’s required to prepare for the UPSC Syllabus.

UPSC Punjabi Literature Syllabus

Punjabi literature is included in the UPSC Mains as an optional subject in the civil services examination. This article lists the UPSC Punjabi literature Syllabus for the IAS Mains exam. Punjabi is written in the Gurumukhi script for the Civil Services Exam.

The history of the language and literature, main literary traditions, significant dialects, and the creation of the Gurumukhi script are all covered in the Punjabi literature course. It also provides a critical examination of important works by well-known Punjabi authors. Punjabi optional comprises two papers of  250 marks each.  The PDF of the Punjabi Literature syllabus is provided below.

UPSC Punjabi Literature Syllabus Paper 1

It covers Ancient and medieval Punjabi literature and also includes modern works, like mystic, romantic, progressive, and experimental pieces. The paper also focuses on folk literature, epics, plays, novels, short stories, essays, and literary criticism. Check out the complete syllabus in the table below:

Section – 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Classical background : Nath Jogi Sahit.

Medieval Literature : Gurmat, Suti, Kissa and Var : janamsakhis.

Section- B
 

  • Mysticromantic, 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).

  • 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).

  • 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).

  • 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).

 

UPSC Punjabi Literature Syllabus Paper 2

The following is the syllabus for Punjabi Literature Paper-2 for the civil services examination:

Punjabi Literature Syllabus Paper 2
Section A  Section B
  • Sheikh Farid: The complete Bani as included in the Adi Granth.
  • Guru Nanak: Japu Ji. Baramah. Asa di Var.
  • Bulleh Shah: Kafian
  • Waris Shah: Heer
  • Poet

Shah Mohammad : Jangnama (Jang Singhante Firangian)

Dhani Ram Chatrik (Poet): Chandan Vari, Sufi Khana, Nawan Jahan

  • Novelist

Nanak Singh : Chitta Lahu, Pavittar Papi, Ek Mian Do Talwaran

  • Essayist

Gurbaksh Singh Zindagi-di-Ras: Nawan Shivala, Merian Abhul Yadaan.

  • Travelogue

Balraj Sahni: Mera Roosi Safarnama, Mera Pakistani Safarnama

  • Dramatist

Balwant Gargi: Loha Kutt, Dhuni-di-Agg, Sultan Razia

  • Critic

Sant Singh Sekhon: Sahityarth, Parsidh Punjabi Kavi, Punjabi Kav Shiromani.

 

This article discusses the complete UPSC Punjabi Literature Syllabus for UPSC/IAS. Candidates can download the PDF in this article. For more details related to UPSC Examination; students can visit the official website of StudyIQ UPSC Online Coaching.

UPSC Punjabi Literature Exam Pattern 2024

The Punjabi Literature exam has two papers, each has 250 marks, a total of 500 marks. The papers include both multiple-choice questions and essay-type questions. They test how well you understand, analyze the Punjabi literary works. check out the table below

UPSC Punjabi Literature Exam Pattern 2024
Mains Paper Paper VI and Paper VII
Papers Punjabi Literature Optional

Paper-I and Paper-II

Total Marks 500
Time allowed 3 Hours/ paper
Total Sections Section A and Section B
Questions 8
Mandatory Question Questions 1 and 5
Marks Distribution b/w Questions 10 marks

15 marks

20 marks

Writing Language Punjabi (Gurbani)

How to prepare for UPSC Punjabi Literature 2024?

To prepare for the Punjabi Literature optional in the UPSC exam, follow these steps:

  • Understand the Syllabus: Start by getting a clear idea of syllabus what topics you will need to study.
  • Make a Study Plan: Create a schedule like what you need to study and when, to cover everything completely
  • Practice Writing Answers: Spend time each day practicing writing answers in Punjabi to improve your speed, accuracy, and expression.
  • Read the Original Texts: Read the original literary works carefully to catch their language and style.
  • Stay on Topic: Make sure your answers relevant to the exam questions without going off track.
  • Compare Literatures: Compare Punjabi literature with works from other languages or cultures to enhance your answers.
  • Think Critically: Develop your ability to analyze and interpret literary works more deeply.
  • Practice Past Questions: Regularly work on questions from previous years to check patterns, build confidence, and improve your exam strategy.

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FAQs

Can we do UPSC in Punjabi language?

If you hold a degree in Punjabi literature as your main subject, you can choose Punjabi as an optional subject for the UPSC Mains exam.

Is Punjabi literature a good optional for UPSC?

Yes, Punjabi literature is a good optional choice for UPSC aspirants to qualify UPSC IAS examination. Although the UPSC Punjabi optional syllabus is lengthy, it is still a fantastic alternative for those who have a strong command of the language. For those who are fluent in the language, it is strongly advised because the syllabus is largely static and constrained.

Can we give IAS interview in Punjabi?

Candidates can choose between English, Hindi, and any other regional language. Those candidates who have been exempted from taking the mandatory Indian language paper should attend the interview in either English or Hindi.

Which is the toughest optional in UPSC?

Geography is considered the toughest optional in UPSC.

Is writing Punjabi hard?

Punjabi is a simple language to speak, but it is the most difficult to write and read. For native Punjabi speakers, the sentence structure, vocabulary, and tone of the language can cause reading difficulties.