UPSC Kannada Literature Syllabus 2026 for CSE Paper 1 and 2

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Table of Contents☰

UPSC Kannada Literature Syllabus 2026: Kannada Literature is one of the 23 Literature Optional Subjects offered by UPSC in the UPSC Optional List. In this article, we are going to cover the complete syllabus of UPSC Kannada Literature Optional and tips on how to prepare it.

UPSC Kannada Literature Optional

Kannada literature for UPSC Mains is a great optional choice for students who are well versed in the language. This optional requires a deep understanding of literature books and good knowledge of Kannada Language. Students are required to study history of Kannada literature, poetic metaphysics, cultural history of Kannada language and poets like Pampa, Ranna and Basavanna. The syllabus is divided into two papers- Paper 1 and Paper 2 both carrying 250 marks each.

UPSC Kannada Literature Syllabus 2026

UPSC Kannada Literature Optional is divided into two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Both papers are for 250 marks each and carry a weightage of 500 marks in total, creating a significant impact on the final rank of the student.

UPSC Kannada Literature Syllabus For Paper 1

Section A
A. History of Kannada Language	What is Language? General characteristics of Language. Dravidian Family of Languages and its specific features. Antiquity of Kannada Language. Different phases of its Development. Dialects of Kannada Language: Regional and Social. Various aspects of developments of Kannada Language: phonological and Semantic changes. Language borrowing.
B. History of Kannada Literature	Ancient Kannada literature: Influence and Trends, Poets for study: Specified poets from Pampa to Ratnakara Varni are to be studied in the light of contents, form and expression: Pampa, Janna, Nagachandra. Medieval Kannada literature: Influence and Trends. Vachana Literature: Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi. Medieval Poets: Harihara, Raghavanka, Kumara-Vyasa. Dasa literature: Purandara and Kanaka. Sangataya: Ratnakarvarni
C. Modern Kannada literature	Influence, trends and ideologies, Navodaya, Pragatishila, Navya, Dalita and Bandaya.
Section B
A. Poetics and Literary Criticism	Definition and concepts of poetry; Word, Meaning, Alankara, Reeti, Rasa, Dhwani, Auchitya. Interpretations of Rasa Sutra. Modern Trends of literary criticism: Formalist, Historical, Marxist, Feminist, Post-colonial criticism.
B. Cultural History of Karnataka	Contribution of Dynasties to the culture of Karnataka: Chalukyas of Badami and Kalyani, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara rulers, in literary context. Major religions of Karnataka and their cultural contribution. Arts of Karnataka; Sculpture, Architecture, Painting, Music, Dance—in the literary context. Unification of Karnataka and its impact on Kannada literature.

UPSC Kannada Literature Syllabus For Paper 2

Section A
A. Old Kannada Literature	Vikramaarjuna Vijaya of Pampa (Cantos 12 & 13), (Mysore University Pub.) Vaddaraadhane (Sukumaraswamyia Kathe, Vidyutchorana Kathe)
B. Medieval Kannada Literature	Vachana, Kammata, Ed. K. Marulasiddappa K.R. Nagaraj (Bangalore University Pub.) Janapriya Kanakasamputa, Ed. D. Javare Gowda (Kannada and Culture Directorate, Bangalore) Nambiyannana Ragale, Ed., T.N. Sreekantaiah (Ta. Vem. Smaraka Grantha Male, Mysore) Kumaravyasa Bharata: Karna Parva (Mysore University) Bharatesha Vaibhava Sangraha Ed Ta. Su. Shama Rao (Mysore University)
Section B
A. Modern Kannada Literature	Poetry: Hosagannada Kavite, Ed. G.H. Nayak (Kannada Saahitya Parishattu, Bangalore) Novel: Bettada Jeeva—Shivarama Karanta, Madhavi—Anupama Niranjana, Odalaala- Devanuru Mahadeva. Short Story: Kannada Sanna Kathegalu, Ed. G.H. Nayak (Sahitya Academy, New Delhi) Drama: Shudra Tapaswi—Kuvempu. Tughlaq—Girish Karnad. Vichara Sahitya: Devaru—A.N. Moorty Rao (Pub: D.V.K.Moorty, Mysore.)
B. Folk Literature	Janapada Swaroopa—Dr. H.M. Nayak. (Ta. Vem. Smaraka Grantha Male, Mysore.) Janpada Geetaanjali—Ed. D. Javare Gowda (Pub: Sahitya Academy, New Delhi). Kannada Janapada Kathegalu—Ed. J.S. Paramashiviaah (Mysore University). Beedi Makkalu Beledo. Ed. Kalegowda Nagavara (Pub: Bangalore University). Savirada Ogatugalu—Ed. S.G. Imrapura.

Kannada Literature Books for UPSC

The first step in preparation is to select all the necessary books for preparation. The following table contains the list of books for Kannada literature optional.

Paper 1

Paper 2

Linguistic History of Kannada Language-M.H. Krishnaiah
Kannada Bhasha Shastra- R.Y. Dharwadkar
Kannada Sahitya Charitre- R.S. Mugali
History of Karnataka by Falaksha
Literary Criticism’ by Ramachandran
MA (Kannada) books from the University of Mysore
Hosanagannadh Sahithya Charithram” by Seshagiri Rao
Karnataka Cultural Survey’ by Tipperedaswamy

Bettada Jeeva-Shivarama Karanth
Madhavi-Arupama Niranjana
Odalaala-Devanuru Mahadeva
Devaru- A.N. Moorty Rao
Kannada Janapada Kathegalu-J.S. Paramashivaiah
Janapada Swaroopa-Dr. H.M. Nayak.
Janapriya Kanakasamputa-D. G Javare Gowda
Kannada Sanna Kathegalu-G.H. Nayak
Kumaravyasa Bharata-Kumaravyasa
Tughlaq-Girish Karnad.
Nambiyannana Raagale-T.N. Sreekantaiah
Vikramarjuna Vijaya of Pampa
Pampana Samastha Bharata Kathamrita-L. Basavaraju
Shudra Tapaswi-Kuvempu
Vachana Kammata-K. Marulasiddappa K.R. Nagaraj

UPSC Kannada Literature Preparation Strategy

Preparing Kannada Literature as an optional subject in the UPSC Civil Services Examination demands structured planning, strategic execution, and consistent effort. The following approach can help aspirants optimise their preparation and maximise their scores:

Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly: Begin by developing a clear understanding of the syllabus. A comprehensive grasp of the subject's scope allows candidates to chart an effective preparation strategy.
Develop a Structured Time-Table: Create a realistic and well-balanced schedule, dividing time between General Studies and Kannada Literature. A planned approach ensures systematic coverage and better retention.
Prepare Concise Notes: Compile brief, topic-wise notes throughout your preparation. These notes, especially quotes and literary lines from authors and poets, prove invaluable during revision and add depth to your answers.
Read Original Texts: Engage deeply with original Kannada literary works. This enriches comprehension and helps cultivate a distinct, poetic writing style essential for literature papers.
Practice Daily Answer Writing: Regular writing practice in the Kannada script is essential, particularly for improving speed and fluency. Try to integrate relevant knowledge from General Studies to add contextual relevance to your answers.
Attempt Test Series: Enroll in a reliable test series to assess your preparation levels. Mock tests help identify gaps and strengthen weak areas well before the final examination.
Make Comparative Literary References: Drawing parallels with literature from other languages such as English, Greek, African, Telugu, or Tamil can elevate the uniqueness and analytical quality of your responses.
Adopt Analytical Thinking: A critical and analytical approach to literature-related questions can enhance answer quality and impress examiners, often leading to higher scores.
Solve Previous Year Questions (PYQs): PYQs provide insig
ht into important themes and recurring patterns in the exam. Regular practice with these questions builds familiarity and confidence.

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