{"id":10488,"date":"2026-03-15T17:14:54","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T11:44:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=10488"},"modified":"2026-03-16T12:59:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T07:29:28","slug":"upsc-kannada-literature-syllabus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/upsc-kannada-literature-syllabus\/","title":{"rendered":"UPSC Kannada Literature Syllabus 2026 for CSE Paper 1 and 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

UPSC Kannada Literature Syllabus 2026:<\/strong> 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

UPSC Kannada Literature Optional<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

UPSC Kannada Literature Syllabus 2026<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

UPSC Kannada Literature Syllabus For Paper 1\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Section A<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

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A. History of Kannada Language<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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    \r\n\t
  • What is Language? General characteristics of Language. Dravidian Family of Languages and its specific features. Antiquity of Kannada Language. Different phases of its Development.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • Dialects of Kannada Language: Regional and Social. Various aspects of developments of Kannada Language: phonological and Semantic changes. Language borrowing.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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B. History of Kannada Literature<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • Medieval Kannada literature: Influence and Trends.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • Vachana Literature: Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • Medieval Poets: Harihara, Raghavanka, Kumara-Vyasa.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • Dasa literature: Purandara and Kanaka.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • Sangataya: Ratnakarvarni<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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C. Modern Kannada literature\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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Influence, trends and ideologies, Navodaya, Pragatishila, Navya, Dalita and Bandaya.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

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Section B<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

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A. Poetics and Literary Criticism<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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    \r\n\t
  • Definition and concepts of poetry; Word, Meaning, Alankara, Reeti, Rasa, Dhwani, Auchitya.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • Interpretations of Rasa Sutra. Modern Trends of literary criticism: Formalist, Historical, Marxist, Feminist, Post-colonial criticism.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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B. Cultural History of Karnataka<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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    \r\n\t
  • Contribution of Dynasties to the culture of Karnataka: Chalukyas of Badami and Kalyani, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara rulers, in literary context.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • Major religions of Karnataka and their cultural contribution.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • Arts of Karnataka; Sculpture, Architecture, Painting, Music, Dance\u2014in the literary context.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • Unification of Karnataka and its impact on Kannada literature.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

    UPSC Kannada Literature Syllabus For Paper 2\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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    Section A<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

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    A. Old Kannada Literature<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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      \r\n\t
    • Vikramaarjuna Vijaya of Pampa (Cantos 12 & 13), (Mysore University Pub.)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    • Vaddaraadhane (Sukumaraswamyia Kathe, Vidyutchorana Kathe)<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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    B. Medieval Kannada Literature<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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    • Vachana, Kammata, Ed. K. Marulasiddappa K.R. Nagaraj (Bangalore University Pub.)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    • Janapriya Kanakasamputa, Ed. D. Javare Gowda (Kannada and Culture Directorate, Bangalore)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    • Nambiyannana Ragale, Ed., T.N. Sreekantaiah (Ta. Vem. Smaraka Grantha Male, Mysore)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    • Kumaravyasa Bharata: Karna Parva (Mysore University)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    • Bharatesha Vaibhava Sangraha Ed Ta. Su. Shama Rao (Mysore University)<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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    Section B<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

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    A. Modern Kannada Literature<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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      \r\n\t
    • Poetry: Hosagannada Kavite, Ed. G.H. Nayak (Kannada Saahitya Parishattu, Bangalore)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    • Novel: Bettada Jeeva\u2014Shivarama Karanta, Madhavi\u2014Anupama Niranjana, Odalaala- Devanuru Mahadeva.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    • Short Story: Kannada Sanna Kathegalu, Ed. G.H. Nayak (Sahitya Academy, New Delhi)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    • Drama: Shudra Tapaswi\u2014Kuvempu. Tughlaq\u2014Girish Karnad.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    • Vichara Sahitya: Devaru\u2014A.N. Moorty Rao (Pub: D.V.K.Moorty, Mysore.)<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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    B. Folk Literature\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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