{"id":14526,"date":"2026-03-15T17:51:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T12:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=14526"},"modified":"2026-03-16T12:41:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T07:11:30","slug":"upsc-urdu-literature-optional-syllabus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/upsc-urdu-literature-optional-syllabus\/","title":{"rendered":"UPSC Urdu Literature Optional Syllabus 2026, Paper 1 & 2 Syllabus"},"content":{"rendered":"

The UPSC Urdu Literature Optional Syllabus 2026 offers an academic experience for aspirants fluent in Urdu and passionate about its literary heritage. This optional subject evaluates a candidate\u2019s understanding of Urdu language development, classical and modern literary forms, and critical interpretations of notable works. The UPSC Urdu Literature Optional Syllabus 2026 comprises two papers: Paper 1 focuses on the evolution, literary forms, and criticism, while Paper 2 includes the critical study of selected authors and texts. Each paper carries 250 marks, bringing the total to 500 marks in the Mains exam.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

UPSC Urdu Literature Optional Syllabus 2026 Overview<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The UPSC Urdu Literature Optional Syllabus 2026 Overview aims to assess the candidate\u2019s knowledge of the Urdu language\u2019s history, its grammatical features, literary genres, and major literary movements. Paper 1 includes the evolution of the Urdu language, its phonetics, morphology, vocabulary, and major literary forms like Ghazal, Masnavi, Qasida, Nazm, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Paper 2 consists of a critical study of literary works by legendary authors like Ghalib, Iqbal, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and others. Both papers test analytical thinking, translation skills, and critical appreciation of literature.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
UPSC Urdu Literature Optional Syllabus 2026 Overview<\/b><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Mains Papers<\/strong><\/td>\r\nSubject<\/strong><\/td>\r\nMarks<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\r\n

Paper VI<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

Urdu Literature Optional Paper 1<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

250<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Paper VII<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

Urdu Literature Optional Paper 2<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

250<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

TOTAL<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

500<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Time Duration<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

3 hours<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

UPSC Urdu Literature Optional Syllabus 2026 for Paper 1<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

UPSC Urdu Literature Optional Syllabus 2026 for Paper 1 is divided into two sections. Section A focuses on the historical evolution of Urdu, starting from Old and Middle Indo-Aryan to New Indo-Aryan and Urdu's development through dialects like Brij Bhasha, Khadi Boli, and Dakhani Urdu. It also includes an understanding of phonology, morphology, and vocabulary.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Section B covers major genres in poetry and prose, including Ghazal, Qasida, Marsia, Rubai, Novel, Short Story, Drama, and Dastan. The syllabus also explores literary movements like the Sir Syed Movement, Progressive Writer\u2019s Movement, and Modernism, along with important literary critics such as Hali, Shibli, and Ale-Ahmad Suroor. Essay writing and translation between Urdu and English are also essential components.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
UPSC Urdu Literature Optional Syllabus 2026 for Paper 1<\/b><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Section<\/strong><\/td>\r\nTopics<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\r\n

Section-A<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

Development of Urdu Language<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Development of Indo-Aryan<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Old Indo-Aryan<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Middle Indo-Aryan<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

New Indo-Aryan<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Western Hindi and its dialects: Brij Bhasha, Khadi Boli, Haryanavi, Kannauji, Bundeli\u2014Theories about the origin of Urdu language<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Dakhani Urdu: Origin and development, its significant linguistic features<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Social and Cultural roots of Urdu language and its distinctive features<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Script, Phonology, Morphology, Vocabulary<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Section-B<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

Genres and their development<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Poetry: Ghazal, Masnavi, Qasida, Marsia, Rubai, Jadid Nazm<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Prose: Novel, Short Story, Dastan, Drama, Inshaiya, Khutoot, Biography<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Significant features of Deccani, Delhi and Lucknow schools<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Sir Syed movement<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

The Romantic movement<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Progressive movement<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Modernism<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Literary Criticism and its development with reference to Hali, Shibli, Kaleemuddin Ahmad, Ehtisham Hussain, Ale-Ahmad Suroor<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Essay writing: Covering literary and imaginative topics<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

UPSC Urdu Literature Optional Syllabus 2026 for Paper 2<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

UPSC Urdu Literature Optional Syllabus 2026 for Paper 2 consists of the critical appreciation of selected texts from prose and poetry. Section A includes notable prose writers and their works like Mir Amman\u2019s \u201cBagho-Babar\u201d, Prem Chand\u2019s \u201cGodan\u201d, Abul Kalam Azad\u2019s \u201cGhubar-e-Khatir\u201d, and others. Candidates are expected to discuss literary styles, thematic concerns, and narrative techniques.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Section B focuses on poetry, with an in-depth study of classical and modern poets such as Mir, Ghalib, Iqbal, Firaq, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and Akhtarul Iman. Candidates must be able to interpret poetic devices, literary trends, and socio-political influences reflected in the works.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
UPSC Urdu Literature Optional Syllabus 2026 for Paper 2<\/b><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Section<\/strong><\/td>\r\nTopics<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\r\n

Section-A<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

Mir Amman: Bagho-Babar<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Ghalib: Intikhab-e-Khutoot-e Ghalib<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

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Mohd. Husain Azad: Nairang-e-Khayal<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Prem Chand: Godan<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Rajendra Singh Bedi: Apne Dukh Mujhe Dedo<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Abul Kalam Azad: Ghubar-e-Khatir<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Section-B<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

Mir: Intikhab-e-Kalam-e-Mir (Ed. Abdul Haq.)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Mir Hasan: Sahrul Bayan<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Ghalib: Diwan-e-Ghalib<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Iqbal: Bal-e-Jibril<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Firaq: Gul-e-Naghma<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Faiz: Dast-e-Saba<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Akhtaruliman: Bint-e-Lamhat<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

UPSC Urdu Literature Optional Booklists<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Aspirants must refer to standard books and original literary works to master this optional:<\/span><\/p>\r\n