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Wednesday, 7 October 2026 · New Delhi

UPSC CSE Mains · Optional Subject

Bengali Literature

The Bangla language and its rich literary tradition — history, criticism and prescribed texts.

Paper I

250marks

3 hours each

Paper II

250marks

3 hours each

Optional total

500marks

Counts toward the Mains merit

Paper I syllabus

250 marks · 3 hours

[Answers must be written in Bengali]

Section A : Topics from the History of Bangla language

  1. 2. Historical stages of Bangla (Old, Middle, New) and their linguistic features.
  2. 3. Dialects of Bangla and their distinguishing characteristics.
  3. 4. Elements of Bangla Vocabulary.
  4. 5. Forms of Bangla Literary Prose—Sadhu and Chalit.

Section A : Topics from the History of Bangla language: 1. The chronological track from Proto Indo-European to Bangla (Family tree with branches and approximate dates).

    Section A : Topics from the History of Bangla language: 6. Processes of language change relevant for Bangla

    1. Apinihiti (Anaptyxis), Abhishruti (umlaut), Murdhanyibhavan (cerebralization), Nasikyibhavan (Nasalization), Samibhavan (Assimilation), Sadrishya (Analogy), Svaragama (Vowel insertion) —Adi Svaragama, Madhya Svaragama or Svarabhakti, Antya Svaragama, Svarasangati (Vowel harmony), y—shruti and w—shruti.

    Section A : Topics from the History of Bangla language: 7. Problems of standardization and reform of alphabet and spelling, and those of transliteration and

    1. Romanization.

    Section A : Topics from the History of Bangla language: 8. Phonology, Morphology and Syntax of Modern Bangla.

      Section B : Topics from the History of Bangla Literature.

      1. 1. Periodization of Bangla Literature : Old Bangla and Middle Bangla.
      2. 2. Points of difference between modern and pre-modern Bangla Literature.
      3. 3. Roots and reasons behind the emergence of modernity in Bangla Literature.
      4. 5. Secular forms in middle Bangla literature.
      5. 6. Narrative and lyric trends in the nineteenth century Bangla poetry.
      6. 7. Development of prose.
      7. 8. Bangla dramatic literature (nineteenth century, Tagore, Post-1944 Bangla drama).
      8. 9. Tagore and post-Tagoreans.
      9. 11. Women and Bangla literature : creators and created.

      Section B : Topics from the History of Bangla Literature.: 4. Evolution of various Middle Bangla forms ; Mangal Kavyas, Vaishnava lyrics, Adapted narratives

      1. (Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata) and religious biographies.

      Section B : Topics from the History of Bangla Literature.: 10. Fiction, major authors

      1. Bankimchandra, Tagore, Saratchandra, Bibhutibhusan, Tarasankar, Manik).

      Paper II syllabus

      250 marks · 3 hours

      [Answers must be written in Bengali]

      Section A

      1. 2. Chandimangal Kalketu episode by Mukunda (Sahitya Akademi).
      2. 3. Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya Lila by Krishnadas Kaviraj (Sahitya Akademi).
      3. 4. Meghnadbadh Kavya by Madhusudan Dutta.
      4. 5. Kapalkundala by Bankimchandra Chatterjee.
      5. 6. Samya and Bangadesher Krishak by Bankimchandra Chatterjee.
      6. 7. Sonar Tari by Rabindranath Tagore.
      7. 8. Chhinnapatravali by Rabindranath Tagore.

      Section A: 1. Vaishnava Padavali (Calcutta University)

      1. Poems of Vidyapati, Chandidas, Jnanadas, Govindadas and Balaramdas.

      Section B

      1. 9. Raktakarabi by Rabindranath Tagore.
      2. 10. Nabajatak by Rabindranath Tagore.
      3. 11. Grihadaha by Saratchandra Chatterjee.
      4. 12. Prabandha Samgraha, Vol. 1, by Pramatha Choudhuri.
      5. 13. Aranyak by Bibhutibhusan Banerjee.
      6. 15. Shrestha Kavita by Jibanananda Das.
      7. 16. Jagori by Satinath Bhaduri.
      8. 17. Ebam Indrajit by Badal Sircar.

      Section B: 14. Short stories by Manik Bandyopadhyay : Atashi Mami, Pragaitihasik, Holud-Pora, Sarisrip,

      1. Haraner Natjamai, Chhoto-Bokulpurer Jatri, Kustharogir Bou, Jakey Ghush Ditey Hoy.

      Syllabus as per the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination notification. Topic-wise study notes for Bengali Literature are being added — check back soon.

      Ask Raah