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Wednesday, 7 October 2026 · New Delhi

UPSC CSE Mains · Optional Subject

Gujarati Literature

The Gujarati language and its literature — 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 Gujarati)

Section A Gujarati Language : Form and History

  1. (2) Significant features of the Gujarati language : phonology, morphology and syntax.
  2. 4. Jaina tradition
  3. 5. Bhakti tradition : Sagun and Nirgun (Jnanmargi)
  4. 7. Sudharak yug
  5. 8. Pandit yug
  6. 9. Gandhi yug
  7. 10. Anu-Gandhi yug
  8. 11. Adhunik yug

Section A Gujarati Language : Form and History: (1) History of Gujarati Language with special reference to New Indo-Aryan i.e. last one thousand years.

    Section A Gujarati Language : Form and History: (3) Major dialects : Surti, pattani, charotari and Saurashtri.

    1. History of Gujarati literature Medieval :

    Section A Gujarati Language : Form and History: 6. Non-sectarian tradition (Laukik parampara)

    1. Modern :

    Section B Literary Forms : (Salient features, history and development of the following literary forms :) (a) Medieval

    1. 1. Narratives : Rasa, Akhyan and Padyavarta
    2. 4. Fiction : Novel and Short Story
    3. 5. Drama
    4. 6. Literary Essay
    5. 8. History of theoretical Gujarati criticism
    6. 9. Recent research in folk tradition.

    Section B Literary Forms : (Salient features, history and development of the following literary forms :) (a) Medieval: 2. Lyrical: Pada

    1. (b) Folk

    Section B Literary Forms : (Salient features, history and development of the following literary forms :) (a) Medieval: 3. Bhavai

    1. (c) Modern

    Section B Literary Forms : (Salient features, history and development of the following literary forms :) (a) Medieval: 7. Lyrical Poetry

    1. (d) Criticism

    Paper II syllabus

    250 marks · 3 hours

    (Answers must be written in Gujarati) The paper will require first-hand reading of the texts prescribed and will be designed to test the critical ability of the candidate.

    Section A: 1. Medieval

    1. (i) Vasantvilas phagu—AJNATKRUT
    2. (ii) Kadambari—BHALAN
    3. (iii) Sudamacharitra—PREMANAND
    4. (iv) Chandrachandravatini varta—SHAMAL
    5. (v) Akhegeeta—AKHO

    Section A: 2. Sudharakyug & Pandityug

    1. (vi) Mari Hakikat—NARMADASHA
    2. (vii) Farbasveerah—DALPATRAM
    3. (viii) Saraswatichandra-Part 1—GOVARDHANRAM TRIPATHI
    4. (ix) Purvalap—‘KANT’ (MANISHANKAR RATNAJI BHATT)
    5. (x) Raino Parvat—RAMANBHAI NEELKANTH

    Section B: 1. Gandhiyug & Anu Gandhiyug

    1. (i) Hind Swaraj—MOHANDAS KARAMCHAND GANDHI
    2. (ii) Patanni Prabhuta—KANHAIYALAL MUNSHI
    3. (iii) Kavyani Shakti—RAMNARAYAN VISHWANATH PATHAK
    4. (iv) Saurashtrani Rasdhar-Part 1—ZAVERCHAND MEGHANI
    5. (v) Manvini Bhavai—PANNALAL PATEL
    6. (vi) Dhvani—RAJENDRA SHAH

    Section B: 2. Adhunik yug

    1. (vii) Saptapadi—UMASHANKAR JOSHI
    2. (viii) Janantike—SURESH JOSHI
    3. (ix) Ashwatthama—SITANSHU YASHASCHANDRA.

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

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