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Tuesday, 6 October 2026 · New Delhi

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UPSC CSE Mains · Optional Subject

Punjabi Literature

The Punjabi language and its literature — from the Nath Yogis to modern writing.

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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 Punjabi in Gurumukhi script

Section A

  1. (a) Origin of Punjabi Language; different stages of development and recent development in Punjabi Language; characteristics of Punjabi phonology and the study of its tones; classification of vowels and consonants.
  2. (b) Punjabi morphology; the number-gender system (animate and inanimate), prefixes, affixes and different categories of Post positions; Punjabi word formation; Tatsam. Tad Bhav. forms; Sentence structure, the notion of subject and object in Punjabi; Noun and verb phrases.
  3. (c) Language and dialect : the notions of dialect and idiolect: major dialects of Punjabi : Pothohari, Majhi,
  4. Doabi, Malwai, Paudhi; the validity of speech variation on the basis of social stratification, the distinctive features of various dialects with special reference to tones Language and script; origin and development of Gurumukhi; Suitability of Gurumukhi for Punjabi.
  5. (d) Classical background : Nath Jogi Sahit.
  6. Medieval Literature : Gurmat, Suti, Kissa and Var : janamsakhis.

Section B

  1. (a) Modern trends Mystic, romantic, progressive and neomystic (Vir Singh, Puran Singh, Mohan Singh, Amrita Pritam, Bawa Balwant, Pritam Singh Safeer, J. S. Neki).
  2. Experimentalist (Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, Ravinder Ravi, Ajaib Kamal).
  3. Aesthetes (Harbhajan Singh, Tara Singh). Neo-progressive (Pash, Jagtar, Patar).
  4. (b) Folk Literature Folk songs, Folk tales, Riddles, Proverbs.
  5. Epic (Vir Singh, Avtar Singh Azad, Mohan Singh).
  6. Lyric (Gurus, Sufis and Modern Lyricists-Mohan Singh, Amrita Pritam, Shiv Kumar, Harbhajan Singh).
  7. (c) Drama (I.C. Nanda, Harcharan Singh, Balwant Gargi, S.S. Sekhon, Charan Das Sidhu).
  8. Novel (Vir Singh, Nanak Singh, Jaswant Singh Kanwal, K.S. Duggal, Sukhbir, Gurdial Singh, Dalip Kaur Tiwana, Swaran Chandan).
  9. Short Story (Sujan Singh, K. S. Virk, Prem Parkash, Waryam Sandhu).
  10. (d) Socio-cultural Sanskrit, Persian and Western.
  11. Literary influences;
  12. Essay (Puran Singh, Teja Singh, Gurbaksh Singh).
  13. Literary Criticism (S.S. Sekhon, Attar Singh, Kishan Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Najam Hussain Sayyad).

Paper II syllabus

250 marks · 3 hours

Answers must be written in Punjabi in Gurumukhi script This paper will require first-hand reading of the texts prescribed and will be designed to test the candidate’s critical ability.

Section A

  1. (a) Sheikh Farid The complete Bani as includedin the Adi Granth. (b) Guru Nanak Japu Ji. Baramah. Asa di Var. (c) Bulleh Shah Kafian (d) Waris Shah Heer

Section B

  1. (a) Shah Mohammad Jangnama (Jang Singhante Firangian) Dhani Ram Chatrik Chandan Vari
  2. (Poet) Sufi Khana Nawan Jahan
  3. (b) Nanak Singh Chitta Lahu (Novelist) Pavittar Papi Ek Mian Do Talwaran
  4. (c) Gurbaksh Singh Zindagi-di-Ras (Essayist) Nawan Shivala Merian Abhul Yadaan. Balraj Sahni Mera Roosi Safarnama (Travelogue) Mera Pakistani Safarnama (d) Balwant Gargi Loha Kutt (Dramatist) Dhuni-di-Agg Sultan Razia Sant Singh Sekhon Sahityarth (Critic) Parsidh Punjabi Kavi Punjabi Kav Shiromani.

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

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