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Tuesday, 6 October 2026 · New Delhi

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UPSC CSE Mains · Optional Subject

Tamil Literature

The Tamil language and its literature — Sangam classics 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 Tamil

Section A — Part 1: History of Tamil Language

  1. Major Indian Language Families—The place of Tamil among Indian Languages in general and
  2. Dravidian in particular—Enumeration and Distribution of Dravidian languages.
  3. The language of Sangam Literature—The language of medieval Tamil : Pallava Period only—Historical study
  4. of Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs—Tense markers and case markers in Tamil.
  5. Borrowing of words from other languages into Tamil—Regional and social dialects—difference between
  6. literary and spoken Tamil.

Section A — Part 2 : History of Tamil Literature

  1. Tolkappiyam-Sangam Literature—The division of Akam and Puram—The secular characteristics of Sangam
  2. Literature—The development of Ethical literature—Silappadikaram and Manimekalai.

Section A — Part 3 : Devotional Literature (Alwars and Nayanamars)

  1. The bridal mysticism in Alwar hymns—Minor literary forms (Tutu, Ula, Parani, Kuravanji).
  2. Social factors for the development of Modern Tamil Literature; Novel, Short Story and New Poetry—The
  3. impact of various political ideologies on modern writings.

Section B — Part 1 : Recent trends in Tamil Studies

  1. Approaches to criticism : Social, psychological, historical and moralistic—the use of criticism—the various
  2. techniques in literature; Ullurai, Iraicchi, Thonmam (Myth) Otturuvagam (allegory), Angadam (Satire),
  3. Meyappadu, Padimam (image), Kuriyeedu (Symbol), Irunmai (Ambiguity)—The concept of comparative
  4. literature-the principle of comparative literature.

Section B — Part 2 : Folk literature in Tamil

  1. Ballads, Songs, proverbs and riddles—Sociological study of Tamil folklore. Uses of translation—Translation of Tamil works into other languages-Development of journalism in Tamil.

Section B — Part 3 : Cultural Heritage of the Tamils

  1. Concept of Love and War—Concept of Aram-the ethical codes adopted by the ancient Tamils in their
  2. warfare-customs beliefs, rituals, modes of worship in the five Thinais.
  3. The Cultural changes as revealed in post sangam literature—cultural fusion in the medieval period (Jainism
  4. and Buddhism). The development of arts and architecture through the ages (Pallavas, later Cholas, and
  5. Nayaks). The impact of various political, social, religious and cultural movements on Tamil Society. The
  6. role of mass media in the cultural change of contemporary Tamil society.

Paper II syllabus

250 marks · 3 hours

Answers must be written in Tamil The paper will require first-hand reading of the text prescribed and will be designed to test thecritical ability of the candidate.

Section A — Part 1 : Ancient Literature

  1. (1) Kuruntokai (1—25 poems)
  2. (2) Purananuru (182—200 poems)
  3. (3) Tirukkural Porutpal : Arasiyalum Amaichiyalum (from Iraimatchi to Avaianjamai).

Section A — Part 2 : Epic Literature

  1. (1) Silappadikaram : Madhurai Kandam only.
  2. (2) Kambaramayanam : Kumbakarunan Vadhai Padalam.

Section A — Part 3 : Devotional Literature

  1. (1) Tiruvasagam : Neetthal Vinnappam
  2. (2) Tiruppavai : (Full Text).

Section B

  1. Modern Literature

Section B — Part 1 : Poetry

  1. (1) Bharathiar : Kannan Pattu
  2. (2) Bharathidasan : Kudumba Vilakku
  3. (1) Mu. Varadharajanar : Aramum Arasiyalum
  4. (2) C. N. Annadurai : Ye! Thazhntha Tamilagame.

Section B — Part 1 : Poetry: (3) Naa. Kamarasan : Karappu Malarkal

  1. Prose

Section B — Part 2 : Novel, Short Story and Drama

  1. (1) Akilon ; Chittairappavai
  2. (2) Jayakanthan : Gurupeedam
  3. (3) Cho : Yaurkkum Vetkamillai

Section B — Part 3 : Folk Literature

  1. (1) Muthuppattan kathai Edited by Na. Vanamamalai, (Publication : Madurai Kamaraj University).
  2. (2) Malaiyaruvi, Edited by Ki. Va Jagannathan (Publication : Saraswathi Mahal, Thanjavur).

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

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