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Tuesday, 6 October 2026 · New Delhi

UPSC CSE Mains · Optional Subject

Telugu Literature

The Telugu 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

Answer must be written in Telugu

Section A : Language

  1. 4. Influence of other languages and its impact on Telugu.
  2. 6. Dialects of Telugu—Regional and social variations and problems of Standardization.

Section A : Language: 1. Place of Telugu among Dravidian languages and its antiquity—Etymological History of Telugu,Tenugu and Andhra.

    Section A : Language: 2. Major linguistic changes in phonological, morphological, grammatical and syntactical levels, from Proto-

    1. Dravidian to old Telugu and from old Telugu to Modern Telugu.

    Section A : Language: 3. Evolution of spoken Telugu when compared to classical Telugu-Formal and functional view of Telugu language.

      Section A : Language: 5. Modernization of Telugu language

      1. (a) Linguistic and literary movements and their role in modernization of Telugu.
      2. (b) Role of media in modernization of Telugu (News-papers, Radio, TV etc.)
      3. (c) Problems of terminology and mechanisms in coining new terms in Telugu in various discourses including scientific and technical.

      Section A : Language: 7. Syntax—Major divisions of Telugu sentences—simple, complex and compound sentences—Noun and verb predications—Processes of nominalization and relativization—Direct and indirect reporting-conversion processes.

        Section A : Language: 8. Translation—Problems of translation, cultural, social and idiomatic—Methods of translation—

        1. Approaches to translation—Literary and other kinds of translation—Various uses of translation.

        Section B : Literature

        1. 1. Literature in Pre-Nannaya Period—Marga and Desi poetry.
        2. 2. Nannaya Period—Historical and literary background of Andhra Mahabharata.
        3. 3. Saiva poets and their contribution—Dwipada, Sataka, Ragada, Udaharana.
        4. 4. Tikkana and his place in Telugu literature.
        5. 5. Errana and his literary works—Nachana Somana and his new approach to poetry.
        6. 6. Srinatha and Potana—Their works and contribution.
        7. 7. Bhakti poets in Telugu literature—Tallapaka Annamayya, ramadasu, tyagayya.
        8. 8. Evolution of prabandhas—Kavya and prabandha.
        9. 10. Modern Telugu Literature and literary forms—Novel, Short Story, Drama, Playlet and poetic forms.
        10. 12. Digambarakavulu, feminist and dalit Literature.
        11. 13. Main divisions of folk literature—Performing folk arts.

        Section B : Literature: 9. Southern school of Telugu literature-raghunatha Nayaka, chemakura vankatakavi and women poets-

        1. Literary forms like yakshagana, prose and padakavita.

        Section B : Literature: 11. Literary Movements : Reformation, Nationalism, Neo-classisicism, Romanticism and Progressive,

        1. Revolutionary movements.

        Paper II syllabus

        250 marks · 3 hours

        Answer must be written in Telugu

        This paper will require first hand reading of the prescribed texts and will be designed to test the candidate’s critical ability, which will be in relation t…

        1. This paper will require first hand reading of the prescribed texts and will be designed to test the candidate’s critical ability, which will be in relation to the following approaches :—
        2. (i) Aesthetic approach—Rassa, Dhawani, Vakroti and Auchitya—Formal and Structural-Imagery and Symbolism.
        3. (ii) Sociological, Historical, Ideological, Psychological approaches.

        Section A

        1. 1. Nannaya-Dushyanta Chritra (Adiparva 4th Canto verses 5—109).
        2. 2. Tikkana-Sri Krishna Rayabaramu (Udyoga parva-3rd Canto verses 1—144).
        3. 3. Srinath-Guna Nidhi Katha (Kasikhandam, 4th Canto, verses 76—133).
        4. 4. Pingali Surana-sugatri Salinulakatha (Kalapurno-dayamu 4 Canto verses, 60—142).
        5. 5. Molla-Ramayanamu (Balakanda including avatarika).
        6. 6. Kasula Purushothama Kavi—Andhra Nayaka Satakamu.

        Section B

        1. 7. Gurajada Appa Rao—Animutyalu (Short stories).
        2. 8. Viswanatha Satyanarayana—Andhra prasasti.
        3. 9. Devulapalli Krishna Sastry—Krishnapaksham (excluding Uravsi and Pravasam).
        4. 10. Sri Sri-Maha prastanam.
        5. 11. Jashuva-Gabbilam (Part I).
        6. 12. C. Narayana Reddy—Karpuravasanta rayalu.
        7. 13. Kanuparti Varalakshmamma—Sarada lekhalu (Part I).
        8. 14. Atreya—N.G.O.
        9. 15. Racha Konda Viswanatha Sastry—Alpajaeevi.

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

        Ask Raah