UPSC Sanskrit Syllabus for Optional Paper-I and Paper-II

The IAS (UPSC CSE) exam is conducted in three stages- Prelims, Mains and Interviews. The candidates are required to choose one optional subject for the IAS (UPSC CSE) Mains exam. The aspirants should choose the optional subject wisely so that they can obtain a good score in the Mains Exam and can upgrade their ranks in the merit list.

In India, Sanskrit is one of the oldest and most classical languages. Sanskrit is an illustrious Scientific history of epics, philosophy, scientific works, and fiction. Sanskrit is used in a few villages and in day-to-day life. The IAS (UPSC CSE) exam considered Sanskrit as one of the optional subjects.

In IAS (UPSC CSE) Main exam there are 2 optional papers in UPSC civil services mains exam. You can choose the Sanskrit language as an optional subject if you have graduated in the literature of Sanskrit language as the main subject. With well-planned strategies, you can easily score well in Sanskrit literature. Interest should be the prime criterion for choosing any option. Each Sanskrit paper consists of 250 marks. The duration for each Sanskrit main paper is 3 hours. Check other UPSC Mains Optional Syllabus for the IAS exam. 

IAS (UPSC CSE) Mains Sanskrit Paper 1 Syllabus

There will be three questions as indicated in the question paper which must be answered in Sanskrit. The remaining questions must be answered either in Sanskrit or in the medium of examination opted by the candidate.

Section A

• Significant features of the grammar, with particular stress on Sanjna, Sandhi, Karaka, Samasa, Kartari and Karmani vacays (voice usages) (to be answered in Sanskrit).
• Main characteristics of Vedic Sanskrit language.
  • Prominent features of the classical Sanskrit language.
  • Contribution of Sanskrit to linguistic studies.
• General Knowledge of:-
  • The literary history of Sanskrit,
  • Principal trends of literary criticism
  • Ramayana,
  • Mahabharata
  • The origin and development of literary genres of: Mahakavya Rupaka (drama) Katha Akhyayika Campus Khandakavya Muktaka Kavya.

Section B

• Essentials of Indian Culture with stress on
  • Purusarthas
  • Samskaras
  • Varnasramavyavastha
  • Arts and fine arts
  • Technical sciences
• Trends of Indian Philosophy
  • Mimansa
  • Vedanta
  • Nyaya
  • Vaisesika
  • Sankhya
  • Yoga
  • Buddha
  • Jaina
  • Carvaka
• Short Essay in Sanskrit
• Unseen passage with the questions, to be answered in Sanskrit.

IAS (UPSC CSE) Mains Sanskrit Paper 2 Syllabus

Section A

General study of the following groups:-

Group 1

• Raghuvamsam-Kalidasa
• Kumarasambhavam-Kalidasa
• Kiratarjuniyam-Bharavi
• Sisupalavadham-Magha
• Naisadhiyacaritam-Sriharsa
• Kadambari-Banabhatta
• Dasakumaracaritam -Dandin
• Sivarajyodayam-S.B. Varnekar

Group 2

• Isavasyopanisad
• Bhagavadgita
• Sundarakanda of Valmiki’s Ramayana
• Arthasastra of Kautilya

Group 3

• Svapnavasavadattam- Bhasa
• Abhijnanasakuntalam- Kalidasa
• Mrcchakatikam-Sudraka
• Mudraraksasam-Visakhadatta
• Uttararamacaritam- Bhavabhuti
• Ratnavali-Sriharshavardhana
• Venisamharam- Bhattanarayana

Group 4

Short notes in Sanskrit on the following:-

• Meghadutam-Kalidasa
• Nitisatakam-Bhartrhari
• Panchtantra
• Rajatarangini-Kalhana
• Harsacaritam-Banabhatta
• Amarukasatakam-Amaruka
• Gitagovindam-Jayadeva

Section B

Questions from Groups 1 & 2 are to be answered in Sanskrit only. (Questions from Groups 3 & 4 are to be answered in Sanskrit or in the medium opted by the candidate).

This Section will require first-hand reading of the following selected texts :

Group 1

• Raghuvansam-Canto I, Verses 1 to 10
• Kumarasambhavam-Canto I, Verses 1 to 10
• Kiratarjuniyam-Canto I, Verses 1 to 10

Group 2

• Isavasyopanisad-verses-1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 15 and 18
• Bhagavadgita II chapter verses 13 to 25
• Sundarakandam of Valmiki Canto 15, Verses 15 to 30 (Geeta Press Edition)

Group 3

• Meghadutam-verses 1 to 10
• Nitisatakam-Verses 1 to 10 (Edited by D.D. Kosambi Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Publication)
• Kadambari-Sukanaso-padesa (only)

Group 4

• Svapnavasavadattam Act VI
• Abhijnansakuntalam Act IV verses 15 to 30 (M.R. Kale Edition)
• Uttararamacharitam Act 1 verses 31 to 47 (M.R. Kale Edition)

Download UPSC Sanskrit Syllabus PDF 

Sanskrit is the primary sacred language of India. Improve writing skills for the IAS Mains Sanskrit literature exam. Handwriting should be legible for IAS Exam. Good command of the language is always helpful. Analytical and unconventional questions are appearing in previous papers so while preparing candidates should keep IAS Mains Sanskrit Syllabus and previous papers for reference.

The UPSC aspirants must prepare well for the optional subject and select the optional one based on their educational background. They must solve UPSC question papers while studying and check their level of preparation.