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Gujarati Optional Syllabus for UPSC 2025

Complete syllabus guide for Gujarati Optional in UPSC Civil Services Examination. Master both papers with our comprehensive study material.

Important Note: Answers must be written in Gujarati

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
  • 2. Significant features of the Gujarati language: phonology, morphology and syntax
  • 3. Major dialects: Surti, pattani, charotari and Saurashtri
  • History of Gujarati literature
  • Medieval:
  • 4. Jaina tradition
  • 5. Bhakti tradition: Sagun and Nirgun (Jnanmargi)
  • 6. Non-sectarian tradition (Laukik parampara)
  • Modern:
  • 7. Sudharak yug
  • 8. Pandit yug
  • 9. Gandhi yug
  • 10. Anu-Gandhi yug
  • 11. Adhunik yug

Section B: Literary Forms

  • Medieval:
  • 1. Narratives: Rasa, Akhyan and Padyavarta
  • 2. Lyrical: Pada
  • Folk:
  • 3. Bhavai
  • Modern:
  • 4. Fiction: Novel and Short Story
  • 5. Drama
  • 6. Literary Essay
  • 7. Lyrical Poetry
  • Criticism:
  • 8. History of theoretical Gujarati criticism
  • 9. Recent research in folk tradition

PAPER—II

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: Medieval

  • 1. Vasantvilas phagu—AJNATKRUT
  • 2. Kadambari—BHALAN
  • 3. Sudamacharitra—PREMANAND
  • 4. Chandrachandravatini varta—SHAMAL
  • 5. Akhegeeta—AKHO
  • Sudharakyug & Pandityug:
  • 6. Mari Hakikat—NARMADASHA
  • 7. Farbasveerah—DALPATRAM
  • 8. Saraswatichandra-Part 1—GOVARDHANRAM TRIPATHI
  • 9. Purvalap—'KANT' (MANISHANKAR RATNAJI BHATT)
  • 10. Raino Parvat—RAMANBHAI NEELKANTH

Section B

  • Gandhiyug & Anu Gandhiyug:
  • 1. Hind Swaraj—MOHANDAS KARAMCHAND GANDHI
  • 2. Patanni Prabhuta—KANHAIYALAL MUNSHI
  • 3. Kavyani Shakti—RAMNARAYAN VISHWANATH PATHAK
  • 4. Saurashtrani Rasdhar-Part 1—ZAVERCHAND MEGHANI
  • 5. Manvini Bhavai—PANNALAL PATEL
  • 6. Dhvani—RAJENDRA SHAH
  • Adhunik yug:
  • 7. Saptapadi—UMASHANKAR JOSHI
  • 8. Janantike—SURESH JOSHI
  • 9. Ashwatthama—SITANSHU YASHASCHANDRA

Recommended Study Resources

Essential Books

  • History of Gujarati Literature by K.M. Munshi
  • Gujarati Grammar and Composition by Y.K. Shukla
  • Gujarati Sahityano Itihas by Umashankar Joshi
  • Arvachin Gujarati Sahityani Vikasrekha by Dhirubhai Thaker
  • Madhyakalin Gujarati Sahitya by Behcharbhai Patel

Literary Works

  • Selected Works of Narsinh Mehta
  • Modern Gujarati Poetry Collections
  • Classical Gujarati Literature
  • Gujarati Novel and Short Stories
  • Contemporary Gujarati Drama

Academic Resources

  • Gujarat Sahitya Academy Publications
  • Research Papers on Gujarati Literature
  • Gujarati Language Studies
  • Literary Criticism in Gujarati
  • Linguistic Analysis of Gujarati

Practice Materials

  • Previous Years' UPSC Gujarati Papers
  • Model Question Papers
  • Gujarati Grammar Exercises
  • Literature Analysis Worksheets
  • Writing Practice Materials