Hindi Optional Syllabus for UPSC 2025

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

Answers must be written in Hindi

Grammatical and applied forms of Apbhransh, Awahatta & Arambhik Hindi
Development of Braj and Awadhi as Literary language during medieval period
Early form of Khari-boli in Siddha-Nath Sahitya, Khusero, Sant Sahitaya, Rahim etc. and Dakhni Hindi
Development of Khari-boli and Nagari Lipi during 19th Century
Standardisation of Hindi Bhasha & Nagari Lipi
Development of Hindi as a National Language during freedom movement
The development of Hindi as a National Language of Union of India
Scientific & Technical Development of Hindi Language
Prominent dialects of Hindi and their inter-relationship
Salient features of Nagari Lipi and the efforts for its reform & Standard form of Hindi
Grammatical structure of Standard Hindi

The relevance and importance of Hindi literature and tradition of writing History of Hindi Literature
Literary trends of the following four periods of history of Hindi Literature:
A: Adikal—Sidh, Nath and Raso Sahitya
Prominent poets—Chandvardai, Khusaro, Hemchandra, Vidyapati
B: Bhaktikal—Sant Kavyadhara, Sufi Kavyadhara, Krishna Bhaktidhara and Ram Bhaktidhara
Prominent Poets—Kabir, Jayasi, Sur & Tulsi
C: Ritikal—Ritikavya, Ritibaddhkavya & Riti Mukta Kavya
Prominent Poets—Keshav, Bihari, Padmakar and Ghananand
D: Adhunik Kal
a. Renaissance, the development of Prose, Bharatendu Mandal
b. Prominent Writers—Bharatendu, Bal Krishna Bhatt & Pratap Narain Mishra
c. Prominent trends of modern Hindi Poetry: Chhayavad, Pragativad, Prayogvad, Nai Kavita, Navgeet and Contemporary poetry and Janvadi Kavita
d. Prominent Poets—Maithili Sharan Gupta, Prasad, Nirala, Mahadevi, Dinkar, Agyeya, Muktibodh, Nagarjun

A: Upanyas & Realism
B: The origin and development of Hindi Novels
C: Prominent Novelists—Premchand, Jain-endra, Yashpal, Renu and Bhism Sahani
D: The origin and development of Hindi short story
E: Prominent Short Story Writers—Premchand, Prasad, Agyeya, Mohan Rakesh & Krishna Sobti

A: The Origin & Development of Hindi Drama
B: Prominent Dramatists—Bharatendu, Prasad, Jagdish Chandra Mathur, Ram Kumar Verma, Mohan Rakesh
C: The development of Hindi Theatre

A: The origin and development of Hindi criticism: Saiddhantik, Vyavharik, Pragativadi, Manovishleshanvadi & Nai Alochana
B: Prominent critics—Ramchandra Shukla, Hajari Prasad Dwivedi, Ram Vilas Sharma & Nagendra

This paper will require first-hand reading of the prescribed texts and will test the critical ability of the candidates.

1. Kabir: Kabir Granthawali, Ed. Shyam Sundar Das (First hundred Sakhis)
2. Soordas: Bhramar Geetsar, Ed. Ramchandra Shukla (First hundred Padas)
3. Tulsidas: Ramcharit Manas (Sundar Kand) Kavitawali (Uttarkand)
4. Jayasi: Padmawat Ed. Shyam Sundar Das (Sinhal Dwip Khand & Nagmativiyog Khand)
5. Bihari: Bihari Ratnakar Ed. Jagnnath Prasad Ratnakar (First 100 Dohas)
6. Maithili Sharan Gupta: Bharat Bharati
7. Prasad: Kamayani (Chinta and Shraddha Sarg)
8. Nirala: Rag-Virag, Ed. Ram Vilas Sharma (Ram Ki Shakti Pooja & Kukurmutta)
9. Dinkar: Kurukshetra
10. Agyeya: Angan Ke Par Dwar (Asadhya Veena)
11. Muktiboth: Brahm Rakhashas
12. Nagarjun: Badal Ko Ghirte Dekha Hai, Akal Ke Bad, Harijan Gatha

1. Bharatendu: Bharat Durdasha
2. Mohan Rakesh: Ashadh Ka Ek Din
3. Ramchandra Shukla: Chintamani (Part I) (Kavita Kya Hai, Shraddha Aur Bhakti)
4. Dr. Satyendra: Nibandh Nilaya—Bal Krishna Bhatt, Premchand, Gulab Rai, Hajari Prasad Dwivedi, Ram Vilas Sharma, Agyeya, Kuber Nath Rai
5. Premchand: Godan, Premchand ki Sarvashreshtha Kahaniyan
6. Prasad: Skandgupta
7. Yashpal: Divya
8. Phaniswar Nath Renu: Maila Anchal
9. Mannu Bhandari: Mahabhoj
10. Rajendra Yadav: Ek Dunia Samanantar (All Stories)

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