Maithili Optional Syllabus for UPSC 2025

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

Answers must be written in Maithili

Paper I: History of Maithili Language and its Literature

Part A: History of Maithili Language

Place of Maithili in Indo-European Language family
Origin and development of Maithili language (Sanskrit, Prakrit, Avhatt, Maithili)
Periodic division of Maithili Language (Beginning, Middle era, Modern era)
Maithili and its different dialects
Relationship between Maithili and other Eastern languages (Bengali, Asamese, Oriya)
Origin and Development of Tirhuta Script
Pronouns and Verbs in Maithili Language

Part B: History of Maithili Literature

Background of Maithili Literature (Religious, Economic, Social, Cultural)
Periodic division of Maithili literature
Pre-Vidyapati Literature
Vidyapati and his tradition
Medieval Maithili Drama (Kirtaniya Natak, Ankia Nat, Maithili dramas written in Nepal)
Maithili Folk Literature (Folk Tales, Folk Drama, Folk Stories, Folk Songs)
Development of different literary forms in modern era
- Prabandh-kavya
- Muktak-kavya
- Novel
- Short Story
- Drama
- Essay
- Criticism
- Memoirs
- Translation
Development of Maithili Magazines and Journals

Paper II

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

Part A: Poetry

Vidyapati Geet-Shati—Publisher: Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi (Lyrics— 1 to 50)
Govind Das Bhajanavali—Publisher: Maithili Acadamy, Patna (Lyrics— 1 to 25)
Krishnajanm—Manbodh
Mithilabhasha Ramayana—Chanda Jha (only Sunder-Kand)
Rameshwar Charit Mithila Ramayan—Lal Das (only Bal-kand)
Keechak-Vadh—Tantra Nath Jha
Datta-Vati—Surendra Jah 'Suman' (only 1st and 2nd Cantos)
Chitra-Yatri
Samakaleen Maithili Kavita—Publisher: Sahitaya Akademi, New Delhi

Part B: Prose and Other Works

Varna Ratnakar—Jyotirishwar (only 2nd Kallol)
Khattar Kakak Tarang—Hari Mohan Jha
Lorik—Vijaya Manipadma
Prithvi Putra—Lalit
Bhaphait Chahak Jinagi—Sudhanshu 'Shekhar' Choudhary
Kriti Rajkamlak—Publisher: Maithili Acadamy, Patna (First Ten Stories only)
Katha–Sangrah–Publisher: Maithili Acadamy, Patna

Note: The syllabus requires first-hand reading of prescribed texts. Students are advised to focus on critical analysis and understanding of the texts rather than mere memorization.

Recommended Study Resources

Essential Books and Publications

• History of Maithili Literature - Sahitya Akademi
• Maithili Grammar and Linguistics - Maithili Academy
• Maithili Language: Evolution and Development
• Complete Guide to Tirhuta Script

Reference Materials

• Vidyapati's Complete Works - Critical Edition
• Medieval Maithili Literature: A Comprehensive Study
• Folk Literature of Mithila Region
• Modern Maithili Literature: Trends and Movements

Study Aids

• Previous Years' UPSC Question Papers (Maithili Optional)
• Model Answer Writing Practice Sets
• Online Resources from Maithili Academy
• Maithili Literature Study Guides

Additional Resources

• Maithili-English Dictionary
• Digital Archive of Maithili Literature
• Audio Resources for Maithili Poetry
• Research Papers on Maithili Language and Literature

Important Journals and Magazines

• Mithila Mihir
• Maithili Akademi Journal
• Contemporary Maithili Literature Review
• Mithila Research Journal