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Sindhi Optional Syllabus for UPSC 2025

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

Answers must be written in Sindhi (Arabic or Devanagari Script)

Paper I

Section A

Language Origins and Features
Origin and Evolution

Views of different scholars on the origin and evolution of Sindhi language

Linguistic Features

Significant linguistic features including:

  • Phonology
  • Morphology
  • Syntax
Major Dialects

Major dialects of the Sindhi language

Vocabulary Development

Stages of growth, including:

  • Pre-partition period
  • Post-partition period
Writing Systems

Historical study of various Writing Systems (Scripts) of Sindhi

Modern Changes

Changes in the structure of Sindhi language in India, after partition, due to:

  • Influence of other languages
  • Social conditions

Section B

Literature Through Ages

Sindhi literature through the ages in context of socio-cultural conditions in the respective periods

Early Medieval Literature (upto 1350 A.D.)

including folk literature

Late Medieval Period (from 1350 A.D. to 1850 A.D.)
Renaissance Period (from 1850 A.D. to 1947 A.D.)
Modern Period (from 1947 and onwards)
  • Poetry
  • Drama
  • Novel
  • Short story
  • Essay
  • Literary criticism
  • Biography
  • Autobiography
  • Memoirs
  • Travelogues

Paper II

This paper will require the first-hand reading of the texts prescribed and will be designed to test the candidate's critical ability.

Section A

References to context and critical appreciation of the texts included in this section

Poetry
  • Shah Jo Choond Shair (ed. H.I. Sadarangani), Sahitya Akademi - First 100 pages
  • Sachal Jo Choond Kalam (ed. Kalyan B. Advani), Sahitya Akademi - Kafis only
  • Sami-a-ja Choond Sloka (ed. B.H. Nagrani), Sahitya Akademi - First 100 pages
  • Shair-e-Bewas by Kishinchand Bewas - Saamoondi Sipoon portion only
  • Roshan Chhanvro by Narayan Shyam
  • Virhange Khapoi je Sindhi Shair jee Choond (ed. H.I. Sadarangani), Sahitya Akademi
Drama
  • Behtareen Sindhi Natak (ed. M. Kamal), Gujarat Sindhi Academy (One-act Plays)
  • Kako Kaloomal by Madan Jumani (Full-length Play)

Section B

References to context and critical appreciation of the texts included in this section

  • Pakheeara Valar Khan Vichhrya (Novel) by Gobind Malhi
  • Sat Deenhan (Novel) by Krishin Khatwani
  • Choond Sindhi Kahanyoon (Short Stories) (ed. Prem Prakash), Sahitya Akademi - Vol. III
  • Bandhan (Short Stories) by Sundari Uttamchandani
  • Behtareen Sindhi Mazmoon (Essays) (ed. Hiro Thakur), Gujarat Sindhi Academi
  • Sindhi Tanqeed (Criticism) (ed. Harish Vaswani), Sahitya Akademi
  • Mumhinjee Hayati-a-ja Sona Ropa varqa (Autobiography) by Popati Hiranandani
  • Dr. Choithram Gidwani (Biography) by Vishnu Sharma

Note: This syllabus requires comprehensive understanding of both linguistic features and literary works. Special attention should be given to the evolution of Sindhi language and its scripts (Arabic and Devanagari).

Recommended Study Resources

Essential Books and Publications

  • History of Sindhi Literature - Standard Reference
  • Sindhi Grammar and Linguistics Guide
  • Evolution of Sindhi Language and Scripts
  • Guide to Sindhi Literary Forms

Reference Materials

  • Dictionary of Sindhi Literary Terms
  • Classical Sindhi Literature: A Critical Study
  • Modern Sindhi Literature: Trends and Movements
  • Guide to Sindhi Scripts (Arabic and Devanagari)

Study Aids

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

Language Resources

  • Guide to Sindhi Grammar and Composition
  • Dialectology of Sindhi Language
  • Post-Partition Changes in Sindhi
  • Modern Literary Forms Guide

Journals and Periodicals

  • Journal of Sindhi Studies
  • Sindhi Literary Review
  • Contemporary Literature Quarterly
  • Language and Cultural Studies