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Optional subject · Literature of languages

UPSC Gujarati Literature Optional Syllabus 2026

Paper 1 and Paper 2, word for word from UPSC's CSE 2026 notice (pp. 89–90). 250 marks each, three hours each.

हिन्दी में पढ़ें
Paper IPaper II UPSC's PDF, pp. 89–90 ↗

Mains Paper VI · 250 marks · 3 hours

Gujarati Literature — Paper I

(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: (Salient features, history and development of the following literary forms :)

(a)

Medieval

1.

Narratives: Rasa, Akhyan and Padyavarta

2.

Lyrical: Pada

(b)

Folk

3.

Bhavai

(c)

Modern

4.

Fiction: Novel and Short Story

5.

Drama

6.

Literary Essay

7.

Lyrical Poetry

(d)

Criticism

8.

History of theoretical Gujarati criticism

9.

Recent research in folk tradition.

Mains Paper VII · 250 marks · 3 hours

Gujarati Literature — 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

1.

Medieval

(i)

Vasantvilas phagu—AJNATKRUT

(ii)

Kadambari—BHALAN

(iii)

Sudamacharitra—PREMANAND

(iv)

Chandrachandravatini varta—SHAMAL

(v)

Akhegeeta—AKHO

2.

Sudharakyug & Pandityug

(vi)

Mari Hakikat—NARMADASHA

(vii)

Farbasveerah—DALPATRAM

(viii)

Saraswatichandra-Part 1—GOVARDHANRAM TRIPATHI

(ix)

Purvalap—‘KANT’ (MANISHANKAR RATNAJI BHATT)

(x)

Raino Parvat—RAMANBHAI NEELKANTH

Section B

1.

Gandhiyug & Anu Gandhiyug

(i)

Hind Swaraj—MOHANDAS KARAMCHAND GANDHI

(ii)

Patanni Prabhuta—KANHAIYALAL MUNSHI

(iii)

Kavyani Shakti—RAMNARAYAN VISHWANATH PATHAK

(iv)

Saurashtrani Rasdhar-Part 1—ZAVERCHAND MEGHANI

(v)

Manvini Bhavai—PANNALAL PATEL

(vi)

Dhvani—RAJENDRA SHAH

2.

Adhunik yug

(vii)

Saptapadi—UMASHANKAR JOSHI

(viii)

Janantike—SURESH JOSHI

(ix)

Ashwatthama—SITANSHU YASHASCHANDRA.

Text: UPSC, UPSC Exam Notice No. 05/2026-CSP (Civil Services Examination, 2026), pp. 89–90 ↗. Any spelling is UPSC's own.

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FAQ

Gujarati Literature optional: questions, answered

How many papers are there in the UPSC Gujarati literature optional?

Two — Mains Papers VI and VII (Optional Paper 1 and Paper 2), 250 marks and three hours each, 500 marks in all.

What does the UPSC Gujarati literature optional syllabus cover?

The full syllabus for both papers is on this page in UPSC's words, from its CSE 2026 notice (pp. 89–90).

Where is the official Gujarati literature optional syllabus?

In UPSC's notice for the Civil Services Examination 2026 (Exam Notice No. 05/2026-CSP), Section III, Part B, pp. 89–90.