Optional subject · Literature of languages
UPSC Kashmiri Literature Optional Syllabus 2026
Paper 1 and Paper 2, word for word from UPSC's CSE 2026 notice (pp. 94–96). 250 marks each, three hours each.
हिन्दी में पढ़ेंMains Paper VI · 250 marks · 3 hours
Kashmiri Literature — Paper I
(Answers must be written in Kashmiri)
Section A
Genealogical relationship of the Kashmiri language: various theories.
Areas of occurrence and dialects (geographical/social)
Phonology and grammar:
Vowel and consonant system;
ii.Nouns and pronouns with various case inflections;
iii.Verbs: various types and tenses.
Syntactic structure:
i.Simple, active and declarative statements;
ii.Coordination;
iii.Relativisation.
Section B
Kashmiri literature in the 14th century (Socio-cultural and intellectual background with special reference to Lal Dyad and Sheikhul Alam).
Nineteenth century Kashmiri literature (development of various genres: vatsun; ghazal and mathnavi.
Kashmiri literature in the first half of the twentieth century (with special reference to Mahjoor and Azad; various literary influences).
Modern Kashmiri literature (with special reference to the development of the short story, drama, novel and nazm).
Mains Paper VII · 250 marks · 3 hours
Kashmiri Literature — Paper II
(Answers must be written in Kashmiri)
Section A
Intensive study of Kashmiri poetry up to the nineteenth century:
Lal Dyad,
Sheikhul Aalam
Habba Khatoon
Kashmiri poetry: 19th Century
Mahmood Gami (Vatsans)
Maqbool shah (Gulrez)
Rasool Mir (Ghazals)
Abdul Ahad Nadim (N’at)
Krishanjoo Razdan (Shiv Lagun)
Sufi Poets (Test in Sanglaab, published by the Deptt. of Kashmiri, University of Kashmir)
Twentieth Century Kashmiri poetry (text in Azich Kashir Shairi, published by the Deptt. of Kashmiri, University of Kashmir).
Literary criticism and research work: development and various trends.
Section B
An analytical study of the short story in Kashmiri.
Afsana Majmu’a, published by the Deptt. of Kashmiri, University of Kashmir.
Kashur Afsana Az, published by the Sahitya Akademi.
Hamasar Kashur Afsana, published by the Sahitya Akademi.
The following short story writers only: Akhtar Mohi-ud Din, Kamil, Hari Krishan Kaul, Hraday Kaul Bharti, Bansi Nirdosh, Gulshan Majid.
Novel in Kashmiri:
Mujrim by G. N. Gowhar
Marun—Ivan Ilyichun, (Kashmiri version of Tolstoy’s) The Death of Ivan Ilyich (published by Kashmiri Deptt.)
Drama in Kashmiri:
Natuk Kariv Band by Hari Krishan Kaul
Qk Angy Natuk, ed. Motilal Keemu, published by the Sahitya Akademi.
Razi Oedipus, tr. Naji Munawar, published by the Sahitya Akademi.
Kashmiri Folk Literature:
Kashur Luki Theatre by Mohammad Subhan Bhagat,published by the Deptt. of Kashmiri, University of Kashmir.
Kashiry Luki Beeth(all volumes) published by the J&K Cultural Akademy.
Text: UPSC, UPSC Exam Notice No. 05/2026-CSP (Civil Services Examination, 2026), pp. 94–96 ↗. Any spelling is UPSC's own.
Other literature of languages optionals
FAQ
Kashmiri Literature optional: questions, answered
How many papers are there in the UPSC Kashmiri 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 Kashmiri literature optional syllabus cover?
The full syllabus for both papers is on this page in UPSC's words, from its CSE 2026 notice (pp. 94–96).
Where is the official Kashmiri literature optional syllabus?
In UPSC's notice for the Civil Services Examination 2026 (Exam Notice No. 05/2026-CSP), Section III, Part B, pp. 94–96.