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Optional subject · Literature of languages

UPSC Manipuri Literature Optional Syllabus 2026

Paper 1 and Paper 2, word for word from UPSC's CSE 2026 notice (pp. 101–103). 250 marks each, three hours each.

हिन्दी में पढ़ें
Paper IPaper II UPSC's PDF, pp. 101–103 ↗

Mains Paper VI · 250 marks · 3 hours

Manipuri Literature — Paper I

(Answers must be written in Manipuri)

Section A

Language:

(a)

General characteristics of Manipuri Language and history of its development; its importance and status among the Tibeto-Burman Languages of North-East India; recent development in the study of Manipuri Language; evolution and study of old Manipuri script.

(b)

Significant features of Manipuri Language:

(i)

Phonology: Phoneme-vowels, consonants juncture, tone, consonant cluster and its occurrence, syllable-its structure, pattern and types.

(ii)

Morphology: Word-class, root and its types; affix and its types; grammatical categories-gender, number, person, case, tense and aspects, process of compounding (samas and sandhi).

(iii)

Syntax: Word order; types of sentences, phrase and clause structures.

Section B

(a)

Literary History of Manipuri:

Early period (up to 17th Century)–Social and cultural background; Themes, diction and style of the works.

Medieval period (18th and 19th Century)-Social, religious and political background; Themes, diction and style of the works.

Modern period-Growth of major literary forms; change of Themes, diction and style.

(b)

Manipuri Folk Literature:

Legend, Folktale, Folksong, Ballad, Proverb and Riddle.

(c)

Aspects of Manipuri Culture:

Pre-Hindu Manipuri Faith; Advent of Hinduism and the process of syncreticism;

Performing arts-Lai Haraoba, Maha Ras;

Indigenous games-Sagol Kangjei, Khong Kangjei, Kang.

Mains Paper VII · 250 marks · 3 hours

Manipuri Literature — Paper II

(Answers must be written in Manipuri) This paper will require first hand reading of the texts prescribed and will be designed to test candidate’s critical ability to assess them.

Section A

Old and Medieval Manipuri Literature:

(a)

Old Manipuri Literature:

1.

O. Bhogeswar Singh (Ed.) : Numit Kappa

2.

M. Gourachandra Singh (Ed.) : Thawanthaba Hiran

3.

N. Khelchandra Singh (Ed.) : Naothingkhong

Phambal Kaba

4.

M. Chandra Singh (Ed.) : Panthoibi Khonggul

(b)

Medieval Manipuri Literature:

1.

M. Chandra Singh (Ed.) : Samsok Ngamba

2.

R.K. Snahal Singh (Ed.) : Ramayana Adi Kanda

3.

N. Khelchandra Singh (Ed.) : Dhananjoy Laibu Ningba

4.

O. Bhogeswar Singh (Ed.) : Chandrakirti Jila Changba

Section B

Modern Manipuri Literature:

(a)

Poetry and Epic:

(I)

Poetry:

(a)

Manipuri Sheireng (Pub) Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, 1998 (Ed.) Kh. Chaoba Singh : Pi Thadoi, Lamgi CheklaAmada, Loktak Dr. L. Kamal Singh : Nirjanata, Nirab Rajani

A.

Minaketan Singh: Kamalda, Nonggumlalkkhoda.

L.

Samarendra Singh: Ingagi Nong, Mamang Leikai Thambal Satle

E.

Nilakanta Singh: Manipur, Lamangnaba Shri Biren : Tangkhul Hui Th. Ibopishak : Anouba Thunglaba Jiba.

(b)

Kanchi Sheireng. (Pub) Manipur University 1998 (Ed.) Dr. L. Kamal Singh : Biswa-Prem Shri Biren : Chaphadraba Laigi Yen Th. Ibopishak : Norok Patal Prithivi

(II)

Epic:

1.

A. Dorendrajit Singh : Kansa Bodha

2.

H. Anganghal Singh : Khamba-Thoibi Sheireng (San-Senba, Lei Langba,Shamu Khonggi Bichar)

(III)

Drama:

1.

S. Lalit Singh : Areppa Marup

2.

G.C. Tongbra : Matric Pass

3.

A. Samarendra : Judge Saheb ki Imung

(b)

Novel, Short-story and Prose :

(I)

Novel:

1.

Dr. L. Kamal Singh : Madhabi

2.

H. Anganghal Singh : Jahera

3.

H. Guno Singh : Laman

4.

Pacha Meetei: Imphal Amasung, MagiIshing, Nungsitki Phibam

(II)

Short-story:

(a)

Kanchi Warimacha (Pub) Manipur University 1997(Ed.) R.K. Shitaljit Singh : Kamala Kamala M.K. Binodini : Eigi Thahoudraba HeitupLalu Kh. Prakash : Wanom Shareng

(b)

Parishadki Khangatlaba Warimacha (Pub) Manipuri Sahitya Parishad 1994 (Ed.)

S.

Nilbir Shastri: Loukhatpa R.K. Elangba : Karinunggi

(c)

Anouba Manipuri Warimacha (Pub) The Cultural Forum Manipur 1992 (Ed.)

N.

Kunjamohon Singh: Ijat Tanba

E.

Dinamani: Nongthak Khongnang

(III)

Prose:

(a)

Warenggi Saklon [Due Part] (Pub) The Cultural Forum Manipur 1992 (Ed.) Kh. Chaoba Singh : Khamba-Thoibigi WariAmasung Mahakavya

(b)

Kanchi Wareng (Pub) Manipur University, 1998 (Ed.)

B.

Manisana Shastri: Phajaba Ch. Manihar Singh : Lai-Haraoba

(c)

Apunba Wareng (Pub) Manipur University, 1986 (Ed.) Ch. Pishak Singh : Samaj Amasung Sanskriti M.K. Binodini : Thoibidu Warouhouida Eric Newton : Kalagi Mahousa (translated by I.R. Babu)

(d)

Manipuri Wareng (Pub) The Cultural Forum Manipur 1999 (Ed.)

S.

Krishnamohan Singh: Lan

Text: UPSC, UPSC Exam Notice No. 05/2026-CSP (Civil Services Examination, 2026), pp. 101–103 ↗. Any spelling is UPSC's own.

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FAQ

Manipuri Literature optional: questions, answered

How many papers are there in the UPSC Manipuri 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 Manipuri literature optional syllabus cover?

The full syllabus for both papers is on this page in UPSC's words, from its CSE 2026 notice (pp. 101–103).

Where is the official Manipuri literature optional syllabus?

In UPSC's notice for the Civil Services Examination 2026 (Exam Notice No. 05/2026-CSP), Section III, Part B, pp. 101–103.