UPSC Sanskrit Literature Optional Syllabus 2026

There will be three questions as indicated in the Question Paper which must be answered in Sanskrit. The Remaining questions must be answered either in Sanskrit or in the medium of examination opted by the candidate.

Significant features of the grammar, with particular stress on Sanjna, Sandhi, Karaka, Samasa, Kartari and Karmani vacyas (voice usages) (to be answered in Sanskrit).

(a) Main characteristics of Vedic Sanskrit language

General Knowledge of: —

Essential of Indian Culture with stress on:

Trends of Indian Philosophy

Short Essay (in Sanskrit)

Unseen passage with the questions (to be answered in Sanskrit).

Question from Group 4 is to be answered in Sanskrit only. Questions from Groups 1, 2 and 3 are to be answered either in Sanskrit or in the medium opted by the candidate.

General study of the following groups: — Group 1

Raghuvamsam—Kalidasa

Kumarasambhavam—Kalidasa

Kiratarjuniyam—Bharavi

Sisupalavadham—Magha

Naisadhiyacaritam—Sriharsa

Kadambari—Banabhatta

Dasakumaracaritam—Dandin

Sivarajyodayam—S.B. Varnekar

Group 2

Isãvãsyopanisad

Bhagavadgitã

Sundarakanda of Valmiki’s

Ramayana

Arthasastra of Kautilya Group 3

Svapanavasavadattam—Bhasa

Abhijnanasakuntalam—Kalidasa

Mricchakatikam—Sudraka

Mudraraksasam—Visakhadatta

Uttararamacaritam—Bhavbhuti

Ratnavali—Sriharshavardhana

Venisamharam—Bhattanarayana Group 4

Short notes in Sanskrit on the following: —

Meghadutam—Kalidasa

Nitisatakam—Bhartrhari

Pancatantra—

Rajatarangini—Kalhana

Harsacaritam—Banabhatta

Amarukasatakam—Amaruka

Gitagovindam—Jayadeva.

This section will require first hand reading of the following selected texts :— (Questions from Groups 1 & 2 are to be answered in Sanskrit only) Questions from Groups 3 and 4 are to be answered either in Sanskrit or in the Medium opted by the candidate. Group 1

Raghuvamsam—CantoI, Verses 1 to 10

Kumarasambhavam—Canto I, Verses1 to 10

Kiratarjuniyaue—Canto I, Verses 1 to 10 Group 2

Isavasyopanisad—Verses—1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 15 and 18

Bhagavatgita II Chapter Verses13 to 25

Sundarakandam of Valmiki Canto15, Verses 15 to 30 (Geeta Press Edition) Group 3

Meghadutam—Verses 1 to 10

Nitisatakam—Verses 1 to 10 (Edited by D.D. Kosambi Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Publication)

Kadambari—Sukanasopadesa (only) Group 4

Svapnavasavadattam Act VI

Abhijnansakuntalam Act IV Verses 15 to 30 (M.R. Kale Edition)

Uttararamacaritam Act I Verses 31 to 47 (M.R. Kale Edition).