Punjabi Optional Syllabus

The Punjabi Optional for the UPSC Civil Services Exam is a great option for candidates with a strong command of the Punjabi language and its literary heritage. The syllabus covers the evolution of Punjabi as a language, its grammar, and an in-depth study of classical and modern Punjabi literary works, including poetry, prose, and drama. This subject offers candidates an opportunity to engage with the vibrant cultural and literary traditions of Punjab. This post provides a detailed breakdown of the syllabus.

Paper I: Punjabi Optional Syllabus

1. Section A:

   1. Origin of Punjabi Language; different stages of development and recent development in Punjabi Language; characteristics of Punjabi phonology and the study of its tones; classification of vowels and consonants.
   2. Punjabi morphology; the number-gender system (animate and inanimate), prefixes, affixes and different categories of Post positions; Punjabi word formation; Tatsam. Tad Bhav. forms; Sentence structure, the notion of subject and object in Punjabi; Noun and verb phrases.
   3. Language and dialect : the notions of dialect and idiolect: major dialects of Punjabi : Pothohari, Majhi, Doabi, Malwai, Paudhi; the validity of speech variation on the basis of social stratification, the distinctive features of various dialects with special reference to tones Language and script; origin and development of Gurumukhi; Suitability of Gurumukhi for Punjabi.
   4. Classical background : Nath Jogi Sahit.
      Medieval Literature : Gurmat, Suti, Kissa and Var : janamsakhis.

2. Section B:

   1. Modern trends:

      1. Mystic, romantic, progressive and neomystic (Vir Singh, Puran Singh, Mohan Singh, Amrita Pritam, Bawa Balwant, Pritam Singh Safeer, J. S. Neki).
      2. Experimentalist (Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, Ravinder Ravi, Ajaib Kamal).
      3. Aesthetes (Harbhajan Singh, Tara Singh). Neo-progressive (Pash, Jagtar, Patar).

   2. Folk Literature:

      1. Folk songs, Folk tales, Riddles, Proverbs.

   3. Epic:

      1. Vir Singh, Avtar Singh Azad, Mohan Singh

   4. Lyric:

      1. Gurus, Sufis and Modern Lyricists-Mohan Singh, Amrita Pritam, Shiv Kumar, Harbhajan Singh

   5. Drama:

      1. I.C. Nanda, Harcharan Singh, Balwant Gargi, S.S. Sekhon, Charan Das Sidhu

   6. Novel:

      1. Vir Singh, Nanak Singh, Jaswant Singh Kanwal, K.S. Duggal, Sukhbir, Gurdial Singh, Dalip Kaur Tiwana, Swaran Chandan

   7. Short Story:

      1. Sujan Singh, K. S. Virk, Prem Parkash, Waryam Sandhu

   8. Socio-cultural:

      1. Sanskrit, Persian and Western.

   9. Essay:

      1. Puran Singh, Teja Singh, Gurbaksh Singh

   Literary Criticism:

   1. S.S. Sekhon, Attar Singh, Kishan Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Najam Hussain Sayyad

Paper II: Punjabi Optional Syllabus

1. Section A:

   1. Sheikh Farid: The complete Bani as includedin the Adi Granth.
   2. Guru Nanak: Japu Ji. Baramah. Asa di Var.
   3. Bulleh Shah: Kafian
   4. Waris Shah: Heer

2. Section B:

   1. Shah Mohammad Jangnama (Jang Singhante Firangian)
      Dhani Ram Chatrik(Poet): Chandan Vari, Sufi Khana, Nawan Jahan
   2. Nanak Singh(Novelist): Chitta Lahu, Pavittar Papi, Ek Mian Do Talwaran
   3. Gurbaksh Singh Zindagi-di-Ras(Essayist): Nawan Shivala, Merian Abhul Yadaan,
      Balraj Sahni(Travelogue): Mera Roosi Safarnama, Mera Pakistani Safarnama
   4. Balwant Gargi(Dramatist): Loha Kutt, Dhuni-di-Agg, Sultan Razia
      Sant Singh Sekhon(Critic): Sahityarth, Parsidh Punjabi Kavi, Punjabi Kav Shiromani.