Urdu Optional Syllabus

The Urdu Optional for the UPSC Civil Services Exam is a fantastic choice for candidates with a strong command of the Urdu language and its rich literary traditions. The syllabus includes the historical development of Urdu, its grammar, and an in-depth study of classical and contemporary Urdu literary works, including poetry, prose, and drama. This option allows candidates to explore the cultural and literary heritage of Urdu-speaking communities. This post provides a detailed breakdown of the syllabus.

Paper I: Urdu Optional Syllabus

1. Section A:

   1. Development of Indo-Aryan:
      Old Indo-Aryan
      Middle Indo-Aryan
      New Indo-Aryan
   2. Western Hindi and its dialects Brij Bhasha Khadi Boli, Haryanavi, Kannauji, Bundeli—Theories about the origin of Urdu language.
   3. Dakhani Urdu—origin and development, its significant linguistic features.
   4. Social and Cultural roots of Urdu language— and its distinctive features.
      Script, Phonology, Morphology, Vocabulary.

2. Section B:

   1. Genres and their development :
      Poetry: Ghazal, Masnavi, Qasida, Marsia, Rubai Jadid Nazm.
      Prose : Novel, Short Story, Dastan, Drama, Inshaiya, Khutoot, Biography.
   2. Significant feaures of :
      Deccani, Delhi and Lucknow schools.
      Sir Syed movement, Romantic movement, Progressive movement, Modernism.
   3. Literary Criticism and its development with reference to Hali, Shibli, Kaleemuddin Ahmad, Ehtisham Hussain, Ale-Ahmad Suroor.
   4. Essay writing (covering literary and imaginativetopics).

Paper II: Urdu Optional Syllabus

1. Section A:

   This paper will require first hand reading of the texts prescribed and will be designed to test the candidate’s critical ability.

   1. Mir Amman : Bagho-Babar
   2. Ghalib : Intikhab-e-Khutoot-e Ghalib
   3. Mohd. Husain Azad : Nairang-e-Khayal
   4. Prem Chand : Godan
   5. Rajendra Singh Bedi : Apne Dukh Mujhe Dedo
   6. Abul Kalam Azad : Ghubar-e-Khatir

2. Section B:

   1. Mir : Intikhab-e-Kalam-e-Mir (Ed. Abdul Haq.)
   2. Mir Hasan : Sahrul Bayan
   3. Ghalib : Diwan-e-Ghalib
   4. Iqbal : Bal-e-Jibrail
   5. Firaq : Gul-e-Naghma
   6. Faiz : Dast-e-Saba
   7. Akhtruliman : Bint-e-Lamhat