UPSC Kannada Literature Optional: Syllabus, Books, Strategies, and PYQs

Kannada literature is one of the 23 literature subjects offered by UPSC as an optional for mains examination. Kannada literature involves a wide list of books that need to be referred for acing the exam. Let us check out the syllabus structure and books to be studied to successfully clear the UPSC exam.

UPSC Kannada Literature Optional

Kannada literature for UPSC is usually selected by students belonging to the state of Karnataka or those who have studied the language previously. The subject involves deep understanding of the literature books as well as basic knowledge of Kannada language. Students who are well versed with the language are advised to take the subject as it requires exhaustive practice for scoring good marks.

As part of the subject, students will have to read History of Kannada Literature, poetic metaphysics, cultural history of Kannada language, poets such as Pampa, Ranna, Kumaravyasa, Basavanna etc.

Similar to other subjects of UPSC optional, the subject is made up of two papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2, each carrying 250 marks and divided into two sections. Each paper has a total of eight questions, divided equally into four questions. A candidate has to attempt any five questions. Question 1 and Question 5 are compulsory. Out of the remaining six, any three have to be attempted, with at least one from each section. Answers must be written in Kannada language only.

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UPSC Kannada Literature Syllabus

A detailed knowledge of UPSC Kannada literature syllabus is necessary to prepare well for the subject. Following is a detailed list of the syllabus for Kannada literature:

UPSC Kannada Literature Syllabus For Paper 1

Section A
A. History of Kannada Language	What is Language? General characteristics of Language. Dravidian Family of Languages and its specific features. Antiquity of Kannada Language. Different phases of its Development. Dialects of Kannada Language: Regional and Social. Various aspects of developments of Kannada Language: phonological and Semantic changes. Language borrowing.
B. History of Kannada Literature	Ancient Kannada literature: Influence and Trends, Poets for study: Specified poets from Pampa to Ratnakara Varni are to be studied in the light of contents, form and expression: Pampa, Janna, Nagachandra. Medieval Kannada literature: Influence and Trends. Vachana Literature: Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi. Medieval Poets: Harihara, Raghavanka, Kumara-Vyasa. Dasa literature: Purandara and Kanaka. Sangataya: Ratnakarvarni
C. Modern Kannada literature	Influence, trends and ideologies, Navodaya, Pragatishila, Navya, Dalita and Bandaya.
Section B
A. Poetics and Literary Criticism	Definition and concepts of poetry; Word, Meaning, Alankara, Reeti, Rasa, Dhwani, Auchitya. Interpretations of Rasa Sutra. Modern Trends of literary criticism: Formalist, Historical, Marxist, Feminist, Post-colonial criticism.
B. Cultural History of Karnataka	Contribution of Dynasties to the culture of Karnataka: Chalukyas of Badami and Kalyani, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara rulers, in literary context. Major religions of Karnataka and their cultural contribution. Arts of Karnataka; Sculpture, Architecture, Painting, Music, Dance—in the literary context. Unification of Karnataka and its impact on Kannada literature.

UPSC Kannada Literature Syllabus For Paper 2

Section A
A. Old Kannada Literature	Vikramaarjuna Vijaya of Pampa (Cantos 12 & 13), (Mysore University Pub.) Vaddaraadhane (Sukumaraswamyia Kathe, Vidyutchorana Kathe)
B. Medieval Kannada Literature	Vachana, Kammata, Ed. K. Marulasiddappa K.R. Nagaraj (Bangalore University Pub.) Janapriya Kanakasamputa, Ed. D. Javare Gowda (Kannada and Culture Directorate, Bangalore) Nambiyannana Ragale, Ed., T.N. Sreekantaiah (Ta. Vem. Smaraka Grantha Male, Mysore) Kumaravyasa Bharata: Karna Parva (Mysore University) Bharatesha Vaibhava Sangraha Ed Ta. Su. Shama Rao (Mysore University)
Section B
A. Modern Kannada Literature	Poetry: Hosagannada Kavite, Ed. G.H. Nayak (Kannada Saahitya Parishattu, Bangalore) Novel: Bettada Jeeva—Shivarama Karanta, Madhavi—Anupama Niranjana, Odalaala- Devanuru Mahadeva. Short Story: Kannada Sanna Kathegalu, Ed. G.H. Nayak (Sahitya Academy, New Delhi) Drama: Shudra Tapaswi—Kuvempu. Tughlaq—Girish Karnad. Vichara Sahitya: Devaru—A.N. Moorty Rao (Pub: D.V.K.Moorty, Mysore.)
B. Folk Literature	Janapada Swaroopa—Dr. H.M. Nayak. (Ta. Vem. Smaraka Grantha Male, Mysore.) Janpada Geetaanjali—Ed. D. Javare Gowda (Pub: Sahitya Academy, New Delhi). Kannada Janapada Kathegalu—Ed. J.S. Paramashiviaah (Mysore University). Beedi Makkalu Beledo. Ed. Kalegowda Nagavara (Pub: Bangalore University). Savirada Ogatugalu—Ed. S.G. Imrapura.

Kannada Literature Books for UPSC

The first step in preparation is to select all the necessary books for preparation. The following table contains the list of books for Kannada literature optional.

Paper 1

Paper 2

Linguistic History of Kannada Language-M.H. Krishnaiah
Kannada Bhasha Shastra- R.Y. Dharwadkar
Kannada Sahitya Charitre- R.S. Mugali
History of Karnataka by Falaksha
Literary Criticism’ by Ramachandran
MA (Kannada) books from the University of Mysore
Hosanagannadh Sahithya Charithram” by Seshagiri Rao
Karnataka Cultural Survey’ by Tipperedaswamy

Bettada Jeeva-Shivarama Karanth
Madhavi-Arupama Niranjana
Odalaala-Devanuru Mahadeva
Devaru- A.N. Moorty Rao
Kannada Janapada Kathegalu-J.S. Paramashivaiah
Janapada Swaroopa-Dr. H.M. Nayak.
Janapriya Kanakasamputa-D. G Javare Gowda
Kannada Sanna Kathegalu-G.H. Nayak
Kumaravyasa Bharata-Kumaravyasa
Tughlaq-Girish Karnad.
Nambiyannana Raagale-T.N. Sreekantaiah
Vikramarjuna Vijaya of Pampa
Pampana Samastha Bharata Kathamrita-L. Basavaraju
Shudra Tapaswi-Kuvempu
Vachana Kammata-K. Marulasiddappa K.R. Nagaraj

UPSC Kannada Literature Question Papers

Candidates preparing for UPSC Kannada literature need to analyse previous year questions to get a better idea of the demand of the exam. For that purpose, analysis of PYQs is the key. The PYQs can be divided from the table below:

Year	Question Paper
2023 Kannada Literature Optional	Paper 1: Kannada Literature
2023 Kannada Literature Optional	Paper 2: Kannada Literature
2022 Kannada Literature Optional	Paper 1: Kannada Literature
2022 Kannada Literature Optional	Paper 2: Kannada Literature
2021 Kannada Literature Optional	Paper 1: Kannada Literature
2021 Kannada Literature Optional	Paper 2: Kannada Literature
2020 Kannada Literature Optional	Paper 1: Kannada Literature
2020 Kannada Literature Optional	Paper 2: Kannada Literature
2019 Kannada Literature Optional	Paper 1: Kannada Literature
2019 Kannada Literature Optional	Paper 2: Kannada Literature

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Tips to Prepare for Kannada Literature UPSC

Acing Kannada literature for UPSC requires meticulous planning and execution. It involves guidance from multiple sources to maximise the score in the exam. Candidates preparing for Kannada literature optional can boost their preparation by following the below steps:

Understand the Syllabus: The first step in the preparation for Kannada literature involves clear understanding of the subject. Once the syllabus is understood, candidates can proceed further.
Create a Time-table: Candidates need to create a time-table, dividing their mains preparation. Candidates making a proper plan during preparation have good chances of scoring high marks.
Prepare Short Notes: Candidates will have to prepare their own notes during their preparation. This will be helpful during revision, when there is very little time for the exam. Notes of Quote and lines of poet/author can give weight to your answer.
Read Original Text: It’s important in literature to read original texts and create your own unique writing style with poetic language.
Daily Answer Writing: Candidates must practice daily answer writing compulsorily as they have to write answers fast in the script of the literature language, which may be difficult initially. Incorporate knowledge from the field of General Studies wherever necessary.
Attempt Test Series: Attempting test series prior to the exam will help candidates to get an idea about the level of their preparation. This can help them to iron-out their weaknesses before the actual exam.
Making comparisons and drawing analogies between literature in different languages, such as English, Greek, African, Telugu, Tamil and other languages can enhance the diversity and uniqueness of responses.
Analytical Thinking: Literature subjects, including Kannada, require analytical thinking. Candidates answering a topic with an analytical mind can impress evaluators and also score good marks.
Solve PYQs: Candidates qualifying the exam have relied on PYQs to analyse important trends and topics for the exam. Solving PYQs will give candidates the confidence required to score well.

Preparation for any optional subject is incomplete without proper planning. Candidates choosing Kannada Literature as optional must have a proper plan to tackle general studies and Optional separately. This is because literature optional requires writing practice in the language script.

In addition, candidates can refer to copies of previous toppers as well as watch strategy videos from successful candidates to develop their own method for tackling the challenges.

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC	UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs	UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz	Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers	UPSC Test Series 2024

upsc kannada syllabus UPSC Syllabus

UPSC Kannada Literature Syllabus FAQs

Yes. Toppers’ copy will provide candidates the idea about the type of answers that is required to be written for scoring good marks.

Candidates reading toppers’ answer sheets will have to first read the question, understand the demand of the question and the way it has been addressed in the answer.

Yes. Candidates need to get used to the script of the literature subject. For that to happen, they will have to write answers daily.

Candidates need to complete the UPSC Kannada literature optional within 3-4 months for them to have a good shot at clearing mains exam.

Yes. Candidates who have successfully cleared UPSC have managed to score good marks in Kannada literature optional.

Nandini KR got first rank in CSE 2016 with Kannada Literature as the optional subject. She scored 331 marks out of 500 in the optional subject, one of the highest marks in Kannada Literature.

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UPSC Kannada Literature Optional: Syllabus, Books, Strategies, and PYQs