UPSC Bengali Literature Optional Syllabus for Mains 2024

Aditi Sinha August 22, 2023 02:30 13501 0

Find all the information you require to prepare for the UPSC Bengali Literature Optional Mains 2024 exam.

UPSC Bengali Literature Optional Syllabus for Mains 2024

Bengali literature Optional  is listed as one of the subjects in the UPSC, categorized under “Literature of any one of the following languages.” Among the 23 language subjects mentioned by UPSC, Bengali literature is included. 

In this article, we will try to explore every possible dimension of Bengali literature which will help candidates to score high marks in this subject.

UPSC Bengali Literature Optional Subject

As per the current pattern of UPSC exam, its mains examination requires optional subjects and Bengali Literature is one of the most preferred literature optional subjects. The UPSC Bengali Literature optional subject provides candidates with a comprehensive image of Bengal’s rich literary tradition. From ancient to contemporary works, candidates study major authors, genres, and literary movements. Through critical analysis, they gain knowledge into the socio-cultural contexts and thematic complexities of Bengali literature. This optional subject offers a deep insight to  Bengal’s cultural heritage and literary contributions.

UPSC Bengali Literature Optional Paper Pattern

Like all other optional subjects of UPSC optional subject list, the subject is made up of two papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2, each paper carrying 250 marks. Each paper is 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 Bengali language only.

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UPSC Bengali Literature Optional Exam Pattern
Particular Details
Total Papers Two, Paper I and Paper II
Total Marks 500 (250 Each)
Time allowed 3 Hours for each paper
Sections Section A and Section B
Questions Total 8 questions with subparts
Compulsory Question Question No. 1 and 5
Marks Distribution 10, 15, and 20 marker questions

UPSC Bengali Literature Syllabus

The UPSC Bengali Literature syllabus provides a comprehensive overview of evolution of Bengal’s literature, spanning ancient to modern times. It includes the study of major literary movements, renowned authors, and significant works. Its syllabus offers candidates to explore the poetry and prose of ancient and medieval Bengal, examining texts like the Charyapada and Vaishnava Padavali

The syllabus also emphasizes the influential Bengal Renaissance period, featuring prominent figures such as Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and Michael Madhusudan Dutt. This syllabus equips aspirants with insights into the development of Bengali literature and its profound cultural and social impact. Syllabus of Bengali Literature is divided into two segments i.e Paper 1 and Paper 2.

UPSC Bengali literature Syllabus For Paper 1

The UPSC Bengali Syllabus Paper 1 is divided into two sections: Section A focuses on Language, and Section B covers Literary Criticism and Literary History. Below is the detailed syllabus of UPSC Bengali Syllabus Paper 1.

Paper 1: History of Language and Literature

Section A: Topics from the History of Bangla language
  1. The chronological track from Proto Indo-European to Bangla (Family tree with branches and approximate dates).
  2. Historical stages of Bangla (Old, Middle, New) and their linguistic features.
  3. Dialects of Bangla and their distinguishing characteristics.
  4. Elements of Bangla Vocabulary.
  5. Forms of Bangla Literary Prose—Sadhu and Chalit.
  6. Processes of language change relevant for Bangla :
  7. Apinihiti (Anaptyxis), Abhishruti (umlaut), Murdhanyibhavan (cerebralization), Nasikyibhavan (Nasalization), Samibhavan (Assimilation), Sadrishya (Analogy), Svaragama (Vowel insertion) —Adi Svaragama, Madhya Svaragama or Svarabhakti, Antya Svaragama, Svarasangati (Vowel harmony), y—shruti and w—shruti.
  8. Problems of standardization and reform of alphabet and spelling, and those of transliteration and Romanization.
  9. Phonology, Morphology and Syntax of Modern Bangla. (Sounds of Modern Bangla, Conjuncts; word formations, compounds; basic sentence patterns.)
Section B: Topics from the History of Bangla Literature
  1. Periodization of Bangla Literature : Old Bangla and Middle Bangla.
  2. Points of difference between modern and pre-modern Bangla Literature.
  3. Roots and reasons behind the emergence of modernity in Bangla Literature.
  4. Evolution of various Middle Bangla forms ; Mangal Kavyas, Vaishnava lyrics, Adapted narratives (Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata) and religious biographies.
  5. Secular forms in middle Bangla literature.
  6. Narrative and lyric trends in the nineteenth century Bangla poetry.
  7. Development of prose.
  8. Bangla dramatic literature (nineteenth century, Tagore, Post-1944 Bangla drama).
  9. Tagore and post-Tagoreans.
  10. Fiction, major authors : Bankimchandra, Tagore, Saratchandra, Bibhutibhusan, Tarasankar, Manik ).
  11. Women and Bangla literature : creators and created.

UPSC Bengali Literature Optional Syllabus For Paper II 

The UPSC Bengali Syllabus Paper 2 covers various literary works. These include Vaishnava Padavali Chandimangal Kalketu episode by Mukunda and Kapalkundala by Bankimchandra Chatterjee. It also includes Raktakarabi by Rabindranath Tagore, Grihadaha by Saratchandra Chatterjee, and Sonar Tari by Rabindranath Tagore. The syllabus details can be found below.

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Paper II Syllabus

Section A

  1. Vaishnava Padavali (Calcutta University) Poems of Vidyapati, Chandidas, Jnanadas, Govindadas and Balaramdas
  2. Chandimangal Kalketu episode by Mukunda (Sahitya Akademi).
  3. Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya Lila by Krishnadas Kaviraj (Sahitya Akademi)
  4. Meghnadbadh Kavya by Madhusudan Dutta.
  5. Kapalkundala by Bankimchandra Chatterjee.
  6. Samya and Bangadesher Krishak by Bankimchandra Chatterjee.
  7. Sonar Tari by Rabindranath Tagore.
  8. Chhinnapatravali by Rabindranath Tagore.

Section B

  1. Raktakarabi by Rabindranath Tagore.
  2. Nabajatak by Rabindranath Tagore
  3. Grihadaha by Saratchandra Chatterjee
  4. Prabandha Samgraha, Vol. 1, by Pramatha Choudhuri
  5. Aranyak by Bibhutibhusan Banerjee
  6. Short stories by Manik Bandyopadhyay : Atashi Mami, Pragaitihasik, Holud-Pora, Sarisrip, Haraner Natjamai, Chhoto-Bokulpurer Jatri, Kustharogir Bou, Jakey Ghush Ditey Hoy.
  7. Shrestha Kavita by Jibanananda Das.
  8. Jagori by Satinath Bhaduri)
  9. Ebam Indrajit by Badal Sircar.

Complete List Of Books for UPSC Bengali Literature Optional

It is advisable to candidates that they must choose books wisely from a wide range of options to score good marks in UPSC Bengali literature optional exam in IAS exam. The right books will help them cover all the topics easily and gain a better and more in-depth understanding of the exam sections. To ensure the best preparation, candidates can refer to the Bengali literature books and other subject-specific books mentioned below to excel in the exam.

List Of Books For Paper 1

Bengali Language

  • Bangla Sahityer Sankshipta Itihas by Bhudeb Chaudhuri
  • The Bengalis: A Portrait of a Community by Sudeep Chakravarti
  • The Epic City: The World on the Streets of Calcutta by Kushanava Choudhuri.
  • Bengali Prose Style: 1800-1857 by Dinesh Chandra Sen.
  • Types of Early Bengali Prose by Mitra.
  • The Oxford India Anthology of Bengali Literature by Kalpana Bardhan.
  • Bangla Natoker Itihas by Ajit Kumar Ghosh.

List Of Books For Paper 2

  • Bangla Nataker Itihash by Ajit Kumar Ghosh.
  • The Oxford India Anthology of Bengali Literature (1941-1991) edited by Kalpana Bardhan.
  • Rabindra Rachanavali by Rabindranath Tagore.
  • Bankim Rachana Sankalan by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
  • Sarat Rachanasamgra by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.
  • Other Literary works mentioned in Paper II.

UPSC Bengali Literature Optional Previous Year Question Papers

To gain command and to score high marks in Bengali Optional Subject it becomes very important to analyse the patterns and topics which have been asked in the last few years for this Previous Year Question Papers plays a crucial role. Previous year question papers.

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Previous Year Question Papers of Bengali Literature can help candidates to get used to the question styles, weightage of topics, time management for the actual exam. List of Bengali Previous Year Question Papers are as follows.

Year Download Link
2023 Paper 1

Paper 2

2022 Paper 1

Paper 2

2021 Paper 1

Paper 2

2020 Paper 1

Paper 2

2019 Paper 1

Paper 2

Advantages and Disadvantages Of UPSC Bengali Optional

UPSC Optional subjects are numerous and each subject has its own domain and that is why each subject has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the interest and background of candidates. Still we try to find out some advantages and disadvantages of Bengali Optional subjects.

Advantages  Disadvantages
  • Lower Competition: Compared to other optional subjects, Bengali Literature attracts fewer candidates. This can be beneficial for aspirants who are confident in their understanding of the subject and analysis of Bengali literature.
  • Rich Content: Bengali literature boasts a long and rich history with diverse genres and influential figures. Studying it can provide a deeper understanding of Bengali culture and society.
  • Essay Writing and Interview Skills: Extensive reading and analysis of Bengali literature can enhance your essay writing and analytical skills, which are valuable assets for other parts of the UPSC exam.
  • Static Syllabus: The syllabus for Bengali Literature generally undergoes minimal changes, so your preparation remains relevant for multiple attempts.
  • Subjectivity: Evaluation of answers in Bengali literature can be subjective. Your interpretation of the text might differ from the examiner’s, potentially affecting your score.
  • Limited Resources: Compared to mainstream optional subjects, there might be fewer coaching institutes and readily available study materials for Bengali Literature.
  • No Overlap with GS Papers: The subject offers minimal overlap with General Studies papers in the UPSC exam, requiring dedicated preparation time.

How to Prepare for Bengali Literature Optional?

Getting a good score in the UPSC exam for Bengali literature needs careful planning and doing things step by step. It’s important to get help from different places to do well in the exam. If you’re getting ready for the Bengali literature part of the exam, you can do better by following these steps:

  • Understanding the Syllabus: First, grasp the specific topics you need to study for Bengali literature. Once you’re clear on this, you can begin your study process.
  • Creating a Study Plan: Develop a timetable that outlines how you’ll prepare for the main exam. Effective planning increases your chances of scoring well.
  • Taking Notes: Record important points as you study. These notes will aid in quick revision closer to the exam. Jot down quotes and lines from poems or books to enhance your answers.
  • Regular Practice in Answer Writing: Dedicate time daily to practice writing answers. This is crucial as the exam requires you to write in Bengali quickly. Though challenging initially, regular practice improves your writing speed and proficiency. Utilize knowledge from other subjects like General Studies as needed to gauge your preparedness and areas for improvement.
  • Reading Original Texts: It’s essential to read literature in its original form. This helps in developing your own writing style using eloquent language.
  • Staying Relevant: Focus on directly addressing the question and avoid unnecessary diversions. Keep your response centered on the specific aspects of Bengali literature being asked about.
  • Comparing Different Literatures: Drawing comparisons between Bengali literature and works from other languages like English, Greek, African, Telugu, Tamil, etc., can add depth and uniqueness to your answers.
  • Developing Analytical Thinking: Bengali literature, akin to other literature subjects, demands thoughtful analysis. Crafting responses with depth impresses examiners and boosts your chances of scoring well.
  • Solving Previous Year Questions: Successful candidates often refer to questions from past years to identify important areas. Solving these questions instills confidence and enhances performance.

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IAS Bengali Literature Optional Toppers’ Answer Sheets

Answer Sheets of the toppers who have given mock tests for Bengali Literature Optional can help candidates to get familiar with the writing style and flow of the answer which UPSC demands and can excel in this exam. The topper marksheet can be easily available to various blogs and telegram groups from where candidates can avail them and analyse it. 

Preparing for any optional subject is not enough without planning. If candidates are willing to choose Bengali Literature as their optional subject then they need to have a plan for both General Studies and Bengali Literature separately. This is because for literature candidates need to practice writing in the language script. Also candidates can look at previous successful candidates’ notes and watch their strategy videos to make their own plan for handling 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 Bengali Literature Syllabus FAQs

Bengali can be a good optional subject for the UPSC exam for candidates who have a strong command of the language or have studied it extensively. It offers an opportunity to showcase their knowledge and expertise in Bengali literature and language.

The UPSC essay paper needs to be written in either English or any of the scheduled languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. Bengali is one of the scheduled languages, so it is allowed for the essay paper.

No, Bengali Paper 1 and Bengali Compulsory Papers are not the same in the UPSC exam. Bengali Paper 1 typically refers to the optional subject paper where candidates can choose Bengali literature as their optional subject. On the other hand, Bengali Compulsory Papers usually refer to the language papers that are compulsory for all candidates, which include the Bengali language paper along with papers for English and other Indian languages.

It depends, Candidates with non Bengali background can find it very challenging to opt this subject.

It's advisable to choose a literature optional subject for UPSC if you've extensively studied it during your college years. This is because the preparation involves reading a significant amount of material. Additionally, finding coaching resources for these optional subjects might be limited, so prior familiarity with the subject can be beneficial.
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