UPSC Santhali Compulsory Paper 2026: Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Marking Scheme & Preparation Guide

Many candidates focus almost entirely on General Studies and Optional papers during UPSC Mains preparation. However, overlooking the UPSC Santhali Compulsory Paper 2026 can become a costly mistake because failing to secure the minimum qualifying marks means your remaining Mains papers will not be evaluated, regardless of how well you perform in them.

If you have chosen Santhali as your Indian Language (Paper A), understanding the exam pattern, marking scheme, syllabus, books, and preparation strategy can make your preparation much easier. With regular writing practice, grammar revision, translation exercises, and previous year question papers, you can comfortably qualify this paper while focusing on the merit-based papers.

Role of the UPSC Santhali Compulsory Paper in the UPSC Mains Examination

Although this paper does not contribute to the final ranking, it plays an important role in the UPSC Mains examination.

The Santhali Compulsory Paper helps UPSC evaluate your basic language proficiency, writing ability, comprehension, grammar, and translation skills. It ensures that candidates can communicate effectively in an Indian language.

Qualifying this paper is mandatory because:

• Your remaining Mains papers are evaluated only after qualifying Paper A.
• It tests practical language skills required for effective communication.
• It improves writing accuracy and comprehension.
• It develops translation and language usage skills.
• Ignoring this paper may affect your overall UPSC journey despite good performance in other papers.

UPSC Santhali Compulsory Paper 2026 Exam Pattern

Understanding the exam pattern helps you prepare according to the marks distribution and question types.

UPSC Santhali Compulsory Paper 2026 Marking Scheme

Understanding the UPSC Santhali Compulsory Paper 2026 Marking Scheme helps you identify the weightage of each section and plan your preparation accordingly. Since the paper is qualifying in nature, knowing how the 300 marks are distributed allows you to focus on high-scoring areas while ensuring you comfortably secure the minimum qualifying marks of 75 out of 300. 

Knowing the marking scheme allows you to spend more preparation time on sections carrying higher marks, such as essay writing, reading comprehension, and précis writing.

UPSC Santhali Compulsory Paper 2026 Syllabus

The UPSC Santhali Compulsory Paper 2026 syllabus is prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and remains the most important resource for your preparation. It covers the history and development of the Santhali language, literature, cultural heritage, and prescribed literary texts that must be studied in depth for the examination. Candidates should prepare strictly according to the official syllabus to avoid spending time on topics outside the exam scope. 

Paper I

Section A

Part I – History of Santhali Language

• Main Austric Language family, population and distribution
• Grammatical structure of the Santhali language
• Important characteristics of the Santhali language:
  • Phonology
  • Morphology
  • Syntax
  • Semantics
  • Translation
  • Lexicography
• Impact of other languages on Santhali
• Standardisation of the Santhali language

Part II – History of Santhali Literature

• Literary trends during:
  • Ancient Literature (before 1854)
  • Missionary Period (1855–1889 AD)
  • Medieval Period (1890–1946 AD)
  • Modern Period (1947 onwards)
• Writing tradition in the history of Santhali literature

Section B

Part I – Folk Literature

• Folk songs
• Folk tales
• Phrases
• Idioms
• Puzzles
• Kudum

Part II – Modern Literature

• Development of poetry and prominent poets
• Development of prose and prominent writers
• Novels and notable novelists
• Stories and prominent story writers
• Drama and prominent dramatists
• Criticism and prominent critics
• Essays, sketches, memoirs, travelogues and prominent writers

Important Santhali Writers

• Shyam Sundar Hembram
• Pandit Raghunath Murmu
• Barha Beshra
• Sadhu Ramchand Murmu
• Narayan Soren ‘Toresutam’
• Sarda Prasad Kisku
• Raghunath Tudu
• Kalipada Soren
• Sakla Soren
• Digamber Hansda
• Aditya Mitra ‘Santhali’
• Babulal Murmu ‘Adivasi’
• Jadumani Beshra
• Arjun Hembram
• Krishna Chandra Tudu
• Rupchand Hansda
• Kalendra Nath Mandi
• Mahadev Hansda
• Gour Chandra Murmu
• Thakur Prasad Murmu
• Hara Prasad Murmu
• Uday Nath Majhi
• Parimal Hembram
• Dhirendra Nath Baske
• Shyam Charan Hembram
• Damayanti Beshra
• T.K. Rapaj
• Boyha Biswanath Tudu

Part III – Cultural Heritage

• Santhali traditions
• Customs
• Festivals
• Rituals related to birth, marriage and death 

Paper II

Paper II is designed to test your critical understanding of prescribed Santhali literary works. Questions are based on first-hand reading of the texts mentioned in the official UPSC syllabus.

Section A – Ancient Literature

Prose

• Kherwal Bonso Dhorom Puthi – Majhi Ramdas Tudu “Rasika”
• Mare Hapramko Reyak Katha – L.O. Skrefsrud
• Jomsim Binti Lita – Mangal Chandra Turkulumang Soren
• Marang Buru Binti – Kanailal Tudu

Poetry

• Karam Sereng – Nunku Soren
• Devi Dasain Sereng – Manindra Hansda
• Horh Sereng – W.G. Archer
• Baha Sereng – Balaram Tudu
• Dong Sereng – Padmashri Bhagwat Murmu ‘Thakur’
• Hor Sereng – Raghunath Murmu
• Soros Sereng – Babulal Murmu ‘Adivasi’
• More Sin More Nida – Rup Chand Hansda
• Judasi Madwa Latar – Tez Narayan Murmu

Section B – Modern Literature

The syllabus includes prescribed works from:

• Poetry
• Novels
• Short Stories
• Drama
• Biography

Candidates should prepare all prescribed texts exactly as mentioned in the official UPSC Mains syllabus, as questions are framed directly from these works. 

Important Topics for UPSC Santhali Compulsory Paper 2026

Although every topic mentioned in the official UPSC syllabus is important, some areas require regular revision and answer-writing practice because they are frequently tested. Focusing on these topics alongside the prescribed syllabus can strengthen your preparation and improve your performance in the examination.

Important topics include:

• Santhali Grammar and Language Structure
• History of the Santhali Language
• History of Santhali Literature
• Folk Literature and Folk Traditions
• Modern Santhali Literature
• Prominent Santhali Writers and Their Works
• Cultural Heritage, Customs and Festivals
• Prescribed Literary Texts (Paper II)
• Literary Criticism and Analysis
• Translation and Language Usage
• Essay Writing in Santhali
• Reading Comprehension
• Vocabulary, Idioms and Phrases

UPSC Santhali Compulsory Paper Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs)

Practising UPSC Santhali Compulsory Paper Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs) helps you become familiar with the descriptive exam pattern and frequently asked topics. Solving PYQs regularly also improves writing speed, translation skills, time management, and confidence before the examination.

Download the official year-wise UPSC Santhali Compulsory Paper PYQs to strengthen your preparation and revise effectively.

UPSC Santhali Compulsory Paper 2026 Preparation Strategy

Preparing for this paper does not require advanced literary knowledge. Consistent practice and familiarity with the syllabus are usually enough to qualify comfortably.

You can prepare effectively by following these strategies:

• Understand the syllabus and exam pattern before starting your preparation.
• Revise Santhali grammar regularly to strengthen your basics.
• Build vocabulary through daily reading.
• Practice essay writing every week.
• Improve précis writing by summarising newspaper articles.
• Practice translation between English and Santhali regularly.
• Read Santhali newspapers, magazines, and books to improve comprehension.
• Solve previous year question papers to understand the paper pattern.
• Attempt mock tests under exam conditions.
• Revise grammar rules, vocabulary, and writing formats regularly.

Regular practice is more important than studying for long hours.

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