The Popularity of Sanskrit Literature Optional

On average, about a hundred candidates opt for Sanskrit literature as their optional subject. It also enjoys a decent success rate as we shall observe in the table given below:

Success Rate of Sanskrit Optional

Top Scorers in Sanskrit Optional

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Sanskrit Optional

Choosing Sanskrit as an optional subject for the IAS mains offers numerous benefits. It doesn't require a degree in Sanskrit, only a basic understanding of the language from school and a genuine interest in it. With these prerequisites, you can successfully tackle Sanskrit and excel in the IAS exam.

Advantages of Sanskrit Optional

• The syllabus for Sanskrit literature is concise, limited, and well-defined.
• The syllabus is static, eliminating the need to constantly update with current affairs, unlike subjects like Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, etc.
• Sanskrit faces less competition due to the relatively lower number of candidates choosing it.
• Sanskrit is a high-scoring subject. With thorough preparation, you can achieve good marks. The grammar sections, in particular, are high scoring.
• You can cover the entire syllabus in under two months. If you're a graduate in the language, you can cover it in less than a month.
• The language is scientific and systematic, making it easier to understand than other languages.
• The exam questions are generally direct and straightforward.
• Revising for this optional doesn't take much time and can be completed in a few days.
• Not all answers in the papers need to be written in Sanskrit. Apart from a few questions that must be answered in Sanskrit, all other questions can be answered in Hindi, English, or any other language selected by the candidate.
• Certain concepts covered in the Sanskrit syllabus can assist you in other GS papers, especially in Indian philosophy and ethics papers.

Disadvantages of Sanskrit Optional

• There is no overlap with the general studies papers.
• Coaching and a good test series for Sanskrit optional are hard to find.
• Only choose this optional subject if you have a genuine passion for the language.

The UPSC Sanskrit Syllabus

Let's examine the syllabus for Sanskrit Literature for the UPSC mains exam.

The UPSC exam pattern includes two optional papers. Each paper is worth a total of 250 marks, bringing the total optional marks to 500.

Strategies for Sanskrit Optional in UPSC

The question papers for this optional are divided into two sections, A and B, in both Paper I and Paper II. In both sections, you must answer at least three questions in Sanskrit. The rest of the questions can be answered in the medium chosen by the candidate.

For convenience, the syllabus has been divided into the following sections:

Paper I (Shastric)

1. Grammar
2. Knowledge of language
3. History of Sanskrit Literature
4. Sahitya-Shastra
5. Essay
6. Sanskriti (Culture)
7. Darshan (Philosophy)
8. Unseen passages

Each of the sections is discussed below:

Grammar

• In this section, you will need to learn Sangya, Samas, Sandhi, Vachya, and Karak. Refer to Laghu Siddhanta Kaumudi for this section.

Knowledge of language

• This section is divided into three subsections: main characteristics of Vedic Sanskrit language, prominent features of classical Sanskrit language, and contribution of Sanskrit to linguistic studies.
• The questions from this section can sometimes be tricky and not straightforward.
• Books by Dr Kapil Dwivedi can be referred to for this section.

History of Sanskrit Literature

• This is a comprehensive section and must be dealt with thoroughly as it can also help in the first part of Paper-II. Kavya is an important topic under this heading.

Sahitya-Shastra

• Important topics here are Kavya’s Lakshana, guna, prayojan, and dosha. Also, study the 6 sampradayas and the Mula tattva of the Kavya, including the debate surrounding this (rasa Siddhanta, Alankara Siddhanta, Dhwani Siddhanta, etc.)

Essay (Nibandh)

• Previously, candidates could prepare a few essays and questions would be asked only from them. However, now the UPSC has changed the pattern. Essay topics are asked from the Sanskriti and Darshan topics of the syllabus itself.

Example questions (To be answered in Sanskrit only):

1. Write an essay based on the concept of 'Dharma'.
   Q. Discuss the significance and relevance of the Vedic rituals in today's society.
2. Discuss the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads and their relevance in the modern world.

• The scope of knowledge required to write the essay questions has been narrowed down, but the language proficiency required has increased. The essay topics are asked from limited sources, but you need to have a good command of the language to write them well.

Sanskriti (Culture)

• This section has some overlap with the General Studies section.

Darshan (Philosophy)

• You can use Bharatiya Darshan Alochana Aur Anusheelan by CD Sharma for this section.

Unseen Passages

• This is a scoring section.
• Here, questions are asked from a given passage.

Paper-II (Literature)

The syllabus for this paper is divided into groups.

Part I

• Group 1 – Chayanit Mahakavya
• Group 2 – Pracheen Sahitya (ancient literature)
• Group 3 – Sanskrit Natak (drama)
• Group 4 – Sanskrit Vyakhya

Part II

• Sanskrit Vyakhya – Mahakavya
• Sanskrit Vyakhya – Aarsh Kavya
• Hindi Vyakhya – Mishrit Kavya
• Hindi Vyakhya – Natya Kavya

The literature section is relatively easier to prepare. If you go through the previous few question papers, you will get an idea of the kind of questions that are asked from them.

Recommended Books for UPSC Sanskrit

• Rachnanuvadkaumudi by Kapildev Dwivedi
• Brihad Anuvad Chandrika by Chakradhar Nautiyal “Hansa” Shastri
• Bhasha Vigyan evam Bhasha Shastra by Kapildev Dwivedi
• Sanskrit Sahitya ka Itihaas by Umashankar Sharma “Rishi”
• Sanskrit Kavi Darshan by Bhola Shankar Vyas
• R. Kale’s books on each of the Mahakavya
• Separate books for topics of Group 2 – Pracheen Sahitya (ancient literature)
• Original texts
• Shukanasopadesh – varnanam by Dr Rajendra Kumar

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