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Home / IAS Preparation / UPSC Tamil Optional Syllabus 2025

UPSC Tamil Optional Syllabus 2025 - UPSC Tamil Literature Syllabus PDF

Last Updated on Nov 26, 2024
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The UPSC Tamil Optional Syllabus 2025 has been designed to assess whether the candidate is proficient in and well-versed in the literature and language of Tamil. In this optional subject, one goes deep into the enormous heritage that works of Tamil literature represent during both classical and contemporary epochs. The syllabus will be studied in two different papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 is on historical development, linguistic features, literary forms and critical theories, which form a viable comprehensive understanding of the emergence and structure of Tamil literature. Paper 2 is on the critical study of all the most influential texts-ancient Sangam literature to modern literary movements-contributions of significant authors and poets. 

The selection of Tamil as an optional subject requires a profound knowledge, analytical capabilities, and an aesthetic sense for literature, which is very intriguing and rewarding for one keenly interested in Tamil literature.

Overview of UPSC Tamil Optional Syllabus 

The UPSC Tamil Optional Syllabus 2025 will test the candidate's ability to have an all-rounded understanding and mastery of knowledge in Tamil literature and language. The two papers will be Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 of the Tamil Syllabus for UPSC will contain the history and development of the Tamil language, a variety of literary forms and styles, and in-depth knowledge of Tamil grammar and phonetics. It also includes subject matters related to literary critique and different schools of thought in criticism. Paper 2 of the UPSC Exam Tamil Syllabus requires an in-depth study of significant Tamil literary works from the classical, medieval, and modern era. This paper includes deep analyses of major poets, playwrights, and writers of prose and their contributions toward Tamil literature.

Overview of UPSC Tamil Optional Syllabus 

Mains Papers

Subject

Marks

Paper VI

Tamil Literature Optional Paper 1

250

Paper VII

Tamil Literature Optional Paper 2

250

TOTAL

500

Time Duration

3 hours

Download Tamil Literature Optional UPSC Syllabus PDF!

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UPSC Tamil Language Paper Syllabus for Paper 1

Mainly, Paper 1 of Tamil Optional UPSC syllabus is concerned with Tamil history and development, Grammatical structure, or its linguistic features including the syntax and phonetics along with its literary forms like a poem, prose, play, and their developments, time to time. Critical section mainly demands various kinds of schools of thoughts in such analysis. The candidate should know the important literary critics and their criticism of the major works of literature. The Tamil Literature UPSC syllabus consists of translation exercises in which a student has to translate Tamil prose and poetry into the English language and vice versa.

Tamil UPSC Optional Syllabus for Paper 1

Section

Topics

Section-A

History of Tamil Language

Major Indian Language Families—The place of Tamil among Indian Languages in general and Dravidian in particular—Enumeration and Distribution of Dravidian languages

The language of Sangam Literature—The language of medieval Tamil: Pallava Period only—Historical study of Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs—Tense markers and case markers in Tamil

Borrowing of words from other languages into Tamil—Regional and social dialects—the difference between literary and spoken Tamil

History of Tamil Literature

Tolkappiyam-Sangam Literature—The division of Akam and Puram—The secular characteristics of Sangam Literature—The development of Ethical literature—Silappadikaram and Manimekalai

Devotional Literature (Alwars and Nayanamars)

The bridal mysticism in Alwar hymns—Minor literary forms (Tutu, Ula, Parani, Kuravanji)

Social factors for the development of Modern Tamil Literature; Novel, Short Story and New Poetry—The impact of various political ideologies on modern writings

Section-B

Recent trends in Tamil Studies

Approaches to criticism: Social, psychological, historical and moralistic—the use of criticism—the various techniques in literature; Ullurai, Iraicchi, Thonmam (Myth) Otturuvagam (allegory), Angadam (Satire), Meyappadu, Padimam (image), Kuriyeedu (Symbol), Irunmai (Ambiguity)—The concept of the comparative literature—the principle of comparative literature

Folk literature in Tamil

Ballads, Songs, proverbs and riddles—Sociological study of Tamil folklore

Uses of translation—Translation of Tamil works into other languages—Development of journalism in Tamil

Cultural Heritage of the Tamils

Concept of Love and War—Concept of Aram—the ethical codes adopted by the ancient Tamils in their warfare—customs beliefs, rituals, modes of worship in the five Thinais

The Cultural changes as revealed in post-Sangam literature—cultural fusion in the medieval period (Jainism and Buddhism)

The development of arts and architecture through the ages (Pallavas, later Cholas and Nayaks)

The impact of various political, social, religious and cultural movements on Tamil Society

The role of mass media in the cultural change of contemporary Tamil society

Check out the UPSC Exam Pattern in detail here.

UPSC Tamil Language Paper Syllabus for Paper 2

Paper 2 of the UPSC Tamil Syllabus provides in-depth study of specific texts from Tamil literature: classical literature, medieval texts, and modern literary works. The candidates have to study works of important Tamil poets, novelists, and playwrights along with their themes, styles, and literary techniques. Major classical works include the Sangam literature, medieval Bhakti poetry, and modern literary movements; critical appreciation of selected works of such great writers as Tiruvalluvar, Bharathiar, and others pertinent to assess the candidate's ability to interpret Tamil literature.

Tamil UPSC Optional Syllabus for Paper 2

Section

Topics

Section-A

Ancient Literature

Kuruntokai (1—25 poems)

Purananuru (182—200 poems)

Thirukkural Porutpal: Arasiyalum Amaichiyalum (from Iraimatchi to Avai Anjamai)

Epic Literature

Silappadikaram: Madhurai Kandam

Kamba Ramayanam: Kumbakarunan Vadhai Padalam

Devotional Literature

Thiruvasagam: Neetthal Vinnappam

Tiruppavai

Section-B

Poetry & Prose

Bharathiar: Kannan Pattu

Bharathidasan: Kudumba Vilakku

Naa. Kamarasan: Karappu Malarkal

Mu. Varadharajanar: Aramum Arasiyalum

C. N. Annadurai: Ye! Thazhntha Tamilagame

Novel, Short Story and Drama

Akilon: Chittairappavai

Jayakanthan: Gurupeedam

Cho: Yaurkkum Vetkamillai

Folk Literature

Muthu Pattan Kathai, Edited by Na. Vanamamalai (Publication: Madurai Kamaraj University)

Malaiyaruvi, Edited by Ki. Va Jagannathan (Publication: Saraswathi Mahal, Thanjavur)

Check out UPSC Tamil Literature Previous Year Papers here.

Books for UPSC Tamil Optional Syllabus

Here is a section on the curation of books and preparation material that Testbook recommends for the candidates. Get the detailed list of UPSC Books for Tamil literature syllabus and get a brief idea about it below:

  • "History of Tamil Literature" by M. Varadarajan- This book offers a general history of Tamil literature, covering the entire extent from the early ages to the modern times, thus sowing a healthy understanding for the historical growth and prominent phases in the history of Tamil literature.
  • "A History of Tamil Literature" by Chellammal Ramaswamy- Another book with important details regarding development, important writers, and notable works of Tamil literature.
  • "Tamil Moli Varalaru" by M.S. Purnalingam Pillai- This is one of the important books describing the history and development of the Tamil language. This is useful for Paper 1.
  • "Tamil Ilakkiya Varalaru" by Mu. Varadarajan- This is an important book that sheds light on the different eras of literature and notable works from those eras. It provides a proper understanding of the literary evolution and critical heritage in Tamil literature.
  • "Kamba Ramayanam" by Kambar- A critical edition of Kambar's epic that is a must for understanding classical Tamil literature and its narrative techniques.
  • "Thirukkural" by Thiruvalluvar- A detailed study and commentary are to be done on this very classical text, to properly understand the moral and philosophical teachings it delivers, besides the poetic structure.
  • "Silappatikaram" by Ilango Adigal- Reading this great classical epic will give a great sense of early Tamil narrative poetry as well as cultural history.
  • "Manimegalai" by Sattanar- Another important ancient Tamil book from the point of view of literary and historical value.
  • "Modern Tamil Literature: A Primer" by A. Sivasubramanian- A primer of modern Tamil literature, the major modern literary movements, and personalities.
  • Bharathiar's (Subramania Bharati) works- His poems and prose are very important for the modern Tamil renaissance and nationalist feelings and emotions created in the minds of people through literature.
  • "Translation Theory and Practice" by Susan Bassnett- To further polish translation skills, an integral part of the paper one syllabus, this work is extremely insightful about translation theory and practice of literary translation.
  • "Naalu Kavignar Naalu Kavithai" by Na. Muthukumar- A collection of poems from four major modern Tamil poets it gives insight into modern poetic forms and styles.
  • "Tamil Ilakkiya Thonmai" by Mu Raghava Aiyangar- This attempts to sketch the ancient literary heritage of Tamil Nadu, providing proper context and depth to classical works.
  • "Tamil Nadu: An Introduction to its History and Culture" by K. Rajayyan- Although not exclusively on literature, this gives cultural and historical background without which no understanding of Tamil literary works can be said to be complete.

Check the detailed UPSC IAS Mains Syllabus here.

We hope that you have gone through the UPSC Tamil Optional Syllabus thoroughly. You can download the UPSC Mains Tamil Optional Syllabus PDF from the link provided in the article. We, at testbook, are committed to providing the candidates with the best study material for various government examinations such as for UPSC Civil Services Examination. Download the Testbook App now and get quick access to the best online learning resources curated by experts.

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Tamil Optional Syllabus for UPSC 2025 FAQs

Yes, Tamil is a good optional subject for UPSC if you have a good command over the language and are deeply interested in its literature. It benefits candidates who have Tamil as their mother tongue or have studied Tamil literature in depth. Choosing Tamil can offer a competitive edge if you are well-prepared and can articulate your knowledge effectively in the exams.

Under UPSC Mains, there are two papers only on Tamil Literature. These are Paper-I and Paper-II.

The UPSC Mains Tamil Literature paper carries a total of 500 marks because both the papers are of 250 marks.

Each paper of Tamil Literature is of 3 hours duration in the UPSC Mains exam.

This is easily downloadable from the official website of UPSC. Additionally, you might find the syllabus in Tamil on various educational portals that provide UPSC preparation materials.
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