UPSC Santhali Syllabus

Santhali is an Austro-Asiatic language that is also one of the 22 official languages of India. Candidates looking to appear for the UPSC main exam can select Santhali as an option subject.  The UPSC Santhali syllabus 2023 is very big. It involves a large number of topics based on history, grammar, literature and many other aspects of the Santhali language. It is crucial for the aspirant to get familiarity with the syllabus before starting the preparation. This article consists of the latest UPSC Civil Services Santhali syllabus.

IAS Santhali Syllabus 2023

Aspirants should note that Santhali is different from other languages in north and central India. So, you should opt for Santhali only if you have a prior background or interest in the language. The two papers in the Santhali language exam will carry 250 marks. Candidates should know the syllabus of both the paper to do well in the examination.

Syllabus of Paper – I

Section A

Part I—History of Santhali Language

• Main Austric Language family, population and distribution.
• Important character of Santhali Language: Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, Translation, Lexicography
• Grammatical structure of Santhali Language.
• Standardization of Santhali Language
• Impact of other languages of Santhali.

Part II—History of Santhali Literature

• Writing tradition in History of Santhali literature.
• Literary trend of the following four periods of history of Santhali Literature.
  • Ancient Literature before 1854.
  • Missionary period Literature between 1855 to 1889 AD.
  • Medieval period: Literature between 1890 to 1946 AD.
  • Modern period: Literature from 1947 AD to till date.

Section B

Literary forms—Main characteristics, history and development of following literary forms.

Part I

• Folk Literature in Santhali—folk song, folk tale, phrase, idioms puzzles, and Kudum.

Part II

Modern literature in Santhali

• Development of poetry and prominent poets.
• Development of prose and prominent writers.
  • Novels and prominent Novelists.
  • Stories and prominent story writers.
  • Drama and Prominent Dramatist.
  • Criticism and prominent critics.
  • Essay, sketches, memoirs, travelogues and prominent writers.

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 of Santhali tradition, customs, festival and rituals (birth, marriage and death).

Syllabus for Paper – II

Section A

This paper will require in-depth reading of the following texts and the questions will be designed to test the candidates’ critical ability.

Ancient Literature:

1. Prose
   1. Mare Hapramko Reyak Katha—L.O. Scrafsrud.
   2. Kherwal Bonso Dhorom Puthi—Majhi Ramdas Tudu “Rasika”.
   3. Jomsim Binti Lita—Mangal Chandra Turkulumang Soren
   4. Marang Buru Binti—Kanailal Tudu.
2. Poetry
   1. Baha Sereng—Balaram Tudu.
   2. Horh Sereng—W.G. Archer
   3. Devi Dasain Sereng—Manindra Hansda
   4. Karam Sereng—Nunku Soren.
   5. Judasi Madwa Latar—Tez Narayan Murmu.
   6. More Sin More Ndia—Rup Chand Hansda.
   7. Soros Sereng—Babulal Murmu “Adivasi”
   8. Hor Sereng—Raghunath Murmu.
   9. Dong Sereng—Padmashri Bhagwat Murmu ‘Thakur’.

Section B

Modern Literature

1. Part I—Poetry
   1. Onto Baha Mala—Aditya Mitra “Santhali”.
   2. Tiryo Tetang—Hari Har Hansda
   3. Sisirjon Rar—Thakur Prasad Murmu
   4. Chand Mala—Gora Chand Tudu.
   5. Asar Binti—Narayan Soren “Tore Sutam”.
   6. Onorhen Baha Dhalwak—Paul Jujhar Soren.
2. Part II—Novels
   1. Ojoy Gada Dhiph re—Nathenial Murmu.
   2. Ato Orak—Doman Hansdak.
   3. Manu Mati—Chandra Mohan Hansda.
   4. Harmawak Ato—R.Karstiars (Translator—R.K. Kisku Rapaz)
3. Part III—Stories
   1. Mayajaal—Doman Sahu ‘Samir’ and Padmashri Bhagwat Murmu ‘Thakur’.
   2. Jiyon Gada—Rup Chand Hansda and Jadumani Beshra.
4. Part IV—Drama
   1. Birsa Bir—Ravi Lal Tudu.
   2. Juri Khatir—Dr. K.C. Tudu.
   3. Kherwar Bir—Pandit Raghunath Murmu.
5. Part V—Biography
   1. Santal Ko Ren Mayam Gohako—Dr. Biswanath Hansda.

UPSC Santhali Syllabus – Download PDF

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