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English literature can be a good optional for UPSC mains if you have a strong interest in and understanding of literary texts.
What is the highest score UPSC English Literature optional?
Arya VM achieved one of the top scores in the English Literature optional with 299 marks.
Is UPSC English Literature Optional scoring?
It can be scoring with good writing and interpretation skills.
What is the total mark for UPSC English Literature Optional?
The total mark for UPSC English Literature Optional is 500 – 250 for each paper.
UPSC English Literature Optional Syllabus for IAS Exam 2025
UPSC English Literature Optional Syllabus covers major literary periods, key authors, genres, literary theory, and critical analysis from medieval to modern English literature. Explore UPSC English Literature Optional Syllabus, books, exam pattern, preparation tips, and PYQs.
Anil Solonki25 Jun, 2025
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UPSC English Literature Optional syllabus offers candidates an opportunity to explore a wide range of literary works from different periods. It includes novels, plays, poetry, and the history of English literature, allowing aspirants to develop a strong understanding of literary themes, styles, and critical analysis. UPSC Mains English Literature optional syllabus is divided into two papers, each worth 250 marks. Read on for the detailed syllabus and booklist!
UPSC English Literature Optional 2025
English Literature traces its roots to the early medieval period,with works like "Beowulf " showcasing Old English poetry. The Middle Ages saw the emergence of Geoffrey Chaucer's " Canterbury Tales ," a cornerstone of Middle English literature. The Renaissance brought a literary renaissance, marked by Shakespeare's timeless plays and the poetry of John Donne and Edmund Spenser.
The English Literature Optional paper in theUPSC Civil Services exam offers aspirants a unique opportunity to engage deeply with such celebrated literary works, spanning centuries of rich cultural, historical, and philosophical contexts. With the right approach, dedicated reading, and consistent practice, English Literature can be a scoring and intellectually fulfilling optional.
UPSC English Literature Optional Syllabus 2025
The English Literature optional syllabus for UPSC covers a wide range of topics, including British, American, and Indian literary traditions from different periods. It includes important literary movements such as Romanticism, Modernism, and Post-Colonialism, focusing on key writers and their works.
Let us take a look at the complete English Literature Optional syllabus:
UPSC English Literature Optional Syllabus For Paper I
Paper I Syllabus of English Literature Optional for UPSC Mains covers a diverse range of literary works and critical concepts. Candidates will explore many genres like poetry, drama, and prose fiction, dissecting themes, characters, and narrative techniques. The table below contains the Complete Syllabus of English Literature Optional Paper I for the UPSC Mains Exam:
Section A
William Shakespeare : King Lear and The Tempest.
John Donne . The following poems :
Canonization;
Death be not proud;
The Good Morrow;
On his Mistress going to bed;
The Relic;
John Milton: Paradise Lost, I, II, IV, IX.
Alexander Pope. The Rape of the Lock.
William Wordsworth. The following poems :
Ode on Intimations of Immortality.
Tintern Abbey.
Three years later she grew.
She dwelt among untrodden ways.
Michael.
Resolution and Independence.
The World is too much with us.
Milton, thou shouldst be living at this hour.
Upon Westminster Bridge.
Alfred Tennyson: In Memoriam.
Henrik Ibsen: A Doll’s House.
Section B
Jonathan Swift, Gulliver’s Travels.
Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
Henry Fielding. Tom Jones.
Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
George Eliot. The Mill on the Floss.
Thomas Hardy. Tess of the d’Urbervilles.
Mark Twain. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
UPSC English Literature Optional Syllabus For Paper II
Paper II of the UPSC English Literature Optional Syllabus delves into the exploration of literary works, emphasising particular themes, eras, and styles. It encompasses areas like modern and contemporary literature, post-colonial literature, and Indian literary works in the English language. The table below contains the Complete Syllabus of English Literature Optional Paper II for UPSC Mains Exam:
Section A
William Butler Yeats. The following poems :
Easter 1916.
The Second Coming.
A Prayer for my daughter.
Sailing to Byzantium.
The Tower.
Among School Children.
Leda and the Swan.
Meru.
Lapis Lazuli.
The Second Coming.
Byzantium.
T.S. Eliot. The following poems :
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.
Journey of the Magi.
Burnt Norton.
W.H. Auden. The following poems :
Partition
Musee des Beaux Arts
In Memory of W.B. Yeats
Lay your sleeping head, my love
The Unknown Citizen
Consider
Mundus Et Infans
The Shield of Achilles
September 1, 1939
Petition
John Osborne: Look Back in Anger.
Samuel Beckett. Waiting for Godot.
Philip Larkin. The following poems :
Deceptions
Afternoons
Days
Mr. Bleaney
A.K. Ramanujan. The following poems :
Looking for a Cousin on a Swing
A River
Of Mothers, among other Things
Love Poem for a Wife 1
Small-Scale Reflections on a Great House
Obituary
All these poems are available in the anthology Ten Twentieth Century Indian Poets, edited by R. Parthasarthy, published by Oxford University Press, New Delhi.
Section B
Joseph Conrad. Lord Jim.
James Joyce. Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.
D.H. Lawrence. Sons and Lovers.
E.M. Forster. A Passage to India.
Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway.
Raja Rao. Kanthapura.
V.S. Naipaul. A House for Mr. Biswas.
UPSC Exam Pattern of English Literature Optional
The exam pattern for English Literature Optional is as follows:
Both Paper I and Paper II carry 250 marks each, for a total of 500 marks for the English Literature optional papers.
In both Paper I and Paper II of English Literature, optional candidates have to attempt FIVE questions in all. THREE hours are allotted to attempt each paper.
Ques Numbers 1 and 5 from both papers are compulsory to attempt, and out of the remaining questions, THREE (3) are to be attempted, choosing at least ONE (1) question from each section.
Particular
Details
Total Papers
Two papers, 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 Nos. 1 and 5
Marks Distribution
10, 15, and 20 marker questions
Writing Language
English
Recommended Books For UPSC Mains English Literature Optional
Below is the list of books for English Literature Optional Paper I and II for UPSC Mains Exam:
List of English Literature Optional Books for UPSC Mains Paper I
Literary History and Theory
A History of English Literature by W.E. Stephen
The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism (Edited by Leitch et al.)
A Dictionary of Literary Terms by H. Abrams
Poetry
The Selected Poetry of William Shakespeare (Edited by Stephen Orgel)
The Major Works of John Milton (Edited by Stephen Orgel & Nicholas A.H. Millet)
The Selected Poems of John Donne (Edited by John Carey)
The Selected Poems of William Blake (Edited by W.H. Stevenson)
Lyrical Ballads by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Drama
King Lear by William Shakespeare
The Tempest by William Shakespeare
A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen (Translation by Michael Meyer)
Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
Prose
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Tom Jones by Henry Fielding
Paradise Lost (Books I, II, IV, and IX) by John Milton
List of English Literature Optional Books for UPSC Mains Paper II
Poetry
Selected Poems of William Wordsworth (Edited by Stephen Gill)
Selected Poems of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Edited by Stephen Gill)
Selected Poems of John Keats (Edited by Nicholas Roe)
Selected Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson (Edited by Christopher Ricks)
Selected Poems of Robert Browning (Edited by John Bryson)
Selected Poems of W.B. Yeats (Edited by Richard J. Finneran)
Selected Poems of T.S. Eliot (Edited by Christopher Ricks)
Selected Poems of W.H. Auden (Edited by Edward Mendelson)
Selected Poems of Philip Larkin (Edited by Archie Burnett)
Drama
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett
Look Back in Anger by John Osborne
Novel
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
In Search of Lost Time (Selection) by Marcel Proust (Translation by C.K. Scott Moncrieff and Terence Kilmartin)
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
Download English Literature Optional Previous Year Question Papers
The table below contains the list of previous year question papers for the English Literature Optional subject, which is distributed year-wise:
How to Prepare For UPSC English Literature Optional?
Preparing for the UPSC exam with English Literature as an optional subject requires a strategic approach and dedication. Here are some steps you can follow to prepare effectively:
Understand the Syllabus: Go through the UPSC syllabus for English Literature optional thoroughly. Understand the topics and sub-topics covered to structure your preparation plan accordingly.
Read Classics: Start with the foundational texts of English Literature. Read novels, dramas, poetry, and essays from different periods and genres. Focus on both British and American literature.
Literary Criticism and Theory: Familiarise yourself with different literary theories and criticism. Understand concepts like structuralism, post-colonialism, feminism, etc. This will help you analyse texts critically.
Detailed Study of Authors: Focus on the major authors and their works. Understand their writing style, themes, and contributions to literature. Pay attention to historical and cultural contexts as well.
Practice Answer Writing: Practice writing answers to previous years' question papers. This will help you understand the exam pattern and improve your writing skills. Pay attention to structuring your answers logically and incorporating relevant examples.
Supplementary Reading: Apart from the prescribed texts, read literary magazines, journals, and critical essays to stay updated with contemporary literary trends and discussions.
Revision: Regularly revise what you have studied to retain information effectively. Make concise notes for quick revision before the exam.
Mock Tests: Take mock tests regularly to assess your preparation level and identify areas that need improvement. Analyse your performance and work on weak areas accordingly.
Advantages of Choosing English Literature Optional for UPSC Mains
The following are the advantages of choosing English Literature Optional for UPSC Mains Exam:
Familiarity: For candidates with a background in English literature, choosing it as an optional subject can be advantageous as they are likely to be familiar with the texts, themes, and critical theories, thus reducing the amount of new information they need to learn.
Interest and Passion: If a candidate has a genuine interest and passion for literature, studying English literature as an optional subject can be enjoyable and fulfilling, making the preparation process more engaging.
Availability of Resources: There is a wide range of study materials, books, guides, and online resources available for English literature, making it easier for candidates to access relevant materials for preparation.
Overlapping with General Studies: English literature often overlaps with topics in General Studies papers, especially in areas like history, culture, society, and ethics. Studying English literature can provide candidates with a deeper understanding of these topics, potentially aiding their performance in other papers.
Essay Writing Skills: Studying literature can enhance a candidate's critical thinking, analytical, and writing skills, which are essential for the essay paper in the UPSC Mains Exam.
Disadvantages of Choosing English Literature Optional for UPSC Mains
The following are the disadvantages of choosing English Literature Optional for UPSC Mains Exam:
Limited Scoring Potential: Scoring in English Literature can be subjective and may depend on the evaluator's interpretation. Unlike subjects like mathematics or science, where answers are more objective, literature essays can vary in evaluation, potentially affecting scores.
Extensive Reading Required: English literature is a vast subject with a rich literary tradition spanning centuries and encompassing a wide range of genres, authors, and texts. Candidates need to invest significant time and effort in reading and understanding various literary works, which can be time-consuming.
Interpretation Challenges: Literature often involves complex themes, symbols, and interpretations. Candidates may struggle with analysing and interpreting texts, especially if they have not been exposed to literary criticism and theory before.
Availability of Guidance: Finding competent guidance and coaching specifically tailored for the English Literature optional may be challenging compared to more popular optional subjects. Candidates may need to rely more on self-study and online resources, which can be daunting for some.
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