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UPSC Santhali Literature Optional Syllabus 2025, Download PDF

UPSC Santhali Literature Optional Syllabus 2025 covers various dimensions of the Santhali language. Candidates can download the UPSC Santhali Literature Optional Syllabus 2025 PDF, preparation tips, PYQs, and more here.
authorImageAnil Solonki7 Jul, 2025
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UPSC Santhali Literature Syllabus 2024

UPSC Santhali Literature Syllabus 2025: Candidates opting for literature subjects as Optional in UPSC Mains can choose from 23 languages prescribed in the official notification. The Santhali Literature syllabus deals with the evolution and development of this language from ancient to modern times.

Candidates will be required to read the poetry, drama, novels, and biographies in Santhali; therefore, having proficiency in this language is a must to target a score of 500 marks. Read on for the UPSC Santhali Literature Syllabus 2025 in detail.

UPSC Santhali Literature Optional Paper 2025

Santhali is quite an old Indian language that traces back to ancient times, when it got its name from ‘Santal’. The main tribes of Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Tripura, and West Bengal in India are known for speaking Santhali, which is also considered a dialect of the Munda language. Due to a significant 7.6 million people speaking this language, the 92nd Amendment added Santhali to the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.

The UPSC Santhali Language is mainly concerned with literature and cultural  aspects. This is why the UPSC Mains Syllabus for Santhali Literature is well defined, serving as the best choice for native/proficient candidates.

UPSC Santhali Literature Exam Pattern 2025

 The Santhali Literature for UPSC Syllabus 2025 is described in the official notification. UPSC question papers will be provided in Santhali, but candidates will have the option to write answers in either Devanagari script or in Olchiki script. The UPSC Santhali Literature pattern is as follows:
Particular Details
Paper UPSC Mains Paper VI and Paper VII
Syllabus Division Optional Paper I and Paper II
Total Marks 500 (250 Each)
Marks Distribution 10, 15, and 20
Time Limit 3 Hours
Sections Section A and Section B
Total Questions 8
Compulsory Question Questions No. 1 and 5
Writing Language Santhali
Script Devanagari or Olchiki

UPSC Santhali Literature Optional Paper I Syllabus

Paper I of Santhali Literature is divided into two sections. Section A revolves around the history of the Santhali language and Santhali literature. Section B is concerned with literary forms , folk literature , modern literature , and famous Santhali writers. The UPSC Santhali Literature syllabus for Paper I is as follows:
UPSC Santhali Literature Optional Paper I Syllabus
Section A: History of Santhali Language and History of Santhali Literature Section B: Literary forms—Main characteristics, history, and development of the following literary forms.
  • Part I History of Santhali Language
  1. Main Austric Language family, population and distribution.
  2. Grammatical structure of Santhali Language.
  3. Important character of Santhali Language : Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, Translation.
  4. Lexicography.
  5. Impact of other languages of Santhali.
  6. Standardization of Santhali Language.
  • Part II—History of Santhali Literature
1. Literary trend of the following four periods of history of Santhali Literature.
  1. Ancient Literature before 1854.
  2. Missionary period Literature between 1855 to 1889 AD.
  3. Medieval period: Literature between 1890 to 1946 AD.
  4. Modern period: Literature from 1947 AD to till date.
2. Writing tradition in History of Santhali literature.
  • Part I
Folk Literature in Santhali —folk songs, folk tales, phrases, idioms, puzzles, and Kudum.
  • Part II

Modern literature in Santhali

  1. Development of poetry and prominent poets.

  2. Development of prose and prominent writers.

  (i) Novels and prominent Novelists.

  (ii) Stories and prominent story writers.

  (iii) Drama and Prominent Dramatist.

  (iv) Criticism and prominent critics.

  (v) 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, festivals, and rituals (birth, marriage, and death).

UPSC Santhali Literature Optional Paper II Syllabus

Paper II of the Santhali Literature Optional tests assess the critical abilities of candidates. They are required to read in-depth texts of Ancient and Modern Santhali Literature. Section A is mainly concerned with prose and poetry of ancient Santhali Literature, while Section B deals with poetry, novels, drama, stories, and biographies of modern Santhali Literature.
UPSC Santhali Literature Optional Paper II Syllabus
Section A: Ancient Literature Section B: Modern Literature
  • Prose
  1. Kherwal Bonso Dhorom Puthi —Majhi Ramdas Tudu “Rasika”.
  2. Mare Hapramko Reyak Katha —L.O. Scrafsrud.
  3. Jomsim Binti Lita —Mangal Chandra Turkulumang Soren.
  4. Marang Buru Binti —Kanailal Tudu.
  • Poetry
  1. Karam Sereng —Nunku Soren.
  2. Devi Dasain Sereng —Manindra Hansda.
  3. Horh Sereng —W.G. Archer.
  4. Baha Sereng —Balaram Tudu.
  5. Dong Sereng —Padmashri Bhagwat Murmu ‘Thakur’.
  6. Hor Sereng —Raghunath Murmu.
  7. Soros Sereng —Babulal Murmu “Adivasi”.
  8. More Sin More Ndia —Rup Chand Hansda.
  9. Judasi Madwa Latar —Tez Narayan Murmu.
  • Part I—Poetry
  1. Onorhen Baha Dhalwak —Paul Jujhar Soren.
  2. Asar Binti —Narayan Soren “Tore Sutam”.
  3. Chand Mala —Gora Chand Tudu.
  4. Onto Baha Mala —Aditya Mitra “Santhali”.
  5. Tiryo Tetang —Hari Har Hansda.
  6. Sisirjon Rar —Thakur Prasad Murmu
  • Part II—Novels
  1. Harmawak Ato—R.Karstiars (Translator—R.K. Kisku Rapaz).
  2. Manu Mati—Chandra Mohan Hansda.
  3. Ato Orak—Doman Hansdak.
  4. Ojoy Gada Dhiph re—Nathenial Murmu.
  • Part III—Stories
  1. Jiyon Gada—Rup Chand Hansda and Jadumani Beshra.
  2. Mayajaal—Doman Sahu ‘Samir’ and Padmashri Bhagwat Murmu ‘Thakur’
    • Part IV—Drama
    1. Kherwar Bir—Pandit Raghunath Murmu.
    2. Juri Khatir—Dr. K.C. Tudu.
    3. Birsa Bir—Ravi Lal Tudu.
    • Part V—Biography
      • Santal Ko Ren Mayam Gohako—Dr. Biswanath Hansda

UPSC Santhali Literature Syllabus 2025 PDF 

Santhali Literature covers the language’s structure, literary history, and critical analysis of key texts. Candidates must write the exam in Santhali using the Olchiki script. UPSC Santhali Literature Syllabus 2025 PDF is provided here, outlining all topics for the 2025 exam.

UPSC Santhali Literature Syllabus 2025 PDF Download Link

UPSC Santhali Literature Optional Previous Year Question Papers 

The UPSC question paper of Santhali Literature gives some important insights to get ready for the Civil Services Mains. Candidates can download the previous year's Santhali Literature Question Paper PDF from the official website or directly from the link given below :
UPSC Santhali Literature Optional PYQs
Year Link
2016 Santhali Literature Optional Paper I
Santhali Literature Optional Paper II
2015 Santhali Literature Optional Paper I
Santhali Literature Optional Paper II
2014 Santhali Literature Optional Paper I
Santhali Literature Optional Paper II

Books For Santhali Literature Optional for UPSC Mains

To cover the UPSC Santhali Literature syllabus, it is advised to refer to standard books from acknowledged writers. The suggestions for books for paper II can be found in the UPSC Santhali Literature syllabus, but for paper I, candidates should consult the expert's recommended books. Here is the list of Santhali Literature books for UPSC CSE mains:
UPSC Santhali Literature Books
Paper I Paper II
  1. Jiyon Gada by Rup Chand Hansda and Jadumani Beshra.
  2. Mayajaal by Doman Sahu ‘Samir’ and Padmashri Bhagwat Murmu ‘Thakur’
  3. Santal Ko Ren Mayam Gohako by Dr. Biswanath Hansda
  4. Manu Mati by Chandra Mohan Hansda.
  5. Harmawak A to R.Karstiars (Translator—R.K. Kisku Rapaz).
    1. Kherwal Bonso Dhorom Puthi by Majhi Ramdas Tudu “Rasika”
    2. Jomsim Binti Lita by Mangal Chandra Turkulumang Soren
    3. Karam Sereng by Nunku Soren
    4. Baha Sereng by Balaram Tudu.
    5. Dong Sereng by Padmashri Bhagwat Murmu ‘Thakur’.
    6. More Sin More Ndia by Rup Chand Hansda.
    7. Ojoy Gada Dhiph re by Nathenial Murmu.
  • Other literary texts are mentioned in the syllabus.

Santhali Literature Optional Preparation Strategy

Santhali Literature is a relatively less-picked subject, as evident in the UPSC Mains previous year's trends . However, since the UPSC Santhali Literature syllabus is limited, this subject can be scored in mains for candidates having knowledge of this language. Here is how to prepare for the Santhali Literature Optional Subject:
  1. Remember each topic of the Santhali Literature syllabus and make a list of books to refer to.
  2. Go through the previous year's question papers and highlight important topics that should be focused on.
  3. Have a good book on Santhali grammar to avoid mistakes in answer writing.
  4. Take guidance from experts or join the UPSC online course if you are facing difficulties in preparation.
  5. Summerise the text of books of writers listed in the UPSC Santhali Literature syllabus in your own language.
  6. Make Santhali Literature notes that will help you in revision for the UPSC Mains exam, particularly for significant developments in Santhali Literature and the contributions of famous writers.
  7. Join a test series to evaluate your writing skills and get feedback from experts.
  8. While candidates have the option of answering Santhali Literature questions in the script of their choice, they should avoid using regular vocabulary.
  9. Incorporate the feedback from mentors into your answer writing for UPSC Mains.
Enroll in the online UPSC Course at Physics Wallah to stay ahead in the competitive exam!
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UPSC Santhali Literature Syllabus FAQs

What is the benefit of choosing the Santhali Literature in UPSC Mains?

The Santhali Literature syllabus is limited and can be useful in Compulsory language papers since candidates can pick the Santhali language for UPSC Mains Paper I also.

In which script Santhali Literature answers can be written?

The Santhali Literature answers can be written in either the Devanagari or Olchiki script.

How to cover the Santhali Literature Syllabus for UPSC mains?

Refer to standard books suggested by experts and writers mentioned in the syllabus to cover the Santhali Literature Syllabus for UPSC mains.

Which optional literature subject is best for UPSC?

It depends on the interest and linguistic familiarity of the candidates such as those knowing Santhali can opt for Santhali optional literature subject.

What is Santhali Literature subject in UPSC CSE Mains?

Santhali Literature is one of the 23 language subjects in UPSC CSE Mains worth 500 marks.
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