UPSC Santhali Literature Optional Syllabus 2026

• Part I — History of the Santhali Language

1. Main Austric Language family, population and distribution.
2. Grammatical structure of Santhali Language.
3. Important character of the Santhali Language : Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, Translation.
4. Lexicography.
5. Impact of other languages of Santhali.
6. Standardisation of the Santhali Language.

• Part II—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.

• Part I

• 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

• Part III

• 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
   1. • Santal Ko Ren Mayam Gohako—Dr. Biswanath Hansda