UPSC : Civil Services Exam Paper Pattern (Sanskrit)

NOTE: Answers must be written in Sankrit.
Paper I
Section A
There will be three questions in the question paper which must be answered in Sanskrit. The remaining questions must be answered either in Sanskrit or in the medium of examination opted by the candidate.
Significant features of the grammar, with particular stress on Sanjna, Sandhi, Karaka, Samasa, Kartari and Karmani vacyas (voice usages) (to be answered in Sanskrit).
Main characteristics of Vedic Sanskrit language.
Prominent features of classical Sanskrit language.
Contribution of Sanskrit to linguistic studies.
General Knowledge of:
Literary history of Sanskit,
Principal trends of literary criticism
Ramayana,
Mahabharata
The origin and development of literary genres of:
Mahakavya
Rupaka (drama)
Katha
Akhyayika
Campu
Khandakavya
Muktaka Kavya.
Section B
Essentials of Indian Culture with stress on
Purusarthas
Samskaras
Varnasramavyavastha
Arts and fine arts
Technical sciences
Trends of Indian Philosophy
Mimansa
Vedanta
Nyaya
Vaisesika
Sankhya
Yoga
Bauddha
Jaina
Carvaka
Short Essay in Sanskrit
Unseen passage with the questions, to be answered in Sanskrit.
Paper II
Section A
General study of the following groups:
Group 1
Raghuvamsam - Kalidasa
Kumarasambhavam - Kalidasa
Kiratarjuniyam - Bharavi
Sisupalavadham - Magha
Naisadhiyacharitam - Sriharsa
Kadambari - Banabhatta
Dasakumaracharitam - Dandin
Sivarajyodayam - S.B. Varnekar
Group 2
Isavasyopanisad
Bhagavadgita
Sundarakanda of Valmiki’s Ramayana
Arthasastra of Kautilya
Group 3
Svapnavasavadattam - Bhasa
Abhijnanasakuntalam - Kalidasa
Mrichakatikam - Sudraka
Mudraraksasam - Visakhadatta
Uttararamacharitam - Bhavabhuti
Ratnavali - Sriharshavardhana
Venisamharam - Bhattanarayana
Group 4
Short notes in Sanskrit on the following (answers must be written in Sanskrit only):
Meghadutam - Kalidasa
Nitisatakam - Bhartrhari
Panchtantra
Rajatarangini - Kalhana
Harsacharitam - Banabhatta
Amarukasatakam - Amaruka
Gitagovindam - Jayadeva
Section B
This Section will require first hand reading of the following selected texts:
Group 1
Raghuvansam - Canto I, Verses 1 to 10
Kumarasambhavam - Canto I, Verses 1 to 10
Kiratarjuniyam - Canto I, Verses 1 to 10
Group 2
Isavasyopanisad - verses-1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 15 and 18
Bhagavatgita II chapter - verses 13 to 25
Sundarakandam of Valmiki Canto 15 - verses 15 to 30 (Geeta Press Edition)
Group 3
Meghadutam - verses 1 to 10
Nitisatakam - verses 1 to 10 (Edited by D.D. Kosambi Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Publication)
Kadambari - Sukanasopadesa (only)
Group 4
Svapnavasavadattam Act VI
Abhijnansakuntalam Act IV verses 15 to 30 (M.R. Kale Edition)
Uttararamacaritam Act 1 verses 31 to 47 (M.R. Kale Edition)