Is Malayalam literature is good optional for UPSC?

Most of the stories and poems in the syllabus would have been covered in your schooldays itself if you had Malayalam as one of your subjects in school.

How many marks are there in Malayalam literature in UPSC?

Malayalam literature carries 500 marks distributed in two papers of 250 marks each in UPSC Mains.

Can I write UPSC in Malayalam language?

UPSC CSE Mains, the second step of the selection process, is available in Malayalam for candidates. Aspirants can write the UPSC CSE Mains in Malayalam language.

UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus 2024 For Civil Services Optional Subject PDF

Table of Contents

UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus 2024: The UPSC Civil Services Exam is conducted in three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. For the Mains stage of the UPSC exam, candidates must choose one optional subject, and this selection plays a significant role in determining their ranking in the IAS Exam. Among the optional language subjects available, the UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus holds particular importance.

Malayalam, belonging to the Dravidian family, is extensively used in Kerala, parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, the Lakshadweep islands, and Mahe, an administrative part of the Union Territory of Pondicherry. Aspirants have the option to explore the richness of Malayalam literature as it is one of the subjects listed in the UPSC Mains examination for those seeking to enhance their expertise in this language and its literary aspect.

UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus 2024- Overview

The optional subject includes two papers, Paper I and Paper II. Those with a background in Malayalam education or those who consider it their native language are encouraged to choose this subject. It is essential to note that all answers in the Civil Services Examination must be written in Malayalam.

The Malayalam literature optional carries a total of 500 marks, distributed evenly between two papers, each worth 250 marks, in UPSC Mains. In addition to presenting the UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus 2024, we have outlined an effective strategy to optimize your time and achieve successful outcomes in the Malayalam optional paper. This strategy aims to maximize your preparation and yield fruitful results in the examination.

UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus 2024 Overview
Name of Conducting Body	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Mode Of Exam	paper pen (offline mode) based examination
Name of Exam	Malayalam Literature
Malayalam Literature Optional Subject	Paper I & II
Total Marks	250 Marks for Each (Paper I & II)
Total Time	3 Hours Each
Official Website	upsc.gov.in

UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus 2024

UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus 2024: It is essential for aspirants to thoroughly analyze the syllabus of Malayalam Literature, an optional subject for IAS Mains. Malayalam boasts a long and vibrant literary history. The optional subject consists of two papers: Paper I and Paper II. Candidates who have acquired formal education in Malayalam or are fluent in the language as their mother tongue should consider choosing this subject. It is worth noting that the paper must be written entirely in Malayalam.

UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus 2024 for Optional Paper I

UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus 2024: The first paper of the UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus covers the following topics mentioned below in the table.

UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus 2024 for Optional Paper I (Answers must be written in Malayalam)
Section A
Unit 1 (Early phase of Malayalam Language)	Various theories: origin from proto-Dravidian, Tamil, and Sanskrit. Relation between Tamil and Malayalam: Six days of A.R. Rajaraja Varma. Pattu school definition, Ramacharitam, later pattu works-Niranam works, and Krishnagatha.
Unit 2 (Linguistic features)	Manipravalam-definition. Language of early manipravala works- Champu, Sandesakavya, Chandrotsava, minor works. Later Manipravala works-medieval Champu and Aattakkatha. Folklore-Southern and Northern ballads, Mappila songs. Early Malayalam prose- Bhashakautaliyam, Brahmanda Puranam, Atta Prakaram, Krama Dipika and Nambiantamil.
Unit 3 (Standardisation of Malayalam)	Peculiarities of the language of Pana, Kilippattu, and Tullal. Contributions of indigenous and European missionaries to Malayalam. Characteristics of contemporary Malayalam: Malayalam is the administrative language. Language of scientific and technical literature-media language.
Section-B (Literary History)
Unit-4 (Ancient and Medieval Literature)	Pattu-Ramacharitam, Niranam works and Krishnagatha. Manipravala-early and medieval manipravala works including aattakkatha and champu. Folk literature. Kilippattu, Thullal and Mahakavya.
Unit 5- Modern Literature-Poetry	Venmani poets and contemporaries. The advent of Romanticism-Poetry of Kavitraya i.e., Asan, Ulloor and Vallathol Poetry after Kavitraya. Modernism in Malayalam poetry.
Unit 6- Modern Literature-Prose	Drama Novel Short story Biography, travelogue, essay, and criticism.

UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus 2024 for Optional Paper II

UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus 2024: The Malayalam Literature Syllabus for UPSC Paper II is categorized into 2 parts. The detailed list of topics is provided in the table below.

UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus 2024 for Optional Paper I (Answers must be written in Malayalam)
Section A
1	Ramacharitam-Patalam 1. Kannassaramayanam-Balakandam first 25 stanzas. Unnunilisandesam-Purvabhagam 25 slokas including Prastavana Mahabharatham Kilippattu-Bhishmaparvam.,
2	Kumaran Asan-Chintavisthayaya Sita. Vailoppilli-Kutiyozhikkal. G. Sankara Kurup-Perunthachan. N.V. Krishna Variar-Tivandiyile Pattu.
3	ONV -Bhumikkoru Charamagitam Ayyappa Panicker-Kurukshetram. Akkittam-Paudatha Messanthi Attur Ravivarma-Megharupan.
Section-B
4	Chanthu Menon-Indulekha Thakazhy-Chemmin. O V Vijayan-Khasakkinte Ithihasam.
5	MT Vasudevan Nair-Vanaprastham (Collection). N S Madhavan-Higvitta (Collection). C J. Thomas-1128-il Crime 27.
6	Kuttikrishna Marar-Bharataparyatanam M. K Sanu-Nakshatrangalute snehabhajanam V.T. Bhattathirippad-Kannirum Kinavum.

UPSC Malayalam Literature Exam Pattern 2024

UPSC Malayalam Literature Exam Pattern 2024: According to the table, the exam pattern of each paper of the UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus is assigned 250 marks, a total of 500 marks. Candidates must aim for a high score in order to significantly impact their overall performance in the UPSC Malayalam Literature Exam. Understanding the UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus is the initial step towards excelling in this subject.

Download PDF: UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus 2024 PDF

Candidates who have a background in Malayalam Literature during their graduation or master’s degree may find the UPSC Malayalam Literature Optional Syllabus relevant. The syllabus consists of two papers, namely Paper 1 and Paper 2. The time duration for both exams is 3 Hours.

UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus 2024 Exam Pattern
Topic	Marks	Duration
UPSC Malayalam Literature Optional Syllabus Paper 1	250	3 Hours
UPSC Malayalam Literature Optional Syllabus Paper 2	250
Total Marks	500

Tips and Tricks for the Preparation of UPSC Malayalam Literature Exam 2024

UPSC Malayalam Literature Exam: Preparing for the UPSC Malayalam Literature Exam requires a focused and strategic approach. Here are some tips and tricks to help you in your preparation for the UPSC Malayalam Literature Exam in 2024:

Understand the Syllabus: Start by thoroughly understanding the UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus for 2024. Familiarize yourself with the topics, authors, and literary works included in the syllabus.
Read Malayalam Literature: Read a wide range of Malayalam literary works, including novels, poetry, essays, and plays. This will not only improve your language skills but also give you insights into the literary aspects of the language.
Take Notes: While studying, take concise notes of important literary concepts, themes, and notable points from the texts. These notes will serve as a quick revision guide later.
Analyze Literary Works: Practice analyzing the literary elements, writing styles, and themes present in various Malayalam texts. This will help you in answering analytical questions in the exam.
Solve Previous Year Papers: Practice solving previous years’ UPSC Malayalam Literature question papers to understand the exam pattern and gain familiarity with the type of questions asked.
Time Management: Develop effective time management skills. Allocate specific time slots for studying different topics and practice writing answers within the given time frame.
Join Discussion Groups: Engage in discussions with fellow aspirants or experts in Malayalam literature. This will help you gain new perspectives and insights into the subject.
Refer to Guide Books: Utilize good-quality guidebooks and reference materials specifically designed for the UPSC Malayalam Literature Exam to supplement your preparation.
Online Resources: Explore online resources, academic websites, and e-books that offer additional study material and practice questions.
Practice Writing Essays: Practice writing essays on various topics related to Malayalam literature. Focus on clarity, coherence, and presenting your ideas concisely.