The Union Public Service Commission or UPSC is known for its rigorous and competitive examinations for recruitment of civil servants in various administrative positions. To appear for the UPSC examinations, you need to select your optional subject. Tamil is one such subject that candidates can choose as an optional subject. Tamil is one of the oldest languages in the world, and it has a rich history and literature. Tamil Nadu has a rich cultural heritage, and the Tamil language has played a significant role in shaping its culture. In this article, we will discuss how to master the UPSC Tamil optional syllabus.
Before we proceed with the syllabus, let’s understand the format of the UPSC examination. The examination is conducted in three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. The Preliminary examination comprises of two papers: General Studies and Civil services Aptitude Test. The General Studies paper includes subjects such as Indian Polity and Governance, Indian Economy, Indian History and Culture, Environment, Science and Technology, etc. The Civil Services Aptitude Test tests the candidates’ logical and analytical abilities. The Mains examination is a written examination, and it consists of nine papers. The two papers of the Tamil Language are part of the Mains examination. The Interview or Personality Test assesses the candidate’s personality, communication skills, and attitude.
Now, let’s discuss the UPSC Tamil optional syllabus. The Tamil optional syllabus consists of two papers, Paper-I and Paper-II.
Paper I
- Tamil language and literature from Sangam Age till contemporary times.
- Various literary forms such as prose, poetry, fiction, drama, and essay.
- Tamil Grammar, including phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.
- The cultural history of Tamil Nadu.
- Critical examination of Tamil literary texts.
Paper-II
- Tamil language and literature from the 13th century until the present.
- The impact of foreign languages and cultures on Tamil literature and culture.
- Mahakavyas, Eliyas, Padalgal, Drama, and essays of contemporary Tamil literature.
- Modern literary trends in Tamil literature.