The UPSC Civil Services Exam comprises three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Candidates must select one optional subject for the IAS Mains exam, which significantly affects their ranking in the exam. Literature subjects are gaining popularity with rising success rates. Marathi is the primary language used in Maharashtra and is spoken in some parts of Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Karnataka. It belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family.

Marathi literature is an optional subject in the UPSC Civil Services Exam Mains. This article provides a comprehensive syllabus for Marathi literature as well as a UPSC Marathi Optional Syllabus PDF. Once familiar with the syllabus, candidates should refer to the recommended UPSC Marathi Literature Books in the linked article.

The UPSC Marathi Literature syllabus includes the grammar of the Marathi language, its history, and dialects. It also covers linguistic concepts, such as the fundamental functions of language and factors influencing the development of dialects. Additionally, it covers literary criticism of renowned Marathi writers and the reading of prose and poetry. The Marathi literature papers are worth 500 marks, each with 250 marks.

(Answers must be written in Marathi)
Section A
Language and Folk-lore
(a) Nature and Functions of Language
(with reference to Marathi)
Language as a signifying system : Langue and Parole; Basic functions; Poetic Language; Standard
Language and dialect; Language variations according to social parameters.
Linguistic features of Marathi in thirteenth century and seventeenth century.
(b) Dialects of Marathi
Ahirani; Varhadi; Dangi.
(c) Marathi Grammar
Parts of Speech; Case-system; Prayog-vichar (Voice).
(d) Nature and kinds of Folk-lore
(with special reference to Marathi)
Lok-Geet, Lok Katha, Lok Natya.
Section B
(History of Literature and Literary Criticism)
(a) History of Marathi Literature
1. From beginning to 1818 AD, with special reference to the following : The Mahanubhava writers, the
Varkari poets, the Pandit poets, the Shahirs, Bakhar Literature.
2. From 1850 to 1990, with special reference to developments in the following major forms : Poetry,
Fiction (Novel and Short Story), Drama; and major literary currents and movements, Romantic, Realist,
Modernist, Dalit, Gramin, Feminist.
(b) Literary Criticism
1. Nature and function of Literature;
2. Evaluation of Literature;
3. Nature, Objectives and Methods of Criticism;
4. Literature, Culture and Society.

PAPER-II
(Answer must be written in Marathi)
Textual study of prescribed literary works.
The paper will require first-hand reading of the texts prescribed and will be designed to test the candidate’s critical ability.
Section A
(Prose)
(1) ‘Smritisthala’
(2) Mahatma Jotiba Phule
‘‘Shetkaryacha Asud’
‘Sarvajanik Satyadharma’
(3) S.V. Ketkar
‘Brahmankanya’
(4) P.K. Atre
‘Sashtang Namaskar’
(5) Sharchchandra Muktibodh
‘Jana Hey Volatu Jethe’
(6) Uddhav Shelke
‘Shilan’
(7) Baburao Bagul
‘Jevha Mi Jaat Chorli Hoti’
(8) Gouri Deshpande
‘Ekek Paan Galavaya’
(9) P.I. Sonkamble
‘Athavaninche Pakshi’
Section B
(Poetry)
(1) ‘Namadevanchi Abhangawani’
Ed: Inamdar, Relekar, Mirajkar
Modern Book Depot, Pune
(2) ‘Painjan’
Ed : M.N. Adwant
Sahitya Prasar Kendra, Nagpur
(3) ‘Damayanti-Swayamvar’
By Raghunath Pandit
(4) ‘Balakvinchi Kavita’
By Balkavi
(5) ‘Vishakha’
By Kusumagraj
(6) ‘Maridgandh’
By Vinda Karandikar
(7) ‘Jahirnama’
By Narayan Surve
(8) ‘Sandhyakalchya Kavita’
By Grace
(9) ‘Ya Sattet Jeev Ramat Nahi’
By Namdev Dhasal