The UPSC Manipuri Literature Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2023 is released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) through their official notification. Candidates must be actively checking the official website and stay up-to-date with the subjects covered in the UPSC Exam 2023 Syllabus.

Manipuri is a widely popular language motley in the state of Manipur, in North-Eastern areas of India, in Myanmar and Bangladesh. It is one of the recognized official languages of the Union of India and hence is also a part of the list of optional subjects offered by the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Hence, this article provides detailed insights into the UPSC Manipuri Literature Syllabus, which is an optional subject, as per the recruitment notification.

Check out the complete UPSC Syllabus here.

Download UPSC Manipuri Literature Syllabus & Exam Pattern Official PDF Here!

UPSC Manipuri Literature Syllabus - Optional Papers 1 & 2

The written examination for the UPSC Mains Manipuri Literature Exam is divided into two exams– Optional Subject Paper-I and Optional Subject Paper-II. The syllabus for the exam consists of various topics under these sections. Topics included in the UPSC Manipuri Literature Syllabus are:

UPSC Manipuri Literature Syllabus For Optional Paper 1

Given below is the official UPSC Manipuri Literature Syllabus for optional paper 1.

Section-A

• Language: General characteristics of Manipuri Language and history of its development; importance and status among the Tibeto-Burman Languages of North-East India; recent development in the study of Manipuri Language; evolution and study of old Manipuri script.
• Significant features of Manipuri Language:
  • Phonology: Phoneme-vowels, consonants juncture, tone, consonant cluster and its occurrence, syllable-its structure, pattern and types.
  • Morphology: Word-class, root and its types; affix and its types; grammatical categories-gender, number, person, case, tense and aspects, process of compounding (samas and sandhi).
  • Syntax: Word order; types of sentences, phrases and clause structures.

Section-B

• Literary History of Manipuri:
  • Early period (up to 17th Century)–Social and cultural background; Themes, diction and style of the works.
  • Medieval period (18th and 19th Century)-Social, religious and political background; Themes, diction and style of the works.
  • Modern period-Growth of major literary forms; change of Themes, diction and style.
• Manipuri Folk Literature:
  • Legend, Folktale, Folksong, Ballad, Proverb and Riddle.
  • Aspects of Manipuri Culture:
  • Pre-Hindu Manipuri Faith; Advent of Hinduism and the process of syncretism;
  • Performing arts-Lai Haraoba, Maha Ras;
  • Indigenous games-Sagol Kangjei, Khong Kangjei, Kang.

Manipuri Literature Syllabus For Optional Paper 2

Given below is the UPSC Manipuri Literature Syllabus for Optional Paper 2.

Section-A

Old Manipuri Literature

• O. Bhogeswar Singh (Ed.): Numit Kappa
• M. Gourachandra Singh (Ed.): Thawanthaba Hiran
• N. Khelchandra Singh (Ed.): Naothingkhong Phambal Kaba
• M. Chandra Singh (Ed.): Panthoibi Khongul

Medieval Manipuri Literature

• M. Chandra Singh (Ed.): Samsok Ngamba
• R.K. Snahal Singh (Ed.): Ramayana Adi Kanda
• N. Khelchandra Singh (Ed.): Dhananjoy Laibu Ningba
• O. Bhogeswar Singh (Ed.): Chandrakirti Jila Changba

Section-B

Modern Manipuri Literature

1.) Poetry

• Manipuri Sheireng (Pub) Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, 1998 (Ed.)
  • Kh. Chaoba Singh: Pi Thadoi, Lamgi CheklaAmada, Loktak
  • Dr. L. Kamal Singh: Nirjanata, Nirab Rajani
  • A. Minaketan Singh: Kamal Da, Nonggumlalk Khoda.
  • L. Samarendra Singh: Ingagi Nong, Mamang Leikai Thambal Satle
  • E. Nilakanta Singh: Manipur, Lamangnaba
  • Shri Biren: Tangkhul Hui
  • Th. Ibopishak: Anouba Thunglaba Jiba.
• Kanchi Shearing. (Pub) Manipur University 1998 (Ed.)
  • Dr. L. Kamal Singh: Biswa Prem
  • Shri Biren : Chaphadraba Laigi Yen
  • Th. Ibopishak: Norok Patal Prithivi

2.) Epic

• A.DorendrajitSingh:KansaBodha
• H. Anganghal Singh : Khamba-Thoibi Sheireng(San-Senba, Lei Langba,Shamu Khonggi Bichar)

3.) Drama

• S. Lalit Singh : Areppa Marup
• G.C. Tongbra : Matric Pass
• A. Samarendra : Judge Saheb ki Imung

4.) Novel

• Dr. L. Kamal Singh : Madhabi
• H. Anganghal Singh : JaheraH.
• Guno Singh : Laman
• Pacha Meetei : Imphal Amasung, MagiIshing, Nungsitki Phibam

5.) Short Story

• Kanchi Warimacha (Pub) Manipur University 1997(Ed.)
  • R.K. Shitaljit Singh : Kamala Kamala
  • M.K. Binodini : Eigi Thahoudraba HeitupLalu
  • Kh. Prakash : Wanom Shareng
• Parishadki Khangatlaba Warimacha (Pub) Manipuri Sahitya Parishad 1994 (Ed.)
  • S. Nilbir Shastri : Loukhatpa
  • R.K. Elangba : Karinunggi
• Anouba Manipuri Warimacha (Pub) The Cultural Forum Manipur 1992 (Ed.)
  • N. Kunjamohon Singh : Ijat Tanba
  • E. Dinamani : Nongthak Khongnang

6.) Prose

• Warenggi Saklon [Due Part] (Pub) The Cultural Forum Manipur 1992 (Ed.)
  • Kh. Chaoba Singh: Khamba-Thoibigi WariAmasung Mahakavya
• Kanchi Wareng (Pub) Manipur University, 1998 (Ed.)
  • B. Manisana Shastri: Phajaba
  • Ch. Manihar Singh: Lai-Haraoba
• Apunba Wareng (Pub) Manipur University, 1986 (Ed.)
  • Ch. Pishak Singh: Samaj Amasung Sanskriti
  • M.K. Binodini: Thoibidu Warouhouida
  • Eric Newton: Kalagi Mahousa (translated by I.R. Babu)
• Manipuri Wareng (Pub) The Cultural Forum Manipur 1999 (Ed.)
  • S. Krishnamohan Singh: Lan"

Check out UPSC Selection Process here.

UPSC Manipuri Optional Literature Exam Pattern 2023

The UPSC Manipuri Literature Syllabus given by the PSC has been given systematically according to the exam pattern and question paper pattern. Get details about the Optional Subject Manipuri Literature Exam Pattern here: 

• There will be two papers for Manipuri Literature or other Optional Subjects in UPSC Mains Examination. 
• Both the papers of the Manipuri Literature Optional Subject will be 250 marks each, which totals up to 500 marks.
• All papers including both the Manipuri Literature Optional Subject Papers are subjective.
• There is no negative marking.
• Both the Manipuri Literature Optional Subject Papers are supposed to be written in Manipuri only.

• There are 9 Papers in total in the UPSC Mains exam. 
• Each Paper would be of duration of 3 hours
• There are two Qualifying rounds (English and Indian Language) and seven Merit-based papers
• All papers will have subjective answer-type questions.
• There will be no negative markings in any of the papers.

Check out UPSC Exam Pattern here.

How To Prepare for UPSC Manipuri Literature Optional Syllabus?

The Literature optional subjects such as Manipuri Literature are an opportunity for the candidates to score well and improve their ranking in the UPSC Merit List because of its reduced competition resulting from language specificity. Manipuri Literature is an ideal choice of subject for candidates who are fluent in speaking, reading and writing Manipuri. With the right efforts and preparation, candidates of Manipuri Literature can easily grab a position in the UPSC Civil Services Exam Merit List. Here are a few tips that will help the candidates prepare better and more effectively for the UPSC Manipuri Literature Syllabus. Check them out:

• Candidates must plan their study time topic-wise for a long period of time and stick to the calendar. This will help them in being more organized and feel untangled throughout the course of preparation.
• Candidates must have a copy of the UPSC Manipuri Literature Syllabus ready with them to track their progress in the syllabus.
• Reading the original texts is the most important task that comes with Manipuri Literature Syllabus.
• Try to come up with your own analyses and criticism of the texts. Situate them in a contemporary socio-political context, relate it to the socio-political context of the time it was written in as well as its authors life and experiences.
• Take the help of reference books to gain an understanding of alternate views and criticisms.
• Solve Previous Year Papers of at least the last 3 years to practice answer writing as well as familiarize yourself with the question paper pattern and quality.

Take the UPSC Online Test Series here.

Best Books for UPSC Manipuri Literature Optional Subject

It is important that candidates prepare for the exam from reliable sources and good study material. Candidates must try to always procure literature material and/or translations from good sources and publishers. We have curated a collection of the best UPSC Civil Services Books to prepare for the exam. Take a brief look at them below:

Now that you have a fair idea about the syllabus and exam pattern of the exam, you can start your preparation now. Download the Testbook App now and access the best online learning resources curated by experts.