Tamil Literature

About this optional

Tamil Literature is one of the optional subjects of the UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination: the Commission's list of optional subjects includes the literature of any one of a set of listed languages, and this is one of them. A candidate chooses one optional subject, and it is examined in two papers: Paper VI (Optional Subject Paper 1) and Paper VII (Optional Subject Paper 2) of the Main Examination. Both papers are counted for merit. See UPSC Mains: Optional Subject (two papers) for the full list of optional subjects.

• Questions are of the conventional (essay) type.
• The two papers carry 500 of the 1,750 marks of the written part; the written marks and the Personality Test (275 marks) together decide the final ranking.
• The scope of the optional papers is broadly of the honours degree level: higher than the bachelor's degree and lower than the master's degree.
• Language rule for all literature papers: the notice says a candidate may be required to answer some or all of the questions in the language concerned, and questions not required to be answered in a specific language are answered in the medium the candidate has chosen for the Essay, General Studies and optional papers.
• For Tamil the syllabus says answers must be written in Tamil in both papers.
• Script: Tamil.

Paper I

The official syllabus of Tamil Literature Paper I, as printed in the notice (the Commission's own wording, spelling and numbering).

Answers must be written in Tamil

Section A

Part 1: History of Tamil Language

Major Indian Language Families—The place of Tamil among Indian Languages in general and Dravidian in particular—Enumeration and Distribution of Dravidian languages.

The language of Sangam Literature—The language of medieval Tamil: Pallava Period only—Historical study of Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs—Tense markers and case markers in Tamil.

Borrowing of words from other languages into Tamil—Regional and social dialects—difference between literary and spoken Tamil.

Part 2: History of Tamil Literature

Tolkappiyam-Sangam Literature—The division of Akam and Puram—The secular characteristics of Sangam Literature—The development of Ethical literature—Silappadikaram and Manimekalai.

Part 3: Devotional Literature (Alwars and Nayanamars)

The bridal mysticism in Alwar hymns—Minor literary forms (Tutu, Ula, Parani, Kuravanji).

Social factors for the development of Modern Tamil Literature; Novel, Short Story and New Poetry—The impact of various political ideologies on modern writings.

Section B

Part 1: Recent trends in Tamil Studies

Approaches to criticism: Social, psychological, historical and moralistic—the use of criticism—the various techniques in literature; Ullurai, Iraicchi, Thonmam (Myth) Otturuvagam (allegory), Angadam (Satire), Meyappadu, Padimam (image), Kuriyeedu (Symbol), Irunmai (Ambiguity)—The concept of comparative literature-the principle of comparative literature.

Part 2: Folk literature in Tamil

Ballads, Songs, proverbs and riddles—Sociological study of Tamil folklore. Uses of translation—Translation of Tamil works into other languages-Development of journalism in Tamil.

Part 3: Cultural Heritage of the Tamils

Concept of Love and War—Concept of Aram-the ethical codes adopted by the ancient Tamils in their warfare-customs beliefs, rituals, modes of worship in the five Thinais.

The Cultural changes as revealed in post sangam literature—cultural fusion in the medieval period (Jainism and Buddhism). The development of arts and architecture through the ages (Pallavas, later Cholas, and Nayaks). The impact of various political, social, religious and cultural movements on Tamil Society. The role of mass media in the cultural change of contemporary Tamil society.

Paper II

The official syllabus of Tamil Literature Paper II, as printed in the notice (the Commission's own wording, spelling and numbering).

Answers must be written in Tamil

The paper will require first-hand reading of the text prescribed and will be designed to test the critical ability of the candidate.

Section A

Part 1: Ancient Literature

• (1) Kuruntokai (1—25 poems)
• (2) Purananuru (182—200 poems)
• (3) Tirukkural Porutpal: Arasiyalum Amaichiyalum (from Iraimatchi to Avaianjamai).

Part 2: Epic Literature

• (1) Silappadikaram: Madhurai Kandam only.
• (2) Kambaramayanam: Kumbakarunan Vadhai Padalam.

Part 3: Devotional Literature

• (1) Tiruvasagam: Neetthal Vinnappam
• (2) Tiruppavai: (Full Text).

Section B

Modern Literature

Part 1: Poetry

• (1) Bharathiar: Kannan Pattu
• (2) Bharathidasan: Kudumba Vilakku
• (3) Naa. Kamarasan: Karappu Malarkal

Prose

• (1) Mu. Varadharajanar: Aramum Arasiyalum
• (2) C. N. Annadurai: Ye! Thazhntha Tamilagame.

Part 2: Novel, Short Story and Drama

• (1) Akilon; Chittairappavai
• (2) Jayakanthan: Gurupeedam
• (3) Cho: Yaurkkum Vetkamillai

Part 3: Folk Literature

• (1) Muthuppattan kathai Edited by Na. Vanamamalai, (Publication: Madurai Kamaraj University).
• (2) Malaiyaruvi, Edited by Ki. Va Jagannathan (Publication: Saraswathi Mahal, Thanjavur).

Overlaps with General Studies

• General Studies I: Indian culture. Sangam literature, the Alwars and Nayanmars of the Bhakti tradition, and the art and architecture of the Pallavas, later Cholas and Nayaks are core culture topics.
• Prelims General Studies Paper I: History of India, which includes early and medieval south India (the Sangam age, the Pallavas and the Cholas).
• General Studies IV: contributions of moral thinkers from India. The Tirukkural, especially its Porutpal on kingship and ministers, and the concept of Aram are used in ethics and governance answers.
• General Studies I: Indian society (social empowerment, regionalism and secularism), which connects with this optional's study of political, social, religious and cultural movements in Tamil society.

Source: UPSC Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE, 4 February 2026 (Civil Services Examination, 2026), Appendix I, Section II (B) and Section III, Part B, PDF. Last checked 11 November 2026.