UPSC Optional

Maithili Literature Optional Syllabus

The complete Maithili Literature syllabus for the UPSC Civil Services Examination — Paper I and Paper II. Updated for 2027.

Updated August 22, 2026 Clarity UPSC Team
Optional subject Paper I & Paper II 250 marks each Jump to Paper I Jump to Paper II

PAPER I

HISTORY OF MAITHILI LANGUAGE AND

ITS LITERATURE

(Answers must be written in Maithili)

PART A

History of Maithili Language

1. Place of Maithili in Indo-European Language family.

2. Origin and development of Maithili language. (Sanskrit, Prakrit, Avhatt, Maithili)

3. Periodic division of Maithili Language. (Beginning, Middle era, Modern era).

4. Maithili and its different dialects.

5. Relationship between Maithili and other Eastern languages (Bengali, Asamese, Oriya)

6. Origin and Development of Tirhuta Script.

7. Pronouns and Verbs in Maithili Language.

PART B

History of Maithili Literature

1. Background of Maithili Literature (Religious, Economic, Social, Cultural).

2. Periodic division of Maithili literature.

3. Pre-Vidyapati Literature.

4. Vidyapati and his tradition.

5. Medieval Maithili Drama (Kirtaniya Natak, Ankia Nat, Maithili dramas written in Nepal).

6. Maithili Folk Literature (Folk Tales, Folk Drama, Folk Stories, Folk Songs).

7. Development of different literary forms in modern era :

(a) Prabandh-kavya

(b) Muktak-kavya

(c) Novel

(d) Short Story

(e) Drama

(f) Essay

(g) Criticism

(h) Memoirs

(i) Translation

8. Development of Maithili Magazines and Journals.

PAPER -II

(Answers must be written in Maithili)

The paper will require first-hand reading of the prescribed texts and will test the critical ability of the candidates.

PART A

Poetry

1. Vidyapati Geet-Shati—Publisher : Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi (Lyrics— 1 to 50)

2. Govind Das Bhajanavali—Publisher : Maithili Acadamy, Patna (Lyrics— 1 to 25)

3. Krishnajanm—Manbodh

4. Mithilabhasha Ramayana—Chanda Jha (only Sunder-Kand)

5. Rameshwar Charit Mithila Ramayan—Lal Das (only Bal-kand)

6. Keechak-Vadh—Tantra Nath Jha.

7. Datta-Vati—Surendra Jah ‘Suman’ (only 1st and 2nd Cantos).

8. Chitra-Yatri

9. Samakaleen Maithili Kavita—Publisher: Sahitaya Akademi, New Delhi.

PART-B

10. Varna Ratnakar—Jyotirishwar (only 2nd Kallol)

11. Khattar Kakak Tarang—Hari Mohan Jha

12. Lorik—Vijaya Manipadma

13. Prithvi Putra—Lalit

14. Bhaphait Chahak Jinagi—Sudhanshu ‘Shekhar’ Choudhary

15. Kriti Rajkamlak—Publisher: Maithili Acadamy, Patna (First Ten Stories only)

16. Katha–Sangrah–Publisher: Maithili Acadamy, Patna.

Practise every day, free

A fresh UPSC-style current affairs quiz from each day’s news — with solutions linked to the original articles.

Take today’s quiz →
Sign in Today’s news
Current affairs Daily news Daily quiz Shorts Economic Survey 2025-26 Subjects
Polity Economy Geography Environment History Science & Tech Intl. Relations Internal Security Art & Culture Social Issues
All subjects Exam info UPSC Syllabus Prelims syllabus Mains syllabus Exam pattern Eligibility & attempts OBC & EWS checker Resources Free downloads Booklist 2026 Previous year papers Video notes YouTube channel