UPSC Optional

Manipuri Literature Optional Syllabus

The complete Manipuri Literature syllabus for the UPSC Civil Services Examination β€” Paper I and Paper II. Updated for 2027.

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

PAPER-I

(Answers must be written in Manipuri)

Section A

Language :

(a) General characteristics of Manipuri Language and history of its development; its 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.

(b) Significant features of Manipuri Language :

(i) Phonology : Phoneme-vowels, consonants juncture, tone, consonant cluster and its occurrence, syllable-its structure, pattern and types.

(ii) 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).

(iii) Syntax : Word order; types of sentences, phrase and clause structures.

Section B

(a) 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.

(b) Manipuri Folk Literature : Legend, Folktale, Folksong, Ballad, Proverb and Riddle.

(c) Aspects of Manipuri Culture : Pre-Hindu Manipuri Faith; Advent of Hinduism and the process of syncreticism; Performing arts-Lai Haraoba, Maha Ras; Indegenous games-Sagol Kangjei, Khong Kangjei, Kang.

PAPER-II

(Answers must be written in Manipuri)

This paper will require first hand reading of the texts prescribed and will be designed to test candidate’s critical ability to assess them.

Section A

Old and Medieval Manipuri Literature :

(a) Old Manipuri Literature :

1. O. Bhogeswar Singh (Ed.) : Numit Kappa

2. M. Gourachandra Singh (Ed.) : Thawanthaba Hiran

3. N. Khelchandra Singh (Ed.) : Naothingkhong

Phambal Kaba

4. M. Chandra Singh (Ed.) : Panthoibi Khonggul

(b) Medieval Manipuri Literature :

1. M. Chandra Singh (Ed.) : Samsok Ngamba

2. R.K. Snahal Singh (Ed.) : Ramayana Adi Kanda

3. N. Khelchandra Singh (Ed.) : Dhananjoy Laibu Ningba

4. O. Bhogeswar Singh (Ed.) : Chandrakirti Jila Changba

Section B

Modern Manipuri Literature :

(a) Poetry and Epic :

(I) Poetry :

(a) 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 : Kamalda, Nonggumlalkkhoda.

L. Samarendra Singh : Ingagi Nong, Mamang Leikai Thambal Satle

E. Nilakanta Singh : Manipur, Lamangnaba

Shri Biren : Tangkhul Hui

Th. Ibopishak : Anouba Thunglaba Jiba.

(b) Kanchi Sheireng. (Pub) Manipur University 1998 (Ed.)

Dr. L. Kamal Singh : Biswa-Prem

Shri Biren : Chaphadraba Laigi Yen

Th. Ibopishak : Norok Patal Prithivi

(II) Epic :

1. A. Dorendrajit Singh : Kansa Bodha

2. H. Anganghal Singh : Khamba-Thoibi Sheireng(San-Senba, Lei Langba,Shamu Khonggi Bichar)

(III) Drama :

1. S. Lalit Singh : Areppa Marup

2. G.C. Tongbra : Matric Pass

3. A. Samarendra : Judge Saheb ki Imung

(b) Novel, Short-story and Prose :

(I) Novel :

1. Dr. L. Kamal Singh : Madhabi

2. H. Anganghal Singh : Jahera

3. H. Guno Singh : Laman

4. Pacha Meetei : Imphal Amasung, MagiIshing, Nungsitki Phibam

(II) Short-story :

(a) Kanchi Warimacha (Pub) Manipur University 1997(Ed.)

R.K. Shitaljit Singh : Kamala Kamala

M.K. Binodini : Eigi Thahoudraba HeitupLalu

Kh. Prakash : Wanom Shareng

(b) Parishadki Khangatlaba Warimacha (Pub) Manipuri Sahitya Parishad 1994 (Ed.)

S. Nilbir Shastri : Loukhatpa

R.K. Elangba : Karinunggi

(c) Anouba Manipuri Warimacha (Pub) The Cultural Forum Manipur 1992 (Ed.)

N. Kunjamohon Singh : Ijat Tanba

E. Dinamani : Nongthak Khongnang

(III) Prose :

(a) Warenggi Saklon [Due Part] (Pub) The Cultural Forum Manipur 1992 (Ed.)

Kh. Chaoba Singh : Khamba-Thoibigi WariAmasung Mahakavya

(b) Kanchi Wareng (Pub) Manipur University, 1998 (Ed.)

B. Manisana Shastri : Phajaba

Ch. Manihar Singh : Lai-Haraoba

(c) 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)

(d) Manipuri Wareng (Pub) The Cultural Forum Manipur 1999 (Ed.)

S. Krishnamohan Singh : Lan

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