(हिंदी साहित्य) Hindi Literature Optional Coaching

Hindi literature, rich in heritage, spans centuries from early medieval poetic forms to contemporary writings. It reflects India’s complex history, diverse culture, and philosophical thought. Renowned for its poetic traditions, including Bhakti and Sufi movements, it also boasts significant prose works. It is choice of most of the aspirants as an optional subject because of its high scoring as well as small syllabus nature.

Hindi Literature as Optional In UPSC

Hindi Literature as an optional would be a good choice for UPSC due to several reasons:

• High Success Rate: The popularity of the optional is because it has a good success rate among aspirants.
• Scoring Potential: As there is ample scope for answer writing, and candidates can do well with focused preparation.
• There is Less Competition: Hindi background aspirants face lesser competition against English medium candidates.
• Easy coverage: it takes very less time as compare to other subjects in the optional list of UPSC CS Examination.

Pros and Cons of Hindi literature as optional

Pros:

• High Success Rate: It is yet another general optional many of which record high passing rates amongst the candidates.
• Scoring Potential: Students have a very high possibility of scoring good marks with intensive preparations as they get an opportunity to write massive answers.
• Less Competition: The competition is not much from the English medium aspirants while they come from the Hindi background.
• Short Preparation Time: In fact the subject can be prepared in a relatively short time and about three months is ample time to study for the syllabus.

Cons:

• Subjectivity in Evaluation: Thus, the aspect of literature marking is subjective and may result in variation in the scores that students attain.
• Overlap with GS Papers: Opportunities for choosing literature may have fewer connections to General Study papers and, as a result, the general load in studies may be shifted higher.
• Language Barrier: These literary texts may be understood as difficult by those learners who are learning Hindi as the second language.

In essence, Hindi literature’s scoring potential lies in its subjectivity and the opportunity it provides for candidates to express their answers creatively and insightfully, leveraging their interest and knowledge in the subject to secure high marks.

Why is Hindi literature most scoring optional?

The reasons as to why Hindi literature is most scoring optional are numerous, Firstly it is is easy for the student to understand From composing the entire sentence to comprehending the detailed meanings of the words of the Hindi literature Languages required very little extra thinking after the basic meaning of the independent words was grasped. This implies that the student does not need extra effort to understand the sentences or the meanings given to the subject In addition.

Hindi literature is considered one of the most scoring options in UPSC CSE due to several factors:

1. Subjectivity: Due to the fact that literature questions are generally asked in such a way that they allow for subjective answers, one can give expressive answers and if presented well, they will attract high marks.
2. Interest-Based: This way candidates who have a passion for Hindi literature tend to do better because they have an interest and or you could say they have an appreciation of the subject.
3. Defined Syllabus: While serving the dynamic subjects, the syllabus for literature is clear and more rigid so it does not take long to prepare for it.
4. Answer Writing: Options and choices in Literature often have quotes and critiques, which, when used to answer questions, can make examiners’ hearts hot and grant additional marks.
5. Less Competition: The luck factor comes in, because, with fewer people competing, you would have better chances of getting your preparation right.

Thus, Hindi literature is characterized by high score possibilities due to its subjective nature and the freedom it offers to Candidates to provide very creative and knowledgeable answers in the fields of their interest.

Trends in Hindi literature optional

As an option, Hindi literature during the preparation of the UPSC CSE examination has also shown similar trends of testing courses related to the history of Hindi literature, famous authors, and their works, and periods such as Adikal Bhaktikal, Ritikal, and Adhunik Kaal. Grammar, poetic and prose styles, along with the contextual culture are the components which have been embraced in the syllabus. Current tendencies show a more elaborated study of the medieval process of language growth and the contemporary changes in Hindi literature.

Pattern of questions set in Hindi literature optional

• Unlike in the other optional subjects, candidates sitting for the UPSC CSE Hindi literature optional are faced with a structural question pattern. Each of the two papers, Paper I and II, has five questions that are expected to be answered in three hours. The first question and the last question are to be answered, with three supporting questions of the candidate’s choice that is, at least one from each part. Some of the areas of specialization tested in the questions include history of Hindi language, part of speech, history of Hindi literature, eras of Hindi literature such as Adikal, Bhaktikal, Ritikal, and Adhunik Kaal; and some important writers and their works.
• What has been observed is that the questions set have gradually moved towards a holistic comprehension of the development of Hindi literature, the affinities of Hindi, and the process of its growth. There are standard writing requirements, which are expected of any candidate and they include; Candidates are required to have a detailed understanding of different literary genres and periods, appreciation of critical methods of analysis. They may also involve a focus on grammar, especially that of Hindi and the historical writing system, Nagari Lipi.
• Preparation for such questions also requires the Bringing of appreciation and understanding of a vast number of literary works from different periods, knowledge of the socio-political reality of the periods where such works were written and the ability to comment on the stylistic features of prose and poetical works. The trend also reveals that the theme is modern and has relevance to contemporary Hindi literature and its importance in the global sphere.

In totality, the trend suggests a progressive blanch with factual cramming and critical skills with special emphasis upon the recognition of the role of Hindi literature in the present day world.

Most asked topics in Hindi Literature Paper-I

In Hindi Literature Paper-I for UPSC CSE, the most asked topics typically revolve around:

• History of Hindi Language and Nagari Lipi: This also encompasses Hindi as a language and Nagari Lipi that is the Hindi script.
• Grammatical and Applied Forms: Stemming asks about the Apbhransh script, Awahatta and early periods of Hindi grammar.
• Literary Languages Development: It is fairly and frequently discussed how and why Braj and Awadhi developed as literary languages during medieval ages.
• Literary Criticism: The argumentation skills of the candidates may be tested through the analysing of literary works or their criticism.

Most asked topics in Hindi Literature Paper-II

In Hindi Literature Paper-II for UPSC CSE, the most asked topics are typically centred around:

• Modern Hindi Literature: This includes poetry, prose, novel, short story, drama, and criticism from the late 19th century to the present.
• Poets and Authors: Questions often focus on the works and contributions of specific poets and authors from different literary movements.
• Literary Forms and Genres: Understanding of various literary forms such as Ghazal, Nath, and others is tested.
• Literary Criticism: Analysis of literary trends, schools of thought, and critical essays are common.
• Cultural Context: The socio-political and cultural backdrop against which various works were written is also a key area.

How to prepare effectively for frequently asked topics of Hindi literature optional

To prepare effectively for frequently asked topics of Hindi literature optional:

• Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the detailed syllabus and identify the core areas from which questions are frequently asked.
• Read Primary Sources: Study the original texts of poems, novels, dramas, and essays to grasp the literary style and themes.
• Secondary Literature: Refer to critical analyses and commentaries by renowned scholars to gain different perspectives.
• Make Notes: Create concise notes on each topic, highlighting important points, quotes, and critical views.
• Answer Writing Practice: Regularly practice writing answers within the time limit and word limit to improve accuracy.
• Previous Year Papers: Analyse previous years’ question papers to understand the pattern and type of questions asked.
• Revision: Regularly revise your notes and important texts to retain information better.
• Test Series: Enrol in a test series to assess your preparation level and improve upon weaknesses.
• Peer Discussion: Engage in discussions with peers or mentors to clarify doubts and gain new insights.
• Stay Updated: Keep abreast of any new developments or changes in the syllabus or examination pattern

Hindi literature optional exam structure

It is for 500 marks and has two papers, Paper-I & II.

The layout of each paper is as follows:

• Papers: 2, Paper-I and Paper-II
• Marks per Paper: 250
• Total Marks: 500
• Sections: All the papers are divided into two parts.
• Number of Questions: There shall be eight questions in each paper, four questions per section
• Questions to Solve: The candidates have to solve any five questions at least out of eight.
• Time: 3 hours is the duration for a candidate to attempt each paper.

Paper-I:

• Section A: It will have following topics History of Hindi Language and Nagari script, Grammar (including phonetics), Applied forms of Apabhramsa, Avahatta & early standardisation.
• Section B : It covers the development of Braj and Awadhi as literary languages during the medieval period, literature of Siddha and Nath sects, poets like Khusro, Sant Sahitya, Rahim etc. Dakkhini Hindi- KhariBoli in its early stages.

Paper-II:

• Section A: Modern Hindi Literature consisting of poetry, drama, fiction (novel and short stories), essays and criticism on these genres written from the second half to arguably by up-to-date times.
• Section B: Other Modern Literary Genres of Hindi In this section, other genres which came into being in the modern phase such as biography travel etc., upto 20th century AD.