relevance of hindi as the national language essay upsc

The debate has been raging since Independence. The Constituent Assembly witnessed heated exchanges over the use and scope of Hindi with one member, RV Dhulekar, declaring that those who did not know Hindustani (as Hindi was known back then) "had no right to stay in India".

The Sub-Committee on Fundamental Rights of the Constituent Assembly recommended that "Hindustani, written either in Devanagari or the Persian script at the option of the citizen, shall, as the national language, be the first official language of the Union. English shall be the second official language for such period as the Union may, by law, determine."

What is the official position?

The Constitution, however, did not declare Hindi as the national language; it rather accorded Hindi the status of official language along with English. Article 343 of the Constitution prescribes Hindi as written in Devanagari script as the official language of the government along with English.

In 2010, the Gujarat High Court had dismissed a PIL seeking direction for mandatory printing of details -- price, ingredients and date of manufacturing -- of goods in Hindi on the ground that it was the national language.

"Normally, in India, a majority of the people have accepted Hindi as a national language and many people speak Hindi and write in Devanagari script but there is nothing on record to suggest that any provision has been made or order issued declaring Hindi as a national language of the country," the court had stated.

The response from the ministers in the Narendra Modi government indicates no change in stand on the status of Hindi. "The National Education Policy as submitted to the Minister HRD [human resource development] is only a draft report. Feedback shall be obtained from general public. State governments will be consulted. Only after this the draft report will be finalized," tweeted S Jaishankara, the newly appointed external affairs minister. Published By: Prabhash Kumar Dutta Published On: Jun 3, 2019 --- ENDS ---

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HINDI LANGUAGE (COMPULSORY) PAPER – UPSC Civil Services MAINS Examination 2021

• January 16, 2022

Important Updates , UPSC MAINS 2021 QUESTION PAPERS

HINDI LANGUAGE (COMPULSORY) PAPER – UPSC Civil Services MAINS Examination 2021 (PDF) – CLICK HERE

• Hindi Compulsory Language Paper 2021 , Hindi Compulsory Language Paper Mains 2021 , HINDI LANGUAGE (COMPULSORY) PAPER - UPSC Civil Services MAINS Examination 2021 , UPSC CIVIL SERVICES MAINS EXAM (CSE) 2021 , UPSC CSE Compulsory Language Paper 2020 , UPSC CSE Hindi Compulsory Language Paper 2021

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Debate on the National Language

• The recent remarks by a Hindi actor to the effect that Hindi is the national language of India sparked a controversy over the status of the language under the Constitution. 
• The official language issue was hotly debated in the Constituent Assembly, and the provisions relating to it were formulated only after a compromise that English shall continue to be used for 15 years.
• The Constituent Assembly was bitterly divided on the question, with members from States that did not speak Hindi initially opposing the declaration of Hindi as a national language . 
• Proponents of Hindi were insistent that English was the language of enslavement and that it should be eliminated as early as possible. Others feared that with English out of consideration, Hindi would  become the national language. 
• There were demands to make Sanskrit the official language, while some argued in favour of ‘Hindustani’ . 
• It was decided that the Constitution will only speak of an ‘official language’. And that English would continue to be used for a period of 15 years. 
• The Constitution said that after 15 years, Parliament may by law decide on the use of English and the use of the Devanagari form of numbers for specified purposes.
• Under Article 343 of the Constitution, the official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script . The international form of Indian numerals will be used for official purposes.
• Hindi is spoken by nearly 57% of Indian s and 43% of people reported it as their mother tongue (Census 2011)

Protests of 1965

• The Official Languages Act, 1963 was passed in anticipation of the expiry of the 15-year period during which the Constitution originally allowed the use of English for official purposes. 
• Its operative section provided for the continuing use of English , notwithstanding the expiry of the 15-year period. 
• However, at that time, the then Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to move towards making Hindi the official language for all purposes.
• The common feeling was that Hindi would be imposed in such a way that the future employment prospects of those who do not speak Hindi will be bleak. 
• With the Congress government in the State taking the view that the people had nothing to fear about, protests broke out in January 1965. 
• When the Official Language Rules were framed in 1976 , it was made clear that the Rules apply to the whole of India, except Tamil Nadu .

Three Language Formula

• Hindi, English and one regional language in Hindi-speaking States, 
• Hindi, English and the official regional language in other States. 
• In practice, however, only some States teach both their predominant language and Hindi, besides English.
• In States where Hindi is the official language, a third language is rarely taught as a compulsory subject. 
• Tamil Nadu has been steadfastly opposing the three-language formula and sticks to teaching Tamil and English. It argues that those who need to know Hindi can learn on their own.

Significance of National Language 

• It will  keep the spirit of equality and the words of the Indian Constitution high.
• It will make the communication easy .
• Translation cost and time will be reduced.
• National language will work as a symbol of unified India on the World Platform.

Eighth Schedule

• About: The Eighth Schedule contains a list of languages in the country. Number of languages: Initially, there were 14 languages in the schedule, but now there are 22 languages . 
• No fixed procedure to add languages: There is no description of the sort of languages that are included or will be included in the Eighth Schedule. 
• The purpose of the Commission is to make recommendations for the progressive use of Hindi for official purposes of the Union and for restricting the use of English .
• It will also assimilate elements of forms and expressions from Hindustani and languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.

Image Courtesy: Change  

Classical Languages

• Tamil (declared in 2004), 
• Sanskrit (2005), 
• Kannada (2008), 
• Telugu (2008), 
• Malayalam (2013), and 
• Odia (2014).
• High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years;
• A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers;
• The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community;
• The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.”
• The language is a sensitive matter and recognising regional aspirations has contributed to the unity of India.
• Hence, there is a need to develop consensus rather than imposition from the top. 
• Zonal Councils and Interstate Council can be a great platform to discuss this sensitive issue.

Source : TH

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[Answered] “Idea of treating Hindi as the national language runs contrary to the spirit of the Constitution and our country’s linguistic diversity”. Comment.

Idea of Hindi being treated as India’s National Language has been debated on since the time the Constitution was being written. It was recently resurrected by the Draft National Education Policy which seems to be giving Hindi more importance than other Indian languages. The dangers of imposing a language are manifold.

How Imposing Hindi as national language on others is against constitutional spirit?

• It can affect the learning ability of non-native speakers thereby affecting their self-confidence.
• It can also endanger other languages and dialects and reduce diversity. National integration cannot come at the cost of people’s linguistic identities.
• It is against spirit of Constitution, which made Hindi as official language so that it would only serve as a linking language and was not be imposed on non-Hindi speaking states.
• It would lead to Hindi chauvinism and is against linguistic diversity of the nation.
• Language is at the core of an individual’s identity. It is in a language that an individual conceptualises and communicates his thoughts which enables him to actively participate in society. Idea of national language will hamper such participation.
• Language is the most important tool of participation in the polity of the state and not being able to speak in the dominant language (or languages) of a state can have a serious impact on an individual’s employment, educational and recreational opportunities. This leads to discrimination and injustice.
• Imposing Hindi as national language is against Eighth schedule which comprises of a list of official languages and the government is under obligation to ensure their development.
• Such policies threaten the diversity and federalism of India. The states’ fear of the central government’s ideology of monopolising faith, education, and language will adversely affect the Indian political system, which is based on pluralism and accommodation.

National integration in a multilingual country does not require the imposition of one official language on the country, especially when the language selected for the purpose is one of its many regional languages even if it happens to be that of the largest linguistic group in the country. The focus should not be on establishing one national language, but should be shifted to strengthening the official languages whose importance cannot be disregarded.

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Linguistic diversity of India

• Last Updated on Sep 9, 2023

There is a popular aphorism that depicts India’s linguistic diversity rather well: Kos-kos par badle paani, chaar kos par baani (The language spoken in India changes every few kilometres, just like the taste of the water). 

• The 2011 linguistic census accounts for 121 mother tongues, including 22 languages listed in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.
• While Article 343 says “the official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script,” it also empowers the use of English indefinitely.
• The provision coexists with the Eighth Schedule, which, as per Articles 344(1) and 351, permits the use of 22 languages as official languages.
• Article 347, provides for the recognition and use of even those languages that are not the ‘official language’ of the State, allowing for greater State autonomy.

Growth of Hindi:

• Hindi is the most widely spoken, with 52.8 crore individuals, or 43.6% of the population, declaring it as their mother tongue. The next highest is Bengali, mother tongue for 97 lakh (8%).
• Hindi has been India’s predominant mother tongue over the decades, its share in the population rising in every succeeding census. In 1971, 37% Indians had reported Hindi as their mother tongue, a share that has grown over the next four censuses to 38.7%, 39.2%, 41% and 43.6% at last count.

• Between 1991 and 2011, the number of Hindi native speakers in South India has nearly doubled. This, when the total population in these states has only gone up by 28%.

The obvious explanation of this rise in Hindi speaking population is – 

• Population growth in native Hindi speaking states such as Uttarpradesh (20%), Bihar (25%), Madyapradesh(20%), Rajasthan(21%), Jharkhand(22%) above the national average growth rate of 17%
• Increasing migration of Hindi speaking population to other states. According to the census, four states, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh accounted for 50% of India’s total inter-state migrants.

Keeping in view of the needs arising from increasing inter-state migration and to strengthens national integration, National Education policy (2020) suggested strict implementation of 3- language formula.

Three language formula under NEP 2020: The new National Education Policy (NEP) recommends that all students will learn three languages in their school under the 'formula'. At least two of the three languages should be native to India.

Ex: If a student in Mumbai is learning Marathi and English, he/she will have to choose to learn another Indian language .There will be a greater flexibility in the three-language formula, and no language will be imposed on any State. The three languages learned by children will be the choices of States, regions, and of course the students themselves, so long as at least two of the three languages are native to India.

Concerns with 3 language formula: Cognitive burden on young children: Several surveys, like ASER, have shown that a vast majority of children are failing to learn to read with comprehension even in one language and script. It is completely unrealistic to expect children to acquire oral fluency and reading skills in three different languages.

Poor Implementation: Earlier three-language formula was not implemented properly in most parts of the country.

Back Door Entry for Hindi: The state of Tamil Nadu has two language systems. The introduction of the new policy creates a fear among them that this would lead to the entrance of Hindi into the state from the back door.

Shortage of Non-Hindi teachers: scarcity of non-Hindi language teachers throughout the country.

Advantages of preserving Linguistic diversity :

• Prevents regionalism, separatism and enhances National Integration
• Administration becomes easier
• Access to Education in Mother tongue
• Preservation of Traditional Knowledge
• Cognitive ability of the children improves
• Social inclusion

Threats to Linguistic diversity in India:

According to The People's Linguistic Survey of India (PSLI) report, more than half of India's languages may die out in 50 years. Around 190 languages are in various stages of endangerment in our country, more than any other country in the world. The reasons are:

• Globalization : Influence of transnational corporations has resulted in a central common language mainly English, which dominates regional dialects, and minority languages.
• Nuclear family culture – Grants less opportunities for youngsters to learn mother tongue, especially when both parents are working and grandparents are living separate.
• Inter-culture, caste, race marriages – Where a couple is from different cultural backgrounds, language of communication is often not the mother tongue, which impacts the next generation's exposure to the native language.
• Migration – Towards metropolitans for accessing better education and employment opportunities, is preference to cosmopolitan language.
• Increased use of Internet- Nowadays, most of the communications and business is carried out online forcing the people to consume digital content in English as the cyber presence regional languages is negligible.
• Lack of Education in Mother tongue results in neglecting of many languages
• Lack of script for tribal and languages spoken by fringe groups -Only 6 tribal languages — Santali, Ho, Soura, Munda and Kui — have a written script. Lack of script makes it difficult to pass the language from generation to generation.
• Assimilation policies of the Government: states often try to assimilate linguistic minorities by imposing majority language upon them. Example: Compulsory Bengali in Gorkhaland.

Constitutional protection given to linguistic minorities: 

Article 29:Any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India or any part thereof having a distinct language, script or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same.No citizen shall be denied admission into any educational institution maintained by the State or receiving aid out of State funds on grounds only of religion, race, caste, language or any of them.

Article 30: All minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.The state shall not, in granting aid to educational institutions, discriminate against any educational institution on the ground that it is under the management of a minority, whether based on religion or language.

Article 345: Legislature of a State may by law adopt any one or more of the languages in use in the State.

Article 347: President, subjected to his satisfaction, may demand any state govt to officially recognise any language, on which popular demand is made by the language speakers.

Article 350 A & B:  It shall be the endeavour of every State to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups. Special officer for linguistic minorities .

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Issues Associated with Languages and Official Language

Introduction:

The language issue in India has been a divisive and challenging issue. Linguistic diversity posed challenges for national consolidation with the debate over the union's official language, and states' linguistic reorganisation.

History of Language issue:

• After 1942, Mahatma Gandhi emphasized Hindustani , a fusion of Hindi and Urdu, as the unifying language. 
• Constituent Assembly had disagreements on declaring Hindi as the national language. But finally, it was decided that the Constitution will speak of an ‘official language’. 
• The Constitution adopted the Munshi-Ayyangar Formula, making Hindi in Devanagari script the official language with a 15-year transition period. 
• English would continue to be used for all official purposes for the next 15 years, to enable a smooth transition for non-Hindi speaking states.
• The Official Languages Act, 1963 extended the use of English beyond the transition period.
• Protests erupted in non-Hindi states, particularly Tamil Nadu, against the imposition of Hindi. 
• Three Language Formula: Since the 1960s, the Centre’s education policy documents speak of teaching three languages: 
• Hindi, English and one regional language in Hindi-speaking States, 
• Hindi, English and the official regional language in other States.

Why has language become a sensitive issue?

• Self-identification: A strong identification with one’s regional language and an underlying fear of homogenisation is at the heart of the national language question in India. 
• Access to Economic Opportunities: The decision to learn another language is based on its access to find mew opportunities and the economic benefits one might get. 
• Language defines the primary group: People identify with one another based on language, thus giving them a primary group. 
• Threats to diversity: Language is integral to culture and therefore privileging Hindi over all other languages spoken in India takes away from its diversity.
• Promises made by Constituent Assembly: Nehru had promised that Hindi would only serve as a linking language and it would not be imposed on non-Hindi speaking states.

Benefits of having a national language:

• Broad user base: Hindi has a large native speaker and proficient speaker population in India.
• Unity and cooperation: Hindi can facilitate better coordination among states, reduce regional disparities, and respect local languages. 
• International prestige: Using a national language in international forums enhances a nation's prestige and promotes the global reputation of the language.

Issues with Hindi

• Inherent opposition: The Constituent Assembly faced divisions as members from non-Hindi speaking states opposed declaring Hindi as a national language. 
• Fear of imposition: Concerns arose about Hindi dominating non-Hindi regions if English was phased out. 
• Identity politics: Linguistic policies driven by identity politics rather than aspirations or accommodation. 
• Majoritarianism: Hindi's promotion reduced to assertions of slim majoritarianism. 
• Limited speakers, dominant position: Only 25% of Indians consider Hindi as their mother tongue (Census 2011), raising concerns about the claim based on numerical strength. 
• Demographic barriers: High migration rates necessitate rethinking language identities. 
• Economic barriers: A single lingua franca, be it Hindi or English, could impede migration and hinder capital flow. 
• Dialectal variations: Hindi is associated with specific communities in the five states where it is a native language.

Why Hindi cannot be the national language?

• Multiple dialects: Hindi has largely been influenced by Persian — and then English, among other languages. Also, when the languages were enumerated, Hindi subsumed Bhojpuri, which is spoken by a little over five crore people.  
• Inefficacy of Sanskrit: There were demands to make Sanskrit the official language, while some argued in favour of ‘Hindustani’.
• Issue over Script: There were differences of opinion over the script too. When opinion veered towards accepting Hindi, proponents of the language wanted the ‘Devanagari’ script to be adopted both for words and numerals.

Issue with linguistic minority

A linguistic minority is a group of people whose mother tongue is different from that of the majority in the state or part of a state.

Challenges of Linguistic Minorities: 

• Language barrier affecting communication and understanding. 
• Educational challenges due to dominance of regional or national languages. 
• Preservation of unique language and culture. 
• Impact on employment opportunities and socio-economic mobility. 
• Difficulty in social integration. 
• Lack of representation in public services, media, and politics.

Measures to taken to eradicate the problem of Linguistic minorities:

Provision of Fundamental Rights for Minorities:  

• Article 30 of the Indian Constitution grants linguistic and religious minorities the right to establish and manage educational institutions. 
• Article 347 empowers the President to officially recognize a language in a state upon demand by a minority.  

Way Forward

To preserve linguistic diversity, it is crucial to promote quality education in mother tongues and minority languages, support cultural activities and media in these languages, and ensure the representation and participation of linguistic minorities. Additionally, implementing initiatives for language preservation and revitalization can safeguard endangered languages for future generations.

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UPSC Mains Hindi Language/Literature Syllabus - (Paper I & Paper II)

Civil services mains exam syllabus, (hindi main paper i and paper ii).

Please note that all answers must be written in Hindi.

1.History of Hindi Language and Nagari Lipi.

• Grammatical and applied forms of Apbhransh, Awahatta & Arambhik Hindi.
• Development of Braj and Awadhi as literary language during medieval period.
• Early form of Khari-boli in Siddha-Nath Sahitya, Khusero, Sant Sahitaya, Rahim etc. and Dakhni Hindi.
• Development of Khari-boli and Nagari Lipi during 19th Century.
• Standardisation of Hindi Bhasha & Nagari Lipi.
• Development of Hindi as national Language during freedom movement.
• The development of Hindi as a National Language of Union of India.
• Scientific & Technical development of Hindi Language.
• Prominent dialects of Hindi and their inter relationship.
• Salient features of Nagari Lipi and the efforts for its reform & Standard form of Hindi.
• Grammatical structure of Standard Hindi.

2. History of Hindi Literature.

• The relevance and importance of Hindi literature and tradition of writing History of Hindi Literature.
• Literary trends of the following four periods of history of Hindi Literature.

A : Adikal-Sidh, Nath and Raso Sahitya.Prominent poets-Chandvardai, Khusaro, Hemchandra, Vidyapati.

B : Bhaktikal-Sant Kavyadhara, Sufi Kavyadhara, Krishna Bhaktidhara and Ram Bhaktidhara. Prominent Poets-Kabir, Jayasi, Sur & Tulsi.

C: Ritikal-Ritikavya, Ritibaddhakavya & Riti Mukta Kavya. Prominent Poets-Keshav, Bihari, Padmakar and Ghananand.

D : Adhunik Kal

a. Renaissance, the development of Prose, Bharatendu Mandal.

b. Prominent Writers : Bharatendu, Bal Krishna Bhatt & Pratap Narain Mishra.

c. Prominent trends of modern Hindi Poetry : Chhayavad, Pragativad, Proyogvad, Nai Kavita, Navgeet and Contemporary poetry and Janvadi Kavita. Prominent Poets : Maithili Sharan Gupta, Prasad, Nirala, Mahadevi, Dinkar, Agyeya, Muktibodh, Nagarjun.

III. Katha Sahitya

• Upanyas & Realism
• The origin and development of Hindi Novels.
• Prominent Novelists : Premchand, Jainendra, Yashpal, Renu and Bhism Sahani.
• The origin and development of Hindi short story.
• Prominent short Story Writers : Premchand, Prasad, Agyeya, Mohan Rakesh & Krishna Shobti.

IV. Drama & Theatre

• The origin & Development of Hindi Drama.
• Prominent Dramatists : Bharatendu, Prasad, Jagdish Chandra Mathur, Ram Kumar Verma, Mohan Rakesh.
• The development of Hindi Theature.

V. Criticism

• The origin and development of Hindi criticism : Saiddhantik, Vyavharik, Pragativadi, Manovishleshanvadi & Nai Alochana.
• Prominent critics : Ramchandra Shukla, Hajari Prasad Dwivedi, Ram Vilas Sharma & Nagendra.

VI. The other forms of Hindi prose-Lalit Nibandh, Rekhachitra, Sansmaran, Yatra-vrittant.

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

• Kabir : Kabir Granthawali, Ed, Shyam Sundar Das (First hundred Sakhis.)
• Surdas : Bhramar Gitsar, Ed. Ramchandra Shukla (First hundred Padas)
• Tulsidas : Ramchrit Manas (Sundar Kand) Kavitawali (Uttar Kand).
• Jayasi : Padmawat Ed. Shyam Sundar Das (Sinhal Dwip Khand & Nagmativiyog Khand)
• Bihari : Bihari Ratnakar Ed. Jagnnath Prasad Ratnakar (First 100 Dohas)
• Maithili Sharan Gupta : Bharat Bharati
• Prasad : Kamayani (Chinta and Sharddha Sarg)
• Nirala : Rag-Virag, Ed. Ram Vilas Sharma (Ram Ki Shakti Puja & Kukurmutta).
• Dinkar : Kurushetra
• Agyeya : Angan Ke Par Dwar (Asadhya Vina)
• Muktiboth : Brahma Rakshas
• Nagarjun : Badal Ko Ghirte Dekha Hai, Akal Ke Bad, Harijan Gatha.
• Bharatendu : Bharat Durdasha
• Mohan Rakesh : Ashad Ka Ek Din
• Ramchandra Shukla : Chintamani (Part I) (Kavita Kya Hai] Shraddha Aur Bhakti)
• Dr. Satyendra : Nibandh Nilaya-Bal Krishna Bhatt, Premchand, Gulab Rai, Hajari Prasad Dwivedi, Ram Vilas Sharma, Agyeya, Kuber Nath Rai.
• Premchand : Godan, Premchand ki Sarvashreshtha Kahaniyan, Ed. Amrit Rai, Manjusha - Premchand ki Sarvashreshtha Kahaniyan, Ed. Amrit Rai
• Prasad : Skandgupta
• Yashpal : Divya
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Hindi as the National language- advantages and disadvantages.

It's been quite a while since I had the drive or inspiration to write on a subject. A few weeks ago, after watching an episode of "We, the people" on NDTV, I had a long argument with my friend on the subject of Hindi imposition in India. The issue was again discussed in one of the articles in the Times of India today. Personally, I have always considered the ability to understand and speak in Hindi to be an advantage. However, I do not believe that imposing Hindi in schools and organizations throughout the country is the right way to move forward. India is a diverse country, where everyone is free to practice his/her own religion, speak his/her own language... I do not see the necessity of a national language to "unite" us all. When I made this point, my friend said that "you people" conceive this as an "imposition", instead of a duty or a privilege; "when the rest of India is ready to accept Hindi as the national language, why are a few southern states opposing it" - this "morally higher" ground is what got me riled up.

I want to make one point clear, right from the outset. I am proud to be Indian; I have no qualms about opposing the anti-Indian, pro-Tamil-state stance of a few extremist groups from Tamil Nadu; or criticizing the anti-Hindi protests by MNS in Maharashtra, or the pro-Kannada rallies taken out by a few groups in Bangalore. I am not a regionalist; I oppose replacing English with Kannada as the medium of instruction in the schools in Karnataka. All I am opposed to is the imposition of one single language on the entire country. I strongly believe that the people should be given the choice of the language they want to study. If they choose to learn and speak Hindi, then we have no issues. If not, no one should have the right to impose on them, nor should fingers be pointed, purporting a "lack of pride and patriotism". This is what I vehemently disagree with. Am I anti-Hindi? Nope - I am as pro-Hindi, as I am pro-Tamil, or pro-Bengali; or as anti-Hindi as I am anti-Gujarati or anti-Telugu. Most people are not against a particular language, unless someone enforces the language on them. Nothing unites people for a revolt, nothing antagonizes them, more than what one might envisage as an unfair mandate.

According to the 2001 census, 41% of the Indian population are native speakers of the Hindi dialect. By imposing Hindi as the national language, are we not providing an unfair advantage to this 41% of the population? Consider a kid in one of the rural areas of Karnataka, studying in the third grade. Most of the children work, as well as manage to go to school a few days a week. They may not have enough time to spend on learning a new language "Hindi". I believe their time would be spent better, learning English, and other subjects like Mathematics and the sciences. Contrast this kid with a kid from the rural areas in the Hindi speaking belt. He would not have to spend as much time learning "Hindi", as it is his mother tongue. Why should we place 59% of the population in a disadvantageous position?

People might ask - "what about the people in urban areas?" I still would say that the people should be provided with a choice, lest a portion of the population suffer from an unjust handicap. Consider the simple example of admission into a university, after high school. The total score, including the languages, is the criterion for admission in some premier institutions. A kid, studying in Bangalore would be at a disadvantage, as his Hindi would be of lower standard as compared to one from Delhi - leading to a lower score. Given a choice, he might have chosen a third language which neutralizes the playing field, so to say - maybe a classical language like Sanskrit. I took up English, Kannada and Sanskrit as my three languages at school. In spite of this, thanks to my exposure to television and movies, I can understand Hindi, and I am able to talk decently in Hindi. Now, I have an advantage of knowing a fourth language - not unmerited, but a fair leverage. Why leave someone bereft of such an opportunity?

Let everyone be on equal grounds. If the government is bent upon having the non-Hindi speaking states enforce Hindi as a language, by means of their support for the 3 language policy, they should strictly enforce the 3-language policy in the Hindi-speaking states as well. In that case, everyone is learning a foreign language "English", their own native language, which might be Kannada or Hindi, as the case may be, and a third non-native Indian language - all Indians are on equal grounds with no unfair advantage to a single group of people. The issue raised by a few people against this is that there is no single language other than Hindi, that can be universally taught in the Hindi speaking state, as the non-native Indian language. The solution I have for this concern, is to have the states choose from a quorum of official languages - they can always hire teachers from other states, and develop appropriate expertise over time. If they are not successful in implementing equality by means of the 3 language policy, then they should not try to enforce the "third" language on the southern states either.

What really ticks me off is when someone takes the stance that when the other states do not have a problem, why is the issue being raised by the "southern" states? Well, it is the southern states that have their language the most different from Hindi - other languages like Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Bengali etc., all have some commonality with Hindi. To the people from the Southern states, Hindi is as different from their native language, as English is. Also, I would like to point out that in addition to Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, West Bengal and Orissa have also traditionally opposed the imposition of Hindi. The North-eastern states, I believe, are always unfairly treated; like step-children, I would say - the voice of their people is not as loud as those from their Southern counterparts. When "we" are the most affected, of course, "we" are the ones who make the loudest opposition. It is not anti-nationalistic if we oppose Hindi; we are as "Indian" as any other citizen from any other state. Equating "Hindi" to "India" is prevarication.

The other issue raised by proponents of the Hindi imposition is that when we are ready to accept English, which is a foreign language, why are we not ready to learn one of our own languages - Hindi. The utility of learning Hindi is much lower, compared to learning English. A person would learn a language if it has utility. Whether one wants to accept it or not, English is the universally accepted as the international language today, and we have to learn this foreign language if we have to survive and compete in today's world. Also, Hindi, a form of Hindustani, which was majorly influenced by the Persians and Mughals, although derived from Sanskrit, could be considered "foreign". Why not make "Sanskrit", the most pure, indigenous language of India as its national language? Why choose one foreign language over another? I do not think anyone would have issue with having Sanskrit as the national language - though impractical, I am just trying to make a point.

Finally, I come back to the democratic idea of choice. Let the people have choice - let them choose to learn or speak in the language they choose. Imposition or enforcement only makes things worse, as has been demonstrated repeatedly in our history. If people are provided with choice, politicians like Raj Thackeray and Karunanidhi lose their ammunition against the establishment; they will no longer be able to use the ignorance of the illiterate masses for their own political mileage. Multilingualism is an integral part of our diversity - let us preserve it. Instead of fighting over unimportant issues like this, people would concentrate on more relevant issues, and we would move forward, as a nation.

Shashaank Singh

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• Tips For Compulsory Indian Language Paper Hindi

Tips for the Hindi Language Paper

Paper ‘A’ is the first paper in the UPSC civil services exam and it is the compulsory Indian/regional language paper. It is mandatory for all candidates to take this paper except candidates hailing from the north-eastern states of Mizoram, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland. Other candidates can take any of the languages in the 8 th schedule of the Constitution. Most candidates, on an average, 65% select Hindi as the Indian language paper, although only 43.63% of the people in India have Hindi as their mother tongue. In this article, we give you a few pointers on how to tackle the Hindi language paper in the UPSC mains exam.

Why you should not ignore the Compulsory Language Papers?

Even though the language papers are qualifying in nature and the marks obtained in them are not counted for the final ranking, it would be foolish to ignore their preparation entirely. As per official information, in the year 2010, around 10% of the candidates who took the mains were failed because they did not secure the minimum marks required in the language papers. In this scenario, candidates would not be able to know how they performed in the GS papers because these papers wouldn’t be evaluated unless they clear the compulsory papers. So, candidates should invest the minimum time required to clear these papers.

The minimum marks required for the compulsory Indian language paper: 30% (90/300 marks)

Study Material for Hindi Language Paper (Hindi compulsory paper UPSC book):

• Samanya Hindi Book by Unique Publications
• UPSC question papers of the past 10 years

It should be noted that you don’t need to study the literature of Hindi but only the basics of the language since it is a test of the Hindi ‘language’. For English medium aspirants, there is no need to read Hindi newspapers. You just need to clear this paper.

Point to remember:

The paper is to be written in the Devanagari script only except the translation from Hindi to English which you must, of course, write in the Latin script (script of the English language).

Questions asked in the Hindi language paper:

• Nibandh: Hindi Essay: 2 essays (no choice in the topics) each for 50 marks totalling 100 marks.
• Gadyansh: Reading comprehension: 12 passages each for 5 marks totalling 60 marks.
• Sankshepan: Précis writing: Here you have to condense a piece of prose given, for 60 marks.
• Anuvad: Translation: From English to Hindi (20 marks) and Hindi to English (20 marks) totalling 40 marks.
• 10 marks questions: Muhavare; Shudhi; Paryayavachi; Yugm (totalling 40 marks)

UPSC Exam Tips in Hindi:

• Before the exam, have writing practice in the Devanagari script (especially if you are not from a Hindi medium background/Hindi medium aspirant).
• Have a good vocabulary of Hindi words. Note down words and their usage during preparation.
• For the essay questions, read about 20 essays from a good essay book. Before the exam, practice around 5 essays. That should be sufficient for you to get through.
• The last section on proverbs and grammar are generally easy and you can easily score maximum marks here since they are objective questions.
• Attempt the précis writing question at the very end as it takes a lot of time.

Paper A in UPSC

See the list of Indian languages for Paper ‘A’ below/L anguage for paper A in UPSC :

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Hindi Optional Syllabus For UPSC

Let us talk about Hindi optional syllabus for UPSC. But first, let us reflect on the soul of this beautiful and old language. In India, Hindi is one of the most widely spoken languages and is understood by the vast majority of people. Along with English, the Hindi language is used by the Indian government as one of the official languages for internal communications. In UPSC Mains Exam Hindi is included in the optional literature subject list for the Mains IAS Exam. Hindi optional for UPSC is also an option for the compulsory paper in IAS Mains.

The collection of literature in Hindi is huge and includes both fiction and non-fiction in the form of poetry, prose, and essay collections, as well as works of science and religious epics. The literature on the different dialects of Hindi is covered in the UPSC Syllabus.

The history of Hindi as the national language during the liberation movement, the evolution of Hindi as Devanagari script from ancient scripts used in the subcontinent, the history of the Hindi language, Nagari Lipi, Katha Sahitya, and the entirety of Hindi grammar are all covered in this subject’s syllabus. Additionally, it concentrates on various well-known writers and their works and literary criticism of other Hindi works.

The Hindi Literature paper carries 500 marks and is divided into two papers each of 250 marks. Let us go through the Hindi optional syllabus for UPSC in detail.

Hindi Optional Syllabus For UPSC Paper-I:

Upsc hindi literature syllabus for optional paper-ii:, upsc hindi literature syllabus: booklist, upsc hindi literature exam pattern 2022, how to prepare for the upsc hindi literature optional subject.

The syllabus for Hindi Literature Optional Paper- I for UPSC CSE is given below-

I. History of Hindi Language and Nagari Lipi

• Grammatical and Applied forms of Apbhransh, Awahatta & Arambhik Hindi.
• Development of Braj and Awadhi as Literary languages during the Medieval Period.
• Early form of Khari-Boli in Siddha Nath Sahitya, Sant Sahitya, Khusero, Rahim, etc., and Dakhni Hindi.
• Development of Khari-Boli and Nagari Lipi during the 19th century.
• Standardization of Hindi Bhasha and Nagari Lipi.
• Development of Hindi as a National Language during the freedom movement.
• Development of Hindi as a National Language of the Union of India.
• Scientific and Technical development of the Hindi Language.
• Prominent Dialects of Hindi and their inter-relationship.
• Salient features of the Nagari Lipi and the efforts for its reform and standard form of Hindi.
• Grammatical Structure of standard Hindi.

II. History of Hindi Literature

• The relevance and importance of Hindi Literature and tradition of writing History of Hindi Literature.
• Literary trends of the following four periods of the history of Hindi Literature-

a) Adikal- Sidh, Nath and Raso Sahitya

             Prominent Poets- Chandvardai, Khusaro, Hemchandra, Vidyapati.

b) Bhaktikal-Sant Kavyadhara, Sufi Kavyadhara, Krishna Bhaktidhara and Ram Bhaktidhara.

c) Ritikal- Ritikavya, Ritibadhhyakavya and Riti Mukta Kavya

         Prominent Poets-Keshav Bihari, Padmakar, Ghananand.

d) Adhunik Kal- Renaissance, the development of prose, Bharatendu Mandal

            Prominent Writers- Bal Krishna Bhatt, Bharatendu Mandal, Pratap Narain Mishra

            Prominent trends of modern Hindi poetry: Chhayavad, Pragativad, Prayogvad, Nari Kavita, Navgeet and contemporary poetry, and Janvadi Kavita.

             Prominent Poets- Maithili Sharan Gupta, Prasad Nirala, Mahadevi, Dinkar, Agyeya, Muktibodh, Nagarjun.

III. Katha Sahitya A. Upanyas & Realism B. The origin and development of Hindu Novels

C. Prominent Novelists- Pemchand, Jain-endra, Yashpal, Renu, and Bhism Sahani.

D. Prominent Short Story Writers- Premchand, Prasad, Agyeya, Mohan Rakes,h and Krishna Sobti

IV. Drama and Theatre

A. Origin and development of Hindu Drama.

B. Prominent Dramatists- Jagdish Chandra Mathur, Bharatendu, Prasad, Ram Kumar Verma, Mohan Rakesh.

C. The Development of Hindu Theatre.

V. Criticism

A. The origin and development of Hindi criticism: Siddhantik, Vyavharik, Pragativadi, Manovishleshanvadi, and Nai Alochana.

B. Prominent critics- Ramchandra Shukla, Hajari Prasad Dwivedi, Ram Vilas Sharma & Nagendra.

VI. The other forms of Hindi Prose – Lalit Nibandh, Rekhachitra, Sansmaran, Yatra-Vittantra.

See Also – Importance of Regional Language

The syllabus for Hindi Literature Optional Paper- II for UPSC CSE is given below-

• Kabir: Kabir Granthawali, Ed. Shyam Sundar Das (First Hundred Sakhis)
• Soordas: Bhramar Gitsar, Ed. Ramchandra Shukla (First Hundred Padas)
• Tulsidas: Ramchrit Manas (Sundar Kand), Kavitawali (Uttarakhand)
• Jayasi: Padmawat Ed. Shyam Sundar Das (Sinhal Dwip Khand & Nagmavativiyog)
• Bihari: Bihari Ratnakar Ed. Jagannath Prasad Ratnakar (First Hundred Dohas)
• Maithili Sharan Gupta: Bharat Bharati
• Prasad: Kamayani (Chinta and Shraddha Sarg)
• Nirala: Rag-Virag Ed. Ram Vilas Sharma (Ram ki Shakti Puja & Kukurmutta)
• Dinkar: Kurukshetra
• Agyeya: Angan Ke Par Dwar (Asadhya Veena)
• Muktiboth: Brahm Rakhashas
• Nagarjun: Badal Ko Ghirte Dekha Hai, Akal Ke Bad, Harijan Gatha
• Bhartendu: Bharat Durdasha
• Mohan Rakesh: Asadh Ka Ek Din
• Ramchandra: Chintamani (Part 1), (Kavita Kya Shukla Hai, Shraddha Aur Bhakti)
• Dr. Satyendra: Nibandh Nilaya- Bal Krishna Bhatt, Premchand, Gulab Rai, Hajari Prasad Dwivedi, Ram Vilas Sharma, Agyeya, Kuber Nath Rai.
• Premchand: Godan, Premchand ki Sarvashrestha Kahaniya Ed. Amrit Rai/ Manjusha.
• Prasad: Skandgupta
• Yaspal: Divya
• Phaniswar Nath Renu: Maila Anchal
• Mannu Bhandari: Mahabhoj
• Rajendra Yadav: Ek Dunia Samanantar (All Stories)

Related – 92nd Amendment Of Indian Constitution

For your ease of exam preparation, we have divided the Hindi Literature Books for UPSC according to the UPSC Hindi Literature Syllabus

• NCERT Class XI – Sahitya Shastra Parichay
• Hindi Sahitya Ka Saral Itihas – Dr. Vishwanath Tripathi
• Hindi Sahitya Ka Itihas – Dr. Nagendra
• Hindi Bhasha – Dr. Hardev Bahri
• Sahitya Ka Vastunishth Etihas – Saraswati Pandey
• History of Hindi literature, Katha Sahitya, Drama & Theater, Criticism, and other forms of Hindi prose—Lalit Nibandh, Rekhachitra, Sansmaran, Yatra-Vrittant.
• Chhayavad – Dr. Namvar Singh
• Kabir – Hazari Prasad Dwivedi
• Kavita Ke Naye Pratiman – Dr. Namvar Singh
• Hindi Sahitya Aur Samvedna Ka Vikas – Dr. Ramswaroop Chaturvedi.

Candidates must go through the Hindi Literature Optional Syllabus & exam pattern to get an idea about expected questions, topic weightage, and their difficulty levels. Check the UPSC syllabus and UPSC exam pattern and marking system and prepare for the exam accordingly.

The Preliminary Exam including general studies and aptitude test will be of a total of 400 marks. Candidates have to clear the preliminary exam to be eligible for the mains exam.

UPSC mains consist of many optional papers and Hindi Optional is one of them.

Exam pattern of UPSC Hindi Optional-

 Hindi Literature Optional is a part of the UPSC IAS mains exam. Hindi Literature subject consists of two papers, Paper I & II 250marks each with a total of 500 marks and with a time duration of 3 hours.

UPSC Hindi Literature Syllabus – Preparation Tips

• First of all, it is important to cover the entire syllabus, read the texts in their original and native languages and practice lots of questions to develop the right kind of language fit in your answer.
• Have a good vocabulary and knowledge about the usage of words in the Hindi Language.
• Solve the previous year’s UPSC Mains Exam question papers.
• Go through the Hindi Literature Optional Syllabus & exam pattern to get an idea about expected questions, topic weightage, and their difficulty levels.
• While writing your answers add quotations and suitable examples of various writers and poets which are relevant to the context and keep the language simple.
• The portion on Hindi literature’s history and timeline of Hindi literature is crucial and has to be covered in detail. This will also help you with papers I and II.
• Candidates need to improve their speed, accuracy, and time management skills. Attempting the UPSC Test Series could help candidates to practice all of their skills.

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Hindi Diwas: How Constituent Assembly decided on Hindi as the official, and not national, language of India

What was the munshi-ayyangar formula what debates did the constituent assembly see on the adoption of hindi, hindustani, or sanskrit as the official language.

September 14 is observed as Hindi Diwas, or Hindi Day, to commemorate the Constituent Assembly of India making Hindi the official language of the Union government.

Speaking on the occasion on Thursday, Home Minister Amit Shah said, “India has been a country of diverse languages. Hindi unites the diversity of languages in the world’s largest democracy.”

Hitting back at this, Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said it was “absurd” to claim that a language “spoken in just four to five states” unites the nation. “In Tamil Nadu it is Tamil, and Malayalam is the language in neighbouring Kerala. How is Hindi uniting these two states? How is it empowering?” he asked.

The Constituent Assembly chose Hindi as the official — not the national — language of the country after extensive discussions over three days. Shah and Udhayanidhi’s statements echo many of the debates in the Assembly then. Discussions were also held over what script should the Union adopt, what script should the numerals be in, and what should be the status of English. Hindustani (Hindi with more Urdu elements) and Sanskrit were among those proposed as official languages.

‘हिंदी दिवस’ के अवसर पर सभी को शुभकामनाएँ देता हूँ। दुनिया के सबसे बड़े लोकतंत्र भारत की भाषाओं की विविधता को एकता के सूत्र में पिरोने का नाम ‘हिंदी’ है। स्वतंत्रता आन्दोलन से लेकर आजतक देश को एकसूत्र में बाँधने में हिंदी की महत्त्वपूर्ण भूमिका रही है। आइए, ‘हिंदी दिवस’ के अवसर… — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 14, 2023

At length, the Munshi-Ayyangar formula — named after Drafting Committee members K M Munshi and N Gopalaswamy Ayyangar — was adopted as a compromise solution.

Explained below is the formula, and some representative quotes from the long discussions, to give an idea of the many views expressed and debated in the Constituent Assembly.

What the Constitution said on India’s official language

As part of the Munshi-Ayyangar formula, Article 343 of the Constitution as adopted in 1950 said, “The official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script. The form of numerals to be used for the official purposes of the Union shall be the international form of Indian numerals.”

“Notwithstanding anything in clause (1), for a period of fifteen years from the commencement of this Constitution, the English language shall continue to be used for all the official purposes of the Union for which it was being used immediately before such commencement.”

When the 15-year period came to an end, protests broke out over the fear of imposition of Hindi in large parts of non-Hindi-speaking India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. The resistance resulted in the Centre passing the Official Languages Act, which stated that English would continue to be upheld as an official language along with Hindi.

Debates on Hindi in the Constituent Assembly

RV Dhulekar: ‘Hindi should be national language’

Speaking on September 13, 1949, RV Dhulekar, from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh , said Hindi should not just be the official language, but also the national language. “You say, Hindi is the official language. but I say it is the national

language. There was a race among the languages and Hindi has run the race and you cannot now stop its career.”

To those who wanted to retain English, he said, “But here you say, postpone the change for fifteen years. Then I ask, when are you going to read the Vedas and the Upanishads ? When are you going to read the Ramayana and the Mahabharata and when are you going to read your Lilavati and other mathematical works?.. After fifteen years?”

To those who wanted Hindustani, he said, “… my honest advice to Maulana Hifzur Rahman [another Assembly member] is that he should wait for two or three years and he will find that he will have his Urdu language, he will have his Persian script; but today let him not try to oppose this, because our nation, the nation which has undergone so many sufferings, is not in a mood to hear him.”

Frank Anthony: ‘Don’t give up English’

Frank Anthony, who represented Central Provinces and Berar, made a case for English.

“I am bound to say with regret that I cannot understand the almost malicious and vindictive attitude towards English…do not let our resentment against the British be imported into our attitude towards the English language… a knowledge of English which our people have acquired over a period of 200 years is one of the greatest assets which India possesses in the international field.”

Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra: ‘Sanskrit should be national, official language’

Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra, who represented Bengal, argued, “If today India has got an opportunity after thousand years to shape her own destiny, I ask in all seriousness if she is going to feel ashamed to recognise the Sanskrit language-the revered grandmother of languages of the world, still alive with full vigour, full vitality? Are we going to deny here her rightful place in Free India?”

About Hindi, he made the argument that it would be difficult to find enough qualified people to teach it to the rest of the country.

“If you want to coach up thousands and thousands of your young men in Hindi, you want teachers for that; you want literature for that, you ought to have elaborate printing machinery, books, texts, primers, teachers and all the rest of it. That would be a very great handicap… And mind you anybody from the Hindi-speaking areas would pose as a great Hindi scholar. I have got them tested and found them no good.”

Qazi Syed Karimuddin: ‘In Hindustani, both Hindus and Muslims can express themselves’ 

Qazi Syed Karimuddin, again from Central Provinces and Berar, argued that even Mahatma Gandhi had championed Hindustani. “Congress had agreed that the national language of India would be Hindustani written both in Devanagri and Urdu scripts. If Mahatma Gandhi was alive today he, would have seen that on this issue Congress stood firm like a rock and Hindustani in both the scripts is adopted.”

“I say that only that language, in which both Hindus and Muslims easily express themselves and exchange their ideas and which has evolved through common intercourse, i.e. Hindustani, should be made the national language,” he added.

TA Ramalingam Chettiar: ‘Hindi can’t be national language’ 

T A Ramalingam Chettiar, who represented Madras, said they had agreed to Hindi simply because it was spoken by a large number of people in the country. “If we are going to accept Hindi, it is not on account of the excellence of the language, it is not on account of its being the richest language or on account of its being, as it has been claimed for Sanskrit, the mother of other languages and things like that. It is not that at all. It is merely on account of the existence of a large number of people speaking Hindi, not even a majority of the population of the country, but only among the languages which are spoken in India, Hindi claims probably the largest number of people.”

He then went on to argue why Hindi could not be the national language. “…you cannot use the word national language, because Hindi is no more national to us than English or any other language. We have got our own languages which are national languages and for which we have got the same love as the Hindi speaking people have got for their language.”

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UPSC Hindi Language Compulsory Syllabus

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) IAS administers the Civil Services Examination, one of India’s most difficult and renowned tests.

The examination is divided into three stages: preliminary, mains, and personal interview. With the belief in breaking the linguistic barriers, UPSC includes the Indian Language Paper as one of the mandatory papers in the Mains Examination. Candidates who appear in the examination have the option to choose from a variety of language options, including Hindi.

According to the latest update, UPSC has released the Hindi Language compulsory syllabus for 2023 exam. So here at PWOnlyIAS , we are providing you the complete syllabus along with the download pdf. You can check and download it to start your exam preparation.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

UPSC IAS – Hindi Language Compulsory Syllabus 2023

The 2023 UPSC IAS Hindi Language Compulsory Syllabus is probably going to be the same as the previous years’. There are two sections on the syllabus for Paper-A

• Language and Literature
• Indian Language

The applicants’ proficiency in the language is evaluated in the language component, while their knowledge of the literature in the language is evaluated in the literature section. Paper 1 and Paper 2 are the two parts of the Hindi language test.

UPSC Hindi Language Compulsory Syllabus Paper 1

UPSC IAS Hindi Language Compulsory Syllabus for Paper 1 is divided into two sections. You can check the topics below.

UPSC Hindi Literature Syllabus Paper 1 – Section A

Below, you can check the Hindi literature syllabus for UPSC Paper 1 for section A.

History of Hindi Language and Nagari Lipi

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• Grammatical and applied forms of Apbhransh, Awahatta & Arambhik Hindi.
• Development of Braj and Awadhi as Literary language during the medieval period.
• Early form of Khari-boli in Siddha-Nath Sahitya, Khusero, Sant Sahitaya, Rahim etc. and Dakhni Hindi.
• Development of Khari-boli and Nagari Lipi during 19th Century.
• Standardisation of Hindi Bhasha & Nagari Lipi.
• Development of Hindi as a National Language during freedom movement.
• The development of Hindi as a National Language of Union of India.
• Scientific & Technical Development of Hindi Language.
• Prominent dialects of Hindi and their inter-relationship.
• Salient features of Nagari Lipi and the efforts for its reform & Standard form of Hindi.
• Grammatical structure of Standard Hindi.

Hindi Language Compulsory Syllabus 2023 – Section B

The Section B Syllabus of Hindi Language Compulsory 2023 is vast. It covers History, Sahitya, Drama, Criticism, etc. related topics. Candidates who choose the Hindi language must focus on these topics. Check the syllabus below.

History of Hindi Literature

• The relevance and importance of Hindi literature and tradition of writing History of Hindi Literature.
• Adikal – Sidh, Nath and Raso Sahitya. Prominent poets-Chandvardai, Khusaro, Hemchandra, Vidyapati.
• Bhaktikal – Sant Kavyadhara, Sufi Kavyadhara, Krishna Bhaktidhara and Ram Bhaktidhara. Prominent Poets—Kabir, Jayasi, Sur & Tulsi.
• Ritikal – Ritikavya, Ritibaddhkavya & Riti Mukta Kavya. Prominent Poets—Keshav, Bihari, Padmakar and Ghananand.
• Adhunik Kal –
• Renaissance, the development of Prose, Bharatendu Mandal.
• Prominent Writers – Bharatendu, Bal Krishna Bhatt & Pratap Narain Mishra.
• Prominent trends of modern Hindi Poetry – Chhayavad, Pragativad, Prayogvad, Nai Kavita, Navgeet and Contemporary poetry and Janvadi Kavita.
• Prominent Poets – Maithili Sharan Gupta, Prasad, Nirala, Mahadevi, Dinkar, Agyeya, Muktibodh, Nagarjun.

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Katha Sahitya

• Upanyas & Realism
• The origin and development of Hindi Novels.
• ProminentNovelists – Premchand, Jain-Kendra, Yashpal, Renu, and Bhism Sahani.
• The origin and development of the Hindi short story.
• Prominent Short Story Writers – Premchand, Prasad, Agyeya, Mohan Rakesh & Krishna Sobti.

Drama & Theatre

• The Origin & Development of Hindi Drama.
• Prominent Dramatists – Bharatendu, Prasad, Jagdish Chandra Mathur, Ram Kumar Verma, Mohan Rakesh.
• The development of Hindi Theatre.
• The origin and development of Hindi criticism – Saiddhantik, Vyavharik, Pragativadi. Manovishleshanvadi & Nai Alochana.
• Prominent critics – Ramchandra Shukla, Hajari Prasad Dwivedi, Ram Vilas Sharma & Nagendra.

Other Forms of Hindi Prose

• Lalit Nibandh,Rekhachitra, Sansmaran, Yatra-vrittant

UPSC Hindi Literature Syllabus PAPER II

The paper will demand first-hand reading of the relevant books and will assess the candidates’ critical thinking skills. It 2 has also 2 sections in the exam.

Hindi Language Compulsory Syllabus Paper 2 – Section A

Check the UPSC  Hindi Language syllabus for Paper 2 section A below.

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Hindi Language Compulsory Syllabus Paper 2 – Section B

Check the UPSC Hindi Language syllabus for Paper 2 section B below.

Important Note – UPSC Hindi Literature Option Syllabus PDF is available on PWOnlyIAS Website . Candidates can download the syllabus pdf by login to the website.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Coaching  

We hope the above-mentioned details of the UPSC Hindi Language Compulsory syllabus will help you to cover the topics asked in the exam. If you have any queries regarding the same, you can ask with us through the comment box below.

PWOnlyIAS experts team will solve your queries and help you to prepare for the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. In which exams the Hindi language is compulsory?

Ans. Hindi is a compulsory topic in the majority of Indian school board exams. It is also a necessary language in many competitive exams such as UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) civil services, SSC (Staff Selection Commission), and other government employment exams held in India. The language requirements for individual tests, however, may differ based on the level, locality, and medium of instruction.

Q2. How to prepare compulsory Hindi for UPSC?

Ans. Focused preparation and consistent practice are necessary for the UPSC civil services exam’s mandatory Hindi paper. Here are some pointers to assist you in getting ready for the Hindi exam.

• Understand the Syllabus
• Improve your Vocabulary
• Practice Grammar
• Solve UPSC Previous Years’ Papers
• Take Mock Tests
• Read Hindi Literature
• Focus on Essay Writing

Q3. What are the minimum marks for UPSC Hindi compulsory paper?

Ans. The required minimum score for the UPSC Hindi paper is 30 out of 100. To be qualified for the review of their other papers, candidates must receive at least 30 on the Hindi exam. However, the final UPSC civil services exam merit list does not take into account the scores earned on the Hindi paper.

Q4. What are the passing marks for Hindi compulsory UPSC?

Ans. The Hindi paper of the UPSC civil services exam has a passing score requirement of 75 out of 300. To be eligible for the evaluation of their other exams, students must achieve a minimum score of 30 marks (i.e., 10%) on the Hindi exam. In the final UPSC civil services exam result, the marks earned on the Hindi paper are not taken into account.

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What are the differences between writing an essay in Hindi and English for the UPSC Mains Exam? In your opinion, which language should be used and why?

EssayPro-Enrique.Marini

Writing an essay in Hindi versus English for the UPSC Mains Exam presents distinctive challenges and considerations. Both languages have their own set of nuances that can influence how effectively one communicates ideas and meets the examiners’ expectations.

In Hindi, the structure and expression can differ significantly from English. Hindi essays often prioritize eloquence and cultural resonance, employing intricate idioms and literary devices that are rooted in Indian heritage. This can add depth and richness to the content, resonating more profoundly with examiners who appreciate a deep understanding of Indian culture and society.

On the other hand, English essays for UPSC Mains tend to focus on clarity, precision, and a logical flow of arguments. The language demands a more straightforward and analytical approach, with a concise yet comprehensive presentation of facts and ideas. English essays may appeal more to examiners looking for a global perspective and an ability to articulate complex issues in a universally accessible manner.

The choice of language ultimately depends on the candidate’s proficiency and comfort level. For those whose mastery of Hindi allows them to weave cultural nuances and historical references seamlessly into their essays, Hindi might be the preferred choice. It enables a more nuanced exploration of indigenous concepts and societal issues that might not translate as effectively into English.

Conversely, candidates proficient in English may find it easier to structure their arguments logically and concisely in English, catering to a broader audience with clarity and precision. This approach can be advantageous when tackling topics that require a global or comparative perspective.

In conclusion, the decision between Hindi and English should align with the candidate’s strengths in linguistic expression and their ability to effectively convey ideas under exam conditions. Whichever language is chosen, thorough preparation and practice are crucial to ensure coherence, depth, and relevance in addressing the diverse themes of the UPSC Mains Exam.

For further assistance in refining your essay skills and mastering either language, I recommend exploring resources like Reputable Writing academic Provider , where expert guidance and tailored feedback can significantly enhance your preparation strategy for the UPSC Mains Exam. Their services helped me navigate complex essay topics effectively, ensuring my essays were well-structured and compelling.

Written by EssayPro-Enrique.Marini

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Importance of Regional Language

• 07 Sep 2022
• 11 min read
• GS Paper - 2
• Government Policies & Interventions

For Prelims: Article 343, Regional Language, University Grants Commission (UGC), National Education Policy.

For Mains: Significance of Regional Language.

Why in News?

Recently, the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) emphasised that early initiation of learning a mother tongue is important for a child’s creative thinking.

What are Regional Languages?

• A language is considered regional when it is mostly spoken by people who reside largely in one particular area of a state or country.
• Article 343(1) of the Indian Constitution states that the official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagiri Script.

What is the Need for Regional Language?

• To remove the dilemma regarding giving preference to English language rather than any vernacular language and let the child think naturally in their own mother tongue.
• There was a need to change our attitudes , so that when someone asked a question in a class in a regional language, they should not feel inferior.
• Performance in science and math, in particular, has been found to be better among students studying in their native language compared to English.
• Poor grasp of English has been tied by many educationists to dropout rates at the premier engineering education institutions as well as poor performance of some students.
• Additional Benefits for the Less-Advantaged: This is especially relevant for students who are first-generation learners (the first one in their entire generation to go to school and receive an education) or the ones coming from rural areas, who may feel intimidated by unfamiliar concepts in an alien language.

What are the Initiatives taken by the Government for the Promotion of Vernacular Languages?

• The University Grants Commission is in talks with various regulatory bodies such as Bar Council of India for promotion of vernacular languages, therefore, a committee had been formed under former Chief Justice of India which would look into how institutions could provide legal education in local languages.
• Further, It is also working with the High-Powered Committee on Indian Language Development established by the Ministry of Education to identify experts as well as 10-12 disciplines so that books could either be translated or written afresh.
• The regulatory body was aiming at preparing 1,500 books in regional languages in the next one year across different disciplines.
• The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT) is providing publication grant towards the publications of University Level Books in regional languages. 
• The National Translation Mission (NTM) is being implemented through the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL).

How would Regional Language be Promoted in Education?

• Either institutes would adopt a regional language as a medium of instruction or it would serve as a learning aid for students in English medium who may not be proficient in the language.
• Use of Technology: There was artificial intelligence-based technology available to enable real-time translations that would be seen in classrooms in the future.
• National Education Policy: The National Education Policy 2022 lays emphasis on promoting mother tongue which should be a medium of instruction at least till class fifth or class eighth and after which it should be offered as a language. 
• It also urges universities to develop study material in regional languages.

What are the Constitutional Provisions related to Regional Language?

• Article 345: The legislature of a State may by law adopt any one or more of the languages in use in the State or Hindi as the Language or Languages to be used for all or any of the official purposes of that State.
• For example - If two or more States agree that the Hindi language should be the official language for communication between such States, that language may be used for such communication.
• Article 347: It gives the President the power to recognise a language as an official language of a given state, provided that the President is satisfied that a substantial proportion of that state desires that the language be recognised. Such recognition can be for a part of the state or the whole state.
• Article 350A: The facilities for instruction in mother-tongue at the primary stage.
• Article 350B : It provides for the establishment of a Special Officer for linguistic minorities.
• Article 351 : It gives power to the union government to issue a directive for the development of the Hindi language.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Q. Consider the following statements: (2021)

• 21 st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF.
• The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

• The Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, in its session at Karachi on 23 rd February, 1948 proposed that the members would have to speak either in Urdu or in English at the Assembly. Dhirendranath Datta, a member from the East Pakistan Congress Party, moved an amendment motion to include Bangla as one of the languages of the Constituent Assembly. In the same year, the Government of the Dominion of Pakistan ordained Urdu as the sole national language, sparking extensive protests among the Bengalispeaking majority of East Bengal.
• The students of the University of Dhaka and other political activists defied the law and organised a protest on 21 st February, 1952. After years of conflict, the government relented and granted official status to the Bengali language in 1956. In Bangladesh, 21 February is observed as Language Movement Day. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• International Mother Language Day is observed on 21 st February every year. It was declared by UNESCO and not by UNICEF. It is in tribute to the Language Movement and the ethnolinguistic rights of people around the world. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q. With reference to India, the terms ‘HaIbi, Ho and Kui’ pertain to (2021)

(a) dance forms of Northwest India (b) musical instruments (c) pre-historic cave paintings (d) tribal languages

• Odisha has a unique place in India due to its vast population of tribals residing in the state. 62 tribal communities live in Odisha which is 22.8% of the total population of Odisha.
• Austro-Asiatic: Bhumij, Birhor, Rem (Bonda), Gatah (Didyai), Gutab (Gadaba), Sora(Saora), Gorum (Parenga), Khadia, Juang, Santali, Ho, Mundari, etc.
• Dravida: Gondi, Kui-Kondh, Kuvi-Kondh, Kisan, Koya, Olari, (Gadaba) Parja, Peng, Kudukh (Oraon) etc.
• Indo Aryan: Bathudi, Bhuyan, Kurmali, Sounti, Sadri, Kandhan, Aghria, Desia, Jharia, Halbi, Bhatri, Matia, Bhunjia, etc.
• Out of these languages only 7 have scripts. They are Santali (Olchiki), Saora ( Sorang Sampeng), Ho (Warangchiti), Kui (Kui Script), Oraon (Kukhud Tod), Mundari (Bani Hisir), Bhumij (Bhumij Anl). Santali language has been included in the 8 th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
• Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

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Hindi Optional Syllabus for UPSC: What is the Paper Pattern for Hindi Literature?

Are you planning on appearing for the UPSC CS Exam in 2021? Have you decided on a subject yet? Is Hindi your first or second language? Is it one of your strongest suits? Have you considered choosing Hindi Literature for your UPSC Mains Optional? Wondering if it would be an apt choice?

If you have decided to opt for Hindi Literature as one of your Optional Subjects for the Mains, read this article for a detailed syllabus of Hindi for UPSC 2021. You can read till the end to find out why Hindi is a good Optional subject, what is the exam pattern, and how it is different from other optional subjects’ syllabus.

Hindi Optional Syllabus for UPSC 2021

Before diving into the UPSC Hindi Literature Optional syllabus , take a look at the rules for language papers as provided by UPSC:

• The candidates may be required to answer some or all of the questions in the language concerned.
• The questions that are not indicated to be written in the concerned language, should be written in the medium of language chosen by them for papers on Essay, General Studies, and Optional Subjects.
• For the Hindi paper, it has been indicated that the answers must be written in Hindi.

The syllabus for Hindi Optional Paper 1 includes-

Section A- History of Hindi Language and Nagari Lipi

•  Grammatical and applied forms of Apbhransh, Awahatta & Arambhik Hindi.
•  Development of Braj and Awadhi as literary language during the medieval period.
•  The early form of Khari-boli in Siddha- Nath Sahitya, Khusero, Sant Sahitya, Rahim, etc. and Dakhni Hindi.
• Development of Khari-boli and Nagari Lipi during the 19th Century.
• Standardization of Hindi Bhasha & Nagari Lipi.
• Development of Hindi as a national Language during the freedom movement.
• The development of Hindi as a National Language of Union of India.

Section B- History of Hindi Literature

• The relevance and importance of Hindi literature and tradition of writing History of Hindi Literature.
• Literary trends of the following four periods of the history of Hindi Literature, that is, Adikal, Bhaktikal, Ritikal, Adhunik Kaal
• Hindi Prose
• Drama and Theatre
• Other forms of Hindi prose such as Lalit Nibandh, Rekhachitra (Sketches), Sansmaran (Memoirs), Yatra-Vrittant (Travelogues), etc.

Also Read: Detailed Syllabus for UPSC Hindi Compulsory and Optional Paper

The syllabus for Paper 2 includes the following prescribed texts-

• Kabir- Kabir Granthavali , Ed, Shyam Sundar Das (First hundred Sakhis)
• Surdas- Bhramar Geet Sar , Ed. Ramchandra Shukla (First hundred Padas)
• Tulsidas- Ramcharitmanas
• Jayasi: Padmawat Ed. Shyam Sundar Das (Sinhal Dwip Khand & Nagmativiyog Khand)
• Bihari- Bihari Ratnakar Ed. Jagannath Prasad Ratnakar (First 100 Dohas)
• Maithili Sharan Gupta- Bharat Bharati
• Prasad- Kamayani (Chinta and Shraddha Sarg)
• Nirala- Rag Virag , Ed. Ram Vilas Sharma (Ram ki Shakti Puja & Kukurmutta)
• Dinkar- Kurukshetra
• Agyeya- Aangan Ke Paar Dwaar
• Muktibodh: Brahm Rakhashas
• Nagarjun: Badal ko Ghirte Dekha Hai, Akal Ke Bad, Harijan Gatha
• Bharatendu: Bharat Durdasha
• Mohan Rakesh: Ashad Ka Ek Din
• Ramchandra Shukla: Chintamani (Part I) (Kavita Kya Hai]
• Dr. Satyendra: Nibandh Nilaya
• Premchand: Godan, Premchand ki Sarvashreshtha Kahaniyan, Ed. Amrit Rai/Manjusha – Prem Chand ki Sarvashreshtha Kahaniyan, Ed. Amrit Rai.
• Prasad: Skandagupta
• Yashpal: Divya
• Phaniswar Nath Renu: Maila Anchal
• Mannu Bhandari: Mahabhoj
• Rajendra Yadav: Ek Dunia Samanantar 

Exam Pattern

The Hindi Optional Paper includes the following types of essays-

• Nibandh (Essay)- 2 essays for 50 marks each
• Gadyansh (Reading comprehension)-  12 passages for 5 marks each
• Sankshepan (Précis writing)- Condense a piece of prose for 60 marks
• Anuvad (Translation) From English to Hindi vice versa for 20 marks each
• Other questions including Muhavare; Shudhi; Paryayavachi; Yugm for 40 marks

Is Hindi Literature a Good Optional?

Hindi is considered to be a great optional subject for the following reasons-

• The syllabus is concise and direct as compared to that of anthropology, sociology, history syllabus in Hindi and English.
• If you finished your schooling in Hindi Medium or if you are a Hindi graduate/ postgraduate, you might be familiar with a few of the texts in the syllabus. You might find it easy to study the syllabus for the same reason.
• Literature is a scoring subject, be it in any language.
• If you practice your answer writing well, the exam would be a cakewalk for you. Your answer structure and content can help you score better and with literature, you can always expand your answers with additional thoughts or valid interpretations.
• Not a lot of people choose Hindi as optional and you won’t have to face much competition with the subject.

Hindi may not seem like the ideal subject to you but if you look at the UPSC Mains syllabus and the advantages of choosing this paper, you might want to reconsider your decision. It is also a matter of great pride if you are fluent in your mother tongue. It is one of the most sought subjects for Hindi graduates. For more such ideas about scoring subjects for Optionals, keep a watch at this space.

Also Read: How to Prepare for UPSC Mains Hindi Exam?

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