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Malayalam is gaining popularity as a good optional subject for UPSC exams among Keralites. Many UPSC candidates who attained top ranks had Malayalam as their optional subject. Many Keralites choose Malayalam as an optional subject as it is generally considered a subject in which you can gain marks easily. The familiarity and long exposure to the language along with the short syllabus prescribed by the UPSC also made Malayalam the most preferred optional among Malayali UPSC candidates. In this blog, we will discuss a few important things a candidate needs to understand before choosing Malayalam as their optional. Read to learn more about UPSC Malayalam study strategy, UPSC Malayalam optional syllabus, UPSC Malayalam optional books etc.
UPSC Malayalam Preparation Tips
Follow the tips below for effective preparation for the UPSC exams.
- Have a good awareness of the topics included in the syllabus.
- Choose the most appropriate study materials.
- Formulate an efficient study plan.
- Join coaching if required.
- Prepare handwritten notes.
- Practise your writing using previous question papers.
- Attend mock tests regularly.
UPSC Malayalam Syllabus
1: Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?
The Malayalam optional has a variety of topics under it. This ranges from the history of the language to the aesthetics of language. It is very important to have a good idea about the syllabus before choosing an optional. Read on to know more about this before formulating your UPSC Malayalam Study Strategy.
Paper 1
| Paper | Section | Unit No. | Unit name | Topics |
| Paper 1 | Section A | 1 | The early phase of the Malayalam Language | Various theories of origin from
· Proto Dravidian · Tamil · Sanskrit. |
| Relation between Tamil and Malayalam: Six nayas of A.R. Rajaraja Varma. | ||||
| · Pattu school-definition
· Ramacharitam · later pattu works · Niranam works · Krishnagatha |
||||
| 2 | Linguistic features of Manipravalam, Folklore and Early Malayalam prose
|
· Definition
· Language of early manipravala works · Champu · Sandesakavya · Chandrotsava · Minor works · Later Manipravala works · Medieval Champu · Aattakkatha. |
||
| · Southern and Northern ballads
· Mappila songs |
||||
| · Bhashakautaliyam
· Brahmanda Puranam · Atta Prakaram · Krama Dipika · Nambiantamil. |
||||
| 3 | Standardisation of Malayalam | Peculiarities of the language of Pana, Kilippattu and Tullal | ||
| Contributions of Indigenous and European Missionaries to Malayalam | ||||
| · Characteristics of Contemporary Malayalam
· Malayalam as an administrative language · Language of scientific and technical literature-media language. |
||||
| Section B Literary History | 4 | Ancient and Medieval Literature | · Pattu-Ramacharitam
· Niranam works · Krishnagatha |
|
| · Manipravala
· early and medieval manipravala works including · aattakkatha · champu |
||||
| Folk literature | ||||
| · Kilippattu
· Thullal · Mahakavya |
||||
| 5 | Modern Literature-Poetry | Venmani poets and contemporaries | ||
| · The advent of Romanticism
· Poetry of Kavitraya ( Asan, Ulloor and Vallathol) |
||||
| Poetry after Kavitraya | ||||
| Modernism in Malayalam Poetry | ||||
| 6 | Modern Literature-Prose | · Drama
· Novel · Short story · Biography, · Travelogue, · Essay · Criticism |
Paper 2
| Paper 2 | Section A | Unit 1 | Ramacharitam-Pattalam |
| Kannassa Ramayanam-Balakandam first 25 stanzas | |||
| Unnunilisandesam-Purvabhagam 25 slokas including Prastavana | |||
| Mahabharatham Kilippattu- Bhishma Parvam | |||
| Unit 2 | Kumaran Asan-Chinthavishtayaya Sitha | ||
| Vailoppilli-Kudiyozhikkal | |||
| G. Sankara Kurup-Perunthachan | |||
| N.V. Krishna Variar-Tivandiyile Pattu | |||
| Unit 3 | ONV -Bhumikkoru Charamagitam | ||
| Ayyappa Panicker-Kurukshetram | |||
| Akkitham-PaudathaMessanthi | |||
| Attur Ravivarma-Megharupan | |||
| Section B | Unit 4 | O. Chanthu Menon-Indulekha | |
| Thakazhy-Chemmin | |||
| O V Vijayan-Khasakkinte Ithihasam | |||
| Unit 5 | MT Vasudevan Nair-Vanaprastham (Collection) | ||
| N S Madhavan-Higvitta (Collection) | |||
| C J. Thomas-1128-il Crime 27 | |||
| Unit 6 | Kuttikrishna Marar-Bharatanatyam | ||
| M. K Sanu-Nakshathrangalude snehabhajanam | |||
| V.T. Bhattathirippad-Kannirum Kinavum |
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UPSC Malayalam Study Strategy
Now that we have a good idea about UPSC Malayalam Optional Syllabus, we can now create a study strategy that helps you effectively cover all the portions before the prelims. You can follow the timetable given below or alter it according to your convenience and knowledge levels.
| No. | Subject name | Allotted study time for a day |
| 1 | Indian language | 1 hour |
| 2 | English | 1 hour |
| 3 | General Studies 1 | 1 hour |
| 4 | General Studies 2 | 1 hour |
| 5 | General Studies 3 | 1 hour |
| 6 | General Studies 4 | 1 hour |
| 7 | Malayalam Optional Paper 1 | 2 hours |
| 8 | Malayalam Optional Paper 2 | 2 hours |
UPSC Malayalam Optional Books
Choosing the study material for any exam is a quite difficult process. Consider the following points before purchasing UPSC books.
- Go through the book and make sure that it covers the areas mentioned in the syllabus.
- Make sure of the quality of the books.
- Check if the book is too old and if the information given in it is outdated.
- Ask for recommendations from mentors. Listen to the experiences of rank holders and make study material choices accordingly.
You have to read all the literary works provided in the syllabus. A few books, other than the already mentioned ones, that will help you prepare for UPSC Malayalam Optional are listed below.
| No. | Author | Book |
| 1 | M. Krishna Pillai | Kairaliyude Kadha |
| 2 | Erumeli | Malayala Sahithya Charithram – Kalaghattangalilude |
| 3 | Jobin S Kottaram | Civil Service exam Malayalam Optional paper I |
| 4 | Jobin S Kottaram | Civil Service exam Malayalam Optional paper II |
Besides these make sure to read Malayalam magazines like Bhashaposhini as they talk about the Malayalam literary world’s contemporary issues. Reading different Malayalam newspapers will help you with both optional as well as general papers.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Choosing Malayalam Optional for UPSC
The advantages and disadvantages of choosing Malayalam optional for UPSC are listed in the table below.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Less competition as less number of candidates will choose regional languages as optional. | May lose scores if your point of view on a subjective answer contradicts severely an evaluator’s point of view. |
| Literature lovers can make use of their innate interest in the language. You don’t have to force yourself to study. | There is no overlap with the syllabus of general paper unlike social sciences, English and science subjects. |
| All the extra reading will contribute positively to essay writing skills which are essential to writing UPSC. | Study materials may be scarce when compared to other more popular subjects. |
UPSC Rank Holders with Malayalam Optional
The following table shows the list of UPSC Rank Holders with Malayalam Optional and the year of their exams.
| No. | Name | Rank | Year |
| 1 | Sreelakshmi R | 29 | 2018 |
| 2 | Sreedhanya Suresh | 410 | 2018 |
| 3 | Sathish B Krishnan | 125 | 2017 |
| 4 | Haritha V Kumar | 1 | 2012 |
| 5 | Arvind Menon | 201 | 2011 |
| 6 | Renu Raj | 2 | 2014 |
UPSC Online Coaching in Entri App
Entri app is now offering Delhi Model Intensive UPSC Training in Malayalam. The features of the classes are provided below.
- Recorded classes for Prelims and Mains (600+ hours)
- Personalised training
- Malayalam as the medium of instruction
- Live sessions with IAS and IPS officers
- Daily rank booster
- Live classes
- Whatsapp groups
All the important information regarding UPSC Malayalam Study Strategy is discussed in this article. Consult an experienced mentor in case of any doubts before making final decisions.
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UPSC Malayalam Study Strategy FAQs
- Is Malayalam a popular subject among UPSC aspirants?
Yes. Malayalam is a very popular optional subject among Malayali candidates.
- Is the UPSC Malayalam syllabus very long?
No. UPSC Malayalam syllabus is very short and doesn’t change often.
