Urdu hai mera naam main Khusro ki paheli
Main Meer ki humraaz hoon Ghalib ki saheli
Dakkan ke Wali ne mujhe godhi me khilaya
Sauda ke qaseedon ne mera husn barrahaya
Hai Meer ki azmat ke mujhe chalna seekhaya
Main Daagh ke aangan me khili ban ke chameli
Ghalib ne bulandi ka safar mujhko sikhaya
Haali ne muravvat ka sabak yaad dilaya
Iqbal ne aaina_e_haq mujhko dikhaya
Momin ne sajayee mere khwabon ki haveli
Hai Zauk ki azmat ke diye mujhko sahare
Chakbast ki ulfat ne mere khwab saware
Fani ne sajaye meri palko pe sitare
Akbar ne rachayee meri berang hatheli
Kyoon mujhko banate ho ta’assub ka nishana
Mainay to kabhi khud ko musalmaan nahi mana
Dekha tha kabhi mainay bhi khushiyon ka zamana
Apne hi watan me hoon magar aaj akayli
Urdu hai mera naam main Khusro ki paheli
Main Meer ki Humraaz hoon Ghalib ki saheli”
As part of initiative to make quality study material available, me and my friends from various services are floating this survey to seek feedback from Aspirants regarding subject/paper for which CONCISE, STRUCTURED and EXAM ORIENTED study material is not available in market. We will do our best to provide the same!
This beautiful poem by Iqbal Ashar Sahab encapsulates the short journey and present condition of Urdu language in Indian subcontinent.Before we discuss further here is some brief information about myself,
Mohd Nooh Siddiqui
AIR 326 CSE 2017
Twice All India Topper in Urdu Literature optional
Marks: 273- 2014
292- 2016
261- 2017
5th Attempt,3rd Mains and 1st Interview
B Tech. in Food Technology from Marathwada Agriculture University – year 2011
I feel blessed to have inherited the Urdu linguistic tradition from my Dadu and Nanajaan both.My Dadu used to teach Urdu to me while I was a kid my Nanajaan is an Urdu poet with whom I discuss current poetic traditions.Being the resident of Aurangabad in Maharashtra where the Urdu language is not only loved but celebrated across the spectrum became an added advantage, this made Urdu a natural choice while selecting optional in UPSC mains preparation scheme. Last and most important aspect for selecting Urdu as an optional was my Urdu Schooling background which I have opted for as a medium till class 10th.This ensured my familiarity with names and works in Urdu literature that one study during Urdu literature optional preparation in advance.
Let us now discuss Urdu optional in detail for better clarity in an interactive manner which I usually come across while meeting new aspirants opting or willing to opt Urdu as an optional in civil service preparation.
Q. Who Can Take Urdu as an Optional? Is it necessary to have some kind of background of Urdu in graduation or anyone can take it as an optional?
Answer: “The beauty of UPSC Civil service examination is that you do not require any specific background to opt for any particular optional”.An engineer can take Public administration as an optional, here anyone who can read and write urdu well and is confident on this ability can take Urdu literature as an optional.It is NOT necessary to have Urdu as a subject in graduation or as a medium of schooling.
Note: Here one need to be very cautious as on various occasionsjust because student know how to read Urdu he/she opted for it.Whereas it is important to see How good you can write in Urdu,if you make spelling mistakes or in Imla this optional will become burden for you instead of advantage.I have seen many of my friend facing same issue whereas they could have scored very well if they opted for some other optional with same level of efforts.
Q. Can a students from English medium background take it as an optional?How easily can they learn Urdu?
Answer:Many candidates from English medium background take Urdu literature as an Optional,foreg.This year 36th Ranker Fazlul Haseeb.Despite being from English medium background he had Urdu as a subject in school which made him familiar with the basics required to take it as an optional.Even if a person does not have it as a subject at any stage of his education he can opt it as an optional depending on how his basics are.If you intend to start from very basic at this stage you better avoid taking this optionalsubject.One of the major issue in UPSC preparation is paucity of time,you can not invest precious time on learning a language then preparing it at this stage.
Nooh’s Urdu Optional Book link:
Q.What is the Syllabus of Urdu Optional in UPSC’s Scheme for mains examination?
Answer: There are two papers of optional Subject in UPSC’s Scheme of Mains examination of 250 markseach.This is the syllabus of both the papers as provided in UPSC notification.
Paper-I
Answers must be written in Urdu.
Section-A
Development of Urdu Language
a) Development of Indo-Aryan
(i) Old Indo-Aryan
(ii) Middle Indo Aryan
(iii) New Indo Aryan
b) Western Hindi and its dialects Brij Bhasha Khadi Boli, Haryanavi Kannauji, Bundeli-Theories about the origin of Urdu Language
c) Dakhani Urdu-Origin and development, its significant linguistic features.
d) Social and Cultural roots of Urdu language and its distinctive features.
Script, Phonology, Morphology, Vocabulary.
Section-B
a) Genres and their development :
(i) Poetry : Ghazal, Masnavi, Qasida, Marsia, Rubai, Jadid Nazm,
(ii) Prose : Novel, Short Story, Dastan, Drama, Inshaiya, Khutoot, Biography.
b) Significant features of :
(i) Deccani, Delhi and Lucknow schools
(ii) Sir Syed movement, Romantic movement, Progressive movement, Modernism.
c) Literary Criticism and its development with reference to Hali, Shibli, Kaleemuddin Ahmad, Ehtisham Hussain, Ale-Ahmad Suroor.
d) Essay writing (covering literary and imaginative topics)
Paper-II
Answers must be written in Urdu.
This paper will require first hand reading of the texts prescribed and will be designed to test the candidate’s critical ability.
Section-A
1. Mir Amman Bagho-Babar
2. Ghalib Intikhab-e-Khutoot-e Ghalib
3. Mohd. Husain Nairang-e-Khayal Azad
4. Prem Chand Godan
5. Rajendra Singh Apne Dukh Mujhe Bedi Dedo
6. Abul Kalam Azad Ghubar-e-Khatir
Section-B
1. Mir Intikhab-e-Kalam-e-Mir(Ed. Abdul Haq.)
2. Mir Hasan Sahrul Bayan
3. Ghalib Diwan-e-Ghalib
4. Iqbal Bal-e-Jibrail
5. Firaq Gul-e-Naghma
6. Faiz Dast-e-Saba
7. Akhtruliman Bint-e-Lamhat
Q.What is the marking trend and how many candidates are getting selected with Urdu as an optional in UPSC?
Answer:If we look at the last 5 years Urdu Optional marking trend the average score in this optional is 220-240 marks.Highest score in the same period is 297 followed by 292,283,282 etc in various years.A candidate with a proper required preparation can score 240-260 with serious efforts.In optional subject it is the level of efforts and right strategy which assures handsome score,I have personally secured handsome marks all the years with proper strategy and right approach.
This year in 2017CSE 4 Candidates with Urdu Optional got their rank.In 2016 Only 1 Candidate got position in total selections with 73rdRank.In 2015 list 3 selected candidates had urdu as their optional subject.
If we look at the Selection ratio the percentage is anywhere in between5% to 15% of those appearing in Mains with Urdu optional in general.
Q.How much time will it take to prepare this subject?
Answer: If a Candidate has collected all the required basic books of this optional subject and is starting with reading of the text it should take 100 to 120 days with 5 hours a day preparation to read,understand and prepare first copy of personal notes.A person well versed and already familiar with various parts of syllabus as those with M.A or B.A in urdu will take lesser time.Urdurequire same level of efforts,strategy and preparation as compared to other optional subject with almost similar time for preparation.
Q.Is the Availability of books and study material an issue?
Answer: As Urdu optional is taken by very few candidates in hundred or two in comparison to other optional with thousand of candidates opting for them,availibilty of all the optional material at one place in various states is an issue.This does not mean that there is dearth or scarcity of study material for preparing this subject.All the required material is easilyavailable in Delhi being the hub of civil service preparation,notes of Maulana Azad National Open University or books of Education Books house,Aligarh can be availed by order.One needs to travel to Delhi to avail notes of Aastha Coaching institute(Naushad Sir) or those prepared by team of Jamia Milia Islamia.One can contact Urdu book stores of own city and ask them to avail those books.Manyhave friends in Delhi preparing for civil services who can bring this study material as well.
If you aspire to achieve what you dream you need to move out of your comfort zone.I suggest if you can travel to Delhi you should go there once and collect all the bookspersonally.You will get all the books provided in the syllabus around Jama Masjid area of PuraniDilli.Here you should visit National council for promotion of urdu language(NCPUL) shop near gate no.1 of Jama Masjid for purchase of books.
Q.Which books to refer for both the papers?
Answer: Here I am listing all the basic material i.e. books as well as notes which would be helpful in preparing this subject.List is inclusive of both the papers 1 and 2.
- All the books provided in Paper 2 syllabus of poetry and pros
- Urdu Zabaan ki Lissani Tashkil by Mirza Khalil Baig
- Urdu zabaan ki tareekh by Mirza Khalil Baig
- Urdu Shayeri ka Tanqeedu Mutalaa by Sumbul Nigar
- Urdu Nasr ka Tanqeedi Mutaala by Sumbul Nigar
- Asnafe Adab Urdu by Khaleeq Anjum
- Adab Numa/ Shaoor e Fun books for UGC NET preparation(refer any one of them)
- Notes of Aashta(Naushad/Asrar Sir)coaching institute
- BA or MA material of Maulana Azad National Open University
- Tashreeh of Bale Jibraeel and Deewane Ghalib (if required)
Join Decode Civils Telegram Group For Free UPSC CSE Guidance From Mudit Jain, IRS CSE 2017 (Ex-IPS CSE 2014 & 2015).
Decode Civils Group Telegram Link: https://t.me/decodecivilsgroup
- Decode Ethics 2nd Edition Sample Chapter
- UPSC 2019 Ethics Paper Detailed Question Sources And Answer Content
- UPPSC 2018 Mains Ethics Solutions
Decode Ethics Link
Decode History: World History Edition Link
Q.Is coaching necessary for preparing Urdu as an optional?
Answer: Considering the dynamism of Civil service exam Guidance is very essential in one or the other form.It can be a senior,a selected candidate or any person with good and update knowledge of this subject.I have met some College lecturers/officers with precise knowledge of the requirement of Urdu optional as well.If you do not have any of them coaching should be the last resort for you. Availability of quality coaching in various states is an issue,few institutes in Delhi and Srinagar claim to provide basic guidance for this subjects preparation, you should inquire well before joining any program. Availability of high quality coaching is an issue but basic guidance is available in many parts of the country.
Q.How should one approach towards both the paper 1 and paper 2?
Answer: Here is the step wise approach to prepare both the papers
- Careful reading and understanding of syllabus
- Reading and analysis of last 5 year papers from 2013 onwards, note down a topic and write asked questions in last 5 years from the same topic,do this for all the given topics in the syllabus.This will provide length and breadth upto which you have to study a particulartopic.In paper 2 this will provide various dimensions of the same Poet or Poetic work.
- First reading of all the books for paper 1 starting from Urdu Zabaan ki Lisaani Tashkil to Adab Numa and Shaoor Fun
- Second reading and preparation of notes,topic wise.
- Reading of Preface (Muqadama)of books of paper 2.Kindly avoid reading of complete book For eg. Gaudan or Deewane Ghalib.Read few pages to know the Usloob and writing style and try to read the summary to have a fair idea of actors and storyline.
- Notes of paper 2 on diemsnions provided in the question paper.For eg.Khutoote Ghalib have these dimensions.A) Ghalib’s Personal Life b)Dilli at the time of Ghalib c) Ghalib ka Usloob etc.Here collect examples from the basic text instead of reading all the books.
- Refer to Notes and answers of selected candidates to complete the remaining topics
Q.What is your preparation strategy to score maximum marks in this optional?
Answer: Here is my preparation strategy which proved successful in scoring more than 260 marks in all 3 attempts.
- Sincere analysis of Previous year question papers andunderstanding of the patternon which they are being asked.
- Preparation of personal noteson all the topics and perspective topics which may come in the exam.Though good quality notes are available one should rely on personal notes.
- Coverage of all the topics in the syllabus,Use of online or offline resources for eg.Rekhta.org,Wikipedia Urdu etc
- Answer Writing practice and solving of previous year question papers.If you prepare and solve last 5 year question papers you will easily cover 80% of the coming year paper in advance.
- Group study for Tashreeh and Paper 2 part for better understanding.
- Paper 1 is about memory power where you need to remember all the necessary details and write them in simplest form.In paper 1 simple writing is fetching maximum marks.
- Paper 2 require better understanding of the writer and correlation of various parts of the syllabus for eg.linkKhutoote Ghalib to Deewane Ghalib for complete answer of the question.
Q.Do we need to read all the books provided in the syllabus of paper 2?
Answer: No, Reading of Preface (Muqadama)of many books will be sufficient.Kindly avoid reading of complete book For eg. Gaudan or Deewane Ghalib.Read few pages to know the Usloob and writing style and try to read the summary to have a fair idea of actors and storyline.
Kindly look for various dimensions provided in previous year question papers of any particular writer orbook.For eg.Khutoote Ghalib have these dimensions.A) Ghalib’s Personal Life b)Dilli at the time of Ghalib c) Ghalib ka Usloob etc.Herecollect examples from the basic text instead of reading all the books.
Q.What about the writing practice and how one should go for answer writing?
Answer: Writing practice is most essential part of mains preparation.You should start by writing 2 pages daily to improve your writing speed and to avoid mistakes in imla.
Once you are done with the notes making part of paper 1,you should start writing answers on yourown.Take any previously asked question and try to answer it within the provided word limit.
Show your answers to your friend or seniors for correction andreading.After prelims result is out write complete paper while sitting for 3 hours for practice.
Q.Will you share your personal notes with us?
Answer:My notes are already with many of the students preparing for UPSC in Delhi and otherregions.Soon a Video lecture on how to prepare for Urdu optional will be available on Youtube after Ramadhan Eid.I would love to share my notes and study material with serious candidates with basic preparation in person or will be available for all after completion of DTP work which has already started.
Q.Which Mistakes to avoid while Preparing for this Subject?
Answer:
- Do not take this optionallightly.Give same efforts as you would have for any other optional.
- Do not find your comfort zone.Taking Urdu to avoid other subjects could be risky,many students opt for Urdu medium just to avoid English or due to fear of English
- Make your own notes,do not rely on others notes even if he is a topper.
- Do as more writing as you can. Focusing only on reading is futile in the end this exam is of writing.
Last but not the least,This examination has become more dynamic,These days this exam is more about Information management than informationgathering.It require clear focus and extra push to get through goodranks.As those not getting into list are scoring 19/20 and those in the list 20/20,so the difference is very thin. Especially it is the optional which makes you an IAS and which makes big difference in the mark sheet. I wish you all the very best for your endeavor and wish you succeed in very least attempt in this examination.Here is a couplet for you
“Har Ek Maqam Se Agay Maqam Hai Tera
Your destination is ahead of all the destinations
Hayat Zauq-e-Safar Ke Siwa Kuch Aur Nahin
Life is nothing but the joy of journey, travel”
More at Nooh’s blog: http://noohsiddiqui.wordpress.com
Leave a Reply