UGC NET Sanskrit Syllabus, Important Books, Exam Patterns, and Preparation Tips

UGC NET Sanskrit Syllabus, Important Books, Exam Patterns, and Preparation Tips
November 29, 2024
Teaching Exams . UGC NET

The UGC NET Sanskrit syllabus and pattern are designed to test aspirants’ core concepts and knowledge. It includes objective-type questions that test not only the subject-related concepts but also the ability to carry out research. One of the primary purposes of the UGC NET Sanskrit exam is to determine a candidate’s excellence in teaching and research-centric professions or if they have subject-specific in-depth knowledge. Hence, it also focuses on developing new ideas.

The UGC NET Sanskrit syllabus, patterns, best books, and career scopes after UGC NET are discussed in this blog.                                                  

Marking Scheme and Exam Overview of UGC NET Sanskrit

Let us talk about the UGC NET exam pattern and marking schemes. Like all the other subjects, the UGC NET Sanskrit exam also comprises 150 questions, including UGC NET Paper 1, each worth 2 marks and a total of 300 marks, which will last for three hours. Negative grades will not be assigned to any paper.

 The format of the UGC NET Sanskrit Exam will be discussed in this section:

Marking Scheme

Types of Questions

Multiple Choice Question

Number of Questions

150

Total Marks

Paper (1)- 100, Paper (2)- 200

Duration

3 hours

Negative Marking

No

Website

UGC conducts the National Eligibility Test (NET) with the help of the National Testing Agency (NTA) two times a year (June & December). In UGC NET the question pattern of each discipline follows the same rule. Questions are of objective types Multiple Choice Question,  each question carries 2 marks and without negative marking for any wrong attempt.

Also Read: UGC NET Preparation Strategy

UGC NET Sanskrit Syllabus

Here is the detailed UGC NET Sanskrit syllabus for candidates to look over:

Unit – I

  • Vedic-Literature (a) General Introduction of Vedic Literature:  Main theories regarding the Vedās : Maxmüller; A.Weber; Jacobi ; Balgangadhar Tilak; M.Winternitz; Indian traditional views.  
  • Saṁhitā Literature  Dialogue Hymns: Pururavā-Urvaśī; Yama-yamī; Saramā-Paṇi ; Viśvāmitra-Nadī  
  • Brāhamaṇa-Literature  
  • Āraṇyaka Literature  
  • Vedāṅgas: Śikșā; Kalpa; Vyākaraṇa; Nirukta; Chandas; Jyotișa

Unit – II 

  • Specific Study of Vedic Literature:  Study of the following hymns:  Ŗgveda : Agni (1.1); Varuṇa (1.25); Sūrya (1.125); Indra (2.12); Uṣas (3.61); Parjanya (5.83); Kitava (10.34); Jñāna (10.71); Puruṣa (10.90); Hiraṇyagarbha (10.121); Vāk (10.125); Nāsadīya (10.129);  Śuklayajurveda : Śivasaṁkalpa , Chapter-34 (1-6)  Prajāpati-Chapter-23 (1-5)  Atharvaveda : Rāṣṭrābhivardhanam (1.29); Kāla (10.53); Prithivī (12.1)  
  • Brāhmaṇa Literature  Subject-matter; Vidhi and its types; Agnihotra; Agniṣṭoma; Darśapūrṇamāsa ; Yajña; Pañcamahāyajña; Akhyāna (Śunahśepa , Vāṅmanas)  
  • Upaniṣad Literature: Subject matter and main concepts with special reference to the following Upaniṣads;  Īśa; Kaṭha; Kena; Bṛhadārṇyaka; Taittirīya; Śvetāśvatara  
  • Vedic Grammar; Nirukta and Vedic interpretation  Ṛkprātiśākhya : Definitions of Samānākṣara ; Sandhyakṣara; Aghoṣa; Soṣman; Svarabhakti ; Yama ; Rakta; Saṁyoga; Pragṛhya ; Riphita  Nirukta (Chapters-I & 2
  • Four-fold division of Padas-Concept of Nāma; Concept of Ākhyāta ; Meaning of Upasargas; Categories of Nipātas.  
  • Purposes of the study of Nirukta  Principles of Etymology  Etymology of the following words: Āchārya; Vīra; Hrada; Go; Samudra; Vṛtra; Āditya; Uṣas; Megha; Vāk; Udak; Nadī; Aśva; Agni; Jātavedas; Vaiśvānara; Nighaṇtu
  • Nirukta (Chapter-7; Daivatakāṇḍa) Vedic Accent- Udātta, Anudātta and Svarita 

Unit – III 

  • Darśana:  General Introduction of major schools of Darśana with special reference to the following: Pramāṇamīmānsā ; Tattvamīmānsā; Ācāramīmānsā (Cārvāka, Jaina, Bauddha) Nyāya, Sāṁkhya, Yoga, Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika, mīmānsā 

Unit – IV 

  • Darśana Literature: Special Study:  Īśvarakṛṣna : Sāṁkhyakārikā – Satkāryavāda, Puruṣasvarūpa, Prakṛtisvarūpa, Sṛștikrama, Pratyaysarga, Kaivalya.  
  • Sadānanda : Vedāntasāra – Anubandha-catuṣṭaya, Ajñāna, Adhyāropa-Apavāda, Lingaśarīrotpatti, Pañcīkaraṇa, Vivarta, Jīvanmukti  Annambhaṭṭa, Tarkasaṁgraha / Keśavamiśra; Tarkabhāṣā : Padārtha; Kāraṇa; Pramāṇa; (Pratyakṣa; Anumāna; Upamāna; Śabda), Prāmāṇyavāda, Prameya .
  • Laugākṣibhāskara ; Arthasaṁgraha.  
  • Patañjali ; Yogasūtra – (Vyāsabhāṣya) : Cittabhūmi, Cittavṛttis ; Concept of Īśvara; Yogāṅgas; Samādhi ; Kaivalya  
  • Bādarāyaṇa ; Brahmasūtra 1.1 (Śānkarabhāṣya)  Viśvanāthapañcānana ; Nyāyasidhāntamuktāvalī (Anumāna Khaṇḍa)  Sarvadarśana-Saṁgraha ; Jainism ; Buddhism

Unit – V 

  • Grammar and Linguistics:  General Introduction of the following grammarians: Pāṇini , Kātyāyana , Patañjali , Bhartṛhari , Vāmanajayāditya , Bhaṭṭojidīkṣita , Nāgeśabhaṭṭa , Kaiyyaṭa , Jainendra , Śākaṭāyana , Hemacandrasūri , Sārasvatavyākaraṇakāra.
  • Pāṇinīya Śikṣā. Linguistics: Definition of Language, Geneological and Morphological classification of Languages, Speech Mechanism and classification of sounds: Stops, Fricatives, Semi-Vowels and vowels (with special reference to Sanskrit sounds).
  • Phonetic Laws (Grimm, Grassman, Verner). Directions of semantic change and reasons for change. Definition of Vākya and its types General introduction of the Indo-European family of Languages Difference between Vedic Sanskrit and Classical Sanskrit Difference between Bhāșā and Vāk Difference between language and dialect

Unit – VI 

  • Specific Study of Grammar  Definition : Saṁhitā, Saṁyoga Guṇa, Vṛddhi, Prātipadika, Nadī , Ghi, Upadhā, Apṛkta, Gati, Pada, Vibhāṣā , Savarṇa, Ṭi, Pragṛhya, Sarvanāmasthāna, Bha , Sarvanāma, Niṣthā .  Sandhi – Ac sandhi, Hal sandhi, Visarga sandhi (according to laghusiddhāntakaumudī)  Subanta – Ajanta – Rāma , Sarva (in all genders) , Viśvapā, Hari , Tri (in all genders) , Sakhi , Sudhī , Guru , Pitṛ , Gau , Ramā , Mati , Nadī , Dhenu , Mātṛ , Jñāna , Vāri , Madhu .  Halanta – Lih , Viśvavāh , Catur (in all genders) , Idam, Kim, Tad (in all genders), Rājan , Maghavan , Pathin , Vidvas , Asmad , Yuṣmad .  Samāsa – Avyayībhāva , Tatpuruṣa , Bahuvrīhi , Dvandva (according to laghusiddhāntakaumudī)  Taddhita – Apatyārthaka and Matvarthīya (According to Siddāntakaumudī ),  Tiṅanta – Bhū , Edh , Ad , Us, Hu , Div , Ṣuñ , Tud , Tan, Kṛ , Rudh , Krīñ, Cur .  Prayayānta – Nijant, Sannanta , Yańanta , Yańluganta , Nāmdhātu.  Kṛdanta – Tavya / Tavyat , Anīyar , Yat , Ṇyat , Kyap , Śatṛ , Śānac , Ktvā , Kta , Ktavatu , Tumun , Ṇamul .
  • Strīpratyaya – According to Laghusiddhāntakaumudī.  Kāraka Prakarana – According to Siddāntakaumudī .
  • Parasmaipada and Ātmanepada Vidhāna – According to Siddāntakaumudī .
  • Mahābhāșya (Paspaśāhnika)- Definition of Śabda, Relation between Śabda and Artha, Purposes of the study of grammar, Definition of Vyākaraṇa, Result of the proper use of word, Method of grammar.
  • Vākyapadīyam (Brahmakāṇḍa) – Nature of Sphoṭa, Nature of Śabda-Brahma, Powers of Śabda-Brahma, Relation between Sphoṭa and Dhvani, Relation between Śabda and Artha, Types of Dhvani, Levels of Language.

Unit – VII

  • Sanskrit Literature, Poetics and Prosody
  • General Introduction of following  Bhāsa, Aśvaghośa , kālidāsa, Śūdraka, Viśākhadatta, Bhāravi, Māgha, Harṣa, Bāṇabhaṭṭa, Daṇḍin, Bhavabhūti, Bhaṭṭanārāyaṇa, Bhilhaṇa, Shrῑharṣa, Ambikādatta vyāsa, Panditā Kṣamārao, V. Raghavan, Shri Dhar Bhaskar Varnekar
  • Schools of Sanskrit Poetics – Rasa, Alaṅkāra, Rīti, Dhwani, Vakrokti, Aucitya
  • Western Poetics – Aristotle, Longinus, Croche

Unit – VIII

  • Specific study of the following  Poetry: Buddhacaritam (First Canto), Raghuvaṁśam (First Canto), Kirātārjunīyam (First Canto), Śiśupālavadham (First Canto), Naiṣadhīyacaritam (First Canto)
  • Drama: Svapnavāsavadattām, Abhijñānaśākuntalam, Mṛcchakaṭikam, Uttararāmacaritam, Mudrārākṣasam, Uttararāmacaritam, Ratnāvalī  Prose: Daśakumāracaritam ( viii Ucchvāsa), Harṣacaritam ( V Ucchvāsa), Kādambarī (Śukanāsopadeśa)  Campū Kāvya – Nala Campū (I Ucchvāsa)
  • Sāhityadarpaṇaḥ: Definition of Kāvya, Refutation of other definitions of Kāvya, Śabdaśakti – Saṅketagraha; Abhidhā; Lakṣanā; Vyanjanā, Kāvyabheda (Chapter Fourth), Śravyakāvya (prose poetry and mix)  Kāvyaprakaśa – Kāvyalakṣhṇa, Kāvyaprayojana, Kāvyahetu, Kāvyabheda, Śabdaśakti, Abhihitānvayavāda, Anvitābhidhānvayavāda,
  • concept of Rasa, discussion of Rasasūtra, Rasadoṣa, Kāvyaguṇa, Vyanjanāvriti (Fifth Chapter)  Alaṁkāras – Vakrokti; Anuprāsa, Yamaka, Śleṣa, Upamā, Rūpaka, Utprekṣā, Samāsokti, Apahnuti, Nidarśanā, Arthāntaranyāsa, Dṛṣṭānta, Vibhāvanā, Viśeṣokti, Svabhāvokti, Virodhābhāsa, Saṅkara, Sansṛṣṭi  Dhvanyāloka (I Udyota)  Vakroktijīvitam (I Unmeṣa)  Bharata – Nāṭyaśāstram (First and Sixth Chapter)  Daśarūpakam (First and Third Prakāśa)
  • Chanda – Āryā, Anuṣṭup, Indravajrā, Upendravajrā, Vasantatilakā, Upajāti, Vaṁśastha, Drutavilambita, Śālinī, Mālinī, Śikharṇī, Mandākrāntā, Hariṇī, Śārdūlavikrῑḍita, Sragdharā

Unit – IX 

  • Purāṇetihāsa, Dharmaśāstra and Epigraphy
  • General introduction of the following:  Rāmāyaṇa – Subject matter, age, society in the Rāmāyaṇa, Rāmāyaṇa as a source of later Sanskrit works and literal value of the Rāmāyaṇa, legends in the Rāmāyaṇa
  • Mahābhārata – Subject matter, age, society in the Mahābhārata, Mahābhārata as a source of later Sanskrit works and literal value of the Mahābhārata, legends in the Mahābhārata
  • Purāṇa – Definition of Purāṇa, maha Purāṇa and Upa Purāṇas, Purāṇic cosmology and Purāṇic legends  General introduction of main Smṛitis.
  • General introduction Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra  Paleography – History of the decipherment of Brāhmī script, Theories of the origin of Brāhmī Script  Inscriptions – General Introduction

Unit – X 

  • Specific study of the following  Kauṭilīya arthaśātra (First – Vinayadikarika)  Manusmṛti (I, II and VII Adhyāyas)  
  • Yājñavalkyasmṛti (Vyavahārādhyaya only) 
  • Paleography and Inscriptions –  Brahmi Script of Mauryan and Gupta periods  Inscription of Ashoka – Major Rock Edicts, Major Pillar Edicts  Post – Mauryan inscriptions – Sāranātha Buddhist Image Inscription of Kaniṣka’s regal – year, 3, Girnār Rock Inscription of Rudradāman, Hāthīgumphā inscription of Khāravela  Gupta and Post-Gupta inscriptions – Allahabad Pillar Inscriptions of Samudragupta, Mandasor Pillar Inscription of Yasodharman, Banāskherā Copper Plate Inscription of Harṣa, Aihole Stone Inscription of Pulakeśīn

Essential Topics for UGC NET Sanskrit

  1. Grammar and linguistics
  2. Poetics
  3. Vedic literature and history
  4. Prosody
  5. Indian Philosophy

Best Books for UGC NET Sanskrit

 Here is the list containing important UGC NET Sanskrit books

  1. Sanskrit Safalyam by Durgamohan Mandal
  2. Chaukhmba Sanskrit Partispardha by Deepak Kumar, Sanjay Dutta
  3. Sanskrit by Mithilesh Pandey
  4. Sanskrit Practice Book Usharani Jain
  5. Sanskrit PYQs for UGC NET

Important Tips to Cover Sanskrit Syllabus for UGC NET

Some of the  most helpful tips to prepare for the UGC NET Sanskrit includes:

  • Look for the right guidebook: A good reference or guidebook can help you prepare for this exam with the right guidance. However, the best book for UGC NET Sanskrit may be different for different aspirants. For instance, a book might suit your classmate better while another book may turn out to be more comprehensible for you. Hence, refer to guidebooks that suit your pattern of preparation or comprehension capabilities better. 
  • Previous year’s question paper: One of the most important steps while preparing is to refer to the previous year’s question papers for Sanskrit subject to understand the exam pattern. Further, you can refer to a good UGC NET Sanskrit question paper pdf to get regular practice while preparing. 
  • Speed and Practice: Sanskrit of this exam has application-based topics such as reasoning and math which require immense practice. You can practice with a timer to increase your speed and concentration so that the exam can be completed within the allotted time.  
  • Give Mock Tests: You must appear for mock tests regularly to perform better in the exam as Sanskrit has application-based questions that require practice.
  • Revision: It is important to allocate separate time for revision in your schedule so that you do not forget any of the topics before the main exam.
  • Notes and Stickers: You can prepare notes and colorful stickers or maps to ease the process of revision and learning. This will help you to memorize core concepts and relevant details at a faster pace.
  • Discussion: You should discuss the UGC NET Sanskrit syllabus and preparation techniques with your fellow aspirants. This will provide an insight into multiple ways in which the preparation can be approached as each aspirant may have his or her unique strategies.
  • Regular breaks to relax your mind: While discipline and dedication are important, relaxing your mind for efficient preparation is also crucial. You must take regular breaks while you are preparing as long hours of continuous preparation may lead to burnout and anxious thoughts. 

Hope this article has provided you with all the essential information needed. Those who are preparing for the UGC NET exam can check out their UGC NET exam dates.

 

FAQs

Who is eligible for the UGC NET Sanskrit exam?

Candidates who have achieved a minimum of 55% in their post-graduation degree in Sanskrit are qualified to take the exam.

How to prepare for the UGC NET Sanskrit exam?

Candidates willing to prepare for UGC NET must prepare their schedule first and study each unit thoroughly. They also need to attempt quizzes and mock tests regularly to boost their confidence.

Which unit in Sanskrit carries more marks?

In Sanskrit, Vedic Literature and its historical values are topics that carry significant weight in terms of marks.

Which topics are regarded as important topics in the UGC NET Sanskrit exam?

The whole grammar portion and the literature including philosophy, poetics, prosody etc. are regarded as the most important topics for the UGC NET Sanskrit exam.

From where some good study materials can be found for the UGC NET Sanskrit Exam?

There are many study materials you can find online. You can buy books related to specific topics. Apart from that, you can get admission to any online/offline coaching institutes where you can get study notes for each unit in detail. 

Are mock tests and quizzes enough to crack the NET Sanskrit exam?

Attempting mock tests and quizzes is beneficial for preparation. But mock tests alone can not get you the desired score, for that you need to study each topic diligently and understand the concept clearly.

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Downloads

UGC NET Sanskrit Syllabus PDF