State PSC (e.g. BPSC / UPPSC / MPSC) General Hindi, Essay and Descriptive Skills Syllabus

General Hindi, Essay and Descriptive Skills syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for General Hindi, Essay and Descriptive Skills in State PSC (e.g. BPSC / UPPSC / MPSC), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Grammar and Language

   4 topics

   • Vyakaran: Sandhi, Samas and Alankar
   • Tatsam-Tadbhav, Synonyms and Antonyms
   • Idioms, Proverbs and One-Word Substitution
   • Error Correction and Sentence Formation
2. 2

   Comprehension and Précis

   3 topics

   • Unseen Passage Comprehension
   • Précis Writing
   • Expansion of Ideas
3. 3

   Official and Functional Writing

   3 topics

   • Letter and Application Writing
   • Official Correspondence and Notice Drafting
   • Report and Paragraph Writing
4. 4

   Essay Writing

   4 topics

   • Structuring an Essay: Introduction, Body, Conclusion
   • Essays on Social and Contemporary Issues
   • Essays on Polity, Economy and Administration
   • Philosophical and Abstract Themes

General Hindi, Essay and Descriptive Skills flashcards for State PSC (e.g. BPSC / UPPSC / MPSC)

22 of 50 cards from the General Hindi, Essay and Descriptive Skills deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is Sandhi in Hindi vyakaran, and what are its three main types?

   Sandhi is the merging/euphonic combination of two adjacent sounds (varna) into one. Its three main types are: Swar Sandhi (vowel + vowel), Vyanjan Sandhi (consonant combinations), and Visarg Sandhi (involving the visarga 'ah').

2. In Swar Sandhi, what is Deergh Sandhi? Give an example.

   Deergh Sandhi: when two similar vowels (or a/aa) combine, they form a single long (deergh) vowel. Example: vidya + alaya = vidyalaya (a + aa = aa).

3. What is Guna Sandhi? Give an example.

   Guna Sandhi: when 'a/aa' is followed by 'i/ee' it becomes 'e'; by 'u/oo' becomes 'o'; by 'ri' becomes 'ar'. Example: deva + indra = devendra (a + i = e).

4. What is Vriddhi Sandhi? Give an example.

   Vriddhi Sandhi: when 'a/aa' is followed by 'e/ai' it becomes 'ai'; by 'o/au' becomes 'au'. Example: eka + ek = ekaik; sada + eva = sadaiv (a + e = ai).

5. What is Samas in Hindi grammar, and how does it differ from Sandhi?

   Samas is the compounding of two or more words into a single word by dropping connecting elements (vibhakti). Sandhi merges sounds/letters at a junction, while Samas merges whole words into a compound expressing a combined meaning.

6. Name the six main types of Samas in Hindi.

   The six types are: Avyayibhav, Tatpurush, Karmadharaya, Dvigu, Dvandva, and Bahuvrihi samas.

7. What characterizes a Dvandva Samas? Give an example.

   In Dvandva samas both component words are equally important and connected by 'and/or' (aur). Example: mata-pita (mother and father), raat-din (night and day).

8. What characterizes a Bahuvrihi Samas? Give an example.

   In Bahuvrihi samas neither word is primary; the compound refers to a third, external thing (a quality denoting someone/something else). Example: Dashanan (one who has ten faces = Ravana), Peetambar (one wearing yellow cloth = Vishnu/Krishna).

9. What is a Dvigu Samas? Give an example.

   In Dvigu samas the first word is a number (numeral) and the compound denotes a collection/group. Example: navratna (collection of nine gems), trilok (the three worlds).

10. What is Alankar in Hindi literature, and what are its two broad categories?

    Alankar is a figure of speech that beautifies/embellishes language. Its two broad categories are Shabdalankar (figures based on sound/words) and Arthalankar (figures based on meaning).

11. What is Anupras alankar? Give an example.

    Anupras is a Shabdalankar marked by repetition of the same consonant sound (alliteration). Example: 'Charu chandra ki chanchal kirnen' (repetition of 'ch').

12. What is Yamak alankar?

    Yamak is a Shabdalankar where the same word/syllable is repeated but with different meanings each time. Example: 'Kanak kanak te sau guni' (kanak = gold / datura).

13. Distinguish Upma alankar from Rupak alankar.

    Upma: an explicit simile comparing one thing to another using words like 'sa/jaise' (e.g., 'face like the moon'). Rupak: a metaphor where the upmeya (subject) and upman (standard) are treated as identical, with no comparison words (e.g., 'face-moon').

14. What is the difference between Tatsam and Tadbhav words in Hindi?

    Tatsam words are taken directly from Sanskrit in their original, unchanged form (e.g., agni, surya). Tadbhav words are derived from Sanskrit but have changed/evolved in form over time (e.g., aag from agni, sooraj from surya).

15. Give the Tadbhav forms of these Tatsam words: 'hasta', 'karma', 'griha', 'doodh (dugdha)'.

    hasta -> haath; karma -> kaam; griha -> ghar; dugdha -> doodh.

16. What is a Paryayvachi (synonym) word? Give four synonyms for 'kamal' (lotus).

    Paryayvachi words have the same/similar meaning. Synonyms for kamal: jalaj, pankaj, neeraj, aravind (also saroj, kanwal).

17. Give four Hindi synonyms (paryayvachi) for 'paani' (water).

    jal, neer, vaari, salil (also toy, ambu).

18. What is a Vilom (antonym) word? Give the antonyms of 'aadi', 'gyan', and 'aastik'.

    Vilom words have opposite meaning. aadi <-> ant; gyan <-> agyan; aastik <-> naastik.

19. What is a Muhavara (idiom) in Hindi, and how does it differ from a Lokokti (proverb)?

    A Muhavara is a short phrase whose meaning is figurative, not literal, and forms part of a sentence (e.g., 'aankhon ka tara'). A Lokokti is a complete, self-standing folk saying that conveys a full moral/truth (e.g., 'naach na jaane aangan tedha').

20. Give the meaning of the idiom 'aankhon ka tara'.

    'Aankhon ka tara' means a very dear/beloved person; the apple of one's eye.

21. Give the meaning of the lokokti 'naach na jaane aangan tedha'.

    It means blaming external circumstances for one's own incompetence — a bad workman blames his tools.

22. What is 'Anek shabdon ke liye ek shabd' (one-word substitution)? Give the one word for 'jo kabhi na mare'.

    It is replacing a phrase with a single precise word. 'Jo kabhi na mare' (one who never dies) = amar.

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