CBSE Class XI Sanskrit
Complete Chapter-wise Syllabus 2025-26 | Sanskrit Elective
Course Overview
Theory Paper
80
Marks
Internal Assessment
20
Marks
Duration
3
Hours
Total Sections
4
Parts
Learning Objectives
- Developing proficiency in Sanskrit language reading and comprehension
- Understanding classical Sanskrit literature and its cultural significance
- Mastering essential Sanskrit grammar including Sandhi, Dhatu, and Shabda forms
- Building creative writing skills in Sanskrit composition and translation
- Exploring the rich heritage of Vedic literature and ancient texts
- Understanding the historical development of Sanskrit language and literature
- Developing appreciation for Sanskrit poetry and classical prose works
- Building foundation for advanced Sanskrit studies and research
Section-wise Marks Distribution
| Section | Content Area | Marks | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| क (Ka) | अपठितावबोधनम् (Unseen Passage) | 10 | 12.5% |
| ख (Kha) | रचनात्मक कार्य (Creative Writing) | 10 | 12.5% |
| ग (Ga) | अनुप्रयुक्त व्याकरणम् (Applied Grammar) | 20 | 25% |
| घ (Gha) | पठितावबोधनम् + साहित्य परिचय | 40 | 50% |
| Total Theory | 80 | 100% | |
Note: Section घ carries maximum weightage with 40 marks (30 + 10)
Section क: अपठितावबोधनम् (Unseen Passage) - 10 Marks
Comprehension Skills Assessment
Passage Types 10 Marks
- Sanskrit prose passages with cultural themes
- Moral and ethical stories from classical literature
- Descriptive passages about Indian traditions
- Simple Sanskrit poetry excerpts
- Dialogues from Sanskrit dramas
- Passages related to ancient Indian wisdom
Question Types
- Word meanings and synonyms
- Comprehension questions in Sanskrit
- Grammar identification from the passage
- Summary writing in Sanskrit
- Multiple choice questions
- True/False statements based on content
Section ख: रचनात्मक कार्य (Creative Writing) - 10 Marks
Writing and Translation Skills
Writing Tasks 10 Marks
- Letter writing (पत्र लेखन) - formal and informal
- Paragraph writing on given topics
- Essay writing in Sanskrit (निबंध लेखन)
- Translation from Hindi to Sanskrit
- Translation from English to Sanskrit
- Story completion in Sanskrit
Topics Covered
- पर्यावरण संरक्षण (Environmental conservation)
- गुरु महिमा (Glory of teachers)
- राष्ट्रीय त्योहार (National festivals)
- स्वास्थ्य और योग (Health and Yoga)
- संस्कृत भाषा की महत्ता (Importance of Sanskrit)
- आदर्श विद्यार्थी (Ideal student)
Section ग: अनुप्रयुक्त व्याकरणम् (Applied Grammar) - 20 Marks
Core Grammar Concepts
संधि (Sandhi) 6-8 Marks
- स्वर संधि (Vowel Sandhi)
- व्यंजन संधि (Consonant Sandhi)
- विसर्ग संधि (Visarga Sandhi)
- संधि विच्छेद (Sandhi separation)
- संधि योजना (Sandhi combination)
- नियम आधारित प्रश्न (Rule-based questions)
शब्दरूप (Word Forms) 4-6 Marks
- अकारांत पुल्लिंग (A-ending masculine)
- आकारांत स्त्रीलिंग (Aa-ending feminine)
- इकारांत पुल्लिंग (I-ending masculine)
- उकारांत पुल्लिंग (U-ending masculine)
- ऋकारांत पुल्लिंग (Ri-ending masculine)
- विभक्ति प्रयोग (Case usage)
धातुरूप (Verb Forms) 4-6 Marks
- भू धातु (Root 'bhu' - to be)
- पठ् धातु (Root 'path' - to read)
- गम् धातु (Root 'gam' - to go)
- दृश् धातु (Root 'drish' - to see)
- लकार प्रयोग (Tense usage)
- परस्मैपद-आत्मनेपद (Active-Middle voice)
अन्य व्याकरण विषय 2-4 Marks
- समास (Compounds) - तत्पुरुष, कर्मधारय
- अव्यय (Indeclinables)
- उपपद प्रत्यय (Secondary suffixes)
- वाक्य परिवर्तन (Sentence transformation)
- प्रकृति-प्रत्यय (Root and suffix)
- सामान्य व्याकरण नियम (General grammar rules)
Section घ: पठितावबोधनम् + साहित्य परिचय (40 Marks)
Textbook Comprehension + Literature History
पठितावबोधनम् (Textbook Comprehension) - 30 Marks
Main Textbook: शान्तिः - प्रथमो भागः
Complete NCERT Sanskrit textbook for Class XI covering prose and poetry
Download NCERT Bookगद्य पाठ (Prose Lessons)
प्रथमः पाठः - वेदामृतम्
- Vedic wisdom and knowledge
- Importance of Vedas in Indian culture
- Universal message of peace and harmony
- Sanskrit verses from different Vedas
तृतीयः पाठः - परोपकाराय सतां विभूतयः
- Great souls and their service to humanity
- Stories of selfless service
- Moral values and ethics
- Examples from Indian epics
चतुर्थः पाठः - मानो हि महतां धनम्
- Honor as the wealth of great people
- Character building and moral values
- Stories emphasizing dignity and respect
- Sanskrit wisdom about true wealth
पञ्चमः पाठः - सौवर्णशकटिका
- Story of the golden cart
- Lessons on honesty and integrity
- Moral dilemmas and right choices
- Traditional storytelling in Sanskrit
षष्ठः पाठः - आहारविचारः
- Thoughts on food and nutrition
- Ayurvedic principles of healthy eating
- Balance in diet and lifestyle
- Ancient Indian wisdom on health
काव्य पाठ (Poetry Lessons)
नवमः पाठः - विज्ञाननौका
- Science as a boat of knowledge
- Harmony between ancient wisdom and modern science
- Sanskrit poetry on scientific temperament
- Role of education in progress
दशमः पाठः - कृतात्मानम्
- Self-made person and achievements
- Hard work and dedication
- Inspirational verses in Sanskrit
- Success through perseverance
एकादशः पाठः - ईशः कुत्सायो:
- Divine presence in nature
- Philosophical thoughts on spirituality
- Sanskrit verses on God and devotion
- Universal consciousness concepts
द्वादशः पाठः - सर्माहो रजोनम्
- Glory of righteousness
- Dharma and duty in human life
- Sanskrit poetry on moral conduct
- Spiritual elevation through right action
संस्कृत-साहित्य-परिचय (Literature History) - 10 Marks
Textbook: संस्कृत-साहित्य-परिचय
Introduction to Sanskrit literature and its historical development
Download Literature Bookप्रथम अध्याय - भाषा विकास 5 Marks
- संस्कृत भाषा की उत्पत्ति (Origin of Sanskrit language)
- भाषा का विकास (Development of the language)
- वैदिक संस्कृत और लौकिक संस्कृत (Vedic vs Classical Sanskrit)
- अन्य भारतीय भाषाओं से संबंध (Relation to other Indian languages)
- वैदिक साहित्य परिचय (Introduction to Vedic literature)
तृतीय अध्याय - महाकाव्य परंपरा 5 Marks
- रामायण - वाल्मीकि कृत (Valmiki's Ramayana)
- महाभारत - व्यास कृत (Vyasa's Mahabharata)
- पुराण साहित्य परिचय (Introduction to Puranas)
- इतिहास काव्य की विशेषताएं (Features of historical poetry)
- धर्म और संस्कृति का चित्रण (Depiction of dharma and culture)
Internal Assessment (आंतरिक मूल्यांकन) - 20 Marks
Continuous Evaluation Throughout the Year
Assessment Components
Four equal components - 5 marks each
Nature: Continuous assessment and skill development
आवधिक परीक्षा
5 Marks
Periodic Tests - Regular written assessments
विविधमूल्यांकन
5 Marks
Multiple Assessment - Conversations, competitions, practical skills
निवेशसूचिका
5 Marks
Portfolio - Collection of student work and projects
भाषा संवर्धन
5 Marks
Language Enhancement - Speaking, listening, writing activities
Assessment Activities
Speaking Activities
- Sanskrit conversation practice
- Recitation of Sanskrit shlokas
- Story telling in Sanskrit
- Group discussions on literature
- Oral presentations on topics
- Sanskrit debate competitions
Writing Activities
- Creative writing competitions
- Sanskrit essay writing
- Translation exercises
- Poetry composition
- Summary writing practice
- Letter writing in Sanskrit
Project Work
- Research on Sanskrit authors
- Collection of Sanskrit subhashitas
- Study of regional Sanskrit traditions
- Sanskrit manuscripts exploration
- Cultural heritage documentation
- Sanskrit influence on modern languages
Competitions & Events
- Sanskrit quiz competitions
- Shloka recitation contests
- Drama performances in Sanskrit
- Handwriting competitions
- Sanskrit spelling bee
- Cultural program participation
Auxiliary Books (सहायक पुस्तकें)
Additional Reference Materials
Grammar References
- व्याकरणसौरभम् (संशोधित संस्करण)
- राष्ट्रीय शैक्षिक अनुसंधान प्रशिक्षण परिषद् प्रकाशित
- Complete grammar rules and exercises
- Practice sets for competitive exams
Higher Sanskrit Grammar
- हायर संस्कृत व्याकरण
- एम.आर. काले लिखित
- Advanced grammar concepts
- Detailed explanation of complex rules
Composition & Translation
- रचनानुवादकौमुदी
- क.दे. पांडेय लिखित
- विश्वविद्यालय प्रकाशन, वाराणसी
- Composition and translation practice
Additional Reading
- वेदपारिजात (अतिरिक्त अध्ययनार्थ)
- राष्ट्रीय शैक्षिक अनुसंधान प्रशिक्षण परिषद्
- Vedic literature exploration
- Supplementary reading material
Examination Pattern (March 2026)
Question Paper Design
Total Marks: 80 | Duration: 3 Hours
Subject Code: Sanskrit Elective
| Section | Question Type | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| क | Unseen Passage | 5-6 | 1-2 | 10 |
| ख | Creative Writing | 2-3 | 3-5 | 10 |
| ग | Grammar | 8-10 | 2-3 | 20 |
| घ (i) | Textbook Questions | 6-8 | 3-5 | 30 |
| घ (ii) | Literature History | 3-4 | 2-3 | 10 |
| Total | 80 | |||
Question Paper Features
- Choice given in each section for student flexibility
- Progressive difficulty level from easy to challenging questions
- Equal emphasis on comprehension and language skills
- Grammar questions focus on practical application
- Literature questions test understanding of texts and history
- Creative writing promotes original thinking in Sanskrit
- Unseen passages develop critical reading skills
- Internal choice available in most sections
Study Tips & Preparation Strategy
Success Guidelines
- Read all prescribed texts thoroughly with proper understanding
- Practice Sanskrit composition and translation regularly
- Master grammar rules through daily practice exercises
- Memorize important shlokas and their meanings
- Develop Sanskrit vocabulary through regular reading
- Practice unseen passage comprehension skills
- Create a portfolio showcasing your Sanskrit learning journey
- Participate actively in all internal assessment activities
- Study literature history chronologically for better retention
- Practice previous year question papers and sample papers
- Use auxiliary books for deeper understanding of concepts
- Join Sanskrit study groups for collaborative learning
Career Connections
Higher Education
- Bachelor's in Sanskrit (Honors/General)
- Master's in Sanskrit Literature
- PhD in Sanskrit Studies
- Comparative Literature Studies
- Indology and Ancient Studies
- Vedic Studies and Research
- Philosophy and Sanskrit
Teaching & Research
- Sanskrit Teacher (School/College)
- Research Scholar in Sanskrit
- Sanskrit Professor
- Academic Researcher
- Educational Content Developer
- Curriculum Designer
- Language Documentation Specialist
Translation & Literature
- Sanskrit Translator
- Literary Critic and Analyst
- Manuscript Researcher
- Publishing House Editor
- Content Writer (Sanskrit)
- Sanskrit Journalism
- Digital Humanities Specialist
Cultural & Government
- Archaeological Survey of India
- Museum Curator
- Cultural Heritage Preservation
- Government Sanskrit Institutions
- Cultural Department Officer
- Sanskrit Board Member
- International Cultural Exchange
Modern Applications
- Sanskrit Software Development
- Digital Archive Management
- AI and Sanskrit Processing
- Sanskrit App Development
- Online Education Platforms
- Cultural Tourism Guide
- Sanskrit Yoga Instruction
Media & Communication
- Sanskrit Broadcasting
- Cultural Program Production
- Documentary Filmmaker
- Sanskrit News Anchor
- Cultural Event Management
- Sanskrit Literature Promotion
- Social Media Sanskrit Content
Academic Timeline 2025-26
| Period | Activity | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| April - June 2025 | Foundation Building | Basic grammar, introductory texts |
| July - September 2025 | Core Text Study | Shanti textbook chapters, literature history |
| October - December 2025 | Skill Development | Composition, translation, internal assessments |
| January - February 2026 | Revision & Practice | Previous papers, comprehensive revision |
| March 2026 | Final Examination | Theory paper and practical assessment |
Important Resources
Official CBSE Resources
- CBSE Official Website
- Sanskrit Sample Papers 2025-26
- Previous Year Question Papers
- CBSE Marking Schemes
- Official Syllabus Documents
- Assessment Guidelines
Digital Sanskrit Resources
- Sanskrit Dictionary Online
- Digital Sanskrit Libraries
- Sanskrit Manuscript Collections
- Online Sanskrit Courses
- Sanskrit Learning Apps
- Virtual Sanskrit Classroom
Audio-Visual Materials
- Sanskrit Pronunciation Videos
- Shloka Recitation Audio
- Sanskrit Drama Performances
- Educational Sanskrit Documentaries
- Interactive Grammar Lessons
- Sanskrit Cultural Programs
Study Communities
- Sanskrit Study Groups
- Online Sanskrit Forums
- Sanskrit Learning Communities
- Teacher Support Networks
- Student Discussion Platforms
- Sanskrit Cultural Societies