Sanskrit Syllabus 26-27
Sanskrit Syllabus 26-27
Cambridge IGCSE™
Sanskrit 0499
Use this syllabus for exams in 2026 and 2027.
Exams are available in the June series.
Version 1
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5 Appendix......................................................................................................................16
Vocabulary list 16
Mahābhārata Stories 1–6 28
Key benefits
Cambridge IGCSE is the world’s most popular international
qualification for 14 to 16 year olds, although it can be taken by
students of other ages. It is tried, tested and trusted.
Study of Sanskrit verse and prose literature in its cultural and linguistic context receives the same emphasis as
the study of the Sanskrit language.
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2 Syllabus overview
Aims
The purpose of a Cambridge IGCSE in Sanskrit is to provide an understanding of the Sanskrit language and
some of its literature. Students will learn a range of vocabulary in both devanāgarī and its corresponding
transliterated form.
Content overview
The Cambridge IGCSE Sanskrit syllabus requires learners to show their knowledge and understanding of both
Sanskrit language and literature. They are required to show knowledge of Sanskrit vocabulary and grammar,
and to translate both from Sanskrit and into Sanskrit. Learners study prose and verse in its philosophical, social
and cultural context. They also study the civilisation that is portrayed through the Sanskrit epics. It is assumed
that learners first learn to read and write the Devanāgarī script and its standard transliteration. Transliteration
means writing the Devanāgarī script with the Roman script according to internationally accepted standard
conventions.
Assessment overview
All candidates take two components. Candidates will be eligible for grades A* to G.
In both papers candidates are awarded marks for correct construal of translation. These are shown in the mark
schemes.
Assessment objectives
The assessment objectives (AOs) are:
Total 100
Paper 1 Paper 2
3 Subject content
This syllabus gives you the flexibility to design a course that will interest, challenge and engage your learners.
Where appropriate you are responsible for selecting resources and examples to support your learners’
study. These should be appropriate for the learners’ age, cultural background and learning context as well as
complying with your school policies and local legal requirements.
Paper 1 – Language
Learners must study the following key areas of the Sanskrit language.
Grammar
This table covers the different types of morphology required for Cambridge IGCSE Sanskrit.
Learners should study and be able to identify and correctly apply:
Nouns The use of all eight noun endings, viz. nominative, vocative, accusative, instrumental,
dative, ablative, genitive and locative, in the singular, dual and plural.
The declensions of nouns ending in vowels:
Adjectives In addition to the declensions of adjectives which have endings like the nouns above, the
declensions of adjectives which have endings like (masculine) and (masculine
and feminine).
Pronouns The declensions of (masculine, feminine and neuter) and an ability to apply
similar endings to The declensions of and and substitutes
(e.g. ). The declensions of (masculine, feminine and neuter).
Prepositions Common
Verbal The use of a gerund (e.g. ) and its change to a (e.g. after a prefix).
constructions The use of past passive participles ending in (e.g. ).
Passive verbs.
past participle active (e.g. ).
Infinitives.
Present participles including locative absolute
Sentence Basic Sanskrit word order (i.e. verb comes at the end).
structures The use of after direct speech.
Complementary sentences ( , etc.).
Indefinites ( , etc.).
system (compounds).
(Sandhi) and its application.
Chapter Verse
1 14, 39
3 43
4 38
5 20, 25
6 29, 30
8 18, 22
10 5, 11, 33
12 12
13 13, 17, 22
17 15, 16
18 47
2 Sanskrit Prose
Six stories adapted from the Mahābhārata, not in sandhi.
Details are provided in the Appendix of this syllabus.
10 A strange wife
Unit Theme
1 Basic metaphysical teaching
2 The Cosmos
3 Important Texts
4 Divine Beings
5 Human life and its purpose
4 Prose – Pañcatantra
Six prose selections from ‘Pañcatantra of Vis⋅ nuśarman’ by C R Lanman, published by Motilal Banarsidass
Private Ltd., New Delhi, 2008.
Paper 1 – Language
Written paper, 1 hour 30 minutes, 90 marks
Candidates must answer all questions.
Paper 1 will have four questions. There will be two comprehension style questions and two translations.
Candidates will answer comprehension questions on two unseen passages of Sanskrit prose. One unseen
passage will not use sandhi while the other passage will assess candidates’ ability to understand sandhi. In
addition, one question on the first passage will require candidates to put some Sanskrit into sandhi.
Candidates will translate into English an unseen passage of Sanskrit prose in three sections which will vary in
complexity. The first section, not in sandhi, will require translation of particular words. The second section will
not use sandhi and the third will use sandhi. The translation passage will total approximately 80 words in length.
Candidates will also translate 3 to 4 sentences from English into Sanskrit.
Any words used in the unseen texts which are not stated in the glossary (See Appendix: Vocabulary List) will be
glossed at the end of the passage.
Paper 2 will be based on the prescribed set texts. Three passages from the prescribed set text list will be
printed in the question paper.
In Paper 2 there will be four structured questions. One of the four questions will be based on a passage written
in sandhi. Questions will assess candidates’ understanding of literature, its subject matter, presentation and
background. Some questions will require candidates to give a personal response while other questions will test
the candidate’s ability to translate text.
One question will be based on the Sanskrit Epic Civilisation. Part of this question will include one short essay
style response (about 100 words). Candidates choose one of two essay titles.
Candidates will be asked to express opinions on matters relating to the philosophical and social context of the
literature, and/or relating to the literature itself. Candidates are expected to support their opinions with evidence
from the texts.
5 Appendix
Vocabulary list
All words in this list need to be known in Sanskrit to English, and those with an asterisk should also be known
in English to Sanskrit.
A hyphen (-) at the end of a word indicates that the word appears at the beginning of a compound.
A hyphen before a word indicates that the word appears at the end of a compound.
Words not in this vocabulary list which appear in Paper 1 will be glossed. This list does not include vocabulary
for the set texts.
10
10
2
2. tv kNy|m\ ivv|he îCç|im îit«
3
3. ∂Ivr|~|m\ nÅp; fitvdit Sm yid sTyvtI tv ∫|y|R ∫ivWyit
4
4. z|Ntnu; r|jgÅhm\ du;˚en pun; agCçt\«
5
5. ∫IWm; svRm\ ÍuTv| ∂Ivr|~|m\ nÅpm\ gTv| tm\ vdit Sm«
6
6. pur| z|Ntnu; m|m\ avdt\ he ∫IWm Tvm\ nÅp; ∫ivWyis îit«
7
7. îd|nIm\ tu sTyvTy|; pu]; nÅp; ∫ivWyit«
8
8. ahm\ nÅp; n ∫ivWy|im îit mm v/tm\«
9
9. z|Ntnu; sTyvtIm\ pIr~yit Sm»
10
11
12
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