UGC NET June 2026 — Assamese (Paper 2)
Paper 2 carries 100 marks (50 questions × 2 marks). No negative marking. Shankardev's medieval legacy, two Jnanpith winners, and Bihu folk tradition are the most frequently tested areas.
Overview: UGC NET Assamese Syllabus 2026
UGC NET Assamese (Subject Code: 30) Paper 2 tests the full arc of Assamese literature, language, and literary theory. The syllabus is anchored by three eras: the medieval Vaishnava revolution of Shankardev (15th–16th century) and his disciple Madhavdev; the 19th-century modern renaissance led by Hemchandra Barua and Lakshminath Bezbaroa; and the 20th-century literary tradition that produced two Jnanpith Award winners — Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya (1979) and Mamoni Raisom Goswami (2000). Assamese linguistics and the rich folk tradition of Bihu complete the syllabus.
Unit 1: Medieval Assamese Literature — Shankardev and the Sattra Tradition
Shankardev (1449–1568) is the towering figure of medieval Assamese culture. A philosopher, playwright, composer, choreographer, and social reformer, he created a devotional culture that transformed Assamese society. His principal contributions include:
- Borgeet — devotional lyrical songs composed in a blend of Brajaboli and Assamese, set to classical ragas. Over 240 Borgeets are attributed to him.
- Ankiya Nat — a unique form of one-act devotional play, performed in the prayer halls (namghars) of Sattras. Shankardev composed six such plays including Chhana Chitra, Keli Gopal, and Ramawijaya.
- Kirtana-ghosha — a devotional text combining philosophy and poetry.
- Sattra institution — monastery-like centres of religion, arts, and learning that Shankardev established. Sattras remain active to this day and preserve Assamese classical arts.
Madhavdev (1489–1596), Shankardev's chief disciple, composed Naam-ghosha (a collection of devotional couplets) and Borgeets. His Ankiya Nat Arjuna Bhanjana and Chor Dhora are performed regularly. The medieval Assamese tradition is remarkable for its integration of literature, music, dance (Sattriya dance, now a classical dance form recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi), and visual arts (mask-making for Bhaona performances).
Unit 2: Early Modern Assamese Literature
The pre-modern period also includes important texts outside the Shankardev tradition. Hema Saraswati's Prahlada Charita (13th–14th c.) is among the earliest Assamese poetic works. Madhava Kandali's Assamese translation of the Ramayana (Saptakanda Ramayana, 14th c.) predates Valmiki's Ramayana translations in several other Indian languages, representing one of the earliest Ramayana versions in any modern Indian language. Sankardev's Gunamala — a condensed rendering of the Bhagavata — is also significant.
Unit 3: 19th-Century Renaissance
Hemchandra Barua (1835–1896) is called the "Father of Modern Assamese Literature." He compiled the Asamiya Bhasar Byakaran (1859) — the first systematic Assamese grammar — and the Hemkosh dictionary, which standardised Assamese vocabulary and orthography. He also wrote plays and satirical prose. Anandaram Dhekiyal Phukan (1829–1859) was an early reformer who wrote in both Assamese and English, advocating for Assamese language rights during the British administration of Bengal (when Assamese was suppressed in favour of Bengali in schools).
Lakshminath Bezbaroa (1864–1938) is called the Ratnakara of modern Assamese literature. He founded the literary magazine Jonaki (1889) — which introduced Romanticism to Assamese literature. His patriotic songs, short stories (Sahitya Sadhini genre), plays, and essays defined the modern Assamese literary sensibility. His poem "Mor Desh, Mor Desh" is an iconic expression of Assamese identity.
Unit 4: 20th-Century Literature
Jyotiprasad Agarwala (1903–1951), known as Rupkonwar, is a multifaceted genius — poet, playwright, and filmmaker. He directed Joymati (1935), the first Assamese feature film. His songs (Zubeen Garg and others have continued performing them) and his play Sonit Kuwari are pillars of Assamese cultural identity. Bishnu Rabha (1909–1969), known as Kopili Lora, was a revolutionary poet, painter, and social activist whose works attacked feudalism and colonialism.
Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya (1924–1997) received the Jnanpith Award in 1979 for his novel Mrityunjay — set during the Naga movement of the 1950s–60s, it is a complex exploration of the violence and political upheaval in Northeast India. His other works include Kobitar Bator.
Mamoni Raisom Goswami (Indira Goswami, 1942–2011) received the Jnanpith Award in 2000. Her novel The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker (Dantal Haatir Uye Khowa Haoda) draws on the Assamese Sattra tradition to explore gender, religion, and caste. Her other major work Dasarathe Aai Dashaker Putra deals with the Ram Janmabhoomi issue. She was also a peace mediator in Assam's insurgency. Homen Borgohain (born 1932), Sahitya Akademi Award winner, wrote novels dealing with Assamese social reality. Nirupama Borgohain wrote award-winning Assamese fiction.
Unit 5: Bihu Folk Tradition and Oral Literature
The Bihu festival — celebrated three times a year — is the cultural heartbeat of Assam. Each Bihu has its own literary-musical tradition:
