IGNOU MA Hindi syllabus prepares students not just for academic and research careers, but also for teaching, translation, media, creative writing, and

IGNOU MA in Hindi Syllabus

The Master of Arts in Hindi (MHD) offered by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is one of the most popular postgraduate programs in the field of Hindi literature and language studies. 

Designed for learners who want to deepen their knowledge of Hindi poetry, prose, criticism, drama, and linguistics, the program blends both classical and modern perspectives of Hindi literature. Spread across two years and four semesters, the course follows the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) and requires students to complete 64 credits in total.

The syllabus has been carefully structured to provide a balanced mix of core papers and electives. In the first year, students study foundational courses like Modern Hindi Poetry, Hindi Fiction, Hindi Drama, Criticism, and the History of Hindi Language and Literature. 

The second year introduces advanced specializations such as comparative literature, translation, journalism, applied Hindi, and electives focusing on medieval and modern Hindi works. A project or dissertation component allows students to pursue independent research.

Overall, the IGNOU MA Hindi syllabus prepares students not just for academic and research careers, but also for teaching, translation, media, creative writing, and civil services, making it a versatile choice for Hindi graduates.

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About the IGNOU MA in Hindi Program

Highlight	Details
Program Name	Master of Arts in Hindi
Program Code	MHD
School	School of Humanities (SOH), IGNOU
Medium of Instruction	Hindi
Mode of Study	Distance Learning and Online Mode
Minimum Duration	2 Years
Maximum Duration	4 Years
Total Credits	64
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
Admission Cycles	January and July sessions every year
Fee Structure	Around ₹7,000 per year (subject to change)

This program is designed to cover the history, development, and study of Hindi language and literature, including ancient, medieval, and modern periods.

IGNOU MA Hindi Syllabus

The Master of Arts in Hindi (MHD) at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a two-year postgraduate program designed to provide advanced knowledge of Hindi literature, criticism, linguistics, and applied Hindi studies. It follows the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) and requires 64 credits in total.

Semester 1

• आधुनिक हिंदी कविता (MHD-02)

• हिंदी कथा साहित्य (MHD-03)

• हिंदी नाटक और एकांकी (MHD-04)

• हिंदी आलोचना (MHD-06)

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Semester 2

• हिंदी साहित्य और भाषा का इतिहास (MHD-01)

• साहित्य सिद्धांत और हिंदी साहित्य (MHD-05)

• हिंदी उपन्यास और कहानियाँ (MHD-07)

• हिंदी उपन्यास (MHD-13)

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Semester 3 (Electives – Choose any)

• स्वतंत्रता के बाद हिंदी कविता (MHD-14)

• तुलनात्मक साहित्य (MHD-15)

• भारतीय साहित्य (MHD-16)

• हिंदी की क्षेत्रीय बोलियाँ (MHD-17)

• हिंदी भाषा और समाज (MHD-18)

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Semester 4 (Electives + Project)

• हिंदी साहित्य और संस्कृति (MHD-19)

• हिंदी पत्रकारिता और माध्यम (MHD-20)

• अनुवाद: सिद्धांत और प्रयोग (MHD-21)

• परियोजना कार्य (MHD-22)

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IGNOU MA Hindi Syllabus: Semester 1

The first semester introduces students to the foundations of modern Hindi literature through poetry, fiction, drama, and criticism. Each paper carries 8 credits.

Modern Hindi Poetry (MHD-02)

• Development of modern Hindi poetry from Bharatendu period to post-independence.

• Study of Chhayavaad poets – Jaishankar Prasad, Mahadevi Verma, Nirala, Suryakant Tripathi ‘Pant’.

• Transition from Chhayavaad to Pragativaad and Prayogvaad.

• Introduction to modern poetry trends like Nai Kavita, Agyeya’s experiments, Dushyant Kumar’s political poetry, Nagarjun’s rural themes.

• Detailed study of selected poems from different periods.

👉 Outcome: Students learn to analyze poetry in terms of style, themes, and historical context.

Hindi Fiction (MHD-03)

• Growth of Hindi fiction from Premchand to modern storytellers.

• Premchand’s contribution to realism in Hindi novels and short stories.

• Post-independence fiction – existentialism, experimental narratives.

• Prominent novelists and short story writers: Kamleshwar, Mohan Rakesh, Nirmal Verma, Mannu Bhandari, Phanishwar Nath Renu.

• Social, political, and feminist concerns in Hindi fiction.

👉 Outcome: Students understand how fiction reflects society, politics, and individual psychology.

Hindi Drama and One-Act Plays (MHD-04)

• History of Hindi drama and theatre traditions.

• Pioneering role of Bhartendu Harishchandra in modern drama.

• Jaishankar Prasad’s plays with philosophical and historical themes.

• Mohan Rakesh and Dharamvir Bharti – modern experimental dramatists.

• Growth of one-act plays (एकांकी) as a popular literary form.

👉 Outcome: Builds an understanding of Hindi theatre as both literature and performance art.

Hindi Criticism (MHD-06)

• Nature, role, and scope of Hindi literary criticism.

• Ancient Indian criticism: Bharat’s Natyashastra, Anandvardhan’s Dhvani theory.

• Modern Hindi critics: Ramchandra Shukla, Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, Namvar Singh.

• Different schools of criticism – Formalism, Marxism, Feminism, Structuralism.

👉 Outcome: Helps learners develop skills of critical analysis and literary interpretation.

👉 Total Credits in Semester 1 = 32

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IGNOU MA Hindi Syllabus: Semester 2

The second semester deals with the history of Hindi literature, classical theories, and fiction in more detail.

History of Hindi Literature and Language (MHD-01)

• Chronological survey of Hindi literature from Veer Gatha Kal to Adhunik Kal.

• Bhakti Kal and its great poets – Kabir, Surdas, Tulsidas, Mirabai.

• Riti Kal poets – Bihari, Keshavdas.

• Development of modern Hindi in the 19th and 20th centuries.

• Evolution of Hindi language from Apabhramsha, Avadhi, Braj, Khari Boli.

👉 Outcome: Provides a comprehensive foundation of Hindi literary and linguistic history.

Literary Theory and Hindi Literature (MHD-05)

• Concepts of Sahitya, Rasa, Dhvani, Alamkara.

• Influence of Sanskrit poetics on Hindi criticism.

• Western literary theories – Romanticism, Realism, Marxism, Structuralism.

• Comparative analysis of Hindi and Western poetics.

👉 Outcome: Students understand literary aesthetics and critical frameworks.

Hindi Novels and Short Stories (MHD-07)

• Study of Hindi novel as a major literary form.

• Premchand’s novels and social realism.

• Jainendra, Yashpal, Nirmal Verma, Uday Prakash – modern novelists.

• Hindi short story tradition – Mann, Agyeya, Kamleshwar, Phanishwar Nath Renu.

• Feminist narratives in Hindi fiction.

👉 Outcome: Builds deeper insight into prose fiction as social commentary.

Hindi Novels (MHD-13)

• Close reading of selected major novels.

• Novels focusing on themes like rural life, partition, industrialization, feminism.

• Analysis of narrative techniques, realism, symbolism.

👉 Outcome: Strengthens ability to critically evaluate major works of Hindi prose.

👉 Total Credits in Semester 2 = 32

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IGNOU MA Hindi Syllabus: Semester 3 – Electives

In the third semester, students select 16 credits worth of electives. These allow specialization in particular areas of Hindi literature and applied Hindi.

Hindi Poetry After Independence (MHD-14)

• Trends in post-1947 Hindi poetry.

• Nai Kavita, Samajwadi Kavita, Dalit Kavita, Feminist poetry.

• Prominent poets: Raghuvir Sahay, Kedarnath Singh, Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh.

Comparative Literature (MHD-15)

• Comparative study of Hindi and world literature.

• Influence of Sanskrit, Urdu, English, and regional languages on Hindi.

• Themes like love, freedom, social justice across cultures.

Indian Literature (MHD-16)

• Survey of Indian literature in multiple languages.

• Bhakti movement’s contribution to Indian literature.

• Modern Indian writers: Rabindranath Tagore, Premchand, Subramania Bharati.

Regional Dialects of Hindi (MHD-17)

• Study of major dialects: Awadhi, Braj, Bhojpuri, Magahi, Bundeli, Marwari.

• Literary contributions in regional dialects.

• Role of dialects in Hindi’s growth.

Hindi Language and Society (MHD-18)

• Role of Hindi as a national link language.

• Functional Hindi in administration, law, and business.

• Globalization and spread of Hindi.

• Hindi in digital age and modern media.

👉 Credits in Semester 3 = 16

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IGNOU MA Hindi Syllabus: Semester 4 – Electives and Project Work

In the final semester, students again choose 16 credits, including project/dissertation.

Hindi Literature and Culture (MHD-19)

• Relationship between Hindi literature and Indian culture.

• Literature as reflection of philosophy and tradition.

• Contribution of Hindi literature to national integration and cultural identity.

Hindi Journalism and Media (MHD-20)

• History of Hindi journalism.

• Role of Hindi newspapers during the freedom struggle.

• Modern Hindi journalism in print, TV, and digital platforms.

• Writing styles for news, features, and editorials.

Translation – Theory and Practice (MHD-21)

• Theories of translation – equivalence, adaptation, cultural translation.

• Practice of Hindi-English and Hindi-regional translations.

• Importance of translation in literature, administration, and globalization.

Project Work / Dissertation (MHD-22)

• Students conduct independent research on a chosen topic.

• It may involve textual analysis, field-based study, or comparative research.

• Report writing and submission as dissertation.

👉 Credits in Semester 4 = 16

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IGNOU MA Hindi Syllabus Credit Distribution

• Semester 1: 32 Credits

• Semester 2: 32 Credits

• Semester 3: 16 Credits (Electives)

• Semester 4: 16 Credits (Electives + Project)

• Total = 64 Credits

READ ALSO:

• 👉 IGNOU Prospectus 
• 👉 IGNOU Scholarship
• 👉 IGNOU ID Card
• 👉 IGNOU Study Material Status

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Key Features of the IGNOU MA Hindi Syllabus

• Covers poetry, prose, novels, drama, and criticism from ancient to modern times.

• Offers specialization through electives like comparative literature, journalism, translation, and applied Hindi.

• Includes a research project for practical exposure.

• Balanced focus on literature, language, society, and applied Hindi.

• Strong overlap with UPSC Hindi Literature Optional & UGC NET/JRF Syllabus.

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Benefits of Studying IGNOU MA in Hindi

• Flexibility: Study at your own pace (2–4 years).

• Affordability: Much lower cost than regular universities.

• Recognition: UGC-approved degree valid for jobs, research, and higher studies.

• Career Preparation: Helpful for civil services, teaching, journalism, and translation careers.

• Digital Resources: Access to eGyankosh, SWAYAM, and IGNOU study material online.

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Career Opportunities After MA 

After completing this program, students can pursue:

• Teaching & Academia: School teacher, lecturer, or professor (with NET/JRF or PhD).

• Civil Services: Hindi Literature optional is a strong scoring subject in UPSC and State PSC exams.

• Media & Journalism: Reporter, editor, content writer in Hindi media.

• Translation & Interpretation: Work as translator in government, embassies, or private firms.

• Creative Writing: Become a poet, novelist, short story writer, or columnist.

• Publishing & Editing: Opportunities in Hindi publishing houses and magazines.

• Cultural Organizations: Work in libraries, museums, and cultural research centers.

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Final Thoughts

The IGNOU MA Hindi (MHD) syllabus is rich, diverse, and career-oriented. It covers everything from classical literature to modern poetry, drama, fiction, criticism, comparative literature, journalism, and translation. With 64 credits spread over four semesters, it balances academic depth with practical skills.

This program is particularly useful for students preparing for UPSC, UGC NET/JRF, teaching jobs, media, or research careers. Its flexibility, affordability, and recognition make it one of the best postgraduate options in Hindi literature in India.

👉 If you are passionate about Hindi language, literature, and culture, the IGNOU MA Hindi (MHD) program will give you both academic knowledge and professional skills to build a strong career.