The B.A. (Hons.) Urdu programme is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of Urdu literature, language, and cultural heritage, aligning closely with the objectives set forth by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. In accordance with NEP 2020 emphasis on holistic, multidisciplinary education, the curriculum integrates core, elective, and enhancement courses that explore both classical and modern dimensions of Urdu literature, ensuring students develop comprehensive literary and critical skills.
The core courses offer foundational studies in Urdu prose and poetry, including both fictional and non-fictional works. Students delve into classical forms such as Masnavi and Ghazal, alongside modern genres like short stories, novels, and essays. Key literary figures, including Shibli Nomani, Altaf Husain Hali, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Meer Taqi Meer, Allama Iqbal, and Mirza Ghalib, are studied to understand their unique contributions to the evolution of Urdu literature and thought. Additionally, courses on satire, humor, and literary criticism introduce students to analytical perspectives, enhancing their ability to critically interpret texts and apply Urdu grammar proficiently.
The programme includes Discipline Specific Electives that allow students to explore specialized topics, such as the study of prominent Urdu dramatists, poets, and literary movements, which reflect NEP 2020 focus on academic flexibility and intellectual depth. The Ability Enhancement and Skill Enhancement courses, such as classical Urdu Ghazal, Progressive Poetry, techniques of ethnographic film-making, and news writing, develop practical and creative skills, preparing students for careers in media, education, and research.
To encourage interdisciplinary knowledge, the curriculum incorporates Generic Elective Courses on broader societal themes like Indian society, gender studies, and governance. This approach aligns with NEP 2020 goal of producing culturally aware and socially responsible graduates, equipped to address contemporary challenges. Overall, this programme fosters a deep engagement with Urdu literary traditions while equipping students with diverse skills for academic, cultural, and professional growth.
Objective
"The B.A. (Hons.) Urdu Programme offers a comprehensive understanding of Urdu language and literature, encompassing poetry, prose, drama, and literary criticism. It encourages critical thinking, creative expression, and academic writing, allowing students to engage deeply with both classical and modern texts. The programme fosters interdisciplinary awareness by connecting Urdu literature with broader social, historical, and cultural contexts. It prepares students for careers in teaching, journalism, translation, content writing, and media, etc. With an emphasis on digital literacy and ethical sensitivity, the course also supports cultural appreciation and social responsibility. Delivered through IGNOU’s flexible open and distance learning system, it is especially suited for learners seeking accessible and self-paced education. The B.A. Hons. Urdu Programme (BAUDH) has the following objectives:
To introduce learners to the key concepts, themes, and genres of Urdu literature, including poetry, prose, criticism, and literary history.
To develop a strong understanding of the Urdu language and its literary tradition through critical engagement with classical and modern texts.
To enhance literary, and critical thinking by involving students in reading, writing, analysis, criticism and creative expression in Urdu.
To foster interdisciplinary perspectives by linking Urdu literature with themes from humanities, social sciences, gender studies, governance, environmental studies, etc.
To prepare students for professional careers in Urdu teaching, journalism and content writing, etc.
To cultivate socio-cultural and ethical awareness through exposure to diverse texts that reflect social justice, gender equality, multiculturalism, and human values.
To promote the functional and academic use of Urdu language in contemporary contexts including administration, education, mass media, and technology.
The B.A. (Hons.) Urdu programme targets students with a keen interest in Urdu literature and language, typically in the 17-25 age group, although mature students with a passion for Urdu are also welcome. This program is well-suited for higher secondary school graduates and young adults aiming to pursue a career in academia, media, publishing, cultural studies, or public communication. Designed to align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the programme promotes holistic learning and critical thinking, offering a blend of traditional and modern perspectives that prepare students for both professional and academic pathways.
Eligibility & Medium
Eligibility for admission:10+2 Or its equivalent
Medium of Instruction:URDU
Duration & Fee Structure
Programme Duration:Minimum Duration: 36 Months and Maximum Duration: 72 Months
Rs. 15000/- for full programme to be paid year wise @Rs. 5000/- per year plus Registration fee of Rs.300/-
For SAARC Students in INR(Rs.): 15,000.00/- Per Year
Note: Exam Fees is not included in Fee Structure it will be as decided by the University
Job/Future Prospects
"The B.A. (Hons.) Urdu programme opens various career paths for graduates, especially in fields that value proficiency in the Urdu language and its rich literary heritage. Graduates can pursue teaching and academic roles, either as Urdu teachers in schools or as lecturers and researchers in universities. The growing interest in Urdu literature and language also presents opportunities in media and journalism, where graduates can work as journalists, editors, content creators, or in digital media platforms. The publishing industry, particularly in Urdu books, poetry, and literature, also offers job prospects in editing, writing, and translating. Additionally, graduates can contribute to cultural organizations, NGOs, and governmental bodies where their skills in communication, research, and writing are in demand. The diverse nature of the programme makes it suitable for various roles in both public and private sectors, with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 further supporting the development of interdisciplinary skills, employability, and research opportunities in these fields. The objective of the B.A. (Hons.) Urdu programme is to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of Urdu language, literature, and culture. The programme aims to develop students’ proficiency in reading, writing, and interpreting classical and modern Urdu texts, including poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. Through the study of prominent Urdu literary figures like Mirza Ghalib, Allama Iqbal, and Faiz Ahmed Faiz, students gain a deep insight into the evolution of Urdu literature and its socio-cultural impact."
Programme Coordinator
Dr. Ahmad Ali Jauher Assistant Professor School of Humanities (SOH) ahmadali@ignou.ac.in 9968347899
This course explores major genres of Urdu non-fiction: essays, biographies, autobiographies, travelogues, and memoirs, through the works of writers like Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Abul Kalam Azad, Rasheed Ahmad Siddiqui, and Patras Bokhari. It helps students understand how Urdu non-fiction reflects social realities, cultural values, and intellectual reform, while enhancing their analytical and literary appreciation skills.
The course “Jadeed Urdu Nazm Ka Mutala” examines the evolution of Urdu nazm after 1857 — a pivotal year that transformed the cultural and literary landscape of the Indian subcontinent. It explores the rich and dynamic evolution of Urdu nazm after the watershed year of 1857 — a period that marked a profound shift in the literary, cultural, and political landscape of the Indian subcontinent. The course aims to provide students with a deep understanding of the representative poets of modern Urdu nazm, their lives, contributions, literary philosophies, and the socio-political contexts that shaped their works. This course traces the transformation of Urdu nazm from traditional romantic and classical themes toward modern concerns such as nationalism, social reform and humanism. Beginning with the pioneers who redefined poetic expression in the post-1857 era, students will study representative poets of Urdu nazm. Through critical readings, textual analyses, and discussions, the course encourages students to engage with selected nazms that exemplify each poet’s distinctive style, thematic depth, and artistic innovation. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how modern Urdu poets responded to the challenges of colonialism, modernity, identity, and freedom, while also redefining poetic language and form.
This undergraduate-level course, titled "Jadeed Urdu Ghazal ka Mutala" (BUDC‑104), provides insights into the artistic and intellectual aspects of modern Urdu ghazal. It covers the ghazals of prominent poets such as Hali, Shad Azimabadi, Allama Iqbal, Fani Badayuni, Hasrat Mohani, Faiz, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Ahmad Faraz, Parveen Shakir, and others, along with selected poems for analysis. The course helps students understand the themes, styles, symbolic and metaphorical features, and the literary evolution of modern Urdu ghazal, familiarizing them with its artistic, literary, and thematic diversity.
This undergraduate-level course, titled "Special Study of Allama Shibli Nomani" (BUDC‑105), provides students with a profound understanding of Allama Shibli Nomani’s personality, intellectual insight, and literary contributions. The course covers his life, scholarly and literary achievements, research writings, and the study and interpretation of his texts.
It familiarizes students with Shibli Nomani’s intellectual and scholarly legacy, his ideological school of thought, and his impact on Urdu literature and history, enabling them not only to comprehend his literary and research contributions but also to gain a thorough appreciation of the intellectual depth, scholarly eminence, and cultural significance of that period in Urdu literature.
BUDC-106: Khwaja Altaf Husain Hali Ka Khusoosi Mutala
BUDC-106: Khwaja Altaf Husain Hali Ka Khusoosi Mutala
Course Title:
Khwaja Altaf Husain Hali Ka Khusoosi Mutala
Course Code:
BUDC-106
Coordinator:
Course Type (Credit):
Theory (6 Credits)
Course Introduction:
The course “Khwaja Altaf Husain Hali Ka Khusoosi Mutala” offers a comprehensive exploration of the life, thought, and literary contributions of Khwaja Altaf Hussain Hali (1837–1914) — one of the most prominent figures in the history of Urdu literature and a pioneer of literary reform in Urdu Language & Literature. Through a critical and thematic study of Hali’s works, students will examine his poetic, critical, and prose writings, which reflect the intellectual awakening and socio-moral consciousness of his time. This course focuses on Hali’s scholarly and literary personality, his role as a reformer, critic, and poet, and his efforts to bridge classical literary traditions with modern sensibilities. His major works such as Musaddas-e-Hali, Muqaddama-e-Sher-o-Shairi, and his biographie “Yadgar-e-Ghalib” will be studied in depth to understand his philosophy of literature. By engaging with Hali’s poetry, prose, and critical thought, students will gain insights into the transformation of Urdu literature in the colonial and post-1857 era. The course encourages analytical and interpretive discussions on Hali’s vision of moral upliftment, nationalism, and literary modernity, situating him as a central voice in the evolution of modern Urdu thought.
This course introduces the development of classical Urdu prose through the works of writers like Mula Wajhi, Shah Alam Sani, Mir Aman and Rajab Ali Baigh Saroor etc. It highlights major prose forms: Dastans, essays and reformist writings along with their linguistic style, narrative techniques, and social relevance in shaping early Urdu literature.
The course “Urdu Adab Mein Tanz-o-Mazah” explores the rich tradition of wit, satire, and humor in Urdu poetry and prose. It provides an insightful study of leading satirical and humorous poets such as Akbar Allahabadi, Zarif Lucknawi, Raza Naqvi Wahi, and Dilawar Figar, as well as prominent prose writers like Mirza Farhatullah Baig, Rashid Ahmad Siddiqi, Patras Bukhari, Kanhaiya Lal Kapoor, and Mushtaq Ahmad Yusufi. Through critical analysis of their works, the course highlights the artistic, social, and literary significance of satire and humor in Urdu literature.
BUDC-110, offered in the B.A. (Hons. Urdu programme, introduces students to the essential principles of Urdu criticism and rhetoric. It traces the development of critical thought in Urdu literature and familiarizes learners with major critics and schools of literary analysis. The course also explores rhetorical studies-Ilm-e-Bayan, Ilm-e-Badi, Ilm-e-Maani, prosody, rhyme, and eloquence-to deepen understanding of Urdu’s stylistic beauty and expressive power. By combining literary theory with linguistic artistry, BUDC-110 develops in students a refined sense of critical research, translation, and creative writing.
This undergraduate course offers an in-depth study of the eminent Urdu poet Mir Taqi Mir, focusing on his multifaceted personality and his rich literary contributions. It examines the intellectual and artistic dimensions of Mir’s poetry and provides a critical understanding of the major poetic genres he cultivated - particularly the Ghazal, Qaseeda, Masnavi, Marsiya, Vasokht, and Shahr-e-Ashob etc. The course also includes an exploration of Mir’s prose writings, which reflect his creative vision, intellectual depth, and mastery over language and expression. Its primary aim is to acquaint students with a comprehensive understanding of Mir’s literary legacy, enabling them to appreciate his art and thought within broader intellectual, cultural, and literary contexts.
This undergraduate-level course offers a detailed study of the life and literary contributions of Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib, one of the greatest poets of Urdu literature. Through this course, learners are introduced to Ghalib’s poetic and prose writings, including his ghazals, letters, and other literary forms. The course enables students to comprehend his intellectual perspectives and creative genius.
It explores the themes, style, symbolism, imagery, and intellectual depth of Ghalib’s poetry, helping learners appreciate the philosophical reflections, mystic insights, and universal human experiences embodied in his works. This course acquaints students with the intellectual and cultural spirit of the golden age of Urdu literature, in which Ghalib’s poetry emerged as a symbol of new literary consciousness and intellectual revolution.
The course “Urdu Afsana Ka Mutala” offers an in-depth exploration of the art, tradition, and evolution of the Urdu afsana. It examines the development of the short story form within Urdu literature, tracing its thematic, stylistic, and ideological transformations over time. A major focus of the course is on the representative short story writers who shaped and enriched this genre, including Premchand, Saadat Hasan Manto, Rajinder Singh Bedi, Krishan Chander, Ismat Chughtai, Qurratulain Hyder, and Intizar Husain. Through critical reading and discussion, students will engage with their significant works, analyzing narrative technique, characterization, social consciousness, and artistic vision. The course not only surveys the historical and aesthetic aspects of Urdu fiction but also encourages analytical and interpretive skills by studying the representative stories that mirror the socio-political and cultural realities of their times. By the end of the course, learners will have a comprehensive understanding of the Urdu short story as a dynamic literary form that continues to reflect and redefine modern human experience.
BUDC-114: Urdu Ki Adabi Tahreekat-o-Rujhanat Ka Mutala
Course Title:
Urdu Ki Adabi Tahreekat-o-Rujhanat Ka Mutala
Course Code:
BUDC-114
Coordinator:
Course Type (Credit):
Theory (6 Credits)
Course Introduction:
The course “Urdu Ki Adabi Tahreekat-o-Rujhanat Ka Mutala” explores the major literary movements and trends in Urdu literature, focusing on their historical development, aesthetic principles, and cultural significance. It offers an in-depth discussion on the concepts of movement, trend, and literary ideology, while tracing early tendencies such as Iham-goi, Rejection of Iham-goi and the Language Reform Movement. The course also examines the poetic and prose traditions of the Delhi and Lucknow schools, the Fort William College prose trend, and the key literary movements that shaped modern Urdu thought, including the Anjuman-e-Punjab Movement, Aligarh Movement, Romanticism and Realism, the Progressive Writers’ Movement, Halqa-e-Arbab-e-Zauq, and Modernism.
The course “Urdu Drama Ka Mutala” provides an extensive exploration of the art and tradition of drama, with a focus on its evolution in both Eastern and Western literary contexts and its development within Urdu literature. It examines the dramatic form as a vibrant mode of literary and performative expression that reflects cultural, social, and aesthetic dimensions of human life.
This course highlights the historical growth of Urdu drama and critically studies the works of major dramatists who contributed to its enrichment, including Amanat Lakhnavi, Agha Hashr Kashmiri, Imtiaz Ali Taj, Muhammad Mujeeb, Muhammad Hasan, and Habib Tanvir. Their representative plays are analyzed in terms of plot structure, dialogue, characterization, stagecraft, and thematic relevance. Through textual analysis and critical discussion, students will gain insight into how Urdu drama emerged from traditional theatrical forms, interacted with Western influences, and evolved into a powerful literary genre that continues to engage with contemporary social and cultural realities. By the end of the course, learners will develop a deep understanding of the Urdu dramatic tradition — its artistic evolution, thematic diversity, and enduring significance in modern literature and performance.
This undergraduate-level course, titled "Jadeed Urdu Ghazal ka Mutala" (BUDC‑104), provides insights into the artistic and intellectual aspects of modern Urdu ghazal. It covers the ghazals of prominent poets such as Hali, Shad Azimabadi, Allama Iqbal, Fani Badayuni, Hasrat Mohani, Faiz, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Ahmad Faraz, Parveen Shakir, and others, along with selected poems for analysis. The course helps students understand the themes, styles, symbolic and metaphorical features, and the literary evolution of modern Urdu ghazal, familiarizing them with its artistic, literary, and thematic diversity.
