ICSE Class 9 Kannada Syllabus 2026-27

Important note about Class 9: The Class IX examination is conducted by the school and is not a board examination. The Class X ICSE Board Examination paper is set on the entire syllabus (Classes IX and X combined). CISCE has not prescribed a fixed bifurcation of the syllabus between the two classes.

Aims of the Kannada Syllabus

•        To appreciate Kannada as an effective means of communication.

•        To acquire knowledge of the elements of the Kannada language: grammar, vocabulary, syntax, and idiom.

•        To develop a genuine interest in the Kannada language and its rich literary traditions.

•        To understand Kannada when spoken at normal conversational speed.

•        To understand the basic structural patterns of Kannada, including sentence construction, vocabulary, and constructions.

•        To develop the ability to read, comprehend, and respond to unseen prose passages in Kannada.

•        To develop the ability to write compositions and letters in correct, idiomatic Kannada.

•        To develop an appreciation of Kannada literature through engagement with the prescribed texts.

Examination Structure and Marking Scheme

Internal Assessment marks (20 marks): Subject Teacher (Internal Examiner): 10 marks + External Examiner nominated by Head of School: 10 marks. Both examiners assess independently.

Section A: Language (40 Marks) -- Compulsory

Section A is compulsory. All four components must be attempted. Questions test written language skills in Kannada: writing, reading, and grammar.

1. Composition (Prabandha Rachane)

•        Candidates write one composition (prabandha) in Kannada.

•        A choice of subjects will be given. Topics may be suggested through language prompts, pictures, photographs, or objects.

•        The composition may include narratives, descriptions, short explanations, or directions, depending on the topic.

•        Assessment focuses on: relevance, organisation of ideas, clarity, correct Kannada grammar, spelling (hatakshara), and vocabulary.

2. Letter Writing (Patra Lekhana)

•        Candidates write one letter from a choice of two given subjects.

•        Types of letters tested: formal letters (adhikarika patra) to authorities, editors, or organisations; and informal/personal letters (vyaktigata patra) to friends or family.

•        The layout of the letter (date, address, salutation, body, conclusion, signature) forms part of the assessment.

•        Assessment focuses on: appropriate tone, correct format, relevance, coherence, and accuracy of Kannada.

3. Comprehension (Gadyabhaga Prashnottara / Avabodha)

•        An unseen prose passage of approximately 250 words in Kannada will be provided.

•        Questions based on the passage test understanding of the content, meaning, and language of the passage.

•        All questions and answers must be written in Kannada.

•        Questions may include: factual questions, meanings of words and phrases in context, short inference questions, and one-sentence answers.

4. Grammar (Vyakarana)

The grammar component tests practical use of Kannada language structures. Knowledge of formal grammatical definitions is NOT required. The following topics are tested:

Nama / Namapadagalu (Nouns)

•        Types of nouns (Namagala Bedagalu): Jativachaka Nama (common noun), Vyaktivachaka Nama (proper noun), Bhavavachaka Nama (abstract noun), Samuhavachaka Nama (collective noun), Dravyavachaka Nama (material noun)

•        Linga (Gender): Pullinga (masculine), Strillinga (feminine), Kleebalinga (neuter); rules and common examples in Kannada

•        Vachana (Number): Ekavachana (singular) and Bahuvachana (plural); rules for plural formation in Kannada

Sarvanamapada (Pronouns)

•        Types of pronouns: Purushavachaka Sarvanama (personal: nanu, neevu, avanu/avalu, avaru); Nishchayavachaka Sarvanama (definite: ide, idu, avarige); Anishchayavachaka Sarvanama (indefinite: yavudo, evarado); Prashnavachaka Sarvanama (interrogative: yaaru, yenu, yaavannu); Sambandha Sarvanama (relative)

•        Correct use of pronouns in Kannada sentences; pronoun-verb agreement

Vishesha / Vishesha Namapada (Adjectives)

•        Types of adjectives: Guna Vishesha (qualitative), Sankhya Vishesha (numeral), Parimana Vishesha (quantitative)

•        Agreement of adjectives with nouns; position of adjectives in Kannada sentences

•        Degrees of comparison: Samanavachaka (positive), Adhikvachaka (comparative), Shreshthavachaka (superlative)

Kriyapada (Verbs)

•        Types of verbs: Sakarmaka Kriya (transitive), Akarmaka Kriya (intransitive), Preraka Kriya (causative)

•        Kala (Tense): Vartamana Kala (present: simple, continuous, perfect), Bhuta Kala (past: simple, continuous, perfect, pluperfect), Bhavisya Kala (future: simple and conditional)

•        Subject-verb agreement in Kannada; correct use of verb endings for gender, number, and person

Avyaya (Indeclinables)

•        Avyaya: words that do not change their form regardless of gender, number, or case

•        Types: Kriya Vishesha Avyaya (adverbs of time, place, manner, degree), Sambandha Avyaya (prepositions/postpositions), Samuchchaya Avyaya (conjunctions), Vismaya Avyaya (exclamations)

•        Correct use of avyaya in Kannada sentences

Vibhakti / Kara (Case Endings)

•        Vibhakti: grammatical suffixes indicating the relationship of a noun or pronoun to other words in a Kannada sentence

•        Eight case relationships (Ashtavibhakti): Prathama (nominative), Dvitiya (accusative/object), Tritiya (instrument), Chaturthi (dative/recipient), Panchami (ablative/source), Shashthi (genitive/possession), Saptami (locative), Sambodhana (vocative)

•        Correct use of Vibhakti suffixes in Kannada sentences: -u, -annu, -ininda/-inda, -ige/-ge, -ininda/-inda (ablative), -a/-na/-ra, -alli/-inda (locative), -e/-a (vocative)

Vakya (Sentence) Types and Transformation

•        Types of sentences by structure: Sarala Vakya (simple), Samyukta Vakya (compound), Mishrita Vakya (complex)

•        Types of sentences by meaning: Vidhi Vakya (declarative/affirmative), Nisheda Vakya (negative), Prashna Vakya (interrogative), Ajna Vakya (imperative), Udgar Vakya (exclamatory)

•        Vakya Parivartan: converting between sentence types (affirmative to negative; direct to indirect; active to passive)

•        Karthri Prayoga (Active Voice): subject performs the action

•        Karmani Prayoga (Passive Voice): action is performed on the subject; transformation from active to passive and vice versa

Sandhi (Phonetic Junction)

•        Definition of Sandhi: the phonological change that occurs when two words or morphemes are joined

•        Swarasandhi (Vowel Junction): rules for combining adjacent vowels in Kannada

•        Vyanjanasandhi (Consonant Junction): rules for combining consonants at word boundaries

•        Visargasandhi: rules involving the visarga sound at junctions

•        Sandhi Vigraha: splitting a sandhi back into its component parts

Samasa (Compound Words)

•        Definition of Samasa: combining two or more words into a single compound word

•        Dvandva Samasa (Copulative Compound): both components have equal importance, joined by 'and' (mattu/uu)

•        Tatpurusha Samasa (Determinative Compound): the second element is the head, modified by the first

•        Karmadharaya Samasa (Attributive Compound): a type of Tatpurusha where the relationship is attributive (adjective + noun)

•        Bahuvrihi Samasa (Possessive/Exocentric Compound): the compound refers to an entity other than its components

•        Avyayibhava Samasa (Adverbial Compound): the first element is an indeclinable particle

•        Samasa Vigraha: splitting the compound and explaining the relationship between its components

Alankar (Figures of Speech)

•        Shabdalankara (Sound-based Figures): based on the sound of words

•        Anuprasalankara (Alliteration): repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of consecutive words in a line

•        Yamaka (Repetition): the same word or syllable repeated with different meanings

•        Arthalankara (Meaning-based Figures): based on the meaning of words

•        Upamealankara (Simile): comparing two unlike things using 'like', 'as', or 'hage'/'ante'

•        Rupakaalankara (Metaphor): direct identification of one thing with another

•        Utpreksha (Poetic Fancy/Fancy): imagining one thing as another for poetic effect

•        Atishayokti (Hyperbole): deliberate exaggeration for emphasis

•        Manavaropana (Personification): attributing human qualities to non-human things

Chhandas (Poetic Metre)

•        Definition of Chhandas: the rhythmic structure of a poem; rules governing the arrangement of syllables or matras in Kannada poetry

•        Akshara Gana (Syllabic Metre): metre based on the type of syllabic unit (gana) in each line; Kannada classical metres

•        Matra Gana (Moraic Metre): metre based on the count of moras (matras); short syllable = 1 matra, long syllable = 2 matras

•        Common Kannada metres: Shatpadi (six-line stanzas: Bhamini Shatpadi, Velu Shatpadi, Varishe Shatpadi, Akka Shatpadi, Raktagada Shatpadi, Champakamale Shatpadi, Bhujanga Prayata Shatpadi); Tripadi (three-line stanzas); Ragale (prose poetry with a flowing rhythm)

•        Identification of the type of Chhandas in a given verse; counting syllables or matras

Vocabulary

•        Synonyms (Paryayapada) and antonyms (Virodhartha Shabda) of common Kannada words

•        One-word substitutions for phrases or descriptions in Kannada

•        Idioms and proverbs (Muhavare and Gadegalu): meanings and use in sentences

•        Word formation: identifying roots (Dhatu), prefixes (Upsarga), and suffixes (Pratyaya)

Section B: Prescribed Texts (40 Marks)

Candidates are required to answer four questions from ONLY two of the prescribed textbooks. All questions and answers must be written in Kannada. The questions test understanding of the subject matter, themes, characters, and language of the prescribed texts.

Prescribed Textbook: Sahitya Sangama

The prescribed textbook for ICSE Kannada (Second Language) is:

Important: Always confirm the prescribed textbook with your school or from www.cisce.org (Appendix I of the Second Languages syllabus document), as textbooks may be updated each session.

Short Stories (Gadya Sankalan) in Sahitya Sangama

Poems (Padya Sankalan) in Sahitya Sangama

Nature of Questions in Section B

•        Appreciation and explanation of passages or stanzas: explaining the meaning of a given passage or stanza from the prescribed text in the student's own words

•        Short answer questions: factual questions based on the content, characters, or events in the prescribed texts

•        Character analysis: describing and evaluating the role, qualities, or significance of a character or persona in the text

•        Thematic questions: identifying and explaining the central theme, moral, or idea of a prose piece or poem

•        Context questions (Prasanga Jijnase): identifying the speaker, context, and significance of a given quotation or stanza

•        Language appreciation: identifying and explaining Alankar (figures of speech) and Chhandas (poetic metre) in the poems

Internal Assessment (20 Marks)

The internal assessment is conducted by the school throughout the academic year and includes both language and literature components. Assessment is carried out by both the Subject Teacher (Internal Examiner) and an External Examiner nominated by the Head of School.

Marks Distribution

Required Assignments for Class IX

2 to 3 assignments are required for Class IX. At least two must be written: one from the language component and one from the literature (prescribed text) component.

Language Assignments (Class IX)

•        Creative writing (approximately 300 to 400 words) based on: a piece of recorded music; a recorded series of sounds; a picture or photograph; an opening sentence or phrase; a newspaper or magazine clipping

•        One piece of factual writing (informative or argumentative) in Kannada

•        One piece of expressive writing (descriptive or imaginative) in Kannada

•        A film or book review written in Kannada

•        Aural assignment: listening to a conversation, talk, or short reading in Kannada, then summarising the main points or answering questions

Literature Assignments (Prescribed Texts)

•        Character analysis: essay on the character, role, or significance of a person from the prescribed prose text

•        Thematic analysis: exploring the central theme or message of a prescribed prose piece or poem

•        Socio-cultural or historical background: written essay on the context of a prescribed work (e.g. the historical context of Kumaravyasa's Baksurana Vadhe or the social message in Basavanna's Vachanagalu)

•        Summary or paraphrase: summarising a prose piece or explaining a poem in the student's own words

Grading Criteria for Internal Assessment: Creative Writing

Grading Criteria for Internal Assessment: Literature (Prescribed Texts)

Preparation Tips for Students

For Section A: Language

•        Practise writing Kannada compositions (prabandha) on a variety of topics: nature, festivals, social issues, narratives, and descriptions. Aim for around 250 words with clear paragraphing.

•        Practise both types of letters: formal (adhikarika patra) to authorities, editors, and organisations; and informal (vyaktigata patra) to relatives and friends. Memorise the correct Kannada letter format.

•        Read a variety of unseen Kannada prose passages and practise answering comprehension questions concisely and accurately in Kannada.

•        Revise all grammar topics thoroughly: Vibhakti (all eight cases), Samasa and Samasa Vigraha, Sandhi and Sandhi Vigraha, Alankar (Shabdalankara and Arthalankara), Chhandas (Shatpadi, Tripadi, Ragale), Vakya Parivartan (active/passive, affirmative/negative, direct/indirect), and Avyaya (indeclinables).

•        Maintain a vocabulary notebook: record new Kannada words, synonyms, antonyms, idioms (muhavare), and proverbs (gadegalu) encountered while reading.

For Section B: Prescribed Texts (Sahitya Sangama)

•        Read all prescribed prose pieces and poems in Sahitya Sangama thoroughly and repeatedly. Do not rely on summaries alone.

•        For each short story (kathe): note the central idea, key events, characters, and moral or social message.

•        For each poem (kavita): understand the theme, imagery, Alankar (figures of speech), Chhandas (metre), and the poet's message. Be able to explain individual stanzas.

•        Study the authors and their literary context: understand the historical and cultural background of the authors (e.g. Basavanna and the Vachana tradition; Kuvempu's contribution to Kannada literature; D.V. Gundappa's Mankuhimmana Kagga as a philosophical work).

•        Practise context questions (Prasanga Jijnase): identify who is speaking, to whom, in what context, and what the significance of the quotation is.

•        Write practice answers in Kannada; focus on accuracy, clarity, and relevant use of examples from the text.

•        Solve ICSE Kannada previous year question papers to understand the style and format of questions in Section B.

Official Source and Further Reference

The complete and authoritative syllabus for ICSE Kannada (Second Language) for Classes IX and X is published by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) on their official website. The list of prescribed textbooks (Appendix I) must be confirmed directly from CISCE.