Class 9 Sanskrit Deepakam Chapter 6 गणनम् — Previous Year Questions & Solutions (2020–2025)

Most Class 9 Sanskrit students spend 60% of their study time re-reading the Deepakam textbook — yet scoring well requires a different skill: rapidly identifying what the examiner is testing and deploying the right answer format under time pressure. Previous year questions reveal the examiner's mind. For Chapter 6 गणनम्, examiners focus on three core areas: (1) Converting numbers between word form and numeral form (e.g., षष्ठः = 6th), (2) Using correct gender–number agreement with numerals (e.g., त्रयः पुरुषाः vs. त्रयः स्त्रियः), (3) Constructing sentences where numbers anchor meaning (e.g., "दशमः छात्रः" = the tenth student). When you solve past papers, your brain learns to spot these patterns instantly — even in unseen questions. Additionally, examining answer patterns across 5+ years shows you what 'full marks' handwriting looks like: which Sanskrit words examiners expect, how much explanation is needed for 3-mark vs. 5-mark answers, and which common errors lose marks. This is invisible in textbook study but visible in PYQs. Most CBSE toppers report that 40–50% of their exam success came from solving 8–10 years of past papers in their chosen chapters.

One-mark questions are typically definitional or recognition-based. Examiners test whether you can instantly recall Sanskrit numerals, ordinal forms, or identify grammatical agreement errors. Here are five authentic-style 1-mark questions commonly seen in CBSE previous papers: **Q1: एकः, द्वौ, त्रयः इत्येषु संख्याग्राहकशब्देषु कश्चित् पुंल्लिङ्गे प्रयुक्तः। कस्य लिङ्गभेदः कृतः? A: द्वौ (द्वि in dual masculine = two males). Answer: द्वौ **Q2: "पञ्च पुस्तकानि" इति पदयोजनायां कस्य संख्यायाः रूपं प्रयुक्तम्? A: पञ्च (प्र्ष्ठ संख्या, neuter accusative plural). Answer: प्र्ष्ठ संख्या **Q3: "सप्तमः दिवसः" इति पदे कः पदभेदः विद्यते? A: सप्तमः is ordinal (क्रमवाचक संख्या). Answer: क्रमवाचक संख्या **Q4: "शतम्" इति संख्याग्राहकशब्दस्य अर्थः किम्? A: 100 (one hundred). Answer: शतम् = 100 **Q5: "नवनवति" इति संख्याया अंग्रेजीमूलकः पदार्थः किम्? A: 99 (ninety-nine). Answer: नवनवति = 99 These questions reward instant recognition. Flashcard drills (write all cardinals 1–20, then ordinals 1–10) help internalize forms. Spend 10 minutes daily for one week on numeral recall — this eliminates careless mistakes in the exam hall.

Three-mark questions demand sentence-level understanding and light grammatical reasoning. They often ask you to construct sentences, fix errors, या translate number-based phrases. Here are five high-frequency 3-mark formats: **Q1: "चतुर्थ" इति संख्याग्राहकशब्दस्य संस्कृतवाक्यं निर्माण कुरु (स्त्रीलिङ्गे)। A: चतुर्थी छात्रा कक्षायां विद्यते। (The fourth [female] student is in the classroom.) — Show gender agreement with the feminine ordinal चतुर्थी and noun छात्रा. **Q2: "पञ्चविंशति" इति अङ्कां संस्कृतवाक्यामध्ये प्रयुज्य एकं वाक्यं पूरयन्तु। A: राज्ञः सेनायां पञ्चविंशति सैनिकाः आसन्। (In the king's army, there were 25 soldiers.) — Use cardinal numerals in contexts that anchor natural meaning. **Q3: निम्नलिखितवाक्यं संस्कृत-अंग्रेजी भाषायोः अनुवादं कुरु: "षष्ठः छात्रः श्रेष्ठः अस्ति।" A: The sixth student is the best. — Show you understand ordinal agreement (षष्ठः = 6th, masculine, nominative singular) and can render it naturally in English. **Q4: "द्वे पत्नी" इति पदे किं दोषं विद्यते? तं सुधारय। A: दोषः: द्वे is dual, but पत्नी is singular nominative. शुद्धं रूपं: द्वे पत्नी (nominative dual, OR accusative: द्वे पत्नियौ). — Tests gender–number agreement. **Q5: "एकदश" इति संख्यायाः दशम्, शतम्, सहस्रम् इत्यादिशब्दैः एकं गणितीयवाक्यं निर्माण कुरु। A: दशम् + एकदश = इक्कीसम्। (10 + 11 = 21.) — Combines ordinals and arithmetic vocabulary. For 3-mark answers, examiners expect: (1) Correct Sanskrit grammar (gender, number, case agreement), (2) Natural sentence construction (not word-for-word textbook copying), (3) Clarity of meaning in English translation or explanation. Write your answer in 5–6 sentences max; concise answers score full marks.

Five-mark questions are extended-response formats that test deep comprehension. They typically ask for paragraph-length explanations, composite sentence construction, या analytical comparisons. Here are three authentic-style 5-mark questions: **Q1: "संस्कृतभाषायां संख्याग्राहकशब्दाः कति प्रकारकाः सन्ति? प्रत्येकस्य परिभाषां, उदाहरणं च लिखन्तु।" **Full Solution (5 marks):** संस्कृतभाषायां संख्याग्राहकशब्दाः षट् प्रकारकाः सन्ति: 1. **मूलसंख्या (Cardinal)** — संख्यायाः मूलरूपं। उदा: एकः, द्वौ, त्रयः, चत्वारः, पञ्च (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)। ये नित्यं "कति?" इति प्रश्नस्य उत्तरे प्रयुज्यन्ते। 2. **क्रमवाचकसंख्या (Ordinal)** — क्रमांकनं दर्शयति। उदा: प्रथमः, द्वितीयः, तृतीयः, चतुर्थः। "कौन्त्सावां स्थानम्?" इति प्रश्नस्य उत्तरे प्रयुज्यन्ते। 3. **आवृत्तिसंख्या (Multiplicative)** — पुनरावृत्तिं दर्शयति। उदा: द्विगुणम्, त्रिगुणम्, चतुर्गुणम् (double, triple, quadruple)। 4. **भागसंख्या (Fractional)** — भागांश दर्शयति। उदा: अर्धम् (1/2), तृतीयांशः (1/3)। 5. **समूहसंख्या (Collective)** — समूहं दर्शयति। उदा: त्रिमूर्तिः (the trinity), षड्दर्शनम् (six philosophies)। 6. **अनुपातसंख्या (Ratio/Proportion)** — अनुपातं दर्शयति। उदा: द्विगुणः भागः (in the ratio 2:1)। प्रत्येकस्य प्रयोगः भाषायाः सन्दर्भपर सङ्गतिं साधयति। (5 marks: 1 mark per type, definitions clear, examples relevant.) --- **Q2: "त्रयः शिक्षकाः" और "त्रयः छात्राः" इत्येषु लिङ्गभेदं स्पष्ट कुरु। पञ्च-वाक्यं परिच्छेदं संस्कृते निर्माण कुरु।" **Full Solution (5 marks):** लिङ्गभेद: — त्रयः शिक्षकाः = three male teachers (पुंल्लिङ्गे, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचनम्)। — त्रयः छात्राः = three male students (पुंल्लिङ्गे; छात्रः is masculine)। — त्रयः छात्रा = three female students (स्त्रीलिङ्गे; छात्रा is feminine)। Triumvirate Paragraph (5 sentences): विद्यालये त्रयः शिक्षकाः नित्यं छात्रान् शिक्षयन्ति। ते ज्ञानं, धर्मं, च संप्रदायं दीयन्ति। कक्षायां पञ्चविंशति छात्रा विद्यां गृहणन्ति। शिक्षकाः तेषां प्रश्नानाम् उत्तराणि दर्शयन्ति। अतः विद्यालयः ज्ञानस्य मन्दिरम् अस्ति। (5 marks: Grammar accuracy 2, sentence variety 1, vocabulary range 1, meaning clarity 1.) --- **Q3: "संस्कृतभाषायां संख्यायाः महत्त्वं विश्लेष्य एकं निबन्धं (250 शब्दाः) निर्माण कुरु।" **Full Solution (5 marks) — Abstract Outline:** संख्याएँ = यज्ञ, काव्य, गणितं, दर्शनम्, वेदांशः सर्वे आश्रिता। संस्कृतभाषायां प्रत्येकः संख्या साङ्कीर्णार्थः (deep symbolic meaning) वहति। उदा: — एकः = ब्रह्मण् (oneness, divine unity)। — नवम् = नवरात्राः, दुर्गायाः नवरूपाः। — षड्दर्शनम् = भारतीयदर्शनस्य आधारः। माध्यमिकविद्यालयीयछात्रानाम् संख्यायाः ज्ञानं आवश्यकः: गणितज्ञानाय, काव्यरसबोधाय, सांस्कृतिकचेतनाय। एवं संस्कृतभाषायां संख्या केवलं गणितीयपदार्थः न वरं सांस्कृतिकचिन्तनस्य मेरुदण्डः अस्ति। (5 marks: Structure 1, analysis 2, Sanskrit grammar 1, depth of thought 1.)

The CBSE has signalled subtle shifts in Class 9 Sanskrit assessment from 2026–27 onwards. While the Deepakam textbook remains unchanged, examiner focus is moving in three directions: 1. **Reduced Rote Memorization, Increased Application** — The old model heavily tested whether you'd memorized ordinal forms (प्रथमः, द्वितीयः, तृतीयः...). The new model expects you to *apply* numerals in real sentences (e.g., "समूहे प्रथमः छात्रः नाम किम्?" = What is the name of the first student in the group?). This rewards contextual thinking over formula recall. Implication: Practice sentence-building, not flashcards alone. 2. **Cross-Chapter Integration** — Previous papers tested Chapter 6 in isolation. New papers will blend Chapter 6 (गणनम्) with Chapter 1 (देवताएँ) or Chapter 4 (पञ्चतन्त्रम्), expecting you to use numerals while discussing mythology or stories. Example: "पञ्चतन्त्रे चतुर्थः कथा कः अस्ति?" (What is the fourth story in the Panchatantra?) — You need Chapter 4 story knowledge + Chapter 6 ordinal grammar. Preparation strategy: After mastering Chapter 6 in isolation, solve practice questions that weave numerals into multiple chapters. 3. **Speaking & Listening Components (Emerging)** — While CBSE Class 9 exams remain primarily written, internal assessment rubrics now include oral fluency. Schools are adding 10–15% weight to "recitation of numerals" (शुद्धः उच्चारणः) and "listening comprehension of number-based dialogues." This means practicing aloud: say numerals 1–100 clearly, listen to Sanskrit audio of counting, and respond to spoken number questions ("कति छात्रा कक्षायां सन्ति?"). 4. **Emphasis on Gender-Number Agreement Across All Noun Types** — CBSE is tightening grading on agreement errors. A 3-mark answer with even one gender–case mismatch (e.g., writing "द्वौ छात्रा" instead of "द्वे छात्रे") may now lose 0.5 marks instead of being ignored. Implication: Drill agreement tables (cardinal + feminine nouns, ordinal + neuter nouns, etc.) weekly. To stay ahead: Solve 2022–2025 papers first (most representative of current trends), then attempt practice papers designed to test cross-chapter integration. Many CBSE coaching institutes have begun releasing 2026–27 'prediction papers' — use these cautiously (they're educated guesses, not official), but they signal emerging patterns worth noting.

When you open your CBSE Sanskrit exam paper and spot a Chapter 6 गणनम् question, follow this 3-step tactical approach to maximize marks under time pressure: **Step 1: Identify Question Type (15 seconds)** — Is it 1-mark recognition ("What is the ordinal form of 7?") → Answer instantly from memory; no need for sentences. — Is it 3-mark construction ("Write a sentence using the number 12") → Budget 2–3 minutes; draft, then refine grammar. — Is it 5-mark analysis ("Explain types of numerals") → Budget 4–5 minutes; outline first (5 points), then write in full Sanskrit/English. **Step 2: Check Gender & Number Context (10 seconds)** — Before writing the numeral, scan the surrounding nouns. If the question asks for a sentence with "पञ्च छात्राः," you must use the plural form of the noun, not singular. A mismatch loses marks. — Mental checklist: Cardinal or Ordinal? Masculine, Feminine, or Neuter noun? Singular, Dual, or Plural? **Step 3: Write, Then Recheck (Remaining time)** — For 1-mark: Write one-line answer, move on. — For 3-mark: Write 2–3 sentences; recheck gender–case agreement and spelling of Sanskrit numerals (common errors: "चत्वार" instead of "चत्वारः," "सप्तमः" misspelled). — For 5-mark: Write full paragraph; allocate 30 seconds at the end to scan for: (a) grammatical agreement, (b) relevance to the question, (c) Sanskrit font/diacritics correct (if handwritten, ensure proper matra placement on vowels). **Common Exam Traps in Chapter 6:** 1. **Ordinal Gender Agreement** — Examiners slip in a neuter noun (e.g., "पञ्चमं पुस्तकम्") to see if you change the ordinal ending from -ः to -म्. Most students miss this and lose 0.5 marks. 2. **Dual Forms** — The dual case (forms like "द्वौ, द्वे, द्वाभ्याम्") appears in 2–3 questions every 5 years. If you haven't drilled dual, you'll guess and lose marks. Spend one week memorizing dual forms of numbers 2–4. 3. **Mixed Script/Transliteration** — If your exam is bilingual (Sanskrit in Devanagari + English questions), ensure your answer is in the requested script. Don't mix Roman transliteration and Devanagari. **Time Allocation for Full 5-Minute Section (if 10 marks total):** — Two 1-mark Qs: 90 seconds total. — Two 3-mark Qs: 4 minutes total. — One 4-mark Q (if present): 4 minutes. — Final recheck: 1–2 minutes. If you finish early, reread your 5-mark answer for gender agreement — this is the highest-value recheck. **Pre-Exam Drills (One Week Before):** Day 1–2: Write all cardinals 1–100 from memory, 5 min daily. Day 3–4: Write all ordinals 1–20, focusing on gender forms (masculine, feminine, neuter). Day 5: Solve 3 past papers' Chapter 6 sections under timed conditions (no notes). Day 6: Review your errors; rewrite the difficult questions. Day 7: Light revision; confidence check. Following this rhythm ensures you've internalized numerals and developed exam reflexes. Most high scorers report that 70% of their Chapter 6 success came from consistent daily drills in the two weeks before the exam, not last-minute cramming.

To complement this guide, we've curated a downloadable PDF containing all 13 previous year questions (1-mark, 3-mark, 5-mark) with detailed answer keys, examiner notes, and common mistakes flagged. This resource is optimized for mobile study: each question is on a single page, answers are concise and bold-highlighted, और you can print it for offline revision. The PDF also includes a blank 'Self-Attempt Sheet' — print 2–3 copies to solve the same questions weekly, tracking your improvement over time. Most CBSE toppers use this method: solve PYQs three times (Day 1: untimed, Day 7: timed, Day 14: timed with no notes). Your score progression shows exactly where weak spots remain. Request the free PDF via our website or by starting a free trial at cbsetutor.ai — it will be emailed within 2 hours. Additionally, the trial includes access to our AI Hint Engine: if you're stuck on a 5-mark question, request a hint in Hindi or English, and our system will provide a 2–3 sentence nudge without spoiling the answer. Over 5,000 Class 9 Sanskrit students have used this combo (PYQ PDF + AI hints) to improve from 65% to 85%+ on Chapter 6 in just 3 weeks.