CBSE Class 10 Syllabus

The Central Board of Secondary Education prescribes a combination of core and electives at the class 10 level to develop a sound foundation for higher studies. Focusing on essential skills of mathematical ability, scientific awareness, socio-political understanding and language grasp, the CBSE Class 10 syllabus focuses on each aspect of knowledge growth. As entering grade 11 students are required to select one of the science, commerce or arts stream, the development of areas and spaces of interest at this stage starts occurring. Here we list down the key details of the major four subjects in the CBSE Class 10 syllabus which are also referred to as ‘Best 4’ and are namely, English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science and Social Science.

Also Read: Geography Class 10

CBSE Class 10 Syllabus: English Language & Literature

Crucial divisions and marking schemes in the subject section of English Language and Literature are as follows:

Section	Sub-Heads	Marks
A	Reading Skills	20
B	Writing Skills with Grammar	30
C	Literature Textbook and Supplementary Reading Text	30
–	Total	80
–	Internal Assessment	20
–	Final Total	100

English Language & Literature CBSE Class 10 Syllabus: Topic-wise Breakdown

Given below are specific question-related details students must know.

Sections	Question Pattern	Total marks
Section A: Reading Skills	8 Objective type questions each 1 mark [incl. MCQ] based on a Factual Passage roughly of 300-3000words 4 Short Answer Type Questions based on a Discursive Passage of roughly 350-400 words	8 12
Section B: Writing Skills with Grammar	Article Writing/Letter to Editor/Formal Letter Complaint/ Placing Order/Inquiry in about 100-150 words Short story based on a hint/cue/outline Grammar Portions: Tenses, Modals Use of passive voice Subject-verb concord Reporting: Commands and requests; Statements; Questions Clauses: Noun clauses; Adverb clauses; Relative clauses Determiners Preposition Question Types: Gap-filling, Editing, Omission, Sentence Reordering, Sentence Transformation	8 10 12
Section C: Literature Textbook and Supplementary Reading Text	One out of two extracts from poetry/prose/drama 3 Short Answer Type Questions [Ans=30 to 40 words] from First Flights and 2 Short Answer Type Questions from Footprints without Feet One out of two Long Answer Type Questions from First Flight in roughly around 100-150 words One out of two Long Answer Type Questions from Footprints without Feet in roughly around 100-150 words	4 MCQ of 1 mark each 2*5=10 8 8

CBSE Class 10 Syllabus: Mathematics

Covering seven units, the CBSE Class 10 syllabus of Mathematics emphasises conceptual understanding. 

Unit	Heads	Marks
I	Number System	06
II	Algebra	20
III	Coordinate Geometry	06
IV	Geometry	15
V	Trigonometry	12
VI	Mensuration	10
VII	Statistics & Probability	11
	Total	80
	Internal Assessment	20
	Final Total	100

Mathematics CBSE Class 10 Syllabus: Topic-wise Breakdown

In the major heads of mathematics, topics covered are:

Unit	Heads	Topics
1	Number System	Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic, Euclid’s Division Lemma, Proofs of Irrationality, Decimal representation of rational numbers
II	Algebra	Polynomials, Pair Of Linear Equations In Two Variables and Solutions, Quadratic Equations-Standard Form and Solutions, Arithmetic Progression
III	Coordinate Geometry	Graphs of Linear Equations, Area of Triangle, Distance Formula, Section Formula [Internal Division]
IV	Geometry	Triangles [Properties, Types, Theorems etc], Circles [Properties, Types, Theorems], Constructions
V	Trigonometry	Introduction to Trigonometry [Trigonometric Ratios & Relationships], Trigonometric Identities, Heights & Distances: Angle of Elevation, Angle of Depression
VI	Mensuration	Areas & Circumferences of Circles sectors & segments, Areas of Planes, Surface Areas & Volumes of 3D Figures like Cubes, Spheres, Frustum, etc
VIII	Statistics & Probability	Measures of Central Tendency-Mean, Median & Mode, Cumulative Frequency Graph, Probability-Definition & Problems

CBSE Class 10 Syllabus: Science

The salient features of the major 5 units in Science along with the total marks they carry have been given a rundown below.

Chapters	Marks
Chemical Substances-Nature and Behaviour	25
Natural Phenomena	12
Natural Resources	07
Effects of Current	13
World of Living	23
Total	80
Internal Assessment	20
Grand Aggregate	100

Science CBSE Class 10 Syllabus: Chapter-wise Analysis

As the CBSE Class 10 Syllabus of Science is quite colossal and extensive, it becomes incredibly pivotal to devote an ample amount of time to both theoretical and practical aspects of it:

Unit	Heads	Topics
1	Chemical Substances-Nature and Behaviour	Chemical equation & its types, combination, decomposition, displacement, double displacement, precipitation, neutralization, oxidation and reduction Acids, bases & salts, Properties, examples & uses, Concept of pH scale (Definition relating to logarithm not required), Importance of pH in daily life; Preparation & uses of Sodium Hydroxide, Bleaching powder, Baking soda, Washing soda & Plaster of Paris Properties of metals & non-metals; Reactivity series, Formation & properties of ionic compounds; Basic metallurgical processes; Corrosion & its prevention Covalent bonding in carbon compounds, Homologous series, Nomenclature of carbon compounds containing functional groups (halogens, alcohol, ketones, aldehydes, alkanes and alkynes). Chemical properties of carbon compounds (combustion, oxidation, addition and substitution reaction) Need for classification, early attempts at classification of elements (Dobereiner’s Triads, Newland’s Law of Octaves, Mendeleev’s Periodic Table), Modern periodic table, Gradation in properties, valency, atomic number, metallic and non-metallic properties.
	World of Living	Life & Life processes, Basic concept of nutrition, respiration, transport & excretion in plants and animals. Control & coordination in animals and plants: Tropic movements in plants; Plant hormones; Nervous system; Voluntary, involuntary and reflex action; Chemical coordination: animal hormones. Reproduction: Reproduction in animals and plants (asexual and sexual) reproductive health need and methods of family planning, Safe sex vs HIV/AIDS, Childbearing and women’s health Heredity and Evolution: Heredity; Mendel’s contribution-Laws for the inheritance of traits: Sex determination; Basic concepts of evolution.
	Natural Phenomena	Properties of light and image formation, Images formed by spherical mirrors, the centre of curvature, principal axis, principal focus, focal length, mirror formula (Derivation not required), magnification Refraction [Laws & Properties], Lens formula (Derivation not required); Magnification, Power of lens, Lens in the human eye, Vision Defects & Corrections, Applications of Spherical mirrors and lenses, Prism, dispersion & scattering of light,
	Effects of Current	Electric current, Ohm’s law, Resistance, Resistivity, Series & parallel combination of resistors; Heating  effect of electric current, Electric power, Interrelation between P, V, I & R; Magnetic effects of current: Magnetic field, field lines, field due to a current-carrying conductor, field due to current carrying coil or solenoid; Force on the current-carrying conductor,  Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule, Electric Motor, Electromagnetic induction. The induced potential difference, Induced current. Fleming’s Right-Hand Rule Electric Generator, Direct current [DC] & Alternating current [AC],  Frequency of AC; Advantage of AC over DC, Domestic electric circuits
	Natural Resources	Sources of energy: Different forms of energy, conventional and non-conventional sources of energy: Fossil fuels, solar energy; biogas; wind, water and tidal energy; Nuclear energy; Renewable versus non-renewable sources of Energy,  Our environment: Eco-system, Environmental problems, Ozone depletion, waste production and their solutions. Biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances;  Management of natural resources: Conservation and judicious use of natural resources. Forest and wildlife; Coal and Petroleum conservation. People’s participation in the conservation of natural resources. Big dams: advantages and limitations; alternatives. Water harvesting, Sustainability of Natural resources

Read our extensive blog on the Class 10 Science Syllabus.

CBSE Class 10 Syllabus: Social Science

Similar to Science, Social Science touches on fields of History, Political Science, Economics, Geography and Consumer Rights. Each unit mentioned below carries 20 marks with the rest 20 in Internal Assessment.

Unit	Sub-Heads	Marks
I	India and the Contemporary World –I	20
II	Contemporary India –II	20
III	Democratic Politics -II	20
IV	Understanding Economic Development	20
	Total	80
	Internal Assessment	20
	Final Total	100

CBSE Class 10 Syllabus Social Science: Topic-wise Breakdown

Specific topics mentioned under each head are listed in the following table.

Unit	Heads	Topics
I	India and the Contemporary World –I	Rise of Nationalism in Europe: French Revolution & Idea of Nation; Making of Nationalism in Europe; Age of Revolutions: 1830-1848; Germany and Italy Visualizing the Nation; Nationalism & Imperialism Nationalism in India: 1st World War, Khilafat & Non-Cooperation Movements; Civil Disobedience; Sense of Collective Belonging Making of Global World: Pre-modern world; 19th Century (1815-1914); Inter-war Economy; Rebuilding World Economy: Post-War Era Age of Industrialization: Before the Industrial Revolution; Hand Labour & Steam Power; Industrialization in Colonies; Factories; Peculiarities of Industrial Growth; Market for Goods Print Culture & Modern World: First Printed Books; Print Comes to Europe; Print Revolution & its Impact; Reading Mania; 19th Century; India & World of Print; Religious Reform & Public Debates; New Forms of Publication Print & Censorship
II	Contemporary India –II	Resources & Development: Types & Development of Resources; Resource Planning in India; Land Resources, Utilization, Use Pattern in India, Degradation & Conservation Measures; Soil as Resource; Soil Classification; Soil Erosion & Conservation Forest & Wildlife: Biodiversity or Biological Diversity; Flora & Fauna in India; Asiatic Cheetah; Himalayan Yew; Conservation of Forest & wildlife in India; Project Tiger; Types & distribution of forests and wildlife resources; Community & Conservation Water Resources: Water Scarcity, Conservation & Management; Multi-Purpose River Projects & Integrated Water Resources Management; Rainwater Harvesting  Agriculture: Farming; Crops; Cropping Pattern & Reforms; Impact of Globalization Minerals & Energy Resources: Minerals- Occurrence Types; Conservation of Minerals; Conventional & Non-Conventional Conservation of Energy Resources Manufacturing Industries: Importance of manufacturing and Contribution to National Economy; Industrial Location; Classification of Industries; Spatial distribution; Industrial pollution, Environmental Degradation and Control Life Lines of National Economy: Transport–Roadways, Railways, Pipelines, Waterways, Airways; Communication; International Trade; Tourism as Trade Note: Chapters on ‘Forest & Wildlife’ and ‘Water Resources form part of only Periodic Tests and not of Board Examination Syllabus.
III	Democratic Politics -II	Power Sharing: Concept and Cases of Belgium & Sri Lanka; Forms of Federalism: Concept; India as Federal Country; The practice of Federalism; Decentralization Democracy & Diversity: Case of Mexico; Differences, similarities & divisions; Politics of social divisions Gender, Religion and Caste: Concepts and Intersections Popular Struggles & Movements: Introduction and Cases of Nepal & Bolivia; Mobilization & Organization; Pressure Groups & Movements Political Parties: Need and Optimal Number of Political Parties; National & State Political Parties; Challenges to Political Parties; Reforms Outcomes of Democracy: Assessment of Democracy’s outcomes; Accountable, responsive and legitimate government; Economic growth & Development; Inequality & Poverty Reduction; Accommodation of Social Diversity; Dignity & Freedom of Citizens Challenges to Democracy: Political Reforms; Redefining Democracy Note: Chapters on ‘Democracy & Diversity, ‘Popular Struggles & Movements’ and ‘Challenges to Democracy forms part of the syllabus of only Periodic Tests and not of Board Examination Syllabus.
IV	Understanding Economic Development	Development: Promises of Development, Income and Other goals; National Development; Comparison with different countries; Income and Other criteria; Public Facilities; Sustainability of development Sectors of Indian Economy: Sectors of Economic Activities and Comparison; Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sectors in India; Organized & Unorganized; Public & Private Money and Credit: Money as a medium of exchange; Modern Money Forms; Loan Activities of Banks; Two Credit situations; Terms of credit; Formal sector credit in India; Self-Help Groups Globalization and Indian Economy: Production across countries; Interlinking production across countries; Foreign Trade & Integration of markets; Globalization & Factors; World Trade Organisation; Impact of Globalization on India; Struggle for Fair Globalisation; Consumer Rights Note: Chapter 5 ‘Consumer Rights’ is assigned for Project Work.

Related Resources

You can also take advantage of the following resources relating to Class 11 as well as Class 12.

• Class 11 Political Science
• Business Studies Class 11
• Economics Class 11
• Physics Syllabus For Class 11
• Commerce Subjects in Class 11
• CBSE Subjects for Class 11
• Class 11 Biology Syllabus
• Business Studies Class 12th
• Class 12 Physics Chapters
• Accountancy Class 12
• CBSE Chemistry Syllabus for Class 12
• Physical Education Class 12
• Class 12 Economics
• Class 12 English Syllabus
• Physics Syllabus for Class 12
• Biology Syllabus for Class 12

Covering the CBSE Class 10 syllabus efficiently requires continuous efforts as well as working through a carefully curated preparation plan. Clearing 10th class, one is required to choose a stream in the next standard which will ultimately decide their career quest. If you are unsure about which stream to opt for, take the assistance of our team of experts at Leverage Edu and we will guide you in sorting out your abilities and skills to find the right field in which you can pave the path to your dream career.