CBSE Social Science Class 10 Syllabus

Social Science is one of the favourite subjects of those who are curious about exploring the varied constructs of our society whereas it might not be suitable for the ones comfortable with quantitative concepts. Since it is a core discipline in CBSE Class 10 syllabus, it becomes essential to ace the subject for a perfect score in your board exams. Social science as a subject is of great importance as it aims to transform the students into responsible and well-informed citizens of India with eagerness to contribute to the effective working of the nation. This blog aims to provide you with an insightful breakdown of social science class 10 syllabus. 

Must Read: How to Study in Class 10

Social Science Class 10: Structure, Syllabus and Curriculum

Before exploring the social science class 10 syllabus in detail, take a look at the following table which elucidates its marking scheme and structure:

S. No.	Units	No. of Periods	Marks
I	India and the Contemporary World- II	60	20
II	Contemporary India-II	55	20
III	Democratic Politics- II	50	20
IV	Understanding Economic Development	50	20
–	Total	215	80

Related Read: CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus

Unit 1: India and the Contemporary World- II

The course content of unit 1 is divided into two sections, the former focuses on the European movements in the post-1830 period and how the idea of nationalism development. An intricate case study of prominent revolutions and movements like Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience is incorporated. While the latter explores the post-colonial era, it focuses on industrialization and the modern world. In this unit of social science class 10 syllabus, students get to learn about concepts like the implication of globalization for local economies along with industrializations in the colonies majorly textile industries, the early factory system, monitoring the links between the circulation of ideas and print culture, forms of writing with a specific history, etc

Chapters	Topics
Rise of Nationalism in Europe	The French Revolution and the Idea of the Nation  The Age of Revolutions: 1830-1848 Nationalism and Imperialism The Making of Nationalism in Europe
Rise of Nationalism in Europe	The First World War, Khilafat and Non-Cooperation  Different Strands within the Movement Towards Civil Disobedience The sense of Collective Belonging
The Making of a Global World	The Nineteenth Century  The Inter-war Economy  Rebuilding a World Economy: Post-war Era The Pre-modern World
The Age of Industrialization	Factories Come Up  Market for Goods  Industrialization in the Colonies  Before the Industrial Revolution
Print Culture and the Modern World	Print Comes to Europe The Reading Mania The First Printed Books India and the World of Print

Check Out: List of Exams After 10th

Unit II: Contemporary India- II

Also called as Geography in Class 10, this unit of Social Science aims to provide an insight into the understanding of judicious ways of utilizing resources, facilitating their conservation, spreading awareness and establishing the importance of natural resources along with assessing policies by the Indian government since independence about the institutional as well as technological reforms. Along with this, students will learn about transportation and communication systems. Here is a glimpse of some important topics of the chapters of social science class 10 syllabus. 

Chapters	Topics
Resources and Development	Resource Planning in India Land Utilization Soil as a Resource Types of Resources
Forest and Wildlife	Vanishing Forests  Flora and Fauna in India  Project Tiger Himalayan Yew in Trouble
Water Resources	Rainwater Harvesting Water Scarcity and Need for Water Multi-purpose River Projects
Agriculture	Cropping Pattern Major Crops Technological and Institutional Reforms  Types of Farming
Minerals and Energy Resources	Mode of Occurrence of Minerals What is a Mineral? Rock Minerals and Non-metallics Minerals Conservation of Minerals
Manufacturing Industries	Industrial Location  Spatial Distribution Importance of Manufacturing Classification of Industries
Lifelines of National Economy	Communication Tourism as a Trade International Trade Types of Transport

Don’t Miss: Short Term Courses After 10th

Unit III: Democratic Politics 

In-depth knowledge of various concepts regarding global polity is provided through unit 3 of social science class 10 syllabus. The emphasis is also laid on topics like federal provisions and institutions, decentralization in rural and urban areas, social cleavage and political competition, the role of people’s struggle in the expansion of democracy etc. Go through the following table which depicts some of the key topics under 8 chapters of this unit.

Chapters	Topics
Power Sharing	Why Power Sharing is Desirable? Case Studies of Belgium and Sri Lanka Forms of Power-sharing
Federalism	How is Federalism Practised? Decentralization in India What is Federalism? What Makes India is a Federal Country?
Democracy and Diversity	Differences, Similarities and Divisions  Case Studies of Mexico  Politics of Social Divisions
Gender, Religion and Caste	Gender and Politics  Caste and Politics  Religion, Communalism and Politics
Popular Struggles and Movements	Pressure Groups and Movements  Popular Struggles in Nepal and Bolivia  Mobilization and Organization
Political Parties	State Parties  How Can Parties be Reformed? National Political Parties How Many Parties Should We Have?
Outcomes of Democracy	Economic Growth and Development Dignity and Freedom of the Citizens Accommodation of Social Diversity Reduction of Inequality and Poverty
Challenges to Democracy	Thinking About Political Reforms Thinking About Challenges Redefining Democracy

Must Read: Grammar for Class 10

Unit IV: Understanding Economic Development

In this unit of social science class 10 syllabus, the concepts are spread across different aspects of an economy and its journey towards development. It encompasses major employment generating sectors, investment of different sectors in the economy, money as an economic concept, legal measures to exploit markets, the importance of sustainable development etc.

Chapters	Topics
Development	Public Facilities Income and Other Goals  Sustainability of Development  National Development
Sectors of the Indian Economy	Comparing the Three Sectors Division of Sectors Sectors of Ownership  Sectors of Economic Activities
Money and Credit	Modern Forms of Money Two Different Situations Self-help Groups  Money as a Medium of Exchange
Globalization and the Indian Economy	Foreign Trade Production Across Countries World Trade Organization  What is Globalization?
Consumer Rights	Project Work

Also Read: Class 10 Science Syllabus

Don’t Forget to Check Out the Following Blogs Covering Different Topics Related to Class 10th:

• Class 10 ICSE Chemistry
• List of 10th Pass Govt Jobs
• Study in Canada after 10th
• CBSE Improvement Exam for 10th and 12th
• The Need For Career Counseling After 10th

Social Science Class 10 Syllabus: Project Work

It is compulsory to undertake one of the following topics to base one’s project on.

Consumer Awareness

Social Issues

Sustainable Development

Social Science Class 10 Syllabus: Map Items

The syllabi under the map section is shared below.

History: Outline Political Map

Under this comes Chapter 03: Nationalism in India – (1918 – 1930), which is divided into:

• Indian National Congress Sessions
• Important Centres of Indian National Movement

Geography: Outline Political Map

Under this comes the following:

• Chapter 1: Resources and Development
• Chapter 3: Water Resources
• Chapter 4: Agriculture
• Chapter 5: Minerals and Energy Resources
• Chapter 6: Manufacturing Industries
• Chapter 7: Lifelines of National Economy

NCERT Books

The list of prescribed books are listed below.

1. India and the Contemporary World-II (History)
2. Contemporary India II (Geography)
3. Democratic Politics II (Political Science)
4. Understanding Economic Development
5. Together Towards a Safer India – Part III, a textbook on Disaster Management by CBSE

FAQs

Thus, we hope that this blog has familiarized you with the social science class 10 syllabus along with its course structures and key topics. If you are skeptical about how to choose streams after 10th, sign up for a 30-minute free career counselling session with our experts at Leverage Edu and let us help you select the right stream of study that fits your interests and skills and guides you towards a rewarding career.