CBSE Class 10 General: CBSE Class 10 Syllabus 2026 (Revised) & Exam Pattern

Mastering the CBSE Class 10 General curriculum requires a thorough grasp of the CBSE Class 10 Syllabus 2026 (Revised). Released by the Central Board of Secondary Education for the 2025–2026 academic session, this revised framework aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The curriculum emphasizes conceptual depth, cross-disciplinary applications, and higher-order analytical capabilities over rote memorization. Understanding the exact subject-wise weightage, deleted sections, and internal assessment splits is vital for every student aiming for top percentile scores in the board exam 10 assessments.

CBSE Class 10 Assessment Architecture & Question Paper Design for 2026

The evaluation blueprint for the 2026 board examinations maintains an 80:20 distribution across all major academic subjects. The theoretical examination carries 80 marks, while the school-based continuous Internal Assessment contributes 20 marks.

To evaluate critical thinking, CBSE has restructured the question paper typology for the 2026 exams as follows:

50% Competency-Focused Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), case-based scenario questions, source-integrated analyses, and assertion-reason constructs.
20% Select Response Questions: Objective-type questions and standard direct multiple-choice items.
30% Constructed Response Questions: Short-answer (SA-I & SA-II) and long-answer (LA) subjective questions testing structured derivation, analytical reasoning, and step-wise proofs.

Subject-Wise Breakdown of the CBSE Class 10 Syllabus 2026 (Revised)

1. Mathematics (Standard: 041 / Basic: 241)

Both Standard and Basic Mathematics share the same syllabus topics, differing strictly in the cognitive complexity and difficulty level of the theoretical question paper. Total theory marks: 80 marks (Time: 3 Hours).

Unit No.	Unit Title	Key Chapters & Core Topics	Marks
I	Number Systems	Real Numbers: Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic, proofs of irrationality of √2, √3, √5.	06
II	Algebra	Polynomials (zeros and coefficients relationship), Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables (algebraic solutions: substitution, elimination), Quadratic Equations (standard form ax² + bx + c = 0, quadratic formula, discriminant D = b² − 4ac), Arithmetic Progressions (n^th term: a_n = a + (n − 1)d, sum of first n terms: S_n = ⁿ⁄₂[2a + (n − 1)d]).	20
III	Coordinate Geometry	Lines in Two Dimensions: Distance formula d = √[(x₂ − x₁)² + (y₂ − y₁)²], section formula (internal division: x = (m₁x₂ + m₂x₁)/(m₁ + m₂)).	06
IV	Geometry	Triangles (Basic Proportionality Theorem and its converse, criteria for similarity: AAA, SAS, SSS), Circles (tangents to a circle at point of contact, lengths of tangents drawn from an external point are equal).	15
V	Trigonometry	Introduction to Trigonometry (ratios for acute angles), Trigonometric Identities (sin²θ + cos²θ = 1, 1 + tan²θ = sec²θ, 1 + cot²θ = cosec²θ), Heights and Distances (angles of elevation and depression, 30°, 45°, 60°).	12
VI	Mensuration	Areas Related to Circles (area of sector and segment), Surface Areas and Volumes of combinations of solids (cubes, cuboids, spheres, hemispheres, right circular cylinders, cones).	10
VII	Statistics & Probability	Mean, median, and mode of grouped data (bimodal situations excluded); classical definition of probability, simple single-event problems.	11
Total Theory			80

2. Science (Subject Code 086)

The revised Science curriculum integrates experimental analysis with conceptual rigor across five core themes.

Chemical Substances – Nature and Behaviour (25 Marks): Chemical reactions and equations (balanced equations, types: combination, decomposition, displacement, double displacement, precipitation, neutralization, oxidation-reduction); Acids, Bases and Salts (pH scale definition: pH = −log[H⁺], importance in everyday life, preparation of NaOH, Bleaching powder, Baking soda, Washing soda, Plaster of Paris); Metals and Non-metals (reactivity series, ionic bond properties, basic metallurgy and corrosion prevention); Carbon and its Compounds (covalent bonding, versatile nature of carbon, homologous series, functional groups −OH, −CHO, −COOH, −CO−, combustion, oxidation, addition, substitution, soaps and detergents).
World of Living (25 Marks): Life Processes (nutrition, cellular respiration, transport in plants and animals, human excretory system); Control and Coordination (tropic movements in plants, plant hormones auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, abscisic acid; human nervous system, reflex arc, endocrine glands); Reproduction (asexual vs. sexual modes, pollination, human reproductive system, contraception methods); Heredity (Mendel’s laws of inheritance, monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, sex determination in humans: XX/XY mechanism).
Natural Phenomena (12 Marks): Reflection of light by curved surfaces, mirror formula ¹⁄_f = ¹⁄_v + ¹⁄_u, magnification m = −^v⁄_u; Refraction of light, Snell’s law ^{sin i}⁄_{sin r} = n, lens formula ¹⁄_f = ¹⁄_v − ¹⁄_u, power of a lens P = ¹⁄_{f (in m)}; Functioning of the human eye, defects of vision (myopia, hypermetropia, presbyopia) and optical corrections; Dispersion through a glass prism, atmospheric refraction, and Tyndall effect.
Effects of Current (13 Marks): Electric current I = ^Q⁄_t, potential difference V = ^W⁄_Q, Ohm’s law V = I × R, factors affecting resistance R = ρ × (^l⁄_A), series and parallel resistor combinations, Joule’s law of heating H = I²Rt, electric power P = VI = I²R = ^V²⁄_R; Magnetic effects of current (magnetic field lines, Right-Hand Thumb rule, Fleming’s Left-Hand rule, electromagnetic induction principle, AC and DC basics, domestic electric circuits).
Natural Resources (05 Marks): Our Environment (ecosystems, food chains, trophic levels, 10% energy transfer law, ozone depletion and UV radiation impacts, biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste management).

3. Social Science (Subject Code 087)

The revised Social Science syllabus distributes 80 marks evenly across four disciplines (20 marks each):

India and the Contemporary World – II (History – 20 Marks): The Rise of Nationalism in Europe; Nationalism in India (Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience movements, sense of collective belonging); Making of a Global World; Print Culture and the Modern World (2 marks dedicated to History Map Work).
Contemporary India – II (Geography – 20 Marks): Resources and Development; Forest and Wildlife Resources; Water Resources; Agriculture (cropping patterns, major crops, agricultural reforms); Minerals and Energy Resources; Manufacturing Industries; Lifelines of National Economy (3 marks dedicated to Geography Map Work).
Democratic Politics – II (Political Science – 20 Marks): Power Sharing (Belgium and Sri Lanka models); Federalism (decentralization in India, 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments); Gender, Religion and Caste; Political Parties (national and regional party functions, challenges, electoral reforms); Outcomes of Democracy.
Understanding Economic Development (Economics – 20 Marks): Development (per capita income, Human Development Index – HDI); Sectors of the Indian Economy (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary sectors, organized vs. unorganized, public vs. private); Money and Credit (formal vs. informal credit sources, Self-Help Groups – SHGs); Globalization and the Indian Economy (MNCs, WTO, trade liberalization).

4. English Language & Literature (Subject Code 184)

Section A – Reading Skills (20 Marks): One discursive passage (400–450 words) evaluating inference, analysis, and vocabulary (10 marks); one case-based factual passage with statistical data or charts (300–350 words) assessing data interpretation (10 marks).
Section B – Writing Skills & Grammar (20 Marks): Formal letter writing on a given situation in 100–120 words (5 marks); Analytical paragraph writing based on a map, chart, graph, or outline in 100–120 words (5 marks); Integrated Grammar covering tenses, modals, subject-verb concord, reported speech (commands, requests, statements, questions), determiners (10 marks).
Section C – Language through Literature (40 Marks): Reference to context questions from prose and poetry (10 marks); Short and long analytical answer questions from First Flight (prose and poetry) and Footprints Without Feet (supplementary reader) focusing on character analysis, thematic appreciation, and contextual extrapolation (30 marks).

Internal Assessment Architecture (20 Marks)

The continuous internal assessment across all major subjects is structured into four standardized components:

Periodic Tests (05 Marks): Best two scores evaluated out of three periodic written tests conducted across the school calendar year.
Multiple Assessments (05 Marks): Diverse evaluation methods including quizzes, concept maps, classroom discussions, visual presentations, and oral tests.
Portfolio (05 Marks): Assessment of student classwork quality, notebook neatness, assignment completion, peer-assessments, and self-reflection logs.
Subject Enrichment Activities (05 Marks): Laboratory practical records and viva-voce in Science; project work and map files in Social Science; Assessment of Speaking and Listening Skills (ASL) in English and Hindi; practical geometry and modeling tasks in Mathematics.

Important CBSE Competency Questions with Marking Scheme & Answers

Sample Question 1: Science (Electricity – Case & Application Based)

Question: A cylindrical copper conductor of length l and cross-sectional area A has a resistance R. A second wire of the same material has a length 2l and cross-sectional area ^A⁄₂.
(a) Determine the resistance of the second wire in terms of R.
(b) If both wires are connected in parallel across a constant DC voltage source V, calculate the ratio of electric power dissipated in the first wire to that in the second wire.

Step-by-Step Solution & Marking Scheme:

(a) Calculation of new resistance (2 Marks):
The resistance of a uniform conductor is given by: R = ρ × (^l⁄_A)
For the second wire of identical material (ρ remains constant):
R′ = ρ × (^l′⁄_A′) = ρ × [^2l⁄_(^A⁄₂)] = ρ × (^4l⁄_A) = 4 × [ρ × (^l⁄_A)] = 4R.
Answer: The resistance of the second wire is 4R.
(b) Power dissipation ratio in parallel combination (1 Mark):
In a parallel connection, the potential difference V across both conductors is equal.
Power dissipated is expressed as: P = ^V²⁄_R
For the first wire: P₁ = ^V²⁄_R
For the second wire: P₂ = ^V²⁄_R′ = ^V²⁄_4R
Taking the ratio: ^P₁⁄_P₂ = (^V²⁄_R) ÷ (^V²⁄_4R) = ⁴⁄₁ = 4:1.
Answer: The ratio of power dissipation is 4:1.

Sample Question 2: Mathematics (Algebra – Quadratic Word Problem)

Question: A motor boat whose speed is 18 km/h in still water takes 1 hour more to go 24 km upstream than to return downstream to the same spot. Find the speed of the stream.

Step-by-Step Solution & Marking Scheme:

Step 1: Variable Definition & Speed Formulations (1 Mark):
Let the speed of the stream be x km/h.
Given speed of motor boat in still water = 18 km/h.
Speed of boat upstream = (18 − x) km/h.
Speed of boat downstream = (18 + x) km/h. (Condition: x < 18)
Step 2: Time Equation Formulation (1.5 Marks):
Distance = 24 km.
Time taken for upstream journey t₁ = ²⁴⁄_{(18 − x)}
Time taken for downstream journey t₂ = ²⁴⁄_{(18 + x)}
According to the problem: t₁ − t₂ = 1
²⁴⁄_{(18 − x)} − ²⁴⁄_{(18 + x)} = 1
24 × [^{((18 + x) − (18 − x))}⁄_{((18 − x)(18 + x))}] = 1
24 × (^2x⁄_{(324 − x²)}) = 1
48x = 324 − x² ⇒ x² + 48x − 324 = 0
Step 3: Solving the Quadratic Equation (1.5 Marks):
Factorizing by splitting the middle term:
x² + 54x − 6x − 324 = 0
x(x + 54) − 6(x + 54) = 0
(x − 6)(x + 54) = 0
⇒ x = 6 or x = −54.
Since speed cannot be negative, we reject x = −54.
Answer: The speed of the stream is 6 km/h.

How to Prepare for the CBSE Class 10 2026 Revised Syllabus

Align Exclusively with Rationalized NCERT Textbooks: Focus on core NCERT concepts while cross-checking chapter lists with the 2026 syllabus document to avoid spending time on obsolete or deleted derivations.
Prioritize Competency-Based Case Scenarios: Practice identifying independent and dependent variables, reading data tables, and interpreting real-world application stems since 50% of the aggregate paper evaluates practical understanding.
Develop Step-Marking Discipline: In Mathematics and Science, write out formula statements, SI units, substitutions, and final boxed values. CBSE examiners reward marks per discrete step rather than solely for the final answer.
Maintain Comprehensive Subject Portfolios: Secure your 20 internal marks early by completing laboratory journals, continuous assessments, and ASL assignments with strict adherence to school timelines.
Simulate Full-Length Board Exam Conditions: Practice official 3-hour timed sample papers using standard answer sheets to refine pacing, question selection, and final revision minutes.

Where to Practice More

To master the CBSE Class 10 Syllabus 2026 (Revised) and achieve top results in your upcoming board exams, visit Theorify QPTool (qptool.theorify.in). Access thousands of customized competency-based question banks, blueprint-aligned mock examination papers, and step-by-step marking rubrics tailored precisely to the latest CBSE Class 10 curriculum.

CBSE Class 10 Syllabus 2026 (Revised)