CBSE Class 10 Science Syllabus 2026-27

CBSE has released the latest CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus 2026-27 on April 2, 2026. This syllabus follows NCERT guidelines and forms the base for the Class 10 board exam.

This page gives the complete CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus with chapter-wise topics, unit-wise weightage, and the latest exam pattern. Students can use this syllabus to understand what to study and how to prepare for the board exam.

The CBSE Class 10th Science syllabus includes Physics, Chemistry, and Biology topics as prescribed by the board. It also reflects competency-based questions, internal choice in the paper, and updated assessment guidelines.

We also provide a detailed analysis of the CBSE paper pattern, marking scheme, and key objectives. This helps students identify high-weightage areas and improve exam performance.

Students can download the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus 2026-27 PDF from the link below. This PDF gives the official syllabus in a simple format for quick revision and exam preparation.

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Table Of Contents−
CBSE 10th Question Bank

CBSE Class 10 Science Latest Syllabus 2026-27

Unit No. Unit Marks
I Chemical Substances-Nature and Behaviour 25
II World of Living 25
III Natural Phenomena 12
IV Effects of Current 13
V Natural Resources 05
  Total 80
  Internal assessment 20
  Grand Total 100

CBSE Class 10 Science Syllabus 2026-27: Unit-wise Summary

Theme: Materials

Unit I: Chemical Substances - Nature and Behaviour

Chemical Reactions and Equations: Chemical reactions, Chemical equation, Balanced
chemical equation, types of chemical reactions: combination, decomposition, displacement,
double displacement, precipitation, endothermic exothermic reactions, oxidation and
reduction.

The following topics are included in the syllabus but will be assessed only formatively to
reinforce understanding without adding to summative assessments. The reduces academic
stress while ensuring meaningful learning. Schools can integrate these with existing
chapters as they align well. Relevant NCERT textual material is enclosed for reference.

Periodic Classification of Elements: Döbereiner’s Triads, Newlands’ Law of Octaves, Mendeléev’s Periodic Table, Modern Periodic Table and the Modern, Metallic and Non-
metallic Properties.

Acids, Bases and Salts: Acids and Bases – definitions in terms of furnishing of H+
and  OH– ions, identification using indicators, chemical properties, examples and uses,
neutralization, concept of pH scale (Definition relating to logarithm not required), importance of pH in everyday life; preparation and uses of Sodium Hydroxide, Bleaching Powder,
Baking soda, Washing soda and Plaster of Paris.

Metals and Non-metals: Properties of metals and non-metals; Reactivity series; Formation
and properties of ionic compounds; Basic metallurgical processes; Corrosion and its
prevention.

Carbon and its compounds:Covalent bonds – formation and properties of covalent compounds, Versatile nature of carbon, Hydrocarbons – saturated and unsaturated Homologous series. Nomenclature of alkanes, alkenes, alkyne and carbon compounds containing functional groups (halogens, alcohol, ketones, aldehydes). Chemical properties of carbon compounds (combustion, oxidation, addition and substitution reaction). Ethanol and Ethanoic acid (only properties and uses), soaps and detergents.

Theme: The World of the Living

Unit II: World of Living

Life processes: ‘Living Being’. Basic concept of nutrition, respiration, transport and excretion
in plants and animals.

Control and co-ordination in animals and plants: Tropic movements in plants;
Introduction of plant hormones; Control and co-ordination in animals: Nervous system;
Voluntary, involuntary and reflex action; Chemical co-ordination: animal hormones.

Reproduction: Reproduction in animals and plants (asexual and sexual) reproductive health - need and methods of family planning. Safe sex vs HIV/AIDS. Child bearing and women’s health.

Heredity: Heredity; Mendel’s contribution- Laws for inheritance of traits: Sex determination;
brief introduction.

The following topics are included in the syllabus but will be assessed only formatively to
reinforce understanding without adding to summative assessments. The reduces
academic stress while ensuring meaningful learning. Schools can integrate these with
existing chapters as they align well. Relevant NCERT textual material is enclosed for
reference.

Evolution: Acquired and Inherited Traits, Speciation, Evolution and Classification, Tracing
Evolutionary Relationships, Fossils, Evolution by Stages, Human Evolution

Theme: Natural Phenomena

Unit III: Natural Phenomena

Reflection of light by curved surfaces; Images formed by spherical mirrors, centre of
curvature, principal axis, principal focus, focal length, mirror formula (Derivation not
required), magnification.

Refraction; Laws of refraction, refractive index.

Refraction of light by spherical lens; Image formed by spherical lenses; Lens formula
(Derivation not required); Magnification. Power of a lens.

Functioning of a lens in human eye, defects of vision and their corrections, applications of
spherical mirrors and lenses.

Refraction of light through a prism, dispersion of light, scattering of light, applications in daily life (excluding colour of the sun at sunrise and sunset).

Theme: How Things Work

Unit IV: Effects of Current

Electric current, potential difference and electric current. Ohm’s law; Resistance, Resistivity,
Factors on which the resistance of a conductor depends. Series combination of resistors,
parallel combination of resistors and its applications in daily life. Heating effect of electric
current and its applications in daily life. Electric power, Interrelation between P, V, I and 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 current carrying conductor, Fleming’s Left Hand Rule, Direct current. Alternating current: frequency of AC. Advantage of AC over DC. Domestic electric circuits.

The following topics are included in the syllabus but will be assessed only formatively to
reinforce understanding without adding to summative assessments. The reduces
academic stress while ensuring meaningful learning. Schools can integrate these with
existing chapters as they align well. Relevant NCERT textual material is enclosed for
reference

Motor, Electromagnetic Induction, Electric Generator

Theme: Natural Resources

Unit V: Natural Resources

Our environment: Eco-system, Environmental problems, Ozone depletion, waste production and their solutions. Biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances.

Note for the Teachers:

  1. The topics Periodic Classification of Elements; Heredity and Evolution; and Electric
    Effects of Electric Current will not be assessed in the year-end examination.
  2. Learners may be assigned to read these topics/chapter and encouraged to prepare a brief write up in their Portfolio. Teachers should provide joyful and experiential opportunities. This may be for Internal Assessment and credit may be given for Periodic Assessment/Portfolio.
  3. The NCERT text books present information in boxes across the book. These help
    students to get conceptual clarity. However, the information in these boxes would
    not be assessed in the year-end examination.

CBSE Class 10 Science Practical Syllabus 2026-27

Practical should be conducted alongside the concepts taught in theory classes

LIST OF EXPERIMENTS

1. A. Finding the pH of the following samples by using pH paper/universal indicator:

Unit-I

    • Dilute Hydrochloric Acid
    • Dilute NaOH solution
    • Dilute Ethanoic Acid solution
    • Lemon juice
    • Water
    • Dilute Hydrogen Carbonate solution

B. Studying the properties of acids and bases (HCl & NaOH) on the basis of their reaction with:

Unit-I 

    • Litmus solution (Blue/Red)
    • Zinc metal
    • Solid sodium carbonate

2. Performing and observing the following reactions and classifying them into:  

Unit-I 

    • Combination reaction
    • Decomposition reaction
    • Displacement reaction
    • Double displacement reaction
      1. Action of water on quicklime
      2. Action of heat on ferrous sulphate crystals
      3. Iron nails kept in copper sulphate solution
      4. Reaction between sodium sulphate and barium chloride solutions

3. Observing the action of Zn, Fe, Cu and Al metals on the following salt solutions:

Unit-I 

    1. ZnSO4(aq)
    2. FeSO4(aq)
    3. CuSO4(aq)
    4. Al2 (SO4)3(aq)

Arranging Zn, Fe, Cu and Al (metals) in the decreasing order of reactivity based on the above result.

4. Studying the dependence of potential difference (V) across a resistor on the current (I) passing through it and determine its resistance. Also plotting a graph between V and I.

Unit-I V

5. Determination of the equivalent resistance of two resistors when connected in series and parallel.

Unit-I V

6. Preparing a temporary mount of a leaf peel to show stomata.

Unit-I I

7. Experimentally show that carbon dioxide is given out during respiration.

Unit-I I

8. Study of the following properties of acetic acid (ethanoic acid): Unit-I

Unit-I I

    • Odour
    • solubility in water
    • effect on litmus
    • reaction with Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate

Arranging Zn, Fe, Cu and Al (metals) in the decreasing order of reactivity based on the above result.

9. Study of the comparative cleaning capacity of a sample of soap in soft and hard water.

Unit-I 

10. Determination of the focal length of: 

Unit-III

    • Concave mirror
    • Convex lens

by obtaining the image of a distant object.

11. Tracing the path of a ray of light passing through a rectangular glass slab for different angles of incidence. Measure the angle of incidence, angle of refraction, angle of emergence and interpret the result.

Unit-III

12. Studying (a) binary fission in Amoeba, and (b) budding in yeast and Hydra with the help of prepared slides.

Unit-II

13. Tracing the path of the rays of light through a glass prism.

Unit-III

14. Identification of the different parts of an embryo of a dicot seed (Pea, gram or red kidney bean).

Unit-II

PRESCRIBED BOOKS:

  • Science-Text book for class X- NCERT Publication
  • Assessment of Practical Skills in Science- Class X- CBSE Publication
  • Laboratory Manual-Science-Class X, NCERT Publication
  • Exemplar Problems Class X – NCERT Publication
  • Reading Material – Science – Class X (2026-27) – CBSE

CBSE Class 10 Science Question Paper Design 2026-27

Theory (80 marks)

Competencies Total
Demonstrate Knowledge and Understanding 50%
Application of Knowledge/Concepts 30 %
Formulate, Analyze, Evaluate and Create 20 %
100%

Note:

  • Typology of Questions: VSA including objective type questions, Assertion – Reasoning type questions; SA; LA; Source-based/ Case-based/ Passage-based/ Integrated assessment questions.
  • An internal choice of approximately 33% would be provided.

Internal Assessment

Description Total Marks
Periodic Assessment - 05 marks + 05 marks 05 marks + 05 marks
Subject Enrichment (Practical Work) - 05 marks 05 marks
Portfolio - 05 marks 05 marks

Suggestive verbs for various competencies

  • Demonstrate Knowledge and Understanding
  • State, name, list, identify, define, suggest, describe, outline, summarize, etc.
  • Application of Knowledge/Concepts
  • Calculate, illustrate, show, adapt, explain, distinguish, etc.
  • Formulate, Analyze, Evaluate and Create
  • Interpret, analyze, compare, contrast, examine, evaluate, discuss, construct, etc.

The Changes for Class 10 (2026-27) Year-end Board Examinations are as under:

(Class-10)
Periodic Assessment Academic Session 2025-26 Academic Session 2026-27
Composition of question paper for year-end examination/ Board Examination (Theory)
  • Competency Focused Questions in the form of MCQs/ Case Based Questions, Source-based Integrated Questions or any other type = 50%
  • Select response type questions (MCQ) = 20%
  • Constructed response questions (Short Answer/Long Answer Type Questions, as per existing pattern) = 30%
  • Competency Focused Questions in the form of MCQs/Case Based Questions, Source-based Integrated Questions or any other type = 50%
  • Select response type questions (MCQ) = 20%
  • Constructed response questions (Short Answer/Long Answer type Questions, as per existing pattern) = 30%

Objectives of Class 10 Science Syllabus 2026-27

The CBSE Syllabus for Class 10 Science 2025-26 has been developed with the aim of the following:

  1. To expose students to experience hands-on activities as well as modes of reasoning that are typical of the subject.
  2. The marking scheme, typology of questions, and the details of individual chapters help the students to effectively plan their study schedules.
  3. To develop cognitive abilities and curiosity in children to help them apply scientific knowledge in their daily lives.
  4. The syllabus is prepared cultivate interest in students to study Science and its various concepts in an interesting way.

FAQs on CBSE Class 10 Science Syllabus 2026-27

Ans: The total marks for CBSE Class 10 Science 2024-25 is 100.

Out of 100 marks, 20 marks are allotted for the Internal Assessment, and 80 marks are for the Theory paper.

The Question Paper is divided into 5 sections.

i. Section A consists of 20 objective type questions carrying 1 mark each.

ii. Section B consists of 6 Very Short questions carrying 02 marks each. Answers to these questions should be in the range of 30 to 50 words.’

iii. Section C consists of 7 Short Answer type questions carrying 03 marks each. Answers to these questions should be in the range of 50 to 80 words

iv. Section D consists of 3 Long Answer type questions carrying 05 marks each. (Word limit – 80 to 120 words)

v. Section E consists of 3 source-based/case-based units of assessment of 04 marks each with sub-parts.

Ans: Chapter 5 (Periodic Classification of Elements), Chapter- 14 (Sources of energy), and Chapter 16 (Management of Natural Resources) was deleted from CBSE Science Class 10 Syllabus 2025-26.

Ans: i. Be clear about the syllabus, exam pattern, question types, and concepts.

ii. Be thorough with the NCERT chapters.

iii. Solve ample sample papers.

iv. Do a lot of revision work.

v. Solve previous years’ question papers.

vi. Do not mug up everything. Try to answer logically.

Ans: Oswal-Gurukul CBSE Most Likely Question Bank, CBSE Last 10 Years Solved Papers, and All in 1 Guide Book for CBSE Class X are your one-stop solution for important questions pertaining to Science as per Class 10 CBSE Board Syllabus 2024-25. All the books have been prepared by Oswal’s eminent subject matter experts in a student-friendly language. 

Students can also create their own tests online at oswal.io and gauge their progress in an interesting way through self-assessments.

Ans: Students can find CBSE Class 10 Science Syllabus 2026-27 at the CBSE official website or check our CBSE Class 10 Syllabus.

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