The CBSE Class 10 Social Science Syllabus 2025-26 has been officially released by the Central Board of Secondary Education for the 2026 board examinations.
This updated syllabus covers four key disciplines: History, Geography, Political Science (Democratic Politics), and Economics, based on NCERT textbooks, with a focus on conceptual understanding, competency-based questions, map work, and interdisciplinary links.
It totals 100 marks: 80 for the theory board exam and 20 for internal assessment, including projects, periodic tests, portfolio, and subject enrichment activities.
Knowing the CBSE Class 10 Social Science Syllabus 2025-26 allows students to prioritize high-weightage chapters, practice map pointing, and prepare for case-based and application-oriented questions that align with real-world scenarios.
CBSE Class 10 Social Science Exam Pattern 2025-26
The board exam is for 80 marks (3 hours duration), with no overall choice but internal choices in some questions. The paper is divided into four sections corresponding to the four parts of the syllabus.
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Section A: History — 20 marks (inclusive of 2 marks for map work)
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Section B: Geography — 20 marks (inclusive of 3 marks for map work)
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Section C: Political Science — 20 marks
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Section D: Economics — 20 marks
Question types include MCQs (1 mark), short answers (2-3 marks), long answers (5 marks), and case-based/source-based questions (4 marks). Map work is integrated into the theory paper.
CBSE offers Standard and Advanced level question papers in Social Science (and Science) on the same day for Class 10 in 2026.
The Advanced paper features more competency-based, higher-order thinking questions, increased reading load, and potentially slightly greater difficulty to challenge top performers, while maintaining the same total marks and structure.
Internal assessment (20 marks) includes periodic tests, multiple assessments, a portfolio, and a 5-mark interdisciplinary project or subject enrichment activity.
CBSE Class 10 Social Science Course Structure 2025-26 (Subject-Wise)
HISTORY – India and the Contemporary World-II (20 Marks inclusive of map pointing)
Chapters focus on nationalism, globalisation, industrialisation, and cultural developments.
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The Rise of Nationalism in Europe
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Nationalism in India
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The Making of a Global World (Subtopics 1–1.3)
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The Age of Industrialisation (assessed mainly in periodic/internal)
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Print Culture and the Modern World
Map Work: Key locations related to nationalist movements and industrial centres (2 marks).
Learning Outcomes:
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Understand the rise and spread of nationalism in Europe and India.
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Analyse the impact of globalisation, industrialisation, and print on societies.
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Explain key events like the French Revolution's influence and Gandhian movements.
The interdisciplinary project often links History's globalisation themes with Geography and Economics.
GEOGRAPHY – Contemporary India-II (20 Marks inclusive of map pointing)
Emphasis on resources, environment, agriculture, industries, and transport.
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Resources and Development
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Forest and Wildlife Resources
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Water Resources
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Agriculture
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Minerals and Energy Resources
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Manufacturing Industries
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Lifelines of the National Economy (map only in some cases)
Map Work: Identification of resources, soils, crops, industries, ports, and transport networks (3 marks).
Learning Outcomes:
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Explain sustainable resource use and conservation.
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Analyse agricultural patterns, industrial location factors, and transport importance.
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Discuss environmental challenges and multi-purpose projects.
POLITICAL SCIENCE – Democratic Politics-II (20 Marks)
Covers democracy, federalism, and political processes in India.
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Power Sharing
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Federalism
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Gender, Religion and Caste
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Political Parties
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Outcomes of Democracy
Learning Outcomes:
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Compare power-sharing models (e.g., Belgium vs. Sri Lanka).
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Understand the federal features and power division in India.
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Evaluate political parties' role and democratic challenges/outcomes.
ECONOMICS – Understanding Economic Development (20 Marks)
Focuses on development indicators, sectors, money, and globalisation.
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Development
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Sectors of the Indian Economy
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Money and Credit
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Globalisation and the Indian Economy
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Consumer Rights (mainly through project/internal assessment)
Subtopics in Globalisation:
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Meaning and factors (technology, liberalisation, MNCs).
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Role of WTO and global value chains.
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Fair globalisation and government policies.
Learning Outcomes:
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Interpret development indicators like per capita income.
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Differentiate between organised/unorganised sectors and credit systems.
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Relate India's global economic role to sustainable development.
Interdisciplinary Project Details (5 Marks Internal Assessment)
The project (often 5 marks in internal assessment) connects themes like globalisation, trade, and transport across:
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History (The Making of a Global World)
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Geography (Lifelines of National Economy)
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Economics (Globalisation and the Indian Economy)
Follow CBSE guidelines/Annexure templates for submission.
Project Work Options
Common themes for internal/project work (part of 20 internal marks):
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Consumer rights with case studies.
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Sustainable development and environmental issues.
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Social inequalities, gender, or local governance.
Chapter-Wise Weightage Summary (Quick Revision)
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History: 20 marks (including map)
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Geography: 20 marks (including map)
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Political Science: 20 marks
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Economics: 20 marks
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Theory Total: 80 marks
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Internal Assessment: 20 marks (projects, tests, portfolio)
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Grand Total: 100 marks
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How to Download CBSE Class 10 SST Syllabus 2025-26 PDF
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Visit the official website: cbseacademic.nic.in.
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Go to “Curriculum” > “Curriculum 2025-26” > “Secondary Curriculum (IX–X)”.
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Select Social Science (Code 087) and download the PDF for Class X.
Preparation Tips for CBSE Class 10 Social Science 2026
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Prioritize map work (5 marks total) from History and Geography, practice daily.
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Focus on NCERT textbooks; solve competency-based, case-based, and assertion-reason questions.
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Revise learning outcomes for precise, value-point answers.
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Complete the interdisciplinary project early for full internal marks.
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Practice previous years' papers and sample questions from cbseacademic.nic.in.
