CBSE Class 10 Science Syllabus (2025-26)
Detailed chapter-wise syllabus with marks weightage.
Course Structure (Units)
I. Chemical Substances – Nature and Behaviour
II. World of Living
III. Natural Phenomena
IV. Effects of Current
V. Magnetic Effects of Current
VI. Sources of Energy
VII. Our Environment & Practical Work
Chapter-wise Topics
1. Chemical Reactions and Equations
• Chemical reactions: evidence, representation as equations
• Balancing chemical equations (method and practice)
• Types of chemical reactions: combination, decomposition, displacement, double displacement
• Precipitation reactions, redox reactions; oxidation and reduction basics
• Endothermic and exothermic reactions; applications (e.g., respiration, photosynthesis)
• Corrosion and rancidity (brief)
2. Acids, Bases and Salts
• Concept of acids and bases (general properties)
• pH scale (0–14) and indicators (natural and synthetic)
• Neutralization reactions and salts formation
• Importance of salts in daily life; basic salts examples
• Preparation and uses of common salts (e.g., sodium chloride, baking soda)
• Importance of pH in everyday life (soil, human body)
3. Metals and Non-metals
• Physical properties of metals and non-metals
• Chemical properties: reactions with oxygen, water, acids; displacement reactions
• Reactivity series of metals and its applications (extraction, displacement)
• Corrosion and prevention (galvanization, sacrificial protection)
• Uses of metals and alloys
4. Carbon and its Compounds
• Covalent bonding in carbon compounds; versatile nature of carbon
• Homologous series (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes) — basic idea
• Functional groups: alcohols, carboxylic acids
• Nomenclature (simple compounds), isomerism (chain, position)
• Chemical properties: combustion, oxidation, addition, substitution
• Important compounds: ethanol, ethanoic acid, soaps and detergents, polymers
5. Periodic Classification of Elements
• Need for classification; early attempts (Dobereiner, Newlands) — brief
• Modern periodic law and long form of periodic table
• Trends in properties: valency, atomic size, metallic/ non-metallic character, reactivity
• Group and period trends with examples (alkali metals, halogens)
6. Life Processes
• Nutrition in plants (photosynthesis — equation, factors affecting photosynthesis)
• Nutrition in animals (human digestive system and digestion process)
• Types of heterotrophic nutrition: holozoic, saprophytic, parasitic
• Transport: circulatory system in humans (heart structure, blood vessels, composition)
• Excretion in humans (kidney structure and function)
7. Control and Coordination
• Nervous system in humans: structure of neuron, central and peripheral nervous system
• Reflex action and reflex arc; voluntary vs involuntary actions
• Hormones: plant and animal hormones; human endocrine glands and functions
• Coordinate functioning: examples (fight or flight response)
8. How do Organisms Reproduce?
• Asexual reproduction: binary fission, budding, vegetative propagation (types and examples)
• Sexual reproduction in plants: flower structure, pollination, fertilization, seed formation
• Human reproductive system (male & female), menstrual cycle (brief)
• Reproductive health and contraception (basic awareness)
9. Heredity and Evolution
• Concept of heredity and Mendelian inheritance (traits, dominant/recessive)
• Sex determination in humans (brief)
• Evolution: evidence, natural selection (basic idea), speciation overview
• Importance of variation and role in evolution
10. Light — Reflection and Refraction
• Reflection of light: laws, plane mirrors, lateral inversion, multiple reflections
• Refraction: refractive index (qualitative), laws of refraction, Snell's law (introductory)
• Image formation by spherical mirrors and thin lenses (ray diagrams, mirror and lens formulae)
• Power of a lens, applications (magnifying glass, microscope, telescope)
11. Human Eye and Colourful World
• Human eye: structure, working, accommodation, defects of vision and their correction (myopia,
hypermetropia, presbyopia)
• Simple optical instruments: camera basics
• Dispersion of white light, formation of rainbow, scattering of light (Tyndall effect) — blue sky, red sunsets
12. Electricity
• Electric current, potential difference, Ohm's law (V = IR) — calculations and graphs
• Resistance: factors affecting resistance (length, area, material)
• Series and parallel circuits — rules for current and potential difference
• Heating effect of current, Joule's law, practical applications (fuses, heating devices)
13. Magnetic Effects of Electric Current
• Magnetic field and field lines around a current-carrying conductor
• Field due to a solenoid; electromagnetic induction (conceptual)
• Electric motor — working principle and parts (DC motor basics)
• Electromagnets and their applications
14. Sources of Energy
• Different sources: conventional (fossil fuels, thermal, hydro) and non-conventional (solar, wind, biomass,
nuclear)
• Energy security and conservation measures
• Environmental impacts of energy use (pollution, greenhouse gases)
• Biogas, solar cells, wind energy basics
15. Our Environment (Ecology)
• Ecosystem: components, food chain, food web, pyramids of number/biomass
• Biogeochemical cycles (carbon, water) — basic ideas
• Threats to biodiversity, conservation measures, sustainable management of resources
• Waste management: types of waste, measures to reduce, reuse, recycle
Chapter-wise & Unit-wise Marks Weightage (CBSE 2025-26)
Unit Unit Marks Chapter Marks
Chemical Substances – Nature & Behaviour
25 Chemical Reactions and Equations 6
Acids, Bases and Salts 3
Metals and Non-metals 10
Carbon and its Compounds 6
World of Living 25 Life Processes 9
Control and Coordination 6
How do Organisms Reproduce? 3
Heredity and Evolution 7
Natural Phenomena 12 Light – Reflection and Refraction 10
The Human Eye and the Colourful World 2
Effects of Current 13 Electricity 7
Magnetic Effects of Electric Current 6
Natural Resources (Our Environment) 5 Our Environment 5
Total = 80
Source: CBSE Academic website (official syllabus) & analysis from Allen Overseas (2025-26 Science
weightage).
