CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025-26
Official chapter-wise syllabus for CBSE Class 10 English — unit-wise marks distribution, list of deleted/reduced topics, and the 2025-26 exam paper pattern. Use this page alongside the Class 10 English preparation guide for full exam readiness.
2025-26
Academic Year
80
Theory Marks
20
Practical Marks
8
Total Chapters
Unit-Wise Marks Distribution
80 marks (theory)Section A: Reading
Unseen Passages · Discursive Passage · Case-Based Factual Passage
25% of theory marks
Section B: Writing & Grammar
Formal Letter Writing · Analytical Paragraph · Grammar (Editing, Gap Fill, Transformation)
25% of theory marks
Section C: Literature
First Flight (Prose) · First Flight (Poetry) · Footprints Without Feet
50% of theory marks
Chapter-Wise Syllabus
8 chapters| # | Chapter | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reading — Discursive Passage | 10 |
| 2 | Reading — Case-Based Factual Passage | 10 |
| 3 | Grammar | 10 |
| 4 | Writing — Formal Letter | 5 |
| 5 | Writing — Analytical Paragraph | 5 |
| 6 | Literature — Reference to Context | 10 |
| 7 | Literature — First Flight (SA + LA) | 18 |
| 8 | Literature — Footprints Without Feet (SA + LA) | 12 |
Deleted / Reduced Topics 2025-26
Note: The following topics have been deleted or reduced from the CBSE Class 10 English syllabus. Do not spend time studying these for the 2025-26 board exam. Always verify with the official CBSE syllabus document before your exam.
First Flight
Some supplementary prose chapters (school-level exclusions may vary)
Writing
Informal letter writing (replaced by formal/application)
Exam Paper Pattern 2025-26
80 marks total| Section | Marks/Q | Count | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | 1 | 20 | 20 | |
| Section B | — | 5 | 20 | |
| Section C | — | 7 | 40 | |
| Total Theory Marks | 80 | |||
Practical / Internal Assessment Marks — assessed throughout the year by your school (projects, lab work, notebooks).
How to Use This Syllabus
Prioritise by marks
Use the unit-wise distribution above. Focus first on units with 20+ marks — they give the best return on study time.
Skip deleted topics
CBSE will not ask deleted topics in the board exam. Don't waste time on them — use that time for NCERT exercises instead.
Know the paper pattern
Section E (Case Study) has new-format questions many students ignore. Practise these separately — they're easy marks.
You know the syllabus. Now practise it.
ClearSteps gives you chapter-wise mock tests aligned to the exact CBSE Class 10 English syllabus, with AI evaluation against the official marking scheme.