CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025-26 - CBSE 10th Class English Syllabus Download PDF

CBSE Class 10 English syllabus for the academic year 2025–26 is divided into three main sections: Reading, Writing, and Literature. The Reading and Writing sections will each carry 20 marks, while the Literature section will account for 40 marks, making the total marks for the theory paper 80. Additionally, 20 marks will be allotted for the internal assessment or practical component. For the Literature section, two textbooks are prescribed by the Central Board of Secondary Education: First Flight (main reader) and Footprints Without Feet (supplementary reader). To enhance their preparation, students are encouraged to solve CBSE Class 10 English sample papers 2025–26 as well as previous years’ question papers. Completing the syllabus well in advance is crucial so that students can focus on revision, particularly during the final month before the board exams. Special attention should be given to the Writing section, as it is often considered one of the most time-consuming parts of the exam. With a well-planned strategy and consistent practice, students can perform confidently on the English paper and improve their overall score.

CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025-26: Download PDF

Students can download the CBSE 10th English Syllabus 2025-26 in PDF format and must create a study routine to prepare for the board exams effectively. Refer to the table mentioned below to download the syllabus:

CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025 Course Structure

Students can check out the information about the course structure of the CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025 here:

Section	Topics	Weightage
A	Reading Skills (40 Periods)	20 marks
B	Writing Skills with Grammar (40 Periods)	20 marks
C	Literature Textbooks and Supplementary Reading Text (50 Periods)	40 marks

Also Read - CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2025 Announced

CBSE Class 10 English Unit-Wise Syllabus 2025

Students can refer to the detailed information about the CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025 according to the different units and sections here:

Section A: Reading Skills

I. Reading Comprehension through Unseen Passage  (20 marks)

1. Discursive passage of 400-450 words. (10 marks)
2. Case-based factual passage (with visual input- statistical data, chart, etc.) of 200-250 words. (10 marks)
(Total length of two passages to be 600-700 words)
Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions, and Short Answer Questions (to be answered in 30-40 words) will be asked to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference, evaluation, and vocabulary.

Section B: Writing Skills and Grammar

II Grammar Writing Skills and Grammar 10 Marks

• Determiners
• Tenses
• Modals
• Subject-verb concord
• Reported speech
• o Commands and requests
• o Statements
• o Questions

3. The courses at the secondary level seek to cement a high professional grasp of grammatical items and levels of accuracy. Accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar in context will be assessed through Filling/ Editing/Transformation exercises. Ten out of 12 questions will have to be attempted

III Writing Skills 10 marks

4. Writing a Formal Letter based on a given situation, in 100-120 words. One out of two questions is to be answered. 5 marks
5. Writing an Analytical Paragraph in 100-120 words on a given Map / Chart / Graph / Cue/s. One out of two questions is to be answered. 5 marks

Section C – Language through Literature (40 Marks)

IV. Reference to the Context

6. One extract out of two from Drama / Prose.
7. One extract out of two from poetry.
Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions Very Short Answer Questions (one word/One sentence), Short Answer Questions (to be answered in 30-40 words) will be asked to assess inference, analysis, interpretation, evaluation and vocabulary.

V. Short & Very Long Answer Questions (30 Marks)

• Answers to four of the five short answer questions from the book should be between 40 and 50 words long. First Flight (4×3=12 markings)
• Answers to two of the three short answer questions from Footprints Without Feet should be between 40 and 50 words each. (2×3=6 markings)
• One of two First Flight Long Answer Type Questions, intended to test students' creativity, inventiveness, and ability to extrapolate from one text to another, must be answered in around 100–120 words. This could be a question based on a passage that is drawn from a situation or plot in the literature. (6 markings).
• One out of two Footprints Without Feet long answer questions on theme or storyline need interpretation, extrapolation outside of the text, and inference, or character sketches, and should be answered in between 100 and 120 words. (6 markings)

The following are some First Flight topics:

Prose

• A letter to God
• Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom
• From the Diary of Anne Frank
• Two Stories About Flying
• Glimpses of India
• Madam Rides the Bus
• Mijbil the Otter
• The Sermon at Benares
• The Proposal (Play)

Poems

• Dust of Snow
• A tiger in the Zoo
• Fire and Ice
• How to Tell Wild Animals
• The Ball Poem
• Amanda!
• Fog
• The Trees
• The Tale of Custard the Dragon
• For Anne Gregory

The following are some topics from Footprints Without Feet:

• A Triumph of Surgery
• The Midnight Visitor
• The Thief’s Story
• Footprints Without Feet
• A Question of Trust
• The Making of a Scientist
• The necklace
• Bholi
• The Book That Saved the Earth

8. Four out of Five Short Answer Type Questions to be answered in 40-50 words from the book FIRST FLIGHT to assess interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation. 4x3=12 marks

9. Two out of three short-answer type Questions to be answered in 40-50 words each from FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET to assess interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation. 2x3=6 marks.

10. One out of two Long Answer Type Questions from FIRST FLIGHT to be answered in about 100- 120 words each to assess creativity, imagination and extrapolation beyond the text and across the text. This can be a passage-based question taken from a situation/plot from the text. 6 marks

11. One out of two Long Answer Type Questions from FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET, on theme or plot involving interpretation, extrapolation beyond the text and inference or character sketch to be answered in about 100-120 words. 6 marks

CBSE Class 10 English Internal Assessment 2025-26

Speaking and Listening Skills (30 Periods)

• Speaking and Listening Skills will be evaluated for 5 points.
• It is advised that speaking and listening skills be routinely exercised. Role-playing, skits, dramatization, and other arts-integrated projects must be used.

CBSE 10th English Assessment Criteria for Speaking and Listening

Students are evaluated on the following abilities as well:

Activities

Students can improve their speaking and listening abilities by using the listening and speaking activities on www.cbseacademic.in. Books listed on the syllabus should also be consulted by subject teachers. In addition to the aforementioned options, teachers are free to design their own exercises and materials to evaluate students' speaking and listening abilities.

Parameters for Evaluation

The following criteria will be used to evaluate speaking and listening abilities:

• Competent interaction (Initiation & turn-taking, relevance to the topic).
• Fluency (cohesion, coherence, and quickness of delivery) (cohesion, coherence, and speed of delivery).
• Vocabulary Language (accuracy and vocabulary).

Keeping of Records

Three months after the results are announced, the record of the tasks completed and the grades awarded must be retained in case the Board decides to inspect them at random. No speaking samples should be given to the Board.

CBSE Class 10 English Question Paper Design 2025-26

There is a specific question paper design that will be followed by the Central Board of Secondary Education to construct the CBSE class 10 English question paper. Check the detailed information regarding the same from the table given below:

Students must download the latest CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025-26 to understand the topics that are included in the curriculum. Make sure to prepare for the exams according to the latest syllabus and topics.