CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025-26 | Free PDF for 2026 Exams

Latest syllabus of CBSE Class 10 English Language & Literature is released for the 2025-26 session.

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From Nursery till Class 12, English is the most important and scoring subject. English or any language is vast so to start preparation, schools follow the CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus prescribed for every session. CBSE Syllabus Class 10 English includes reading comprehension, writing, grammar, and literature sections.

The first three sections included in the syllabus can be prepared by reference books. The Class 10 English syllabus for the literature subjects can be prepared using the NCERT Class 10 English textbook PDF for First Flight and Footprints without Feet. After writing answers in your language, students can review NCERT Class 10 English Solutions PDFs to evaluate their understanding.

Stay tuned for more updates – an exciting year of learning awaits!

CBSE Class 10 English L&L Question Paper Design

English Language and Literature comprise the two main sections of the CBSE English class 10 syllabus 2025-26. The goal of the English language distribution is to improve students' language skills in speaking, writing, and reading. The Literature section, on the other hand, focuses on studying and examining literary works.

Sections	Bloom Typologies (as per NEP 2023)	Total Marks
Reading Skills	Understanding \| Decoding \| Analysing \| Inferring \| Interpreting \| Vocabulary	20 marks
Creative Writing Skills and Grammar	Creative Expression \| Reasoning \| Justifying \| Illustrating \| Application	20 marks
Language through Literature	Recalling \| Reasoning \| Justifying \| Writing	40 marks
TOTAL		80 marks

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The CBSE Class 10 Literature syllabus includes an extensive range of texts:

Poetry: Students are introduced to many kinds of poetry, both classic and modern. This is meant to assist them in understanding the many forms and strategies used in poetry.
Prose: Students are introduced to a variety of prose literature, including novels, short tales, and non-fiction, through the course program. Their exposure to these styles and strategies aids in their understanding of writing.
Plays: A variety of plays, both classic and modern, are presented to the students. The goal is to facilitate their comprehension of the many forms and methods employed in theatre.

CLASS 10 ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE BLUEPRINT 2025
Sections	Topics	Marks
A Reading Skills	Discursive Passage	20
A Reading Skills	Case-based Passage	20
B Creative Writing Skills	Formal Letter	10
B Creative Writing Skills	Analytical Paragraph	10
B Grammar	Gap Filling/ Editing/ Transformation exercises	10
C Literature (First Flight & Footprints Without Feet)	Reference to the Context	40
C Literature (First Flight & Footprints Without Feet)	Short & Long Answers	40
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT Pen Paper Test (05) + Multiple Assessment (05) + Portfolio (05) + Subject Enrichment (05)		20
TOTAL		100

Several topics are included in the English Language syllabus for CBSE Class 10:

Reading Skills: By studying a wide range of resources, including poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, this section assists students in developing their reading skills. The selection of books is intended to help students broaden their vocabulary and comprehension by providing them with challenges and interests.

Writing Skills: Through a variety of assignments including letter, article, and narrative writing, this portion focuses on improving pupils' writing abilities. In addition to learning appropriate grammar and punctuation, students also learn how to arrange their writing and organize their thoughts.

Speaking Skills: In this section, group presentations, debates, and discussions are used to help students improve their speaking abilities. Along with learning proper body language and eye contact when speaking, students also learn how to communicate their ideas concisely and efficiently.

The CBSE Class 10 English syllabus 2025-26 contains activities in grammar and vocabulary in addition to these. The purpose of these activities is to help students improve their linguistic abilities.

Exam Structure according to Class 10 English 2025-26 Syllabus

The CBSE Class 10 English exam (Code 184) is divided into two main components: English Language and Literature. The exam lasts 3 hours and carries a total of 80 marks. It is structured into three sections:

Section A: Reading Comprehension – 20 Marks
Section B: Writing Skills and Grammar – 20 Marks
Section C: Literature – 40 Marks

Detailed Breakdown of Each Section

Let’s take a closer look at what each section includes:

Section	Topics
Section A: Reading Skills	I. Reading Comprehension through Unseen Passage (20 Marks) Discursive passage of 400-450 (10 marks) Case-based factual passage (with visual input- statistical data/chart ) of 200-250 words (10 marks) (Total length of two passages to be 600-700 words) Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions/Very Short Answer Questions will be asked to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference, evaluation and vocabulary.
Section B: Writing Skills and Grammar	II. Grammar (10 Marks) Determiners Tenses Modals Subject– verb concord Reported speech Commands and requests Statements 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 will be assessed through Gap Filling / Editing / Transformation (Ten out of twelve questions will be attempted)
	III Writing Skills (10 marks) 4. Writing a Descriptive Paragraph (word limit 100-120 words), describing a person / event / situation, based on visual or verbal cue/s. One out of two questions to be answered. (5 marks 5. Writing a Story (on a given cue/title) / Diary Entry, in 100-120 words. One out of two questions is to be answered. (5 marks)
Section C: Language through Literature 40 Marks	IV. Reference to the Context (5+5 = 10 Marks) 6. One extract out of two, from Drama / Prose 7. One extract out of two, from Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions will be asked to assess interpretation, analysis, inference, evaluation, appreciation and vocabulary.
	V. Short & Long Answer Questions 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)

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Prescribed NCERT Books for CBSE Class 10 English Exam

To prepare for the CBSE Class 10 English exam, students must study the following NCERT books:

First Flight (Main Textbook)

"First Flight" is the primary English textbook for Class 10, containing prose and poetry designed to enhance students' understanding of literature and language. The book includes engaging stories and thought-provoking poems.

A. Prose

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

Poems

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

Footprints Without Feet (Supplementary Reader)

"Footprints Without Feet" is an additional reader that features short stories with important moral lessons. This book encourages critical thinking and helps students analyse the underlying themes.

Stories included:

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

Key Features of the Supplementary Reader:

Summaries of each story
Character analysis for better understanding
Explanation of moral lessons
Answers to comprehension questions

This book not only enhances reading and analytical skills but also helps students grasp the deeper meanings behind the stories.

Class 10 English 2025-26 Syllabus Importance

For the academic year 2025-26, the CBSE Class 10 English syllabus is crucial to the students' whole learning. Here are a few main reasons:

Development of Language Skills: This curriculum, which covers speaking, writing, and reading, is essential to helping pupils improve their language abilities. These abilities are essential for efficient communication in all spheres of life—personal, professional, and academic.

Introduction to Literary Texts: The curriculum teaches students how to examine and exposes them to a wide range of literary texts. Their comprehension of literature is enhanced by this exposure, which also develops their capacity for critical thought and enjoyment of other artistic mediums.

Worldwide Language of Communication: English is a worldwide language of communication and is spoken extensively around the world. The English curriculum for CBSE Class 10 supports students in becoming proficient in the language, enabling efficient communication among people all over the world.

Medium of Instruction: Since English is used in the majority of schools, academic achievement depends on having a solid command of the language. The syllabus helps students learn the language skills they need to comprehend and engage in their academic studies.

Requirement for Higher Education: Proficiency in English is a prerequisite for many colleges and universities, both domestically and internationally. The CBSE Class 10 English syllabus helps students satisfy these criteria by improving the language abilities necessary for higher education.

Professional Success: Proficiency in English is essential for success in the globalized world of today. English is the language of trade and communication, hence many international corporations and organizations demand their staff to speak it well. The curriculum gives pupils the linguistic proficiency they need to succeed in the workforce.

Personal Development: Beyond just being able to communicate, having a solid command of the English language helps in personal development. It promotes awareness and admiration of various cultures and viewpoints in addition to allowing for successful self-expression. These abilities are developed by the CBSE Class 10 English syllabus, which fosters comprehensive personal growth.

Like Class 10 English Language and Literature Syllabus, students can also check out the Syllabus of Class 10 Hindi A and Class 10 Hindi B to plan their exams accordingly. Students can create a combined timetable for these exams to perform well and manage their time.

How to Prepare for CBSE Class 10 English 2026 Board Exams Using Syllabus

The following are some useful study strategies based on the English syllabus for Class 10 at CBSE:

Get Started Early: Make a study schedule and start preparing early. This guarantees that you cover the whole course and gives you time to revise.
Know the Syllabus: Make sure you comprehend the syllabus completely before starting any study. This saves time on irrelevant content and lets you concentrate your attention on pertinent subjects.
Use the Right Resources: Pick reading materials based on your preferred method of learning. Textbooks, internet sites, and coaching sessions can all be examples of this.
Practice Regularly: Reading, writing, and speaking skills require regular practice. Frequent practice helps identify problem areas and enhances abilities.
Ask for Help When Needed: If you're having trouble understanding an idea, don't be afraid to ask for help. Educators, guidance, or fellow students can offer significant assistance.
Regular Revision: Revision helps you to solidify your grasp of the material. Develop the practice of going over previously learned information again to improve recall.
Solve Previous Year exams: Exam patterns, question kinds, and marking systems may be understood by working through previous year's exams. It's a useful tool for getting ready.
Effective Time Management: Set aside enough time for each subject and adhere to your study plan. Steer clear of last-minute cramming to lessen anxiety and tension.
Take Breaks: Taking pauses during your study sessions might help you stay focused and avoid fatigue. Quick breaks help you stay motivated and focused.

A wide range of tools are available from CBSE to help students understand and finish the material. These comprise practice materials, revision notes, and access to an online learning environment. To help students grasp the material more thoroughly, the online platform offers interactive lessons, video lectures, and practice exams.

CBSE Syllabus Class 10 English 2026 | PDF Download