Class 9 English Syllabus 2024-25 For CBSE 2025 Exams

Latest 2024-25 English Language & Literature Syllabus for Class 9

The CBSE Class 9 English Syllabus for the academic year 2024-25 aims to develop students’ reading, writing, grammar, and communication skills. The syllabus is thoughtfully structured to enhance language comprehension and encourage creative expression. Below is the detailed breakdown of the syllabus, including sections on literature, reading comprehension, writing skills, and grammar.

On this page, you can find direct PDF download links to the latest Class 9 English Language & Literature Syllabus for the 2024-25 academic session. We have also added a simple analysis of all the deleted and added topics according to the latest syllabus.

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2024-25 Class 10 English Deleted Syllabus

Beehive 

Chapter 7: Packing

Chapter 7: Poem ‘The Duck and the Kangaroo’

Chapter 9: The Bond of Love

Chapter 9: ‘The Snake Trying’

Moments

The Accidental Tourist (A Short Story)

Weathering the Storm in Ersama

Competency based paper design Class 9 English 2025

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English Language And Literature Blueprint Class 9 English 2025

*NOTE: Assessment of Listening and Speaking Skills will be for 5 marks. It is recommended that listening and speaking skills should be regularly practised.

Assessment Overview

The total marks for the Class 9 English exam are divided into 80 marks for the written paper and 20 marks for internal assessment, which includes periodic tests, notebook submission, and subject enrichment activities like reading and listening tasks.

• Reading Section: 20 marks
• Writing & Grammar: 30 marks
• Literature: 30 marks

Unit I: Class 9 CBSE English Reading Comprehension

Unseen Passages: Factual, descriptive, or literary passages of 400-500 words. Questions based on vocabulary, interpretation, and inference Weightage: 20 marks (approx).

Unit II: Class 9 CBSE English Writing Skills

Diary Entry: Students will learn to write personal diary entries. Focus on expressing thoughts and events in a structured format.

Story Writing:  Encourages creativity with prompts. Word limit: 150-200 words.

Formal and Informal Letters: Types of letters: Business, Complaint, and Informal letters. Students will learn the correct format and tone for both.

Article Writing: Students will be taught how to structure an article, focusing on current topics and relevant issues.

Descriptive Paragraph Writing:

1. Writing descriptions of people, places, or events.

Short Story Writing:

2. Developing a story based on given cues or situations.

Total Weightage for Writing Section: 20 marks.

Unit III: Class 9 CBSE English Grammar

1. Tenses: Simple and continuous tenses, including present, past, and future. Rules and usage in sentences.
2. Modals: Understanding and using modal verbs (can, could, may, might, etc.).
3. Subject-Verb Agreement: Understanding the rules for matching subjects and verbs in number and tense.
4. Reported Speech: Conversion of direct speech to indirect speech and vice versa.
5. Determiners: Articles, quantifiers, and possessives, and their correct usage.
6. Prepositions: Correct use of prepositions in sentences.
7. Conjunctions: Coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.
8. Clauses: Types of clauses (main, subordinate, and conditional clauses).
9. Total Weightage for Grammar Section: 10 marks.

Unit IV: Class 9 CBSE English Literature

The literature section is crucial in developing the interpretive and analytical skills of students. The CBSE Class 9 English syllabus includes two main textbooks:

Beehive (Prose and Poetry):

Prose:

• The Fun They Had by Isaac Asimov
• The Sound of Music by Deborah Cowley
• The Little Girl by Katherine Mansfield
• A Truly Beautiful Mind by Albert Einstein
• My Childhood by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
• Packing by Jerome K. Jerome
• Reach for the Top by Santosh Yadav
• The Bond of Love by Kenneth Anderson
• If I Were You by Douglas James

Poetry:

• The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
• Wind by Subramania Bharati
• Rain on the Roof by Coates Kinney
• A Legend of the Northland by Phoebe Cary
• No Men are Foreign by James Kirkup
• The Duck and the Kangaroo by Edward Lear
• On Killing a Tree by Gieve Patel
• The Snake Trying by W.W.E. Ross
• A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal by William Wordsworth

Moments (Supplementary Reader):

• The Lost Child by Mulk Raj Anand
• The Adventures of Toto by Ruskin Bond
• Iswaran the Storyteller by R.K. Laxman
• In the Kingdom of Fools by A.K. Ramanujan
• The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde
• The Last Leaf by O. Henry
• A House is Not a Home by Zan Gaudioso
• The Beggar by Anton Chekhov

Weightage for Literature Section: 30 marks.

Chapterwise breakdown for Class 9 CBSE English Syllabus 

1. Beehive (Prose) – Chapter-Wise Breakdown

Chapter 1: The Fun They Had

• Summary: Set in the future, this story by Isaac Asimov reflects on the contrast between traditional and virtual education. Two children discover a book about schools from the past, and they realize how different learning used to be.
• Themes: Technological advancements, education, and nostalgia for the past.
• Key Skills: Understanding futuristic fiction, comparing traditional and modern learning methods.

Chapter 2: The Sound of Music

• Summary: This chapter tells the inspiring stories of two musicians—Evelyn Glennie, a deaf percussionist, and Bismillah Khan, a maestro of the shehnai.
• Themes: Determination, overcoming physical disabilities, and passion for music.
• Key Skills: Biographical reading, motivational themes, understanding music as a universal language.

Chapter 3: The Little Girl

• Summary: This story by Katherine Mansfield highlights the strained relationship between a young girl, Kezia, and her strict father. It reveals how misunderstandings can create distance between parents and children.
• Themes: Family relationships, childhood fears, emotional connection.
• Key Skills: Analyzing parent-child relationships, understanding character development.

Chapter 4: A Truly Beautiful Mind

• Summary: A biographical account of Albert Einstein’s journey from a rebellious child to a world-renowned scientist, emphasizing both his scientific contributions and his humanitarian values.
• Themes: Intelligence, curiosity, peace advocacy.
• Key Skills: Reading biographical narratives, understanding scientific achievements and moral values.

Chapter 5: The Snake and the Mirror (Deleted)

• Summary: This humorous story is about a young doctor who encounters a snake in his room. The situation makes him reflect on vanity and the unpredictability of life.
• Themes: Vanity, fear, the unpredictability of life.
• Key Skills: Comprehension of humor, analyzing human behavior under stress.

Chapter 6: My Childhood

• Summary: This chapter is an excerpt from the autobiography of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, showcasing his early years and the influence of his upbringing on his later life.
• Themes: Childhood, family values, education, and ambition.
• Key Skills: Understanding autobiographical elements, cultural diversity, and early influences on character.

Chapter 7: Packing

• Summary: This amusing narrative by Jerome K. Jerome depicts the chaos caused by overconfidence in one’s packing abilities. The story humorously reflects on the inefficiency and disorder that follows.
• Themes: Humor, overconfidence, human nature.
• Key Skills: Reading humorous texts, understanding human flaws.

Chapter 8: Reach for the Top

• Summary: This chapter tells the inspiring stories of Santosh Yadav, the first woman to climb Mount Everest twice, and Maria Sharapova, the tennis sensation.
• Themes: Perseverance, ambition, breaking barriers.
• Key Skills: Biographical reading, motivation and goal setting, overcoming challenges.

Chapter 9: The Bond of Love

• Summary: This is a heartwarming story of a bond between a woman and her pet sloth bear, emphasizing the compassion and affection humans share with animals.
• Themes: Love for animals, compassion, relationships.
• Key Skills: Understanding themes of compassion and bond between humans and animals.

Chapter 10: If I Were You

• Summary: This play by Douglas James revolves around a witty exchange between Gerrard, a playwright, and a criminal who plans to impersonate him. Gerrard’s cleverness turns the tables on the intruder.
• Themes: Intelligence, wit, crime.
• Key Skills: Analyzing plays, understanding dramatic irony.

2. Beehive (Poetry) – Chapter-Wise Breakdown

Poem 1: The Road Not Taken (Robert Frost)

• Summary: A reflective poem about choices in life and the impact of decisions.
• Themes: Decision-making, individuality, and self-reflection.
• Key Skills: Interpreting symbolism, making connections between poetry and life.

Poem 2: Wind (Subramania Bharati)

• Summary: The poem explores the destructive power of wind and its symbolic relation to life’s hardships.
• Themes: Strength, resilience, natural forces.
• Key Skills: Understanding metaphors and symbolism in poetry.

Poem 3: Rain on the Roof (Coates Kinney)

• Summary: The poet expresses his love for the sound of raindrops on the roof and the memories they evoke.
• Themes: Nostalgia, comfort, nature’s soothing power.
• Key Skills: Sensory imagery, evoking emotions through nature.

Poem 4: A Legend of the Northland (Phoebe Cary)

• Summary: A folk ballad narrating the story of a selfish woman who is punished by Saint Peter for her greed.
• Themes: Greed, morality, consequences.
• Key Skills: Understanding ballads, moral lessons.

Poem 5: No Men are Foreign (James Kirkup)

• Summary: The poem advocates universal brotherhood and peace, emphasizing that people from different nations are not different from us.
• Themes: Equality, anti-war, unity.
• Key Skills: Global perspective, understanding anti-war messages in poetry.

Poem 6: The Duck and the Kangaroo (Edward Lear)

• Summary: A humorous poem about a duck who longs to travel and seeks help from a kangaroo.
• Themes: Adventure, friendship, and curiosity.
• Key Skills: Reading and analyzing light-hearted, humorous poems.

Poem 7: On Killing a Tree (Gieve Patel)

• Summary: This poem focuses on the process of uprooting a tree, symbolizing the destruction of nature by humans.
• Themes: Nature, destruction, survival.
• Key Skills: Environmental awareness, interpreting symbolic messages.

Poem 8: The Snake Trying (W.W.E. Ross)

• Summary: The poet describes a harmless snake trying to escape from humans who want to kill it, conveying sympathy for all creatures.
• Themes: Co-existence, compassion for animals.
• Key Skills: Creating empathy, understanding fear and survival in nature.

Poem 9: A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal (William Wordsworth)

• Summary: A short, reflective poem about the inevitability of death and its impact on the speaker’s emotions.
• Themes: Mortality, loss, nature’s cycle.
• Key Skills: Analyzing philosophical reflections through poetry.

3. Moments (Supplementary Reader) – Chapter-Wise Breakdown

Chapter 1: The Lost Child

• Summary: A child gets lost in a fair and is too overwhelmed by the loss of his parents to enjoy the things he previously desired.
• Themes: Parental love, innocence, priorities.
• Key Skills: Understanding emotional shifts in storytelling.

Chapter 2: The Adventures of Toto

• Summary: The humorous mischief of a pet monkey, Toto, and the trouble he causes for his owner.
• Themes: Mischief, care for animals.
• Key Skills: Comprehending animal behavior and storytelling humor.

Chapter 3: Iswaran the Storyteller

• Summary: A tale about a boy named Mahendra and his imaginative servant Iswaran, who narrates fascinating stories.
• Themes: Storytelling, imagination, trust.
• Key Skills: Exploring oral storytelling traditions.

Chapter 4: In the Kingdom of Fools

• Summary: A humorous story of a kingdom where both the king and the subjects act foolishly, resulting in comical and absurd situations.
• Themes: Foolishness, wisdom.
• Key Skills: Analyzing satire and irony.

Chapter 5: The Happy Prince

• Summary: The story of a golden statue who helps the poor through a swallow, showcasing compassion and sacrifice.
• Themes: Charity, compassion, selflessness.
• Key Skills: Understanding themes of sacrifice and social responsibility.

Chapter 6: Weathering the Storm in Ersama (Deleted)

• Summary: Based on a real-life incident, this story describes the resilience of a boy who survives a cyclone and helps rebuild his village.
• Themes: Courage, resilience, disaster recovery.
• Key Skills: Analyzing human strength and natural disasters.

Chapter 7: The Last Leaf

• Summary: A touching story of friendship and hope, where an old artist saves a girl’s life by painting the last leaf of a tree.
• Themes: Hope, friendship, and sacrifice.
• Key Skills: Understanding symbolism and thematic depth.

Chapter 8: A House is Not a Home

• Summary: The story deals with the emotional journey of a boy who learns to cope with the loss of his house and his beloved pet.
• Themes: Loss, rebuilding life, emotional strength.
• Key Skills: Analyzing personal loss and recovery.

Chapter 9: The Beggar

• Summary: A beggar transforms his life after being offered help and dignity by a kind woman.
• Themes: Kindness, transformation, dignity of labor.
• Key Skills: Understanding character growth and societal values.

Benefits of knowing Class 9 English Syllabus 2025

1. Organized Preparation

• The syllabus outlines the chapters, topics, and grammar concepts, helping you plan your study schedule effectively.
• It ensures that you don't miss out on any important topics or sections.

2. Focus on Key Areas

• Understanding the syllabus helps you identify which sections (literature, grammar, writing, or reading) need more attention.
• You can allocate more time to challenging topics and improve weaker areas.

3. Exam Readiness

• Familiarity with the syllabus aligns your preparation with the exam pattern and marking scheme.
• It ensures you practice relevant questions and topics likely to appear in exams.

4. Efficient Resource Management

• You can select the right study materials, reference books, and practice papers that cover the syllabus.
• Saves time and effort by avoiding irrelevant content.

5. Confidence Boost

• Knowing what to study reduces anxiety and builds confidence, as you're clear about what will be tested.
• You feel more in control of your preparation.

6. Skill Development

• The syllabus includes activities and sections aimed at improving comprehension, writing skills, and grammar.
• Helps you build critical thinking and communication skills.

Knowing the Class 9 CBSE English syllabus for 2025 empowers you to approach your studies strategically and effectively. It provides a clear roadmap for focused preparation, helping you excel in exams while improving essential language and communication skills. Staying aware of the syllabus ensures you’re well-prepared and confident to tackle any challenges, making your academic journey smoother and more rewarding.