CBSE Class 10 Science Syllabus For 2023-24 (Revised)

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the rationalized syllabus for Class 10 for the academic session 2023-2024. The pattern in Science has undergone some changes in accordance with the emerging needs of current technology requirements. The curriculum at the Secondary stage primarily aims at enhancing the capacity of students to employ Science in solving day-to-day life problems. The proposed curriculum includes the study of Chemical Substances-Nature and Behaviour, World of Living, Natural Phenomena, Natural Resources, Effects of Current, etc.

The Science syllabus for class 10 is designed in such a way that it forms the foundation for the all-important board exams and competitive exams in the upcoming years. 

CBSE Science Syllabus For Class 10 follows the Class 10 Science syllabus of NCERT.

Detailed Syllabus of Class 10 Science CBSE

Chapter 1: Chemical Reactions

In earlier classes, you studied molecules and atoms. In this chapter, you will continue your journey on substances in this chapter. You will learn about the nature and behaviour of different substances based on their chemical properties.

• Chemical Equation
• Balanced Chemical Equation
• Implications of a Balanced Chemical Equation
• Types of Chemical Reactions
• Combination
• Decomposition 
• Displacement 
• Double Displacement
• Precipitation, 
• Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions 
• Oxidation and Reduction

Chapter 2: Acids, Bases and Salts

This chapter introduces you to acids and bases by explaining their different types commonly used by us. You will study their composition and properties. Salt is one of the common compounds found in nature. In this chapter, you will learn about the composition and properties of different types of salts.  

• Their Definitions in Terms of Furnishing of H+ and OH– Ions
• General Properties
• Examples and Uses 
• Neutralization
• Concept of pH scale (Definition relating to logarithm not required) 
• Importance of pH in Everyday Life 
• Preparation and Uses of
  • Sodium Hydroxide
  • Bleaching Powder 
  • Baking Soda 
  • Washing Soda 
  • Plaster of Paris

Chapter 3: Metals and Non-Metals

Natural substances that you see around you are broadly classified as metals and non-metals. The third chapter of the CBSE 10 science syllabus explains these two types of substances, their properties, and their composition, along with their characteristic features that will help you to distinguish between metals and non-metals.

• Properties of Metals and Non-Metals
• Reactivity Series
• Formation and Properties of Ionic Compounds 
• Basic Metallurgical Processes 
• Corrosion and Its Prevention

Chapter 4: Carbon Compounds

Carbon compounds are one of the most commonly found compounds in nature. These compounds are present in all living organisms and the food they eat. In this chapter, you will learn about different categories of carbon compounds, their chemical composition and structure, and also their physical and chemical properties.

• Covalent Bonding in Carbon Compounds 
• Versatile Nature of Carbon
• Homologous Series
• Nomenclature of Carbon Compounds Containing Functional Groups
  • Halogens
  • Alcohol
  • Ketones 
  • Aldehydes 
  • Alkanes 
  • Alkynes 
• Difference Between Saturated Hydro Carbons and Unsaturated Hydrocarbons. 
• Chemical Properties of Carbon Compounds
  • Combustion 
  • Oxidation
  • Addition and Substitution Reaction 
• Ethanol and Ethanoic Acid (only properties and uses), 
• Soaps and Detergents

Chapter 5: Life Processes

In earlier classes, you studied living and non-living organisms. In this chapter of the CBSE class 10 science syllabus, you will understand the vital life process and the different types that help different living organisms to live and sustain on Earth.

• Living Being 
• Basic Concept of Nutrition 
• Respiration
• Transport and Excretion in
  • Plants 
  • Animals

Chapter 6: Control and Co-Ordination in Animals and Plants

Movement is one of the basic differences between living and non-living things. This biology chapter introduces you to different types of movements in plants and animals. You will also how these movements are coordinated in plants and animals.

• Tropic Movements in Plants 
• Introduction of Plant Hormones 
• Control and Co-Ordination in Animals
  • Nervous System 
  • Voluntary 
  • Involuntary 
  • Reflex Action 
• Chemical Co-Ordination
  • Animal Hormones

Chapter 7: Reproduction

Reproduction ensures the continuity of the species and keeps it from becoming extinct. It plays a role in evolution as it creates variations via genetic recombinations. In this chapter of the CBSE 10 science syllabus, you will learn about different types of reproduction in plants and animals. It also covers other different aspects such as reproductive health and diseases like HIV/AIDS.

• Reproduction in Animals and Plants
  • Asexual 
  • Sexual 
• Reproductive Health – Need and Methods of Family Planning 
• Safe Sex vs HIV/AIDS
• Child Bearing and Women’s Health

Chapter 8: Heredity and Evolution

This chapter of biology introduces you to the field of genetics. Genetics can help you understand your own health and make healthy choices. It covers the topics of heredity and Mendel’s laws of inheritance. 

• Heredity 
• Mendel’s Contribution- Laws for Inheritance of Traits 
• Sex Determination: Brief Introduction: (Topics Excluded – Evolution; Evolution and Classification and Evolution should not be equated with progress).

Chapter 9: Reflection of Light by Curved Surfaces

In earlier classes, you studied light. This chapter of the CBSE 10 science syllabus introduces you to two basic phenomena of light – reflection. In this chapter, you will learn about the characteristics and features of this phenomenon and its use in different optical devices. 

• Images Formed by Spherical Mirrors 
• Centre of Curvature
• Principal Axis
• Principal Focus
• Focal Length 
• Mirror Formula (Derivation not required)
• Magnification

Chapter 10: Refraction

The refraction of light happens when a ray of light travels into a different medium.  In this chapter, you will understand the meaning and different laws of refraction. This chapter also covers topics on lenses and their properties and uses. 

• Laws of Refraction
• Refractive Index
• Refraction of Light by Spherical Lens 
• Image Formed by Spherical Lenses 
• Lens Formula(Derivation not required) 
• Magnification 
• Power of a Lens
• Functioning of a Lens in Human Eye 
• Defects of Vision and Their Corrections 
• Applications of Spherical Mirrors and Lenses 
• Refraction of Light Through a Prism 
• Dispersion of Light 
• Scattering of Light 
• Applications in Daily Life (Excluding Colour of the Sun at Sunrise and Sunset)

Chapter 11: Electric Current

In earlier classes, you learn about electricity and its uses. In this chapter, you will learn what constitutes electricity, the factors that control or regulate the flow of electricity, and how electricity flow in an electric circuit. The heating effects of electric current and its applications are also discussed in detail. 

• Potential Difference and Electric Current 
• Ohm’s law
  • Resistance 
  • Resistivity
  • Factors on which the Resistance of a Conductor Depends 
• Series Combination of Resistors 
• Parallel Combination of Resistors 
• Combination Applications in Daily Life 
• Heating Effect of Electric Current and Its Applications in Daily Life 
• Electric Power 
• Interrelation Between P, V, I, and R

Chapter 12: Magnetic Effects of Current 

Magnetic effects of electric current is an important chapter of the CBSE class 10 science syllabus. This topic lays the foundation for certain other important concepts in the physics syllabus for higher classes. In this chapter, you will learn about the relationship between electricity and magnetism and the forces and laws governing the two. You will also learn about two different types of currents – AC and DC.

• Magnetic Field
• Field Lines 
• Field Due to a Current Carrying Conductor
• Field due to Current Carrying Coil or Solenoid 
• Force on Current Carrying Conductor
• Fleming’s Left Hand Rule 
• Direct Current 
• Alternating Current 
• Frequency of AC 
• Advantage of AC over DC
• Domestic Electric Circuits

Chapter 13: Our Environment

You have heard the word ‘environment’ often being used on the television, in newspapers and by people around us. Our elders tell us that the ‘environment’ is not what it used to be earlier. You might also be aware of global summits involving developed and developing countries regularly held to discuss ‘environmental’ issues. In this chapter, you will study how various factors in the environment interact with each other and how we impact the environment.

• Eco-System
• Environmental Problems 
• Ozone Depletion 
• Waste Production and Their Solutions 
• Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Substances

Note: 

• The chapter Management of Natural Resources (NCERT Chapter 16) will not be assessed in the year-end examination. However, learners may be assigned to read this chapter and encouraged to prepare a brief write-up of any concept of this chapter in their Portfolio. This may be for Internal Assessment and credit may be given Periodic Assessment/Portfolio).
• The NCERT textbooks present information in boxes across the book. These help students get conceptual clarity. However, the information in these boxes would not be assessed in the year-end examination.

Unit-Wise Distribution of Marks

The unit-wise distribution of marks for the class 10 science syllabus is as follows.

Unit #	Unit	Marks
I	Chemical Substances-Nature and Behaviour	25
II	World of Living	25
III	Natural Phenomena	12
IV	Natural Resources	13
V	Effects of Current	05
	Total	80
	Internal Assessment	20
	Grand Total	100

Unit-Wise Distribution of Chapters

Unit I: Chemical Substances-Nature and Behaviour(Theme: Materials)

• Chemical Reactions
• Acids, Bases and Salts
• Metals and Non-Metals
• Carbon Compounds

Unit II: World of Living(Theme: The World of the Living)

• Life Processes
• Control and Co-Ordination in Animals and Plants
• Reproduction
• Heredity and Evolution

Unit III: Natural Phenomena(Theme: Natural Phenomena)

• Reflection of Light by Curved Surfaces
• Refraction

Unit IV: Natural Resources(Theme: Natural Resources)

• Our Environment

Unit V: Effects of Current(Theme: How Things Work)

• Electric Current
• Magnetic Effects of Current

Question Paper Design

The following is the question paper design for the class 10 science syllabus. 

Competencies	Weightage
Demonstrate Knowledge and Understanding	46%
Application of Knowledge/Concepts	22%
Formulate, Analyze, Evaluate and Create	32%
Total	100%

Note:

Suggestive verbs for various competencies

1. Demonstrate Knowledge and Understanding
   • State, name, list, identify, define, suggest, describe, outline, summarize, etc.
2. Application of Knowledge/Concepts
   • Calculate, illustrate, show, adapt, explain, distinguish, etc.
3. Formulate, Analyze, Evaluate and Create
   • Interpret, analyze, compare, contrast, examine, evaluate, discuss, construct, etc

Note:

• Typology of Questions: VSA including objective type questions, Assertion – Reasoning type questions; SA; LA; Source-based/ Case-based/ Passage-based/ Integrated assessment questions.
• An internal choice of approximately 33% would be provided.

Internal Assessment (20 Marks)

• Periodic Assessment – 05 marks + 05 marks
• Subject Enrichment (Practical Work) – 05 marks
• Portfolio – 05 marks

Practicals

Practicals should be conducted alongside the concepts taught in theory classes.

List of Experiments

1. A. Finding the pH of the following samples by using pH paper/universal indicator: Unit-I

• Dilute Hydrochloric Acid
• Dilute NaOH solution
• Dilute Ethanoic Acid solution
• Lemon juice
• Water
• Dilute Hydrogen Carbonate solution

B. Studying the properties of acids and bases (HCl & NaOH) on the basis of their reaction with: Unit-I

• Litmus solution (Blue/Red)
• Zinc metal
• Solid sodium carbonate

2. Performing and observing the following reactions and classifying them into: Unit-I

Reactions

• Combination reaction
• Decomposition reaction
• Displacement reaction
• Double displacement reaction

Practicals

• Action of water on quicklime
• Action of heat on ferrous sulphate crystals
• Iron nails kept in copper sulphate solution
• Reaction between sodium sulphate and barium chloride solutions

3. Observing the action of Zn, Fe, Cu, and Al metals on the following salt solutions: Unit-I

• $\text{ZnSO}_4$(aq)
• $\text{FeSO}_4$(aq)
• $\text{CuSO}_4$(aq)
• $\text{Al}_2 \left(\text{SO}_4 \right)_3$ (aq)
• Arranging Zn, Fe, Cu and Al (metals) in the decreasing order of reactivity based on the above result.

4. Studying the dependence of potential difference (V) across a resistor on the current (I) passing through it and determining its resistance. Also plotting a graph between V and I. Unit-IV

5. Determination of the equivalent resistance of two resistors when connected in series and parallel. Unit-IV

6. Preparing a temporary mount of a leaf peel to show stomata. Unit- II

7. Experimentally show that carbon dioxide is given out during respiration. Unit-II

8. Study of the following properties of acetic acid (ethanoic acid): Unit- I

• Odour
• Solubility in water
• Effect on litmus
• Reaction with Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate

9. Study of the comparative cleaning capacity of a sample of soap in soft and hard water. Unit- I

10. Determination of the focal length of: Unit-III

• Concave mirror by obtaining the image of a distant object.
• Convex lens by obtaining the image of a distant object.

11. Tracing the path of a ray of light passing through a rectangular glass slab for different angles of incidence. Measure the angle of incidence, angle of refraction, and angle of emergence and interpret the result. Unit – III

12. Studying (a) binary fission in Amoeba, and (b) budding in yeast and Hydra with the help of prepared slides. Unit-II

13. Tracing the path of the rays of light through a glass prism. Unit-III

14. Identification of the different parts of an embryo of a dicot seed (Peas, gram, or red kidney bean). Unit-II

Best Science Reference Books For Class 10 CBSE

If you are looking for the best Science reference books for Class 10 CBSE, then this list is for you. Here we have listed some of the best Science books that will help you score high marks in your exams. These books cover the entire science syllabus of Class 10 and are a great resource for students who want to excel in this subject. In this list, we will recommend three of the best science reference books for 10th grade students who are following the CBSE curriculum.

• The first book on our list is ” Science for 10th Class: Physics” by Lakhmir Singh and Manjit Kaur. This book is considered to be one of the best science reference books for 10th grade students because it covers all the topics in detail and also provides solved examples to help students understand the concepts better. Check Price
• Another good science reference book for 10th grade students is “Science for 10th Class: Chemistry” by Lakhmir Singh and Manjit Kaur. This book is also very comprehensive and covers all the topics in detail. It also provides solved examples and is considered to be one of the best books for learning science. Check Price
• “Science for 10th Class: Biology”, Lakhmir Singh and Manjit Kaur.  It provides solved examples in an easy way to learn and understand and also has a large collection of questions for students to work out. Check Price

For some more good reference science books for Class 10 check here.

Books Prescribed For Class 10 By CBSE

• Science-Text book for class X- NCERT Publication
• Assessment of Practical Skills in Science- Class X- CBSE Publication
• Laboratory Manual-Science-Class X, NCERT Publication
• Exemplar Problems Class X – NCERT Publication

FAQs

CBSE Science Syllabus For Class 10 Pdf

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is a national-level board of education in India for public and private schools, controlled and managed by the Union Government of India.

Class 10 is an important class for students as it is the foundation for their future studies. In order to help students perform well in their exams, the CBSE has released the Science Syllabus for Class 10. The syllabus covers all the important topics that will be taught in Class 10.

Based on the CBSE class 10 Science syllabus, we have created this detailed and beautiful PDF which you can download and refer to anytime. This PDF not only covers the full list of chapters and topics within each chapter, but it also has a list of resources that parents, teachers, and students will find very helpful. So, go ahead and download this CBSE Science Syllabus For Class 10 PDF.

Summary

The CBSE 10th Class Science Syllabus has been designed to provide a strong foundation in the subject and prepare students for higher-level courses.

The syllabus covers a wide range of topics, from Chemical Reactions to Carbon and its Compounds in chemistry, Life Processes to Heredity and Evolution in biology, and Reflection and Refraction to Electricity and Magnetism in physics.

Overall, the CBSE 10th Class Science Syllabus provides a well-rounded education in science that will give students the skills they need to succeed in higher-level courses.