The CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus PDF is officially released by the Central Board of Secondary Education. Referring to the latest syllabus is crucial for effective board exam preparation, as it helps you focus on prescribed chapters, understand unit-wise weightage, and prioritise important topics likely to appear in the final exam.
CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026–27
The Class 10 CBSE English Syllabus 2026–27 focuses on improving reading, writing, grammar, and literature skills. It includes unseen passages, writing tasks, and chapters from NCERT books like First Flight and Footprints Without Feet. Regular practice helps you build accuracy and confidence for the exam.
Vikas Pandit13 May, 2026
CBSE Class 10 English is about strengthening your reading, writing, and communication skills while understanding a variety of texts and ideas. The CBSE English Syllabus 2026–27 covers reading, writing, grammar, and literature, helping you improve both language and expression.
You can prepare more effectively by practising sample papers, important questions, and PYQs on a regular basis. When you understand what each section involves, revision becomes simpler and more focused. This approach helps you stay organised, manage your time better, and feel more confident during exams.
Class 10 English Syllabus 2026–27 Overview
The Class 10 CBSE English Syllabus 2026–27 is divided into 3 main sections covering Reading, Writing & Grammar, and Literature from the NCERT books.
|
CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus |
|||
|
Sections |
Section Name |
Competencies |
Total Marks |
|
Section A |
Reading |
Question based on the following kinds of unseen passages to assess inference, evaluation, vocabulary, analysis and interpretation: 1. Discursive passage (400-450 words) 2. Case-based Factual passage (with visual input/ statistical data/ chart etc. 300-350 words) |
20 |
|
Section B |
Creative Writing Skills |
I. Writing a Formal Letter based on a given situation in 100-120 words. One out of two questions is to be answered II. Writing an Analytical Paragraph (100-120 words) on a given Map / Chart / Graph / Cue/s. One out of two questions is to be answered. |
20 |
|
Grammar |
1. Tenses 2. Modals 3. Subject-Verb Concord 4. Determiner 5. Reported Speech
|
||
|
Section C |
Literature |
Questions based on extracts/texts to assess interpretation, inference, and extrapolation beyond the text and across the texts. Reference to the Context- One extract out of two from Drama / Prose and one extract out of two from poetry. Short & Very Long Answer Questions 1. Four out of Five Short short-answer type Questions to be answered in 40-50 words from the book FIRST FLIGHT 2. Two out of three short-answer type Questions to be answered in 40-50 words each from FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET. 3. One out of two Long Answer Type Questions from FIRST FLIGHT to be answered in about 100-120 words 4. One out of two Long Answer Type Questions from FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET on the theme or plot to be answered in about 100-120 words |
40 |
|
Total |
|
80 |
|
Class 10 English Literature and Grammar Syllabus 2026-27
The CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature syllabus consists of three main books:
-
First Flight (Prose & Poetry)
-
Footprints Without Feet (Supplementary Reader)
-
Words and Expressions (Activity-based learning)
In the final week before the English board exam, you should revise literature chapters theme-wise and question-wise, instead of line-by-line reading. Understanding character traits, central ideas, and keywords is more effective for scoring than memorising summaries.
1. First Flight: Prose
The prose section of First Flight includes a collection of inspirational stories, autobiographies, and narratives that enhance reading comprehension and critical thinking.
These stories explore themes of courage, perseverance, human values, and social issues.
|
S. No. |
Chapter Title |
Author |
|
1 |
A Letter to God |
G.L. Fuentes |
|
2 |
Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom |
Nelson Mandela |
|
3 |
Two Stories About Flying (His First Flight & Black Aeroplane) |
Liam O’Flaherty & Frederick Forsyth |
|
4 |
From the Diary of Anne Frank |
Anne Frank |
|
5 |
Glimpses of India (A Baker from Goa, Coorg, Tea from Assam) |
Lucio Rodrigues, Lokesh Abrol, Arup Kumar Datta |
|
6 |
Mijbil the Otter |
Gavin Maxwell |
|
7 |
Madam Rides the Bus |
Vallikkannan |
|
8 |
The Sermon at Benares |
Based on Gautama Buddha’s Teachings |
|
9 |
The Proposal (Play) |
Anton Chekhov |
2. First Flight: Poems
The poetry section of First Flight includes a variety of thought-provoking and imaginative poems that explore themes of nature, emotions, life lessons, and human experiences. These poems enhance literary appreciation and analytical skills.
|
S. No. |
Poem Title |
Poet |
|
1 |
Dust of Snow |
Robert Frost |
|
2 |
Fire and Ice |
Robert Frost |
|
3 |
A Tiger in the Zoo |
Leslie Norris |
|
4 |
How to Tell Wild Animals |
Carolyn Wells |
|
5 |
The Ball Poem |
John Berryman |
|
6 |
Amanda! |
Robin Klein |
|
7 |
The Trees |
Adrienne Rich |
|
8 |
Fog |
Carl Sandburg |
|
9 |
The Tale of Custard the Dragon |
Ogden Nash |
|
10 |
For Anne Gregory |
W.B. Yeats |
3. Footprints Without Feet
The supplementary reader Footprints Without Feet includes a collection of short stories that explore mystery, adventure, science, morality, and human nature. These stories aim to enhance comprehension, analytical thinking, and vocabulary skills.
|
S. No. |
Story Title |
Author |
|
1 |
A Triumph of Surgery |
James Herriot |
|
2 |
The Thief’s Story |
Ruskin Bond |
|
3 |
The Midnight Visitor |
Robert Arthur |
|
4 |
A Question of Trust |
Victor Canning |
|
5 |
Footprints Without Feet |
H.G. Wells |
|
6 |
The Making of a Scientist |
Robert W. Peterson |
|
7 |
The Necklace |
Guy de Maupassant |
|
8 |
Bholi |
K.A. Abbas |
|
9 |
The Book That Saved the Earth |
Claire Boiko |
4. Words and Expressions
The Words and Expressions book focuses on enhancing communication skills, creativity, and critical thinking.
It includes interactive activities that promote reading, writing, speaking, and listening. These exercises help you develop confidence in using the English language effectively.
| Topic | Purpose / Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| Determiners | Learn how to use articles, quantifiers, possessives, and demonstratives correctly to make your sentences clear and grammatically accurate. |
| Tenses | Learn to express actions, events, and situations correctly in different time frames to improve your speaking and writing skills. |
| Modals | Develop the ability to express permission, possibility, obligation, suggestions, and necessity effectively in everyday communication. |
| Subject–Verb Concord | Learn to maintain proper agreement between subjects and verbs, helping you construct grammatically correct sentences. |
| Reported Speech | Learn how to report conversations, statements, questions, and commands indirectly while using correct tense and sentence structure. |
How to Prepare for Class 10 English Syllabus with PW?
Preparing for the Class 10 English syllabus becomes more effective when you combine concept learning with regular practice and revision. PW supports your preparation at every stage, helping you understand topics clearly, practise consistently, and track your progress with the right resources.
- Build Concepts with NCERT Solutions
Use Class 10 NCERT Solutions to learn step-by-step methods and strengthen your conceptual clarity across all chapters. - Practise Chapter-wise Important Questions
Solve Class 10 MIQs (Most Important Questions) to focus on high-weightage topics and improve problem-solving accuracy. - Analyse Exam Trends with PYQs
Work on Class 10 PYQs (Previous Year Questions) to understand question patterns and frequently asked concepts. - Test Your Preparation with Sample Papers
Attempt Class 10 Sample Papers to improve speed, accuracy, and time management in exam-like conditions.
CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026–27 PDF
CBSE Class 10 Syllabus 2026-27: All Subjects
| S. No | Links for CBSE Class 10 Syllabus 2026-27 |
| 1. | CBSE Syllabus for Class 10 Maths |
| 2. | CBSE Syllabus for Class 10 Science |
| 3. | CBSE Syllabus for Class 10 Hindi |
| 4. | CBSE Syllabus for Class 10 English |
| 5. | CBSE Syllabus for Class 10 Social Science |
CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026-27 FAQs
Q1: What are the main sections of the CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026-27?
The main sections are Reading Skills, Writing Skills with Grammar, and Language through Literature, each with specific mark allocations.
Q2: How many marks are allotted for the theory exam and internal assessment in Class 10 English?
The theory examination carries 80 marks, while internal assessment is for 20 marks, making a total of 100 marks for the subject.
Q3: What is the focus of the Reading Comprehension section in the CBSE Class 10 English syllabus?
This section focuses on assessing students' comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference, evaluation, and vocabulary through unseen discursive and factual passages.
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