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ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Syllabus 2025-26 PDF, Exam Pattern

The ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Syllabus 2026 has been released by CISCE on its official website @cisce.org. Students can download the complete PDF to understand all topics, plan their preparation, and revise effectively for the ICSE Class 10 Board Exam scheduled on 11th March 2026.
authorImageYashasvi Tyagi17 Feb, 2026
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ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Syllabus 2025

The ICSE Class 10 Chemistry syllabus for the academic year 2025-26 has been officially released by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). This syllabus provides a comprehensive outline of all essential topics and concepts that students are expected to master during the academic session.

Key areas include Periodic Properties, Chemical Bonding, Acids, Bases and Salts, Analytical Chemistry, Mole Concept and Stoichiometry, Electrolysis, Metallurgy, and Organic Chemistry. The syllabus also emphasizes practical experiments to strengthen understanding through hands-on learning and observations.

With the ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Board Exam scheduled on 11th March 2026, reviewing the syllabus now is crucial. By following it carefully, students can structure their preparation, focus on important topics, revise efficiently, and approach the board exam with clarity and confidence.

ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Solutions

ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Syllabus 2025-26 Overview

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has released the ICSE Class 10 Chemistry syllabus for the academic year 2025-26. Below is an overview of the key details related to the syllabus and exam pattern.

ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Syllabus 2023-2024 Overview
S.No. Chapter Topics
1. Periodic Properties and Variations of Properties Periodic properties and variations in groups and periods
Periodicity on the basis of atomic number for elements
2. Chemical Bonding Electrovalent, covalent and coordinate bonding
Structures of various compounds
Electron dot structure, characteristic properties
3. Study of Acids, Bases, and Salts Simple definitions in terms of molecules and their characteristic properties
Ions present in mineral acids, alkalis, and salts and their solutions
Use of litmus and pH paper to test for acidity and alkalinity
Definition and types of salts
Action of dilute acids on salts
Methods of preparation of Normal salts with relevant equations
4. Analytical Chemistry Action of Ammonium Hydroxide and Sodium Hydroxide on solution of salts Action of alkalis (NaOH, KOH) on certain metals, their oxides, and hydroxides
5. Mole Concept and Stoichiometry Gay Lussac’s Law of Combining Volumes, Avogadro’s Law
Refer to the atomicity of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and chlorine
Vapour Density and its relation to relative molecular mass
Mole and its relation to mass
Simple calculations based on chemical equations
6. Electrolysis Electrolytes and non-electrolytes
Definition and explanation of electrolysis, electrolyte, electrode, anode, cathode, anion, cation, oxidation, and reduction.
An elementary study of the migration of ions, illustrated by the electrolysis of various substances
Applications of electrolysis
7. Metallurgy Occurrence of metals in nature
Stages involved in the extraction of metals
Extraction of Aluminium
Alloys - composition and uses
8. Study of Compounds Hydrogen Chloride - preparation, reactions, properties
Ammonia - preparation, reactions, uses
Nitric Acid - preparations, reactions
Sulphuric Acid - preparation and its behaviour as an acid, oxidising agent, dehydrating agent
9. Organic Chemistry Introduction to Organic compounds
Structure and Isomerism
Homologous series with characteristics and examples
Simple nomenclature
Hydrocarbons - alkanes, alkenes, alkynes

ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Syllabus 2025-26 Chapter-Wise

ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Syllabus for 2025-26 aims to cover essential Chemistry concepts such as periodic properties, chemical bonding, acids, bases, salts, analytical chemistry, mole concept, stoichiometry, electrolysis, metallurgy, and organic chemistry. The detailed topics for each chapter are provided below:

Chapter 1: Periodic Properties and variations of Properties – Physical and Chemical

(i) Understanding the variations of properties at regular intervals in groups and periods. Examine and grasp the definitions and trends of the subsequent periodic properties in both groups and periods:
  • Size of atoms
  • Metallic attributes
  • Non-metallic attributes
  • Ionisation potential
  • Electron affinity
  • Electronegativity
(ii) The arrangement based on atomic numbers for elements. Explore the modern periodic table, specifically up to period 3 (although students will be familiarised with the entire table, questions will only pertain to elements up to Argon). Explain periodicity and associated properties based on nuclear charge and shells (not orbitals).

Chapter 2: Chemical Bonding

(a) Electrovalent bonding: Electron dot structures for electrovalent compounds like NaCl, MgCl2, and CaO. Distinctive features of electrovalent compounds, such as their form of existence, melting and boiling points, conductivity (heat and electricity), and dissociation in solution and molten state connected to electrolysis.

(b) Covalent Bonding: Electron dot structures for covalent molecules based on duplet and octet electron rules (e.g., hydrogen, chlorine, nitrogen, ammonia, carbon tetrachloride, methane). Polar Covalent compounds explained by differences in electronegativity, with examples like HCl and H2O, including their structures. Characteristic properties of Covalent compounds, considering their state, melting and boiling points, conductivity (heat and electricity), and ionisation in solution. Comparison between Electrovalent and Covalent compounds.

(c) Coordinate Bonding: Definition Explaining the lone pair effect of the oxygen atom in water and the nitrogen atom in ammonia, illustrating the formation of H3O+ and OH- ions in water and NH4+ ions.

Chapter 3: Study of Acids, Bases and Salts

(i) Clear explanations based on the molecules and their characteristic properties.

(ii) Examination of ions found in mineral acids, alkalis, and salts, along with their solutions; application of litmus and pH paper for assessing acidity and alkalinity.
Providing examples with equations for the ionisation/dissociation of acids, bases, and salts. Acids generate hydronium ions (positive ions only), turning blue litmus red

Alkalis produce hydroxyl ions (negative ions only) in water, changing red litmus to blue. Salts result from the partial or complete replacement of the hydrogen ion of an acid by a metal, elucidated through suitable examples. Introduction to the pH scale for testing acidity, neutrality, and alkalinity using pH paper or Universal indicator.

(iii) Explanation of salt and its various types. 
Detailing types of salts: normal salts, acid salt, basic salt, with definitions and examples.

(iv) Exploration of the impact of dilute acids on salts.
Breaking down hydrogen carbonates, carbonates, sulphites, and sulphides using appropriate acids, with heating if needed. (Conducting relevant laboratory experiments is essential.)

(v) Presentation of methods for preparing Normal salts with corresponding equations. Included methods are:
  • Direct combination
  • Displacement
  • Precipitation (double decomposition)
  • Neutralisation of insoluble base
  • Neutralisation of an alkali (titration)
  • Action of dilute acids on carbonates and bicarbonates.

Chapter 4: Analytical Chemistry

(i) The effect of Ammonium Hydroxide and Sodium Hydroxide on salt solutions: observing the colour of the salt and its solution; noting the creation and colour of the precipitated hydroxide for Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Pb salts; emphasising the unique impact of ammonium hydroxide on copper salt solutions, as well as the action of sodium hydroxide and ammonium salts.
Regarding salt solutions:
  • Noting the colour of the salt and its solution.
  • Adding Sodium Hydroxide gradually to solutions of Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Pb salts, and observing the formation and colour of the resulting hydroxide precipitate, with relevant equations.
  • Adding Ammonium Hydroxide gradually to solutions of Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Pb salts, and observing the formation and colour of the resulting hydroxide precipitate, with relevant equations.
  • Highlighting the specific impact of Ammonium Hydroxide on copper salt solutions and the effects of sodium hydroxide and ammonium salts.
(ii) The reaction of alkalis (NaOH, KOH) with certain metals, their oxides, and hydroxides, including aluminium, zinc, and lead. These substances exhibit amphoteric characteristics when interacting with caustic alkalis (NaOH, KOH).

Chapter 5: Mole Concept and Stoichiometry

(i) Gay Lussac's Law of Combining Volumes; Avogadro's Law.
  • Concept of mole – a quantity like a dozen or a gross (Avogadro's number).
  • Avogadro's Law - declaration and explanation.
  • Gay Lussac's Law of Combining Volumes – Explanation and statement.
  • Understanding molar volume - "the weight of 22.4 litres of any gas at S.T.P. is the same as its molar mass." (Formal proof won't be covered but may be explained for clarity).
  • Basic computations based on molar volume and Gay Lussac's law.
(ii) Discuss the atomicity of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and chlorine (proof not necessary).
The explanation can be provided using equations for the creation of HCl, NH3, and NO.
(iii) Vapour Density and its connection to relative molecular mass: 
Molecular mass = 2*vapour density (formal proof not needed) Derivation of simple (empirical) and molecular formulas from:
  • (a) the percentage composition of a compound.
  • (b) the masses of combining elements.
(iv) Mole and its connection to mass. Relating mole and atomic mass; obtaining gram atomic mass and then gram atom; atomic mass deals with one atom; gram atomic mass is the mass of one mole of atoms. Relating mole and molecular mass, arriving at gram molecular mass and gram molecule – molecular mass relates to a molecule, gram molecular mass is the mass of one mole of molecules. Basic calculations based on the relationship of mole to mass, volume, and Avogadro's number.

Chapter 6: Electrolysis

(i) Electrolytes and non-electrolytes. Definitions and examples.
(ii) Materials with only molecules, only ions, or both molecules and ions.
  • Substances with molecules exclusively, ions exclusively, or a combination of molecules and ions.
  • Examples explain how their composition influences their behaviour as strong or weak electrolytes and non-electrolytes.
(iii) Explanation and definition of electrolysis, electrolyte, electrode, anode, cathode, anion, cation, oxidation, and reduction (based on the loss and gain of electrons).
(iv) Basic examination of ion migration, considering factors affecting selective discharge of ions (referring to the activity series, indicating metal tendencies, e.g., Na, Mg, Fe, Cu, to form ions). This is demonstrated through the electrolysis of: 
  • Molten lead bromide
  • Acidified water with platinum electrodes
  • Aqueous copper (II) sulphate with copper electrodes; showcasing electron transfer at the electrodes.
(v) Practical uses of electrolysis. Application examples include electroplating with nickel and silver, selection of electrolyte for electroplating, and electrorefining of copper.

Chapter 7: Metallurgy

(i) Occurrence of metals in nature:
  • Mineral and ore - Meaning only.
  • Common ores of iron, aluminium, and zinc.
(ii) Stages involved in the extraction of metals. Dressing of the ore – hydrolytic method, magnetic separation, froth flotation method.
  • Conversion of concentrated ore to its oxide- roasting and calcination (definition, examples with equations).
  • Reduction of metallic oxides- some can be reduced by hydrogen, carbon and carbon monoxide (e.g. copper oxide, lead (II) oxide, iron (III) oxide and zinc oxide) and some cannot (e.g. Al2O3, MgO) - refer to activity series). Active metals by electrolysis e.g. sodium, potassium and calcium.
  • Electro refining – reference only.
(iii) Extraction of Aluminium.
  • Chemical method for purifying bauxite by using NaOH – Baeyer’s Process.
  • Electrolytic extraction – Hall Heroult’s process: Structure of electrolytic cell - the various components as part of the electrolyte, electrodes, and electrode reactions. Description of the changes occurring, the purpose of the substances used, and the main reactions with their equations.
(iv) Alloys – composition and uses. Stainless steel, duralumin, brass, bronze, fuse metal/solder

Chapter 8: Study of Compounds

  • Hydrogen Chloride
  • Ammonia
  • Nitric Acid
  • Sulphuric Acid

Chapter 9: Organic Chemistry

(i) Overview of Organic Substances.
(ii) Construction and Isomeric Forms.
(iii)  Homologous Sequences – Features with Instances.
(iv)  Basic Naming.
(v) Hydrocarbons: Saturated (alkanes), Unsaturated (alkenes, alkynes).
(vi)  Alcohols: Ethanol – Making, Traits, and Applications.
(vii)  Carboxylic Acids (aliphatic - single-carboxylic acid): Acetic Acid – Characteristics and Applications of Acetic Acid.

ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Syllabus Practical Work

Candidates will need to observe the impact of reagents or heat on given substances. The exercises will be straightforward, involving the recognition and identification of certain gases and ions. However, examiners may choose substances beyond those with listed ions.
  • Gases: Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon dioxide, Chlorine, Hydrogen chloride, Sulphur dioxide, Hydrogen sulphide, Ammonia, Water vapour, Nitrogen dioxide.
  • Ions : Calcium, Copper, Iron, Lead, Zinc, Ammonium, Carbonate, Chloride, Nitrate, Sulphide, Sulphite, Sulphate.
While knowledge of a formal analysis scheme is unnecessary, semi-micro techniques are acceptable. Candidates using such techniques may need to adjust instructions according to the apparatus's size. Candidates should have completed the following minimum practical work:
  • Observe the action of heat on substances like copper carbonate, zinc carbonate, zinc nitrate, copper nitrate, and lead nitrate. Record observations, identify products, and make deductions (equations not required).
  • Make a solution of an unknown substance: add sodium hydroxide solution or ammonium hydroxide solution, observe, and deduce. Warming the mixture may be necessary. Choose substances containing Ca2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Pb2+, Zn2+, NH4+.
  • Provide a solution of dilute acid and alkali. Determine which is acidic and which is basic, providing two tests for each.
  • Add concentrated hydrochloric acid to given substances, warm, observe, identify any product, and make deductions for copper oxide and manganese dioxide.

ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Exam Pattern 2025-26

If you're preparing for the ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Board Exam 2025-26, it's important to understand the exam pattern thoroughly. This will help you manage your time and approach each section strategically.

ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Exam Pattern 2025-26

Component

Details

Total Duration

2 Hours

Total Marks

100 Marks

Theory Exam

80 Marks

Internal Assessment

20 Marks (Based on Practical Work)

Sections in Theory Exam

Section I (40 Marks) and Section II (40 Marks)

Section I

Compulsory short-answer questions covering the entire syllabus

Section II

Six questions given, attempt any four out of the six

ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Syllabus 2025

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Preparation Tips for ICSE Class 10 Chemistry 2025

  • Review the Syllabus Thoroughly: Go through the ICSE Class 10 Chemistry syllabus 2025-26 carefully. Focus on important chapters: Chemical Reactions, Acids, Bases and Salts, Periodic Table, Metallurgy, and Organic Chemistry. Identify chapters or topics that carry more weight in the board exam (based on previous years’ papers).
  • Understand Concepts, Don’t Just Memorize: Learn why and how reactions occur. Relate reactions to real-life applications for better understanding. Avoid rote learning; focus on logical reasoning behind each concept.
  • Practice Chemical Equations: Regularly practice balancing chemical equations. Ensure accuracy and proper representation of reactants and products. Pay attention to oxidation-reduction reactions and other commonly tested types.
  • Make Notes and Use Flashcards: Create concise notes for definitions, formulas, reactions, and important tests. Use flashcards for quick revision of chemical formulas, valencies, and periodic table trends.
  • Master the Periodic Table: Revise groups, periods, trends, and properties of elements. Focus on key elements frequently asked in exams.
  • Practice Numericals: Solve problems from Mole Concept, Gas Laws, and Stoichiometry. Show all steps clearly and perform unit conversions carefully. Time yourself while solving numericals to improve speed and accuracy.
  • Prepare for Practicals and Internal Assessment: Internal assessment carries 20 marks; perform all practicals diligently. Maintain a complete and accurate lab record book. Revise common viva questions and experiment observations.
  • Solve Past Papers and Mock Tests: Practice previous years’ papers to understand the exam pattern. Attempt mock tests within the 2-hour time limit. Identify your weak areas and revise them thoroughly.

 

ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Syllabus FAQs

What are the main topics covered in the ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Syllabus 2026?

The syllabus covers fundamental concepts like periodic properties, chemical bonding, acids, bases, salts, analytical chemistry, the mole concept, stoichiometry, electrolysis, metallurgy, and organic chemistry.

Where can I find the official ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Syllabus 2026?

You can download the official syllabus PDF from the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) website @cisce.org.

What is the exam pattern for ICSE Class 10 Chemistry?

The exam consists of two parts: Part I (Theory) with short answer and long answer questions, and Part II (Practical) with experiments and viva voce.

How can I prepare for the ICSE Class 10 Chemistry practical exam?

Thoroughly understand the theoretical concepts behind the experiments listed in the syllabus, practice drawing diagrams and chemical equations, and be prepared to explain your observations and results to the examiner.

What are some tips for scoring well in ICSE Class 10 Chemistry?

Regularly attend classes and pay attention in lectures, practice solving past year question papers and sample papers, focus on understanding key concepts rather than rote learning, and maintain a good study schedule.
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