ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026-27, Download PDF

The ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026-27, prescribed by CISCE, is designed to strengthen students’ communication, analytical, and literary skills. The subject is divided into two major components, i.e., English Language (Paper 1) and Literature in English (Paper 2).

Paper 1 emphasizes composition, letter writing, notice and email writing, unseen passages, and grammar. Students are expected to write essays, formal and informal letters, and answer comprehension questions accurately.

Paper 2 covers Drama, Prose, and Poetry, with key texts including Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, stories from the Treasure Chest anthology, and poems such as Haunted Houses by H.W. Longfellow. Internal assessments focus on evaluating listening and speaking skills.

ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026-27 Overview

The ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026-27 is structured to develop strong language proficiency and literary understanding among students. Prescribed by CISCE, the syllabus is divided into two papers, i.e., English Language and Literature in English, each designed to assess different skill sets.

ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026-27 Exam Pattern

For ICSE Class 10 English in 2026, the exam pattern is divided into two main papers:

Paper 1: English Language

• Marks : 80

• Duration : 2 Hours

• This paper tests the student’s proficiency in the English language. It includes various questions such as comprehension passages, letter writing, article writing, speech writing, and editing tasks. The focus is on assessing the student’s ability to understand, analyze, and use the language effectively in different contexts.

Paper 2: Literature in English

• Marks : 80

• Duration : 2 Hours

• This paper focuses on literary skills and understanding. It includes questions from the prose, poetry, and drama sections of the prescribed texts. Students are required to answer questions that assess their comprehension, analysis, and interpretation of the texts. The questions may involve explanations, short answer questions, and essay-type questions.

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ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026-27 Paper-Wise

English is considered one of the simpler and more enjoyable subjects in the Class 10 curriculum. The ICSE (Class X) Examination paper will be based solely on the Class X portion of the syllabus. To score well in the Class 10 English exam, candidates should thoroughly study and revise all the topics in the ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus. The syllabus includes the following topics and subjects:

Paper 1: English Language (2 Hours) 80 Marks

This paper evaluates students’ writing and language skills.

Key areas include:

• Essay writing (descriptive, narrative, argumentative)

• Letter writing (formal & informal)

• Notice and email writing

• Unseen comprehension passage

• Summary writing

• Grammar (prepositions, transformation, sentence correction)

Students are expected to present ideas clearly, use correct grammar, and follow proper formats.

Paper 2: Literature in English

This paper focuses on literary understanding and interpretation.

I. DRAMA: Julius Caesar: William Shakespeare (Acts III, IV & V) 

II. TREASURE CHEST: A Collection of ICSE Short Stories & Poems (Evergreen Publications (India) Ltd. New Delhi)

PROSE (Short Stories)

1. With the Photographer – Stephen Leacock 

2. The Elevator – William Sleator 

3. The Girl Who Can – Ama Ata Aidoo 

4. The Pedestrian – Ray Bradbury 

5. The Last Lesson – Alphonse Daudet

POETRY

1. Haunted Houses – H.W. Longfellow 

2. The Glove and the Lions – Leigh Hunt

3. When Great Trees fall – Maya Angelou

4. A Considerable Speck – Robert Frost

5. The Power of Music – Sukumar Ray

Students must understand themes, characters, and literary devices while expressing answers in their own words.

ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026-27 Internal Assessment

Internal assessment (20 marks) focuses on:

Listening Skills (10 Marks)

• Passage read aloud twice

• Students answer objective questions based on it

Speaking Skills (10 Marks)

• 2-minute speech + 3-minute discussion

• Topics may include experiences, opinions, or current issues

Evaluation is done by:

• Subject Teacher (10 marks)

• External Examiner (10 marks) 

ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026-27 PDF Download

Students should download and keep a copy of the ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026-27 PDF for easy access during preparation. The PDF helps in structured revision, tracking topics, and ensuring complete syllabus coverage.

Having the syllabus in PDF format allows students to plan their study schedule effectively, focus on important sections, and revise systematically before exams.

ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026-27 PDF Download

ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026-27 Suggested Assignments 

Assignments should be based on the prescribed textbooks on the following lines: 

1. Character/thematic analysis;

2. Socio-economic, cultural, historical relevance / background;

3. Summary / paraphrase. 

4. Appreciation of literary qualities. 

5. Identifying with a character. Putting oneself in the place of a character in given circumstances and explaining one’s actions.

6. Imagine alternative outcomes or endings in a literary piece and the effect on all concerned.

7. Making a graphic representation of a scene/story/ poem. 

8. Assume the persona of one of the characters (from the play/ poem/story) and record a diary entry of a particular incident/episode.

Preparation Tips for ICSE Class 10 English Exam

Here are some simple preparation tips for the ICSE Class 10 English Exam:

1. Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with both Paper 1 (English Language) and Paper 2 (Literature in English) topics.

2. Practice Writing: Write essays on various topics to improve composition skills and ensure they are within the word limit.

3. Focus on Grammar: Revise grammar rules regularly and practice exercises on sentence structure, punctuation, and error spotting.

4. Read and Analyze: Read the prescribed texts thoroughly (e.g., "Julius Caesar," "Treasure Chest," and selected poems). Understand the themes, characters, and important quotes.

5. Prepare for Unseen Passages: Practice reading comprehension and summarizing unseen passages to improve speed and accuracy.