ICSE Class 10 History & Civics Mid-Term 2026: Important Questions, Concepts & Must-Practise Topics

The Revolt was caused by several factors:Preparing for the ICSE Class 10 History & Civics Mid-Term 2026 requires more than memorising dates and definitions. You need to understand constitutional powers, distinguish between the functions of different institutions, connect causes with consequences, and explain historical events in a clear sequence. 

To bridge these gaps, PW is providing the ICSE Class 10 History & Civics Mid-Term Marathon 2026, covering important chapters and concepts from the mid-term syllabus through clear explanations, PYQs and question practice. The marathon can help you revise key information, understand how different points are connected and practise writing answers before the examination.

Important Concepts for ICSE Class 10 History & Civics Mid-Term

The following concepts from the PW Mid-Term Marathon are important for revision. Focus on constitutional provisions, powers, causes, objectives, methods, important personalities, events and consequences.

ICSE Class 10 History & Civics: 3, 5 & 7-Mark Important Questions

Practising different mark-based questions can help you understand how much explanation is required for each answer. The following 18 questions cover the major concepts from the PW Mid-Term Marathon.

Most Important 3-Marker Questions

1. Mention any three legislative powers of the Union Parliament.

• Parliament can make laws on subjects in the Union List and Concurrent List.

• Parliament can make laws on Residuary subjects.

• Parliament can make laws on subjects in the State List under certain circumstances, such as during a National Emergency or when the Rajya Sabha passes the required resolution.

2. Mention any three powers of the President of India.

• The President exercises executive powers, including appointing the Prime Minister and other important officials.

• The President has legislative powers, such as summoning and proroguing Parliament and giving assent to bills.

• The President has emergency powers to proclaim National, State and Financial Emergencies according to constitutional provisions.

3. Mention any three political causes of the Revolt of 1857.

• The Doctrine of Lapse enabled the British to annex states where rulers died without a natural male heir.

• The Subsidiary Alliance reduced the independence of Indian rulers and increased British control.

• The annexation of Awadh in 1856 on the grounds of alleged misgovernance created resentment among rulers and people.

4. Mention any three factors responsible for the growth of nationalism in India.

• Economic exploitation by the British created common hardships among Indians.

• Repressive policies such as the Vernacular Press Act and Arms Act created resentment against British rule.

• Socio-religious reform movements encouraged self-respect and confidence among Indians.

5. Who founded the Indian National Congress and when was it formed? Mention its first President.

• The Indian National Congress was formed on 28 December 1885 in Bombay.

• A.O. Hume, a retired British civil servant, played a major role in its formation along with Indian nationalist leaders.

• W.C. Bonnerjee was the first President of the Congress.

6. Who partitioned Bengal and in which year? State one objective behind the Partition.

• Bengal was partitioned by Lord Curzon in 1905.

• The British officially presented it as an administrative measure because Bengal was considered too large to administer efficiently.

• One major political objective was to weaken the nationalist movement and divide Hindus and Muslims.

Most Important 5-Marker Questions

1. Distinguish between the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The Rajya Sabha is therefore a permanent House, with one-third of its members retiring every two years.

2. Explain the three Lists and Residuary Powers under the Constitution.

• The Union List contains subjects on which only Parliament can legislate, such as defence and foreign affairs.

• The State List contains subjects on which State Legislatures normally make laws, such as police and public health.

• The Concurrent List contains subjects on which both Parliament and State Legislatures can legislate, such as education and marriage.

• In case of a conflict between a valid Central law and State law on a Concurrent List subject, the Central law generally prevails.

• Residuary Powers relate to subjects not mentioned in any of the three lists and belong to Parliament.

3. Explain the causes and immediate cause of the Revolt of 1857.

• Political: Annexation policies such as the Doctrine of Lapse and Subsidiary Alliance angered Indian rulers.

• Economic: Heavy land revenue, destruction of handicrafts and the drain of wealth caused widespread hardship.

• Socio-religious: Indians feared interference with their customs and religion.

• Military: Indian sepoys faced discrimination and poor conditions.

• Immediate cause: The introduction of the Enfield rifle cartridges, believed to be greased with cow and pig fat, offended Hindu and Muslim soldiers.

4. Explain the methods adopted by the Early Nationalists.

• The Early Nationalists followed constitutional methods often described as Petition, Prayer and Protest.

• They held meetings, passed resolutions and delivered speeches to express their demands.

• They submitted petitions and memorandums to the British Government and Parliament.

• They used newspapers and public platforms to create political awareness.

• They believed that reforms could be achieved through peaceful and constitutional means.

5. Explain the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement.

• The movement began as a reaction to the Partition of Bengal in 1905.

• Swadeshi encouraged Indians to use goods produced within the country.

• Boycott involved refusing British goods and, in some cases, British-controlled institutions.

• National education and indigenous industries were encouraged.

• The movement helped turn opposition to the Partition into a wider nationalist movement.

6. Explain the formation and objectives of the Muslim League.

• The All-India Muslim League was formed at Dacca on 30 December 1906.

• One objective was to promote loyalty towards the British Government.

• It aimed to protect and advance the political rights and interests of Muslims.

• It sought to place Muslim demands before the government.

• It initially aimed to prevent hostility between Muslims and other communities while maintaining a separate political identity.

Most Important 7-Marker Questions

1. Explain how Parliament exercises control over the Executive.

Parliament exercises control over the Executive through several methods:

• Question Hour: Members ask ministers questions about government policies and administration.

• No Confidence Motion: If the government loses the confidence of the Lok Sabha, the Council of Ministers must resign.

• Adjournment Motion: Members can suspend normal business to discuss an urgent matter of public importance.

• Censure Motion: Parliament can criticise the government or a particular minister for a specific policy or action.

• Cut Motions: Members can propose reductions in government expenditure during discussion of demands for grants.

• Through debates and discussions, Parliament can examine government decisions and hold ministers accountable.

• These mechanisms ensure that the Council of Ministers remains responsible to Parliament, particularly the Lok Sabha.

2. Describe the election, powers and impeachment of the President of India.

• The President is elected indirectly by an Electoral College consisting of elected members of both Houses of Parliament and elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States, including Delhi and Puducherry.

• The election uses proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote and secret ballot.

• The President has executive, legislative, financial, judicial and emergency powers.

• The President normally acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.

• The President can be removed only through impeachment for violation of the Constitution.

• The impeachment charge may be initiated in either House and requires the prescribed special majority.

• If the second House also passes the charge with the required majority after investigation, the President is removed from office.

3. Discuss the causes, outbreak and consequences of the First War of Independence, 1857.

• Political causes: British annexation policies, including the Doctrine of Lapse, Subsidiary Alliance and annexation of Awadh, angered Indian rulers.

• Economic causes: Heavy taxation, destruction of Indian industries and the drain of wealth caused widespread economic hardship.

• Socio-religious causes: Indians feared interference in their religious beliefs and traditional customs.

• Military causes: Indian sepoys faced discrimination and resentment grew over overseas service and the Enfield cartridges.

• The immediate outbreak occurred at Meerut on 10 May 1857, after which rebels marched to Delhi and recognised Bahadur Shah Zafar as their leader.

• The Revolt was eventually suppressed because of limited geographical spread, lack of unity and superior British resources.

• After the Revolt, the East India Company's rule ended and India came directly under the British Crown through the Government of India Act, 1858.

4. Explain the factors responsible for the growth of nationalism in India.

• Economic exploitation: The drain of wealth, heavy taxation and destruction of Indian industries created common economic grievances.

• Repressive policies: Measures such as the Vernacular Press Act and Arms Act exposed the discriminatory nature of British rule.

• Socio-religious reform movements: Reformers encouraged Indians to overcome social evils and develop confidence in their own culture.

• Role of the press: Newspapers spread political ideas, criticised government policies and connected people across different regions.

• Modern education: Western education introduced ideas of liberty, equality, democracy and nationalism.

• Transport and communication: Railways, telegraph and improved communication helped people from different parts of India interact.

• These factors gradually created a common political consciousness and feeling of national unity among Indians.

5. Explain the causes and consequences of the Partition of Bengal and the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement.

• Lord Curzon announced the Partition of Bengal in 1905, officially citing administrative convenience.

• The major political motive was to weaken the nationalist movement and divide the people through a Divide and Rule policy.

• The Partition led to widespread protests and the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement.

• Swadeshi encouraged the use of Indian-made goods, while Boycott involved rejecting British goods and institutions.

• Students, women, merchants, lawyers and other sections of society participated in the movement.

• 16 October 1905 was observed as a day of national mourning, with demonstrations and symbolic acts of Hindu-Muslim unity.

• The movement strengthened Indian nationalism, and the Partition was eventually annulled in 1911.

6. Describe the formation, objectives and significance of the Muslim League and the Lucknow Pact.

• The Muslim League was formed at Dacca on 30 December 1906 to represent and protect Muslim political interests.

• Its early objectives included promoting loyalty to the British, safeguarding Muslim political rights and presenting Muslim demands to the government.

• The Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 introduced separate electorates for Muslims.

• Over time, political developments encouraged greater cooperation between sections of the Muslim League and Congress.

• The Lucknow Pact was signed in December 1916 between the Congress and Muslim League.

• The Pact represented an important period of Hindu-Muslim cooperation and included agreement on constitutional reforms and Muslim representation.

• It also brought the Assertive Nationalists back into the Congress, strengthening the national movement.

Note: For more important questions and a deeper understanding of the chapters covered in the session, watch the PW Class 10 Mid-Term Marathon and revise along with the explanations.

How Does the PW Marathon Help With ICSE Class 10 History & Civics Revision?

The marathon brings important concepts, historical events and exam-oriented question practice together so that you can revise the syllabus without relying only on memorisation.

• Concept revision: Important Civics and History concepts are explained before moving to related questions.

• Previous-year questions: PYQs help you understand the types of questions asked in examinations.

• Chronological understanding: Historical events are explained through their causes, developments and consequences.

• Civics answer practice: Questions on constitutional provisions and powers help you practise precise, point-wise answers.

• Different mark-based questions: The session includes short-answer and detailed questions to help you understand the expected level of explanation.

Using these questions along with your textbook and class notes can help you identify chapters and concepts that need more practice before the mid-term examination.