Bihar Board Class 10 Syllabus vs CBSE: Class 10th plays an important role as it determines their board exam performance as well as gives them a choice to choose a board for higher secondary education and prepare for entrance exams.
If you want to change your board, you must see which board better matches your learning pattern. Both boards cover core subjects like Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Hindi, and English, but there are differences in how both boards structure the syllabus, assess your performance, and focus on conceptual understanding.
The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) follows a state-level curriculum created mainly for students studying within Bihar, while the CBSE board is based on a national framework created by NCERT.
No, the Class 10 syllabus of Bihar Board and CBSE is not the same, even though both boards cover similar subjects. Here are some major differences in both the boards:
CBSE follows the NCERT syllabus, which is used in national entrance exams as well, and Bihar Board follows both the NCERT and SCERT Bihar syllabus. Though it covers similar topics, the syllabus has regional relevance and is not always aligned with national academic standards.
CBSE students study from NCERT textbooks, which are considered foundational for competitive exams like JEE, NEET, and CUET. While Bihar Board students use textbooks published by the Bihar State, which include state-specific references and simpler language.
CBSE syllabus focuses on conceptual understanding, application-based learning, and problem-solving. The chapters include activities to allow students to study with interest. Bihar Board syllabus prioritises direct textbook learning, with brief explanations.
CBSE exams include case-based, competency-based, and HOTS questions. Practical assessments and internal evaluations also carry marks in the exam. While Bihar Board exams focus on direct and theoretical questions, with minimum weightage given to application or practical components.
CBSE supports both English and Hindi mediums across India and offers flexibility, whereas Bihar Board mainly offers content in Hindi, which benefits regional students.
To understand how the two boards differ across subjects, here’s a comparison of the Bihar Board Class 10 syllabus vs CBSE.
Subject-Wise Comparison of Bihar Board vs CBSE Class 10 |
||
Subject |
Bihar Board Class 10 Syllabus |
CBSE Class 10 Syllabus |
Science |
Theory-based with regional examples; limited focus on experiments. Used in Bihar-specific contexts. |
NCERT-based, concept-driven, practical-heavy, and aligned with JEE/NEET preparation. |
Mathematics |
Covers Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry with a simpler approach. In the Bihar Board Class 10 syllabus vs CBSE Math, the former is slightly more straightforward. |
Application-based; encourages reasoning and deeper understanding. Good for Olympiads and competitive exams. |
Social Science |
Focuses on Bihar’s history, local economy, and regional geography. |
Covers national and global events. |
English |
Literature and grammar from Bihar Board's prescribed books; language is formal and classical. |
Uses NCERT’s Communicative or Literature Reader books. |
Hindi |
Includes classical poetry, regional stories, and state-aligned grammar. |
NCERT’s Hindi syllabus includes both traditional and contemporary works. |
This table clearly shows the differences in the Bihar Board Class 10 syllabus vs CBSE Science and Math, especially in how each board focuses on concepts and practical work.
Bihar Board Class 10th Model Papers 2025
Science is one of the most important subjects where differences between the two boards become apparent.
In CBSE, Science is divided into Physics, Chemistry, and Biology units, each subject includes practical components and experiment-based evaluations. Students need to understand the concepts thoroughly. The NCERT textbooks align with national entrance exams like NEET and JEE (Physics-Chemistry sections), making them important for students who want to appear for competitive exams.
On the other hand, the Bihar Board Class 10th Science syllabus includes similar chapters, such as Light, Electricity, Acids-Bases, and Life Processes, but in a more theory-oriented format. Practical work is mentioned in the syllabus but is generally handled more lightly in internal assessments.
In CBSE, the Math syllabus focuses on understanding core principles and developing strong problem-solving skills. Topics like Linear Equations, Trigonometry, and Probability are covered in-depth, and students are expected to solve application-based and higher-order thinking questions. The pattern also includes case-based and competency-based questions in exams.
In comparison, Bihar Board Class 10th Mathematics syllabus includes essential chapters like Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics but focuses on standard problem types as seen in textbooks or previous year papers.
The clear indication about Bihar Board Class 10 syllabus vs CBSE Math is that CBSE Class 10 Math helps students learn how to solve real-life problems and think logically, while Bihar Board Math is direct and based on the textbook only.
This is a common question that comes to every student and parent’s mind, “Is Bihar Board Class 10 Syllabus easy or tough?”
The Bihar Board syllabus is relatively easier for students who learn better through structured and textbook-based learning. It has a fixed question format and relies on textbook content only, which makes it accessible for students.
On the other hand, the CBSE syllabus allows students to answer analytical questions, work on internal assessments, project work, and conceptual learning. For students planning to appear in national-level entrance exams, CBSE offers a better framework.
The question “Which Board is better: BSEB or CBSE?” cannot be answered in absolute terms, as it depends on a student's academic plans and learning environment.
Bihar Board (BSEB) may be more suitable if:
You plan to pursue further studies in Bihar or appear for state-level entrance exams.
You prefer learning in Hindi or a familiar regional context.
You study well in an exam environment that is structured and predictable.
CBSE may be more beneficial if:
You are targeting central universities or preparing for national entrance exams such as JEE, NEET, or CUET.
You are comfortable studying in English or bilingual mediums.
You prefer a learning system that includes critical thinking, lab work, and modern assessment styles.
From an academic growth perspective, CBSE is aligned with national education policies and offers more mobility in terms of school transfer and university admissions across India. BSEB is structured but is more locally focused.