English Syllabus Class 10 CBSE 2025-26: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the Class 10 English Language and Literature syllabus for the academic year 2025-26.
Students can access and download the detailed syllabus from the CBSE academic website at cbseacademic.nic.in.
CBSE Class 10 English syllabus 2025-26 outlines the curriculum, including sections on Reading Skills, Writing Skills with Grammar, and Literature Textbooks and Supplementary Reading Text.
Familiarizing themselves with the syllabus will help students effectively plan their studies and prepare for the board examinations. Along with the syllabus, CBSE has also released the exam pattern to help students understand the marks distribution and structure of the question paper. This enables students to plan their preparation more effectively and focus on key areas.
English Syllabus Class 10 CBSE 2025-26 Exam Structure
English syllabus class 10 CBSE 2025-26 focuses on enhancing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through comprehensive chapters from First Flight and Footprints Without Feet.
Students must prioritise these chapters to excel in the Board Exam 2026.
| CBSE Class 10 syllabus 2025-26 English |
| Section |
Title |
Weightage |
Periods |
| A |
Reading Skills |
20 |
40 |
| B |
Writing Skills with Grammar |
20 |
40 |
| C |
Language through Literature |
40 |
50 |
| Total |
— |
80 |
— |
English Syllabus Class 10 CBSE 2025-26
The CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature (L&L) syllabus for 2025-26 is structured to enhance students’ proficiency in reading, writing, and literary analysis.
The question paper design aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2023 and focuses on competency-based learning to assess various cognitive skills. Check English grammar syllabus for class 10, 2025-26.
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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
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Creative Writing Skills
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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.
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20
|
|
Grammar
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1. Tenses 2. Modals 3. Subject-Verb Concord 4. Determiner 5. Reported Speech
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Commands and Requests
-
Statements
-
Questions
|
|
Section C
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Literature
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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
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40
|
|
Total
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80
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CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025-26 for Literature
The CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature syllabus consists of three main books:
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First Flight (Prose & Poetry)
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Footprints Without Feet (Supplementary Reader)
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Words and Expressions (Activity-based learning)
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 – Supplementary Reader
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 – Language Learning Activities
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 students develop confidence in using the English language effectively.
| Activity Type |
Purpose |
| Peer Interaction |
Encourages discussion through role-play and group work |
| Teacher’s Role |
Reduces teacher talk time to enhance student participation |
| Question-Based Discussions |
Helps students express and defend their viewpoints |
| Speaking & Listening Activities |
Improves communication skills through NCERT-based exercises |
Syllabus of English Class 10 CBSE 2025-26 PDF
CBSE has released the official Class 10 English Syllabus for the 2025-26 academic session. It includes detailed information on prose, poetry, supplementary reading, grammar, and writing skills.
Students can refer to the syllabus to plan their studies effectively and focus on important topics. The syllabus also provides guidelines on question paper design, weightage, and assessment criteria.
Syllabus of English Class 10 CBSE 2025-26 PDF
English Deleted Syllabus Class 10 CBSE 2025-26
The CBSE deleted syllabus Class 10 2025–26 for English removes selected chapters, poems, prose, and grammar topics. Students should focus only on the remaining portions for effective board exam preparation.
| English Deleted Syllabus Class 10 CBSE 2025-26 |
| Section |
Deleted Content |
| Grammar |
Use of passive voice, Noun clauses, Adverb clauses, Relative clauses, Prepositions |
| First Flight (Prose) |
The Hundred Dresses – I, The Hundred Dresses – II |
| First Flight (Poem) |
Animals |
| Footprints Without Feet (Prose) |
The Hack Driver |
| Words and Expressions – II |
Units 5 & 6 Deleted |