CBSE Class 10 English Language & Literature Syllabus 2025-26

Posted: Jun 15, 2026 04:35 PM IST
Updated: Aug 16, 2026 09:16 AM IST
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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE Class 10 Result 2025 insights have paved the way for the upcoming academic planning) has officially released the updated CBSE Class 10th Syllabus for the English Language & Literature curriculum for the 2025-26 academic session. Designed to build strong core competencies in reading, creative writing, Grammar, and literary appreciation, the syllabus is categorized into Communicative English and Language & Literature. Students and educators can download the official document directly via the CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025-26 PDF.

Structure of the CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus

The overall assessment totals 80 marks and is systematically divided into three major sections. A comprehensive breakdown can be reviewed in the syllabus check list below:

CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus Sections Checklist

  • Section A: Reading (20 Marks)
  • Section B: Creative Writing Skills & Grammar (20 Marks)
  • Section C: Literature Textbook and Supplementary Reading Text (40 Marks)
  • Total Marks: 80
Sections Section Name Competencies Total Marks
CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025-26 CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025-26 CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025-26 CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025-26
Section A Reading The reading section includes various unseen passages designed to test your skills in inference, evaluation, vocabulary, analysis, and interpretation: 1. Discursive passage (400-450 words) 2. Case-based Factual passage (including visual inputs, statistical data, or charts; 300-350 words) 20
Section B Creative Writing Skills I. Writing a Formal Letter based on a given scenario (100-120 words). Candidates must attempt one out of two provided questions. II. Writing an Analytical Paragraph (100-120 words) based on a Map, Chart, Graph, or set of cues. One out of two questions must be answered. 20
Section B Grammar 1. Tenses 2. Modals 3. Subject-Verb Concord 4. Determiners 5. Reported Speech • Commands and Requests • Statements • Questions 20
Section C Literature Literature-based questions evaluate interpretation, inference, and the ability to extrapolate beyond the text and across various literary pieces. Reference to the Context: One extract from Drama/Prose and one extract from Poetry (choice of two for each). Short & Long Answer Questions: Assessment based on the prescribed syllabus. 1. Four out of Five 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 theme or plot to be answered in about 100-120 words 40
Total 80

Detailed Grammar Topics Covered

To ace the grammar component under Section B, students must master foundational structures. Refer to the checklist of grammar topics below:

  • Tenses
  • Modals
  • Subject-Verb Concord
  • Determiners
  • Reported Speech (Commands and Requests, Statements, Questions)

Prescribed Literature Textbooks and Chapters

Section C evaluates reading comprehension and textual analysis through two primary books: First Flight and Footprints Without Feet. Below are the checklists for prose, poetry, and supplementary chapters:

First Flight - Prose Chapters

  • A letter to God
  • Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom
  • Two Stories About Flying
  • From the Diary of Anne Frank
  • Glimpses of India
  • Mijbil the Otter
  • Madam Rides the Bus
  • The Sermon at Benares
  • The Proposal (Play)

First Flight - Poems Chapters

  • Dust of Snow
  • Fire and Ice
  • A tiger in the Zoo
  • How to Tell Wild Animals
  • The Ball Poem
  • Amanda!
  • The Trees
  • Fog
  • The Tale of Custard the Dragon
  • For Anne Gregory

Footprints Without Feet Chapters

  • A triumph of Surgery
  • The Thief's Story
  • The Midnight Visitor
  • A Question of Trust
  • Footprints Without Feet
  • The making of a Scientist
  • The necklace
  • Bholi
  • The Book That Saved the Earth
Book Chapters
FIRST FLIGHT- Prose 1. A letter to God 2. Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom 3. Two Stories About Flying 4. From the Diary of Anne Frank 5. Glimpses of India 6. Mijbil the Otter 7. Madam Rides the Bus 8. The Sermon at Benares 9. The Proposal (Play)
FIRST FLIGHT- Poems 1. Dust of Snow 2. Fire and Ice 3. A tiger in the Zoo 4. How to Tell Wild Animals 5. The Ball Poem 6. Amanda! 7. The Trees 8. Fog 9. The Tale of Custard the Dragon 10. For Anne Gregory
FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET 1. A triumph of Surgery 2. The Thief's Story 3. The Midnight Visitor 4. A Question of Trust 5. Footprints Without Feet 6. The making of a Scientist 7. The necklace 8. Bholi 9. The Book That Saved the Earth
WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS 1. Foster interactive learning through role-plays, group discussions, and peer activities. 2. Prioritize student-led participation to minimize passive learning. 3. Use open-ended questions to encourage students to voice and defend their unique perspectives. 4. Strictly follow the Listening and Speaking activities outlined in the official NCERT books.

Words and Expressions Guidelines

To maximize engagement, the curriculum incorporates interactive learning guidelines based on official NCERT resources:

  • Foster interactive learning through role-plays, group discussions, and peer activities.
  • Prioritize student-led participation to minimize passive learning.
  • Use open-ended questions to encourage students to voice and defend their unique perspectives.
  • Strictly follow the Listening and Speaking activities outlined in the official NCERT books.

Related Syllabus Links

For comprehensive preparation across other subjects, review the related syllabus resources:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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