CBSE Syllabus for Class 10 Science

Important Guidelines for CBSE Class 10 Science Curriculum 2023-24:

Annual Examination and Internal Assessment:
1. The Annual Examination will cover the entire syllabus and carry a total of 80
marks.
2. Internal Assessment will contribute 20 marks towards the final result.

Internal Assessment Components:

a. Periodic Assessment:
● Schools will conduct three periodic tests, and the average of the best two scores
will be considered for a weightage of 05 marks.
● Various assessment methods like short tests, oral tests, quizzes, concept maps,
projects, posters, presentations, and scientific investigations may be used. These
assessments will be evaluated using rubrics and also hold a weightage of 05
marks.

b. Practical/Laboratory Work:
● Practical work should be done throughout the year, and students must record
their practical activities.
● Practical Assessment will be continuous and hold a weightage of 5 marks.
● Completion of all the practicals mentioned in the syllabus is mandatory.

c. Student Portfolio Preparation

● This entails compiling examples of classwork and other samples of the student's
work, which will contribute 5 marks towards the final assessment.

Note: It is important for students to adhere to these guidelines and fulfil the
requirements for both the Annual Examination and Internal Assessment to achieve a
comprehensive evaluation of their knowledge and skills in the CBSE Class 10 Science
Curriculum for 2023-24.

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CBSE Class 10 Science Syllabus 2023-24 Highlights
CBSE Class 10 Science
Subject Code: 086
Marks Breakup: 100 (Theory 80 + Internal Assessment 20)

Units No Units Marks

I Chemical Substances-Nature and Behaviour 25

II World of Living 25

III Natural Phenomena 12

IV Effects of Current 13

II Natural Resources 05

Total 80

Internal Assessment 20

Grand Total 100

Internal Assessment (20 Marks)

Periodic Assessment 5 + 5 = 10 marks

Subject Enrichment (Practical Work) 05 marks

Portfolio 05 marks

Theme: Materials
Unit I: CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES - NATURE AND BEHAVIOUR
Chapter – 1: Chemical Reactions and Equations
Chemical equation, Balanced chemical equation, implications of a balanced chemical
equation, types of chemical reactions: combination, decomposition, displacement,
double displacement, precipitation, endothermic exothermic reactions, oxidation and
reduction.

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Chapter – 2: Acids, Bases and Salts
Their definitions in terms of furnishing of H+ and OH- ions, General properties, examples
and uses, the concept of pH scale (Definition relating to logarithm not required), the
importance of pH in everyday life; preparation and uses of Sodium Hydroxide, Bleaching
powder, Baking soda, Washing soda and Plaster of Paris.

Chapter – 3: Metals and Non-metals

Properties of metals and non-metals; Reactivity series; Formation and properties of ionic
compounds; Basic metallurgical processes; Corrosion and its prevention.

Chapter – 4: Carbon compounds

Covalent bonding in carbon compounds. Versatile nature of carbon. Homologous series.
Nomenclature of carbon compounds containing functional groups (halogens, alcohol,
ketones, aldehydes, alkanes and alkynes), the difference between saturated
hydrocarbons and unsaturated hydrocarbons. Chemical properties of carbon compounds
(combustion, oxidation, addition and substitution reaction). Ethanol and Ethanoic acid
(only properties and uses), soaps and detergents.

Theme: The World of the Living

Unit II: WORLD OF LIVING
Chapter – 6: Life Processes
‘Living Being’. The Basic concept of nutrition, respiration, transport and excretion in
plants and animals.

Chapter – 7: Control and co-ordination in Animals and Plants

Tropic movements in plants; Introduction of plant hormones; Control and coordination
in animals: Nervous system; Voluntary, involuntary and reflex action; Chemical
coordination: animal hormones.

Chapter – 8: Reproduction
Reproduction in animals and plants (asexual and sexual) reproductive health - need and
family planning methods. Safe sex vs HIV/AIDS. Childbearing and women’s health.

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Chapter – 9: Heredity and Evolution
Heredity; Mendel’s contribution- Laws for inheritance of traits: Sex determination: brief
introduction: (topics excluded - evolution; evolution and classification and evolution
should not be equated with progress).

Theme: Natural Phenomena

Unit III: NATURAL PHENOMENA
Chapter – 10 Light: Reflection and Refraction
Reflection of light by curved surfaces; Images formed by spherical mirrors, the centre of
curvature, principal axis, principal focus, focal length, mirror formula (Derivation not
required), magnification.

Refraction; Laws of refraction, refractive index. Refraction of light by spherical lens;

Image formed by spherical lenses; Lens formula(Derivation not required); Magnification.
Power of a lens.

Chapter – 11: Human Eye and Colourful World

Functioning of a lens in the human eye, defects of vision and their corrections, and
applications of spherical mirrors and lenses.

Refraction of light through a prism, dispersion of light, scattering of light, applications in

daily life (excluding the colour of the sun at sunrise and sunset).

Theme: How Things Work

Unit IV: EFFECTS OF CURRENT
Chapter – 12: Electricity
Electric current, potential difference and electric current. Ohm’s law; Resistance,
Resistivity, Factors on which the resistance of a conductor depends. The series
combination of resistors, parallel combination of resistors and its applications in daily
life. Heating effect of electric current and its applications in daily life. Electric power,
Interrelation between P, V, I and R.

Chapter – 13 Magnetic Effects of Current

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Magnetic field, field lines, field due to a current carrying conductor, field due to current
carrying coil or solenoid; Force on the current carrying conductor; Fleming’s Left Hand
Rule, Direct current. Alternating current: frequency of AC. Advantage of AC over DC.
Domestic electric circuits.

Theme: Natural Resources

Unit V: NATURAL RESOURCES
Chapter – 15: Our Environment
Eco-system, Environmental problems, Ozone depletion, waste production and their
solutions. Biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances.

PRACTICALS
Practicals should be conducted alongside the concepts taught in theory classes. This will
enable you to grasp the concepts better.

Prescribed Books:

Books Publications

Science-Text book for class X NCERT Publication

Assessment of Practical Skills in Science- Class X CBSE Publication

Laboratory Manual-Science-Class X NCERT Publication

Exemplar Problems Class X NCERT Publication

Note:
● VSA includes objective type questions, as well as Assertion - Reasoning type
questions; SA; LA; Source-based/ Case-based/ Passage-based/ Integrated
assessment questions.

● An internal selection of around 33% would be provided.

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