SCIENCE

Subject Code – 086

Classes IX and X (2025-26)
Science Education aims to achieve Scientific understanding of the natural and physical
world; Capacities for scientific inquiry; Understanding the evolution of scientific knowledge;
Interdisciplinary understanding between science and other curricular areas; Understanding
of the relationship between Science, Technology and, Society; Scientific temper and
Creativity.

The present syllabus has been designed around seven broad themes viz. Food; Materials;
The World of the Living; How Things Work; Moving Things, People and Ideas; Natural
Phenomenon and Natural Resources.
The Curricular Goals of Science at the Secondary Stage move from the concrete nature of
the Middle Stage towards abstraction - from perceptual and practical concepts to
theoretical concepts.

The Learning Standards (Curricular Goals and Competencies) for Science as an integrated
curricular area, in alignment with the National Curriculum Framework 2023 are as follows:

CG-1 C-1.1 Describes classification of elements in the Periodic Table, and

Explores the world of matter, explains how compounds (including carbon compounds) are formed
its interactions, and properties based on atomic structure (Bohr’s model) and properties (valency)
at the atomic level
C-1.2 Investigates the nature and properties of chemical substances
(distillation, crystallisation, chromatography, centrifugation, types and
properties of mixtures, solutions, colloids, and suspensions)
C-1.3 Describes and represents chemical interactions and changes using
symbols and chemical equations (acid and base, metal, and non-metal,
reversible, and irreversible)

CG-2 C-2.1 Applies Newton’s laws to explain the effect of forces (change in
Explores the physical world state of motion – displacement and direction, velocity and acceleration,
around them, and uniform circular motion, acceleration due to gravity) and analyses
understands scientific graphical and mathematical representations of motion in one dimension
principles and laws based on
C-2.2 Explains the relationship between mass and weight using universal
observations and analysis
law of gravitation and connect it to laws of motion
C-2.3 Manipulates the position of object and properties of lenses (focus,
centre of curvature) to observe image characteristics and correspondence
with a ray diagram, and extends this understanding to a combination of
lenses (telescope, microscope)
C-2.4 Manipulates and analyses different characteristics of the circuit
(current, voltage, resistance) and mathematises their relationship (Ohm’s
law), and applies it to everyday usage (electricity bill, short circuit, safety
measures)
C-2.5 Defines work in scientific terms, and represents the relationship

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 between potential and kinetic energy (conservation of energy) in
mathematical expressions
C-2.6 Demonstrates the principle of mechanical advantage by
constructing simple machines (system of levers and pulleys)
C-2.7 Describes the origin and properties of sound (wavelength,
frequency, amplitude) and differences in what we hear as it propagates
through different instruments

CG-3 C-3.1 Explains the role of cellular components (nucleus, mitochondria,

Explores the structure and endoplasmic reticulum, vacuoles, chloroplast, cell wall), including the
function of the living world at semi-permeability of cell membrane in making cell the structural basis of
the cellular level living organisms and functional basis of life processes
C-3.2 Analyses similarities and differences in the life processes involved
in nutrition (photosynthesis in plants; absorption of nutrients in fungi;
digestion in animals), transport (transport of water in plants; circulation in
animals), exchange of materials (respiration and excretion), and
reproduction
C-3.3 Describes mechanisms of heredity (in terms of DNA, genes,
chromosomes) and variation (as changes in the sequence of DNA)

CG-4 C-4.1 Applies the knowledge of cellular diversity in organisms along with
Explores interconnectedness the ecological role organisms play (autotrophic or heterotrophic nutrition)
between organisms and their to classify them into five-kingdoms
environment
C-4.2 Illustrates different levels of organisations of living organisms (from
molecules to organisms)
C-4.3 Analyses different levels of biological organisation from organisms
to ecosystems and biomes along with interactions that take place at each
level
C-4.4 Analyses patterns of inheritance of traits in terms of Mendel’s laws
and its consequences at a population level (using models and/or
simulations)
C-4.5 Analyses evidences of biological evolution demonstrating the
consequences of the process of natural selection in terms of changes: in
allele frequency in population, structure, and function of organisms

CG-5 C-5.1 Explores how literature and the arts have influenced Science
Draws linkages between
C-5.2 Examines a case study related to the use of Science in human life
scientific knowledge and
from the perspective of Social Sciences and ethics (e.g., Marie Curie,
knowledge across other
Jenner, treatment of patients with mental illness, the story of the atomic
curricular areas
bomb, green revolution and GMOs, conservation of biodiversity)
C-5.3 Applies scientific principles to explain phenomena in other subjects
(sound pitch, octave, and amplitude in music; use of muscles in dance
form and sports)

CG-6 C-6.1 Knows and explains the significant contributions of India to all
Understands and appreciates matters (concepts, explanations, methods) that are studied within the
the contribution of India curriculum in an integrated manner
through history and the
present times to the overall

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 field of Science, including the
disciplines that constitute it

CG-7 C-7.1 States concepts that represent the most current understanding of
Develops awareness of the the matter being studied, ranging from mere familiarity to conceptual
most current discoveries, understanding of the matter as appropriate to the developmental stage of
ideas, and frontiers in all the students
areas of scientific knowledge
C-7.2 States questions related to matters in the curriculum for which
in order to appreciate that
current scientific understanding is well recognised to be inadequate
Science is ever evolving, and
that there are still many
unanswered questions

CG-8 C-8.1 Develops accurate and appropriate models (including geometric,

Explores the nature of mathematical, graphical) to represent real-life events and phenomena
Science by doing Science using scientific principles and use these models to manipulate variables
and predict results
C-8.2 Designs and implements a plan for scientific inquiry (formulates
hypotheses, makes predictions, identifies variables, accurately uses
scientific instruments, represents data, primary and secondary, in multiple
modes, draws inferences based on data and understanding of scientific
concepts, theories, laws, and principles, communicates findings using
scientific terminology)

It is important to note that the Curricular Goals are interdependent, and not separate
curricular pieces of study.
(Reference: National Curriculum Framework for School Education – 2023.)
The competencies, as defined by the NCFSE 2023, are designed to encompass the entire
secondary stage (classes IX-XII). Attainment of the competencies shall be done through
transaction of the curriculum using appropriate pedagogy; these shall be assessed through
an integrated evaluation scheme.

General Instructions for Assessment:

1. There will be an Annual Examination based on the entire syllabus.
2. The Annual Examination will be of 80 marks and 20 marks weightage shall be for
Internal Assessment.
3. For Internal Assessment:
i) There will be Periodic Assessment that would include:
 For 5 marks- Three periodic tests conducted by the school. Average of the best
two tests to be taken that will have a weightage of 05 marks towards the final
result.
 For 5 marks - Diverse methods of assessment as per the need of the class
dynamics and curriculum transaction. These may include - short tests, oral test,
quiz, concept maps, projects, posters, presentations and enquiry based

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 scientific investigations etc. and use of rubrics for assessing them objectively.
This will also have a weightage of 05 marks towards the final result.
ii) For 5 marks - Practical / Laboratory work that is done throughout the year. The
students should maintain record of the same. Practical Assessment should be
continuous. All practical work listed in the syllabus must be completed.
iii) For 5 marks - Portfolio that includes classwork and other sample of student’s
work.
COURSE STRUCTURE
CLASS IX (2025-26)
(Annual Examination)
Time: 03 Hours Marks: 80

Unit No. Unit Marks

I Matter - Its Nature and Behaviour 25

II Organization in the Living World 22

III Motion, Force and Work 27

IV Food; Food Production 06

Total 80

Internal assessment 20

Grand Total 100

Theme: Materials

Unit I: Matter-Nature and Behaviour

Matter in Our Surroundings: Definition of matter; Particulate Nature of Matter; States of
Matter: solid, liquid and gas and their characteristics; change of state- melting (absorption
of heat), freezing, evaporation (cooling by evaporation), condensation, sublimation.

Is Matter Around Us Pure: Elements, compounds and mixtures. Heterogeneous and

homogenous mixtures, colloids and suspensions. Physical and chemical changes
(excluding separating the components of a mixture); Pure and Impure substances.
Atoms and Molecules: Atoms and molecules, Law of Chemical Combination, Chemical
formula of common compounds, Atomic and molecular masses.

Structure of atom: Sub-atomic particles: Electrons, protons and neutrons, Models of

atom; Valency, Atomic Number and Mass Number, Isotopes and Isobars.

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 Theme: The World of the Living

Unit II: Organization in the Living World

Cell - Basic Unit of life: Cell as a basic unit of life; prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells,
multicellular organisms; cell membrane and cell wall, cell organelles and cell inclusions;
chloroplast, mitochondria, vacuoles, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus; nucleus,
chromosomes - basic structure, number.

Tissues, Organs, Organ System, Organism:

Structure and functions of animal and plant tissues (only four types of tissues in animals;
Meristematic and Permanent tissues in plants).

The following topics are included in the syllabus but will be assessed only formatively to
reinforce understanding without adding to summative assessments. The reduces
academic stress while ensuring meaningful learning. Schools can integrate these with
existing chapters as they align well. Relevant NCERT textual material is enclosed for
reference.
Health and Diseases: Health and its failure. Infectious and Non-infectious diseases, their
causes and manifestation. Diseases caused by microbes (Virus, Bacteria and
Protozoans) and their prevention; Principles of treatment and prevention. Pulse Polio
programmes.

Theme: Moving Things, People and Ideas

Unit III: Motion, Force and Work

Motion: Distance and displacement, velocity; uniform and non-uniform motion along a
straight line; acceleration, distance-time and velocity-time graphs for uniform motion and
uniformly accelerated motion, elementary idea of uniform circular motion.

Force and Newton’s laws: Force and Motion, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Action and
Reaction forces, Inertia of a body, Inertia and mass, Momentum, Force and Acceleration.

The following topic is included in the syllabus but will be assessed only formatively to
reinforce understanding without adding to summative assessments. The reduces
academic stress while ensuring meaningful learning. Schools can integrate this with
existing chapters as they align well. Relevant NCERT textual material is enclosed for
reference.

Elementary idea of conservation of Momentum

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Gravitation: Gravitation; Universal Law of Gravitation, Force of Gravitation of the earth
(gravity), Acceleration due to Gravity; Mass and Weight; Free fall.

Floatation: Thrust and Pressure. Archimedes’ Principle; Buoyancy.

Work, Energy and Power: Work done by a Force, Energy, power; Kinetic and Potential
energy; Lawof conservation of energy (excluding commercial unit of Energy).

Sound: Nature of sound and its propagation in various media, speed of sound, range of
hearing in humans; ultrasound; reflection of sound; echo.

Theme: Food

Unit IV: Food Production

Plant and animal breeding and selection for quality improvement and management; Use
of fertilizersand manures; Protection from pests and diseases; Organic farming.

Note for Teachers: The NCERT text books present information in boxes across the
book. These help students to get conceptual clarity. However, the information in these
boxes would not be assessed in the year-end examination.

PRACTICALS

Practicals should be conducted alongside the concepts taught in theory classes.

(LIST OF EXPERIMENTS)
1. Preparation of: Unit-I
a) a true solution of common salt, sugar and alum
b) a suspension of soil, chalk powder and fine sand in water
c) a colloidal solution of starch in water and egg albumin/milk in water and
distinguish between these on the basis of
 transparency
 filtration criterion
 stability

2. Preparation of Unit-I
a) A mixture
b) A compound
using iron filings and sulphur powder and distinguishing between these on the
basis of:
 appearance, i.e., homogeneity and heterogeneity
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  behaviour towards a magnet
 behaviour towards carbon disulphide as a solvent
 effect of heat

3. Perform the following reactions and classify them as physical or chemical changes:
Unit-I
a) Iron with copper sulphate solution in water
b) Burning of magnesium ribbon in air
c) Zinc with dilute sulphuric acid
d) Heating of copper sulphate crystals
e) Sodium sulphate with barium chloride in the form of their solutions in water

4. Preparation of stained temporary mounts of (a) onion peel, (b) human cheek cells &
to record observations and draw their labeled diagrams Unit - II

5. Identification of Parenchyma, Collenchyma and Sclerenchyma tissues in plants,

striped, smooth and cardiac muscle fibers and nerve cells in animals, from
prepared slides. Draw their labeled diagrams. Unit-II

6. Determination of the melting point of ice and the boiling point of water. Unit-I

7. Verification of the laws of reflection of sound. Unit-III

8. Determination of the density of solid (denser than water) by using a spring

balance and a measuring cylinder. Unit-III

9. Establishing the relation between the loss in weight of a solid when fully immersed in
Unit-III
a) Tap water
b) Strongly salty water with the weight of water displaced by it by taking at least
two different solids.

10. Determination of the speed of a pulse propagated through a stretched string/ slinky
(helical spring). Unit-III

11. Verification of the law of conservation of mass in a chemical reaction. Unit-III

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 COURSE STRUCTURE
CLASS X (2025-26)
(Annual Examination)
Time: 03 Hours Marks: 80

Unit No. Unit Marks

I Chemical Substances-Nature and Behaviour 25
II World of Living 25
III Natural Phenomena 12
IV Effects of Current 13
V Natural Resources 05
Total 80
Internal assessment 20
Grand Total 100

Theme: Materials
Unit I: Chemical Substances - Nature and Behaviour
Chemical Reactions and Equations: Chemical reactions, Chemical equation, Balanced
chemical equation, types of chemical reactions: combination, decomposition,
displacement, double displacement, precipitation, endothermic exothermic reactions,
oxidation and reduction.

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

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.

Carbon and its Compounds: Covalent bonds – formation and properties of covalent
compounds, Versatile nature of carbon, Hydrocarbons – saturated and unsaturated
Homologous series. Nomenclature of alkanes, alkenes, alkyne and carbon compounds
containing functional groups (halogens, alcohol, ketones, aldehydes). Chemical
properties of carbon compounds (combustion, oxidation, addition and substitution
reaction). Ethanol and Ethanoic acid (only properties and uses), soaps and detergents.

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 Theme: The World of the Living
Unit II: World of Living
Life processes: ‘Living Being’. Basic concept of nutrition, respiration, transport and
excretion in plants and animals.

Control and co-ordination in animals and plants: Tropic movements in plants;

Introduction of plant hormones; Control and co-ordination in animals: Nervous system;
Voluntary, involuntary and reflex action; Chemical co-ordination: animal hormones.

Reproduction: Reproduction in animals and plants (asexual and sexual) reproductive

health - need and methods of family planning. Safe sex vs HIV/AIDS. Child bearing and
women’s health.
Heredity and Evolution: Heredity; Mendel’s contribution- Laws for inheritance of traits:
Sex determination; brief introduction.

Theme: Natural Phenomena

Unit III: Natural Phenomena
Reflection of light by curved surfaces; Images formed by spherical mirrors, 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.
Functioning of a lens in human eye, defects of vision and their corrections, applications
of spherical mirrors and lenses.
Refraction of light through a prism, dispersion of light, scattering of light, applications in
daily life (excluding colour of the sun at sunrise and sunset).

Theme: How Things Work

Unit IV: Effects of Current
Electric current, potential difference and electric current. Ohm’s law; Resistance,
Resistivity, Factors on which the resistance of a conductor depends. 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.

Magnetic effects of current: Magnetic field, field lines, field due to a current carrying
conductor, field due to current carrying coil or solenoid; Force on current carrying
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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
Our environment: Eco-system, Environmental problems, Ozone depletion, waste
production and their solutions. Biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances.

Note for the Teachers:

The NCERT text books present information in boxes across the book. These help
students to get conceptual clarity. However, the information in these boxes would not
be assessed in the year-end examination.

PRACTICALS

Practical should be conducted alongside the concepts taught in theory classes.

LIST OF EXPERIMENTS

1. A. Finding the pH of the following samples by using pH paper/universal indicator: Unit-I

a) Dilute Hydrochloric Acid
b) Dilute NaOH solution
c) Dilute Ethanoic Acid solution
d) Lemon juice
e) Water
f) Dilute Hydrogen Carbonate solution

B. Studying the properties of acids and bases (HCl & NaOH) on the basis of their
reaction with: Unit-I
a) Litmus solution (Blue/Red)
b) Zinc metal
c) Solid sodium carbonate

2. Performing and observing the following reactions and classifying them into: Unit-I
a) Combination reaction
b) Decomposition reaction
c) Displacement reaction
d) Double displacement reaction
 Action of water on quicklime
 Action of heat on ferrous sulphate crystals
 Iron nails kept in copper sulphate solution
 Reaction between sodium sulphate and barium chloride solutions
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3. Observing the action of Zn, Fe, Cu and Al metals on the following salt solutions:
Unit-I
a) ZnSO4 (aq)
b) FeSO4 (aq)
c) CuSO4 (aq)
d) Al2 (SO4)3 (aq)
Arranging Zn, Fe, Cu and Al (metals) in the decreasing order of reactivity
based on the above result.

4. Studying the dependence of potential difference (V) across a resistor on the current
(I) passing through it and determine its resistance. Also plotting a graph between V
and I. Unit-IV

5. Determination of the equivalent resistance of two resistors when connected in

series and parallel. Unit-IV
6. Preparing a temporary mount of a leaf peel to show stomata. Unit- II

7. Experimentally show that carbon dioxide is given out during respiration. Unit-II

8. Study of the following properties of acetic acid (ethanoic acid): Unit- I

a) Odour
b) solubility in water
c) effect on litmus
d) reaction with Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate

9. Study of the comparative cleaning capacity of a sample of soap in soft and hard
water. Unit- I

10. Determination of the focal length of: Unit-III

a) Concave mirror
b) Convex lens by obtaining the image of a distant object.
11. Tracing the path of a ray of light passing through a rectangular glass slab for
different angles of incidence. Measure the angle of incidence, angle of refraction,
angle of emergence and interpret the result. Unit - III

12. Studying (a) binary fission in Amoeba, and (b) budding in yeast and Hydra with the
help of prepared slides. Unit-II

13. Tracing the path of the rays of light through a glass prism. Unit-III

14. Identification of the different parts of an embryo of a dicot seed (pea, gram or red
kidney bean). Unit-II

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PRESCRIBED BOOKS:
 Science-Textbook for class IX-NCERT Publication
 Science-Text book for class X- NCERT Publication
 Assessment of Practical Skills in Science-Class IX - CBSE Publication
 Assessment of Practical Skills in Science- Class X- CBSE Publication
 Laboratory Manual-Science-Class IX, NCERT Publication
 Laboratory Manual-Science-Class X, NCERT Publication
 Exemplar Problems Class IX – NCERT Publication
 Exemplar Problems Class X – NCERT Publication
 Reading Material – Science – Class IX – CBSE

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 Question Paper Design (Theory)
Class X (2025-26)
Science (086)
Theory (80 marks)

Competencies Total

Demonstrate Knowledge and Understanding 50 %

Application of Knowledge/Concepts 30 %

Formulate, Analyze, Evaluate and Create 20 %

Note:
 Typology of Questions: VSA including objective type questions, Assertion –
Reasoning type questions; SA; LA; Source-based/ Case-based/ Passage-based/
Integrated assessment questions.
 An internal choice of approximately 33% would be provided.

Internal Assessment (20 Marks)

 Periodic Assessment - 05 marks + 05 marks

 Subject Enrichment (Practical Work) - 05 marks

 Portfolio - 05 marks

Suggestive verbs for various competencies

 Demonstrate Knowledge and Understanding

State, name, list, identify, define, suggest, describe, outline, summarize, etc.

 Application of Knowledge/Concepts

Calculate, illustrate, show, adapt, explain, distinguish, etc.

 Formulate, Analyze, Evaluate and Create

Interpret, analyze, compare, contrast, examine, evaluate, discuss, construct, etc.

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