ICSE History & Civics Syllabus Class 10 2026 | Free PDF for 2025-26

History and Civics in ICSE Class 10 is not just about memorizing facts; it’s about understanding how societies evolved and how governments function. The ICSE Class 10 History and Civics syllabus helps students develop critical thinking, an awareness of democratic principles, and a deeper understanding of India’s past.

Also, don’t forget to check out the ICSE Class 10 Geography Syllabus to streamline your class 10 ICSE board exam 2025-26 preparation

ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Syllabus – Download the Latest PDF

The ICSE Class 10 History and Civics syllabus 2025-26 has been released. It's obviously really very important for students, parents, and teachers to get familiar with these updates. Download History & Civics Class 10 ICSE Syllabus from the link below and get started!

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Assessment Structure for ICSE History and Cvics Syllabus

To ace this subject, understanding the examination pattern is key. The assessment is divided into two parts: external examination (80 marks) and internal assessment (20 marks).

• The external exam includes structured questions covering both History and Civics.
• The internal assessment is based on projects that evaluate research skills and presentation abilities.

Now let’s check out the ICSE Marking Scheme and Exam Pattern for Class 10th to structure your study plan effectively.

a) History and Civics Class 10 ICSE Marking Scheme

The table below highlights how marks are distributed in History & Civics Class 10 ICSE Syllabus:

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b) Class 10 ICSE History and Civics Exam Pattern

This paper consists of two parts: Part I (30 marks) will contain short answer questions from the entire syllabus. Part II (50 Marks)will consist of Section A (Civics)  and Section B (History). Candidates will be required to answer two out of three questions from Section A and three out of five questions from Section B.

History and Civics Class 10 ICSE Syllabus Detailed Breakdown

Knowing what’s in the history & civics class 10 ICSE syllabus makes preparation more efficient. The ICSE syllabus for Class 10 History and Civics is structured into two sections: Civics and History.

Section A: Civics

1. The Union Legislature

• Federal setup in India
• Lok Sabha: term, composition, qualifications, parliamentary procedures (sessions, quorum, question hour, adjournment, no-confidence motion), Speaker's election and functions
• Rajya Sabha: composition, qualifications, election, term, Presiding Officer
• Powers and functions of Union Parliament (legislative, financial, judicial, electoral, amendment of Constitution, control over executive)
• Exclusive powers of the two Houses

2. The Union Executive

• The President: qualifications, Electoral College composition, indirect election, term, impeachment procedure, powers (executive, legislative, financial, judicial, discretionary, emergency)
• The Vice-President: qualifications, term, powers
• Prime Minister and Council of Ministers: appointment, formation, tenure, functions (policy making, administrative, legislative, financial, emergency), Prime Minister's position and powers
• Collective and individual responsibility of Cabinet members
• Distinction between Council of Ministers and Cabinet

3. The Judiciary

• Supreme Court: composition, judges' qualifications, appointment, independence, jurisdiction and functions (Original, Appellate, Advisory, Revisory, Judicial Review, Court of Record), enforcement of Fundamental Rights and Writs
• High Courts: composition, judges' qualifications, appointment, jurisdiction and functions (Original, Appellate, Revisory, Judicial Review, Court of Record), enforcement of Fundamental Rights and Writs
• Subordinate Courts: distinction between Court of District Judge and Sessions Court
• Lok Adalats: meaning and advantages

Section B: History

1. The Indian National Movement (1857-1917)

• First War of Independence (1857): causes (political, socio-religious, economic, military) and consequences
• Growth of Nationalism: economic exploitation, colonial policies, socio-religious reform movements (Raja Rammohan Roy, Jyotiba Phule), Press role
• Indian National Congress foundation: precursors (Indian National Association, East India Association), objectives of first two sessions and their Presidents
• First Phase (1885-1907): Early Nationalists' objectives and methods, contributions of Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjee, Gopal Krishna Gokhale
• Second Phase (1905-1916): Partition of Bengal causes and nationalist perspective, Surat Split (1907), Radicals' objectives and methods, contributions of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai
• Muslim League: formation factors, objectives, Lucknow Pact (1916) significance

2. Mass Phase of the National Movement (1915-1947)

• Non-Cooperation Movement: causes (Khilafat Movement, Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh), program, suspension, impact
• Civil Disobedience Movement: causes (Simon Commission reaction, Poorna Swaraj declaration), Dandi March, program, impact, Gandhi-Irwin Pact, Second Round Table Conference
• Quit India Movement: causes (Cripps Mission failure, Japanese threat), Resolution, significance
• Forward Bloc (objectives) and INA (objectives, Subhas Chandra Bose's contribution)
• Independence and Partition: Cabinet Mission Plan, Mountbatten Plan, Indian Independence Act 1947

3. The Contemporary World

• First World War: causes (Nationalism, Imperialism, Armament Race, division of Europe, Sarajevo crisis), results (Treaty of Versailles, territorial rearrangements, League of Nations formation)
• Rise of Dictatorships: causes of Fascism in Italy and Nazism in Germany, comparative study of Mussolini's and Hitler's ideologies
• Second World War: causes (Treaty of Versailles dissatisfaction, Fascism/Nazism rise, Appeasement Policy, Japanese invasion of China, League of Nations failure, Hitler's Poland invasion), Pearl Harbor attack, Hiroshima/Nagasaki bombing, consequences (Axis Powers defeat, United Nations formation, Cold War)
• United Nations: objectives, composition and functions of General Assembly, Security Council, International Court of Justice; major agencies (UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO) functions
• Non-Aligned Movement: meaning, objectives, Panchsheel, Jawaharlal Nehru's role, architects of NAM

Internal Assessment (20 Marks)

• One project/assignment related to history & civics class 10 ICSE syllabus
• Evaluated by Subject Teacher (10 marks) and External Examiner (10 marks)
• Total marks to be submitted to CISCE through CAREERS portal

Suggested Assignments

• Compare Parliamentary and Presidential government forms (India vs USA)
• Conduct a mock Court with recorded proceedings
• Present a life sketch of selected Indian Presidents
• Book reviews of historical works
• Discussion on relevant historical films
• Work and achievements of Nobel Laureates
• PowerPoint presentation on India's Independence and Partition
• Presentation on Gandhian principles' influence on world leaders
• Report on UN agencies
• Case study on human rights violations and redressal mechanisms

Preparation Tips for History and Civics Board Exam 

Learning this subject by heart requires a strategic approach. Here are some quick yet effective tips to cover history & civics class 10 ICSE syllabus:

1. Use ICSE Textbooks & PYQs - Stick to your ICSE textbooks because they’re packed with everything you need to know. They’re the best resource for understanding key concepts. Don’t forget to practice Previous Year Questions for History Civics ICSE Class 10! They’re a great way to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and predict what might appear in your board exams.

2. Create Timeline Charts - If you’re a visual learner, timeline charts can work wonders! Lay out historical events in chronological order to help you connect the dots. Seeing events lined up makes it much easier to recall how one event led to another.

3. Practice Answer Writing - Being able to write quickly and clearly is important. Try solving History and Civics ICSE Class 10 Sample Papers regularly and time yourself to improve your speed and accuracy. This helps you avoid rushing through your answers on exam day and ensures you’re well-prepared.

4. Understand, Don’t Cram - History and Civics are all about understanding, not memorizing! While facts and dates are important, make sure you understand the context and the reasons behind events. In Civics, focus on understanding the concepts of democracy, rights, and equality rather than just cramming definitions.

The ICSE Class 10 History and Civics syllabus is well-structured to enhance analytical skills and historical awareness. By following a smart study plan and using previous year question papers, sample papers, and textbooks, students can easily master the subject. Stay consistent, practice regularly, and you’re good to go! All the best!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the most important topics in the ICSE Class 10 History and Civics syllabus?

Students often want to know which chapters are crucial for exams. Key topics typically include:

• The Nationalist Movement in India (especially the freedom struggle)
• The First World War & the Treaty of Versailles
• The Constitution of India and its features (in Civics)
• Fundamental Rights and Duties
• The Structure of Government (Executive, Legislature, Judiciary)

2. How should I prepare for the History and Civics exam?

The most common advice is to:

• Understand the events: Don’t just memorize dates and facts. Understand the reasons behind events and their impact.
• Make timelines: Creating timelines helps in remembering historical events in order.
• Practice answer writing: Since the subject involves long answers, practice writing answers within a set time to improve speed and precision.

3. What is the marking scheme for the ICSE History and Civics exam?

Students often look for the marking pattern. The ICSE History and Civics exam typically consists of:

• Total Marks: 80 marks (Theory) and 20 marks for Practical (Project/Assignment).
• Question Paper Format: It generally has a mix of long-answer questions, short-answer questions, and sometimes map-based questions (for History).
• Weightage: Emphasis is placed on long-answer questions and analytical thinking in Civics.

4. How can I remember historical dates and events effectively?

Students struggle with memorizing dates. Here are some tips:

• Create a timeline: This helps in visualizing the sequence of events.
• Chunking method: Break history into smaller, manageable sections or “chunks” to recall events in order.
• Use mnemonic devices: Create funny, relatable phrases or stories around the dates to make them easier to remember.

5. What is the difference between History and Civics in the ICSE syllabus?

History: Focuses on past events, movements, and important figures that shaped the world (like the freedom struggle, world wars, etc.).

Civics: Deals with the rights, duties, and responsibilities of citizens, and the structure of government (like the Constitution, Parliament, Judiciary).