CBSE Class 10 Sanskrit Previous Year Questions 2025

Struggling with Sanskrit's complex grammar rules, difficult comprehension passages, and the pressure of writing in a classical language? Most Class 10 students find Sanskrit challenging because it requires mastering grammar concepts like Sandhi, Samas, and Pratyaya while also understanding prose, drama, and poetry passages. The key to cracking Sanskrit lies in understanding the exam pattern and practicing systematically with the right approach.

Sanskrit isn't just about learning an ancient language - it's your gateway to understanding India's rich cultural heritage and developing logical thinking skills. The grammar rules in Sanskrit actually help improve your understanding of other languages too. 

CBSE Class 10 Sanskrit PYQs 2025

Practicing Sanskrit through previous year question papers gives you a clear roadmap to tackle the board exam confidently and score well in this scoring subject that can boost your overall percentage.

Download the PDFs from the table given below.

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Smart Time Management Schedule for Sanskrit Exam 2026

The CBSE Sanskrit paper has a unique structure that tests different skills - from comprehension to grammar to creative writing. Here's how successful students approach this 3-hour exam:

a) Section-wise Time Strategy That Actually Works:

• Section A: Unseen Comprehension (10 marks = 20 minutes) - Start here when your mind is fresh. Read the passage twice before attempting questions. Don't spend too much time on difficult words - focus on understanding the main idea.
• Section B: Creative Writing (15 marks = 25 minutes) - This section needs creativity and good Sanskrit vocabulary. Letter writing and translation are usually easier, so attempt them first. Keep your language simple and correct.
• Section C: Applied Grammar (25 marks = 45 minutes) - This is the highest scoring section, so give it proper time. Sandhi, Samas, and Pratyaya questions are direct if you know the rules. Practice these regularly for easy marks.
• Section D: Prescribed Text (30 marks = 55 minutes) - The most time-consuming section because you need to read passages carefully. Use your internal choices wisely - pick passages you're most comfortable with.
• Final Review: 15 minutes - Check all Sanskrit spellings, complete incomplete answers, and ensure you've attempted all required questions.

b) The Winning Three-Phase Strategy:

• Phase 1: Quick Start (First 20 minutes) - Begin with Section C (Grammar) questions you're confident about, like basic Sandhi or Roop. These give you quick marks and build confidence for tougher sections.
• Phase 2: Strategic Execution (Next 130 minutes) - Handle comprehension sections when your concentration is good. Use internal choices smartly in Section D - questions 12, 13, and 14 all have Part III choices, so pick the easier options.
• Phase 3: Final Sprint (Last 30 minutes) - Complete creative writing tasks, double-check grammar rules application, and ensure all Sanskrit words are spelled correctly. These final touches can save you valuable marks.

Why Class 10 Sanskrit Previous Year Papers Are Your Best Study Tool?

Here's why practicing these papers are best for this comprehensive exam:

a) Understanding the Exam Pattern:

• Balanced Skill Testing - The paper tests reading comprehension (40 marks), grammar application (25 marks), and creative writing (15 marks). Understanding this helps you focus your preparation on each skill area.
• Choice Advantages - Section D offers internal choices in questions 12, 13, and 14 (Part III), plus Question 16 has summary OR fill in the blanks option. Knowing where choices exist helps you prepare backup topics.
• Grammar Weightage - Applied Grammar carries 25 marks, making it the most important section. Focus on Sandhi (4 marks), Samas (4 marks), Pratyaya (4 marks), and Roop (3 marks) for easy scoring.
• Text-based Questions - Prescribed text comprehension is worth 30 marks and includes prose, drama passages, question formation, and story writing. Regular text reading is essential.

b) Building Essential Skills:

• Grammar Mastery - Practice Sandhi rules, Samas types, and Pratyaya applications daily. These follow fixed patterns and give guaranteed marks if you know the rules properly.
• Comprehension Skills - Learn to identify main ideas quickly in Sanskrit passages. Practice answering in one word and complete sentences as required by different question parts.
• Writing Abilities - Develop skills in letter writing, paragraph composition, and translation. Keep your Sanskrit simple but grammatically correct to avoid losing marks.
• Text Understanding - Regular reading of prescribed prose and drama helps you handle Section D confidently. Focus on character understanding and story sequences.

CBSE Class 10 Sanskrit previous year papers are essential tools for mastering this classical language exam that combines grammar precision with comprehension skills. The unique paper structure testing everything from Sandhi rules to creative writing requires systematic preparation that goes beyond just memorizing grammar tables.

Regular PYQ practice helps you recognize question patterns, master grammar applications, and build confidence in reading Sanskrit passages fluently.

Make Sanskrit PYQs your preparation foundation to develop the language skills, grammar expertise, and exam confidence needed for board success and appreciation of India's rich literary heritage.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which grammar topics from previous year Sanskrit papers are most likely to be repeated?

Based on previous years' papers, the most important grammar topics that frequently recur are Sandhi (rules of joining words), Samas (compound words), Pratyayas (suffixes), Vachya Parivartan (voice change), and Ashuddhi Sanshodhanam (sentence correction). Questions on time (ghatika/samaya) also appear regularly.

2. Is it enough to just solve previous year papers to score high marks in Class 10 Sanskrit?

Solving previous year papers is crucial for success, but it is not sufficient on its own. PYQs help you understand the exam pattern, the marking scheme, and how to manage your time. However, to score high marks, you must also have a strong conceptual understanding, which comes from a thorough study of your NCERT textbook and covering all topics in the syllabus.

3. How can I use old question papers to improve my Sanskrit writing skills, like letter and picture description?

To improve your writing skills, use the writing prompts from past papers to practice. For letters (Patra-Lekhanam), focus on mastering the correct format and using the appropriate vocabulary. For picture descriptions (Chitra-Varnanam), practice constructing sentences based on the visual cues and given word hints. Solving these questions regularly from PYQs helps you build a bank of ideas and refine your sentence construction.

4. How many years of Sanskrit PYQs should I solve, and how often should I practice?

For thorough preparation, you should solve at least the last 5 to 7 years' worth of papers. Start practicing PYQs after completing your syllabus. It is advisable to solve at least one full paper per week closer to the exam, under timed conditions. This regular practice helps reinforce your knowledge and familiarizes you with the time pressure of the board exam.

5. Do board exam questions get repeated from previous year Sanskrit papers?

Exact questions are rarely repeated verbatim. However, the core concepts, question patterns, and common themes are often repeated or revisited. The main benefit of solving PYQs is to identify these recurring trends and understand how questions are framed. This helps you focus on mastering the key principles rather than just memorizing answers.