CISCE ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Syllabus - Free PDF Download
CISCE Syllabus 2025-26 ICSE Class 10 : The CISCE ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Syllabus for the examination year 2025-26 has been released by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, CISCE. The board will hold the final examination at the end of the year following the annual assessment scheme, which has led to the release of the syllabus. The 2025-26 CISCE ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Board Exam will entirely be based on the most recent syllabus. Therefore, students must thoroughly understand the new CISCE syllabus to prepare for their annual exam properly.
The detailed CISCE ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Syllabus for 2025-26 is below.
Academic year:
CISCE ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Revised Syllabus
CISCE ICSE Class 10 History and Civics and their Unit wise marks distribution
CISCE ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Course Structure 2025-26 With Marking Scheme
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Syllabus
CISCE ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Syllabus for Chapter 1: The Indian National Movement (1857 – 1917)
1 The First War of Independence, 1857
- The Freedom Struggle of 1857
- The outburst
- Scope of the struggle
- Leadership of the struggle
- Crushing of the struggle
- Causes of First War of Independence, 1857
- Causes for the struggle of 1857
- Political causes
- Socio-Religious causes
- Economic causes
- Discontent among Indian soldiers
- Immediate Cause
- Political Cause of 1857 Indian Uprising
- Policy of Expansion
(a) By Outright Wars
(b) By Subsidiary Alliance
(c) By Using the Doctrine of Lapse
(d) On the Pretext of Alleged Misrule - Disrespect Shown to Bahadur Shah
- Treatment Given to Nana Saheb
- Absentee Sovereignty of the British
- Policy of Expansion
- Socio-Religious Causes of 1857 Indian Uprising
- Interference with Social Customs
- Apprehensions about Modern Innovations
- Policy of Racial Discrimination
- Corruption in Administration
- Oppression of the Poor
- Activities of Missionaries
- Fears Regarding Western Education
- Taxing Religious Places
- Law of Property
- Economic Causes of 1857 Indian Uprising
- Exploitation of Economic Resources
- Drain of Wealth
- Decay of Cottage Industries and Handicrafts
- Economic Decline of Peasantry
- Growing Unemployment
- Inhuman Treatment of Indigo Cultivators
- Poverty and Famines
- Decline of Landed Aristocracy
- Military Causes of 1857 Indian Uprising
- Ill-treatment of Indian soldiers
- General Service Enlistment Act
- Larger Proportion of Indians in the British Army
- Bleak Prospects of Promotions
- Deprivation of Allowances
- Faulty Distribution of Troops
- Poor Performance of British Troops
- Lower Salaries
- Immediate Cause of 1857 Indian Uprising
- Introduction of the Enfield Rifle
- Beginning of 1857 Indian Uprising
- Main Events of 1857 Indian Uprising
- Events at Meerut
- Events at Delhi
- Events at Lucknow
- Events at Kanpur
- Events in Central India (Jhansi and Gwalior)
- Events at Other Centres
- Consequences of the First War of Independence, 1857
- End of the Company's Rule
- Queen Victoria's Proclamation
- End of Mughals and Peshwas
- Relations with Princely States
- Policy of Divide and Rule
- Racial Antagonism
- Foreign Policy
- Increased Racial Bitterness
- Religious Changes
- Changes in the Army
- Economic Exploitation
- Rise of Nationalism
- Widening of the Gulf Between Hindus and Muslims
- Drawbacks of the First War of Independence
- Nature of 1857 Indian Uprising
2 Growth of Nationalism
- Growth of Nationalism
- Factors Leading to the Growth of Nationalism
- Economic Exploitation
- Repressive Colonial Policies
- Socio-Religious Reform Movements - Raja Rammohan Roy and Jyotiba Phule
- Effects of Socio-religious Reform Movements on the Growth of Nationalism
- Role of the Press
- Economic Exploitation
- Repressive Colonial Policies
- Socio-Religious Reform Movements
- Raja Rammohan Roy -
(i) His Approach of Religion
(ii) Social Reform
(iii) Pioneer of Indian Journalism
(iv) Political Rights - Jyotiba Phule
(i) Upliftment of Women
(ii) Caste Structure
(iii) Social Justice for Lower Castes
- Effects of Socio-religious Reform Movements on the Growth of Nationalism
- Raja Rammohan Roy -
- Role of the Press
- Precursors of the Indian National Congress
- East India Association
- Indian Association (1876)
- Indian National Conference (1883)
- Formation of the Indian National Congress
- Objectives of the Indian National Congress
- Sessions of the Indian National Congress
3 First Phase of the Indian National Movement
- The Early Nationalists
- Leaders
- Beliefs of the Early Nationalists
- Demands of the Early Nationalists
- Constitutional Reforms
- Economic Reforms
- Administrative Demands
- Defence of Civil Rights
- Methods of the Early Nationalists
- Achievements of the Early Nationalists
- Criticism of the Early Nationalists
- Official Attitude Towards the Congress
- Prominent Early Nationalist Leaders
- Dadabhai Naoroji (1825-1917)
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866-1915)
- Surendranath Banerjee (1848-1925)
4 Second Phase of the Indian National Movement
- Partition of Bengal
- Hindu–Muslim Divide
- Anti- Partition Movement
- Boycott and Swadeshi Movement in Bengal (1905–1911)
- Causes of the Partition of Bengal
- The Anti Partition Movement
- People's Reaction
- Impact of the Anti-Partition Movement
- Surat Split of 1907
- The Assertive Nationalists
- Causes for the Rise of Assertive Nationalism
- Main Objective of Assertive Nationalists
- Methods of the Assertive Nationalists
- The Repressive Measures of the Government
- Achievements of Assertive Nationalists
- Leaders of Assertive Nationalism
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856-1920)
- Bipin Chandra Pal (1858-1932)
- Lala Lajpat Rai (1865-1928)
- Comparison Between Early Nationalists and Assertive Nationalists
5 The Muslim League
- Growth of Communalism (Hindu and Muslim)
- Factors Leading to the Formation of the Muslim League
- Events Leading to the Formation of the Muslim League
- Establishment of Muslim League
- Aims and Objectives of the Muslim League
- Impact of the Muslim League on the National Movement
- Lucknow Pact
- Introduction
- Circumstances Leading to the Lucknow Pact
- Terms of the Lucknow Pact
- Clauses of Lucknow Pact
- Significance of the Lucknow Pact - 1916
- Drawbacks of the Lucknow Pact
CISCE ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Syllabus for Chapter 2: Mass Phase of the National Movement (1915 – 1947)
6 Mahatma Gandhi and the National Movement
- Early Life of Mahatma Gandhi
- Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
- Ahmedabad Satyagraha (1918)
- Kheda Satyagraha (1918)
- Non-Cooperation Movement (1919-1922)
- No Tax Campaigns and Temperance Movement
- Swarajists-Justicites Rivalry
- Subbarayan Ministry
- Simon Commission Boycott
- Causes of Non-Cooperation Movement
- Rowlatt Act
- Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy
- Khilafat Movement
- Objectives of the Non-Cooperation Movement
- Programmes of Non-Cooperation Movement
- Boycott programmes
- Swadeshi programmes
- Activities During Non-Cooperation Movement
- Repression of Non-Cooperation Movement by the Government
- Suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement
- Chauri Chaura
- Impact of the Non-Cooperation Movement
- Factors Leading Upto Civil Disobedience Movement
- Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934)
- Dandi March
- The Programme of the Movement
- Repression by the Government
- Round Table Conference
- First Round Table Conference
- Gandhi-Irwin Pact
- Second Round Table Conference
- Poona Pact
- Third Round Table Conference
- Impact of the Civil Disobedience Movement
- Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's Contribution
7 Quit India Movement
- Events Leading to Quit India Movement
- Resignation of the Congress Ministries
- August Offer (1940)
- The Cripps' Mission (1942)
- Failure of the Cripps' Mission
- Japanese Threat
- Quit India Resolution
8 Forward Bloc and The INA
- Early Life of Subhas Chandra Bose
- Subhas Chandra Bose and the Congress
- Bose and The Congress
- Rift with Gandhiji
- Rift in the Congress
- Forward Bloc
- Objectives of the Forward Bloc
- Netaji's Arrest and Escape
- Events in South-East Asia
- Indian National Army (Azad Hind Sena)
- The Tokyo Conference
- The Bangkok Conference
- Objectives of the INA
- Provisional Government of Free India
- Contribution of Subhas Chandra Bose
- Achievements of Indian National Army
- Fate of the Indian National Army and Netaji
- Impact of Indian National Army
9 Independence and Partition of India
- Events that Led to the Cabinet Mission
- Cabinet Mission in India
- Clauses of Cabinet Mission Plan
- Rejection of the Demand for Pakistan
- Reaction to the Cabinet Mission Plan
- The Congress
- The Muslim League
- Conflict Between Congress and Muslim League
- Attlee's Announcement
- Mountbatten Plan (Clauses and Its Acceptance)
- Indian Independence Act of 1947
- Independence by an Act of Legislation
- Dawn of Freedom
CISCE ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Syllabus for Chapter 3: The Contemporary World
10 The First World War
- Concept on First World War
- Causes of the First World War
- Nationalism and Imperialism
- Race of Armaments
- Division of Europe into Two Hostile Groups
- Sarajevo Crisis (Immediate Cause)
- Events of the World War
- War on the Western Front
- Trench Warfare
- War on the Eastern Front
- Policy of Blockade
- War Against Turkey
- Entry of the USA in the War
- Exit of Russia - Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (March 1918)
- End of the First World War
- Results of First World War
- Treaty of Versailles - Terms of the Treaty
- Territorial Rearrangements
- Formation of League of Nations
- Aims and Objectives of the League of Nations
11 Rise of Dictatorships
- Fascism
- Causes for the Rise of Fascism
- Aims of Fascism
- Fascism in Italy
- Background
- Rise of Mussolini
- End of Fascism in Italy
- Impact of Fascism
- Nazi Dictatorship in Germany
- Background
- Hitler's Rise To Power
- Fall of Hitler
- Causes for the Rise of Nazism
- Aims of Nazism
- Impact of Nazism
- Similarity Between the Causes of Fascism and Nazism
- Similarity Between the Ideologies of Fascism and Nazism
12 The Second World War
- Causes of Second World War
- Dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles
- Rise of Fascism and Nazism
- Policy of Appeasement
- Japanese Invasion of China
- Failure of the League of Nations
- Hitler's Invasion of Poland (Immediate Cause)
- Events of the War
- Conquest of Norway, Denmark and Holland
- Fall of France
- The Battle of Britain
- The Battle of Stalingrad
- The Battle for Berlin
- Attack on Pearl Harbour
- Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- Consequences of the Second World War
- Defeat of Axis Powers
- Formation of the United Nations
- Cold War
13 United Nations
- The United Nations (UN)
- Background of United Nation
- Reasons for the Establishment of the United Nations
- Origin of the United Nations
- Objectives of the United Nations
- Main Objectives of the United Nations
- Principles of the United Nations
- Headquarters
- Flag
- Official Languages
- Finances
- Membership
- India, an Original Member
- Structure of the United Nations
- United Nations: General Assembly
- United Nations: Security Council
- United Nations: International Court of Justice
- Composition and functions
- United Nations: Economic and social council (ECOSOC)
- United Nations: Trusteeship Council
- United Nations: Secretariat
14 Major Agencies of the United Nations
- Major Agencies of the United Nations
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
- Headquarters
- Finance
- Objective
- Functions
- UNICEF programmes in India
- World Health Organisation (WHO)
- Objective
- Headquarters
- Functions
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO)
- Objectives and Headquarters
- Functions
- Education
- Scientific activities
- Communication
- Preservation of Cultural Heritage
- India's Association with UNESCO
15 Non-Aligned Movement
- Meaning of Non-Aligned Movement
- Factors Responsible for Non-Alignment
- Panchsheel
- Architects of NAM
- Objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement
- Role of Jawaharlal Nehru
- Achievements of Non-Alignment Movement
- Future of Non-Aligned Movement
CISCE ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Syllabus for Chapter 4: The Union Legislature
1 The Union Parliament
- Concept of Federalism
- Federal system of government
- Importance Features of Federalism
- Federal Setup in the Indian Constitution
- Importance of Federal Setup
- Non-Federal or Unitary Features
- The Union Parliament
- Lok Sabha
- Term
- Composition
- Qualifications for Membership
- Disqualification of Membership
- Vacation of Seats
- Parliamentary Procedures of Lok Sabha
- Sessions
- Quorum
- Question hour, adjournment, and no-confidence motion
- Zero Hour
- Types of Motions
- Adjournment Motion
- No-Confidence Motion
- Adjournment and Prorogation of the House
- Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- Election
- Deputy Speaker
- Role and Functions of the Speaker
- The Business of the House
- Administrative Functions
- Disciplinary Functions
- Parliamentary Committees
- Miscellaneous Functions
- Rajya Sabha
- Composition − Nominated and Elected Members
- Election
- Term
- Qualifications for Membership
- Disqualification of Membership
- Presiding Officers
- Powers and Functions of Union Parliament
- Legislative Powers
- Financial Powers
- Judicial Powers
- Electoral Functions
- Amendment of the Constitution
- Control over the Executive
- Other Powers
- Exclusive Powers of the Rajya Sabha
- Exclusive Powers of the Lok Sabha
- Relationship Between the Two Houses of the Parliament – Differences
- Difference over the Legislative Matters: Ordinary and Money Bills
- Control over the Executive
- Election of the President and the Vice-President
- Impeachment
- Emergency Provision
CISCE ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Syllabus for Chapter 5: The Union Executive
2 The President and The Vice-President
- The President of India
- Qualifications for Election as President
- Composition of the Electoral College to Elect the Indian President
- Manner of Presidential Election
- Single Transferable Vote System
- Why President of India Elected Indirectly?
- Oath of Office for Indian President
- Term of President's Office
- Vacation of Office
- Procedure for Impeachment of the President
- Powers of the President of India
- Executive powers
- Diplomatic Powers
- Legislative powers
- Financial powers
- Military powers
- Judicial powers
- Discretionary powers
- Emergency powers
1. National or general emergency
2. Breakdown of Constitutional Machinery
3. Financial Emergency
- The Vice-President
- Qualifications for Election
- Election
- Oath of Office
- Term of Office
- Powers and Functions of the Vice-President of India
3 Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
- Prime Minister
- Appointment of Prime Minister
- Duties and functions of Prime Minister
- Council of Ministers
- Categories of the Ministers
(i) Cabinet Ministers
(ii) Ministers of State
(iii) Deputy Ministers
- Council of Ministers and the Cabinet
- Council of Ministers
- Categories of the Ministers
(i) Cabinet Ministers
(ii) Ministers of State
(iii) Deputy Ministers - The Cabinet - Formation and Appointment of the Cabinet
- Term of Office
- Distinction Between Council of Ministers and the Cabinet
- Powers and Functions of the Cabinet
- Administrative Powers
- Legislative Powers
- Financial Powers
- Emergency Powers
- Position and Powers of the Prime Minister
- Prime Minister and the President
- Prime Minister and the Cabinet
- Prime Minister inside the Parliament
- Prime Minister as Leader of the Nation
- The authority of the Prime Minister
- Collective Responsibility of the Members of the Cabinet
- Individual Responsibility of the Members of the Cabinet
CISCE ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Syllabus for Chapter 6: The Judiciary
4 The Supreme Court
- The Judiciary
- Need for a Single Integrated Judiciary
- The Supreme Court
- Composition
- Qualifications for Appointment as Judge of Supreme Court
- Appointment
- Appointment of Ad Hoc Judges
- Term of Office
- Seat of Supreme Court
- Independence of Judiciary from the Control of Executive and Legislature
- Jurisdiction and Powers of the Supreme Court
- Original Jurisdiction
- Appellate Jurisdiction
- Advisory Jurisdiction
- Revisory Jurisdiction
- Judicial Review - Need for Judicial Review
- Court of Record
- Functions of the Supreme Court
- Settlement of Disputes
- Enforcement of Fundamental Rights and Writs
- Administrative and Supervisory Functions
5 The High Courts and Subordinate Courts
- High Court
- Composition
- Qualifications of Judges
- Appointment of Judges
- Conditions of Service
(i) Retirement, Removal and Transfer
(ii) Salaries and Emoluments of Judges
(iii) Restrictions on Practice
(iv) Other Conditions
- Powers and Jurisdiction of High Court
- Original Jurisdiction
- Appellate Jurisdiction
- Advisory Jurisdiction
- Revisory Jurisdiction
- Judicial Review
- Court of Record
- Functions of the High Court
- Settlement of Disputes
- Enforcement of Fundamental Rights (Power to Issue Writs)
- High Court's Power of Superintendence
- Administrative Functions
- Independence of the High Court
- Subordinate Court
- Structure and Composition
- Civil Courts
- Civil Courts
- Categories of the civil courts
(1) The Court of the District Judge
(2) Court of Civil Judge
(3) Munsif's Courts
(4) Courts of Small Causes - Term of Office
- Administrative Control
- Appeals
- Criminal Courts
- Criminal courts
- Classification of criminal courts
(i) Sessions court
(ii) Court of chief metropolitan magistrate or chief judicial magistrate
(iii) Court of the first class magistrates
(iv) Court of the second class magistrates - Appeals
- Courts of Revenue
- Board of Revenue
- Commissioner's Court
- Collector's Court
- Tehsildar's Court
- Naib Tehsildar's Court
- Lok Adalats
- Lok Adalats
- Types of Lok Adalats
(i) National Lok Adalat
(ii) Permanent Lok Adalat
(iii) Mobile Lok Adalats - Working of Lok Adalats
- Advantages of Lok Adalats
- Scope of Lok Adalats
- Family Courts
- Differences Between Court of the District Judge and Sessions Court
