CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025-26: Complete Guide

CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025-26: English is an important subject for Class 10 students as it helps improve communication skills and prepares them for future academic and professional challenges. The CBSE Class 10 English syllabus for the academic year 2025-26 includes Literature, Grammar, and Writing sections. This article provides a chapter-wise breakdown, exam pattern, recommended books, and preparation tips to help students score well. Also, we will highlight any changes from the previous year’s syllabus.

CBSE Class 10 English Exam Pattern 2025-26

The CBSE Class 10 English paper is divided into three sections:

1. Reading Skills (20 Marks)

• Unseen passages (factual, literary, or discursive)
• Comprehension and vocabulary-based questions

1. Writing and Grammar (20 Marks)

• Letter writing (formal/informal)
• Analytical paragraph writing
• Grammar topics: tenses, modals, subject-verb agreement, reported speech, etc.

1. Literature (40 Marks)

• Extract-based questions from prose and poetry
• Short and long answer questions from prescribed texts

1. Speaking & Listening Skills (20 Marks) (Internal Assessment)

• Speaking tests (debate, speech, conversation)
• Listening comprehension exercises

CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025-26 (Chapter-wise Breakdown)

Section 1: First Flight (Prose and Poetry)

The textbook ‘First Flight’ contains prose and poetry sections that enhance reading and comprehension skills.

Prose:

1. A Letter to God – G.L. Fuentes
2. Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – Nelson Mandela
3. Two Stories About Flying – Lucy Maud Montgomery & Frederick Forsyth
4. From the Diary of Anne Frank – Anne Frank
5. The Hundred Dresses – Eleanor Estes
6. Glimpses of India – Various Authors
7. Mijbil the Otter – Gavin Maxwell
8. Madam Rides the Bus – Vallikkannan
9. The Sermon at Benares – Based on the Teachings of Buddha
10. The Proposal (Play) – Anton Chekhov

Poetry:

1. Dust of Snow – Robert Frost
2. Fire and Ice – Robert Frost
3. A Tiger in the Zoo – Leslie Norris
4. How to Tell Wild Animals – Carolyn Wells
5. The Ball Poem – John Berryman
6. Amanda! – Robin Klein
7. Animals – Walt Whitman
8. The Trees – Adrienne Rich
9. Fog – Carl Sandburg
10. The Tale of Custard the Dragon – Ogden Nash
11. For Anne Gregory – William Butler Yeats

Section 2: Footprints Without Feet (Supplementary Reader)

The supplementary reader consists of short stories that improve critical thinking and comprehension.

1. A Triumph of Surgery – James Herriot
2. The Thief’s Story – Ruskin Bond
3. The Midnight Visitor – Robert Arthur
4. A Question of Trust – Victor Canning
5. Footprints Without Feet – H.G. Wells
6. The Making of a Scientist – Robert W. Peterson
7. The Necklace – Guy de Maupassant
8. The Hack Driver – Sinclair Lewis
9. Bholi – K.A. Abbas
10. The Book That Saved the Earth – Claire Boiko

Section 3: Grammar and Writing

Grammar topics include:

• Tenses
• Modals
• Subject-Verb Agreement
• Reported Speech
• Determiners
• Prepositions

Writing Tasks:

• Letter Writing (Formal/Informal)
• Analytical Paragraph Writing

Best Books for CBSE Class 10 English

Here are some recommended books:

1. NCERT English Textbooks – First Flight & Footprints Without Feet
2. CBSE Question Bank by Oswaal/MTG – Contains sample papers and previous years’ questions
3. All in One English by Arihant – Provides chapter-wise summaries and practice exercises
4. Exam Idea English Book – Includes important questions and practice papers

Useful Preparation Tips for CBSE Class 10 English

Here are some useful tips to score well in the English exam:

1. Understand the Syllabus: Go through the syllabus and exam pattern before starting preparation.
2. Improve Reading Skills: Practice reading unseen passages and focus on comprehension skills.
3. Enhance Writing Skills: Work on letter writing and analytical paragraphs with proper structure.
4. Revise Grammar Rules: Focus on important grammar topics and practice exercises regularly.
5. Practice Answer Writing: Solve previous years’ papers and sample papers to get an idea of question patterns.
6. Memorize Important Quotes: Learn key lines from poems and prose to make your answers stand out.
7. Time Management: Allocate specific time for literature, grammar, and writing sections while studying.
8. Stay Consistent: Regular revision and practice will help in better retention and performance.

Conclusion

The CBSE Class 10 English syllabus 2025-26 covers a wide range of topics that improve language proficiency. By following the right strategy and using the best books, students can perform well in their exams. Regular practice, understanding of the concepts, and effective time management are key to success.

Stay motivated and keep practicing! Best of luck for your exams! 🎯

ALSO READ: CBSE Syllabus 2025-26 Class 10 – Simple Guide for All Subjects