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CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature Syllabus 2025-26 - Updated Curriculum

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Detailed Structure of CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature Syllabus

The CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature syllabus 2025–26 gives students a complete roadmap for the board exam, covering prescribed textbooks, poems, supplementary reading, grammar, writing formats, and reading comprehension skills. Understanding the syllabus helps students organise their study plan, prioritise important chapters, and prepare systematically throughout the academic year.

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On Vedantu, students can explore the updated Class 10 English Language and Literature syllabus with a structured breakdown of prose, poetry, and language skills, making it easier to track progress and revise efficiently. Following the latest syllabus ensures students stay aligned with CBSE guidelines, practise the right topics, and build confidence for the final board examination.

CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature Exam Pattern 2025-26

The CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature exam is conducted for 80 marks in theory, along with 20 marks for internal assessment. The question paper is divided into three sections covering reading comprehension, writing with grammar, and literature-based questions.


CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature Section-wise Marks Distribution

Section

Components

Marks

A

Reading Skills

20

B

Writing Skills with Grammar

20

C

Language through Literature

40

Total (Theory)


80 Marks


Internal Assessment: 20 Marks


Includes listening & speaking skills, periodic tests, portfolio, and subject enrichment activities.


CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature: Highlights of the Exam Pattern

  • Questions include MCQs, objective questions, short answers, and long answers.

  • Writing tasks focus on formal letter and analytical paragraph writing.

  • Literature questions are based on NCERT books First Flight and Footprints Without Feet.

  • The exam tests comprehension, grammar accuracy, creativity, and textual understanding.


CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature Syllabus 2025-26 Section-wise Breakdown

The Class 10 English Language and Literature syllabus 2025-26 is divided into three sections. Each section evaluates a different language skill — reading comprehension, writing with grammar accuracy, and literature understanding.


Class 10 English Language and Literature syllabus 2025-26 Section A: Reading Skills

Component

Details

Marks

Discursive Passage

400–450 words unseen passage

10

Case-based Factual Passage

200–250 words with chart/statistics/visual

10

Total

Questions include MCQ, objective, short answers (30–40 words)

20


Skills Tested

  • Understanding main idea and details

  • Vocabulary and inference

  • Interpretation and analysis


Class 10 English Language and Literature syllabus 2025-26 Section B: Writing Skills and Grammar

Grammar Topics

Grammar Area

Question Types

Marks

Determiners

Gap filling


Tenses

Editing/Omission


Modals

Transformation


Subject–verb concord

Attempt any 10 of 12


Reported speech

Commands, statements, questions

10


Writing Tasks

Writing Task

Word Limit

Marks

Formal Letter (situation-based)

100–120 words

5

Analytical Paragraph (map/chart/graph/cues)

100–120 words

5

Total

Choice available in both questions

10


Class 10 English Language and Literature syllabus 2025-26 Section C: Language through Literature

Extract Type

Marks

Prose/Drama extract (choice of two)

5

Poetry extract (choice of two)

5

Total

10


Questions may include MCQ, very short answers, and short answers testing interpretation, inference, and vocabulary.


Short and Long Answer Questions

Book

Question Type

Marks

First Flight

4 Short answers (40–50 words)

12

1 Long answer (100–120 words)

6

Footprints Without Feet

2 Short answers (40–50 words)

6

1 Long answer (100–120 words)

6

Total

30


Skills Tested

  • Theme and character understanding

  • Creativity and imagination

  • Text-based reasoning and interpretation


CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature Prescribed Books 2025-26

The CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature syllabus 2025-26 is based on NCERT textbooks. Students should prepare all chapters from the following books.


Book Name

Type

Purpose

First Flight

Main Reader

Prose and poems for the literature section

Footprints Without Feet

Supplementary Reader

Additional stories for textual questions

Words and Expressions II

Workbook

Practice for grammar, writing, and comprehension


CBSE Class 10 English English Language and Literature: First Flight Chapter List

Prose Chapters

No.

Chapter Name

1

A Letter to God

2

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

3

Stories About Flying

4

From the Diary of Anne Frank

5

Glimpses of India

6

Mijbil the Otter

7

Madam Rides the Bus

8

The Sermon at Benares

9

The Proposal (Play)


Poems

No.

Poem Name

1

Dust of Snow

2

Fire and Ice

3

A Tiger in the Zoo

4

How to Tell Wild Animals

5

The Ball Poem

6

Amanda!

7

The Trees

8

Fog

9

The Tale of Custard the Dragon

10

For Anne Gregory


CBSE Class 10 English English Language and Literature: Footprints Without Feet Chapter List

No.

Chapter Name

1

A Triumph of Surgery

2

The Thief’s Story

3

The Midnight Visitor

4

A Question of Trust

5

Footprints Without Feet

6

The Making of a Scientist

7

The Necklace

8

Bholi

9

The Book That Saved the Earth


CBSE Class 10 English Internal Assessment 2025-26

In addition to the 80-mark theory exam, CBSE evaluates students through 20 marks of internal assessment. This helps measure practical language skills, classroom participation, and overall learning progress.


Internal Assessment Marks Distribution

Component

Description

Marks

Listening & Speaking Skills

Activities like conversation, presentation, role play, or oral response

5

Periodic Tests

School-based written tests during the academic year

Included

Portfolio

Classwork, assignments, and student progress record

Included

Subject Enrichment Activities

Projects, presentations, group work, or creative tasks

Included

Total Internal Assessment

20 Marks


Listening and Speaking Skills (ALS)

Teachers assess students based on:


Parameter

What is Evaluated

Interactive competence

Participation, relevance, turn-taking in conversation

Fluency and coherence

Clarity, logical flow, and speaking confidence

Pronunciation

Correct articulation and intelligibility

Vocabulary and grammar

Appropriate word usage and sentence accuracy


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FAQs on CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature Syllabus 2025-26 - Updated Curriculum

1. What are the total marks for the CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature exam 2025-26?

The CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature exam includes 80 marks for theory and 20 marks for internal assessment, making a total of 100 marks.

2. How many sections are there in the CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature question paper?

The English Language and Literature paper has three sections:

  • Section A: Reading Skills (20 marks)

  • Section B: Writing Skills with Grammar (20 marks)

  • Section C: Language through Literature (40 marks)

3. Which books are prescribed for CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature 2025-26?

For English Language and Literature, students must study:

  • First Flight (main reader)

  • Footprints Without Feet (supplementary reader)

  • Words and Expressions II (workbook)

4. What writing questions are asked in CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature exam?

In the English Language and Literature exam, students are required to write:

  • One formal letter

  • One analytical paragraph

Each answer should be about 100–120 words.

5. How many unseen passages come in the CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature exam?

The English Language and Literature paper includes two unseen passages:

  • One discursive passage

  • One case-based factual passage with visual input

6. How can students score high marks in CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature?

To score well in English Language and Literature, students should:

  • Study NCERT chapters thoroughly

  • Practice writing formats and grammar

  • Revise literary themes and characters

  • Solve previous year question papers

  • Improve time management

7. Has the CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature syllabus 2025-26 changed?

The English Language and Literature syllabus 2025-26 follows the latest CBSE curriculum. Students should check the official syllabus for any updates or changes.

8. Is CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature difficult?

The English Language and Literature paper is generally considered manageable if students regularly read NCERT chapters, practice writing formats, and revise grammar rules. Consistent practice makes the subject scoring.

9. What is the best way to prepare for CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature?

To prepare effectively for English Language and Literature, students should:

  • Read NCERT prose and poems carefully

  • Practice unseen passages regularly

  • Learn writing formats and grammar rules

  • Revise themes, characters, and key messages

  • Solve sample papers and previous year questions

10. Are NCERT books enough for CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature?

Yes, NCERT books are the primary source for the English Language and Literature exam. Most literature questions come directly from First Flight and Footprints Without Feet, so students should focus on these first.

11. How many chapters are there in CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature?

In English Language and Literature, students study:

  • First Flight: 9 prose chapters and 10 poems

  • Footprints Without Feet: 9 supplementary stories

12. Does CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature include grammar questions?

Yes, the English Language and Literature paper includes grammar questions on:

  • tenses

  • modals

  • determiners

  • subject–verb concord

  • reported speech

These are usually asked through gap filling, editing, or transformation exercises.

13. Is there internal assessment in CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature?

Yes, English Language and Literature includes 20 marks internal assessment, which covers:

  • listening and speaking skills

  • periodic tests

  • projects and portfolio work

14. How long should answers be in CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature exam?

In the English Language and Literature exam:

  • Short answers: 30–50 words

  • Long answers: 100–120 words

  • Writing tasks: 100–120 words

Students should follow word limits to score full marks.