CBSE Class 10 Civics · 2026-27

Syllabus & Marking Scheme

Civics (Political Science) is one of the four units of the Class 10 Social Science paper, carrying about 20 of the 80 theory marks. Its clear definitions and textbook examples make it a reliable, high-scoring unit.

Here is the full picture: the chapters, where Civics sits in the paper, the question pattern, and how to prepare.

At a glance

80Theory marks
20Internal assessment
100Total
3 hrsDuration

Civics is one of the four equal units of the Social Science paper — about 20 of the 80 theory marks (25%).

Social Science paper — marks distribution

Section / UnitMarks
History — India and the Contemporary World II20
Geography — Contemporary India II20
Political Science (Civics) — Democratic Politics II20
Economics — Understanding Economic Development20
Theory total80

CBSE sets weightage by section/unit, not per chapter. Always confirm the latest official syllabus on cbseacademic.nic.in.

Civics5 chapters

  1. Power Sharing
  2. Federalism
  3. Gender, Religion and Caste
  4. Political Parties
  5. Outcomes of Democracy

Question paper design

  • Objective / MCQs, including assertion–reason (1 mark each)
  • Very short & short answer questions (2–3 marks)
  • Long answer questions (5 marks)
  • Case-based / source-based questions
  • A rising share of competency-based questions

How to prepare

  • Cover all 5 chapters — questions can come from any of them, so nothing is "optional".
  • Practise case-based / source-based questions — they carry easy, guaranteed marks if you read the extract closely.
  • Write long answers in points, with a one-line introduction and conclusion — the marking scheme rewards structure.
  • Drill the most-repeated questions and MCQs (see the free guides linked above).

Frequently asked — Civics syllabus

How many marks is Class 10 Civics (Political Science) in the board exam?
Civics (Political Science) is one of the four equal units of the 80-mark Social Science theory paper, carrying about 20 marks (25%). Social Science also has 20 marks of internal assessment, for 100 in total.
How many chapters are there in Class 10 Civics (Political Science)?
There are 5 chapters in the current CBSE Class 10 Civics (Political Science) syllabus, all listed above.
Is the whole syllabus included in the board exam?
Yes. Questions can be set from any chapter, so it is safest to prepare the entire syllabus rather than guess "important" chapters.