ICSE Class 10 Geography Syllabus 2025–26

Paper Duration: 2 Hours
Total Marks: 80 (Theory) + 20 (Internal Assessment) = 100

Candidates will be expected to make the fullest use of sketches, diagrams, graphs and charts in their answers.
Questions set may require answers involving the interpretation of photographs of geographical interest.

PART I - MAP WORK

Interpretation of Topographical Maps

1. Locating features with the help of a four figure or a six-figure grid reference.
2. Definition of contour and contour interval. Identification of landforms marked by contours (steep slope, gentle slope, hill, valley, ridge / water divide, escarpment), triangulated height, spot height, bench mark, relative height/ depth.
3. Interpretation of colour tints and conventional symbols used on a topographical survey of India map.
4. Identification and definition of types of scale given on the map. Measuring distances and calculating area using the scale given therein.
5. Marking directions between different locations, using eight cardinal points.
6. Identify: Site of prominent villages and/or towns, types of land use / land cover and means of communication with the help of the index given at the bottom of the sheet.
7. Identification of drainage (direction of flow and pattern) and settlement patterns.
8. Identification of natural and man-made features.

Map of India

On an outline map of India, candidates will be required to locate, mark and name the following:

• Mountains, Peaks and Plateaus: Himalayas, Karakoram, Aravali, Vindhyas, Satpura, Western and Eastern Ghats, Nilgiris, Garo, Khasi, Jaintia, Mount Godwin Austin (K2), Mount Kanchenjunga, Deccan Plateau, Chota Nagpur Plateau.
• Plains: Gangetic Plains and Coastal plains – (Konkan, Kanara, Malabar, Coromandel, Northern Circars).
• Desert: Thar (The Great Indian Desert)
• Rivers: Indus, Ravi, Beas, Chenab, Jhelum, Satluj, Ganga, Yamuna, Ghaghra, Gomti, Gandak, Kosi, Chambal, Betwa, Son, Damodar, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Tapti, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauveri, Tungabhadra.
• Water Bodies: Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Khambhat, Gulf of Mannar, Palk Strait, Andaman Sea, Chilka Lake, Wular Lake.
• Passes: Karakoram, Nathu-La Passes.
• Latitude and Longitudes: Tropic of Cancer, Standard Meridian (82° 30’E).
• Direction of Winds: South West Monsoons (Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal Branches), North East Monsoons and Western Disturbances.
• Distribution of Minerals: Oil - Mumbai High (Offshore Oil Field) and Digboi. Iron – Singhbhum, Coal – Jharia.
• Soil Distribution: Alluvial, Laterite, Black and Red Soil.
• Cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Chandigarh, Srinagar, Vishakhapatnam, Allahabad.
• Population: Distribution of Population (Dense and sparse).

PART II - GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA

3. Location, Extent and Physical features
   • Position and Extent of India. (through Map only)
   • The physical features of India – mountains, plateaus, plains and rivers. (through Map only)
4. Climate
   • Distribution of Temperature, Rainfall, winds in Summer and Winter and factors affecting the climate of the area. Monsoon and its mechanism.
   • Seasons:
     • March to May – Summer
     • June to September – Monsoon
     • October to November - Retreating Monsoon
     • December to February – Winter
5. Soil Resources
   • Types of soil (alluvial, black, red and laterite) distribution, composition and characteristics such as colour, texture, minerals and crops associated.
   • Soil Erosion – causes, prevention and conservation.
6. Natural Vegetation
   • Importance of forests.
   • Types of vegetation (tropical evergreen, tropical deciduous, tropical desert, littoral and mountain), distribution and correlation with their environment.
   • Forest conservation.
7. Water Resources
   • Sources (Surface water and ground water).
   • Need for conservation and conservation practices (Rain water harvesting and its importance).
   • Irrigation: Importance and methods.
8. Mineral and Energy Resources
   • Iron ore, Manganese, Copper, Bauxite – uses and their distribution.
   • Conventional Sources: Coal, Petroleum, Natural gas (distribution, advantages and disadvantages).
   • Hydel power (Bhakra Nangal Dam and Hirakud).
   • Non-conventional Sources: Solar, wind, tidal, geo-thermal, nuclear and bio-gas (generation and advantages).
9. Agriculture
   • Indian Agriculture – importance, problems and reforms.
   • Types of farming in India: subsistence and commercial: shifting, intensive, extensive, plantation and mixed.
   • Agricultural seasons (rabi, kharif, zayad).
   • Climatic conditions, soil requirements, methods of cultivation, processing and distribution of the following crops:
     • Rice, wheat, millets and pulses.
     • Sugarcane, oilseeds (groundnut, mustard and soya bean).
     • Cotton, jute, tea and coffee.
10. Manufacturing Industries
    • Importance and classification
    • Agro based Industry - Sugar, Textile (Cotton and Silk).
    • Mineral based Industry – Iron & Steel (TISCO, Bhilai, Rourkela, Vishakhapatnam), Petro Chemical and Electronics.
11. Transport
    • Importance and Modes – Roadways, Railways, Airways and Waterways – Advantages and disadvantages.
12. Waste Management
    • Impact of waste accumulation - spoilage of landscape, pollution, health hazards, effect on terrestrial, aquatic (fresh water and marine) life.
    • Need for waste management.
    • Methods of safe disposal - segregation, dumping and composting.
    • Need and methods for reducing, reusing and recycling waste.

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

PRACTICAL / PROJECT WORK

Candidates will be required to prepare a project report on any one topic. The topics for assignments may be selected from the list of suggested assignments given below. Candidates can also take up an assignment of their choice under any of the broad areas given below.

Suggested list of assignments:

1. Local Geography:
   • Land use pattern in different regions of India– a comparative analysis.
   • The survey of a local market on the types of shops and services offered.
2. Environment: Wildlife conservation efforts in India.
3. Current Geographical Issues: Development of tourism in India.
4. Transport in India: Development of Road, Rail, Water and Air routes.
5. List different type of industries in the States and collect information about the types of raw materials used, modes of their procurement and disposal of wastes generated. Classify these industries as polluting or environment friendly and suggest possible ways of reducing pollution caused by these units.
6. Need for industrialization in India, the latest trends and its impact on economy of India.
7. Visit a water treatment plant, sewage treatment plant or garbage dumping or vermicomposting sites in the locality and study their working.

EVALUATION

The assignments/project work is to be evaluated by the subject teacher and by an External Examiner. (The External Examiner may be a teacher nominated by the Head of the school, who could be from the faculty, but not teaching the subject in the section/class. For example, a teacher of Geography of Class VIII may be deputed to be an External Examiner for Class X, Geography projects.)
The Internal Examiner and the External Examiner will assess the assignments independently.

Award of Marks (20 Marks):

• Subject Teacher (Internal Examiner): 10 marks
• External Examiner: 10 marks

The total marks obtained out of 20 are to be sent to CISCE by the Head of the school.
The Head of the school will be responsible for the online entry of marks on CISCE’s CAREERS portal by the due date.

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT IN GEOGRAPHY - GUIDELINES FOR MARKING WITH GRADES

Criteria	Preparation	Procedure / Testing	Observation	Inference / Results	Presentation
Grade I (4 marks)	Gives complete theoretical information using relevant geographical terms	States the objectives and defines the aspects to be studied.	Studies text and source material and makes a list.	States theoretical information in a coherent and concise manner using geographical terminology. Uses a variety of techniques. Shows resourcefulness. Supports investigation with relevant evidence.	Neatly and correctly stated statement of intent and conclusion matches with objectives.
Grade II (3 marks)	Provides adequate information using appropriate terms.	States objectives but not the limitations of the study.	Makes a limited list of source material only from secondary sources.	Uses sound methodology-using methods suggested. Makes a valid statement about the data collected. Attempts to develop explanations using available information.	Limited use of reference material and a presentation, which is routine.
Grade III (2 marks)	States objectives using some geographical terms but mostly in descriptive terms.	Only lists the aspects to be studied.	References are minimal.	Uses methodology in which selective techniques are applied correctly. Makes descriptive statement. Analysis is limited. Relates and describes systematically the data collected. Tries to relate conclusion to original aim.	Simple and neat with correct placement of references, acknowledgements, contents, maps and diagrams.
Grade IV (1 mark)	States intent without using relevant geographical terms but explaining them correctly.	Shows evidence of what to look for and how to record the same.	Uses methodology with some techniques but is unable to systematically record data and collect information.	Makes few relevant statements. Does analyse data that is not presented or tends to copy analysis available from other sources. Makes superficial conclusions. Link between the original aim and conclusion is not clear.	Neat but lacking in correct placement of table of contents, maps, diagrams and pictures.
Grade V (0 marks)	Does not make any use of geographical terms.	Has not collected any relevant data and has not presented sources correctly.	Does not use any logical technique and does not follow the methodology suggested.	Does not analyse data. Does not use the suggested methods. Makes conclusions but does not relate them to the original aim.	Presents the report without reference.

ICSE Class 10 – Geography Syllabus Overview

The ICSE Class 10 Geography syllabus provides a detailed roadmap for students aspiring to excel in their board examination. Emphasizing both theoretical understanding and practical application, the curriculum covers essential topics like map work, physical features, climate, and human-environment interactions, creating a strong foundation for advanced studies and competitive exams.

Organized into key sections such as Map Work, the Geography of India, and Internal Assessment, the syllabus ensures holistic learning. Each unit guides students through skills development, project execution, and accurate map interpretation, making it invaluable for ICSE exam preparation and future academic pursuits in geography and allied fields.