CBSE 10th Social Science Exam Pattern 2026: CBSE has revised the Class 10 Social Science exam pattern for the 2026 board exam, making the question paper more structured and subject-focused. As per the revised pattern, there are dedicated sections for History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics. Along with this, the number of MCQs, short answers, long answers, case-based questions, and map-based questions has also been restructured.
This article provides the complete revised exam pattern, section-wise question distribution, marking scheme, and unit-wise weightage to help students prepare effectively for the 2026 Social Science board exam.
CBSE Class 10 Social Science Exam 2026 – Key Highlights
Before beginning their preparation, students should be aware of the major components of the CBSE Class 10 Social Science Exam 2026, including duration, marks, and section structure.
| Particulars | Details |
| Board | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Subject | Social Science |
| Academic Session | 2025–26 |
| Total Marks | 80 (Theory) + 20 (Internal Assessment) |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Number of Questions | 38 (All compulsory) |
| Paper Structure | Four sections – History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics |
CBSE Class 10 Social Science Question Paper Structure 2025–26 (Revised)
The CBSE has maintained the total marks at 80, but the Social Science paper structure has been made more organized by assigning one subject per section. Each section carries 20 marks and includes a mix of question types like MCQs, short answers, long answers, case-based, and map-based questions.
| Section | Subject | Marks |
| Section A | History | 20 |
| Section B | Geography | 20 |
| Section C | Political Science | 20 |
| Section D | Economics | 20 |
| Total | — | 80 Marks |
Check CBSE Class 10 Soical Science Syllabus for Board Exam 2026
CBSE Class 10 Social Science Section-Wise Question Distribution and Marking Scheme
The CBSE Class 10 Social Science question paper 2026 is divided into four equal sections, each carrying 20 marks. Every section includes a variety of question types — from objective and short answers to case-based and map-based questions. Below is the detailed section-wise question distribution and marking scheme as per the latest CBSE sample paper 2025–26.
Section A – History (20 Marks)
| Question No. | Type of Question | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
| Q1–Q4 | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 1 | 4 |
| Q5 | Very Short Answer (VSA) | 2 | 2 |
| Q6 | Short Answer (SA) | 3 | 3 |
| Q7 | Long Answer (LA) | 5 | 5 |
| Q8 | Case-Based Question (CBQ) | 4 | 4 |
| Q9 | Map-Based Question | 2 | 2 |
| Total | — | — | 20 Marks |
Section B – Geography (20 Marks)
| Question No. | Type of Question | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
| Q10–Q15 | MCQs | 1 | 6 |
| Q16 | Very Short Answer | 2 | 2 |
| Q17 | Long Answer (Choice-Based) | 5 | 5 |
| Q18 | Case-Based Question | 4 | 4 |
| Q19 | Map-Based Question | 3 | 3 |
| Total | — | — | 20 Marks |
Section C – Political Science (20 Marks)
| Question No. | Type of Question | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
| Q20–Q23 | MCQs / Assertion-Reason | 1 | 4 |
| Q24–Q25 | Very Short Answer | 2 | 4 |
| Q26 | Short Answer | 3 | 3 |
| Q27 | Long Answer (Choice-Based) | 5 | 5 |
| Q28 | Case-Based Question | 4 | 4 |
| Total | — | — | 20 Marks |
Section D – Economics (20 Marks)
| Question No. | Type of Question | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
| Q29–Q34 | MCQs | 1 | 6 |
| Q35–Q37 | Short Answer | 3 | 9 |
| Q38 | Long Answer (Choice-Based) | 5 | 5 |
| Total | — | — | 20 Marks |
Map-Based Questions in CBSE Class 10 Social Science 2026
Map skills remain an integral part of the Social Science paper.
- Q9 (History) – 2 marks
- Q19 (Geography) – 3 marksTotal Map Skill Component: 5 Marks
Check CBSE Class 10 Social Science Sample Paper for Board Exam 2026
Internal Choices and Special Provisions
No overall choice in the paper; however, internal choices are provided in select questions.
Visually impaired candidates will receive alternative questions in place of visual or map-based ones.
CBSE Class 10 Social Science Unit-Wise Weightage 2025–26
| Units | Chapters / Components | Marks |
| History (India & the Contemporary World – II) | Nationalism, Industrialisation, Print Culture, etc. | 18 + 2 (Map) |
| Geography (Contemporary India – II) | Resources, Agriculture, Industries, etc. | 17 + 3 (Map) |
| Political Science (Democratic Politics – II) | Power Sharing, Federalism, Political Parties, etc. | 20 |
| Economics (Understanding Economic Development) | Development, Sectors, Globalisation, etc. | 20 |
| Total | — | 80 Marks |
Preparation Tips Based on the Revised Pattern
To score well in the CBSE Class 10 Social Science Board Exam 2026, students must align their preparation with the updated question paper structure. Here are some effective and high-impact tips:
-
Master case-based questions as they now appear in three sections. Practice extracting answers from passages, maps, and data-based inputs.
-
Write within the prescribed word limits for VSA (40 words), SA (60 words), and LA (120 words) to avoid unnecessary deductions.
-
Revise History and Geography maps regularly, as map questions carry 5 crucial marks and are easy to score with consistent practice.
-
Improve conceptual clarity for MCQs, focusing on definitions, features, differences, examples, and NCERT text-box information.
-
Solve CBSE Sample Papers and Previous Year Questions under timed exam-like conditions to enhance speed and accuracy.
Unique & High-Scoring Tips
-
Use bullet points for SA and LA answers—this makes your responses clearer and helps examiners locate key points quickly.
-
Create mind maps for each chapter to revise themes, events, and interconnected concepts in a single glance.
-
Highlight important NCERT lines and examples, especially for Political Science and Economics, as many questions are directly framed from them.
-
Practice writing precise introductions and conclusions for 5-mark answers—this creates a strong impression and improves presentation.
-
Keep a separate notebook for case-based question practice, where you summarise question types and how to approach them.
The CBSE Class 10 Social Science Exam Pattern 2026 ensures a fair, analytical, and comprehensive assessment of students’ understanding across all four disciplines. By aligning their preparation with the new paper format, students can maximize their performance and score well in the upcoming board exams.
-1766490928958.jpg)
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation