ICSE Class 10 Biology Syllabus for Board Exam 2026-27, Download PDF Here

Exam Component

Maximum Marks

Duration

Theory Paper (Biology)

80

2 Hours

Internal Assessment (Practical Work)

20

As per school schedule

Total

100

—

Unit

Chapter 

Important Topics 

1. Basic Biology

Cell Cycle and Cell Division

Cell cycle, including Interphase (G1, S and G2) and mitotic phase; stages of mitosis; basic understanding of meiosis as reduction division; homologous chromosomes; crossing over; significance and differences between mitosis and meiosis.

Structure of Chromosome

Basic structure of a chromosome; chromatin, chromatid, gene, DNA structure and centromere.

Genetics

Mendel’s three laws of inheritance; monohybrid cross (phenotype and genotype); dihybrid cross (phenotype only); genes, alleles, heterozygous and homozygous conditions, dominant and recessive traits, mutation, variation, phenotype and genotype; sex determination in humans; X-linked inheritance of haemophilia and colour blindness.

2. Plant Physiology

Absorption by Roots

Imbibition, diffusion, osmosis, osmotic pressure, root pressure, turgidity, flaccidity, plasmolysis and deplasmolysis; absorption of water and minerals; active and passive transport; movement of water into xylem; ascent of sap; root hair structure; cohesive and adhesive forces; transpiration pull; experiments demonstrating water conduction through xylem.

Transpiration

Process and importance of transpiration; Ganong’s potometer and its limitations; factors affecting the rate of transpiration; stomatal transpiration and potassium ion exchange theory; adaptations that reduce transpiration; guttation and bleeding; experiments involving loss of water from plants and cobalt chloride paper.

Photosynthesis

Process and significance of photosynthesis; chloroplast structure; light and dark reactions; photolysis of water; formation of ATP and NADPH; release of oxygen; formation of glucose; balanced chemical equation; stomatal movement; adaptations for photosynthesis; experiments to show the necessity of light, carbon dioxide and chlorophyll; starch testing, destarching and the carbon cycle.

Chemical Coordination in Plants

Plant growth regulators—auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid and ethylene; their effects on plant growth; tropic movements, including phototropism, geotropism, hydrotropism, thigmotropism and chemotropism.

3. Human Anatomy and Physiology

Circulatory System

Blood and lymph; composition and functions of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets; tissue fluid and lymph; blood coagulation; structure and working of the heart; major blood vessels; systole and diastole; double circulation; pulse and blood pressure; arteries, veins and capillaries; spleen and tonsils; ABO blood groups, Rh factor and the hepatic portal system.

Excretory System

Excretory organs; parts and functions of the urinary system; external and internal structure of the kidney; associated blood vessels; nephron structure; ultrafiltration, selective reabsorption and tubular secretion; formation of urine.

Nervous System and Sense Organs

Structure of a neuron; central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems; brain and spinal cord; parts and functions of the brain; grey and white matter; voluntary and involuntary actions; reflex action and reflex arc; natural and acquired reflexes; eye and ear structure and functions; stereoscopic vision, accommodation and adaptation; eye defects and corrective measures; hearing and balance.

Endocrine System

Endocrine and exocrine glands; location and shape of the adrenal, pancreas, thyroid and pituitary glands; hormones, including insulin, glucagon, thyroxin, cortical hormones, adrenaline, growth hormone, tropic hormones, ADH and oxytocin; effects of hypo- and hypersecretion; feedback mechanism with reference to TSH.

Reproductive System

Male and female reproductive organs; male accessory glands; secondary sexual characteristics; structure and functions of sperm and egg; fertilisation, implantation, placenta, gestation and parturition; functions of the placenta and foetal membranes; amniotic fluid; menstrual cycle; roles of testosterone, oestrogen and progesterone; identical and fraternal twins.

4. Population

Population Explosion and Control

Population explosion in India and the world; reasons for population growth; demography, population density, birth rate, death rate and growth rate; effects such as unemployment, overexploitation of natural resources, low per capita income, rising prices, pollution and unequal distribution of wealth; surgical population-control methods, including tubectomy and vasectomy.

5. Human Evolution

Evolution and Theories of Evolution

Introduction to human evolution; human ancestors—Australopithecus, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Neanderthals, Cro-Magnon and modern humans; bipedalism, cranial capacity, canine teeth, forehead and brow ridges, chin development, body hair, height and posture; Lamarck’s theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics, including use and disuse of organs; Darwin’s theory of natural selection and survival of the fittest, with the peppered moth as an example.

6. Pollution

Types and Sources of Pollution

Air pollution from vehicles, industries, burning garbage and brick kilns; water pollution from detergents, sewage, industrial waste and oil spills; thermal pollution; soil pollution from industrial, commercial and domestic waste and chemical fertilisers; biomedical waste; radiation pollution; noise pollution.

Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable Waste

Meaning and examples of biodegradable waste, such as paper and vegetable peels, and non-biodegradable waste, such as plastics, glass and Styrofoam; pesticides such as DDT.

Effects and Control of Pollution

Effects on climate, the environment, human health and other organisms; greenhouse effect, global warming, acid rain and ozone layer depletion; control measures such as unleaded petrol/CNG, switching off engines at traffic signals, social forestry, sewage treatment plants, restrictions on polythene and plastics, organic farming and vehicular emission standards; a brief mention of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Practical Area

Experiments and Activities

Plant Life

Observation of permanent slides showing stages of mitosis.

Diffusion, osmosis and absorption

Diffusion using potassium permanganate in water; osmosis using the thistle funnel experiment and potato osmoscope; absorption using a small herbaceous plant.

Transpiration

Demonstration using a bell jar; unequal transpiration in a dorsiventral leaf using cobalt chloride paper; uptake of water and rate of transpiration using Ganong’s potometer.

Photosynthesis

Experiments showing the need for light, carbon dioxide and chlorophyll; demonstration of oxygen release using Hydrilla or Elodea.

Animal Life

Identification of the urinary system, heart, internal structure of the kidney and external structure of the brain using models and charts.

Blood and sense organs

Identification of blood cells under a microscope; identification of the internal structures of the eye and ear using models and charts.

Endocrine glands

Identification and location of the adrenal, pancreas, thyroid and pituitary glands using models or charts.

Grade

Marks

Preparation

Procedure / Testing

Observation

Inference / Results

Presentation

Grade I

4

Follows instructions with understanding, modifies them if needed and uses apparatus and materials safely.

Analyses the problem systematically, identifies variables and plans a logical investigation.

Records observations systematically without being given a format and recognises the accuracy of instruments.

Processes data independently, identifies sources of error and suggests modifications when needed.

Accurate and good presentation with appropriate techniques.

Grade II

3

Follows step-by-step instructions and understands safety while using apparatus and materials.

Specifies the sequence of operations, explains changes in procedure and controls one variable while dealing with another.

Makes relevant observations and records them without assistance using a suitable format.

Processes data appropriately and draws conclusions consistent with the results.

Adequate presentation using appropriate techniques.

Grade III

2

Follows instructions one step at a time and demonstrates safety awareness and familiarity with apparatus.

Develops a simple experimental strategy and uses trial and error to proceed.

Needs detailed instructions and a format to record observations.

Processes data with a detailed format and draws qualitative conclusions as required.

Reasonable presentation, though some parts may be disorganised or untidy.

Grade IV

1

Follows some instructions to perform a single practical operation but is casual about safety.

Struggles with the experiment but follows an obvious experimental strategy.

Requires a format to record observations and may make recording errors.

Makes errors in processing data even with a detailed format and reaches conclusions with help.

Poor and disorganised presentation, though the sequence is acceptable.

Grade V

0

Cannot follow instructions or perform practical work without full assistance and is unaware of safety requirements.

Cannot proceed with the experiment without repeated help.

Records are faulty or irrelevant even when a format is provided.

Cannot process results or draw conclusions, even with considerable help.

Unacceptable, disorganised and untidy presentation, with rough work missing.

Examiner

Marks

Subject Teacher (Internal Examiner)

10

External Examiner

10

Total

20