ICSE Class 9 Biology Syllabus for Board Exam 2026-27, Download PDF Here
ICSE board has released the official syllabus for classes 9 to 12 to help students prepare for the board exams. Students can access the latest ICSE Class 9 Biology Syllabus PDF for the 2026-27 board exam from the direct link shared here. The syllabus details course structure, the latest curriculum, and other exam details.
The ICSE board has released the latest class 9 syllabus for the new 2026-27 academic session. With the help of the syllabus, students can prepare for the board exams strategically. From here, students can download the latest ICSE Class 9 Biology syllabus PDF (Science paper III).
In order to help students understand the science syllabus and paper pattern, we have shared a detailed breakdown of syllabus content below. This also highlights the paper structure in which a theory paper carries 80 marks and a 20-mark school-based internal practical evaluation. Biology, a third part of science subjects, includes topics like cell theory, plant mechanics (such as pollination and Respiration), the Five Kingdom Classification, and elaborate systems of Human Anatomy.
ICSE Class 9 Biology Syllabus 2026-27: Key Highlights
The table shared below highlights key exam details for the 2026-27 session.
| Events | Description |
| Examination Name | Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) |
| Board Name | Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) |
| Curriculum | Focuses on a holistic education with core academics, creative expression, life skills, and values. |
| Subjects Offered | Wide range of subjects including English, Hindi, Mathematics, Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Social Science (History, Geography, Civics, Economics), Computer Science, Art, Music, Physical Education, etc. |
| Board Exams | Conducted in February-March for Class 9. |
| Website | cisce.org |
ICSE Class 9 Biology Syllabus for Board Exam 2026-27: Latest Changes
The CISCE board has revived the curriculum to meet the requirements of the latest developments in the Indian education system. To align with NEP 2020 policy (National Education Policy), the ICSE board has emphasized conceptual-based learning to promote critical thinking instead of rote learning.
In Class 9, for Biology paper students will be studying topics like Basic Biology, Plant Physiology, Diversity in Living Organisms, and Human Anatomy and Physiology, aiming to align with Class 10 board exam requirements
ICSE Class 9 Biology Syllabus for Board Exam 2026-27: Aims
ICSE board sets aims for each subject taught in Class 9. For Biology, (Science Paper III) students can read through the objectives of the subject as suggested by the board in the syllabus, aligning with the 2026-27 curriculum:
1. To acquire the knowledge of the economic importance of plants and animals.
2. To develop an understanding of the inter-relationship between sustainability and environmental adaptations.
3. To develop an understanding of the interdependence of plants and animals so as to enable pupils to acquire a clearer comprehension of the significance of life and its importance in
human welfare.
4. To understand the capacities and limitations of all the biological and economic activities so as to be able to use them for a better quality of life.
5. To acquire the ability to observe, experiment, hypothesize, infer, handle equipment accurately
and make correct recordings.
ICSE Class 9 Biology Syllabus 2026-27: Detailed Breakdown
Given below are the details for the theory part of the ICSE Class 9 Biology syllabus 2026-27. As per the board guidelines, there will be one paper for Class 9 Biology, and it will be conducted two hours. The theory part carries 80 marks and Internal Assessment of Practical Work carrying 20 marks.
1. Basic Biology
(i) The cell, a unit of life, protoplasm, basic difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell; differences between an animal and a plant cell.
• A basic understanding of the cell theory, structure of plant and animal cell with functions of various cell organelles. (Protoplasm, Cytoplasm, Cell Wall, Cell Membrane, Nucleus, Nucleolus,
Mitochondria, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Ribosome, Golgi bodies, Plastids, Lysosomes, Centrosome and Vacuole).
• Major differences between a prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell.
• Differences between a plant cell and an animal cell should be mainly discussed with respect to cell wall, centrosome, vacuoles and plastids.
(ii) Tissues: Types of plant and animal tissues.
• A brief understanding of their location, basic structure and functions with examples.
• A brief understanding of their role in different physiological processes in plants and animals.
2. Flowering Plants
(i) Flower: Structure of a bisexual flower, functions of various parts.
• A brief introduction to complete and incomplete flowers.
• Essential and non-essential whorls of a bisexual flower; their various parts and functions.
• Inflorescence and placentation (meaning only) (Charts or actual specimens may be used to
help enhance clarity of concepts.)
(ii) Pollination: self and cross-pollination.
• Explanation, advantages and disadvantages of self and crosspollination.
• Agents of pollination and the characteristic features of flowers pollinated by various agents such as insects, wind, and water.
• A brief idea as to how nature favours cross pollination.
(ii) Fertilisation.
• Events taking place between pollination and fertilisation leading to the formation of zygote in the embryo sac.
• A brief explanation of the terms double fertilization and triple fusion.
• Fruit and Seed - definition and significance.
3. Plant Physiology
(i) Structure of dicot and monocot seeds, Germination of seeds, types, and conditions for seed germination.
• Structure and germination of Bean seed and Maize grain.
• Differences between monocot and dicot seeds.
• Differences between hypogeal and epigeal germination.
• Conditions for seed germination - To be explained and supported by experiments.
(ii) Respiration in plants: outline of the process, gaseous exchange.
• A brief outline of the process mentioning the terms Glycolysis, Krebs cycle and their significance.
• A reference to be made to aerobic and anaerobic respiration with chemical equations in each case.
• Experiments on gaseous exchange and on heat production.
4. Diversity in living organisms
(i) A brief outline of the five Kingdom classification.
• Main characteristics of each kingdom with suitable examples:
- Monera, Protista, Fungi.
- Plantae - Thallophyta, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta and Spermatophyta.
• Animalia - non-chordates from Porifera to Echinodermata and Chordates - all five Classes.
(ii) Economic importance of Bacteria.
(a) Useful role of bacteria:
• Medicine: antibiotics, serums and vaccines
• Agriculture: nitrogen cycle (role of nitrogen fixing, nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria)
• Industry -curing of tea, tanning of leather.
(b) Harmful role of bacteria - spoilage of food, diseases in plants and animals, bio-weapons.
(iii) Economic importance of Fungi.
A brief idea of the useful role of Fungi in breweries, bakeries, cheese processing, and mushroom cultivation. (Processes of manufacture are not required).
5. Human Anatomy and Physiology
(a) Nutrition:
(i) Classes of food; balanced diet.
Malnutrition and deficiency diseases.
• Functions of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, mineral salts (calcium, iodine, iron and sodium), vitamins and water in proper functioning of the body.
• Sources of vitamins, their functions and deficiency diseases.
• Meaning and importance of a ‘Balanced Diet’.
• Role of cellulose in our diet.
• Causes, symptoms and prevention of Kwashiorkor and Marasmus.
(ii) The structure of a tooth, different types of teeth.
• Structure of a tooth to be discussed with the help of a diagram.
• Functions of different types of teeth.
• Dental formula of an adult.
6. Health and Hygiene
(i) A brief introduction to maintaining good health.General idea of personal hygiene, public hygiene and sanitation.
(ii) A brief introduction to communicable, non-communicable, endemic, epidemic, pandemic and sporadic diseases; modes of transmission.
• Meaning of each of the above with examples.
• Modes of transmission: air borne, water borne; vectors (housefly, mosquito, cockroach).
(iii)Bacterial, Viral, Protozoan, Helminthic diseases:
• Bacterial: Cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis.
• Viral: AIDS, Chicken pox, Hepatitis.
• Protozoan: Malaria, Amoebic Dysentery, Sleeping sickness.
• Helminthic: Ascariasis, Taeniasis, Filiariasis.
(symptoms and measures to control the above diseases.)
(Scientific names of causative agents not required).
(iv) Aids to Health: Active and passive immunity.
• Meaning of Active and passive immunity.
• An understanding of the use and action of the following – vaccination, immunization, antitoxin, serum, antiseptics, disinfectants, antibiotics.
• An idea of the local defense system and its merits, difference between antiseptics and disinfectants.
(v) Health Organisations: Red Cross, WHO. Major activities of the Red Cross and WHO.
7. Waste generation and management
(a) Sources of waste - domestic, industrial, agricultural, commercial and other establishments.
• Domestic waste: paper, glass, plastic, rags, kitchen waste, etc.
• Industrial: mining operations, cement factories, oil refineries, construction units.
• Agricultural: plant remains, animal waste, processing waste.
• Municipal sewage: Sewage, degradable and non-degradable waste from offices, etc.
• e-waste: brief idea about e-waste.
(b) Methods of safe disposal of waste.
• Segregation, dumping, composting, drainage, treatment of effluents before discharge, incineration, use of scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators.
• Segregation of domestic waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable by households: garden waste to be converted to compost; sewage treatment plants.
Students can access the complete ICSE Class 9 Biology Syllabus 2026-27 from the link shared below:
Check: ICSE Class 9 Biology Syllabus 2026-27 PDF
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT IN SCIENCE - GUIDELINES FOR MARKING WITH GRADES
| Grade | Preparation | Procedure / Testing | Observation | Inference / Results | Presentation | Marks |
| I | Follows instructions (written, oral, diagrammatic) with understanding; modifies if needed. Familiarity with and safe use of apparatus, materials, and techniques. | Analyses problem systematically. Recognises a number of variables and attempts to control them to build a logical plan of investigation. | Records data/observations without being given a format. Comments upon, recognises use of instruments, and degree of accuracy. Recording is systematic. | Processes data without a format. Recognises and comments upon sources of error. Can deal with unexpected results, suggesting modifications. | Presentation is accurate and good. Appropriate techniques are well used. | 4 |
| II | Follows instructions to perform experiment with step-by-step operations. Awareness of safety. Familiarity with apparatus, materials, and techniques. | Specifies sequence of operations; gives reasons for any change in procedure. Can deal with two variables, controlling one. | Makes relevant observations. No assistance is needed for an appropriate recording format. | Processes data appropriately as per a given format. Draws qualitative conclusions consistent with required results. | Presentation is adequate. Appropriate techniques are used. | 3 |
| III | Follows instructions to perform a single operation at a time. Safety awareness. Familiarity with apparatus & materials. | Develops simple experimental strategy. Trial and error modifications made to proceed with the experiment. | Detailed instructions needed to record observations. Format required to record results. | Processes data approximately with a detailed format provided. Draws qualitative conclusions as required. | Presentation is reasonable, but disorganised in some places. Overwriting; rough work is untidy. | 2 |
| IV | Follows some instructions to perform a single practical operation. Casual about safety. Manages to use apparatus & materials. | Struggles through the experiment. Follows very obvious experimental strategy. | Format required to record observations/readings but tends to make mistakes in recording. | Even when detailed format is provided, struggles or makes errors while processing data. Reaches conclusions with help. | Presentation is poor and disorganised but follows an acceptable sequence. Rough work missing or untidy. | 1 |
| V | Not able to follow instructions or proceed with practical work without full assistance. Unaware of safety. | Cannot proceed with the experiment without help from time to time. | Even when format is given, recording is faulty or irrelevant. | Cannot process results, nor draw conclusions, even with considerable help. | Presentation unacceptable; disorganised, untidy, or poor. Rough work missing. | 0 |
The syllabus is an outline of a curriculum. It includes the latest changes in the subject and course structure in detail. For the ICSE Class 9 Biology paper, students can check the topics added for this session, along with details for internal assessment. It would be helpful if students analyzed the syllabus and planned their study accordingly. Being aware of the syllabus details early can help maximize your preparation period for board exams.
Jaya Gupta is an Education Content professional with over four years of experience in writing marketing and academic content, alongside a year of experience working with an indie publishing house. Currently, she is covering higher education content for Jagran Josh (Jagran New Media), leveraging her academic knowledge. She specializes in covering management, engineering, law, medical colleges, study abroad and GATE exams. She holds a Master's degree in English Literature, successfully qualified the 2024 UGC NET, and has guided more than 100 students in framing effective study-abroad academic essays. Her writing interests vary across education, creative expression, and digital culture.
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