ICSE Class 9 Home Science Syllabus 2025-26: Download FREE PDF!

1. Concept and Scope of Home Science 

(i) Introduction to the five streams in Home Science and how they integrate to form a meaningful whole. 

Understanding that Home Science is a field of Applied Sciences, made up of five streams, i.e. Foods & Nutrition, Resource Management, Human Development, Textiles & Clothing and Communication & Extension. 

(ii) Significance of the study of Home Science in different spheres of life. 

An understanding that Home Science is a multi-disciplinary subject which helps in the development of life skills to deal with various situations in different spheres of life.

2. Food and Health

(i) Food and its functions. Basic Cookery Terms. Health benefits of common food items. 

Definition of: food, nutrient, nutrition, balanced diet, health, malnutrition and optimum nutrition. Functions of food: physiological, psychological and social functions. 

Meaning of basic cookery terms: Cutting, chopping, grating, kneading, beating, peeling, stringing julienne, mashing, cutting and folding, blending, and dusting. 

Health benefits of common food items - to be done briefly: 

• Herbs: Mint, coriander, celery, basil, curry leaves, saffron, thyme, lemon grass; 

• Spices: cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, fenugreek, cumin, fennel, carrom, asafoetida, ginger, garlic. 

(ii) Nutrients and their functions. Deficiency diseases. 

Classification of nutrients according to their sources and functions: 

(a) Energy giving: Fats and carbohydrates; 

(b) Body building: Proteins and minerals; 

(c) Protective: Vitamins (A, D, E and K, Vitamin B -Thiamine, Riboflavin and Niacin and Vitamin C); Minerals (calcium, iron and iodine); 

(d) Regulatory: Water and roughage. 

Deficiency diseases are associated with the above nutrients.

3. Growth and Development of Children from Birth to Five Years 

(i) Principles of development; milestones of development. 

Meaning of the terms growth and development; the difference between growth and development. Principles of development. Meaning of developmental milestones; Milestones of development: meaning and characteristics of physical, motor, social, emotional, cognitive and language development. 

(ii) Role and importance of play and play school during early childhood. 

The role of play with emphasis on the holistic growth of the child. Considerations in choosing the kind of play (indoor/outdoor), play materials (indoor/ outdoor), types of play: constructive, fantasy, solitary, cooperative, creative, meaning only, types of play schools: Montessori, nursery, kindergarten - meaning only. 

(iii)Diseases and their prevention

Common childhood diseases (0-5 years): Tuberculosis, mumps, measles, chickenpox, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, rubella, polio: names only and associated vaccines; Definition and importance of immunisation. 

4. The Home and Its Maintenance

(i) Colour and its application in the Home. 

Dimensions of colour – hue, value and intensity. Prang colour wheel (primary, secondary and tertiary colours); neutral, warm, cool and metallic colours. Colour schemes: related (monochromatic/one hue colour, analogous /adjacent), contrasting (complementary, double complementary, split complementary, triad and tetrad) colour schemes and their applications in the home – drawing/living room, bedroom, dining room and kitchen. 

(ii) Lighting in the Home. 

Types of lighting (general and local or task, direct and indirect); sources of light: natural and artificial; choice of adequate lighting for different rooms. 

(iii) Sustainable utilisation of Fuel and Energy in the Home. 

Sustainable use of fuel and energy with emphasis on the need and methods for the conservation of cooking gas, water and electricity in the house. 

(iv) Maintenance of Sanitation and Hygiene inside and outside the House 

Role of sanitation and hygiene in the home and its environment; 

Waste Management: Meaning of the term waste; basic concept of biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes with examples. 

Importance of segregation of waste: sorting of waste into biodegradable / non-biodegradable, organic / non-organic, plastic, metal and e-waste at the domestic and community level. Importance of the five Rs (reduce, refuse, reuse, recycle and reinvent) for environmental conservation

5. Textile Science and Fabric Construction

(i) Fibres: Properties and uses 

Meaning of the term fibre; classification of fibres: natural, man-made and synthetic; 

Natural fibres (cotton, silk and wool): brief idea of origin; man-made fibres (rayon: raw materials); synthetic fibres: nylon and polyester: raw materials; 

Identification of fibres: microscopic appearance and burning tests. Properties of cotton, silk, wool, rayon, nylon, polyester and their uses. 

(ii) Fabric structure: woven, non-woven and knitted. 

Meaning of the terms yarn, warp, weft, selvedge, and fabric. 

Woven fabrics: basic (plain and twill, satin, decorative (spot and pile-cut and uncut): construction method and end use; 

Non-woven: e.g. felt;

Knitted (hand and machine): meaning and end use of non-woven and knitted.

6. Communication And Extension 

Communication: meaning, functions and importance; elements of communication; interpersonal communication. 

Meaning, functions and importance of communication; elements of communication (sender, message, medium, receiver, feedback: brief idea); the meaning of interpersonal communication; acquiring interpersonal communication skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing).

PART II: INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

To be assessed internally by the school. 

PRACTICAL WORK

Candidates will be required to practice one or more aspects of Home Management, Human Development, Foods and Nutrition, Textiles and Communication & Extension, covered in the syllabus. They may also undertake practical work on any of the topics suggested below. The teacher is free to assess the practical work either based on continuous assessment or on the basis of periodical tests.

Five practical-oriented assignments as prescribed by the teacher. 

Criteria 

Planning Efficiency

Working to time plan

Manipulation

Quality produced

Appearance/Arrangement

Marks

Grade I 

Follows the question set and systematically organises the work process. 

Is successful in handling parts of the question set and fits them within required time.

Excellent display of manipulative skills - can deal with a laboratory situation efficiently

With a special insight into the question, the quality developed is of a high standard. 

A fine aesthetic sense and artistic ability conveyed in the complete arrangement. 

4 marks for each criterion 

Grade II

Follows the question set except that the step by step work shows slow operational skill. 

Is successful in handling parts of the question, but the smooth work appears to slow down. 

Good control of manipulative skills. Has been able to deal with each situation with ease.

The insight into the requirements of the question has been achieved and the quality is good. 

The display of colour and equipment used gives an impression of sound organisation.

3 marks for each criterion 

Grade III

Follows the question. Order of work process shows lack of coordination. 

Is successful in handling the question, however the time link seems to break in some area. 

Has been successful with the manipulative skills in parts, then gradually slows down. 

The quality has been produced in part but the overall lacks some achievement. 

The arrangement appears complete but some special details missing. 

2 marks for each criterion 

Grade IV

Follows a part of the question, work sequence appears disorganised.

Is able to work only a part of the question within the time stated and then seems confused.

Begins with a control of the skills and is unable to sustain the effort. 

Only few areas of quality are visible, which affect the total result produced. 

Part of the arrangement is represented but the total appearance lacks finish and composition. 

1 mark for each criterion 

Grade V

Has not been able to interpret the question into proper laboratory organisation. 

Time and work sequence is most disorganised.

Is unable to control and manipulate the required skills. 

No standard of quality has been achieved due to poor understanding. 

There has been no achievement in either the appearance or arrangement. 

0 marks for each criterion

ICSE Class 9 Home Science Syllabus 2025-26: Download PDF