The ICSE Class 10 Environmental Science syllabus covers 10 core units. Students study Controlling Air Pollution (sources and mitigation from homes, industries, vehicles), Population and environmental impact, Urban environment management, Soil and land conservation, Food and sustainable agriculture, Biodiversity and conservation strategies, Energy resources and sustainable energy, Waste management (solid waste, reduce-reuse-recycle), Environment and Development (global pollution, trade, MNCs), and Towards a Sustainable Future (global cooperation, sustainable development, technology). The board exam is typically 80 marks theory + 20 marks internal assessment.
ICSE Class 10 Environmental Science Syllabus 2025-26
The ICSE Class 10 Environmental Science Syllabus for 2025-26 focuses on creating awareness and solutions for environmental issues like pollution control, urban planning, soil conservation, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity conservation. It provides a balanced approach between theory and practical assessments, equipping students with knowledge of global environmental concerns and sustainable development strategies.
ICSE Class 10 Environmental Science Syllabus 2026 Details
Assessment Structure:
| Assessment Type | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Written Paper | 80 | 2 hours |
| Internal Assessment | 20 | Project-based |
Written Paper Structure
- Section A (Compulsory): Short answer questions covering all topics.
- Section B: Six questions (answer any four).
ICSE Class 10 Environmental Science Syllabus 2025-26: Important Topics
- Controlling Air Pollution
- Domestic Combustion: Reducing pollution from cooking with cleaner fuels like kerosene.
- Industrial Pollution: Technological solutions, zoning strategies, penalties, and incentives.
- Vehicle Emissions: Emission control through engine modification, cleaner fuels, public transport, and traffic management.
- Case Study: The Taj Trapezium.
- Addressing Population Growth and its Effects
- Population Growth and Environment: Links between population growth, environmental degradation, and economic policy.
- UN Population Projections for 2050: Implications on climate and alternative futures.
- Strategies for Population Control: Family planning, healthcare, education, women-centered human development.
- Poverty Alleviation Framework: Social mobilization, agriculture development, small-scale industries.
- Urban Environment Management
- Challenges of Urbanization: Planning sustainable cities.
- Environmental Improvement Planning: Efficient land use, energy, water, and waste management.
- Rural Development and Migration: Strategies for reducing urban migration by developing rural and secondary cities.
- Community and Private Enterprise Involvement: Roles in city improvement and cleanliness.
- Soil and Land Management
- Soil Conservation: Erosion control techniques like terracing, tree planting, and wind-breaks.
- Land Reforms: Land redistribution in India.
- Rural Development: Self-help and forestry projects.
- Community and Women’s Role in Conservation.
- Deforestation Control: Reforestation, forest product management, alternative livelihoods.
- Forest Grazing Management: Controlled grazing under the National Forest Policy, 1988.
- Timber Alternatives: Recycling of timber and paper.
- Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture
- Sustainable Agriculture: Integrated pest management, genetically modified crops, high-yield varieties, and organic fertilizers.
- Irrigation Techniques: Conservation tillage and drip irrigation.
- Food Security and Aid: Addressing global food imbalance through food aid.
- Biodiversity Conservation
- Human Impact on Biodiversity: Loss of biodiversity due to human activities, economic and ecological importance.
- Genetic Resource Conservation: In-situ (wildlife reserves) and ex-situ (botanical gardens, gene banks) conservation methods.
- National and International Conservation Efforts: Wildlife Protection Act, Project Tiger, IUCN, Ramsar Convention, CITES.
- Energy Resources and Management
- Fossil Fuels: Impact of fossil fuel use for electricity production.
- Nuclear Energy: Fission, fusion, and associated risks like the Chernobyl disaster.
- Sustainable Energy Future: Conservation, alternative energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biofuels).
- Waste Management
- Solid Waste Disposal: Understanding biodegradable vs. non-biodegradable waste and its disposal methods.
- Future Waste Solutions: Reducing, reusing, recycling, composting, vermiculture, and finding material alternatives.
- Environment and Development
- Global Pollution Responsibility: Cooperation between developed and developing countries.
- Economic Development and Environmental Degradation: The “debt trap” of developing countries.
- International Trade and Environment: Impact of MNCs, Bhopal gas tragedy case study, regulation of MNC activities.
- Towards a Sustainable Future
- Global Interdependence: Environmental and economic interdependence, shared responsibilities.
- International Cooperation: Montreal Protocol, Earth Summit, Kyoto Treaty.
- Sustainable Development: Sustainable practices in both developed and developing nations.
- NGO Role in Sustainability.
- Sustaining Technology: Use of satellite data for environmental monitoring, alternative technologies for sustainable development.
Internal Assessment (20 Marks)
Students must complete a minimum of three assignments. Suggested assignments include field studies on environmental impacts, project reports, and creative models showcasing environmental concerns.
Suggested Assignments:
- Field study on human impact on the environment with a 1,500-word report.
- Original essay (2,000 words) on a syllabus-related topic with a functional model.
Evaluation Criteria for Internal Assessment:
| Criteria | Grade I (4 Marks) | Grade II (3 Marks) | Grade III (2 Marks) | Grade IV (1 Mark) | Grade V (0 Mark) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Fully follows instructions, high awareness | Good awareness | Basic awareness | Minimal awareness | Lacks awareness |
| Data Gathering | Asks relevant questions, handles data well | Handles two variables | Needs guidance | Requires detailed guidance | Confused, requires full guidance |
| Analysis/Inference | Systematic, separates fact from opinion | Fair analysis | Needs help | Requires guidance | Analysis unclear |
| Solutions/Innovation | Innovative, feasible solutions | Practical but less innovative | Obvious solutions | Guided solutions only | No solutions |
| Presentation | Accurate, organized, with diagrams | Neat and organized | Some organization | Poorly organized | Very disorganized |
Internal Assessment Grading:
| Examiner | Marks |
|---|---|
| Internal Examiner | 10 |
| External Examiner | 10 |
ICSE Class 10 Environmental Science Syllabus 2025-26 PDF Download
Students can download the detailed PDF syllabus for ICSE Class 10 Environmental Science 2025-26. This PDF includes topics, assessment details, assignment guidelines, and marking criteria. The PDF is a handy reference for students and educators alike.
ICSE Class 10 Environmental Science Syllabus- Click Here To Download PDF
Best Books for ICSE Class 10 Environmental Science Syllabus 2026
Core Textbooks (Must-Have)
These books cover the complete ICSE Class 10 Environmental Science syllabus and are essential for understanding concepts clearly:
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Oswal Environmental Science Textbook for ICSE Class 10 – Aligned with the latest syllabus, includes chapter summaries, examples, activities & previous years’ questions integrated in chapters. Great for strong conceptual clarity.
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Goyal Brothers ICSE Environmental Science Class 10 – Another popular board-aligned textbook used in many schools. Simple language and syllabus coverage make it good for reading and revision.
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ICSE Environmental Science for Class X (alternative edition) – A basic textbook edition that’s useful if your school recommends it.
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ICSE Environmental Science – X by Amita Ganguly – Offers another perspective with clear explanation — beneficial for reinforcing concepts.
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ICSE Environmental Science for Class 10TH (another edition) – Alternative edition that some schools use; check your syllabus coverage for best fit.
Practice & Revision Books
To excel in exams, you should solve previous year papers and practise question banks:
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ICSE Previous Years Solved Papers Year wise 2017‑2025 Class‑10 Environmental Science – Solved board papers with answers help you understand the exam pattern and improve answer writing.
Study Tips for EVS
Start with one core textbook (like Oswal or Goyal) and read each chapter thoroughly.
Make concise notes from each chapter — especially definitions, key terms, cycles, and case studies.
Solve PYQs to identify frequently asked questions and improve time management.
If available, do chapter-wise questions, MCQs and short-answer practice from workbooks or handbooks (not listed here but good for revision).
FAQs
1. What is the ICSE Class 10 Environmental Science syllabus for 2026?
The syllabus covers major environmental topics such as:
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Controlling air pollution
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Addressing population issues
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Managing urban environment
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Soil and land management
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Sustainable food and agriculture
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Biodiversity and conservation
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Energy resources and sustainability
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Waste management
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Environment and development
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Towards a sustainable future
Internal assessment (projects/assignments) is also part of evaluation.
2. How is the Environmental Science paper structured?
Typically, the board exam paper is:
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2 hours duration
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80 marks for external exam
-
20 marks for internal assessment
The paper usually has two sections: -
Section A: Short answer questions from the entire syllabus
-
Section B: Long/detailed answer questions (choose a subset to answer)
3. Is Environmental Science compulsory?
No, it is an elective subject in Group II of the ICSE board. Students choose it based on their subject combination preferences.
4. What topics are included under Controlling Air Pollution?
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Pollution from domestic combustion and clean cooking solutions
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Industrial pollution control measures
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Vehicle emission control and traffic management
Includes case studies such as the Taj Trapezium region.
5. What is the internal assessment?
Internal assessment usually includes:
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Field studies
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Projects or assignments based on environmental issues
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Reports on environmental interactions or case studies
Schools prescribe a minimum number of assignments to be evaluated as part of the 20 internal marks.
6. Are case studies part of the exam?
Yes. Case studies (e.g., Taj Trapezium for air pollution) and project-based questions can appear especially in Section B and internal assessments.
7. Does the syllabus include Population and Development topics?
Yes. It covers:
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Link between population growth and environmental degradation
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Population control strategies
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Poverty alleviation and development frameworks (for understanding)
8. What kind of questions can be asked?
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Short definitions and explanations
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Causes and effects (e.g., soil erosion, biodiversity loss)
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Describe methods (e.g., integrated pest management, renewable energy)
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Case studies and solutions for environmental problems
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Diagram labeling and data interpretation questions may also be asked.
9. Is Sustainable Development part of the syllabus?
Yes, the concept of sustainable development, international cooperation (like Montreal Protocol, Earth Summit), and role of technology and NGOs are part of Towards a Sustainable Future.
10. How should I prepare for board exams?
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Understand key concepts clearly
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Focus on real-world examples and case studies
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Practice past papers and specimen questions
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Do internal assessment projects seriously — well-written reports can boost your overall score.
11. Where can I find the official syllabus document?
You can check the official CISCE website under Regulations & Syllabuses for 2026 to confirm the detailed syllabus and any updates. (Often found under Environmental Science subject listing.)
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