CBSE 10th Social Science Exam Pattern 2025-26 (Revised): Check Latest Marking Scheme, Paper Format & Weightage

SHARING IS CARING

If our Website helped you a little, then kindly spread our voice using Social Networks. Spread our word to your readers, friends, teachers, students & all those close ones who deserve to know what you know now.

CBSE has revised the Class 10 Social Science exam pattern for the 2026 board exam. The new pattern has made the question paper more clear and organized.

Now, there are separate sections for History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics. The board has also changed the distribution of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), short-answer questions, long-answer questions, case-based questions, and map questions.

This article covers everything you need to know about the revised exam pattern. You will find the section-wise question breakdown, marking scheme, and unit-wise weightage to help you better prepare for the 2026 Social Science board exam.

👉 Also Check - CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026

CBSE Class 10 Social Science Exam 2026 – Key Highlights

Before you start preparing, here's what you need to know about the CBSE Class 10 Social Science Exam 2026:

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)

CBSE has kept the total marks at 80, but the paper structure is now more systematic. Each subject gets its own section, and every section carries 20 marks. You'll find different types of questions in each section, including MCQs, short answers, long answers, case-based questions, and map questions.

Section	Subject	Marks
Section A	History	20
Section B	Geography	20
Section C	Political Science	20
Section D	Economics	20
Total	—	80 Marks

👉 CBSE Class 10 Study Materials

CBSE Class 10 Full Study Material	CBSE Class 10 Sample Paper 2025-26
CBSE Class 10 Syllabus 2025-26	NCERT Solutions For Class 10
CBSE Class 10 Previous Year Question Papers	CBSE Class 10 Books

CBSE Class 10 Social Science Section-Wise Question Distribution and Marking Scheme

The 2026 Social Science paper has four equal sections of 20 marks each. Every section includes various question types—from objective questions to case-based and map questions. Here's the complete breakdown based on 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 are still an important part of the Social Science paper.

Q9 (History) – 2 marks
Q19 (Geography) – 3 marks

Total Map Skill Component: 5 Marks

Internal Choices and Special Provisions

There's no overall choice in the paper. However, you'll get internal choices in some questions.

If you're a visually impaired candidate, you'll receive alternative questions instead 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, you need to prepare according to the updated pattern. Here are some practical tips:

Focus on case-based questions since they now appear in three sections. Practice finding answers from passages, maps, and data.

Stick to word limits for VSA (40 words), SA (60 words), and LA (120 words). This helps you avoid losing marks unnecessarily.

Practice maps regularly for History and Geography. Map questions carry 5 marks and they're easy to score if you practice consistently.

Build strong concepts for MCQs. Focus on definitions, features, differences, examples, and information from NCERT text boxes.

Solve CBSE Sample Papers and Previous Year Questions under timed conditions. This will help you improve your speed and accuracy.

Smart Tips to Score Higher

Use bullet points in your SA and LA answers. This makes your responses clearer and helps examiners spot key points easily.

Create mind maps for each chapter. They help you revise themes, events, and connected concepts quickly.

Highlight important NCERT lines and examples, especially for Political Science and Economics. Many questions come directly from these.

Write clear introductions and conclusions for 5-mark answers. This creates a good impression and improves your presentation.

Keep a separate notebook for case-based question practice. Summarize different question types and how to approach them.

Final Thoughts

The CBSE Class 10 Social Science Exam Pattern 2026 ensures a balanced assessment of your understanding across all four subjects. When you align your preparation with this new format, you'll be able to perform better and score higher in your board exams. Start early, practice regularly, and focus on understanding concepts rather than just memorizing them. Good luck!