ICSE Class 10 Environmental Science Syllabus 2026-27

ICSE Class 10 Environmental Science Syllabus 2026-27

Board: CISCE | Examination Year: 2028 | Subject: Environmental Science

Exam Structure

THEORY — 80 Marks

1. Interlinkages between the Triple Planetary Crisis

(i) Interconnections between Pollution, Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss

Understanding how causes, effects and solutions of triple planetary crises are interconnected:

• Understanding cause and effect relation, feedback loops (to be explained with examples like deforestation and ice melting) and vicious cycles of pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss (to be explained with illustration and examples mentioned in the resource material)

• Making connection to local context: Matrix of local environmental issues linking the planetary crisis

(ii) Impacts of TPC

Interdependence of the three issues and collective impact on Earth's ecosystems, societies and economies.

Ecosystem imbalance:

• Impact on flora and fauna from the lens of all three planetary crises (with examples), some endangered and threatened species of India, and globally based on the IUCN Red List

• Impact on indicator species and key-stone species, shift in habitats (like shifts in vegetation zones), changes in species behaviour (flowering, breeding), domino effect, cascading effect with examples

• Resultant impact on ecosystem resilience and human wellbeing

Increased Natural Hazards:

• Increased frequency and intensity of natural hazards due to climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss — like heat stress, intense rainfall, floods, cyclones, droughts, wild-fires (to be studied with examples from India and globally mentioned in resource material)

• Risk to infrastructure (like in coastal areas), vulnerable communities on account of increased disasters (coastal communities, communities living in hazard prone zones)

(iii) Food and Water Security

Challenges in agriculture and freshwater resources with examples, concerns over food and water security and related health impacts, gender and social disparity (vulnerable communities), human displacement and migration due to loss of biodiversity, pollution, and climate change (climate refugees) with examples.

(iv) Socio-economy

Economic losses due to climate change and biodiversity loss, health impacts, reduced income and livelihood from agriculture, fisheries and forestry, loss of traditional livelihoods and knowledge systems with examples, increased cost of disaster recovery and environmental restoration, impact on global and national GDP, cost of inaction.

(v) Urgency to Act

TPC and other planetary crises, holistic approaches to solving environmental problems, systems thinking approach (to be explained with simple illustration and examples like sustainable clothing, addressing deforestation).

2. Addressing Environmental Pollution

(i) National Policies for Addressing Environmental Pollution

Role of national policies for environmental protection, conservation and management:

• Right to a healthy environment, air and water (guaranteed by the Constitution under Article 21) and duties entrusted to every citizen for protection and improvement of the environment (Article 48A)

(ii) Policies for Environment Protection, Clean Air, Clean Water, Waste Management, Land and Soil Conservation, and Plastic Pollution

(List of policies mentioned in the resource material.)

(iii) International Initiatives

• Montreal Protocol (ozone layer depletion, phase-out of ozone depleting substances and their replacement)

• Clean Air Initiative of UNEP and WHO

• UN-Water

• United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

• Global Treaty for Plastic Pollution (2022)

(iv) Actions for Controlling Pollution

• Policy implementation and regulation (role of regulatory bodies)

• Role of industries in environmental compliance and research institutions in assessments and monitoring

• Role of communities: individual and collective actions for pollution prevention and control (Case study reference provided in resource material)

  
  

3. Addressing Biodiversity Loss

(i) National Policies for Addressing Biodiversity Loss

• Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972)

• Biodiversity Act (2002)

• Forest Conservation Act (1980)

• National Forest Policy (1988)

• Tribal Rights Act 2006

• National action plans like National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP)

• National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP)

(ii) International Initiatives

Brief idea and main objective of the above policies, not in detail. Not to be tested.

• Convention on Biological Diversity 1992

• Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, 1971

• CITES

• United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030)

(iii) Actions for Controlling Biodiversity Loss

• Role of research institutions in studying, recording and monitoring biodiversity

• Conservation of Genetic Resources: In-situ (wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, biosphere reserves) and Ex-situ (zoological parks, botanical gardens, gene banks), wildlife crime control

• Role of communities: individual and collective actions for controlling biodiversity loss — People's Biodiversity Registers (PBRs), species conservation, sacred groves (Case study reference provided in the resource material)

  
  

4. Addressing Climate Change

(i) Ways of Addressing Climate Change

Mitigation and Adaptation: Definition, difference, strategies for mitigating climate change and adapting to it (to be explained with illustration and examples).

(ii) International Initiatives

• Scientific Assessment of climate change by IPCC

• UNFCCC and Conference of Parties

• Concept of Common but Differentiated Responsibility and Respective Capacity (CBDR-RC) and the premise of climate justice (in brief)

• Kyoto Protocol (1997)

• Paris Agreement (2015)

• Nationally Determined Contributions

(iii) National Policies for Addressing Climate Change

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008) and its 8 National Missions

• State policies

• Disaster Management Act (2005) and Action Plans

• India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

• Net Zero target for 2070

• Mission LiFE (2022)

• Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC, 2007)

• National Smart Grid Mission (2016)

• Electric Vehicle Policy (2025)

• Schemes on 'Per drop more crop', Agroforestry etc.

(iv) Actions for Combating Climate Change

Mitigation actions:

• Transition to renewable energy

• Energy efficiency

• Using public or non-motorized transportation

• Afforestation/reforestation

• Reducing emissions from industrial processes

• 5Rs of waste management and carbon capture and storage

Adaptation and resilience actions:

• Climate-resilient agriculture

• Ecosystem restoration

• Water conservation

• Green buildings

• Disaster preparedness and management — early warning systems, emergency response, building resilient systems and infrastructure

• Role of industries, institutions, communities and individual level actions in combating climate change (Case study reference provided in the resource material)

  
  

5. Redesigning Social and Economic Systems

(i) Shifting to Green Economy and Circular Economy

Understanding the concept of green economy and circular economy (to be studied with examples mentioned in the resource material), responsible production and consumption.

(ii) Sustainability in Industries

Environmental ethics in business, Environmental Social Governance (ESG), sustainability reporting, carbon accounting and reporting, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), environment tax, the rise of organic and sustainable product chains in India (to be briefly introduced with examples mentioned in the resource material).

(iii) Sustainability in Agriculture

Role of agriculture in sustainable development, climate-smart and resilient farming — organic farming, agroforestry, crop rotation and mixed cropping, promoting native crops and food crops over cash crops, soil health, drip irrigation (to be studied with examples mentioned in the resource material).

(iv) Sustainable Cities and Human Habitat

• Green building concept with examples

• Green public infrastructure in cities (like gardens, parks, green roofs, green building, stormwater drainage)

• Sustainable mobility (such as bike lanes, pedestrian paths, public transport and electric vehicle charging infrastructure)

(Case study reference provided in the resource material)

6. Sustainable Practices and Innovations

(i) Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) — India's Sustainable Traditions and Practices and Their Relevance in Today's World

Applications of Indian Knowledge System in promoting sustainability:

• Traditional water conservation and management techniques

• Biodiversity conservation practices

• Traditional medicines

• Sustainable food systems and food preservation techniques

• Sustainable clothing and textile practices

• Sustainable housing and construction

• Traditional storage, recycling and repurposing

• Resource efficiency practices

• Energy efficiency practices

(To be included with examples and photographs from across India.)

(ii) Nature-based Solutions

• Nature-based Solutions (NbS) — understanding the NbS approach and benefits in terms of protecting nature around us and addressing climate change and environmental pollution (to be explained with examples)

• Ecosystem restoration; use of biofertilizers, biopesticides, biopreservatives; conserving wetlands; green-roofs and green spaces in urban areas; stormwater management and natural sewage treatment

(Examples and case study reference mentioned in the resource material)

(iii) Emerging Technologies and Innovation to Combat Triple Planetary Crisis

• Environmental application of GIS and remote sensing (for monitoring pollution, deforestation, ice melt, sea-level rise, and urban heat islands, detecting invasive species, wild-fire)

• Use of AI in soil health diagnostics, IoT for monitoring GHG emissions, energy efficiency and air quality

• Innovations: applications of bio-technology like bioalternatives of plastic (bioplastic), enzyme-based plastic degradation, climate resilient crop, pest resistant crop e.g. Bt Cotton; phytoremediation to control soil pollution; solar-powered water filtration units; innovations in renewable energy sector (bioenergy, green hydrogen, waste-to-energy technologies), carbon capture and storage technologies

(iv) Local Actions for Sustainability and Collaboration between Actors

Sustainable lifestyle in practice:

• The 5Rs of sustainability (rethink, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle); conserve energy (e.g., solar water heaters, turning off unused devices); conserve water (e.g., rainwater harvesting, fixing leaks, reusing greywater for plants)

• Use eco-transport (e.g., cycling, carpooling, transitioning to EVs); choose seasonal or local food

• Embrace eco-fashion (e.g., khadi, upcycled garments, slow fashion)

• Plant and raise trees

Youth Engagement and Leadership:

• Green drives at school, eco-clubs to promote green initiatives (e.g., waste segregation, compost waste food, recycle waste)

• Encourage and influence green habits (e.g., avoid use of plastic, car-pool, use of steel lunch box, carry your own water bottle, eco-friendly ways of celebration)

Community Initiatives:

• Clean-up drives (e.g., beach clean-up, lake and river cleanup); plan tree-planting campaigns; waste segregation and e-waste collection and recycling programs

• Ecotourism in forests and hill stations

• Promote solar rooftop, maintain green spaces in the community

Education and Awareness:

• Integrate sustainability into schoolwork; host workshops; run campaigns to promote sustainable practices from schools to communities; present success stories

Capacity Building:

• Learn renewable energy skills (e.g., solar panel installations)

• Practice school composting (e.g., "Garbage to Gold" projects)

• Create biodiversity spots (e.g., butterfly gardens, growing native plants)

• Train in disaster preparedness

  
  

7. Green Skills Development

(i) Sustainable Habits

Green actions in daily life — assess and make a matrix of how actions for pollution reduction, biodiversity conservation and climate change can be integrated in daily life. Measures for adopting sustainable actions into habits.

(ii) Green Skills in Practice

What are green skills? Learning practical skills in waste segregation, recycling, composting, energy efficiency, water harvesting, biodiversity conservation, sustainable clothing, building designs, food habits, responsible consumption, etc.

Green Jobs (skill council for green jobs initiative of India) — green job opportunities in:

• Renewable energy

• Green hydrogen energy

• EV charging and clean transportation

• Green construction

• Waste management

• Water conservation

• Circular economy

• Eco-tourism

• Natural resource conservation

• Research and development in this field

• Green businesses

• Emission reduction and carbon markets

  
  

Suggested Visits for Practical Learning

1. Wetland or River Ecosystem — field visit to study biodiversity and ecosystem services; analyse impact of human activities on water quality and aquatic life

2. Field Study of Urban Green Spaces — assess the role of parks, gardens, and urban forests; propose strategies to enhance green cover in urban areas

3. Visit a Local Water Treatment Plant — understand water purification, distribution, and wastewater treatment; analyse challenges and propose sustainable solutions

4. Study a Local Agricultural Farm — observe traditional and modern farming practices; explore linkage between agriculture, biodiversity, and sustainable food systems

5. Visit a Recycling Plant or Material Recovery Facility — learn about segregation, processing, and recycling of waste; understand circular economy practices

6. Visit a Renewable Energy Plant (Solar/Wind/Biomass) — study generation and integration of renewable energy; discuss benefits and limitations of transitioning from fossil fuels

7. Interaction with Organic and Local Food Producers — trace food from farm to plate; analyse environmental impact of food choices and propose sustainable consumption

8. Visit to a Solid Waste Management Facility — study journey of waste from collection to treatment; propose improvements in waste management practices

9. Explore a Food Processing Unit — learn about processing, storage, and packaging; analyse sustainability of food production and packaging

10. Visit a Rainwater Harvesting Project or Check Dam Site — study techniques and benefits of water conservation; propose ways to replicate or improve methods

11. Interaction with Environmental NGOs or Conservation Groups — engage with organisations in afforestation, wildlife rescue, or pollution control; understand strategies, challenges and successes

12. Visit to a Fisheries or Aquaculture Unit — learn about sustainable fishing/aquaculture; analyse impact of overfishing and propose sustainable solutions

13. Visit a Senior Government Official of Municipal Corporation/Municipality — know about local environmental challenges; find out what is being done to overcome them; ask how students can support; pledge to support local city government for a clean and green city

    
    

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT — 20 Marks

Any two assignments/projects and one case study prescribed by the teacher, need to be completed by the candidates.

Suggested Assignments/Projects

1. Analyse a recent natural disaster, investigate its causes and impacts on account of the Triple Planetary Crisis; present analysis as a news reporter or presentation, emphasising lessons learned and preventive measures

2. Develop a functional model (e.g., a DIY solar cooker, rainwater harvesting system, compost) to demonstrate how small changes at the individual level can have a big impact on addressing climate change

3. Develop a functional circular economy model for a specific system, such as managing school cafeteria waste, school paper waste etc.; highlight how the 5Rs can be applied to minimise waste; document the environmental and economic benefits in a detailed report

4. Survey different transportation options prevalent in your school and using a simple template, assess the environmental impact; compare carbon footprints of various modes of transport and suggest ways students and families can switch to greener options; present results through a data-driven report or poster

5. Prepare compost from organic kitchen waste; build a small kitchen garden using compost; demonstrate the whole process in the form of a presentation with pictures; describe challenges faced and the accomplishment of growing your own food

6. Analyse the environmental and social impacts of the current fast fashion trend and compare them with sustainable fashion practices; research case studies, survey peers on their fashion habits, and suggest how students can support sustainable choices; present findings in a report, video, or infographic

7. Choose any one Nature-based Solution (ecosystem restoration, wetland conservation, green-roofs, green spaces, use of biofertilizer, stormwater management, natural sewage treatment etc.) and analyse its application in your locality; survey the stakeholders to know the challenges and opportunities

8. Choose any common daily use item; design a toolkit to promote responsible consumption practices around that item; include creative ideas for repurposing that item into a usable form post life cycle to minimise waste; present the toolkit in the form of a video or a presentation

9. Analyse your state initiatives, focusing on any one sector (renewable energy, air quality, water conservation, waste management, sustainable agriculture) and assess its contribution to national environmental goals; prepare a 1500-word report or PowerPoint highlighting contributions, challenges, and role in advancing sustainability initiatives in India

10. Analyse any emerging technology or innovation in the field of sustainability, and evaluate its benefits, challenges and possible scale-up

    
    

Suggested Case Studies

1. Art of Living fined for Yamuna floodplain damage (2016) — legal accountability for ecological harm

2. Alaknanda Hydro Electric Project fined post-2013 Uttarakhand floods — consequences of poor environmental planning

3. Down to Earth magazine — reliable source for scientific reporting, assessment, and monitoring of environmental issues in India

4. Lion conservation by the Maldharis of Gir, Gujarat — coexistence and community-led wildlife protection

5. Chipko Movement — historic people's movement for forest conservation through non-violent resistance

6. Community Conservation Areas in Nagaland — indigenous practices and local governance in preserving biodiversity-rich habitats

7. Other major environmental movements in India — e.g. Narmada Bachao, Silent Valley movement, Tehri dam conflict, Appiko movement etc.

8. Modhera, Gujarat — India's first solar-powered village

9. Palli village in Jammu and Meenangadi village in Kerala — models of carbon-neutral villages driven by community-led green initiatives

10. Indore — sustainable urban development through efficient waste management practices

11. Mysuru — turning organic waste into compost, supporting circular economy and reducing emissions

12. Green and Circular Economy — green infrastructure in cities supports biodiversity while promoting inclusive urban development

13. Green and Circular Economy — Sweden's circular economy, New Zealand's regenerative agriculture, and Norway's green energy transition as global examples of sustainable economic models

14. Sustainability in Industries — Tata Steel working towards emission reduction and decreasing coal dependency

15. Sustainability in Industries — Mahindra and Mahindra reducing freshwater use and committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2040

16. Sustainability in Agriculture — organic farming in Sikkim showcases a successful shift to chemical-free agriculture

17. Sustainability in Agriculture — PM-KUSUM Yojana promotes solar-powered irrigation; initiatives like using native crop varieties, bio-pesticides, and bio-fertilisers support sustainable farming practices

18. Sustainable Cities and Human Habitats — Pune making strides in sustainable mobility

19. Sustainable Cities and Human Habitats — Indore and Mysuru leading examples of clean and green urban planning in India

20. Nature-based Solutions — mangrove restoration projects and Africa's Great Green Wall demonstrate large-scale environmental healing

21. Nature-based Solutions — adoption of biofertilizers (like compost and nitrogen-fixing microbes) and biopesticides (such as neem-based solutions) offer eco-friendly alternatives in agriculture

22. Nature-based Solutions — East Kolkata Wetlands in West Bengal, promotion of green roofs and urban green spaces in Indian cities and green schools

23. Local Actions for Sustainability — Mission LiFE exemplifies India's national commitment to promoting individual and community-driven climate action

24. Local Actions for Sustainability — Jadav Payeng, the "Forest Man of India," example of how individual efforts can lead to large-scale environmental transformation

    
    

Evaluation

The assignment/project work and case study are to be evaluated by the subject teacher and by an External Examiner. The External Examiner may be a teacher nominated by the Head of the school, who could be from the faculty, but not teaching the subject in the section/class. For example, a teacher of Environmental Science of Class XI may be deputed to be an External Examiner for Class X Environmental Science projects.

The Internal Examiner and the External Examiner will assess the assignments independently.

The total marks obtained out of 20 are to be sent to CISCE by the Head of the school via the CAREERS portal.

Internal Assessment Marking Criteria (Grade-Based)