ICSE Class 10 Hindi Syllabus 2026-27

ICSE Class 10 Hindi Exam Pattern 2026-27

The ICSE Class 10 Hindi written examination carries 80 marks and is divided into two sections. Section A covers language skills including writing and grammar, while Section B tests literary understanding of the prescribed textbooks. The Internal Assessment of 20 marks is conducted by the school.

Internal Assessment — 20 Marks

The Internal Assessment for Hindi is conducted by the school and evaluated by the subject teacher in conjunction with an external examiner appointed by CISCE.

Assignment requirements:

• 2 to 3 assignments of appropriate length and duration

• Minimum 2 must be written assignments

• Of the 2 written assignments: 1 must be from the Language component and 1 must be from the Literature component

• Additional assignment(s) may be oral activities including recitation, reading aloud, or oral conversation.

Oral activities include:

• Prepared speech / declamation

• Impromptu speech / debate / report / interview

• Elocution

• Discussion

• Role-play / general conversation on selected topics

  
  

Creative Writing assignments include:

• One piece of factual writing — informative or argumentative (approximately 300 to 400 words)

• One piece of expressive writing — descriptive and imaginative (approximately 300 to 400 words)

• Preparation of film/book review

  
  

Literature-based assignments should cover:

• Character/thematic analysis

• Socio-economic, cultural, historical relevance/background

• Summary/paraphrase

Section A — Language (40 Marks)

Section A has 4 compulsory questions testing writing ability, reading comprehension, and applied grammar.

1. प्रस्ताव लेखन / Composition Writing

Students write one composition in Hindi (approximately 300 to 400 words). A choice of subjects is given. Compositions may include short explanations, directions, descriptions, or narratives.

Types of compositions prescribed by CISCE:

• Descriptive Writing (वर्णनात्मक लेखन)

• Narrative Writing (कथात्मक लेखन)

• Moral Based Story (लोकोक्ति या मुहावरों पर आधारित कहानी लेखन)

• Picture Composition (चित्र पर आधारित प्रस्ताव लेखन)

  
  

2. पत्र लेखन / Letter Writing

Students choose one from two given letter topics.

Types of letters:

• Formal Letter (औपचारिक पत्र) — Application letters, complaint letters, request letters to officials or institutions

• Informal Letter (अनौपचारिक पत्र) — Letters to friends, family members, or relatives on personal matters

  
  

  
  

2. अपठित विभाग / Unseen Comprehension

An unseen prose passage (अपठित गद्यांश) will be provided. Questions are set for answers in Hindi and are designed to test candidates' understanding of the passage. Vocabulary-based questions may also be included.

Skills assessed:

• Understanding and comprehension of the passage

• Ability to answer questions in complete sentences in Hindi

• Finding meaning of words and phrases from the passage

• Identifying the central idea or main theme of the passage

  
  

3. व्याकरण / Grammar

Grammar topics covered in the CISCE ICSE Hindi paper:

शब्द भेद (Parts of Speech)-

संज्ञा और उसके भेद (Noun and its types):

• जातिवाचक संज्ञा (Common Noun)

• व्यक्तिवाचक संज्ञा (Proper Noun)

• भाववाचक संज्ञा (Abstract Noun)

• द्रव्यवाचक संज्ञा (Material Noun)

• समूहवाचक संज्ञा (Collective Noun)

  
  

सर्वनाम के भेद (Types of Pronoun):

• पुरुषवाचक (Personal Pronoun)

• निश्चयवाचक (Demonstrative Pronoun)

• अनिश्चयवाचक (Indefinite Pronoun)

• निजवाचक (Reflexive Pronoun)

• प्रश्नवाचक (Interrogative Pronoun)

• संबंधवाचक (Relative Pronoun)

  
  

विशेषण के भेद (Types of Adjective):

• गुणवाचक विशेषण (Qualitative Adjective)

• परिमाणवाचक विशेषण — निश्चित, अनिश्चित (Quantitative Adjective — definite, indefinite)

• संख्यावाचक विशेषण — निश्चित, अनिश्चित (Numeral Adjective — definite, indefinite)

• सार्वनामिक विशेषण (Pronominal Adjective)

• व्यक्तिवाचक विशेषण (Proper Adjective)

• प्रश्नवाचक विशेषण (Interrogative Adjective)

• तुलनबोधक विशेषण (Comparative Adjective)

• सम्बन्धवाचक विशेषण (Relative Adjective)

  
  

क्रिया के भेद (Types of Verb):

• सकर्मक (Transitive)

• अकर्मक (Intransitive)

• संयुक्त (Compound Verb)

• प्रेरणार्थक (Causative Verb)

• सहायक (Auxiliary Verb)

  
  

क्रियाविशेषण अव्यय के भेद (Types of Adverb):

• काल बोधक (Adverb of Time)

• स्थान बोधक (Adverb of Place)

• रीति बोधक (Adverb of Manner)

• परिमाण बोधक (Adverb of Quantity)

  
  

शब्द संपदा (Word Wealth)

• लिंग (Gender)

• वचन (Number)

• पर्यायवाची शब्द / समानार्थी शब्द (Synonyms)

• उपसर्ग, प्रत्यय, और मूल शब्द (Prefixes, Suffixes, and Root Words)

  
  

Additional Grammar Topics

Section B — Literature / Prescribed Textbooks (40 Marks)

Section B tests students on their understanding, appreciation, and critical reading of the prescribed Hindi literary texts. Questions are set from all three genres: prose, poetry, and drama. All questions must be answered in Hindi.

What to study for each prescribed literary piece:

• Complete reading and understanding of the text

• Summary of the piece in your own words (Hindi)

• Theme, message, and significance of the piece

• Character sketches and their role in the narrative or drama

• Extract-based questions: meaning, context, and significance of quoted lines

• Vocabulary: difficult words and their meanings

• Author or poet's writing style and literary contribution

  
  

Prescribed Book 1: एकांकी संचय (Ekanki Sanchay) — One-Act Plays

Ekanki Sanchay is the prescribed drama textbook for ICSE Class 10 Hindi. It contains a collection of one-act plays (एकांकी) written by prominent Hindi playwrights. Questions from this book test students on understanding of plot, characters, themes, and dramatic techniques.

Study focus for each Ekanki:

• Plot summary and sequence of events

• Names and roles of all characters

• Central conflict and its resolution

• Theme, message, and social relevance

• Significance of important dialogues

• Playwright's dramatic technique and style

  
  

Prescribed Book 2: साहित्य सागर (Sahitya Sagar) — Part A: Short Stories (संक्षिप्त कहानियाँ)

Study focus for each short story:

• Summary and central theme of the story

• Character sketches of main characters

• Author's writing style and language

• Important passages and their explanation (vyakhya)

• Moral or message conveyed by the story

  
  

Prescribed Book 2: साहित्य सागर (Sahitya Sagar) — Part B: Poetry (पद्य भाग)

Study focus for each poem:

• Meaning and explanation (vyakhya) of the poem stanza by stanza

• Central theme and message of the poem

• Poetic devices (alankar) used in the poem

• Characteristics of the poet's style and language

• Significance of important lines and their interpretation

  
  

Prescribed Book 3: नया रास्ता (Naya Rasta) — Novel (उपन्यास)

The complete novel नया रास्ता is prescribed by CISCE. No chapter-by-chapter breakdown is listed in the CISCE syllabus — the entire उपन्यास is examinable.

Study focus for the novel:

• Complete reading and understanding of the full text

• Plot summary and chapter-wise narrative progression

• Central theme and social message of the novel

• Detailed character sketches of all major and minor characters

• Important passages and their contextual explanation

• The author's language, style, and narrative technique

  
  

ICSE Class 10 Hindi Syllabus Overview

ICSE Class 10 Hindi Grammar Quick Reference

The grammar section in Section A tests applied knowledge of Hindi grammar. The following is a complete reference of all grammar topics in the ICSE Class 10 Hindi syllabus for 2026-27:

Recommended Books for ICSE Class 10 Hindi 2026-27

How to Prepare for ICSE Class 10 Hindi: Expert Tips

1. Practise Composition and Letter Writing Weekly

Section A is the single largest component carrying 40 marks. Composition writing, letter writing, and grammar together determine your score here. Set aside time every week to write essays, formal letters, and business letters in Hindi. Focus on correct sentence structure, a varied vocabulary, and a well-organised format with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

2. Read All Prescribed Texts Multiple Times

For Section B, students must study all the stories, poems, and one-act plays from the two chosen prescribed books thoroughly. Read each piece at least twice. On the first reading, understand the plot, characters, and theme. On the second reading, focus on the author's style, important lines, and literary devices. Keep notes for each piece covering the theme, summary, character sketches, and important extracts.

3. Master All Grammar Topics Systematically

Grammar in Section A rewards students who have revised all prescribed topics thoroughly. Do not leave any topic for the last minute. Cover संज्ञा, सर्वनाम, विशेषण, क्रिया, वाच्य, काल, मुहावरे, and all remaining topics one at a time. Maintain a grammar notebook with rules and at least five examples for each topic.

4. Practise Reading Unseen Passages in Hindi

The unseen prose passage (अपठित गद्यांश) in Section A tests reading comprehension skills. Practise reading Hindi passages from newspapers, magazines, or practice books regularly. When answering, read the questions first, then read the passage carefully. Answer in complete Hindi sentences and check that your answers directly address what has been asked.

5. Memorise Important Poems and Key Lines

For the poetry section of Sahitya Sagar, memorise the most important stanzas and key lines from each poem. Being able to quote directly from the prescribed text shows depth of preparation and earns higher marks. Know the meaning, theme, and any literary devices used in every poem.

6. Study One-Act Plays with Character and Dialogue Focus

The Ekanki Sanchay plays are tested with extract-based questions, character sketches, and theme-based questions. Study each of the six एकांकी carefully, know the names and roles of all characters, understand the central conflict and its resolution, and be prepared to explain the significance of important dialogues.

7. Study Naya Rasta as a Complete Novel

If your school has chosen नया रास्ता as one of the two books, read the complete novel. Know all major and minor characters, the full plot, the central social theme, and important passages. Practice writing character sketches and thematic essays on the novel.

8. Revise Grammar Daily in the Final Month

In the final month before the board exam, revise at least two grammar topics every day. Write five examples for each rule you revise. Pay special attention to वाच्य परिवर्तन, काल के प्रकार, and मुहावरे as these are consistently tested and require both identification and application.

9. Solve Previous 10 Years ICSE Hindi Papers

Solving past board papers for ICSE Hindi is one of the most effective preparation strategies. It reveals the question format for Section A and B, the most frequently tested grammar topics, the type of composition topics that appear, and how marks are distributed within each question. After solving, review your answers critically and focus on improving areas of weakness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which textbooks are prescribed for ICSE Class 10 Hindi 2026-27? 

CISCE prescribes three books: साहित्य सागर (Sahitya Sagar — prose and poetry), एकांकी संचय (Ekanki Sanchay — one-act plays), and नया रास्ता (Naya Rasta — novel). Students answer Section B questions from any two of these three books.

Q2. How many sections does the ICSE Hindi paper have? The ICSE Class 10 Hindi paper has two sections: Section A (Language — 40 marks) and Section B (Literature — 40 marks). Total written marks are 80. Internal Assessment carries an additional 20 marks.

Q3. How long is the ICSE Class 10 Hindi exam? The written examination is 3 hours in duration.

Q4. Is Hindi grammar difficult in ICSE Class 10? Hindi grammar in ICSE Class 10 is manageable if studied systematically. The grammar section covers clearly defined topics including संज्ञा, सर्वनाम, विशेषण, क्रिया, वाच्य, काल, मुहावरे, and related topics. Note that CISCE specifies that exam questions will not require knowledge of grammatical terms — only their practical application.

Q5. How should I prepare for the unseen passage in ICSE Hindi? Practise reading Hindi passages regularly from newspapers, magazines, or practice books. When answering questions on an unseen passage, read the questions first, then read the passage carefully. Answer in complete Hindi sentences, use your own words wherever possible, and check that your answers directly address what has been asked.

Q6. How much does the internal assessment carry in ICSE Hindi? The Internal Assessment carries 20 marks. It is split equally between internal evaluation (10 marks by the school teacher) and external evaluation (10 marks by an examiner appointed by CISCE). It includes written assignments from both Language and Literature components, and may include oral activities.

Q7. Are all the stories and poems in Sahitya Sagar compulsory? Yes. CISCE states verbatim: "All short stories are to be covered." There is no optional or reduced list within Sahitya Sagar. All ten short stories and all ten poems are examinable.

Q8. Where can I find the official ICSE Hindi syllabus for 2026-27? The official ICSE Class 10 Hindi syllabus for 2026-27 is published on the CISCE official website at www.cisce.org. The Hindi syllabus appears within the Second Languages document. Always verify the prescribed texts and any revisions from the official source before beginning your preparation.