ICSE Class 10 Yoga Syllabus 2026-27

ICSE CLASS 10 — YOGA

Complete Study Guide 2026-27

Board: CISCE | Exam Year: 2028 | Theory: 100 Marks | Internal Assessment: 100 Marks

Exam Structure

PAPER I: THEORY — 100 Marks

The theory paper is divided into four sections:

• Section I: Human Biology

• Section II: Sages of India

• Section III: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

• Section IV: Some Important Schools of Philosophy and Some Sutras

  
  

SECTION I: HUMAN BIOLOGY

Unit 1 — The Nervous System

The neuron, central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, the sense organs. Role of Yoga in maintaining the health of the nervous system.

The Neuron

• Structure: cyton, axon, terminal branches, synapse, myelin sheath.

• Function: carry messages in the nervous system in the form of electrical impulses.

• Kinds of neurons: Sensory, Motor, Association.

• Nerves and ganglia: definition only.

  
  

The Central Nervous System

The Brain:

• Meninges.

• Forebrain: Cerebrum (Temporal, Parietal, Occipital, Frontal) and Diencephalon.

• Midbrain.

• Hindbrain: Cerebellum, Pons, Medulla oblongata.

• Location and basic function of each of the above parts.

The Spinal Cord:

• Structure and function.

• Reflex action: Simple reflex, Conditioned reflex.

  
  

The Peripheral Nervous System

• Somatic nervous system: Cranial nerves and spinal nerves (the number of cranial and spinal nerves present in the body).

• The Autonomic nervous system: Sympathetic nervous system and Parasympathetic nervous system (location and function).

  
  

The Sense Organs

Eyes:

• Structure and function of different constituent parts.

• Common eye defects: Myopia, Hyperopia, Cataract.

Ear:

• Outer ear, middle ear, inner ear (structure and function of the constituent parts).

• The Eustachian Tube.

• Role of the ear in maintaining balance.

The sense of smell:

• Importance of the olfactory nerve.

• Flavour: a combination of taste and smell.

The sense of taste:

• The 4 fundamental tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, sour.

The sense of touch:

• Nerve endings in the skin related to pressure, pain, hot, cold.

How Yoga helps to maintain the health of the nervous system and sense organs.

Unit 2 — The Endocrine System

A study of the Pituitary gland, the Thyroid, the Adrenal glands and the Pancreas; role of Yoga in maintaining the health of the endocrine glands.

The above must be studied with respect to the following: location, hormones secreted, effects of over-secretion and under-secretion of hormones.

How yoga helps to regulate the functioning of the endocrine glands and helps in achieving hormonal balance.

Unit 3 — The Circulatory System

Structure and functioning of the heart; disorders of the circulatory system; the lymphatic system; composition of blood; role of yoga in improving blood circulation.

Heart:

• Location, covering (pericardium), chambers of the heart.

• Blood vessels entering and leaving the heart: Vena Cava, aorta, pulmonary artery, the pulmonary vein.

• Blood supply to the heart: coronary arteries.

• Valves: Bicuspid, Tricuspid, Semilunar Valves.

• Circulation of blood in the heart: systole and diastole.

Blood vessel types:

• Arteries, capillaries, veins: structure and function.

Some of the other main blood vessels:

• Hepatic portal vein, Hepatic artery and vein, Renal artery and vein.

Some disorders of the circulatory system:

• Atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, myocardial infarction, angina: definition of each disorder.

Composition of blood:

• Plasma: the liquid component of blood.

• A brief description of the structure and functions of RBC, WBC and platelets.

• Disorders of the blood: Haemophilia, anaemia.

Note: The types of WBCs and the blood groups need not be studied.

How yoga helps to improve blood circulation and hence enhances the body's immunity.

Unit 4 — The Excretory System

Organs of excretion; Parts of the excretory system; urine formation, disorders of the excretory system; Role of Yoga.

• Lungs, skin and kidneys are the three organs of excretion.

• Parts of the excretory system: the Kidney (Cortex and Medulla); Ureters; Bladder; Urethra.

• Disorders of the excretory system: Kidney failure, Gout, Kidney stones; the Dialysis machine: meaning of each.

How the practice of yoga helps in maintaining the health of the excretory system and hence the elimination of waste from the body.

Unit 5 — Personal Hygiene through Yoga

Purpose of maintaining hygiene in Yoga; Yogic care and/or cleaning of sense organs.

Purpose of maintaining hygiene in yoga:

• Removal of diseases

• Purification of the body

• Maintaining efficiency of the body

• Better immunity

• Long life

• Moral and spiritual elevation

Yogic Care and/or cleaning of the sense organs:

• Care of teeth and mouth.

• Cleaning of the tongue: Jivhamulashodhanam — benefits and procedure.

• Cleaning of the ears: Karnarandhradhouti — procedure and its benefits.

• Care of eyes: factors affecting the health of the eye; eye exercises — Trataka (central fixation) — candle gazing.

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SECTION II: SAGES OF INDIA

Candidates are to write notes on the lives and teachings of the following sages: Vyasa, Yagnavalkya, Narsi Mehta, Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda, Ramana Maharishi.

Note: For each of the above sages, the candidates need to know briefly, two important aspects of their works.

1. Vyasa

• Birth and early life.

• His birthday is celebrated as Guru Purnima.

• Training under his father Rishi Parasara.

• His role as the grandfather of Pandavas and Kauravas.

• His son Shuka.

Works: The Brahmasutras, The Mahabharata, Srimad Bhagavatam, The Puranas, Vyasa Bhashya.

2. Yagnavalkya

• Birth and education.

• Dynamics of his relationship with his guru Vaisampayana: growing disagreement between the two at the ashram, Meet at Mount Meru, King Supriya and the formation of the Krishna Yajurveda.

• Relationship with Surya Bhagvan, King Janaka, Gargi and Maitreyi.

Works: The Yajurvedas, The Brihadaryanka and Bhramanas, Yoga Yagnavalkya Samhita.

3. Narsi Mehta

• Birth and early life.

• Three miraculous events in his life.

• His teaching and contributions — composition 'Vaishnava Jan To….'

  
  

4. Sri Aurobindo

Life:

• His early life and education abroad.

• His mastery over several European and Indian languages.

• Return to India.

• Experience of the silent mind after guidance from Lele.

• Sri Aurobindo as one of the leaders of the freedom movement — the newspaper Vande Mataram.

• Solitary confinement in Alipore Jail.

• Acquittal and journey to Pondicherry.

• Meeting with Mirra Alfassa who would in later years be called the Mother of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

• Auroville, Matri Mandir and the Sri Aurobindo Society.

Teachings of Sri Aurobindo:

• Yoga results in 'accelerated evolution'.

• Sri Aurobindo's Integral Yoga, guidelines on how man can consciously collaborate with the Divine in accelerating his evolution.

• An understanding of the human consciousness as having four beings simultaneously coexistent in it: (1) The Physical Being (2) The emotional being (3) The mental being (4) The spiritual being.

• The triple formula of Aspiration, Rejection and Surrender.

• His words: 'All life is Yoga' — bringing perfection, peace and harmony into all aspects of day-to-day life.

Works of Sri Aurobindo: Savitri, The Life Divine, Synthesis of Yoga (couple of sentences on the contents and/or purpose of the above books).

5. Swami Vivekananda

Life:

• Vision of his Guru Ramakrishna: story of the seven sages and a little boy.

• Childhood stories of Narendra's courage and truthfulness.

• His first meeting with Sri Ramakrishna and his historical question: "Sir, have you seen God?"

• His father's demise and leaving the family in poverty.

• His first living experience with the Divine Mother in the Kali temple at Dakshineshwar.

• Starting the Ramakrishna Mission order post Ramakrishna's demise.

• His travels in India right up to Kanyakumari where he was inspired to travel abroad.

• His speech at the Parliament of World Religions.

• Setting up centres of the Ramakrishna Mission in the West.

• Setting up the Belur Math.

• Inspiring speeches to Indian youth. Early death.

Literary Works: Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Practical Vedanta, My India — the India Eternal, My Master.

Teachings:

• The soul of man is more powerful than anything else.

• Service to man is service to God.

• His teaching of Vedanta — the world is one.

• Civilization will be complete in the world when India gives to the world the marvels of its spirituality and in exchange, receives from the world the marvels of modern science.

• To preach unto mankind their divinity and how to make it manifest in every movement of life.

• There can be no salvation if one has faith in Gods outside but no faith in oneself. The real atheist is one who doesn't believe in himself.

  
  

6. Sri Ramana Maharishi

Life:

• Birth and early life.

• His death experience which led to the all-consuming question for him: "Who am I?"

• His travel to Thiruvannamalai.

• His Enlightenment.

• Setting up of the Ramana Ashram.

• Granting his mother moksha at the time of her moving on.

Teachings:

• Self enquiry: Who am I? and his method of self-enquiry.

Works: Who Am I, 5 Hymns to Arunachala, 40 verses on Reality.

SECTION III: THE YOGA SUTRAS OF PATANJALI — THE FOUR PADAS

(i) Samadhi Pada

Chitta Vrittis:

• Definition of Yoga.

• The different types of Chitta Vrittis: Klishta and Aklishta; Pramana, Viparyaya, Vikalpa, Nidra, Smriti.

Ways to still the Chitta Vrittis:

• Abhyasa and Vairagya

• Ishwar Pranidhana

• The Pranava Mantra

• The four virtues

• Pranayama (elongating the bahya kumbhak)

• Heightened awareness of the senses

• Concentrating on a light beyond all sorrow

• Contemplating and recollecting the experiences of dream-filled or dreamless sleep during the waking state

Obstacles: Vyadhi, Styana, Samshaya, Pramada, Alasya, Avirati, Bhrantidarshana, Alabdhabhumikatva, Anavasthitatva.

Accompaniments of the obstacles: Dukha, Daurmansya, Angamejayatva and Shvasa Prashvasa.

Samadhi: definition and types of Samadhis — Sabeej, Nirbeej, Savitarka, Nirvitarka, Savichara, Nirvichara.

(ii) Sadhana Pada

• Kriya yoga.

• Kleshas.

• Cause of pain: identification of the seer (drashtu) with the seen.

• Kaivalya: destruction of ignorance through right knowledge breaks the link between the seer and the seen and leads to liberation or kaivalya. (Refer to Sutra 2.25 — students need not learn the Sutra.)

• Ashtanga yoga.

• Pratipaksha Bhavanam. (Refer to Sutra 2.33 — students need not learn the Sutra.)

  
  

(iii) Vibhuti Pada

• Concept and definition of Samyama.

• Study of the following objects of samyama and the powers attained: distinguishing marks on another man's body, qualities of friendliness and compassion, strength such as that of an elephant, the sun, the moon, the pole star, the navel, the pit of the throat, the head, the heart.

• These Vibhutis (attainments) are hindrances to achieve the spiritual goal.

  
  

(iv) Kaivalya Pada

• 5 ways of spiritual accomplishment.

• Karma: black, white or black and white.

• Subject and object (relationship between the two in the light of Patanjali's yoga sutras).

• Chit and Chitta.

• Dharma megha samadhi.

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SECTION IV: SOME IMPORTANT SCHOOLS OF PHILOSOPHY AND SOME SUTRAS

1. Some of the Orthodox Philosophies

Sankhya, Yoga, Vedanta, Purva Mimansa — with respect to each philosophy: Meaning of the name, founder, dates, important texts, tenets, salvation, concept of God.

Tenets of Sankhya

• Purusha and Prakriti (dualistic system) — the student needs to know just a basic understanding of these terms.

• Gunas.

• 23 evolutes of Prakriti.

Tenets of Yoga

• Yoga also called Sa Ishvara Sankhya.

• 5 vrittis and 5 Chitta Bhumis.

• 5 kleshas.

• 4 virtues.

• Ashtanga yoga.

Tenets of Vedanta

Basic meaning of the following terms: Advaita, Brahman, Jagat, Mithya, Maya, Sookshma (subtle) and Sthool (gross) buddhi.

Tenets of Purva Mimansa

• Importance of rituals and Mantras.

• Concept of many Gods and Goddesses.

• Concept of divinity in non-living objects.

• Karma and dharma.

  
  

2. Some of the Heterodox Philosophies

Buddhism and Jainism — with respect to each philosophy: meaning of the name, founder, dates, important texts, tenets, salvation, concept of God.

Tenets of Buddhism

• The 4 noble truths.

• The 8-fold path.

• Two schools of Buddhism: Hinayana and Mahayana.

Tenets of Jainism

• The 3 jewels.

• Transmigration of the soul and moksha.

• Everything has a jiva.

• No belief in Gods and Goddesses.

• 24 tirthankaras; Mahavira the 24th one.

  
  

3. Contemporary Philosophies

Eckhart Tolle's Philosophy: Power of Now

Tenets:

• Mind controlling the human being and his addiction to thinking.

• Consciousness beyond the mind.

• Presence or the awareness space in which thoughts arise.

• The Pain Body: The energy field of pain, accumulated from the past that occupies the mind and body periodically as an inexplicable dark emotional state.

Methods to enter the eternal Now as a means of breaking free from the addiction to thought:

• Tuning into the awareness of the breath and body.

• Dis-identification with the thinker, watching the thought.

• Surrendering to what is, dropping the resistance to what arises in the moment.

• Paying attention to environmental sounds and tuning into the silence between the sounds.

  
  

4. Five Important Sutras

Patanjali Yoga Sutras: 1.2, 1.14, 1.33, 2.3, 2.28

PAPER II: INTERNAL ASSESSMENT — 100 Marks

The practical work is divided into two sections:

Section A — Course Work: 40 Marks

The course work will be assessed by the teacher on the basis of continuous assessment. The candidate will be assessed on the basis of his/her output in the following areas:

(a) Degree of effort and progress in his/her yoga practice (judged through periodical tests).

(b) Assisting the yoga therapy sessions. Improving his/her own health and well-being through yoga therapy.

(c) Participation in programmes.

Section B — Practical Tests: 60 Marks

There will be three tests in this section — to be assessed by an External Examiner.

Test 1: Predetermined Asanas — 30 Marks

The candidates must perform any six asanas from those given below:

Ardha Chandrasana, Parivritta Trikonasana, Chaturanga Dandasana, Salambha Shirshasana, Sarvangasana, Paschimottanasana, Urdhva Dhanurasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana.

Test 2: Directed Asanas — 20 Marks

The candidate must perform 4 or 5 asanas of the External Examiner's choice. (The examiner will select asanas from the Class X syllabus only.) The External Examiner may test the pupil's ability to adapt and modify asanas.

Test 3: Pupil's Preference of Asanas — 10 Marks

The candidate will perform two asanas of his/her choice.

Important Notes: (a) Candidate must choose an asana from the Class X syllabus only. (b) Candidate must not select an asana that he/she has already demonstrated in Test 1 and Test 2.

Practical Work — Full List of Asanas and Pranayama

(A) Asanas

(B) Breathing/Pranayama

1. Revision of the Full Yogic Breathing

2. Brahmari

Reference Book: Light on Yoga — Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar, Harper Collins, India.

Internal Assessment Marking Criteria — Yoga

Preparation Tips — Theory (100 Marks)

General:

• The paper is 2 hours for 100 marks — approximately 1.2 minutes per mark.

• The paper covers four distinct sections — allocate time proportionally.

Section I — Human Biology:

• Nervous System: Draw and label a neuron — know all five structural parts. Know the number of cranial nerves (12 pairs) and spinal nerves (31 pairs).

• Brain: Make a table — Cerebrum (thinking, voluntary movement), Cerebellum (balance, coordination), Medulla oblongata (involuntary actions like breathing, heartbeat), Pons (relay station), Diencephalon (thalamus and hypothalamus).

• Sense organs: Know eye defects — Myopia (distant objects blurry, concave lens), Hyperopia (near objects blurry, convex lens), Cataract (cloudy lens). Know the role of ear in balance.

• Endocrine: For each of the four glands (Pituitary, Thyroid, Adrenal, Pancreas) — location, hormones, over-secretion effects and under-secretion effects — make a table.

• Circulatory: Know the path of blood through the heart. Know all four valve names and locations. Know all four cardiovascular disorder definitions.

• Note: Types of WBCs and blood groups are explicitly excluded.

• Excretory: Know the three organs of excretion (lungs, skin, kidneys) and the meaning of dialysis.

• Personal Hygiene: Know both Jivhamulashodhanam and Karnarandhradhouti — their procedures and benefits.

Section II — Sages of India:

• For each sage: know life events AND two important works/teachings — both are required.

• Sri Aurobindo: Know the four beings in human consciousness and the triple formula (Aspiration, Rejection, Surrender).

• Swami Vivekananda: Know his specific teachings and literary works — these are frequently examined.

• Ramana Maharishi: Know the Self-enquiry method and his three works.

Section III — Yoga Sutras of Patanjali:

• Samadhi Pada: Know all 9 obstacles and their 4 accompaniments.

• Know all 6 types of Samadhi with distinctions between Sabeej/Nirbeej and Savitarka/Nirvitarka/Savichara/Nirvichara.

• Sadhana Pada: Note — clauses of Sutras 2.25 and 2.33 are NOT required to be learned.

• Vibhuti Pada: Know the concept of Samyama and all objects of Samyama listed.

• Kaivalya Pada: Know the 5 ways of spiritual accomplishment and distinguish Chit from Chitta.

Section IV — Schools of Philosophy:

• For each philosophy (Sankhya, Yoga, Vedanta, Purva Mimansa, Buddhism, Jainism): know meaning of name, founder, dates, important texts, tenets, salvation, and concept of God.

• Sankhya: Know the 23 evolutes of Prakriti.

• Vedanta: Know all 7 key terms listed.

• Buddhism: Know the 4 noble truths and 8-fold path and the difference between Hinayana and Mahayana.

• Jainism: Know the 3 jewels and the concept of 24 tirthankaras.

• Five Sutras: Know and understand all five — 1.2, 1.14, 1.33, 2.3, 2.28.

  
  

Preparation Tips — Internal Assessment (100 Marks)

Section A — Course Work (40 marks):

• Attend all yoga practice sessions — effort and progress are assessed through periodical tests.

• Participate actively in yoga therapy sessions.

• Participate in all programmes — participation is a directly assessed criterion.

Section B — Practical Tests (60 marks):

Test 1 (30 marks — any 6 from the list):

• Practise all 8 asanas in the Test 1 list: Ardha Chandrasana, Parivritta Trikonasana, Chaturanga Dandasana, Salambha Shirshasana, Sarvangasana, Paschimottanasana, Urdhva Dhanurasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana.

• For each: know the meaning of the name, the group it belongs to, and the benefits.

Test 2 (20 marks — examiner's choice from Class X syllabus):

• Know and practise all 19 asanas in the syllabus.

• Be ready to adapt and modify asanas — the examiner may specifically test this ability.

Test 3 (10 marks — candidate's choice):

• Choose two asanas not already performed in Tests 1 and 2.

• Select from the Class X syllabus only.

• Choose asanas you perform with the greatest strength, flexibility and stability.

For all tests — work towards Grade I:

• Know the name meaning, group and benefits of every asana.

• Work on firmness, alertness, coordination and moment-to-moment awareness (Precision criterion).

• Develop strength, flexibility, endurance and stability (Achievements criterion).

• Be ready to explain the purpose of each asana and adapt it if asked (Application criterion).

• Maintain grace, poise and confident presentation between poses (Presentation criterion).

How to Score Grade I in Internal Assessment

FAQs — Yoga

Q1. How long is the theory paper? 2 hours for 100 marks.

Q2. How many marks is the Internal Assessment and how is it split? 100 marks total — Section A (Course Work, assessed by teacher): 40 marks; Section B (Practical Tests, assessed by External Examiner): 60 marks.

Q3. How are the 60 marks in Section B divided across the three tests? Test 1 (Predetermined Asanas): 30 marks. Test 2 (Directed Asanas): 20 marks. Test 3 (Pupil's preference): 10 marks.

Q4. How many asanas must be performed in Test 1? Any six from the eight asanas listed for Test 1.

Q5. Can a candidate repeat an asana in Test 3 that was performed in Tests 1 or 2? No. The syllabus explicitly states: "Candidate must not select an asana that he/she has already demonstrated in Test 1 and Test 2."

Q6. Can the External Examiner ask for asanas from Class IX syllabus in Test 2? No. The syllabus explicitly states: "The examiner will select asanas from the Class X syllabus only."

Q7. Are types of WBCs and blood groups included in the Circulatory System topic? No. The syllabus explicitly states: "The types of WBCs and the blood groups need not be studied."

Q8. Do students need to memorise Sutras 2.25 and 2.33 from the Sadhana Pada? No. The syllabus explicitly states for both: "the students need not learn the Sutra" — only the concept needs to be understood.

Q9. How many sages are covered in Section II? Six sages: Vyasa, Yagnavalkya, Narsi Mehta, Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda, Ramana Maharishi.

Q10. What are the Five Important Sutras that must be known? Patanjali Yoga Sutras: 1.2, 1.14, 1.33, 2.3 and 2.28.

Q11. What is the reference book for practical work? Light on Yoga by Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar, Harper Collins, India.

Q12. What are the three organs of excretion? Lungs, skin and kidneys — all three are explicitly listed in the syllabus.

Q13. What are the four beings in Sri Aurobindo's understanding of human consciousness? (1) The Physical Being, (2) The emotional being, (3) The mental being, (4) The spiritual being.

All content above is based directly on the official CISCE ICSE Yoga Syllabus, Examination Year 2028. Verify with the latest document at cisce.org.