ICSE Class 10 Yoga Syllabus 2026-27
ICSE Class 10 Syllabus |
Yoga as an elective subject at ICSE Class 10 blends human biology, the philosophy of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the lives of India's great sages, and the practical discipline of asanas and pranayama. This guide breaks down the full ICSE Class 10 Yoga syllabus for the current session, section by section, along with the exam pattern, the internal assessment structure, the complete list of asanas, and preparation tips that help students walk into both the theory paper and the practical test with confidence.
This page is regularly reviewed against the official CISCE curriculum so students, parents and teachers can rely on it as a single reference point while planning their study schedule.
Quick Overview: Exam Structure
The ICSE Class 10 Yoga examination is divided into two papers that together carry 200 marks.
Component | Marks |
Paper I: Theory (written paper, 2 hours) | 100 |
Paper II: Internal Assessment (practical) | 100 |
Total | 200 |
Paper I: Theory Syllabus (100 Marks)
The theory paper tests a student's understanding across four sections: human biology as it relates to yoga, the lives and teachings of Indian sages, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and important schools of Indian philosophy. Each section carries roughly equal weight, so time management across all four is essential during preparation and in the exam hall.
Section I: Human Biology
This section links body systems with the role yoga plays in keeping them healthy. It is organised into five units.
Unit 1, the Nervous System: the neuron, the brain and spinal cord, the peripheral nervous system, the sense organs, and how yoga supports nervous system health.
Unit 2, the Endocrine System: the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands and pancreas, their hormones, and how yoga helps maintain hormonal balance.
Unit 3, the Circulatory System: the structure of the heart, blood vessels, common circulatory disorders, the composition of blood, and how yoga supports circulation and immunity.
Unit 4, the Excretory System: the lungs, skin and kidneys as organs of excretion, the process of urine formation, related disorders, and yoga's role in supporting elimination of waste.
Unit 5, Personal Hygiene through Yoga: the purpose of hygiene in yogic practice, and traditional cleansing techniques for the tongue, ears and eyes, including Trataka.
Section II: Sages of India
Students study the lives and core teachings of six sages, with two key aspects expected for each: Vyasa, Yagnavalkya, Narsi Mehta, Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda and Ramana Maharishi. Sri Aurobindo and Swami Vivekananda tend to carry more conceptual depth, since both connect directly to broader yogic philosophy such as Integral Yoga and Raja Yoga, so these two are worth extra attention.
Section III: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
This section is built around the four padas, or chapters, of Patanjali's classical text.
Samadhi Pada: the definition of yoga, the types of chitta vrittis, the obstacles on the path, and the different kinds of samadhi.
Sadhana Pada: kriya yoga, the kleshas, the cause of pain, and the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga.
Vibhuti Pada: the concept of samyama and the powers said to arise from it.
Kaivalya Pada: the paths to spiritual accomplishment and the distinction between chit and chitta.
Five specific sutras are prescribed for detailed study: 1.2, 1.14, 1.33, 2.3 and 2.28.
Section IV: Schools of Philosophy
This section covers the orthodox and heterodox schools of Indian philosophy along with one contemporary perspective.
Orthodox philosophies: Sankhya, Yoga, Vedanta and Purva Mimansa, studied for their founders, key texts, tenets and concept of salvation.
Heterodox philosophies: Buddhism and Jainism, including the four noble truths and eightfold path, and the three jewels of Jainism.
Contemporary philosophy: Eckhart Tolle's Power of Now, covering presence, the pain body and methods of entering the present moment.
Paper II: Internal Assessment (100 Marks)
The practical component is split into course work assessed by the school and practical tests assessed by an external examiner.
Section A: Course Work (40 Marks)
Assessed continuously through the year, based on effort and progress in yoga practice, participation in yoga therapy sessions, and involvement in related programmes.
Section B: Practical Tests (60 Marks)
Test 1, Predetermined Asanas (30 marks): the candidate performs any six asanas from a fixed list of eight.
Test 2, Directed Asanas (20 marks): the examiner selects four or five asanas from the full Class 10 list and may test the ability to adapt or modify a pose.
Test 3, Pupil's Preference (10 marks): the candidate performs two asanas of their own choice, provided these were not already demonstrated in Tests 1 and 2.
Across all three tests, examiners look at five criteria: knowledge of the asana, precision, achievement of the classical pose, application and adaptability, and overall presentation.
How to Prepare for ICSE Class 10 Yoga
A few focused habits make a measurable difference in both papers.
● For Human Biology, draw and label diagrams such as the neuron and the heart, and build comparison tables for the endocrine glands rather than reading definitions in isolation.
● For Sages of India, prepare two solid points per sage rather than trying to memorise every event of their life; examiners consistently reward depth over breadth here.
● For the Yoga Sutras, work through the four padas pada by pada, and keep the five prescribed sutras in a separate revision list closer to the exam.
● For Schools of Philosophy, build one comparison table across all six schools using the same set of columns: founder, key text, core tenet and concept of God.
● For the practical exam, practise all eight Test 1 asanas until they can be performed on demand, and rehearse explaining the purpose and benefit of each pose out loud, since Test 2 specifically checks the ability to adapt and explain.
Why Trust This Syllabus Guide
This page is compiled and maintained by the Future Topper editorial team and reviewed by Nimish Chhabra, co-founder of Future Topper, an ICSE and ISC study material platform built specifically around board-aligned, syllabus-mapped content for Indian students. The structure and topics listed here are mapped against the official CISCE curriculum for Yoga, and the page is periodically checked and updated to reflect any changes the council issues.
For the legally binding version of the syllabus, always cross check the latest circular published directly by CISCE at cisce.org. This page is intended as a study companion, not a replacement for the official document.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the ICSE Class 10 Yoga theory paper?
The theory paper, Paper I, is a written exam of 2 hours for 100 marks.
How is the Internal Assessment of 100 marks divided?
Section A, Course Work, carries 40 marks and is assessed by the school teacher. Section B, Practical Tests, carries 60 marks and is assessed by an external examiner.
How are the 60 practical marks split across the three tests?
Test 1, Predetermined Asanas, carries 30 marks. Test 2, Directed Asanas, carries 20 marks. Test 3, Pupil's Preference, carries 10 marks.
How many asanas must a student perform in Test 1?
Any six asanas out of the eight prescribed for Test 1.
Can a student repeat an asana in Test 3 that was already used in Tests 1 or 2?
No. The syllabus specifically states that an asana already demonstrated in Test 1 or Test 2 cannot be repeated in Test 3.
Are blood groups and types of WBCs included in the Circulatory System topic?
No, the syllabus explicitly excludes both of these from the Human Biology section.
How many sages are covered in Section II?
Six sages: Vyasa, Yagnavalkya, Narsi Mehta, Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda and Ramana Maharishi.
Which five sutras of Patanjali are prescribed for detailed study?
Sutras 1.2, 1.14, 1.33, 2.3 and 2.28.
What is the recommended reference book for the practical syllabus?
Light on Yoga by Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar, published by Harper Collins India, is the prescribed reference for asanas and their execution.