CBSE Class 10 Social Science Exam 2026: High-Weightage Chapters
CBSE 10th 2026 ( CBSE 10th )
Exam On - 17 Feb '26 - 11 Mar '26
Students can check the CBSE Class 10 Social Science Marking Scheme and sample papers on the official website. This page shares all chapters that students must not miss in order to score well in CBSE Class 10 Social Science exam 2026. Read more here…
CBSE Class 10 Social Science Important Chapters: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct the CBSE 10th exams 2026 between February 17 and March 11, 2026. The CBSE 10th Social Science Exam 2026 will be held on March 7, 2026 in pen and paper format.
Students preparing for the CBSE Class 10 Social Science exam 2026 must have completed the CBSE Syllabus 2026 for SST by now. However, a few chapters carry more weight than the rest. These can be considered a little more important. This page discusses the high-weightage chapters in CBSE 10th Social Science exam 2026 for all subjects, namely History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics.
CBSE Class 10 Social Science Board Exam 2026 carries a total of 100 marks- 80 marks for theory, and the remaining 20 marks are for internal assessment that is marked by school teachers.
Also Read: CBSE 10th Date Sheet 2026
- CBSE Class 10 Social Science: High-Weightage Chapters in History (20 Marks)
- CBSE 10th Social Science: High-Weightage Chapters in Geography (20 Marks)
- CBSE Class 10 Social Science: High-Weightage Chapters in Political Science (20 Marks)
- CBSE 10th Social Science: High-Weightage Chapters in Economics (20 Marks)
- CBSE Class 10 Social Science Exam 2026 - Overview
- CBSE Class 10 Chapter Wise Marks Distribution (History, Geography, Civics, Economics)
- CBSE Class 10 Social Science - Internal Assessment Marks Distribution
CBSE Class 10 Social Science: High-Weightage Chapters in History (20 Marks)
- Nationalism in India: Highly critical, often carrying 6–10 marks, including mandatory map work. Key topics: Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience movements, salt march, and the role of Mahatma Gandhi.
- The Rise of Nationalism in Europe: Typically carries 6–8 marks. Focus on the unification of Italy and Germany and the French Revolution.
- Print Culture and the Modern World: Significant for theoretical questions, often carrying 4 marks.
CBSE 10th Social Science: High-Weightage Chapters in Geography (20 Marks)
- Manufacturing Industries: Often the highest weightage chapter in this section, carrying 6 marks.
- Resources and Development: Important for both theoretical concepts (soil conservation, sustainable development) and map work.
- Water Resources & Minerals and Energy Resources: High focus on map-based questions.
- Lifelines of National Economy: Primarily relevant for map work in the board exams.
Also Read: Download CBSE 10th Sample Papers 2026
CBSE Class 10 Social Science: High-Weightage Chapters in Political Science (20 Marks)
- Power Sharing: A high-scoring chapter carrying 5–6 marks. Focus on the Belgium and Sri Lanka case studies.
- Political Parties: Typically weighted at 5–6 marks. Important topics include the need for parties and national vs. state parties.
- Federalism: Significant for understanding the division of power in India, carrying 5 marks.
CBSE 10th Social Science: High-Weightage Chapters in Economics (20 Marks)
- Sectors of the Indian Economy: Generally carries the highest weightage in Economics, around 5–7 marks.
- Money and Credit: Important for conceptual questions (formal vs. informal credit), carrying 6 marks.
- Globalisation and the Indian Economy: Carries 5–6 marks. Note: Only specific subtopics like "What is Globalization?" and "Factors enabling Globalization" are typically tested in the board exam.
Map Work Breakdown (5 Marks)
- History: 2 marks (Centres of Indian National Movement).
- Geography: 3 marks (Dams, Power Plants, Soil Types, Airports/Seaports).
Also read: Check CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026
CBSE Class 10 Social Science Exam 2026 - Overview
Weightage of SST Class 10 informs students about the allocation of marks across different subjects and chapters. This helps in planning studies effectively and focusing on important topics to score well.
| Subject |
Marks (Including Map) |
|---|---|
| History |
20 (2 marks for map) |
| Geography |
20 (3 marks for map) |
| Political Science |
20 |
| Economics |
20 |
Also Read: CBSE Class 10 Preparation
CBSE Class 10 Chapter Wise Marks Distribution (History, Geography, Civics, Economics)
The table below shares that Chapter-wise distribution of marks across each topic. This lets students focus on important chapters and plan their preparation effectively for board exams.
| Subject |
Chapter / Unit Name |
Marks |
Map Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter-wise distribution of marks in History |
The Rise of Nationalism in Europe |
8 |
1 |
| Nationalism in India |
10 |
1 |
|
| The Making of a Global World (1815–1914 & Globalisation) |
10 |
– |
|
| The Age of Industrialisation (Periodic Assessment) |
– |
– |
|
| Print Culture and the Modern World |
– |
– |
|
| Chapter-wise distribution of marks in Geography |
Resources and Development |
6 |
1 |
| Forest and Wildlife Resources |
3 |
– |
|
| Water Resources |
3 |
– |
|
| Agriculture |
3 |
– |
|
| Minerals and Energy Resources |
3 |
– |
|
| Manufacturing Industries |
2 |
– |
|
| Lifelines of National Economy (Map only) |
– |
2 |
|
| Political Science (Civics) |
Power-sharing |
5 |
– |
| Federalism |
5 |
– |
|
| Gender, Religion and Caste |
5 |
– |
|
| Political Parties |
3 |
– |
|
| Outcomes of Democracy |
2 |
– |
|
| Economics |
Development |
5 |
– |
| Sectors of Indian Economy |
5 |
– |
|
| Money and Credit |
3 |
– |
|
| Globalisation and the Indian Economy |
5 |
– |
|
| Consumer Rights (Project Work) |
2 |
– |
Also read: CBSE 10th Admit Card 2026
CBSE Class 10 Social Science - Internal Assessment Marks Distribution
The internal assessment for class 10 SST carries 20 marks. They are distributed as follows:
| Internal Assessment Component |
Marks |
|---|---|
| Pen-Paper Test |
5 |
| Multiple Assessment |
5 |
| Portfolio |
5 |
| Subject Enrichment Activity |
5 |
Read More:
CBSE Class 10 English: Most Important Chapters for High Marks
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
To participate in JCECE nursing counselling, a candidate must submit all the documents which are mentioned in the official prospectus. Class 10th documents are mandatory at the time of document verification. The applicants are advised to arrange for the documents before proceeding for admission form
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 3 weeks ago
The exam paper consists of four section which includes Section A, Section B, Section C and Section D. The exam is of 80 marks and each section consists of 20 marks.Each section consists of the following question.
It contains 1marks mcqs/assertion-reason, 2marks very short answer, 3marks short answ
I
Contributor-Level 6
I don't have Class 10th documents, can I apply for JCECE counselling?