CBSE Class 10 Guide
- Home
- Class 10 Home Tutors in Gurgaon
- Class 10 maths syllabus 2026-27
Part of our CBSE Class 10 guide
Looking for one-to-one help? See our class 10 home tutors in gurgaon page.
CBSE Class 10 Maths Syllabus 2026–27 with Chapter Marks
The CBSE Class 10 Maths syllabus 2026–27 has seven units and 14 NCERT chapters, examined in an 80-mark, 3-hour board paper, plus 20 marks of internal assessment done by the school. Algebra carries the most marks (20), followed by Geometry (15), Trigonometry (12), Statistics and Probability (11), Mensuration (10), and Number Systems and Coordinate Geometry (6 each). The chapter content is the same as in 2025–26, and Class 10 students in 2026–27 can still choose Mathematics Standard (041) or Mathematics Basic (241).
This guide sets out the official unit marks, maps every NCERT chapter to its unit, lists the limits CBSE places on each topic, and explains the question-paper design and internal assessment. It ends with a chapter-by-chapter "what to master" table and three board-style worked examples. It is part of our guide series for parents looking for Class 10 home tutors in Gurgaon.
CBSE Class 10 Maths 2026–27 at a glance
Class 10 Maths is marked out of 100: an 80-mark board theory paper and 20 marks of internal assessment. Both Standard and Basic follow the same syllabus; they differ in how difficult the board paper is.
| Item | CBSE Class 10 Maths, 2026–27 |
|---|---|
| Subject codes | Mathematics Standard: 041. Mathematics Basic: 241 |
| Board theory paper | 80 marks, 3 hours |
| Internal assessment | 20 marks: pen-paper test and multiple assessment (5 + 5), portfolio 5, lab practical 5 |
| Units | 7 units: Number Systems, Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Statistics and Probability |
| Textbook | NCERT Mathematics Textbook for Class X (14 chapters; the NCERT PDF is marked "Reprint 2026-27") |
| Syllabus change from 2025–26 | None in the chapter content, unit marks, question-paper design or internal assessment |
| Paper format (2026–27 sample paper) | 38 questions in five sections (A to E); no calculators; take π = 22/7 unless stated |
| Periods (teaching hours) | Not stated in the 2026–27 Class X Maths syllabus document |
Sources: the CBSE Class X Mathematics syllabus 2026–27 and the CBSE Class X Mathematics Standard and Basic sample question papers for 2026–27, both on cbseacademic.nic.in. Checked on 29 September 2026.
One more change to know about is the exam calendar rather than the syllabus. According to CBSE's press release of 18 July 2026, the Board introduced two board examinations for Class 10 from 2026: a main examination (held from 17 February to 11 March 2026) and a second examination (15 to 21 May 2026) that gave eligible students a chance to improve, with the better of the two performances used for regular students. Wait for CBSE's official date sheet for the 2027 dates.
Unit-wise marks and the chapters in each unit
CBSE publishes marks per unit, not per chapter. To get "chapter marks", map each NCERT chapter to its unit, as below. Where a unit has more than one chapter, CBSE does not split the marks between them, so any chapter-level figure you see elsewhere is an estimate, not an official number.
| Unit | Unit name | Marks (out of 80) | NCERT chapters |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Number Systems | 6 | Ch 1 Real Numbers |
| II | Algebra | 20 | Ch 2 Polynomials; Ch 3 Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables; Ch 4 Quadratic Equations; Ch 5 Arithmetic Progressions |
| III | Coordinate Geometry | 6 | Ch 7 Coordinate Geometry |
| IV | Geometry | 15 | Ch 6 Triangles; Ch 10 Circles |
| V | Trigonometry | 12 | Ch 8 Introduction to Trigonometry; Ch 9 Some Applications of Trigonometry |
| VI | Mensuration | 10 | Ch 11 Areas Related to Circles; Ch 12 Surface Areas and Volumes |
| VII | Statistics and Probability | 11 | Ch 13 Statistics; Ch 14 Probability |
| Total | 80 | 14 chapters |
Two things stand out. First, the four algebra chapters together are worth a quarter of the paper, so weakness in algebra shows up everywhere else too: quadratics appear inside mensuration and word problems, and linear equations inside coordinate geometry. Second, the single-chapter units (Real Numbers and Coordinate Geometry, 6 marks each) are small but among the most predictable, which makes them good places to secure full marks.
Note that the NCERT chapter order does not follow the unit order: Triangles is chapter 6 but sits in Unit IV, and Coordinate Geometry is chapter 7 but is Unit III. Schools usually teach in NCERT order, so do not be confused if the school timetable and the syllabus table look different.
Chapter-by-chapter syllabus and CBSE's limits
The syllabus does more than list chapters. For several topics it says what is proved, what is only stated, and which angles or cases can be asked. These limits are the most useful part of the document, because they tell a student where not to spend time.
Unit I: Number Systems (6 marks)
- Real Numbers: the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic, with statements and examples, and its use in real-life problems (typically HCF and LCM).
- Proofs of irrationality of √2, √3 and √5. The syllabus's explanation column also expects students to prove algebraically the irrationality of numbers like 3 + 2√5.
Unit II: Algebra (20 marks)
- Polynomials: zeros of a polynomial, found graphically and algebraically, and the relationship between zeros and coefficients of quadratic polynomials.
- Pair of linear equations in two variables: the graphical method, consistency and inconsistency, algebraic conditions for the number of solutions, and algebraic solution by substitution and by elimination. Simple situational problems. Cross-multiplication is not listed.
- Quadratic equations: standard form ax2 + bx + c = 0 (a ≠ 0); solutions by factorisation and by the quadratic formula, only real roots; the relationship between the discriminant and the nature of roots; and situational problems from day-to-day activities.
- Arithmetic progressions: derivation of the nth term and the sum of the first n terms, and their use in daily-life problems.
Unit III: Coordinate Geometry (6 marks)
- A review of coordinate geometry, the distance formula and the section formula (internal division). The area of a triangle from coordinates is not listed, and neither is external division.
Unit IV: Geometry (15 marks)
- Triangles: definitions, examples and counter-examples of similar triangles. Students must prove one theorem: if a line is drawn parallel to one side of a triangle to intersect the other two sides in distinct points, the other two sides are divided in the same ratio (the Basic Proportionality Theorem). Four results are to be stated without proof: the converse of that theorem, and the AAA, SSS and SAS similarity criteria.
- Circles: the tangent at the point of contact. Two theorems to prove: the tangent at any point of a circle is perpendicular to the radius through the point of contact, and the lengths of tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal.
- Constructions are not listed in the 2026–27 syllabus.
Unit V: Trigonometry (12 marks)
- Introduction to trigonometry: trigonometric ratios of an acute angle of a right-angled triangle, with proof that they are well defined; ratios defined at 0° and 90°; values at 30°, 45° and 60°; relationships between the ratios.
- Identities: proof and applications of sin2A + cos2A = 1. The syllabus adds "only simple identities to be given".
- Heights and distances: angles of elevation and depression. Problems should not involve more than two right triangles, and the angles should be only 30°, 45° and 60°.
Unit VI: Mensuration (10 marks)
- Areas related to circles: areas of sectors and segments, and problems on areas and perimeters or circumferences. For the area of a segment, problems are restricted to central angles of 60°, 90° and 120° only.
- Surface areas and volumes: combinations of any two of cubes, cuboids, spheres, hemispheres and right circular cylinders or cones. The frustum of a cone is not listed.
Unit VII: Statistics and Probability (11 marks)
- Statistics: mean, median and mode of grouped data. The mean by the direct, assumed-mean and step-deviation methods; the median and mode of grouped data by the algebraic (formula) method. Bimodal situations are to be avoided.
- Probability: the classical definition and simple problems on finding the probability of an event.
From our tutors: many families in Gurgaon still have older guidebooks at home, handed down from an elder sibling. Before a student works through one, we mark the pages that fall outside the current limits, such as constructions, the area of a triangle from coordinates, frustums and heights-and-distances problems with angles other than 30°, 45° and 60°. It saves hours, and it stops a student from panicking over questions that the board paper will not ask.
What changed from 2025–26
We compared the 2026–27 Class X Mathematics document word by word with the Class X section of the 2025–26 syllabus on cbseacademic.nic.in. The answer is short: there are no deleted or added topics in Class 10 Maths for 2026–27.
| Area | 2025–26 | 2026–27 |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter content and limits | As listed above | Identical |
| Unit marks | 6, 20, 6, 15, 12, 10, 11 | Identical |
| Question-paper design (Standard and Basic) | Standard 54/24/22%; Basic 75/15/10% | Identical |
| Internal assessment | 10 + 5 + 5 | Identical |
| Prescribed books list | Combined list for Classes IX and X | Class X books only, because the 2026–27 curriculum has a separate Class IX document |
CBSE's 2026–27 sample question papers for Class 10 Maths also carry the note: "There is no change in the Question Paper Design and Assessment Pattern for Academic Session 2026-27." The larger change is structural and comes a year later, when Standard and Basic are replaced (see the section on Standard or Basic below).
Question paper design: Standard and Basic
Both papers are 80 marks and 3 hours on the same syllabus. The difference is the mix of question types. CBSE groups questions by the thinking they need, and the Basic paper has far more direct, recall-and-understand questions.
| Type of question | Standard (041): marks | Standard: approx. % | Basic (241): marks | Basic: approx. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remembering and understanding | 43 | 54% | 60 | 75% |
| Applying | 19 | 24% | 12 | 15% |
| Analysing, evaluating and creating | 18 | 22% | 8 | 10% |
| Total | 80 | 100% | 80 | 100% |
The competency-based part is the "applying" and "analysing, evaluating, creating" rows: 37 marks (46%) in Standard and 20 marks (25%) in Basic. These are the unfamiliar, multi-step and real-life questions, including case studies. That is why a student who only memorises NCERT solutions can do well in Basic but often stalls in Standard.
Section structure in the 2026–27 sample papers
The Standard and Basic sample papers for 2026–27 use the same layout:
| Section | Questions | Type | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1–20 | 18 multiple-choice questions and 2 assertion-reason questions, 1 mark each | 20 |
| B | 21–25 | Very short answer, 2 marks each | 10 |
| C | 26–31 | Short answer, 3 marks each | 18 |
| D | 32–35 | Long answer, 5 marks each | 20 |
| E | 36–38 | Case-study questions, 4 marks each (sub-parts of 1, 1 and 2 marks) | 12 |
| 38 questions | 80 |
There is no overall choice. Internal choice is given in 2 questions each of Sections B, C and D, and in the 2-mark sub-parts of Section E. Calculators are not allowed. Practise with these papers and their marking schemes, which CBSE publishes on cbseacademic.nic.in.
Internal assessment: the 20 school marks
The school awards 20 marks in Maths, and the split is the same for Standard and Basic:
| Component | Marks | What it usually involves |
|---|---|---|
| Pen-paper test and multiple assessment | 10 (5 + 5) | School tests, plus other forms of assessment chosen by the school |
| Portfolio | 5 | A file of the student's work through the year |
| Lab practical | 5 | Lab activities from the prescribed books (the CBSE maths lab guidelines and the NCERT laboratory manual) |
| Total | 20 |
These 20 marks are within a student's control from April onwards. Keep the portfolio and lab activity record up to date each month rather than rushing it before pre-boards. The CBSE Secondary curriculum also states that the planned Standard/Advanced two-level structure will not apply to these 20 internal marks.
Want a clear plan for CBSE Class 10 Maths this year? Book a free demo class. Our tutor will check your child's algebra and geometry, and map the syllabus to the school's test calendar.
Book a Free Maths Demo +91 92204 75088Standard or Basic in 2026–27, and the change from 2027–28
For students in Class 10 in 2026–27, nothing changes: the CBSE Secondary curriculum document for 2026–27 says these students "will only continue under the existing scheme and may opt for Mathematics Basic, as applicable for the academic year 2025-26". So this year's Class 10 students still choose between Standard (041) and Basic (241).
For students who are in Class 9 in 2026–27 (the Class 10 batch of 2027–28), the same document announces a new scheme:
- The Mathematics Basic and Mathematics Standard scheme is discontinued from the 2026–27 session onwards (it continues only for the current Class 10 batch, as above).
- All students take one common Mathematics paper of 80 marks and 3 hours.
- Students may also opt for Mathematics Advanced: an extra 25-mark, 1-hour board paper in Class 10 from 2027–28, with all higher-order thinking (HOTS) questions on additional content.
- Advanced marks are not added to the overall aggregate. A student scoring 50% or more in the Advanced paper gets a line on the marksheet saying the Advanced Level has been cleared; CBSE notes that this wording is tentative.
Which should your child choose this year? The choice can affect which mathematics course a student may take in Class 11, so check the current CBSE rules and your school's Class 11 admission policy before choosing Basic. Our guide to Class 10 Maths Standard vs Basic covers the decision in detail.
Chapter-by-chapter: what to master
This table turns the syllabus into a checklist. "Must master" is what the syllabus and sample paper clearly test; "common trap" is what we see students lose marks on most often. Use it at the end of each chapter, and again in January.
| Chapter (unit, marks) | Must master | Common trap |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Real Numbers (I, 6) | Prime factorisation for HCF and LCM; HCF × LCM = product of two numbers; irrationality proofs for √2, √3, √5 and numbers like 3 + 2√5 | Using HCF × LCM = product for three numbers, where it does not hold; skipping the "p and q are co-prime" step in the proof |
| 2. Polynomials (II, 20 for unit) | Sum of zeros = −b/a and product = c/a for a quadratic; forming a quadratic from given zeros; reading the number of zeros from a graph | Sign errors in −b/a; counting touching points and crossing points wrongly on a graph |
| 3. Pair of Linear Equations | Ratio conditions a1/a2, b1/b2, c1/c2 for unique, no and infinitely many solutions; substitution and elimination; forming equations from word problems | Defining variables vaguely in word problems ("let x be the speed" without units or whose speed) |
| 4. Quadratic Equations | Factorisation; the quadratic formula; discriminant D = b2 − 4ac and the nature of roots; situational problems | Not rejecting a negative root when the answer is a length, age or speed |
| 5. Arithmetic Progressions | an = a + (n − 1)d; Sn = n/2[2a + (n − 1)d]; nth term from the end; real-life AP problems | Confusing an with Sn; an off-by-one error in n |
| 6. Triangles (IV, 15 for unit) | Proof of the Basic Proportionality Theorem; using its converse and the AA, SSS, SAS criteria to show similarity | Writing corresponding vertices in the wrong order, which gives wrong ratios |
| 7. Coordinate Geometry (III, 6) | Distance formula; section formula (internal division); using them to classify triangles and quadrilaterals or find a ratio | Mixing up m1:m2 order in the section formula |
| 8. Introduction to Trigonometry (V, 12 for unit) | Ratios of 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°; proving simple identities from sin2A + cos2A = 1; finding other ratios from one | Working on both sides of an identity at once without a clear chain |
| 9. Some Applications of Trigonometry | Heights and distances with at most two right triangles, angles 30°, 45°, 60°; a clear labelled figure | Placing the angle of depression at the wrong vertex |
| 10. Circles | The two tangent theorems with proofs; problems using equal tangents and the radius-tangent right angle | Assuming a line is a tangent without a reason |
| 11. Areas Related to Circles (VI, 10 for unit) | Sector area (θ/360)πr2 and arc length; segment areas for 60°, 90°, 120° | Using the sector area where the segment is asked; forgetting the triangle area for 120° |
| 12. Surface Areas and Volumes | Combinations of two solids; which faces are hidden when solids are joined; volume unchanged when a solid is recast | Adding full surface areas of both solids instead of the visible curved surfaces |
| 13. Statistics (VII, 11 for unit) | Mean by direct, assumed-mean and step-deviation methods; median and mode of grouped data by formula | Using the wrong class's cumulative frequency in the median formula |
| 14. Probability | Classical probability with coins, dice, cards and simple real-life events; P(E) + P(not E) = 1 | Miscounting outcomes for two dice (there are 36) |
For every formula in one place, see our CBSE Class 10 Maths formula sheet.
Worked examples in board style
These three questions show the level and presentation that the syllabus expects, from the three highest-weight areas: algebra, trigonometry and statistics. Each answer has been checked by calculation.
Example 1 (Quadratic equations, discriminant). Find the values of k for which the quadratic equation 2x2 + kx + 3 = 0 has two equal real roots.
Answer: k = 2√6 or k = −2√6. For equal roots, the discriminant D = b2 − 4ac must be 0. Here a = 2, b = k, c = 3, so D = k2 − 4(2)(3) = k2 − 24. Setting k2 − 24 = 0 gives k2 = 24, so k = ±√24 = ±2√6. Check: with k = 2√6, the equation becomes 2x2 + 2√6x + 3 = 0, whose only root is x = −√6/2. In a board answer, write the condition "D = 0" as a separate line; it usually carries a mark on its own.
Example 2 (Heights and distances, two right triangles). From the top of a 7 m high building, the angle of elevation of the top of a cable tower is 60° and the angle of depression of its foot is 45°. Find the height of the tower.
Answer: 7(1 + √3) m, about 19.12 m. Let the building be AB (A at the top, B at the foot, AB = 7 m) and the tower CD (C at the foot). Draw AE parallel to the ground, meeting CD at E, so CE = AB = 7 m. The angle of depression of C from A is 45°, so in right triangle ABC (right angle at B), tan 45° = AB/BC, giving BC = 7 m, and therefore AE = BC = 7 m. For the top D: tan 60° = DE/AE, so DE = 7√3 m. Height of tower CD = CE + DE = 7 + 7√3 = 7(1 + √3) m ≈ 19.12 m (using √3 ≈ 1.732). This fits CBSE's limits exactly: two right triangles and angles of 45° and 60°.
Example 3 (Statistics, median of grouped data). Find the median of this distribution. Classes: 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40, 40–50. Frequencies: 5, 8, 20, 15, 7.
Answer: median = 27.25. n = 5 + 8 + 20 + 15 + 7 = 55, so n/2 = 27.5. Cumulative frequencies are 5, 13, 33, 48, 55. The first cumulative frequency greater than 27.5 is 33, so the median class is 20–30. Here l = 20, cf (of the class before) = 13, f = 20 and h = 10. Median = l + [(n/2 − cf)/f] × h = 20 + [(27.5 − 13)/20] × 10 = 20 + 7.25 = 27.25. Showing the cumulative frequency column in a table is part of the expected method.
Prescribed NCERT books and resources
The 2026–27 syllabus prescribes four books for Class X Maths:
- Mathematics: Textbook for Class X, NCERT. This is the main book; board questions are built on its chapters and exercises.
- Guidelines for Mathematics Laboratory in Schools, Class X, CBSE. Used for the 5-mark lab practical.
- Laboratory Manual: Mathematics, Secondary Stage, NCERT. Also used for lab activities.
- Mathematics Exemplar Problems for Class X, NCERT. Harder questions on the same syllabus; useful practice for Standard students.
Beyond the prescribed list, the most useful free resources are CBSE's own sample question papers and marking schemes for the year, published on cbseacademic.nic.in. The marking scheme shows where marks are given step by step, which is exactly what students need to learn for long answers. Our guide to how to score 95+ in CBSE Class 10 Maths explains how to use them.
Using the syllabus through the year
The syllabus is a planning tool, not just a list. This is the approach our Home Tutors Team uses with Class 10 students; adjust it to your school's chapter order and test dates.
| Period | Focus |
|---|---|
| April–July | Algebra first (Real Numbers, Polynomials, Linear Equations, Quadratics, AP). Keep the portfolio and lab record current. |
| August–October | Triangles, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry and Circles. Start timed practice of mixed 2- and 3-mark questions. |
| November | Mensuration, Statistics and Probability. Complete the syllabus and attempt the first full sample paper. |
| December–January | Pre-boards (in many schools). Full papers under time; an error log by chapter; revise proofs and case studies. |
| February onwards | Board examination. Past papers and sample papers, one section at a time, with the marking scheme. |
From our tutors: the chapters students most often under-prepare are the "small" ones: Real Numbers, Coordinate Geometry and Probability. They feel easy in class, so they are revised last. Yet in a board paper they usually appear as quick, scoring questions. We ask students to do one short set from these chapters every week, because full marks there buys time for the long answers and case studies.
Frequently asked questions
Has the CBSE Class 10 Maths syllabus 2026–27 been reduced?
No. We compared the 2026–27 document with 2025–26, and the chapter content, topic limits, unit marks, question-paper design and internal assessment are the same. CBSE's 2026–27 sample papers also state that there is no change in the question-paper design and assessment pattern.
How many chapters are in CBSE Class 10 Maths 2026–27?
Fourteen NCERT chapters, grouped into seven units: Number Systems (6 marks), Algebra (20), Coordinate Geometry (6), Geometry (15), Trigonometry (12), Mensuration (10), and Statistics and Probability (11).
Which chapter has the most marks in Class 10 Maths?
CBSE gives marks per unit, not per chapter. Algebra is the heaviest unit at 20 of 80 marks, shared between Polynomials, Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations and Arithmetic Progressions. Among single-chapter units, Real Numbers and Coordinate Geometry carry 6 marks each.
Is the syllabus different for Maths Standard and Maths Basic?
No. Both follow the same syllabus and unit marks. The difference is the paper: in Standard, about 46% of marks are for applying and analysing; in Basic, about 25%.
Can Class 10 students still take Maths Basic in 2026–27?
Yes. The CBSE Secondary curriculum for 2026–27 says Class 10 students in 2026–27 continue under the existing scheme and may opt for Mathematics Basic. The Standard/Basic scheme is replaced from the Class 10 batch of 2027–28 by one common paper plus an optional Mathematics Advanced paper.
What is the internal assessment in Class 10 Maths?
20 marks: pen-paper test and multiple assessment (5 + 5 = 10), portfolio (5) and lab practical (5), with lab activities from the prescribed books.
Are constructions in the CBSE Class 10 Maths syllabus 2026–27?
No. Constructions are not listed. Neither are the area of a triangle using coordinates, external division in the section formula, or the frustum of a cone.
Which books should my child use for Class 10 Maths?
The NCERT Class X textbook first, with the NCERT exemplar for extra practice, and CBSE's sample papers and marking schemes for exam technique. The lab guidelines and NCERT laboratory manual cover the lab practical.
Looking for a CBSE Class 10 Maths home tutor in Gurgaon or Gurugram? Ajay Vatsyayan Classes has 12+ years of home tuition in Gurgaon and a network of 500+ verified tutors, male and female, teaching at home or online. See our CBSE Class 10 Maths home tutor page, or book a free demo class. Saraswati kunj II, Wazirabad, Sector 52, Gurugram, Haryana 122003.
Book a Free Maths Demo +91 92204 75088