CBSE Class 10 Computer Applications Syllabus 2026-27 — HTML, Networking, Cyber Ethics (50+50 Marks)
Tushar Parik
Author
Table of Contents
CBSE Class 10 Computer Applications Syllabus 2026-27 — Complete Guide
Complete syllabus for CBSE Class 10 Computer Applications (Code 165) 2026-27 — computer fundamentals, networking, HTML web designing, and cyber ethics. 50+50 marks (Theory + Practical). Includes the new Two Board Exams policy.
What's New in 2026-27?
- Two Board Exams policy: Mandatory first exam + optional improvement exam.
- Continuity from 2025-26: The Computer Applications syllabus remains stable with the same four units.
- HTML web designing is the major practical component: Students must learn to create web pages using HTML tags, CSS basics, and embed multimedia.
- Cyber ethics and digital citizenship: Enhanced focus on online safety, intellectual property, and responsible digital behaviour.
- Equal weightage Theory : Practical = 50:50: Both theory knowledge and practical skills are equally important.
Syllabus Overview — Marks Distribution
Theory (50 Marks)
| Unit | Topics | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Fundamentals — Hardware, Software, Memory, OS | 10 |
| 2 | Networking — LAN, WAN, Internet, Protocols, Web | 15 |
| 3 | HTML Web Designing — Tags, Attributes, Forms, CSS basics | 15 |
| 4 | Cyber Ethics — Security, Privacy, IPR, IT Act | 10 |
| Total Theory | 50 |
Practical (50 Marks)
| Component | Details | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Lab Work | HTML web pages (minimum 10 pages) | 15 |
| Practical Exam | Create web pages with given specifications | 20 |
| Viva Voce | Oral examination on theory + practical | 5 |
| Project Work | Website project (5-10 pages with navigation) | 10 |
| Total Practical | 50 |
Chapter-wise Syllabus
Unit 1: Computer Fundamentals (10 Marks)
Hardware Review: Block diagram of a computer. CPU components — ALU, CU, MU (registers). Difference between hardware and software. Input devices (keyboard, mouse, scanner, barcode reader, biometric sensor, touchscreen). Output devices (monitor — CRT/LCD/LED/OLED, printer — inkjet/laser/3D, plotter, speakers). Memory — RAM (DRAM, SRAM), ROM (PROM, EPROM, EEPROM), Cache. Secondary storage — HDD, SSD, USB, Cloud.
Software: System software vs application software. Operating system functions. Types of OS — single-user, multi-user, multi-tasking, real-time, embedded. Popular OS: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS. Utility software — antivirus, compression, disk management. Open-source software — definition, examples, benefits, licences.
Number Systems (basic): Binary, Octal, Decimal, Hexadecimal. Conversion between number systems. Binary addition (basics).
Unit 2: Networking (15 Marks)
Network Fundamentals: Definition and need. Types — LAN, MAN, WAN, PAN. Advantages and disadvantages of networking. Network topologies — Star, Bus, Ring, Mesh, Tree, Hybrid. Wired vs wireless networks.
Network Devices: Modem, Hub, Switch, Router, Gateway, Bridge, Repeater, Access Point. Function and placement in a network.
Internet Concepts: Internet vs Intranet vs Extranet. ISP and internet connectivity. IP address (IPv4, IPv6 basics). Domain names and DNS. URL structure. Protocols — HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, POP3, IMAP, TCP/IP. Web browser, search engine, email. Cloud computing basics — IaaS, PaaS, SaaS.
Web Concepts: Website vs web page. Static vs dynamic websites. Web server, web hosting. Client-server architecture. Web 2.0 vs Web 3.0 (basic awareness).
Unit 3: HTML Web Designing (15 Marks Theory + 35 Marks Practical)
This is the CORE unit of Computer Applications — both theory and practical revolve around HTML.
HTML Basics: What is HTML? Structure of an HTML document — <!DOCTYPE html>, <html>, <head>, <title>, <body>. Tags vs attributes. Block vs inline elements. Comments.
Text Formatting Tags: <h1> to <h6>, <p>, <br>, <hr>, <b>, <i>, <u>, <strong>, <em>, <sup>, <sub>, <pre>, <blockquote>.
Lists: Ordered list (<ol>), Unordered list (<ul>), Description list (<dl>, <dt>, <dd>). Nested lists. Type and start attributes.
Links and Images: <a href=""> — internal and external links, mailto, target attribute. <img src="" alt=""> — width, height, border. Image as a link.
Tables: <table>, <tr>, <th>, <td>. Attributes: border, cellpadding, cellspacing, colspan, rowspan, width, height, bgcolor, align. Caption. Nested tables.
Forms: <form> — action, method (GET, POST). Input types: text, password, radio, checkbox, submit, reset, button, email, number, date. <textarea>, <select> with <option>. Labels. Form validation basics.
Multimedia: <audio> — src, controls, autoplay, loop. <video> — src, controls, width, height. Embedding YouTube videos using <iframe>.
CSS Basics: What is CSS? Inline, internal, external CSS. Selectors — element, class, id. Properties: color, background-color, font-family, font-size, text-align, margin, padding, border. Box model basics.
Unit 4: Cyber Ethics (10 Marks)
Cyber Safety: Safe browsing practices. Strong passwords, 2FA. Privacy settings on social media. Public vs private information. Digital footprint.
Cyber Threats: Virus, worm, trojan, ransomware, spyware, phishing, spam, identity theft, cyberstalking, cyberbullying. Prevention and reporting.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): Copyright, patent, trademark. Plagiarism. Creative Commons licences. Software piracy. Free vs proprietary software.
IT Act 2000: Basic provisions. Sections relevant to students — hacking (Section 66), identity theft (Section 66C), cyberbullying, sending offensive messages (Section 66A — struck down but awareness). Cyber Appellate Tribunal. Reporting cybercrime — cybercrime.gov.in, 1930 helpline.
Digital Citizenship: Responsible use of technology. E-waste management. Accessibility and inclusivity. Ethics of AI (basic awareness).
New Two Board Exams Policy (2026-27 Onwards)
Starting from the 2026-27 session, CBSE Class 10 students will have the option to appear for two board examinations instead of one. This is a significant policy change under NEP 2020.
- First Board Exam (February-March 2027): This is MANDATORY for all students. It covers the full syllabus and follows the standard 80+20 marks pattern (80 marks theory + 20 marks internal assessment).
- Second Board Exam (May 2027): This is OPTIONAL and available as an improvement opportunity. Students who are unsatisfied with their first exam performance can re-appear to improve their scores.
- Best Score Counts: If a student appears for both exams, the higher score of the two will be considered for the final result and certificate.
- No Penalty for Not Appearing: There is no negative consequence for choosing not to appear for the second exam. It is purely an improvement opportunity.
- Same Syllabus: Both exams cover the same syllabus — there is no reduction or change in scope for the second exam.
This policy aims to reduce exam anxiety and give students a fair chance to demonstrate their best performance. It is especially beneficial for students who face health issues, personal difficulties, or exam-day nervousness during the first attempt.
Exam Pattern 2026-27
| Component | Question Types | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Theory: Unit 1 | MCQs + Short Answer on Fundamentals | 10 |
| Theory: Unit 2 | MCQs + Short Answer + Long Answer on Networking | 15 |
| Theory: Unit 3 | MCQs + Code Writing + Output Questions on HTML | 15 |
| Theory: Unit 4 | MCQs + Short Answer on Cyber Ethics | 10 |
| Total Theory | 50 | |
| Practical Exam | Create HTML web pages with given requirements | 20 |
| Lab File | Minimum 10 HTML practical exercises with printouts | 15 |
| Viva + Project | Oral exam on concepts + Website project | 15 |
| Total Practical | 50 |
Preparation Tips
- HTML is king — practise daily: The practical exam (50 marks) is entirely HTML-based. Write code by hand AND on the computer. Create at least 20 web pages covering all tag types before the exam.
- Memorise HTML tag syntax: Know the exact syntax for tables (with colspan/rowspan), forms (all input types), and multimedia (audio/video). Theory questions ask you to write HTML code on paper.
- Build a complete website project: The project (10 marks) requires a multi-page website. Choose a topic you're interested in (e.g., your school, a hobby, a city) and create 5-10 interconnected pages with navigation, images, tables, and forms.
- Understand networking with diagrams: Draw network topology diagrams, label devices, and explain how data flows. Theory questions on networking often include diagram-based questions.
- Learn CSS basics thoroughly: CSS questions are straightforward if you understand the box model, selectors, and common properties. Practise styling HTML pages with both inline and internal CSS.
- Study cyber ethics with real examples: Know real-world examples of phishing, ransomware attacks, and data breaches. The IT Act questions test awareness, not legal knowledge.
- Keep your lab file updated: 15 marks for the lab file — include printouts of all practical exercises, code, output screenshots, and proper formatting. Don't leave it for the last week.
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Prepared by Bright Tutorials, Nashik (Shop No. 53-57, Business Signature, Hariom Nagar, Nashik Road, Nashik 422101) | brighttutorials.in | This syllabus guide is based on the official CBSE curriculum for 2026-27. Students should refer to the latest CBSE circulars for any updates. For personal study use only.