ICSE Class 10 Mathematics Syllabus 2026-27 — Complete Guide with Marks Distribution & Tips

What's New in 2026-27?

The ICSE Class 10 Mathematics syllabus for 2026-27 maintains a strong balance between conceptual understanding and problem-solving. CISCE has increased the proportion of application-based and competency-focused questions. Students can expect more real-world word problems, multi-step reasoning questions, and problems requiring graphical interpretation. The syllabus covers seven major units spanning commercial mathematics, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, mensuration, and coordinate geometry.

Mathematics carries 80 marks for the theory paper and 20 marks for Internal Assessment. Duration: 2.5 hours.

Syllabus Overview

Unit	Topics	Approximate Marks
Commercial Mathematics	GST, Banking (recurring deposits), Shares & Dividends	~13 marks
Algebra	Linear Inequations, Quadratic Equations, Ratio & Proportion, Remainder/Factor Theorems, Matrices, AP, GP	~22 marks
Coordinate Geometry	Reflection, Section & Mid-Point Formula, Equation of a Line	~8 marks
Geometry	Similarity, Loci, Circles, Tangents, Constructions	~18 marks
Mensuration	Cylinder, Cone, Sphere (surface area & volume)	~8 marks
Trigonometry	Identities, Heights & Distances	~8 marks
Statistics & Probability	Mean, median, ogive, probability	~8 marks

Chapter-wise Detailed Syllabus

1. Commercial Mathematics (~13 marks)

Goods and Services Tax (GST): Computation of GST in intra-state (CGST + SGST) and inter-state (IGST) transactions. Problems on input tax credit, manufacturing and retail chain calculations. Students must understand the tax invoice format and compute the final price including GST.

Banking: Recurring deposit accounts — calculation of maturity value using the formula. Problems involving monthly instalments, interest calculation, and comparison with simple deposits.

Shares and Dividends: Face value, market value, dividend, rate of return. Problems on purchasing shares, calculating dividend income, and finding the rate of return on investment. Understanding the difference between nominal value and market value is essential.

2. Algebra (~22 marks)

Linear Inequations: Solving linear inequations in one variable, representing solution sets on number lines. Algebraic and graphical solutions.

Quadratic Equations: Solving by factorisation, completing the square, and the quadratic formula. Nature of roots using discriminant. Word problems leading to quadratic equations.

Ratio and Proportion: Properties of proportion (componendo, dividendo, alternendo, invertendo). Applying properties to solve algebraic problems.

Remainder and Factor Theorems: Finding remainders when polynomials are divided by linear expressions. Using the factor theorem to factorise cubic polynomials.

Matrices: Order, equality, addition, subtraction, multiplication of matrices (up to 2x2). Solving matrix equations.

Arithmetic and Geometric Progressions: nth term and sum of n terms for AP and GP. Word problems involving sequences.

3. Coordinate Geometry (~8 marks)

Reflection: Reflection of points in the x-axis, y-axis, and origin. Finding images and invariant points.

Section and Mid-Point Formula: Internal division of a line segment. Finding coordinates of points dividing a line in a given ratio. Centroid of a triangle.

Equation of a Line: Slope-intercept form, point-slope form, two-point form. Finding the equation of a line parallel or perpendicular to a given line.

4. Geometry (~18 marks)

Similarity: AA, SAS, SSS similarity criteria. BPT (Basic Proportionality Theorem) and its converse. Areas of similar triangles.

Loci: Definition and construction of loci. Locus of a point equidistant from two points, two intersecting lines. Intersection of loci.

Circles: Properties of chords, arcs, and cyclic quadrilaterals. Tangent properties — tangent is perpendicular to radius at point of contact. Angle in alternate segment.

Constructions: Construction of tangents to a circle, circumscribed and inscribed circles of triangles. Construction involving mean proportional.

5. Mensuration (~8 marks)

Surface area and volume of cylinders, cones, spheres, and hemispheres. Combined solids — problems involving conversion of shapes (e.g., melting a cone into a sphere). Frustum of a cone.

6. Trigonometry (~8 marks)

Trigonometric Identities: Proving identities using sin, cos, tan, sec, cosec, cot. Complementary angle relations.

Heights and Distances: Angle of elevation and depression. Problems involving two objects, buildings, towers, and finding heights/distances using trigonometric ratios.

7. Statistics & Probability (~8 marks)

Statistics: Mean (direct, assumed mean, step-deviation methods), median (using ogive), mode. Grouped frequency distributions. Drawing and interpreting ogives (cumulative frequency curves).

Probability: Classical definition, sample space, events, mutually exclusive events. Problems on coins, dice, cards, and real-world scenarios.

Exam Pattern 2026-27

Component	Details	Marks
Section I	Compulsory short-answer questions covering all units	40 marks
Section II	Answer 4 out of 6 long-answer questions	40 marks
Internal Assessment	Periodic tests, project work, assignments	20 marks
Total		100 marks

Prescribed Textbooks

• Understanding ICSE Mathematics Class X — M.L. Aggarwal (APC Publications)
• Concise Mathematics Class 10 — Selina Publishers (R.K. Bansal)
• Frank ISC Mathematics — Frank Brothers — used by some schools as supplementary
• CISCE specimen papers and previous years' board papers for exam practice

Preparation Tips

1. Master the formula sheet — Create a single-page formula sheet covering all units. Revise it daily. Knowing formulas by heart saves time in the exam.
2. Focus on Algebra first — With ~22 marks, Algebra is the highest-weightage unit. Ensure you can solve quadratic equations, AP/GP problems, and matrix operations confidently.
3. Practise constructions with precision — Use a sharp pencil and compass. Marks are deducted for inaccurate constructions. Practise at least 10 construction problems before the exam.
4. Solve 10 previous years' papers — ICSE Mathematics follows a predictable pattern. Solving past papers builds speed and identifies weak areas.
5. Don't skip Commercial Maths — GST, banking, and shares are straightforward scoring sections. Many students focus on algebra and geometry but neglect these easy marks.
6. Draw diagrams for geometry and mensuration — Always draw a labelled diagram before solving. It prevents errors and helps the examiner follow your working.
7. Time management — Section I is compulsory and should be completed in 50-60 minutes. Allocate 20-25 minutes per question in Section II.