ICSE Class 10 History, Civics and Geography: Paper Pattern and Weightage

In ICSE, social science is History, Civics and Geography (HCG), examined as two papers: History and Civics, and Geography. The subject carries 80% external and 20% internal assessment. The ICSE syllabus lists topics but doesn't fix marks per chapter, so use the paper pattern and past papers to plan.

Paper Pattern

• History and Civics (HCG Paper 1) — 80 marks, 2 hours. Part I is compulsory short-answer questions from both History and Civics. In Part II you answer two of three Civics questions and three of five History questions.
• Geography (HCG Paper 2) — a separate paper that includes map work. Check CISCE's latest specimen paper for its current layout.
• Internal assessment — 20% of the subject, through project work assessed by your school.

CISCE revised the History and Civics and Geography syllabuses for the 2027 exam, so use the latest syllabus and specimen papers on cisce.org.

Chapter-Wise Important Questions

Since marks aren't fixed by chapter, cover every chapter. Each link opens that chapter's important questions on Super Tutor.

History and Civics

• The Union Legislature The Union Parliament
• The First War of Independence ( The Great Uprising of 1857)
• The Union Executive
• Factors Promoting The Growth of National and Foundation of The Indian National Congress
• The Prime Minister, Council of Ministers and The Cabinet
• Programme and Achievements of the Early Nationalists (Moderates)
• The Union Judiciary The Supreme Court
• The Partition of Bengal-The Rise of Assertive Radical Nationalism
• The State Judiciary The High Courts
• Formation of the Muslim League
• Subordinate Courts
• The National Movement (During the First World War)
• Mahatma Gandhi and the National Movement
• The National Movement (1935-42)-The Quit India Movement and the INA
• The Last Phase-Independence and Partition of India ( 1942-47)
• The First World War (1914-18)
• Rise of Dictatorship Fascism and Nazism
• The Second World War (1939-45)
• The United Nations
• Major Agencies of the United Nations Organisation
• The Non-Aligned Movement

Geography

• Interpretation of Topographical Maps-I
• Interpretation of Topographical Maps-II
• Location, Extent and Physical Features of India
• Climate of India
• Soil Resources in India
• Natural Vegetation
• Water Resources
• Mineral and Energy Resources I
• Mineral and Energy Resources II
• Agriculture in India - I: Introduction
• Agriculture in India - II: Food Crops
• Agriculture in India - III: Cash Crops
• Manufacturing Industries in India - I: Agro-based
• Manufacturing Industries in India - II: Mineral-based
• Transport
• Waste Management - Impact of Waste Accumulation
• Waste Generation nd Management- Methods of Safe Disposal of Waste

How to Plan Without a Weightage Table

1. Solve the latest specimen paper first — it shows the question types and how marks are split between them.
2. Go through past papers chapter by chapter — note which topics come up often, but don't drop the rest.
3. Secure the compulsory section — short questions from the whole syllabus reward broad revision.
4. Practise presentation — labelled diagrams, maps and well-organised answers earn marks in ICSE papers.