Which subject in SST carries the most marks?

All four subjects carry equal weightage: History (20 marks), Geography (20 marks), Political Science (20 marks), Economics (20 marks) = 80 marks total. However, Geography and Economics are considered easier to score in because they have more factual/data-based questions. History and Political Science require more detailed writing.

How to score 90+ in Social Science Class 10?

SST rewards writing quality and completeness: (1) Learn key dates, events, and definitions from NCERT. (2) Write in points, not paragraphs — easier for examiner to give marks. (3) Include map-based answers where relevant. (4) Practise previous year papers — SST questions repeat styles. (5) Use proper headings and subheadings in long answers.

Is NCERT enough for SST?

Absolutely — 100% of SST board questions come from NCERT. No reference book needed. Read every chapter at least twice. Pay special attention to: bold text, map activities, in-text questions, and chapter summaries. Even the 'Activities' section in NCERT has been tested.

How to prepare maps for SST?

Map work carries 5 marks (History maps + Geography maps). For History: mark locations of Indian National Congress sessions, important movements. For Geography: locate major dams, rivers, soil types, mineral deposits, industries. Practise on blank India maps daily for 15 minutes in the last month.

SST Important Questions Class 10 — 2026

CBSE Class 10 Social Science: 80 marks theory + 20 marks internal assessment. All four subjects (History, Geography, Civics, Economics) carry 20 marks each. SST is 100% NCERT-based — read every line, every map, every activity. Below are the most expected questions.

Marks Distribution

Subject	Marks	Chapters
History (India & Contemporary World II)	20	Nationalism in India, Nationalism in Europe, Industrialisation, Print Culture, Novels
Geography (Contemporary India II)	20	Resources, Forest & Wildlife, Water, Agriculture, Minerals, Manufacturing, Lifelines
Political Science (Democratic Politics II)	20	Power Sharing, Federalism, Democracy & Diversity, Gender/Religion/Caste, Political Parties, Outcomes of Democracy
Economics (Understanding Economic Development)	20	Development, Sectors of Economy, Money & Credit, Globalisation, Consumer Rights

History — Most Expected Questions

Nationalism in India (Most Important Chapter)

Question	Marks
Explain the Non-Cooperation Movement. Why was it called off?	5
Describe the Salt March (Dandi March). Why was salt chosen as a symbol?	5
How did different social groups participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement?	5
What was the Rowlatt Act? How did Indians respond to it?	3
Describe the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and its impact on the national movement.	3
What were the limitations of the Civil Disobedience Movement?	3
Why did Gandhiji decide to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement after Chauri Chaura?	3

Nationalism in Europe

Question	Marks
Describe the process of unification of Germany under Bismarck.	5
Describe the process of unification of Italy.	5
What was the role of culture in creating the idea of a nation? Give examples from Europe.	5
Who was Marianne and Germania? What was the importance of allegories?	3
What was the Treaty of Vienna 1815? What were its provisions?	3

Print Culture & The Modern World

Question	Marks
How did print culture create conditions for the French Revolution?	5
What was the impact of print on Indian society in the 19th century?	5
What were the measures taken by the British to control print in India?	3

SST chapter-wise practice

Super Tutor has chapter-wise Social Science questions for Class 10 — History, Geography, Civics, Economics with detailed answers.

Start SST Practice — Free

Geography — Most Expected Questions

Chapter	Expected Questions	Marks
Resources & Development	What is resource planning? Describe the 3 stages. Classify resources. What is sustainable development?	3–5
Forest & Wildlife	What is biodiversity? Why is it important? What are the causes of deforestation? Chipko Movement.	3–5
Water Resources	Why is water scarcity increasing? What are multi-purpose river valley projects? Name 3 dams and their rivers. Rainwater harvesting methods.	3–5
Agriculture	Types of farming in India. Describe cultivation of any 2 crops (rice, wheat, tea, cotton). What is Green Revolution? What is institutional reform in agriculture?	3–5
Minerals & Energy	Classify minerals. Where are iron ore deposits in India? Conventional vs non-conventional energy sources. Conservation of minerals.	3–5
Manufacturing Industries	Classify industries. Describe iron & steel or cotton textile industry. What factors affect industrial location? Impact of industries on environment.	3–5
Lifelines of National Economy	Importance of transport and communication. Types of roads. Golden Quadrilateral. Major seaports. Pipelines in India.	3–5

Political Science — Most Expected Questions

Chapter	Expected Questions	Marks
Power Sharing	Why is power sharing desirable? Give 2 reasons. Describe the power sharing arrangement in Belgium. What is the difference between horizontal and vertical power sharing?	3–5
Federalism	What makes India a federal country? What is the difference between 'coming together' and 'holding together' federations? Role of local self-government (Panchayati Raj).	3–5
Political Parties	What are the functions of political parties? Why do we need political parties? State party vs national party. Name 6 national parties and their symbols.	3–5
Outcomes of Democracy	How does democracy produce accountable and responsive government? Does democracy lead to economic growth? How does democracy reduce inequality and promote dignity?	3–5
Gender, Religion & Caste	What is communalism? How does caste affect politics in India? What are the ways in which women face discrimination in India?	3–5

Economics — Most Expected Questions

Chapter	Expected Questions	Marks
Development	What is development? Can different people have different goals? What is HDI? Compare development of 2 states using data. Income vs other criteria of development.	3–5
Sectors of Economy	What are primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors? Why has the tertiary sector become important? What is GDP? What is MGNREGA?	3–5
Money & Credit	What is the modern form of money? Functions of RBI. Formal vs informal sources of credit. What is SHG (Self Help Group)? Why do farmers fall into debt traps?	3–5
Globalisation	What is globalisation? Role of MNCs. What is WTO? How has liberalisation affected India? Fair globalisation — what is needed?	3–5
Consumer Rights	What are the rights of consumers? What is COPRA (Consumer Protection Act)? How can consumers file a complaint? What are RTI and its importance?	3–5

Map Work (5 marks)

Subject	Items to Mark on Map
History	Places of Indian National Movement: Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Amritsar (Jallianwala Bagh), Chauri Chaura, Dandi
Geography	Major dams (Bhakra Nangal, Sardar Sarovar, Hirakud, Nagarjuna Sagar), Iron ore mines, Coal mines, Major seaports, International airports, Software technology parks

Map tip: Practise on blank India maps daily. Use different coloured pens for different items. The map question is 5 easy marks — do not lose them.

Answer Writing Tips for SST

Write in points for 3-mark and 5-mark questions. Use bullet points or numbered lists.
Include specific examples: dates, names, places, data. Vague answers lose marks.
Use NCERT language for definitions and key concepts.
For 5-mark answers: write 5–6 distinct points + brief introduction + conclusion. Use full page.
For comparison questions: use table format (always scores higher than paragraph format).
Attempt all questions. SST has no negative marking. Even partial answers earn marks.

Questions based on CBSE Class 10 SST papers (2018–2025) and 2026 sample paper. All questions are from NCERT textbooks — India and the Contemporary World II, Contemporary India II, Democratic Politics II, Understanding Economic Development. Last updated: February 2026.

Social Science Important Questions Class 10 CBSE 2026 — Chapter Wise