History Civics Geography Previous Year Question Papers

This page provides class 10 history civics geography previous year question papers as direct PDF downloads. You get 8 papers from 2017 to 2023, covering both HCG Paper 1 (History & Civics) and HCG Paper 2 (Geography), along with exam-pattern guidance for each. These are the actual exam papers, hosted here for ICSE students preparing for the board exam.

Download ICSE Class 10 History Civics Question Papers PDF

These are the 8 question papers PDFs hosted on icseboard.org for ICSE Class 10 History Civics, organised by subject. Each section below explains what those papers cover before the download table.

This group contains 8 History, Civics and Geography (HCG) question papers from 2017 to 2023, including both the standard HCG papers and a Thailand variant. Paper 1 covers History and Civics as an 80-mark, two-hour exam with a compulsory Part I (30 marks) and a Part II (50 marks) where students attempt five questions. Paper 2 covers Geography with the same 80-mark, two-hour format, including Survey of India Map Sheet work. Students use these papers to practice the real exam structure, time management, and question selection.

What These History, Civics and Geography Papers Cover

The 8 PDFs in the table span two separate subjects within the ICSE History, Civics and Geography (HCG) group. Paper 1 covers History and Civics together, while Paper 2 covers Geography. Each paper follows a fixed structure that the board has used consistently across these years.

Paper 1 (History & Civics) is an 80-mark, two-hour exam. It splits into Part I (30 marks), which is compulsory, and Part II (50 marks), where you choose five questions. In Part II, you attempt two out of three questions from Section A (Civics) and three out of five from Section B (History). The 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2023 papers all follow this exact structure.

Paper 2 (Geography) is also an 80-mark, two-hour exam. You attempt seven questions in total. Part I is compulsory, and you choose five questions from Part II. The paper includes Survey of India Map Sheet work and 20 cm of twine for measurement tasks. The 2017 paper used Map Sheet No. 45D/10, the 2018 paper used No. 45D/7, and the 2019 and 2020 papers returned to No. 45D/10.

The table also includes a Thailand variant (HGT Paper 1) from 2023, which follows the same 80-mark, two-hour format as the standard HCG Paper 1 but uses questions adapted for ICSE students in Thailand.

How to Use These Previous Year Papers for Exam Preparation

Working through past papers is useful only if you simulate real exam conditions. Download a paper, set a timer for two hours, and write your answers on a separate sheet without checking the textbook. After the time runs out, compare your answers against your notes and the marking scheme.

• Start with Part I: The compulsory section carries 30 marks and tests short-answer recall. Practice these first to secure your base score.
• Time your Part II choices: You have five questions to attempt in roughly 90 minutes. Spend no more than 18 minutes per question.
• Practice map work separately: The Geography paper requires you to interpret a Survey of India map. Use the map sheets from 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 to practice reading grid references, contours and scale.
• Review question patterns: Notice which topics appear every year. If a topic shows up in 2017, 2019 and 2023, it is a high-priority area for your revision.

For broader study material, you can also review the ICSE Class 10 resources and the Class 10 book list on our site. The official board page at cisce.org posts syllabus updates and exam notifications.

Topics That Recur Across the 2017–2023 Papers

By comparing the question stems across the available years, you can identify which topics the board tests repeatedly. The excerpts from the actual papers show clear patterns.

In the 2023 Paper 1, Question 1 of Part I changed to a 16-mark multiple-choice format, asking students to select correct answers from given options without copying the questions. This is a shift from the short-answer style seen in 2017 through 2020, where each sub-question carried 1 mark. The Thailand variant from 2023 follows the same MCQ structure but adapts questions to the Thai constitutional context, such as asking about the King as Head of State.

How Marking Works: What a 1-Mark vs 10-Mark Answer Needs

The mark tags in brackets [ ] tell you exactly how much depth an answer requires. Matching your answer length to the marks prevents you from over-writing on a 1-mark question and under-writing on a 10-mark question.

• [1] mark questions (Part I, 2017–2020): State one fact, name, or definition. Write one sentence. Example: “Name the bill that cannot originate in the Rajya Sabha” requires only the bill’s name.
• [16] mark MCQ block (Part I, 2023): Write only the correct option letter or answer. Do not copy the question.
• Part II questions (typically 10–12 marks each): Structure your answer with an introduction, body points, and a conclusion. Use headings or numbered points for clarity. A 10-mark History answer should cover causes, events, and consequences.

Common Mistakes Students Make With These Papers

• Skipping the map work practice: The Geography paper supplies a Survey of India Map Sheet. Students who have never practiced reading contour lines and grid references lose marks here. Download the 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 Geography papers and practice with each map sheet.
• Ignoring the 15-minute reading time: The instructions state you cannot write during the first 15 minutes. Use this time to read all questions and decide which Part II questions you will attempt. Students who start writing immediately often choose poorly.
• Not following the serial order: The Geography paper notes that all sub-sections of attempted questions must be answered in correct serial order. Jumping around loses marks even if the content is correct.
• Over-attempting questions: Paper 1 requires exactly five questions from Part II — two from Section A and three from Section B. Attempting extra questions wastes time and does not earn bonus marks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many previous year question papers are available for download?

There are 8 PDFs in the download table, covering HCG Paper 1 (History & Civics) and HCG Paper 2 (Geography) from 2017 to 2023, including a Thailand variant from 2023.

What is the duration and marks for the ICSE Class 10 History & Civics paper?

Each HCG Paper 1 is an 80-mark exam with a time allowance of two hours. The first 15 minutes are for reading only. The same format applies to the 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2023 papers, including the Thailand variant.

What is the format of the Geography paper?

HCG Paper 2 (Geography) is an 80-mark, two-hour exam. You attempt seven questions in total: all of Part I (compulsory) and five from Part II. The paper includes a Survey of India Map Sheet and 20 cm of twine for measurement tasks.

Are these papers solved or do they include answer keys?

These are the original question papers, not solution sets. They are hosted as free, direct downloads with no signup required. You will need your textbook and class notes to check your answers.

What changed in the 2023 History & Civics paper format?

In 2023, Question 1 of Part I became a 16-mark multiple-choice section where students select correct answers from given options. From 2017 to 2020, Question 1 used short-answer sub-questions worth 1 mark each.

More ICSE study material on this site

• Class 10
• Class 10 Books
• ICSE Books PDF Free
• ICSE Books

Reference: CISCE-aligned ICSE Class 10 textbook material.