ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Book: Chapters, Syllabus & Solutions
The ICSE Class 10 Chemistry book covers a wide range of topics — from periodic properties and chemical bonding to organic chemistry and metallurgy. The most widely used textbook for this subject is Concise Chemistry Class 10 by Selina Publishers, which is aligned with the CISCE syllabus. Whether you are looking for chapter-wise PDFs, solutions, or exam preparation tips, this page covers everything you need.
Chemistry in ICSE Class 10 carries a total of 100 marks — 80 marks from the external written exam and 20 marks from internal assessment (practicals and project work). You need at least 33% in each component to pass, as per CISCE norms.
ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Syllabus Overview (2026-27)
As per the official CISCE syllabus for 2026-27 (no reductions have been made), the Chemistry paper is divided into two sections in the external exam. Section I contains compulsory short-answer questions covering the entire syllabus. Section II offers a choice of questions from specific topics.
| Component | Marks | Details |
|---|---|---|
| External Written Exam | 80 | 2-hour paper; two sections (compulsory + optional) |
| Internal Assessment | 20 | Practicals, lab records, project work |
| Total | 100 | Passing: 33% in each component |
The ICSE 2026 examinations were held from February 17 to March 30, 2026. For accurate exam dates and updates for 2027, always refer to cisce.org.
ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Book – Full Chapter List
Below is the complete chapter list from the Selina Concise Chemistry textbook for Class 10, mapped to the CISCE syllabus. Each chapter includes a one-line description and a link to download the PDF.
| Ch # | Chapter Name & Topics | Download | Solutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Periodic Table, Periodic Properties and Variations of Properties Covers the modern periodic table, periods and groups, and trends in atomic size, ionisation energy, electron affinity, and electronegativity. |
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| 2 | Chemical Bonding Explains ionic bonds, covalent bonds, coordinate bonds, and how the nature of bonding affects physical properties of compounds. |
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| 3 | Acids, Bases and Salts Discusses properties of acids and bases, the pH scale, neutralisation reactions, and preparation and uses of important salts. |
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| 4 | Analytical Chemistry – Use of Ammonium Hydroxide and Sodium Hydroxide Focuses on identifying metal ions in solution using NaOH and NH₄OH through characteristic colour changes and precipitates. |
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| 5 | Mole Concept and Stoichiometry Introduces the mole, Avogadro’s number, molar mass, and how to balance equations and perform stoichiometric calculations. |
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| 6 | Electrolysis Explains the process of electrolysis, electrolytes, electrodes, and industrial applications like electroplating and extraction of metals. |
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| 7 | Metallurgy Covers the extraction of metals from their ores, the reactivity series, and processes such as roasting, smelting, and refining. |
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| 8 | Study of Compounds – Hydrogen Chloride Details the preparation, properties, and reactions of hydrogen chloride gas and hydrochloric acid, including its salt-forming reactions. |
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| 9 | Study of Compounds – Ammonia Covers the laboratory and industrial (Haber Process) preparation of ammonia, its properties, and uses as a fertiliser and refrigerant. |
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| 10 | Study of Compounds – Nitric Acid Explains the Ostwald Process for nitric acid preparation, its oxidising properties, and reactions with metals and non-metals. |
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| 11 | Sulphuric Acid Discusses the Contact Process, concentrated vs dilute H₂SO₄, its dehydrating and oxidising properties, and industrial importance. |
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| 12 | Organic Chemistry Introduces carbon compounds, homologous series, nomenclature, and the properties and reactions of alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. |
Recommended Reference Books for ICSE Class 10 Chemistry
While the Selina Concise Chemistry textbook is the primary resource, these additional books are commonly used by students and teachers for deeper practice and understanding:
- Concise Chemistry Class 10 – Selina Publishers (primary textbook, CISCE-aligned)
- S. Chand’s ICSE Chemistry – R.D. Madan (useful for concept clarity and extra questions)
- Frank Modern Certificate Chemistry – A.K. Singh (good for additional practice problems)
- Together With Chemistry – Rachel Minney Pillai (popular for revision and past paper practice)
- CISCE Specimen Papers (available on cisce.org — essential for understanding the exam pattern)
Note: NCERT does not publish books for ICSE. The books listed above are from publishers prescribed or recommended for ICSE students. Do not confuse NCERT textbooks with ICSE material.
👉 See the complete list of all subjects: Icse Books › Class 10
Exam Weightage: Which Chapters Are Most Important?
Based on past ICSE papers and the current CISCE syllabus, the following chapters carry higher marks and appear consistently in Section II of the exam:
| Chapter / Topic | Importance Level | Commonly Tested Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Mole Concept & Stoichiometry | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very High | Numerical problems, molar mass calculations |
| Electrolysis | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very High | Electrode reactions, electroplating, Faraday’s laws |
| Periodic Table & Properties | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High | Trends, periodic law, element positions |
| Organic Chemistry | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High | Homologous series, reactions of alkenes |
| Study of Compounds (HCl, NH₃, HNO₃, H₂SO₄) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High | Preparation methods, reactions, industrial processes |
| Analytical Chemistry | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate | Salt analysis, colour of precipitates |
| Metallurgy | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate | Extraction processes, reactivity series |
| Chemical Bonding | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate | Electron dot diagrams, bond types |
Teacher’s Tip: Mole Concept and Electrolysis together account for a significant portion of numerical marks in Section II. If you are short on time, prioritise these two chapters along with the Study of Compounds for descriptive questions.
Important Topics to Focus on in Each Chapter
Mole Concept (Chapter 5)
- Relationship between mole, mass, and volume at STP
- Avogadro’s number (6.022 × 10²³) and its applications
- Solving problems based on balanced chemical equations
- Percentage composition and empirical vs molecular formula
Electrolysis (Chapter 6)
- Difference between electrolytic and metallic conduction
- Products at anode and cathode for different electrolytes (e.g., molten NaCl, dilute H₂SO₄, CuSO₄ solution)
- Electroplating — process and practical applications
- Faraday’s Laws of Electrolysis (qualitative understanding)
Organic Chemistry (Chapter 12)
- Structural formula and IUPAC naming of simple compounds
- Reactions of alkenes: addition reactions (H₂, HCl, Cl₂, H₂O)
- Distinction tests between alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes
- Isomerism (structural) — concept and examples
Study of Compounds
- Balanced equations for all preparation reactions
- Industrial processes: Haber (NH₃), Ostwald (HNO₃), Contact (H₂SO₄)
- Conditions required: temperature, pressure, catalyst for each process
- Reactions of concentrated H₂SO₄ as dehydrating and oxidising agent
📌 For step-by-step worked solutions to every exercise: Selina Solutions › Class 10 › Chemistry
How to Study ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Effectively
Chemistry is a subject that rewards students who understand why a reaction happens, not just memorise the equation. Here are practical tips that actually help:
- Write equations by hand. ICSE examiners give marks for balanced equations with correct state symbols. Practise writing at least 10 equations daily in the last month.
- Make a colour-coded salt analysis chart. For Chapter 4, write the metal ion, the reagent, and the colour of the precipitate in a table. Pin it where you study.
- Solve numericals without a calculator. ICSE does not allow calculators. Practise mole concept problems with pen and paper to build speed.
- Use the specimen paper structure. Section I is 40 marks of short questions — never leave blanks here. Section II allows you to choose, so pick the chapters you are strongest in.
- Revise industrial processes as flow diagrams. Drawing the Contact Process or Haber Process as a diagram helps you remember conditions (temperature, pressure, catalyst) far better than reading prose.
For all ICSE Class 10 subject books, notes, and solutions, visit: Icse Books
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Selina Concise Chemistry Class 10 is the most widely used and CISCE-aligned textbook for ICSE Class 10 Chemistry. Most teachers follow it chapter by chapter. For extra practice, S. Chand’s ICSE Chemistry by R.D. Madan or Frank Modern Certificate Chemistry are good supplementary options.
The Selina Concise Chemistry textbook for Class 10 contains 12 chapters, covering topics from Periodic Table and Chemical Bonding to Organic Chemistry and the Study of Compounds like HCl, Ammonia, Nitric Acid, and Sulphuric Acid — all mapped to the CISCE syllabus.
ICSE Class 10 Chemistry is marked out of 100 — 80 marks come from the external written exam (2-hour paper with two sections) and 20 marks from internal assessment (practicals, lab records, and project work). A minimum of 33% is required in each component to pass, as per CISCE guidelines.
Mole Concept and Stoichiometry (Chapter 5) and Electrolysis (Chapter 6) are consistently high-weightage chapters because they involve numerical problems. The Study of Compounds (Chapters 8–11) and Organic Chemistry (Chapter 12) are equally important for descriptive questions in Section II of the exam.
No, NCERT does not publish books for ICSE students. ICSE uses textbooks from private publishers like Selina, Frank, and S. Chand, which are specifically written to match the CISCE syllabus. Always use the Selina Concise Chemistry book or another CISCE-approved text, not NCERT.