ICSE Class 10 History & Civics Book – Chapter List, PDF & Exam Guide

History & Civics is a compulsory Group I subject for all ICSE Class 10 students. The paper is divided into two sections — History (Ancient, Medieval, and Modern India along with World History) and Civics (the Indian Constitution and its institutions). The most widely used textbook for this subject is Total History & Civics for ICSE Class 10 by Morning Star, though many schools also follow the Prachi and Cordova editions. Below you will find the complete chapter list as per the CISCE syllabus 2025-26, along with chapter-wise PDF links and solutions. This comprehensive guide covers everything about icse class 10 history civics book for the 2026-27 session.

The ICSE Class 10 History & Civics paper carries 80 marks externally and 20 marks internally. You need a minimum of 33% to pass. With the right chapter focus and consistent practice of past papers, scoring above 70 is very achievable.

ICSE Class 10 History Civics Book — ICSE Class 10 History & Civics – Complete Chapter List

The syllabus is split into Part I – Civics and Part II – History. Civics covers the structure and functions of India’s government, while History spans the rise of nationalism, the First World War, and post-independence India. Here is the full chapter breakdown:

Part I – Civics

Part II – History

Always verify chapter names against your school’s prescribed edition. The CISCE syllabus document available on cisce.org is the authoritative reference for what is examinable.

Recommended Reference Books for ICSE Class 10 History & Civics

Your school will prescribe one main textbook. However, using a good reference book alongside it can significantly improve your answer quality, especially for structured questions and map-based items.

Teacher tip: Don’t buy every reference book. Use one main textbook thoroughly, then supplement with past papers from the last 10 years. CISCE specimen papers are more valuable than any guide book.

Looking for chapter-wise solved answers? Browse our Selina Solutions › Class 10 › History Civics complete Selina History & Civics solutions for Class 10.

Exam Weightage and Marking Scheme

The ICSE Class 10 History & Civics examination is worth 100 marks total — 80 marks from the written board exam and 20 marks from internal assessment (project work and assignments assessed by your school). You need 33% overall to pass.

Written Paper Structure (80 Marks)

Total exam duration: 2 hours. Section A is compulsory — students must attempt all questions in it. In Sections B and C, read all options before choosing, as some questions may seem similar but carry very different mark allocations.

Internal Assessment (20 Marks)

• Project work on a historical or civics topic prescribed by your school
• Assessed by your subject teacher
• Submitted before the board exam
• Marks are moderated by CISCE

Important Topics to Focus On for ICSE Class 10 History & Civics

Based on the frequency of questions in CISCE board papers over the past several years, these are the topics that consistently appear and carry the most marks:

High-Priority Civics Topics

• Lok Sabha vs. Rajya Sabha: Differences in composition, powers, and functions — a classic compare-and-contrast question
• Powers of the President: Legislative, executive, financial, and emergency powers — learn them with examples
• Role of the Prime Minister: Relationship with the President and Cabinet — 5-mark questions appear frequently
• Original vs. Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court: Definitions and examples are asked almost every year
• Writ Jurisdiction: Names and meanings of all five writs (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Certiorari, Prohibition, Quo Warranto)

High-Priority History Topics

• Causes of World War I: MAIN factors (Militarism, Alliance System, Imperialism, Nationalism) — structure your answer using these headings
• Rise of Hitler and Nazism: Reasons for Hitler’s rise and key policies — 8-10 mark questions appear regularly
• Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22): Causes, programme, and why Gandhi withdrew it — very frequently asked
• Civil Disobedience Movement: Dandi March, Salt Satyagraha — dates and significance matter
• Role of the UN Security Council: Permanent members, veto power, and functions
• Partition and Independence (1947): Mountbatten Plan, key figures, and immediate aftermath

Practical Exam Tips from an ICSE Teacher

• In Section A, use bullet points and numbered lists — examiners award marks for specific points, not long paragraphs
• For 5-mark and 8-mark questions in Sections B and C, write a brief introduction, then present 4-5 distinct points with explanations
• Never repeat the same point in different words — each point must be genuinely different to earn a mark
• For Civics questions, always refer to constitutional articles where you know them (e.g., Article 352 for National Emergency)
• Attempt Section A first. It is compulsory and covers the most ground — finishing it confidently sets the pace for the rest of the paper
• Practice writing timed answers. You have 2 hours for 80 marks — that is roughly 1.5 minutes per mark

For chapter-by-chapter solved exercises, visit our Icse Books › Class 10 complete ICSE Class 10 books page or go directly to the Selina Solutions › Class 10 Selina solutions hub.

You can also check the official ICSE Class 10 syllabus for History & Civics on cisce.org to confirm which topics fall within the examinable scope for your year.

How to Study History & Civics Effectively for ICSE Class 10

History and Civics is a writing-heavy paper. Students who score well are not necessarily those who have memorised the most — they are students who can write structured, point-based answers quickly and accurately under exam conditions.

Spend the first half of your revision understanding and organising content by chapter. Create a one-page summary for each chapter with causes, events, personalities, and dates. For Civics, make comparison charts (e.g., Lok Sabha vs. Rajya Sabha, President vs. Prime Minister). These summaries become invaluable during your final week of revision.

In the last two weeks before the exam, shift entirely to past paper practice. Download at least 5 years of ICSE board papers and the official CISCE specimen paper. Mark your own answers against the marking scheme — this teaches you exactly what examiners are looking for.

See our Icse Previous Year Papers › Class 10 › History Civics ICSE Class 10 History & Civics previous year papers page for downloadable PDFs going back 10 years.