Social Science — Syllabus & Chapters

The complete syllabus for Social Science — every chapter you need to study, and how the exam paper is structured.

What you will study (chapters)

Chapter 1: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe
Chapter 2: Nationalism in India
Chapter 3: The Making of a Global World
Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation
Chapter 5: Print Culture and the Modern World
Chapter 6: Power Sharing
Chapter 7: Federalism
Chapter 8: Gender, Religion and Caste
Chapter 9: Political Parties
Chapter 10: Outcomes of Democracy
Chapter 11: Resources and Development
Chapter 12: Forest and Wildlife Resources
Chapter 13: Water Resources
Chapter 14: Agriculture
Chapter 15: Mineral and Energy Resources
Chapter 16: Manufacturing Industries
Chapter 17: Lifelines of National Economy
Chapter 18: Development
Chapter 19: Sectors of the Indian Economy
Chapter 20: Money and Credit
Chapter 21: Globalization and the Indian Economy

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters are there in Social Science?

The Social Science syllabus has 21 chapters, listed in full above. Cover the high-weightage chapters first using the exam pattern as a guide.

How do I know which Social Science chapters carry the most marks?

Compare the chapter list above with the exam pattern and the last few years of question papers — the topics that appear most often and the units with the highest marks are where to focus first. Always confirm weightage against the official syllabus for your exam year.

Has the Social Science syllabus changed this year?

Boards occasionally revise the syllabus or remove topics for a session. Always download the official syllabus for your exact exam year from the official CBSE portal rather than relying on an older copy or a social-media list.

How can I prepare for Social Science faster?

Begin with the most-frequently-asked topics and the last few years of question papers, then test yourself under timed conditions. If you want guided help, you can use the free AI study tutor for Social Science — practise past-paper questions and get instant feedback — or a focused Social Science study guide that condenses the syllabus into the topics that matter most — both are free to start.