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: Kings and Kingdoms
Chapter 2: Delhi: 12th to 15th Century
Chapter 3: The Mughals (16th to 17th Century)
Chapter 4: Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities
Chapter 5: Devotional Paths to the Divine
Chapter 6: The Making of Regional Cultures
Chapter 7: Eighteenth-Century Political Formations
Chapter 8: Environment
Chapter 9: Inside Our Earth
Chapter 10: Our Changing Earth
Chapter 11: Air
Chapter 12: Water
Chapter 13: Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
Chapter 14: Human Environment – Settlement, Transport and Communication
Chapter 15: Human Environment Interactions - The Tropical and the Subtropical Region
Chapter 16: Life in the Temperate Grasslands
Chapter 17: Life in the Deserts
Chapter 18: Role of Government in Health
Chapter 19: How the State Government Works
Chapter 20: Growing Up as Boys and Girls
Chapter 21: Women Change the World
Chapter 22: Understanding Media
Chapter 23: Markets Around Us

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters are there in Social Science?

The Social Science syllabus has 23 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.