NCERT Books Class 10 Science: Official PDFs & Chapters
Looking for the Official Class 10 Science Textbook?
Looking for the official, updated Class 10 Science textbook? We have verified and linked the exact edition prescribed by CBSE below. The NCERT Books Class 10 Science textbook is the official prescribed resource for CBSE board exams. All chapter PDFs listed here are verified on ncert.nic.in as of 9 July 2026 and match the CBSE 2026-27 curriculum.
Why verify the PDF date? NCERT occasionally updates chapters during rationalisation — topics may be removed or rewritten. Using an outdated PDF means studying content that no longer appears in the exam or missing revised explanations. This page links only to the current official editions, so you study what will actually be tested.
About the NCERT Class 10 Science Textbook
Official title: Science (Class 10) | Language: English | Total chapters: 13 | Total pages: ~230 | Curriculum status: Prescribed for CBSE 2026-27
| Ch. | Chapter | Pages | Official PDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemical Reactions and Equations | 16 | |
| 2 | Acids, Bases and Salts | 20 | |
| 3 | Metals and Non-metals | 21 | |
| 4 | Carbon and its Compounds | 21 | |
| 5 | Life Processes | 21 | |
| 6 | Control and Coordination | 13 | |
| 7 | How do Organisms Reproduce? | 15 | |
| 8 | Heredity | 6 | |
| 9 | Light – Reflection and Refraction | 27 | |
| 10 | The Human Eye and the Colourful World | 10 | |
| 11 | Electricity | 24 | |
| 12 | Magnetic Effects of Electric Current | 13 | |
| 13 | Our Environment | 10 |
The table above shows all 13 verified official chapter PDFs with their page counts. Each link opens the file directly from ncert.nic.in, the official NCERT portal. Download individual chapters or the full textbook depending on your needs.
Chapter-by-Chapter Overview
Here’s what each chapter covers at a glance, grouped by unit. Bold text highlights the core concepts you’ll encounter.
Unit I: Chemical Substances – Nature and Behaviour
- Chapter 1: Chemical Reactions and Equations — Learn to write and balance chemical equations, identify types of reactions (combination, decomposition, displacement, double displacement), and understand oxidation and reduction.
- Chapter 2: Acids, Bases and Salts — Explore the properties of acids and bases, understand the pH scale, and learn how neutralisation reactions produce salts.
- Chapter 3: Metals and Non-metals — Study the physical and chemical properties of metals and non-metals, their reactions with acids and bases, and the concept of reactivity series.
- Chapter 4: Carbon and its Compounds — Understand the bonding in carbon, properties of hydrocarbons, and the basics of organic chemistry including alcohols and carboxylic acids.
Unit II: World of Living
- Chapter 5: Life Processes — Learn the key life processes including nutrition, respiration, transportation, and excretion in plants and animals.
- Chapter 6: Control and Coordination — Understand how the nervous system and hormonal system regulate body functions and coordinate responses to stimuli.
- Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? — Explore asexual and sexual reproduction in plants and animals, including the human reproductive system.
- Chapter 8: Heredity — Understand the basics of genetics, Mendel’s laws of inheritance, and how traits pass from parents to offspring.
Unit III: Natural Phenomena
- Chapter 9: Light – Reflection and Refraction — Study the laws of reflection, properties of mirrors, refraction of light, and lens behaviour including focal length and power.
- Chapter 10: The Human Eye and the Colourful World — Learn the structure and function of the human eye, defects of vision, and the physics of dispersion of light and colour.
Unit IV: Effects of Current
- Chapter 11: Electricity — Understand electric current, potential difference, resistance, Ohm’s law, and the heating effect of current.
- Chapter 12: Magnetic Effects of Electric Current — Explore magnetic fields, electromagnets, the motor effect, and electromagnetic induction.
Unit V: Natural Resources
- Chapter 13: Our Environment — Study ecosystems, food chains and food webs, nutrient cycles, and environmental issues like pollution and conservation.
Unit-Wise Exam Weightage (CBSE 2026-27)
The CBSE Class 10 Science board exam is marked out of 100: 80 marks for theory and 20 marks for internal assessment (practical and project work). Here’s the exact distribution across units so you can prioritise your study time:
| Unit | Chapters Covered | Theory Marks | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit I: Chemical Substances – Nature and Behaviour | 1–4 | 25 | 25 |
| Unit II: World of Living | 5–8 | 25 | 25 |
| Unit III: Natural Phenomena | 9–10 | 12 | 12 |
| Unit IV: Effects of Current | 11–12 | 13 | 13 |
| Unit V: Natural Resources | 13 | 5 | 5 |
| Total Theory + Internal Assessment | 80 | 100 |
Source: CBSE Curriculum 2026-27, Secondary, Science (086). Units I and II together carry 50 marks — nearly half the exam — so allocate time accordingly.
How to Use This Textbook Alongside Your Revision
- Download strategically: Use the chapter table to download only the chapters you’re studying that week, or download all 13 at once if your device has enough storage. The full PDF is ~230 pages; individual chapter PDFs range from 6 to 27 pages.
- Follow the weightage: Spend more time on Units I and II (25 marks each) and less on Unit V (5 marks). The weightage table above shows you the exam’s priorities.
- Work through NCERT practice questions: After reading each chapter, attempt the exercises at the end (not provided here). Check your answers against official solutions to understand where you went wrong.
- Use diagrams as learning aids: The NCERT textbook includes labelled diagrams for reflection, refraction, plant and animal cells, the eye, circuits, and ecosystems. Redraw these diagrams by hand during revision — it helps you remember.
Where to Find Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in Class 10 Science
Class 10 Science integrates physics, chemistry, and biology into one textbook. Here’s the breakdown if you want to focus on a particular subject:
| Subject | Chapters | Approx Pages |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | 1–4 | ~78 |
| Biology | 5–8, 13 | ~73 |
| Physics | 9–12 | ~74 |
Download the full PDF to study all three subjects — this is the official approach. The board exam tests all three, so avoid gaps in any subject. If you’re weak in one area, download those specific chapters from the table above and give them extra time.
Downloading and Accessing the PDFs
- Locate the chapter in the table in the “About the NCERT Class 10 Science Textbook” section above and click the PDF link — it opens the official NCERT PDF hosted at ncert.nic.in.
- Save the file to your device: Use your browser’s “Save as” option or your PDF reader’s “Download” button. Choose a memorable folder name like “Class 10 Science” so you can find it again.
- Open in any PDF reader: Most phones, tablets, and computers have a built-in PDF reader. On a computer, you can also use free tools like Adobe Reader or your web browser.
- Bookmark the NCERT portal: Save the official NCERT textbooks portal to your browser so you can access all books and editions quickly.
Verification note: All PDFs are verified as of 9 July 2026 and are the latest official CBSE 2026-27 editions. Always use the official links provided here — never download from unverified third-party websites or aggregators, as they may host outdated or altered copies.
Common Mistakes: Why Using Outdated NCERT Editions Can Hurt Your Prep
Many students unknowingly download old versions of the NCERT textbook from unreliable websites. This can cost you marks because NCERT frequently revises chapters during a process called rationalisation. In rationalisation, NCERT removes outdated topics, rewrites explanations, or moves content to a different unit. If you’re studying from a 2023 or 2024 edition in 2026, you may be learning topics that no longer appear in the exam.
How to verify your edition is current: Check the PDF file properties or the first page. It should state the year or edition. Compare the chapter list with your school’s printed textbook — if the titles and order match exactly, your PDF is aligned with the curriculum. You can also check the official NCERT portal to confirm the latest available version.
Why the official NCERT link matters: The NCERT portal always hosts the current edition. When CBSE updates the curriculum, NCERT updates the textbook on that portal first. Using links from this page ensures you’re never more than a few weeks behind, and your prep stays aligned with what the examiners test.
Official Resources Alongside NCERT
To complement your textbook study, use these resources:
- Visit the Class 10 Science chapter notes and summaries on this site to quickly recap key points.
- Check the Class 10 CBSE exam pattern and weightage guide to understand the exact question format and how marks are distributed across question types.
- For the latest official CBSE curriculum updates and exam notices, visit the CBSE official website or the NCERT textbooks portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the latest NCERT Class 10 Science textbook for CBSE 2026-27?
Yes. All chapter PDFs listed on this page are verified on ncert.nic.in as of 9 July 2026 and are the official editions prescribed by CBSE for the 2026-27 academic session.
Can I download individual chapters or do I have to download the entire book?
Both options are available. The chapter table above lets you download any single chapter by clicking its PDF link. Alternatively, you can download all 13 chapters and save them in a folder on your device. Individual chapter downloads are useful if your internet is slow or your device storage is limited.
How many chapters are in the Class 10 Science NCERT textbook?
There are 13 chapters: 4 in chemistry (Chemical Reactions and Equations, Acids/Bases/Salts, Metals and Non-metals, Carbon and Compounds), 4 in biology (Life Processes, Control and Coordination, Reproduction, Heredity), and 5 in physics (Light – Reflection and Refraction, The Human Eye, Electricity, Magnetic Effects of Current) plus one chapter on the environment.
Which unit carries the most marks in the Class 10 Science board exam?
Units I (Chemical Substances) and II (World of Living) each carry 25 marks out of 80 theory marks — together, they account for 62.5% of the written exam. Allocate at least 60% of your study time to these two units.
Is NCERT enough to prepare for the Class 10 Science board exam?
Yes, NCERT is the official prescribed textbook and covers all topics tested by CBSE. However, supplement it with practice questions, past exam papers, and sample papers to strengthen problem-solving skills. Work through chapter-end exercises, attempt mock exams, and review common exam question types.
What is the difference between the current edition and older editions of NCERT Class 10 Science?
NCERT updates chapters periodically during rationalisation. Older editions (2023, 2024) may contain removed or rewritten topics. For example, certain subtopics may have been shifted, explanations updated with new diagrams, or content removed entirely. Using the outdated version means studying material that will not appear in your 2026-27 exam. Always verify the PDF is from the current edition by checking ncert.nic.in or comparing chapter titles with your school textbook.
Reference: NCERT Class 10 Science textbook, official edition on ncert.nic.in.