CBSE Class 10 Social Science exam 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the Class 10 Social Science examination today, March 7, 2026. The exam was held from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm at centres across the country.The question paper followed the standard format. The theory paper carried 80 marks and included multiple choice questions (MCQs), short answer questions, long answer questions, case based questions and map work.Initial reactions gathered by TOI suggest the paper was moderate overall, though difficulty varied across sets.
Mixed reactions from students
Students who appeared for different sets of the question paper shared varied views on the difficulty level. Divya, a student of CM Shri School, Tukhmirpur, Karawal Nagar, New Delhi, said, she received Set 3 and found the paper somewhat challenging.“It was moderate to difficult but I majorly found it to be difficult,” she told TOI after the exam.Another student, Naman from Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Tukhmirpur, said he received Set 1 and found the paper easier.“It was easy,” he told TOI.Another student, Bhumika Nandni from Government Girls Senior Secondary School (GGSSS), Sonia Vihar, said the History section was lengthy. Her exam centre was Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Shri Ram Colony, Khajoori Khas, Delhi.“Section 1 of History was lengthy and tough but the map work was easy. The objective type questions were also easy,” she told TOI.A student from Andheri, Mumbai also said that the paper as moderate overall. She received Set 2. “The paper was moderate in difficulty. The MCQs were difficult but the writing paper was easy,” she said.Aryan Bairathi, a Grade 10 student of Shiv Nadar School, Noida, said some questions were familiar. “The paper felt easy as many questions, especially the long answers in Geography and Economics, were similar to those in the pre board paper,” he said.
Teachers share analysis
Teachers who reviewed the question paper said it aligned with the syllabus and followed the expected pattern.“The Social Science paper was balanced and of moderate difficulty level. The questions were in accordance with the prescribed syllabus,” said Kanu Chopra, and Suparna Sharma, Head of Department, Social Science at Delhi Public School (DPS), Sector 45, Gurugram.They also said the paper allowed students to present their understanding of the subject.“The subjective questions were generally straightforward and based on the NCERT textbook. Overall, the paper gave students a fair opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the subject,” they told TOI.Vaishali Singh, Head of Department, Social Science at Global Indian International School, Noida, said the exam followed the prescribed structure. “The Grade 10 Social Science Board Examination conducted today was easy but little tricky in its level of difficulty. The question paper followed the prescribed format and presented questions from all sections of the syllabus,” she said.“It allowed students of different ability levels to attempt the paper with confidence. All four sections were clear and well structured. Students were able to complete the paper within the given time,” she added.Vice Principal Mena Mittle of Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, told TOI that the exam required conceptual understanding. “The CBSE Class 10 Social Science examination received a mixed response from students. The paper was largely based on NCERT concepts and required analytical thinking,” she said.“The paper followed the competency based pattern with objective, assertion reasoning, case based and descriptive questions. The difficulty level varied across sets. Most students were able to attempt the paper within the given time,” she added.Kritika Komal, Educator for Senior Years at Shiv Nadar School, Noida, also said students were able to complete the exam on time. “The paper was easy across sections and students were able to complete it comfortably within the allotted time,” she said.Gaurav Singh, Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) Social Science at Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Lucknow, said the paper followed the syllabus and exam pattern. “The question paper was of moderate difficulty level and followed the prescribed syllabus. The objective section included direct and concept based questions,” he told TOI.“The short and long answer questions required conceptual understanding. Case study questions tested analytical skills and map based questions were manageable for prepared students,” he added.Praneet Mungali, Trustee at the Sanskriti Group of Schools in Pune, said the question paper had a mix of easy and moderate questions.“The question paper was of moderate difficulty level. Short and long answers were easy for students who had studied from NCERT textbooks,” he said. “A few MCQs were tricky and required careful reading. Case based questions were straightforward. Overall the paper was a fair mix of easy and moderate questions,” he added.He also pointed out a few issues in the question paper.“The map question had an error and the options for one MCQ were incorrect. A picture based question included an image not present in the textbook. It was of the new Parliament building, which students were likely able to identify,” he told TOI.
CBSE Class 10 Social Science question paper PDF
The CBSE Class 10 Social Science question paper 2026 PDF (SET-2 and 3) is provided below for students who want to review the questions and check their answers. This is a developing story. More detailed reactions from students and teachers will be added as they come in.
