The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) is one of India’s most prestigious educational boards. The curriculum for ICSE Class 8 students is strategically designed to build conceptual clarity and analytical skills across all subjects. A thorough understanding of the syllabus is the first step toward scoring high marks in the ICSE Class 8 examinations (2025-26 academic year), typically conducted in March 2026.
ICSE Class 8 – Subjects Overview
ICSE Class 8 mandatory subjects include:
- Mathematics
- Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Social Studies (History, Civics, Geography)
- Computer Studies
- Art Education
- Two Languages – One compulsory English, and the second language chosen from Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, or any other official regional or foreign language (as per school).
ICSE Class 8 – Mathematics Syllabus (2025-26)
| Unit |
Topics |
| Number System |
Rational numbers; exponents and powers; squares and square roots; cubes and cube roots; real numbers. |
| Ratio and Proportion |
Ratio, proportion, unitary method; percentage; profit and loss; discount; simple and compound interest. |
| Algebra |
Algebraic expressions; operations on algebraic expressions; identities; linear equations in one variable; factorisation. |
| Geometry |
Understanding shapes – quadrilaterals, polygons; constructions; congruence of triangles; circle – properties and constructions. |
| Mensuration |
Area and perimeter of trapezium, rhombus, general quadrilaterals; surface area and volume of cube, cuboid, cylinder. |
| Data Handling |
Data collection and organisation; frequency distribution; bar graphs, histograms, pie charts; probability. |
ICSE Class 8 – Science Syllabus (2025-26)
Physics
| Unit |
Topics |
| Matter |
States of matter; kinetic theory; interconversion of states. |
| Physical Quantities and Measurement |
Measurement of physical quantities; density; relative density. |
| Force and Pressure |
Force – types and effects; turning effect; pressure in liquids and gases; atmospheric pressure. |
| Energy |
Forms of energy; kinetic and potential energy; conservation of energy; renewable and non-renewable energy. |
| Light Energy |
Reflection and refraction; mirrors and lenses; human eye; optical instruments. |
| Heat Transfer |
Conduction, convection, radiation; applications. |
| Sound |
Production and propagation; characteristics; reflection; noise pollution. |
| Electricity |
Electric circuits; conductors and insulators; cells and batteries; household electricity; safety measures. |
Chemistry
| Unit |
Topics |
| Matter |
Composition of matter; atoms and molecules; elements, compounds and mixtures. |
| Physical and Chemical Changes |
Types of changes; examples; applications in daily life. |
| Elements, Compounds and Mixtures |
Separation techniques; distillation; chromatography; fractional distillation. |
| Atomic Structure |
Structure of atom; protons, neutrons, electrons; atomic number and mass number. |
| Language of Chemistry |
Symbols and formulae; valency; writing chemical equations; balancing equations. |
| Chemical Reactions |
Types of reactions; combination, decomposition, displacement, double displacement. |
| Hydrogen |
Preparation, properties, uses; isotopes of hydrogen. |
| Water |
Properties; water as a solvent; hardness of water; methods of softening. |
| Carbon and its Compounds |
Allotropes of carbon; organic compounds; hydrocarbons; combustion. |
Biology
| Unit |
Topics |
| Transport of Food and Minerals in Plants |
Xylem and phloem; transpiration; absorption and translocation. |
| Reproduction in Plants and Animals |
Asexual and sexual reproduction; pollination; fertilization; human reproductive system. |
| Ecosystems |
Components of ecosystem; food chains and food webs; energy flow; ecological balance. |
| Human Body – Endocrine, Circulatory and Nervous Systems |
Endocrine glands and hormones; heart and blood circulation; neurons and nervous coordination. |
| Health and Hygiene |
Communicable and non-communicable diseases; prevention; personal and community hygiene. |
| Food Production |
Crop production; animal husbandry; poultry; fisheries; food preservation. |
ICSE Class 8 – Social Studies Syllabus (2025-26)
History – The Modern World
| Unit |
Topics |
| A Period of Transition |
Renaissance; Reformation; Industrial Revolution; impact on society. |
| The Growth of Nationalism |
Nationalism in Europe; unification of Italy and Germany. |
| India in the 18th Century |
Decline of Mughal Empire; rise of regional powers; Marathas, Sikhs, Jats. |
| Traders to Rulers |
Arrival of European trading companies; Anglo-French rivalry; British expansion. |
| British Policies and Impacts |
Economic, administrative, and social policies; impact on Indian society. |
| The Great Uprising of 1857 |
Causes, events, consequences; significance in Indian history. |
| Socio-Religious Reforms |
Reform movements in 19th century India; Raja Rammohan Roy, Dayanand Saraswati, etc. |
| India’s Struggle for Freedom |
Formation of Indian National Congress; Moderate and Extremist phases; Partition of Bengal; Swadeshi movement. |
Civics
| Unit |
Topics |
| The Three Main Organs of Indian Government |
Legislature – Parliament; Executive – President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers; Judiciary – Supreme Court, High Courts. |
| United Nations |
Formation, objectives, organs; specialized agencies; India and the UN. |
Geography
| Unit |
Topics |
| Representation of Geographical Features |
Maps and scales; contours; topographical sheets. |
| Population Dynamics |
Population distribution, density, growth; factors affecting population. |
| Migration |
Types of migration; causes and consequences; brain drain. |
| Urbanisation |
Growth of cities; problems of urbanisation; sustainable cities. |
| Natural and Man-made Disasters |
Earthquakes, floods, cyclones, droughts; industrial accidents; disaster management. |
| Asia: The Largest Continent |
Physical features, climate, natural vegetation, wildlife, human life. |
| India: Geographical Features |
Location, physiographic divisions, climate, soils, natural vegetation. |
| India – Human Resources |
Population distribution; literacy; occupational structure; human development. |
ICSE Class 8 – English Syllabus (2025-26)
Listening and Speaking
- Listen to various texts from different genres and registers – stories, poems, narratives, lectures, speeches for aural/written comprehension.
- Listen and comprehend issues/topics raised in spoken texts – speech, lecture, discourse, debate, discussion, group discussions.
- Use of graphics, images, music, sound and visual displays in presentations.
- Analyse and evaluate the use of language in different contexts – newspapers, television, billboards, advertising campaigns.
- Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks – tone, gestures, stress, facial expressions, body language, voice modulation, choice of words.
- Collect and collate ideas and seek clarification to keep discussions relevant.
- Use multimedia to make presentations on issues and social messages – drug abuse, values, life skills.
Reading
- Literary and non-literary texts on a wide range of themes covering different genres and registers.
- Themes may include: Self, Family, Home, Friends; Neighbourhood and Community; The Nation – diversity (sociocultural, religious, ethnic, linguistic), heritage, myths, legends, folktales; The World – India’s neighbours and other countries (their cultures, literature, customs); Adventure and Imagination; Issues relating to Adolescence; Science and Technology; Peace and Harmony; Travel and Tourism; Mass Media; Art and Culture; Health and Sanitation; Famous Personalities & Achievers; Environmental concerns – water conservation, cleanliness and sanitation, safety, conservation of energy, sustainable development.
- Extensive and intensive reading of texts for comprehension and inference.
- Focus on choice of vocabulary, figurative language, tone and mood.
- Deconstruct the textual piece to understand – central theme, point of view, character, plot, dialogue/incident, structure, suspense, humour.
- Evaluate and analyse the text from the point of view of its production – drama, film content.
Writing
- Paragraph (250-300 words)
- Letter – formal and informal
- Advertisement
- Diary and Journal
- Notice and Poster
- Articles
- Report
- Personal narrative and Anecdote
- Story and Poem
- Feature and Dialogues
- Write across disciplines
- Use of technology as a resource to enhance research work
- Process approach to writing – planning, writing, revising, editing, rewriting
Grammar and Vocabulary in Context
- Phrases and clauses and their function in specific sentences.
- Sentence Analysis: Main clause and subordinate clause(s).
- Sentence transformation – simple to complex/compound sentences.
- Use phrases, idioms, and figures of speech in context.
English Literature – Recommended Reading List
- Lord of the Flies – William Golding
- A Wizard of Earth Sea – Ursula Le Guin
- The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkien
- Watership Down – Richard Adams
- To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
- The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas – John Boyne
- A Tale of Two Cities – Charles Dickens
- Les Miserables – Victor Hugo (Abridged)
- Sherlock Holmes – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway
- The Pearl – John Steinbeck
- P.G. Wodehouse (Jeeves / Blandings Castle etc.)
- The Ramayana / Mahabharata – C. Rajagopalachari
- Graphic Novels (e.g., Maus – Art Spiegelman)
- David Copperfield – Charles Dickens
ICSE Class 8 – Hindi Syllabus (2025-26)
सुनना और बोलना
- अपनी कक्षा के स्तर की शब्दावली
- पी.पी.टी. या वीडियो द्वारा प्रस्तुत दृश्य सामग्री
- सूचनाएँ, जानकारियाँ, विभिन्न प्रकार की तालिकाएँ
- विभिन्न संदर्भों : सामाजिक, सांस्कृतिक, ऐतिहासिक, राजनीतिक आदि की भाषा
- समाचार-पत्र, टीवी, विज्ञापन, आदि की भाषा
- परिचर्चा, भाषण, वाद-विवाद, कहानी आदि में प्रयुक्त भाषा
- मल्टी-मीडिया का प्रयोग करते समय विभिन्न अंगों (ग्राफ़िक्स, तस्वीरें, संगीत, ध्वनि आदि) की दृश्य सामग्री में प्रस्तुति
- विषय: किसी वाद्ययंत्र पर, ऐतिहासिक इमारत, ऐतिहासिक स्थल, किसी प्रदर्शनी पर, किसी आपदा पर, सभा या सामूहिक चर्चा बिंदुओं की प्रस्तुति
- संयोजक (Facilitator) की आलोचनात्मक टिप्पणियाँ
- अपने मित्रों और अपने विचारों में तालमेल बिठाना
- नियोजित मौखिक प्रस्तुति करना, उद्घोषणा करना
पढ़ना एवं लिखना (पठन एवं लेखन कौशल)
- पाठ्य सामग्री और अपठित सामग्री एवं उस पर प्रश्न
- पाठ्य सामग्री के केंद्रीय भाव का अनुमान एवं लेखन
- अपने ज्ञान के आधार पर विविध विधाओं की समझ
- अपनी व्यक्तिगत राय से भिन्न पाठ्य सामग्री के मूलभूत तथ्यों की पहचान
- पाठ्य सामग्री की तुलना में भाव साम्य की दृष्टि से अन्य रचनाएँ
- साहित्यिक एवं सांस्कृतिक संदर्भों के अनुरूप शब्दों, मुहावरों, पदबंधों का चयन एवं प्रयोग
- पाठ्य सामग्री को टुकड़ों में बाँटकर अपनी समझ का संवर्द्धन
- सत्य, काल्पनिक अनुभवों का विस्तार से और क्रमबद्धता से लेखन
- उपयुक्त कार्यकारण संबंध और श्रोताओं के अनुरूप लेखन
- विभिन्न प्रिंट एवं डिजिटल माध्यमों से प्राप्त उपयुक्त जानकारी
- व्यंग्य, रूपक, उपमा आदि की समझ
- वर्ष के अंत तक साहित्य की विभिन्न विधाएँ – कहानी, एकांकी, कविता, निबंध, लेख आदि की समझ और लेखन
व्याकरण और भाषा
- शब्द विचार
- उपसर्ग-प्रत्यय
- तत्सम-तद्भव
- संज्ञा, लिंग, वचन, कारक, सर्वनाम, विशेषण, क्रिया, काल और उनके भेद
- अव्यय भेद
- क्रिया विशेषण
- संबंधबोधक
- समुच्चयबोधक
- निपात
- विस्मयादिबोधक
- अकर्मक-सकर्मक क्रिया के अतिरिक्त प्रेरणार्थक क्रिया, संयुक्त क्रिया, मिश्र क्रिया, नामधातु क्रिया
- अर्थ के आधार पर वाक्य भेद
- रचना के आधार पर वाक्य भेद और परस्पर परिवर्तन
- विराम चिह्न
- मुहावरे / लोकोक्तियाँ
- रोचक अपठित गद्यांश / पद्यांश (स्तरानुकूल)
- पत्र लेखन – औपचारिक और अनौपचारिक
- निबंध लेखन (200 शब्दों में)
- विज्ञापन लेखन / प्रस्तुति वर्गीकृत (classified) – जनहित में जारी, उत्पाद आदि से संबंधित विज्ञापन
- डायरी लेखन
- नोटिस / सूचना लेखन
- प्रतिवेदन / रिपोर्ट लेखन
- सुर्खियाँ लेखन
ICSE Class 8 – Computer Studies Syllabus (2025-26)
| Unit |
Topics |
| 1. Operating System and Graphic User Interface |
Role and functions of OS; types of OS; GUI vs CUI; Windows/Linux basics. |
| 2. Spreadsheet – Functions and Charts |
MS Excel advanced features; functions – SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, MIN, IF; charts and graphs. |
| 3. Algorithms and Flowcharts |
Problem-solving steps; algorithms; flowcharts – symbols, rules, examples. |
| 4. Program Coding |
Introduction to programming; basic constructs; writing simple programs in QBASIC/Python. |
| 5. App Development |
Introduction to mobile apps; app development platforms; basic app design. |
| 6. Networks |
Types of networks – LAN, MAN, WAN; internet; network devices; protocols. |
ICSE Class 8 – Art Education Syllabus (2025-26)
| Unit |
Topics |
| 1. Form |
Basic shapes and forms; perspective; proportion; 2D and 3D forms. |
| 2. Colour |
Colour theory; colour wheel; primary, secondary, tertiary colours; warm and cool colours. |
| 3. Texture |
Visual and tactile texture; creating texture in art. |
| 4. Composition |
Principles of design – balance, rhythm, emphasis, harmony, unity. |
| 5. Tools and Techniques |
Pencil, charcoal, watercolour, acrylic, pastels, collage, mixed media. |
| 6. Art Vocabulary |
Terms related to art and design. |
| 7. Art Appreciation |
Responding to artefacts and nature; famous artists and their works; art movements. |
ICSE Class 8 – Study Plan to Maximize Score in 2026 Exams
Consider these essential points to obtain good marks in your ICSE Class 8 exams:
- Create a realistic study schedule: Allocate specific time slots for each subject. Study all subjects regularly – do not skip any subject.
- Know your strengths and weaknesses: Identify topics you find difficult and devote extra time to them.
- Practice numerical exercises daily: Mathematics and Physics require regular practice. Solve problems from each chapter regularly.
- Revise regularly: Set aside 30-40 minutes daily for revision of previously completed chapters.
- Ask for help: Do not hesitate to ask your teachers, parents, or friends if you are unsure about a concept.
- Study every day: Consistent daily study prevents last-minute pressure and cramming.
- Use diagrams and flowcharts: In Science and Geography, practice drawing and labeling diagrams. This aids memory and scores marks.
- Solve sample papers: Practice ICSE Class 8 sample papers and previous years’ question papers under timed conditions.
- Stay healthy: Eat nutritious food, sleep 7-8 hours daily, and take short breaks during study sessions.
- Stay positive: Believe in yourself. Consistent effort always leads to success.
Competitive Exams & Olympiads for ICSE Class 8 Students (2026)
Students in Class 8 can enhance their academic skills by participating in various school-level, national, and international competitive examinations and Olympiads. These exams help identify aptitude, build confidence, and provide exposure beyond the school curriculum.
Olympiad Exams for Class 8 Students
- International Science Olympiad (ISO) – Class 8
- International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) – Class 8
- International Computer Olympiad (ICO) – Class 8
- International Drawing Olympiad (IDO) – Class 8
- English International Olympiad (EIO) – Class 8
- National Social Studies Olympiad (NSSO) – Class 8
- National Essay Olympiad (NESO) – Class 8
- General Knowledge International Olympiad (GKIO) – Class 8
Other Competitive Examinations
- National Talent Search Examination (NTSE): While NTSE is for Class X, Class 8 students can begin foundation preparation.
- National Level Science Talent Search Examination (NLSTSE): Tests knowledge in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and General Awareness.
- Indian National Olympiad (INO): A five-stage selection process for international Olympiads. Stage 1 (NSE) is open to Class 8 students.
- GeoGenius: A Geography-based exam focusing on map skills and world knowledge.
- National Interactive Maths Olympiad (NIMO): Assesses mathematical aptitude and logical reasoning.
Important Notes and Disclaimers
- This page is updated for ICSE Class 8 – Academic Year 2025-26 | ICSE 2026 Examinations based on the official curriculum prescribed by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE).
- The syllabus may vary slightly depending on the affiliated school. Students are advised to refer to the syllabus provided by their respective schools and teachers.
- For the latest updates, circulars, and sample papers, candidates must regularly visit the official CISCE website (https://www.cisce.org).
- For specific queries related to subject combinations, textbooks, or examination dates, students should contact their school authorities.
This page is for informational purposes only. ALLEN Overseas has verified the information from official sources (cisce.org). However, students must refer to official notifications from CISCE and their respective schools for final confirmation.
